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AUGUSTUS (ASA) PEABODY 1779-1850

Senior Grand Warden, 1817
Grand Master, 1843-1845

TERM

1843 1844 1845

NOTES

• MM 1802, Franklin #6, Dartmouth, NH
• (member of), St. Paul, Amicable
• DDGM, Boston 1, 1813-1814

MEMORIAL

Resolutions of condolence, from Proceedings, beginning on Page V-303.

It having pleased the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, in his all wise Providence to remove from this world, the soul of our late Brother the R. W. Past Grand Master Augustus Peabody,—

Resolved. That in the death of our venerated Brother, this Grand Lodge has lost one of its most valuable members, and the Masonic Fraternity one of its firmest friends and ablest supporters, whose time and talents have been frequently, as they have been most cheerfully and zealously devoted to the cause of Freemasonry,

Resolved. That this Grand Lodge owes a lasting debt of gratitude to the memory of our late R. W. P, G, Master Peabody for the important and permanent benefits which he has rendered to the Masonic Institution, not only by the discharge of the duties of the several officers, which he has holden, but by the wisdom of his council, and the firmness and consistency of his course, at a period when the Institution was threatened with dangers from without and from within.

Resolved. That this G. Lodge do bear their most cheerful testimony to the rare powers of mind and amiable qualities of heart in connection with the Masonic zeal and fidelity of our departed brother, which he manifested in his unabated interest for the best welfare of our Institution up to the last days of his life.

Resolved. That this G. Lodge do most sincerely sympathize with his afflicted family in the sorrows of their great bereavement,

Resolved. As a testimony of our profound respect for the memory of our late P. Grand Master, that the apartment of the Grand Lodge be clothed in the habiliments of mourning for the space of three months.

Resolved, That a copy of these Resolutions, signed by the Sec. be handed to the family of our deceased Brother,

SPEECHES

ADDRESS TO THE GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS, DECEMBER 1843

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, January 1844, Vol. III, p. 74:

Another Masonic year has passed. It is suitable for moral and responsible men to pause at the annual return of important eras - and to look back and review past events. From them he should take counsel, and receive instruction - that he may better improve the coming year - if he should be spared to labor on earth another year.

The last year, though marked by no event vitally affecting our Institution, has witnessed many occurrences of more than usual interest.

At its commencement our thoughts were directed with mingled hope and fear to the forthcoming Baltimore Convention. It took place in May, and the report of its proceedings is before you. It was well attended - and the fraternity was generally represented throughout the Union. Great spirit and good Fellowship governed the proceedings of its members. Mutual concession enabled them to recommend a uniform mode of work and lectures. Their recommendations have been extensively adopted by State Grand Lodges. You have adopted most of them. Some are still under consideration. Periodical advisatory Conventions were recommended - for the purpose, among other things, of deciding such differences between State Grand Lodges as might be referred to them. This feature alarmed some of our wisest and most faithful Brethren. They fear that such a Convention might degenerate into a General Grand Lodge. The advantages that should result from such Conventions are of serious magnitude; and too dear to us to be lightly given up. If they can produce and preserve a uniformity of work and lectures throughout this vast country - the world hereafter may find this the cherished dwelling - the central home of Freemasonry.

The formation of a General Grand Lodge have been several times discussed. It as proposed soon after the close of the revolutionary war - and at several times since; the last, I believe, in 1822. It has been always rejected. But with the rejection the proposal of occasional advisatory Conventions has in most of the State Grand Lodges been favorably entertained.

The objections to a General Grand Lodge have been: that as its meetings must be at Washington, its tendency would be to become political - that as every Mason might appeal to it in al cases, it would destroy the authority of State Grand Lodges. And that from the infrequency of its meetings, and its distance from the residence of the parties interested, there would in effect be nearly a denial of justice. Another objection was, that the Craft had been harmonious and highly successful without the aid of a general tribunal. That was true before 1822, but it has not been so ever since.

The General Grand Lodges heretofore proposed, were intended to be clothed with full and ample powers, leaving to the State Grand Lodges little more than the authority of Provincial or District Grand Lodges. To such an arrangement there are insuperable objections, and I hope none among us will ever advocate it. The labor, time and expense of settling controversies in that mode would be intolerable. If individuals could in all cases appeal from the decisions of State Grand Lodges to such a tribunal, there would practically be an end of just decisions and fair hearing of cases. But a Convention clothed only with power to advise - or even a General Grand Lodge with limited powers, having no authority but to correct deviations and errors in work and lectures, and settle such differences between State Grand Lodges as should be referred to it, has no terrors to me.

The State Grand Lodges should forever retain the general authority, from which there should be no appeal but in a few specified cases, where the question at issue affected the whole Fraternity. Consistently with this a General Grand Lodge might be formed, possessing none but cautiously delegated powers - to meet once in three, five, seven or more years, at places remote from political agitation; which might be as beneficial to the Craft, as Congress and the Federal government are to the Union.

On the 17th of June, was the great celebration of what was called the completion of Bunker Hill Monument; at which were present the Chief Magistrate and Dignitaries of the Nation - and some of the States. Those who had the direction of that great Jubilee did not feel the propriety of inviting our Grand Lodge to assist in the ceremonies. The relation of the Fraternity to the Chief Martyr on that sacred ground, and their activity and patriotism in erecting and maintaining the first, and contributing funds and laying the corner stone of the second Monument, led to the expectation that a different policy would have been pursued. Our wisest and most devoted Brethren entertained varying opinions. But after deliberation the Grand Lodge determined not to attend as a body. Most of its members as individuals joined in the procession with King Solomon's Lodge, which was specially invited, and the affair passed off as acceptably to the Fraternity as could have been expected under the embarrassing circumstances.

A new Constitution of the Grand Lodge, after much labor and deliberation, has been harmoniously adopted. Being confined to the plain, indisputable rules of the Order - and containing no superfluous matter, it is reduced to a small volume. It is distributed among the Lodges, and will be of great utility by carrying home to them practical information, of which no Lodge should be destitute. Although much care has been bestowed on it, experience will probably show that it is not perfect. Improvements may be applied as defects are discovered.

A Trestle-Board has just been published. It is one of the fruits of the Convention. I have examined it with care: it meets my decided approbation. The information it contains has long since been published. It may be found in many books published in this and former centuries. But they are without methodical arrangement. Their utility is diminshed by their containing much that is of doubtful authority, and of no particular value. This little book is adapted to the wants of the working Mason. It contains what he needs, nd nothing more. Its judicious and tasteful arrangement make it a valuable acquisition.

These, and other expected publications, lead us to hope that we shall give the example of Masonic books, that can never be assailed on the ground of their truth, morality and taste.

Within the year the Duke of Sussex, who was over 30 years Grand Master in England, has been called from his earthly labors. The loss of one so illustrious, so ardently attached to the Institution, and so long a Grand Master, is a sorrowful event. During the year we too have lost some distinguished Brethren. But amid these mournful events time has produced much to encourage and cheer us.

In October, King Solomon's Lodge had a handsome and well furnished Hall dedicated in due and ancient form. The ceremonies were the more interesting because we have not before witnessed them since the hurricane of Antimasonry.

In November, a Dispensation was granted for a Lodge to a suitable number of enterprising Brethren in Chelsea. They are successfully at work, and give the promise of adding one more vigorous Lodge to our diminished band.

Meridian Lodge has been removed from Needham to Newton, and is in active operation.

Middlesex, Rising Star, Olive Branch, Star in the East, Hiram and other Lodges are in full activity or reviving; and all the Lodges in this city are in prosperous condition.

The Fraternity under our jurisdiction is in far better condition than in years past, and a reasonable hope is now cherished, that if we perform our duty, Freemasonry will in the year to come, make a decided advance toward its former state of prosperity.

ADDRESS TO THE GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS, DECEMBER 1844

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, January 1845, Vol. IV, p. 109:

The flight of time, which, in its course, is rapidly wafting us all to the close of our mortal career, has brought us to the return of another annual rest; and we are now assembled to organize anew for future operations.

In compliance with a custom adopted long ages ago, this organization is had on the anniversary of St. John the Evangelist. Tradition informs us, that this mildest of men; this preacher of love and good will to all mankind ; this disciple whom Jesus loved,—was an eminent patron of our Order. This we may well credit; for the charity and goodwill, the Brotherly kindness, relief and truth, which it is our chief aim to inculcate, formed almost the whole character of our Patron Saint.

Tradition also informs us, that soon after his death, this anniversary was selected as the appropriate day for the organization of the Lodges, in the hope that the influence of his mild and gentle spirit would be upon them, and enter largely into their labors. No Mason on this day, without forgetting to whom it is dedicated, can cherish unkind and uncharitable feelings towards his Brother. Let us, then, in the mildness of the loving and beloved disciple, address ourselves to the work before us.

The last year has been marked by prosperity. The Brethren are reassembling round their deserted altars, and with recovered cheerfulness and increased numbers, are exchanging their vows to ameliorate the condition of mankind. But there is mnch to admonish us to proceed with caution. We yet resemble our ancient Brethren returning from captivity to rebuild a fallen temple. For we are yet surrounded, by the ruins brought on an unoffending society, by Barbarian assailants.

It is natural to inquire: Why should modest, unassuming, peaceable Freemasonry, ever have provoked a desolating hostility ? Perhaps it was sent as a punishment for its pride, in foolishly boasting of an origin, antiquity and dignity, which it could not prove to belong to it, instead of cherishing and practising those humbler virtues which are peculiarly its own.

Affliction should inspire us with humility and caution; and to double our diligence to understand and put in full practice, the true principles of the Institution, which have enabled it to survive the assaults of time and hostile combina¬ tions, under which cities and nations, and languages, and all other things human, except the miraculously preserved nation of the Jews, have fallen into decay and been buried in oblivion. It should be the care of Freemasons in all ages, but more especially in one like this, to gain all possible knowledge of the origin, designs and history of the Order, and to transmit it, with the secrets, to the newly initiated.

It seems to me to be profitable to inquire of, and communicate to, each other, the various information we can obtain on these subjects. We should inquire, with the sixth Henry, king of England—

"What mote ytt be ? Where dyd ytt begyne? Who did brynge ytt westlye? Whatte artis haveth the Maconnes techedde mankynde which odhermen teche not? Doth Maconnes love eidher odher myghtylye as beeth sayde?"

Inquiry leaves on my mind no doubt that Freemasons were originally a band of practical-builders, with, perhaps, few associates other than their employers; that from their profession were taken, and has been preserved, their working tools, emblems and dresses. And this character was in a great measure preserved till about two hundred years ago, when it had become gradually changed from an operative to a speculative society,—still preserving, unchanged, its emblems, dress¬ es, paraphernalia, work, lectures and charges, and still more sacredly preserving, unchanged, its principles and practice of Charity, Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.

In early times, none but the skilful were admitted to initiation. The science of building was itself a distinction, and to its cultivation they added that of other sciences and arts; and when the means of education were rare in.the world, the Lodges were valuable schools of instruction. Initiation was then an enviable dis¬ tinction. This condition of things contributed to strengthen and extend the Order. That the Institution existed before Christianity, I think we have proof. But how it existed, till many ages after the advent of the Saviour, we are not well informed. So far as I have discovered, history in this respect is nearly silent, and tradition speaks sometimes in an ambiguous and doubtful voice. But this we know, that when the light of modern civilization shone in on the dark ages, and unfolded a view of the world to the inquiring mind, Freemasonry was found to exist in different nations, which for a long period had held no intercourse with each other; and yet it was found to be the same, wherever it existed. So zealously had it been cherished, and so faithfully transmitted In ancient times, Masters of Lodges held absolute authority. They made rules and usages at pleasure, and none participated with them in the government Indeed, government of every kind was then absolute, and all centered in the rulers. In process of time, when the improvement of human intelligence demanded more popular forms of government, Freemasonry took the lead in the reform; and the absolute power of the Masters was gradually yielded to conventions and Grand Lodges.

The first Grand Lodge known in modern times, was formed by Edwin, the brother of king Athelstane, and grandson of Alfred the Great, at his castle at Aubrey, near York, in the year 926. That Grand Lodge continued in power till its junction with the Grand Lodge at London, in 1813.

The advantage of Grand Lodges was early manifested in the ascendency that York Masonry gained all over the world, and has ever since maintained. From that time, regular records of Masonic proceedings were kept, which are still preserved in the archives of the United Grand Lodge of England.

In 1567, a Grand Lodge was formed at London, which held divided, and sometimes conflicting jurisdiction, with the institution at York, for two hundred and fifty years; when after much careful discussion, with the co-operation and sanction of the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland, they were happily united, and uniformity was established throughout the kingdom.

In 1723, the first book of Constitutions, Charges, &c. was published, collected from the records of York, and ancient manuscripts in various languages, found in antiquarian collections. Before 926, records of Masonic events either were never made or have not been duly authenticated. From that period its opera¬ tions can be ascertained with the precision of historical evidence.

The Order in different ages has met with various fates. In England, the Royal family and the nobility have often been its patrons, but sometimes it has been depressed, and faded almost into non-existence. Antimasonry is no new thing. It has frequently assailed the Order in ages long gone by. It is remarkable, that in England, as well as here, it has generally had its origin in the unprincipled ambition of political demagogues, who deemed it good policy to aim a death blow at an incorruptible-rival by assailing the society with which he was identified. In 1425, during the minority of king Henry VI., Henry Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester, had the custody of the king's person, and was ambitious to become the Protector, and in fact the ruler of the realm. The Grand Master of the Masons, a pure and high minded Prince, opposed his designs. The intriguing Prelate thought he could best remove the obstacle to his ambition, by destroying the society under his care, and by his persevering enterprize and great popularity, he procured an act of Parliament to be passed, declaring all meetings of Freemasons to be felonious, and that all persons who attended them should be punished as felons. Although the Bishop became a Cardinal, he could procure no respect to be-paid to his statute. When the king became of age, he joined the Order, and became a distinguished patron. And when afterwards the profligate Cardinal was impeached for having committed treason, he saved his life only by procuring a pardon from the Pope.

That statute still stands among the English statutes at large. When queen Elizabeth took offence at the Masons witholdihg their secrets from her, she desired to apply the Statute to them. But her legal adviser, the great Lord Coke, entertained the opinion that the statute had never been in use, and was of no force; and that opinion is recorded in the third part of his Institute, page 99—a book which is held in the highest veneration, and is found in every well furnished English and American lawyer's library. When the Uluminati and other German and French societies, assuming the garb of Freemasonry, conspired against all government and all laws, human and divine, in 1798, the British Parliament passed another statute, declaring all meetings of secret societies to be felonious. But in this statute, Freemasons were honorably excepted; it declaring that they were well known to be charitable, loyal and honorable societies.

In this country, Freemasonry first existed in Boston, and from hence, directly and indirectly, it has spread over most of the Union, the British Provinces and the West India Islands. The first Provincial Grand Lodge in the United States, called St. John's Grand Lodge, was, by the Grand Lodge in London, established in Boston, in 1733. In 1769, the Grand Lodge of Scotland also established a Provincial Grand Lodge in Boston, called the Massachusetts Grand Lodge. In 1792, they were both united, and formed the present Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.

During the last Masonic year, the Fraternity has in general been peaceful and prosperous. In England, the Earl of Zetland has succeeded as Grand Master to the long and valuable government of the Duke of Sussex. In this country, the States have generally adopted the uniformity of Work and Lectures recommended by the Baltimore Convention, in May, 1843.

In Massachusetts, we feel that this is the home of Masonry in our country. And it is natural that our distant Brethren should expect to find it here in a high state of culture. And perhaps the lectures and principles are as purely taught here as elsewhere. But where are our charitable funds? Where are our treasuries from which good-will draws practical consolation to soothe affliction ? In England, Masonry has multitudes of golden stores to support the widow, the aged, the infirm, and the afflicted; to educate the orphan, and to feed and clothe the destitute. And in this country, in Missouri, a State but of yesterday, compared with us, we hear of a Masonic College !—and in other States, numbers of Academies, Schools and other well endowed institutions, are dedicated to the Craft. What do we find like this in Massachusetts ? These subjects demand our immediate and earnest attention. Let it be no longer the reproach of Massachusetts, that her charity is purely speculative, and not operative. Let it not be said of us, that we content ourselves with a pure faith, and take no heed to adorn it with good works.

CHARTERS GRANTED

• 06/11/1845 Star of Bethlehem, Chelsea

CHARTERS RESTORED

• 12/13/1843 The Tyrian, Gloucester
• 12/11/1844 Corner Stone, Duxbury
• 12/16/1844 Morning Star, Worcester

RULINGS

• 1843
• 1844
• 1845

Constitution of Star of Bethlehem Lodge, 1845

Grand Masters