MAGLBArrington
BENJAMIN F. ARRINGTON
Deputy Grand Master, 1927
MEMORIAL
From Proceedings, Page 1927-293:
Right Worshipful Benjamin F. Arrington, Deputy Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts, died at his home on Sunday,, December 4th, 1927, after a short illness, and was buried on Tuesday, December 6th, the Grand Lodge conducting the Masonic Burial Service at the request of the family of our deceased Brother.
Brother Arrington had been with us on several occasions conducted by the Grand Lodge in the period immediately preceding his last illness. He attended at the Dedication of the Masonic Temple at Quincy on Monday, November 21st, and was in excellent spirits and apparently in good health. On Friday, November 25th, he attended at a Fraternal visit to Konohassett Lodge of Cohasset on the occasion of the presentation of Veteran's Medals to two of our elder Brethren. This seemed to be an especially enjoyable event to him. To several, he spoke of his happiness in his Masonic associations and particularly of the delight which he experienced on such occasions as that one was. He suffered an attack of pneumonia the following day and succumbed after an illness of eight days.
Brother Arrington was Entered in Mount Carmel Lodge December 12, 1887, Passed January 9, 1888, and Raised February 18, 1888. He was Worshipful Master of Mount Carmel Lodge in 1896 and 1897. In 1900 he became Secretary of Mount Carmel Lodge and held this office until 1906. He was active in the formation of Damascus Lodge, laying down the Secretaryship of Mount Carmel Lodge that he might devote himself to the new Lodge. He was its Worshipful Master under Dispensation, and its first Master under Charter, serving in 1906 and 1907. October 16, 1907 he took the Secretaryship of Damascus Lodge and held it until his death.
He was a iife-long newspaper man. Beginning in 1878 as a reporter on the Lynn Reporter, he served later on the Lynn Bee and on Boston papers. His rise in the profession was rapid, and he became General Manager of the Salem News in 1880. In 1884 he went to Springfield as General Manager of the Springfield Republican, but very soon returned to the Salem News as Editor-in-Chief. He held this position until his retirement in 1920.
It is difficult to appraise in a brief space the character of our beloved Brother or the contribution which he made to the world and to the lives of others. His seemed to those who knew him best a life of complete success and achievement. Generous in thought as well as in deed, kindly in all his associations, loving and lovable, he was a friend to all and all who knew him were his friends. His was one of those rare spirits which brighten the lives of all those with whom they come in contact. His life was an example which served as an inspiration to many, especially to younger men, to higher purposes and to nobler aims. To many who came into intimate acquaintance with him he seemed to typify the ideals and the tenets of our Fraternity to which he was sincerely devoted and which he served with unswerving fidelity and affection for nearly forty years.
To those of us who were privileged to know him intimately,, mingled with our sorrow for the loss we have suffered at the parting for a while, there is a sense of gratitude for all he meant to us, for the inspiration of his life and his example, for his assistance, his counsel, and his guidance, for his cheerful and loving disposition which often made smooth what seemed difficult and trying situations, for his genuineness and his sincerity.
He was fine in his manliness, lovable in his home, loyal in his friendships, and useful in his citizenship. His strength of character and of conviction was exercised with gentleness and patience. A man of unfailing courtesy and tact, he was quickly responsive in his sympathy and understanding of the views of others. Withal he was a man and a Mason for whose life the world is richer, and whose memory is a cherished possession and a challenge to higher achievement.
From Proceedings, Page 1928-59:
