MassachusettsYear1842

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1842

CALEB BUTLER, Grand Master

Simon W. Robinson, Deputy Grand Master
Thomas Tolman, Senior Grand Warden
Winslow Lewis, Junior Grand Warden


NOTES

EVENTS IN 1842


QUARTERLY COMMUNICATIONS

  • 03/09 (Masonic Temple, Boston): IV-539;
    • IV-540: Rt. Wor. Charles W. Moore appointed delegate to national Masonic convention.
      • 06/08: IV-556; report of Bro. Moore, with a copy of the proceedings.
    • IV-540: Henry M. Pinkham of Urbanity Lodge summoned, and then expelled (but invited to the next Quarterly to answer why he should not be expelled.)
      • 06/08, IV-553; confirmed.
    • IV-542: Death of Cyrus Balkcom, Grand Steward.
    • IV-542: Communication from Rt. Wor. C. Gayton Pickman; but he could not provide copies for the files due to "the condition of his eyes."
  • 06/08 (Masonic Temple, Boston): IV-550; Officiated by Deputy Grand Master, Simon W. Robinson.
    • IV-553: Thanks of Grand Lodge voted to Thomas Power for his requiem for Thaddeus Mason Harris.
  • 09/14 (Masonic Temple, Boston): IV-558; Officiated by Deputy Grand Master, Simon W. Robinson.
    • IV-559ff: Extensive report on the Washington Masonic Convention.
    • IV-564: Committee of elective officers to procure a design for Grand Lodge certificates.
      • 12/14: IV-573; report given.
    • IV-566: Thanks voted to Bro. Edward A. Raymond for the presentation of an organ.
  • 12/14 (Masonic Temple, Boston): IV-568; Annual Communication. Officiated by Deputy Grand Master, Simon W. Robinson.
    • IV-569: Report of the Committee of Finance.
    • IV-570: Statement from the D.D.G.M. of the First District, regarding delinquency of lodges.
    • IV-570: Report of the Committee of Charity.
    • IV-571: Report of the Trustees of the Grand Charity Fund.
    • IV-573: Report of committee on the appointment of Grand Lecturers.
    • IV-573: Petition by Star in the East Lodge, New Bedford, for remission of dues.
    • IV-574: Communication from Most Wor. Caleb Butler, declining to be a candidate for re-election due to infirmity.
    • IV-575: Recording Grand Secretary instructed to "wind up the affairs of Hiram Lodge, Lexington."
    • IV-532: Election of Rt. Wor. Augustus Peabody as Grand Master (34 ballots). Other Grand Lodge officers elected.

FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST

  • 12/27 (Masonic Temple, Boston): IV-578; Noted that 14 lodges were present, "a larger number than any previous meeting within the last ten years."
    • IV-579: Instruction by Grand Lodge Lecturers.
    • IV-580: Installation of Grand Master Peabody and other Grand Lodge officers. (Order of ceremonies noted.)
    • IV-583: Address by Grand Master Peabody.
    • IV-585: An "eloquent and chaste address on the character and tendency of the Institution." By Rev. Bro. Joseph O. Skinner.

A full description of the day is given in Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. II, No. 4, February 1843, Page 123ff:

MEETING FOR INSTRUCTION.

The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was, we believe for the first time since its organization, opened in due form on the morning of the 27th December, as a Lodge of Instruction. In the absence of the Grand Master, R. W. S. W. Robinson, Esq., D. G. M., presided, assisted by such Grand Officers as could con­veniently be present. A large number of Brethren from the country were in attendance, and a greater number of Lodges were represented than on any pre­vious occasion within the last ten years. The meeting was an excellent one. The expectations of the friends of the measure were fully realized, and the re­sult will be most beneficial to the jurisdiction. The lectures and ceremonies of the three degrees were worked by the Grand Lecturers, in full and ample form, and with a facility and skilfulness not len creditable to themselves than gratifying to all present.

We are happy to know that the measure meets with the entire approbation of the Brethren from Lodges out of the city. It affords them an opportunity to com­pare their work with that under the immediate sanction of the Grand Lodge, and to correct variations; and in this way to preserve a uniformity throughout the Commonwealth. It also removes one great objection which many of the Lodges now lying dormant, urge as a reason for not resuming their active labor, namely, a want of the necessary information - the qualified members having in many instances either withdrawn themselves or removed to other parts of the country. This information can now be obtained by attending the Grand Lodge on the 27th December, annually, and participating in the labors of the day. It has another good effect, and one which, in our opinion, is of much importance to the interest of the jurisdiction. It brings the Brethren from different parts of the State to­ gather - makes them personally acquainted, and gives them an opportunity to interchange opinions - to encourage and strengthen each other in their moral and philanthropic endeavors.

The next meeting will be held on the 27th December, 1843 - before which time, the lectures and work designed to become the uniform and and standard ritual throughout the United States, will have been determined upon by the General Grand Lecturers at Baltimore. The Brethren from the country will therefore have an opportunity at the next meeting, of making themselves acquainted with any variations which may be recommended by that body. They will at once per­ceive the importance of their attendance. We trust there will not be a Lodge in the State unrepresented.

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS.

The constitutional meeting for the Installation of Officers and the observance or the nativity of St. John, was held in the evening. The Grand Officers were all present, excepting the Grand Master and a Brother holding a subordinate station, both of whom may, we believe, with propriety, plead ill-health as an excuse for their absence. There were an unusually large number of Lodges represented. We counted one hundred and twenty Brethren in the hall. It is probable the number was considerably larger. Among them were many of the oldest members of the Grand Lodge. A Brother had the curiosity to note the ages of eight of them. They give an aggregate of 569 yean, and an average of 71 and a fraction. The oldest was 81 and the youngest 61. The fact itself is an interesting one; but when viewed with reference to its bearing upon the Institution, it becomes both interesting and important. That our Brethren adhere to the Institution through a long life, and continue in their old age to feel an interest in the active labors or the Lodge room, is the best evidence we can offer of the purity of its principles.

It has been usual for the Grand Lodge, on the return of this anniversary, to furnish refreshments for the Brethren in attendance. It was thought, however, advisable on the present occasion, to omit this part of the services; which omission is admirably hit off in the following report of the Committee of Arrange­ments:-

REPORT: That they have made up such a bill of fare for this interesting occasion, as they trust, will receive the unanimous approbation of all concerned. It is presented to you on this sheet, order of ceremonies, whereon will be found that which will gratify the mind, the ear, and the heart, provided in wholesome abundance. They are excellent dishes and of good quality, u good as can be found in the Masonic market, and easy of digestion. They will please the mind, delight the ear, and fortify the soul, and strengthen the fibre which binds us together. Call you not this good providing?

In short, the committee have ventured to omit on this annual festival, all those provocatives denominated "creature comforts" - to pay no regard to the stomach, bot to administer all to the service of the nobler functions. They trust that in­stead of being received with coldness, this determination will meet your hearty concurrence, and thus evince, that you consider this apartment as your great Restauranteur, that the refreshment you most desire is more light, and that the stimulants for which you thirst, are those which excite to well-doing, and to Brotherly love.

The ceremonies of the evening took place in the following order :

  1. Volun­tary on the Organ.
  2. Prayer.
  3. Hymn.
  4. Ceremonies of Installatioo.
  5. Anthem.
  6. Address by Rev. Br. Joseph O. Skinner, of Framingham.
  7. Glee.
  8. Closing Ceremonies.
  9. Hymn, selected for the occasion.

The Grand Master was installed by the R. W. Hon. Benj. Russell, senior Past Grand Master, in due and ancient form. Br. Russell is eighty one years of age. His presence therefore, and still more the circumstance of his taking an active and responsible part in the ceremonies of the evening, added much to the interest of the occasion. And it is due to our aged Brother to say, that the duties assigned him were discharged in a manner entirely acceptable to his Brethren, and with a readiness and propriety not ordinarily to be expected from one of bis great age.

After his installation, the Grand Master made an exceedingly pertinent, able, and interesting address to the Brethren, in which he briefly alluded to the many difficulties and trials which the Institution, within a few years past, has been called to encounter; and, referring to the blighting effects which bad been produced through the operations of the unjust and unrighteous excitement created against it, by the ambitious and unworthy, he congratulated the Brethren that the time bad come when they might return to their Halls and their Lodge rooms, as the chil­dren of Israel went up to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple which their enemies bad desecrated and destroyed.

The remaining officers were then installed agreeably to ancient usage; after which the Rev. Br. Skinner of Framingham, delivered a chaste and elegant ad­dress, a copy of which has been kindly furnished for publication in the Magazine, and will be found in the present number.

The Grand Lodge was then closed in harmony and good fellowship, and we cannot doubt that the Brethren parted with feelings of renewed and increased devotion to their Order. The day throughout was one of unusual interest, and the beneficial influence of it cannot fail to be felt in all parts of the jurisdiction.

PETITIONS FOR CHARTERS

  • 03/09: IV-540; Petition by Morning Star Lodge, Worcester, for the charter to be restored.
    • 06/08: IV-551; withdrawn; seal and charter never returned, cannot be restored.

SPECIAL COMMUNICATIONS

LIST OF LODGES BY DISTRICT: 1842

Note: This is extremely conjectural, and based in part on the locations of the appointed Deputies.

DISTRICT 1

Samuel Eveleth (Boston), District Deputy Grand Master; 8 Lodges

DISTRICT 2

Isaac Collyer (Marblehead), District Deputy Grand Master; 4 Lodges

DISTRICT 3

Jeremiah Kilburn (Groton), District Deputy Grand Master; 7 Lodges

DISTRICT 4

Jonathan Greenwood (Framingham), District Deputy Grand Master; 6 Lodges

DISTRICT 5

Benjamin Huntoon (Canton), District Deputy Grand Master; 3 Lodges

DISTRICT 6

Gardner Ruggles (Hardwick), District Deputy Grand Master; 6 Lodges

DISTRICT 7

Jonathan Ames (West Bridgewater), District Deputy Grand Master; 3 Lodges

DISTRICT 8

Robert F. Parker (Nantucket), District Deputy Grand Master; 2 Lodges

DISTRICT 9

Gardner Ruggles, Special Deputy; 4 Lodges

★ = Appeared in Grand Lodge during 1842. (See Attendance Summary)


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