Masonic Bible used in inaugurations
Bible has a storied role in inaugurations - Los Angeles Times.
Well documented, however, is the Bible that the first president used for his oath.
Four chief executives — Warren G. Harding, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush — have sworn upon the Bible that Washington used at the first presidential inauguration in 1789.
This particular tome was a late addition to the festivities. Because a Masonic lodge played a role in the ceremony, held at Federal Hall in New York, the group continues to recount the story. In 1918, Adolph Geering, once a master of St. John’s Masonic Lodge in New York, said, “Everything was ready for the administration of the oath of office.”
But there was no Bible.
New York Chancellor Robert Livingston, who was to administer the oath, and the inaugural parade marshal were both Freemasons, like many early American leaders. The marshal retrieved a Bible from the altar of their nearby lodge so the oath could begin.
January 20th, 2009 in Breaking News, Freemasonry
Bible has a storied role in inaugurations - Los Angeles Times.
Well documented, however, is the Bible that the first president used for his oath.
Four chief executives — Warren G. Harding, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush — have sworn upon the Bible that Washington used at the first presidential inauguration in 1789.
This particular tome was a late addition to the festivities. Because a Masonic lodge played a role in the ceremony, held at Federal Hall in New York, the group continues to recount the story. In 1918, Adolph Geering, once a master of St. John’s Masonic Lodge in New York, said, “Everything was ready for the administration of the oath of office.”
But there was no Bible.
New York Chancellor Robert Livingston, who was to administer the oath, and the inaugural parade marshal were both Freemasons, like many early American leaders. The marshal retrieved a Bible from the altar of their nearby lodge so the oath could begin.
January 20th, 2009 in Breaking News, Freemasonry