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Honoring and Recognizing Lodge No. 2 of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons, for its Historical Significance in the Founding of the Nation, its 268 Years of Dedication to Leadership and Mentorship, and its Continued Contributions to Charitable Organizations in the City of Philadelphia.
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WHEREAS, Lodge No. 2, Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons, was constitutionally warranted in 1758 and has maintained a continuous existence in the City of Philadelphia for 268 years, making it the oldest existing Masonic Lodge in Pennsylvania, and one of the oldest fraternal organizations in North America; and
WHEREAS, The history of Lodge No. 2 is inextricably linked to the birth of the United States, as its membership during the Revolutionary War included a distinguished roster of patriots, comprising sixteen Colonels, ten Majors, and twenty-eight Captains of the Continental Army, including such notable figures as Colonel Thomas Proctor, High Sheriff of Philadelphia, and Colonel Allen McLane; and
WHEREAS, Lodge No. 2 played a pivotal role in the early civic life of the young nation, organizing the historic procession to Christ Church on December 28, 1778, in which Brother George Washington participated, celebrating the British evacuation of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend William Smith, D.D., Provost of the College of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania) and a prominent member of Lodge No. 2, authored the Ahiman Rezon of 1783, the book of Masonic law dedicated to General George Washington, thereby cementing the bond between the Father of Our Country and the Philadelphia fraternity; and
WHEREAS, The indelible mark of Lodge No. 2 on the founding documents of this Nation is embodied by Brother John Dunlap, Esq., who entered the Lodge in 1768, and who, serving as the official printer to the Continental Congress, worked through the night of July 4, 1776, to produce the first printed broadsides of the Declaration of Independence, thereby disseminating the fundamental ideals of American liberty to the colonies and the world; and
WHEREAS, The patriotic devotion of the brethren of Lodge No. 2 is further exemplified by the extraordinary sacrifices of Brother Haym Salomon, a brilliant merchant and indispensable financier of the American Revolution, who tirelessly brokered bills of exchange, secured critical foreign loans, and pledged his personal fortune to fund the Continental Army and the delegates of the Continental Congress, ensuring the survival and ultimate victory of the Patriot cause; and
WHEREAS, Lodge No. 2 established a precedent for organized municipal philanthropy in 1785 by donating the proceeds from the sale of the Freemasons' Lodge-amounting to over $1,500-to the City of Philadelphia to establish a Fuel Fund for the relief of the indigent, a charitable trust that continues to benefit the city today; and
WHEREAS, The Lodge demonstrated remarkable resilience during the 19th century, particularly through the leadership of Worshipful Master William Cummings, who preserved the Lodge’s warrant and continuity during the Anti-Masonic agitation of the 1830s, ensuring that its lights would not be extinguished; and
WHEREAS, Lodge No. 2 continues to exemplify the Masonic tenets of Brotherly Love and Relief in the 21st century through active, hands-on community service, including regularly volunteering their time and resources to prepare meals for transplant patients and their families at Gift of Life Howie’s House, as well as regularly donating blood through the Masonic Blood and Organ Donor Program; now, therefore, be it;
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby honors and recognizes Lodge No. 2 of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania for its extraordinary 268-year history, its foundational role in the American Revolution, and its unwavering commitment to charity, leadership, and the welfare of the citizens of Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Worshipful Master, Peter Lavelle, and Brethren of Lodge No. 2 as an expression of the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.
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