RandallSpeeches

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SPEECHES OF GEORGE RANDALL

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SPEECHES

AT THE RAILROAD JUBILEE, SEPTEMBER 1851

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XI, No. 1, November 1851, p. 9:

In our last number we gave a brief notice of the Levee given by the Grand Lodge at the Masonic Temple in this city, on the 15th September, in honor of distinguished Brethren from Canada and the adjacent Stetes, who had come to this city to unite in the great three-days' Railroad Festival. Among the visitors present at the Temple, were Sir Allan MacNab, Provinciai Grand Master for Canada West, ancl seyeral other Provincial Grand Offflcers. The guests having been introduced to the Grand Master anrl taken their seats, Bro. Randall. Dep. Grand Master, rose and spoke, in substance, as follows:-

Most Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, antl distinguished, visiting Brelhren:-

The Most Worshipful Grand Master, of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, has requested me, as his Deputy, to perform the duty of bidding you welcome, on this interesting occasion. A duty, which I shall proceed to discharge with diffidence and yet with confidence. With diffidence, because, I would, that this duty had devolved upon one, older in years, and older in Masonry tlran myself,- with confidence, because, I know, I speak the sentiments of every member of the Grand Lodge, and of the Fraternity throughout this Commonwealth, when I bid you a welcome, - a hearty welcome, - a Masonic Welcome to the capital of this State, to this Temple of Freemasonry,- and to the hearts and the hospitalities, of all the Brethren here present.

I have called this an inreresting occasion, for such it is to us, hoth as citizens and as Masons. As citizens, we can but feel a lively interest in an event; which commemorates the completion of a great work of internal improvement, that brings into near neighborhood, two such nations as England, represented by her Canadian Provinces, and the United States.

The completion of a Railroad, that shall connect this State with Canada, is an event, in a commercial point of view, which cannot but be of very great importance to both communities.

As a demonstration of the advancement of science, and the triumph of art, which mark and treasure the progress of the present age, it is fraught with deep interest, to all who are concerned for the present and future welfare of these two great and growing nations, which border upon each other.

From a political and moral point of view, the completion of such a work, is not less interesting, to all who desire the perpetuity of the bonds of peace, which have linked these two great governments together, A Locomotive, which shall run from Boston to Quebec, without stopping, except to take breath, is worth more than the best constitution of a Peace Society, that ever was written. How proper and right, to see two such nations as England and the United States, embracing each other with wrought iron arms, rather than striving to destroy each each other with hot iron balls.

By such increased facilities of commnnication, the people of the Provinces and the people of the States, are brought more frequently together, and we only need to know each other better, to love each other more. It will surely require a very serious cause to involve such nations, with interests so great and mutual, connected by an acquaintance so intimate, in the terrible work of destructive violence.

But there is another feature, whieh lends an interest to this occasion. What people is it, that are the guests of our city?-and who are they whom we have met, tonight, to welcome,- and whence do they come? They are the subjects of our mother country. Yes, of our mother country. To these distinguished guests, we sustain the endearing relation of Brethren. We have descended, with them, from a common ancestry; - we speak a common language; we call their mother our mother; for from her we received, not oniy our coionial existence, but from her we have derived, in a great measure, our Iiterature ;- she taught us our earliest lessons in Science and the Arts,- and through her, has come to us, our Holy Religion. Nor is it too much to say, that she gave to our fathers the seeds of civil liberty, which they diligently sowed in the soil of this ner world, whose plants their descendants have carefully cultivated, until they have ripened into the fruit, such as is now seen in the form of the present institutions of our country.

But England is, moreover, our mother, in a Masonic point of view. From her we derived the principles and the Institution of Freemasonry. As early as 1733 the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was organized by a cornmission - from the Grand Lodge of England. This was the first truly organized body of Freemasons, on this whole continent. From the Granil Lodge of Massachusetts, Masonry spread in every direction. In 1740 a Lodge was organized in Nova Scotia. Another was formed in Newfoundland in 1745, and a Lodge was organized in Quebec, before 1765, aII by commissions issued by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Here then we find another element of interest, imparted to this occasion, since we may not only welcome our Provincial guests as our Brethren, but as our Masonic Children.

This occasion is, moreover, one of especial interest to the Masonic Fraternity, since the Municipal hospitalities, which constitute the great feature of this festival, are, in a measure, founded upon, if they do not spring from a reciprocal commercial advantage. A strong bond has, indeed, been woven, which binds in Brotherhood, these two near and mighty neighbors; but we all know the mutability of all human arrangements; - we know the fallibility of all human arrangements:- we know how readily pride, or passion, or ambition, wili find an excuse for breaking alliances, and involving nations in fierce contests where the highest interests of both parties, are rashly sacrificed on tbe bloody altar of war. This change may come upon us. We have heard this evening, anil we have rejoiced to hear, t^heroar of cannon, which have been thundering from their brazen throats, the tones of welcome to the Governor General of Canada. The sublime spectacle has been witnessed, of the meeting of the President of the United States, and the chief Executive officer, of the English Provinces. The tirne may come, (but heaven forbid it,) when it may be most convenient for the Governor General of Canada to remain at home, and for the President to stay in Washington, while these cannon, which are now employed in the joyful work of welcome, shall be charged with something more than powder and flannel, in the work of destroying the property and the lives of men, as enemies, whom, we are happy, tonight, to call our friends and our Brethren. But to us, as Masons, there can be no such utter alienation between us. The sword of 'State may madly cut the purse strings of national wealth and individual interests, but neither the sword of government, nor any other swotd, wielded by the national arm, or any other human arm, can cut asunder the heartstrings which bind the members of this Fraternity into one common Brotherhood. This point has been repeatedly and fully tested, Upwards of seventy-five years ago, the mother, of whom we have spoken, and her daughter, had a "falling out". The daughter thought that she was old enough, and wise enough, to set up for herself, and to have and take care of a family of her own. The mother did not think so; and they separated, the one from the other, and found themselves in very unpleasant relations. Some adhered to the mother, and others "took sides" with the daughter. Previous to this time, the Masonic Institution had been established in different parts of the country. During the revolutionary war, there were traveling Lodges connected with both the Ameriban and English armies. It happened on one occasion that the constitution and regalia of Unity Lodge, No. 18, held in the 17th British regiment, fell into the hands of Gen. Parsons. No sooner did he learn this fact, than he dispatched a messenger to the lines of the enemy, with these articles accompanied by a letter, in which he exhibited the noble qualities of a patriot soldier, and a true Mason.

On another occasion, when the Masonic chest, containing the regalia and furniture, belonging to a Lodge, attached to the 46th regiment, fell into the hands of the American army; Gen. Washington, as soon as he was apprized of the fact, ordered it to be immediately returned to that regiment, with a flag of truce, guarded by a file of soldiers, under the command of a distinguished officer. What spectacle could exhibit more clearly or illustrate more beautifully, the benign principle of this institution? Here were two armies drawn out, in deadly array, against each other: and yet, a portion of each, rneeting and bending over this Masonic chest, and mingling their tears of grateful emotion, when they found their hearts were bound together, in a mystic bond of Brotherly love. Yet each was loyal to his own country, and to his country's cause. They sacrificed nothing of duty, and nothing of patriotism, to the principles of the society of which they were Brethren.

And when some thirty years afterwards, the mother and the daughter, had another misunderstanding, (and such accidents will happen in the best regulated families,) the influence of the principles of Masonry to relieve the destitute and comfort the distressed, in the vicissitudes which necessarily attend a state of warfare betrveen nations, was repeatedly illustrated, without compromising, in the least degree, the allegiance which the citizen and the subject owes to the government, under which he lives. There are now men living, who experienced these benefits, during the last war, with England; it may be, that some of this class, are here present this evening. I was told, not long since, by a gentleman, who, at one time, during that contest, was engaged in privateering, that by the fortunes of war, he fell into the hands of the enemy; he soon found, that the captain to whom he had struck his colors was a Brother. As such, he was kindly treated, and made as comfortable, as was consistent with the circamstances, in which he was placed. He was subsequently landed at one of the British W. I. Islands, Bermuda, I think, auil ltere he found that.the Governor was also a Mason. He was introduced to the Lodge, where he sat, with his Brethren, evening after evening, while the two nations, here represented, were engaged in deadly conflict, Such was the number of prisoners, who had arrived before him, that his regular turn to be exchanged, could not come for some time;- but on the arrival of the very first cartel-ship, the Governor intimated to him, that he had better pack up his trunk anil take it down to the wharf and go on board the cartel and "say nothing to any body;" and he did so, and was soon on his joyful journey home, In all these instances, there was no sacrifice of patriotic duty. AII these parties and persons were loyal to their respective governments, as much so as they would have been, or could have been, had they not extended the hand of charity, and performed they kindly offices of Brotherly love, to Brethren in distress.

During the irrtroduction of our visiting Brethren, to the M. W. G. Master, I observed that some of our guests have come from other portions of the great Masonic: family;- one from the Grand Lodge of Ireland, and others from the Southern States of our own Union. It is a delightful thought, that Masonry knows no local distinctions. It has no East, but the Rising Sun; - no South but the meridian,-no West but the setting sun, and as to the North, it has none.

To you all, my Brethren, from wharever quarter you may have come, - I bid you, in the words, with which I began, a Welcome, a Hearty Welcome, a Masonic Welcome to the capital of this State, - to this Tempie of Freemasonry, - to the hearts and the hospitalities of all the Brethren here present.

RECEPTION OF LOUIS KOSSUTH, MAY 1852

From New England Craftsman, Vol. XVI, No. 5, March 1921, Page 158:

The following from the address of the Grand Master of Massachusetts, May 10, 1852, at the Masonic Temple, Boston, the occasion being the re-ption of cur distinguished Brother Louis Kossuth, the celebrated Hungarian patriot, is worth preserving as a matter of Masonic History of that state. M. W. G. M. Rev. Geo. M. Randall says:

Thus it is, that for ages, Freemasonry has been outlawed in many of 3 nations of Europe. In Portugal, in the last century, the "Bull" of the Pope declared Free-isonry to be heresy, and the horrors of the Inquisition were held up as terror to all, who should presume to declare themselves members of the aternity.

In Spain, Pope Clement the 12th issued a decree in 1737, pronouncing the punishment of death, against all who should be found guilty of practising the rites of our Order. In 1740, Philip the 5th declared the galleys for life, or punishment of death, the award for Freemasons; a large number of whom, he caused to be sentenced, after undergoing a long confinement in the prisons of the Inquisition. In 1751, Ferdinand the 6th declared Freemasonry high treason, punishable with death. When the troops of France took possession of Spain, in 1807, Masonry was relieved from the power of the oppressor,— Lodges again assembled under the protection of Joseph Bonaparte, who had been Grand Master in France. The Grand Lodge of Spain met in the very hall, previously occupied by their enemies of the Inquisition. On the fall of Bonaparte and the restoration of Ferdinand the 7th, came the return of the Jesuits, the reorganization of the Inquisition, and the exterminating process against Freemasonry. As late as 1824, a law was passed requiring Masons to deliver up all their papers and documents, or to be decreed traitors. It is said that in 1827, seven members of a Lodge in Grenada, were executed. The Order is at present pursuing its objects without molestation.

In Austria, Freemasonry is scarcely known.

In Russia, Lodges were founded at St. Petersburg and Moscow in 1786, and during the reign of Alexander, who was himself initiated in 1803, the Institution was in some degree prosperous; but on the accession of Nicholas to the throne, the light of Masonry was extinguished, and the Institution is scarcely known throughout the wide dominions of this proud oppressor.

In 1785, there were several Lodges in Hungary. What may be the condition of the Fraternity in that land, which has been the scene of struggles, on which the world has been looking, for the last three years, with the profoundest interest, I am not able to say.

In Prussia, where the principles of civil liberty have made some progress, and the general intelligence of the people has been encouraged, our Institution has been fostered. In Bohemia, that spot of Northern Europe, bright with the rays of active intellect and civil liberty, Masonry is in a comparatively flourishing condition.

In France, the history of this Society has been almost as diverse as the history of the country. In revolutionary times the Lodges were closed. At other periods it has been flourishing. The Prince President, a short time since though himself a Mason, determined to suspend the operation of the Lodges. He has since however, allowed them to proceed with their work; a cousin of the President (Prince Lucien Murat) having been elected Grand Master.

In Kossuth's reply he says:

As to my own country, the members of the House of Austria have ruled my native land, by our own free choice, for three centuries; and only Joseph II. had the reputation of being a Mason, and promoting the Masonic Fraternity. Freemasonry then flourished in Hungary, but it has since been put down. One principle you have alluded to, M. W. — Brotherly love; it was forgotten by our oppressors. All has vanished like a dream, and taken no deep root in the soil of my nation. It was torn up by the hand of violence. Few, very few Lodges exist in Hungary, so far as I know — scarcely three. When called, a short time since, to be Governor, I know the times were then too full of danger, for Masonry to prosper—for they were sharp times to us all, full of danger, full of trials, and were not such as to enable men to patronize our institution.

FEAST OF ST. JOHN, DECEMBER 1852

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XII, No. 5, March 1853, p. 151:

[Business Address by the M. W. Geprge M. Randall, before the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, Dec. 27, 1852.]

A kind Providence has permitted us to assemble, once more, within the walls of this beautiful Temple, to enter anew upon the duties, which pertain to the Legislative and Executive authority of the Grand Lodge of this Commonwealth. In doing so, it will be well to pause, for a moment, and review the doings of the year, which has Just borne its final record to eternity.

The first emotion, which such a review should beget, is that of devout gratitude to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, who has blessed us in the continued enjoyment of those rich favors, wherby we have possessed the means of happiness in ourselves, and of promoting the happiness and usefulness of others.

In connection and in contrast with this manifestation of the kind regard of Heaven towards us, we are reminded of others, who have not been allowed to share with us in the enjoyment of these signal favors. As I look around this assemblage of our Fraternity, I behold seats, vacant, which, at our last annual communication were filled by Brethren, who, at that time, were in the full enjoyment of life, and participating with us in the labors and pleasures of out annual gathering. He who one year ago, presided in the West, with so much dignity and with so much acceptance; whose life and character, as a citizen, and whose experience and fidelity as a Mason, secured for him, the high regard of his Brethren, has been removed by death. The frost of age had begun to silver his locks, yet the summons came, at an unexpected hour; and though the call was sudden, we believe, that it did not find him unprepared.

But the shafts of the destroyer strike not alone those who have reached the appropriate age of man. Another of our number, in the years of early manhood, who sustained with great credit the office of Junior Grand Lecturer, has been called, by the Master above, away from the scenes of this lower life. Few members of the Fraternity have been distinguished by a more accurate) and ready knowledge of the lectures. Our late Brother has left to his friends and Brethren, the reputation of an upright man and an accomplished Mason.

When I turn from these posts of active duty, to the East, I am reminded of one, who was with us] at the installation of the officers of this Grand Lodge a year ago. Those who were present on that occasion, well remember the stirring tones of his eloquence, as he spoke of the days when he bore the banner of our Order, in the face of the foe that threatened to desecrate and destroy all that pertained to the distinctive principles of this ancient Fraternity. He held the responsible office of District Deputy Grand Master when the violent storm of persecution burst forth, and raged with terriffic fury. Undaunted, he did hie duty, and he did it well. He too has finished his labors. His body has been committed to the dust as it was, and his soul hath gone to God who gave it.

Within a few weeks, another who, though not a member of this Grand Lodge, was once elected its Grand Master, which office he declined, has been summoned into eternity. By his talents and position he rendered essential service to our Order in the dark days of trial. He stood forth manfully in the Legislature of this State, when our Institution was assaulted, and nobly defended its rights. His memory will be held in grateful remembrance, by his Brethren. During the past year, a Past Warden, and permanent member of this Grand Lodge, has also gone the way of all the earth; to whose memory the Grand Lodge bore honorable testimony, in the resolutions, which were unanimously passed at its last meeting.

Surely, facts like these, should admonish us, to diligently improve that brief period which yet remains of our alloted sojourn on earth, in discharging, with conscientious fidelity, the duties that devolve upon us; that we may answer the great purposes of our existence, by honoring our Creator and Redeemer, in striving to promote the welfare of our fellow-men, and in preparing for a blessed immortality, beyond the grave.

The Masonic year which has just expired, has been marked by a degree of prosperity, which should inspire us with encouragement, though it be not unmixed with some measure of anxiety. When you were pleased to call me to preside over the interests of the Fraternity in this Commonwealth, it was at a propitious period in its history. An administration had just closed, in whose measures it had been my happiness, in some degree, to participate, and in all of which I most cordially concurred. On no important matter was there any essential difference of opinion among those who were officially associated in the administration of the affairs of the Fraternity. It affords me pleasure to say, that so far as I know, the same fraternal feeling still exists, and the same degree of zeal characterizes the labors of the Brotherhood.

NEW LODGES.

During the past year, I have granted Dispensations for new Lodges, in East Boston and Lowell. Baalbec Lodge, in East Boston, is now in successful operation. This is the second Lodge in that flourishing section of our city, and the amount of business which it is now doing, is indicative of a very favorable state of public feeling towards our institution. Ancient York Lodge, in Lowell, is now working under a Dispensation. Charters have been granted to Franklin Lodge, Grafton, and to Ashler Lodge, Rockport. Charters have been returned to Merrimac Lodge, Haverhill, and to Plymouth Lodge, Plymouth. Meridian Lodge has been removed from Newton to Natick, under very favorable auspices. Republican Lodge has been removed from Gill to Greenfield, where a new and beautiful Hall has been fitted up, and dedicated to the purposes of the Craft.

OUR PROSPERITY.

The returns from the several Masonic Districts, exhibit a degree of prosperity, which, if not altogether unprecedented, yet is sufficiently great, to indicate that a wholesome change in public opinion has been wrought, and that our Institution has regained, in no inconsiderable degree, the confidence of the intelligent. It appears by the returns that three hundred and thirty persons have been initiated, during the past year.

OUR DANGER.

The fact that all men in this evil world speak well of us, is no very promising omen. Success sometimes produces an intoxicating effect The rapid increase of numbers, not unfrequently begets a morbid desire for still larger accessions, and when such a passion becomes fixed, the most disastrous effects are sure to follow. Some of the Lodges have been, during the past year, pressed with work; having six and eight candidates before them at one time. I must repeat the caution, which I took occasion to give, at our last annual meeting, touching the duty of investigating, thoroughly, the moral qualifications of candidates and of exercising with fearless fidelity, the right which belongs to the humblest member of the Fraternity, of preventing, by his ballot, the admission of an unworthy candidate,

REPORTS OF DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTERS.

The Constitution of the Grand Lodge requires, that the District Deputy Grand Masters shall make annual returns of the number of initiations, &c. together with the names of the members of the Lodges, in their several jurisdictions. While this may be sufficient for all general purposes of statistical information, yet, it is very desirable that each District Deputy should make a report, in writing, independently of his ' Annual Return,' giving an account of the general state of the Lodges in his District One such report was made this year, and it is to be hoped this example will be followed.

AUTHORITY OF DISTRICT DEPUTIES.

For reasons, which it is not necessary for me to advert to, at this time, it may not be improper for me to say, that the District Deputy represents the Grand Master and is to be received and accepted as such, whenever he makes an official visitation. His commission is his authority. When he visits a subordinate Lodge, and exhibits this commission, the authority of the Grand Lodge is represented by him, and the dignity of the Grand Lodge is to be respected in the reception given to its duly authorized representative.

GRAND LECTURERS.

The vote of the Grand Lodge, authorizing and directing the appointment of a District Grand Lecturer, for each Masonic District, has been carried into execution during the past year. These Lecturers are required to meet, once a year is this Temple, for the purpose of instruction in the work and lectures under the direction of the two Grand Lecturers. The measure is a good one, and the experiment has been, in some degree, successful. But unless this duty be strictly attended to, the benefits which were anticipated from this new measure, will fail to be realized. There must be frequent instruction, and careful comparison of work, in order to ensure correct knowledge and perfect uniformity.

STANDARD Of WORK.

I take this occasion, to remind the Brethren, that their Work is in all respects to conform to that of the Grand Lodge, as exemplified and taught by tht Grand Lecturers. There must be uniformity, and there can be but one standard. The Grand Lodge alone, has authority, in this matter. By the Constitution, the Grand Master is empowered and required to appoint, annually, two Grand Lecturers, whose duty it is to exhibit and teach the work of the Order. If any material difference should arise between any of the subordinate Lodges, their officers or members, and the Grand Lecturers on these points, the teaching of the Grand Lecturers is to be followed, until the question of difference be decided, by the Grand Master or by reference to the Grand Lodge. Lodges of Instruction should exercise the utmost care in the matter of giving the Lectures and exemplifying the 'Work' correctly. They must follow the instructions of the Grand Lecturers, and in case of disagreement, they will appeal to the Grand Master, who will either determine the point, or refer it to the Grand Lodge.

Itinerant Lecturers from other States are not to be encouraged, and where their Lectures differ, in any essential degree from that of this Grand Lodge, they are to be discountenanced. On this point I would call your attention to the regulations of this Grand Lodge, oontained in her Book of Constitutions.

Sec. 5. "No Lodge shall encourage, promote, or permit, the delivery of any Masonuc lectures, which have not been sanctioned and authorised by the Grand Lodge. Nor shall any Mason be permitted to deliver such lectures under this jurisdiction."

Every member of the Fraternity, in this Commonwealth, is bound to abide by the edicts of this Grand Lodge, and to work according to its Lectures, or not work at all. Every Mason who comes from other States to reside here, as well as he who connects himself with any subordinate Lodge here, places himself within this jurisdiction, and is bound to conform to all the principles and usages of the Institution, as received and enjoined by the Grand Lodge.

GRANTING DISPENSATIONS.

The power of granting Dispensations has been committed to the Grand Master, and his Deputies, for purposes connected with the welfare of the Fraternity. All to whom this power has been entrusted, should ever bear in mind, that the exercise of it, is the exception and not the rule. Such a prerogative, though necessary to the interests of the Order, may, nevertheless, be so exercised as to be productive of much mischief. Dispensations should be granted only for good and sufficient reasons. No specific rule ean be laid down for the exercise of this power; and its proper use, must therefore, be regulated by a careful coneideration of the circumstances of each oase. The officer who grands a Dispensation should be aware that this act, on his part, is a virtual declaration by his* that the circumstances of this particular case warrant a departure from the rule laid down by the Grand Lodge.

MASONIC QUALIFICATIONS OF CANDIDATES.

Connected with the matter of granting Dispensations, is the proper qualification of candidates; I speak now of their Masonic fitness. There is a wise reason for requiring a fixed interval, between the time of receiving the several degrees. The design of this regulation is, to enable the candidate to make suitable proficiency in one degree before he enters upon another. It was a custom in former times, to examine candidates in open Lodge, as to their proficiency, in the preceding degree. There is too much reason to believe, that due carets not always takenjo instruct candidates thoroughly, in what has preceded, be

fore they are advanced. Certain it is, that this cannot be done, unless sufficient time be allowed to elapse, between the conferring of the several degrees.

MASONIC LIBRARY.

The Grand Lodge, more than a year ago, appropriated one hundred dollars for the purchase of books, as a nucleus of a Masonic library. By a regulation, adopted about the same time, the Grand Master is directed to appoint annually, a Library Committee. The appropriation has been expended and the books are now here, and are ready to be delivered to the care of the Committee. I need not say, that one hundred dollars, will do but little, towards purchasing such a library of Masonic Books as we need. I would respectfully recommend, that appropriations be made from time to time,, fox this purpose, as the state of the treasury will warrant. The oldest Grand Lodge in this country should have a Masonic Library, second to nose in point of the number and character of its standard works.

LODGE MEETINGS.

Every thing connected with the ceremonies of our Institution, should be conducted with the utmost order and solemnity. The principles, we profess and teach are founded upon the great truths of the Bible. The Holy Book lies always open upon our altar. It is the light in which we profess to walk. The blessing of God is involved in our labors. We recognize His being and presence, and we implore His direction and aid. A Masonic Lodge is, therefore, no place for irreverence or frivolity. Order, sobriety and solemnity should mark all our proceedings, especially in the business of conferring the degrees, To this end it is very desirable, that the services of Chaplains where they can be had, should be secured, by every subordinate Lodge.

It should be the endeavor of all to cultivate that fraternal feeling, which we profess to entertain, and which, as true Masons, we are bound to illustrate in om intercourse with each other, and especially in all the doings of the Lodge room. In this connection, and as in some measure conducive to the promotion of fraternal feeling, I would commend to your attention the importance of cultivating the practice of suitable music in our Masonic meetings. We have excellent melodies, which when properly performed, increase the interest of our assemblies, making them more attractive, while they add materially to the impressiveness of our ceremonies.

FINANCES.

The receipts of the G. Lodge the last year, were $1793.08 — making an increase of $264.08 over those of the previous year. Of this sum the Lodges, in the first District, contributed $648.00. From this gross income about $400 have been paid into the Grand Charity Fund. This fund was incorporated in 1816. The Grand Lodge laid a tax of one dollar on each initiate, for the increase of this fund, and fixed the minimum fee for initiation at $19.00. At this period the annual fee from a subordinate Lodge to the Grand Lodge was $8.00 —and for each candidate $3.00 — which included the tax of $1.00 for the Grand Charity Fund.

In antimasonic times the Grand Lodge reduced the annual fee to $4.00. In 1843, the fee for each candidate was raised to $3.50. Since that time, the annual fee has been raised to $6.00, and the fee for each oandidate to $5.00. Of this sum of five dollars, one is a tax upon the candidate and not upon the Lodge. The Grand Lodge grant a diploma and certificate, free of expense, for which the subordinate Lodges usually charge $1.75, making $2.75 — leaving only $2.25 as a tax to the Grand Lodge, on each candidate.

In addition to the $400 paid from the revenue of last year to the Grand Charity Fund, about five hundred dollars have been appropriated to objects of charity, and in answer to applications from abroad. After defraying the ordinary expenses of the Grand Lodge a large portion of the balance was appropriated, at the last meeting, to the payment, in part, of the debt which the Grand Lodge owes to the Grand Charity Fund for monies received in those trying times, when the income of the Grand Lodge fell far short of meeting its necessary expenses. Its chief reliance at this period was upon the Grand Charity Fund, which loaned for this purpose (in addition to its previous loans,) at one time, the sum of fifteen hundred dollars. This indebtedness we are in honor bound to discharge. It is to be borne in mind that applications for charity are made to the Grand Lodge from all parts of the State, and it is important that we should have the means of meeting these applications' with a degree of liberality that shall promptly relieve the distressed and demonstrate to the world, that our professions of charity are something more than a pretence.

In connection with the matter of finances, it is proper to state that our Temple is still encumbered with a heavy mortgage. I need not say that it is for the interest of the Institution in this Commonwealth, to remove this encumbrance as soon as practicable. The income from the rent of the several apartments last year was only sufficient to pay its expenses and the interest on the moitgage. There has been a very considerable falling off in the rent of the large lecture room, owing to the increase of commodious public halls in the city. The several Masonic Institutions pay for the use of the Masonic apartments one thousand dollars a ytar ; this is exclusive of gas and fuel. It is evident that no reliance can be placed upon the income arising from rents, to discharge this indebtedness. This subject commends itself to the consideration of all who feel an interest in the prosperity of the Fraternity. If the income of the Grand Lodge can be maintained at the present point, we shall be enabled to do something towards the consummation of this object. It should be understood that this Temple is the property of the Grand Lodge, and not the property of the Lodges in this city. They meet here only because it is convenient for them to do so, for which they pay an annual rent They are at liberty to remove at any time when it may suit their convenience. When our Brethren come up from the different parts of the Commonwealth to attend the meetings of the Grand Lodge, they should feel that here, within these walls, they are not visitors, but are at home in their own Temple.

Allow me in conclusion, to call your attention to the importance of carrying out more fully the practical charities of our Institution. Let us show to the world, by our doings, that our professions are founded in true principles. Let us so live in this world, that we fail not to hear from Him, who shall judge us according to our deeds, the welcome words: Well done good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful in a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

FEAST OF ST. JOHN, DECEMBER 1853

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XIII, No. 5, February 1854, p. 106:

In conformity with long established usage, as well as in compliance with the provisions of its Constitution, the Grand Lodge of this Commonwealth held a stated communication on the evening of the 27th of December last, being the anniversary of St. John the Evangelist, for the In stallation of its officers. The meeting, as is usual on that day, was well attended by the Brethren; and the ceremonies, which are always ob served with the solemnity due to them and the occasion, were of a highly interesting and impressive character. The officers having been duly installed, the M. W. Grand Master, the Rev. George M. Randall, of Boston, delivered, in his usual clear and distinct manner, the following interesting and appropriate Address.

Brethren of the Grand Lodge:—

It once more becomes my duty to address you on the return of this Anni versary, which, for so many years, has been observed, as a proper occasion for the ceremonies of installing the officers elected and appointed, into their respective offices. That duty has now been performed, and the usual proclamation has been made. The Grand Lodge is therefore fully organized and duly qualified to enter upon the duties which inherently belong to a Grand Lodge, and which constitutionally pertain to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.

A gracious Providence has permitted us again to assemble within these walls. But all are not here, who were of our number, one year ego. Since our last annual meeting, it has pleased the All-wise Ruler of the Universe to remove by death several of our Brethren, who have been associated in the Councils of this Grand Lodge.

Early in January last, our Brother Ferdinand E. White, who, for several years, was Deputy Grand Master, finished his course on earth. Honored and beloved by his Brethren, for the sterling virtues which distinguished his char acter as a man and a Mason, his death was a great loss to the Fraternity, in whose prosperity he took a deep and abiding interest.

Soon after the death of Br. White, another Brother, venerable and beloved, James A. Dickson, so long and so well known as one of the firmest friends of this Institution, and one of the most faithful of the Brotherhood, ceased his labors here. He was a permanent member of this Grand Lodge, and manifested up to the end of his life, a most lively interest in all things which pertained to the welfare of our Order.

Within a few weeks, another permament member of this Grand Lodge, has been numbered with the dead; I refer to our late Brother William Ferson, of Gloucester, who two years ago, was elected Senior Grand Warden. Highly respected in the community, where he resided, he has been "gathered to his fathers" in a good old age. He was an, upright man, a consistent Mason, and a firm friend to this Institution, when friends were needed. He was spared to see the society, which he so mnch loved, relieved from its trials and restored once more to the confidence of the community. His memory will be fondly cherished by all his Brethren who knew him.

Early in the month of October I received the painful intelligence, that our B. W. Br. Prentice Cushing, the District Deputy Grand Master for the third District, was very sick, and that no hope was entertained of his recovery, ren dering it necessary to appoint another in his place, in order that the visitations of the Lodges in that district might be completed, before the meeting of the Grand Lodge. I accordingly appointed R. W. Peter Lawson, of Lowell, District Deputy for the remainder of the Masonic year. In the course of a few weeks, our Brother Cushing was removed by the hand of death. He had filled the office of District Deputy for several years, and always with great acceptance. He has finished his labors on earth, and his soul, I trust, has entered upon the rewards of a better world.

Robert G. Shaw, a distinguished merchant of this city, and a member of our Fraternity, departed this life during the past year. He was formerly an officer of the Grand Lodge, and at the time of his death was one of the Trustees of the Grand Charity Fund. He was a firm friend of this Institution and stood by it manfully, in the dark and dreary days of trial. Such was his regard for the Or der, and such the confidence of the Brethren, in his integrity, that when it was apprehended, that the civil Charter of the Grand Lodge might be taken away by an act of the Legislature, this Temple, where we are now assembled, was placed in. his hands; and he firmly aqd faithfully held it, until the hur ricane of persecution had spent its violence, and quietness was once more re stored, when he transferred the property to a Board, known as the "Trustees of the Masonic Temple." The last lime that he was present at a meeting of the Grand Lodge, was on the occasion of the Centennial Celebration of the initiation of George Washington, on the 22d day of February last. It was his last visit to this place. I shall not soon forget, as he stood here, casting his eye over the adorned walls of this spacious apartment, with what evident satisfaction he re ferred to the time, when he served the Grand Lodge in the capacity to which I have already alluded. But he has gone hence. His loss will be felt by a large circle of friends both within and without the pale of our Fraternity.

Still another, within a few weeks, has been called, with scarcely a moments warning, to exchange the active duties of this world for the realities of the next. I refer to our late Brother Jonas Chickering, who, though not a member of this Grand Lodge, was a firm friend of Freemasonry,—whose character reflected honor upon our Institution, and whose virtues as a man and a Mason, were such as to make him an ornament to any society. His kindness of heart,—modesty of manner,—liberal charities,—and unswerving integrity, so happily illustrating the principles of our Order, together with a strong attachment to the several Masonic Institutions to which he belonged, entitle his memory to honorable mention in this place.

These departed Brethren will join our assemblies no more on earth ;—a solemn thought, full of profitable admonition.

CONDITION OF THE FRATERNITY.

I congratulate you my Brethren, on the present state of the Fraternity in this Commonwealth. The year just closed, has been one of almost unprecedented prosperity. According to the returns made by the District Deputy Grand Masters, it appears, that three hundred and seventy have been initiated, during the past year in eight Districts; no returns having been received from the 9ih District. Of which number, one hundred and eighty were in the first District. These simple statistics express more forcibly than any words of mine can do, the gratifying fact, that our Ancient Fraternity has secured a high place in the estimation and confidence of the community.

The general condition of the Lodges, in the several districts, so for as I have the means of knowing, is, with few exceptions, highly prosperous.

NEW LODGES.

On the 17th of August last, I granted a Dispensation to certain Brethren, to open a Lodge in Valparaiso, S. America. It is an interesting fact, that from the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, were issued the first Charters, for the organization of Lodges, not only in what is now the United States but in the British Provinces, and in the West India Islands. It was therefore not inappropriate, that our Brethren in other parts of this continent, living under another government, and speaking another language, should receive their authority to work, from that Grand Lodge, which, without any spirit of arrogancy, may justly claim to be the parent of Freemasonry in this Western world!

A Charter has been granted to Baalbec Lodge, East Boston, and to Ancient York Lodge, Lowell, both of which Lodges were spoken of in my last annual address, as working under Dispensations. On the evening of the 28th of April last, assisted by several members of the Grand Lodge, I constituted Baalbec Lodge, and on the 7th day of July, I constituted Ancient York Lodge, in Lowell, on which occasion I was assisted by several of our Brethren from Boston. I am hap py to say, that both these new Lodges afford satisfactory evidence that they are under excellent discipline, and so far as I am able to judge, bid fair to be second to none within this jurisdiction, in point of true Masonic success.

At the last meeting of the Grand Lodge, a petition was presented from certain Brethren in Newburyport, asking for the return of the Charter of St. John's Lodge, Which was surrendered some years since, in consequence of the violence of the Antimasonic warfare. By a vote of the Grand Lodge, the Charter has been restored, and we may expect, soon to see two thriving Lodges in this an cient town, which at a former period, ranked next to Boston, as the chief seat of Freemasonry, in this Commonwealth; having at that time, three Lodges, a Royal Arch Chapter, and an Encampment of Knights Templars.

MASONIC DISTRICT

Acting by authority of a vote of the Grand Lodge, passed at its last meeting, empowering me to revise the Masonic Districts, I have made such a revision as the interests of the Fraternity seem to call for. I have divided the Ninth District, which contained thirteen Lodges, several of which were located at remote points, into two districts, making Harmony, Northfield, Jerusalem, Northampton, Thomas, Monson, Republican, Greenfield, Mount Vernon, Belchertown, Humanity, Brimfield, Mount Tom, Holyoke, a new District, to be numbered Ten. The remaining six Lodges to constitute District number Nine.

I have also transferred Merrimack Lodge, Haverhill, and St. Matthew's, Andover, from the Second to the Third District.

DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND LECTURERS.

In accordance with the vote of the Grand Lodge authorizing and directing the appointment of a District Deputy Grand Lecturer for each District, I appointed at the commencement of the last year the District Deputy Grand Masters, as Lecturers in all the Districts, excepting the first and second, which were filled by the Grand Lecturers, who resided respectively in these Districts. From the experience of the last two years I am constrained to say, that the benefits anti cipated from the appointment of District Deputy Grand Lecturers have not been realized.

The regulation adopted by the Grand Lodge required the District Lecturers, to meet in Convention once a year, for the purpose of instruction in the Work and Lectures, under the immediate direction of the Grand Lecturers. But one such Convention has been holden. According to the regulation adopted by the Grand Lodge, no District Grand Lecturer is permttted to act in this capacity who hss not been approved by the Grand Lecturers; correctness and uniformi ty, in respect to the Work and Lectures, being essential qualifications for this office. This could not be secured, without, at least, one meeting in the course of the year, in connection with the instructions of the Grand Lecturers.

As the Grand Lodge devotes one entire day, annually, to the Lectures and Work, when all who desire information may be present and secure the benefits of that instruction, which is the standard authority ;—and as the services of the Grand Lecturers can, at any time be secured, at a moderate cost ;—and as the District Lecturers neglect to qualify themselves for their office, it may admit of serious question, whether it would not be judicious to repeal the measure alto gether.

DISPENSATIONS.

I must again call your attention to the matter of granting dispensations touch ing the time required for the initiation, passing and rawing of candidates. I observed in my last annual address that the power of granting such dispensations had been conferred upon the Grand Master and his Deputies, for purposes con nected with the welfare of the Fraternity, and that the exercise of this authority was the exception and not the rule. I am fully aware that, in some of the maritime districts of the State, cases frequently occur, for the legitimate exercise of this authority. But I have reason to believe, that dispensations are, not unfre- quently, asked for, and obtained, where no such urgent necessity exists, as would justify a suspension of the regulations of the Grand Lodge.

I notice in the returns of one of the Lodges, that during the past year, there were seventeen Initiations, twelve of which were by dispensation; and that too, in a part of this jurisdiction, where no special occasion existed, for the exercise of such a power, in consequence of the predominance of a seafaring population.

The manner in which these dispensations are sometimes requested, seeraa to imply, that but little more is required, than to ask as a privilege, what will be granted as a matter of right. There seems to be a misapprehension upon this subject, which the good of Freemasonry requires to be corrected. I must here take occasion to call the attention of the Subordinate Lodges, to the law relating to the granting of dispensations. This power belongs alone to the Grand Master. His Deputy and the District Deputies act for him, in his absence. The Constitution provides for the appointment of Deputies, purely as a matter of convenience. They are authorized to grant dispensations, solely on the ground of being his Deputies. No other person therefore, has an inherent or constitutional power, to dispense with the full requirements of the laws and regulations of the Grand Lodge. I regret to learn that in several instances this power has been exercised without proper authority. In one instance, where the District Deputy, for satisfactory reasons, had refused to grant a dispensation, application was made to another person, residing nearly an hundred miles distant, and a dispensation was obtained. The District Deputy, is presumed, to be the best qualified to judge of the merits of an application. If any appeal be taken, it must be to the Grand Master himself, with whom alone resides the constitutional authority to allow a suspension of the rules of the Grand Lodge, in respect to such cases; the authority of the deputies, being only a delegated authority, revocable at the will oi the Grand Master. It must be evident, that the exercise of the power of granting dispensation, by any other than the Deputy of the District, would be productive of serious mischief, as well as irregular and unwarrantable, and I take this occasion to say, that such a practice will not be allowed.

MORAL QUALIFICATION Of CANDIDATES.

As I have already stated, nearly four hundred persons have been made Masons within this jurisdiction, during the last year. Whether this fact be a ground of congratulation or of regret remains to be seen. If all these initiates prove to be " good men and true," we may well rejoice in our prosperity;—but if they do not come up to the standard of our principles, then we have good cause to remember that such apparent prosperity is but the antecedent of another day of trial and darkness. I feel it to be incumbent upon me to reiterate the caution contained in my last annual address, touching the care which should be exerci sed, in thoroughly investigating the moral character of ail applications for the degrees. I do this, because facts have come to my knowledge, which warrant the opinion, that such oare is not always taken. The foot, that so many have received the degrees, the last year, is of itself sufficient to awaken suspicion, that some may have entered the pale of our Fraternity without that thorough scrutiny, which both the principles and the purity of our Institution demand. I have been informed that no less than three persons who have recently applied for Chapter degrees, in this city, have been rejected solely for moral causes. And yet, these three persons had been accepted and made Master Masons, in this jurisdiction,—two of them, I understand in one Lodge. Such a fact is humiliating, bnt instructive and admonitory.

It would not be.extraordinary if the spirit of rivalry, amid sojmuch success, should steal its way into some of our subordinate Lodges, and the desire to outdo each other in the amount of business done, should lie at the foundation of this hasty and incomplete investigation into the moral character of candidates. There is another point on which I feel called upon to speak a word of caution. I fear, that among some, perhaps of the more inexperienced Brethren, the very unmasonic course may sometimes be pursued of inviting young men to become members of our Order. This is wrong. Great care should be taken not to be forward even in recommending the Institution to those, who are not members. When called upon, we may on suitable occasions, express our opinion of its principles, and when requested to propose the name of a freind for initiation, we should cheerfully do this office; but beyond this, we should be careful not to go, in the way of offering inducements to the uninitiated to seek admission. There is one practice which now obtains, that may in some measure conduce not a little, to a state of things that all must deplore. It is this:—a Lodge feels at liberty to initiate without limit, but at the same time it most carefully restricts the number of its members. While the vote to give the degrees to certain candi dates is decided without hesitation in the affirmative, the question on admitting these same persons to membership would be decided as promptly in the negative. A safe rule for all to adopt would be not to give the degrees to any candidate, with whom they are not willing to associate, as a member of the same Lodge. The distinction now so common between being made a Mason in a certain Lodge, and being a member of that Lodge, tends to promote the evil which it becomes us to avoid.

PROXIES.

It is sometimes inconvenient for the officers of Lodges in distant parts of the jurisdiction, to attend the quarterly and other communications of the 'Grand Lodge, while it is very desirable that all the Lodges should be represented. To meet such cases the Grand Lodge has provided that a subordinate Lodge may be represented by a Proxy. I take this opportunity of reminding my Brethren of the law upon this subject. All Proxies expire on the 27th day of December, and must be renewed, if the Lodges granting these Proxies desire to be represented.

A few years ago a committee of the Grand Lodge made a report, recommend ing a Jewel to be worn by Proxies of Lodges, which report was accepted, but the recommendation has never been carried into operation. I would suggest the propriety of establishing that or some other as a Jewel to be worn at all meetings of the Grand Lodge, by those who appear as Proxies of Lodges. Our regulations will not allow a Master or Warden of a Lodge to vote in Grand Lodge who appears without his Jewel, except by special vote. Such are not allowed to be present at the opening of the Grand Lodge, and yet Proxies are allowed a seat and to vote, without any Jewel whatever.

LIBRARY.

By the report of the Library committee, it appears that a number of volumes of Masonic works have been purchased, and it is hoped, that before another annual meeting, such arrangements will have been completed, as will render these volumes accessible to all who may desire to consult them.

FINANCES.

The amount of work which has been done during the last year, has supplied our Treasury with funds sufficient to meet all the expences of the Grand Lodge, and to do something towards discharging its indebtedness.

The Trustees of the Temple entered into an arrangement a few months since with our late Br. Chickering, by which all the building, with the exception of the Masonic apartments, was leased to him for a term of years, on conditions believed to be mutually advantageous. This agreement relieves the Trustees of the perplexity and expense of renting the several parts of the Temple for various purposes, and secures a certain revenue, which may at once be applied, in extinguishing the debt of the Grand Lodge, and removing the mortgage which now lies upon the building.

In this connection, however, I take occasion to say, that profiting from the experience of other Grand Lodges, and the history of many moral and benevolent societies, who have been burdened with large endowments; I confess to some degree of indifference in the matter of hastening the time, when this Grand Lodge shall find itself in the possession of very considerable funds, any further than by the payment of the ordinary and extraordinary expenses of the Grand Lodge, the feebler Lodges may be relieved in a measure from the tax which they are now required to pay into our treasury. Funds in the form of rich endowments, while a matter of convenience, and sometimes the means of good, are frequently prolific sources of bitter altercation and disastrous divisions.

OTHER GRAND LODGES.

I am happy to say that the serious difficulties which existed in the Grand Lodge of California, at our last annual meeting, of which this Grand Lodge took notice in a report which they adopted at the March communication, have been adjusted, and so for as I am informed the interests of the Fraternity in that new State, are now in a flourishing condition.

The state of things in New York has been such as to warrant this Grand Lodge in adopting stringent and energetic measures, trusting that other Grand Lodges throughout the Union will pursue a similar course, with a view to the resolute maintenance of the true principles of our time honored Institution. As the Report, together with the Resolutions adopted by this Grand Lodge, have been printed and sent to the Subordinate Lodges within this jurisdiction, and also forwarded to the several Grand Lodges throughout the Union, I shall not detain you with any remarks of my own upon a subject so fully and so ably treated in the report, and so thoroughly discussed at our last meeting, any further than to say, that both the Report and the Resolutions meet my most hearty approval, and shall receive my strongest official support; and I hereby direct all Lodges owing allegiance to this Grand Lodge, to use all due diligence in carrying out Ibis measure, according to its true spirit,—and I enjoin upon all our Brethren visiting New York, not to sit in Lodges which by these Resolutions, are cut off from all Masonic communication with the Lodges in this State.

While we seek to promote unity and harmony abroad among sister Grand Lodges, it becomes us to be assiduously careful to cultivate the same virtues among ourselves. To this end, let us strive to avoid whatever may lead to sectional jealousies and to the fostering of that spirit which separates Brethren and sows the seed of distrust and discord in the Masonic family. The true interests of this Fraternity are one: we have one purpose,—we are bound by one obligation, — and we should have but one aim, in our relations as Masons, and therefore should unitedly and harmoniously prosecute the labors of our calling in a manner that shall be an honor to our Institution and a blessing to mankind. Whether our abode be in the city or in the country, let us remember, that we are always at home, in this Temple ;—and here and everywhere, let us eek to manifest and maintain the principles of truth, brotherly love and charity, which we profess.

May the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, whom we adore, "direct us in all our doings with His gracious favor, and further us with His continual help, that in all things we may glorify His Holy name," and finally at the close of a well spent life, when our labors on earth are over, may we pass to the rest and the rewards found and enjoyed in "that Temple above, that House not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens."

AT THE FUNERAL OF BROTHER HARRINGTON, MARCH 1854

Given at the funeral for Brother Jonathan Harrington of Lexington, March 30, 1854; from Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XIII, No. 7, p. 208; he "spoke without the aid of notes":

In consequence of the lateness of the hour, the remarks which I have been requested to make on this solemn and deeply interesting occasion, most necessarily be brief.

I have said this is a solemn and deeply interesting occasion. Death has a solemnity which is its own and which attaches to nothing else. We instinctively tread lightly as we pass the bier that holds the dead. Nature thus makes the children of men reverence the decrees of Heaven. She compels the tongue of blasphemy to keep silence—the voice of revelry to be still, and the thoughtless to be sober. All classes and all conditions render this homage. It is the spontaneous tribute, which the living pay to the departed.

A body bereft of its living, spiritual tenant, becomes a mute messenger, from whose cold countenance there is an appeal to the heart of tbe living, to behold in this marble-mirror its own instructive image.

But death is not only shrouded in solemnity ;—it is invested with an interest which its commonness never impairs. It is interesting as the end of all men, the closing up of all mortal career, the dissolution of all the relations of life, the annihilation of all human distinctions. At the door of the tomb the learned are divested of their wisdom, the rich are stripped of their wealth, the honored are despoiled of their titles. Here, Royalty casts aside her purple robes, and Poverty is dismantled of her tattered garments, and all the sons of men, reduced to a common level, repose in undistinguished dost.

Such is the destiny of a common humanity,—a destiny of solemn and absorbing interest to each individual.

The interest that attaches to death is not limited to the mere cessation of the life of the body. If, at death, both soul and body sank into the sepulchre of annihilation, then this event would not be otherwise important, than as an eternal close of human existence, involving, in most instances, the happiness of the living, rather than the welfare of the dying; and death would become a matter of comparatively little consequence. It would, indeed, sometimes cut short our plans, abruptly terminate our pursuits, and thus bring upon its victims disappointment and regret; which would, perhaps, be more than compensated by the release which it would always be sure to bring, from the perplexing cares and sorrowful toils, that attach to the earthly career of every child of Adam.

But Death is something more than this. While it is the end of man's course on earth, it is the beginning of bis existence in eternity. This sublunary world loses one of its inhabitants and the spirit world gains one. Death is then but a change of relations. The soul still lives. The mode of existence has only changed. The fact of existence,—the being itself,—is unchanged, for it is unchangeable. The body only dies, and, by this death, it returns to the earth as it was, silently and gradually dissolving its form, and mingling with that dust out of which it was created. Its relations are changed—it no longer moves, amid the busy scenes of this stirring world. It is still, and cold and senseless. It neither acts nor is acted upon. It is as insensible to all that is said or done around it, or over it, as the cold marble which marks the spot where it reposes in the unbroken stillness of the grave. It is unmoved, alike by the melody of the softest music and the terrific explosion of the heaviest artillery of the warring elements;—alike insensible to the accents of a love bereaved, and the impassioned exultation of a revenge gratified. It is dead.

But that immortal part—that living soul that never dies and never can die— that within us which thinks, and wills, and loves, and hates; which is capable of sending its thoughts through the cycle of human life, bringing all its periods in review, before its eye;—which can hear a message from eternity, and comprehend it;—which can be influenced by motives, and can entertain hope;-— a soul that can commune with the uncreated God, and that can wed itself into companionship with devils;—that can soar forever or sink forever;—can be an angel or a demon, a son of God or a child of woe—this living spirit has changed its relations. The blow of the destroyer that laid the body in the dust, burst open the doors of its tabernacle and let the imprisoned immortality free, to soar away to the God who gave it,—to dwell in its own place in another world. Thus its relations are changed.

Such a change of relations imparts to every instance of mortality both solemnity and interest. Circumstances connected with the departed, touching their character, their social, civil or domestic relations—the time or the mode of their death, serve to increase the breadth or depth of this interest, or to cast over the occurrence a profounder shade of solemnity.

No death is devoid of some measure of this interest and this solemnity. The infant that lives long enough to cast a smile into its mother's tearful eye, and then from that mother's throbbing heart wings its happy flight to the bosom of its Saviour, leaves, it may be, scarcely more than one household to weep over its early exit; while another dies, and a whole nation of mourners lament that the "Father of his country" is no more.

Others meet their earthly end in terrific forms. Accidents on the land or casualties upon the sea awaken a deep sympathy for the friends of those, whose bodies, in passing through the gate of death, have been crushed by violence, or wrapped in the flame, or buried in the deep.

Another dies at home, on his bed, in the stillness of his chamber, surrounded by loved ones, who have done all that human skill can suggest and human affection can prompt. The report that he is dead! borne on the wings of lightning, reaches the distant parts of the land, before the going down of the sun. All hearts are filled with grief, and all countenances are shaded by sadness, and a whole people, in a patriotic forgetfulness of all their political differences, bow down together, as one family of mourners, under the rod of that Providence, which removes, without violence and amid the sublime repose of Christian faith, one of the most gifted minds which has adorned the human race in modern times. Thus is this interest and solemnity increased or modified, by the circumstances of the person, or the time or manner of his death. But this interest is by no means limited to the classes which I have indicated.

There is another class, whose departure hence, though in the natural order of events, and therefore always to be expected, and which, consequently, rarely takes surviving friends by surprize, draws to itself an interest which nothing but extraordinary length of days can impart. The death of one who has outlived all his generation—who has overlived the appointed age of man, for a period almost equal to one generation—whose sun, lingering long in a calm and cloudless sky, sinks gently to its rest beneath that horizon which separates two worlds, where the twilight of the one becomes the day light of the other;—such a death has an interest that belongs not to the earthly exit of the larger portion of the human family.

Such was the death of him, whose lifeless body lies before us, awaiting to receive from fraternal hands the last kind offices which those hands can perform ;— the last tokens of profound respect which this vast assemblage of friends and Brethren can offer to the memory of the departed.

I have said this is a solemn and an interesting occasion. It is solemn because it is the occasion of death. It is made specially interesting by the long and the eventful life of him who has now finished his course, at the unusual age of more than ninety-five years. But it is not the length of days, merely, that has imparted to this event a character, which has drawn so many to his burial. The circumstances connected with the history of our departed Brother, make his funeral an extraordinary occasion, which, from the very nature of things, never can recur.

He was the last of that band of patriotic men, who fired those signal guns, which, while they proclaimed to the colonies the commencement of the Revolutionary struggle, announced to the World the dawn of that day of civil liberty, whose light is pervading every part of the earth, and whose sun is now rapidly rising toward its zenith, in the firmament of the nations.

His soul was the living link which bound that generation to this. It was no common privilege, which many here have enjoyed, to see the living hands that aided in lighting those beacon fires of freedom which cheered the hearts of the noble defenders of human rights in times that "tried men's souls."

Mr. Harrington was born in this town in 1758, when the clouds had already began to gather blackness in the political horizon, foreboding that terrific storm which soon swept through the colonies.

On the ever memorable 19th of April, 1775, when young Harrington was but 17 years of age, on the altar of whose young heart the fires of a true patriotism were already kindled, he went forth to aid in striking the first blow in that great struggle, which, under God, resulted in establishing the principles of civil liberty in this new world and secured for a free people the unmolested enjoyment of their rights.

Before the rising of the sun on that memorable morning, this boy was called from his bed by his mother, whose heart beat in unison with his own with the impulses of a true spirit of patriotism, who told him that "the Regulars were coming, and something must be done." Is it asked what this mere stripling could do in the face of such a foe? I answer, he could do what he did do: He struck the key note of the Revolution, and with his shrill fife sounded the first martial music that stirred the hearts of the sons of liberty and rallied patriots to the conflict.

A mere lad as he was, yet he was not too young to be a patriot,—nor so much a child that he could not do the duty of a man, in times which put to the test the principles, the courage and the constancy of older heads and hearts.

Of all that noble band of forty minute-men, who drew themselves up in front of a whole regiment of British soldiers on Lexington Common, on that eventful day, our departed Brother was, at the time of his death, the only survivor. All had been gathered to their fathers. For nearly eighty years after this battle, a kind Providence had watched over him and preserved him to be a living representative of that period, so eventful in the history of this country and in the history of the progress of civil liberty in the world. He was spared to behold the fruits of that great struggle as they are now to be seen, after the lapse of four score years, in a Republic which numbers upwards of twenty three millions of inhabitants, and whose territory now reaches from ocean to ocean. What a change for one man to see! What other human eyes ever looked upon the like? For some time he had been the only living link that bound the ante-revolutionary epoch to the present age.

It was the purpose of Mr. Harrington's father to give his son a liberal education, and he was pursuing his studies at home to that end. But the ruthless hand of a hired soldiery sacked his father's house, and among other things, destroyed the books of the student The inconvenience of procuring others, and the distractions consequent upon the Revolution, led to a change in his plans, and he determined to follow the vocation of a farmer. He has consequently for this k»g period resided in the immediate neighborhood of these early scenes. As he began, so did he continue: a firm friend of his country—an intelligent, Consistent and useful citizen—always maintaining the reputation of an honest, industrious and upright man. For more than a quarter of a century he has been looked upon by his fellow-citizens as a patriarchal patriot. The young and the old have alike paid him tho homage due from children to a father. Of late years, as the number of the worthies of Revolutionary times diminished, the attention of the public has been turned more exclusively towards him.

But this old man,—this venerable Patriot,—this Hero of the Revolution,—this last survivor of the battle of Lexington, is now no more. His spirit has returned to the God who gave it. His body now lies here before us, awaiting to be committed to the earth, " dust to dust,—ashes to ashes," and we are here assembled to do this office and to give the last earthly honors to all that remains of our late friend and fellow-citizen.

This is an extraordinary occasion. It is an event in our own history which will be long remembered. It is fitting that such an occasion should be noticed in no common manner. We but yield to the promptings of a sense of propriety and duty, when we leave, for a while our ordinary vocations, to pay by our presence here, a profound respect to the memory of such a man.

It is seemly that his friends and neighbors, among whom he has so long and so happily lived, should come up hither, in so large numbers, to follow his body to its last resting place. It is well that the neighboring towns should be here, by their delegates, to pay that respect to the dead, which they have so long entertained for the living. It is but the expression of the honor which is justly due to the memory of the last survivor of that company of patriotic volunteers, who, eighty years ago, marched through these streets; that the volunteer militia of this State should be here, to do their duty as soldiers, capable of appreciating the worth of those who fought for that liberty which has become the birthright of every American. It is fitting that on such an occasion the State should be here, in the person of her honored Executive, and of those who represent her is both branches of the Legislature, to honor the memory of the last survivor of that band, who fought the first battle for freedom on her soil.

It is meet that the Masonic Fraternity should come up hither, to carry the body of their departed Brother to its burial. For about seventy years he has beens member of this Fraternity. As early as the year 1797, he petitioned for a charter for Hiram Lodge; and from that time to this, a period of nearly sixty years, he has been a member of this Lodge, and was for many years its Secretary. He was strongly attached to the Order ;—»he loved its principles and honored them in bis life. He was its fast friend, as well in the darker days of trial, as in its brighter periods of prosperity. He stood by it when friends forsook it; when enemies assailed it He lived to see the triumph of truth in the revival of this cherished Institution.

Of late years he had repeatedly expressed the wish that his body should be buried by his Masonic Brethren.

It is an unusual thing for the Grand Lodge of this State to attend, as such, the funeral of one who bad never been a member of it. When we recall the fact that in a few weeks after the battle of Lexington, the then Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts went forth, at the call of his country, and lost bis life on Bunker Hill, it is fitting that that Grand Lodge over which Warren presided, should bury a Brother, the last of those who were among the first to light the fires of the Revolution.

We have come to do a solemn duty. We shall commit the body to the ground; but the Spirit has gone to another world. We trust that it is at rest We shall plant the sprig of Acacia, that symbol of immortality with which he was familiar, at the head of his grave, in token of our belief that his soul still lives aid that his body will rise again at the last day.

This is full of consolation, instruction and admonition.

The friends of our departed Brother have the satisfaction of looking back upon the long and useful and eventful life of him, whom they have so long and so well loved and whom this country have so long honored; and of believing that bis soul is now enjoying that "rest that remaineth for the people of God." All classes are instructed by the doings of this day, that it is not always extraordinary talents or high station or great learning or immense wealth that will secure the universal respect of the wise and the good. Let the young especially learn what they bear and see on this extraordinary occasion, is the spontaneous tribute, paid by an intelligent people, to that moral worth which no honors can confer, and which belongs to the reputation of a patriotic citizen, and alone to the unblemished character of a Christian man.

We are admonished that death is the end of all men—that soon our friends will follow our bodies to the house appointed for all the living. Let us then rightly improve this dispensation of Divine Providence, by making that preparation to meet God in peace, which can only be done by repentance of sin, faith in Christ, and a holy life. Let us aim so to live that "we may die the death of the righteous, and our last end may be like his." Thus living and thus dying, we shall "fall asleep in Jesus," with the blessed hope that when the trumpet of the Archangel shall break the slumbers of death, we shall awake in the Divine likeness, and arise in the morning of the Resurrection, to meet our Judge and Saviour, and hear from His lips the welcome words; "Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things : enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

FEAST OF ST. JOHN, DECEMBER 1854

Valedictory Address, at the end of his term as Grand Master, December 27, 1854; Page V-555. Complete address is in Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XIV, No. 4, February 1855, Page 106:

Brethren of the Grand Lodge —

Three years ago I stood in this place to receive, by your unsought suffrages, a Jewel from the hands of a distinguished Brother, with whom I had been intimately and most harmoniously associated during the three years of his administration of the affairs of this Grand Lodge.

Having, by your partiality, been continued in the responsible office of Grand Master for the period limited by the Constitution, I am here, to-night, to perform as the last of my official acts, the very grateful duty of inaugurating my successor, and surrendering into his hands, what three years ago, were committed to mine.

But, before I proceed to the performance of that ceremony, permit me to call your attention to a few remarks on the present condition of our Institution, and to such .suggestions in respect to its future welfare as may befit the present occasion.

This Annual Communication, like those which have preceded it, comes to us loaded with blessings, which call for the devout expression of gratitude to the All-wise Ruler of the Universe, whose gracious Providence watches over and directs us in all our doings.

The great favor in which our ancient fraternity is held by the public, and which has now risen into something like popularity, while it is surely grateful to our feelings, and, it may be, flattering to our pride, should nevertheless serve to admonish us, that we are never, perhaps, in greater peril than when "all men speak well of us."

Since we last assembled in this place for the purposes of Installation, two of our permanent members, both of whom had occupied this Chair, have been called away from the labors of this life to the rewards of the next.

Our late Brother, John Abbot, died at his residence in Westford on Sunday, the 30th of April last, after an illness of only about two hours, in the 78th year of his age. Brother Abbot held the office of S. G. Warden in 1813. He was elected G. M. in 1823, and served the constitutional term. During this period he officiated at the laying of the corner-stone of the Bunker Hill Monument, on the 17th of June, A. D. 1825, in the presence of our illustrious Brother, the Marquis De Lafayette, who was the nation's guest, surrounded by six thousand members of the fraternity. Soon after this event the antimasonic persecution burst forth, and for several years raged with terrific fury. In 1834, when this storm was at its height, and the affairs of our Order were well nigh prostrated in the dust, our Brother was again called by the voice of his Brethren to the Chair of the G. Lodge. He promptly obeyed the summons, and cheerfully returned to the post of duty, in the face of the enemy. His first official act, after his installation, was to place his signature to the ever-memorable Protest and Appeal, which was then sent forth to the world, and which did such honor to the head and heart of its author, and reflected so much credit upon the integrity and courage of all who signed it. Our departed Brother as he stood calmly at the helm, amid the uproar of this trying scene, did much, by his unfaltering firmness and his unconquerable energy, to inspire his Brethren with that hope and confidence which ultimately resulted in the union and harmony of a renewed prosperity.

At the expiration of the year for which he was elected he resigned the office of Grand Master. He continued, however, to attend the meetings of the Grand Lodge and to watch over its interests, and to aid in the administration of its affairs by his counsel and labors whenever they were required.

In 1816, when the "Grand Charity Fund" was established by an act of incorporation, he was elected one of its Trustees, which office he continued to hold until the day of his death. When our late Brother, Robert G. Shaw, Esq., reconveyed this Temple to the Fraternity, he gave a deed of it to Brother Abbot, by whom it was conveyed to the Board of Trustees, by whom it is now held.

He was an able and noble man; faithful and firm to the last. This Grand Lodge, and the whole Fraternity in this State, owe him a great debt, which they can only pay by revering his memory and following the example of his Masonic life.

Our late Brother, R. W. Caleb Butler, died at his late residence in Groton, on the 17th of October last, aged 78 years. He was elected Grand Master in 1840, and served for the constitutional period of three years. [This is in error: he only served two years. - Ed., MasonicGenealogy.] He was an intelligent and zealous Mason; ardently attached to the Order, and in the execution of his duties during the season of trial, he manifested a degree of firmness and fidelity worthy of all praise. In his death, Masonry in this Commonwealth has lost one of its brightest ornaments.

These elder Brethren have left us the legacy of their labors, and the lesson of their example.

The fact that only seven of the long line of Grand Masters, who have occupied this Chair, now survive, is full of solemn and instructive admonition.

STATE OF THE LODGES.

It appears by the returns made by the District Deputy Grand Masters, that there has been an increased activity in the work of the Lodges throughout this Jurisdiction during the past year. The whole number of initiates is 578, being upwards of 200 more than were reported at the last Annual Communication.

Rarely, if ever, has Freemasonry in this Commonwealth exhibited fruits of greater growth. In this city, many of the Lodges have been for months exceedingly pressed with "work." To relieve this pressure it has been found necessary to hold communications more frequently than once a month, — and, I regret to say, the Brethren have not unfrequently felt compelled to continue their meetings until a late hour of the night. This practice should be discouraged by all good Masons. Nothing will sooner excite the public suspicion, and foster domestic discontent, than midnight Masonry. An early hour should find the Lodges closed and the Brethren at their homes.

DISPENSATIONS FOR NEW LODGES. During the past year I have granted five Dispensations for new Lodges, as follows:—

  • On 12th Dec., Franklin, at West Dennis.
  • On the 17th of October, to George Hervey and ten others, to open a Lodge in Medford, to be called Hermon Lodge, on the recommendation of King Solomon's Lodge, Charlestown.
  • Nov. 8th, a Dispensation was granted to Anthony Kelly and eleven others, to form a Lodge in West Harwich, to be called Mount Horeb Lodge, on the recommendation of Fraternal Lodge.
  • On the 14th of the present month, I granted, on the recommendation of Amicable Lodge, a Dispensation to Ezra Ripley and seven others, of East Cambridge, to organize and work under the name of Putnam Lodge.
  • In accordance with a vote of the Grand Lodge passed at its last Annual Meeting on the 13th inst., I have signed a Dispensation, empowering A. F. Block and six other German Brethren, residing in Boston and vicinity, recommended by Mount Lebanon Lodge, to organize and work under the name of Germania Lodge.

It is well known to the Grand Lodge that some months ago an application was made to me to grant this Dispensation, which I declined to do, for reasons which it may not be improper for me here to state.

These Brethren are Germans by birth and education. They ask to have a distinct Lodge by themselves, intending to work exclusively in the German language. To grant a Dispensation for such a purpose, is to establish an entirely new precedent in this jurisdiction. The experiment in other States, of chartering Lodges to foreigners, to work in their own vernacular tongue, has been attended with mischievous results.

If our German Brethren have this privilege, we cannot consistently deny it to the people of other nations, who may happen to reside in this Commonwealth, and thus we might soon have Lodges at work in the French, Italian, Scotch and other languages.

The interests of this Institution, — all its interests, are committed to the Grand Lodge. To secure an intelligent uniformity in the work, Grand Lecturers are appointed. To prevent departures from the ancient landmarks, the Grand Master appoints District Deputies, who are commissioned to inspect the work of the Lodges; but of what service are these important officers, in respect to Lodges where the entire ritual is in a foreign language? The teaching of the Grand Lecturers would be fruitless, and the inspection of the District Deputy Grand Master would be little more than a dignified farce. These Lodges would virtually be quite independent of the Grand Lodge, and it could not, from the nature of things, exercise that supervision which is demanded by its relation as the Legislative and Executive Authority of Freemasonry in this State, to whose hands the custody of its principles has been committed.

It has been urged, as a reason why this Dispensation should be granted, that the Lodges are liable to be imposed upon by unworthy applicants, who are foreigners and better known to their own countrymen than to us. This evil would be much better guarded against by having our foreign Brethren, scattered as they now are among the different Lodges, where they can jealously watch the portals of the Order that no unworthy stranger be allowed to enter. If they withdraw from the several Masonic Watchtowers and concentrate themselves within one enclosure, these unworthy strangers would soon learn to avoid this particular Lodge, and would seek to make their way into Lodges which are not guarded by sentinels who would recognize them. It has been said that the applications of all Germans for initiation should be sent to the German Lodge. No Lodge has a right to do this. Masonry is purely cosmopolitan ; it neither regards nor disregards any man for his nationality, or his occupation. A Lodge has no more right to say to a German applicant for the degrees that they will not make him a Mason, and he must therefore go to a German Lodge, because he is a German, than it has a right to say to an applicant that because he is a mechanic he must apply to a Lodge composed exclusively of that class of persons. A naturalized foreigner, who has made this country his home, may and ought to desire to become Americanized as speedily as possible, in language, habits and feelings, and it would be cruel injustice to compel such an one to associate with men, who, though Brethren in the great Masonic family, — and natives of the same land, — are, nevertheless, not such as he may choose to associate with in the more intimate relations of the Lodge-room. If a citizen knocks at our doors, we must either admit him, or take the responsibility of rejecting him. We cannot send him to a neighbor for an answer to his demand. It is not the policy of the Masonic Institution to contribute to the perpetuation of such national distinctions, — and the maintenance of clans and cliques among its foreign citizens, which serve to foster feelings and dispositions, which are not purely American, and which therefore cannot be counted upon as purely patriotic. For these, and for other reasons which might be named, I declined to take the responsibility of granting a Dispensation on my own authority, believing it would be better for our German Brethren, that they should remain, as they now are, among the several Lodges, while it would conduce to the peace, harmony, and efficiency of the Fraternity, that no Lodges should be under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge, except such as may be constantly under its intelligent supervision.

In my address last year, I stated that I had granted a Dispensation to certain Brethren in Valparaiso, to organize and work under the name of Bethesda Lodge. It affords me very great pleasure to say, that I have received the most satisfactory and gratifying evidence of their successful labors. The Grand Lodge at its last communication voted to grant to these Brethren a charter, to which I have placed my official signature.

Bristol Lodge in Attleboro, which has been closed for several years, having petitioned for a restoration of their Charter, the Grand Lodge at its Annual Communication, on the 13th, voted to grant their request, and their Charter will accordingly be restored.

Oxford Lodge, at Oxford, surrendered their Charter on the 17th inst.

During the three years that I have occupied this Chair, Charters have been granted to five Lodges, as follows: Baalbec, East Boston: Ancient York, Lowell; Franklin, Grafton; Ashler, Rockport; Bethesda, Valparaiso, South America. I have granted five Dispensations, under which Lodges are allowed to work, viz. Germania, Boston; Putnam, East Cambridge; Mount Horeb, West Harwich; Mount Hermon, Medford; Franklin, West Dennis. During this period Charters have been returned to the following Lodges: Merrimack, Haverhill; Plymouth, Plymouth; St. John's, Newburyport; Bristol, Attleborough. These make a total of thirteen Lodges either newly organized or revived, during the present administration.

MASONIC DISTRICTS.

I have received written reports from only four of the Ten District Deputy Grand Masters. From these and from other sources I am happy to learn, that the interests of the Fraternity are in a very prosperous and promising condition, throughout the Commonwealth. By the returns made to the Treasury, it appears, that the Initiations, in the several Districts have been as follows: No. 1, 254; No. 2, 60; No. 3, 69, Rejected, 10; No. 4, 8; No. 5, 10; No. 6, 16; No. 7, 64; No. 8, 29; No. 9, 35; No. 10,29; Nantucket, 4; making a total of 588. These figures indicate the high degree of popular favor which our institution enjoys, and the almost unprecedented prosperity, which now attends our labors.

In September last, I visited Ancient York Lodge, Lowell, by invitation of the Right Worshipful Peter Lawson, D. Deputy, in company with other members of the Grand Lodge. On this interesting occasion, the Masters and Wardens of the several Lodges in the District were convened, by the District Deputy. The work performed by this new Lodge, was in the highest degree creditable. There were also present a visiting Committee from Columbian Lodge in this city. I would most earnestly recommend similar fraternal interchanges among the Lodges in the several districts, as being productive of much mutual enjoyment and improvement.

On Wednesday evening last, I dedicated the new and commodious hall, occupied by the Star of Bethlehem Lodge, Chelsea. It affords me pleasure, to bear testimony to the zeal and liberality of our Brethren in Chelsea, of which their spacious and elegantly furnished apartments are the gratifying fruits.

REJECTION OF CANDIDATES.

The fact that nearly six hundred Masons have been made in this State, during the last year, is indicative of a degree of popular favor, in the community, towards our time-honored Institution, which it would be strange, indeed, if unworthy men did not seek to take advantage of. It must, therefore, be expected, that many will knock for entrance, to whom the doors of Freemasonry should never be opened. It becomes us, now, more perhaps than ever, to guard well the several avenues to our Temple. I am glad to be able to say, that evidence of this required vigilance, is not altogether wanting. In the report of one of the District Deputies, it is stated, that no less than ten applicants have been rejected, during the past year in his District, and I have also been informed that in one Lodge in this city several have been refused the degrees, and I have reason to believe that the same is true in respect to the action of other Lodges.

SECRECY OF THE BALLOT.

I deem it important to call the attention of the Lodges to the matter of balloting for the admission of candidates. First, as to the mode. This ballot is, and is to be, strictly secret. It is the Mason's great prerogative. It is a right which every member enjoys, and which he is bound to exercise faithfully, impartially, and conscientiously. With him alone, rests the responsibility of its use. This prerogative is of a twofold character : —a Mason has a right to cast a ballot, which shall reject the application of a candidate, but, moreover, he is entitled to do this, in a manner that shall be a profound secret to all his Brethren. This is another and an important part of his privilege.

The ballot is taken in some, and probably in most Lodges, in such a manner, that really, it is no secret at all. I would recommend such a construction of the ballot boxes, as will make the ballot what it was intended to be,—profoundly secret to all persons, whatever. In this connection, allow me to say further, that every member should feel, that the welfare of the Institution, is in a great degree, committed to his keeping, so far at least, as the admission of candidates involves its welfare. The humblest member holds the key of the door, in the form of a black ball, which is more effectual than bolts and bars, or armed sentinels can be. On the other hand, they should be watchful over themselves, that this great power, be never exercised by them, under the impulse of unjustifiable motives. Personal prejudices and private differences should not be suffered to intrude themselves into the affairs of this fraternal relationship.

IMPROPER USE OF MASONIC INFLUENCE.

I feel called upon to speak an earnest word of caution against what I fear, has not, unfrequently, been practised, by some, who have not fully understood or appreciated the principles of our Institution. Is'o member should take advantage of a new Masonic acquaintance, to further ends and interests, which are strictly personal. A newly initiated Brother may be led to feel that he is under some kind of obligation to do business or political favors, which, under other circumstances, he would positively decline doing, when really no such obligation whatever exists. By such an abuse of our privileges, new members may have sometimes suffered no little inconvenience. Such unmasonic conduct is reprehensible, in itself, while it serves to bring reproach upon our Fraternity.

WORK NOT THE ONLY DUTY OF LODGES.

It seems to be proper, if it be not indeed necessary, in the present state of things, to remind the Lodges, that to initiate, pass, and raise candidates, is not the great purpose of Freemasonry, and therefore is not the sole business of the Lodges. Ours is pre-eminently a social Institution, where Brethren meet on a level, to cultivate the better feelings of the heart, and to promote the love and the practice of that morality, which is founded on the principles of divine truth. These principles must be understood, if they are to be followed and enjoyed. But when the Lodges are driven with work, to a degree, that allows of scarcely any thing else, it is evident that some of the chief benefits of our order are lost sight of. When Lodges are compelled to meet twice a month, and to hold their meetings until near midnight; when necessity demands that eleven shall be raised in one evening, in one Lodge, as I am informed was the case during the last year, in order to relieve the pressure of work, it requires no argument to show that neither the candidates nor the members can have the benefit of thorough and deliberate instruction in our principles.

A CHANGE OF BY-LAWS.

I take this occasion to suggest, the importance of so amending the By-Laws of the Grand Lodge, that more unanimity shall be required to change any important usage, or to adopt any new measure, which may seriously affect the interests of the Institution. The Constitution only provides, that the Grand Master and the Grand Wardens shall be elected by a two-thirds vote; while the Grand Lodge may, at the same Session, pass, by a majority of one, and that, perhaps, at a thinly attended communication, a vote, which will change, perhaps, one of the very land-marks of the Order.

AN ADMONITION.

I cannot leave this Chair with a clear conscience without addressing to my Brethren one word of admonition. It is not merely to say, what I have already said on other occasions, that a state of prosperity is a lime of trial, and may prove one of very great danger. But I feel called upon to remind you that we are at this present day in the midst of most extraordinary movements. There is a state of things in this country which is utterly unprecedented. Only a few years ago, and such was the insane fury of popular opinion, that Freemasonry was regarded as an abomination which it was a moral and political wrong to tolerate. Men who upheld and defended it were reviled and persecuted with a degree of violence which threatened to drive them from all posts of honor and trust, and to exclude them from the pale of the society of honorable men.

But what do we now behold? Not merely the calm which is always sure to follow such like tempests; a season of quietude and indifference in which Freemasonry is treated as a defunct thing, and Freemasons are suffered to pursue their business or their pleasures without molestation; but we see a reacting tide sweeping over the country, which is exalting secret societies into the highest degree of popular favor. If men would unite for charitable purposes, to feed the hungry, and clothe the naked, and protect the orphan, they conceal their doings in secrecy, clothe themselves in collars and aprons, and call it "Odd Fellowship." If they would check the spread of intemperance and promote sobriety, they shut themselves out from the world, and cast the veil of secrecy over their proceedings; put on a showy regalia, and call their places of meeting Encampments, and themselves the Cadets or Sons of Temperance. But last of all, and more extraordinary than all; men who aim at revolutionizing the political parties of the country, and who therefore must move the masses, taking advantage of this state of popular feeling, associate in secret conclave, — bind themselves with an oath not to reveal their doings,—call their places of meeting-Lodges, into which none can enter without a password, and surname themselves the "Sons of Liberty."

Such a state of things cannot long continue. There will surely be a reaction, which may be both sudden and violent. For such a change we must not only look, but prepare. Let there be no indifference in respect to the importance of this crisis, and no delay in taking measures to protect ourselves against the disastrous mischiefs which may attend it. The popular indignation may not only rise to a degree which shall blind the public mind to any just discrimination between an ancient fraternity and societies of mushroom growth, but may charge upon Freemasonry the parentage of all secret associations. We may then be called, much sooner than we anticipate, to feel the fire whose flames raged so furiously twenty-five years ago.

Let us, then, be careful to keep the Masonic Institution where it ever belongs; entirely aloof from all such associations, and manifest its (rue character to the world by illustrating its real principles in all our doings.

CHARITY FUNDS.

The revenue arising from the amount of work done is large. It is to be feared that some may be tempted, by their abundant receipts, to indulge in expenditures, which in less prosperous times would be justly deemed as inexcusably extravagant. It becomes us to remember that ours is a Charitable Institution ; that its funds are a sacred trust; and, moreover, that so large an increase of our numbers, must, in the nature of things, multiply our future beneficiaries. Now is the time to provide for that coming contingency. Most of our members are young and strong, but a few years will make old men of many of them, and sickness and poverty may make them objects of our charity long before their hairs have been silvered by the frosts of age.

It now only remains for me to thank you, my Brethren, for the repeated tokens of your kindness and confidence which I have received at your hands during the period of my administration, which has now reached its close. I thank those of you particularly, who have been associated with me in office ; by whose wise counsel and cheerful co-operation I have been assisted and supported in the discharge of the duties which have devolved upon me.

That God may abundantly bestow upon you Heaven's choicest favors, and ever shed the smile of His love upon every interest of this cherished Institution, so that it may continue to be a blessing in the earth, is the fervent prayer of my heart.

ADDRESS TO THE NEW GRAND MASTER

Br. Randail's address on installing his successor.

R. W. Brother,—

The M. W. Grand Lodge having elected you its Grand Master for the year ensuing, and you having signified your acceptance of that trust, it now becomes my duty to consummate their and your action, by installing you into this Oriental Chair; a duty, which I need not say, affords me the highest pleasure to perform.

I congratulate you, my R. W. Brother, on your elevation to an office of such dignity and importance; the highest in the gift of your Brethren,—which has been held by many whose illustrious names adorn the history of our state and of our country; an office which brings with it much honor, great responsibility, and no little labor.

I congratulate the Grand Lodge on their election of a Grand Master, who has by so many years of faithful service so abundantly attested his zeal and attachment to the Order; who commenced his career at a period when Freemasonry was extremely unpopular, and when under the pressure of public prejudice it could hold out to the uninitiated no attractions but such as ever attach to the cause of truth when persecuted by the spirit of blind passion and intolerant bigotry;— one, who by his proverbial generosity, and happy amenity, has won the esteem and affection of his Brethren; while his attainments as an accomplished scholar, and his distinguished professional skill, have secured a high reputation in the community, affording a gratifying promise of a successful administration of the duties of the office to which you have with so much unanimity called him.

Permit me to remind you, my Brother, that though you enter upon your duties .when the skies are clear, and the gales of popular favor are most flatteringly propitious, yet, before your term of service shall have expired, you may be called upon to exercise great wisdom and great firmness in protecting and promoting the important interests committed to your charge. With my best wishes for the abundant success of your administration, I now proceed to invest you with the proper insignia of your office.

To the concluding paragraph of the new Grand Master's address, the M. W. Brother Randall replied as follows:—

Most Worshipful Grand Master,—

It has been my lot to address this Grand Lodge, on very many occasions, and sometimes with scarcely any preparation, but never with the embarrassment which I feel at this time. It is M. W. Sir, with no ordinary emotion that I attempt to respond, to your words of kindness, in language which may be suitable to this occasion, and which shall fully express the feelings of my heart.

I most sincerely thank you, M, W, Gd. Master, for the very flattering manner in which you have been pleased to speak of my past services. And allow me, through you to express my most grateful acknowledgements to my Brethren for this highly gratifying expression of their affectionate regard, this testimonial of their appreciation of my my humble endeavors to discharge the duties of Grand Master, I entered upon this office with scarcely any experience as the presiding officer of a deliberative body, and with none at all, as the Master of a Lodge. If I have succeeded in performing my duties successfully and satisfactorily, it is to be attributed, in no small measure, to the fact that I took the Chair in a time of peace and prosperity, — that I have ever received the cordial cooperation of my Brethren, — and have always sought on all important questions, the counsel of older and wiser Masons than myself. I take this opportunity to express my obligations for important assistance which I have frequently received from my immediate predecessor and also from the Recording Secretary, to whose Masonic learning and authority you have already alluded, during the service of this evening.

I again thank my Brethren for this token of their esteem, — and you, M.W. Sir, for the happy manner in which you have spoken for them. While I feel a just pride in having that portrait suspended among those worthies who already adorn the walls of this Temple, my fervent prayer is, that by the blessing of God, we may all so fulfill the duties of life, that we may find a place in "that Temple of the Redeemer, above, that house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens."

ADDRESS IN PROVIDENCE, R.I., JUNE 1857

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly:

  • Vol. XVI, No. 10, September 1857, Page 293
  • Vol. XVI, No. 11, October 1857, Page 339

We lay before our readers the present month several extracts from the very able and valuable Address delivered by Rev. Dr. Randall, at Providence, R. I., on the 24th June last, and regret that our limited space will not allow of our giving the address entire :—

St. John's Day.

St. John's Day has become a household word in the Masonic family. This festival has been observed by the fraternity, from time immemorial ; not more, in honor of a patron saint, than as a joyous reunion of Brethren beloved. It is the great Masonic holiday, on which the brotherhood, called from labor to refreshment, lay aside their working dress and put on their best attire.

This gala-day may be fitly denominated — Masonry out of doors. The Tyler no longer stands between the "Inner Chamber" and the outer world, and the public eye and ear are allowed to see and hear all they may.

Its return is hailed as an occasion of fraternal greetings. Veteran fathers, whom the young delight to reverence, who have done their labor, and worn the honors of the craft, come up to grace the occasion by their ever welcome presence — and to impart a dignity to the festivity by their venerable age and exalted worth. But this Anniversary is something more than Masonry in its holiday dress. The banners and the badges, the glittering jewels, and waving plumes, — the stirring strains of martial music, and the long procession, all serve to create an imposing pageant, but they do not constitute the charm of the occasion. We meet on this time-honored festival, not for the purpose of display. We are here, not simply to be seen. There is nothing either manly or Masonic in such a puerile purpose. We come together to receive and to impart a "benefit." We fail of the end of this festal meeting, if we go home no wiser and no better than we came. The " grip" of old friends, and the greeting of new ones — the renewal of early friendships — the smile of fraternal recognition, and the word of encouraging counsel—the recital of pleasant reminiscences—the fresh enunciation of the principles of the Order — the rehearsal of its trials and triumphs—the recapitulation of its duties and dangers—the development of the best modes of carrying forward its great work of charity — these, and such as these, mark the doings of the day, and leave their salutary impression upon the minds of the Brethren, as the fruits of the festival.

This is an occasion for both rest and review. Seasons of relaxation rightly improved, are alike pleasant and profitable to a people, so proverbially industrious as the American nation, who have fewer holidays than any other country on the globe. We devote the day, not more to recreating rest from present toils, than to the grateful duty of calling up the past, that we may listen to its lessons of healthful wisdom.

DeMolay Encampment.

On the 11th day of March, A. D., 1314, James de Molay, the Grand Master of the Templars, with three other valiant Knights, were burned at the stake. — Nobly did they endure the agony of that awful hour, which tried to the utmost their knightly integrity.

That Order survived their dark ages — and here they are to-day, clad in sword and helmets, ready as ever to defend the right.

You have here to-day a body of Templars, bearing the honored name of James De Molay, who, by your invitation, have come from a sister State, to take part in this celebration. And allow me to say, what as a native son of Rhode Island and an adopted son of Massachusetts, I may be pardoned for saying, to my Brethren of St. John's Lodge, that there is no Encampment of valiant Knights in this jurisdiction or out of it, on whom you could have more worthily bestowed the honor, of appointing a body guard, to the Grand Lodge of your State, than the De Molay Encampment of Boston. And let me say to them, that there is no spot in the Masonic world more worthy the honor of a pilgrimage ot valiant Sir Knights, hearing on their banner the name of James De Molay, than the magnanimous State of Rhode Island ; so long the head quarters of Knighthood in New England, and where, on the 6th day of May, A. D., 1805, the first steps were taken which finally resulted in the formation of the General Grand Encampment of the United States.

First Lodges in Rhode Island.

This year completes a century since a Lodge of Freemasonry was duly chartered, under the name of St. John's Lodge, in the town of Providence. We have come up here to-day, to join with the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island and other Masonic bodies in the State, with many who come from other jurisdictions, to participate in the joyous festivities of the occasion. We come to congratulate our Brethren of St. John's Lodge, No. 2, on their hundredth birthday. They are certainly enjoying a green old age, if their appearance to day is a just exponent of their health and strength.

An hundred years is a very great age in a country where nothing but the fields and the forests—the rivers and the rocks, (the institutions of nature) can be called old. Even this age would make it venerable among those ephemeral associations which swarm to-day—die to-morrow and re-appear the next day. And yet an hundred years, measured by the chronology of our Order, bring St. John's Lodge among the more youthful members of the great Masonic family.

As to Masonry on this continent, little is known of it, from the landing of the pilgrims in 1620, up to the organization of St. John's Grand Lodge, in Boston, in 1733. There were Masons and Lodges in this country prior to this last named period, but there were no regular organizations. Lodges, called traveling Lodges, were attached to the army, as they now are in Europe, and many parts of the East, where the English army is stationed.

St. John's Lodge — the first Grand Lodge in America, under a warrant from Lord Viscount Montague, G. M. of the Grand Lodge of England, was opened July 30th, A. D 1733, in due form, at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern, State street, Boston.

On the 27th of December, 1749, the petition of a number of Brethren residing in Newport was presented to the Grand Lodge, of which Thomas Oxnard was Grand Master, praying for the incorporation of a regular Lodge there, and on being read, it was voted that a Charter be granted them. This was the beginning of organic Masonry in Rhode Island. This Charter, however, only authorized the Newport Brethren to confer the first two degrees. It appears that the members of the Lodge at Newport misunderstood the extent of their privileges, and proceeded to confer the Master's degree. This fact came to the knowledge of the Grand Lodge at Boston, who immediately called them to an account. On being satisfied that, these Brethren had unintentionally transcended their powers, the Grand Lodge confirmed the Master's degree to those who had received it, and then, in the year 1759, gave them a Charter to hold a Master's Lodge.

In the year 1757, Jeremy Gridley, known by the sobriquet of the Giant Lawyer — the Webster of his day — was the Provincial G. M. of N. A. He having received a petition signed by John Gerrish and others, members of the Masonic Fraternity residing in Providence, granted them a Charter for a Lodge, on the 18th of Jan., 1757, in which he appointed Capt. John Burgess to be the first Master, empowering him to form the Brethren into a Lodge, and to appoint two Wardens and other officers for one year: after which the Lodge were to have power to elect their own officers annually. In this Charter they were required to observe the Constitution — to make returns to the Grand Lodge — and annually keep, or cause to be kept, the Feast of St. John the Baptist, and to dine together on that day, or as near that day as shall be most convenient.

At the end of an hundred years, the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts are here to-day, in the persons of her honored Grand Master, her Recording Grand Secretary, (who is the embodiment of Masonic jurisprudence in this country,) with other Grand Officers, to see that this condition of the Charter of St. John's Lodge is duly complied with. I will venture to guarantee to our Patriarchal Brethren from the Bay State that they will find no ground of forfeiture in this particular It is, however, a little remarkable that the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts should have waited until her daughter was an hundred years old, before they came to see how she did.

Up to this time the Provincial Grand Lodge of Massachusetts had granted Charters or Dispensations to sixteen Lodges in eleven different States. Thus early and extensively did Masonry spread, from its first organic source in Massachusetts.

Organization of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island.

On the 3d of November St. John's Lodge received and adopted a report from a joint committee of the Lodges in R. I., proposing a plan for the formation of a Grand Lodge for the State. This committee consisted of Peleg Clark, John L. Boss and Robert M. Ackmutz, of Newport, and Daniel Stillwell, Jer. S. Jenkins and Bennet Wheeler, of Providence.

The Constitution of the Grand Lodge of R. I. was finally adopted by St. John's Lodge, April 6, 1791, By agreement the first Grand Master was to be chosen by the Lodge at Newport ; the Deputy Grand Master by the Lodge at Providence. The other officers were to be equally divided between the two Districts ; the first District consisting of the counties of Newport, Washington and Bristol, and the second of the counties of Providence and Kent.

Notices of Eminent Masons.

Feb. 1, 1792, Samuel Eddy was initiated, and on the 25th of June of the same year Amos Atwell and Wm. Wilkinson took the first degree. The names of Atwell and Wilkinson stand among the brightest in the galaxy of R. I. Masonry.

Mr. Atwell was a zealous and intelligent member of the Order, and rendered signal service to the institution in his State. He was Deputy Grand Master in 1S13 and 1814.

Mr. Wilkinson, whose venerable appearance is remembered by many of the younger members of the fraternity, was spared by a kind Providence to live to an extraordinary age. For years he was the patriarch of Masonry in R. I. In 1806 he was elected Master of St. John's Lodge, which he held for two years. He was again elected to the same office in 1813. He was elected Grand Master in 1815, and re-elected the following year. In the evening of his days a cloud came over the institution, but no cloud rested upon him. While some apostatized and others cowered before the terrific storm, that tempest had no thunder loud enough and no lightning sharp enough to move a muscle of that benign but brave old man. With an erect stature, a clear mind and a clean heart, he calmly looked his fierce foe in the face, and stood as firm as Roger Williams Rock. I remember well of looking, in the days of my boyhood, upon the serene countenance of that venerable man, who stood before the community in which he had so long lived, with a character unspotted by even the breath of slander. He carried his integrity in his heart, and he died with it there.

In 1779 William Barton was initiated. St. John's Lodge has the honor of numbering among her members the name of that true son of liberty, who immortalized his memory and shed an illustrious honor upon his native State by his heroic exploit in making prisoner of the British General, Wm. Prescott, on the island of Rhode Island.

About the beginning of the present century, St. John's Lodge received an important acquisition in the person of Thomas Smith Webb, — to whom, without disparaging the just claims of others, may be assigned a place among the brightest of the constellation in the Masonic firmament. Mr. Webb was born in Boston. He resided for a while in Albany ; thence he removed to Providence at the age of twenty-five. Almost immediately after his arrival in Providence, he engaged with great activity in the work of Masonry. He was not only what is termed a bright Mason, i. e., well versed in the ritual, but he gave himself to the study of its principles, and became a professed teacher as well as efficient workman. In 1801 a committee of St. John's Lodge was appointed to wait upon Mr. Webb, "and inform him that this Lodge, (for his great exertions in the cause of Masonry,) wish him to become a member of the same." In 1803 he published the Freemasons' Monitor, one of the first, if not the first, Masonic Manuals issued in this country, and which for many years was the only Masonic textbook in this State, while it was very generally used in other States. To him, also, belongs the credit of having been chiefly instrumental in the formation of the General Grand Encampment of the United States. The first movements in this direction was made by him in Providence in 1805, at which time a Convention of Knights Templar was holden on the 6th of May. A committee was appointed to form a constitution. On the 13th of May the committee reported and the constitution was adopted, and a Grand Encampment was formed, with the title of "The Grand Encampment of Rhode Island, and jurisdiction thereunto belonging." The following officers were elected:— Thomas S. Webb, of Providence, Grand Commander; Henry Fowle, of Boston, Generalissimo; Jonathan Gage, of Newburyport, Captain General. At this time there was only one other Encampment in New England, which was in Newburyport. There was a Council of the Knights of the Red Cross in Boston. There was only one other Grand Encampment in the United States, which was that of Pennsylvania; but as that Grand Encampment did not come into the General Grand Encampment, Rhode Island has the honor, under the auspices of Mr. Webb, of taking the initiative in this general organization. In 1813 Mr. Webb was elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island, and was re-elected the following year. In 1819 he went to the State of Ohio on business, where he very suddenly died in the town of Cleveland. His Brethren, knowing it to be his cherished desire that his body might be buried in Rhode Island, took measures for the removal of his remains to Providence, where he was re-interred with Masonic ceremonies on the 8th day of November, 1819. The Grand Lodge, with St. John's Lodge and other Masonic Lodges, by their numerous presence testified their profound respect for his memory. Thus disappeared, from mental view, a great Masonic star, only, we trust, to shine forever more brightly in a celestial firmament.

Reminiscences.

We extract the following interesting reminiscences of "antimasonic times," from the excellent address of Rev. Dr. Randall, before St. John's Lodge at Providence, R. I., on the 24th June last:—

Among the apostates were four men who professed to be ministers of the gospel. Three of them belonged to Rhode Island, and one lived in Massachusetts, but received the degrees in this State.

Who were they? I will not honor their memory by mentioning their names. I will give but a single paragraph of their history.

Lorenzo Dow, an eccentric but extraordinary man, — whom many in this audience well remember, — was a devoted Christian, and a consistent Mason. He was visiting the Lodge in Pawtucket, after the apostasy of these individuals and in a short address made to the Brethren, he is said to have made a remark something like this: If these men die the death of common men, I shall be tempted to lessen my confidence in a Divine Providence.

It is said that in three weeks from that time one of these men followed the example of his prototype Judas, and went and hanged himself, and in about three months the three others committed a crime which the sanctity of this place forbids my mentioning, and were degraded from the sacred ministry they had polluted, and driven out of the pale of decent society.

Such was the timber that anti-masonry was built of in Rhode Island. At a meeting of St. John's Lodge, holden on the 5th day of July, 1831, it was—

  • Voted, That it be considered very disreputable for any individual member of this Lodge to express a wish, or speak in any way favorable of giving up our rights or charter.

On the 22d of May, 1832, the Lodge instructed her representatives to the Grand Lodge to oppose the passing of any resolution recommending the returning of Masonic and civil charters.

At a communication holden March 17th, 1834, the Grand Lodge, yielding to the tremendous pressure of public opinion, resolved to su:render their civil charter, and recommended to all the subordinate Lodges to do the same. Several complied with the recommendation, and placed what property they had in the hands of Trustees. The veteran Lodge whose hundredth birth day we have met to commemorate, did no such thing. They respected the opinion of the Grand Lodge, but they also respected themselves, and a proper degree of self-respect prompted them to refuse to surrender what they knew they had not forfeited. They held on to their Charter then—and here it is now. The language of their determination was: The State has given us a charter in perpetuo, if they want it let them come and take it!! We will not, like cringing criminals, carry it to them. But the Legislature never came after it.

At a meeting of St. John's Lodge, holden on the 23d of April, 1834, a communication was received from Mt. Vernon Lodge, in this city, proposing to surrender their civil charter. In respect to this proposition, St. John's Lodge passed the following resolution :—

  • Resolved, As the sense of this Lodge, that it is inexpedient, at this time, to take any measures towards surrendering the charter of incorporation of this Lodge.

At this time Masonry was comparatively feeble. Her friends were few—and some of them were timorous. Her enemies were many, and bold, and noisy. Her best friends scarcely dared to hope that the Institution would rise, for many generations, if ever, from the dust into which a bitter persecution had crushed it. Strong influences were brought to bear from various quarters to dislodge the faithful, if possible, from their open adherence to the Institution. Fearing, lest in an evil hour of weakness and despondency, a majority of St. John's Lodge might be tempted to surrender their charter, one of their number took it from the Lodge-room and hid it in his own dwelling. For seven years was that parchment concealed. Nobody could find it. It was hidden, not in a hollow tree, but in Moses Richardson's secretary!

Thanks to a kind Providence, that veteran Mason has been spared to see this day of outward prosperity, and to join with us in the services of this Festival occasion. All honor to the firmness and unfaltering moral courage of this brave Brother.

It is a fact highly creditable to the fraternity in this Slate, that not a single Lodge gave up its Masonic Charter during this terrible siege. All kept up their organization, though some of them discontinued their meetings. It was not until the war was essentially over, that some of them became defunct.

There were many cheering instances of individual firmness. Of these I will relate one. You know that it is contrary to the discipline of the Society of Friends to allow any of their members to join the Masonic Fraternity. Nevertheless, not a very few of that persuasion have at different times and places entered the Order. Among others, there was one Quaker preacher in the westerly part of the State, who had six sons, all of whom were Freemasons. By some means Levi, for that was his name, finally found his way into our mystic pale. The Friends at last found it out, and sent a committee of two, Abraham and Joseph, to express their concern to their erring Brother, and secure from him an assurance of fidelity to the articles of discipline.

Abraham called with his companion, on Levi, when, as it is reported, something like the following dialogue took place :—

Abraham, who was the spokesman, after having stated that they had come as a committee of the Friends' Meeting, said,

Levi, we understand that thou art a Freemason.
I have had the reputation, Abraham, of being a Freemason for these twenty years.
But wilt thou tell us, Levi, whether thou art a Mason?
No, Abraham, I will not tell thee, whether I am or not.
Shall we tell the meeting, Levi, that thou dost renounce Freemasonry?
No, Abraham, I will not. I will see thee condemned first.

The Committee left him and reported to the meeting; but Levi continued to preach and was no more molested after that.

Masonry and Patriotism.

In the first part of this discourse, I took occasion to remark that this Society ceased to be a fraternity of operative Masons in 1717, when Masonry became speculative only. The history of this institution in Rhode Island, seems to afford one exception to this general remark. The Grand Lodge of Rhode Island did one work of purely operative Masonry. This occurred in the midst of the last war with England. At a meeting of the Grand Lodge, holden Sept. 27. 1814, the following resolution was adopted :—

  • Voted and Resolved, That this Grand Lodge, sensible of the importance at all times of aiding and assisting in the defence of our beloved country, and deeming it important at this critical moment that the services of the society should be tendered for the erection of fortifications, &c, do appoint the R. W. D. G. M., G. S. W., and W. Brother John Carlisle, a committee to tender services of the members of the G. Lodge, and of such of the members of the subordinate Lodges under its jurisdiction as can conveniently attend, to the Committee of defence appointed by the citizens of this town.
  • Voted, To meet on Tuesday, Oct. 3d.

The Grand Lodge met according to adjournment. There were present:— Thomas Smith Webb, G. M., Amos Maine Atwell, D. G. M., Wm. Wilkinson, S. G. W. The following is the record of the doings of that day :—

"The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form. At 8 o'clock, A. M., the Grand Lodge, with the members of the subordinate Lodges, about two hundred and thirty in number, formed a grand procession and accompanied by music, moved to Fox Point at the South part of the town, and commenced the erection of a fort as laid out by the committee of defence. At sunset they completed their labors, having finished a breast-work of about 430 feet in length, and about ten feet wide, and five feet high. After which, a grand procession was formed, and having marched several times upon the parapet, from one extremity to the other, the M. W. G. M., in the name of the Grand Lodge of the State of Rhode Island, gave it the dignified appellation of Fort Airam."

The record further says :—

"In the evening, the Grand Lodge waited upon his Excellency the Governor, and obtained his approbation of the proceeding and his sanction to the name, which had been given to the Fort." "Perhaps," continues the record, "in no instance has there been a greater work accomplished in one day, by an equal number of persons than was done on this ever memorable occasion. The day was remarkably fine, and the Brethren evinced that refreshment was designed only as an incentive to active exertions, when called to labor at an early hour. The Brethren separated, enjoying the consoling reflection of having done their duty."

BOSTON ADDRESS, JUNE 1858

Address at the Music Hall, Boston, before the De Molay and Virginia Encampments, June 24, 1858.
From Moore's Freemason's Monthly:

  • Vol. XVII, No. 11, August 1858, Page 330:
  • Vol. XVII, No. 12, September 1858, Page 361:

It is rarely that Masons meet on St. John's day, under circumstances such as mark the present occasion.

We are not here exclusively, as members of that great Masonic brotherhood, which, from the times of the Temple, has had a name and a place among the enlightened nations of the earth, and which has been wont, for so many ages, to celebrate this annual festival, in honor of him whom Masons fondly call their patron saint; but we are here, as members of that kindred Christian Order, which, uniting the cross with the sword, inscribes upon its escutcheon: "Piety, Magnanimity and Valor," — an Order, whose chronology is not, indeed, measured by thousands of years, and yet is old enough to have had its birth-day in the middle ages, — Young, when compared with Masonry, but venerable, indeed, when computed by the time-tables of modern societies.

To the bright eyes which at this moment are looking down upon the brilliant scene before me, there may be nothing which bears the marks of antiquity, or that wears the sombre shade of the dark-ages.

These valiant Sir Knights, now in the. morning of their manhood, and clad in the armor of their Order, ready for its duties and its dangers, are the polished links in that living chain which binds the men of the 19th century to the memory of that band of knightly noblemen who lived in the twelfth.

I need not remind these fair auditors that there are some things which never grow old. Truth, that never was born and can never die, imparts an immortality to principles, which saves them from the doom that awaits the institutions in which these principles receive their embodied introduction to the world.

Circumstances combine to produce a mode of existence, while the existence itself lies by a divine decree, infinitely above the reach of any current of human events. Such are the changes in this revolutionary world, such the impetuous impatience of the generations of men as they rush upon the stage, that any form of moral, social, or political organism rarely attains an antiquity which compels the veneration of a utilitarian age. The universal exception to this, is found in the divine institutions of the Christian Religion. Here the principle, and the ordinance which embodies it, remain as they were in the beginning, for they are both divine. The tangible body is no more the creation of confluent circumstances, than the spiritual principle that inhabits it. Hence the organizations of the Gospel, have had a perennial being in connection with the principles which they embody, Neither has been annihilated, suspended nor superseded, because both are from God. On the other hand, let a principle which is divine, be embodied in a form which is human, and soon this organism, however popular it may have been, is bereft of its charm, and is finally buried in oblivion, while the principle itself abides, courts another embodiment, re-appears in a new form, exerts its perpetual power, afresh over another generation, and then again disappears, to be once more reproduced, a gem, in another casket, whose destiny is, in the end, to be broken or to be banished.

Take the divine Law of Love, which demands the duty that we call Charity — what countless forms of social organizations it has assumed, since God commanded man to love his neighbor as himself! Every generation has its own peculiar associations, but such associations are the creatures of circumstance. And each specific mode of obeying a divine precept passes away with the state of things that begat it. Yet, Charity itself remains — rudely divorced, it may be, from a favorite form, — but no power of earth can drive her genial spirit away. An angel of mercy, she still hovers over the homes of the sorrowful, and gently fans, with her celestial wing, the fevered brow of suffering humanity.

Such changes are now so common, that we look for them as a matter of course. A new mode is not expected to endure much longer than a single generation. Never has there been an age more strongly marked by social vacillations than the present. Old organizations are everywhere giving place to new methods of doing the same thing. From such scenes of social instability, it is refreshing to turn our eye toward that ancient fraternity, into whose mystic pale these Sir Knights were admitted, before they were received as true and trusty Templars; a fraternity which dates its dawn early enough to have had Solomon, King of Israel, for one of its Grand Masters; which, amid the mighty revolutions that have shaken the very foundations of society, has never lost, essentially, the form of its organization, or the spirit of its power, in carrying out the great law of Love by doing the divine work of Charity.

The Masonic Fraternity stands before the world to-day not merely as a marvelous monument of antiquity, older and larger and wider spread than any other human institution, but as having maintained for so many centuries, the essentials of its primary organization. It has indeed, outlived the circumstances of its origin. The necessities which called it into existence, in connection with its first practical purposes, have, long ago, passed away, and no more constitute a distinctive feature of the Fraternity.

Originally a company of builders, whose monuments of matchless skill now adorn almost every part of Europe, challenging the admiration of the world— masterly models for modern imitation,—they were associated not only for the promotion of architectural science, but for mutual protection and relief; for the maintenance of that high order of integrity which is the dictate of the divine law.

The hand of time has brought its operative labors to a close. There are no more cathedrals and castles for it to build. But neither the hand of time nor any other hand, has been laid upon its imperishable principles. They remain; I trust they always will remain, in the fullness of their glorious perfection, so long as Charity has a mission among men.

While Empires have flourished and fallen, — Dynasties have come and gone, — Nations have been born and buried, — and countless Orders and Societies have come into existence and have gone out of existence, — this Fraternity, which was venerable for very age, before the most populous parts of Europe were old enough to have a name, — has maintained its ancient organization, — teaching its lessons of love, — and doing its work of Charity, — and is to-day, stronger in its bonds of Brotherhood than it ever was before. We look upon its majestic form as it stands amid the ephemeral creations of the day, a sublime exception to the triumphs of the spirit of the age.

It is very true, this time-honored Craft has no more monuments of stone to rear, — yet, it has a nobler work to do. Never, since the days of Hiram, King of Tyre, did it have before it a grander mission, than it has in this land and in this age. The great Architect of Heaven and Earth has not protected this Fraternity through these long and eventful periods from the hand of persecution and the Ravages of violent revolutions, for naught. It has a capacity for good, to which no other human association can pretend; and on its members devolves the responsibility of meeting the obligations which such a distinction imposes.

Connected with this ancient fraternity, though not originally of it, is an Order of Knighthood, whose organic form has, in like manner, survived its primary purpose. It stands to-day where it has stood for centuries, unchanged by the surges of that restless stream of time which is constantly furrowing the earth with new channels for old principles. Far back, in the middle ages, it finds its birth-place. Rising in obscurity, and going forth at first in feebleness, though never in timid weakness, to the prosecution of a noble purpose, its history, in point of eventful interest, is without a parallel in the annals of human institutions.

Some here present may be ready to inquire, who are these Templars and where do they come from'? As men, they are your fellow-citizens,—your friends and neighbors. As Templars, they are Sir Knights, to whom it is alike my duty and pleasure to introduce you, by unfolding to your view a brief outline of their origin and history.

This Order of Knighthood was not the creation of a day, nor the offspring of a single severe exigency. It did not come into existence with the readiness with which military companies are now organized, nor with the facility that marks a modern campaign; nor was it created by the rash vows of men who had become impatient of the old methods of defending the right and avenging the wrong. No; it came into being as the sun comes to his rising — with a harbinger that prepares the way.

The age of Chivalry was the dawn of Knighthood's birth-day. Chivalry was born in the turbulent times that followed the death of Charlemagne. "That illustrious monarch," says the author of the history of the Crusaders, "expired like a meteor, that having broken suddenly upon the night of ages, and blazed brilliantly over a world for a brief space, fell and left all in darkness, even deeper than before. His dominions divided into petty kingdoms — his successors waging long and inveterate wars against each other — the nations he had subdued shaking off the yoke — the enemies he had conquered avenging themselves upon his descendants—the laws he had established forgotten or annulled — the union he had cemented scattered to the winds in a lamentably brief space of time — the bright Order which his great mind had established throughout Europe was dissolved."

It requires no labored effort of the imagination to picture the deplorable condition of things amid the fearful wreck of that exploded empire. Anarchy and confusion were triumphant — no stout arm was stretched forth to curb the lawless passions of desperate men—the feeble and the fearful were at the mercy of the strong and the violent — every man relied upon his sword for the defence of his person and his property, his home and his household. If this earth, cursed as it has been since the fall of Adam, ever felt the reign of terror, it was at this midnight hour of the dark ages, when Justice was driven from her temple, and Mercy was banished from her home in the heart, and every sentiment of honor was trampled in the dust, and oppression and robbery and massacre and misery were in the bloody ascendency.

"It was then," says our author, "that some poor nobles, probably suffering, themselves, from the oppression of more powerful lords, but, at the same time touched with sincere compassion for the wretchedness they saw around them, first leagued together for the holy purpose of redressing wrongs and defending the weak. They gave their hands to one another, in pledge that they would not turn back from the work, and called upon St. George to bless their righteous cause. The Church readily yielded its sanction to an institution so noble, — aided it with prayers and sanctified it with solemn blessings. Religious enthusiasm became added to noble indignation and charitable zeal; and the spirit of Chivalry, like the flame struck forth from the hard steel and dull flint, was kindled into sudden light by the savage cruelty of the nobles and the heavy barbarity of the people."

Chivalry had its laws. A. D. 1035, the Archbishop of Bourges, in connection with prelates, drew up a code of regulations for the promotion of order and for the protection of the weak. These laws were subsequently submitted to the celebrated Council of Clermont, and by that Council confirmed. "To these laws every person of noble birth, when he had attained the age of twelve years, was required to submit by swearing to their observance before the Bishop of his diocese. By this oath, he bound himself to protect and defend the oppressed, — the widows and orphans; — and married and unmarried females of noble descent." In the language of those authors, who profess to quote from the language of the vow as it was administered, they swore to "speak the truth, to succor the helpless and oppressed, and never to turn back from an enemy."

Chivalry, as an institution, cannot be properly understood, nor its mission rightly estimated, without some knowledge of the spiritual and political condition of Europe.

The Church was there, but possessing only the dignity of an empty name, and the pageant of an imposing ceremonial. Superstition had cast out Godliness from the heart, and a deplorable ignorance had smothered the fires of a true devotion.

Liberty had hardly the semblance of an existence, even in name. Human rights were a thing scarcely thought of in connection with the more numerous classes of society. War was waged by Christians, with a heartless cruelty that would have disgraced the most savage tribe of untamed barbarians. Woman was degraded till she had become a vassal to him whom God had made her protector.

At such an era of political darkness and moral death, it was, that Chivalry, as a young giant refreshed with wine, stood forth in the midst of a debauched generation, and by the blows of its bold power startled the world from the lethargy of its besotting sensuality.

As Chivalry at best was but a human institution, its sword could not strike at the root of all this evil. Yet, it had the power to break the heavy bonds which had so long and so cruelly bound the spirit of man to the cursed slavery of depraved passions. It had the energy to burst open the dark doors of ignorance and let in upon the benighted mind of the people, something of that light of knowledge which gave that noble impulse to intellectual liberty which has not yet ceased to make itself felt. While Chivalry wielded the sword in one hand, with the other it raised the Cross from the dust, into which a church, alike careless and corrupt, had permitted it to fall.

Chivalry first taught devotion and reverence to that fair part of creation, who but in their beauty and in their gentleness, have no defence. It raised love above the passion of the brute, and by dignifying woman made her worthy of love. It gave purity to enthusiasm, curbed barbarous selfishness, taught the heart to expand like a flower to the sunshine, and beautified glory with generosity.

We owe a debt of grateful honor to those men, who, in such an age, undertook and accomplished such a work. Men "who (in the eloquent language of James) "singly went forth to war against crime, injustice and cruelty; who defied the whole world, in defence of innocence, virtue and truth; who stemmed the torrents of barbarity and evil; and who from the wrecks of ages and the ruins of empires, drew out a thousand jewels to glitter in the star that shone on the breast of knighthood."

But a new era was now dawning on the world. God, in his providence, gave to man the golden key of discovery, and with it he unlocked the arcana of nature and took therefrom the art of printing, the invention of gunpowder, and the mariner's compass. Under the magic of their mighty power, the feudal system fell; and in its fall, Chivalry, as an institution, gracefully bowed its farewell to the world. Having done its appointed work, it retreated before the majestic march of mind, leaving the world to feel for centuries the impulse of its ennobling spirit.

Contemporaneous with the age of Chivalry, and in part, perhaps, a consequence of it, there sprang up that most extraordinary religious enthusiasm, known as the Crusades. In the enterprise, which promised to rescue the Holy Land from the dominion of the Infidel, almost every class of Christians were engaged, with a pious fervor, which rapidly rose into the wildest fanaticism.

The Crusades gave rise to the three Orders of Knights Templars, Knights of St. John, and the Teutonic Order of Knights of St. Mary of Jerusalem. The Order of Knights Templars, says Hume, " arose during the first fervor of the Crusades, and uniting the two qualities, the most popular in that age—devotion and valor—and exercising both in the most popular of all enterprises, the defence of the Holy Land, they made rapid advancement in credit and authority."

The Order of St. John of Jerusalem made their appearance before the Templars were organized. About the middle of the eleventh century several Christian merchants of Amalfi, observing the misery to which the pilgrims were exposed, on their way to the Holy Land, obtained permission from the Caliph of Egypt to erect a monastery on the supposed site of the Holy Sepulchre, where the pious pilgrims, wearied by their long journey, might be refreshed. They also erected a hospital, which was dedicated to the Almoner of the institution, a a person known as St. John. This Order of St. John of Jerusalem, is not, therefore, so called from St. John the Baptist, or St. John the Evangelist. They were also called "Hospitallers," a name derived to them from the nature of their chief occupation. They were under a vow to entertain pilgrims coming to the Holy Land. They wore the black habit, with the white cross of eight points. The Order was divided into three classes: Knights, Clergy, and Serving Brethren.

Each of these classes, when not engaged in the more dangerous duties of the field, were employed in nursing the sick. In the time of war the Clergy followed the army, as Almoners and Chaplains, to attend the sick and accompany the pilgrims. The Knights commanded in battle, and under them the Serving Brothers fought, and by their directions dispensed charity. The Order was distinguished for its devotion, charily, and hospitality, and soon became renowned and wealthy.

Being driven from Palestine A. D. 1191, by the Turks and Saracens, it removed to Cypress, thence to the island of Rhodes, and finally found a home on the island of Malta, and hence they were subsequently called the " Knights of Malta." The Order, however, had no connection whatever with the Templars, until after the loss of Palestine.

The Order of Knights Templars is undoubtedly the oldest and noblest equestrian Fraternity in Christendom. It was established in A. D. 1118, by Hugh De Payens (or Paganis) and Godfrey de St. Uldermar, who united with seven other Knights to protect the pilgrims on the road to Palestine. Baldwin II. of Jerusalem assigned to them a place on the east of the site of the Jewish Temple ; hence, they were called — Knights Templars.

On entering the Order, the novitiate was required to take the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. They were, from the outset, a military Order. "At the Council of Troyes in 1127, Pope Honorius II. confirmed the Order, imposed on it rules drawn from those of the Benedictine monks, and designated a white garment as their dress."

Their numbers rapidly increased, and their heroic deeds of noble daring won for them a proud name throughout the length and breadth of Palestine. The Order was divided into several classes : Servants of Arms,—Squires,— Knights, and Spiritual members, who officiated as Priests, Chaplains, and Clerks, The clergy were habited in white, the servants of arms in gray or black gowns, and the Knights, in addition to their armor, wore plain white cloaks, adorned with octangular blood red crosses, significant of their purpose to shed their blood in the service of the Church. Their chief standard was white, with a red cross, symbolical of purity and courage. When engaged in battle they bore a banner half white and half black, emblematical of mercy to friends and terror to enemies. Vexillum bipartitum ex Albo et Nigro quod nominant Beauseant; id est GalJica lingua Bien-secmt. They carry before them" says he (Cardinal de Vitry, Bishop of Acre) "to battle, a banner, half black and half white, which they call Beau-seant, that is to say in the Gallic tongue, Bien-seant, because they are fair and favorable to the friends of Christ, but black and terrible to his enemies." (this is from Addison's Knights Templars.)

Such was the tone of their chivalrous valor, that any Templar on hearing the cry to arms! would been have ashamed to ask the number of the enemy;— the only question was: "Where are they?" The aspirant for Knightly honors was admonished on his entrance into the Order, to expect nothing but rough habit, coarse diet, and severe duty.

Notwithstanding the vows of poverty, the Templars soon became one of the wealthiest and most powerful Orders in Europe. The Grand Master took the rank of a Prince, and claimed an equality with the Sovereigns of Europe. The first house occupied by the Templars in London was situated in Holborn, and was denominated the Temple; but their principal place of residence in the reign of Henry II. was the Temple in Fleet Street, which, with the Temple Church, was erected by them. They were afterwards rented by the Knights to the students of the Common Law of England, at a stipulated sum per annum.

In their possession they have since remained, and the minister of the Temple Church still bears the name of the Master of the Temple. Beneath its marble floor sleep the bodies of many valiant If nights, whose effigies, at this day lie a full length, "in armor clad," on the pavement of the round tower of the Temple Church.

During the second and subsequent Crusades the Templars were in the zenith of their power, and in connection with the Order of St. John were regarded as the bulwarks of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem. After the extraordinary vicissitudes of an hundred years, during which period these Knights had shown to the world, that their moral courage was only equalled by their martial daring, — the Christians were driven out of Palestine, and the last vestige of the Christian power in Syria was swept away by the overpowering forces of the infidel Moslem.

The few Knights who survived that terrible contest retreated to the island of Cyprus. There they made their abode, and for fifteen years waged a naval warfare against the Saracens, when their Grand Master, James De Molay, with his principal officers, numbering about sixty, was summoned to France by Clement V., under pretence of consulting on the subject of a new Crusade.

The Knights remaining at Cyprus finally removed to the island of Rhodes, which had previously been conquered by the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, and here the Templars placed themselves under the government of the Grand Master of that Order, with which they were subsequently incorporated.

In the quarrels between Philip the Fair, of France, and Pope Boniface VIII., the Templars took part against the King and thereby incurred his displeasure. Here commenced that bitter persecution which, fed by the jealousies and suspicions of Princes, aggravated, it may be, by indiscretions on the part of some of the Knights themselves, resulted in their final extermination as a distinct Order of Knighthood. On the death of Pope Boniface, Clement V. was elevated to the pontificate by the influence of Philip, and became the ready agent of that heartless monarch in carrying out sanguinary purposes. De Molay, the Grand Master, with his Companions, having been summoned to Paris by this pliant Pope, was suddenly arrested in that city on the 13th of October, 1307, by the soldiers of the King.

The Templars were charged with having apostatized from the Catholic faith; that they worshipped the devil, practiced sorcery, were guilty of unnatural vices, contemned the sacrament and neglected confession; all of which were malicious calumnies. Having been arraigned on these charges, they were placed upon the rack and subjected to the most cruel and inhuman tortures, until many of them confessed whatever their barbarous persecutors demanded. "Others, retaining on the rack that fortitude and high sense of honor and that contempt of death which had distinguished them in the plains of Palestine, maintained the innocence of the Order," and their own integrity, and heroically sealed their principles in the blood of martyrdom.

Fifty-four of these valiant Templars died manfully in the flames. Their Grand Master and other officers still survived. Philip ordered De Molay and his associates to be led out to a scaffold erected for the purpose, and there to confess before the public the enormities of which their Order had been charged, and the justice of the punishment which had been inflicted on their Brethren. If they adhered to their former confessions, a full pardon was promised them; but if they should persist in maintaining their innocence they were threatened with destruction. While the multitude were standing around, ready from the words of the accused to justify or condemn their king, the venerable Molay, with a cheerful and undaunted countenance, advanced in chains to the edge of the scaffold, and in a firm and impressive tone thus addressed the spectators:

"It is but just, that in this terrible day, and in the last moments of my life, I lay open the iniquity of falsehood and make truth to triumph. I declare, then, in the face of heaven and earth, and I confess, though to my eternal shame, that I have committed the greatest crimes, but it has been only in acknowledging those that have been charged with so much virulence upon an Order, which truth obliges me to pronounce innocent. I made the first declaration they required of me, only to suspend the excessive tortures of the rack and mollify those who made me endure them. I am sensible what torments they prepare for those who have courage to revoke such a confession. But the horrible sight which they present to my eyes is not capable of making me confirm one lie by another. On a condition so infamous as that, [ freely renounce life, which is already but too odious to me. For what would it avail me to prolong a few miserable days, when I must owe them to the blackest of calumnies?"

No sooner had these manly words fallen from the Knightly lips of the Grand Master, than his body was hurried to the flames — and with his companions he attested his integrity in the fires of. Martyrdom.

Such was James De Molay, — a name ever to be honored throughout the world, where valor and virtue are recognized as attributes of a true nobility, — a name, let me add, that is honored this day by a body of Sir Knights who have inscribed it upon their beautiful Banner, and who will never suffer it to be disgraced, by an unmanly denial of mercy to a friend, or by the want of magnanimity towards an enemy.

The Order of Knights Templars was finally abolished by Pope Clement, at the Council of Vienna, on the 2d day of March, 1312. The estates of the Templars, which at this time were very extensive, were conferred upon the Hospitallers, or the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, with which Order the Templars were incorporated, in the seventh year of the papacy of Clement. This transfer of property was generally assented to by most of the sovereigns of Europe. And there is at this day among the English statutes an act of Parliament, which, after setting forth that the Order of the Templars has been suppressed, confirmed the transfer of their possessions in England to the Order of St. John.

After the abolition of the Order of Knights Templars, and the confiscation of their property, some of them who preferred a military life, joined the Hospitallers Others returned to their native land, and laying aside their military habit, engaged in the peaceful pursuits of life, and were content to practice the rites of their Order in the quiet retreats of Freemasonry. Here was formed, undoubtedly, the first union of the Templars with the Masonic Fraternity. It is to this union that we are indebted for the continuance of the Order of Knighthood among us at the present time.

When the Templars united with the Order of St. John, they laid aside their original habit, which was white, and adopted that of the Hospitallers, which was black'. For a period of more than two hundred years these two Orders thus united held possession of Rhodes and the adjacent islands, in the enjoyment of a general tranquility. In 1522 the Knights were attacked by the Turks, under Solyman II., and after a brave defence were compelled to capitulate. After their misfortunes, they wandered from place to place without any secure home, until at length Charles V., from motives partly political, and partly generous, offered them the island of Malta, on condition of perpetual war against the infidels and pirates, and the restoration of the island to Naples, if the Order should succeed in recovering Rhodes. The proposal was accepted, and the Knights took possession of the island on the 24th of May, (or as some say, on the 26th of October,) 1530. At this time they assumed the name of the Knights of Malta, of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. In the course of a few years they were attacked, in their new homes, by 30,000 veteran Turkish soldiers. In this terrible siege, the Knights exhibited that chivalric valor for which they had become so renowned throughout Europe. With such heroic bravery did they fight, that when one of the forts (St. Elmo) was taken, the last Knight of the noble garrison died in the breach!

The siege which had lasted for months, with terrific slaughter on both sides, was finally raised, and the haughty Moslem abandoned the deadly strife, and left the heroic Knights to the peaceable possession of their island home. This was the last great event in the military history of the Order of St. John. After this, they continued their naval battles with the Turks until modern times. The Order, however, still held large possessions throughout Europe. On the 10th of June, 1798, Malta was unexpectedly attacked by Bonaparte, when on his way to Egypt, and fell into his hands, it is said, by the treachery of a member of the Order — after having been in possession of the Knights for two hundred and sixty-eight years. The French, in their turn, were obliged to capitulate to a British force in 1800 —and its possession was confirmed to that government by the treaty of Paris in 1814 — and in their possession it still remains.

The fortifications of this island are said to be the strongest in the world. Immense granaries cut out of the rock, were stored with corn, sufficient to maintain the garrison for twenty years. They were hermetically sealed, and grain has been found in them, fit for use, after the lapse of an hundred years.

After the peace of Amiens in 1802, it was stipulated that this island should be restored to the Knights under the guarantee of a neutral power. But as the English continued to entertain apprehensions lest the French should retake it, and thus destroy their superiority in the Mediterranean, they have continued to hold it, in violation of the promise of that treaty. The chief seat of the Order at the present time is in the papal dominions.

That the Templars were an Order of Chivalry there can be no doubt; — and, moreover, there is but little doubt that Chivalry practiced the rites and in a large measure were governed by the principles of Freemasonry. It is believed that the Templars existed in a double capacity as Freemasons and as Knights.

It is the opinion of an eminent author (Lawrie) that the Templars deduced the name of their institution, and their external observances, from the usages of Chivalry to conceal from the Romish Pontiff the primary purpose of their Order, and to hold secret meetings free from suspicion.

The fact that they were a secret Order, and practiced ceremonies which the uninitiated were not allowed to witness, excited the jealousy of the papal power, and provoked the hostility of Kings, which resulted in the dissolution of the Order. The Templars took their rise in Syria, and may have early obtained a knowledge of Freemasonry in that country, — "forming the intermediate link in the chain which connected Chivalry with Freemasonry."

At least, this is the opinion of that distinguished Freemason and Knight Templar, whose name is known and honored on both sides of the Atlantic, and whose Masonic opinion is the best living exponent of Masonic law, — and when I have said this, need I say Moore!

On the dissolution of the Knights Templars, as I have already observed, some joined the Order of St. John. Others, who attributed their repeated disasters and final overthrow to the machinations of the rival Order of St. John, formed a new association, known as the Knights of Kadosh, whose chief object was to be avenged of the Hospitallers, and to regain their lost possessions. Those Templars who were disposed to pursue the arts of peace, returned to their homes and became united with the Masonic Fraternity. Hence sprang the Masonic Orders of Knighthood which spread through Europe, and were introduced into this country, during the latter part of the last century. The Order of Knights of Malta was probably instituted in the Island of Malta for the purpose of distinguishing the Templars who had not united with the Hospitallers from those who had become identified with them.

Such is an imperfect outline of this remarkable society, which for more than seven hundred years has not only had an existence in the world, but has exerted a most extraordinary influence upon the condition of society and the destiny of nations. For the last fifty years they have had an organized form in the United States.

The first movement towards forming a General Grand Encampment in this country was made by Thomas Smith Webb, of Rhode Island. At this instigation a convention of Knight Templars was holden in the then town of Providence. On the 6th of May, A. D. 1805, a committee was appointed to form a constitution. On the 13th of the same month, the committee reported : the constitution was adopted, and a Grand Encampment was formed with the title of "The Grand Encampment of Rhode Island and jurisdiction thereunto belonging." Thomas Smith Webb, of Providence, was elected Grand Commander; Henry Fowle, of Boston, Generalissimo; Jonathan Guage, of Newburyport, Captain General. At this time there was only one other Encampment in New England, and that was in Newburyport. There was a Council of the Knights of the Red Cross in Boston. There was only one other Grand Encampment in the United Slates, which was that of Pennsylvania; but as that body did not come into the General Grand Encampment, Rhode Island has the honor, under the auspices of Mr. Webb, of taking the initiative in this general organization.

Knighthood, like Masonry, has had its dark days of trial in this country, when the Templars had occasion to exercise not a few of the Knightly virtues. That season of bitter hostility has been succeeded by the present period of prosperity, which is without a parallel in the history of the Order in America. It is now only but too flourishing. Here it is, and for aught we can know, here it is to remain, for ages to come, with an increasing influence corresponding with its growth.

It may be asked: Wherefore is such an institution continued? What can be the mission of a society in the nineteenth century, which came into the world amid the darkness of the twelfth? What need is there of Knights Templars among us? There are surely no more Crusades to be carried on against the infidel for the recovery of the Holy Places. The age of Chivalry has indeed passed away, but the spirit of Chivalry has not left the earth. It has yet a heart and a home among men. There is in this wide land, and in this eventful age, an ample field for the manly practice of Knighthood's shining virtues.

When and where, let me ask, has Truth, simple Truth, ever had greater need of valiant champions who dare to drag dishonor and deception from their dark hiding places and expose their hideous forms, to the withering frown of public execration? When has there been a nobler opportunity for the exercise of Knightly magnanimity in sacrificing private interests to the public good, than is afforded in the every day affairs of this great and growing confederacy of sovereignties, with their rival interests, their local prejudices, and their honest but ardent differences of opinion, in regard to the public welfare?

Where was there ever a nation in a condition to feel more sensitively and effectually the conserving power of a great Brotherhood, whose silken bonds lie above the reach of the deadly touch of politics? What generation of young men ever had greater need to learn that unsullied honor is a nobler possession than untold gold.

Though the Christian Knight goes not to meet the Turk in the streets of the holy city, yet clad in gospel armor, he may find full employment for his valorous powers in driving out of this promised land that noisy Saracen, who had done so much mischief, and bids fair to do a great deal more, in whom is neither patriotism nor piety, and who is recognized by the picture of himself drawn upon his shield which he thrusts into everybody's face — the man of one idea. Christian Chivalry may find scope for its power in expelling from the heritage which Heaven has given us, that furious fanaticism, which will not suffer Christian charity to have a home in the human heart, and which turns Reason out of doors!

Let me ask, are there in this land, flowing with milk and honey, no Holy Places to be rescued from the hand of the infidel? I think we need not go very far to find them.

The Christian Knight of the 19th century, faithful to his vow, and faithful to the cross, may do a greater work than the Templars of the 12th century ever could do, in quietly reclaiming what infidelity is stealthily appropriating. But the influence of such a Fraternity as that which embraces Knighthood and Freemasonry, on the peace and prosperity of such a country as ours cannot be fully estimated. The universal presence of a Brotherhood who feel that there is in the citizenship of the Republic something better than the profession of politics; something more honorable than office seeking; something mightier than mammon; something more glorious than a party triumph, will do more towards perpetuating the noble heritage, which our fathers have bequeathed us, than all the political armies that ever divided "the spoils" of a successful campaign. We need, at this very hour, the presence and power of that fraternal love, which makes us feel that we are one, and never can be more nor less without mutual destruction.

We have, to-day, a happy illustration of such an influence. The presence of a kindred body from a sister State, imparts a new interest, and lends a fresh charm to the festivities of this time-honored occasion. We are proud to welcome to this festive hall, — to this city of Boston, — to the State of Massachusetts, — this noble band of Brothers who hail from the "Old Dominion." They have come on a pilgrimage from the "sunny South," — to tarry awhile beneath New England skies, which, though they sometimes look cold, and are oftener called inclement, yet, I trust, these valiant Sir Knights will see for themselves that however chilly our climate, yet we do have a sun in our Heavens, which has heat as well as light. I trust that they will return to their happy homes, with the conviction, that whatever may be wonting in New England, there is no lack of Armies of Hospitallers in her chief cities.

There is novelty in the scene before me. Yet the union of Virginia and Massachusetts Masons is no new thing. Brethren from these points have met before on Massachusetts soil. You have come with your swords by your sides, yet, this day does not witness the flashing of a Virginia blade for the first time in the summer sun-light of Boston. Eighty-three years ago, almost this very day, (July 3) — that illustrious Master Mason, George Washington, drew his sword — as Commander of the American army, almost in sight of the spot where we are now assembled — a sword which never again slumbered in its scabbard, until, under God, he had achieved the independence of his country. Washington was a Mason. He came to Boston to begin, what I trust you have come here to perpetuate.

We welcome you to our Masonic Temple, where Brethren meet. We welcome you to Bunker Hill, where our Grand Master fell. We welcome you to Cambridge, where our immortal Brother sat in the Lodge, upon the tented field. We welcome you to our homes and to our hearts, not as our connections by marriage, related by a mere covenant which they who make may sometimes break, but as our own blood akin; bone of our bone, flesh of our flesh; a union which can no more be put asunder, than a man can divorce his flesh from his bones, and then pretend to be a man still. When you go home, and any ask you: What tidings from the North, tell them what you learned when you were made an "Entered Apprentice," that in Freemasonry there is no North!

Tell them if any Sir Knight took with him, by mistake, when he left home, a Mariner's Compass instead of a Masonic Compass, he threw it away before he got back; that the polar star was eclipsed by the cross in mid Heaven. Write, we pray, you, upon the inner side of your shields, where no stormy strife can efface the letters, these words from the lips of him whom the world is proud to honor, as the living sentiment of the Chivalry of New England:

"Liberty and Union, one and Inseparable, now and Forever."

But it becomes us to remember that there is something higher and holier than our common country; something more glorious than civil liberty; something more enduring than the union of these States.

We are all of us completing the days of our pilgrimage to "that country from whose bourne no traveller returns." Improve what remains of that journey, diligently cultivating a generous and magnanimous spirit. Honor your profession by the practice of those virtues which should adorn the life of a true Christian Knight, "who is wielding the weapon of his warfare, must ever temper justice with mercy, and fortitude with clemency.

Remember that the Cross is the emblem of our Order. Remember for what and for whom, His precious blood was shed who died upon it. Make that Cross your only hope — "a crown of glory, that shall never fade away." Strive so to live, that when you reach the end of this journey, and meet your "last enemy, — and fall by that unerring blow which no other enemy has been able to strike, — you may look up as you fall, and behold that glorious Cross emblazoned in the firmament of your faith, — over which your eye as it grows dim in death will see, written in letters of living light, the sentence, In hoc Signo vinces.


COLORADO ADDRESS, JUNE 1867

Address before the Fraternity in Colorado, June 24, 1867; from Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXVI, No. 11, September, 1867, Page 327; excerpts.

THE SOCIAL PRINCIPLE OF MASONRY.

Amid the confusion and strife of this noisy and selfish world, there is one sound which ever falls upon the human ear as if it were a harmony wafted from the music of the spheres: the salutation Brother. With a power more than magic, it annihilates the distance which strangeness, coldness, jealousy, and enmity make between man and his fellow man. It thrills the soul and lifts its love into the ennobling plane of a new relationship. No wonder, then, that lsrael's Royal Psalmist, whose mind was all aglow with the Spirit of God, could have sung: "Behold how good and how pleasant a thing it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard., even Aaron's beard, that descended to the skirts of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon and the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion, for there the Lord commanded his blessing even life forevermore." Thus blessed, even in the sight of the Eternal Immaculate, is the dwelling-place of fraternal unity.

Such a salutation recalls to the mind of a world of aliens, the fact of the Brotherhood of the race: that the great I AM "made of one blood all the nations of the earth;" it quickens the conviction, that the primal law of life was a Fraternal bond which bound all to each other in unity of spirit, and as one, so their Father in heaven, in a brotherhood of love. lt recalls the terrible fact that sin broke this celestial chord, and the centrifugal force of an innate depravity, with a demon-like power, drove the children of earth asunder, and turned the heart of man away from his Maker, and his hand against his fellow.

From the great apostacy until now, there has been a struggle among the fallen to gain some of the social blessings which belong to brotherhood. For their recovery by human agency, many experiments have been made, which have been more or less successful accordingly as these plans have been pervaded by principles which are divine.

THE EQUALITY OF MASONRY.

The present occasion finds its chief interest, not in the greatness of the gathering, nor in the splendor of its pageantry, but in the fact that it is an assemblage of brethren, who are here to meet each other, with fraternal greeting, in the public celebration of the festivities of their ancient Order. From various and distant points they have come, representing almost every calling in life; and however diverse their pursuits, or unequal their condition, the humblest can look upon the highest as his peer, and each can claim all the rest as his brethren. In this relation, at least, all are on the level of a fraternal equality. But this is no distinction peculiar to this society. There are other associations who have a like fraternal element in their organization, so that no extraordinary interest can attach to this occasion, simply by virtue of its being a brotherhood. Some of this audience may have been attracted thither by the novelty of the sight of so large a body of Masons in public, clothed in the richness of the regalia of their various Orders. But other societies have, or mar have, the accessories of display; with waving banners and martial music. Yet there is belonging to this occasion, that which constitutes an interest, which is peculiarly and transcendently its own, The eye of this audience rests within these walls upon an organized part of the largest, and oldest, human association in the world: a fraternity which has its members in every quarter of the globe, and in every rank of life from prince to peasant; speaking one language; bound together by a tie too sacred to be wilfully broken, and too strong to be sundered by the arm of persecution, even unto death; casting its shieid of protection over the humblest of its members, to the utmost ends of the earth. With such claims to antiquity and universality and charity, any meetings of such an Order commands an interest which it shares with no other human institution.

FESTIVAL DAYS.

These brethren have come together to celebrate a time-honored festival. From a remote age, Masons have regarded John the Baptist as a sort of patron saint, whose feast-day they have kept as their own annual festival. It is the gala day of Masonry throughout the world.

Festivals are the products of civilization. They are a necessity of our nature in the higher order of its development. Wherever there has been a historical progress of the race, there have been festivals in every age - Incidents in the life of a nation, - the birth-day of great principles, the advent of mighty deliverers, the triumph of the spirit of a pure liberty, - mark epochs which are commemorated from age to age by festivities, which, while they have made a holiday for the people, have kindled afresh the fires of patriotism and confirmed an intelligent appreciation of the blessings of a progressive civilization. It was thus in the ancient Church of God; its year was made joyous br festivals. It is so now in the Christian Church. Every nation old enough to have a history bas its holiday. It is to be regretted that our own has found but one in a century. Festivals, when properly observed, are a blessing to a people in their influence upon social life. The philosophy of festivals is to be found in the necessity of human nature, created by the advancement of the race, in all that contributes to the higher form of civilization.

Masonry has her festivals. In this, she is not singular. She has much to commemorate. Such is the social character of this institution that in former times all her meetings partook of the nature of a feast; until the abuses of later years rendered. the call "from labor to refreshment" only a matter of form. As for all communities, so for the masonic scattered brethren, young and old, and of all Orders, who come together and mingle fraternal counsels and affections.

VITALITY OF MASONRY.

How many empires have risen and fallen, how many dynasties have passed away, how many associations have come into existence and passed out of existence since this society had a being, -yet it survives, greener in its old age than in its youth. No earthly power has yet been found strong enough to destroy it. What is the philosophy of such unconquerable vitality? I think it is to be found in the immutability and immortality of its principles. It is based on faith in the existence of God; on the Bible as His Holy Word and its Great Light,- on a scriptural mortality; of the heavenly virtue of charity as the law of its life. Such a society may be false to its principles; but, so long as it is true to them, no power of man can destroy it. This is the secret of its invincible vitality.

ITS MISSION.

It may be very properly asked, What mission has such an ancient institution here in the middle of the nineteenth century? Its very principles suggest its office. In an age of irreverence and unbelief, no association can be out of place which demands faith in God as a first condition of membership; which makes His Holy Word its own Great Light, without which it can have no organic existence, - which teaches a scriptural morality, and recognizes the soul's immortality, and which, in precept and practice, regards charity as the great law of social life, - which affords to its members an asylum from the distractions of the world, where all classes, of all creeds in religion and politics, may meet on a fraternal equality, undisturbed by the tumult of the strifes which so mark and mar the differences that obtain among men. Such a society surely cannot be out of its proper sphere in this age and in this country.

ITS RELIGION AND POLITICS.

While it teaches and practices religious duties without being itself religious, so also it inculcates political principles without being itself political. During the brief presidency of Louis Napoleon, the most popular political maxim was everywhere inscribed in the public places of Paris, as if it were a principle which had just been born, and was now heralded to the world by the infant republic; a sentiment read and cheered with the wildest enthusiasm of the French democracy: "liberty, equality, fraternity." Yet these principles had been taught as primary truths {or hundreds of years in the lessons of Masonic learning. Hence despots have ever been afraid of its influence. It has struggled for life in countries where civil and religious liberty are unknown, and has endured its severest persecutions from the hands of the most intolerant bigotry. On the other hand, it. has flourished most in the most enlightened age and under the most liberal government. In England and the United States, the two freest governments on earth, it has been strongest. It inculcates loyalty to the government; to the powers that be. as ordained of God. It teaches by its own internal polity the necessity of authority in government, the duty of strict subordination on the part of the governed, and maintains more strictly and uniformly, perhaps, than any earthly institution, the supremacy of law and order. Such principles silently and constantly inculcated and illustrated, uncontaminated by the poison of party, must ever exert a salutary influence upon a public, which holds in its own hands its own political destiny.

ITS USEFULNESS AMONG STRANGERS.

This ancient fraternity has its field of usefulness, not only in this age, but especially in this Republic, which is becoming the great asylum for the oppressed of all nations. In no country on the face of the earth can there be found so many who are literally strangers; who have left their homes for the new world, in search of that which they failed to find in the "old." But to the young men of our country, the discovery of great mineral wealth in the heart of the continent, affords attractions which stimulate their ambition to such a degree, that it bursts the bands of home, and by thousands they flock to the wilder and newer portions, where they may find fortune and fame. This class is among the most intelligent, energetic, and enterprising of her population. They are the most valuable contribution which the East makes to the West. They are the hope of the land. But they are away from the loving guardianship of home and all its restraining, refining, and elevating influences. They miss the associations of cultivated society. Many of them are not connected with any religious body. They are in peril as never before. A social nature craves society. In their new homes are attractions which lure only to destroy. To yield is to die. Where is the good Samaritan, whose hand of love shall lead the unwary into an asylum of safety, - where his acquaintances shall be friends, that are brethren, - who will warn him of danger, afford him a safe retreat at the close of the day, where what he shall see and hear will aid him in his efforts to attain the full stature of a true manhood, - this ancient fraternity is here to do this office. But it goes further and does more. It protects him when assailed, it relieves him in distress, it ministers to him in sickness, and when be dies, the hands of brethren carry his body to the tomb, and bear to bereaved friends afar the tidings of his departure, and. his last messages of love.

REMINISCENCES.

We extract the following interesting reminiscences of "antimasonic times," from the excellent address of Rev. Dr. Randall, before St. John's Lodge at Providence, R. I., on the 24th June last:—

Among the apostates were four men who professed to be ministers of the gospel. Three of them belonged to Rhode Island, and one lived in Massachusetts, but received the degrees in this State.

Who were they? I will not honor their memory by mentioning their names. I will give but a single paragraph of their history.

Lorenzo Dow, an eccentric but extraordinary man, — whom many in this audience well remember,—was a devoted Christian, and a consistent Mason. He was visiting the Lodge in Pawtucket, after the apostasy of these individuals and in a short address made to the Brethren, he is said to have made a remark something like this: If these men die the death of common men, I shall be tempted to lessen my confidence in a Divine Providence.

It is said that in three weeks from that time one of these men followed the example of his prototype Judas, and went and hanged himself, and in about three months the three others committed a crime which the sanctity of this place forbids my mentioning, and were degraded from the sacred ministry they had polluted, and driven out of the pale of decent society.

Such was the timber that anti-masonry was built of in Rhode Island. At a meeting of St. John's Lodge, holden on the 5th day of July, 1831, it was—

  • Voted, That it be considered very disreputable for any individual member of this Lodge to express a wish, or speak in any way favorable of giving up our rights or charter.

On the 22d of May, 1832, the Lodge instructed her representatives to the Grand Lodge to oppose the passing of any resolution recommending the returning of Masonic and civil charters.

At a communication holden March 17th, 1834, the Grand Lodge, yielding to the tremendous pressure of public opinion, resolved to su:render their civil charter, and recommended to all the subordinate Lodges to do the same. Several complied with the recommendation, and placed what property they had in the hands of Trustees. The veteran Lodge whose hundredth birth day we have met to commemorate, did no such thing. They respected the opinion of the Grand Lodge, but they also respected themselves, and a proper degree of self-respect prompted them to refuse to surrender what they knew they had not forfeited. They held on to their Charter then—and here it is now. The language of their determination was: The State has given us a charter in perpetuo, if they want it let them come and take it!! We will not, like cringing criminals, carry it to them. But the Legislature never came after it.

At a meeting of St. John's Lodge, holden on the 23d of April, 1834, a communication was received from Mt. Vernon Lodge, in this city, proposing to surrender their civil charter. In respect to this proposition, St. John's Lodge passed the following resolution :—

  • Resolved, As the sense of this Lodge, that it is inexpedient, at this time, to take any measures towards surrendering the charter of incorporation of this Lodge.

At this time Masonry was comparatively feeble. Her friends were few—and some of them were timorous. Her enemies were many, and bold, and noisy. Her best friends scarcely dared to hope that the Institution would rise, for many generations, if ever, from the dust into which a bitter persecution had crushed it. Strong influences were brought to bear from various quarters to dislodge the faithful, if possible, from their open adherence to the Institution. Fearing, lest in an evil hour of weakness and despondency, a majority of St. John's Lodge might be tempted to surrender their charter, one of their number took it from the Lodge-room and hid it in his own dwelling. For seven years was that parchment concealed. Nobody could find it. It was hidden, not in a hollow tree, but in Moses Richardson's secretary!

Thanks to a kind Providence, that veteran Mason has been spared to see this day of outward prosperity, and to join with us in the services of this Festival occasion. All honor to the firmness and unfaltering moral courage of this brave Brother.

It is a fact highly creditable to the fraternity in this Slate, that not a single Lodge gave up its Masonic Charter during this terrible siege. All kept up their organization, though some of them discontinued their meetings. It was not until the war was essentially over, that some of them became defunct.

There were many cheering instances of individual firmness. Of these I will relate one. You know that it is contrary to the discipline of the Society of Friends to allow any of their members to join the Masonic Fraternity. Nevertheless, not a very few of that persuasion have at different times and places entered the Order. Among others, there was one Quaker preacher in the westerly part of the State, who had six sons, all of whom were Freemasons. By some means Levi, for that was his name, finally found his way into our mystic pale. The Friends at last found it out, and sent a committee of two, Abraham and Joseph, to express their concern to their erring Brother, and secure from him an assurance of fidelity to the articles of discipline.

Abraham called with his companion, on Levi, when, as it is reported, something like the following dialogue took place :—

Abraham, who was the spokesman, after having stated that they had come as a committee of the Friends' Meeting, said,

Levi, we understand that thou art a Freemason.
I have had the reputation, Abraham, of being a Freemason for these twenty years.
But wilt thou tell us, Levi, whether thou art a Mason?
No, Abraham, I will not tell thee, whether I am or not.
Shall we tell the meeting, Levi, that thou dost renounce Freemasonry?
No, Abraham, I will not. I will see thee condemned first.

The Committee left him and reported to the meeting j but Levi continued to preach and was no more molested after that.

MASONRY AND PATRIOTISM.

In the first part of this discourse, I took occasion to remark that this Society ceased to be a fraternity of operative Masons in 1717, when Masonry became speculative only. The history of this institution in Rhode Island, seems to afford one exception to this general remark. The Grand Lodge of Rhode Island did one work of purely operative Masonry. This occurred in the midst of the last war with England. At a meeting of the Grand Lodge, holden Sept. 27. 1814, the following resolution was adopted :—

  • Voted and Resolved, That this Grand Lodge, sensible of the importance at all times of aiding and assisting in the defence of our beloved country, and deeming it important at this critical moment that the services of the society should be tendered for the erection of fortifications, &c, do appoint the R. W. D. G. M., G. S. W., and W. Brother John Carlisle, a committee to tender services of the members of the G. Lodge, and of such of the members of the subordinate Lodges under its jurisdiction as can conveniently attend, to the Committee of defence appointed by the citizens of this town.
  • Voted, To meet on Tuesday, Oct. 3d.

The Grand Lodge met according to adjournment. There were present:— Thomas Smith Webb, G. M., Amos Maine Atwell, D. G. M., Wm. Wilkinson, S. G. W. The following is the record of the doings of that day :—

"The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form. At 8 o'clock, A. M., the Grand Lodge, with the members of the subordinate Lodges, about two hundred and thirty in number, formed a grand procession and accompanied by music, moved to Fox Point at the South part of the town, and commenced the erection of a fort as laid out by the committee of defence. At sunset they completed their labors, having finished a breast-work of about 430 feet in length, and about ten feet wide, and five feet high. After which, a grand procession was formed, and having marched several times upon the parapet, from one extremity to the other, the M. W. G. M., in the name of the Grand Lodge of the State of Rhode Island, gave it the dignified appellation of Fort Airam."

The record further says :—

"In the evening, the Grand Lodge waited upon his Excellency the Governor, and obtained his approbation of the proceeding and his sanction to the name, which had been given to the Fort." "Perhaps," continues the record, "in no instance has there been a greater work accomplished in one day, by an equal number of persons than was done on this ever memorable occasion. The day was remarkably fine, and the Brethren evinced that refreshment was designed only as an incentive to active exertions, when called to labor at an early hour. The Brethren separated, enjoying the consoling reflection of having done their duty."

COLORADO ADDRESS, JUNE 1870

Address before the Fraternity in Colorado, June 24, 1870; from Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXIX, No. 10, August 1870, Page 306; excerpt.

The brethren of Colorado celebrated St. John's Day at Denver, on the 24ih of June, by a public procession, laying of the corner-stone of the new Depot, an oration, and dinner. The occasion called together some fifteen hundred or two thousand people from the neighboring country, including two or three hundred brethren who, in the procession, were escorted by the Denver Commandery of Knights Templars, on black horses. The masonic ceremonies of the day, at the request of the Grand Master of the Territory, were performed by Right Rev. Bishop George M. Randall, Bishop of the Territory, and Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. The oration by Brother Randall, it is needless for us to say, was an exceedingly able and fine production, which, we should be pleased to transfer entire to our pages had we the room to spare ; not being able to do so, we content ourselves with the following extract, which we commend to the notice of our readers. Such testimony from such a source to the value of our Institution, ought and will have its influence among all unprejudiced men. The reference to the religious fanatics of the West, who are endeavoring to preach up a crusade against us, is well put and well treated : —

Such is the society whose anniversary we celebrate to-day. It is for its members to say, how long, under God, it shall continue to hold its present proud distinction. If they do their duty to it, to themselves, and to their God, it will abide — the means of incalculable good in time to come, or in ages past. Never since the day of Hiram, King of Tyre, did this Fraternity have before it a grander mission than it has in this age, and in this land. The Supreme Architect of this Universe has not protected this brotherhood through their long and eventful period for naught. It has a comprehensive capacity for good, morally, socially, and politically. It has a sphere, and possesses facilities which belong to no other human institution. Here on this frontier, in a country which presents such attractions to draw young men from their distant homes — whither multitudes come in search of fortunes, young in years, and with but little knowledge of the world, with few friends, exposed to all the evils of a wicked world, and all the vicissitudes of this changeful life, it is really something to have an institution in the community, who shall at once take to its bosom the stranger, and treat him as a brother; warn him of his danger; succor him in his trials ; advise him in his difficulties ; visit him in his sickness ; and be in the place of living friends far away. I congratulate, you my brethren, on the prosperity of this Order, as indicated by the large numbers in attendance on this festivity. But large numbers and popular favor are not always indicative of a healthy condition. The severest ordeal this Order ever passed through in this country was immediately preceded by a season of extraordinary prosperity. It is now too popular for good health. Too many are rushing into its pale. There is a strong temptation to relax the vigor that should guard its entrance. If you would preserve it, and hand it down unimpaired to those who are to come after, then be careful faithfully and fearlessly to maintain an uncompromising discipline. I am glad to see a manifestation of opposition to this society in some parts of this country of late. It is a good sign. Its enemies cannot do it a greater favor. A little persecution will have a very salutary effect. If you would benefit the community, and honor yourselves and preserve this Fraternity and make it a blessing in the land, then see to it, that no unworthy person is allowed to enter its pale, and no unworthy brother is allowed to remain there.

FEAST OF ST. JOHN, DECEMBER 1871

From Proceedings, Page 1871-463:

I am truly obliged to you, Sir, for the sentiment which you have offered, and to the Brethren, for the manner in which they have received it. This is the first time, for many years, that I have enjoyed the pleasure of meeting with the Grand Lodge at their Annual Communication. "The years of our age" are rapidly passing away, and with them many of our Brethren, beloved, and "the places which once knew them know them no more." I was not a little surprised to hear my name called on the evening of the annual election, first on the list of permanent members of the Grand Lodge, as the oldest Past Grand Master living. I could hardly persuade myself, that one who felt himself to be yet young should sustain this relative position in this venerable Body. But so it is. These annual gatherings, while they exhibit the rapid growth of the Brotherhood, remind us of the Fathers who have gone before; and while we rejoice in the progressive activities which indicate increasing prosperity, we dwell with saddened love upon the memory of those who "rest from their labors."

We have been reminded that this Festival commemorates the fortieth year since the famous Declaration was signed and published by the Freemasons of Boston, and its vicinity, in vindication of the Institution against the assaults which the frenzied spirit of anti-Masonry made upon it in 1831. I was a boy in those dark days, but I remember them well. My father was a Mason, firm and unflinching. I was early interested in an Institution, of which I knew nothing except what I saw reflected in the life and character of those whom I revered. But I was old enough to know something of this senseless crusade, and to appreciate the motives of many who were engaged in it, in my native State. I saw its political workings, and in them read the heartless hypocrisy of those who were leaders of the movement.

So dismal was the day, that many true Masons verily thought that the end had come. I remember to have heard a very intelligent gentleman, a member of the Fraternity, remark that this Institution had probably accomplished its mission, and there was no more work for it to do, and so, like other associations, it would now pass away. That person did not understand the philosophy of Freemasonry; he did not fully comprehend the nature of its constitution, nor the character of its great office in the world.

This Fraternity was primarily organized for the mutual improvement and protection of its members in the building of King Solomon's Temple. But when that structure was completed this Society did not cease to exist because it had answered the end of its organization. There was for it other work to do. Other generations were to be benefited. And so it continued and reappeared in Christendom. The monuments of its skill and labor are now seen throughout Europe. When the great cathedrals were completed, and the Pope of Rome had availed himself of the skill and labors of Freemasons to make these grand contributions to the church, and he had no further use for their services in the work of promoting the aggrandizement of the Papal hierarchy, he ceased to be a liberal patron and became a violent persecutor.

In 1717, the operative labor of this society ceased altogether, but yet their work was not finished. The world had need of just such an Institution for the amelioration of some of the ills of mankind, and for the improvement of the mind and morals of men, and so the light of Masonry followed the Star of Empire, when "westward it took its course," and early shone upon this continent. We have to-night listened to the just and eloquent eulogy of its First Grand Master in this Western hemisphere. Masonry found its proper place and office in the war of the Revolution, and thenceforth multiplying its members and its charities, it contributed to the welfare of the world. It was in the midst of its work when in 1831 that tornado burst upon it, whose maddened violence threatened its destruction. Then it was that the more timid ventured the prediction, that good as it was and ever had been, it had-outlived its usefulness, and must now be numbered among the institutions which have been.

Out of this fiery furnace Freemasonry came forth purified of much of its dross, demonstrating to the world that its work was not yet finished; it yet had a mission among men, and so long as there was a work for it to do, no power of its enemies could destroy its existence or hinder its ultimate progress.

This terrible trial proved that there is in the constitution of this Ancient Fraternity a vitality which renders impotent the assaults of its enemies. The intelligent man knows that this indestructible life springs out of the fact that this Society, in distinction from all other human institutions, requires faith in God as a prerequisite of admission to its pale, — makes His Holy Word its own Great Light, without which it cannot work, — teaches a morality drawn from that Word, and enjoins that charity which comes of the Divine Law of love. These constitute the immortality of Freemasonry. No wonder, then, that it still lives; that the fires of anti-Masonry did not consume it, and the follies of its members have not rent it in sunder. Based on such principles, and designed for such purposes, it has not outlived its usefulness, and is not likely to for many generations to come.

Never in its history has this Brotherhood of olden time had before it a nobler work than it has to-day. The tendencies of the age, the signs of the times, the condition of society, all indicate its work. Who that has an observing eye does not see that irreverence is becoming more and more an evident feature of the common mind, as manifested towards God and man? Now a Society that recognizes the existence of God, and makes His Word the rule of life, and teaches the great doctrines of the immortality of the soul and the resurrection of the body, may do much in arresting this increasing tendency, and saving society from the infinite mischiefs which are sure to swarm from this popular evil.

Skepticism and a miscalled liberalism, which is only another term for an ill-disguised infidelity, are doing much to lessen the sanctity of the Bible in the eyes of the people. Contests are now going on, as reported in the public prints, involving the question of casting the Holy Writings out of the public schools. This is a dark omen. On the mid-tide of such influences stands this Fraternity, which claims Solomon as its first Grand Master, which keeps this Inspired Book open on its altars, a part of its constitution, and so necessary to its very existence that a Lodge cannot be held without it. Who will say what shall be the measure of the influence of Freemasonry in resisting these tendencies, and in promoting that profound reverence from man to the revelation of his Creator ? Then, who that reads the newspaper does not see what is the political drift of the world on both sides of the great water; that the tendencies are everywhere, at home and abroad, towards, that extreme of liberty which runs into licentiousness, to the utter destruction of all regard for lawful authority or rightful possessions? The spirit of agrarianism is abroad, and doing fearful harm in the excitement of the worst passions, creating false expectations, which, rising into demands, prompt to violence and blood, thereby sapping the foundations on which rest the fabric of well-ordered society, and all true liberty. Growing disrespect for all authority, disregard of ancient usage, contempt of forms, are some of the minor manifestations of this tendency to a levelling individualism, which is showing itself in old lands and in new. Will any man pretend to say, that a Society, which has come down from a remote antiquity, far away beyond the record of any other human institution, which symbolizes the authority of government in its order, to a degree that a single blow of the Master's gavel instantly brings order out of confusion ; where SUBORDINATION is not only symbolized, but taught and rigidly practised, as of the very essence of its first principles; where liberty, equality and fraternity are not only recognized, but illustrated and realized; where loyalty to the country and obedience to its rightful government are duties enjoined, — that such a Fraternity, in such an age as this, has not a mission among men?

The star of Freemasonry rose in the East; its course has always been towards the West. It is so to-day. Civilization is making its way across this great continent. Its swiftly flowing tides are bearing forward multitudes, who are to people plains which have been known only as the great American desert. Freemasonry has followed the adventuring emigrant, going from his eastern home. In this new condition of things, this ancient Institution finds a fresh field for the exercise of its moral teachings and its active charities. You can scarcely conceive of the vast extent of this newer portion of our country. I have lately come from the frontier, and expect soon to return to it. It is a long distance there, and it is a long distance after you get there. My residence is in Colorado. This one territory is sixteen thousand square miles larger than all England, Scotland and Wales. Its population is rapidly increasing, and its prospects are brightening in every quarter. Large numbers of enterprising young men are drawn thither from their distant homes, in search of employment. Many of them are thus suddenly thrown into the whirlpool of frontier life, not only thousands of miles from home, but without a single relative or friend in the land, exposed to dangers and temptations and misfortunes.

He can claim neither the protection nor the counsel nor the aid of any man among the multitudes whom he meets in the crowded thoroughfares of his new home, and is constantly exposed to cruel imposition. Now, in the absence of those who are to him of blood-akin, it is surety a very great thing to have a Brotherhood which will receive him into its pale, warn him of danger, befriend him in trouble, keep him from the society of the evil, supply his wants when he is destitute, visit him when he is sick, and should he die, will bury his body and send his dying message to bereaved friends far away. This is the mission of this Fraternity, along the frontier of our country. But it does something more than this. Its Lodge-room becomes an asylum, a retreat in the hours of leisure and darkness, where the stranger may find trustworthy companions, and listen to moral teachings, and so cultivate a taste for what is elevating, while he is, in a measure at least, saved from the snares of the destroyer, who walks in darkness, and through the fascination of companionship effects the ruin of the unwary. There are many Lodges scattered through that country. Their influence will have much to do with the character of the civilization that is to shape the destiny of great States which are now in embryo; a character which is to be potential for good or for evil in the future of this mighty Republic.

I am glad to know that the Lodges, some of them at least, are careful in the admission of candidates. I was informed that one Lodge in that region rejected nearly one-half of the applications for the degrees ; and this, not because the community were very immoral, but because the Fraternity were very particular. I beg you to remember that the men whom you here make Masons go there, and so give color and character to the Institution there, and they directly contribute to the woe or the welfare of a coming people. Remember, then, when you are casting the ball that makes a Mason in Massachusetts, you may be doing that which when done will be irreparable in effecting a civilization in an infant empire, whose giant powers in the prime of its manhood may elevate or depress the civilization of the world.

Christianity is yet to make these almost boundless "deserts rejoice and blossom as the rose." Human societies can do much in removing the obstacles to the advance of the Redeemer's kingdom. Their contribution in this direction is a noble one. May this Fraternity never fail to fulfil its mission here and everywhere.

Allow me, Most Worshipful, to propose a sentiment: The unbroken succession of Grand Masters; may every future link in this chain be as pure and as bright as that which has been made to-night.


Grand Master Randall