Difference between revisions of "BostonUniversity"

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BOSTON UNIVERSITY LODGE

Location: Boston (Boston University)

Chartered By: Frank L. Simpson

Charter Date: 09/08/1926 1926-357

Precedence Date: 09/09/1925

Current Status: active; surrendered 08/19/1999; restored 06/23/2012.

PAST MASTERS

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

• Petition for Dispensation: 1925
• Petition for Charter: 1926
• Charter Surrendered: 1999
• Petition for Reinstatement: 2012

ANNIVERSARIES

• 1950 (25th Anniversary)
• 1975 (50th Anniversary)
• 1976 (50th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

• 1926 (Simpson; Constitution of Lodge)
• 1941 (Schaefer; Grand Master reception)
• 1943 (Schaefer; Ladies' night)
• 1950 (Keith; 25th Anniversary)
• 1952 (Roy; "Ancient Landmarks" Night)
• 1954 (W. Johnson; Reception for the Grand Master of Peru)
• 1955 (W. Johnson; installation)
• 1960 (Eaton; Reception for the Grand Master of the Netherlands)
• 1965 (Osgood; Reception for Deputy Grand Master Norman M. Gay)
• 1973 (Vose)
• 1975 (Maxwell; 50th Anniversary)
• 1976 (Maxwell; 50th Anniversary)
• 2012 (Stewart; restoration of charter)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1926 1930 1932 1940 1946 1951 1952 1956 1957 1962 1967 1971 1972 1979 1980 1987 2012

HISTORY

• 1950 (25th Anniversary History, 1950-133)
• 1976 (50th Anniversary History, 1976-277)

25TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, OCTOBER 1976

From Proceedings, Page 1976-277:

By Worshipful Alden B. Ackerman.

Some time prior to the year 1925, the idea of a Masonic Lodge having jurisdiction confined to Boston University, originated in the Boston University Square and Compass Club and, no doubt, was stimulated by the successful formation of similar Lodges at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1920 and at Harvard University in 1922. The first definite action taken was at a meeting of the Club held in May, 1924, when a committee was appointed to inquire into the practicability of the proposal. The report of that committee was sufficiently favorable to cause the securing of signatures to a petition to the Grand Master for a dispensation. Brother Harold C. Spencer was President of the Club at the time and also Chairman of the committee on the formation of the new Lodge. It has been said that he, more than any other person, had the interest, imagination and persistency to carry the proposal to fruition.

In February, 1925, the petition, bearing eighty-six names, was ready for presentation to the Grand Master, and those who waited upon him were Worshipful Arthur W. Weysse, a Past Master of Amicable Lodge, a Charter Member and Past Master of Richard C. Maclaurin Lodge, a Charter Member of The Harvard Lodge, and the proposed first Master of Boston University Lodge; also Brother Harold C. Spencer, the proposed Senior Warden of Boston University Lodge; Brother Everett W. Lord, the proposed Junior Warden of Boston University Lodge; and Right Worshipful Arthur Earl Fisk, District Deputy Grand Master for the Second Masonic District.

The Grand Master took the matter under advisement, and in June, 1925, advised the petitioners that after careful consideration, he had decided to grant their request. Notices were sent to all those who had signed the petition, to the members of the Boston University Square and Compass Club, and to the Masters and Wardens of the Lodges comprising the Second Masonic District, announcing that the institution of Boston University Lodge would take place on October 8, 1925, at 536 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

At eight o'clock on that evening, Right Worshipful Arthur Earl Fisk, being announced by Worshipful Edward F. Wallis, District Deputy Grand Marshal, entered the well-filled lodge room and assumed the East. After reading the dispensation, the officers were inducted into their respective stations and the Lodge and the dispensation were given into the charge of the Worshipful Master. Appropriate remarks were made by the following distinguished guests: R. W. Guy H. Holliday, Past District Deputy Grand Master for the Second Masonic District, Past Master of Joseph Webb Lodge and Past Master of The Harvard Lodge; Wor. Jess H. Jackson, presiding Master of The Harvard Lodge; Brother Francis L. Bain, Senior Warden of Amicable Lodge, the oldest Lodge in Cambridge (representing the Worshipful Master of that Lodge, who was ill); Worshipful George W. Ladd, Past Master of Mizpah Lodge and Senior Warden of United Lodge, at that time the youngest Lodge in Cambridge; Right Worshipful Frank L. Simpson, Past Deputy Grand Master and a Professor at Boston University Law School. The presiding Master of Richard C. Maclaurin Lodge, Worshipful Harry C. Bradley, was scheduled to speak, but being unable to be present, he sent a letter expressing his best wishes to the new Lodge.

Following a year of successful operation, the ceremony of constitution of Boston University Lodge took place on September 29, 1926, at the same location, and was performed by Most Worshipful Frank L. Simpson, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts and a Charter Member of Boston University Lodge. The Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer, Secretary and Chaplain were installed by the corresponding Grand Lodge Officers. The remaining officers were installed by Deputy Grand Master Herbert P. Bagley, and they were likewise seated by the corresponding Grand Lodge Officers. The Most Worshipful Grand Master then addressed the Lodge on the subject, "The Progress of Freemasonry in Massachusetts," after which he retired with his Suite.

Boston University Lodge continued in Cambridge until February, 1929, when the location was changed to the Masonic Temple in Boston where the meetings are still held. Some effort has been made to find suitable quarters on or near the University Campus so that the Lodge might be closer to its members and be in a position to render more effective Masonic service. While nothing definite has been accomplished as yet, there are indications that the time is not too far away when this step can be realized.

There has always been a cordial relationship among the three college Lodges of M. I. T., Harvard and B. U. The first concrete evidence of the raternal spirit was shown on Thursday evening, February 20, 1930, when The Harvard Lodge was host to Richard G. Maclaurin Lodge and Boston University Lodge at the Temple in Cambridge. After a fine dinner, the officers of the three Lodges joined in the work of the Master Mason Degree. This close association has continued down through the years, both in Masonic work and in social activities. The latest occasion was on October 25, 1950, when the three Lodges combined to confer the Master Mason Degree on Boston University's 25th anniversary class of candidates.

The first class of candidates to be received, passed and raised in Boston University Lodge consisted of Alfred Leonidas Dion, Walter Clark James, Harris Lawrence Phillips, George Edwin Thompson and William George Hoffman. Brother Dion passed into the Great Beyond in 1931; Brothers Phillips and Hoffman have taken dimits. As of now, therefore, Brothers James and Thompson are the two senior members with respect of those who have taken their degrees in this Lodge. The former is the well-known Bursar of the University and Chairman of the Trustees of the Relief Fund. The latter served the Lodge as Master in 1933.

During the first five years of its life, the Lodge steadily increased its membership from the original eighty-six to one hundred eight. The next ten years were difficult ones because of the general economic conditions and the number of applications received was small. The last ten years have been a resumption of growth until the membership is now one hundred thirty-seven. There are three elected candidates waiting to be received and at least three other applications to be acted upon. The largest number of candidates to be received in any one year was in 1947, during the administration of Worshipful Brother A. Roy Thompson, when eighteen men were obligated on the First Degree.

One of the really outstanding events in the life of Boston University Lodge was the joint meeting of the three college Lodges held under special dispensation at Cambridge on January 16, 1941, when each station was occupied by an officer of each Lodge. There were three Masters presiding in the East, and as The Harvard Lodge was the host Lodge, Worshipful Carroll F. Getchell of that Lodge declared the three Lodges individually and severally opened. This was a noteworthy meeting as it was the first time since the constitution of Boston University Lodge that the East of our Lodge had been occupied by a presiding Grand Master. Among those present were four Past Grand Masters, the Deputy Grand Master and the Grand Marshal, the Senior and Junior Grand Wardens, the Grand Treasurer, Grand Secretary, District Deputy Grand Masters of the Boston and Cambridge Second Masonic Districts, as well as many other prominent Masons. Most Worshipful Albert A. Schaefer presided in the East, and addresses were made by M. W. Melvin M. Johnson, M. W. Arthur D. Prince, M. W. Herbert W. Dean, M. W. Claude L. Allen and R. W. Arthur W. Coolidge. There were present, including ladies, 250 persons, and after the meeting, there was dancing in the lower hall for those who wished to stay.

This history would not be complete without recording the tribute paid by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge to our Past Master, Worshipful (Major) Norman Brooks Morrison at its Quarterly Communication on March 10, 1943. Worshipful Brother Morrison had just returned from the Pacific Theatre of war and was on thirty day sick leave. It was arranged that he should attend the Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge and he was called upon to address the assembly. He was the first returned soldier of World War II to be so received and the entire gathering rose to acclaim him.

Two members have brought particular honor to Boston University Lodge by having been appointed Grand Lodge Officers. Worshipful Osborne B. Tabor served as Junior Grand Steward in 1949 and Right Worshipful Norman M. Gay as District Deputy Grand Master in 1942 and 1943. It should also be noted that both of these Brothers have served the Lodge as Secretary, Right Worshipful Brother Gay having held that office for fifteen years, from 1932 through 1947.

In the beginning, it was the energy and imagination of Brother Harold C. Spencer that made possible the birth of Boston University Lodge, and sad it is to record that because of his untimely death in January, 1926, he did not see the fruits of his labor. During the early years of the Lodge, it was the strong hand and wise counsel of Worshipful Brother Arthur W. Weysse that put the Lodge on a sound basis and it is greatly to be regretted that failing health has made necessary his withdrawal from active participation in its affairs. Down through the years it has been the devotion and self-sacrifice of many members that has kept the Lodge on an even keel and enabled it to make substantial progress. If the present and future officers will carry on in like manner, Boston University Lodge can safely be said to have before it a place of the highest esteem among the members of the Fraternity.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

• Alden R. Ackerman, DDGM, District 2 (Boston), 1956, 1957; N
• Cecil R. Crissey, DDGM, Waltham 5, 1960-1961; N
• Norman M. Gay, DDGM, District 2 (Boston), 1942, 1943; Deputy Grand Master 1965; N
• Wyman S. Randall, 1968, 1969; Junior Grand Warden 1975

DISTRICTS

1925: District 2 (Cambridge)

1927: District 2 (Boston)

2012: District 2

LINKS

Lodge web site

Massachusetts Lodges

The curator for this page is Brother Scott Sherman. Please direct informational updates and questions to him.