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GOLDEN RULE LODGE

Location: Wakefield

Chartered By: Henry Endicott

Charter Date: 12/12/1888 1888-258

Precedence Date: 01/28/1888

Current Status: Active

The Lodge of Stirling merged here, 05/27/2005.

PAST MASTERS

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

• Petition for Dispensation: 1888
• Petition for Charter: 1888
• Consolidation Petition (with The Lodge of Stirling): 2005

ANNIVERSARIES

• 1938 (50th Anniversary)
• 1963 (75th Anniversary)
• 1988 (Centenary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

• 1888 (Endicott; 2 visits, including Constitution of Lodge and installation (01/10/1889))
• 1889 (Endicott; installation; this is the same visit as the second one recorded in 1888)
• 1898 (Gallagher; at Young's Hotel in Boston)
• 1907 (Blake)
• 1909 (Flanders)
• 1923 (Ferrell; Ladies' Night)
• 1938 (Perry; 50th Anniversary)
• 1963 (Osgood; 75th Anniversary)
• 1964 (Osgood; cornerstone laying)
• 1965 (Osgood; hall dedication)
• 1965 (Jaynes; St. John's Sunday)
• 1965 (Maxwell)
• 1988 (Ames; Centenary)
• 1994 (Lovering; 50 year medal to Wor. Loren B. Sjostrom)
• 2005 (Hodgdon; consolidation with The Lodge of Stirling)
• 2011 (Stewart; reception for Deputy Grand Master George Bibilos)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1901 1903 1912 1920 1921 1924 1926 1927 1930 1932 1940 1947 1949 1951 1952 1961 1962 1966 1967 1969 1971 1974 1982 1984 1988 1990 1995 2001 2008 2011

HISTORY

• 1938 (50th Anniversary History, 1938-3)
• 1963 (75th Anniversary History, 1963-4)

50TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, JANUARY 1938

From Proceedings, Page 1938-1:

Highlights of "The First Fifty Years"'

A condensed History of Golden Rule Lodge compiled by Brother Harris M. Dolbeare.

INTRODUCTION: OLD MOUNT MORIAH LODGE

Previous to revealing the past of Golden Rule Lodge it is fitting and proper that reference should be made to Mount Moriah Lodge which was instituted in Reading before South Reading, now Wakefield, was set apart as a separate town. Very Iittle authentic history concerning the lodge is available either at the Grand Lodge Library or elsewhere. The Lodge was probably instituted in 1798. In 1812, when South Reading was incorporated, the Grand Lodge approved the continuante of meetings in the original location, but under the identification of South Reading instead of Reading. Reading Masons immediately petitioned for the formation of a new Masonic Lodge to meet in that town. The petition was acted on favorably, but it does not appear that any Lodge was ever started.

Mount Moriah Lodge held meetings in the old Lafayette House, now known as the Col. James Hartshorne House, just to the West of this meeting place, it having been restored and opened for public use for several years now.

It is known that there was considerable anti-Masonic sentiment in this section about 100 years ago, and at times meetings were undoubtedly held at homes of members. This probably accounts for the absence of records. Most of the paraphernalia belonging to the Lodge has evidently disappeared, although it is stated "unofficially" that the jewels now worn by Wyoming Lodge, of Melrose, are those used by the old Mount Moriah officers. A number of interesting articles are still in existence, however, some of which belong to Golden Rule Lodge.

The date of the dissolution of the Lodge is also very uncertain. Although records at the Grand Lodge Library noted that a Brother represented Mount Moriah Lodge at a Grand Lodge session as late as December 27th 1848, newspaper accounts and other records have noted that the Lodge passed out of existence at varying dates, including 1812, 1835 and 1842.

In 1915 Grand Secretary Frederick W. Hamilton composed a very comprehensive article on "The Period of Persecution" bearing on Masonry in the early 19th century, and considering the hectic years described by the author it may readily be imagined why records are incomplete or missing, besides the mystery incident to anything Masonic, at that period, either in South Reading or anywhere else.

FORMATION AND EARLY DAYS OF GOLDEN RULE LODGE

We learn from local Masonic tradition that it was in the hearts of a group of Wakefield members of the Fraternity to form a Lodge in Wakefield in the late '80's to enable them to enjoy fraternal meetings without being obliged to travel in "foreign countries." It happens that a Mason, both in name and affiliation, Bro. Willis S. Mason, called a meeting under date of November 7, 1887, for a gathering which was held on November 21, when the interests of local Masonry were discussed, About 25 attended and it was voted to secure as many signatures as possible in order to present a petition to the Grand Lodge.

The second meeting was held December 12, when it was voted to adopt the name of Wakefield Lodge. This name did not suit others, evidently, for at a meeting December 30 three names were suggested: Golden Rule, Endicott, and John Hart. Eleven votes favored Golden Rule and seven Endicott, and it was then unanimously voted to name the baby Golden Rule Lodge. There were 55 names on the petition sent to the Grand Lodge.

The first regular communication was held February 9, 1888, in Odd Fellows Hall. The officers were as follows:

• Wor. Master, William D. Deadman
• Senior Warden, Richard S. Stout
• Junior Warden, Arlon S. Atherton
• Treasurer, Everett W. Eaton
• Secretary, Willis S. Mason
• Chaplain, John G. Morrill
• Marshal, Stillman J. Putney
• Senior Deacon, William B. Daniel
• Junior Deacon, Ruel P. Buzzell
• Senior Steward, Horace W. Dalrymple
• Junior Steward, Charles T. Harrington
• Tyler, John F. Whiting

At this first meeting, six applications for membership were received. Wor. Master Deadman announced that Odd Fellows Hall had been secured for the second Thursday evening in the month, at $4.00 per night. This arrangement, as tenants of the Odd Fellows, with the exception of the rate, has continued throughout the years. The attendance at the first meeting was 35.

At the second regular communication on March 8, 1888, seven applications were received, including that of Bro. Elwin I. Purrington, who is the only surviving member among the 24 Brethren admitted by the Lodge, U. D. He is now in Florida, where he has spent his Winters in recent years. (Incidentally, particular recognition of our veteran members-those joining the Lodge previous to 1900 - will be made following this reading.)

Preliminary business was transacted at earlier meetings of the Lodge during the first year. The sublime degree of Master Mason was first conferred at the 4th regular communication, May 10, 1888, on four candidates. The first official visitation was on October 29, 1888, when 135 attended.

The ceremonies attending the constitution of the Lodge, January 10, 1889, were of exceptional interest. Most Wor. Henry Endicott, the Grand Master, "performed the ceremonies of constitution in an impressive and eloquent manner" to quote from the records. The Charter, containing names of Brethren who had signed previous to January 28, 1888, and duly certified on December 12, 1888 bears the signatures of Grand Master Endicott, Senior Grand Warden James M. Gleason, Junior Grand Warden Dana J. Flanders, and Grand Secretary Sereno D. Nickerson. Officers were installed by the Grand Master substantially as noted, with the addition of Bro. J. Wallace Grace as Inside Sentinel and Bro. George F. Wilson as Organist.

It is regrettable that none of the Grand Officers who participated in the ceremonies and none of the Charter members are now living.

The names of Charter members include representative men of Wakefield half a century ago. Nineteen members were admitted on dimits from Good Samaritan Lodge of Reading; 10 from Wyoming Lodge, Melrose; 1 from King Cyrus Lodge, Stoneham; 5 from New Hampshire Lodges; 4 from Lodges in Massachusetts towns (other than Reading, Melrose, and Stoneham); 3 from Maine Lodges; 2 from New York City and 1 each from Vermont, Scotland, Nova Scotia, and Bombay, India.

Fourteen Charter members were Civil War veterans, and most of them belonged to H. M. Warren Post 12, G. A. R. The thrilling experiences of Bro. Arlon S. Atherton were of special Masonic importance. He enlisted in 1861 and became a Mason while on a brief furlough in Winchester, N. H. In the battle of Deep Bottom Run, Va., August 16, 1864, he was left on the field as dead, having been shot through the lungs. In his extreme distress he gave a Masonic sign which was recognized by a Confederate surgeon. The surgeon, forgetting the enmity of warfare, attended to Bro. Atherton's wounds and placed him beneath a tree, temporarily, stating that he would return. Two days and nights passed, and on the third day a 9-year old boy, strolling through the field came across Bro. Atherton. The boy brought water and attended to the wounded man and was about to go for help when the surgeon, who had been called elsewhere in the meanwhile, returned and took Bro. Atherton to Libby Prison where he remained until released with other badly wounded men. After a brief rest Bro. Atherton again joined the regiment and was shortly commissioned Captain. About 47 years later Capt. Atherton, who had long desired to find the boy who had helped him, placed an advertisement in a Richmond, Va., newspaper and following correspondence from Richmond Capt. Atherton went to that city and aker conversing with the man who had written to him, mutual identification was established. Surely this demonstrates that truth is often stranger than fiction.

• Bro. Samuel F. Littlefield, known to all as "Capt. Sam" twice led Wakefield companies to the front, and served as Captain of the Richardson Light Guard after the war. He was a diamond in the rough, with a heart that knew no limit when it came to sympathy for his comrades.
• Bro. George W. Aborn was one of three Richardson Light Guard soldiers taken prisoners in the Battle of Bull Run. He was released among a group of 21000 and finally returned to South Reading (Wakefield) where a public reception was tendered to him and to Pvt. James H. Griggs.
• Col. Charles F. Woodward had a brilliant career in public life, serving the town in both branches of the Legislature over a period of ten years. He founded the street railway system that centered in Wakefield over 40 years ago, later known as the Boston & Northern and now a part of the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway Company. He was tax collector in his younger years.
• Other Charter members who served in the Legislature were Bros. Silas W. Flint and Solon O. Richardson.
• Bro. Daniel Gould Walton, father of the late Bro. Arthur G. Walton, was County Commissioner in the early '70's and was one of Wakefield's largest real estate owners.
• Bro. Alstead W. Brownell was an authority on taxation and served as an Assessor many years and was Postmaster under President Cleveland from 1886 to 1890.
• Bro. William E. Rogers was Register of Probate for many years until his death in 1916, an important position now ably filled by Bro. Loring P. Jordan, since his appointment by Gov. Fuller in 1925.

The oldest Charter member was Bro. Thomas Emerson, shoe manufacturer, aged72.

• The youngest Charter member was Brig. Gen. Frederick B. Carpenter, aged 26, a prominent Boston insurance man and for 23 years a member of the Mass. Volunteer Militia.
• Bro. William L. Coon, popularly known as 'Billy' Coon, was in the U. S. Customs service many years. He was in great demand as a toastmaster at local banquets.
• Many of the Charter members ierved the town in various capacities, including the offices of Selectmen, Overseers, Auditors, etc.: Bros. Richard S. Stout, Henry H. Savage, J. Wallace Grace, J. Fred Parker, 'Stillman J. Putney, William B. Daniel, Everett W. Eaton and Willis S. Mason.
• Bro. Charles S. Barstow was made a Mason in Bombay, India, while represenring the Tudor Ice Company of Boston in that country. Later he was in the express business in Wakefield.
• Wor. Bro. John G. Morrill was in the ice business many years and was associated with J. Reed Whipple, owner of Young's Hotel, the Parker House, and Hotel Touraine, Boston.
• Bros. Deadman and Samuel H. Gowing conducted exceptionally fine independent meat markets and grocery stores long before the era of chain stores.
• Bro. Charles A. Bowser, "the last leaf on the tree" arnong Charter members, was in the dry goods business over half a century. He died November 18, 1936.

It is of interest to note that among present members of Golden Rule Lodge whose fathers or grandfathers were charter members are the following:

• Rt. Wor. William F. Deadman, son of the first Master, Wor. Bro. William D. Deadman.
• Bros. William J. Stout, Richard C. Stout, and George H. Stout, sons of Wor. Bro. Richard S. Stout.
• Bro. William E. Eaton', son of Bro. Everett W. Eaton, the first Treasurer of the Lodge.
• Bro. William W. Grace, maternal grandson of Bro. Samuel F. Littlefield and son of Bro. J. Wallace Grace.
• Bro. Eden K. Bowser, son of Bro. Charles A. Bowser.
• Bro. Harry W. Savage, and son, Bro. Russell H. Savage, son and grandson, respectively, of Bro. Henry H. Savage.
• Bro. Henry G. Gowing, son of Bro. Samuel H. Gowing.
• Bro. George H. Batchelder, son of Bro. George Batchelder.

Four of the sons of the 24 brethren admitted U.D., from February 9 to September 13, 1888, are now members of the Lodge:

• Wor. Master Andrew W. Hutchinson.
• Bro. Charles Arthur Atwell, son of Bro. William H. Atwell, for 25 years Secretary of the Lodge.
• Bro. Albert P. Mansfield, son of Bro. Albert Mansfield, of Lynnfield, (a former commander of the Richardson Light Guard).
• Bro. Edward A. Rich, son of Bro. Edward Augustus Rich.

It is a very happy coincidence that our Worshipful Master is presiding in the East during this anniversary period, and it is undoubtedly of special significance to him.

A number of suggestions have been made at various times for changing the place of Lodge meetings but the Lodge has continued as tenants of the Odd Fellows from the beginning. The first suggestion was presented at the meeting May 10, 1894, when a committee was appointed to confer with John Flanley relative to Masonic apartments in a proposed building at the corner of Avon and Main streets, but the proposition was not accepted. By a strange twist of time and circumstance the Lodge is meeting in the building proposed over 40 years ago, but as tenants of the Wakefield Odd Fellows Building Association, Inc., owners of the building.

Early in 1910 the Lodge purchased a lot of land on Chestnut Street, west of the present Wakefield Savings Bank, and a building committee was appointed, with Wor. Bro. William H. Tay, chairman. It was not until five years later, January 10, 1915, that the committee reported, and a soliciting committee had been appointed to endeavor to raise funds. In the meantime, another committee had been appointed to further con

OTHER

• 1901 (Bro. Samuel K. Hamilton's speech at the Feast of St. John, 1901-232)
• 1962 (Petition to occupy joint apartments with Lynnfield Lodge in Wakefield; 1962-227)

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

• George Bibilos, DDGM, District 13, 2004, 2005; Deputy Grand Master 2011
• William F. Deadman, DDGM, District 7 (Malden), 1913, 1914; N
• Cyrus M. Dolbeare, DDGM, District 7 (Melrose), 1951, 1952; SN
• Roy A. Hovey, DDGM, District 7 (Melrose), 1939, 1940; N
• Scott Jareo, DDGM, District 13, 2012, 2013
• Charles F. Maxfield, DDGM, District 7 (Melrose), 1963, 1964; N
• Lauren L. McMaster, DDGM, District 7 (Melrose), 1931, 1932; Memorial
• Stewart I. Ryder, DDGM, District 7 (Melrose), 1979, 1980; SN
• Paul D. Watts, DDGM, District 7 (Melrose), 1993, 1994

DISTRICTS

1888: District 7 (Lynn)

1911: District 7 (Malden)

1927: District 7 (Melrose)

2003: District 13

LINKS

Lodge web site

Massachusetts Lodges

The curator for this page is Brother George J. Bibilos. Please direct informational updates and questions to him.