GMRaymond

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EDWARD M. RAYMOND 1791-1864

EdwardRaymond1915.jpg

Senior Grand Warden, 1846-1848
Grand Master, 1849-1851.


TERM

1849 1850 1851

BIOGRAPHY

From 1916 Proceedings.

Brother Raymond was born in Holden, Mass., February 6, 1791. He engaged in business as a grocer in Dock Square, Boston, for many years and was afterwards an appraiser in the Customs House. He then engaged in real estate operations, in which he was eminently successful, and accumulated a large fortune. He was made a Mason in Amicable Lodge, Cambridge, January 15, 1816, was admitted a member of Saint John's Lodge, Boston, April 2, 1836, and became a member of The Massachusetts Lodge, November 2, 1843. At the time of his death, however, he was non-affiliated. For more than forty years he was an active member of the Masonic institution, devoting his services chiefly to the Chapters, Encampments, and the Scottish Rite, having been Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter, Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Massachusetts, and at one time Grand Commander of the Supreme Council for the Northern Jurisdiction of the United States. He died in Brookline, Mass., August 4, 1864.

1871 Mass. 617.
1864 Mass. 22.
23 M.F.M. 336.
Memorial Volume of the 125th Anniversary of The Massachusetts Lodge.

MEMORIAL

September 14, 1864 (VI-528). Memorial

It having pleased the All wise Ruler of the Universe, to remove from the labors of earth, our late R. W. Bro. Edw. A. Raymond.

Resolved. That this G. Lodge has heard with profound sorrow, the announcement of the sudden death of the R.W. Bro. E. A. Raymond, who for many years has been a permanent member of this body — and who for the Constitutional term of three successive years, presided over its deliberations, as its M. W. G. Master.

Resolved. That in the faithful discharge of his duties as Senior G. Warden, and as G. Master for nearly a quarter of a century, as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Masonic Temple—he has richly earned a title to the grateful remembrance of his Brethren.

Resolved. That his unfaltering fidelity during his long Masonic life of almost half a century, to the cause of Freemasonry and his manly defence of its principles during the dark days of Anti-Masonic persecution, will enshrine his name among the Loyal and the true, when the Craft in coming generations, will ever delight to honor.

Resolved. That we deeply sympathize with the afflicted family of our lamented Brother, and while with them, we bow submissively to the Divine decree, which has bereaved them and us, we receive the admonition, with the hope of that blessed ressurrection, when the Mortal shall put on immortality.

Resolved. That a copy of these Resolutions, be transcribed by the Secretary and forwarded to the family of our late Brother.

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly Magazine, Vol. XXIII, No. 11, September 1864, p. 336:

Bro. Raymond died suddenly, at his resiiience in Brookline, on the 1st of Aug., and was buried at Mount Auburn on the 4th, aged 73 years. He had been an invalid fur several years, and finally died of what is commonly called the heart disease. He was in the city attending to his ordinary business on the day of bis death, apparently in his usual health. On reaching his residence about noon, he sat down in front of his door, and when spoken to, complained of the heat and not feeling very well, and soon after breathed his last. The deceased had through a long life been an active business man. He was originally a grocer, but leaving that business some years since, engaged in real estate operations, in which he was eminently successful, and being a strict economist, acquired a fortune.

He had been for more than forty years an active member of the Masonic Institution, devoting his services chiefly to the Chapters and Encampments and other bodies of the higher Orders of Masonry. With the exception of two short terms he was not connected with any particular Lodge as a member, and was non-affiliated at the time of his decease. He was a permanent member of the Grand Lodge, of which Body he was Grand Master during the years 1858, 1859 and '60. He had also sustained the office of G. H. P. of the Grand Chapter and Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of the State. He was at one time Grand Commander of the Supreme Council for the Northern Jurisdiction of the United States.

From Freemasons' Monthly Magazine, Vol. 24, Page 127:

In Grand Encampment, Oct. 28, 1864.

The Committee appointed to prepare Resolutions on the decease of our late Grand Master, Sir Edward A. Raymond, submit the following: -

Resolved, That the services rendered by him to this Encampment entitle his memory to our respectful consideration.

Resolved, That the offices which he was called by the Masonic Fraternity to fill, during a period of more than forty years, afford the best evidence of their appreciation of his merits.

Resolved, That the persistent determination and untiring energy which marked the conduct of our deceased Brother in his business transactions made him eminently successful therein.

Resolved, That we sympathize with the family of our deceased Brother Sir Knight, in this time of their affliction.

For the Committee, Abraham A. Dame.

NOTES

SPEECHES

FEAST OF ST. JOHN, DECEMBER 1848

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. VIII, No. 4, February 1849, p. 101:

Brethren:—

Placed by your fraternal kindness in the responsible position of Grand Master of the oldest Grand Lodge in America, I should be false to my own feelings— recreant to the sentiments of my heart—if I failed to avail of the earliest opportunity to return you my most sincere and heartfelt thanks for the honor thus conferred upon me, and to pledge my best efforts to realize whatever reasonable results you may have anticipated to follow as the consequences of my election. We are just commencing a new term in the administration of Masonic government in this Commonwealth,—we are just entering on the one hundred and sixteenth year of the existence of this Grand Lodge, and my humble prayer is that the future may be but the semblance of the past; that what Freemasoury under its wise administration has been, it will continue to be; that the lessons of deep wisdom that have come down to us from our fathers, we may be enabled faithfully to transmit to our successors; and that the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts may continue for many future centuries a bright and shining light in the growing constellation of our Order,—the bright Eastern Star that shall continue to guide us, and those who may come after us, to the everlasting fountain of Truth. The Masonic Institution in this country, and particularly in this Commonwealth has, within the recollection of the youngest among us, been called to pass through a severe trial of persecution and oppression. Individuals may have suffered in their personal happiness, and in their domestic enjoyments ; but the Institution triumphed over its enemies and came out of the fire like gold from the crucible seven times purified,—the dross was consumed and destroyed,—the pure metal remained,—its value was increased by the purifying process. At no period within the last twenty years, has the Institution in this jurisdiction, presented a more encouraging prospect than at the present time. Many of the decayed Lodges throughout the Commonwealth have been revived, and several new ones chartered within the last few years; and there is an encouraging degree of activity among the Brethren in all parts of the State. The returns of the Lodges for the year just closed, are suprj as to afford a reasonable hope that the day is not far distant, when the Grand Lodge will be enabled to adopt incipient measures for the removal of the heavy pecuniary responsibility, which now forbids that degree of active charity which should distinguish so enlightened a body.

To this end, our best efforts should be directed; and for the attainment of a result so desirable in all respects, I cannot doubt that our Lodges, and our Brethren, will be ever willing to labor and ready to contribute to the full extent of their means.

I congratulate the Grand Lodge on the general harmony which prevails throughout the jurisdiction. I am not aware of the existence of but a single subject, in respect to which there is a difference of opinion among the Brethren. This may, or may not, be one of importance; but it is enough to know that it exists. Our first business should be reconcile it in a spirit of Brotherly lore and kindness. The best interests of this Grand Lodge, the prosperity of the Lodges, and the personal happiness of our Brethren, all demand this reconciliation: and no efforts of mine shall be withheld that may tend to secure it Let every good Brother give bis aid, and co-operation, and the work is done.

Brethren—let us set about the matter at once. Before we leave "this sacred retreat of friendship and virtue to mix again with the world," let us resolve that all cause of difference, with respect to the work and lectures, shall be removed. And to the attainment of this most desirable and important object, I respectfully submit for your consideration, that the former action of this Grand Lodge in the premises be reconsidered, and that a committee of the oldest, wisest and most experienced of our Brethren, be appointed to take the matter into their most serious consideration, and report at a future meeting of this Grand Lodge. Or, what would, 'perhaps, be a better course, that a Convention of Brethren, consisting of one, or more, delegates from each Lodge in the State, together with the Permanent Members of the Grand Lodge, be summoned to meet at this place, at some period not far distant, to compare, discuss, determine and finally settle, all matters of difference relative to the mode of work and lectures to be authorized and used by this Grand Lodge and practised by all the Lodges under its jurisdiction. The decision of such convention should be final and binding upon all parties forever, so far as Massachusetts is concerned.

In conclusion, Brethren, and before I take my seat, you will allow me again to return you my sincere thanks for the honor conferred on me, and to invoke for us all the guidance and blessing of Him without whose approving smiles our labors will be in vain, and our strength be spent for nought.

CHARTERS GRANTED

CHARTERS RESTORED

RULINGS



Grand Masters