MAGLEHorton
Contents
EDWARD AUGUSTUS HORTON, 1843-1931
- MM 1893, The Lodge of Eleusis
- Grand Chaplain, 1893-1931
MEMORIAL
From Proceedings, Page 1931-79:
Brother Horton was born in Springfield, Mass., September 28, 1843, and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. B. A. Bensley, in Toronto, Ontario, April 15, 1931. When he was sixteen his family moved. to Chicago where he continued the education he had commenced in the Springfield Schools. The caII to arms in 1861 summoned him from his books and he enlisted in the navy. He served throughout the war and took part in many engagements.
After the war was over he resumed his studies in preparation for the Unitarian Ministry in Chicago University and then at Meadville Theological School from which he graduated in 1868. These studies were later continued in Germany at Brunswick and Heidelberg. His first pastorate of nine years was at Leominster, then after a short retirement enforced by illness, came three years at the old "Ship Church" in Hingham, and then at the Second Church in Boston, when ilI health again compelled his resignation.
He could not be idle for long, however, and soon took up denominational work as Director of the Unitarian Sunday School Association and Executive Secretary of the Benevolent Fraternity of Churches. His activity and influence in denominational circles were so great that Phillips Brooks called him "the Unitarian Bishop." The last twenty years of the nineteenth century was a great period in the Boston pulpit, and among the very distinguished churchmen of that time Brother Horton was a recognized leader.
In 1903 he was made Chaplain of the Massachusetts Senate. He served in that capacity for twenty-five years and on his retirement received tokens of honor and appreciation beyond any that had ever been given to any of his predecessors. He received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from the University of Michigan in 1880 and that of Doctor of Divinity from Tufts College in 1919. He was the author of many volumes of religious literature and numerous hymns and poems.
From the first organization of the Grand Army of the Republic he was active in its work, being for a time State Chaplain and long the Chaplain of Edward W. Kinsley Post of Boston. He was Chaplain of the First Battalion of Massachusetts Cavalry for four years, and for another four years Chaplain of the First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, and for many years was Chaplain of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. For many years he was President of the Boston Common Society and was always vigilant in opposition to any effort to encroach upon the Common.
Brother Horton's chief service to Masonry was in Grand Lodge. He became a member of the The Lodge of Eleusis March 16, 1893, and was appointed Grand Chaplain the same year, serving continuously for the remainder of his life. So long as his strength permitted he was a regular attendant at Grand Lodge, and his fervent and inspiring prayers will long be remembered by those who were privileged to hear them.
He was a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies in Boston and was given the thirty-third degree and Honorary Membership in the Supreme Council in 1907.
Although Brother Horton never after his youth was vigorous in health, he was granted a long life of service and leadership. Full of years and honors, he has gone to his reward, followed by the loving memories of a host of friends and admirers.
SPEECHES
AT THE DEDICATION OF BOSTON TEMPLE, JUNE 1898
From Proceedings, Page 1898-64:
MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND MASTER, BRETHREN: It is everywhere fitting that we should have commingled with our ritual these participating scenes, the hum of the pavement, betokening the prosperity, of our beloved city, out of which civilization weaves a symphony, a marching music of progress. Here are gathered in ample fringe the citizens who are regarding our exercises with sympathetic interest. What does this all mean? Is it a mere symbol, tinkling and of no effect? or are we gathered here, environed by ideas, crowned by majestic principles and thinking of something which will uplift our little hearts to the reigning glory of this day? Truly so. Where the Pyramids are raised amid the rustling dust of Sahara they speak to us in the handclasp of the brotherhood; aye, from India's opulent slope there come greetings to-day to America, and from that ancient past there comes the ever fresh, encouraging voice telling us to be true to that past, and to give to the future ample restocking and refilling of the significance of Freemasonry. We intend to do it.
We are not possessors of that Corner-stone. We are not the successful owners of the building to be. It will stand, crowned with consummate perfection, indicating that we of the Freemasons are simply stewards, custodians for the public, makers of a fireside for humanity, bringers of olive branches for every outstretched hand, for those who are down-trodden and oppressed. We are to put up this glorious addition to the edifices of Boston not because — you have voiced it, sir {turning to the Grand Master} —not because we want selfish enjoyment, but that we may be a larger, nobler power for everything that is good in this Commonwealth. We intend to make it, the bubbling, free-giving source of better citizenship, casting higher influences into the home, standing more loyally by the public school system, and pledging ourselves, individuals and Order, to stand by that flag that waves before my eyes now — to stand by it in true and loyal affection. AVe Freemasons are not isolated and bound in upon ourselves. AVe pour out allegiance, love and gratitude for all that that emblem represents.
Now, why is it? You will understand, sir, {turning to the Grand Master}, and the Brethren will quickly catch the situation,— that it would take a 50-horse lung man to talk here very long. This is not the time for any elaborate address. I might inflict such an effort upon you somewhere else, and it may be that you will have to suffer it somewhere else, but at this moment you shall escape. But let me, if you will be patient for a few minutes, —you, gathered here in the windows and about this circle of brotherhood, — tell you why we prize this Fraternity, why our hearts leap up for joy at its watchword and ritual. It is because — for one reason — we are born, every boy and girl in this city, North End, Back Bay, South End, what you will, geographically, every one is born into a world that they do not understand. The stars shine, the ocean moans, the great world whirls in its mighty force, cradles are rocked and graves are dug, — what does the world need? What does that sky signify? Freemasonry says this : There has been an Architect divine, making this world not a mass of forces to down you, to trample on you, but a home lighted up with intelligence, filled with beauty and radiant with a power that is not only majestic, but loving. Freemasonry says that the universe has a divine mind. We propose to interpret it so that the humblest individual may understand that he is not an orphan in this great universe, but that he is under the protection and guidance of a divine love.
There is a second reason why we cherish all this. The older the world grows, the more divided it is. Different nationalities, classes, social distinctions, privileges and pursuits exist until some of you no doubt are saying frequently, "Hands are against me, the strong are trampling on the weak; where am I that I have no rights in this world?" Freemasonry writes "Brotherhood" over the Arch of its Temple. Freemasonry says, no matter how a man is clad, no matter where he was reared, if he has the genuine stuff in him he is a man for all that. Freemasonry strikes off false fetters, annihilates arbitrary distinctions, and the humblest mortal gets the same welcome within our bounds as do people who are rich or learned. That is why — one reason — we appreciate Freemasonry; we help the United States of America, through all our Orders, to bring together all sorts and conditions of people, and to make them joyously, cooperatively one.
There is another reason, if you can bear a little more. You are individuals, you have your power and place as men and. women, — all of us, but when we pass off this stage, then what? Do we live just for this hour, for what we are individually? I do not, for one; my Brethren do not think that way, and therefore we want arks, arks floating on the turbulent stream of time, carrying on from century to century all the worldly gain of liberty, of justice, of human rights, of religion, and these Brethren of mine here are all willing to subordinate themselves; to bow their heads and say, "We too have individual lives, but the Order of Freemasonry is greater than, any one Brother therein." So when we pass on, it would be a source of delight to us to be able to say that we moulded together and made over and preserved all that was nearest and truest to the welfare of humanity.
May I add one more reason? You, Most Worshipful Grand Master, touched on that, as you did touch many chords that I am now reiterating. He, {referring to the Grand Master}, is the head source of all our wisdom. I look through you — I do not know you all, but I know that there is not one of you but deserves another chance in another world. We all crave and cry for existence beyond the grave, and Freemasonry says, with prophetic finger, never turn down that mortal, but do him the greatest good. All our work, all our discourse, all our building, is transfigured and made glorious by visions of the imperishable; and by dreams, aye, precious dreams, we outlive the day-dreams and convictions in regard to life beyond.
So, to release you, Freemasonry—we say it because the centuries say it; we say it because eternal truths say it — Freemasonry is progressive; it takes in the young; it keeps up to the marching music of that which is best and noblest. Freemasonry is patriotic; it loves the flag. In that Cornerstone are the papers of to-day. They tell about war, and they tell a good many things that are not so. {Laughter.} They tell the belligerency of cannon's roar, and sword flash and musket death, but right in the midst of this inevitable campaign of a higher civilization we group ourselves here to-day for peace; we assert to the community that we stand for peace. Freemasonry is permanent. It is not for to-day. It goes on, generation after generation, one Corner-stone succeeding another. And so may it be, Brethren; so may it be, friends gathered here, that while we, in our feeble way, fashion a temple made with hands, putting into it not only architectural form and beauty, but love, companionship, brotherhood, rectitude, and character, may we also think of the time to come when the great temple of the spirit shall be completed, and happy, emancipated humanity enter therein and sing together the song of those who know in thought and deed that they are the children of God.
