Difference between revisions of "MassachusettsYear1917"

Latest revision as of 01:02, 25 February 2013

1917

LEON M. ABBOTT, Grand Master

A portrait of the Grand Master appears in the Frontispiece and above.

Moses C. Plummer, Deputy Grand Master
William M. Farrington, Senior Grand Warden
Edward L. Chase, Junior Grand Warden

QUARTERLY COMMUNICATIONS

(held at Masonic Temple, Boston)

• 03/14: 1917-7;
• 06/13: 1917-122;
• 09/12: 1917-212;
• 12/12: 1917-264; (Annual Communication)

03/14 Agenda

• 1917-18: Report of the Committee on Records.
• 1917-22: Installation of a District Deputy Grand Master not present at the 1916 Feast of St. John.
• 1917-35ff: Report of the Commission to Past Grand Master Johnson; his return on the same, and a thorough account of the trip. "Having convinced my distinguished predecessor that he was tired and needed rest, I held out the bait of the sunny south clime. I pictured the healing balm of Masonic communion with our Brethren in the Zone and the probability that owing to poor mail facilities and the distance from Massachusetts one might go there and return before it would become known that a new Grand Master had been elected. He finally swallowed the bait and consented to go."
• 1917-64ff: Grand Lodge of Panama recognized; a through history of Panama up to the present time, including a history of Masonry there, is appended. Treaty and Protocol appears beginning on Page 1917-78.
• 1917-85: Presentation of a Henry Price Medal to Rev. and Wor. R. Perry Bush, Grand Chaplain.
• 1917-90: Report on Bicentennial of the Grand Lodge of England; presented by Past Grand Master Charles T. Gallagher.
• 1917-93: Rt. Wor. Roscoe Pound's address: A Preface To Masonic Symbolism.
• 1917-110: Release of real estate in Milton, part of a bequest.

06/13 Agenda

• 1917-132: Report of the Committee on Records.
• 1917-143: Bicentenary of the Grand Lodge of England.
  • 1917-143ff: Address by Past Grand Master Charles T. Gallagher.
  • 1917-176ff: Address by Very Wor. F. J. Foakes-Jackson, Past Grand Chaplain of the United Grand odge of England.
• 1917-199: Appeal from the ruling of the Master of St. John's (Newburyport).
• 1917-204: Report on the Grand Orient of France, presented by Past Grand Master Gallagher, following the original report in 1908. No recognition was granted, but an "expression of good will", indicating that when they brought their ritual in line with that of the Grand Lodge of England.
  • 12/12: 1917-294; Further report of the committee; no response to the memorial.

09/12 Agenda

Stacy A. Ransom, District Grand Master for China

• 1917-224: Report of the Committee on Records.
• 1917-228: Introduction of Rt. Wor. Stacy Ransom, District Grand Master for China.
• 1917-229: Introduction of Most Wor. Adolphus L. Fitzgerald, Past Grand Master of Nevada.
• 1917-240: Report of the illness of Past Grand Master Benton.
• 1917-248: Grand Master authorized to appoint a committee to consider war relief.

12/12 Agenda

• 1917-275: Report of the Committee on Records.
• Recorded in Grand Master Abbott's address, beginning on page 1917-297:
  • Anniversaries:
    • Hampden, Springfield (03/17; Centenary; Special Communication)
    • Isaac Parker, Waltham (05/01; 50th Anniversary; Special Communication)
    • William North, Lowell (05/08; 50th Anniversary; Special Communication)
    • Celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of the Grand Lodge of England (06/13)
    • Macedonian, Milton (06/19; 25th Anniversary)
    • Siloam, Westborough (06/27; 50th Anniversary)
    • William Sutton, Saugus (10/01; 50th Anniversary)
    • St. Bernard, Southborough (11/14; 50th Anniversary; Special Communication)
    • Ionic (Taunton) (12/03; Ladies' Night; 50th Anniversary)
  • Corner-stone Layings and Hall Dedications:
    • Somerville, Somerville (06/21; Hall Dedication; Special Communication)
    • Orient, Norwood (09/27; Hall Dedication; Special Communication)
    • Mountain, Shelburne Falls (10/04; Hall Dedication; Special Communication)
  • Funerals:
    • Cambridge; for Rt. Wor. J. Gilman Waite, Past Deputy Grand Master (06/25)
    • Dorchester; for Rt. Wor. George C. Thacher, Past Senior Grand Warden (08/10)
    • Boston; for Rt. Wor. Moses C. Plummer, Deputy Grand Master (10/11)
    • Boston; for Rt. Wor. Henry G. Jordan, Past Junior Grand Warden (10/15)
  • Lodges visited:
    • Columbian, Boston (01/04)
    • Fraternity, Newtonville (02/08)
    • Henry Price, Charlestown (02/14; Ladies' Night)
    • St. John's (Boston) (03/05; Ladies' Night)
    • Bethesda (Brighton) (03/06)
    • Shawmut, Boston (03/22)
    • John Abbot, Somerville (04/17; Members' Night)
    • Haverhill; memorial exercises on behalf of Rt. Wor. Thaddeus Mason Harris.
    • Jerusalem, Northampton (04/24)
    • United Brethren, Marlborough (04/25)
    • William North, Lowell (05/09; Ladies Night)
    • Palestine, Everett (05/10)
    • Morning Star, Worcester (05/15)
    • Mount Tabor, East Boston (05/17)
    • The Massachusetts, Boston (05/21)
    • Mystic, Pittsfield (05/23)
    • Cincinnatus, Great Barrington (05/24)
    • Star, Athol (06/04)
    • Vineyard Haven; exemplification (06/23)
    • Republican, Greenfield (06/28)
    • Bethany, Merrimac (10/02)
    • Westfield, Camp Bartlett; for proposed war relief measures.
    • Lodge of St. Andrew, Boston (11/08; installation)
    • Dalhousie, Newtonville (11/21; patriotic night)
    • Lodge of St. Andrew, Boston (11/30; Feast of St. Andrew)
    • Camp Devens, Soldiers' Own Theatre (12/04)
    • Columbian, Boston (12/06; installation)
• 1917-343: Report of the Auditing Committee.
• 1917-344: Re-election of Grand Master Leon M. Abbott. Election of other Grand Officers.
• 1917-347: Report of the Board of Masonic Relief. List of residents and financial information; report of the President of the Women's Auxiliary (Mrs. William Odell).

Grand Constitutions Amendment Proposals

• 03/14: 1917-63; Proposed Amendment to Part 3, Article 2, Section 1, regarding the issuance of Dispensations for new Lodges. A considerable revision was proposed to the original amendment offered the previous year; the Grand Master ruled that the revision would be laid over to the next Quarterly communication, under a new committee.
  • 06/13: 1917-190; A review of dispensation rulings. Approved with a slight change.

• 03/14: 1917-111; Proposed amendment to Part 4, Article 3, Section 9, regarding waiving residency requirements for active servicemen. Referred.
  • 06/13: 1917-197; Report of committee accepted; decision to consider the amendment at the next Communication.
  • 09/12: 1917-242; Adopted.

• 06/13: 1917-207: Proposed amendment to Part 4, Article 1, Section 14, regarding contributions to the Masonic Home Fund. Referred.
  • 09/12: 1917-241: Adopted.

Grand Master's Address

• 03/14: 1917-23; Necrology; Grand Master's engagements (he will not attend any tiled meeting of appendant Bodies as Grand Master, and will delegate many visits to Grand Officers or District Deputies); portrait of Past Grand Master Benton; Rainy Day Fund; legacies and bequests; chain letters; Massachusetts income tax and a petition for exemption; George Washington memorial; UGLE bicentennial; Canal Zone.

• 06/13: 1917-133; Necrology; Rainy Day Fund; Charities; Liberty Bonds; Fraternal exclusion from income tax; dispensations; Grand Lodge of England bicentenary; presentation of portrait of Past Grand Master Melvin M. Johnson; introduction of Bro. Nathan S. Davis, age 88.

• 09/12: 1917-221; Opening remarks ("World events of the most vital human interest and concern have engaged our constant attention."); deaths; income tax law; committee appointed to review constitutions and amendments; roll of honor; army lodges ("Ir may be that conditions will change so that it will seem best at some future time to authorize the forming of Army Lodges . . . I do not believe such a time will come."); cantonment at Ayer; war relief; dispensations.

Explosion in Halifax Harbor, 12/06/1917

• 12/12: 1917-282; Annual address: necrology; Waite, Thacher, Plummer, Medding, Jordan; food conversation; income taxes; participation in parades; Grand Lodge of France; visits; Report on the Board of Directors; Charity; Rainy-day fund; library; relief for Halifax brethren; war relief; conclusion.

Lodge By-Law Changes

• 03/14: 1917-86;
  • Full Codes : Mystic, Wilder; approved with changes.
  • Amendments: Adelphi, Doric, Federal, Hampden, Jerusalem, Jordan, Joseph Webb, Konohassett, Lafayette (Roxbury), Saggahew, Somerville (with changes), approved.

• 06/13: 1917-60;
  • Full Codes : Good Samaritan, Simon W. Robinson
  • Amendments: Adelphi, Alpha, Army, Canal Zone, Euclid, Franklin, Germania, Hyde Park, Lafayette (North Adams), Liberty, Mizpah, Mount Orthodox, Narragansett, Occidental, Olive Branch, Phoenician, Unity

• 09/12: 1917-244;
  • Full Codes : Quinnebaug; approved with changes.
  • Amendments: Constellation, Huelen; approved.

• 12/12: 1917-244;
  • Full Codes : Athol, John Cutler, Washington; approved.
  • Amendments: Dalhousie, Esoteric, Essex, Eureka, Fraternity, Friendship, Henry Price, John T. Heard, Merrimack, Mount Hollis, Mount Orthodox, Orient, Orphan's Hope, Revere, Roswell Lee, Unity, Wayfarers; approved.

Necrologies and Memorials

• 03/14: 1917-23; Death of Rt. Wor. Marion V. Putnam, Past District Deputy Grand Master; mentioned in Grand Master's Address.

• 03/14: 1917-24; Death of Rt. Wor. Charles E. Corey, Past District Deputy Grand Master; mentioned in Grand Master's Address.

• 03/14: 1917-23; Death of Rt. Wor. E. Francis Pope, Past District Deputy Grand Master; mentioned in Grand Master's Address.

• 06/13: 1917-134; Memorial of Rt. Wor. Edward Barton George, Past District Deputy Grand Master; mentioned in Grand Master's Address.

• 09/12: 1917-222; Death of Rt. Wor. J. Gilman Waite, Past Deputy Grand Master; briefly mentioned in Grand Master's Address.
  • 1917-230: Memorial presented by Rt. Wor. William B. Lawrence, for the committee.
  • 1917-283: Briefly mentioned in Grand Master's Address.

• 09/12: 1917-223; Death of Rt. Wor. George C. Thacher, Past Senior Grand Warden; briefly mentioned in Grand Master's Address.
  • 1917-237: Memorial presented by Rt. Wor. Frank M. Weymouth, for the committee.
  • 1917-283: Briefly mentioned in Grand Master's Address.

Moses Plummer, late Deputy Grand Master

• 12/12: 1917-276; Death of Rt. Wor. Moses C. Plummer, Deputy Grand Master. "The Grand Master called attention to the vacant chair of the Grand Master on which were displayed the apron, collar, and jewel of the late occupant."
  • 12/12: 1917-277: Memorial presented by committee.
  • 1917-283: Briefly mentioned in Grand Master's Address.

• 12/12: 1917-283; Death of Rt. Wor. Walter F. Medding, Past Junior Grand Warden; briefly mentioned in Grand Master's Address.

• 12/12: 1917-283; Death of Rt. Wor. Henry G. Jordan, Past Junior Grand Warden; briefly mentioned in Grand Master's Address.

• 12/12: 1917-283; Memorial for Rt. Wor. George Alonzo Derby, former Marshal of the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai, former District Deputy Grand Master for China; in Grand Master's Address.

• 12/12: 1917-286; Memorial for Rt. Wor. Sir Edward Letchworth, former Grand Secretary of the United Grand Lodge of England; in Grand Masters Address.

Petitions for Charters

• 12/12: 1917-382; Isthmian, Paraiso, Canal Zone; granted.

Petitions for Dispensation for Lodges

• 1917-4; Isthmian , Paraiso, Canal Zone (delivered 02/01; issued sometime before 12/27/1916)

• 1917-305; Baalis Sanford, Brockton (03/23; mentioned in Grand Master's Address on 12/12)

• 1917-306; Darien, Balboa, Canal Zone (05/16; mentioned in Grand Master's Address on 12/12)

• 1917-307; Universal, Orleans (08/31; mentioned in Grand Master's Address on 12/12)

• 1917-307; Seaview, Revere (10/26; mentioned in Grand Master's Address on 12/12)

SPECIAL COMMUNICATIONS

Cristobal Temple and Lodge Room

• 02/01: 1917-1; Cristobal, Canal Zone. Deputy Grand Lodge.
  • 1917-2: Commission to Past Grand Master Johnson, to "perform the following acts:"
    • Open a Deputy Grand Lodge to appoint and install a District Grand Master for the Canal Zone;
    • Deliver a dispensation to brethren in Paraiso, Canal Zone;
    • Hold one or more Lodges of Instruction;
    • Make inquiry about the new Grand Lodge of Panama and advise regarding recognition;
    • Negotiate a treaty and protocol with the new Grand Lodge of Panama regarding relations;
    • "Do and perform all acts for the good of the Craft" that the Grand Master would have power to do if present, and act or refrain from acting at discretion.
  • 1917-2: Deputy Grand Lodge opened at Cristobal. Nearly all Masters and Wardens in the Canal Zone and about 300 Brethren were present.
  • 1917-3: Announcement that a protocol had been negotiated, and that the Grand Lodge of Panama was to be recognized.
  • 1917-4: Installation of officers of Sojourners Lodge.
  • 1917-4: Delivery of dispensation to Isthmian Lodge.
  • 1917-5: Installation of the first District Grand Master, Rt. Wor. and Maj. Herbert A. White, Judge Advocate for the Canal Zone and Past Master of Army Lodge.
  • 1917-5: Exemplification and discussion of ritual.

• 03/17: 1917-113; Springfield. Centenary of Hampden Lodge.
  • 1917-114: Grand Lodge opened and was escorted into the Lodge-room; Master Mason degree presented.
  • 1917-114: A bronze commemorative tablet was presented by Bro. George F. Hendee, with the presentation speech by Bro. Fred R. Brown.
  • 1917-115: (03/16) Concert and ball in the Auditorium with about 4,000 in attendance.
  • 1917-115: (03/16) Meeting in the evening with an address by the Grand Master, a historical address by Rt. Wor. Edmund P. Kendrick, and addresses by other Brothers.

• 05/01: 1917-116; Waltham. 50th Anniversary of Isaac Parker Lodge.
  • 1917-117: Grand Lodge opened and was escorted into the Lodge-room where they were received by Wor. Hiram E. Tuttle, Master of the Lodge.
  • 1917-117: Address by the Grand Master; scholarly history by Bro. George L. Ward. Address by Grand Lecturer Wor. Frederic L. Putnam.

• 05/08: 1917-119; Lowell. 50th Anniversary of William North Lodge.
  • 1917-119: Grand Lodge opened and proceeded to Pollard Hall.
  • 1917-120: Order of Exercises.
  • 1917-121: Description of celebration. Entertainment for children on 05/05; banquet following the formal exercises with a banquet and speakers; a supper on 05/09.

West Somerville Lodge Hall

• 06/21: 1917-209; West Somerville. Dedication of Masonic Apartments.
  • 1917-210: Grand Lodge opened and proceeded into the lodge room; reception by Wor. Clifford F. Crosby, Master of Somerville Lodge.
  • 1917-210: Dedication of apartments "with full ceremonial." Brief address by the Grand Master "with weighty and inspiring words and sentiments." Dedicatory oration by Rev. and Wor. R. Perry Bush.

Norwood Lodge Hall

• 09/27: 1917-209; West Norwood. Dedication of Masonic Temple.
  • 1917-250: Opening of Grand Lodge; reception in the hall by Orient Lodge.
  • 1917-250: Dedication of the Temple "in accordance with ancient custom and usage with full form and ceremony."
  • 1917-250: Address by Rt. Wor. James Albert Hartshorn, reprinted in full.

Shelburne Falls Lodge Hall

• 09/27: 1917-258; Shelburne Falls. Dedication of Masonic Temple.
  • 1917-259: Opening of Grand Lodge; reception in the hall by Mountain Lodge.
  • 1917-259: Dedication of the Temple "in accordance with ancient custom and usage with full form and ceremony."
  • 1917-259: Address by Rev. and Wor. R. Perry Bush.
  • 1917-260: Banquet; address by Grand Master and other Brethren. "The proceedings continued amid the unabated interest of the Brethren until a late hour."

• 11/14: 1917-261; Southborough. 50th Anniversary of St. Bernard Lodge.
  • 1917-262: Grand Lodge opened and was escorted into the Lodge-room where they were received by members of the Lodge.
  • 1917-263: "Bountiful dinner" with address by the Grand Master and other brothers.

• 12/18: 1917-384; Chelsea. 50th Anniversary of Robert Lash Lodge.
  • 1917-385: Grand Lodge opened and was escorted into the Lodge-room where they were received by members of the Lodge.
  • 1917-385: Grand Master "addressed the Brethren in an eloquent and inspiring speech which was received with great enthusiasm."
  • 1917-386: "The observance by the Lodge of its Fiftieth Anniversary was somewhat curtailed from the plans as originally made on account of conditions arising from the war."

FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST

(held at Masonic Temple, Boston, 12/27/1917)

A portrait of Francis J. Oliver, Past Grand Master, appeared on the menu for the feast.

• 1917-387: Opening and roll call.
• 1917-390: Installation of Leon M. Abbott as Grand Master. Installation of other Grand Officers.
• 1917-396: Report of Grand Secretary.
• 1917-397: List of lodges not represented in Grand Lodge in 1917, as well as the past 2 years.
• 1917-399: Feast of St. John, listing toasts and names of speakers:
  • 1917-401: The Grand Master. Remarks on Past Grand Master Francis J. Oliver, who presided a century ago.
  • 1917-413: Sergeant Pheeney of Malden, recently returned from France; remarks on Vimy Ridge and other matters on the Western Front.
  • 1917-427: Grand Chaplain Beal.
  • 1917-433: Most Excellent Arthur D. Prince, Grand High Priest.
  • 1917-441: Grand Chaplain Bishop Hughes.
  • 1917-452: Rev. and Bro. J. Franklin Babb of Haverhill.

MEMORIAL SERVICE IN HONOR OF THADDEUS MASON HARRIS

Thaddeus Mason Harris

An address given by Rt. Wor. Emery B. Gibbs, Deputy Grand Master, given at Dorchester on April 22, 1917.

LIST OF LODGES IN MASSACHUSETTS BY DISTRICT: 1917

There were 33 districts in Massachusetts in 1917, as well as districts for Chile, China and the Canal Zone.

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