http://www.kena.org/hirams/Files/George_Washington_the_Man_and_Mason.pdf

George Washington the Man and Mason
By Carl H. Claudy, PGM

“Washington was so obviously a man's man, a soldier, a statesman, a farmer, a thinker of great thoughts of his government and of his people. It’s no wonder that the fraternal side of life made to Washington a powerful appeal, no wonder that the ancient craft of Freemasonry should have become so interwoven with his life.

Yet, particularly is it natural, that a man who so loved his home, and whose religious feelings were so strong should turn to his lodge for that particular variety of spiritual strength which to many men comes from no other place.

The effect upon character produced by a man’s religion and church affiliation can only be measured by the yardstick of a man's reputation, few great men have set down in black and white those things of the spirit which, intimate and personal, are the very man himself.

The same may be said of a man's Freemasonry. What it is in his heart can only be judged by the externals. Judging by this standard, Washington frequently expressed his love and veneration for his Masonry and his Lodge. Many of his closest friends and associates, his generals and military aides in the revolution were members of our ancient craft, and his whole life of consecration and service to his fellow man carried out the ideals which radiate from our Masonic altar.

We members of this Ancient Craft understand why Freemasonry made so great an appeal to this great leader. But, my brethren, anyone who will read even a little of the history of Freemasonry will understand why this body of truth, this organization of such great teaching and high endeavor, this society with such strict moral ideals, was at once a magnet and a comfort to the man whom we honor this evening, on the 200th anniversary of his birth, Worshipful Brother George Washington.”

Eulogy delivered by MW Carl H. Claudy in the George Washington Masonic National Memorial On February 22, 1932, the 200th Anniversary of the birth of George Washington, Past Master of Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22 

Note: MW H. Bruce Green told MW Donald M. Robey, that he was in attendance at this meeting in 1932, when he was WM of Columbia Lodge No. 285 and his father, MW Harry K. Green, was Grand Master of Masons in Virginia. He said when the President of the GWMNMA called upon Claudy to deliver the Eulogy on George Washington, that he could hear the groans from the audience. It seems that Claudy had a reputation as a long-winded speaker. Claudy approached the Altar in the center of the floor in the Main Auditorium, and just contemplated for a few moments before speaking. He then delivered the above Eulogy in his deep, loud voice. When he finished, he paused for a moment of contemplation before returning to his seat. There was total silence in the room, as all were startled at the power of the words he had spoken and that he did not take advantage of the fact that he could have spoken much, much longer. The President of the United States, Herbert Hoover, was on the stage and came to his feet and began a slow, methodical clapping of his hands and this prompted all to come to their feet in a thunderously loud applause for the Eulogy that they had just heard delivered by Carl H. Claudy on this historic day.