Aurora

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AURORA LODGE

Location: Leominster; Fitchburg (1844)

Chartered By: Samuel Dunn

Charter Date: 06/08/1801 II-182

Precedence Date: 06/08/1801

Current Status: Active

PAST MASTERS

  • Abraham Haskell, 1801, 1802
  • John Simonds, 1803
  • Abijah Bigelow, 1804, 1805
  • Benjamin Marshall, 1806
  • Abel Phelps, 1807, 1808
  • Oliver Fox, 1809
  • Abraham Haskell, Jr., 1810, 1811; SN
  • David Wilder, 1812-1816, 1829-1831
  • William Howe, 1817
  • Ephraim Wilder, 1818
  • Charles W. Wilder, 1819, 1832
  • Nathan Ordway, 1820-1821, 1841-1842; SN
  • Carter Gates, 1822, 1823
  • Moses Chase, 1824, 1825
  • Benjamin Rugg, 1826, 1827
  • John D. Pratt, 1828
  • John H. Wheeler, 1833, 1834
  • Peter A. Willard, 1835, 1836
  • Samuel Holden, 1837, 1838
  • Gustave Lyman, 1839, 1840
  • John D. Pratt, 1843, 1844
  • Alanson J. Whitcomb, 1845
  • Jonas A. Marshall, 1846, 1847, 1861
  • N. S. Boutelle, 1848-1850
  • Thomas C. Caldwell, 1851
  • A. F. Beaman, 1852, 1853
  • Joseph Peirce, 1854
  • D. Waterman Tuttle, 1855, 1856
  • Charles Fessenden, 1857, 1858
  • Moses Grant Lyon, 1859, 1860, 1864
  • Henry T. Pratt, 1862, 1863
  • John Burney, 1865
  • William J. Merriam, 1866
  • Charles S. Litch, 1867-1869
  • Elbridge G. Snow, 1870, 1871, 1877
  • Alfred A. Marshall, 1872, 1873
  • Eli Culley, 1874, 1875
  • Cyrus A. Foster, 1876, 1888, 1889
  • David W. Tinsley, 1878-1881; SN
  • George S. Richardson, 1882, 1883
  • Charles L. Sands, 1884
  • Waldo E. Clapp, 1885, 1886
  • Edward W. Ackley, 1887
  • Jabez F. Fisher, 1890
  • John R. Oldfield, 1891
  • Samuel W. Sawyer, 1892, 1893
  • William H. Bennett, 1894, 1895
  • Willard W. Jones, 1896, 1897
  • Walter M. Wellington, 1898
  • Walter A. Davis, 1899
  • Fred A. Tolman, 1900, 1901
  • William A. Pearce, 1902; SN
  • William L. Walker, 1903, 1904; Mem
  • Samuel H. Lowe, 1905
  • George E. Burt, 1906
  • Arthur G. Hunting, 1908
  • Leon C. Barnes, 1909
  • James C. Eteson, 1910
  • Perry I. Wilson, 1911; N
  • Alfred F. Tarbell, 1912
  • Harry E. Rogers, 1913
  • Frederick A. Watson, 1914
  • George E. Haven, 1915
  • Archie E. Perkins, 1916
  • Albert E. Persons, 1917
  • George W. Wyatt, 1918
  • William A. Robbins, 1919
  • Wilbur W. Henry, 1920
  • John W. Caldwell, 1921
  • Ernest L. Fickett, 1922
  • Carl W. H. Cowdrey, 1923
  • Ashton D. Ross, 1924
  • Loring E. Harkness, 1925; Mem
  • Rodney M. Liversage, 1926
  • Sanford E. Worthington, 1927
  • John Kilpatrick, 1928
  • Lester L. Foss, 1929
  • Albert Berg, 1930
  • Alfred Woollacott, 1931
  • Arthur M. Leader, 1932
  • Albert Taylor, 1933
  • Samuel A. Kenyon, 1934
  • Oscar A. Adler, 1935
  • Roger W. Fisher, 1936
  • Charles F. Murch, 1937; N
  • Porter W. Dawley, 1938
  • Leon C. Smith, 1939
  • Edwin H. Nichols, 1940
  • Randall H. Doughty, 1941
  • Harry W. Dole, 1942
  • John L. Mattson, 1943
  • Carl A. Runberg, 1944
  • Gordon E. Peterson, 1945
  • Alfred E. Rand, 1946
  • Henry F. Parker, 1947
  • 1948-1950?
  • Stanley MacPhadden, 1952; N
  • Robert N. Fickett, 1953
  • Oliver E. Parker, 1954
  • Samuel R. Irons, 1955; N
  • George J. Rollins, Jr., 1956, 1974
  • 1957, 1958?
  • John E. Stacey, 1959; N
  • 1960?
  • 1961-1964?
  • C. William Lakso, 1965
  • 1966-1970?
  • Stanley B. MacPhadden, 1971
  • James M. Osgood, 1972
  • 1973-1975?
  • Scott P. Nussey, 1976
  • Alvin A. LaRoche, Jr., 1977, 1982, 1985, 1995; N
  • 1978?
  • Stephen O. Lynch, 1979
  • Richard I. Okerman, 1980
  • Leonce I Michaud, 1981
  • 1983, 1984, 1986?
  • Stanley W. Herriott, 1988, 1989
  • 1990, 1991?
  • Donald W. Hollingsworth, 1992, 1993
  • 1994?
  • William F. Galloway, III, 1995
  • James B. Parker, 1996
  • James E. LeCuyer, 1997, 1998, 2001-2003, 2005-2009
  • David P. Macklin, 1999, 2004
  • Leslie W. Kusmirek, 2000
  • Clifford P. Bohnet, 2010-2012; DDGM
  • Scott Mathieu, 2013

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

  • Petition for Charter: 1801

ANNIVERSARIES

  • 1901 (Centenary)
  • 1906 (105th Anniversary)
  • 1926 (125th Anniversary)
  • 1951 (150th Anniversary)
  • 1976 (175th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

BY-LAW CHANGES

1878 1879 1883 1887 1889 1890 1892 1902 1906 1910 1912 1920 1921 1923 1924 1926 1929 1937 1951 1954 1956 1958 1966 1973 1974 1976 1982 1986 1991 1995 1999 2006

HISTORY

  • 1901 (Centennial Historical Address, 1901-61)
  • 1926 (125th Anniversary History, 1926-184)
  • 1951 (150th Anniversary History, 1951-88)
  • 1976 (175th Anniversary History, 1976-193)
  • 2004 (Excerpts from the Centennial History, 2004-160)

OTHER

  • 1830 (Report on delinquency)
  • 1844 (Petition to remove to Fitchburg)
  • 1845 (Invitation for St. John's Day)
  • 1846 (Invitation for St. John's Day; described below)
  • 1926 (Petition to reduce fees)
  • 1979 (75-year member award to a member)
  • 1993 (Cemetery plot dedication)

EVENTS

FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, JUNE 1846

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. V, No. 10, August 1846, p. 297:

MASONIC CELEBRATIONS JUNE 24, 1846 AT FITCHBURG, MASS.

The anniversary of St. John the Baptist, was celebrated at Fitchburg, Mass., on Wednesday, 24th June, under the direction of Aurora Lodge. The day was favorable, and the number of Brethren present was larger than usual on such occasions, though smaller than it would have been had not the weather for several days previous been stormy. We had no opportunity of ascertaining the precise number in the procession, but estimate it at six hundred, including about four hundred Masons and two hundred ladies—the wives and daughters of Masons.

The procession was formed at eleven o'clock, under the direction of Col. Ivers Phillips, Marshal of the day. Escort duty was admirably performed by the Boston Encampment of Knights Templars, under the command of R. W. Br. Winslow Lewis, Jr. The ranks of this excellent corps of the "Military Brotherhood," were full, and we have rarely, if ever, been more gratified with their general appearance. So far as our acquaintance with similar bodies extends, they stand unrivalled in the order of Masonry to which they belong, whether within their asylum or on public parade.

In the procession, were the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter of the State, with their banners. The Grand Council of Princes of Jerusalem made their first public appearance, in their rich and expensive regalia, and added largely to the beauty of the procession. This body, in the absence of Ill. Br. E. A. Raymond, (who appeared in his place as S. G. Warden in Grand Lodge,) was under the command of Ill. Br. Enoch Hobart. It attracted much of the attention of the spectators, and was cordially welcomed by the Brethren. Besides these, there were a large body of Royal Arch Masons, and some eight or ten Lodges, the names of which we did not note down at the time, and have now forgotten.

Soon after the procession was formed, it proceeded to the dwelling house where the ladies were assembled, who were received under a salute from the escort. The procession then marched through the principal street of the village, counter marched, and proceeded to the Unitarian Church, where the following exercises took place :

VOLUNTARY, By Flagg's (Boston) Brass Band.

PRAYER, By Rev. Br. Albert Case, of Worcester.

HYMN, No. 85, from Br. Power's Masonic Melodies; Music: Bermondsey.

Blest Art of ancient fame !
Let echo's voice proclaim
The welcome word :
May this divine decree-
Man's dearest bond shall be
Indulgent Charity—
Still sound aloud.

When Chaos fled from earth,
Then Order first had birth
ln forms of Light:
'Twas Wisdom's own behest,
That Strength should ever rest
Where Beauty stood confessed,
In radiance bright.

Then God's most perfect plan,
In love to feeble man,
Was kindly given:
With Level, Plumb, and Square,
Form rose from rudeness there,
Proportions just and fair,
The boon of Heaven.

Should sorrow seek relief,
Then be another's grief
In mercy there;
Kindness for human woe,
Soft pity's warmest glow,
Let each true Brother know,
Our constant care.

Come, join a Brother's joy;
In sweetest song employ
This festal day;
Let each fraternal tie
Its purest Faith imply,
Our Hope still fixed on high,
In clouudless ray.

READING OF THE SCRIPTURES, by Rev. Br. Case.

HYMN, No. 84, from from Br. Power's Masonic Melodies; Music: The Indian Philosopher.

When darkness Veiled the face of man,
Then Light, with radiant beams, began
To cheer his clouded way ;
In graceful form to soothe his woes,
Then Beauty to his vision rose,
In bright and gentle ray.

Immortal Order stood confessed,
From Farthest East to distant West,
In columns just and true :
The faithful Plumb and Level there,
Uniting with the trusty Square,
The temple brought to view.

Descending, then, from Heaven most high,
Came Charity, with tearful eye,
To dwell with feeble man ;
Hope whispered peace in brighter skies,
On which a trusting Faith relies,
And earth's best joys began.

Abroad was seen the boon of Heaven ;
Fraternal Love was kindly given,
And touched each kindred heart:
The sons of Light, with transport then,
In kindness to their fellow-men,
Unveiled the gentle Art.

Let grateful paeans loudly rise,
O'er earth's domains, to azure skies,
As time shall onward move!
A Brother's joy and woe shall be
Undying bonds to mark the free,
To wake a Brother's love.

ORATION. By Br. John H. Sheppard.

ODE.

BENEDICTION.

OLD HUNDRED. By the Audience.

The Oration by Brother Sheppard was full of classic beauties and rich imagery. It was the production of an elegant scholar—enriched by a vivid imagination. Some portions of it were of surpassing beauty. A contemporary, in speaking of it, says:— "It was the testimony of an honorable, talented, and upright man and worthy Mason of thirty years standing,—who has gone through nearly all the degrees or orders,—in favor of Masonry. The orator gave some humorous hits at the various new-fangled doctrines and humbugs of the day, and concluded with an eloquent appeal to the Brethren to take measures to erect a suitable monument, at Mount Vernon, over the remains of Washington—who was an illustrious and worthy member of the Order, and who has left on record his testimony in favor of the institution and its principles." We are happy in being able to state that the address has been published by the Lodge before which it was delivered, and is on sale at the bookstores in this city.

The prayer by the Rev. Br. Case, was a fervent, eloquent and impressive invocation to Deity,—worthy of the high reputation of that excellent Brother as a preacher of the Gospel and a practical and devoted Mason. The music by the choir was excellent and added much to the interest of the services in the Church.

The dinner was provided by Messrs Jaquith & Comee, and served np in a spacious pavilion on the square in front of the Church. The tables were well arranged, and abundantly supplied with whatever the market afforded. The inte¬ rior of the pavilion was tastefully decorated with flowers and evergreens, under the direction of the excellent lady of the junior partner—who is the daughter of a most excellent Mason, and who inherits no inconsiderable share of the Masonic fervor of her respected father.

In the absence of the Master of the Lodge, the Senior Warden, Dr. J. A. Marshall, presided at the table, to the entire acceptance of the company. Owing to the early hour at which the cars left for the city, little opportunity was afforded for sentiments or speeches. Some of the Brethren, however, seemed very much disposed to improve, in this way, the time allowed them, and some excellent speeches were made, and sentiments given. In fine, the occasion was one which will long hold a place among the pleasant recollections of the past. We believe that all were satisfied with what they saw and heard, and participated in. The ceremonies took place in one of the most beautiful and romantic villages in New England, and in the midst of an intelligent, liberal, and respectful community. It was a holyday, in which all present, whether Masons or not, seemed to rejoice. And indeed it could not well have become otherwise, for an army of Ladies were there, with their bright eyes and smiling faces!

We understand that the celebration next year will be held at Worcester, under the direction of Morning Star Lodge.

INSTALLATION, SEPTEMBER 1857

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XVII, No. 1, November 1857, p. 9:

On Monday, Sept. 28, 1857, the M. W. Grand Master, John T. Heard, Esq. with his Wardens, Grand Secretary and others, by particular invitation, visited Aurora Lodge, at Fitchburg, and installed their Officers for the coming year. They were as follows: Charles Fessenden, W. M— William Kimball, S. W. — Moses G. Lyon, J. W. — Asher Green, Treas. — James P. C. Cummings, Sec'y. — Jonas A. Marshall, S. D. — Henry A. Spooner, J. D. — Henry J. Lowe, S. Std. — Henry T. Pratt, J. Std.— John W. Wheeler, Marshal — and Martin Newton, Tyler. This flourishing Lodge was chartered June 8, 1801, at Leominster, an adjacent village, and since removed to the growing and prosperous town of Fitchburg. It was a cheering sight to look around their cosey and convenient Lodge-room and see such a cluster of fine-looking substantial Brethren, who for more than half a century have principally sustained this Lodge. There were many silvery locks and venerable forms, which brought back the memory of other days, and the appearance of the younger members was a pleasing omen of the future success of this Lodge. The address of our Grand Master was very appropriate, replete with instruction, and well calculated to promote among the members personal knowledge of the Art, and to instil a due caution and rigid scrutiny, both in bestowing charity on wanderers, and in receiving candidates for the degrees. He enjoined an unfailing attendance at the communications of the Grand Lodge. An hour was thus profitably employed, and every word which fell from his lips — delivered without note, in that frank and animated manner which comes from a soul deeply interested in our noble Institution — was listened to with deep attention. The hall was filled to overflowing by the Brethren and our fair sisters who honored the occasion. The little band — I think only a Quaternion of voices — with the aid of a Seraphine, gave us a treat of melody. For, it is worthy of remark, there are sometimes at concerts and on public cele brations, voices heard, so very highly cultivated and with such a pulmonary strain, that they rend the ear of a lever of Music. There was no attempt there at such fashionable super-excellence. Modern screaming has not yet reached the beautiful vale of Fitchburg. There was no vocal artist rising on octaves to the third heavens, nor dancing a rigadoon among aerial crotchets, nor exciting the plaudits of a gaping multitude by a double shuffle among starry appogiaturas. There was no hanging between heaven and earth on a discordant trill until the breath was almost gone. On this occasion we had the music of rich, sweet voices — it came from the heart — it reached the heart.

An elegant collation followed the ceremonies at the Lodge-room. It was given by Aurora Lodge at the American House, kept with much credit to himself and the place, by Mr. Comee. Brother Charles Fessenden, Master of that Lodge, presided. There was much beauty in the hall; whether the flowers which crowned the feast reflected their colors on the ladies, or their own fine complexions gave fresh coloring to the boquets, I will not decide. It is pleasant to see our sixers present at such convivial hours. They not only exhilarate the hearts of the Brethren but soften and temper noisy hilarity, which sometimes arises.

The president drew out several smart speeches from the officers and guests — all which, as they say editorially on great and stirring occasions, were received with — unbounded applause.

VISIT TO THE GRAVE OF HENRY PRICE, SEPTEMBER 1857

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XVII, No. 1, November 1857, p. 11:

At an early hour on Tuesday following the festival of Aurora Lodge, at Fitchburg, as noticed in another place, the M. W. Grand Master, John T. Heard, with Bradford L. Wales, S. W., John H. Sheppard, J. W., and Charles W. Moore, G. Secretary, visited Townsend, where lie the allies of our first Grand Master, Henry Price, Esq. The spot is about ten miles N. E. from Fitchburg, and we visited it under the charge and kind attentions of Brother James P. C. Cummings, M. D. A winding road over hill and dale, beautifully diversified at this season of the year by the various hues of leaf, flower and field, as we rolled along with a pair of fine horses, gave a refreshing zest to the excursion. It was a visit to the Mecca of Masonry in America; although we saw no Mohammedan Black Stone there, yet we do hope, that where a slate slab now stands, there will one day be a White Stone, such as Christians erect to the memory of worth.

At our arrival at Townsend, we had to make several inquiries before we found the dwelling of Mr. William Wallace, the only surviving grand child of our first, and distinguished Grand Master; — a man about 66 years of age — an old bachelor — living alone in a humble collage of a single story and single room, ten by twelve feet in dimensions — and situated on the brow of a hill. He had just risen, as we knocked at the door, from a small table by the wall-side covered with the fragments of his dejeuner. One corner of the room was the miniature of a cooper's shop, judging Irom the tools and a heap of shavings lying there, and in the middle was a cooking stove, and behind the door his homely couch. The building stood a few rods from the gate, overlooking his pauca jugera — as Horace calls his Sabine farm — about six acres of land, where he cultivated a small patch of potatoes, a few cabbages and some half dozen apple trees. Here dwelt in humble circumstances the immediate and only surviving descendant of one, who in his day was an opulent Merchant, accustomed to refined society and at the head, and, indeed, the founder of Freemasonry in this Western World. He was truly an original — another Robinson Crusoe — such a recluse did he appear in his attire, and in the wild and withered garniture of his face, where a grey and grisly beard cast a shadow over his features.

We found him very kind and communicative. He pointed out the spot on the opposite side of the road, where once stood the farm house of his grandfather, in which, among rural scenes and occupations, he spent his declining years. Not a vestige of the house remains, but he showed us an ancient Pear tree, near the site, which was transplanted by his grandfather from his garden in Menotomy, when he removed from West Cambridge to Townsend, where he at first had a mere summer residence and finally made his only home. It was suggested that this pear tree ought to be purchased by the Grand Lodge and converted into furniture and ornaments for our hall, as a memorial of this excellent man. The cherishing and veneration of remembrances of virtue are incentives to duty, and it is delightful to look at every sign and token of those endeared to us. Things in themselves indifferent, may become powerfully suggestive, in some circum stances, to memory, and awaken a train of feelings, which the best and wisest of our race have ever loved to cherish.

The interview with Mr. Wallace was the more interesting, because it was with him our Grand Master corresponded on the situation of the grave of Henry Price, Esq. From him. consequently, came the generous donation of the only existing and true portrait of our first Grand Master, which now adorns the walls of our Grand Lodge room in the Temple, already embellished with so many pictured faces of our distinguished officers. The resemblance of the grandson to this Portrait was very striking — the same prominent contour of features and lineament of expression. Mr. Wallace, after having been handsomely remem bered for the trouble we gave him, directed us to the spot where the remains of his grandfather were laid in the old village cemetery. We found the church-yard on our return without difficulty. It is on the western side of the county road. About two rods from the gate and nearly opposite to it the large slate-stone attracted our notice : — a slab three feet square with a circular top. On the face of it was the sculptured epitaph, traced in plain, clear outlines, and so deep as to resist the winds and rains of more than seventy years, which had injured or effaced the inscriptions on very many of the numerous dark grave-stones surrounding it. But, this needed no mallet nor chisel of Old Mortality to bring out and restore to view the dim and fading characters on the tablet. The following taken from Brother Moore's interesting sketch of Henry Price, Esq., in the appendix to the Constitutions of the Grand Lodge, is a correct copy : —

IN MEMORY OF
HENRY PRICE, Esq.
Was born in London about the year of our Lord 1697.
He removed to Boston about the year 1723 ;
Received a Deputation Appointing him Grand Master of Masons in New England;
and in the yeur 1733 was appointed a
Cornet in the Governor's Troop of Guards,
with rank of Major.
By his diligence and industry in business,
He acquired the means of a conforiabie living,
With which he removed to Townsend
In the latter part of his life.
He quitted Mortality the 20th of May, A. D. 1780,
Leaving a widow and two young daughters,
With a numerous company of friends and acquaintances
to mourn his departure,
Who have that ground of hope concerning his present lot
which results from his uudissembled regard to his Maker
and extensive benevolence to his Feltow Creatures,
manifested in life
by a behaviour consistent
with his character as a Mason,
And his nature as a Man.

This ancient cemetery is full of graves, and grey or dark brown slate stones are thickly scattered in every direction. I saw but one white tomb-stone in the whole circuit of vision. There was one slab like that at the grave of Henry Price ; it contained the memorial of the venerable clergyman of the village. This dwelling place of the dead is sequestered and lonely, and bounded by a thick forest of evergreens. It commands an extensive view of the village, fields and encircling hills. A stranger, who looks back on the early settlement of this mountainous part of Massachusetts, cannot gaze on these silent tenements of a great congregation of the dead of other limes, without solemn reflections. It is on such a spot, in a quiet village, among pastoral scenery, that we feel and realize the simple melody of lhat exquisite production, Gray's Elegy in a Country Churchyard,

"Beneath those rugged elms that yew trees shade, Where heaves the turf in many a mouldering heap, Each in bis narrow cell forever laid The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep."

But among these humble memorials, doomed at a future day to oblivion, from the perishable nature of the material, let not the ashes of the first Grand Master of Masons in America be exposed to ruthless neglect. The letters on the dark slab of slate .erected to his memory, in a few yeats will become illegible, and the grave itself will be forgotten, unless some more durable monument be raised to perpetuate the spot. This Cemetery is already forsaken and has become obsolete: and another and larger Churchyard, more convenient and in tended to be tastefully laid out and decorated with trees and shrubbery, attracted our eye as we passed by the hill-top. Consequently, neglect of this one will only hasten the natural decay which time produces, and make it hereafter an oblivious field, a nameless tenement, of the buried dead of other generations. As our little company grouped around this humble tablet of slate — already touched by the finger of lime — it seemed as though I heard a voice from the ground where lie the ashes of our distinguished Grand Master, calling on the great Fraternity to remember the founder of Freemasonry on this Continent, and leave some enduring vestige of gratitude and affection on the spot — some modest column of eternal remembrance over his remains. Such a tribute is due to our ancient Grand Master — such a memorial to Masonic wotth. True, his portrait adorns our Grand Lodge room ; and among the endearing pictures of his admired successors, which embellish the walls, it looks down over the pillar of the R. W. Grand S. W. in the west; but that is not enough. It is confined to our own sanctuary. Let the world around us see how we honor the memory of patrons and eminent Brethren.

To recall the virtues of the good and great — to look on the monuments, and portraits, and memorials of men who have done the world some good, re-acts on our own hearts. It inspires better resolutions for the time to come; it invigorates us in the path of duty ; and it awakens an ardent desire of imitation. "Quam multas nobis imagines, non solum ad intueridum, veium etiam ad imitaudum, fortissimorum virorum expressas scriptores et Graci et Latini reliquerunt! quas ego mihi semper in administranda republica proponens animum et mentem meam ipsa cogitatione hominum excellentium conformabam." "How many pictures of the bravest of men have the Greek and Latin writers left, not only to contemplate, but likewise to imitate! These illustrious models I always set before me in the government of the State, and formed my conduct by contemplating their virtues." Thus spake Cicero nearly two thousand years ago — in his splendid defence of the poet Archias.

All nations have felt the influence of such remembrances of worth on the people. Greece was full of splendid pictures, monuments, statues, and temples, in her days of glory. The ruins of the Doric temple erected to Theseus, still charm the traveller. Pictorial entablatures, fallen pillars, and broken columns, still survive to speak the gratitude and the glory of Athens. The Tumulus or Sepulchral Mount raised between the two great marshes on the plains of Marathon, still reminds the traveller of a greatness never surpassed in the life and death-struggle of freedom. There, says Byron,

"The Mountains look on Marathon, And Marathon looks on the sea."

Italy abounds in memorials to departed excellence. Trajan's lowery column yet shadows the spot in Rome where his ashes lie. When Cicero was questor in Sicily, he explored the tomb which Marcellus raised over the remains of Archimedes, and he found it amidst thorns and thistles by the discovery of the cylinder and sphere sculptured on the stone. The most beautiful exhibitions of architecture and the richest designs of sculpture were devoted to the illustrious dead.

We might dwell upon this subject with profit: but the detail would fill volumes: for in numerous localties in Europe and Asia, and all along the primeval banks of the Nile, successive monuments, mausoleums, columns, temples, and pyramids, rise up to memory before the mind's eye. Nor would our ancient Fatherland in her remembrance of the dead, be cast into the shade. All England speaks of such memorials, and in the deep vaults and death- chambers of her Westminster Abbey, a multitude of shrines and statues of her great men, stand forth amidst the awful imagery of the place and emerge into light. Scotland, too, has not been deficient in her obituary of worth. In Edinborough the splendid monuments to the memory of our illustrious Brethren, Burns and Walter Scott, loom up in bold relief. Indeed, there is scarce a church or cathedral on the continent of Europe or in Great Britain, in which monuments, effigies and tablets, in honor of the lamented dead, do not apppear, as handed down by the gratitude of hoary centuries.

Within a few years, the attention of our own country has been awakened, and the eye of the nation fixed on this solemn, yet heart-moving subject — the memory of the great and good. Need I refer to the lofty obelisk on Bunker-Hill, or the gorgeous and magnificent structure now being erected in the capital, to the honor of our deathless Washington? And the recent inauguration of the statues of Franklin and Warren is familar to every one.

A change, too, has come over us, touching the adornment and sacredness of church-yards. It is not a very distant period of time, when burial-places, especially in country villages, were the most neglected spots in the land. With ragged, shattered fences, or none at all — without path or alley — exposed to the unhallowed tread of cattle and beasts of the field — covered with brambles, thistles and briars — with grave-stones broken or almost prostrate on the ground — and in some cases, on the side of sandy hills, with coffins exposed to sight. Such is an unvarnished picture of a country church-yard not very long ago, in many parts of New England, — a place which ought to be holy ground, called, by our Saxon ancestors, " God's Acre," and yet seldom or never visited, except when the mourner was forced there in the funeral procession to follow the remains of some friend to the neglected spot. Even a Turk, whose country has ever been remarkable for the embellishment and veneration of the homes of their dead, would then have blushed at such depraved taste in a land of light and knowledge. But another and a better spirit prevails everywhere, and we trust that all this barbarous neglect and savage indifference have disappeared forever from this Christian land. Not only in numerous towns and villages have neat and appropriate enclosures been prepared, but many of our cities have laid out and adorned large and splendid cemeteries, surrounded by all the beauties of nature. In some of them the sepulchres of the dead are touching landmarks of affection, rising among groves, and winding walks, and on the hill top or by the rivei's side, in the midst of landscape scenery. Where the dead repose in retired places, among the loveliest imagery of nature, where the birds of music fill the groves, and the tree buds and the flower blooms with the earliest zephyr of spring, it seems as though the spirits of our much loved friends were around us, invisible to the eye, but whispeiing better, holier thoughts. Of this description are the beautiful localities of Mount Auburn in the vicinity of Boston — Greenwood Cemetery of New York — Laurel Hill in Philadelphia — and Green Mount in Baltimore. Many others might be named: such as Forest Hills in Roxbury, and Wood Lawn in Chelsea, and Mount Hope in Bangor.

If, therefore, such veneration has been paid in all past times, to the memory of patriots, warriors and learned or holy men, why should not our Fraternity — now spreading over thirtytwo States, from the waters of the St. Croix to the Rio Grande, from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans — why should not cur Fraternity remember its founder and first Grand Master of Masons in America?

I repeat it again and again, that we owe a monumental tribute of our respect and affection to the honored memory of Henry Price ; somelhing beyond a humble) homely, perishable slate grave-stone, only distinguished in that old cemetery by its being a little larger than its surrounding companions. A memento more conspicuous and durable, it is our duty to erect ; and let the present slate tablet be removed to the walls of the Grand Lodge room of Massachusetts, and like those venerated tomb-stones, which adorn Cathedral walls in Europe, be pre served in our sacred retreat. Let the heart hut feel its importance, and the hand of our loyal Brethren will readily open to its execution.

A handsome Monument of Italian marble can be erected without a heavy cost. It can be finished and placed on the spot, enclosed by a neat, and substantial iron railing, for three hundred dollars. But, we may do more than this : and the way and manner are plain without being burdensome to our Brethren, or a severe encroachment on our Grand treasury. Let the Grand Lodge appropriate, say two or three hundred dollars, to this object, and every Lodge in this Common wealth — and there are nearly one hundred at this time — devote a sum not less than five dollars ; and thus a thousand dollars could be raised. Then might a rich and elegant Monument stand conspicuous in that ancient Cemetery, and tell the world how good and true Masons love one another, and honor the virtues of departed worth.

Should this proposal meet the generous feelings of the Brethren, we may see, next summer, the noble work accomplished, and the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts may have the opportunity, if they see fit, at our next festival of Holy St. John, in June, to consecrate a titling memorial to Henry Pricr, on the spot, with clue and august ceremonies. --S.

ANNUAL DINNER, OCTOBER 1865

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXIV, No. 12, October 1865, p. 370:

It has been the custom for many years past with this energetic old Lodge to hold a Public Installation of its Officers, and to give an Annual Supper, to which the families and lady-friends of the members are invited, though we believe that for the last two or three years, on account of the war, and the consequent absence of many of its members, the custom has been allowed to fall into abeyance. It was, however, renewed the present year, and came off on the evening of the 12th ultimo. The attendance of the Brethren and ladies was considerably in excess of the ball- accommodations, though all were made as comfortable as they well could be, under the circumstances, and the pressure of an excessively warm evening. The ceremonies of Installation were performed by the M. W. Grand Master, assisted by his officers. At the conclusion of these the G. Master addressed the Lodge and the visitors present, referring to the early history of the Lodge, its uninterrupted success for the long time of sixty-four vears, and its faithfulness and loyalty to the parent Body. He also referred in appropriate and impressive terms to the general principles of the Institution and the great objects it has in view. His remarks fell onattentive ears, and apparently afforded gratification to his large and intelligent audience. The Music was performed by a fine quartette choir, and added largely to the interest and pleasure of the occasion.

At the conclusion of the ceremonies in the hall a procession was formed and the company proceeded to the Fitchburg Hotel, (an excellent public house,) where they sat down to a bountiful and well-served Supper, and where the ceremonies of the evening were interspersed with brief speeches by Bros. Parkman, Moore, Dame, Bancroft, and others. The occasion was an exceedingly agreeable one, and we trust not altogether unprofitable in its results.

The officers installed are as follows:—

  • John Barney, W. M.
  • Charles S. Litch, S. W.
  • C. H. B. Snow, J. W.
  • Arnold Wilson, Treas
  • S. W. Huntley, Sec.
  • Henry Allison, S. D.
  • Francis Shelden, J. D.
  • Henry G. Morse, S. S.
  • Henry S. Hitchcock, J. S.
  • William Kimball, Marshal
  • D. C. Brick, Chaplain
  • James Peirce, Tyler.

We had forgotten to say in its proper place, that at the conclusion of the Installation services the retiring Master, Brother M. G. Lyon, was presented with an elegant Past Master's Jewel, in gold, by Brother G. H. B. Snow. The speeches were appropriate, and that of the retiring Master especially interesting for its reminiscences.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

DISTRICTS

1803: District 5 (Framingham, west and north)

1821: District 5

1835: District 3

1849: District 3

1867: District 7 (Lowell)

1883: District 12 (Fitchburg)

1911: District 13 (Fitchburg)

1927: District 13 (Fitchburg)

2003: District 22

LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges

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