Show MASONIC Tko Bible Used at tho Inauguration of Washington Owned by a F A M Lodge Tho Biblo on which Gen Georgo Washington Washing-ton took the oath of office as tho first presi ilontof tho United States has been photographed photo-graphed by St Johns lodge No 1 ot New i I York city for the use of tho centennial committee com-mittee and will bo used by them in their history his-tory of tho forthcoming celebration on April GO ISS9 Tho Bible has been photographed in six different positions one of which is the page on which President Washingtons hand rested while taking the oath of office Thc history of the Washington Bible is one of tho incidents connected with the early days of tho Masonic fraternity in New York city According to tho records of St Johns lodge No1 tho authenticity of the old Biblo is assured When Washington was about to be inaugurated the committee of arrangements arrange-ments found that in tho excitement about Federal hall the necessity of a Bible had been overlooked and the hour for tho inauguration in-auguration was rapidly approaching Tho City hotel stood where now tho Trinity building is and consequently was only a short distance from Federal hall in Wall street Both Washington and Chancellor livingston Living-ston were Freemasons and know that on tho Masonic altar is always to be found an open Bible while the lodge is in session St Johns lodgo held its meetings in tho City hotel and if the tiler was to be found there would bo no difficulty in obtaining tho Bible for so important im-portant an occasion That officer was found as he was an attache of the hotel and the Biblo secured and used after which it was returned to the lodge room An entry of the fact was made in the minutes of tho next meeting of the lodge and tho Bible resumed its place on tho Masonic altar When it became be-came necessary in after years to replace the old book by ono of more modern style the ancient volume was deposited in a place of security as a relic of the lodge St Johns lodge when informed of the de I sire of tho centennial committee gave its I consent to allow thc sacred volume to bo used on April SO ISS9 and appointed a committee of past masters to take charge of the same I during tho ceremonies and to see that no harm came to it I |