GMHeard

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JOHN T. HEARD 1809-1881

JohnTHeard1881.jpg

Deputy Grand Master, 1856
Grand Master, 1857-1859


TERM

1857 1858 1859

NOTES

BIOGRAPHY

From Proceedings, Page 1907-216, presented by Past Grand Master Sereno D. Nickerson at the Feast of St. John:

MEMORIAL

Presented in Grand Lodge, March 9, 1881, Page 1881-14ff

"When a bright and shining light in our Temple goes out, to burn, as we humbly hope, with new and greater brightness in the House Eternal; when a master workman lays down his well-worn working tools in the Lodge here below - to take them up again, as we fondly trust, in the Celestial Lodge above, with new light and wisdom and strength; our first cry is, Oh, the darkness! our next thought, How are we shorn of strength! When with sorrowful hearts and tearful eyes and trembling hands we have tenderly laid away in the bosom of mother earth all that was mortal of our departed Brother; when we have whispered the word of sympathy and comfort in the ears of those who were near and dear to him; then we gird up our loins for the work in which there is one the less to share,and we say to each other, What manner of man was he that is gone and what has he done? — and when the scribe writes what one and another is eager to tell, he finds that he has made a bright page in our record, amid the memory of the departed, is as a sweet savor in our nostrils, 'Verily, a great light has gone out in our East! A strong pillar in our Temple has fallen!' To JOHN TRULL HEARD the Craft owe a large debt of gratitude;" It is 'said that the average term of active interest in the Fraternity is ten years; but his interest continued warm and strong for thirty-five years, and ended only with his life. We may say of him as he said of Grand Master Lewis : he was 'one who for more than thirty years has with rare continuity of purpose devoted himself to our Institution.'

"Brother Heard was born in Boston, May 4, 1809. His maternal grandfather was John Perkins, one of the charter members of Columbian Lodge of Boston, who was made a Mason in St. John's Lodge in 1766, and died in Waldoborough, Me., about 1826. The grandson was initiated in Columbian Lodge, February 20, 1845, in the last year of the Mastership of that zealous and model Mason, George G. Smith, whose precepts, and example proved the inspiring and guiding influence of the whole Masonic life of the candidate. In 1846 he served as Junior Deacon, and from that year, with the exception of 1848 and 1849, was continually in office, either in the Lodge or the Grand Lodge, until he retired from the Grand Mastership in December, 1859. In 1851 and 1852 he served as Grand Marshal, and in the same years respectively as Junior and Senior Warden of Columbian Lodge. In 1854 and 1855 he presided as Master, and raised sixty-eight candidates.

"Soon after his first installation as Master an incident occurred which showed the character of the man. The Secretary of the Lodge (our late Grand Treasurer), who was an older Mason than Brother Heard, and had been for eight years in office, had procured a dispensation which was likely to be required, thinking thereby to.facilitate the business of the Lodge and aid the new Master. When the name of the new candidate concerned came up, the Secretary informed the Master that there need :be no delay in that case, as he had procured a dispensation from the Grand Master, which he presented. To this the Master replied that, while he had no doubt that the Secretary had acted from the best of motives and with the best intentions, it should be distinctly understood that it was the province of the Master to decide when the interposition of the Grand Master was required, and to ask for it when needed; and he requested the Secretary to remember that in future the Worshipful Master would discharge both of those duties. This was presenting the subject in a new light, and the Secretary was not only astonished, but indignant. With his usual impulsiveness and frankness, he replied that as, in his effort, to forward the work of the Lodge, he had only succeeded in giving offence to the Worshipful Master, he believed he did not understand his business, and he begged leave to resign his office. To this Brother Heard answered: 'Not so, my Brother. There is no offence, and you must not resign your office. You will continue to discharge its duties, as you have so acceptably for so many years, and in my station, I will strive to emulate your fidelity. When I lay down my office I shall deem myself very fortunate and happy if I shall have proved as faithful and as useful in my station as you in yours.' There the subject dropped. Master and Secretary worked together in perfect harmony for two years, and at the end of that time both went out of office, the Secretary after a service of ten years. Very early in his Grand Mastership he thought it necesary to give the Recording Grand Secretary a gentle hint in the same direction. That officer was probably more familiar with Masonic law than almost any Brother then living. This knowledge, and the hard experience gained during the anti-Masonic crusade, in resisting which he had been forced into such a prominent place, gave his opinions great weight, and made him for years almost Grand Master, that officer often being merely the mouth-piece of Brother Moore's opinions. 'But when Brother Heard was installed he at once took the helm himself, and kept it during his whole term; but without interrupting the friendly feeling and respect which had long subsisted between them.

"In 1856 Brother Heard filled the office of Senior Grand Warden. It was during that year that he obtained from a grandson of Henry Price a portrait of the Father of Masonry in North America, painted when the subject was about forty years of age. Brother Heard found it in a very dilapidated condition, had it skilfully restored, and hung in Freemason's Hall, where it was destroyed in the disastrous fire of April 5, 1864.

"In the year 1856 he published A Historical Account of Columbian Lodge, from the granting of the dispensation, June 8, 1795,— Paul Revere, Grand Master. Only five hundred copies of this valuable work were printed, twenty-five of which were destroyed in the fire above named.

"At the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge, in December, 1856, Grand Master Lewis declined a reelection, on account of ill-health, and Brother Heard was unanimously chosen. He served during the years 1857, 1858, and 1859; They were crowded with work of very great value to the Craft. He infused new life and vigor into every branch of the Fraternity throughout the State. At his second installation he was able to say that he had visited all of the chartered Lodges in the jurisdiction, — a boast which no predecessor or successor could make. To many of the Brethren the sight of a Grand Master was a new revelation; to all of them the sight of this Grand Master was an inspiration. Of tall stature, portly figure, fine face, and courtly manners, he always appeared, on Masonic occasions, in full evening dress, wearing the historic cocked hat, which he brought forth from the hiding-place to which anti-Masonic malignity had consigned it, and which he wore most gracefully and becomingly. He magnified his office; but he showed that he had a profound sense of its dignity and high importance, and he inspired the same sentiment in the minds of all the Brethren.

"He found many of the Lodges in very poor condition. In his Annual Address he reported 'that some of them were sustaining a mode of work contrary to that established by this Grand Lodge, while others were entirely unskilled in any work whatever which bore any but the most distant resemblance to what would be recognized by a bright Freemason.' Deeming it very important that these irregularities should be speedily corrected, he appointed as Special Grand Lecturers, Brothers Caleb Rand and Isaac P. Seavey, who, with the Junior Grand Lecturer, Brother Benjamin F. Nourse, travelled all over the State, affording that instruction which 'Was greatly needed by many Lodges,' and finding 'that a much longer delay in communicating it to them would have been attended with the most evil consequences.' This service was attended with considerable expense; but he did not hesitate to use the funds of the Grand Lodge for the purpose when necessary. In reporting his action he expressed the opinion 'that no appropriation of money from the general fund for any other purpose would be productive of so many benefits to the Fraternity in general as that which may be necessary to establish uniformity in our usages and customs.' Few of the Craft are aware of the low state in which he found the Lodges, and the greatly improved condition in which he left them.

"At the first Quarterly Communication at which Bro. Heard presided, March, 1857, he presented an elaborate Report on the Condition of the Charity Fund of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. It was not published with the Annual Proceedings of that year, but in a separate pamphlet of sixty-four pages octavo. Probably very few copies are now in existence. At the same Communication he addressed, the Grand Lodge at some length; but unfortunately only some of the topics of this discourse were recorded: Public Dedications and Consecrations were condemned; it was advised that the Grand Lecturers only, or such Brethren as were approved by the Grand Master, should be employed by the Lodges in teaching the Work and Lectures; that the By-Laws of Lodges should be put into the hands of a Committee of the Grand Lodge for examination and correction; that better security should be provided for the archives of the Grand Lodge; and that more ample accommodations than the Temple afforded should be furnished. These, and other recommendations of the new Grand Master foreshadowed the eminently practical, efficient, and business-like character of his administration. Its progress and results abundantly justified and even bettered the prediction.

At the same Communication (March, 1857) a committee on a new banner was appointed, and upon their recommendation, at the next Communication (June, 1857), the seal, which had been in use by this Grand Lodge for more than a century, was discarded, and a new one adopted. At that time Brother Heard had little knowledge as to the points raised by the committee; but his studies as to the Montague question gave, him very clear' ideas as to the origin of the old seal and the true significance of its motto. This new light led him to regret the change exceedingly, and, as he was in the chair at the time it was voted, he considered himself specially responsible for it. He therefore, in March l878, brought the subject to the attention of the Grand Master. His letter sets forth very clearly the error of the committee in regard to the origin and meaning of the motto Follow Reason, and concludes as follows: 'I am not unfriendly to changes in the laws, customs, and habits of general society, and am disposed to yield to them without much scrutiny if they promise good; but in Masonic matters I am more scrupulous, and would allow no change in them whatever, that was not called for by the most urgent necessity. The sweeping act, by which our old seal was made to give way to the new, took from us an emblem which had been dear to several generations of our Brethren in Massachusetts.' The subject was referred to a committee, who, after the most thorough and careful consideration, recommended a return to the old seal, with the addition of the arms of the Commonwealth. Their recommendation was adopted, and it takes effect this day. It is gratifying to know that the conclusion reached by the committee met the cordial approval of Brother Heard.

"In June, 1857, the Grand Master inaugurated with Masonic rites a marble statue of General Warren, on the eighty-second anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill, in the presence and at the request of the Monument Association.

"On the 24th of the same month, in company with the Grand Officers and the De Molay Encampment of Boston, he united with the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island in the celebration of St. John's day. An oration was delivered by Past Grand Master Randall, and a poem by Brother Van Zandt (afterwards governor of Rhode Island). A full report of the celebration was published, containing both productions, and forms a most interesting pamphlet.

"On the 2d of October, 1858, Grand Master Heard laid the corner-stone of Minot's Ledge light-house, and delivered an address*, in which he set forth the more prominent instances in which the foundations of public structures had been laid with Masonic ceremonies in Great Britain and the United States. On the anniversary of St. John the Evangelist in that year he revived the Feast, and at the table delivered a carefully prepared address, giving a detailed history of the Feast as celebrated in England and Massachusetts.

"The record of that most interesting occasion concludes as follows: The company broke up at about eleven o'clock, after having enjoyed a very agreeable evening, in which hilarity was mingled with brotherly feelings, and recreation with instruction. It is hoped that the festivity of St. John the Evangelist, so long kept up in the olden time and so happily revived in the present, may now be continued without interruption. The hope here expressed has thus far been realized, with the exception that, in 1861, for the table ceremonies was substituted an eloquent and beautiful address on the subject of Masonic friendships, by Rev. Bro. William R. Alger. During this year the sale of the Masonic Temple to the United States Government was consummated, — a transaction to which the Grand Master had largely contributed. In connection with the Proceedings of this year was issued the list of grand officers from the union in 1792 to and including the year 1859. This list had first been prepared by Bro. Heard for his History of Columbian Lodge, but was now greatly enlarged and improved.

"At the Quarterly Communication in March, 1859, Grand Master Heard presented the Act of Incorporation which he had obtained from the Legislature of the Commonwealth, which was accepted and the Corporation formally organized. At the same meeting the purchase of the Winthrop House estate, on which the present Temple stands, was authorized During this year the corner-stone of the Plymouth Monument to the Pilgrim Fathers was laid with Masonic ceremonies, a duplicate copy of the ancient records of St. John's and Massachusetts Grand Lodges was made, and on the 27th of December the new apartments in the Winthrop House building, called Freemasons' Hall, were dedicated. On the latter occasio' Grand Master Heard delivered an elaborate address, which was not published with the Proceedings; but in a separate pamphlet, comprising, with the appendix, one hundred and twenty-seven pages octavo. In these pages are given probably all, or nearly all, the information that can be gathered in regard to the various halls which have been occupied by the Masonic Fraternity in Boston. This occasion formed a most brilliant conclusion to one of the most useful administrations in this'Masonic jurisdiction known to any of the Brethren now living.

"But Brother Heard's interest in Masonry did not cease when he ceased to occupy one of its most conspicuous seats. His active mind was still busy in studying the history and antiquities of the Craft, and bringing forth treasures new and old to contribute to its honor and dignity. Most of us remember him principally for the elaborate reports he has contributed to our Records and Proceedings. In 1869 he furnished the report on the petition of Lewis Hayden and other colored men for recognition as Masons, and a second report on the Grand Charity Fund. In 1870 he devoted considerable time to procuring the portraits of Grand Masters to replace those lost by the fire in 1864; but his principal work in that year was the preparation of the elaborate and exhaustive report on the Montague question; in 1873 he presented the voluminous report on the Lives of the Grand Chaplains of this Grand Lodge. This report demonstrates the non-sectarian character, of our Institution, and has excited great attention and interest. In 1875 he contributed the Memorial to Grand Master Lewis, filling two hundred and fifty pages of our printed Proceedings, and comprising many of Bro. Lewis' addresses and letters never before published. In 1874 and 1875 he furnished for the New England Freemason the series of papers entitled respectively: Old London Taverns Identified with Masonry, Books of Constitutions of the Grand Lodge of England, Presents to the Grand Lodge of England, and Old Halls in London Associated with Masonry. Each of these reports and papers exhibited the wonderful patience and exhaustless industry which characterized every work of their author. Nothing escaped him. He seemed determined to gather every scrap of information, no matter, how trivial, which had any connection with the subject he was investigating. Several will remain, so long as the history of this Grand Lodge shall endure, as monuments of the zeal and industry of their author; and future historians of Masonry in England and Massachusetts will be profoundly grateful for the work he has done.

"Although Brother Heard took a deep interest in public affairs, and often expressed his opinions in regard to them through the newspapers, he had little inclination for public office. In the year 1858, however, he allowed his name to be used as a candidate for Congress. His District included the 'North End' of Boston, — once a very aristocratic quarter, but now of somewhat unsavory reputation. Some of the shrewd managers of Brother Heard's party proposed that he should make the acquaintance of his constituents in that locality in their native haunts and in propria persona. He accordingly made one visit; but the work was beneath his dignity, and not at all to his taste. The managers complained that 'he didn't do it well.' His opponent, also a Mason, less scrupulous and less fastidious, was elected by two hundred votes.

"The following incident shows the kindly and generous nature of our late Grand Master. Soon after he went out of office he met one of the Grand Lecturers, who had been very diligent and efficient in carrying out the work already referred to. Brother Heard inquired particularly as to his plans and his prospects, and especially whether he had all the money he required to carry on his business. The Brother replied that he had all he needed for the time being. 'Well,' said Brother Heard, 'if you find yourself in want of more at any time, come and see me.' Sometime after, the Brother, proposing an enlargement of his business, called on Brother Heard, and reminded him of their conversation. He was referred to the president of the bank where Brother Heard kept his account, and there the astonished Brother found a credit opened for him to the amount of ten thousand dollars. Of this he availed himself, to his great advantage, and in due time acquitted himself of the pecuniary obligations. It is believed that no one but the parties concerned, knew of this transaction until after Brother Heard's death.

"The Recording Grand Secretary, at its last Communication, presented to his own Lodge, of which Brother Heard was an Honorary Member, an appropriate memorial, which furnishes many details not above included, and which your committee would therefore beg leave to submit as a part of their report, as also the proceedings of Columbian Lodge In Memoriam. In these days of ante-mortem eulogies, when our Masonic periodicals are filled with the portraits of youth who have gone with lightning rapidity from the lowest to the highest round of the Masonic ladder, and who have ministered simply to their own pride and vanity by the journey, it is refreshing to contemplate a long life, now closed, of hard work and useful service upon the ground floor of the Temple. Some of your committee have wrought side by side with him during his whole Masonic life, and can bear testimony to his untiring zeal and devotion to the interest of our Fraternity. The Craft in Massachusetts have reason to cherish his memory with profound and lasting gratitude.

Respectfully submitted,
SERENO D. NICKERSON,
WILLIAM D. COOLIDGE,
WILLIAM PARKMAN,
CHARLES C. DAME,
WILLIAM S. GARDNER,
PERCIVAL L. EVERETT,
TRACY P. CHEEVER,
GEORGE A. GILLETTE,
NATHANIEL SHATSWELL,
Committee.

  • Note: This address is reproduced in full in Moore's Freemason's Monthly Magazine, Vol. XVIII, No. 1, Nov. 1858, starting on Page 3. Past Grand Master Winslow Lewis gave an address beginning on Page 5; his father was mentioned by the Grand Master.

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