HERALD Official Or g an Of The Slavonic Benevolent Order Of The State Of Texas. Founded 1897. BENEVOLENCE
VOLUME 53 — NO. 8
HUMANITY
BROTHERHOOD
Postmaster: Please Send Form 3579 with Undeliverable Copies to: SUPREME LODGE, SPJST, P. O. Box 100, TEMPLE, TEXAS
FEBRUARY 24, 1965
FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK GEORGE WASHINGTON Though born into widely different homes and reared in social atmosphere totally unlike; though trained by dissimilar circumstances and called to face diverse problems of national life, yet Washington and Lincoln show the same pure character and blameless reputation. They stand shoulder to shoulder as sage, patriot, defender and statesman, worthy of an equal share of our nation's love and honor. Washington is fondly called the Father of his Country, but Lincoln is the savior who preserved our freedom and union; Washington was the Securer and Lincoln the Conservator of a nation united, prosperous and free. Washington won our independence, but Lincoln won the enduring unity of the north and south. Washington founded our government and Lincoln saved it from disruption. Both faced grave political situations and stood firm for the right; both Were true, just, loyal and kind. Their characters as well as their works entitle them to the reward of undying fame. Yet the reward of life was very different. Washington lived to a ripe age, enjoying the fruit of his public labors, having the pleasure of seeing the government develop and prosper; Lincoln who after years of worry and struggle with problems of battlefields and political intrigue, lived only to see the dawn of peace which he eagerly hoped
GEORGE WASHINGTON 22 February 1732 14 December 1799 First President — 1789-1797 • A "Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection." —Inaugural Prayer 30 April 1789 would bring harmony and prosperity again to the nation. Deprived, by the assassin's hand, from knowing the greatest of his services, his only reward is the martyr's crown of fame and glary. It is not amiss to celebrate the bir thdays of Washington and Lincoln at the same time. By today's calendar Washington was born February 22 and Lincoln 77 years later on February 12. But by the calendar in use in the
Colonies at the time of Washington's birth, 1732, he also was born on February 12. Not to upset any astrologer. but to seek reason for the similarities to these two dissimilar great men of our history, it can be argued they were born under the same star. Although each had a humble beginning, their lives were as unlike as their appearances, manners, speech a n d habits. Yet each became President. And each in his time and way gave all for the freedom of man, one to form the United States of America, the other to preserve it. To search further, each was a man of great principle, prudent, patient and kind. Washington could have been king had he chosen. Lincoln could not. Washington had little sense of humor. Humor was a great asset and sometimes the saving grace of Mr. Lincoln. Different as they were, each had great, deliberate wisdom. Perhaps they were most alike in their official integrity, honesty and frugality. Of a certainty, without such purity of purpose, wisdom, steadfastness and personal honor in the highest place neither the Colonies nor the later Nation would have survived their times. Today we have neither Washington nor Lincoln. But we can keep bright their example to guide us. As Musefield wrote, "All I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by."