Amicable

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AMICABLE LODGE

Location: Cambridge

Chartered By: Isaiah Thomas

Charter Date: 06/10/1805 II-276

Precedence Date: 06/10/1805

Current Status: Active


NOTES


PAST MASTERS

  • Andrews Adams, 1805
  • Nathan Crane, 1806, 1807, 1816, 1817
  • Samuel P.P. Fay, 1808, 1809
  • James Fillebrown, 1810
  • Jesse Goodnow, 1811, 1812
  • Samuel Hancock, 1813
  • Benjamin Bigelow, 1814, 1815
  • Thomas L. Parker, 1818
  • Luther Gay, 1819, 1820, 1821
  • John Tarbell, 1822, 1823
  • Eliab W. Metcalf, 1824, 1829, 1830
  • William J. Whipple, 1825, 1826, 1838
  • Isaac Livermore, 1827, 1828, 1831, 1832
  • Thomas F. Norris, 1833
  • William H. Odoirne, 1834-1837
  • DARK 1838-1845
  • Lucius R. Paige, 1846-1848
  • George B. Lothrop, 1849-1851
  • Benjamin F. Nourse, 1852, 1853
  • William T. Harris, 1854
  • James S. Smith, 1855
  • Oliver J. Rand, 1856
  • George B. Eaton, 1857, 1858
  • Leonard Cox, Jr., 1859
  • Richard O'Brien, 1860
  • Ebenezer Towle, 1861
  • William F. Knowels, 1862
  • Gilbert D. Nourse, 1863
  • Henry Endicott, 1864-1866
  • Frederick W. Gregory, 1867
  • Eben Denton, 1868
  • James Milligan, 1869
  • Samuel P. Adams, 1870, 1871
  • Leander M. Hannum, 1872, 1873; Mem
  • True Scales, 1874, 1875
  • Samuel D. Young, 1876, 1877
  • William I. Lathrop, 1878, 1879
  • Edwin L. Haley, 1880, 1881
  • James K. O'Dell, 1882, 1883
  • Frank W. Dallinger, 1884, 1885
  • George B. Lothrop, Jr., 1886, 1887
  • Elbridge G. Stevens, 1888, 1889
  • Richard W. Sutton, 1890, 1891
  • Alpheus B. Alger, 1892, 1893
  • Horace G. Kemp, 1894, 1895
  • Clarence M. Howlett, 1896, 1897
  • William W. Peirce, 1898, 1899
  • Henry A. Locke, 1900, 1901; SN
  • Charles H. Ackers, 1902, 1903
  • Charles P. Keith, 1904, 1905
  • Frank Locke, 1906, 1907
  • LaForest D. Howe, 1908, 1909
  • Samuel D. Elmore, 1910, 1911
  • Charles A. Stover, 1912
  • John Hamilton, 1913, 1914
  • William H. Walker, 1915, 1916
  • Albert W. Pratt, 1917
  • Charles L. Hille, 1918, 1919
  • Lyman S. Hapgood, 1920, 1921
  • Edward F. Wallis, 1922, 1923; Mem
  • Walter H. Nay, 1924, 1925, 1929
  • Francis L. Bain, 1926, 1927
  • Arthur W. Weysse, 1928
  • Eugene B. Wyman, 1930, 1931
  • Alonzo H. Garcelon, 1932, 1933
  • George E. Preble, 1934
  • Walter P. Worden, 1935; N
  • John T. Mathews, 1936
  • Richard L. Hapgood, 1937
  • Leonard H. Hicks, 1938
  • Everett N. Hatch, 1939
  • Stanley L. Brown, 1940
  • Alonzo Taylor, 1941
  • Frank O. Lunden, 1942
  • Herbert W. Trohon, Jr., 1943
  • Arnold F. Thomas, 1944; N
  • Arthur C. Prescott, 1945
  • Cleon E. Button, 1946
  • Hubert F. Marshall, 1947
  • Stephen E. Mathews, 1948
  • Chesley Benson, 1949
  • David S. Crilly, 1950
  • Fred Simm, 1951
  • Charles M. Davis, 1952
  • Cyril H. Oxner, 1953
  • Harold Gillingham, 1954
  • Roger W. Jones, 1955; N
  • David C. Dow, 1956
  • James A. Essensa, Jr., 1957
  • William Paterson, 1958; N
  • Willard S. Putnam, 1959
  • Frank M. Lewis, 1960
  • Benjamin T. Wright, 1961
  • Charles S. Babcock, 1962
  • Richard C. Husslebee, 1963
  • Earle F. Cook, 1964
  • Robert P. Henry, 1965
  • Wellman J. Bartlett, 1966
  • Paul E. Whittier, 1967
  • Arthur A. Quinton, 1968
  • George F. Cooper, 1969
  • Roy W. Jackson, 1970
  • Harold W. Jack, 1971
  • Charles H. Taylor, Jr., 1972; PDDGM
  • Frank A. Tavanese, Jr., 1973
  • Russell G. Quinton, 1974
  • Hiram P. Shorter, 1975
  • James W. Spurrell, 1976; PDDGM
  • Marlin A. Emschweiler, 1977
  • Christian F. Crouse, 1978
  • Philip J. McElroy, 1979
  • William P. Todd, Sr., 1980
  • Paul R. Donaldson, 1981
  • Warren H. Clark, 1982
  • G. Warren Jackson, 1983
  • Stephen J. Kelley, 1984
  • Angelo Mangos, 1985
  • William L. Paterson, 1986
  • Donald J. Verrochio, 1987
  • Charles E. Lewis, 1988
  • Robert C. Quinton, 1989, 1990
  • Keith C. MacKinnon, 1991
  • Richard J. Boudreau, 1992, 2005, 2006
  • Arthur B. Serino, Jr., 1993
  • Scott M.G. Gamble, 1994
  • Gary B. Coke, 1995
  • Bassam R. Issa, 1996, 1997
  • Peter K. Whitten, 1998
  • Henry I. Peirce, 1999
  • Andrew R. Grove, 2000, 2001, 2011
  • Frank M. Lewis, Jr., 2002
  • Henry I. Peirce, 2003
  • Daniel L. Wright, 2004
  • John C. Dorr, 2007
  • Jerry A. Roach, Jr., 2008-2010; PDDGM
  • Christopher R. Duggan, 2012
  • David L. Riley, 2013
  • Christopher J. Gerber, 2014

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

  • Petition for Charter: 1805 "Note that no student at the University would be admitted without permission of the Grand Master."
  • Petition for Restoration of Charter: 1845

ANNIVERSARIES

  • 1905 (Centenary)
  • 1930 (125th Anniversary)
  • 1955 (150th Anniversary)
  • 1980 (175th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

BY-LAW CHANGES

1872 1879 1885 1889 1898 1899 1904 1907 1909 1910 1919 1920 1923 1924 1926 1930 1937 1951 1962 1963 1968 1975 1986 1996 2001 2009 2012

HISTORY

  • 1905 (Centenary History, 1905-50; see below)
  • 1930 (125th Anniversary History, 1930-255)
  • 1955 (brief 150th Anniversary History, 1955-120)

CENTENARY HISTORY, JUNE 1905

From Proceedings, Page 1905-50:

A HISTORY OF ONE HUNDRED YEARS, BY DR. SKINNER.

Most Worshipful Grand Master, Worshipful Master, Brethren of Amicable Lodge, Ladies and Gentlemen:

As we approach our task to-day,
Two pilgrims greet us on their way:
One is a youth with locks of gold
Thick curling round his face so fair;
A sage the other, stern and old,
With snowy beard and silver hair.

And in the eyes of one the light
Of future hopes is shining bright,
While on the older vision gleams
The mellow light of fulfilled dreams.

The youth, in rapt prophetic mood,

Sees visions of a brotherhood,
And guarded by the Mystic Tie
Of this our loved Fraternity.

A crystal glass with grains of sand,
The sage clasps with uplifted hand,
And says, as held against the sun,
Behold how swift the sands do run.

A hundred years have come and gone,
Telling their stories, one by one,
Leaving mem'ries for us to read,
Of friendship formed and kindly deed.

Our thanks are due for what is past;
For lines in pleasant places cast;
For the work that helps lo make good
Our dreams of human brotherhood.

But good as work in era done,
Far better be the opening one;
And in the future be it told
The new cent'ry excelled the old.

Now if I can succeed in dismounting without being ignomini-onsly thrown from this hobbling Pegasus, I will endeavor to walk among prosaic facts and figures.

Surely no child ever had a more queenly or royal mother than Amicable, for she was no other than Aurora, "Goddess of the Dawn," "Bride of the Morning."

Ancient mythology has a wonderful story to tell about Inland Amicable's brother, the brave, heroic Trojan boy, Memnon, who lost his life in battle. On the banks of the Nile, in Egypt, a statue was erected to his memory, which remains to this day. And the record tells us that "when the first rays of the rising sun fall upon this statue, it gives forth musical sounds like the twanging of harp strings."

"To the sacred sun in Meranon's fane,
Spontaneous concords choir the matin strain;
Touched by his orient beam responsive rings
The living lyre, and vibrates all its strings;
Accordant aisles the tender tones prolong,
And holy echoes swell the adoring song."

Aurora, the mother, is greatly grieved for the loss of her boy. Her tears still flow and may be seen at early morning in the form of dewdrops on the grass. And yet she has great comfort and takes a motherly pride in the fact that she has a daughter, vivacious, comely, beautiful, bearing a name that invites confidence and good will; indeed more than this, for, while she is no flirt, she has had hundreds of suitors who have fallen in love with her and sought her hand. And to show how Amicable and impartial she is to all those who seek her favor, she says to each one, "I extend to you my right hand in token of my good will and love for you, and so you take me as I do you, as the expression of our engagement, and I will whisper in your ear a secret, as between lovers, but do not tell it to anybody outside." And each one is so elated with this supposed special confidence that he is the favored suitor that invariably he is carried off his feet. What a charm dear Amicable must have. "Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale her infinite variety."

We have almost forgotten the queenly mother in our admiration for the daughter. And so we will turn and take a look at her.

As early as Feb. 6, 1805, eighteen Brethren formed a Masonic association in Cambridge styled the "Aurora Society." The records of this association have been preserved and this is the statement in regard to the agreement entered into:

"The system on which the Aurora Society was founded is as follows, viz.: We, the subscribers, desirous of promoting the good of Masonry, and wishing to form a society for the purpose thereof, do, as members of the institution, agree to assemble ourselves together at an appropriate place that shall hereafter be appointed by the subscribers, and that we will meet at Mr. Hovey's house, on Saturday evening next, to constitute rules and make arrangements for that purpose."

This agreement was signed by Daniel Warren, Asa Ellis, Benjamin Bigelow, Charles Parks, Nathaniel Livermore, Isaac Barnard, Nathaniel H. Whitney, Jr., Nathan Greene, Samuel Albree, John Wheeler, Andrew Adams, Luke Hemenway, Elijah Learned, Nathan Fisk, Salmon Morton, Ebenezer Watson, Daniel Smith, William Warren.

The subscribers met as proposed at Mr. Hovey's house on Saturday evening, Feb. 9, 1805, and, having elected Andrew Adams moderator, and Nathaniel E. Whitney secretary, appointed a committee to draft by-laws and regulations and to procure a suitable place for the society's meetings. On the eighteenth of the same month the committee reported the following code of by-laws and regulations, which were adopted, viz.:

  • Art. 1st. That we have a meeting at Mr. Hovey's house, in his southeast chamber, every Wednesday evening in each week, for the promotion of Masonry, and on the first evening convened we will elect a Master to preside over the society, a Secretary to keep a just record of all proceedings, and all other officers as in regular Lodges aud to be chosen by written votes.
  • Art. 2d. That we elect our officers every eight weeks.
  • Art. 3d. That the society shall not consist of more than twenty-five members, and any Brother wishing to become a member shall make application to one who is such, who shall propose him, and he stand proposed at least one week, and then balloted for and if unanimously accepted will be admitted.
  • Art. 4th. That, when a Brother offers anything for the good of Masonry, he shall address himself to the Master, and no Brother shall have the liberty to speak till he has so clone, that there be no confusion, and no Brother is to speak more than twice on one subject.
  • Art. 5th. That any Brother or Brothers refusing to conform with respect to the order of regulations of the society, he or they may be liable to be exiled therefrom, by a majority of two-thirds the members.
  • Art. 6th. That all transactions of the society shall be kept secret from the world.
  • Art. 7th. That each member shall pay two dollars at his admission, and subscribe to the articles of the society, and that we request of visiting Brethren twenty-five cents for each and all evening's they may honor us with their visits.
  • Art. 8th. That every member shall punctually pay one dollar quarterly (of a year) and, refusing to comply therewith, acts reverse to the order.
  • Art. 9th. That all moneys shall be collected by the Secretary, and deposited in the hands of the Treasurer, taking his receipt therefor.
  • Art. 10th. That the expenses shall be defrayed out of the treasury and that do expenses may arise unless conformable to the Masters direction.
  • Art. 11th. That the arising fund shall be put to use on interest and a Brother shall have the preference of it by giving an approved endorsed note, but for no more than sixty days without renewal, and, refusing to pay or renew the note, the Treasurer shall have power to collect the same. No Brother shall have the loan of it more than four months if requested by any other Brother.
  • Art. 12th. That the hour of meeting shall be affixed by the Master and Wardens and shall close precisely at half-past nine.
  • Art. 13th. That the Brother who accepts the office of Tyler shall be exempted from all expenses arising from the society, and that he receive his part of the benefit of the fund and such further compensation as the society may hereafter grant.
  • Art. 14th. That if two-thirds of the members of the society appear dissatisfied with the by-laws, there shall be a committee chosen every eight weeks for a revision.

These by-laws were signed by all the original associates (except Ebenezer Watson) and also by James Fillebrown, Richard Bordman, Samuel Cutter, Joseph Ayres, Benjamin Glover and Benjamin Bowers, who were admitted members before a charter was obtained.

At the same meeting officers were elected, to wit: Andrew Adams, Master; Nathan Crane, Senior Warden; Elijah Learned, Junior Warden; Asa Ellis, Treasurer; Nathaniel R. Whitney, Secretary ; Samuel Albree, Senior Deacon; Nathaniel Livermore, Junior Deacon; Nathan Fisk, Senior Steward; Isaac Barnard, Junior Steward; Charles Parks, Tyler.

The society continued its weekly meetings at Mr. Hovey's house, which were chiefly devoted to the lectures on the three degrees, and on the tenth of April re-elected their officers.

Preparations were soon made for obtaining a charter. Less than two months after the organization of the society, on the third of April, 1805, a committee was appointed to "regulate a system and procure a charter," so the record reads.

On June 5 a committee was appointed "for naming the Lodge and appointing the time of meetings." Also a "committee was chosen to visit the Grand Lodge for the purpose of obtaining a charter." Accordingly the committee waited on the Grand Lodge and presented the following petition:

"To the Most Worshipful Grand Master, officers and members of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, holden at Boston.

"Brothers: The undersigned, having been regularly initiated into the three first degrees of Masonry, have associated for the purpose of perfecting themselves in the sublime art, and, having the prosperity at heart, they are desirous to exert their endeavors to promote and diffuse the genuine principles of Masonry. Considering the growing population of the place, and the situation of their respective dwellings are such, however, that they cannot attend any of the Lodges in the vicinity without subjecting themselves to considerable inconvenience — for these and other good reasons they are desirous of forming a new Lodge in the town of Cambridge near West Boston bridge, to be named Oriental Lodge. (There being a Lodge of this title under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge, they saw fit to name it Amicable Lodge.) In consequence of this desire, they pray for a charter of constitution to empower them to assemble as a legal Lodge to discharge the duties of Masonry in a regular and constitutional manner, and they have taken liberty to nominate and recommend Andrew Adams to be their first Master, and Nathan Crane to be their first Senior Warden, and Elijah Learned to be their first Junior Warden, and, if the prayer of this petition be granted, they promise a strict conformity to all the constitutional laws and regulations of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge.

"They have the honor to be, Brethren, your fraternal, humble servants."

This petition was presented to the Grand Lodge, June 10, 1805, was granted and the charter duly issued under the same date.

It was the desire of the Brethren that the Lodge should be consecrated and the officers installed on the first Wednesday of October, 1805; but the ceremony was delayed until St. John's Day, June 24, 1806, when the Grand Lodge attended, a sermon was delivered, a public dinner was provided, and all the ceremonies were conducted in Ample Form.

It appears that Rev. Brother Thatcher was chosen to deliver the sermon. It is said that a doctor never takes his own medicine. At the next meeting of the Lodge, after the consecrating ceremonies, it was "voted that Brother Bartlett present Rev. Brother Thatcher with thirty-five copies of his discourse. Also voted that each member shall be obligated to receive and pay for six copies of Brother Thatcher's sermon."

We come now to a season of shadow in the affairs of the Lodge, which darkened down into almost a total eclipse, and the Lodge was nearly strangled in its infancy. It was brought about either by some miscalculation or disappointment, or over-credulity, not to use the word extravagance. The public demonstration on the occasion of the consecration of.the Lodge, and the installation of its officers, was no doubt very gratifying to all parties concerned, and a proud day for the Brethren. But the receipts fell far short of the expenditures, and the Lodge found itself embarrassed by a heavy debt. Worshipful and Rev. Lucius R. Paige, of blessed memory, who was the historian of the Lodge fifty years ago, speaks of its affairs at that time with some detail. I quote some things: "It must not be forgotten," he says, " that it was in the period of the embargo, and the almost total prostration of business which preceded the War of 1812, so that what might seem to us, at this day, a small debt, was then truly a very serious matter. On February 7 (1807), the standing committee reported that the Lodge was indebted, beyond its present means of payment, in the sum of $240.73." Subsequently nineteen Brethren advanced $5.00 each, to meet the most pressing demands, which, as this memorandum expresses it, was to be refunded as soon as the. Lodge can make it convenient, with interest." So severe became the pressure of this debt that a proposition to surrender the charter was made and discussed. In the meantime, the Lodge had removed to Old Cambridge, first to Bordman's Hall, on the westerly corner of Dunster Street and Harvard Square, where it met Jan. 13, 1808; thence to Porter's Hall on Brighton Street, March 9, 1808; and thence back to Bordman's Hall, Nov. 21, 1808, at which last date it was determined that "the consideration of the question for resigning the charter be postponed to the next regular meeting." At the next meeting, Dec. 14, 1808, it was voted "that the further consideration of the question concerning resigning the charter shall subside for the present." At this meeting, which may be regarded as the crisis of the most severe trial which the Lodge ever endured without breaking down, the plan was discussed for the payment of the debt. I need not enter into a detail of the plan; briefly, it consisted in taxing the members for a certain time until the debt should be paid. The effort was successful. The burden was thrown off, and from that day forward the Lodge has never been crippled by a debt.

There is one significant fact connected with this year of trial and discouragement, and more than probable it is owing to this fact that the charter was not surrendered, says Brother Paige. The three principal chairs were never more worthily filled than during that year. The Master was Samuel P. P. Fay, afterwards Grand Master of the Grand Lodge; the Senior Warden was Augustus Peabody, also afterwards Grand Master; and the Junior Warden was Rev. John Bartlett, afterwards Deputy Grand Master. I doubt whether another case like this can be found in the Commonwealth, where the Master and Wardens, serving together in a subordinate Lodge, have all been thus promoted." We may understand, notwithstanding such men were at the head, that so discouraging was the outlook, "that only two candidates were initiated during the year. Neither, however, became a member."

Notwithstanding the condition of the country during these years of embargo, when business was almost totally prostrated, when the merchant marine was paralyzed, and everybody was poor, the Masonic Fraternity in this Commonwealth did not forget that one of its cardinal principles was "brotherly love, relief and truth," and a conspicuous example of this was manifested in the action of the Grand Lodge, and the response of the Lodges to an appeal it sent out. In the town of Salem was the depot for prisoners of war, among whom were many Masonic Brethren. Essex Lodge, of Salem, informed the Grand Lodge of this fact, and in response it contributed the sum of $500, with offers of more if it should be required. The Grand Lodge sent out this appeal:

"The attention of the Masonic Fraternity has seldom been called to a more interesting subject than that submitted to our consideration. Indeed, our charities are never more characteristically and appropriately applied than in mitigating the horrors of war, visiting the sick and the wounded, assuaging the agonies of bodily and mental distress, and supplying the hungry and naked. And these offices of humanity we may discharge to the stranger and sojourner, and even 'see through pity's melting eye a Brother in a foe,' without incurring the guilt or penalty of treason against the laws of God or man.

"The groaning of the prisoners has now reached our ears, and has not been disregarded by the Grand Lodge, whose readiness to provide for those who are the immediate claimants of its sympathy will, it is hoped, meet the approbation and receive the support of our whole Masonic family.

"The present object of our charities is to relieve the distress of Masons whom the fortune of war throws within the sphere of our attention, and, although their duties as citizens of a country with whom we are at war may have compelled them to combat with Brethren, they have a powerful claim to our compassion.

"The moment the sword of the warrior is sheathed, the feelings of the Mason return with redoubled force and charity, displaying her banner of love, he conducts the captive Brother to the Lodge, the only 'city of refuge.' The appropriation granted, at the benevolent instance of Essex Lodge, has been made in the fullest confidence that the Lodges under our jurisdiction, aided by those Brethren who are blessed with affluence, will cheerfully engage in the charitable work of affording the means, compatible with their ability, of replacing the grant in the funds of the Grand Lodge, and enabling it to dispense still greater charity should the continuance of the war render it necessary.

"For this purpose _____ Lodge is called upon to comply with the wishes of the Grand Lodge.

"The repeated instances of brotherly love which have been, and still continue to be exercised towards our Brethren, carried prisoners of war to Great Britain and her dependencies, are gratefully acknowledged. Tt is our pride and consolation that the fires of Masonic charity burn with fervor on transatlantic altars. We most devoutly offer our prayers to the Supreme Architect of the universe for the return of peace, and that the only point at issue among contending nations may be a charitable emulation in the promotion and practice of those virtues which exalt and adorn our nature. But, whatever may be the result of public measures, the Masonic Institution will ever yield a respectful and loyal submission to their civil fathers.

"And the Grand Lodge takes this opportunity of expressing a wish that the Fraternity may eminently display to an admiring world the genuine and exalted principles of our Royal Craft, and exhibit the glorious specimens of pure and disinterested love which Masons bear each other."

It is pleasant to record the fact that, although Amicable Lodge was poor, it made its contribution. And it may as well be stated here that, besides the very large amount expended in charity where the left hand knew not what the right hand did, it has taken an interest in many public matters. For instance, it is a part owner of Bunker Hill Monument, having contributed $100 towards its completion. A liberal sum was also donated in aid of a monument to George Washington, at Fredericksburg, Va.; also to the Mount Vernon fund; also $200 towards the relief of those who suffered by the great fire in Chicago, adding also a contribution towards the completion of the Washington Monument.

Some people have a passion for moving because of the novelty of the thing, and some from necessity. Amicable Lodge may be classed under the head of necessity. It continued to occupy Bordman Hall until Oct. 10, 1810, when it removed back to Cambridgeport, to the hall of Brother Samuel Cutler. Here it continued until Sept. 20, 1815. Three days afterwards, September 23, occurred the memorable gale which destroyed much property throughout New England, and, among the rest, "demolished " as the record says, "the building" in which the Lodge had met. The next meeting was in the schoolhouse on Franklin Street, October 16. Soon arrangements were made with Mr. Fogg, who had become the occupant of the Hovey Tavern, at the corner of Main and Douglass Streets, and the Lodge returned to its original location. There it remained until Sept. 21, 1818, when it removed into a very convenient room fitted up at the expense of the Lodge, in the second story of the Franklin street schoolhouse, and named "Freemasons Hall," where it remained for the next twenty years, until the second day of July, 1838.

The first ten of these years was a season of the greatest prosperity under the original organization of the Lodge. It attracted the attention of the community, many sought its fellowship, and among its members were reckoned some of the most respected and influential citizens of the town. In 1820 a charity fund was established which now amounts to $5,825.

It was during this period of twenty years the anti-Masonic war broke out. It was one of those crazes which take possession of a people sometimes and can hardly be accounted for on philosophical or psychological grounds, like the Salem witchcraft. Here was a delusion that strangely got hold, not of the ignorant, but men of culture and education. Rev. Cotton Mather, Judge Stoughton, Rev. Mr. Noyes, Increase Mather, the president of Harvard College, came into the full belief that there were witches and bewitched people. Oftentimes these witches would be some poor half-witted person — an Indian squaw. Sometimes the witch would come in the form of a cat, sometimes an old woman would be seen riding through the air on a broom-stick. This delusion was a very serious and tragical business, and these poor, crazy, sick and suffering creatures would be arrested and tried and found guilty of being in league with the devil. In one year, twenty were executed, nineteen by hanging and one by being pressed to death, and among these a clergyman and several of the most reputable citizens of Massachusetts. They thoroughly believed that these witches had formed a compact with the devil, and were his agents to torment and torture people. And these judges and ministers and president expressed no regret for the innocent blood that had been shed.

We wonder to-day that such things could be. We wonder to-day that Quakers should have been so persecuted, and, in this land of the Puritans, that Massachusetts should have hung Mary Dyer on Boston Common; that Massachusetts should have driven Roger Williams beyond the borders of the colony, not because he was a bad man, but because he was a generous, broad-minded man.

It was something after this sort of spirit or craze that broke out in the anti-Masonic war. In September, 1826, commenced the tornado in the State of New York, and the storm swept through the whole United States. Masonry was declared to be the sum of all villainies. Political demagogues took advantage of the excitement to work their schemes. The storm swept into the churches, and they were torn by its fury. It invaded the family circle, brother was arrayed against brother, father and mother against son, wife against husband, and "a man's foes were they of his own household." Anti-Masonic conventions were, held, anti-Masonic newspapers were published which did not scruple to declare absolute falsehoods, anything to kill out Masonry, and it was confidently announced that the day of judgment to the Institution had come — that it was about to be wiped off the face of the earth.

On May 19, 1780, a most unaccountable darkening of the whole visible, heavens occurred in.New England, known in the records as the "dark day." It was the occasion of intense alarm and distress to multitudes of people, as well as to the brute creation, the fowls fleeing, bewildered, to their roosts, and the cattle returning to their stalls. Thousands of good people became fully convinced that the end of all terrestrial things had come, and many gave up for a time their secular pursuits, and betook themselves to religious devotions. Many regarded the darkness as a token of God's indignation against the various iniquities and abominations of the age. It is related that the Connecticut Legislature was in session at the time, and so great was the darkness that the members became terrified and thought that the day of judgment had come. A motion was consequently made.to adjourn. At this a Mr. Davenport arose and said: "Mr. Speaker: It is either the day of judgment or it is not;' If it is not, there is ho need of adjourning. If it is, I desire to be found doing my duty. I move that candles be brought, and that we proceed to business." Well, the day of judgment had not come and the Legislature did not adjourn.

If it was a day of darkness for the Masonic Fraternity, it was not the day of judgment, as many a fanatic prophesied, and some of its friends feared, but there were found any number of Davenports who said, "We desire to be found doing our duty; let the candles be brought, and let us proceed to-business," and many a light was kept burning on the Masonic altar, and the mists rolled away.

Amicable Lodge felt the fury of the storm, but for ten years, it kept up its organization and the light burning on its altar; until the second day of July, 1838, when it was thought best to suspend, at least for a time, and surrender the charter. But to the credit of the Brethren, with ,a few unhappy exceptions, although they returned the charter to the Grand Lodge, they held fast to their individual integrity and their Masonic vows.

But. the anti-Masonic bitterness had not subsided in Cambridge, and it was manifested in the action of the people. At the last meeting of the Lodge, a committee, previously appointed, submitted a report which was adopted. The proposition was made "that all the funds of the Lodge, after its veal estate, furniture, etc., are disposed of, and its debts paid, be conveyed to the town of Cambridge, in trust, for the purpose of forming a fund. . . That the interest shall be paid, on application, to such members, past or present, of Amicable Lodge, or their families, as the selectmen for the time being shall consider objects of charity; that interest unappropriated shall be added to and form part of a permanent fund, and, when that fund shall amount to the sum of $5,000, the interest shall annually be distributed to any resident of the town of Cambridge, not a public pauper, considered a worthy object of charity."

When this proposition was presented to the people in town meeting, it was violently and acrimoniously opposed by the anti-Masons. They would have none of it. It was "tainted money." And although these Brethren were among the most respected and respectable citizens of Cambridge, and their purpose was one of benevolence, yet they and their proffered gift were spurned with contempt, and they and their Institution were made subjects of ridicule. Some tried to be, and thought they were, witty in their coarse attacks, but though

"They beat their pates, and fancied wit would come,
Knock as they pleased, there was nobody at home."

"He who laughs last, laughs best." The refusal to accept the proffered gift proved to be a blessing to Amicable Lodge. The money remained in the hands of friends, increasing by the accumulation of interest, until the restoration of the charter, and constitutes to-day a part of our charity fund.

For seven and a half years the Lodge was suspended, but many of the Brethren were not without hope, and the subject of reorganization was frequently discussed, "both by former members of the Lodge and by other Masons who had not been members." Finally, eleven Brethren formerly of the Lodge, and others who had perhaps come into the town, united in a petition for the restoration of the charter, and on the twenty-seventh of December, 1845, the charter was restored.

No one was more instrumental in the accomplishment of this result than Rev. Brother Lucius R. Paige, who in 1832 had moved into the town, and who, on the reorganization of the Lodge, became its first Master, and during the remainder of his long, life, which reached to more than ninety-four years, none were more interested in or did more for Amicable Lodge than he. On the reorganization of the Lodge, arrangements were made with Friendship Lodge of Odd Fellows, by which it occupied their hall on Main street until Aug. 12, 1854, when the hall was destroyed by fire. Soon afterwards, however, the Odd Fellows fitted up a hall on Pearl Street, to which Amicable Lodge removed. From there, because of the rapid growth of the Lodge and the necessity of increased accommodations, spacious apartments were secured and fitted up by the Lodge on Main street, in the building which has been demolished to make way for the new Cambridgeport Savings Bank building now in the process of construction. These apartments were dedicated on Jan. 4, 1866.

We may add here, as an incident of more than common interest and as an illustration of the radical change in public opinion in regard to Masonry, that on the evening of January 30, the Lodge-room was invaded by the wives and sisters and lady friends of the members, not for the purpose of discovering the secrets of Freemasonry, but to add to its efficiency. They brought with them, and by Mrs. C. A. Skinner, wife of the Chaplain, as their representative, presented to the Lodge an elegant Bible and two silver-mounted batons, as the expression of their good-will and confidence in an institution to which " men rush in, where angels fear to tread." For nearly forty years that Bible has graced the altar of Amicable Lodge, and those batons have been used by each succeeding Senior and Junior Warden. There was also presented to the Lodge by Brothers Caleb C. Allen and Henry Endicott a very handsome marble-cased clock, which the Brethren make use of for the "noble and glorious purpose of dividing their time, whereby they find a part for the service of God and a distressed worthy Brother, a part for their usual vocations and a part for refreshment and sleep."

The expense of fitting up these apartments, which was obtained by subscriptions from the members, was $4,365.48; that, however, does not include the organ, which was added later at the expense of more than $1,200. These apartments were occupied for thirty-eight years. How many associations and memories are connected with them? How many acquaintances have been formed? How many friendships have been cemented? How much brotherly help and encouragement has been imparted? How many pleasant occasions has Amicable enjoyed within its walls? And to some of us in leaving them it is almost like leaving the old homestead. What and when and where our new home will be is yet to. be determined. But

"We may build more splendid habitations,
Fill our rooms with paintings and with sculpture,
But we cannot
Buy with gold the old associations."

The last meeting, when we said "good-bye" to the place which had been our Masonic home for so many years, was on Jan. 7, 1904. On Feb. 3, 1904, the Lodge held its first meeting in its present quarters in Odd Fellows Hall, on Massachusetts Avenue, corner of Walden Street.

Amicable Lodge does not believe in or practise "race uicide." She has four splendid children that she cherishes and they love her. The first, named Putnam in honor of the hero of Revolutionary days and glory, was born Dec. 13, 1855. The second, named Mount Olivet, of sacred memory and association, the mount which was pressed by the feet of Him who first really taught the world the truth of the human brotherhood — this child was born March 9, 1864. The.third, Mizpah, a name so significant in its meaning, which finds expression in these words : "The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another," was born Sept. 9, 1868. The fourth, bearing a name which is said to express the greatest'of all Christian graces, faith, hope, charity, these three, but the greatest of these is Charity, was horn on March 9, 1870. A happy family! "May they live long and prosper!" Notwithstanding the old hive has swarmed so often, we now number three hundred and twenty-five members.

I record here what I think we may justly call our roll of honor.

Richard Bordman and James Fillebrown, charter members, were Revolutionary soldiers. In the War of 1812 were Captain Samuel Child, Jr., Ensign Eliab W. Metcalf, Corporal Jacob H. Bates, Fifer Nathaniel Munroe and Private Galen Ware. Patriotism has been a marked characteristic of the Brethren of Amicable Lodge. I hold it to be a remarkable example of this fact that one-fifth of the members enlisted in the Civil War: Past Worshipful Master James K. Odell, our present Worshipful Master, Charles P. Keith, and these Brethren: L. P. Estabrook, Nathan G. Gooch, David P. Muzzey, Rudolph Anderson, Walter W. Nourse, Andrew A. Teele, Gustavus A. Smart, William J. Dowd, Dr. A. C. Webber, Robert N. Roaf, J. Warren Cotton, James Chandler, Charles T. Seavey, George W. Smith, Joseph Britton, George T. Richardson, Oliver H. Webber, Dr. A. P. Clarke, Charles H. Titus, Atkins Higgins, John R. Mills, George W. Blish, Henry C. Hobhs, George H. Henry, Thomas G. Newgent, David A. Stevens, Charles W. Adams. In connection with these Brethren, there is one incident of pathetic interest. Walter W. Nourse was the first soldier to give his life for his country from his regiment, the Thirty-eighth Massachusetts. He was brother to the then presiding Master, Gilbert D. Nourse, and a son of R.W. Gilbert Nourse. The sword and scabbard worn by the son and brother were presented to Amicable Lodge by the father, with the request that "they be worn by the Tyler on all proper occasions." It is the sword worn by the Tyler today.

In our roll of honor there are reckoned three Grand Masters of the Grand Lodge, Samuel P. P. Fay, Deputy Grand Master in 1819, and Grand Master in 1820; Augustus Peabody, Senior Grand Warden in 1817, and Grand Master in 1843-4-5. Henry Endicott, Senior Grand Warden in 1873 and Grand Master in 1887-8-9.

I risk nothing in the fear that I may touch any sensitive spot. or stir any envy or jealousy, among the living Past Masters or the present Master of Amicable Lodge, in the statement that there is one Past Master to whom Amicable Lodge, as well as Masonry, in Cambridge, not to say in the Commonwealth, in the more recent years, owes a debt of gratitude more than to any other. Henry Endicott is a name to conjure by, a name writ large in our history, and a name writ very large in the hearts of the Brethren.

"Let the loving-cup go 'round,
The cup with blessed memories crowned,
That flows whene'er we meet."

Lucius R. Paige was Deputy Grand Master in 1852-3-4; Charles Harris, Junior Grand Warden, in 1887. Of District Deputy Grand Masters there have been S. P. P. Fay in 1817, W. J. Whipple in 1823-4, E. W. Metcalf in 1824-5, W. Hilliard in 1829-30, Henry Endicott in 1867-8, L. M. Hannum in 1882, Charles Harris in 1883, and our present Deputy, Henry A. Locke, 1904-5. Our Senior Chaplain has been Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge for the term of fourteen years. In this roll of honor, the name of Charles Tufts should not be omitted, who served Amicable Lodge as its Secretary, for more than half of its term of existence, or fifty-seven years.

There was one member of Amicable Lodge whose name became world-wide. Brother Anson Burlingame was made a Master Mason Jan. 5, 1854. Beside serving in the Massachusetts Senate, he was a Member of Congress for three terms. It was while serving there an incident occurred which drew the attention of the whole country. Because he was impelled alike by his friendship for Senator Charles Sumner, his strong sense of right and justice, and bis abhorrence of the assault on the Senator by Preston S. Brooks, he uttered in the Hall of Representatives that eloquent but scathing invective, which led to a challenge from Brooks. Mr. Burlingame expressed himself ready to meet any consequences which might follow. The result was that Brooks, the coward and bully he really was, backed down and out, he and his friends being apprehensive of the result of Burlingame's well-known skill as a rifle shot. President Lincoln appointed him minister to China, and it was in this capacity he won his greatest honors and fame. He secured the confidence of the Chinese authorities to an unusual extent, the outcome being that he was appointed ambassador to treat officially in the name of that government with all the civilized powers. Entrusted with this mission, he visited his own country, London, Paris, Berlin, and other European capitals, and lastly St. Petersburg, where our eminent Brother died after a brief illness, just as he had nearly completed his great diplomatic work. His sudden death cut short a career as brilliant as it was useful, and excited the regrets of a host of friends," not only in his native land, but among the various civilized nations of the world, where his work as a diplomat had been so successful.

Amicable Lodge has had its share of honors, but we need to be often reminded that Masonry regards no man for his worldly wealth or position. It is not what we receive but what we are and do. "By their fruits ye shall know them." In preparing this inadequate story, my embarrassment has not been in lack of material, but in too much. But as you had your fiftieth historical address by Brother Lucius R. Paige, and your seventy-fifth by Brother J. Warren Cotton, I have endeavored to avoid too much repetition and detail, which are always a weariness to the flesh. I have purposely omitted to name the successive Masters and their work. Their names will be found on the program. Brethren, we have a hundred years of history lying back of us. It is a goodly heritage we possess. It has come through faithful service. The lights and shadows have fallen across the pathway the Lodge has come. The memory of the glory it has Won is the measure of the obligation that we transmit this inheritance unimpaired to those who shall follow us. And may we not hope and believe that the future shall be even more prosperous than the past or the present, and that it will be better further on?

"Further on? But how much further?
Count the milestones one by one?
No ; not counting, only trusting
'Twill be better further on."

OTHER

  • 1818 (Memorial regarding the computation of Anno Lucis)
  • 1820 (Conflict over jurisdiction)
  • 1821 (Conflict over jurisdiction resolved)
  • 1848 (Petition regarding money lent to Grand Lodge)
  • 1872 (lodge transferred to a different district)
  • 1889 (cornerstone laying of Cambridge city hall)
  • 1910 (cornerstone laying of Cambridge Masonic hall)
  • 1911 (dedication of Cambridge Masonic hall)

EVENTS

INSTALLATION, MARCH 1846

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly Magazine, Vol. V, No. 6, April 1846, p. 192:

The officers of Amicable Lodge, Cambridgeport, were installed by the Grand Lodge of this State, on Tuesday evening, March 17th. A large number of Brethren were present, and the prospects of the Lodge are encouraging. Among the members present were two of the original petitioners of the Charter, which was granted in 1805.

HALL FIRE, AUGUST 1854

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly Magazine, Vol. XIII, No. 11, September 1854, Page 352:

We regret to learn that the Hall occupied by Amicable Lodge, at Cambridgeport, was destroyed by the recent extensive fire in that city. We understand, however, that the regalia and many of the fixtures were saved, and that the loss is covered by insurance. We also learn that a new and more convenient hall will be soon fitted up for the accommodation of the Lodge.

OFFICER LIST, JANUARY 1860

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly Magazine, Vol. XIX, No. 4, February 1860, Page 128:

Officers of Amicable Lodge, Cambridge, Mass., for 1860 —

  • Richard O'Brien, W. M.
  • Ebenezer Fowle, S. W.
  • Wm F. Knowles, J. W.
  • Nathan Fiske, Treas
  • Charles Tufts, Sec.
  • L. R. Paige and B. F. Nourse, Trustees of the Charity Fund.

HALL DEDICATION, JANUARY 1866

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly Magazine, Vol. XXV, No. 4, February 1866, p. 116:

The new and superb Masonic Hall of Amicable Lodge, at Cambridgeport, was dedicated by the M. W. Grand Lodge, on Thursday the 4th ult. The ceremonies were performed by the M. W. Grand Master, Brother Charles C. Dame, assisted by his officers, in accordance with the usual Masonic formula, and in an impressive manner. They were interspersed with appropriate music and singing under the direction of Brother A. H. Hews. At the conclusion of these ceremonies the officers for the present year were installed by the Grand Master, as follows:—

  • Henry Endicott, W. M.
  • Eben Denton, S. W.
  • F. W. Gregory, J. W.
  • James Millegan, S. D.
  • S. P. Adams, J. D.
  • Nathan Fiske, Treas.
  • Charles Tufts, Sec.
  • P. Coffin, S.S.
  • J. D. Nutter, Marshal
  • C. A. Skinner, Chaplain
  • J. D. Hazen, Tyler.

Br. Fiske was installed as Treasurer for the twenty-first time, and Br. Tufts was installed Secretary for the thirty-first time.

At the conclusion of the installation services, a banquet was provided for three hundred persons, and the occasion was made one of much social enjoyment. Speeches were made by Brothers Charles C. Dame, Wyzeman Marshall, William Parkman, and others. The entertainment concluded with a song from Br. C. G. Jackman, of this city.

The new Lodge-room is a very fine and spacious apartment, appropriately chaste in its finish and furnishings. It is not probably excelled in these respects by any similar room in the State. The ante-rooms are equally elegant, and are most admirably adapted and fitted up for the purposes for which they are designed.


GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

OTHER BROTHERS


DISTRICTS

1805: District 1 (Boston)

1821: District 9

1835: District 1

1849: District 1

1867: District 4 (Cambridge)

1872: District 2 (Charlestown)

1883: Cambridge 2

1911: District 2 (Cambridge)

1927: District 2 (Cambridge)

2003: District 2



LINKS

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