Difference between revisions of "MAOtherBrothersT"

Revision as of 20:31, 13 July 2011

THAYER, EDWARD W. 1866-1910

From Proceedings, 1910-177:

Edward W. Thayer, Master of Old Colony Lodge, of Hingham, was born in Plymouth, Sept. 22, 1866. He was educated in the public schools of Hingham, and early entered business. He was connected with the Hingham Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and the Hingham Institution for Savings. Wor. Bro. Thayer entered Masonry in 1893. During the next four years he regularly attended the meetings and in 1897 was appointed and installed Junior Steward. He served the Lodge continuously in various positions, and was elected Master in 1909, making a continuous service of nearly thirteen years.

Worshipful Brother Thayer was scrupulously exact, painstaking and diligent. He commanded the respect of all who were associated with him.

In the Lodge he ably and faithfully discharged the duties of a leader. No one could be more faithful than he was in all that he believed was for the interest of the Lodge. Old Colony Lodge recorded that the Lodge never had a more devoted member, or Master, and he was the first Master to die in the high office during the many years of its existence. He died Aug. 29, 1910, deeply regretted by the church of which he was treasurer, the town which he wisely served, and the Lodge of which he was the beloved Master.

TITUS, CHARLES HENRY d. 1878

From Proceedings, Page 1878-163:

At the Quarterly Communication in June, 1871, the M.W. Grand Master announced that he had filled a vacancy in the office of Recording Grand Secretary by the appointment of Rev. Charles Henry Titus. To many of us he was almost a stranger, and when the ballot followed, seventy Brethren voted for other candidates. Six months later we had all learned to know him and to love him, and no dissenting voice has ever since been heard when that election was called.

At a Special Communication of the Grand Lodge, held in May last, for the purpose of constituting Mumford River Lodge, his weary limbs bore his emaciated body to this hall for the last time. For five long and tedious months he hoped and prayed for strength to resume the work in which he took such delight.

He gave up that hope only two or three weeks before the end came. When the body was almost utterly wasted, the brave spirit realized that this was the last of earth, and, after a severe and painful struggle, calmly, patiently, hopefully, resigned itself to the will of the Master. When the strong soul yielded, the body sank rapidly, and on the 29th of October last the struggle ended. On the 1st of November, at setting of the sun, with appropriate ceremony, we laid his body in the grave which he had chosen.

With what fitting words, though few, shall we now give voice to the general grief? What loving tribute shall we bring to iris precious memory ? In what suitable language shall we clothe the grateful memorial which we would place on our records? His Masonic life of just twenty years was crowded with Masonic work, — an almost unbroken series of Masonic offices and honors. They are set forth in the Proceedings of 1873, as recorded in the lives of our Chaplains. He used to say that he drank in his first Masonic inspiration when a boy of ten years, at the grave of a venerable Brother, and at a time when Masonry was reviled and persecuted of all men. The opinion he conceived of our Institution at that early age, and under such unfavorable circumstances, was abundantly confirmed and satisfied in middle life. His whole experience and training had specially qualified and fitted him to become a good and true Mason. The principles of Masonry were the rules of his life, and their exemplification was easy and natural to him. Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth were to him a second nature. He was from very early life dependent upon his own resources, from boyhood for many years teacher as well as pupil. When released from that service he entered a profession which requires the constant exercise of the most tender and affectionate sympathies of our nature. All this experience and these influences made him a bright and shining exemplar of the Masonic principle of Brotherly Love. He was brimful and running over with goodwill to men, but especially to his Brethren of the Fraternity. No thought of self seemed to find place in his mind. How cordial and kindly his greeting to all! How evident the desire to render kind offices to all who came near him! That God is Love was to him the most precious tenet of his religion. It seemed to be the all-engrossing thought with him and shaped and moulded all his actions. It is the trait in his character upon which we most delight to dwell, and which furnishes the most instructive example.

The records of many Masonic Bodies attest to his faithful, laborious work; our own bear witness that his duties for the last seven years have been performed with fidelity and zeal. Many of us who have been closely connected with him officially can testify to the modesty, delicacy, and self-sacrifice which characterized him in all our intercourse. He bore labor and trial and suffering bravely, manfully. He discharged every duty faithfully, punctually, cheerfully. But — the best praise of all for the true Mason — HE LOVED HIS FELLOW-MEN!

As we mingle our tears with those of the bereaved family, we offer them the consolation afforded by the recollection of his consistent, useful, helpful life, and the humble, though confident, hope that with him all is now peaceful, blissful. The weary spirit is at rest, and our benedictions follow him. Thus we place them on perpetual record.

SERENO D. NICKERSON,
PERCIVAL L. EVERETT,
[GEORGE H. RHODES,
Committee.

TUFTS, GEORGE JULIAN 1852-1908

From Proceedings, Page 1908-220:

GEORGE JULIAN TUFTS was born Oct. 26, 1852, at Eden, Me., and died suddenly in Chelmsford, Mass., Dec. 13, 1908.

In his youth he resided in South Boston, where he attended the public schools. He afterward attended Tufts College, graduating in the class of 1874, and then went to Boston University, where he obtained the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1877. Subsequently he entered upon the practice of law in the city of Boston.

Brother Tufts received the Masonic degrees in Zetland Lodge of Boston, in 1892, and was its Worshipful Master in 1904 and 1905. He was elected Secretary of Zetland Lodge in 1905 and served three years. He was appointed District Deputy Grand Master of the Second Masonic District in 1905 and served in 1906 and 1907.

Brother Tufts was present at the Annual Meeting of Zetland Lodge, apparently in the best of health; but on the following Sunday, while walking along the highway in Bedford, he was suddenty stricken and died immediately.

Brother Tufts was an earnest, workful and beloved member of our Fraternity who lived universally respected and died universally regretted.

Distinguished Brothers