Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Proceedings Of The Grand Lodge Of Massachusetts, 1871.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS , 1871 .
BY BRO . WILLIAM J AMES HUGHAN . The Grand Lodge of Alassachussetts may be said to be a literary as well as a Alasonic organisation . Its proceedings increase in interest every
year , and the volume lately issued for those of 1871 , surpasses in value and importance any previous publication of that flourishing Grand Lodge . To do justice to such a massive work
of some 750 pages , a long and extended review would be necessary , which we have not the time at present to prepare , and we are anxious not to delay our friendly notice o £ so extraordinary an
edition . The frontispiece is a finely engraved portrait of William Sewall Gardner , Grand Alaster from A . D . 1868 to 1871 , a bright Alason , a ripe
scholar , and perfect gentleman . Possessing these qualifications , we can understand the progress of the Craft in Alassachusetts under his rule , and are thus enabled to appreciate the
motives of the editor of this grand volume m placing Bro . Gardner ' s portrait as the frontispiece , although at the time of its issue , he had become Past Grand Alaster .
A quarterly communication of the Grand Lodge was held at Alasonic Temple , Boston , Alarch Sth , A . D . 1 S 71 . A communication was read from the Grand Lodge of Chili , respecting
thc Aconcagua Lodge , at Valparaiso , working under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Alassachusetts from A . D . 1 S 6 9 , and which it was asked may be transferred to their allegiance ,
because it was in their jurisdiction . The Committee , to whom was entrusted the consideration of this question of privilege , reported that the Grand Orient of Chili having . adopted what is
is known as the Scottish Rite , hatl been recognised in 1 S 62 , as a co-ordinate independent body , but certainly not one to whom the Lodges , long
previously established in the Republic under the "York " Rite , would naturally turn , and acknowledge its authority , when it was a foreign rite , with the esoteric formula , of which the members
were comparatively unacquainted . The Committee cited several precedents for such co-ordinate action—England with its District Grand Lodge at Buenos-Ayres , within the
jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge oi the Argentine Republic ; Scotland and its Provincial Grand . Lodge within the precincts ofthe Grand Lodge of
Venezuela , and its lodges at Callao and Lima , in the Peruvian Republic ; Ireland and its Provincial Grand Lodge under the Grand Orient of Portugal , & c .
The recommendation that tlie prayer of the lodge under dispensation be granted , and that a charter be issued for the permanent organisation ofthe Aconcagua Lodge at Valparaiso .
The address ofthe Grand Master was mainly taken up with purely local matters . I le opposed the introduction of what is known as " Female Alasonry , " under the designation ofthe Eastern
Star , and lodges were forbidden , accordingly , any connection with it . A special communication was hehl on Alarch
i- jth , for the purpose of constituting Temple Lotlge of East Boston . Thc Grand Master read 111 admirable charge by Paul Revere ( Past Grand
Proceedings Of The Grand Lodge Of Massachusetts, 1871.
Alaster ) , written and delivered about 1795 , and in his address to the ncw lodge , gave an address , respecting Sir Thomas Temple , who first went to New England iu 16 57 . Sir John Temple was
the lirst consul general from England to the United States , and died at New York , A . D . 1 79 S . The second quarterly communication was held on the 14 th day of June , 1 S 71 . Several letters
were read by the Grand Alaster in his address , which were of an important nature , one had reference to the initiation of maimed candidates , from the Grand Lodge of South Carolina , which
the AI . W . Bro . Gardiner answered in a fair and liberal manner , and another from Grand Committee of Nevada , raising the question of " making Alasons at sight , " was answered by the Grand
Alaster to the effect that " There can be no doubt of the existence in the Grand Alaster to this right ancl power I doubt ver ) - much whether the Craft of Alassachusetts would
sustain a Grand Alaster 111 the exercise 01 this prerogative , unless it was apparent that an absolute necessity existed therefor , and not then unless the making was in a regularly organized lodge , and according to the forms and ceremonies required
by our ritual . We quite think with Bro . Gardiner , and believe that the time is entirely past when making " Alasons at sight" could be cither desirable or
justifiable . On the 5 th April , Bro . Solon 1 honiton tendered his resignation of the office of Recording Grand Secretary ( Grand Secretary virtually ) whicli having been accepted , with sincere regret ,
Bro . the Rev . Charles II . Titus was subsequentl y elected to that office , and also Clerk to the Board and Corporation , as it is called , the Grantl Lotlge
being formally chartered by the commonwealth of Alassachusetts . Out of 410 votes , Bro . Titus received . 340 , and we wish him every success and prosperity in his new sphere oi' usefulness .
At the special Grand Lodge , opened in ample form , at Nantucket , 27 th J une , the Festivalof St . John the Evangelist was celebrated , in connection with the centennial anniversary of Union Lodge ,
orginally chartered Alay 27 th , 177 1 . I'he Grand Lodge was escorted by members of the De Alolay Commander of Knights Templar , and marched in procession with the Alasonic bodies
tothe festival dinner . At the conclusion of the post-prandial speeches the Grand Lodge proceeded to the Alethodist Church , " where an oration was listened to by a large number ol
Alasons , citizens , and laches , after which the Grand Lodge was closed . " At a Deputy Grand Lodge , Sept . 6 th , under the travel of the R . W . Past D . G . AL , Bro . C .
W . Aloore , corresponding G . Sec , tlie Ezekicl Bates Lodge was constituted and its Mali formall y dedicated . The third quarterly comnnincatiou ( 1 , 3 thSept .,
1871 ) was one of special interest , 'i'he Grand Lodge having been opened in ample form , with prayer , by the RA \ . and Rev . Charles li . Titus , acting Grand Chaplain , tlie following hymn was sun" * .
Music :. —Auld L'tiiit Sipie . Come , Brothers of the mystic lie , () tir social work begun , We ' ll raise a opening song on high . To I Jim , the Holy One
Proceedings Of The Grand Lodge Of Massachusetts, 1871.
AVith hearts united , firm and free We round our altar stand Who best can work , and best agree , Are dearest in our band .
Come kindle at our holy fire Fraternal thoughts , ancl laud Each worthy act , ancl pure desire Shall kindred wishes bind . With hearts united & c .
The preliminary business having been transacted , R . W . Bro . C . L . Woodbury presented the report of the committee on the petition of Bro . Samuel Evans . It consists of a most elaborate resume
of the whole subject of sectarian matters in Freemasonry , and in thc main seeks to show that certain portions or features of a theological character , which exist iu the ritual and work of
the Order , are not contrary to the letter as well as the spirit of Freemasonry , as Bro . SamuelEvans , and 22- ; others state , but actually forman integral part of our ceremonies , incidental to the Christian
origin ol the Fraternity . The committee declare that as an historical question it cannot longer be contended that the institution of Freemasonry is due to the London Grand Lodge .
We quite agree in this statement ; but certainly , if not the institution , at all events the constitution of Grand Lodges is due to the London Grand
Lodge , as it was thc first of that style of organisation , ancl , directly or indirectly , the mother of all others .
In speaking or our ancient documents , the Committee observe— " Some eight or nine of these manuscripts have been unearthed by the labour of students , among whom the historian
ot old York Alasonry , Bro . Hughan , has been eminentl y successful . " We may state that there tire now some twenty original AIS . Alasonic Constitutions , existing in public ancl private
archives , ranging iu date from the fourteenth to the eighteenth centuries , antl they are all evidentl y written and intended for Christians , and there cannot be a doubt that these earl y AISS . ( of
which the latter versions are merel y free copies ) prove that Freemasonry lived in accord with the established Christian religion of England of that period .
'lhe Committee remark ' * ' It has been distinctly put to us by an acute and learned Israelite brother that the Christian usages found among our Craft in our traditions , are offi'iisive to him , we ought
to exclude them . Ifthatisa sufficient reason , what will become of our society ? A Christian may ask that allusion to King Solomon shall be expunged , because he was a Jew . Another may
ask all allusion to Hiram to be effaced , because he was a Pagan . The Trinitarian may ask that the Grand Architect of the Universe shall only be addressed in his triune character . The
resurrection irom the dead stands no better . Every particle of our reli gion , ritual and symbols , must fall under the same axe , and the Alasonry wc have received be extin'ruishetl We
can have no Hebrew , no Episcopal , no Presbyterian lodges , because one of cur objects is the social mingling of gootl men of various sects . The orthodox and the heterodox must meet in
the lodge on the same level , and learn mutual esteem through gootl Masonn * . Jn this diversity of creeds lies one important field of our labour , and we should dcr-lore the alienation , of any
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Proceedings Of The Grand Lodge Of Massachusetts, 1871.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS , 1871 .
BY BRO . WILLIAM J AMES HUGHAN . The Grand Lodge of Alassachussetts may be said to be a literary as well as a Alasonic organisation . Its proceedings increase in interest every
year , and the volume lately issued for those of 1871 , surpasses in value and importance any previous publication of that flourishing Grand Lodge . To do justice to such a massive work
of some 750 pages , a long and extended review would be necessary , which we have not the time at present to prepare , and we are anxious not to delay our friendly notice o £ so extraordinary an
edition . The frontispiece is a finely engraved portrait of William Sewall Gardner , Grand Alaster from A . D . 1868 to 1871 , a bright Alason , a ripe
scholar , and perfect gentleman . Possessing these qualifications , we can understand the progress of the Craft in Alassachusetts under his rule , and are thus enabled to appreciate the
motives of the editor of this grand volume m placing Bro . Gardner ' s portrait as the frontispiece , although at the time of its issue , he had become Past Grand Alaster .
A quarterly communication of the Grand Lodge was held at Alasonic Temple , Boston , Alarch Sth , A . D . 1 S 71 . A communication was read from the Grand Lodge of Chili , respecting
thc Aconcagua Lodge , at Valparaiso , working under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Alassachusetts from A . D . 1 S 6 9 , and which it was asked may be transferred to their allegiance ,
because it was in their jurisdiction . The Committee , to whom was entrusted the consideration of this question of privilege , reported that the Grand Orient of Chili having . adopted what is
is known as the Scottish Rite , hatl been recognised in 1 S 62 , as a co-ordinate independent body , but certainly not one to whom the Lodges , long
previously established in the Republic under the "York " Rite , would naturally turn , and acknowledge its authority , when it was a foreign rite , with the esoteric formula , of which the members
were comparatively unacquainted . The Committee cited several precedents for such co-ordinate action—England with its District Grand Lodge at Buenos-Ayres , within the
jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge oi the Argentine Republic ; Scotland and its Provincial Grand . Lodge within the precincts ofthe Grand Lodge of
Venezuela , and its lodges at Callao and Lima , in the Peruvian Republic ; Ireland and its Provincial Grand Lodge under the Grand Orient of Portugal , & c .
The recommendation that tlie prayer of the lodge under dispensation be granted , and that a charter be issued for the permanent organisation ofthe Aconcagua Lodge at Valparaiso .
The address ofthe Grand Master was mainly taken up with purely local matters . I le opposed the introduction of what is known as " Female Alasonry , " under the designation ofthe Eastern
Star , and lodges were forbidden , accordingly , any connection with it . A special communication was hehl on Alarch
i- jth , for the purpose of constituting Temple Lotlge of East Boston . Thc Grand Master read 111 admirable charge by Paul Revere ( Past Grand
Proceedings Of The Grand Lodge Of Massachusetts, 1871.
Alaster ) , written and delivered about 1795 , and in his address to the ncw lodge , gave an address , respecting Sir Thomas Temple , who first went to New England iu 16 57 . Sir John Temple was
the lirst consul general from England to the United States , and died at New York , A . D . 1 79 S . The second quarterly communication was held on the 14 th day of June , 1 S 71 . Several letters
were read by the Grand Alaster in his address , which were of an important nature , one had reference to the initiation of maimed candidates , from the Grand Lodge of South Carolina , which
the AI . W . Bro . Gardiner answered in a fair and liberal manner , and another from Grand Committee of Nevada , raising the question of " making Alasons at sight , " was answered by the Grand
Alaster to the effect that " There can be no doubt of the existence in the Grand Alaster to this right ancl power I doubt ver ) - much whether the Craft of Alassachusetts would
sustain a Grand Alaster 111 the exercise 01 this prerogative , unless it was apparent that an absolute necessity existed therefor , and not then unless the making was in a regularly organized lodge , and according to the forms and ceremonies required
by our ritual . We quite think with Bro . Gardiner , and believe that the time is entirely past when making " Alasons at sight" could be cither desirable or
justifiable . On the 5 th April , Bro . Solon 1 honiton tendered his resignation of the office of Recording Grand Secretary ( Grand Secretary virtually ) whicli having been accepted , with sincere regret ,
Bro . the Rev . Charles II . Titus was subsequentl y elected to that office , and also Clerk to the Board and Corporation , as it is called , the Grantl Lotlge
being formally chartered by the commonwealth of Alassachusetts . Out of 410 votes , Bro . Titus received . 340 , and we wish him every success and prosperity in his new sphere oi' usefulness .
At the special Grand Lodge , opened in ample form , at Nantucket , 27 th J une , the Festivalof St . John the Evangelist was celebrated , in connection with the centennial anniversary of Union Lodge ,
orginally chartered Alay 27 th , 177 1 . I'he Grand Lodge was escorted by members of the De Alolay Commander of Knights Templar , and marched in procession with the Alasonic bodies
tothe festival dinner . At the conclusion of the post-prandial speeches the Grand Lodge proceeded to the Alethodist Church , " where an oration was listened to by a large number ol
Alasons , citizens , and laches , after which the Grand Lodge was closed . " At a Deputy Grand Lodge , Sept . 6 th , under the travel of the R . W . Past D . G . AL , Bro . C .
W . Aloore , corresponding G . Sec , tlie Ezekicl Bates Lodge was constituted and its Mali formall y dedicated . The third quarterly comnnincatiou ( 1 , 3 thSept .,
1871 ) was one of special interest , 'i'he Grand Lodge having been opened in ample form , with prayer , by the RA \ . and Rev . Charles li . Titus , acting Grand Chaplain , tlie following hymn was sun" * .
Music :. —Auld L'tiiit Sipie . Come , Brothers of the mystic lie , () tir social work begun , We ' ll raise a opening song on high . To I Jim , the Holy One
Proceedings Of The Grand Lodge Of Massachusetts, 1871.
AVith hearts united , firm and free We round our altar stand Who best can work , and best agree , Are dearest in our band .
Come kindle at our holy fire Fraternal thoughts , ancl laud Each worthy act , ancl pure desire Shall kindred wishes bind . With hearts united & c .
The preliminary business having been transacted , R . W . Bro . C . L . Woodbury presented the report of the committee on the petition of Bro . Samuel Evans . It consists of a most elaborate resume
of the whole subject of sectarian matters in Freemasonry , and in thc main seeks to show that certain portions or features of a theological character , which exist iu the ritual and work of
the Order , are not contrary to the letter as well as the spirit of Freemasonry , as Bro . SamuelEvans , and 22- ; others state , but actually forman integral part of our ceremonies , incidental to the Christian
origin ol the Fraternity . The committee declare that as an historical question it cannot longer be contended that the institution of Freemasonry is due to the London Grand Lodge .
We quite agree in this statement ; but certainly , if not the institution , at all events the constitution of Grand Lodges is due to the London Grand
Lodge , as it was thc first of that style of organisation , ancl , directly or indirectly , the mother of all others .
In speaking or our ancient documents , the Committee observe— " Some eight or nine of these manuscripts have been unearthed by the labour of students , among whom the historian
ot old York Alasonry , Bro . Hughan , has been eminentl y successful . " We may state that there tire now some twenty original AIS . Alasonic Constitutions , existing in public ancl private
archives , ranging iu date from the fourteenth to the eighteenth centuries , antl they are all evidentl y written and intended for Christians , and there cannot be a doubt that these earl y AISS . ( of
which the latter versions are merel y free copies ) prove that Freemasonry lived in accord with the established Christian religion of England of that period .
'lhe Committee remark ' * ' It has been distinctly put to us by an acute and learned Israelite brother that the Christian usages found among our Craft in our traditions , are offi'iisive to him , we ought
to exclude them . Ifthatisa sufficient reason , what will become of our society ? A Christian may ask that allusion to King Solomon shall be expunged , because he was a Jew . Another may
ask all allusion to Hiram to be effaced , because he was a Pagan . The Trinitarian may ask that the Grand Architect of the Universe shall only be addressed in his triune character . The
resurrection irom the dead stands no better . Every particle of our reli gion , ritual and symbols , must fall under the same axe , and the Alasonry wc have received be extin'ruishetl We
can have no Hebrew , no Episcopal , no Presbyterian lodges , because one of cur objects is the social mingling of gootl men of various sects . The orthodox and the heterodox must meet in
the lodge on the same level , and learn mutual esteem through gootl Masonn * . Jn this diversity of creeds lies one important field of our labour , and we should dcr-lore the alienation , of any