Difference between revisions of "Russell"

Revision as of 22:33, 5 February 2015

RUSSELL LODGE

Location: Arlington

Chartered By: Dudley M. Ferrell

Charter Date: 03/12/1924 1924-38

Precedence Date: 05/04/1922

Current Status: merged with John Abbot-Samuel Crocker Lawrence and Hiram Lodges to form Mystic Valley Lodge, 11/09/2004.

PAST MASTERS

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

• Petition for Dispensation: 1923
• Petition for Charter: 1924
• Consolidation Petition (with John Abbot-Samuel Crocker Lawrence and Hiram Lodges): 2004

ANNIVERSARIES

• 1948 (25th Anniversary)
• 1973 (50th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

• 1924 (Ferrell; Constitution of Lodge and installation; Special Communication); Meeting Places Address
• 1948 (Keith; 25th Anniversary, Special Communication)
• 1973 (Vose; 50th Anniversary, Special Communication)
• 1975 (Maxwell)
• 1983 (Berquist)
• 1984 (Richardson)
• 1987 (Ames)
• 2004 (Hicks; Consolidation, Special Communication)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1925 1947 1949 1951 1955 1958 1967 1971 1972 1979 1980 1981 1988

HISTORY

• 1925 (Meeting Places of the Freemasons of Arlington, 1925-260)
• 1948 (25th Anniversary History, 1948-89; see below)
• 1973 (50th Anniversary History, 1973-99)

25TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, JUNE 1948

From Proceedings, Page 1948-89:

By Worshipful Albert H. Morris.

Russell Lodge was instituted June 13, 1923, and was constituted May 2, 1924, and now, on June 9, 1948, we are celebrating twenty-five years of service.

After World War I it became apparent to a number of Masons in Hiram Lodge of Arlington that a new Lodge should be organized to relieve the accumulating burdens then being placed on the shoulders of Hiram Lodge. These Brothers therefore presented a petition to Most Worshipful Dudley H. Ferrell, signed by 112 Masons, asking that a new Lodge be instituted in Arlington and that its name be Russell Lodge; and further, that Worshipful Brother Edward T. Erickson be named as its first Master. Right Worshipful Brother Fred L. Moses, then District Deputy Grand Master of the 6th Masonic District, was disposed kindly to this project, and after the usual number of conferences, the petitioners and Right Worshipful Brother Moses met in the apartments of Hiram Lodge, Massachusetts Avenue and Medford Street, Arlington, at 7:45 p.m., June 13, 1923, and formally instituted Russell Lodge by order of Most Worshipful Dudley H. Ferrell, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts, and did name Worshipful Edward T. Erickson as Worshipful Master, Worshipful Roger P. Eaton as Senior Warden, and Brother Edward L. Shinn as Junior Warden.

After the reading of the dispensation, the Worshipful Master announced his appointments, and Right Worshipful Brother Moses then proceeded to install the officers in their respective stations, after which the District Deputy Grand Marshal issued the proclamation and Russell Lodge was a reality U.D. On this first recorded meeting, seven applications for the degrees were received, and on the following regular communication of September 12th, Brother Arthur William Crampton was the first candidate elected for the degrees. He is still with us and active. One cannot say enough in praise of the way and manner Worshipful Brother Erickson guided and moulded us into a splendid working unit.

We continued to meet at the old Masonic Apartments on Massachusetts Avenue until March 20, 1924, when the building was destroyed by fire. Thereafter, we held our meetings in the Cambridge Masonic Temple until we moved into the new Arlington Temple, where we held our first meeting September 9, 1925. On May 2, 1924, Russell Lodge was constituted by Most Worshipful Dudley H. Ferrell in the Masonic Temple in Boston. The Constitution was preceded by a dinner attended by 310 members and guests, including the Grand Lodge Officers. Our membership at this time was 117; today it is over 400.

It is interesting to note that at this time, as evidence of the truly Masonic spirit that has always prevailed in the Sixth District, the first regalia of our Lodge was presented by the other Lodges of the District. Presentation was made by Worshipful Brother Lincoln P. Sibley, Master of King Solomon's Lodge, the oldest in the District.

During the life of our Lodge, the Grand Masters have been pleased to honor Russell Lodge through the appointments of Right Worshipful Edward L. Shinn and Right Worshipful Harold D. Edwards as District Deputies, and Worshipful Arthur W. Sampson was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his contribution to Masonry.

Special mention should be made of our first Secretary, Worshipful Francis J. Whilton, who continued in that office until the Lodge was well organized. On September 9, 1930, he retired, and in recognition of his labors for the Lodge, was voted Honorary Membership.

And now, my Brethren, may we pause for a moment in loving memory of our three Past Masters who have gone to their reward: Worshipful Edward T. Erickson, Right Worshipful Edward L. Shinn and Worshipful Haskell Reed. We know that our lives have been enriched because we knew them.

In the twenty-five years of its existence, Russell Lodge has had its ups and downs, its progress, its slowing-down due to general conditions, but it has always endeavored to maintain the high ritualistic standard established by its founders throughout the years. We feel that Russell Lodge has maintained an atmosphere of friendliness and warmheartedness which has given practical meaning to our understanding and interpretation of Masonry. Many of our visitors have been kind enough to remark about it. We hope that it has become a Russell Lodge tradition.

Throughout good and lean years, the attendance of the members of the Lodge has been an inspiration to the various presiding Masters. Whether there have been small or large classes, special features or simply a regular meeting with one candidate, the membership has shown tremendous and enthusiastic support. With such continual support, Russell Lodge can look confidently forward to the years ahead.

Long live Russell Lodge!

Master's Note:

The foregoing has been written by Worshipful Albert H. Morris, who modestly has omitted any mention of the tremendous assistance and cooperation given by him to all Masters and to the Lodge. Without his untiring service, it is highly doubtful if Russell Lodge would have progressed so favorably. He has been an inspiration to us all!

OTHER

• 1924 (Participation in Arlington temple cornerstone laying, 1924-410)
• 1925 (Participation in Arlington temple dedication, 1925-258)

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

• E. Stanley Beck, DDGM, District 6 (Somerville), 1952, 1953; N
• Merwin E. Chandler, DDGM, District 6 (Somerville), 1982, 1983; N
• Harold W. Edwards, DDGM, District 6 (Somerville), 1943, 1944; N
• Mortimer A. French, DDGM, District 6 (Somerville), 1970, 1971; N
• James K. Ray, 2000, 2001; Senior Grand Warden 2008
• Edward L. Shinn, DDGM, District 6 (Somerville), 1929, 1930; Memorial

DISTRICTS

1923: District 6 (Somerville)

1927: District 6 (Somerville)

2003: District 3

LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges

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