#9—George Washington’s Masonic Dedication of the U.S. Capitol Building
This post is intended as a brief but eye-opening preview of two topics we will discuss at far greater length in the future, namely, Freemasonry, and the possible role of the United States in its project of replacing Christendom, and the moving the restrainer, or katechōn, “out of the way.” (2 Thess. 2:7)
On September 18, 1793, a unique and disturbing ceremony took place in the new capital of the youthful United States. The cornerstone of the new Capitol building was laid, and the ceremony for the occasion was led by none other than President George Washington.
But the ceremony was rather unique: it was Freemasonic, and conducted by Freemasons, most notably Washington himself, who had been initiated as a Freemason when he was 20 years old on November 4, 1752.
Allyn Cox, Capitol Cornerstone Ceremony, 1793 (U.S. Capitol Building)
The following description is provided by the Architect of the Capitol:
Activities began at 10:00 a.m. with the appearance of President Washington and his entourage on the south bank of the Potomac River. Crossing the river with the president was a company of volunteer artillery from Alexandria. The procession joined Masonic lodges from Maryland and Virginia, and all marched two abreast, “with music playing, drums beating, colors flying, and spectators rejoicing,” to the site of the Capitol about a mile and a half away. There the procession reformed and Washington, flanked by Joseph Clark (the Grand Master) and Dr. E. C. Dick (the master of the Virginia lodge), stood to the east of a “huge stone” while the others formed a circle west of it.
This “huge stone” was placed in a trench that had been dug for the Capitol cornerstone. Prior to beginning the ritual, an inscribed silver plate was given to George Washington, who stepped down into the trench, laid it on the ground, and lowered the cornerstone onto it. The inscription read:
This South East corner stone, of the Capitol of the United States of America in the City of Washington, was laid on the 18th day of September, in the thirteenth year of American Independence, in the first year of the second term of the Presidency of George Washington, whose virtues in the civil administration of his country have been as conspicuous and beneficial, as his Military valor and prudence have been useful in establishing her liberties, and in the year of Masonry 5793, by the Grand Lodge of Maryland, several lodges under its jurisdiction, and Lodge 22, from Alexandria, Virginia.
Thomas Johnson, David Stuart and Daniel Carroll, Commissioners
Joseph Clark, R. W. G. M.—P. T.
James Hoban and Stephan Hallate, Architects
Collen Williamson, M. Mason
Note how the cornerstone dates the event: with reference to the month, America’s independence, Washington’s presidential term, and “in the year of Masonry.” Conspicuously absent was the standard method of dating virtually all official documents even in the late 18th century: AD, standing for Anno Domini, or “the year of Our Lord,” which dates events with respect to the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Instead, the “year of Masonry” is used. And just by simple math, we can discern that “year 0” of Masonry would be 4,000 BC (approximately the same time period many formerly ascribed to the events narrated in the first three chapters of Genesis). This makes sense, given Masonry’s pretension to being the original religion of mankind—the “religion of nature,” as they often called it. Indeed, no less than Albert Pike, a 33rd degree Freemason who was the head of American Freemasonry during much of the latter half of the nineteenth century, says as much in his famous Masonic “textbook” for initiates, Morals and Dogma:
Masonry, when properly expounded, is at once the interpretation of the great book of nature, the recital of physical and astronomical phenomena, the purest philosophy, and the place of deposit, where, as in a Treasury, are kept in safety all the great truths of the primitive revelation, that form the basis of all religions.
This “primitive revelation,” of which Freemasonry is the custodian, Pike declares “incessantly tends towards spiritual perfection, and the fusion of the creeds and Nationalities of Mankind.” Masonry is thus based on what we call sola natura, or “nature alone,” the belief that nature is capable of healing and perfecting itself without grace. Masonry claims its rites and practices have the ability to “square” a man to act virtuously, and thus live forever. In this, one hears nothing less than the serpent’s guile when he said to Eve she and Adam may “become as gods,” perhaps indicating that if Masonry doesn’t go back to the Garden, it certainly presents the same Satanic temptations as was faced by our first parents.
Freemasonry’s purpose, therefore, is to restore this “primitive revelation” of sola natura in the world in order to unite all mankind, not on the basis of union with Jesus Christ by grace, but according to our fallen human nature in Adam. Freemasonry thus conceives of itself as an anti-Church—a way of uniting mankind through a means other than the Catholic Church. One of its key aims (which we will discuss in much greater detail in the future) is the separation of temporal powers from the Church. This “great work” necessarily implies the destruction of Christian civilization, and a restoration of that which preceded it, though in a new and updated form. Thus the frequent and explicit condemnations of Freemasonry by the Popes since 1738. For example, Pope Leo XIII, warns that Freemasonry’s goal is to overthrow Christian civilization in encyclicals such as Humanum Genus (1884), Dall’alto dell’Apostolico Seggio (1890), Custodi di Quella Fede (1892), Inimica vis (1892), Praeclara gratulationis publicae (1894), and Annum ingress (1902).
Thus, none of what was contained on the silver inscription Washington laid with the cornerstone of our Capitol is an accident.
Washington was joined by three “Worshipful Masters” who had the corn, wine, and oil which he used to consecrate the stone. Chants accompanied Washington’s ascent out of the trench, and after the formal ceremony was completed, a 500-pound ox was barbequed (a Golden Calf?), and the festivities continued until evening.
The laying of the cornerstone is depicted in several places in the Capitol. First, on the Senate Bronze Doors, which the Architect of the Capitol describes as follows:
On September 18, 1793, the cornerstone of the Capitol was laid in the southeast corner of the foundation with Masonic rites. President George Washington is shown with the trowel in his right hand. [Emphasis added]
The second depiction is found in a painting in the Cox Corridors of the Capitol. Again, the Architect of the Capitol describes the scene as follows:
The Capitol’s first cornerstone was laid on September 18, 1793, by President Washington in a Masonic ceremony. The ceremony was preceded by a parade and followed by celebration and feasting. [Emphasis added]
A ceremonial re-enactment commemorating the 225th anniversary of the laying of the Capitol cornerstone was carried out on September 18, 2018. The full ceremony can be watched here.
It contained several revealing moments.
Robert Gordon Hardie, George Washington, President of the United States of America (1899)
For example, Republican Senator from Wyoming, Mike Enzi, declared he had been a Master Mason for fifty years (which was greeted with applause), and that while mayor of Gillette, WY, he asked the Masons to come and dedicate the building of a new city hall. He also specifically noted that “the masons only dedicate public buildings, and masonic temples” (confirming the Masonic focus on temporal power). He celebrated the fact that, according to him, 13 signers of the Constitution were masons, as well as 14 Presidents. He exhorted the audience: “Pay attention to the words of the lessons that will be taught today. They’re a sample of the lessons that are taught in masonry to make good men better men.”
Kevin Butterfield, the Executive Director of the Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washinton, said that “Like many Americans, they [those who laid the cornerstone] believed that…Freemasonry symbolized and even helped to instill selfless virtue, morality, equality, and of course brotherhood, [and] it could provide the right kind of sacred foundation for what this building would become.” He also observed, “A version of what you are about to see was used to lay the original cornerstones of the U.S. Capitol, the White House, Smithsonian, as well as countless other buildings throughout the country, and throughout the world. The following ceremony has been written specifically for this anniversary, and is based on the original ceremony that was used 225 years ago.”
As we have already noted, and will further discuss in future posts, this illustrates the reality that Freemasonry is particularly focused on government institutions—temporal powers. After all, besides their own temples, public buildings are the only other things they dedicate with Masonic rites. This perfectly aligns with what multiple Popes have declared about Freemasonry, its desire to destroy Christian civilization, and erect on its ruins a pre-Christian model of civilization predicated on the power of human reason and sola natura, or “nature alone.” Pope Leo XIII calls this “naturalism” in his most significant encyclical on Freemasonry, Humanum Genus (1884).
Since 1738, at least nine Popes have explicitly condemned Freemasonry. The following are proclamations by the Church which explicitly and (in the case of modern canon law) implicitly condemn Freemasonry:
· Pope Clement XII, In eminenti apostolatus (1738)
· Pope Benedict XIV, Providas Romanorum (1751)
· Pope Pius VII, Ecclesiam a Jesu Christo (1821)
· Pope Leo XII, Quo Graviora: On Secret Societies (1826)
· Pope Pius VIII, Traditi Humilitati: On His Program for His Pontificate (1829)
· Pope Pius VIII, Litteris altero (1830)
· Pope Gregory XVI, Mirari vos: On Liberalism and Religious Indifferentism (1832)
· Pope Pius IX, Qui pluribus: On Faith and Religion (1846)
· Pope Pius IX, Quibus quantisque malis (1849)
· Pope Pius IX, Quanta cura: Condemning Current Errors (1864)
· Pope Pius IX, Multiplices inter: Pleading for Unity of Spirit (1853)
· Pope Pius IX, Apostolicae Sedis moderation (1869)
· Pope Pius IX, Etsi multa: On the Church in Italy, Germany, and Switzerland (1873)
· Pope Leo XIII, Etsi Nos: On Conditions in Italy (1882)
· Pope Leo XIII, Humanum Genus (1884)
· Pope Leo XIII, Officia sanctissimo: On the Church in Bavaria (1887)
· Pope Leo XIII, Dall’alto dell’Apostolico Seggio: Freemasonry in Italy (1890)
· Pope Leo XIII, Custodi di Quella Fede: On Freemasonry (1892)
· Pope Leo XIII, Inimica vis: On Freemasonry (1892)
· Pope Leo XIII, Praeclara gratulationis publicae: The Reunion of Christendom (1894)
· Pope Leo XIII, Annum ingressi (1902)
· St. Pope Pius X, The 1917 Pio-Benedictine Code of Canon Law (Can. 2335)
· St. Pope John Paul II, The 1983 Code of Canon Law (Can. 1374)
· Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Declaration on Masonic Associations (1983)
· St. Pope John Paul II, The 1990 Code of Canons of Oriental Churches (Can. 1448)
Thus, while no doubt many Freemasons are not fully aware of the diabolical nature of their society (a fact observed by many Popes), how can we conclude anything other than that the ceremony conducted by George Washington in laying the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol was Luciferian? If we witnessed such a ceremony today, we would unhesitatingly conclude as much. The fact that such a ceremony was conducted by a man we normally associate with goodness and virtue doesn’t make it any less wicked.
The following is a transcript of the modern re-enactment of the Masonic ceremony that accompanied the laying of the Capitol cornerstone (with our emphasis in bolded italics). The ceremony itself begins around the 30 minute and 50 second mark.
Transcript of the Masonic Cornerstone Ceremony
Grand Master: We are here assembled, in the presence of the Great Architect of the Universe, for the purpose of symbolically laying the cornerstone of this magnificent edifice, which has served as the very point within the circle of all democracy for two and a quarter centuries. We as Masons are told to implore his aid in all our laudable undertakings. Let us attend, as we now invoke his blessing upon our work.
Speaker 1: Grand Architect and Ruler of the Universe, pour down thy blessings upon us as we take up the working tools and set our gentle craft to labor. May our work thus begun in thy name be continued to thy glory, and establish within us all obedience to thy divine precepts. Amen.
All: So mote it be.
Grand Master: The trowel is symbolically used to unite this building into one common mass. We use it now as the symbol which unites all of mankind into one family between the twin pillars of freedom and democracy. [MC uses trowel to apply a small bit of mortar to the surface upon which the cornerstone will be set] The officers will set the stone. [Two others pick up the stone and lay it atop the mortar]
Speaker 2: Most Worshipful, the stone has been symbolically set, and I now present the square, the level, and the plum, the implement of the craft by which we will ascertain that this stone is well-formed, true, and trusty.
Grand Master: Right Worshipful Brother, Deputy Grand Master, what is the proper implement of your office, and what are its moral and masonic uses?
Speaker 3: The square, Most Worshipful. It is used to square our actions by the square of virtue, and to prove our work.
Grand Master: Apply the implement of your office, and make your report. [Speaker 3 applies the square to the top corners of the cornerstone]
Speaker 3: Most Worshipful, I find the stone to be square. The craftsmen have done their duty.
Grand Master: Right Worshipful Brother, Senior Grand Warden, what is the proper implement of your office, and what are its moral and masonic uses?
Speaker 4: The level, Most Worshipful. Morally, it reminds us of equality, and is used to prove horizontals.
Grand Master: Apply the implements of your office, and make your report. [Speaker 4 applies the level to the cornerstone]
Speaker 4: Most Worshipful, I find the stone to be level. The craftsmen have performed their duty.
Grand Master: Right Worshipful, Junior Grand Warden, what is the proper implement of your office, and what are its moral and masonic uses?
Speaker 5: The plum, Most Worshipful.
Grand Master: Apply the implement of your office, and make your report.
Speaker 5: The plum, Most Worshipful, admonishes us to walk uprightly and serve our station. The craftsman has been called.
Grand Master: The cornerstone has been tested by the proper implements of masonry. And I therefore declare it to be well-formed, true, and trusty, and correctly placed according to the rules of our ancient craft. It has been the custom since time immemorial to dedicate the cornerstone with corn, wine, and oil. We present them now in the name of the Great Architect of the Universe, to invoke his continued blessing which he has bestowed on our country and its people.
Speaker 6: Most Worshipful, we pour this corn as an emblem of nourishment. May it serve as an emblem of nourishment for all of humanity.
Speaker 7: Most Worshipful, we pour this wine as an emblem of refreshment. May the Giver of Every Blessing prosper all our laudable undertakings.
Speaker 8: Most Worshipful, we pour this oil as an emblem of joy. May peace, love, [and] happiness transcend this land [?]. So mote that it be.
All: Mote it be.
Grand Master: The ceremony of laying a cornerstone has been passed down to us from time immemorial. It is symbolic of that spiritual building which each one of us is engaged in erecting during the course of our natural lives. May the Grave [Great?] Ruler of the Universe continue to bless and consecrate this structure which has risen from the foundation stone, and may he continue to bless us as we erect our spiritual building, the chief foundation stone of which may always be well-formed, true, and trusty.
[Masons exit, except the Grand Master]
Grand Master: Good evening brethren, ladies and gentlemen…In looking forward to this evening, I couldn’t help but imagine what it would have been like to have attended the original ceremony: the actual laying of the U.S. Capitol cornerstone, 225 years ago this very day. It must have been an impressive sight to behold. Newspaper reporting on the events of that auspicious day go into exhaustive details about how, beginning at 10 o’clock in the morning, His Excellency President Washington was formally escorted by his Masonic brethren from Virginia across the Potomac River, where he was then greeted, and joined, by the Maryland Masons to beating military bands playing, colors flying, and spectators rejoicing. The great procession slowly but steadily advanced to the center of the newly founded city to where we stand today, the very spot where this magnificent structure be erected. The same newspaper that reported on the procession and the cornerstone ceremony went on to describe how the entire assembly then retired to feasts on a 500-pound barbequed ox. Think about it: 500 pounds of BBQ, and no [?] nap. Apparently, the celebration continued the whole day before finally ending with fifteen successive rounds from the artillery. What a party, huh?
Just imagine if we tried to reenact a similar procession today. Would we cross the river in boats, as our forefathers did? Or would we just march across the 14th street bridge, or maybe Memorial Bridge? I guess, today, it could be a caravan of Uber and Lyft rides. Think about the logistical challenges involved in trying to do something like that today. The city would seize up in gridlock, and there would be a lot of angry commuters. I actually did cross the Potomac River this evening from my home in Virginia, but alas, there was no sound of drums, no beating of military bands playing, no colors flying.
I suspect that President and Brother Washington would scarcely recognize today the city that bears his name. And that’s a good thing. Over the last 225 years, Washington, DC went from being a swampy backwater capital of an upstart new nation to the world-class capital of the free world. It started with this beautiful Temple, dedicated to the sovereignty of the people, and capped by an allegorical statue representing freedom.
The Freemasons not only participated in the building of the national capital, but they were [there] every step of the way as Washington evolved into the great city it is today. It is true that Freemasons are known for, and are pretty good, at conducting ceremonies, as you have seen it.
But let’s be clear about this: Freemasons did much more than just simply perform the Masonic cornerstone ceremonies that accompany the building of all great public edifices: monuments, memorials, and maybe churches in this great city.
Much more than that, countless Freemasons rolled up their sleeves, and play an integral part in the heavy work that needed to be done to build and realize a new form of government based on such principles as liberty, and equal justice under the law.
Through it all, these Masons were equipped with Masonic tenets like virtue, diligence, brotherly love, and square dealing in all things. I am convinced that if the so-called American Experiment is a success, it is in large measure due to the long and positive influence of so many earnest, hardworking Freemasons present in every branch of government, and at every level of society from the earliest days of the Republic. As a values-based society that focuses on the internal attributes of an individual rather than [unclear], the Masonic fraternity has always sought to elevate the character of man by supporting each other in self-improvement, and thereby helping to build a better world.
This being a nation of immigrants, it is only natural that the servants of the people who work in this building, as well as the thousands more beyond who are employed in the business of government, have over time reflected the great diversity of this international city of America itself. I am very happy to say that it’s also true with the Masonic Fraternity in general, and DC Freemasonry in particular.
Even though the Founding Fathers of America, with many Freemasons among them by the way, were almost exclusively patrician white Anglo-Saxon protestants, that cannot be said of the leaders of today. America, and by extension Freemasonry itself, has been embraced by men of good character hailing from all races, religions, and walks of life. Despite some inevitable bumps in the road, I am convinced that the result is a richer America, that not only endures, but triumphs. From the time of the founding of the Republic, through the present day, American Freemasonry is proud of her consequential role in the promotion, formation, and preservation of a “more perfect Union,” as symbolized in the words of the Constitution, and in architecture by this magnificent U.S. Capitol building.
Thank you everyone who made this re-enactment possible today. May this historic moment connecting us to the Founding Father of our nation be a source of inspiration and guidance to us all…God Bless Freemasonry, and God Bless these United States of America.
