Difference between revisions of "Rabboni"

Revision as of 17:42, 8 December 2013 (view source) Hotc1733 (Talk | contribs) ← Older edit		Revision as of 02:35, 7 November 2014 (view source) Hotc1733 (Talk | contribs) Newer edit →
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	* ''Philip Nachinoff'', 1985		* ''Philip Nachinoff'', 1985
	* ''James C. J. Carcerano'', 1986		* ''James C. J. Carcerano'', 1986
−	* Ronald E. Burton, 1987	+	* Ronald E. Burton, 1987;  '''[http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAOtherBrothersB#BURTON.2C_RONALD_EUGENE_1936-2003 Mem]'''
	* ''John C. MacDonald'', 1988		* ''John C. MacDonald'', 1988
	* ''Stephen R. Somario'', 1989		* ''Stephen R. Somario'', 1989

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Revision as of 02:35, 7 November 2014

RABBONI LODGE

Location: East Boston; Dorchester (1896); Westwood (?)

Chartered By: William Sewall Gardner

Charter Date: 03/09/1870 1870-11

Precedence Date: 01/11/1869

Current Status: Active

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PAST MASTERS

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REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

• Petition for Dispensation: 1869
• Petition for Charter: 1870

ANNIVERSARIES

• 1944 (75th Anniversary)
• 1969 (Centenary)
• 1994 (125th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

• 1870 (Gardner; Constitution of Lodge and installation at Grand Lodge)
• 1872 (Nickerson; Hall dedication)
• 1873 (Nickerson)
• 1899 (Hutchinson)
• 1900 (Gallagher)
• 1902 (Gallagher; Hall dedication)
• 1906 (Blake)
• 1908 (Blake; 2 visits)
• 1911 (Flanders)
• 1913 (Benton)
• 1916 (M. Johnson)
• 1925 (Ferrell)
• 1926 (Simpson); not in Proceedings
• 1936 (Allen; Reception for the Grand Master of Pennsylvania; Special Communication)
• 1937 (Allen; Reception for Deputy Grand Master Ralph Lowe, Jr.)
• 1944 (A. Coolidge; 75th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 1969 (Jaynes; Centenary; Special Communication)
• 1983 (Berquist)
• 1987 (Ames)
• 1990 (Darling)
• 1994 (Lovering; 125th Anniversary; Special Communication, held in Boston)
• 1995 (Lovering)
• 1996 (A. Johnson)
• 1999 (Bauer)
• 2001 (Bauer)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1872 1881 1883 1889 1896 1898 1900 1901 1902 1909 1912 1913 1918 1923 1924 1926 1927 1928 1936 1937 1938 1947 1949 1950 1953 1964 1978 1984 2000 2001

HISTORY

• 1944 (75th Anniversary History, 1944-70; see below)
• 1969 (Centenary History, 1969-91)
• 1994 (125th Anniversary History, 1994-66)

75TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, APRIL 1944

From Proceedings, Page 1944-70:

By Right Worshipful Harry C. Black:

During the years immediately following the Civil War there was an inflation in values similar to that which followed our more recent World War I. The development of railroads in 1835, which was the first change in mode of transportation since Boston was first settled two hundred years before, began the transformation which was to awaken the sleepy provincial town to its destiny as the commercial and financial center of New England. The expansion which was necessary resulted in a movement into outlying sections. Among the sections greatly affected was South Boston. By the construction of bridges, and the extension of the street cars, then drawn by horses, this section was more closely linked to the city proper. During the decade between 1860 and 1870, when the steamships were landing over 20,000 immigrants on our docks each year, South Boston's population increased over fifty per cent and the taxable value of property more than doubled. Many important industries, such as iron foundries, glass works, shipbuilding, lumber and lead works, had surpassed the original fishing industry in numbers employed and annual earnings.

This is the background on which the curtain rises on the existence of Rabboni Lodge. In the latter part of 1868, when there were three Lodges in South Boston — Saint Paul's, Gate of the Temple and Adelphi — fourteen Masons met to discuss the advisability of establishing a new Masonic Lodge in that section. It seems to have been a typical American group, composed of some who had achieved great distinction in the business world, and others who took a more humble part in the daily life of the community. A glance at the list of occupations discloses a merchant, trader, sailmaker, machinist, manufacturer, oil refiner, lumber dealers, horticulturalist, insurance agent, undertaker and clerk. Among the businesses represented which we still find continuing today were the Hersey Mfg. Co., James Lumber Co. and Jenney Mfg. Co. Included in the group were Worshipful Richard M. Barker and Worshipful Benjamin T. Wells, Past Masters of Gate of the Temple Lodge. Right Worshipful Benjamin Pope, District Deputy Grand Master, was present at the preliminary meeting, but did not sign the petition as a member of the group. He did become a charter member, however, as did Worshipful Edwin Tilden, Past Master of Gate of the Temple Lodge.

As a result of this preliminary meeting, a petition was presented to the Grand Master, dated December 28, 1868, which was signed by thirteen of those who attended the preliminary meeting, and an additional seven. In accordance with the practice of that time, the petition bore the endorsement of Saint Paul's and Adelphi Lodges consenting to and the endorsement of Right Worshipful Benjamin Pope, District Deputy Grand Master of the Third District, recommending the establishment of the new Lodge. The Grand Master granted the dispensation on January 11, 1869, returnable at the March, 1870, communication of Grand Lodge.

On the next day, January 12, 1869, the petitioners met at the Masonic Hall, South Boston, where they received their dispensation, in which Worshipful Richard M. Barker was appointed Master; Richard Pope, Senior Warden; and Francis C. Hersey, Junior Warden. A committee presented a report nominating the following additional officers:

• Treasurer, Bro. Charles H. Hersey
• Secretary, Bro. George S. Carpenter
• Marshal, Bro. Winslow B. Lucas
• Senior Deacon, Wor. Benjamin T. Wells
• Junior Deacon , Bro. Charles L. James
• Senior Steward, Bro. George W. Kingman
• Junior Steward, Bro. Charles H. Bush
• Inside Sentinel, Bro. Francis C. Choate
• Tyler, Bro. Joseph S. Tilton

and they were unanimously elected. Of this first line of officers, the Senior and Junior Wardens, Senior Steward and Inside Sentinel ultimately served as Master. In 1877, the first Master who was raised in the Lodge was installed, and with one exception since then, our Masters have been chosen from among our own candidates.

The second Tuesday of the month was adopted for the regular meetings of the Lodge. Adelphi Lodge allowed the use of their jewels until our own could be procured. At this first meeting three applications for the degrees were received. Hezekiah S. Tilton, one of these three, was probably the first Mason made in Rabboni Lodge. He was raised May 18, 1869. At the first annual communication, December 14, 1869, it appears that twelve men had been raised, one passed and one awaited initiation. The Treasurer's balance was $95.00.

In March, 1870, the Lodge presented to Grand Lodge its application for a charter, with a copy of its By-Laws, one provision of which was that the membership was to be limited to one hundred.

On March 9, 1870, the Lodge met at the Masonic Temple in Boston and was constituted in Grand Lodge at its regular quarterly communication on that date. This is an unusual distinction and is described in the newspaper of that day as the only case of its kind. The Grand Master and Wardens installed the Master and Wardens of Rabboni Lodge. The Lodge then retired to an ante-room and eight newly raised Masons were proposed for membership. Conferring of the degrees at that time did not automatically include membership in the Lodge. This regulation continued until December 12, 1882.

From April 11, 1871, to May 14, 1872, the Lodge met at the Temple in Boston, during the rebuilding of the apartments in South Boston. At the close of the year 1872, the Lodge was composed of 37 members and owed the Treasurer $55.64 to balance accounts for the year just ended. Unusual expenses were incurred in connection with refitting the apartments, and the Lodge borrowed $500 from some of its members at seven per cent for refitting costs.

In 1873, the year of the great financial panic, the Lodge increased in membership to 62, and had a balance of cash on hand amounting to $377.92.

From the time when the apartments were rebuilt, the Lodge continued to grow slowly. In 1885 we had a membership of 93 and remained at or close to 100 for the following ten years. During this period, however, Lodge finances apparently gave considerable trouble. The Lodge frequently owed its Treasurer money and at times borrowed money from members. All of these monies were repaid. The Permanent Fund was established December 14, 1880, and at the last annual meeting had reached a total of over $10,000. November 18, 1894, the Lodge conducted the first Masonic funeral, for Brother Harry Jacob of Logan Lodge No. 490, Altoona, Pennsylvania, at their request.

In 1895, with a membership of 103, a balance due the Treasurer of $133.71 from the General Fund and a Permanent Fund, a large part of which had been borrowed for current purposes, the Lodge began the consideration of moving its location. The street cars of the city had been converted to electric power and many of the members began to move away from South Boston.

Union Lodge had been meeting at Freemason's Hall at Fields Corner and moved to Upham's Corner in 1892. On December 11, 1895, being assured of a hearty welcome by Union Lodge, permission was received from Grand Lodge to move to Wheelock Hall, Upham's Corner.

With the newspapers of the day featuring stories on the current Venezuela incident between Great Britain and the United States, and the Pope's offer to mediate; the fighting in Cuba between the insurrectionists and the Spanish; the 261st regular communication of Rabboni Lodge was held on January 16,1896, at Wheelock Hall, with Worshipful George A. Crawford in the East. Brother Tom Bond was probably receiving congratulations on the story which appeared in the morning paper that this old Boston ball player was to coach the Harvard nine for the current season.

In the next six years, the membership of the Lodge increased over fifty per cent although finances continued to be troublesome and there were several occasions in which the Treasurer was obliged to advance his own funds to balance accounts temporarily. However, on November 15, 1900, the Charity Fund was established and the Treasurer had a balance in the General Fund as well. At our last annual meeting, the Charity Fund amounted to over $7,500.00.

On April 17, 1902, with Worshipful Elnathan W. Haskell in the East, we met at the present apartments which we leased in connection with Union Lodge, St. Omer Commandery and Dorchester Chapter.

The new apartments were dedicated to the uses of Freemasonry on December 11, 1902, by Most Worshipful Charles T. Gallagher and a large Suite of officers of the Grand Lodge.

Here begins the more prosperous portion of the life of the Lodge. For the next 25 years the annual reports showed a steadily larger membership, and since 1904, the Treasurer has been able to devote his own funds to his own purposes. The first public installation of officers took place on January 10, 1908, with Worshipful Herbert M. Dodge as Installing Officer, assisted by Worshipful Benjamin S. Frost as Marshal. This was such an impressive ceremony and caused so much favorable comment that such installations have since been quite frequent.

During the next ten years the Lodge was honored by several visits by Grand Masters and other distinguished guests. On December 21, 1911, a Treasurer's jewel was presented to Brother George H. Alexander on the occasion of the completion of twenty-five years of service as the faithful and efficient Treasurer of the Lodge.

Most Worshipful Everett C. Benton, Grand Master, and Grand Marshal [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAGLGThacher George C. Thacher, Past Master of Rabboni Lodge, paid the Lodge an informal visit on June 19, 1913, and presented a gavel made of Cedar of Lebanon.

The officers of Union Lodge raised a candidate on February 17, 1916. On that occasion the Master presented Union Lodge a gavel. This fraternal visit was returned on June 13th of the same year, and it was the pleasure of the Master to accept a beautiful gavel from Union Lodge. This fraternal exchange is typical of the pleasant relations we have enjoyed with the other Masonic bodies at the apartments, though space does not permit the recording of each incident. On many occasions we have joined with the other Masonic bodies in attending Divine Worship, and in recent years this has become an annual custom.

Sixty members of our Lodge met the call to the colors occasioned by the outbreak of World War I and two made the supreme sacrifice for the country and ideals of their hearts.

Our regular communication of October 17, 1918, was postponed until October 23rd because of conditions caused by the influenza epidemic which raged at that time.

Honorable and Brother Joseph E. Warner, who was Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Massachusetts Legislature, was with us on December 18, 1919, on the occasion of the presentation of the State Flag to the Lodge. A careful search of our records and several telephone calls have failed to uncover the circumstances surrounding our acquisition of our National Emblem. If any Brother knows the circumstances, it should be reported to the Secretary in order that a note may be made of it in this brief historical digest.

The Kosmos Club, composed of Masons in the Armed Forces, were our guests at our regular meeting October 21, 1920. It is the first time in the history of the Lodge that the meeting extended into the following day, as the Lodge was closed at 12:15 A.M.

In 1921 the Lodge raised the largest number of candidates in its history. Eighty-nine men were raised by a line of officers which became accustomed to one or two special meetings every month. The first of a series of annual lobster dinners took place May 4,1921, and there were over 300 present to enjoy the dinner and the Minstrel Show which followed it.

The name of Brother Ingvard N. P. Holm first appears on the visiting and service committee in January, 1921, and he has served continuously since that time. In recognition of his material contribution to the happiness and well being of our members, he was presented a Distinguished Service Medal on June 16, 1938.

The first of a series of annual Old Timers' Nights was held December 21, 1922. Eleven members of the Lodge who had been in good standing twenty-five years or over were present.

Annual Past Masters' Nights were inaugurated on March 20, 1924, with Worshipful Maurice J. O'Connell in the East. These have become regular annual events and are anticipated with much pleasure by Past Masters and members alike. Worshipful Brother Herbert M. Dodge has attended to arrangements for these affairs for almost twenty years.

On November 15, 1925, the Building Fund was established and has grown to over $25,000 at our last annual meeting. A feature of the November, 1925, meeting was the presence of the Grand Master and the raising of a candidate by the Past District Deputy Grand Masters of the Fourth Masonic District. On the occasion of the annual meeting December 17, 1925, at which fifteen 25 year members were present, a new set of ofEcers' aprons was presented by Brother Henry Penn and a new Bible by Worshipful Ralph Lowe, Jr.

A unique occasion was the visit by Bredablick Lodge No. 880 of New York City on November 6, 1926. Our own Grand Master was also present to welcome our guests to Massachusetts. Our dinner was so well attended that we were obliged to use two banquet halls and 200 were unable to get into the lodge-room to see a candidate received on the Entered Apprentice Degree, with the work done in Swedish. Five hundred forty-nine did crowd into the lodge-room.

Veteran's Medals of the form approved shortly before by 
Grand Lodge were presented to Worshipful Benjamin A. Ham
and and Brother Thomas P. Curtis on November 17, 1927. Most
 Worshipful Dudley H. Ferrell subsequently presented one to
Brother Albert F. Conley at the Masonic Home on February 16,
 1928.
Veteran's Medals were subsequently presented to:


• Wor. M. J. O'Connell, April 17, 1930
• Bro. G. H. Alexander, April 16, 1931
• Bro. F. F. Farwell, May 19, 1932
• Bro. W. A. Woodward, Oct. 18, 1934
• Bro. T. F. Christian, Jan. 19, 1939
• Bro. J. C. Freeman, Mar. 16, 1939
• Bro. Thomas H. Bond, May 18, 1939
• Bro. John Ogden, Oct. 16, 1941

In recognition of his devotion to the Lodge in the capacity of Chaplain, Right Worshipful David L. Martin was elected to honorary membership on September 18, 1930. He has served this Lodge as Chaplain continuously since September, 1927, and has endeared himself to the entire membership by his meticulous attention to all the duties of that office.

The public installations of September 1932 and 1933 were unusually. well attended. Five hundred members, ladies and guests attended on September 21, 1932, and four hundred and fifty on September 27,1933. Entertainment consisted of dancing and refreshments.

In recognition of the completion of twenty-five years' faithful and efficient service as Secretary, Brother Arthur W. Hunt was presented a special Secretary's gold jewel on May 18, 1933.

Brother George H. Alexander was installed Treasurer on September 19,1935, for the 50th time. His term of office covered a period when the Lodge was located at its three different homes. He was well liked and all the members of the Lodge were anticipating the pleasure of celebrating the completion of fifty years' Service as Treasurer. He died on July 2, 1936, before that happy event was consummated.

A special communication was held on September 10, 1936, for the purpose of tendering a reception to Right Worshipful Harold N. Rust, Grand Master of Masons in Pennsylvania, who was raised in Rabboni Lodge on January 8, 1895, when we were at Wheelock Hall and while he was a student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Most Worshipful Claude L. Allen, Grand Master of Massachusetts, was present to welcome Right Worshipful Brother Rust to Massachusetts. During the course of the evening, a hand engrossed certificate of Honorary Membership, enclosed in a leather portfolio, and an enlarged framed photograph copied from his portrait taken when he graduated from M.I.T., were presented to Right Worshipful Brother Rust, who stated that it was his intention to place the gifts and copies of our Lodge notices in the archives of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. After his term as Grand Master of Pennsylvania, he served that Grand Lodge as Grand Secretary until his death on July 30, 1938.

On the occasion of a reception to Right Worshipful. Ralph Lowe, Jr., Deputy Grand Master, on February 18, 1937, he was presented with an engrossed certificate of Honorary Membership, to which he had been elected the month before, in recognition of his illustrious service to our Lodge and to Masonry in general. Most Worshipful Claude L. Allen was present on that evening and received engrossed resolutions of esteem. He was proposed for Honorary Membership, to which he was elected the following month.

The Life Membership Fund was established on April 21, 1938, by transferring from the Permanent Fund the total amount received during our history from life membership fees, $2,445.00, at which total it now stands.

September 21, 1938, will long be remembered, not only because it was the occasion of the annual meeting of our Lodge, but also because of the tropical hurricane which visited us at that time. It did not, however, succeed in postponing the installation of officers, even though it did delay the proceedings until late, in the evening.

Right Worshipful Harry C. Black was elected an Honorary Member on March 16, 1939.

Preparations were first begun for the celebration of our 75th anniversary on September 19, 1940, by appropriating $150 from the General Fund. This was followed by appropriations of $225 on September 18, 1941, and $125 on September 17, 1942. A committee was appointed on November 21, 1940, to make the necessary arrangements for the celebration. In addition to appeals for assistance from members of our own Lodge, we have been happy to be able to contribute liberally to the sufferers from the Chicago and Chelsea conflagrations, Galveston disaster, Mississippi flood and such Grand Lodge projects as the Masonic Home and Hospital, the Grand Masters' Rainy Day Fund and the War Service Fund. Twenty-nine of our members have answered the call to the country's colors in the current World War. Our prayers for their safe return are with them always.

Many Grand Masters have honored our Lodge by their presence at our meetings or affording us the pleasure of their company at many of our Ladies' Nights. They also honored us by the appointment of the following Past Masters:

• R. W. Ralph Lowe, Jr. Deputy Grand Master and District Deputy Grand Master
• R. W. William H. Puffer, District Deputy Grand Master
• R. W. George T. Wiley, District Deputy Grand Master
• R. W. Harry C. Black, District Deputy Grand Master
• R. W. David L. Martin, District Deputy Grand Master

Right Worshipful George C. Thacher also served as Grand Marshal and was elected Senior Grand Warden.

Right Worshipful Ralph Lowe, Jr., has also been honored by the presentation of the Henry Price Medal, the highest award of the Grand Lodge.

Fifty-five Masters have presided over the Lodge, twenty-seven of whom are still alive and members of the Lodge. Worshipful George A. Crawford, who now resides in California, is the Senior Past Master. He presided over the Lodge from 1894 to 1896. Worshipful Herbert M. Dodge, who served from 1898 to 1900, is next in line.

Five members of our Lodge attained the distinction of the 33° 
in Scottish Rite Masonry. They were:
 Wor. Richard M. Barker, our first Master; 
Bro. George S. Carpenter, our first Secretary
; R.W. Benjamin Pope, District Deputy Grand Master when Rabboni Lodge was 
formed and a charter member; 
Wor. Benjamin S. Frost, Master 1905 to 1906; and R.W. George C. Thacher, Master 1910 to 1911.

One thousand two hundred twenty-seven members have signed our by-laws. At our annual meeting in 1893, we numbered 96. For the following thirty-three years the number increased each year until we reached 730 in December, 1926, when the pendulum swung in the other direction and the roll grew shorter each year until we now count 446 members.

This historical sketch is necessarily incomplete. Only the high lights in our life have been touched upon in order that the reading should not exceed the time allotted. It is apparent that our forebears had their problems and solved them successfully. With devotion to our respective duties, we can look confidently forward to the consummation of a full and rich Masonic life. The following lines from The Ladder of St. Augustine by Longfellow seem to point the way:

"The heights by great men reached and kept
Were not attained by sudden flight
But they, while their companions slept,
Were toiling upward in the night."

OTHER

• 1870 ("Amicable arrangement with Gate of the Temple Lodge; 1870-68)
• 1895 (Petition to remove to Dorchester granted, 1895-314)
• 1896 (Participation in the centennial of Union Lodge, Dorchester, 1896-130)
• 1936 (Reduction of fees approved, 1936-130)

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GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

• Harry C. Black, DDGM, District 4 (Dorchester), 1937, 1938; N
• David Robert Holland, DDGM, District 6, 2009, 2010
• Alan Paul Koufos, DDGM, District 6, 2007, 2008
• Earl D. Leake, DDGM, District 4 (Dorchester), 1973, 1974; N
• Ralph Lowe, Jr., DDGM, District 4 (Dorchester), 1927, 1928; Deputy Grand Master 1937; N
• David L. Martin, DDGM, District 4 (Dorchester), 1943, 1944; Memorial
• John C. MacDonald, Jr., DDGM, District 4 (Dorchester), 1953, 1954; N
• John C. MacDonald, III, DDGM, District 4 (Dorchester), 1987, 1988
• Simon Nazarian, DDGM, District 4 (Dorchester), 1963, 1964; N
• Frank W. Pagano, Jr., DDGM, District 4 (Dorchester), 1993, 1994
• Nicholas S. Papadinis, DDGM, District 3, 2007, 2008
• William H. Puffer, DDGM, District 4 (South Boston), 1905, 1906; Memorial
• Ernest C. Sofis, DDGM, District 4 (Dorchester), 1983, 1984
• George C. Thacher, Grand Marshal 1912-1913, Senior Grand Warden 1915
• George T. Wiley, DDGM, District 4 (South Boston), 1919, 1920; Memorial

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DISTRICTS

1869: District 3 (Boston Highlands)

1883: District 4 (South Boston)

1927: District 4 (Dorchester)

1995: District 4 (South Boston)

2003: District 6

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LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges