StAndrew

LODGE OF SAINT ANDREW

Location: Boston

Chartered By: Lord Aberdour, Grand Master of Scotland.

Charter Date: 09/11/1809; endorsed by Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. II-418

Precedence Date: 11/30/1756

Current Status: Active

NOTES

The Lodge of St. Andrew was originally chartered by the Grand Lodge of Scotland prior to the creation of the Massachusetts Grand Lodge (Provincial, later Independent) in 1769. As such, it always held an unusual and special place in Massachusetts Freemasonry; indeed, when Grand Master Paul Revere presented his edict severing relations with any Masonic body that did not pay quarterage to the Grand Lodge or appear at its Communications, a special exception was made for the Lodge of St. Andrew in 1798 so that it was not excluded from cross-visitation. Its relationship with the Grand Lodge continued at a distance until 1807, when a joint committee undertook the task of petitioning for release from the Grand Lodge of Scotland; its charter was finally endorsed at the September 1809 Quarterly Communication, where it was granted precedence according to the date of its charter, second only to St. John's (Boston).

In 1784 a portion of its membership seceded and formed a lodge under the Massachusetts Grand Lodge; this body, Rising States Lodge, was dissolved in 1810.

PAST MASTERS

Hugh H. Tuttle, 1844; Mem
C. J. F. Sherman, 1863
Edward Stearns, 1864

YEARS

1792 1798 1799 1800 1802 1807 1808 1809 1810 1826 1827 1839 1855 1860 1872 1873 1874 1877 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1909 1910 1911 1914 1916 1917 1918 1919 1921 1922 1923 1924 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2005 2006 2007 2009 2011

EVENTS

ST. ANDREW'S DAY, NOVEMBER 1863

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly Magazine, Vol. XXIII, No. 3, January, 1864, p. 83:

This favorite old Lodge celebrated its One Hundred and Seventh Anniversary by a Supper at the Revere House, in this city, on "St. Andrew's Day," Nov. 30. There was a general attendance of the members, and the tables were bountifully furnished and beautifully spread. The occasion was a joyous and happy one, the interest of which was increased by the presentation of an elegant gold watch and Past Master's Jewel to the retiring Master, W. Bro. C. J. F. Sherman, who has presided over the Lodge for the last two years, with signal ability and acceptableness. The former was presented by R. W. Bro. Moore, and the latter by M. W. Bro. Parkman, Past Masters of the Lodge.

We are gratified in being able to add that the disbursements of the Lodge in charity the past year exceed the sum of Eleven Hundred Dpllars. The officers are as follows:

Edward Stearns, W. M.
William F. Davis, S. W.
John P. Ober, jr., J. W.
John R. Bradford, Treasurer
A. A. Wellington, Sec.
Thomas E. Chamberlin, S. D.
William Parkman, Jr., J. D.
Albert H. Kelsey, Marshal
John P. Ober, S. S.
Isaac Gary, J. S.
Henry Jordan, Inside Sentinel
Smith W. Nichols, Tyler.

SOCIAL LEVEE, MARCH 1866

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly Magazine, Vol. XXV, No. 6, April, 1866, p. 218:

SOCIAL LEVEE OF ST. ANDREWS LODGE.

A correspondent who was present by invitation has politely favored us with the following account of the recent brilliant social levee by St. Andrew's Lodge of this city. Being our mother Lodge, we have preferred that another should speak for us: —

Dear Bro. Moore,—The pleasantest gathering it has ever been my priv lege to attend occurred on the evening of the 12th inst. It was the occasion of a social reunion of the members of St. Andrew's Lodge of Boston, — one of those few opportunities when the wives and daughters of the brethren are permitted to tread within the enclosure devoted to the rites of our Order. It is unnecessary to say that the brethren of St. Andrew's Lodge did not fail to respond to the invitation, and to present themselves, with their ladies, in good numbers. At half-past eight o'clock the brilliant company were ushered into the hall which had been prepared for the social and delightful pleasures of the dance. The apartment devoted to this portion of the evening's entertainment was arranged in a manner most appropriate to the occasion. In the east of the hall, beneath an elegantly arranged canopy supported by columns, was placeda number of plants, bearing upon their branches innumerable clusters of brilliant and fragrant flowers; behind this array of nature appeared a representation of the rising sun; while, enshrined within the bower, as though the presiding spirit of the spot, was the figure of the goddess Psyche. In the west, the rays of a brilliant star, set in a canopy of " white, red, and blue," shone upon an admiring and appreciating company.

The harmonious strains of music soon caused the younger portion of the assembly to tread the graceful measures of the merry dance; and although most of the older guests preferred to enjoy the scene without taking an active part therein, yet the happy expression of their countenances showed that the days were not forgotten when their footsteps were as light and active. At about eleven o'clock, the assembly were invited into the apartment where awaiting them was spread a more than sumptuous repast. To describe the scene that was here presented, so that it could be realized, would require a greater power tiian mine. Words can scarcely convey an idea of the exquisite beauty that broke upon the view; it would have required but a slight stretch of the mind to have imagined oneself amid the "gorgeous" splendors of an eastern feast.

Tables loaded with tempting delicacies, arranged in the most perfect taste; the rarest flowers in greatest profusion, filling the air with their sweet fragrance, and presenting to the eye that harmonious mingling of color that nature alone can produce, formed the main features of the banquet-hall; while from the centre of this gathered splendor rose a floral temple of beautiful proportion and design, within which a fountain, sparkling as liquid crystal, sprang from an emerald bed of moss; and, as if to unite into one perfect and complete whole the different portions of the scene, the softened strains of music fell upon the ear.

It is almost needless to say, that the perfect arrangement of the evening's entertainment was completed under the immediate care of the superintendent of the Masonic apartments; and to the committee of arrangements, Bros. Oliver, Palmer, and Pulsifer, great praise is due for their untiring exertions in providing for the comfort and pleasure of those present.

After due attention had been bestowed upon the banquet, dancing was resumed; and the early footsteps of a new-born day mingled amid the retiring pleasures of the scene.

S.

We have little to add to what our correspondent has written, except to say, he has omitted to notice that on the north side of the dancing- room, under a canopy, and standing on a pedestal, was a statue of Cupid, with his bow and arrow, poiuting across the hall at the heart of his victim, Psyche. The windows were also tastefully draped, and added much to the general effect, which was peculiarly striking and beautiful. Indeed, the whole arrangement was in fine taste, and eljcited, as it deserved, the highest praise of all present. The draping of the hall was the work of Bro. C. W. Roeth of Boylston Street, and was highly creditable to his artistic skill and taste.

Our correspondent may appear to be a little poetical in his description of the tables, but he is not much out of the way. The scene was surpassingly beautiful. We have had some little experience in such matters, and can say of the tables, without violence to the truth, that in the completeness of their arrangement, the beauty of their floral and other embellishments, and in the richness, variety, and abundance of their contents, we have never seen them excelled ; and this was the

general experience of all present. Bro. Tarbell tried to do the best thing of the season, and he did it. We must, however, say,—without meaning to detract any thing from his credit,—that he owes not a little of his success to the confectionery skill and inexhaustible conservatories of Bro. Copeland of Melrose. The floral display was perhaps one of the most attractive features of the occasion, especially to the ladies. The endless number of bouquets, and the richness, variety, and perfection of the flowers, was a subject of general remark.

The occasion was a happy family gathering; none but members and their families, with two or three exceptions, being present.