Difference between revisions of "GMHowland"

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(NOTES)
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''From Proceedings, Page 2008-70, at the 150th Anniversary of [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=Quittacus2 Quittacus] Lodge:''
 
''From Proceedings, Page 2008-70, at the 150th Anniversary of [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=Quittacus2 Quittacus] Lodge:''
  
Grand Master 1884-1886, (It is interesting to note that he had
+
Grand Master 1884-1886, (It is interesting to note that he had competition for that office; total votes cast were 671, Abraham H. Howland, Jr., receiving 483 and his opponent 188). At 43 years of age he was one of the youngest ever elected to that office in this jurisdiction.
competition for that office; total votes cast were 671, Abraham H. Howland,
+
 
Jr., receiving 483 and his opponent 188). At 43 years of age he was one of the
+
M.W. Bro. Howland also urged the adoption of the district system of exemplification of the work and lectures of our ritual, which also continues today. He indicated displeasure with the printed abbreviation of the ritual and advocated instruction from mouth to ear.
youngest ever elected to that office in this jurisdiction.
+
 
M.W. Bro. Howland also urged the adoption of the district system of
+
On February 21, 1885, he participated in the dedication of the Washington Monument. He brought to that ceremony the golden urn fashioned by Paul Revere which contained a lock of George Washington’s hair.
exemplification of the work and lectures of our ritual, which also continues
+
 
today. He indicated displeasure with the printed abbreviation of the ritual and
+
On May 22, 1885, he visited Fall River for the dedication of the new Masonic Hall, with 300 brethren present. They were primarily from [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MountHope Mount Hope], [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=KingPhilip King Philip], and [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=Narragansett Narragansett] Lodges, and that evening 1,100 sat down for dinner.
advocated instruction from mouth to ear.
+
 
On February 21, 1885, he participated in the dedication of the
+
Beyond a doubt, the three years as Grand Master took a greater toll than M.W. Abraham H. Howland, Jr., realized, for he passed away on April 20, 1887, cause of death, meningitis.
Washington Monument. He brought to that ceremony the golden urn
+
 
fashioned by Paul Revere which contained a lock of George Washington’s
+
On that marble stone of Abraham H. Howland, Jr., the traditional symbol of square and compasses is not present, but the sprig of Acacia, the symbol of immortality, is created in bold relief on the top of his marker.
hair.
+
On May 22, 1885, he visited Fall River for the dedication of the new
+
Masonic Hall, with 300 brethren present. They were primarily from Mt.
+
Hope, King Philip, and Narragansett Lodges, and that evening 1,100 sat down
+
for dinner.
+
Beyond a doubt, the three years as Grand Master took a greater toll than
+
M.W. Abraham H. Howland, Jr., realized, for he passed away on April 20,
+
1887, cause of death, meningitis.
+
On that marble stone of Abraham H. Howland, Jr., the traditional symbol
+
of square and compasses is not present, but the sprig of Acacia, the symbol of
+
immortality, is created in bold relief on the top of his marker.
+
  
 
=== MEMORIAL ===
 
=== MEMORIAL ===

Revision as of 20:00, 31 January 2012

ABRAHAM H. HOWLAND, JR. 1840-1877

AbrahamHowland1886.jpg

Senior Grand Warden, 1876
Deputy Grand Master, 1878-1880
Grand Master, 1884-1886


TERM

1884 1885 1886

NOTES

BIOGRAPHY

From Proceedings, Page 2008-70, at the 150th Anniversary of Quittacus Lodge:

Grand Master 1884-1886, (It is interesting to note that he had competition for that office; total votes cast were 671, Abraham H. Howland, Jr., receiving 483 and his opponent 188). At 43 years of age he was one of the youngest ever elected to that office in this jurisdiction.

M.W. Bro. Howland also urged the adoption of the district system of exemplification of the work and lectures of our ritual, which also continues today. He indicated displeasure with the printed abbreviation of the ritual and advocated instruction from mouth to ear.

On February 21, 1885, he participated in the dedication of the Washington Monument. He brought to that ceremony the golden urn fashioned by Paul Revere which contained a lock of George Washington’s hair.

On May 22, 1885, he visited Fall River for the dedication of the new Masonic Hall, with 300 brethren present. They were primarily from Mount Hope, King Philip, and Narragansett Lodges, and that evening 1,100 sat down for dinner.

Beyond a doubt, the three years as Grand Master took a greater toll than M.W. Abraham H. Howland, Jr., realized, for he passed away on April 20, 1887, cause of death, meningitis.

On that marble stone of Abraham H. Howland, Jr., the traditional symbol of square and compasses is not present, but the sprig of Acacia, the symbol of immortality, is created in bold relief on the top of his marker.

MEMORIAL

From Proceedings, Page 1887-58, memorial presented by Past Grand Master Charles A. Welch:

When a good man dies it affords consolation to his friends to reflect upon his character, to remember the positions in which he was placed, and to consider the good he has done in those positions. We are thus reminded that though our loss is great, and must necessarily be deeply felt by his associates, the recollection of the services he has rendered still remains as a matter for thankfulness and congratulation.

If he fills a prominent position in any assembly, what can be more proper than for that assembly to express, in simple words, its esteem for him, and appreciation of his valuable services. Influenced by these motives, we, the representatives of the whole body of Masons of the Commonwealth, now devote a portion of this day, set apart for one of our Regular Communications, to the expression of the regard in which we held our late Grand Master, Abraham H. Howland, Jr., and two other Brethren, who have held important offices in this Grand Body, all of whom since our last Quarterly Communication have been called away from the work in which they were faithfully and actively engaged for the common benefit.

I leave to others the duty of reminding you of the services rendered by Right Worshipful Brothers Childs and Robinson, although I personally knew something of those services, as did all who were placed by this Grand Lodge in positions which brought us into association with those Brethren. The relations, however, in which I stood to your late Grand Master have naturally devolved upon me the duty of presenting, as well as, I can, a brief review of his life and character as a Mason.

R.W. Brother Howland was born in New Bedford, Mass., on the 29th of May, 1840, and died in that city April 20th, 1887. When he ceased, last December, to be your Grand Master he was the youngest in age of the eight surviving Past Grand Masters. His Masonic career was an honorable one. He was elected to receive the degrees in Eureka Lodge, of New Bedford, March 3, 1865, and on the 12th of May in that year he was raised to the degree of Master Mason, and became a member of that Lodge, an affiliation which continued until his, death. After serving in various subordinate offices, he was elected Worshipful Master in 1869, and held that office for three years. In 1871 he was appointed by Most Worshipful Sereno D. Nickerson District Deputy Grand Master for the Fourteenth Masonic District, and held that office during 1872, 1873 and 1874. He was reappointed as D.D. Grand Master by Most Worshipful Brother Everett for the year 1875. In December, 1875, he was elected Senior Grand Warden, serving during the year 1876. In the year 1872, while we were District Deputy Grand Masters, I first became acquainted with him, and his excellent qualities of head and heart made a strong and durable impression.

When it was afterward proposed that I should follow Brother Everett as Grand Master, I at once decided that, in case of my election, I would offer the position of Deputy Grand Master to Brother Howland. Immediately after the Communication of the Grand Lodge at which my election took place, and while we were still in this Hall, the appointment was tendered to him. The surprise which he manifested showed very clearly the modest estimate he placed on his own abilities, and yet he had already served his native city, of which his father was the first Mayor, as the chief of its Fire Department, and as its Mayor. It is hardly necessary to remind you how faithfully he supported the exertions so successfully made by the Fraternity, while he was Deputy Grand Master, to maintain the credit of the Grand Lodge and discharge the debt which then oppressed it, and threatened to destroy its usefulness. He held that office for three years, and performed its duties to the full satisfaction of the Fraternity. But before that term had expired, he was attacked by the disease under which his constitution finally gave way, a little more than a month ago.

During the early portion of the administration of Most Worshipful Brother Lawrence, as Grand Master, Brother Howland continued to suffer under that disease, and at times severely; but in December, 1883, he seemed to have recovered, and was elected your Grand Master; and was twice unanimously reelected, closing his official service in December, 1886.

He became a member of Adoniram R.A. Chapter, New Bedford, April 5, 1865, and, after holding subordinate offices, was for three successive years, 1871-1874, elected its Most Excellent High Priest. He was seldom absent from its meetings while he held any office. He petitioned Sutton Commandery, K.T., for the orders of Knighthood, December 21, 1865, and was elected to receive them January 4, 1866. He became a member of that Body April 26, 1866, and was its Eminent Commander during the years 1874-1875. He was also an Honorary Member of the Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the Thirty-third and last degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States, having, of course, previously received the degrees in the various Bodies in this State under that jurisdiction.

For some year or two past he has been regularly notified to attend the meetings of St. Andrew's Lodge, of Boston, and was so esteemed by the Brethren composing that ancient Lodge that, although he was not a member, one of their number officiated as a pall-bearer at his funeral, and another, whose reputation in his particular department of knowledge is world-wide, was selected to present at their last Communication a memorial of him, which is entered upon the Records.of the Lodge.

The same honorable distinctions were paid to him by St. Bernard Commandery of this city; and the Masters' Association, of Boston, an Association composed of Past Masters of Boston and vicinity, also appointed, a committee to pay a tribute to his memory. There were no doubt other Masonic institutions to which he belonged, or with which he was in some way connected, but what has been already stated shows the esteem in which he was held by his Brethren. It is proper, however, to mention that he served you in the Board of Directors of the Grand Lodge from December, 1878, till his death.

By virtue of his office as Grand Master he was the President of the Board of Trustees of the Masonic Education and Charity Trust from December 19, 1884, the time of its organization, till he ceased to be Grand Master. No one could have been more faithful or successful than he was in the discharge of the various duties that thus devolved upon him. In spite of the disease which probably lingered in his system, and at times showed its existence by subjecting him to intense pain, no Grand Master could have been more untiring in laboring for the good of the Fraternity. Not being occupied by business engagements of an engrossing character, he was able to visit the various Lodges more frequently than many of his predecessors had done, and his presence always carried enjoyment with it; for his social qualities, cheerful tamper, and kind consideration for the feelings of others, made his companionship delightful to all those who were favored with it.

The relations subsisting between Grand Master Howland and his District Deputy Grand Masters were more than usually close, cordial and affectionate. As the District Deputy is appointed by, and, in some respects, specially represents the Grand Master, the former naturally looks to the latter for advice and encouragement in all cases of doubt and difficulty, and confidently relies upon his experience and good judgment for aid in avoiding erroneous decisions, and for extrication from perplexing dilemmas. Such aid and comfort Grand Master Howland always rendered most freely and heartily, often quoting his own experience as District Deputy in similar cases, with great effect. But he was not content with simply expounding the law and giving sound advice: he entered most heartily into the plans of the District Deputies for the arrangement of their Exemplifications and Annual. Visitations. He attended, as far as his health would permit, at least one Exemplification and one Visitation in each District, addressing the Brethren, in kindly, encouraging words, which always contributed greatly to the pleasure and profit of the occasion, thus reflecting honor upon the District Deputy Grand Master, and strengthening his hands. Nor was this all. He delighted to meet them in the unrestrained freedom of the social hour, in the enjoyment of the temperate pleasures of the table, when the exchange of the harmless joke and friendly banter was most rapid and pungent; when he was the readiest of the ready to give and take his full share of the keen thrusts of the war of words. As a natural consequence of this frequent, varied and unrestrained intercourse, this contact at many points of congenial spirits engaged in a common cause, and having a common purpose, there grew up a deep and strong attachment to their chief in the hearts of his Deputies, such as had rarely, if ever, been known before.

As the time approached for the accustomed severing of the official relations of this charmed circle, there came to all the unbidden thought, that the sweet remembrance of many happy hours should be placed on perpetual, record. Therefore, inasmuch as the merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance, they did straightway marshal the counterfeit presentments of all these Brethren into a book, and placed at the beginning the face of him whom they all delighted to honor. All this they did without his knowledge, and when he was about to transfer to another the mantle which he had worn with such becoming dignity, blended with modesty, they gathered around him, and, laying the open book before him, asked him-to tenderly turn the leaves thereof and think kindly and lovingly of those who had thus "embalmed and treasured up" their respect and regard for him. Then the mist began to gather in those eyes which were wont to be so bright and clear; his voice faltered and quivered as he attempted to express his surprise and gratification, and he was soon compelled to relapse into an eloquent silence. It must now be a source of great pleasure, to those who had a share in that presentation, to reflect that their last act of association with him was one in which their mutual feelings of respect and affection were so happily exhibited, and that no testimonial could have been more acceptable to him.

Bro. Howland's brilliant social qualities, his good temper and general urbanity were conspicuous ; but he had other traits which eminently qualified him for holding supreme power in the Masonic Body. He was endowed with a faculty of very correct judgment; not working rapidly, perhaps, but surely and safely. He was always willing to consult his friends on any doubtful or difficult question, such as often arises in the government of our Fraternity. He thoroughly appreciated the delicate and responsible duties devolving upon one who is intrusted with the almost unlimited powers and prerogatives of Grand Master. He applied his own best faculties to the subject under consideration; and, while he paid a due regard to the opinions of those whom he consulted, he never forgot that the responsibility of final decision and definite action devolved upon him individually. He had no hesitation or false delicacy in declaring, or in acting, upon the conclusions which his own judgment prompted, although they might not coincide with those of the friends whom he consulted. It was his good sense and perfect honesty of purpose, perhaps even more than his companionable qualities, which commended him to the Fraternity of this Commonwealth. They felt a confidence that he never acted rashly, or without due consideration; and that whatever conclusion he reached in regard to any matter submitted to him, even if it was contrary to their own views and wishes, was his conclusion, formed after the most thorough examination and careful consideration. I deem this point worthy of special mention, for where there exists so much kindness of heart and politeness of manner the sterling virtue of decision of character is sometimes overlooked.

These are some of the most striking characteristics of our late Grand Master, very imperfectly and inadequately presented. United with these were others which made him very dear and precious to his family and his most intimate friends, and the recollection of which seems to make their loss well nigh irreparable.

Who would have supposed a few weeks ago that our youngest Past Grand Master, young enough to have been the son of some who still linger here, would have gone first to that undiscovered country of which we know so little, although we hear so much!

Which, you ask me, is the real life?
Which the dream — the joy or woe?
Hush! friends. It is little matter,
And, indeed, we cannot know.

We have, however, left to us the happy reflection that, though his years in this world were not very many, they were well spent, and the good he has done for our Fraternity lives after him, and will bear fruit for a long time to come. His grave is decorated with flowers, scattered there by the hands of loving friends and relatives. Those flowers will soon fade, but his memory will live in our hearts long after all frail memorials of affection have perished.

Memorial from the Lodge of St. Andrew in Proceedings, Page 1887-61:

Whereas, The Masonic Fraternity of Massachusetts have suffered a grievous affliction by the death of our much loved Brother, R.W. Abraham H. Howland, Jr., recently Grand Master of Masons in this Commonwealth, and

Whereas, The Lodge of St. Andrew, with which he was closely associated, desires to give permanent record to the warm affection and sincere respect in which he was held by all its members; therefore -

Resolved, That we cherish the memory of our deeply lamented Brother as affording a rare example of the union of Masonic virtues: Whether in high office, which he so ably filled during the last three years, — performing its varied duties with dignity and discretion, deciding important questions with equity and firmness; and watching assiduously over the highest interests of the Craft, — whether in council, where his sound judgment and unfailing courtesy rendered his assistance especially valuable, or whether in the less formal relations of social intercourse, where his happy temperament and genial companionship made him a universal favorite, — he has left in all these relations an enviable record, and the vacancy caused by his death cannot be filled. He has honored our Masonic Brotherhood, which may well be proud that it lost no opportunity of honoring him. That in our great bereavement we deplore the loss, not only of a beloved Brother in Masonry, but of an upright and public-spirited citizen. His continued faithful services as mayor of his native city, his just and impartial administration, which secured the respect and support of men of all political parties, contributed in no small degree to the welfare and progress of the community.

Resolved, That the Lodge of St. Andrew desires to express to the family of our departed Brother its deep sympathy with them in their bereavement, and the assurance of the affection and respect which will always accompany his memory in our hearts.

BENJAMIN A. GOULD,
HENRY A. WHITNEY,
HALES W. SUTER,
Committee.

CHARTERS GRANTED

RULINGS




Grand Masters