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GATE OF THE TEMPLE LODGE

Location: South Boston; Boston (1949); Quincy (1964); Stoughton (1981).

Chartered By: Winslow Lewis

Charter Date: 03/13/1856 VI-7

Precedence Date: 03/15/1855

Current Status: In Grand Lodge vault; merged with Rising Star Lodge, 10/11/2012.

PAST MASTERS

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

• Petition for Dispensation: 1855
• Petition for Charter: 1856
• Consolidation Petition (with Rising Star Lodge): 2012 from 2012 Proceedings

ANNIVERSARIES

• 1862 (6th Anniversary; see below)
• 1905 (50th Anniversary)
• 1930 (75th Anniversary)
• 1955 (Centenary)
• 1980 (125th Anniversary)
• 2005 (150th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

• 1857 (Heard; Constitution of Lodge and installation; see below (actually in 1856?))
• 1862 (W. Coolidge; 6th Anniversary; not in Proceedings; see below)
• 1872 (Nickerson; Hall dedication; Special Communication)
• 1881 (Lawrence)
• 1898 (Hutchinson)
• 1900 (Gallagher)
• 1905 (Sanford; 50th Anniversary)
• 1930 (Deputy Grand Master Louis A. Jones; 75th Anniversary)
• 1955 (W. Johnson; Centenary; Special Communication)
• 1974 (Vose)
• 1979 (Melanson)
• 1980 (Melanson; 2 visits, including 125th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 1993 (Lovering)
• 2000 (Bauer)
• 2005 (Hodgdon; 150th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 2012 (Stewart; Consolidation; Special Communication)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1870 1871 1875 1879 1890 1896 1905 1907 1911 1914 1916 1921 1925 1926 1946 1947 1953 1957 1962 1972 1973 1975 1982 1987 1994

HISTORY

• 1930 (75th Anniversary History, 1930-193)
• 1955 (Centenary History, 1955-90)
• 1980 (History 1955-1980, 1980-46)

125TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, MARCH 1980

From Proceedings, Page 1980-46:

History of Gate of the Temple Lodge 1955-1980,
By Brother George W. Collins.

(A detailed history of Gate of the Temple Lodge for the period from 1855 to 1955 may be found in the Proceedings of 1955 on pages 70-87 inclusive).

On March 22, 1955, the Grand Master, Most Worshipful Whitfield W. Johnson, appeared with his official suite of officers and addressed the Lodge. Right Worshipful Frank L. Cushing read his prepared remarks concerning the previous 100 years and Right Worshipful Brother Dresser, the District Deputy Grand Master, gave the closing statements. The Grand Master closed the special meeting of the Grand Lodge and that of the Gate's 100th in Ample Form at 10:30 o'clock.

June 21. The District Deputy Grand Master, Ralph Durning, visited the Lodge for the purpose of presenting a 60 year certificate to Brother Herbert Green, the reception committee being composed of all the available 50 year members headed up by the Chairman, Worshipful George Cook.

October 29, 1957. Letter received from Grand Lodge thanking the Gate for a contribution to the expense of the new floor in the kitchen of the Masonic Home amounting to $2,500. and for the new freezer of $3,800.

March 24, 1959. The Lodge assumed the responsibilities of Mrs. Mary Johnson at the Masonic Home in Charlton.

May 24, 1960. Right Worshipful Arthur Somerville presented Brother Ellis Harrison with a gallon blood donor pin and the Lodge gave the Deputy a check for $262 as a contribution to the purchase of a washing machine for the Home.

November 28, 1961. At the visitation of Right Worshipful John Reid, the Past Masters' jewels of Worshipful Brothers John Halbritter and Ralph G. Pennington were returned to the Lodge by their widows.

May 28, 1963. It was moved to accept responsibility for Mrs. Maud Heim at the Home.

June 25, 1963. A letter from Miss Priscilla Nye returning her father's Past Master's Jewel.

March 24, 1964. Voted to move Lodge quarters to the Quincy Temple by a vote 55 to 5.

May 26. Voted to change the meeting night from the 4th Tuesday to the 3rd Wednesday, also to petition the Grand Lodge to change the Charter from Norfolk Country to Suffolk County.

November 17, 1965. Right Worshipful Victor Thompson cited Worshipful Brothers Bargavakian, David C. Hall, William Hall and George H. Cutlip for their outstanding Blood Bank Donations.

March 16, 1966. Worshipful Brother Burnham of Wollaston Lodge presented the Gate with his great-great-grandfather's Past Master's Apron. He was Worshipful Benjamin T. Wells, Worshipful Master in 1865-67.

April 20. Right Worshipful Robert H. Stevens of the Roxbury 4th District presented the Lodge with his grandfather's lambskin apron received in 1879.

October 19. Letter read from the daughter of Brother John Barber enclosing a picture of him on his 95th birthday. He was raised March 26, 1895.

October 8, 1967. Our Worshipful Frank R. Porter was cited by Right Worshipful Brother Sibley at his visitation for his donation of a gallon of blood to the Blood Bank.

May 15, 1968. Large delegation present at visitation of Right Worshipful Sibley for a presentation of the Fifty Year Medal to Right Worshipful Frank L. Cushing.

January 15, 1969. Worshipful Arthur J. H. Lucas raised his nephew, Peter T. Lucas, who later was to become Master in 1976.

June 18. Brother Thomas Latham presented the Lodge with a State Flag from Mrs. David Lawson in memory of her husband.

November 19. A letter from the Grand Master thanking the Lodge for the gift of $500 to the Home Infirmary Fund. A social hour and dance with the Rainbow Girls and DeMolay guests followed.

December 17. Brothers C. Hall, E. Cluett, P. Lucas and A. Jackson given Blood Donor Pins.

January 21, 1970. Worshipful Michael P. Sargavakian presented Three-Gallon Blood Donor Pin and again on February 9, was given a Five-Gallon Pin. Worshipful Charles E. Hall was also the recipient of a pin for a Three-Gallon donation from Right Worshipful Milton Bright.

May 15. Worshipful Robert S. Cluett gave particulars of a 75-year Veteran's Medal presentation to Brother John Barber in Bradenton, Florida. He was given a 75-year bar for his 50-year Medal by Worshipful John Reid, and Worshipful Brother Cluett presented a special 70-year medal from the Gate, with a personal letter from Most Worshipful Herbert H. Jaynes, Grand Master.

January 21, 1971. The Secretary made appreciative remarks to Worshipful Brothers Kinsman, Cluett, Charles Hall, David and Wyshak for their assistance in visiting 30 brethren at Christmas. It was also noted that the Gate had given twenty Veteran's Medals in 1970.

February 17. At the Visitation of Right Worshipful Wendall R. Freeman, a third degree team was composed of Past Masters of Syrian ancestry with Worshipful Brother Kurker of Mount Tabor Lodge in the East.

December 15, A petition by the Secretary to the Grand Lodge to change the Annual Meeting Night from September to October. Brother John and Mrs. Koopman were admitted to the Masonic Home in Charlton.

February 16, 1972. Dispensation from Most Worshipful Donald W. Vose, Grand Master, authorizing the vacant post of Treasurer, caused by the untimely death of Worshipful Brother Sargavakian to be filled. Worshipful Armenag David was nominated and subsequently installed. Visit by Right Worshipful Brother Freeman and Kilwinning Club Degree Team with Worshipful Alexander Ritchie of Dorchester Lodge in the East.

February 17. Announcement of the passing of one of the Gate's luminaries in the person of Right Worshipful Frank L. Cushing.

June 2. Brother William Sutherland reported he had visited our Brother John Barber in Florida and had found this 77 year Mason in excellent health at 102 years of age.

October 18. Right Worshipful Brother Freeman, at his visitation talked on the problems of the Home and Hospital. A donation from Mrs. Sargavakian was announced.

February 21, 1973. A letter from Mantee Lodge in Florida advising they had performed the burial service for our Brother John Barber, a 78 year member. A visit was made by Right Worshipful Earl Leake who spoke of three options offered by the Grand Lodge in the First Degree Lecture. It was voted at this meeting to join the Quincy Masonic Hall Association by a vote of 55 to 5.

April 18. Members joined with those of Saint Omer Commandery K.T. in the attendance of Services for Worshipful Merle D. Rider at the Redeemer Church.

October 16, 1974. Worshipful Brother Ellis presented a scroll from the Grand Lodge to the effect the Gate had complied with suggested aid to the Grand Lodge Expansion Fund Program.

May 12, 1975. Brother Peter Lucas nominated as incoming Master. Also the occasion for the raising of Brother Paul Lucas by his father, our Right Worshipful Arthur J. H. Lucas.

June 18. After 32 years as Secretary, Worshipful Heath Ellis gave his farewell address.

September 17. Brother Peter Lucas installed as Master by his uncle, Right Worshipful Arthur J.H. Lucas. Brother Melbourn T. Lucas was present to make a presentation of gifts from the family and friends.

November 17, 1976. The final appearance of Right Worshipful Brother Lucas as District Deputy Grand Master. Various presentations and felicitation were made including a set of golf clubs.

December 15. This meeting was devoted to a testimonial and social evening in deference to the retirement of our Chaplain, Reverend Brother Douglas Batten after 22 years of service.

February 16, 1977. A motion was made to set aside $180 per year for the 150th Anniversary Celebration.

September 21. The installation of Officers under the direction of Worshipful Edward G. Cluett, who installed his Brother Robert as Worshipful Master.

March 15, 1978. Right Worshipful Charles Norton made a fraternal visit. A letter from the daughters of Mrs. Maude Heim, our resident at the Home, thanking the Lodge for the many courtesies and attentions during her twelve years of residency.

June 21. Right Worshipful Brother Norton was with us again this evening and a report of the progress of the Quincy Temple Renovation project was made. Brother James Young was nominated to the Worshipful Master for the ensuing year and on September 20 was elevated to be Worshipful Master by his two uncles, Worshipful George Ritchie and Worshipful Alexander Ritchie of Dorchester Lodge and the Kilwinning Club Degree Team.

October 18. At the official visitation of Right Worshipful Brother Norton, he was presented a laminated plaque depicting the Declaration of Independence superimposed over a picture of Independence Hall.

December 20. The Reverend Brother James Allen of the First Parish Church in Dorchester was the speaker of the evening. He is the long time Chaplain of Union Lodge.

January 17, 1979. Brother Stephen F. McDonough was given a Gallon Blood Donor Pin from the Blood Bank.

March 21. The newly appointed District Deputy Grand Master of the 4th Dorchester District, Right Worshipful James G. Buckley, was present for a fraternal visitation. Right Worshipful Arthur Lucas, P.D.D.G.M. was the speaker of the evening.

April 18. Worshipful Alexander Ritchie, Past Master of Dorchester Lodge, gave an interesting and enlightening address on the subject of Masonry in England, Ireland and Scotland.

June 20. The Lodge was honored by the presence of the Grand Master, Most Worshipful [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMMelanson Arthur H. Melanson, who spoke of the outstanding patriotism and Masonic devotion of the late Massachusetts Senator, Brother Leverett Saltonstall. As a bonus attraction, the second degree of the Order of DeMolay was exemplified by Mannamooskeagan Chapter. The Grand Master closed the Lodge in Ample Form.

March 9, 1980. At three o'clock in the afternoon, approximately 65 persons consisting of the Worshipful Master, line Officers, Past Masters and friends assembled at The Church of the Redeemer in South Boston for the Annual Lodge Church Service which this year happened to be the 125th. The Reverend Douglas Batten came up from his retirement on Cape Cod and took charge of the service, with Scripture reading by the Worshipful Master and appropriate vocal selections by the Secretary, Worshipful William L. Hall, accompanied by Brother George Collins on the organ. Refreshments and a social hour followed to make this event of special interest. It was announced that the Grand Master would be present on March 19 to honor the 125th Anniversary.

Gate of the Temple Lodge continues to do its share in the cause of projecting the Masonic Image in the community it serves. It is a Lodge founded by business men of substance and presided over by a carefully chosen list of Past Masters as the notice will reveal. It would seem appropriate then that mention be made of the six that were chosen to act as District Deputy Grand Master of the 4th District: Right Worshipful Benjamin Pope, 1862; Right Worshipful Fred C. Garvin, 1901; Right Worshipful Frank Cushing, 1926; Right Worshipful Archibald Dresser, 1937; Right Worshipful John Reid, 1951; and Right Worshipful Arthur Lucas, 1969.

Two of Gate's Masters Worshipful Harry Baker and Raymond Jewell presided over the 4th Lodge of Instruction, and one other, Worshipful George Ellis was honored with the Distinguished Service Medal.

This list of dedicated Masons would not be complete without mentioning the members of our Relief Committee, who spend hours administering to the needs of the less fortunate Brethren and their widows; they are Brother Herman Rupp, a 50-year member; Reverend Douglas Batten, longtime Chaplain; Worshipful Armenag David, present Treasurer, and Worshipful William L. Hall, the Secretary as well as Worshipful Sarkin Sarkisian.

It has been my pleasure to have had a part in this 125th Anniversary and as my 60th year of membership approaches, I am grateful for my attachment to this honorable institution for these many years of pleasant association and continue to hold the "Gate" in highest regard and to wish it well in the future.

OTHER

• 1865 (Permission to remove to Boston; refused, VII-22)
• 1870 (Arrangement to permit Rabboni Lodge to be chartered, 1870-68)
• 1918 (Appeal against Master's ruling; 1918-123)
• 1941 (Reduction of fees declined, 1941-215)
• 1949 (Jurisdictional amendment to charter, 1949-143)
• 1964 (Petition to remove to Quincy granted, 1964-177)
• 1981 (Petition to remove to Stoughton granted, 1981-105)

EVENTS

CONSTITUTION OF LODGE, MARCH 1856

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XV, No. 7, May 1856, Page 216:

On the evening of the 31st of March last, Gate of the Temple Lodge, which was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts at their last quarterly communication, was duly consecrated, at South Boston. The ceremonies were performed by M. W. Grand Master Winslow Lewis, and the installation service at his request was very handsomely conducted by Dr. A. T. Low, our excellent Deputy G. Master — an officer, who, whatever he undertakes, always does well.

The Grand Lodge on this occasion was organized by nearly all its regular officers, and there was a numerous assemblage of Brethren, as we understand invitations were given to all the Masters and Wardens of the Boston Lodges. The Hall where we met is spacious, neatly fitted up and does credit to our Brethren in that flourishing section of the city. The Address of the Grand Master was concise, admonitory, and just what the times require, when Freemasonry is in the full and apparently, overflowing tide of prosperity ; for great floods, as well as neap tides are sources of anxiety, no less in the Masonic, than in the commercial world. May his excellent and warning advice be followed.

The officers installed were Richard M. Barker, W. M,; Joseph W. Howard, S. W.; Samuel R. Spinney, J. W. ; James T. G. Baxter, Trea.; George H. Bartlett, Sec.

Soon after the Masonic ceremonies were concluded, the Grand Lodge met the Brethren in a spacious apartment, in the same building, where a sumptuous entertainment was spread, at which Br. Barker, Master of Gate of the Temple Lodge, presided in a very courteous and acceptable manner. Many speeches, sentiments, and anecdotes, both witty and historical were elicited, and which were enjoyed by those present without causing, them to transgress on late hours.

GRAND MASTER LEWIS' CHARGE

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XV, No. 10, August 1856, Page 311:

Since the commencement of the present year — and the year is still now in its infancy — five Lodges have been consecrated to Masonry, and all but one embraced in the 1st District, which numbers twenty-two Lodges, all in a most flourishing condition. Here the "Gate of the Temple" has opened its portals of fair proportions and good design. It has presented itself for inspection and approval, and approval has followed inspection; all has been found duly and truly prepared. The officers worthy, and now qualified for action. The posts all manned, awaiting the approach and entrance of the many who desire to behold the interior excellence of the fabric, and to share its hospitable protection, its benign influences. They throng these gates, stimulated by the odor of a public opinion now enthusiastic and cheering; they rush for entrance in crowds, and the Temple might be easily filled from the base to the apex, if the visitors are not rigidly scrutinized, and a wary selection effected.

How shall this be done? What should be the discriminating ordeal; what the passport of admission? Is it sufficient that the applicant is not dishonest, and that he has not committed any overt act of moral delinquency, and that nought can be urged against him? Surely not. Such a recommendation is too passive altogether. It should not be urged what of evil he has not, but what of good he has done. Is he active in the characteristics of excellence? Does his light so shine towards his fellow-men, that they see, know and feel its cheering power? Is his heart in the right place? Is his hand open as day to melting charity? Are his social affections warm, and do his pulses beat with the impulses of humanity and brotherly love, and, as a man, does he feel for and assist his poor suffering brother? If he is not all this, he lacks that which is needful, and the Gate of a hallowed Temple should be barred to his entrance. Such, occupy space but add no beauty to its interior; they increase its weight but not its solidity.

These are the requirements from the heart, the feelings, the morale of the applicant; but these are not all. Some regard should be paid to the head, to the brain, to the intellect; some also lo the intelligence and mental capacity of the inquirer for light. The Constitutions of England are explicit on this subject. They distinctly require that "He should be a lover of the liberal arts and sciences, and have made some progress in one or either of them." The teachings of Freemasonry are founded on the assumption that the recipients are men of some education, with the means and with the aspirations for more light. A virtuous education is enforced on every neophyte in the first degree. The liberal arts and sciences largely commented on, in the second, and in the third, the 47th Problem of Euclid is especially alluded to as expounding the value of exact science, and the cultivation of the mind. The lectures are full of illustrations, metaphors and allusions, which to the ignorant would be incomprehensible and valueless. With such, words are but mere sounds, not suggestive ideas; unintelligible verbiage, heard by the ears, not absorbed by the understanding. As individuals, how great would be deemed the sacrifice to kill an hour with such a Boeotian? Shall we then in our associated capacity, be contented to introduce to our light, the eye that sees not, the ear that hears not, the mind that conceives not?

There are, moreover, other requirements, which are especially necessary to preserve the harmony which should ever attach to our peaceful, fraternal association. Among these are a courteous, amiable disposition; free from acrimony and causticity; temperance in discussion; caution in the imputation of wrong intentions; in short, never departing from the sphere of the gentleman and the Brother. He who has not his passions in due subjection here, may be a firebrand in your Temple, inflaming and destroying your sacred edifice by the unhallowed torch of uncontrolled and devastating passion. To such a one, a fool is preferable, for there is no general suffering from his stupidity, while the first may point a shaft of poisoned words to wound the whole of your numbers.

Such are some of the requirements from those who come to share in the privileges of Freemasonry. Desecrate not the Temple of your fathers by the admission of the unworthy, or the unavailable. Let each and every one bring something to add to its excellence, and increase its splendor. He who enters here becomes a joint possessor of the best of property, and the premium to be advanced by him should be of proportionate value; and the best of securities should be pledged, the collateral of an untarnished reputation, of a useful, life, of a warm heart, of a gentle and courteous deportment, of a cultivated mind, and of an unwavering truth. Thus funded, it cannot depreciate. With such pillars, the edifice will be well supported, arid the superstructure rise to the highest altitude. Looking through the loop-holes of caution at every one who approaches, welcome the good and the true with open gate, but shut down the bar of distrust to those whose passports are not signed by the best of endorsements. Thus guarded, may yours be that gate by which many may pass to the enjoyment of the blessings vouchsafed to the Sons of Latomia.

6TH ANNIVERSARY, MARCH 1862

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXI, No. 5, March 1862, Page 185:

The members of Gate-of-the-Temple Lodge located at South Boston, celebrated the sixth Anniversary of the establishment of their Lodge, on Thursday evening, March 13th ultimo. There were present on the occasion about a hundred ladies and about the same number of Brethren, including the principal officers of the Grand Lodge in their rich and showy regalia. The exercises took place in one of the public halls, "which" (we quote from the South Boston Register), "was elaborately and tastefully decorated by Messrs. Lamprell and Marble. The windows were draped in American flags, from which hung bunting along the sides of the hall, terminating at a shield in front, and adorning the name of Washington, surrounded by the emblematic square and compass of the Order. Over the main entrance to the hall was a shield circled by a wreath of olive leaves, upon which rested a globe; and over all hovered an eagle beneath a canopy of flags. The shield was flanked upon either side with flags and bunting; on the right of the shield were the words Gate-of-the-Temple Lodge, and on the left, Instituted, 5856. The general effect of the decorations was very pleasing, evincing great taste in their arrangement.

The officers of the Grand Lodge, with the officers of the celebrating Lodge, were seated on a raised platform, with the Brethren at the opposite end, and the ladies on the sides of the hall, presenting to the eye of the spectator from the gallery, a beautiful tableaux. The exercises were commenced by the W. Master of the Lodge, Brother Benjamin Pope, who delivered the following neat and appropriate Address :—

Welcome, friends from the north — welcome, Brethren from the east, the west, the south! You of the Grand Lodge, welcome! You, Most Worshipful Grand Master, to whom it Is our delight to render honor and allegiance, welcome! And, above all, ladies, you whom we hold most dear to us, who lend the grace of heaven to our homes, engrafting the joys of Paradise upon our lives, and who have come here to beautify and adorn this occasion, welcome! Welcome all, thrice welcome, while we seek to perpetuate the remembrance of an anniversary honored and hallowed by every Brother in the little fraternity that claims the shelter of the canopy of Gate-of-the-Temple Lodge; hallowed in the blessed memory of those cherished Brothers who have gone from among us to that better land, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens; honored at an era in our lives as the dawn of a new light upon those old fundamental truths which have come down to as from the fathers, and which teach Friendship, Morality, and Patriotism. Six years have passed away ; and although the all-devouring scythe of Time has not left as unadmonished, yet an all-wise Providence has watched over and protected us, and blessed us with increase and prosperity.

Though Freemasonry is coextensive with the world, its principles coeval with time, it is of course impossible to trace with any degree of accuracy its origin as an institution. Like the Temple of which it is a type, and of which it has been said that it had more the appearance of being the handiwork of the Supreme Architect of the Universe than that of human hands, it is a structure erected without the aaa of any of those usual appliances invented by human ingenuity to cement other societies together.

"No ponderous axe nor sounding anvil rang;
Like some tall tree the noiseless fabric grew."

It is a tradition which has come down to us from past ages. Its insignia are to be found scattered among those shattered remains of ancient grandeur which it has survived so many centuries. The attentive ear has received the sound from the instructive tongue, and the most valuable secrets are safely lodged in the repository of faithful breasts. Tools and implements of architecture, symbols most expressive, have been selected by the fraternity to imprint upon the memory wise and serious truths, and thus, through a succession of ages, have been transmitted, unimpaired, the moat excellent tenets of our institution.

The uninitiated view Masonry only in its garb of secrecy, through which conjecture itself has as yet failed to penetrate. Seeing woman excluded from its privileges and enjoyments, it is with wonder that they view the predominating influence of the social element carried to such perfection. While it is impossible for a woman to be a Mason, yet at the same time none can be aggrieved, since no instance can be recalled of any desiring to become such. And here it will not be improper to remark that if the social relations of any Mason's family is at all unpleasantly affected through neglect, undue absence from home, dissipation, or other fault, such things are not chargeable upon the fraternity. Freemasonry requires that men should be good husbands, good fathers, good citizens, and he who shows himself to be different, is not only unworthy of the society of the Brethren, but is a disgrace to the Order, and is discountenanced and despised by all good Masons. Freemasonry being founded upon the practice of the social and moral virtues, is pre-eminently a social institution, and it seems peculiarly fitting that this Sixth Anniversary of our little Lodge is which we have spent so many happy hours, should be employed in sharing with our families and friends an evening of rational enjoyment. Bat when there are so many bright and shining lights present to-night to shad, their brilliancy on this festive scene, I dare not presume longer to detain you from the realization of any anticipations of pleasure in which you may have indulged. And I rejoice that it is my high privilege to inaugurate this Anniversary Festival by presenting to you Most Worshipful Brother William D. Coolidge, Esq., Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.

The M. W. Grand Master, William D. Coolidge, Esq., then came forward and said, substantially, that he was thankful for the privilege) and pleasure of being present. I present my thanks, said the speaker, for the warm welcome which greets me. I thank you farther, my Brothers, for this occasion, because it gives as pride to show to those whom we love that Masonry is not the stern, selfish institution it is thought to be. There is, as the Brother said, a social element in it; and he has touched feelingly upon the relations we bear to those present; and although they are not admitted to our Lodge-rooms, who doubts that they are uppermost in the hearts of the Brethren! All we have is theirs — all we hope for is to be shared with them.

R. W. Past Grand Master Winslow Lewis was next introduced. His remarks were pertinent to the spirit, the vivacity of the occasion, observing that he appeared before his hearers in the unenviable character of the oldest in the gay assemblage, but that, from the inspiring presence of the young and the fair before him, the vigor and vivacity of earlier life were again renewed, that though

"Age was on his temples hung
Still the heart, his heart was young."

The speaker made allusions to the personal benefit he had derived here and in foreign lands from his long association with the Order — to its benign influence on the character of those who rightly follow its precepts. He said, that as from him, the Lodge had received its charter six years since, so since, and for the future, its prosperity would be peculiarly dear, and closed with his warmest wishes for its success.

At the conclusion of the addresses, which were listened to with much satisfaction, the whole company joined in singing the following

ODE,
Written for the occasion by Rev. Bro. J. H. Clinch.
Tune - Old Hundred.

When God would form this spacious Earth,
And call creation into birth,
Six days the mighty work was prest,
The seventh was calm and holy rest.

And thus, our week of years is past,
Brothers, our Sabbath dawns at last;
We hail the rest our labors earn,
And to new toils refreshed we turn.

Not for inaction, bat for rest,
The holy Sabbath hours were bleated; —
For works of love and virtue given,
Labors for peace — for hope — for heaven.

While at "the Temple's Gate" we stand,
Such work our heart and hand demand,
Till to a higher Rest we rise,—
The glorious Temple in the skies.

The more formal and serious part of the ceremonies being thus concluded, dancing, as stated in the programme, was next in order. This was continued for a couple of hours, when the party repaired to the banqueting room, and sat down to one of those recherche and elegant suppers for which the celebrated caterer, Mr. J. B. Smith, is pre-eminently distinguished, and which have placed him at the head of his profession.

"It is seldom," says the Register, "that we see in our Ward such brilliant pictures - of sociability and pleasant intercourse as this party presented. About one hundred couples participated. There were some very elegant toilettes, but we cannot gossip of them here as we would of a Presidential levee."

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

• Joseph H. Clinch, Grand Chaplain 1855, 1856
• Frank L. Cushing, DDGM, District 4 (Dorchester), 1931, 1932; N
• Armenag G. David, DDGM, District 4 (Dorchester), 1985, 1986; N
• Archibald Dresser, DDGM, District 4 (Dorchester), 1949, 1950; N
• Fred C. Garvin, DDGM, District 4 (South Boston), 1907, 1908; SN
• Arthur J. H. Lucas, DDGM, District 4 (Dorchester), 1975, 1976; N
• Stephen F. McDonough, DDGM, District 4 (Boston), 1995, 1996
• Benjamin Pope, DDGM, District 3 (Boston Highlands), 1869, 1870, 1871; SN
• Frank R. Porter, DDGM, District 4 (Dorchester), 1991, 1992
• John Reid, DDGM, District 4 (Dorchester), 1961, 1962; N

DISTRICTS

1855: District 12

1867: District 3 (Boston Highlands)

1883: District 4 (South Boston)

1911: District 4 (South Boston)

1927: District 4 (Dorchester)

1995: District 4 (Boston)

2003: District 7

LINKS

Lodge Web Site

Massachusetts Lodges