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1861

WILLIAM T. COOLIDGE, Grand Master

G. Washington Warren, Deputy Grand Master
William North, Senior Grand Warden
Jessee P. Pattee, Junior Grand Warden

QUARTERLY COMMUNICATIONS

Held at Freemasons' Hall, Boston

• 03/13: VI-358;
• 06/12: VI-373;
• 09/11: VI-381;
• 12/11: VI-386; (Annual Communication)

03/13 Agenda

None.

06/12 Agenda

• VI-378; Presentation by the Grand Master of a patriotic Circular from the Grand Lodge of Tennessee, to which the Grand Lodge responded in a fraternal manner.
• VI-379; Note of the 83rd birthday of Rt. Wor. John B. Hammatt.
• VI-380; Acceptance of invitation to lay the cornerstone of Harvard Street Methodist Episcopal Church in Cambridgeport; the Grand Lodge proceeded with escort from Boston Commandery.

09/11 Agenda

• VI-384; Wor. Bro. Wilson, Past Master of Fredonia Lodge recognized.
• VI-385; Report of Charity Committee.

12/11 Agenda

• VI-387; Report of the Committee of Finance.
• VI-393; Re-election of Grand Master Coolidge (253 ballots) and other Grand Lodge officers.
• VI-393; Report of Charity Committee.

Grand Constitutions Amendment Proposals

None.

Grand Master's Address

• 03/13: VI-359; Report of the committee on the retiring Grand Master's Address.
  • Regarding the appointment of a Committee of Foreign Correspondence: "A digest of the doings of the brethren elsewhere . . . would be of great value to us; . . .But the value of a report of such a committee would depend largely upon the qualification of the members, and their application to the arduous duties devolved upon them. This office [of the Corresponding Grand Secretary] has been hitherto more ornamental than useful; but in future, it is hoped it will possess both of these characteristics." They recommend that this office take care of these affairs.
  • The committee applauds the suggestion that the work and lectures should be introduced into the subordinate Lodges, and that a Lodge that "does not have the ritual entirely at its command, word for word, letter for letter, and comma for comma" should perhaps be denied the vote at Grand Lodge.
  • Further consideration was tabled and referred to a committee.
    • 06/12: VI-379; Verbal report by Rt. Wor. G. Washington Warren.

Lodge By-Law Changes

• 09/11: VI-385; The Massachusetts Lodge, referred and accepted.

Necrologies and Memorials

• 03/13: VI-365; Death of Rt. Wor. and Rev. Paul Dean, Past Grand Master; presented by committee chaired by Rt. Wor. Jerome Van Crowninshield Smith.

• 03/13: VI-366; Death of Rt. Wor. C. Gayton Pickman, Past Junior Grand Warden; presented by committee.

• 03/13: VI-367; Death of Bro. Ebenezer Mower of Worcester at age 100.
  • 06/12: VI-375; report presented by Rt. Wor. Winslow Lewis.

• 12/11: VI-392; Death of Rt. Wor. Sylvanus [Sylvester] Baxter, Past DDGM of the 8th District; referred to committee.
  • 12/27: VI-402; report.

Petitions for Charters

• 06/12: VI-375; Petition for John Warren U.D., Hopkinton, granted.

• 06/12: VI-376; Petition for Dalhousie U.D., Newtonville, granted, with some revisions to By-Laws as noted.

• 09/11: VI-382; Petition for Pacific U.D., Amherst, granted.

• 09/11: VI-383; Petition for John Hancock U.D., Methuen, granted.

• 12/11: VI-391; Petition for Aberdour U.D., Boston, granted with slight alterations to By-Laws.

Petitions for Dispensation for Lodges

Mentioned in Grand Master's Address, beginning on Page VI-352:

• Orient, South Dedham (02/22)
• Pythagorean, Marion (07/13)

Army Lodges granted dispensations:

• Bay State Army #1, 3rd Regiment (05/06)
• Massachusetts Army #2, 16th Regiment (08/12)
• United Brethren Army #3, 17th Regiment (09/16)
• Fraternal Army #4, 25th Regiment (10/17)
• Bunker Hill Army #5, 2nd Regiment (11/04)
• Union (McClellan) Army #6, 1st Regiment of Cavalry (12/24)

Petitions for Restoration of Charter

None.

SPECIAL COMMUNICATIONS

None.

FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST

(held at Masonic Temple, Boston, 12/27/1861); VI-398.

• VI-398: Lodge of Instruction.

• VI-400: Installation of Grand Master Coolidge and other Grand Lodge officers.

• VI-352: Report of the Grand Master for the preceding year:
  • Corner Stone Layings:
    • St. John's Episcopal Church, Lowell (04/15) by Rt. Wor. G. Washington Warren, Deputy Grand Master.
    • First Universalist Church, Chelsea (05/30)
    • Howard Methodist Episcopal Church, Cambridgeport (06/12)
  • Lodge Hall Dedications:
    • Hammatt, East Boston (01/02) consecration, constitution and installation of officers.
    • John Warren, Hopkinton (01/17) consecration, constitution and installation of officers.
    • New Bedford (01/22) and installation for Star in the East and Eureka Lodges.
    • Southbridge (01/28), and installation for Quinebaug Lodge.
    • Dalhousie, Newtonville (06/24); consecration, constitution and installation of officers.
    • John Hancock, Methuen (09/20); consecration, constitution and installation of officers.
    • Pacific, Amherst (09/20) consecration, constitution and installation of officers.
    • Worcester (11/12), and installation for Montacute Lodge.
• VI-405: "Elegant and beautiful address on the subject of Masonic friendship" by Rev. Bro. William R. Alger, and an original Ode by Bro. John K. Hall.

REPORTS OF DISTRICT DEPUTIES: 1861

The official reports of the District Deputies to the Grand Master for Districts 1-6, 8 and 9, were reprinted in full in Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXI. They are found on the following pages:

• Vol. XXI, No. 5, March 1862, Page 172-177
• Vol. XXI, No. 6, April 1862, Page 204-210

FIRST DISTRICT

Boston, Dec. 21, 1861.
W. D. Coolidge, Esq., Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts.

It is a pleasant duty to report the condition of the Lodges of the First Masonic District. Embracing eight of the Lodges in the Metropolis and three in the suburban towns, it tells the condition of the institution throughout the Commonwealth.

I cannot, therefore, omit the opportunity presented, of congratulating you, that you have been called to preside over its destinies at a time when its high standing and great prosperity are without a parallel in its history; and when all that you can hope or desire is, to transmit it to your successor in the same healthy condition in which yon found it, and for which, in a great measure, we are indebted to the faithful labors of your two more immediate predecessors, Winslow Lewis, M. D., and John T. Heard, Esq. I have visited nearly all of the Lodges of the Jurisdiction more than once.

The official visits and examinations were made by me in person, with one ex caption. Being unable to make my official visit to Revere Lodge, without requiring them to call a special meeting for the purpose, I constituted our R. W. Br. Clement A. Walker, M. D., a special deputy to make the visit in my stead. He discharged the duty in an efficient and faithful manner, and greatly to the acceptance of the Brethren of that highly respectable Lodge.

The suburban Lodges, Monitor, of Waltham, Bethesda, of Brighton, and Pequossette, of Watertown, though not doing a great amount of work, it is of the best of materials, and of finished workmanship. The distinguished reception with which they greeted your representative, and the pleasant and social hours I enjoyed with them after the close of our labors, I shall not soon forget. The friendly and social manner in which the members of these Lodges visit each other, I recommend to others.

The Lodges in East Boston, Mt. Tabor, Baalbec, and Hammatt, though feeling the pressure of the times, hold their meetings, and practice our rights with undiminished zeal and interest.

My visits to St John's and Winslow Lewis Lodges were full of interest. There is the good old St. John's, the first Lodge on the continent, beautiful and young too in her green old age! and there is Winslow Lewis Lodge, a young scion from that ancient tree! Neither can be surpassed in skill in work, or devotion to our principles. Then, there is St. Andrew's, upward of a century old. How pleasant to look upon her old By-Laws, and the signature of the patriot Joseph Warren, and to think of the meetings in the Old Green Dragon, where he presided.

But the most interesting event of the year was my visit to Mt. Lebanon Lodge. Our much esteemed Brother Lash was there to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of his membership. And right gallantly did the Brethren greet him! with feastings and rejoicings! They greeted him as the patriarchal cedar of their Lebanon, whose branches had preserved their Lodge when weak, from being lorn up and blown away by the anti-masonic storm; and he was assured in return that they would protect him against any rude blasts that might beset his declining years, and when the all-devouring scythe of time should out the brittle thread of his life, the sweet remembrance of bis virtues will remain with us till time shall be no more. On this occasion also, was present the R. W. John B. Hammatt, sixty years a member of St John's Lodge, whose memory our East Boston Brethren have taken such pains to preserve. Thus may we ever honor our fathers in Masonry, that the days of our institution may be long in the land which the Lord our God hath given us. The details of the work of the District during the past year are already in the archives of the Grand Lodge.

Fraternally, your obedient servant,
BENJ. DEAN, D D.G.M., 1st Masonic District.

SECOND DISTRICT

Salem, Dec. 5th, 1861.
To the M. W. William D. Coolidqe, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts

I have the honor, in accordance with my duty, to report to you the condition of the Lodges in this, the second Masonic District of the Commonwealth.

The ten Lodges which you have been pleased to place under my charge, remain as formerly in a prosperous and flourishing state. As will be seen by my returns, herewith submitted, there have not been so many initiated during the present year as during the previous one. The number has fallen from seventy-seven to fifty-nine. But this is not to be regarded as indicative of any decline in the Order, but is owing to other and independent causes. The state of the country, which has almost engrossed the thoughts of all good citizens, and has led them to dwell upon but one idea, besides taking away great numbers of our young and active men, has naturally and unavoidably interfered with the regular workings of all home institutions. In this connection I cannot fail to allude to one of the Lodges under my charge, Tyrian Lodge, of Gloucester. This is the only Lodge within my jurisdiction which I have not met in regular communication. In this instance I saw only the Secretary and his Record. The three first officers of the Lodge are all officers in the volunteer army, and as well as many of its members are at the seat of war. Honor be to them for leaving their posts and their homes, and joining in the struggle to sustain our national unity and independence. True men and true Masons may they fight the good fight; may they strike valiantly and well, and may the God of battles return them in safety to their Brethren and their firesides.

Another of my Lodges, Essex, of Salem, sent off among those who first rushed to the rescue, its first officer, and several of its members. The Master left a Captain and returned a Lieutenant Colonel, and he proved himself as brave and skillful a soldier, as his Brethren had long known him to be an accomplished and faithful Mason. Other instances, both in this and in the other Lodges, might be mentioned, of those who at home and in peace, were the best patterns of Masonic knowledge and virtue, proving themselves in war and in times of national peril, the noblest exemplars of the sublime virtue of patriotism. May God speed the time when Masons at the North and at the South shall again meet together in love and harmony. But let it not be until they can meet as citizens of one country; members of one common and re-established Union, with one constitution to govern, and one glorious Flag to wave over them. That this time may soon come, let us all labor, and strive and pray.

In one of my Lodges, St. Mark's, of Newburyport, there has been manifest and marked improvement during the past year. The feeling between its members and those of St. John's Lodge, in the same city, which is one of my best Lodges, is kind and cordial, and the result is the increased comfort of both. There is but one other Lodge which I deem it necessary to mention, by name, Warren Lodge, at Amesbury. It is the smallest Lodge in the District, has labored under many disadvantages; and without the slightest intention of reflecting upon its officers or members, I may say, that it falls behind the other Lodges in its ritual and work. I would respectfully advise that it receive the earliest attention of the Grand Lecturer.

I desire, before closing, to acknowledge on my part the signal service which you, M. W. G. Master, as the august head of our Order in this Commonwealth, are rendering to the Masonic world, and the honor yon are conferring upon the Brethren. Your present distinguished position is but the rightful culmination of a long career of highly useful and honorable labor. May your life long be spared, and may your services long be retained In a sphere where you can do so much for the profession you adorn.

I desire, also, publicly to acknowledge the favors I have received from the Grand Secretary in my official relations. I have had frequent occasion to consult some acknowledged authority, upon vexed and difficult questions, and I have always found in this officer one who courteously and cheerfully gave me every assistance in his power, and whose decisions I found were respected by the Brethren as positive law. I have the honor to be, most respectfully yours,

WM. SUTTON, D.D.G.M., 2d District.

THIRD DISTRICT

Lowell, Nov. 28, 1861.
To the Most Worshipful William D. Coolidge, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts—

My Dear Sir and Brother — In my Annual Communication to your predecessor in office, I gave a brief detail of the condition of the several Lodges in the Third Masonic District, as found one year since, upon the occasion of my regular visits. With but little change, that report would suffice for the present year.

Corinthian Lodge, at Concord, is the only Lodge whose annual return shows that no increase has been made in its numbers this year. Various reasons have concurred to prevent applications being made. It is the smallest in the District; its members are scattered, and all its officers do not reside in the town where it is established.

I visited St. Paul's Lodge, at Groton, upon the occasion of its Annual Communication. It gives me pleasure to record the presence at this meeting, of our venerable Brother John Walton, M. D., aged ninety-one years. The W. Master, Br. E. D. Bancroft, gave an interesting sketch of the Lodge and of the changes which had taken place during the year. It appears that two Brethren, James Larkin (Past Master,) and Nathaniel Stone, have deceased, who, on the 12th of August, A. D. 1811, were together raised as Master Masons, and who, ever since, uninterruptedly, until the time of their decease, have been active members of the Lodge.

Merrimack Lodge, at Haverhill, has lost the past year Brother Elbridge G. Eaton, Past Master; one of its most active and revered members. Through his exertions, mainly, the Charter of this Lodge was restored; and by his zeal and labor, as W. Master, it has been brought to its present high position. Brother Eaton was buried by his Lodge with Masonic honors; in the ceremonies of which the various Lodges in the neighborhood assisted.

Grecian Lodge, at Lawrence, is in the most flourishing condition, and, at my annual visit, appeared to be in a much better state than I found it a year ago. It is now the largest Lodge in the District.

Pawtucket (sic) Lodge, at Lowell, appears to better advantage than ever before. Its officers have been selected with careful discrimination, and its capabilities for effectively conferring the degrees are unsurpassed in the District,

Aurora Lodge, at Fitchburg, has selected R. W. Jonas A. Marshall, M. D., Past Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge, as its W. Master. He is highly esteemed by the Brethren, and has occupied the East at various times before. This Lodge is building a fine and capacious Hall, for its own use, thus evincing the great prosperity which heretofore has, and still does, attend it.

The other Lodges, whom it is unnecessary to name, are in a prosperous state, and the various members appear to be inspired with a praiseworthy zeal for the institution.

Caleb Butler Lodge, at Groton, has sent many of its members to the seat of war; one of whom is W. Master of a Camp Lodge, chartered by you in a Massachusetts Regiment, while others occupy high and responsible positions in the Lodge under him.

The unhappy state of the country, and the consequent depression of business, are leaving their effect upon the Lodges, as will be seen in the diminished revenue to the Grand Lodge, when the returns are made up another year. Since the first of September last, the commencement of our fiscal year, a marked falling off in receipts is evident.

During my visits to the Lodges, I have carefully examined the By-laws, and Records, and witnessed an exemplification of the work, and lectures in each. I have endeavored to establish a uniform manner of keeping the Records, throughout the District. Within a few years great laxity has grown up in some of the Lodges in this respect; many essentials being omitted for the sake of brevity.

There appear to have been ninety-two initiates this year, while the returns show one hundred and three during the previous year. More Dispensations have been granted this year than before. In cases of soldiers and officers applying none have been refused. I have considered it proper that patriotism should be encouraged and rewarded, and that Dispensations should be given to this class of candidates to enable them the better to encounter the hardships and rigor of the camp; and that by means of our Order social intercourse and Brotherly relations with their Brethren in arms, might be promoted.

It gives me great pleasure to report, that the various Lodges are presided over by wise and discreet officers, and that the affairs of the Lodge are conducted with prudence and propriety. Harmony prevails among the Brethren, while charitable and patriotic efforts, continue to distinguish their conduct among men.

Before closing this report permit me to express the renewed obligations I am under to R. W. Wm. North, your Senior Grand Warden, and my predecessor in the office of District Deputy Grand Master, for the kind assistance which he has rendered me in the performance of my official duties.

I remain, Fraternally, your very obedient servant,
WILLIAM S. GARDNER, D.D.G.M., 3d District.

FOURTH DISTRICT

Blackstone, Dec. 31st, 1861.
To the M. W. Wm. D. Coolidge, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts—

Dear Sir — The time for which I was appointed District Deputy having expired, I herewith present you a brief statement of the condition of the several Lodges composing the Fourth Masonic District; all but one of which I have visited, one or more times, during the year; and am pleased to report progress in all of them.

Montgomery Lodge, Milford; Olive Branch Lodge, Millbury; Solomon's Temple Lodge, Uxbridge, and Blackstone River Lodge, Blackstone, are all harmonious, and perform their work in conformity to the standard adopted by the Grand Lodge.

Franklin Lodge, Grafton, although I did not have an opportunity to witness the conferring of the Degrees when making my annual visit to this Lodge, yet should judge from what I saw, that they did their work well. Webster Lodge, Webster, this Lodge has made some improvement in the work and lectures during the year. I also notice great improvement in the Records, and they are now neatly and correctly kept.

Oxford Lodge, Oxford, although being the youngest chartered in the District, (this being the first year it has worked under a Charter,) I am happy to say is one of the best in this District, and has, during the past year, admitted to Masonry, men who will reflect honor upon the Fraternity.

The Lodges that compose this Masonic District are mostly located in Manufacturing villages, and their prosperity has been materially affected by the troubles which have unhappily existed in our national affairs. The number of candidates initiated in the seven chartered Lodges, during the past year is forty-eight, a decrease of thirty-six from last year. I have, during the year, granted two Dispensations for the conferring of Degrees in less time than is required by the Constitutions of the Grand Lodge. Thanking you for the honor conferred in appointing me to the office of District Deputy of the 4th Masonic District.

I remain, truly and Fraternally yours,
DANIEL W. TAFT

FIFTH DISTRICT

M. W. Wm. D. Coolidge, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts—

Dear Sir and Brother — Another Masonic year having closed, it becomes necessary that I should present for your consideration a Report of the condition of the Lodges composing the Fifth Masonic District.

There has been no material changes in the Lodges during the year. Sixty-eight have been initiated by the chartered Lodges in the District. Plymouth Lodge, at Plymouth, of which I had much to encourage me a year ago, has not attained that position in Masonry of which it then gave promise. Misfortune seems lo attend them; the Brother selected by the Lodge at that time as its Master, was one who it was thought would honor the office, harmonize the Lodge, and improve its work, but unfortunately the Brother did not give that attention to his duty which the interests of the Lodge demanded, consequently the members lost interest; the meetings were thinly attended, and but for the exertions of a few would have ceased entirely. What the final result will be, lime alone will reveal. With this exception, harmony prevails throughout the District, and I hope that ere another year has passed, that this may not be an exception.

Early in the year, by your permission, a Lodge of Instruction was formed in the District, under the honored name of Paul Dean Lodge of Instruction, for the Fifth Masonic District. It has been under the instruction of Brother Nourse, Senior Grand Lecturer, and has been the means of improving the work throughout the District.

I have visited all the Lodges in the District, with the exception of Orient Lodge, at Dedham, under Dispensation, once, at least; some of them several times. My intercourse with all the Lodges has been very pleasant. I have been kindly received at all times, and I very much regret that I feel it my duty to decline a reappointment Thanking you for the honor I have received,

I remain, respectfully and Fraternally, yours,
Z. L. BICKNELL.

SIXTH DISTRICT

Worcester, Dec. 16, 1861.
To the M. W. William D. Coolidge, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts—

Dear Sir and Brother — In conformity with my duty, I herewith present you my Report as D. D. G. M. for District No. 6.

I have visited during the year all the Lodges in the District, and have aimed at a faithful inspection of their work. With the exceptions mentioned in the following references to one or two of the Lodges, the Institution has lost none of its ancient interest; and both in the zeal of its older members, and in the character of its initiates, gives abundant assurance of future usefulness and progress.

Morning Star Lodge, at Worcester. This ancient Lodge, whose Charter dates back to 1793, has now ninety-eight members, and has initiated fourteen during the year. The meetings of the Lodge have been well attended ; the officers diligent and faithful, and the work animated, correct and impressive.

Middlesex Lodge, at Framingham. This is also one of the oldest Lodges in the State, having held its regular monthly communications continuously for sixty-six years. Its working efficiency has, I think, improved since the last annual report of its condition was made, and the degrees are now conferred with care, and a good degree of accuracy. The Lodge has forty members, and received five initiates during the year.

Meridian Lodge, at Natick. This Lodge is not in so favorable a condition as would be desirable. There continues to be a want of harmony, and the Lodge appears to be in a depressed state, but I am assured on the part of a portion of its members, that an effort shall be made to heal their differences; that the meetings may again become interesting, and the Lodge again prosper as it 1ms done heretofore. It has fifty-one members, of whom three were admitted the present year.

Mount Zion Lodge, at Barre. This Lodge with a membership of fifty-three, has initiated but three during the year. The members are of excellent character, and have maintained a good degree of interest in their Lodge under difficulties which few others have had to encounter. They are widely scattered, two-thirds of them living several miles from the place of meeting. They are somewhat deficient in the work, and the services of a Grand Lecturer would be acceptable to them, and I have no doubt would add to the prosperity of the Institution in this part of the jurisdiction.

Quaboag Lodge, at Warren. This Lodge, though smaller than many of those arouud it, is in a healthy and prosperous condition, and its work has been favorable and satisfactory. It has thirty-nine members, and has received an addition of seven the present year.

Trinity Lodge, at Clinton. This is one of the best Lodges in the District. It has forty members, and this year has initialed six. Their work is accurate and praiseworthy. Some of its best members were among the first to respond to the call for troops, and one of them, at least, Capt. Henry Bowman, Past Master of the Lodge, is now a prisoner in Richmond. May he soon be released to share in the speedy triumph of our arms, and to enjoy the well earned rewards of peace!

Montacute Lodge, at Worcester. It is hardly necessary for me to speak of this Lodge in detail, it has recently been honored by a visit from yourself and others, representatives of the Grand Lodge. The prominent event in its history, next to the granting of its Charter, was the recent dedication of its new hall, in which yon did them the honor to take an active part. You had occasion to notice something of the interest which its officers and members manifest, and the promise they give of making it "a well deserving pillar" of the Order. It received fourteen initiates the present year, and has now a roll of seventy-seven members.

United Brethren Lodge, at Marlborough, has forty-four members, and admitted twenty-one during the year; the largest number received by any single Lodge in the District. The work is of a very creditable character, and much zeal and spirit is manifested by the members. Several belonging to this Lodge are now absent in the army.

Quinebaug Lodge, at Southbridge. This is the youngest Lodge in the District. It is located in a pleasant and flourishing village, and enjoys the respect and confidence of the best class of its citizens. It has a membership of thirty-five, and returns twelve new initiates. Both this and the preceding Lodge have abundantly rewarded the confidence of the Grand Lodge in granting them a Charter, and I have no doubt they will prove to be among the most valuable branches of the Fraternity in the Commonwealth.

There have been made during the year eighty-five Masons in the District, and toe several Lodges have contributed $309 to the treasury of the Grand Lodge.

The usual watchfulness and prudence have been shown in the election of candidates, and I am sure the interests of Freemasonry will not suffer in the hands of those who have been admitted to its rites and privileges. In several instances, for good and sufficient reasons, I have granted Dispensations for conferring degrees in less time than the constitutional requirement — the candidates being considered worthy, and their imperative departure for the seat of war, with the regiments to which they were attached, rendering the exception in their favor at once advantageous to them and to the interests of the Fraternity wherever they may be called.

In closing this Report, I desire to acknowledge the courtesy and kindness which has been uniformly accorded to me in visiting the various Lodges in the District, and to bear testimony to the respect and loyalty which they all cherish to the Grand Lodge, as the ultimate and supreme authority in all matters relating to Masonic jurisprudence. Grateful for the distinction you have conferred upon I remain, respectfully and

Fraternally yours,

HENRY GODDARD, D. D. G. M. 6th District.

EIGHTH DISTRICT

M. W. G. M. Wm. D. Coolidge,

Dear Sir and Brother — Though but recently called by your appointment to the office of D. D. G. M., made vacant by the death of our lamented R. W. Bro. Baxter, I have succeeded in visiting every Lodge committed to my supervision. I found them united, harmonious in spirit, and manifesting a good degree of interest in our cherished Institution. Most of them have done but little work the past year, owing mainly, no doubt, to the troubled state of the times; bat still their "fervency and zeal" seem not to have sensibly diminished. With King Hiram Lodge, I had but little acquaintance — it being fifty miles distant—and therefore was unable to judge of its condition as compared with that of former years; but its appearance and work were such as to do credit to the oldest Lodge in the District. The same may be said of Union Lodge, Nantucket; Fraternal Lodge, Hyannis, and Mount Horeb Lodge, West Harwich. In each of these Lodges there is a spirit of harmony and of active interest which fully sustains their former good reputation, and indicates a sound, healthy condition.

De Witt Clinton Lodge, Sandwich, I visited, under very unfavorable circumstances of weather and travel, and only a very few members were in attendance. But from my intimate acquaintance with the Lodge in the past, and from the known zeal and interest of the Master and many of the Brethren, I have no doubt they still maintain their former standing of credit to themselves and of honor to the Fraternity.

Of Marine Lodge, Falmouth, I have to say, with no little pleasure, that a very marked change has been wrought for the better. This Lodge heretofore has been seriously deficient in Masonic knowledge, but during the past year the Brethren have evidently given themselves in earnest to mastering the work; and the result has been a very great improvement. Judging from their familiarity with the Lectures, and other evidences of their proficiency, they will compare favorably with most of our Lodges; and by continued effort and perseverance they will in time attain a perfection of work not surpassed by any.

Martha's Vineyard Lodge, Holmes' Hole, is young in date of Charter, but in a highly prosperous condition, and has done a large amount of work the present year. On the evening of my visit they fortunately had a candidate for the third Degree of Masonry, which gave me an opportunity to witness the manner of their work. And I do not hesitate to say, that for correctness, promptness, and impressiveness, it was not to be excelled by that of any Lodge within the District. They are entitled to great credit for their diligence and effort in perfecting themselves in the knowledge of Masonry; and for their active interest and devotion to the Institution, which give promise of its becoming one of the most prosperous and best working Lodges in the State.

Pilgrim Lodge, South Harwich, is another young, but prosperous Lodge, whose members ate zealous and actively interested, and have done a large amount of work. They have never availed themselves of the instruction of a Grand Lecturer, and need it very much; and there seems to be no good reason why they should not invite one to their aid. They work well in their way; but their work varies in many respects from the standard work of the Grand Lodge; and it is to be hoped, and I doubt not, they will take the necessary steps to correct it. I will only say farther, that I hare made it a point in my visits, to impress upon the minds of the Brethren in the several Lodges the importance of cultivating the spirit of Fraternal harmony and peace in these exciting times; of exhibiting the practical fruits of Masonry out in the world; of punctual attendance upon their Lodge meetings; of each and all perfecting themselves in the Lectures and the work; of being represented at every Communication of the Grand Lodge, and of extreme caution and care that they receive none to the privileges of Freemasonry but such as are known to be "worthy and well qualified," and who will make good Masons and good Brothers. Most truly and Fraternally yours,

R. S. POPE, D. D. G. M. of the 8th District.

NINTH DISTRICT

Springfield, December, 1861.
M. W. Grand Master —

It is with that pleasure "messengers of glad tidings" always feel, that I proceed to render to you an account of my stewardship as your Deputy for the Ninth District — for I have none but "glad tidings" of the Craft to bring to yon— glad tidings of social and Masonic prosperity; of increased and increasing interest in the work; of improved morale ; of added Wisdom, Strength and Beauty in the Lodges, and of continued individual prosperity and happiness among the Brethren. In a word—of healthy growth of all that Masonry planted, and good Masons love to cultivate.

I have visited all the Lodges in my District, and have witnessed in all a thorough exemplification of their mode of work. I have found in all unbroken harmony ; in many great social and financial prosperity, and in most a very commendable accuracy in the work. In two Lodges I found considerable variation and inaccuracy, resulting, in both cases, more from want of recent instruction than from intentional neglect, or carelessness. Having, however, taken measures to supply the needed instruction, and being confident that the errors will be speedily corrected, [ will refrain from designating the Lodges referred to, by name, adding, that although they were deficient in the ritual, I no where found better examplars of the true Masonic character.

No oases of individual insubordination or unmasonic conduct have been brought to my official notice, except the single case, the particulars of which, early in the year, I reported to you, and as to which, you will be glad to learn, that a course of action, in accordance with your counsel, changed that which threatened to be a serious injury, to a positive benefit, both to the Lodge and the erring Brother, in that it brought into more than usually marked display and practical application, that Masonic charity that "suffereth long and is kind," and that, may I not add, by patient kindness, saves. May we all oftener remember that man, so long as he is man, most be imperfect; that the Square is not to be used to the exclusion of the Trowel, and that the cement of Brotherly Love would not, indeed could not, unite us, did it not cling more closely to the rough than to the smooth surfaces.

In closing this Report, let me congratulate you on the continued prosperity of the Fraternity under your charge, through a year, more pregnant with danger to the Institution of Freemasonry than any of which our traditions have preserved the history.

While enterprise, paralized in all its "hundred hands," sits nerveless amid the wreck of its countless ventures; while all men throughout our unhappy country, forced, by the momentous changes transpiring around them, from their wonted courses of thought, action and life — are living in a new and strange bewildering existence ; while all systems — social, civil, or religious, seem almost "tottering to the fall," Freemasonry, resisting the adverse influences that have disturbed all else, still flourishes, and we have had, in loyal Massachusetts, a prosperous and happy Masonic year. I am glad to see in this fact, evidence that the Institution, so dear to us all, rests upon a foundation, that, under God, nothing can destroy - nothing weaken — save only a perversion of its great influence to subserve the selfish ends of unworthy ambition, or to effect objects foreign to its nature and the purposes of its creation.

Masonry is an Influence not a Power! May we all be careful to recognize and preserve the distinction.

In accepting your appointment as your Deputy, I thanked you for the honor conferred; permit me now to thank you for the pleasure I have derived from the opportunities my position has given roe of mingling more extensively with the Brethren of my District, and thereby, I trust, strengthening old and forming new and valued friendships. And let me also return my grateful acknowledgements for the repeated and patient consideration you have given to my frequent appeals for counsel and direction, which, with the advantage of following in the steps of one who had ably discharged his duty, and made smooth the path of his successor, has made my official duties easy, and my term of office, to me, at least, one of great pleasure and profit.

With great respect, I remain,
Fraternally yours,

WILLIAM B. SHURTLEFF, D.D.G.M. of 9th District.

LIST OF LODGES BY DISTRICT: 1861

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 1861, plus a special area for Chile.

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