Difference between revisions of "MassachusettsYear1895"

Latest revision as of 15:03, 23 October 2020

1895

EDWIN B. HOLMES, Grand Master

S. Lothrop Thorndike, Deputy Grand Master
George F. Walker, Senior Grand Warden
Henry J. Mills, Junior Grand Warden

QUARTERLY COMMUNICATIONS

(Held at Masonic Temple, Boston)

• 03/13: 1895-28;
• 06/12: 1895-110;
• 09/11: 1895-206 (Held at Odd Fellows' Hall, due to fire);
• 12/11: 1895-259; (Annual Communication; Held at Masonic Temple)

03/13 Agenda

• 1895-39: Installation of District Deputy Grand Masters not present at the Feast of St. John in 1894.
• 1895-42: Proposal for a joint meeting of the Grand Lodge and King Solomon's Lodge, Charlestown, to celebrate the centennial of the erection of the monument to Joseph Warren on Bunker Hill; rejected, as was the invitation by the Lodge to the Grand Lodge (deemed inexpedient due to expense).

06/12 Agenda

• 1895-134: Report of Charity Committee.
• 1895-135: Presentation of $5,000 to charity fund by Bro. John Hoffman Collamore.
• 1895-135: Presentation of a portrait of Grand Master John Soley.

09/11 Agenda

• 1895-213: Report on the fire at the Boston Masonic Temple on 09/07. Some fire and water damage, particularly from the fifth story upward. The library, portraits, and records escaped destruction. The Grand Lodge accepted an offer to meet at Odd Fellows' Hall.
• 1895-215: The Board of Directors was given authority to make a determination on whether to rebuild and repair, or sell and build anew.
• 1895-216: Jurisdictional dispute between Jordan Lodge and Mount Carmel Lodge; Jordan Lodge to be censured, clandestinely initiated Mason be healed.
• 1895-223: A recommendation was made to amend the Act of Incorporation, by applying to the legislature to increase the amount of personal property the Grand Lodge could hold from $500,000 to $2,000,000.
• 1895-224: Presentation of an additional $5,000 to charity fund by Bro. John Hoffman Collamore.

12/11 Agenda

• Recorded in Grand Master Holmes' address, beginning on page 1895-270:
  • Lodges constituted, officers installed:
    • Meridian Sun, North Brookfield (02/14)
    • Springfield, Springfield (04/17)
  • Lodges visited:
    • Mount Lebanon, Boston (12/31/1895; installation)
    • Bethesda (Brighton), Brighton (01/01; installation)
    • Beth-Horon, Brookline (01/08)
    • Bethesda (Brighton), Brighton (02/11)
    • William Sutton, Saugus (02/25)
    • Mizpah, Cambridge (03/11)
    • What Cheer, Providence, RI (03/29, with Grand Master of Rhode Island; also the Governor and the Mayor of Providence and the Chief Justice.)
    • Revere, Boston (03/30)
    • Charles H. Titus, Taunton (04/12)
    • Boston (04/29; exemplification)
    • Mystic, Pittsfield (06/05)
    • Germania, Boston (06/24; "Da ich aber nicht Deutsch spreche, I was not competent to judge of the work in detail.")
    • Revere, Boston (09/03; with the Grand Master of District of Columbia)
    • John Cutler, Abington (11/20)
    • Hyde Park, Hyde Park (11/21)
    • Wyoming, Melrose (11/25)
    • Lodge of St. Andrew, Boston (11/30; Feast of St. Andrew)
    • Revere, Boston (12/03)
  • Hall and Building Dedications and Cornerstone Layings:
    • Oxford, Oxford (01/15; Special Communication)
    • Wilder, Leominster (03/19; Special Communication)
    • Liberty, Beverly (05/02; Special Communication)
    • Grace Universalist Church cornerstone, Lowell (05/25; Special Communication)
    • Martha's Vineyard, Vineyard Haven (10/25; Special Communication)
    • Norfolk Union, Randolph (11/07; Special Communication)
    • Universalist Church cornerstone, Dorchester (11/30; Special Communication)
  • Anniversary Celebrations:
    • Republican, Greenfield (02/07; Centennial)
    • Evening Star, Lee (06/06; Centennial)
    • Columbian, Boston (06/08; Centennial; also 06/22)
    • Middlesex, Framingham (06/13; Centennial)
    • Bunker Hill Monument; w/King Solomon's, Charlestown (06/17; Centennial)
    • The Massachusetts, Boston (05/17; 125th Anniversary)
• 1895-304: Auditing Committee Report.
• 1895-305: Appropriation for Masonic Education and Charity Trust.
• 1895-306: Establishment of the Lodge of St. Andrew Fund.
• 1895-307: Additional $5,000 from Bro. John Hoffman Collamore; establishment of the John H. Collamore Charity Fund.
• 1895-308: Re-election of Grand Master Holmes. Election of other Grand Officers. Remarks by Deputy Grand Master Thorndike and Grand Master-Elect Holmes.
• 1895-314: Petition by Rabboni Lodge to remove from South Boston to Dorchester; granted.
• 1895-316: Charity committee report.

Grand Constitutions Amendment Proposals

• 03/13: 1895-39; Proposal to amend Part 3, Article 7, Section 2, regarding jewels for subordinate lodges; to provide a jewel for the Inside Sentinel. Committee report; to be voted on at the June Quarterly Communication.
  • 06/12: 1895-131; Report of committee; accepted, with the proviso that Lodges using sun and moon for Senior and Junior Deacons may retain these jewels.

• 03/13: 1895-41; Proposal to amend Part 4, Article 3, regarding receiving rejected candidates, and the signing of by-laws by candidates. Referred to committee.

• 03/13: 1895-43; Committee to be appointed to review the Grand Constitutions and propose amendments, "preparatory to the publication of a new edition of said Grand Constitutions."
  • 06/12: 1895-125ff; Report by Deputy Grand Master Thorndike, for the committee. Proposed amendments were referred.

Amendments to the following sections: (*adopted)

• Part 1: Article 1, Section 2; Article 8, Section 3, 9, 10, 12;
• Part 3: Article 1; Article 1, Section 1; Article 2, Section 1; Article 4, Section 4; Article 7, Section 2.
• Part 4: Article 1, Section 9, 10; Article 2, Section 1; Article 3, Section 4, 8.
• Part 5: Section 1, 2, 8, 13, 21, 22, 24, 26;
• Definitions 4 and 5; subsequent definitions to be renumbered. Definitions 6, 7.
• Rules as to By-Laws 12.
• Standing votes, resolutions and orders remaining in force to be transferred into the text.
• Orders that should be repealed: 09/11/1878 (travelling expenses); 06/08/1870 (quarterly meetings of Grand Lecturers); and 03/14/1883 (Sinking Fund). (The committee recommended appointment of a new committee to prepare and print a revised Digest of Masonic Law. (Adopted.))
  • 09/11: 1895-219ff; Amendments adopted, as listed above, and also
  • Part 5, Section 21 to be removed to Part 3, Article 4 and renumbered as Section 7; following sections to be renumbered.

Grand Master's Address

• 06/12: 1895-117: Report on Grand Master's Address.

• 12/11: 1895-270: Grand Master's Address. "It seemed best that our Annual Communication should be held in this place. It is probably a farewell meeting in this Hall, which is made sacred to us by so many recollections of the past." Three of the twelve Grand Masters, four of the sixteen Deputy Grand Masters; seventeen of the fifty-nine Grand Wardens installed there have passed on. John H. Collamore Fund consists of $15,000 donated by that brother; $1,000 in Lodge of St. Andrew Fund. Deaths of Wood, Richards. Visits; Triennial Conclave; Grand Lecturer's report; Board of Directors report; printing of Grand Lodge Records; Masonic Education and Charity Fund. Recommendation against use of stereopticon, and of "dressing the Fellow Crafts in an ancient and unusual garb" and costuming in general. Referred to committee.

Lodge By-Law Changes

• 03/13: 1895-44;
  • Full Codes : Springfield (U.D.).
    • 1895-44: Approved with necessary changes.
  • Amendments: Charles H. Titus, Eliot, Ezekiel Bates, Monitor.
    • 1895-44: Approved, with changes for Ezekiel Bates.

• 06/12: 1895-130;
  • Full Codes : Berkshire, The Tyrian, Williams; approved with necessary changes.
  • Amendments: Pequossette, St. James, St. John's (Boston), Simon W. Robinson; approved without change; Bethesda (Brighton), Eureka, Meridian, Norfolk Union, Starr King, United Brethren, approved with changes.

• 09/11: None.

• 12/11: 1895-313;
  • Full Codes : Bethesda (Valparaiso), Huelen (Chile); approved without change. Acacia, Temple; approved with necessary changes.
  • Amendments:
    • Approved without change: Cochichewick, Delta, Essex, Huntington, Joseph Webb, Meridian.
    • Approved with necessary changes: The Massachusetts, Morning Star, Morning Sun, Star in the East.

Necrologies and Memorials

• 12/11: 1895-272: Memorial to Rt. Wor. Henry Gage Wood, Past District Deputy Grand Master; mentioned in Grand Master's Address.
  • 12/11: 1895-317; Memorial presented by Rt. Wor. Thomas W. Davis, on behalf of the committee.

• 12/11: 1895-272: Memorial to Rt. Wor. Chauncey S. Richards, District Deputy Grand Master; mentioned in Grand Master's Address.
  • 12/11: 1895-320; Memorial presented by Rt. Wor. Samuel L. Sawyer, on behalf of the committee.

Petitions for Charters

• 03/13: 1895-37; Springfield U.D., Springfield; referred.
  • 1895-44; granted.

SPECIAL COMMUNICATIONS

• 01/15/1895: 1895-1; Oxford. Dedication of the Masonic hall of Oxford Lodge.
  • 1895-2: Procession by Grand Lodge into hall; welcome by Master of Oxford Lodge.
  • 1895-3: Dedication of hall; remarks by Grand Master Holmes.
  • 1895-3: "Bountiful banquet‚" speeches by Rev. Albert Tyler, the Chaplain of the Lodge, and by Grand Officers; "witty responses" by all except the Grand Secretary and the Grand Master.
  • 1895-4: Grand Master Holmes' remarks.

• 02/07/1895: 1895-7; Greenfield, Centennial Celebration of Republican Lodge.
  • 1895-9: Address of welcome by Rt. Wor. Charles H. McClellan.
  • 1895-13: Response by Grand Master Holmes.
  • 1895-14: Address by Grand Master Holmes during a "capital dinner" at the Opera House attended by nearly 700 Brethren; a historical address was given by the Toastmaster, Rev. Bro. Finch (not recorded).

• 02/14/1895: 1895-20; North Brookfield, Constitution of Meridian Sun Lodge.
  • 1895-21: Grand Lodge opened at Odd-Fellows Hall; procession escorted by a committee of Past Masters to the lodge-room, where the brethren of the new Lodge and "a large number of visitors from the neighboring lodges" were present.
  • 1895-21: Constitution of lodge and installation of officers.
  • 1895-23: Charge by Grand Master Holmes.

• 03/10/1895: 1895-46; Leominster. Dedication of the Masonic hall of Wilder Lodge.
  • 1895-47: Procession by Grand Lodge into hall; welcome by Master of Wilder Lodge.
  • 1895-47: Dedication of hall; remarks by Grand Master Holmes.
  • 1895-49: An "animated Address" by Rev. Edward A. Horton, Grand Chaplain, who was once resident in Leominster as a minister.

• 04/17/1895: 1895-52; Springfield, Constitution of Springfield Lodge.
  • 1895-53: Grand Lodge opened in Prelate's Room of the Masonic Hall; procession into the lodge-room. Examination and qualification of new Master.
  • 1895-54: Constitution of lodge and installation of officers.
  • 1895-56: Address by Grand Master Holmes.

• 05/02/1895: 1895-60; Beverly. Dedication of the Masonic hall of Liberty Lodge.
  • 1895-61: Procession by Grand Lodge from Prelate's Room into hall; welcome by Master of Liberty Lodge.
  • 1895-61: Dedication of hall; remarks by Grand Master Holmes.
  • 1895-64: Remarks by Wor. Charles Woodberry; presentation of a banner from Constitutional Lodge #294, in Beverley, England. Reply by Rt. Wor. S. Lothrop Thorndike, a Past Master of Liberty Lodge.
  • 1895-49: A "bountiful collation" with remarks by the Grand Master and other Grand Officers; Bro. William M. Olin, Secretary of the Commonwealth; Bro. John Baker, Mayor of Beverly; and others.

• 05/25/1895: 1895-71; Lowell. Corner-stone laying for the Grace Universalist Society.
  • 1895-72: Grand Lodge opened in a parlor of the Merrimack House. Procession to building site, escorted by Pilgrim Commandery and William North Lodge.
  • 1895-73: Corner-stone laying ceremony. Remarks by Bro. Goodell, for the Building Committee.
  • 1895-74: Address by Grand Master Holmes.

• 06/06/1895: 1895-79; Lee, Centennial Celebration of Evening Star Lodge.
  • 1895-80: Grand Lodge opened in the Gleaner Block, and escorted to Masonic Hall; a procession consisting of the Grand Lodge Officers, and members of Crescent, Greylock, Williams, Occidental, Globe, Upton, Huntington, Berkshire, Lafayette (North Adams), Mystic, Wisdom, Cincinnatus, Montgomery #13 (CT), St. Peter's #21 (CT) and Evening Star Lodges, passed through the town to the Congregational Church, where "literary exercises" were held, with Wor. Jared Bradley, Master of Evening Star Lodge, presiding.
  • 1895-82: Address of welcome by Wor. Jared Bradley.
  • 1895-84: Response by Grand Master Holmes, including historical notes.
  • 1895-88: Historical address by Bro. Thomas Post.
  • 1895-106: A "bountiful dinner" provided by the ladies of Lee, for about 1,500 persons. Remarks by Grand Master Holmes, the Grand Master of Connecticut, and others.

• 06/08/1895: 1895-108; Boston, Centennial Celebration of Columbian Lodge.
  • 1895-108: Grand Lodge opened in the Second Universalist Church. Historical address by Rt. Wor. William T.R. Marvin, a poem by Wor. Charles W. Stevens, and an oration by Rt. Wor. E. Bentley Young, as well as music.

• 06/13/1895: 1895-137; Framingham, Centennial Celebration of Middlesex Lodge.
  • 1895-139: Address of welcome by Wor. Lauren A. Freeman, Master of Middlesex Lodge.
  • 1895-141: Response by Grand Master Holmes.
  • 1895-143ff: A very extensive Historical Address by Rt. Wor. Sereno D. Nickerson.
  • 1895-182: A "bounteous dinner" at the Town Hall, with Wor. Walter Adams, Past Master, as toastmaster.

• 06/17/1895: 1895-183; Boston. Centennial Celebration of Bunker Hill.
  • 1895-185: Grand Lodge opened at the Masonic Temple and under the escort of De Molay Commandery traveled by carriage to Charlestown. There were about 60 lodges in the procession, with Bro. John C. Soley, grandson of the Grand Master, as Chief Marshal. Grand Master Soley had dedicated the original monument in 1794 as Master of King Solomon's Lodge, and had presented the working-tools to the Grand Master in 1825 at the dedication of the monument.
  • 1895-186: Address of Welcome by Wor. Ernest C. Marshall, Master of King Solomon's Lodge.
  • 1895-190: Address by Grand Master Holmes.
  • 1895-193: Procession to the entrance of the Monument; laurel wreaths presented by the Governor, Grand Master, and Master of the Lodge.
  • 1895-194: Address by Governor Greenhalge.
  • 1895-199: A "most welcome" collation by King Solomon's Lodge at the Navy Yard.

• 08/27/1895: 1895-201; Boston. Review of the Knights Templar Parade and Escort to the Grand Encampment at the Triennial Conclave.
  • 1895-202: Grand Lodge opened at the Masonic Temple.
  • 1895-204: Parade through Boston; Grand Masters of Massachusetts and Rhode Island received the salutes of various Commanderies passing in review.

• 10/16/1895: 1895-227; Boston, Union Hall at 48 Boylston Street. Deputy Grand Master S. Lothrop Thorndike presiding, as the Grand Master had departed for the Rocky Mountains to rest due to overwork. Special Communication to discuss the settlement of insurance claims due to the recent fire.
  • 1895-235: Report by committee appointed by the Board of Directors regarding adjustment with insurance companies, fixed at $88,880.86. The amount of loss of personal property was in the amount of $21,298.84.
  • 1895-236: Report of the Board of Directors, regarding the fire. The building was a total loss; even though the fire had been contained to the upper stories, the water damage and destruction of ornamental parts rendered the building unfit for use. Still, despite the anticipated expense of rebuilding, the increase in land value suggested that there would be no need to impose a debt burden upon the Fraternity as a whole, and the Board was authorized to sell the estate and purchase another for the purpose of building a new Temple. Masons present were enjoined "not to state to any person whatever the doings of this Grand Body at this time."

• 10/25/1895: 1895-242; Vineyard Haven. Dedication of the Masonic hall of Martha's Vineyard Lodge.
  • 1895-243: Procession by Grand Lodge into hall; welcome by Master of Martha's Vineyard Lodge.
  • 1895-243: Dedication of hall; remarks by Grand Master Holmes.
  • 1895-247: A "bounteous collation." The Master read a letter from one of the founders of the Lodge, Wor. Joseph T. James, now residing in St. Louis. Remarks by Grand Officers.

• 11/07/1895: 1895-248; Randolph. Dedication of the Masonic hall of Norfolk Union Lodge.
  • 1895-249: Procession by Grand Lodge into hall; welcome by Master of Norfolk Union Lodge.
  • 1895-249: Dedication of hall; remarks by Grand Master Holmes.
  • 1895-252: A "bountiful collation."

• 11/30/1895: 1895-253; Dorchester. Corner-stone laying for the Virginia Street Church.
  • 1895-254: Grand Lodge opened at Union (Dorchester). Procession to building site, escorted by Union Lodge.
  • 1895-255: Addresses by Rev. C.A. Knickerbocker, pastor, and Rev. James L. Pullman of Lynn.
  • 1895-255: Corner-stone laying ceremony.
  • 1895-256: Address by Grand Master Holmes.

FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST

(held at Masonic Temple, Boston, 12/27/1895)

• 1895-324: Opening and roll call.
• 1895-325: Installation of Grand Master Edwin B. Holmes "in manner and form according to the time-honored usage of this Grand Lodge." Installation of other Grand Officers.
• 1895-332: Report of Recording Grand Secretary: 2,412 Master Mason diplomas issued in 1895.
• 1895-333: List of lodges not represented in Grand Lodge in 1895, as well as the past 2-6 years (plus Aconcagua Valparaiso, not represented for the past 14 years).
• 1895-336: Feast of St. John, listing toasts and names of speakers:
  • 1895-336: Grand Master Holmes; remarks on the various fires that have taken place.
  • 1895-342: Rt. Wor. Charles T. Gallagher.
  • 1895-348: Rt. Wor. Solon W. Stevens.
  • 1895-354: Grand Chaplain Edward A. Horton.
  • 1895-361: Rev. Bro. George C. Lorimer.
  • 1895-370: Rt. Wor. Charles Levi Woodbury.
  • 1895-375: Past Grand Master Wells.
  • 1895-381: Past Grand Master and Recording Secretary Nickerson.

LIST OF LODGES IN MASSACHUSETTS BY DISTRICT: 1895

There were 28 districts in Massachusetts in 1895, as well as districts for Chile and China.

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