Difference between revisions of "FourthEstate"

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=== HISTORY ===
 
=== HISTORY ===
  
* '''[http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsYear1947 1947]''' (25th Anniversary History, 1947-318)
+
* '''[http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsYear1947 1947]''' (25th Anniversary History, 1947-318; see below)
 
* '''[http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsYear1972 1972]''' (50th Anniversary History, 1972-46)
 
* '''[http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsYear1972 1972]''' (50th Anniversary History, 1972-46)
 +
 +
==== 25TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, OCTOBER 1947 ====
 +
 +
''From Proceedings, Page 1947-318:''
 +
 +
''By Brother Edgar M. Mills.''
 +
 +
Formed in 1922 as the first newspapermen's lodge in the United States, Fourth Estate Lodge today looks back upon twenty-five years packed with honors and progress, ahead to continued growth and service to Masonry.
 +
 +
Today the Lodge enjoys its highest membership—237 Brothers. Indicative of its strength, popularity and growth are the twenty-eight new members who joined during the past year. Never in the Lodge's history have so many new members entered in one year. Never has Fourth Estate been so well positioned to go forward to ever greater work.
 +
Built upon the solid base of newspapermen's inherent fellowship and Masonry's dedication to high principle, Fourth Estate was instituted on December 18, 1922. Leading to this formal ceremony was a year of intense preparation.
 +
 +
Seed for the Lodge was first sown at the Boston ''Herald-Traveler''. During the winter, more than a dozen newspapermen had taken their degrees within a short period, so the question developed: "Why not a newspapermen's Lodge?" Masons on other Boston papers became interested. A committee was formed to confer with Most Worshipful [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMPrince Arthur D. Prince], then Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, about formation of such a Lodge. M. W. Brother Prince gave the go ahead signal, predicated upon proper finances and interest.
 +
 +
The idea developed rapidly; officers were chosen; and a guarantee fund was started with Arthur Smith as Treasurer. To Brother Smith is due much of the credit for the executive foundation of Fourth Estate. A zealous Mason, Brother Smith devoted considerable energy to the fund raising.
 +
 +
When the Lodge was instituted, it had $2300 in the treasury. How this fund developed is interesting to all Fourth Estate members. Each of the 120 Charter Members, representing every Boston daily paper, paid a $10 Charter membership fee. The rest of the fund was raised through an ingenious system adopted by Brother Smith.
 +
 +
Meanwhile, from Alfred James Gordon at the Herald came the name "Fourth Estate." It is based upon Edmund Burke's famous declaration that "there were three estates in parliament — Nobility, Clergy, Commons but in the Reporters' Gallery yonder there sat a Fourth Estate more important than they all." It is this declaration that appears on our regular communication notice.
 +
 +
After completion of various formalities, Fourth Estate was ready for institution. Ceremonies were held at the Masonic Temple, Thompson Square, Charlestown. James S. Robinson, proprietor of a State House news service and Past Master of [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=JohnTHeard John T. Heard] Lodge, Ipswich, became the Lodge's first Worshipful Master. Other officers were:
 +
* Rodney W. Walch, ''Herald'', Senior Warden
 +
* Edmund F. Knight, ''Traveler'', Junior Warden
 +
* Arthur E. Smith, ''Herald'', Treasurer
 +
* Harry M. Fletcher, ''Traveler'', Secretary
 +
* George W. Longley, ''The Christian Science Monitor'', Chaplain
 +
* Harry K. Pearsons, ''American'', Marshal
 +
* [http://www.masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAGLCBalcom Charles C. Balcom], ''Transcript'', Senior Deacon
 +
* James W. Phelps, ''Monitor'', Junior Deacon
 +
* Edward L. Lemon, ''Globe'', Senior Steward
 +
* Ray C. Mills, ''Advertiser'', Junior Steward
 +
* Paul Revere Knight, ''Herald'', Inside Sentinel
 +
* Frank C. Litchfield, ''Traveler'', Organist
 +
* George H. Robbins, Tyler
 +
Of these officers, four later served in the East — "Eddie" Knight became Fourth Estate's second Worshipful Master in 1924: "Charlie" Balcom became Master in 1925 and has advanced to become one of the most prominent Masons in Massachusetts; "Jim" Phelps served as Master in the 1926-27 term, while Edward Lemon was Master immediately succeeding "Jim."
 +
 +
The institution ceremony was considered an outstanding event in Massachusetts Masonic history because of the unique character of Fourth Estate, which it has ever retained.
 +
 +
Right Worshipful Edward C. R. Bagley, District Deputy Grand Master of the [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAEastBoston3_1911-1926 Third Masonic District], conducted the proceedings. Lieut. Gov. Alvan T. Fuller of [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=Converse Converse] Lodge, Malden (later Governor), and Malcolm E. Nichols, Collector of Internal Revenue (later Mayor of Boston), and Master of [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=Aberdour Aberdour] Lodge, Boston, were among the speakers. President Warren G. Harding and Governor Channing H. Cox sent letters of felicitation.
 +
 +
After operating a year under dispensation from the Grand Lodge, Fourth Estate was formally constituted on October 2, 1923, by Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMFerrell Dudley H. Ferrell]. Worshipful Robinson was installed as its first Master under its constitution. Thus firmly established, Fourth Estate began a career which has included many notable events.  Honors were many.
 +
 +
One of the outstanding official honors paid Fourth Estate occurred when "Charlie" Balcom, then Senior Warden, was chosen to accompany Grand Master Ferrell in 1925 upon a ten week official visitation to Lodges in the Canal Zone and South America to visit Lodges warranted by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. This later led to one of Fourth Estate's greatest honors, in official visitation of Right Worshipful [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MAGLROsborn Ralph Osborn], District Grand Master, and Right Worshipful Charles Cameron, District Grand Secretary, of the Canal Zone on September 9, 1925. Thus Fourth Estate became the first Lodge in Massachusetts to have as its guest a District Grand Master.
 +
 +
On March 10, 1924, Right Worshipful Brother Sir Alfred Robbins, President of the Board of General Purposes of the United Grand Lodge of England, visited the Lodge during a Masonic mission to the United States. He was made an Honorary Member of the Lodge.
 +
 +
Down through the years newspaper nights have been memorable events in the Lodge. Tops among these nights was New England Newspapermen's Night. From all over New England came newspapermen to attend the affair at the special invitation of Worshipful Master Edmund F. Knight. Worcester's thirty-five men delegation was the largest.  More than 400 Masons-attended.
 +
 +
New York Night was another major event. To this affair New York newspapermen sojourning in Boston and vicinity were invited to be guests of the Lodge. Like similar gatherings in Fourth Estate, the Night was blue ribbon in quality.
 +
The Lodge was then in its eleventh year, having celebrated its tenth anniversary in December. It was named Old Home Night. All members of the Lodge who could possibly attend were there. The Rev. Brother J. Whitcomb Brougher of Tremont Temple was the speaker.
 +
 +
One of the unique events occurred when a father and two sons were raised on the same night. They were Frank Shovelier, father, and his sons, Basil Frank and Cyril Williams. All were employed on the Monitor. The occasion was a Christian Science Monitor night.
 +
 +
Interesting it is that the first candidate raised by Worshipful James S. Robinson as Master of Fourth Estate Lodge was his son, Philip J. Robinson. Tonight Philip is presenting to the Lodge his father's apron and jewel.
 +
 +
"Charlie" Balcom had figured in so many of Fourth Estate's noteworthy events that it is impossible to keep him out of this history. For instance, in 1929, when Most Worshipful Grand Master [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=GMHDean Herbert W. Dean] honored the Lodge by choosing "Charlie" as his Grand Marshal. The next year Grand Master Dean and "Charlie" made an official visitation to China and around the World. The trip was the subject of before and after banquets, with the presentation of a moving picture camera with all equipment. At the post-event affair, chop suey was on the menu. Everyone had, to eat with chopsticks, or pay $1 for ordinary eating tools.  Proceeds went to the Masonic Home.
 +
 +
Ingenious methods have been used at times to raise money for the Lodge. An annual minstrel show produced heavily. The talent was mostly Fourth Estate — and good!
 +
 +
Honors to individual members of Fourth Estate have been many. Of course "Charlie" Balcom heads the list. In 1930, after his service as first District Deputy Grand Master of the [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MABoston3_1927-2003 Boston Third Masonic District], and as Grand Marshal of the Grand Lodge, "Charlie" received the Henry Price Medal, highest medal in Massachusetts Masonry. He later served as Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge.
 +
 +
"Eddie" Knight and Wilfred G. Paine, Marshal of the Lodge, are Fourth Estate's other medal holders. Both have received the Distinguished Service Medal for outstanding work in Masonry. No member of the Lodge has given more faithful service than "Eddie."
 +
 +
"Bill" Paine, now serving his twelfth year as Marshal of Fourth Estate, received his Distinguished Service Medal in 1943. "Bill" has been a pillar of the Lodge, and has served on many committees.
 +
 +
Nor can we forget Right Worshipful Dugald MacCallum and the late Right Worshipful F. Milton Allen. Both served as Master of Fourth Estate and as District Deputy Grand Master. Dugald is now completing his seventh year as Secretary of the Lodge.
 +
 +
George P. Paro, only man in Fourth Estate to serve three years as Master of the Lodge, has won a new honor for the Lodge. Recently he was elected Master of the Third Lodge of Instruction.
 +
 +
Elmer S. Wright, Senior Warden of Fourth Estate, is another who brings honor to the Lodge. He is now serving as Commander of Bay State Commandery, Brockton.
 +
 +
Bright and successful have been our first twenty-five years of Masonic union making new friends and Brothers which time alone can part.
 +
 +
No history of Fourth Estate Lodge would be complete without a list of Charter Members still active members of the Lodge. They are:
 +
* Charles C. Balcom
 +
* Edgar C. Bross
 +
* Willard E. Brown
 +
* Pearly Randolph Bryant
 +
* Charles A. Colton
 +
* William Raymond Diamond
 +
* Joseph Dove
 +
* William Henry Edmonds
 +
* Fenno W. Fifield
 +
* William E. Foster
 +
* Frederick W. Gilliard
 +
* John Charles Henry Graham
 +
* J. Frank Greig
 +
* Harry Haime
 +
* Edward E. Hicken
 +
* Edmund Floyd Knight
 +
* W. Eldridge Lowe
 +
* Edwin T. Luscombe
 +
* C, Allen Moore
 +
* Herman Nickerson
 +
* Frank L. Perrin
 +
* George W. Pettybridge
 +
* James W. Phelps
 +
* John Skinner
 +
* Charles M. Stow
 +
* Melville Sherwood Tarr
 +
* Robert Charles Thompson
 +
* E. E. Whiting
 +
* F. Burton Whitman
 +
* Wendall M. Wyman
  
 
<hr>
 
<hr>

Revision as of 11:30, 5 February 2015

FOURTH ESTATE LODGE

Location: Boston

Chartered By: Dudley M. Ferrell

Charter Date: 09/12/1923 1923-331

Precedence Date: 11/27/1922

Current Status: Merged into St. John's, Boston, 05/23/1985.


PAST MASTERS

  • James S. Robinson, 1922, 1923
  • Edmund F. Knight, 1924
  • Charles G. Balcom, 1925; Mem
  • James W. Phelps, 1926
  • Edward L. Lemon, 1927
  • F. Milton Allen, 1928; N
  • Joseph Dove, 1929
  • Harry Haime, 1930
  • J. Arthur Zemia, 1931
  • Dugald MacCallum, 1932; N
  • Burton E. Pray, 1933
  • Charles E. Burton, 1934
  • Fred M. Phillips, 1935
  • Earl W. Parker, 1936
  • Joseph T. Davis, 1937
  • Winfield J. Hamel, 1938
  • John R. Jackson, 1939
  • John E. Halvorsen, 1940; SN
  • Guy L. Cortiss, 1941
  • William B. Evans, 1942
  • George P. Paro, 1943-1945
  • Adolph Hermann, 1946
  • Elmer S. Wright, 1947
  • Clarence D. Nesbit, 1948
  • Ernest C. Handley, 1949
  • Robert P. Kyle, 1950
  • Justin T. Patterson, 1951
  • Edgar M. Mills, 1952; N
  • Frederick W. Hill, 1953
  • Thomas H. Patton, 1954
  • John W. Biggs, 1955
  • Herbert W. Lawrence, Jr., 1956
  • James G. Saunders, 1957, 1958
  • William A. Nelson, 1959
  • Curtis C. Reeser, 1960
  • Charles E. Dole, Jr., 1961
  • Bruce S. Colpas, 1962
  • Robert E. Crosby, 1963
  • Murray E. Howell, 1964; N
  • Elman F. Teixeira, 1965
  • Wilfred C. Roberts, 1966
  • Harry Sawizky, 1967, 1983
  • Howard M. Smith, 1968
  • Vaughan W. Black, 1969
  • William A. Reid, 1970
  • Donald D. Stewart, 1971
  • Peter Buchanan, 1972
  • Duncan Ferguson, 1973, 1982
  • William T. Graham, 1974
  • Richard A. Walls, 1975, 1984, 1985
  • John M. Paige, 1976
  • David Blackhurst, 1977
  • William P. Kyle, 1978
  • Millard J. Schwalm, 1979, 1980
  • Charles E. Dole, Jr., 1981

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

  • Petition for Dispensation: 1922
  • Petition for Charter: 1923
  • Consolidation Petition (with [St. John's Lodge): 1985

ANNIVERSARIES

  • 1947 (25th Anniversary)
  • 1972 (50th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

BY-LAW CHANGES

1925 1936 1937 1939 1953 1955 1957 1959 1960 1963 1967 1970 1974

HISTORY

  • 1947 (25th Anniversary History, 1947-318; see below)
  • 1972 (50th Anniversary History, 1972-46)

25TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, OCTOBER 1947

From Proceedings, Page 1947-318:

By Brother Edgar M. Mills.

Formed in 1922 as the first newspapermen's lodge in the United States, Fourth Estate Lodge today looks back upon twenty-five years packed with honors and progress, ahead to continued growth and service to Masonry.

Today the Lodge enjoys its highest membership—237 Brothers. Indicative of its strength, popularity and growth are the twenty-eight new members who joined during the past year. Never in the Lodge's history have so many new members entered in one year. Never has Fourth Estate been so well positioned to go forward to ever greater work. Built upon the solid base of newspapermen's inherent fellowship and Masonry's dedication to high principle, Fourth Estate was instituted on December 18, 1922. Leading to this formal ceremony was a year of intense preparation.

Seed for the Lodge was first sown at the Boston Herald-Traveler. During the winter, more than a dozen newspapermen had taken their degrees within a short period, so the question developed: "Why not a newspapermen's Lodge?" Masons on other Boston papers became interested. A committee was formed to confer with Most Worshipful Arthur D. Prince, then Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, about formation of such a Lodge. M. W. Brother Prince gave the go ahead signal, predicated upon proper finances and interest.

The idea developed rapidly; officers were chosen; and a guarantee fund was started with Arthur Smith as Treasurer. To Brother Smith is due much of the credit for the executive foundation of Fourth Estate. A zealous Mason, Brother Smith devoted considerable energy to the fund raising.

When the Lodge was instituted, it had $2300 in the treasury. How this fund developed is interesting to all Fourth Estate members. Each of the 120 Charter Members, representing every Boston daily paper, paid a $10 Charter membership fee. The rest of the fund was raised through an ingenious system adopted by Brother Smith.

Meanwhile, from Alfred James Gordon at the Herald came the name "Fourth Estate." It is based upon Edmund Burke's famous declaration that "there were three estates in parliament — Nobility, Clergy, Commons but in the Reporters' Gallery yonder there sat a Fourth Estate more important than they all." It is this declaration that appears on our regular communication notice.

After completion of various formalities, Fourth Estate was ready for institution. Ceremonies were held at the Masonic Temple, Thompson Square, Charlestown. James S. Robinson, proprietor of a State House news service and Past Master of John T. Heard Lodge, Ipswich, became the Lodge's first Worshipful Master. Other officers were:

  • Rodney W. Walch, Herald, Senior Warden
  • Edmund F. Knight, Traveler, Junior Warden
  • Arthur E. Smith, Herald, Treasurer
  • Harry M. Fletcher, Traveler, Secretary
  • George W. Longley, The Christian Science Monitor, Chaplain
  • Harry K. Pearsons, American, Marshal
  • Charles C. Balcom, Transcript, Senior Deacon
  • James W. Phelps, Monitor, Junior Deacon
  • Edward L. Lemon, Globe, Senior Steward
  • Ray C. Mills, Advertiser, Junior Steward
  • Paul Revere Knight, Herald, Inside Sentinel
  • Frank C. Litchfield, Traveler, Organist
  • George H. Robbins, Tyler

Of these officers, four later served in the East — "Eddie" Knight became Fourth Estate's second Worshipful Master in 1924: "Charlie" Balcom became Master in 1925 and has advanced to become one of the most prominent Masons in Massachusetts; "Jim" Phelps served as Master in the 1926-27 term, while Edward Lemon was Master immediately succeeding "Jim."

The institution ceremony was considered an outstanding event in Massachusetts Masonic history because of the unique character of Fourth Estate, which it has ever retained.

Right Worshipful Edward C. R. Bagley, District Deputy Grand Master of the Third Masonic District, conducted the proceedings. Lieut. Gov. Alvan T. Fuller of Converse Lodge, Malden (later Governor), and Malcolm E. Nichols, Collector of Internal Revenue (later Mayor of Boston), and Master of Aberdour Lodge, Boston, were among the speakers. President Warren G. Harding and Governor Channing H. Cox sent letters of felicitation.

After operating a year under dispensation from the Grand Lodge, Fourth Estate was formally constituted on October 2, 1923, by Grand Master Dudley H. Ferrell. Worshipful Robinson was installed as its first Master under its constitution. Thus firmly established, Fourth Estate began a career which has included many notable events. Honors were many.

One of the outstanding official honors paid Fourth Estate occurred when "Charlie" Balcom, then Senior Warden, was chosen to accompany Grand Master Ferrell in 1925 upon a ten week official visitation to Lodges in the Canal Zone and South America to visit Lodges warranted by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. This later led to one of Fourth Estate's greatest honors, in official visitation of Right Worshipful Ralph Osborn, District Grand Master, and Right Worshipful Charles Cameron, District Grand Secretary, of the Canal Zone on September 9, 1925. Thus Fourth Estate became the first Lodge in Massachusetts to have as its guest a District Grand Master.

On March 10, 1924, Right Worshipful Brother Sir Alfred Robbins, President of the Board of General Purposes of the United Grand Lodge of England, visited the Lodge during a Masonic mission to the United States. He was made an Honorary Member of the Lodge.

Down through the years newspaper nights have been memorable events in the Lodge. Tops among these nights was New England Newspapermen's Night. From all over New England came newspapermen to attend the affair at the special invitation of Worshipful Master Edmund F. Knight. Worcester's thirty-five men delegation was the largest. More than 400 Masons-attended.

New York Night was another major event. To this affair New York newspapermen sojourning in Boston and vicinity were invited to be guests of the Lodge. Like similar gatherings in Fourth Estate, the Night was blue ribbon in quality. The Lodge was then in its eleventh year, having celebrated its tenth anniversary in December. It was named Old Home Night. All members of the Lodge who could possibly attend were there. The Rev. Brother J. Whitcomb Brougher of Tremont Temple was the speaker.

One of the unique events occurred when a father and two sons were raised on the same night. They were Frank Shovelier, father, and his sons, Basil Frank and Cyril Williams. All were employed on the Monitor. The occasion was a Christian Science Monitor night.

Interesting it is that the first candidate raised by Worshipful James S. Robinson as Master of Fourth Estate Lodge was his son, Philip J. Robinson. Tonight Philip is presenting to the Lodge his father's apron and jewel.

"Charlie" Balcom had figured in so many of Fourth Estate's noteworthy events that it is impossible to keep him out of this history. For instance, in 1929, when Most Worshipful Grand Master Herbert W. Dean honored the Lodge by choosing "Charlie" as his Grand Marshal. The next year Grand Master Dean and "Charlie" made an official visitation to China and around the World. The trip was the subject of before and after banquets, with the presentation of a moving picture camera with all equipment. At the post-event affair, chop suey was on the menu. Everyone had, to eat with chopsticks, or pay $1 for ordinary eating tools. Proceeds went to the Masonic Home.

Ingenious methods have been used at times to raise money for the Lodge. An annual minstrel show produced heavily. The talent was mostly Fourth Estate — and good!

Honors to individual members of Fourth Estate have been many. Of course "Charlie" Balcom heads the list. In 1930, after his service as first District Deputy Grand Master of the Boston Third Masonic District, and as Grand Marshal of the Grand Lodge, "Charlie" received the Henry Price Medal, highest medal in Massachusetts Masonry. He later served as Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge.

"Eddie" Knight and Wilfred G. Paine, Marshal of the Lodge, are Fourth Estate's other medal holders. Both have received the Distinguished Service Medal for outstanding work in Masonry. No member of the Lodge has given more faithful service than "Eddie."

"Bill" Paine, now serving his twelfth year as Marshal of Fourth Estate, received his Distinguished Service Medal in 1943. "Bill" has been a pillar of the Lodge, and has served on many committees.

Nor can we forget Right Worshipful Dugald MacCallum and the late Right Worshipful F. Milton Allen. Both served as Master of Fourth Estate and as District Deputy Grand Master. Dugald is now completing his seventh year as Secretary of the Lodge.

George P. Paro, only man in Fourth Estate to serve three years as Master of the Lodge, has won a new honor for the Lodge. Recently he was elected Master of the Third Lodge of Instruction.

Elmer S. Wright, Senior Warden of Fourth Estate, is another who brings honor to the Lodge. He is now serving as Commander of Bay State Commandery, Brockton.

Bright and successful have been our first twenty-five years of Masonic union making new friends and Brothers which time alone can part.

No history of Fourth Estate Lodge would be complete without a list of Charter Members still active members of the Lodge. They are:

  • Charles C. Balcom
  • Edgar C. Bross
  • Willard E. Brown
  • Pearly Randolph Bryant
  • Charles A. Colton
  • William Raymond Diamond
  • Joseph Dove
  • William Henry Edmonds
  • Fenno W. Fifield
  • William E. Foster
  • Frederick W. Gilliard
  • John Charles Henry Graham
  • J. Frank Greig
  • Harry Haime
  • Edward E. Hicken
  • Edmund Floyd Knight
  • W. Eldridge Lowe
  • Edwin T. Luscombe
  • C, Allen Moore
  • Herman Nickerson
  • Frank L. Perrin
  • George W. Pettybridge
  • James W. Phelps
  • John Skinner
  • Charles M. Stow
  • Melville Sherwood Tarr
  • Robert Charles Thompson
  • E. E. Whiting
  • F. Burton Whitman
  • Wendall M. Wyman

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS


DISTRICTS

1922: District 3 (East Boston)

1927: District 3 (Boston)


LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges