George Washington Inaugural Bible

By R:.W:. Werner Hartmann, 1957, updated by V:.W:. Piers A. Vaughan, 2003

So far nothing has been said about St. John's most treasured possession, save mention of its original acquisition.  Little did the brethren of 1770 realize, as they looked upon their new Bible, that their land would ere long sever its ties with the mother country, and that nineteen years later, upon that Book, a man would swear to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution" of the new nation.  For it was upon that Bible that George Wash­ington took the oath of office at his inauguration as first President of the United States on April 30, 1789.

 The story of how this came to pass is best told in the words of a revered Past Master of the Lodge, Rt. Wor. Adolph Geering, in an address delivered on February 22, 1918:

 “On April 30, 1789, an event took place of the greatest importance to the whole world.  It was the inauguration of George Washington as the first President of the United States, on the spot marked today by his statue erected in Wall Street, near Nassau.  With this great and important event St. John's Lodge was intimately connected, by ac­cident to be sure, but nevertheless indissolubly linked for all time.  On a platform erected for the purpose, in front of the then City Hall, were gathered the Congress of the United States, with George Wash­ington and Chancellor Livingston, Grand Master of Masons.  In front of them was an immense concourse of citizens.  It was indeed a great holiday occasion.  The war of the Revolution was over.  Peace reigned throughout the country.

“Everything was ready for the administration of the oath of office to the president of the new government, when it was found that there had not been provided a Holy Bible on which the President-elect could swear allegiance to the Constitution, Jacob Morton, who was Marshal of the parade and at that time, Master of St. John's Lodge, was standing close by, and, seeing the dilemma they were in, remarked that he could get the altar Bible of St. John's Lodge, which met at the "Old Coffee House," corner of Water and Wall Streets.  Chancellor Livingston begged him to do so.  The Bible was brought, and the ceremony proceeded.  When the stately Washington had finished repeating the oath, with his right hand resting on the open Book and his head bowed in reverential manner, he said, in a clear and distinct voice, ‘I swear, so help me God!’  Then bowing over this magnificent Bible, he reverently kissed it.  Whereupon Chancellor Livingston in a ringing voice exclaimed, ‘Long live George Wash­ington, President of the United States!’”

 “The Bible was “Printed by Mark Baskett, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty, London 1767.”  The deep gold lettering, distinctly clear on both covers, displays this inscription: “God shall establish; St. John's Lodge constituted 5757; Burnt down 8th March, 5770; Rebuilt and opened November 28, 5770. Officers then presiding: Jonathan Hampton, Master: William Butler, Senior Warden: Isaac Heron, Junior Warden.”  The first page is an artistic steel engraved portrait of King George II., but, that which is so dear to the heart of every Mason is the inserted second page. Beautifully engrossed and remarkably legible even at this date are the lines:

 “On this sacred volume, on the 30th day of April, A. L. 5789, in the City of New York, was administered to George Washington, the first president of the United States of America, the oath to support the Constitution of the United States.

“This important ceremony was performed by the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York, the Honorable Robert R. Livingston, Chancellor of the State.

“Then follows this stanza:

 “Fame stretched her wings and with her trumpet blew.

Great Washington is near. What praise is due

What title shall he have? She paused-and said

‘Not one - his name alone strikes every title dead.’”

 “The Bible is the King James Version, complete with the Apocrypha and elaborately supplemented with the historical, astronomical and legal data of that period.  There are numerous artistic steel engravings portraying Biblical narratives from designs and paintings by old masters and engraved by the celebrated English artist, John Stuart.  The Bible was presented to the Lodge by Jonathan Hampton on November 28th, 1770, the Sight he was made Master, and the records disclose the interesting fact that this now priceless book was the altar Bible of the Lodge in 1789, when Washington was in­augurated.

 “When Washington was sworn he rested his right hand on Genesis XLIX. and L., the two pages of which have been very skillfully mounted with transparent silk for future preservation. The Masonic Fraternity will, therefore, ever hold in grateful remembrance the name of Worshipful Brother Jacob Morton, by whose thoughtfulness St. John's Lodge was thus associated with this, one of the most important events in the history of our beloved country. We are proud of this priceless treasure. The whole fraternity of Free Masons looks with reverence and pride upon that Book which so intimately connects us, as a lodge and as a society, with the birth of American freedom.”

 The Bible has since been used at four other inaugurations - President Harding in 1921, President Eisenhower in 1953, President Jimmy Carter in 1977, and President George Bush Sr. in 1989.  It was also to have been used for the inauguration of George W. Bush in 2001, but rain prevented its use.  It has also been present at numerous public and Masonic occasions.  To list but a few, they include Washington's funeral procession in New York, December 31, 1799; the introduction of Croton water into New York City, October 14, 1840; the dedication of the Masonic Temple in Boston, June 24, 1867, and of that in Philadelphia on me 24, 1869; the dedication of the Washington monument in Washington, February 21, 1885 (and its rededication in 1998); and the laying of the cornerstone of the Masonic Home at Utica on May 21, 1891.  It was also used at the opening of the present Masonic Hall in New York on September 18, 1909, when St. John's Lodge held the first meeting, and conferred the first Third Degree, in the newly completed Temple.  More recently it featured at the World Fair in New York, and has been displayed at the CIA Offices outside Washington D.C., and at the Famous Fathers & Sons exhibition at the George Bush Memorial Library outside Dallas, Texas in 2001.

The Bible is still in active use by the Lodge.  When not being used by St. John’s Lodge or on tour, it is on permanent display at Federal Hall, Wall Street, New York, where it is kept in a secure display with special lighting and atmospheric control to maintain this important document. 

Federal Hall in 1789 – the balcony on which George Washington took his oath

is to the left, beneath the four columns

When not in use or traveling, the Washington Inaugural Bible is on display at Federal Hall, Wall Street, New York.