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STAR OF BETHLEHEM LODGE

Location: Chelsea; Wakefield (1978)

Chartered By: Augustus Peabody

Charter Date: 06/11/1845 IV-740

Precedence Date: 12/08/1843

Current Status: Active. Note that this was the first lodge to petition for a charter following the anti-Masonic period and was the beginning of the renewed growth of the Masonic fraternity in Massachusetts.

PAST MASTERS

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

• Petition for Dispensation: 1843
• Petition for Charter: 1845
• Consolidation Petition (with Winthrop Lodge): 1995

ANNIVERSARIES

• 1893 (50th Anniversary)
• 1903 (60th Anniversary)
• 1943 (Centenary)
• 1968 (125th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

• 1847 (Robinson; Constitution of Lodge and installation; see below)
• 1874 (Nickerson; Hall dedication; Special Communication; see below)
• 1879 (Welch)
• 1882 (Lawrence)
• 1885 (Howland)
• 1891 (Wells)
• 1893 (Acting Grand Master Shepard; 50th Anniversary, Hall dedication; Special Communication)
• 1903 (Sanford; 60th Anniversary)
• 1943 (Schaefer; Centenary; Special Communication)
• 1968 (Booth; 125th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 1989 (Ames)
• 1993 (Senior Grand Warden John W. Hanson; 150th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 1995 (Lovering; Consolidation; Special Communication)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1869 1870 1882 1883 1891 1894 1907 1913 1922 1925 1927 1940 1958 1976 1979 1980 2006

HISTORY

• 1943 (Centenary History, 1943-148; see below)
• 1968 (125th Anniversary History, 1968-258)
• 1993 (150th Anniversary History, 1993-98)

CENTENARY HISTORY, NOVEMBER 1943

From Proceedings, Page 1943-148:

By Brother Winthrop F. Butler.

"The scenes which charmed and soothed me young, No longer young,
I find yet have the power
To charm and sooth me still."

It is said that he who has no reverence for the past will never build a future which can command reverence. We owe it not only to those who have gone before, but to ourselves, to pause from time to time to review the labors and achievements of those who have laid the foundations of so much that we now enjoy. How true it is that "other men have labored and we have entered into their labors." All that has been ours of friendly social intercourse, of mutual help and of inspiration in the years since first we became members of Star of Bethlehem Lodge, we owe primarily to those men who, in a time when Masonry was but just emerging from under a cloud of misunderstanding and distrust, dared to venture here in Chelsea, to re-establish a branch of an institution that in times that to them were the past had done so much to foster the progress of our country when it was taking its first hesitant steps towards independence and self-government.

One hundred years is a brief time in total history; it is a long time in terms of human life. Yet, in spite of the marvelous material advance that has been made, not alone in one hundred years, but even since we celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of this Lodge, a celebration which some among us remember, we are a great deal nearer in feeling and understanding to the men whom we honor tonight as the "Founders" than were they to the men, mighty in Masonry, one hundred years before their time. In spite of all the changes that have taken place, we rejoice that the spirit of Masonry remains the same.

How interesting it would be if we could visualize to ourselves the Chelsea of 1843! There are some here who can in a measure do so. One hundred years ago Chelsea was still little more than a country town, but in area it was much larger than at present, including as it did what became in 184S the City of Revere as we now know it, though it was not to attain the status of a city for many years to come. Chelsea itself was not to be incorporated as a city till 1857. It was of course but three miles to Boston; but three miles was a long way on cold winter evenings in horse-drawn vehicles or on foot. This, perhaps, in a measure was a contributing cause in the minds of our Brethren who felt the need of a Lodge within a comfortable distance of their homes.

In those days, Chelsea Square formed the center of population and the streets leading into it were largely streets of homes. Beyond what is now Bellingham Square, population grew thin and beyond the present line of the Boston and Maine Railroad was open country where, even so lately as the early seventies, people went for picnic parties. One of our former Brothers, now passed away, told the writer not many years ago that as a boy he used each morning to lead a neighbor's cow to Powder-horn Hill to pasture, bringing it back again at night. Along Broadway were shade trees and the "Ornamental Tree Association" was doing, or was soon to do, much for the beautification of the town by planting the elm trees along the other streets; trees that proved increasingly things of beauty till they fell victims to the fire of 1908. Many Broadway homes, too, stood well back from the road and looked across wide lawns to the highway. "Captains' Row" on Marginal Street was one of the sights of the town and the old Marine Hospital, later to be the Shurtleff School, was an important feature in the landscape. Ninety years ago Chelsea was being advertised in The Boston Transcript as a delightful place for tired business men to spend the summer and later on the "Highland Park Hotel," afterwards the first building of what is now the Soldiers' Home, was erected as a summer resort.

It was a simple life that people led in a quiet and simple community and they turned for social interest to one another rather than seeking it at a distance.

The first meeting of Free Masons in Chelsea was held on September 15, 1843 (in Masonic chronology 5843) at the home of Brother and Reverend Dr. Horace G. Barrus on Winnisimmet Street. At this meeting were present in addition to Dr. Barrus, Brothers William Knapp, Abel Bowen, Anthony Brackett, David W. Smith and Rufus R. Cook, all Master Masons in good standing, though of what particular Lodge or Lodges we have found no record. It may be noted in passing that Brother Barrus was a distinguished Mason serving, or having served, as Grand Lecturer in Grand Lodge and at exemplifications, when under the old system, these were put on by Grand Lodge itself instead of by the subordinate Lodges as at present. It may be interesting to insert here the preamble transcribed in the handwriting of Brother Barrus in the first record book of the Lodge:

"Whereas several brethren, members of the fraternity of FREE and ACCEPTED MASONS, resident in the town of CHELSEA, having the good of the fraternity at heart, and believing that the INSTITUTION of a LODGE of ANCIENT FREE and ACCEPTED MASONS, would conduce to their own happiness and usefulness, and be serviceable to the CRAFT at large, therefore we are resolved upon calling a meeting for the purpose of taking the subject into serious consideration."

The original projectors of this undertaking represented a variety of occupations and were a fair cross-section of the community. As we have stated above, Brother Barrus, to whom more than to any other individual we are indebted for our existence, and who labored untiringly in the interests of the Lodge, first as its Master and later as Secretary through a period of years, was a clergyman. Brother Knapp was a clerk; Brother Bowen a printer; Brother Brackett a broker, though whether of bonds or potatoes we are not told; Brother Smith a wharfinger and Brother Cook a painter, though here again we are in the dark as to whether of pictures or houses—we presume the latter.

Following the preliminary meeting, four others were held, all of them at the homes of the founders and three of the four at that of Brother Barrus. At the fifth of these a dispensation was received from the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge and organization was effected with

• Rt. Wor. Horace G. Barrus as Master
• Rt. Wor. William Knapp as Senior Warden
• Wor. David Granger as Junior Warden
• Bro. John Bridge as Treasurer
• Bro. Anthony Brackett as Secretary
• Bro. David W. Smith, as Senior Deacon
• Bro. Rufus R. Cook as Junior Deacon
• Bros. William S. Merriam and Nathan Brown as Stewards
• Bro. Abel Bowen as Tyler

The meeting at which the above organization took place was held on October 26, 1843, at which time these officers were severally installed; the Master by R.W. Brother Knapp under authority from the Grand Master and the other officers by the newly installed Master of Star of Bethlehem Lodge himself. At this time various committees were appointed to secure regalia and make needful arrangements for carrying on the work. The first candidate for the degrees was proposed. Mr. George C. Stearns enjoyed this honor and heads a list which through the passage of time now comprises literally hundreds of names.

It should be gratefully remembered that King Solomon's Lodge, then of Charlestown, loaned us our first suit of regalia; Pentucket Lodge of Chelmsford a complete set of collars and jewels; Mount Lebanon Lodge of Boston provided three brazen candlesticks; a gift of sashes was made by Columbian Lodge of Boston and The Great Light was presented us by our own Brother, Abel Bowen.

It was of course obvious that meetings for the conduct of regular Masonic work could not continue to be held in private residences and at this, the first meeting under dispensation, a committee consisting of Brothers David W. Smith, John Bridge and Rufus R. Cook was named to confer with Brother Nathan Haskell as to securing his hall as the regular meeting place of the Lodge.

On November 22, occurred the first regular and legal communication under warrant, once more at the home of Brother Barrus, and after attending to a number of matters essential to the commencement of so important an undertaking, the name of Mr. Erastus Rugg was proposed as the second candidate for the degrees. From this time on applicants not only for the degrees, but for membership (in those old days membership was not involved in receiving the degrees alone, but must be voted on separately) was healthy and continuous.

The first regular communication in quarters of its own was held on December 28, 1843, in a room that is quaintly described in the records as being "over the bake house." Just why this close proximity to the good things of life is anybody's guess. Perhaps the Brethren rejoiced in the prospect of refreshments later, though during the early years of our existence their delights seem to have been more moral than material and it was only by special arrangement that refreshments were to be had.

On the 28th of February, 1844, the first meeting was held in what Brother Brackett, the Secretary, emphasizes as MASONIC HALL in Haskell's Building on Winnisimmet Street, this being the first real, though temporary, home of the Lodge. In the following November the Lodge removed to the then new building known as Gerrish's Block, still standing at the junction of Pearl and Winnisimmet Streets, where they shared the quarters of the Odd Fellows and which they describe as "more commodious" than those which they left. So far as we know, this is the only building aside from the present Temple, ever occupied by Star of Bethlehem that remains standing. Interesting as it must be to us as Masons from its early association, it possesses even more historic appeal since it was there that Abraham Lincoln once made an address at the time of what we believe was his first visit to Boston and certainly his only one to Chelsea. Up to June, 1845, the Lodge functioned under "dispensation."

On June eleventh of that year the Grand Lodge granted us a Charter signed by Augustus Peabody, Grand Master; Robert Keith, Senior Grand Warden; John Hews, Junior Grand Warden and Charles W. Moore, Grand Secretary. On the nineteenth of the following December, by permission of the Grand Master, the Lodge held a special communication at the Masonic Temple in Boston, at which in the presence of a large number of visiting Brothers, Star of Bethlehem Lodge, A. F. and A. M. was formally constituted by the Grand Master under the new Charter.

In 1848 the Lodge removed to "Silloway's Building" on the corner of Broadway and what was then Maiden Street, now Everett Avenue. Here it remained until December, 1854, when it became the tenant of Brother Worshipful John Low on the same spot for a period of twenty years, at which time the need of still more "commodious" quarters caused it to remove to the corner of Broadway and Third Street, continuing there until the destruction of the building and most of its contents in the great fire of Palm Sunday, April 12, 1908. Some of us were "raised" in that building and to such, no other Masonic building or temple, however splendid, can ever have the same appeal. Here many of our most loyal and devoted Brothers foregathered during more than three decades and doubtless much that became history in Chelsea during that period was first discussed informally within those walls. Of the erection and occupancy of the present building we speak later.

For the early history of our Lodge, we are largely indebted to Right Worshipful Brother Tracy P. Cheever, who from the time he was "raised" here and became a member till he withdrew in 1867 to help organize Robert Lash Lodge, was an active and valued worker, as well as having served as Worshipful Master in 1860. On the evening of March 1, 1874, at the dedication of the new hall just across the street from our present home and on the corner of Third Street, he delivered an address summing up the outstanding events recorded in the official records from the beginning up to that date. This, together with an account of the rise of the other four Masonic bodies in Chelsea, The Royal Arch Chapter of the Shekinah, Palestine Commandery, Robert Lash Lodge and Naphtali Council, were subsequently brought together by Brother Lyman M. Miller, for more than thirty years Secretary of Star of Bethlehem, dying in office in 1907, and published in a brochure, a copy of which is to be found in our library.

The true history of this Lodge is to be found not alone in the faithful record of its strictly "Masonic" work, a record which, due to the conscientious labors of a long line of loyal secretaries we possess in its entirety, but in the many events in which our Brethren have shares as representatives of our Order. Some of the more outstanding of these are recorded here.

On January 20, 1847, a fraternal letter was voted to Brothers Joseph Noyes, William C. Wright and James Turnbull, they being in the "Gulph of Mexico" in their country's service. This, of course, refers to the Mexican War. Thus we have evidence that from its very beginning members of Star of Bethlehem have stood ready to spring to the defense of the nation.

October 25, 1848, the Lodge opened at 9:00 A.M. to attend ceremonies in Boston in connection with the introduction of water from Lake Cochituate. The first public installation of officers took place in the presence of members and their ladies only, and with the District Deputy Grand Master in attendance, on February 4, 1857.

June 17th of the same year the Lodge, in compliance with the expressed wish of the Grand Master, participated in the dedication of the memorial to Most Worshipful Brother and General Joseph Warren at Bunker Hill Monument, Charles-town, at which time a beautiful silken banner, designed and executed by Brother John Low, was borne for the first time. How greatly we should prize this banner had it been preserved to the present day! At a special meeting on December 22, 1858, in response to a communication from the Grand Master, it was voted that a committee be appointed to solicit a contribution from each of the Brethren of $1.00 to aid in purchasing Mount Vernon, "the Tomb of Washington."

It is noted in the records of a special communication held April 19, 1861, that Worshipful Brother William A. Williams "being a man and a patriot and a soldier" was absent on "matters pertaining to our country's good" in connection with the assault made that day by the Rebels in Baltimore and the Lodge was adjourned without doing any work under the authority of the Senior Warden, Brother Henry W. Bowen. At another special communication on the twenty-first of the same month, under dispensation from the Grand Lodge, Albert S. Austin, Charles H. Carruth and Edward L. Jones were admitted to all three degrees and the customary initiation fees were remitted, they being about to depart with the Chelsea Volunteer Company for the seat of war. These three Brothers, while not yet admitted to membership, appear to have been our first representatives, so far as recorded, to enter active service in the Union Army. On November 20, 1861, the following members were listed as being in the service: Worshipful Brother Lieutenant Colonel John F. Fellows, Brothers George A. Gerrish and Sumner Carruth, each as a Captain, and Brother George H. Rice in the Navy. At a later date, Brother Clifton A. Blanchard, our then Secretary, enlisted and served with the rank of Captain. These are but a few names in the roll of those who represented us under the Stars and Stripes during the greatest of wars that the world to that day had ever known. In January, 1865, the records state that "many of our members have been and are engaged, either as officers or soldiers in the armies or navy of the United States"—whereupon it was voted to remit their dues during their period of service; and subsequent to the war a number who had been soldiers became members of the Lodge. On October 14, 1864, Star of Bethlehem, under escort of Palestine Commandery, assisted in the laying of the corner stone of the new Masonic Temple in Boston.

November 15 of this same year, the Lodge celebrated its twenty-first anniversary at a service in the Universalist Church,

the address being delivered by our own Reverend Brother Charles H. Leonard, the pastor, and a poem was read by Brother Benjamin Penhallow Shillaber (Mrs. Partington). These exercises being completed, the Lodge and its ladies were entertained at a banquet served in the Hawthorne Street Armory. Do any of us present remember that old building?

Eighteen hundred and sixty-seven witnessed the completion of the Temple in Boston and again we were permitted to assist in the ceremonies of dedication, as we had already done at the laying of its corner stone.

That same fall, November 20th, we accepted an invitation to share in a celebration on the following day of the introduction of water into our own city. It appears that regardless of their personal view, the Brethren laid great stress on water in those times, but of course in an era when all were dependent on private sources of supply, a public water service was a matter of momentous interest. Though no further mention of the event is on record, it seems fair to assume that we were represented, at least informally, at this glad event. On this same November 20th it was voted to assist in the erection of a soldiers' monument here. This monument is the one now standing before the City Hall in Bassett Square.

December 18, 1867, was a momentous day in Chelsea Masonry — twenty-two of our number requested their dimits for the purpose of forming a new Lodge in this city. The growth of the town and the feeling that Star was becoming too large to permit of that close acquaintanceship and personal friendliness which is one of the ends of Masonry led some of our most valued Brothers to take a step which, at the time, must have been done with regret. It was with a sense of real loss that we sent out from among us such loyal supporters as Lothrop, Fellows, John Low, Cheever, Edmunds, Shillaber and Williams. The loss of these Brothers would be a serious one but the need of a second Lodge seemed actual and they were dismissed with our blessing. The splendid work accomplished through seventy-five years by Robert Lash Lodge, whose three-quarter century has just been celebrated, has fully justified the judgment which led to its establishment and the mutual harmony and prosperity that has existed these many years has reconciled us to what in the year of separation seemed a hard blow.

The years rolled by. In 1872, we were called upon to pass resolutions on the loss by death of Brother Jesse Gould, the elder, in which he was spoken of as the first initiate of Star of Bethlehem. In our earliest records Mr. George C. Stearns is named as our first candidate. Apparently he did not become a member but merely received the degrees.

In November of this year, Brother Lyman M. Miller was elected Secretary of the Lodge, an office he continued to hold till his death in 1907, he being then in his thirty-fifth consecutive year, a longer period of service than has as yet been attained by any of our secretaries, though Worshipful Brother Allen H. Legg is on the way to equal or exceed this record.

During the summer of 1873, the Lodge took under consideration the securing of new quarters in Campbell's Block then in process of erection at the corner of Broadway and Third Street. This was to become our home for more than thirty years, until the great fire in 1908 rendered us homeless. At the time of their first occupancy these apartments, finer and more spacious than any we had yet known, were dedicated to Masonic purposes by the then Most Worshipful Sereno D. Nickerson at a special communication held jointly by Star of Bethlehem and Robert Lash Lodges. At this time Right Worshipful Brother Tracy P. Cheever delivered the historic address to which allusion has been made.

On August 3, 1879, Brother William Sanborn Merriam, the first to serve as Senior Steward of the Lodge, died and was at his death, our senior surviving charter member still retaining membership.

February 25 of this year a special communication in mem-oriam was held in honor of our late Worshipful Master Eben W. Lothrop, who had been an untiring worker not only in the interests of Star of Bethlehem, but for Masonry as an institution. At that time his service was honored by the attendance of the presiding Grand Master, Most Worshipful Charles A. Welch, with a suite of Grand Officers which included two Past Grand Masters. Worshipful Frederick L. Cutting presided as Master of Star of Bethlehem.

Four years later, June 29, 1883, resolutions were adopted on the passing of our founder and first Master, Worshipful Horace G. Barrus, who died on the seventh of April of that year, forty years after the institution of the Lodge. A graduate of Harvard, of Worcester Medical College and a clergyman as well it is evident that he was a man of parts. He served as Master for four years and subsequently as Secretary. Our original book of records is largely in his handwriting and is a testimonial to the love and labor he gave in our earliest years.

On June 18, 1889, our first surviving charter member, as well as first Senior Deacon, died at the great age of eighty-four years, six months and one day.

November 15, 1893, marked an outstanding landmark—the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary. The Lodge was opened at six o'clock and after the recommendation of a number of candidates and the transaction of the customary business at an annual meeting, was called from labor to refreshment at 7:15 and from refreshment to labor again at 7:45, with Worshipful Brother Henry Spavin in the East, Brother Henry T. Mayo in the West, Brother Charles T. Foye in the South and the regular line of subordinate officers in their respective stations. There were present seven Past Masters of this Lodge and one hundred and sixty-two members, all of whom appear by name on the record as having replied to the roll-call. We were honored as well by the presence of Most Worshipful Harvey N. Shepherd, accompanied by nine subordinate officers of the Grand Lodge and a suite of thirty-six Brethren.

In connection with written greetings from a number unable to be present, the most interesting to our own members was one from Worshipful Brother John Low, our oldest living Past Master, who that day was celebrating his eighty-fifth birthday (he passed on within the coming year), who explained to us that it was only his great age that prevented his being with us. Brother Low was then the only living member whose memory went back to the beginning of our fifty years, during nearly all of which he has been a member and for a number of them our most generous benefactor.

The historical address on this occasion was given by Reverend Brother R. Perry Bush, Pastor of the Church of the Redeemer in Chelsea and a life-long and ardent Mason, greatly beloved by all of his Brethren in this city. Through the courtesy of Worshipful Brother Arthur B. Champlin of Robert Lash Lodge, at that time publisher of the Chelsea Gazette, this address was later printed and is inserted in that form in the records of the Lodge. Brother Bush was followed by the Grand Master, whose remarks also appear on the record, as transcribed by Brother Miller, our Secretary. The formal exercises were followed by the customary banquet.

At the communication on February 17, 1897, Nestell Lodge, No. 37, of Providence, Rhode Island, made us the recipients of a solid silver alms basin "of Original and beautiful" design.

On the following October 19, Star of Bethlehem assisted the Most Worshipful Grand Master in laying the corner stone of the new Town Hall in Revere in conjunction with Robert Lash Lodge and under the escort of Palestine Commandery.

The following day, in recognition of his twenty-five years service, an engrossed and framed testimonial was presented to Brother Miller, our Secretary. On June 17, 1898, Most Worshipful Charles C. Hutchinson, Grand Master, with representatives of the Grand Lodge, laid the corner stone of our present Court House in Chelsea Square, in which exercises Star of Bethlehem and Robert Lash Lodges, under escort of one hundred and three Sir Knights of Palestine Commandery, took part.

We insert here a letter dated December 17, 1902, from our then oldest living member, Reverend Brother Charles H. Leonard, D.D., who in addition to having served as Grand Chaplain, acted in the same capacity in this Lodge for sixteen consecutive years. This letter is a testimonial to the place the Lodge filled in the affections of its members in earlier days.

Divinity School Tufts College, Massachusetts
December 17, 1902.

To Mr. Lyman M. Miller
Dear Sir and Brother:

My impulse is to thank you for sending me the notice of Past Worshipful Master Henry Spavin's death. It is pathetic to me, who have known and loved Star of Bethlehem Lodge so long, that the honored members are dropping off one by one. My memory goes back to the days when Eben W. Lothrop, John Low, Elijah Endicott, Benjamin P. Shillaber, Tracy P. Cheever, were active for our great cause of brotherhood, and doing noble things to make Masonry a power in the Town and City. And may I say that during the ten years that I sat in the Senior Chaplain's Chair in the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts I had reason to be proud of the brothers in office then, who were born Masons in my own "Star of Bethlehem," when I too, was young and interested in all that was going on in Lodge and City.

Kindly feel that I add honor and affection for the men who sit and stand together in Star of Bethlehem Lodge; and I send special greeting to you who have so long served the Lodge and the "Sublime Brotherhood."

My grateful and affectionate remembrance to any who ask after me.

Faithfully and fraternally,
Charles H. Leonard

P.S.. A glance at the list of officers at present active in the Lodge brings back many dear faces of men who bore the same names — Illsley, Gould, Eaton, Martin, Legg, Snow, possibly sons or grandsons of men I knew.

These names remind me of a deeper and lovelier succession in the Spirit of our great Order; and still to go on I believe.

In this connection, he was "raised" in June of 1853 and was for sixty-five years a Mason, dying at the great age of ninety-six.

On November 18, 1903, under the Mastership of Worshipful Brother Herbert C. Illsley, we celebrated our sixtieth anniversary in the presence of Most Worshipful Baalis Sanford. At this time Brother Leonard was present and his remarks as our oldest member proved of particular interest to all in attendance. On Palm Sunday, April 12, 1908, Masonic Hall was destroyed by the great fire that devastated the city. This was our first major calamity. Happily, through the foresight and courage of certain of our Brethren, the original Charter, together with all of our records, were removed to safety before the building went down.

The regular communication which fell on April 15 was held at Masonic Hall, East Boston, by the generous invitation of the directors of the Masonic apartments and the several bodies meeting there. This offer included the use of the necessary paraphernalia and by permission of Most Worshipful John Albert Blake, we continued tenants until it was possible to return to Chelsea.

July 24th of the following year witnessed the laying of the corner stone of our present Temple. Under a special dispensation from Most Worshipful Dana J. Flanders, and once more under escort of Palestine Commandery, we were permitted to participate in this interesting ceremony.

Two and one-half years later, January 18, 1912, came the dedication of the newly-completed and beautiful building. Worshipful Alfred W. Martin was then serving as Master. Most Worshipful Everett C. Benton and Grand Officers were escorted into the lodge room by a joint committee from the two Chelsea Lodges, where they were welcomed by Worshipful Brother Martin. The architect, Brother Edward W. Wilson, submitted to the Grand Master the working tools entrusted to his care and the Deputy Grand Master and Grand Wardens inspected the apartments and reported favorably on the work of the craftsmen, whereupon the Grand Officers assembled about the altar and offered the customary libations of corn, wine and oil to the Grand Master, who declared the temple dedicated to Freemasonry, virtue and universal benevolence.

On our seventy-fifth anniversary no celebration was held. In 1918 the nation was just emerging from under the shadow of World War I and the time was not fitting for festivity of such a nature.

In paying this brief tribute to the past, we have of necessity dealt largely with the names of individuals. While doing so, we realize that we have honored but a few of the many, who through the century have played a part in keeping Star of Bethlehem high among the honored names in Massachusetts Masonry. Not only those among us who have been entrusted with high office, but scores of others have acted important parts in maintaining our record of zeal and good works.

Of the more recent years of our history, it is not for us to speak. We are too near to the events of yesterday, all of which we have seen and a part of which we have been, to judge justly. We are not as yet far enough away to have gained the proper perspective. Of these the historian of our one hundred and fiftieth year must speak. Changing conditions in our city have had their effect on our own activities and our leaders of today play a less prominent part in the affairs of the city as a whole than have those of the past.' But we still have a part to perform and through the lives and loyalties to Masonic principles of each of our Brethren, in his degree, the life of the community is leavened and improved.

Our late Brother William E. Gilman has put it on record that Star of Bethlehem was so named because, in a day dark for the Fraternity, it was the earliest to shed a ray of light through the breaking clouds. It was a happy omen!

In all these hundred years Star of Bethlehem Lodge has played its honorable part in many events of local and national moment in which opportunity has been given it to serve. In each of our nation's wars since its institution some of its members have served on land, on the sea and now in the air as well. Our Brethren have at one time or another represented us in every part of the habitable earth. At home they have shared in governmental offices, both Federal and State, and locally a number of them have filled the position of mayor of this city or as members of governing boards and committees. Always we have stood for those ideals of freedom and service so splendidly exemplified by our patriot brothers of the early days of America, and even of those among us to whom no conspicuous role has been accorded it may be truly said that

"They also serve who simply stand and wait."

While preparing this account of a century of effort, as we have turned the pages of these old books containing the record of an honorable past, there has risen before us a vision of the men whose names are written there, many, even the earliest of them, familiar through local tradition or personal memory and we have been again and again impressed by the earnestness with which they pursued their Masonic ideals and the loyalty with which they served this Lodge; with the hours of patient, painstaking effort devoted to the recording of their doings and the sacrifice of time and effort involved in making Star of Bethlehem a power for good in the community. We remember, too, how much of happiness has inured to literally hundreds within the walls of our several Masonic homes and, looking forward to those unknown years that lie before us, it is our earnest hope that through many it may yet be said

"How far that little candle throws his beams."

OTHER

• 1843 (Mention of a dispensation for a lodge in Chelsea in GM's Address, IV-668)
• 1844 (Extension of dispensation, IV-740)
• 1845 (Petition for the loan of jewels granted, V-35; petition to be constituted in Boston granted, V-45)
• 1897 (Participation in Revere corner stone laying, 1897-241)
• 1898 (Participation in Chelsea corner stone laying, 1898-102)
• 1909 (Participation in Chelsea corner stone laying, 1909-73)
• 1912 (Participation in Chelsea Masonic Hall dedication, 1912-1)
• 1978 (Amendment of charter to remove to Wakefield, 1978-131)

EVENTS

INSTALLATION, JANUARY 1847

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. VI, No. 5, March 1847, page 133:

STAR OF BETHLEHEM LODGE, CHELSEA. The officers of the above Lodge were publicly installed by the Grand Master, assisted by his Wardens, on the 27th January, in the presence of a large and very respectable audience of ladies and gentlemen,—among whom were Brethren of all the different Orders of Masonry, with their appropriate regalia,—presenting a rich and varied display. The introductory prayer by the Rev. Br. McLeish, Chaplain of the Lodge, was appropriate and fervent. This was followed by the beautiful Chant from Br. Power's "Masonic Melodies," beginning—

" Rejoice, all ye that are assembled in the Lord."

And we were pleased to see that the committee of arrangements were regardful enough of the author's rights, to give him credit for it All committees are not equally careful in this respect.

After the ceremonies of installation, the following Ode, written for the occasion by W. Br. Horace G. Barrus, was sung by an excellent choir:

Oh, how delightful is the work,
To bring the poor relief;
To comfort them 'mid scenes of woe,
And mitigate their grief!

To dry the mourning widow's tear,
And soothe her troubled heart;
To cause a ray of cheering hope
Across the soul to dart.

To make the cheerless orphans feel,
Wlule all around is drear,
That there is sympathy tor them,
And succor ever near.

These are the duties that we teach;
In which we take delight;
And to this work we consecrate
Ourselves anew this night.

Receive the offering, O God,
Which on thine altar lies ;
With gratitude we place it there:
Accept the sacrifice.

This was followed by an interesting address by W. Br. Geo. G. Smith. The closing prayer was by Rev. Br. Francis, one of the Chaplains of the Lodge. The following Ode, written for the occasion by Br. Win. E. P. Haskell, was then sung:

Author of light and life! Supreme
Grand Architect above !
Wilt thou our Star of Bethlehem deem
An object of thy love.

Though altars where our fathers bowed,
With them have passed away,
Yet still we trust thy hallowed cloud
Will guide us on our way.

Let Wisdom. Strength and Beauty, too—
The Sacred Three—unite,
To raise a temple firm and true,
And lovely in thy sight.

A glorious temple of the soul,
Framed by the Master's art,
Whose noble, beauteous, compact whole,
May show each perfect part.

A temple where the widow's prayer
May find a listening ear—
The orphan seek a father's care,
And meek distress appear.

Then grant us. Lord, unwavering Faith,
Weil grounded Hope in Thee;
And on our hearts impress, till death,
Long suffering Charity.

A benediction by the venerable and Rev. Br. Dr. Asa Eaton, closed the ceremonies. The arrangements were all well made, and admirably executed. The following are the officers for the current year:—

• William Knapp, W. M.
• David W. Smith, S. W.
• John Low, J. W.
• John Bridge, Treas.
• Horace G. Barrus, Sec'ry
• David U. Pratt, S. D.
• Stephen D. Massey, J. D.
• John H. Pierce, S. S.
• Gilman Sargent, J. S.
• Rev. J. M'Leish, Rev. Eben Francis, Chaplains
• Wm. D. Peters, I. Sent
• Wm. E. P. Haskell, Marshal.

OFFICER LIST, MARCH 1861

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XX, No. 5, March 1861, page 160:

Officers of Star of Bethlehem Lodge, Chelsea, Mass., for 1861 —

• William A. Williams, W. M.
• Henry W. Bowen, S. W.
• John Walter, J. W.;
• John B. Dufur, Treas.
• Clifton A. Blanchard, Sec'y.
• Charles F. Haynes, S. D.
• James H. Whitaker, J. D.
• George A. Gerrish, S S.
• Phillip Guelpa, J. S.
• Rev. Charles H. Leonard, Chap.
• Henry G Fay, M.
• Charles T. Gay, I. S.
• John F. Fellows, C. C.
• A. Blanchard, O.
• Charles Howard, Tyler.
• Henry L. Bailey, Assistant Tyler.

HALL DEDICATION, MARCH 1874

See Chelsea Hall Dedication

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

• Charles B. Burleigh, DDGM, District 7 (Malden), 1915, 1916; Deputy Grand Master 1923
• Tracy P. Cheever, 1868, 1869, 1870; Junior Grand Warden, 1872; Grand Secretary, 1878-1881
• Raymond A. Dembkoski, DDGM, District 3 (Chelsea), 1997, 1998
• Eugene F. Endicott, DDGM, District 3 (East Boston), 1902, 1903; Memorial
• George R. Fallstich, Jr., DDGM, District 3 (Chelsea), 1987, 1988; N
• Reginald F. Goldsworthy, DDGM, District 3 (Chelsea), 1952, 1953; N
• James Gould, DDGM, District 3 (East Boston), 1908, 1909; SN
• Ralph K. Hope, DDGM, District 3 (Chelsea), 1928, 1929; Memorial
• James LeGrow, DDGM, District 3 (Chelsea), 1979, 1980; SN
• Charles Hall Leonard, Grand Chaplain 1882-1889
• John D. Manning, DDGM, District 3 (Chelsea), 1985, 1986; N
• George H. McIntyre, DDGM, District 3 (East Boston) , 1926; District 3 (Chelsea), 1927; N
• Arthur H. Reed, DDGM, District 3 (Chelsea), 1940, 1941; N
• Henry Spavin, DDGM, District 3 (East Boston), 1896, 1897; SN
• Stewart P. Sloane, DDGM, District 3 (Chelsea), 1965, 1966; SN
• Donald F. Tabbut, DDGM, District 3 (Chelsea), 2001, 2002

DISTRICTS

1844: District 1

1849: District 1

1857: District 11

1867: District 2 (Charlestown)

1883: District 3 (East Boston)

1911: District 3 (East Boston)

1927: District 3 (Chelsea)

2003: District 13

LINKS

Lodge web site

Constitution of Lodge, 1845

Dedicatory Address, 1874

Massachusetts Lodges