Difference between revisions of "Revere"

From MasonicGenealogy
Jump to: navigation, search
(GRAND LODGE OFFICERS)
Line 409: Line 409:
 
* '''[http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMWells Samuel Wells]''', Grand Treasurer 1879-1887, Deputy Grand Master 1888-1889, and Grand Master 1890-1892
 
* '''[http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMWells Samuel Wells]''', Grand Treasurer 1879-1887, Deputy Grand Master 1888-1889, and Grand Master 1890-1892
 
* ''Jack L. Zimmerman'', DDGM, [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAChelsea3_1927-2003 District 3 (Chelsea)], 1989, 1990
 
* ''Jack L. Zimmerman'', DDGM, [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAChelsea3_1927-2003 District 3 (Chelsea)], 1989, 1990
 +
 +
=== OTHER BROTHERS ===
 +
 +
* Charles Clark Adams, '''[http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAOtherBrothersA#ADAMS.2C_CHARLES_CLARK_1845-1905 Memorial]'''
 +
* William C. French, '''[http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAOtherBrothersF#FRENCH.2C_WILLIAM_C._1841-1913 Memorial]'''
 +
* Joseph B. Mason, '''[http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAOtherBrothersM#MASON.2C_JOSEPH_B._1836-1905 Memorial]'''
 +
* John McClellan, '''[http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAOtherBrothersM#McCLELLAN.2C_JOHN_1813-1878 Memorial]'''
 +
* Erastus Willard, '''[http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAOtherBrothersW#WILLARD.2C_ERASTUS_1851-1905 Memorial]'''
 +
* Marlborough Williams, '''[http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAOtherBrothersW#WILLIAMS.2C_MARLBOROUGH_1818-1888 Memorial]'''
  
 
<hr>
 
<hr>

Revision as of 11:57, 27 March 2015

REVERE LODGE

Location: Boston

Chartered By: John T. Heard

Charter Date: 03/11/1857 VI-96

Precedence Date: 03/04/1856

Current Status: in Grand Lodge Vault; merged with Germania Lodge to form Germania-Revere Lodge, 08/19/1999; now a part of The Consolidated Lodge.


PAST MASTERS

  • William W. Baker, 1856-1858
  • Orren S. Sanders, 1859, 1860
  • Charles C. Dame, 1860, 1861
  • Richard Briggs, 1862, 1863
  • William Rogers, 1864
  • Horace P. Hemenway, 1865, 1866
  • George T. Ambrose, 1867, 1868
  • Marlborough Williams, 1869, 1870; Mem
  • Charles H. Bolles, 1871, 1872
  • Samuel Wells, 1873, 1874
  • Joseph B. Mason, 1875, 1876
  • William R. Cooke, 1877, 1878
  • Frank T. Dwinell, 1879, 1880
  • George F. Wright, 1881, 1882
  • Zacheus Holmes, 1883, 1884
  • William B. Fisher, 1885
  • Edwin B. Holmes, 1886, 1887
  • Henry K. Dunton, 1888, 1889
  • Melvin L. Ingalls, 1890, 1891
  • E. Loring Richards, 1892, 1893; SN
  • G. Ellis Reed, 1894, 1895
  • Charles H. Ramsay, 1896, 1897
  • Royal Wilton, 1898, 1899
  • Charles W. Bascom, 1900, 1901; SN
  • Henry N. Rice, 1902, 1903
  • Sumner L. Stackhouse, 1904, 1905
  • George G. Perry, 1906
  • Charles Bickford, 1907
  • John G. Godding, 1908
  • John W. Crooks, 1909, 1910
  • Francis J. Whitton, 1911, 1912
  • John H. Blodgett, 1913, 1914
  • William W. Brooks, 1915, 1916; N
  • Jay B. Crawford, 1917
  • Winfield C. Towne, 1918
  • William P. Bullard, 1919, 1920
  • Clarence M. Cobb, 1921
  • William H. Campbell, 1922, 1923
  • Leon H. Davis, 1924, 1925
  • T(homas) Rutherford Edwards, 1926, 1927
  • Archibald J. Jackson, 1928, 1929
  • George S. Murray, 1930
  • Clinton B. Hayes, 1931
  • Russell M. Sanders, 1932, 1933
  • Henry H. Hill, 1934, 1935
  • Parker O. Bullard, 1936
  • Walter L. Kraemer, 1937
  • Reginald C. Garner, 1938, 1939
  • Earle W. Spurting, 1940
  • George A. Butters, 1942
  • Waldo M. Hunt, 1943, 1944
  • John H. Willet, Jr., 1945
  • Charles M. Sparkes, 1946
  • Albert E. Blodgett, 1947
  • Walter H. Heaman, 1948, 1949
  • Marvin S. Bowman, 1950, 1951
  • Arthur H. Edwards, 1952, 1953; SN
  • Carl R. Allen, 1954, 1955
  • Warren B. Clark, 1956, 1957
  • Bert P. Brockbank, 1958, 1959
  • Donald G. Lothrop, 1960, 1961; N
  • Daniel A. Lorge, 1962
  • A. Bentley Kurtis, 1963, 1964
  • Frank M. Sophia, 1965, 1966
  • E. Rea Seeley, 1967, 1968
  • Edward Newpol, 1969; N
  • Harry Lavidor, 1970
  • Edward Finkelstein, 1971
  • Leonard B. Cutler, 1972
  • Ralph S. Cohen, 1973; N
  • Alan C. Hochberg, 1974, 1975
  • Leon Rabin, 1976, 1992-1997
  • Stefanos J. Loisou, 1977
  • David Ginsberg, 1978
  • Jack L. Zimmerman, 1979, 1980; PDDGM
  • Benson Brown, 1981, 1982; PDDGM
  • Daniel L. Needleman, 1983, 1984
  • Ernest A. Pearlstein, 1985, 1986
  • Joseph J. Trofimow, 1987, 1988
  • Joseph J. Newpol, 1989
  • (Edward) Donald Weiner, 1990, 1991; PDDGM
  • David F. Howard, 1998, 1999; PDDGM

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

  • Petition for Dispensation: 1856
  • Petition for Charter: 1857
  • Consolidation Petition (with Germania Lodge): 1999

ANNIVERSARIES

  • 1881 (25th Anniversary)
  • 1956 (Centenary)
  • 1976 (120th Anniversary)
  • 1981 (125th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

BY-LAW CHANGES

1869 1871 1879 1885 1899 1903 1917 1919 1925 1926 1930 1945 1946 1961 1966 1976 1992

HISTORY

  • 1919 (Notes at hall dedication, 1919-316)
  • 1956 (Centenary History, 1956-57)

CENTENARY HISTORY, MARCH 1956

From Proceedings, Page 1956-57:

By Brother Bert P. Brockbank.

Revere Lodge, A. F. & A. M., in reaching the 100th milestone along Time's endless highway, is justifiably proud of the results achieved and looks with confidence to the century ahead. Truly, it is an occasion of momentous import, a time for solemn reflection as well as for joyous celebration.

One hundred years is a much longer period then the traditional life-span of man, but it is only a split moment of measured time in humanity's struggle for a better way of life and a better world in which to live it.

Therefore it is fitting for all of us on this great and important occasion to pause and look back through the vista of years and reflect upon the birth, youth and maturity of the Lodge.

It is particularly appropriate to recall with reverence and admiration the founders of Revere and those leaders who have charted the course and piloted the Lodge through many turbulent shoals into comparatively calm waters. They were just and upright men dedicated to the promotion of Brother Love, Relief and Truth.

Past historians have presented the historical highlights of our Lodge on the several anniversaries that have been observed down to the last decade. Since the 90th anniversary in 1946, the activities of the Lodge have proceeded smoothly with few events of historical value left to be recorded. This review, therefore, is largely a rewrite of previous accounts plus coverage of the past ten years.

Thus we turn back to the year 1856. To emphasize the long trail traveled, it may be recalled that Franklin Pierce was serving as 14th President of the United States; the Crimean War had just ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris by Great Britain, France and Russia; and the literary world was acclaiming Longfellow's latest epic, the "Song of Hiawatha," when Revere Lodge was instituted in Boston on March 4th of that year.

What changes have been wrought since that time! It seems almost incredible, but most of the changes tending to improve human living standards since time immemorial have been made during the past 100 years: from candlelight to electricity, from dirt roads to steel and concrete highways, from horse-drawn vehicles to airplanes. These are but a few of the modern improvements which we enjoy today.

Notwithstanding all these changes, Freemasonry has kept pace with and has adjusted itself to them, proceeding along its timeless course and bearing witness to the unchanged and unchangeable verities upon which it is securely founded.

BIRTH OF THE LODGE

Revere Lodge is a scion of Columbian Lodge, of which three members, Bros. William W. Baker and George W. Thacher, both Past Masters of Columbian Lodge, and Bro. John McClellan, met one evening in the early winter of 1856 and proposed the establishment of a new Lodge in Boston.

These three Brethren, who were really the Founders of Revere Lodge, having associated seventeen others with them, called a meeting for March 1st for the purpose of preparing a petition for dispensation from the Grand Lodge, to choose a name for the new Lodge and to nominate officers.

At the suggestion of Bro. McClellan, the name of "Paul Revere" was chosen in recognition of the fact that the famous Patriot and scientific worker in metals was, from 1795 to 1797, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts.

Although the records do not disclose why the Christian name of "Paul" was dropped, it is generally assumed that two petitions for the full name had been received simultaneously by the Grand Lodge, one from a Masonic group in Brockton, and that the latter's petition was the first to be opened. Be that as it may, the Brockton petition was given precedence and the Boston group gracefully accepted the name of "Revere." Before the dispensation could be granted, it was necessary for the petitioners to obtain the assent of another Lodge in the jurisdiction. A committee was appointed to wait upon St. John's Lodge and request its assent, which was gladly and immediately given.

The dispensation was then issued. It was dated March 4, 1856, and authorized the petitioners to work until the meeting of the Grand Lodge a year hence. It also appointed Wor. William W. Baker to be first Master; Bro. William Rogers, first Senior Warden; and Bro. Jonas H. French, first Junior Warden. The document was signed by Most Worshipful Winslow Lewis, Grand Master, and R. W. Charles W. Moore, Grand Secretary.

FIRST REGULAR MEETING

That evening, March 4th, the first regular meeting of Revere Lodge was held, opening on the Third Degree with eleven members present. The dispensation was read, after which a committee was appointed to draft a code of by-laws and to procure a seal. The Lodge received four applications for the degrees, exemplified the work of the First Degree and then adjourned.

A brief description of the official Seal of the Lodge which the committee procured may be appropriate at this time. An enlarged sketch of this Seal appears on the front cover of this booklet. It was designed by Wor. Bro. Baker and has remained unaltered to the present day.

The central figure of the design represents the head of Harpocrates, with his finger pressed to his lips to indicate secrecy. In Egyptian mythology, Harpocrates was worshiped as the God of Silence. He was the son of Isis and the successor of Osiris.

The legend, or motto, Non Ulli Tacuisse Nocet, is appropriate to the Deity, and together with the figure, represents an important requisite in Freemasonry. It may be freely translated: "Silence harms no one."

At the the second regular meeting held the following month, eleven members and nineteen visitors assembled for the first real work performed by the Lodge, that of the First Degree. Wor. Bro. Baker presided in the East, with Bros. Rogers and French occupying the Senior and Junior Warden stations respectively. The other stations were filled by Bro. George M. Thatcher as Treasurer; Bro. John McClellan, Secretary; Bro. Orris S. Sanders, Senior Deacon; Bro. Richard Briggs, Junior Deacon; Bro. George W. Patton, Senior Steward; Bro. Cyrus B. Davenport, Junior Steward and Bro. William C. Martin, Tyler.

The candidate that evening was a young Boston gentleman by the name of Marlborough Williams, who thus attained Masonic fame as the first intitiate of Revere Lodge. How wise and fitting was his selection may be realized by the fact that he soon distinguished himself as an officer of the Lodge. Later, in 1869 and 1870, he served as Worshipful Master.

GOVERNOR BECOMES BROTHER

At the same meeting, the application of His Excellency, Henry J. Gardner, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, was presented by Wor. Bro. Thatcher, then a member of the Governor's staff. Another member of the staff was also proposed that evening, and as Bro. French was a staff member, Revere Lodge soon had within its fold the Governor and three of his aides.

The initiation of the Governor naturally attracted wide attention in Masonic circles. The records disclose that on that occasion there were present sixteen members of the Lodge and no fewer than seventy-five visiting Brethren. When he took his Fellowcraft Degree, there were forty-four visitors. At the next meeting another large turnout of seventy-four visitors expected to see him raised, but he did not receive the Third Degree until the following December.

Revere Lodge was thus started on its career under most favorable and promising auspices. Work was abundant and the character of the initiates of the highest. During the year of dispensation twenty-nine applicants were accepted, a good year's work for any Lodge.

At the meeting of February 3, 1857, a month before the Lodge was constituted, a singular event occurred which may be of interest to present members. An accepted candidate, on being admitted for initiation, refused to comply with the regulations and, by order of the Worshipful Master, was removed from the lodge-room in the prescribed manner. Such an occurrence has never been repeated in Revere Lodge, and we doubt if in any other Lodge in the Massachusetts jurisdiction.

LODGE RECEIVES CHARTER

On March 11, 1857, there was a meeting of the Grand Lodge> and, as the new Lodge had complied with all the requirements under its year of dispensation, the necessary Charter was granted. Before being constituted, however, the Lodge met and elected officers, these being the same Brethren who had filled the stations during dispensation. A code of by-laws was also adopted.

The special meeting for the consecration of the Lodge and the installation of officers was held March 27th, at which Most Worshipful John T. Heard, Grand Master, with other officers of the Grand Lodge, performed the ceremonies in due and ancient form. On completion of the ceremonies, the Grand Master delivered an address, which was responded to by the Master of the Lodge.

The Lodge Charter is dated March 11, 1857, and it declares: "The precedence of Revere Lodge shall commence from March 4, 1856." It is from that day, therefore, that we date our beginning.

The early meetings of the Lodge were held in the Masonic Temple at Tremont Street and Temple Place, on the site now occupied by R. H. Stearns Co. The fact that the Temple was located there gave the street its name.

The first death of a member of our Lodge occurred on January 21, 1858, when Bro. William W. Delano was called to the Celestial Lodge at the early age of twenty. On that occasion was commenced the series of Memorial pages in our records, a practice that has continued through the years to the present. Sooner or later all of us will have our Memorial page. It is only a question of time.

In 1859, the Temple Place building having been sold to the United States government, the Lodge was forced to seek quarters elsewhere. On January 25th of that year the Lodge met at Nassau Hall, located at the corner of Washington and Common Streets, and continued to meet there until the completion of Free Masons Hall, on the site of the present Temple.

FIRE SWEEPS TEMPLE

The new Lodge suffered its worse disaster in March, 1864, when, after a regular meeting, the building was destroyed by fire, the Lodge losing all its regalia, its working tools and even its original Charter. The following October the Lodge took part in the exercises at which the corner-stone of a new Temple on the same site was laid.

While this building was under construction, the Lodge met in Odd Fellows Hall at Washington and Kneeland Streets, and later in Thorndike Hall in Summer Street, until the newly-completed Temple was dedicated to Masonic usages on June 24, 1867, with elaborate ceremonies, in which President Andrew Johnson participated. On that day the Lodge appeared in the procession with sixty members in line under Wor. Master George T. Ambrose. The first regular meeting there was on the following September 3rd.

That structure was of Gothic architecture and seven stories in height. Constructed of light granite, it presented an imposing appearance when viewed from Boston Common. The entrance was on Tremont Street and access to the upper floors was by means of a massive, wide stairway branching to right and left at the first landing.

There was no elevator in the building. Members were forced to climb two long flights of stairs to reach Sutton Hall, where Lodge meetings were held, and three more flights to Gothic Hall, where the Commanderies and other bodies met. Two flights above this was the banquet hall, on the top floor. Just imagine the caterer of that time having to haul his supplies and equipment up those seven flights and then down again after a dinner.

It was in that building that the 25th anniversary of Revere Lodge was held on March 5, 1881, with Wor. George F. Wright in the East. The principal speaker on that occasion was Past Master Samuel Wells, who was then serving as Treasurer of the Lodge and also Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge. At a later date, 1890 to 1892, he was Grand Master of the Massachusetts jurisdiction.

At the close of the exercises in Sutton Hall, an opportunity was afforded visiting members and ladies to inspect the several apartments in the Temple, the celebration concluding with a banquet in the upper hall.

This Temple was likewise destroyed by fire on September 7, 1895, and was replaced by the present structure which was dedicated December 27, 1899. During its construction, Revere Lodge
 met in the Masonic Temple in Roxbury until February, 1896,
 and thereafter in Boylston Hall at Washington and Boylston
 Streets.

The 40th anniversary of the Lodge was observed March 3, 1896, in Boylston Hall, with Wor. Charles H. Ramsay, Master.
This celebration was necessarily restricted because the Lodge
had no home at the time. Despite the obstacles, there were
present that night no fewer than sixty members and forty-eight
visitors. From that date until 1906 the Lodge pursued its even
way without any outstanding events worthy of special mention.

FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY

It is unfortunate that no special record appears to have been made of the 50th anniversary observance. It has been learned, however, that the exercises followed closely those of the 25th year's celebration. The ceremonies opened with a reception and organ recital in Corinthian Hall, followed by a dinner in the banquet hall. The presiding Master was Wor. George G. Parry.

After the repast, the gathering again returned to Corinthian Kail, where the exercises resumed with the reading of "An Historical Sketch of Revere Lodge" by Wor. George F. Wright. A diligent search has failed to reveal a copy of that address, which dealt in detail with many interesting activities of the Lodge since its 25th birthday. Next on the program was a concert and a variety entertainment followed by a banquet and dancing until midnight.

Our 75th anniversary was observed March 3, 1931, during the Master's term of Wor. Clifton R. Hayes, and attracted a large attendance of members and visitors. The Master received the Grand Master and other Grand Lodge Officers, Masters of the several Lodges comprising the Boston First Masonic District, and distinguished visitors. Bro. William B. Revere, the Patriot's great grandson, was also a guest of the Lodge. The anniversary address was delivered by Bro. Newell A. Thompson. It was entitled "A Retrospect of Revere Lodge, A. F. & A. M.," and proved to be the most comprehensive history of the Lodge to that year.

On the occasion of its 90th birthday on March 5, 1946, the Lodge held a special meeting, featuring a reading of the Lodge record compiled by the historian, Bro. Marvin S. Bowman, entitled "Ninety Years of Revere Lodge." Four years later Bro. Bowman became Master of the Lodge and served through 1950 and 1951. The exercises on this occasion were conducted by the Master, Wor. Charles M. Sparkes, with a goodly number of the Brethren present.

During the past decade there has been a dearth of unusual events to highlight the activities of the Lodge. It stood fast under the second World War and the Korean Conflict, in which many of our members participated, making the necessary postwar adjustments without fuss or fanfare.

ONE HUNDREDTH MILESTONE

We are now meeting to celebrate our Centennial anniversary. For a full century, through dark days of doubt and distress and periods of good times, Revere Lodge has exemplified the eternal verities that have made our beloved Fraternity one of the greatest forces for good in the world. Revere Lodge has been privileged to be a vital part in a glorious period of our nation's history, from Franklin Pierce to Dwight D. Eisenhower. It has survived five great wars, including the lamentable Civil War and two World Wars, several disastrous depressions, fires and epidemics. The key to the Lodge's successful career lies in the type of leadership it has always enjoyed. A total of fifty-nine Worshipful Masters have guided its destinies during its first 100 years, including our present Master, Worshipful Warren B. Clark. Of these, all but sixteen have served two-year terms, the others one year each. We also have tender thoughts for the thirty-nine of these leaders who have laid down the working tools of the Craft at the call of the Supreme Master.

One fact of which members of Revere Lodge may be justifiably proud is that we have been signally honored by Grand Lodge in the election or appointment of Grand Officers. Since 1856 the Lodge has furnished more officers to the Grand Lodge than any other Lodge in the Massachusetts jurisdiction. The roster follows: four Grand Masters, five Deputy Grand Masters, three Senior Grand Wardens, one Junior Grand Warden, three Grand Treasurers, one Grand Secretary, eight District Deputy Grand Masters, one District Deputy Grand Marshal, and one Senior Grand Steward.

One of the District Deputies was R. W. T. Rutherford Edwards, who was Master of the Lodge in 1926 and 1927. It was more than 25 years ago when he conceived the establishment of Lodges of Instruction as an adjunct to the Masonic educational program. He organized the first of such Lodges in Boston and before he died several years ago, he had the satisfaction of seeing similar Lodges of Instruction adopted throughout our jurisdiction.

Our present Treasurer, Worshipful Walter H. Heaman, who was Master of the Lodge in 1948-1949, is also an ardent supporter of this educational project and was Worshipful Master of the Third Lodge of Instruction in 1950.

The Past Masters who are present with us tonight need no praise from your historian. We know and respect them for their proven efficiency and earnestness in the field of leadership, their ritualistic ability, and their faithfulness at all times to the great trust reposed in them. The Lodge has had only eight Secretaries since its inception. Last year our beloved Brother H. Frank Spurr resigned the office of Secretary after twenty-three years of faithful service. In June he was elected Secretary Emeritus and voted honorary membership, and Bro. C. Donaldson Damon was elected to succeed him. Only a few weeks later, Bro. Spurr was called suddenly to his eternal reward, and his Brethren still mourn his passing.

When Revere Lodge was founded, there were fewer than 25,000 Masons in the Massachusetts jurisdiction. Today, there are 342 Lodges, with a total membership of 128,652.

We believe that "what's past is prologue," and that the record achievements of Revere Lodge in the century just closed are but the preparation for continued progress in the century ahead.

Today, Freemasonry is one of our nation's greatest assets. It has furnished architects of a better society and a better way of life. Like the principles of our American democracy, it points the way to universal peace and a Brotherhood of Men under the Fatherhood of God.

Revere Lodge will always remain a pillar of this great institution. Its past is revered, its present is resolved, its future is assured.

OTHER

  • 1885 (Presentation to Grand Lodge, 1885-191)
  • 1900 (Presentation to Grand Lodge, 1900-19)
  • 1934 (Reduction of fees disapproved, 1934-335)
  • 1936 (Reduction of fees approved)

EVENTS

PRESENTATION, JANUARY 1858

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XVII, No. 4, February 1858, Page 119:

The last stated meeting of Revere Lodge was made the occasion of a very interesting and pleasing occurrence. The retiring Master, W. William W. Baker, having served the Lodge as Master from its commencement, was presented by the members thereof with a beautiful silver testimonial, expressive of their brotherly love and Masonic estimation.

The presentation was made by the Senior Warden, Br. Wm. Rogers, in a very felicitous and highly pleasing address. He adverted to the labors of Br. Baker as one of the founders of the Lodge, his devotion to its interests, and his jealous care and watchfulness while Master. The speaker also alluded in fitting terms to the services of his Worshipful Brother in other departments of the Institution ; his love for the Craft, and the confidence and esteem in which he was held, not only by the members of his own Lodge, but also in the Order at large. Brother Rogers' remarks were exceedingly appropriate, and were listened to with great attention.

Brother Baker, in reply, was much affected at this unexpected event, and ex pressed his heartfelt thanks for the beautiful testimonial and the flattering terms in which it had been conveyed. He alluded to the success that had attended their endeavors to form a first class Lodge, and their present prosperous condition, and ascribed it, in a great measure, to that harmony and oneness of sentiment that had ever characterized them as a Lodge.

Revere Lodge already numbers more than fifty members, a majority of whom have so far perfected themselves as Masons, as to be able to fill with honor, almost any office in the Lodge. This, Brother Baker held to be a sure and certain foundation, and the only sure and certain foundation for a Masonic Lodge, and urged upon the Brethren the necessity of attention to the study of the ritual, and a prompt attendance at the meetings, both of the Lodge and sodality. He concluded with trusting that the harmony and brotherly love that now existed might ever prevail, and that the present W. M. (Brother Sanders,) might leave to his successor, as happy, as prosperous, and as united a Lodge.

The testimonial is a Silver Pitcher, of chaste design, elegantly wrought, and beautifully finished. It is inscribed —

From the Members of
Revere Lodge
to
Worshipful William W. Baker,
for his
Eminent services as First Master of this Lodge.
January, 1858."

The ceremony was witnessed by a large number of the Brethren, who expressed themselves much pleased at the appropriateness and the interest of the occasion.

INSTALLATION, JANUARY 1860

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XIX, No. 3, January 1860, Page 72:

Revere Lodge of Boston held their fourth annual meeting at Nassau Hall, on Tuesday evening, Dec. 6th, at which time the following Brethren were duly elected and installed :—

  • Chas. C. Dame, W. M.
  • Richard Briggs, S. W.
  • H. P. Hemenway, J. W.
  • John McClellan, Treas.
  • William W. Baker, Sec'y.
  • T. F. Clark, S. Deacon.
  • B. F. Wilson, J. Deacon.
  • C. W. Huntington, S. Steward.
  • J. A. Osborne, J. Steward.
  • G. W. Harris, Organist.

The W. M. elect was installed by the retiring Master, W. O. S. Sanders, who made some impressive remarks upon the nature and importance of the office, add entered at length upon the necessity of a strict adherence to the rules and regulations of the Order. W. Bro. Dame, in turn, in a very happy manner installed the remaining officers. R. W. Wm. D. Coolidge, D. D. Grand Master, then presented W. Bro. Sanders with a Past Master's diploma and took occasion to remark upon the great success that had attended Revere Lodge since its institution, and the excellent standing it maintained in the Grand Lodge.

This Lodge is a legitimate offspring of Columbian Lodge of Boston, its founders being two Past Masters of that Lodge (R. W. Brothers Geo. M. Thacher and Wm. W. Baker) and John McClellan, for many years Secretary of Columbian Lodge. It numbers at present seventy-six members, and ranks second to none in the country, for the excellence of its work, for the interest taken in the Order, and for the high social position of its members.

After the ceremonies of the evening, which were not concluded till a late hour, the Lodge, with its invited guests, repaired to the banqueting hall, where a table had been beautifully spread by Smith, the well known caterer. A proper consideration having been extended to the more solid portion of the viands, Br. Wm. W. Baker, the first Master of the Lodge, was called to the Chair, who, after a few preliminary remarks, welcomed the company to the hospitality of Revere Lodge, and announced as the first sentiment — "The Grand Lodge." In the absence of the M. W. Grand Master, John T. Heard, R. W. Winslow Lewis, Past G. M., responded in a very happy vein, and provoked a rejoinder from R. W. Dan. Harwood. Speeches and sentiments rapidly followed — prominent among which were those by R. W. Bros. Coolidge, Dame, Sanders, Clapp (who responded to the memory of Paul Revere, for whom the Lodge was called), Allen (who spoke for the Members of Revere Lodge), McClellan, Wood, and others.

The company separated at a late hour, highly gratified with the entertainment of the evening.

PRESENTATION, APRIL 1860

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XIX, No. 6, April 1860, Page 177:

The Masonic Fraternity generally, and especially the older members, are interested in the welfare and doings of the younger Lodges; and, therefore, we take occasion to notice a very agreeable episode which occurred during the exercises at Revere Lodge, at its regular communication on the 6th instant.

It is a cheering and pleasing judication of the condition of the Order in this jurisdiction, to see the Brethren of a Lodge, organized but three years since, manifesting their appreciation of Masonic zeal and services in their officers in the manner exemplified on the occasion above referred to.

A committee of the Lodge, consisting of W. M. Dame, Briggs, Hemenway, McClellan, Wood, Rogers and M. Williams, having been appointed to consult upon some suitable testimonial to present to Worshipful Past Master, Bro. Sanders, for his faithful and able discharge of the duties of Master of Revere Lodge, also to express the feelings of the members towards him personally, made choice of a beautiful silver pitcher, elegantly chased and with an appropriate inscription, and the presentation was made by Brother Rogers, on behalf of the committee, in the following felicitous remarks, which, as well as the reply thereto, have been committed to paper and kindly furnished at our solicitation.

A Member of Revere Lodge.

Worshipful Matter Sanders, — A pleasing observance has become customary in many of our Masonic bodies, upon the retirement of a presiding officer, who has always been faithful and efficient in his duties, a true-hearted Mason, and worthy of all Brotherly regard, of giving him some permanent testimonial, for the purpose of showing that bis Brethren appreciate his worth and his services, and wish him and his friends to know and remember that he is properly esteemed. The principal value of the gift, not derived from the material or the workmanship, springs from the esteem and good will of those friends and Brothers who take pleasure in presenting it. The inscription upon its face displays in words what is felt in the hearts of the givers, and imparts a value richer than silver or gold.

Worshipful Brother, you have presided over this Lodge, during two years of progress, harmony and prosperity. And during the first two years of our working, also, previous to your occupancy of the Master's chair, as Senior Deacon, yon were a prominent, faithful and efficient officer. Both positions you have filled with credit to yourself and honor to the Lodge; and you have never spared any effort, or care, or study, or pain, to fulfill every part of your duty faithfully, and to advance the best interests, the welfare, the harmony and good feeling of the Lodge. Your constant endeavor has appeared to be, to do your whole duty, and such an endeavor secures its own success. This Lodge, which has grown up with you, these just and upright Masons, selected with care from the applicants for admission to our ancient mysteries, attest the watchful care, not only of your worthy predecessor, whom we all esteem and love, but also of yourself; and the prudence and discrimination of the committees appointed by both. And to those who have been associated with you io the pleasant relations of Masonic Brotherhood, among whom no contention has ever existed, but that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who best could work and best agree, you yourself would be one of the most ready to accord their appropriate measure of commendation.

And now, worshipful Brother, we ask you to receive from our hands this token of our esteem (a beautiful Silver Pitcher, a rare specimen of workmanship). May it always remind you to continue firm and steadfast in every Masonic duty, so that in age you may enjoy the happy reflection consequent on a well spent life.


GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

OTHER BROTHERS


DISTRICTS

1856: District 1 (Boston)

1867: District 1 (Boston)

1883: District 1 (Boston)

1911: District 1 (Boston)

1927: District 1 (Boston)


LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges