MAGLRLash
ROBERT LASH 1779-1863
Senior Grand Warden, 1844.
MEMORIAL
FROM PROCEEDINGS
From Proceedings, Page VI-467, 1863:
"The Com. appointed by the M. W. Grand Master to prepare and present to the G. Lodge resolves for their adoption upon the decease of R. W. Robt. Lash, a permanent member of the G. Lodge, submit the following.
"Whereas, the G. Lodge of Massachusetts have learned with deep sensibility of the death of their beloved and venerable brother Robert Lash, who for more than half a century has moved among us, commanding the unqualified esteem and warm affection of all who knew him, and furnishing a beautiful exemplification of the tenets and character of Freemasonry therefore,
"Resolved. That we recall the person, dwell on the life, and cherish the memory of our dear and honored brother, with unmingled satisfaction, regarding him as one, who in every particular was a model of a Christian man and Mason, sweet in temper, cultivated in mind, delightful in manner, and spotless in virtue,
"Resolved. That we are grateful for the privilege of his society which we have enjoyed for so many years and for the fragrant legacy of his example which we now cherish and that we are proud to hold him up to those who shall come after us, as one whose whole life and spirit are worthy of the most exact imitation.
"Resolved. That our sorrow in parting with this cherished brother is alleviated by the knowledge that he was so perfectly fitted for the transition, coming to his grave like a shock of corn, fully ripe in its season, and that we rejoice in the hope of meeting him hereafter, in that bright world where no grief or evil can come, because there the Supreme Architect of the Universe immediately presides."
Wm. R. ALGER,
J. R. BRADFORD,
A. A. DAME,
Committee.
FROM FREEMASONS' MONTHLY
Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXXII, No. 1, November 1863, Page 25:
DEATH OF RW ROBERT LASH
"This venerable and beloved Brother died at Chelsea, Oct 4th, aged 83 years and 11 months. He was born in Boston, Nov. 7th, 1779. He received his education at the public schools of his native city and was one of the first, if not the very first, scholar who received the Franklin medal. He was for half a century connected with the Boston Bank, which connection was only broken by his death. He was initiated, passed, and raised in Mount Lebanon Lodge in the Summer of 1801 and admitted a member Nov 20th 1801; was elected and served as Sec'y 1803, 4, and 5; was Junior Warden 1808, 9, 10; Senior Warden, 1811; Master 1812 and 1822. All these various offices he filled with remarkable ability. Being of a literary turn of mind he was well adapted to preside over and instruct his Brethren in the mysteries of the Craft. His life was a blameless one, and his death a noble example of virtue its own reward.
"His funeral took place Oct 7th at the Universalist Church in Chelsea, which Church he attended during his last years on earth. Mount Lebanon Lodge having charge of the Masonic services, the order of the procession was as follows: Boston Encampment, John K. Hall, Commander, acting as escort; Palestine Encampment of Chelsea, Charles Avery, Commander; Mount Lebanon Lodge of Boston, John L Stevenson, W Master; followed by numerous relatives and friends. Among whom were M.W. William Parkman, G. Master; Chas C Dame, D.G.M.; Chas. W. Moore, G. Sec.; John McClellan, G. Treas., and other distinguished Masons. The funeral cortege moved to Woodlawn Cemetery, where Rev. Br. Wm R Alger, Chaplain of Mount Lebanon Lodge performed the burial service of the Order in an impressive manner. At the close of these exercises the procession returned to the Lodge room in Chelsea where after resting and refreshing themselves the Lodge was closed and the Encampments returned to their armories.
"At a Regular meeting of Mount Lebanon Lodge, held at Freemasons' Hall, Boston, Oct. 12, Rev. Bro Wm. R. Alger presented the following Resolutions which were unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That Mount Lebanon Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons cannot suffer the first meeting after the death of their oldest and most honored associate to pass without some formal expression of the esteem in which they held him, and of the pride and fondness with which they will cherish his memory.
Resolved, That the connection of Brother Robert Lash with our Lodge throughout its entire history, a connection sustained by him for over sixtytwo yeare with a fidelity absolutely faultless, sheds lustre on our annals and justly calls for an expression of our admiration and gratitude.
Resolved, That if ever a member of our Order did in youth as an Entered Apprentice industriously occupy his mind in the attainment of useful knowledge, in manhood as a Fellow Craft apply his knowledge to the discharge of his duties to God, his neighbor, and himself, and in age as a Master Mason enjoy the happy reflections consequent on a well spent life, and die in the hope of a glorious immortality, all this was strikingly exhibited in the experience of the endeared and venerated Brother whose presence we are henceforth to miss on earth - a Brother whose friendship it has been our privilege to enjoy whose character it honors us to appreciate, and whose example is a priceless heritage to his family and Brethren.
Resolved, That we recall the fellowship of our departed Brother with unmingled satisfaction, that we fondly cherish the recollection of his many rare virtues, and that we shall ever take pride and pleasure in pointing to him as one whose character furnishes a beautiful model of what a Mason ought to be, whose life is an attractive picture of how a Mason ought to live, and whose serene and trustful transition from earth to heaven is a perfect illustration of how a Mason ought to die.
"Bro. Alger addressed the Lodge in a fervent and eloquent manner, eulogising the memory of the departed and from the remarkable serenity of his life and death drew hopeful aspirations of the future of those who like him feared God and loved their fellow men."
Remarks at the presentation of Past Masters' Jewels at Mount Lebanon Lodge, 1851
