MassachusettsLodge

THE MASSACHUSETTS LODGE

Location: Boston

Chartered By: Joseph Warren

Charter Date: 05/11/1770 I-228

Precedence Date: 05/11/1770

Current Status: Active

NOTES

Chartered by the Massachusetts Grand Lodge. The oldest lodge chartered by that body.

YEARS

1793 1803 1806 1844 1846 1847 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1877 1878 1880 1881 1882 1883 1885 1891 1892 1895 1896 1898 1899 1900 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1916 1917 1920 1923 1926 1927 1935 1937 1938 1942 1945 1949 1954 1963 1966 1970 1987 1988 1995 1997 2004 2006 2007 2008

EVENTS

95TH ANNIVERSARY, MAY 1864

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly Magazine, Vol. XXIII, No. 8, June, 1864, p. 245:

Ninetyfour years ago, May 12th, 1770, and of Masonry 5770, Joseph Warren, Esq., Grand Master in Boston, and within one hundred miles circumjacent to the same, by Patent from George, Earl of Dalhousie, Grand Master of Masons in Scotland, duly authorized and appointed, did, on that date, sign the Charter whereby the precedence of Massachusetts Lodge was declared to date from these Presents, in the Grand Lodge, and elsewhere; and since that time this Lodge has been in possession of its Charter.

It has had periods of reverses, when no initiates have entered its portals for years, but has always had members attached to its ancient Charter, who, in preserving lhat, have preserved an unbroken history. It was therefore with no ordinary feelings of pleasure, that the members determined to celebrate the 95th anniversary in a manner to admit the ladies, as participants in the festivities of the occasion, and to witness the present prosperity of the Lodge.

The Exercises were as follows:— Music. Prayer. Ode. Address, by the W. M., Br. Alfred F. Chapman. Music. Reading of Charter of Lodge, by W. Br. A. A. Dame. Ode. Historical Address, by Br. C. W. Slack. Original Poem, by Rev. Br. W. S. Studley. Banquet.

Of the literary portion, it is enough to say, that the Hisiorical Address, by Br. Slack, was highly interesting and instructive. The Poem— Like the star that athwart gilds the sky, Its course to the latest was bright.

Among the guests were William Parkman, Esq., Grand Master, and lady; C. C. Dame, D. G. Master; J. McClellan, G. Treasurer, and lady; Solon Thornton, Grand High Priest, and lady, together with others, and a full attendance of the members of the Lodge, and their ladies.

Prominent among the members was Matthew S. Parker, Esq., admitted to membership in 1803; Enoch Hobart, in 1817; A. A. Dame, in 1818, and Wm. Palfrey, in 1819, whose son, recently admitted to membership, makes the fourth generation of this name to become members of the Lodge; and Henry Bowen, admitted in 1820.

At twenty minutes past ten o'clock, the W. Master, accompanied by the G. Master and members above named, preceded the procession to the large Hall, where was spread a sumptuous and bountiful table by the Superintendent, Br, L. L. Tarbell.

The exclamation of the Grand Master on entering the banqueting hall—"this is beautiful," will give the best impression of the same. It was a table of beautiful wares, laden with delicacies, and perfumed with the breath of flowers, gathered into twelve fragrant bouquets, which, later in the evening, were disposed of to as many ladies, who happened to hold a talisman given by chance on entering the hall.

Speeches were made by Grand Master Parkman, Rev. J. W. Dadmun, Rev. Dr. Walker, and Rev. Br. Studley, eloquent and humorous, and highly appropriate, if we may judge from the open and frequent expressions of pleasure too great to be repressed, for every now and then one and another would persist in declaring it ; so that in closing, the sociability and good wishes provoked by the occasion, had prepared all who could, to join in singing " Auld Lang Syne," with spirit and feeling, and inspired the "good night," that came from every lip, with, the spirit of peace on earth and good will to men, and God's blessing on Massachusetts Lodge and its members.