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(INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS, DECEMBER 1856)
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The remainder of the officers were installed by the S. W. [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMHeard John T. Heard], who acted on the occasion as Deputy Grand Master. The services were interspersed with appropriate music, and we have rarely seen them more acceptably performed, and this was the general sentiment of all present. At their conclusion, the M. W. Grand Master addressed the new Lodge in his usual happy and effective manner; after which the Grand Lodge retired. We had intended to lay the address before our readers in this connection, but a pressure of other matter obliges us to defer it until our next. We are happy to add, in conclusion, that the Lodge is in the hands of young, active, and devoted Brethren, whose intelligence and social position are a sure guaranty of its future prosperity and usefulness, and that, while in present hands at least, it will not tarnish, by act, of its own, the brightness of the honored name it bears.
 
The remainder of the officers were installed by the S. W. [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMHeard John T. Heard], who acted on the occasion as Deputy Grand Master. The services were interspersed with appropriate music, and we have rarely seen them more acceptably performed, and this was the general sentiment of all present. At their conclusion, the M. W. Grand Master addressed the new Lodge in his usual happy and effective manner; after which the Grand Lodge retired. We had intended to lay the address before our readers in this connection, but a pressure of other matter obliges us to defer it until our next. We are happy to add, in conclusion, that the Lodge is in the hands of young, active, and devoted Brethren, whose intelligence and social position are a sure guaranty of its future prosperity and usefulness, and that, while in present hands at least, it will not tarnish, by act, of its own, the brightness of the honored name it bears.
 +
 +
===== GRAND MASTER [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMLewis LEWIS]' ADDRESS =====
 +
 +
''From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XVI, No. 5, February 1857, Page 142:''
 +
 +
Amid the varied embarassments of a varied life, of the many positions in which circumstances have placed me, where there was a demand for readiness of action or of speech, — and there have been many, when, by a species of " floundering," I have escaped, surprised at the survival ,— none has so palled my serenity, or to overcome my self-possession, as the present one. [ have addressed Lodges abroad in bad French, — have ventured, in worse Italian, a speech to the Grand Duke of Tuscany, and even succeeded tolerably with his Holiness Pius IX. But these all were such as befall the many who visit such "lions," or witness the "elephant" here and there. This has a more difficult aspect, producing, W. Master, that unpleasant peculiar action, well known to those illy gifted in speech (not, air, that you have so suffered,) where ''vox haesit faucibus.''
 +
 +
"To you, Worshipful Master, I address myself, as both my Masonic and professional Brother — as one deservedly high in both relations, with a heart for others' woes, and a skill to minister to the mind diseased. And it would seem that Masonry and Medicine are not deemed incompatible by our Brethren — that there was almost some alliance or connexion between them. It certainly cannot be, that there is any disease in the Order; and, therefore, these are selected to that duty which they are supposed best to understand — the administering to morbid bodies ' Surely not! But the fact is determinate and prominent. Six of the Grand Masters of our venerable Grand Lodge were Physicians. One fell, liberty's first martyr, on Bunker's heights, —three were Presidents of the Massachusetts Medical Society,— one is now an eminent Professor of Surgery in the great school of Louisville, Ky., and the last, is one not likely to fall for any service he may render his country, nor has he any aspirations in that direction! neither has he been, or ever will be, President of our State Medical Society. The only compliment to be paid him is, that he presided over the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts two years, and no harm befell it! Both the Encampments of this city are excellently managed by M. D.'s, both adepts in wielding the lance for health as for chivalry, — and all our Lodges are teeming with the sons of Æsculapius.
 +
 +
But the power, the extended peculiarity of the connexion, has been demonstrated this evening in the consecration of your new organization. If is chartered under the name of an humble Medical individual, known only as an active Mason, and as" one who cuts society with tolerable success! By his official position, you have been inducted to the privileges of fellowship with the Lodges. Two of your first officers are of the Medical Corps, and among you are included the professional Heads of the House of Correction, the Lunatic Asylum, and of the Quarantine, Deer Island, and United States Marine Hospital. What an array to meet any emergency which may befall a ''Body''! And for those even who may require safe keeping, you have the Master of the Jail! I trust, that this last Brother may find his office a sinecure as regards you all, and that you may never need his official hospitality or shelter! With these and others, true and trusty, you now commence your career as a duly and regularly constituted Lodge; and now is the period for laying the basis on which your superstructure is to rest, to regulate a platform of the requirements you demand from all who are to form your future associates, of those who are to be admitted to your Masonic hearth. "The Spiritualists," to ensure the success of their operations, form a circle, and the efficiency of the manifestations they deem dependent on the " mediums" being consentaneous in their sentiments and feelings. One, not sufficiently imbued, breaks the harmony, and the efforts of the rest are null, ineffective. So compose your Masonic circle, that the electric chain may be>unbroken, that the kindly spark may be transmitted through all, without discord of action or feeling—that the same thrill of affection shall vibrate through every heart, producing that glorious manifestation, a Brotherhood dwelling together in peace and unity. You may not produce "rappings," but every heart will beat more vigorously with pleasure's increased pulsation. You may not receive "communications" from the spirit land, but be assured, all good angels hover over those, who seek the well-being of their fellows—the promotion of diffused happiness.
 +
 +
How important is the act by which another is added to our Order,—by which the "Mr." is baptised into "Br.," and alas ! how much to be deplored when one is rejected from the privileges to which he may justly be entitled. Consider well what you do with your great power, with your black ball; which may wound not only the sensibilities bat the reputation of a good man.  Think before you act.
 +
 +
In the Lodges in France, and in the French Lodges in this country, whenever a ballot is taken for the solemn purpose of admitting or rejecting, the box is placed on the altar, — resting on the Holy Bible, square and compasses. The Brethren advance singly, for a moment pause, take the ballot, and making the sign of the de-pee, slowly deposit it. The effect of this is both impressive and good. It reminds them, that what they are about to do, is an act requiring calm consideration, an act which involves deep responsibilities. Thus standing alone, in the centre of the Lodge, before the Altar of God, with God's word there placed, with emblems also to remind him of bis high duties, will the Brother not shrink from the exercise of the malevolent passions, and let conscientiousness alone be his sole monitor? I commend this practice to your consideration. It will take a little more time, but its loss will be your gain.
 +
 +
My Brethren ! — This is the last time that I shall be privileged to address a Lodge as Grand Master, and the last subject, but the first in importance, is the selection of your associates. I charge you look well to, and ponder most seriously on, the effect of every ballot cast for admission. How much evil one black sheep may produce upon a whole flock ! how "one bad voice will put twenty good ones out of tune!" Most seriously do I emphasize on the importance of the severest scrutiny into all the qualifications and peculiarities of those who are to be admitted into the "Household of your Faith."
 +
 +
There are men, who, in the transactions of life, in their vocation, their business, are fair, just and honorable ; humane and generous at times; but who are endowed with a morbid excitability, a morbid jealousy, imputing wrong to all who may differ from them, and suspecting evil when none was practised or intended. Touch them, however gently, and they explode, making confusion and strife, stirring up the angry passions, painful recriminations and discord ; ever carping at the motives and actions of those whose judgments differ from their own ; scanning with the most acrid severity, and eagerly watching for an expression, aye, even for a look, on which they may eject their venom. Such, gifted with the power of " talk, " (and generally such are loud and constant declaimers,) ''vox et praeterea nihil'', will too oft infuse their poison into the minds of the younger, collect around them a coterie, call this perhaps "young America," and all others "old fogies." For them, age, experience, long tried fidelity, are not the respected essentials. They would plough up the old soil without improving it, disturb the feature* of its ancient fields, without any addition to their beauties, e'en though they shroud themselves and all with them, in the dust and smoke of their innovations. Keep such out of your fraternal sanctuary ; but if, unluckily, you receive them, keep them down, if you wish to keep yourselves up. Scan well and probe deeply into the motives of those who would pass your threshold. Look to it, that they are not influenced by expectations of mere personal interest or selfish advance. To Freemasonry they are useless. In them, you receive no accession. Both parties are aggrieved and disappointed. They find not what they sought, nor you what you hoped for. They throw no incense on the altar of the heart. They add no fuel to keep alive the sacred flame of Brotherly Love and Relief.
 +
 +
They are called to give, when they looked to receive. The real fund of Brotherhood and Friendship of which they are made stockholders, to such is of no account. To them " it don't pay," and the only satisfaction that will accrue to you is, that they will not trouble you long with their attendance; but to you, the regret will attach, that through you, drones have been added to a good hive, bringing no sweets, producing no addition, but a miserable numerical one. Secure to yourselves those who give the promise of becoming useful as members of your Lodge, those who are capable of appreciating, and will devote their minds to its ritual, qualify and instruct themselves to fill the important stations as officers and leaders in the cause. Failing to secure such, how large may be your numbers, but how weak your organization — how ineffective, how lifeless, how totally unimpressive your ceremonials! and consequently how feeble the impress on your initiates. I have seen the most solemn degree of Masonry ''gont through urith'', (that is the proper phrase) and its impress on the recipient fall cold and powerless. The sublime monitions come as it were from a machine, an automaton. " Words that should burn" were uttered by icy lips, from a frozen soul — from a stolid mind. That same degree has been given, where the candidate has evinced by his emotions, his tears, that his heart was reached to its very centre, was penetrated to its keenest and best susceptibilities — and why t Because it was properly administered, by one who understood and felt, and could communicate, with the strong force of action and delivery. This was the touch of "Ithuriel," quickening into life, — the other, the deadening weight of a stupid Boeotian. The one, the inanimate statue, the other, the vital, breathing, warm original. Select for your officers those whose position in society is prominent, well known and esteemed, —not for their worldly wealth, but for the eminence of their characters, for honesty, benevolence, moral worth and intelligence. The world looks to our officers as our "Representative Men," as the exponents of our principles and actions. Show to it, that your jewels are also those who are prized as citizens, as honored members of the general community. Besides character and position in life, knowledge of the work and lectures, there are other requirements, — courtesy, mildness, judgment, grace, should be sought for in your choice. Place no dictator at your head—no ''lex et ego'' autocrat. The car of Masonry needs no such drivers, and 'tis a truism, "from where there is no judgment, that the heaviest judgment comes."
 +
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My Brethren, receive these suggestions from one deeply interested in your welfare and success, crude and disjointed as they are, unpolished and unadorned, — though they may lack mind, the heart is not wanting.
 +
And now, how can I thank you for the great compliment, aye, for the greatest honor of my life? In "storied urn or animated bust," posthumous rewards and praises are given to the departed. But here, while among you, with the chance whether my humble reputation may be sustained or lost, you have founded an institution, and attached to it my name. Be assured, it will be the strongest incentive to preserve the little I possess of what is good, and if that little should be less, yon may still preserve your name without a blush, by using still the same, which, throughout a long, useful life, in the performance of life's highest duties, was attached to an old Mason, my honored Father. My grateful thanks to you all, and though the unpretending name on your banner will not excite your emulation in a cause whose course is onward and upward, may it remind you of one who did his best of what God had favored him, in advancing that Order, whose end is "Peace on earth, good will to men."
 +
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To those who have just commenced their Masonic career, permit me, who have reaped so much of the harvest of my life's happiness from its fertile fields, enjoyed so profusely of its blessings through so long a period, now, as my official duties are almost closed, to declare with gratitude, that to this connexion I am indebted for the best friends, the best social blessings that can accrue to one, without the pale of his own family hearth. So may you all thus find the result with you in your new fraternal relation. May the light now kindled on your altar, shed on your paths the most genial and cheering radiance.
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<blockquote>
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"Almighty Jehovah!<br>
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Descend now and fill This Lodge with thy glory,<br>
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Tour hearts with good will! Preside at your meetings,,br>
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Assist you to find True pleasure in teaching<br>
 +
Good will to mankind."
 +
</blockquote>
  
 
==== INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS, NOVEMBER 1861 ====
 
==== INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS, NOVEMBER 1861 ====

Revision as of 13:01, 29 July 2013

WINSLOW LEWIS LODGE

Location: Boston

Chartered By: Winslow Lewis

Charter Date: 12/10/1856 VI-65

Precedence Date: 12/27/1855

Current Status: Active


PAST MASTERS

  • Clement A. Walker, 1855, 1856; SN
  • Benjamin Dean, 1857-1859
  • Duncan McB. Thaxter, 5860
  • Sereno D. Nickerson, 1860-1862
  • Andrew G. Smith, 1863, 1864; SN
  • Thomas Sprague, 1865, 1866
  • William H. Chessman, 1867, 1868
  • Percival L. Everett, 1869
  • R. Montgomery Field, 1870, 1871
  • Joseph Winsor, 1872, 1873
  • L. Cushing Kimball, 1874, 1875
  • George R. Marble, 1876, 1877
  • John A. Conkey, 1878, 1879
  • Glenville B. Macomber, 1880, 1881
  • George W. Terrill, 1882, 1883
  • F. Herbert Winsor, 1884, 1885
  • Walter L. Frost, 1886, 1887
  • George T. Coppins, 1888, 1889
  • George R. McFarlin, 1890, 1891
  • Daniel J. Strain, 1892, 1893; Mem
  • William G. Shillaber, 1894, 1895
  • Abraham Byfield, 1896, 1897
  • George H. Graves, 1898, 1899
  • Charles W. Galloupe, 1900, 1901
  • Thomas C. Cummings, 1902, 1903
  • Warren F. Gay, 1904, 1905
  • Percy E. Walbridge, 1906, 1907
  • William T. Coppins, 1908, 1909
  • Philip T. Nickerson, 1910, 1911
  • Howard M. North, 1912, 1913; Mem
  • Joseph Lovejoy, 1914, 1915
  • Arthur Longley, 1916, 1917
  • Thomas O. Paige, 1918, 1919
  • Edwin B. Nielsen, 1920
  • George P. Beckford, 1921, 1922
  • Henry H. Kimball, 1923; N
  • Bradford L. Ames, 1924, 1925; SN
  • Nathaniel T. Worthern, 1926
  • Allen T. Nye, Jr., 1927, 1928
  • George E. Graves, 1929, 1930
  • Samuel R. MacKillop, 1931
  • Lyndon B. Hardwick, 1932, 1933
  • Ernest S. Park, 1934, 1935
  • Matt B. Jones, Jr., 1936, 1937
  • Chester W. Barker, 1938, 1939
  • William H. Reece, 1940, 1941
  • Walter S. Rogers, 1942, 1943
  • Henry M. Chase, 1944
  • Joseph A. Locke, 1945
  • Richard J. Hapgood, 1946
  • John T. Summers, 1947
  • Frank S. Spencer, 1948, 1949; N
  • Davis T. Gallison, Sr., 1950
  • Davis T. Gallison, Jr., 1951
  • Benjamin C. Perkins, 1952
  • Peter L. Martin, 1953
  • Dudley Hovey, 1954
  • C. Robinson Fish, III, 1955
  • Howard N. Feist, Jr., 1956
  • Louis J. Foley, 1957
  • James G. Hawk, 1958
  • Frank P. Blazis, 1959
  • William H. Miller, 1960
  • Arthur B. Wight, Jr., 1961; N
  • H. Dunster Howe, 1962, 1963
  • Charles L. Foster, 1964
  • Louis McE. MacCartney, 1965
  • Henry L. Nielsen, 1966
  • Albert W. Lounsbury, 1967
  • Douglas W. Pollock, 1968
  • A. Roland Teiner, 1969
  • Edward P. Jenkins, 1970
  • John F. Morten, 1971
  • Robert C. Guiry, 1972, 1973
  • A. Lawrence Eastman, 1974, 1975
  • Donald S. Bishop, 1976, 1977; N
  • Robert F. Schumann, 1978, 1979
  • Jackson B. Parker, 1980, 1981
  • Robert B. Bramhall, 1982, 1983
  • Homer M. Shellenberger, Jr., 1984, 1985; N
  • Henry E. Cahill, 1986, 1987
  • W. Warren Richardson, Jr., 1988, 1989
  • Bradford H. Pottle, 1990, 1991
  • A. Peter Armstrong, 1992
  • Dean Benedict, 1993, 1994
  • John F. Sugden, Jr., 1995, 1996
  • Richard J. Stewart, 1997, 1998; Grand Master
  • John C. Harris, III, 1999, 2000
  • James W. Sugden, II, 2001, 2002
  • Robert J. Jones, II, 2003, 2004
  • Gerren R. Kopcinski, 2005, 2006
  • Rene Fauchet, 2007, 2008
  • John Appleby, 2009, 2010
  • David R. Holland, 2011, 2012; PDDGM

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

  • Petition for Dispensation: 1855
  • Petition for Charter: 1856

ANNIVERSARIES

  • 1881 (25th Anniversary)
  • 1905 (50th Anniversary)
  • 1955 (Centenary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

BY-LAW CHANGES

1869 1870 1877 1879 1882 1885 1886 1888 1893 1894 1901 1904 1908 1916 1924 1926 1927 1930 1937 1939 1947 1956 1959 1960 1973 1976 1978 2007

HISTORY

  • 1955 (Centenary History, 1955-289)

OTHER

  • 1877 (Presentation of a Jewel to Past Grand Master Everett; 1877-305)
  • 1885 (Contribution to ME & CT, 1885-65)
  • 1900 (Gift to Grand Lodge, 1900-19)
  • 1911 (Gift to Grand Lodge, 1911-226)
  • 1935 (Reduction in fees approved, 1935-316)

EVENTS

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS, DECEMBER 1856

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XVI, No. 4, January 1857, Page 107:

This new Lodge was consecrated and its officers installed at the Masonic Temple in this city, on the evening of the 26th Dec. last. The attendance of Brethren was large, and the ceremonies were unusually interesting and effective. After the consecration services, the W. Master of the Lodge, Dr. Clement A. Walker, was installed by the M. W. Grand Master, whose name the Lodge bears, and who availed himself of the occasion to present to the Lodge, through its Master, a beautiful Jewel, for its present and future presiding officers. The Jewel is of silver, richly chased, with a Diamond in the angle at which it is suspended from the Collar. It was manufactured in London. On investing the Master elect, the Grand Master addressed him as follows :—

I warmly greet you as Master elect of this Lodge, and I congratulate its members, that it commences, what I trust will prove a long and prosperous career, under the presiding influences of so able a Head.

My Brother: Though but young in Masonry, you have already concentrated the activities and labors ordinarily acquired only by many years of devotion. With great ability and success you have sustained the chair of the oldest Lodge in these U. States. You are now at the Head of an Encampment which has been raised from torpor to brilliancy ; and now, investing you with the insignia of your office here I doubt not the vivifying influence of your administration will continue. Receive therefore this Jewel, as a slight testimonial of the regards and interest of the donor towards you and your associates. I need not tell you its emblematic relation to duty. It has one addition, a diamond, which monitorially is not laid down; but may it teach you, that the heart should have the purity of the diamond, without its hardness, and all its brightness, without its coldness.

The remainder of the officers were installed by the S. W. John T. Heard, who acted on the occasion as Deputy Grand Master. The services were interspersed with appropriate music, and we have rarely seen them more acceptably performed, and this was the general sentiment of all present. At their conclusion, the M. W. Grand Master addressed the new Lodge in his usual happy and effective manner; after which the Grand Lodge retired. We had intended to lay the address before our readers in this connection, but a pressure of other matter obliges us to defer it until our next. We are happy to add, in conclusion, that the Lodge is in the hands of young, active, and devoted Brethren, whose intelligence and social position are a sure guaranty of its future prosperity and usefulness, and that, while in present hands at least, it will not tarnish, by act, of its own, the brightness of the honored name it bears.

GRAND MASTER LEWIS' ADDRESS

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XVI, No. 5, February 1857, Page 142:

Amid the varied embarassments of a varied life, of the many positions in which circumstances have placed me, where there was a demand for readiness of action or of speech, — and there have been many, when, by a species of " floundering," I have escaped, surprised at the survival ,— none has so palled my serenity, or to overcome my self-possession, as the present one. [ have addressed Lodges abroad in bad French, — have ventured, in worse Italian, a speech to the Grand Duke of Tuscany, and even succeeded tolerably with his Holiness Pius IX. But these all were such as befall the many who visit such "lions," or witness the "elephant" here and there. This has a more difficult aspect, producing, W. Master, that unpleasant peculiar action, well known to those illy gifted in speech (not, air, that you have so suffered,) where vox haesit faucibus.

"To you, Worshipful Master, I address myself, as both my Masonic and professional Brother — as one deservedly high in both relations, with a heart for others' woes, and a skill to minister to the mind diseased. And it would seem that Masonry and Medicine are not deemed incompatible by our Brethren — that there was almost some alliance or connexion between them. It certainly cannot be, that there is any disease in the Order; and, therefore, these are selected to that duty which they are supposed best to understand — the administering to morbid bodies ' Surely not! But the fact is determinate and prominent. Six of the Grand Masters of our venerable Grand Lodge were Physicians. One fell, liberty's first martyr, on Bunker's heights, —three were Presidents of the Massachusetts Medical Society,— one is now an eminent Professor of Surgery in the great school of Louisville, Ky., and the last, is one not likely to fall for any service he may render his country, nor has he any aspirations in that direction! neither has he been, or ever will be, President of our State Medical Society. The only compliment to be paid him is, that he presided over the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts two years, and no harm befell it! Both the Encampments of this city are excellently managed by M. D.'s, both adepts in wielding the lance for health as for chivalry, — and all our Lodges are teeming with the sons of Æsculapius.

But the power, the extended peculiarity of the connexion, has been demonstrated this evening in the consecration of your new organization. If is chartered under the name of an humble Medical individual, known only as an active Mason, and as" one who cuts society with tolerable success! By his official position, you have been inducted to the privileges of fellowship with the Lodges. Two of your first officers are of the Medical Corps, and among you are included the professional Heads of the House of Correction, the Lunatic Asylum, and of the Quarantine, Deer Island, and United States Marine Hospital. What an array to meet any emergency which may befall a Body! And for those even who may require safe keeping, you have the Master of the Jail! I trust, that this last Brother may find his office a sinecure as regards you all, and that you may never need his official hospitality or shelter! With these and others, true and trusty, you now commence your career as a duly and regularly constituted Lodge; and now is the period for laying the basis on which your superstructure is to rest, to regulate a platform of the requirements you demand from all who are to form your future associates, of those who are to be admitted to your Masonic hearth. "The Spiritualists," to ensure the success of their operations, form a circle, and the efficiency of the manifestations they deem dependent on the " mediums" being consentaneous in their sentiments and feelings. One, not sufficiently imbued, breaks the harmony, and the efforts of the rest are null, ineffective. So compose your Masonic circle, that the electric chain may be>unbroken, that the kindly spark may be transmitted through all, without discord of action or feeling—that the same thrill of affection shall vibrate through every heart, producing that glorious manifestation, a Brotherhood dwelling together in peace and unity. You may not produce "rappings," but every heart will beat more vigorously with pleasure's increased pulsation. You may not receive "communications" from the spirit land, but be assured, all good angels hover over those, who seek the well-being of their fellows—the promotion of diffused happiness.

How important is the act by which another is added to our Order,—by which the "Mr." is baptised into "Br.," and alas ! how much to be deplored when one is rejected from the privileges to which he may justly be entitled. Consider well what you do with your great power, with your black ball; which may wound not only the sensibilities bat the reputation of a good man. Think before you act.

In the Lodges in France, and in the French Lodges in this country, whenever a ballot is taken for the solemn purpose of admitting or rejecting, the box is placed on the altar, — resting on the Holy Bible, square and compasses. The Brethren advance singly, for a moment pause, take the ballot, and making the sign of the de-pee, slowly deposit it. The effect of this is both impressive and good. It reminds them, that what they are about to do, is an act requiring calm consideration, an act which involves deep responsibilities. Thus standing alone, in the centre of the Lodge, before the Altar of God, with God's word there placed, with emblems also to remind him of bis high duties, will the Brother not shrink from the exercise of the malevolent passions, and let conscientiousness alone be his sole monitor? I commend this practice to your consideration. It will take a little more time, but its loss will be your gain.

My Brethren ! — This is the last time that I shall be privileged to address a Lodge as Grand Master, and the last subject, but the first in importance, is the selection of your associates. I charge you look well to, and ponder most seriously on, the effect of every ballot cast for admission. How much evil one black sheep may produce upon a whole flock ! how "one bad voice will put twenty good ones out of tune!" Most seriously do I emphasize on the importance of the severest scrutiny into all the qualifications and peculiarities of those who are to be admitted into the "Household of your Faith."

There are men, who, in the transactions of life, in their vocation, their business, are fair, just and honorable ; humane and generous at times; but who are endowed with a morbid excitability, a morbid jealousy, imputing wrong to all who may differ from them, and suspecting evil when none was practised or intended. Touch them, however gently, and they explode, making confusion and strife, stirring up the angry passions, painful recriminations and discord ; ever carping at the motives and actions of those whose judgments differ from their own ; scanning with the most acrid severity, and eagerly watching for an expression, aye, even for a look, on which they may eject their venom. Such, gifted with the power of " talk, " (and generally such are loud and constant declaimers,) vox et praeterea nihil, will too oft infuse their poison into the minds of the younger, collect around them a coterie, call this perhaps "young America," and all others "old fogies." For them, age, experience, long tried fidelity, are not the respected essentials. They would plough up the old soil without improving it, disturb the feature* of its ancient fields, without any addition to their beauties, e'en though they shroud themselves and all with them, in the dust and smoke of their innovations. Keep such out of your fraternal sanctuary ; but if, unluckily, you receive them, keep them down, if you wish to keep yourselves up. Scan well and probe deeply into the motives of those who would pass your threshold. Look to it, that they are not influenced by expectations of mere personal interest or selfish advance. To Freemasonry they are useless. In them, you receive no accession. Both parties are aggrieved and disappointed. They find not what they sought, nor you what you hoped for. They throw no incense on the altar of the heart. They add no fuel to keep alive the sacred flame of Brotherly Love and Relief.

They are called to give, when they looked to receive. The real fund of Brotherhood and Friendship of which they are made stockholders, to such is of no account. To them " it don't pay," and the only satisfaction that will accrue to you is, that they will not trouble you long with their attendance; but to you, the regret will attach, that through you, drones have been added to a good hive, bringing no sweets, producing no addition, but a miserable numerical one. Secure to yourselves those who give the promise of becoming useful as members of your Lodge, those who are capable of appreciating, and will devote their minds to its ritual, qualify and instruct themselves to fill the important stations as officers and leaders in the cause. Failing to secure such, how large may be your numbers, but how weak your organization — how ineffective, how lifeless, how totally unimpressive your ceremonials! and consequently how feeble the impress on your initiates. I have seen the most solemn degree of Masonry gont through urith, (that is the proper phrase) and its impress on the recipient fall cold and powerless. The sublime monitions come as it were from a machine, an automaton. " Words that should burn" were uttered by icy lips, from a frozen soul — from a stolid mind. That same degree has been given, where the candidate has evinced by his emotions, his tears, that his heart was reached to its very centre, was penetrated to its keenest and best susceptibilities — and why t Because it was properly administered, by one who understood and felt, and could communicate, with the strong force of action and delivery. This was the touch of "Ithuriel," quickening into life, — the other, the deadening weight of a stupid Boeotian. The one, the inanimate statue, the other, the vital, breathing, warm original. Select for your officers those whose position in society is prominent, well known and esteemed, —not for their worldly wealth, but for the eminence of their characters, for honesty, benevolence, moral worth and intelligence. The world looks to our officers as our "Representative Men," as the exponents of our principles and actions. Show to it, that your jewels are also those who are prized as citizens, as honored members of the general community. Besides character and position in life, knowledge of the work and lectures, there are other requirements, — courtesy, mildness, judgment, grace, should be sought for in your choice. Place no dictator at your head—no lex et ego autocrat. The car of Masonry needs no such drivers, and 'tis a truism, "from where there is no judgment, that the heaviest judgment comes."

My Brethren, receive these suggestions from one deeply interested in your welfare and success, crude and disjointed as they are, unpolished and unadorned, — though they may lack mind, the heart is not wanting. And now, how can I thank you for the great compliment, aye, for the greatest honor of my life? In "storied urn or animated bust," posthumous rewards and praises are given to the departed. But here, while among you, with the chance whether my humble reputation may be sustained or lost, you have founded an institution, and attached to it my name. Be assured, it will be the strongest incentive to preserve the little I possess of what is good, and if that little should be less, yon may still preserve your name without a blush, by using still the same, which, throughout a long, useful life, in the performance of life's highest duties, was attached to an old Mason, my honored Father. My grateful thanks to you all, and though the unpretending name on your banner will not excite your emulation in a cause whose course is onward and upward, may it remind you of one who did his best of what God had favored him, in advancing that Order, whose end is "Peace on earth, good will to men."

To those who have just commenced their Masonic career, permit me, who have reaped so much of the harvest of my life's happiness from its fertile fields, enjoyed so profusely of its blessings through so long a period, now, as my official duties are almost closed, to declare with gratitude, that to this connexion I am indebted for the best friends, the best social blessings that can accrue to one, without the pale of his own family hearth. So may you all thus find the result with you in your new fraternal relation. May the light now kindled on your altar, shed on your paths the most genial and cheering radiance.

"Almighty Jehovah!
Descend now and fill This Lodge with thy glory,
Tour hearts with good will! Preside at your meetings,,br> Assist you to find True pleasure in teaching
Good will to mankind."

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS, NOVEMBER 1861

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXI, No. 2, November 1861, Page 64:

Officers of Winslow Lewis Lodge for the ensuing year.

  • Sereno D. Nickerson,, M.
  • Andrew G. Smith, S. W
  • Thomas Sprague, J. W.
  • John F. Mills, Treas.
  • Hubbard W. Swett, Sec'y.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS


DISTRICTS

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1867: District 1 (Boston)

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2003: District 1


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