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1860

WINSLOW LEWIS, JR., Grand Master

Jerome Van Crowninshield Smith, Deputy Grand Master
Joel Spalding, Senior Grand Warden
William T. Coolidge, Junior Grand Warden

NOTES

QUARTERLY COMMUNICATIONS

Held at Freemasons' Hall, Boston

• 03/14: VI-291;
• 06/13: VI-307;
• 09/12: VI-320;
• 12/12: VI-330; (Annual Communication)

03/14 Agenda

• VI-292: Report of committee on "resolutions expressive of the appreciation in which this Grand Lodge hold the past services of the Trustees of the Temple."
• VI-303: Correspondence with Paul Revere Lodge regarding jurisdiction.
  • 06/13: VI-308; report read and recommitted for more information.
  • 09/12: VI-327; printed report presented; referred to annual communication.
• VI-304: Report of committee on the initiation of sojourners.
• VI-305: Report of Committee on Charity.

06/13 Agenda

• VI-309: Communication with Lodge of St. Andrew; Grand Lodge vote not to take action with relation to the matter.
• VI-315: Communication with Hawaiian Lodge regarding aid.
  • 09/12: VI-324; determination that no action to be taken thereof; but on motion $100 was to be contributed.
• VI-316: Report of Committee on Charity.

09/12 Agenda

• VI-325: Report of Committee on Charity.
• VI-326: Report of the Trustees of the Temple.

12/12 Agenda

• VI-338: Adverse report on paying traveling expenses of delegates to the Grand Lodge.
• VI-339: Report of Committee on Charity.
• VI-340: Report of the Committee of Finance.
• VI-345: Correspondence with the Grand Lodge of Virginia, and reply, following the anticipated separation of the South.
• VI-347: Election of Rt. Wor. William T. Coolidge as Grand Master (149 ballots); and other Grand Lodge officers.
• VI-348: Committee on preparations for installation appointed.
• VI-357: Grand Feast of St. John the Evangelist, celebrated "after the manner of Masons."

Grand Constitutions Amendment Proposals

• 06/13: VI-317; Assorted amendments to Grand Constitutions to be considered.
  • 09/12: VI-327; Report to be distributed.
  • 12/12: VI-333; Extensive report on amendments to the Grand Constitutions; amended and adopted:
    • Updated Preamble.
    • Part 1, Article 1, Section 2.
    • Part 1, Article 3, Section 2.
    • Part 1, Article 6, Section 1.
    • Part 1, Article 6, Section 6.
    • Part 1, Article 8, Section 7.
    • Part 2, Article 1, Section 1.
    • Part 2, Article 1, Section 2.
    • Part 2, Article 1, Section 3.
    • Part 3, Article 1, Section 1.
    • Part 3, Article 2, Section 2.
    • Part 3, Article 3, Section 1.
    • Part 3, Article 8, Section 1.
    • Part 4, Article 2, Section 1.
    • Part 4, Article 3, Section 5.
• 06/13: VI-317; Committee to consider the expediency of changing the hour of Grand Lodge meetings from 2 to 3 o'clock PM, and the hour of election of officers from 8 to 3 1/2 o'clock PM "or at such other hours as they may consider most convenient."
• 06/13: VI-318; Voted that the committee consider and report on the expediency of requiring the consent of the Master and Wardens for a candidate to take degrees elsewhere.

Grand Master's Address

• 12/27: VI-352; Address by Grand Master Lewis, including statistics.
  • Hall Dedications:
    • Montgomery, Milford (01/10)
    • Bethesda, Brighton (02/07)
    • Orphan's Hope, Weymouth (02/21)
    • Pilgrim, Harwich (03/20, and constituted lodge)
    • Caleb Butler, South Groton (03/26, and constituted lodge)
    • Wilder, Leominster (07/10, and constituted lodge)
    • John Cutler, Abington (09/23, and constituted lodge)
    • Martha's Vineyard, Tisbury (09/18, and constituted lodge)
    • Orange, Orange (10/05, and constituted lodge)
    • United Brethren, Marlborough (10/17, and constituted lodge)

Lodge By-Law Changes

• 03/14: VI-302; Fellowship, referred for examination and correction.

• 06/13: VI-315; St. John's (Boston), amendments approved.

Necrologies and Memorials

• 12/12: Paul Dean, Past Grand Master committee appointed.

Petitions for Charters

• 03/14: VI-300; Petition for Caleb Butler U.D., South Groton, granted.

• 03/14: VI-301; Petition for Pilgrim U.D., Harwich South Village, granted, despite certain "irregularities‚"

• 06/13: VI-309; Petition for Wilder U.D., Leominster, granted with two alterations to by-laws.

• 09/12: VI-321; Petition for John Cutler U.D., Abington, granted.

• 09/12: VI-322; Petition for Orange U.D., Orange, granted.

• 09/12: VI-322; Petition for United Brethren U.D., Marlborough, granted.

• 09/12: VI-323; Petition for Martha's Vineyard U.D., Tisbury, granted with three alterations to by-laws.

• 09/12: VI-321; Petition for Oxford U.D., Oxford, granted.

• 12/12: VI-331; Petition for Hammatt U.D., East Boston, granted 12/13.

• 12/12: VI-331; Petition for Quinebaug U.D., Southbridge, granted 12/13.

Petitions for Dispensation for Lodges

Mentioned in Grand Master's Address, Page VI-353:

• John Warren, Hopkinton (granted 07/25)
• Dalhousie, Newtonville (granted 08/03)
• Pacific, Amherst (granted 08/23)
• John Hancock, Methuen (granted 10/10)
• Aberdour, Boston (granted 12/13)

Petitions for Restoration of Charter

None.

SPECIAL COMMUNICATIONS

None.

LIST OF LODGES BY DISTRICT: 1860

This district layout is based on the O.P. edition of the Proceedings. However, this publication is riddled with errors, and some adjustment was necessary.
Note: There were 12 Districts in 1860, plus a special area for Chile.

DISTRICT REPORTS

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XIX, No. 7, May 1860, Page 193:

Perhaps at no former period were the Lodges, and indeed, the Order generally, in this Commonwealth, in a better, or a more healthy and prosperous condition than they are at the present time. Harmony, which is the great essential of success and the bond of strength, was never more distinguishable throughout the jurisdiction than now. No sound of discord is anywhere heard, and no jarring interests anywhere visible. Petty jealousies and envies, and personal likes and dislikes, and small grumblings and smaller talk, probably do and always will exist in the Lodges, as in every other form of society. This is an evil, annoying in itself, and often productive of mischief, but it is one to which no specific remedy can be applied. The minds of some persons are so constituted that they would be perfectly miserable, if deprived of the privilege of finding fault, of grumbling, of scolding, and in divers other ways making themselves and everybody else around them uncomfortable, if not positively unhappy. Such persons are to be endured as an unavoidable evil, just as we submit to and endure the thousands of other pettish annoyances of life. They will find their way into our Lodges in spite of all that can be done to the contrary, and the only relief is to be found in the hope, that time and the wholesome influences of the principles of the Institution, may work out an improvement in their favor, though it must be conceded that the realization of such a hope is loo improbable to afford much encouragement. Perhaps a more satisfactory source of consolation is the fact, that our Brethren in other jurisdiction's are no belter off in this respect than we are ! The evil is a common one — confined to no particular jurisdiction or section of country, it is not one, however, to cause any serious misgivings or apprehensions. The parties, though they may occasionally succeed in interrupting the ordinary course of business in the Lodge, are generally correctly appreciated, and have, consequently, too little weight to produce any very important results. In making up our estimate of the general condition of the Craft in any particular jurisdiction, we do not therefore take the annoyances of this class of persons into the account, for they are not of sufficient influence to affect its general prosperity, either favorably or otherwise.

There is another disturbing cause which frequently manifests itself in the Lodges, and the consequences of which are sometimes of a more serious nature. This is an unreasonable ambition for office, accompanied by a disposition, on he part of the aspirant, to undervalue the qualifications of others, while he is very sure to overrate his own, in equal ratio. Masonic offices are not to be sought after, like places of political distinction ; nor is the Lodge-room any place for electioneering. The Brother most ambitious for office is usually the least qualified for it, and the least entitled to wear its honors. If a member possesses the requisite talent for office, his Brethren will find it out in due time, and will always be happy to avail themselves of his services. If on the other hand he does not possess the necessary qualifications, he ought not, and cannot, be placed in office without injury to the Lodge. And whether he does or does not possess this talent, is a question not for him to decide, but it is one which must be left, and which every modest and really competent member will insist on leaving, to the judgment of his Brethren. It is one over which he cannot with delicacy or propriety attempt to exercise any control. We lay it down as a general rule—not without its exceptions, for all general rules are subject to that limitation—but as a rule that will verify its own soundness in practice, that the member who seeks office, and resorts to the artifices of the demagogue to secure it, is the least qualified to discharge its duties with credit to himself or for the interest of the Lodge. All such attempts to obtain office should be discouraged in their incipiency, and the aspiring member given to understand that his conduct will not be approved. If the seeking of office were made a disqualification for holding it, the result would be for the benefit of the Lodge. Still another cause of annoyance, and frequently of disaffection and dissension in the Lodges, is the cacoethes loquendi, or rage for speaking, with which some of the Brethren are alarmingly affected. Forgetting or disregarding the real purposes of the meeting, such members are apparently never more happy than when they can make occasion to render their Brethren wholly miserable, by compelling them to listen for half an hour or more to a speech, the only perceptible aim of which is to glorify the speaker and afford him an opportunity to "air his vocabulary" at the expense of his Brethren. The business of the Lodge is not that of a debating club, nor is the Lodge-room an arena for stump-speaking. The Brethren go there to do the business of Masonry and improve themselves in its ritual, and whoever, from tin itching desire to show himself off in irrelevant and unnecessary talking, diverts them from this purpose, and interrupts the legitimate work of the Lodge, does violence to his solemn duties as a Mason and renders himself an unprofitable member,—one whom his Brethren regret to see enter the hall, and rejoice when he leaves it They tolerate him when present — but nothing more. He commands neither their love nor respect. Discussions are sometimes necessary in the Lodge, but they should take the character of explanations, rather than of debates, and the speakers should always be sententious, clear, and to the purpose. The strength of an argument does not consist in the use of a multiplicity of words. We have seen many a good cause lost "through much talking."

That our Lodges are not, however, more severely tried in either of the above particulars than those of other jurisdictions, is to be inferred from their present excellent condition, though this is hardly an excuse for any delinquencies that may exist. The present is a time of great prosperity, and consequently of great accessions to our numbers, and it becomes the Lodges, and particularly the elder and better informed members, to see that liberties are not now allowed, nor precedents established, which may hereafter lead their less experienced Brethren into a course of practice inconsistent with the usages, and hazardous to the integrity and interests of the Order.

One of the greatest evils we have heretofore had to contend against in this jurisdiction—namely, want of uniformity in the work and practice in the Lodges—is directly referable to the interference and spurious teachings of mountebanks from other States, in the shape of Masonic lecturers, and vagrant pedlars of worthless Masonic books and other publications, pretending to teach the law and usages of the Institution. The former have been driven out from among us, never, it is hoped, to be again allowed to dishonor our Lodges by their presence or corrupt them by their teachings. The latter class are still found, to some extent, among us, spreading their peculiar doctrines in the Lodges, as they can find opportunity to impose upon the inexperience of the more recently admitted and less informed members. And this is a serious evil, because tending to produce incalculable mischief in the jurisdiction. A large proportion of the controverted cases in our Lodges, and which are almost daily submitted to the proper authorities for adjudication, are traceable to this source.

Without stopping to inquire who is right, it is enough that they do not teach the law or the usages of Masonry as they have been taught in Massachusetts for more than a century and a quarter, nor as they are now defined and taught by our own Grand Lodge. They are not, therefore, admissible as authority in our Lodges. We are satisfied with the Masonry we have — with its ritual, its laws, and its philosophy. It is such as we have inherited from our fathers — from the founders of the Order in this country — and such as we desire to transmit to our posterity. We ask for no change—no improvement,— least of all such improvement as we should be like to get by following the counsels of itinerant lecturers and opiniative exponents of Masonic practice.

The following extracts from the reports of the District Deputy Grand Masters will give our readers a correct knowledge of the general condition of the Lodges in this jurisdiction at the close of the last year :—

DISTRICT 1

R. W. Wm. D. Coolidge, D. D. G. M.—

I am roost happy to say that prosperity and harmony prevail in the First Masonic District, and while in the community around us every subject of thought seems to be intensified, it is refreshing to witness the effect of the conservative principles of our Order on the minds of our Brethren, bringing in its train calm thought, common sense, and enlightened judgment to guide their decisions. It is a source of gratification to bear my testimony to the prompt liberality of the Brethren in every case of deserving need, from the ample treasuries of our Lodges and the warm hearts of our Brothers; the aged have been comforted, the blind relieved, and the injunctions of " pure and undefiled religion" hare been carried out.

The effect of the late vote whereby the fees to the Grand Lodge were reduced, will show a great falling off in its revenues, the return of this important District being only four hundred and seventy-one dollars ($471), but the Brethren of this District will be among the first to correot this position, if it be found that the happiness or usefulness of the Grand Lodge is abridged thereby.

The Lodges in this District are in the enjoyment of ample and commodious Lodge rooms—the one now near completion in Brighton is another evidence of the liberality of the Brethren, and the love they bear to this ancient and honored institution; and the Lodges in the city will soon be in the enjoyment of the ample accommodations of Freemasons' Hall. Truly, "the lines have fallen to us in pleasant places, and we have a goodly heritage," a grateful trust should be the prevailing sentiment of our hearts, that we have been thus guided and blest, inciting in us greater efforts for the promotion of the honor, the usefulness and the happiness of our beloved institution, and developing in each Brother's heart and life, greater fidelity to ourselves, to humanity, and to God. And now, Sir, in closing, let me congratulate you, on your retirement from office, on the prosperity and harmony which characterize the Lodges in this jurisdiction. It must be the source of the greatest happiness to you, that at the close of a most efficient administration, you bear with yon the respect and lore of all who have been officially and intimately associated with you.

DISTRICT 2

Rt. W. Isaac P. Seavey.—

The general condition of nearly all the Lodges throughout the District at the Annual visitation, gave good evidence of the progress made the past year over that of previous ones. Several which had heretofore evinced a great lack of skill, and proper discernment in the discharge of their various duties and responsibilities, have assumed a new and highly gratifying position, by which they are enabled to rightfully execute their duties consonant to the high standard of Masonic rule. Nor is it less observable in the entire District, that each Lodge has (unless a single exception be named) endeavored to preserve, with scrupulous caution, the elevated character of its members, by a close and persevering scrutiny into the merits of each new applicant.

The amount of work performed the past year, in its aggregate, is twenty per cent less, in comparison with that of several previous years. This has been, in one sense, beneficial to the Lodges, by giving the Brethren leisure, and enlarged opportunities for improvement in the lectures of the several degrees, which some of them, I am pleased to say, have not failed to appreciate with profit. This has necessarily produced a greater degree of harmony and good fellowship among the Craft, and while such a true and noble effort is kept alive, all discord will be banished from among them.

A majority of the Lodges continue the weekly lecture meetings for instruction, which were established about two years since, and they are attended with good success. Their standard in the ritual is a close approximation to the authorized Work of the Grand Lodge.

DISTRICT 3

Rt. W. Wm. North.—

St. Paul's Lodge, Groton. Last year this Lodge was reported in a prosperous and growing condition. Since my last report a new Lodge has been established at Groton Junction (working under Dispensation). This may have had the effect in some measure to prevent the increase of St. Paul's Lodge — yet those remaining are mostly tried veterans in the cause and will ensure its stability, while the known skill and devotedness of their elected Master and other officers, will be a sufficient guaranty of the correctness of their work.

Corinthian Lodge, Concord. This Lodge continues in about the same state as at my last report — but little work having been done for two years past Two have been initiated the last year.

Aurora Lodge, Fitchburg, is still in a thriving condition, and deservedly stands high among the Lodges in the district. This Lodge is moderately increasing its numbers by initiation of that class which will support the honor an i reputation of the institution. Here too they have frequent meetings for lecturing and by this means keep up the standard of work for which they have long had the reputation.

Merrimack Lodge, Haverhill, continues in its steady course and maintains an honorable position among the Lodges in this section. Its membership is large and composed of many of the most prominent men in the place. Their Hall is large and elegantly furnished, it being one of the best in the State, and their order and decorum in business are worthy of example.

Pentucket Lodge, Lowell, has been regularly advancing, and the nnmber of initiates nearly the same every year since the restoration of its charter. It has the largest membership in the district, and present appearances indicate that the number of initiates this year will equal that of past years.

St. Matthew's Lodge, Andover. Since particular mention of this Lodge has been made, a new, spacious Hall has been procured, and furnished in a neat and tasteful style, affording excellent accommodations.

Grecian Lodge, Lawrence. The prosperity of this Lodge has equaled that of any in this District. Large accessions have been made yearly, and it now stands second in point of numbers. The work has been good and justly merits approval. Sixteen have been initiated the past year.

Ancient York Lodge, Lowell, still merits its high standing. Regular and constant additions are made to its numbers from the highest classes in the community. The present officers are thoroughly skilled in the work, and prompt in the discharge of their duty. One marked feature in the management of this Lodge, and worthy of imitation, is the careful selection of officers, even ol the lowest rank, of such as will fill the chair with honor when in due course they may reach it.

Excelsior Lodge, Groton Junction, (working under a Dispensation) has commenced its operations under the most favorable circumstances. Located in a thriving village, with every prospect of a large and rapid increase, and having connected with it a large portion of the must estimable business men of the place, who in their own commanding position must exert a favorable influence.

DISTRICT 4

R. W. Levi Rawson.—

It is perhaps unnecessary for me to particularize the several Lodges, an you were informed by my former report of their then particular state—their present is about the same as then— they have rather improved in their work. Blackstone River, Montgomery and Franklin Lodges do their work and business of the lodge well; Solomon's Temple has improved; Olive Branch is not yet perfect. All express a desire to comply with the instructions of the Grand Lodge, and the ancient customs and usages of the Order. All have been punctual in making their annual returns and paying the Grand Lodge dues, which I have forwarded to the Grand Treasurer.

DISTRICT 5

R. W. Bradford L. Wales.—

I regret that other positive requirements have prevented me from discharging the whole duty of the office so exactly as its importance requires. On the faithfulness of the District Deputies, depends, in my judgment, a large share of the real success of the Institution. Not how much work, but how well that work is performed, is the trae and only test of its healthy condition. I have personally visited six of the eight Lodges composing the fifth District, and one by proxy, during the year, and am most happy to report, so far as the work is concerned, without exception, I have found it strictly in conformity with that approved by the Grand Lodge. The Lodges, in regard to their pecuniary matters, are in good condition. Those who have been admitted to the degrees, as far as my information extends, are worthy of the distinguished honor—"men of good report and well recommended."

Permit me, M. W. Grand Master, before resigning my office, to congratulate you upon your brilliant administration as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. No predecessor of yours in that office has performed the amount of labor which you have. None have, or could have, done it better. None have manifested more sincerely an abiding interest in the prosperity of our ancient institution. No one has retired from that office at the end of his constitutional term, who carries with him the confidence of his Brethren in a greater degree, and no one has deserved it more, in the opinion of your triend socially and fraternally.

DISTRICT 6

R. W. John A. Dana.—

It has been my pleasure during the past year to visit all the Lodges in the sixth District, and with one exception, to inspect some part of the work in each.

I have the satisfaction to report that all are in good condition, and that each has made some progress, in the right direction, during the last year; this is true of some of them in a marked degree.

The three Lodges which have been constituted during the pant year in this District, have won for themselves much credit for the zeal they have manifested, and the high rank they have taken among the Lodges of this District as good working Lodges.

Aa the result of my observation, derived from my visits during the year, I am satisfied that all that is wanted to put our Lodges in a high position, is a more frequent recourse to the assistance of the Lecturers of the Grand Lodge.

This matter has been loo much neglected by the Lodges, not from a failure on their part to appreciate the advantages lobe derived from this source entirely, but in some instances I have no doubt it may be occasioned by the expense which attends the procuring of the attendance and labors of lecturers.

To remedy in some degree this state of things I would beg leave to suggest, whether it might not be found for the good of our Lodges to make it their duty, that each Lodge appropriate some part of their receipts each year for this purpose, and that the Grand Lodge take some action in this matter. And should any ot our Lodges be unable to incur the expense, that the same be met from the Treasury of the Grand Lodge.

It is bat justice to you, to acknowledge that the present prosperity our Lodges are now enjoying, is in a very great degree doe to the active interest you have taken in this behalf during your administration.

DISTRICT 7

Rt. W. George H. Taber.—

Another year having expired, it again becomes my duty to report to you the state of the Lodges composing the Seventh Masonic District. And I am pleased to inform you that harmony and prosperity prevail. There have been large accessions to our numbers the past year, (120 in the seven chartered Lodges,) but if they prove good men and true, they are heartily welcome within our portals. There is still a lack of uniformity in the work, which I hope will soon be mended, for I think there should be but one standard, and that strictly complied with. There are two Lodges under Dispensation, which have commenced under favorable circumstances, and I trust they will be useful additions to our Order.

DISTRICT 8

Rt. W. Sylvester Baxter.—

I have recommended to all the Lodges to be more particular in being represented in the Grand Lodge, as many of those who are entitled to seats in the Grand Lodge, would find it beneficial to attend as often as possible ; at any rate, the Mailer of the Lodge should make it a point to be at the annual meeting.

I find the Lodges in my District have made great improvement since the visit of the M. W. G. Master to the Lodges; there certainly is more interest and better work. I think the Fraternity greatly indebted to him for the interest he has manifested. May he long live to enjoy the satisfaction that he has bestowed such benefits.

DISTRICT 9

Rt. W. Daniel Reynolds.—

With perhaps owe exception the Lodges comprising the Ninth District are progressing in usefulness and stability, having added by numbers, intelligence and strength, far in advance of former years, which served to render my visits to them peculiarly pleasant.

The condition of most of the Masonic Halls have been improved within the last two years, and with marked taste, which renders them peculiarly attractive. In this particular the members of Hampden Lodge, have contributed and ex pended a large amount, and have just completed a most praiseworthy remodeling of their Hall.

DISTRICT 10

Rt. W. W. B. C. Pearsons.—

This has been a year of uninterrupted prosperity with all the Lodges in this District, and a harmonious spirit seems to pervade all classes and degrees of the craft.

DISTRICT 11

Rt. W. Chas. B. Rogers. -

There have been one hundred and forty-six initiates in the ten Lodges composing this District, for the year ending September 1st, 1859, and twenty-five rejections, ten of which were in one Lodge. This seems to be a large number, about fifteen per cent, and to some minds would indicate a careful watchfulness in keeping out all unworthy applicants, and to others a careless regard for the best interests of the institution, in allowing so many lo be proposed for admission who were unworthy.

I find a difference of opinion in regard to this matter, whether it were better for a member of a Lodge to refuse, upon solicitation, to propose a person whom he thinks should not be admitted, or to offer his name for consideration and rejection, thus subjecting him to an additional difficulty, should he ever attempt to gain admission in another locality; in connection with this subject I would remark, that there appears to be so much of a desire to increase some of the Lodges in numbers, as to cause too great a leniency to be used and allowed in passing upon the qualifications of those seeking admission into our Order.

DISTRICT 12

Rt. W. John H. Sheppard.—

It would afford me much pleasure to particularize the traits of excellence in each Lodge committed to my charge, but it might, perhaps, lead to invidious distinctions. The records all were well kept and faithful, and in the returns there was not generally a large proportion of rejections — being only twenty-four in the whole. Negatives, like sharp-edged tools, require delicacy in handling; I am of opinion they should be avoided as much as possible by the caution of each Brother who signs the recommendation of the candidate for the Degrees, for a rejection may sometimes cause a bitter enemy. Yet nothing — neither fear, favor, nor hope of reward should tempt any member of a Lodge to vote for an improper or unworthy applicant.

It is but just to say a word touching Germania Lodge which I visited twice. Their work and lectures are altogether in the German language, but the eye and ear of any experienced Brother might easily follow and trace the general accuracy which appears. With all the disadvantages of a foreign tongue, they do well. To the members of that Lodge, living far from their native home and beloved relatives, Freemasonry must be of peculiar importance in promoting pleasing intercourse and Brotherly love—and they seem to appreciate it

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