A piece of American and Masonic history.

SGH

I thought some of you might enjoy seeing this. Recently George Washington’s Masonic Bible was on display at the Grand Lodge of Mississippi. This is not the Bible that he swore his Presidential oath on. But it is the very Bible he swore his 3 Masonic oaths on and was presented with after being raised to Master Mason 
Rather you are interested in the Masonic significance or not, it is still a giant piece of American history for sure. 

Holding the Bible is brother Frank Brewer. He is also the Deputy District Grand Lecturer of south Mississippi jurisdiction. He is also a dear friend the man who taught me all of my Masonic work. 

Sweet100s

Very cool @SGH!   Nothing more emotive for me than historic books, especially a Bible.  

I tripped across a historic book store in Vegas in February and spent an hour there.

Great to see you hanging out here again.   

SGH

@Sweet100s
How have you been sister! I have been away for a while. Great to see you still here 👍

YukonRon

I love historic artifacts. That is surprising something of that caliber is not under glass in a museum somewhere. Glad you had the opportunity to experience it, and thank you for sharing such a monumental event.

brentm

Wow!  Stunning!  

Any history on how the Bible came back to the Grand Lodge?

I know in our State's Grand Lodge, there's a secured area for the presentation of artifacts of historical significance.  Kind of like a museum.  It's probably not Smithsonian-level security (although, didn't they lose his wooden teeth?).  But it is secure.

Ecc 12:1-7

GregW

Interesting artifact. I had two uncles that were Mason's, but I don't know anything about what the Masons are.

SGH

brentm said:

Wow!  Stunning!  

Any history on how the Bible came back to the Grand Lodge?

I know in our State's Grand Lodge, there's a secured area for the presentation of artifacts of historical significance.  Kind of like a museum.  It's probably not Smithsonian-level security (although, didn't they lose his wooden teeth?).  But it is secure.

Ecc 12:1-7

Yes sir. I will share what I know to be fact. His Masonic Bible actually has always belonged to Fredericksburg Lodge #4 in Virginia. In days past before modern printing Master Masons did not get to keep the Masonic Bible they took their oaths on. The Bible would remain in possession of the lodge. This is the case with President Washington’s Bible. It has remained and actually used for a short time in the lodge. 

Because the Bible is still in and has always been in possession of his Blue Lodge, they are free to with it as they wish. They own it. That said, they take great care in preserving and protecting the Bible. But they do periodically allow the Bible to be taken to other Grand Lodges and be displayed for 24-48 hours. More often than not this usually done as a funding raising event. That is how the Bible came to be at the Mississippi Grand Lodge for a day. 

Here is another fascinating (at least to me) historical fact. Being the first Presidential ceremony no one remembered to bring a Bible for the swearing in ceremony. Saint Johns Lodge #1 being close loaned a Masonic Bible for his swearing in. He was swore in on a Masonic Bible. Just not the one he took his Masonic oaths on. Man presidents have been swore in on that same Masonic Bible. Including George Bush. 

In closing, I could not help but to notice you ended with:

Ecc 12:1-7
Good eye my brother. 

frazzdaddy

Very cool Scottie. My grandfather was a Mason. I have his ruby ring. It's pretty special to me.

SGH

frazzdaddy said:

Very cool Scottie. My grandfather was a Mason. I have his ruby ring. It's pretty special to me.

That is awesome brother. I know it is different jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but you mention the ring is ruby in color. I would be will willing to bet a dollar against a dog biscuit that your grandfather was also a Shriner. I myself am also a Shriner. Member of JOPPA Shrine. 

frazzdaddy

SGH said:

frazzdaddy said:

Very cool Scottie. My grandfather was a Mason. I have his ruby ring. It's pretty special to me.

That is awesome brother. I know it is different jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but you mention the ring is ruby in color. I would be will willing to bet a dollar against a dog biscuit that your grandfather was also a Shriner. I myself am also a Shriner. Member of JOPPA Shrine. 

Not to my knowledge, He was very active with the masons. I remember some kind of big ceremony happening that I didn't understand. The Masonic Crest is inlaid into a ruby colored stone set in a gold ring.