Beloved Commander of the American Forces during the Revolutionary War and the first President of the United States, George Washington was not without his quarks. He was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge. They were organized in England during the 17th Century “to improve and elevate the character of man.” The idea was to seek out and assist enlightened men who wanted to contribute something to civilization. That description would certainly apply to George Washington.

Also know as the Three Link Fraternity which stands for friendship, love and truth, some of their ceremonies were very strange. I recall attending some events in a hall rented from a local Odd Fellow group in the New York City area. We all laughed when someone pulled open a trap door near the podium looking for a light switch and found a real skeleton! I guess they use it in their rituals? Like most Lodges, there are secret ceremonies they participate in that non-members aren’t privy to.

I don’t know a lot about the Odd Fellows. The Skeleton was education enough! But I do know that George Washington was an extremely intelligent and forward-thinking visionary. Although I don’t belong to any, most lodges seem to have some sort of belief in the supernatural or a higher power. Washington may have given us a glimpse into the source of his inspiration and optimistic view of how great America would become through several of his soldiers.

In the late 1700’s and early 1800’s, a number of Revolutionary War Veterans took advantage of an Act of Congress which called for the purchase of books, maps and other materials related to that war for the sake of securing the history of it for the future. Those who could, wrote or had written for them accounts of their experiences during the war and later sold the material to the government. Some of the publications were also successful as books available for sale to the general public.

At least two of the books were written by Revolutionary War Veterans, Anthony Sherman and David Perry. They had both known Washington and mentioned an odd event which occurred at Valley Forge in 1777. Anthony Sherman described it in detail:

“When the bold action of our Congress, in asserting the independence of the colonies, became known to the world, we were laughed and scoffed at as silly, presumptuous rebels, whom the British would soon tame into submissions, but undaunted we prepared to make good what we had said. The keen encounter came, and the world knows the result. It is easy and pleasant for those of the present generation to talk and write of the days of 1776, but they little know, neither can they imagine the trials and sufferings of those fearful days. And there is one thing that I much fear, and that is, that the American people no not properly appreciate the boon of freedom. Party spirit is yearly becoming stronger and stronger, and unless it is checked, will, at no distant day, undermine and tumble into ruin the noble structure of the Republic.”

“From the opening of the Revolution we experienced all phases of fortune. The darkest period we had, however, was, when Washington retreated to Valley Forge, where he resolved to pass the winter of 1777. Ah! I have often seen the tears coursing down our dear old commander’s care-worn cheeks as he would be conversing with a confidential officer about the condition of his poor soldiers. You have doubtless heard the story of Washington going to the thicket to pray. Well, it is not only true, but he used often to pray in secret for aid and comfort from that God, the interposition of whose providence alone brought us safely through those dark days of Tribulation.”

“One day, he remained in his quarters nearly the whole of the afternoon, alone. When he came out, his face was a shade paler than usual, and there seemed to be something on his mind of more than ordinary importance. Returning just after dusk he dispatched and orderly to the quarters of the officer I mentioned, who was presently in attendance. After a preliminary conversation, which lasted some half an hour, Washington, gazing upon his companion with that strange look of dignity, which he alone could command, said to the latter.”

“I do not know whether it was owing to the anxiety of mind, or what, but this afternoon, as I was sitting at this very table, engaged, in preparing a dispatch, something in the apartment seemed to disturb me. Looking up, I beheld standing exactly opposite me, a singularly beautiful female. So astonished was I, for I had given strict orders not to be disturbed, that it was some moments before I found language to inquire the cause of her presence. A second, third, and even a fourth time did I repeat the question, but received no answer from my mysterious visitor other than a slight raising of the eyes. By this time I felt a strange sensation spreading through me. I would have risen, but the riveted gaze of the being before me rendered volition impossible, I essayed once more to address her, but my tongue had become paralyzed. A new influence, mysterious, irresistible took possession of me. All I could do was to gaze steadily, vacantly, at my visitant. Gradually the surrounding atmosphere seemed as though becoming filled with sensations, and grew luminous. Everything about seemed to rarify the mysterious visitor herself becoming more airy, and even more distinct to my sight than before, I now began to feel as one dying, or rather to experience the sensations which I have sometimes imagined accompany dissolution. I did not think I did not reason, I did not move, all were alike impossible. I was only conscious of gazing, fixedly, vacantly, on my Companion.”

“Presently I heard a voice, saying, 'Son of the Republic, look and learn!' while at the same time my visitor extended her arm and forfinger eastwardly. I now heheld a heavy vapor at some distance, rising fold upon fold. This gradually dissipated, and I looked upon a strange scene. Before me lay stretched out in one vast plain all the countries of the world, Europe, Asia, Africa and America. I saw rolling and tossing, between Europe and America, the billows of the Atlantic, and between Asia and America lay the Pacific. 'Son of the Republic,' said the same mysterious voice as before 'look and learn!’”

“At that moment I beheld a dark, shadowy being like an angel, standing, or rather floating in mid air between Europe and America. Dipping water out of the ocean in the hallow of each hand, he sprinkled some on America with his right hand, while he cast upon Europe some with his left. Immediately a dark cloud arose from each of those countries, and they joined in mid ocean. For a while it remained stationary, and then moved slowly westward until it enveloped America in its murky folds. Sharp flashes of lighting now gleamed throughout it at intervals, and I heard the smothered groans and cries of the American people.”

“A second time the angel dipped from the ocean, and sprinkled it out as before. The dark cloud was then withdrawn back to the ocean, into whose heaving waves it sank from view. A third time I heard the mysterious voice, 'Son of the Republic, look and learn!'“

“I cast my eyes upon America, and beheld villages, cities and towns springing up one after another, until the whole land, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, was dotted with them. Again I heard the mysterious voice say, 'Son of the Republic, the end of a century cometh, look and learn!'“

“At this, the dark shadowy angel turned his face southward, and from Africa, I saw an ill omened spectre approaching our land. It flitted slowly over village, town and city, of the latter, the inhabitants of which presently set themselves in battle array, one against the other. As I continued looking, I saw a bright angel, on whose brow rested a crown of light, on which was traced the word Union, bearing the American flag, which he placed between the divided Nation, and said, 'Remember ye are brethren!'“

“Instantly, the inhabitants, casting from them their weapons, became friends once more, and united around the national standard. And again I heard the mysterious voice saying, 'Son of the Republic, the second peril is passed, look and learn!'“

“And I beheld the villages, towns and cities of America increase in size and numbers, till at last they covered all the land from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and their inhabitants became as countless as the stars of heaven of the sands of the sea shore. And again I heard the mysterious voice saying, 'Son of the Republic, the end of a century cometh, look and learn!'“

“At this, the dark, shadowy angel placed a trumpet to his mouth, and blew three distinct blasts, and taking water from the ocean sprinkled it out upon Europe, Asia and Africa.”

“Then my eyes looked upon a fearful scene. From each of those countries arose thick, black clouds, which soon joined into one, and throughout this mass gleamed a deep red light, by which I saw hordes of armed men, who moving with the cloud, marched by land and sailed by sea to America, which country was presently enveloped in the volume of the cloud. And I dimly saw the vast armies devastate the whole country, and pillage and burn villages, cities and towns that I had beheld springing up. As my ears listened to the thundering of cannon, clashing of swords, and shouts and cries of the millions in mortal combat, I again heard the mysterious voice saying, 'Son of the Republic, look and learn!'“

“When the voice had ceased, the dark, shadowy angel placed his trumpet once more to his mouth and blew a long, fearful blast.”

“Instantly a light, as from a thousand suns, shone down from above me, and pierced and broke into fragments the dark clouds which enveloped America. At the same time I saw the angel on whose forehead still shone the word UNION, and who bore our national flag in one hand, a sword in the other, descend from heaven, attended by legions of bright spirits. These immediately joined the inhabitants of America, who, I perceived, were well nigh overcome, but who, immediately taking courage again, closed up the broken ranks and renewed the battle. Again amid the fearful noise of the conflict I heard the mysterious voice saying, 'Son of the Republic, look and learn!'“

“As the voice ceased, the shadowy angel for the last time dipped water from the ocean and sprinkled it upon America. Instantly the dark cloud rolled back, together with the armies it had brought, leaving the inhabitants of the land victorious. Then once more I beheld the villages, towns and cities springing up where they had been before, while the bright angel, planting the azure standard he had brought in the midst of them, cried in a loud voice to the inhabitants, 'While the stars remain and the heavens send down the dew upon the earth, so long shall the Republic last.'“

“And taking from his brow the crown, on which still blazed the word UNION, he placed it upon the standard, while all the men kneeling down said, 'Amen.'“

“The scene instantly began to fade and dissolve, and I at last saw nothing but the curling white vapor I had at first beheld. This also disappearing, I found myself gazing once more on my mysterious visitor, who, in the same mysterious voice that I had heard before, said, 'Son of the Republic, what you have seen is thus interpreted: three perils will come upon the Republic. The most fearful is the third, passing which, the whole world united shall never be able to prevail against her. Let every child of the Republic learn to live for his God, his land and Union!'“

“We as a nation have passed through two perils, the third and greatest is at our door. It would therefore, be well, that we as American citizens heed the warnings of the Father of our Country.”

“This nation was founded by divine revelation and intervention and must be preserved by those same principles. Therefore, let each citizen so order his life that we as a people might be worthy of this same great blessing. THE INTERVENTION OF HEAVEN, that this great Republic might be preserved.”

This material was published before 1830 and seems very prophetic in nature. Once you get past the colorful language, it’s important to put the information in perspective. While it might seem that the prophecies regarding the greatness that America would achieve are merely patriotic ramblings, our nation was still an experiment and not very influential on the world scene when it was written. Although we had visionary leaders and a strong spirit, the same may be said of other nations that have been swept along history’s wayside. What really impresses the modern reader are the obvious references to an upcoming civil war and conflicts with nations in Europe (Germany), Asia (Japan, Korea, Vietnam) and Africa (middle eastern Terrorists, Iraq).

Colorful language has it’s drawbacks. Although George Washington was an enlightened person, there can be little doubt that many others around him were not. This brings into question the true source of the ‘singularly beautiful female’ and angels that he described. From a paranormal perspective, his experience could have been religious or metaphysical. Because I am a believer that one day our nation will (if it hasn’t already) develop and make use of time travel technology, it’s entirely possible that George Washington was taken on a trip through time.

The mind becomes boggled thinking of the possibilities. If I already exist and travel through time, can I cause myself to not exist by changing things? Or, do I owe part of my existence to that trip? I believe that time is a circle. While in any part of the circle, you are subject to linear time and always moving. I also believe the circle is limited and, therefore, time is preordained so that you can’t really change it. But because it is a circle, the PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE all exist simultaneously. That means that anyone who develops the knowledge and technology to understand and jump into any part of the circle can travel through time. There could be many circles, all with different dimensions and realities available to those who know where and how to find them.

Washington could also have been visited by extra-terrestrials who showed him the future for their own purposes. He could have even had an out of body experience. But, given the political nature of the trip, it seems as though someone with a very earthly agenda took him on the tour. Although the account given above of Washington’s experience is taken from Anthony Sherman‘s memory of the event, Captain David Perry adds to it in his book by describing “the eleventh of September” as a “most dreadful and fearful day.” Although it’s unrelated to Washington’s encounter, no one can dispute the oddity of someone having chosen 911 as the basic number for all emergency services for at least the last twenty years in America.

Most enlightened people can be receptacles of knowledge if they open the door to their mind. It’s been my experience that those truly blessed with the gift of foreknowledge rarely see themselves as anyone special. George Washington seemed to fit that description, being a modest man who saw himself as a citizen soldier supporting a cause he believed in like so many others. Regardless of the source, I am certain that the special knowledge he received during those dark days at Valley Forge was an amazing inspiration in a time of utter despair. The fact that he decided to share it with fellow travelers who were willing to give all for the same cause speaks volumes about the kind of person he was.

An Odd Fellow? Maybe, but also a great example of what a Statesman can and should be. Perhaps we’ll all think of him from time to time while we exercise the right to rip each other apart with terse comments and schismatic sentiments. Believe it or not, there was a time in this nation’s history when politicians thought of someone other then themselves, citizens disagreed decently and we were all still Americans at the end of the day.