Difference between revisions of "Meridian"

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		+	=== MEMORIALS ===
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		+	==== JOHN NICHOLS, 1790-1831 ====
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		+	''From Boston Masonic Mirror, New Series, Vol. 2, No. 33, February 12, 1831, Page 263:''
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		+	The funeral of Mr. John Nichols, whose death was noticed in the Mirror of the 29 ult. was attended on Sunday afternoon, 30th at Newton, Lower Falls, by a large concourse of citizens. He was interred with Masonic honors, under the direction  of the Boston Encampment of Knights Templars, of which he was a beloved  and valuable member. The number of Masons present was about two hundred. The procession formed at the Masonic Hall and moved to the late residence of the deceased, where the corpse was received  and conveyed  to the Episcopal Church: two Master Masons; two Royal Arch Masons and two Templars, with their appropriate regalia, officiating as Pall Bearers.
		+
		+	At the  church, the usual  funeral ceremonies were performed; and an appropriate and affecting discourse was delivered by Rev. Mr. [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAGLABaury Baury]. "The circumstances attending the death of this gentleman were of the most melancholy and appalling nature. Cut off in a moment by the irresistible power and uncontrollable operation of a water-wheel in his own mill, in the full vigor of life and in the midst of his usefulness, he has left a bereaved widow and young family to mourn the awful event of a sudden and inscrutable Providence. It is but justice to the memory of the deceased to say, that in the various relations which he sustained in society, his probity, benevolence, and active usefulness, had procured him the confidence and esteem of a numerous circle of acquaintances to whom his noble philanthropy, ardent sincerity, and generous disinterestedness had endeared him by the strongest ties of friendship and affection. In him without exaggeration  may it be said, the poor and be that had none to help him, found a friend and benefactor. As a devoted, affectionate husband, an anxious and faithful parent, the loss to his family is irreparable. Over the different societies of which he was a member, his untimely death  has diffused a deep gloom, while it has filled the hearts of his relations and numerous friends wish mourning and melancholy regret."
	=== GRAND LODGE OFFICERS ===		=== GRAND LODGE OFFICERS ===

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Revision as of 12:15, 17 May 2013

MERIDIAN LODGE

Location: Watertown; Needham (1811); Newton Lower Falls (1824); Watertown (1835?); Newton Lower Falls (1843); Natick (1852)

Chartered By: Paul Revere

Charter Date: 12/12/1797 II-112

Precedence Date: 12/12/1797

Current Status: Active

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NOTES

Meridian Lodge was originally chartered in Watertown and removed several times before arriving at its present site in Natick.

Includes Maugus Hill Lodge, chartered 1957, merged 1999.

PAST MASTERS

Underlined Entries are living PMs

See also the Past Masters of Maugus Hill Lodge, which merged into this Lodge in 1999.

According to the Wikipedia entry, General Charles Rice (1787-1863) was a selectman in Newton Lower Falls. He became a member of this Lodge in 1822 according to Grand Lodge records, and was Master during most of the period for which the Lodge has no records. He is buried at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Newton Lower Falls.

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YEARS

1797 1811 1820 1824 1827 1843 1862 1869 1870 1875 1876 1881 1884 1889 1890 1895 1898 1904 1907 1909 1911 1912 1913 1920 1922 1924 1925 1927 1932 1933 1936 1937 1939 1940 1941 1947 1949 1952 1964 1965 1973 1976 1979 1980 1981 1987 1989 1991 1993 1994 1997 1998 1999 2004 2005 2008 2011

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EVENTS

RETURN TO MEETING, MAY 1843

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. I, No. 9, July 1843:

Framingham, May 11, 1843.

Br. Moore :—Will you allow me room in your Magazine to say, that Meridian Lodge, at Newton Lower Falls, (formerly at Needham,) after a considerable period of inaction, has been recently put in working order, and the Brethren an again assembling around the sacred altar of Friendship, Unity and Brotherly Love. The Lodge held a regular meeting on Wednesday evening, the 10th instant, when the officers elect, for the ensuing year, were duly installed according to ancient usage, by R. W. Jona. Greenwood, D. D. G. M. for the 4th District. The Installation services being concluded, at 8 o'clock the doors were opened to the public, when an interesting and appropriate discourse was pronounced by Rev. Br. Wm. Barry, of Framingham. The services were enlivened by singing, in which many joined with voice and heart; and were concluded with Prayer by Br. J. O. Skinner, of Framingham, and a benediction by Rev. Br. Baury, of Newton. The Brethren of the Lodge, and visiting friends, afterwards partook of a collation, and separated with renewed attachment and zeal for Ancient Freemasonry. The Brethren at Newton have a good Hall, over the Hotel of Br. Nath'l Wales, and they seem to be turning their whole hearts towards the upbuilding and decorating of the desolated walls of their spiritual Jerusalem. May peace and prosperity ever be with them, and the wisdom of the Great Archi¬ tect, and his abounding goodness, guide them, in all their labors and crown them with abundant success!

Yours, Fraternally, J. O. S.

PRESENTATION, DECEMBER 1857

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XVII, No. 3, January 1858:

Br. C. W. Moore, — In compliance with a vote of Meridian Lodge, I have enclosed to you the address of Br. B. F. Bowles and the Worshipful Master's reply (for the Freemasons' Magazine.) The address was suggested by the presentation of a beautiful silver Pitcher and Salver, purchased by members of the Lodge, at a cost of forty dollars.

The gift was well merited ami justly deserved. Br. Babcock has served as W. Master since the Lodge was established at Natick, except one year, and although living some distance from the place of meeting, he has seldom been absent.

Yours truly, J. B. Fairbanks, Sec'y. Meridian Lodge.
Natick, Dec. 9th, 1857.

Worshipful Master. — As the servant of members of Meridian Lodge, and with great pleasure to myself, permit me, so far as my imperfect words may enable me, to give utterance to the sentiments of respect and esteem we cherish for you.

For your many good qualities as a man and a citizen, — qualities, which, while they secure the faithful discharge of your duties as such, give the best and most beautiful expression to the principles of our beloved Order, and thus secure for it a just respect, — for these we honor you.

The untiring zeal with which you have so long labored to promote the interests of our Fraternity, and thus of the world ; your industry in acquiring the know ledge of our sacred mysteries requisite to success in this ; and especially to fit you to instruct and govern us as our Master, have elicited our highest admiration.

For the justice, fidelity to the laws of Masonry, and the urbanity with which you have discharged the varied functions of this office, we thank you.

Let the pleasure we all derive from this expression of our sentiments, be the ex cuse for this frankness, and for the wounds we thus inflict upon your proverbial modes ty So long careful for our happiness, we trust you would not deprive us of this.

And now, beloved Brother, as a more tangible and lasting expression of these sentiments, receive this plate.

When in your home it shall greet your eye, may it be suggestive of the greeting that shall ever wait in our hearts for you.

As from these articles you receive the blessings of life, permit us to hope that you will take therefrom the memory and assuranco of our love. And if they shall be so kept and honored as to descend to your children, or children's children, may they speak to them of the fraternal love and appreciation of virtue that should be ever found in the hearts of Masons. And may the Grand Master of us all, bless thee and thine forever.

Brethren of Meridian Lodge: — It is true that I have endeavored to manifest some interest in our Fraternity. When greater or more immediate interests would permit, I have attended our communications. So far as abte I have sought the preparation necessary to make myself of some use while here. If as you have so kindly intimated I have in any degree been succesful, the thought now gives me the greatest pleasure.

You know I am no speech-maker ; I cannot make one now ; but let me assure you that for this manifestation of your confidence, for these words of approval, and for this rich gift, I am grateful.

HALL DEDICATION, JULY 1875

From New England Freemason, Vol. II, No. 7, July 1875, Page 359:

Dedication of a new Masonic Hall at Natick, Mass. — R.W. Charles A. Welch, Deputy Grand Master, assisted by the officers of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, dedicated the new hall of Meridian Lodge to the purposes of Freemasonry, in due form, on Friday evening, July 16th. The ceremony was attentively observed by a numerous assembly of ladies and members of the Craft. A quartette of male and female voices rendered very beautifully the musical portion of the exercises. The Deputy Grand Master closed the services with an oppropriate address, commending the brethren for the zeal, good taste and liberality manifested in the preparation of the new apartments, so much superior to those which were destroyed by fire a few months ago. He urged upon them increased zeal in perfecting the inner life of Masonry, that it might correspond with the outward beauty and adornment they were now to enjoy in their new halls.

The ladies and Brethren, to the number of about two hundred, then repaired to the banquet-hall and enjoyed an elegant collation. After a humorous speech from the Deputy Grand Master, the Grand Officers hurried away to take the train, and arrived in Boston about 11 o'clock.

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MEMORIALS

JOHN NICHOLS, 1790-1831

From Boston Masonic Mirror, New Series, Vol. 2, No. 33, February 12, 1831, Page 263:

The funeral of Mr. John Nichols, whose death was noticed in the Mirror of the 29 ult. was attended on Sunday afternoon, 30th at Newton, Lower Falls, by a large concourse of citizens. He was interred with Masonic honors, under the direction of the Boston Encampment of Knights Templars, of which he was a beloved and valuable member. The number of Masons present was about two hundred. The procession formed at the Masonic Hall and moved to the late residence of the deceased, where the corpse was received and conveyed to the Episcopal Church: two Master Masons; two Royal Arch Masons and two Templars, with their appropriate regalia, officiating as Pall Bearers.

At the church, the usual funeral ceremonies were performed; and an appropriate and affecting discourse was delivered by Rev. Mr. Baury. "The circumstances attending the death of this gentleman were of the most melancholy and appalling nature. Cut off in a moment by the irresistible power and uncontrollable operation of a water-wheel in his own mill, in the full vigor of life and in the midst of his usefulness, he has left a bereaved widow and young family to mourn the awful event of a sudden and inscrutable Providence. It is but justice to the memory of the deceased to say, that in the various relations which he sustained in society, his probity, benevolence, and active usefulness, had procured him the confidence and esteem of a numerous circle of acquaintances to whom his noble philanthropy, ardent sincerity, and generous disinterestedness had endeared him by the strongest ties of friendship and affection. In him without exaggeration may it be said, the poor and be that had none to help him, found a friend and benefactor. As a devoted, affectionate husband, an anxious and faithful parent, the loss to his family is irreparable. Over the different societies of which he was a member, his untimely death has diffused a deep gloom, while it has filled the hearts of his relations and numerous friends wish mourning and melancholy regret."

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

• Albert T. Ames, DDGM, District 23 (Natick), 1976, 1977; Grand Marshal 1978-1980; Senior Grand Warden 1981; Grand Master 1987-1989
• Arnold H. Baker, DDGM, District 23 (Natick), 1960, 1961; N
• Burns L. Fish, DDGM, District 23 (Natick), 1944, 1945, 1946; Memorial
• Charles C. Henry, District 21 (Framingham), 1896, 1897; Memorial
• James Downs, DDGM, District 21 (Framingham), 1906, 1907; Memorial
• William S. McRobert, DDGM, District 23 (Natick), 1928, 1929; N
• Edwin C. Sloper, DDGM, District 23 (Natick), 2000, 2001
• George J. Townsend, DDGM, District 4 (Cambridge), 1878, 1879, 1880; SN
• Alfred B. Underwood, DDGM, District 23 (Milford), 1924, 1925; Memorial
• Henry Gage Wood, District 21 (Framingham), 1885, 1886, 1887, 1888; Junior Grand Warden 1889

DISTRICTS

1803: District 1 (Boston)

1821: District 9

1834: District 1

1849: District 4

1867: District 4 (Cambridge)

1883: District 21 (Framingham)

1911: District 23 (Milford)

1927: District 23 (Natick)

2003: District 15

2009: District 15 (North)

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LINKS

Lodge web site

Massachusetts Lodges

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The curator for this page is Brother Geoff Turi. Please direct informational updates and questions to him.