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Article THE LATE BROTHER E. COPPEE MITCHELL, ← Page 2 of 2 Article THE LATE BROTHER E. COPPEE MITCHELL, Page 2 of 2
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Late Brother E. Coppee Mitchell,
veyed to him by the Grand Officers at the request of the Grand Lodge . They recalled to him memories of happy associations with the Brethren , and raised hopes of a continuance of those associations . He was cheered by them ; joy and gratitude filled his heart , and his countenance expressed his feelings . One month afterwards he died ,
honoured and lamented , and now the Brethren mourn . Edward Coppee Mitchell , LL . D ., Right Worshipful Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania , was born in tbe city of Savannah , in the State of Georgia , on the 24 fch day of July 1836 , and he died in the city of Philadelphia on the 25 th day of January 1887 .
He was tbe son of Dr . John James Mitchell , a prominent physician of Savannah , and the grandson of the Hon . David Brydie Mitchell , a native of Scotland , who came to thia country and settling iu Georgia , became a Justice of the Supreme Court and the Governor of that Commonwealth . His mother was a daughter of Dr . Edward Coppee ,
a worthy member of a family which has given to our country eminent soldiers , scholars , and men of letters . Both of Bro . Mitchell ' s parents died while he was young . In his sixteenth year he was brought to this city by his uncle , the Right Reverend William Bacon Stevens , the present Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in
the Diocese of Pennsylvania . After passing through the preparatory schools , his education was completed in the University of Pennsylvania , from which he graduated in the year 1855 . He then began the study of the law , and was admitted to the bar of this county on 23 rd October 1858 . The studious bent of his mind led him to the
investigation and mastery of the law of real estate , upon which the foundation of all law rests , and to a competent understanding of the principles of equity , which temper and ameliorate the rigour of the law ; for as law is a rule of action , so equity is the mitigation of the rigour of the rule .
Bro . Mitchell had the usual experience of young lawyers , the patient waiting for practice , employing his time meanwhile by filling his mind with those rich stores of knowledge , which served him and his clients so well in after years . Industrious and systematic in his habits , he stored his learning in such orderly method that he
could draw upon it with readiness and ease . In October 1872 , Bro . Mitchell was appointed a temporary lecturer in the Law Sohool of the University of Pennsylvania , and in April 1873 he was eleoted Professor of the Law of Real Estate and Equity Jurisprudence . He was chosen Dean of the Law Department of the
University . He immediately set to work to enlarge its sphere of action and increase its usefulness , and his success was such that the Law School of that University now ranks among the first in this country . His students were instructed by him , while they were entertained by the ease and gracefulness of hia manners , so that the
labours of study were made less difficult by the pleasure of receiving the knowledge imparted by him . On 20 th July 1884 he was appointed a member of the Board of Public Charities of this State . As a member of the Committee on Lunacy of that Board , he gave valuable services and performed important duties in framing the
rules and regulations for the licence and government of Institutions for the Insane . In October 1884 , he was chosen by the Judges of the Courts of Common Pleas of this county one of the Commissioners of Fairmouut Park , in the place of Bro . Henry M . Phillips , a Pust Grand Master
of this Grand Lodge , who died on 28 th August 1881 . In that Board his knowledge of land title law made him a useful and valuable member , Bro . Mitchell was made a Mason in Rising Star Lodge , No . 126 , on the 27 th day of April 1863 . After service in several appointed places in the Lodge , he was elected Junior Warden , and performed
duty in that station for the Masonic year commencing on St . John ' s Day 1870 . His labours in that office were marked by that attention to duty and correctness in work , which characterised all his acts in Freemasonry . It is with pride that I reflect npon the fact that his
first work was in initiating me into the mysteries of the Craft . His last work was in entering Brother the Right Reverend William Stevens Perry , Bishop of Iowa , iu an emergent Graud Lodge , held on 4 th February 1885 . He served as Senior Warden of his Lodge in 1872 , and as Worshipful Master in 1873 .
His services in Grand Lodge were of a varied and most useful character . They began almost upon his entrance into Grand Lodge , and continued until a few weeks before he died . On St . John ' s Day 1873 , R . W . Grand Master Alfred R . Potter appointed him Chairman
of the Committee on Correspondence , a place which he held for two years . His report for the year 1874 contains this wise statement of the nature of his duties , with a modest assertion of his great willingness to adhere to them .
" It has come down to us from those able and experienced Brethren who have occupied this responsible position iu past years , as an unbending rule to govern this Committee , that it is no part of our duty to pass judgment upon matters either of legislation or
administration , wherein we find our Brethren iu other jurisdictions differ from our own laws and customs ; that each Grand Lodge , being sovereign within the limits of its own jurisdiction , has the undoubted right to regulate its affairs according to its own judgment .
"lo this traditional policy we have adhered ; not only because it has been an established usage , and is entitled on that account to be respected ; but also because , in the performance of onr duty , wo
havo found it a wise and safe policy for ourselves , totally inexperienced in this brauch of Masonic duty , to avoid all appearance of sitting in the seat of judgment and passing sentence upon others , while we ourselves arc so liable to fall into error . "
This is a clear statement of what may be called international Masonic law . Of this report , M . W . Brother Josiah H . Drummond , of Maine , a high authority in Freemasonry , says : " It is carefully prepared , and reflects much credit upon its author , in spite of his modest deprocation of criticism . "
On St . John's Day 1876 , Brother Mitchell was appointed a mem - ber of the Committee of Appeals , and served on that Committee as its Secretary for two years . Ele was also the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodges of Idaho and Georgia .
The Late Brother E. Coppee Mitchell,
At the Quarterly Communication of thi 3 Grand Lodge , held on 4 th December 1878 , Brother Mitchell was elected Junior Grand Warden . After serving two years in that station , commencing on St . John ' s Day 1878 , he was elected and served as Senior Grand Warden for the next two succeeding years , as Deputy Grand Master
for the two years thereafter , and as Ri » ht Worshipful Grand Master for the Masonic years commencing on St . John ' s Day 1884 and 1885 . His administration was wise and successful , harmony and good order prevailed , aud peace and prosperity resulted therefrom . His manners were graceful and easy ; he was approachable , kind , and
considerate , and yet he was positive in hia judgments and firm in enforcing them . He repressed errors by edicts , which , while they were disagreeable to pronounce , nevertheless had to be issued to prevent that disorder whioh wilful disobedience or culpable ignorance always causes .
Brother Mitchell was a member and Past High Priest of Oriental Holy Royal Arch Chapter , No . 183 , of the State of Pennsylvania . He was also a member of Kadosh Commandery , No . 29 , Knights Templar , but he never accepted the honours of official station there .
Perhaps he found his time so much occupied that he could not give any of it to other societies , aud acted upon the belief that a com . petent performance of dnty in a few of them was much better than a negligent service in many .
When he sat in the chair of the Right Worshipful Grand Master , we thought he would in due course take his place among the keepers of the Landmarks of Freemasonry , until in years he would become a patriarch among us . But his duties and labours were so many and so exacting , and made such demands upon his strength , that they
told upon his health . His vital organs became weakened ; he became sick , languished , and died . Death set his mark upon our Brother , and made him a stone in that Spiritual Temple , that house not made with hands , eternal in the heavens . My Brethren , what a loss you have suffered , and how much do yon
feel it ! The grief is universal ; all share it . Our hopes have been disappointed ; we mourn and submit . This sketch of our Grand Master would be incomplete , at least to those who knew the intimate Masonic relations which exiBted between him and another lamented brother , George W . Wood , Grand
Marshal of this Grand Lodge , who died 2 nd January 1887 , at the ripe age of seventy-nine years , without some reference to Brother Wood . In the open Grand Lodge , aud in the minor details of government by the Grand Master , they were constantly together . The
sentiments which existed between them were of the most affectionate regard and confidence ; they were like the filial love of a son for hii father on one side , and the paternal solicitude of a father for his son on the other . Bro . Wood ' s death was made known to Brother Mitchell while he
was upon his bed in his last sickness . It affected him very much . In three weeks thereafter Brother Mitchell died . In his family relations Brother Mitchell was very happy . He married his cousin Eliza , daughter of Bishop Stevens , and left her and six children to mourn the loss of a fond husband and affectionate
father . Brother Mitchell was buried at South Laurel Hill Cemetery , on 28 th January 1887 . The Brethren of the Grand Lodge attended the funeral , and paid their last tribute of respect to him whose memory they will always cherish .
Right Worshipful Grand Master : I offer the following resolutions , aud move that they be adopted . Resolved , That the Brethren of tbe Grand Lo 3 ge of Masons of Pennsylvania have heard , with sincere regret , of the death of Right Worshipful Past Grand Master Brother Edward Copoee Mitchell , who
was endeared to them by the mos ' . happy disposition and manners . He was amiable and kind , considerate and forbearing , but nevertheless firm in upholding the standards of Freemasonry and maintaining the Landmarks . The Brethren feel deeply the loss they have suffered , and in testimony of their affectionate regard for his memory ,
do further resolve that the furniture of the Grand Lodge and the jewels ofthe Grand Officers be draped in mourning for the space of six months . Resolved , also , That these resolutions be entered on the minutes of Grand Lodge , and that a copy of them be sent to the family of Brother Mitchell . The resolutions were unanimously adopted . —Keystone .
The Annual Provincial Grand Lodge of Essex will be holden afc tho Court House , Romford , on Tuesday , the 26 th July , afc two o ' clock p . m ., when the Right Hon . the Lord Brooke , Provincial Grand Master will
preside . Tiie Provincial Grand Lodge will be opened punctually afc 2 - 15 o ' clock . A banquet will take place at the Corn Exchange , Romford , at four o ' clock , for which tickets ( 10 s 6 d each , including wine ) may be obtained from Bro . H . Li . Heasman . The Great Eastern
Railway Company have kindly consented to issue return tickets , afc single fares , to brethren attending this meeting , on production of summons .
AN ANCIENT MASONIC MOXU . ME . . —We print the following without comment : Iu the possession of ths Italian government is a monument recently unearthed , upon which are engraved the square and compass , plumb , icvol and twenty-four inch gauge . Ic also bears au incription in Latin , giving the name of the person to whom ifc was
erected , together with the significant statement that ho was a Master Mason . Experts havo examined the stone , and find that it has remained in the earth many centuries . It is evidently older than the Italian language , or else Master Mason seems to have belonged to the Latin-spaaking or highest class of society . —Liberal Freemason .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Late Brother E. Coppee Mitchell,
veyed to him by the Grand Officers at the request of the Grand Lodge . They recalled to him memories of happy associations with the Brethren , and raised hopes of a continuance of those associations . He was cheered by them ; joy and gratitude filled his heart , and his countenance expressed his feelings . One month afterwards he died ,
honoured and lamented , and now the Brethren mourn . Edward Coppee Mitchell , LL . D ., Right Worshipful Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania , was born in tbe city of Savannah , in the State of Georgia , on the 24 fch day of July 1836 , and he died in the city of Philadelphia on the 25 th day of January 1887 .
He was tbe son of Dr . John James Mitchell , a prominent physician of Savannah , and the grandson of the Hon . David Brydie Mitchell , a native of Scotland , who came to thia country and settling iu Georgia , became a Justice of the Supreme Court and the Governor of that Commonwealth . His mother was a daughter of Dr . Edward Coppee ,
a worthy member of a family which has given to our country eminent soldiers , scholars , and men of letters . Both of Bro . Mitchell ' s parents died while he was young . In his sixteenth year he was brought to this city by his uncle , the Right Reverend William Bacon Stevens , the present Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in
the Diocese of Pennsylvania . After passing through the preparatory schools , his education was completed in the University of Pennsylvania , from which he graduated in the year 1855 . He then began the study of the law , and was admitted to the bar of this county on 23 rd October 1858 . The studious bent of his mind led him to the
investigation and mastery of the law of real estate , upon which the foundation of all law rests , and to a competent understanding of the principles of equity , which temper and ameliorate the rigour of the law ; for as law is a rule of action , so equity is the mitigation of the rigour of the rule .
Bro . Mitchell had the usual experience of young lawyers , the patient waiting for practice , employing his time meanwhile by filling his mind with those rich stores of knowledge , which served him and his clients so well in after years . Industrious and systematic in his habits , he stored his learning in such orderly method that he
could draw upon it with readiness and ease . In October 1872 , Bro . Mitchell was appointed a temporary lecturer in the Law Sohool of the University of Pennsylvania , and in April 1873 he was eleoted Professor of the Law of Real Estate and Equity Jurisprudence . He was chosen Dean of the Law Department of the
University . He immediately set to work to enlarge its sphere of action and increase its usefulness , and his success was such that the Law School of that University now ranks among the first in this country . His students were instructed by him , while they were entertained by the ease and gracefulness of hia manners , so that the
labours of study were made less difficult by the pleasure of receiving the knowledge imparted by him . On 20 th July 1884 he was appointed a member of the Board of Public Charities of this State . As a member of the Committee on Lunacy of that Board , he gave valuable services and performed important duties in framing the
rules and regulations for the licence and government of Institutions for the Insane . In October 1884 , he was chosen by the Judges of the Courts of Common Pleas of this county one of the Commissioners of Fairmouut Park , in the place of Bro . Henry M . Phillips , a Pust Grand Master
of this Grand Lodge , who died on 28 th August 1881 . In that Board his knowledge of land title law made him a useful and valuable member , Bro . Mitchell was made a Mason in Rising Star Lodge , No . 126 , on the 27 th day of April 1863 . After service in several appointed places in the Lodge , he was elected Junior Warden , and performed
duty in that station for the Masonic year commencing on St . John ' s Day 1870 . His labours in that office were marked by that attention to duty and correctness in work , which characterised all his acts in Freemasonry . It is with pride that I reflect npon the fact that his
first work was in initiating me into the mysteries of the Craft . His last work was in entering Brother the Right Reverend William Stevens Perry , Bishop of Iowa , iu an emergent Graud Lodge , held on 4 th February 1885 . He served as Senior Warden of his Lodge in 1872 , and as Worshipful Master in 1873 .
His services in Grand Lodge were of a varied and most useful character . They began almost upon his entrance into Grand Lodge , and continued until a few weeks before he died . On St . John ' s Day 1873 , R . W . Grand Master Alfred R . Potter appointed him Chairman
of the Committee on Correspondence , a place which he held for two years . His report for the year 1874 contains this wise statement of the nature of his duties , with a modest assertion of his great willingness to adhere to them .
" It has come down to us from those able and experienced Brethren who have occupied this responsible position iu past years , as an unbending rule to govern this Committee , that it is no part of our duty to pass judgment upon matters either of legislation or
administration , wherein we find our Brethren iu other jurisdictions differ from our own laws and customs ; that each Grand Lodge , being sovereign within the limits of its own jurisdiction , has the undoubted right to regulate its affairs according to its own judgment .
"lo this traditional policy we have adhered ; not only because it has been an established usage , and is entitled on that account to be respected ; but also because , in the performance of onr duty , wo
havo found it a wise and safe policy for ourselves , totally inexperienced in this brauch of Masonic duty , to avoid all appearance of sitting in the seat of judgment and passing sentence upon others , while we ourselves arc so liable to fall into error . "
This is a clear statement of what may be called international Masonic law . Of this report , M . W . Brother Josiah H . Drummond , of Maine , a high authority in Freemasonry , says : " It is carefully prepared , and reflects much credit upon its author , in spite of his modest deprocation of criticism . "
On St . John's Day 1876 , Brother Mitchell was appointed a mem - ber of the Committee of Appeals , and served on that Committee as its Secretary for two years . Ele was also the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodges of Idaho and Georgia .
The Late Brother E. Coppee Mitchell,
At the Quarterly Communication of thi 3 Grand Lodge , held on 4 th December 1878 , Brother Mitchell was elected Junior Grand Warden . After serving two years in that station , commencing on St . John ' s Day 1878 , he was elected and served as Senior Grand Warden for the next two succeeding years , as Deputy Grand Master
for the two years thereafter , and as Ri » ht Worshipful Grand Master for the Masonic years commencing on St . John ' s Day 1884 and 1885 . His administration was wise and successful , harmony and good order prevailed , aud peace and prosperity resulted therefrom . His manners were graceful and easy ; he was approachable , kind , and
considerate , and yet he was positive in hia judgments and firm in enforcing them . He repressed errors by edicts , which , while they were disagreeable to pronounce , nevertheless had to be issued to prevent that disorder whioh wilful disobedience or culpable ignorance always causes .
Brother Mitchell was a member and Past High Priest of Oriental Holy Royal Arch Chapter , No . 183 , of the State of Pennsylvania . He was also a member of Kadosh Commandery , No . 29 , Knights Templar , but he never accepted the honours of official station there .
Perhaps he found his time so much occupied that he could not give any of it to other societies , aud acted upon the belief that a com . petent performance of dnty in a few of them was much better than a negligent service in many .
When he sat in the chair of the Right Worshipful Grand Master , we thought he would in due course take his place among the keepers of the Landmarks of Freemasonry , until in years he would become a patriarch among us . But his duties and labours were so many and so exacting , and made such demands upon his strength , that they
told upon his health . His vital organs became weakened ; he became sick , languished , and died . Death set his mark upon our Brother , and made him a stone in that Spiritual Temple , that house not made with hands , eternal in the heavens . My Brethren , what a loss you have suffered , and how much do yon
feel it ! The grief is universal ; all share it . Our hopes have been disappointed ; we mourn and submit . This sketch of our Grand Master would be incomplete , at least to those who knew the intimate Masonic relations which exiBted between him and another lamented brother , George W . Wood , Grand
Marshal of this Grand Lodge , who died 2 nd January 1887 , at the ripe age of seventy-nine years , without some reference to Brother Wood . In the open Grand Lodge , aud in the minor details of government by the Grand Master , they were constantly together . The
sentiments which existed between them were of the most affectionate regard and confidence ; they were like the filial love of a son for hii father on one side , and the paternal solicitude of a father for his son on the other . Bro . Wood ' s death was made known to Brother Mitchell while he
was upon his bed in his last sickness . It affected him very much . In three weeks thereafter Brother Mitchell died . In his family relations Brother Mitchell was very happy . He married his cousin Eliza , daughter of Bishop Stevens , and left her and six children to mourn the loss of a fond husband and affectionate
father . Brother Mitchell was buried at South Laurel Hill Cemetery , on 28 th January 1887 . The Brethren of the Grand Lodge attended the funeral , and paid their last tribute of respect to him whose memory they will always cherish .
Right Worshipful Grand Master : I offer the following resolutions , aud move that they be adopted . Resolved , That the Brethren of tbe Grand Lo 3 ge of Masons of Pennsylvania have heard , with sincere regret , of the death of Right Worshipful Past Grand Master Brother Edward Copoee Mitchell , who
was endeared to them by the mos ' . happy disposition and manners . He was amiable and kind , considerate and forbearing , but nevertheless firm in upholding the standards of Freemasonry and maintaining the Landmarks . The Brethren feel deeply the loss they have suffered , and in testimony of their affectionate regard for his memory ,
do further resolve that the furniture of the Grand Lodge and the jewels ofthe Grand Officers be draped in mourning for the space of six months . Resolved , also , That these resolutions be entered on the minutes of Grand Lodge , and that a copy of them be sent to the family of Brother Mitchell . The resolutions were unanimously adopted . —Keystone .
The Annual Provincial Grand Lodge of Essex will be holden afc tho Court House , Romford , on Tuesday , the 26 th July , afc two o ' clock p . m ., when the Right Hon . the Lord Brooke , Provincial Grand Master will
preside . Tiie Provincial Grand Lodge will be opened punctually afc 2 - 15 o ' clock . A banquet will take place at the Corn Exchange , Romford , at four o ' clock , for which tickets ( 10 s 6 d each , including wine ) may be obtained from Bro . H . Li . Heasman . The Great Eastern
Railway Company have kindly consented to issue return tickets , afc single fares , to brethren attending this meeting , on production of summons .
AN ANCIENT MASONIC MOXU . ME . . —We print the following without comment : Iu the possession of ths Italian government is a monument recently unearthed , upon which are engraved the square and compass , plumb , icvol and twenty-four inch gauge . Ic also bears au incription in Latin , giving the name of the person to whom ifc was
erected , together with the significant statement that ho was a Master Mason . Experts havo examined the stone , and find that it has remained in the earth many centuries . It is evidently older than the Italian language , or else Master Mason seems to have belonged to the Latin-spaaking or highest class of society . —Liberal Freemason .