MAGLOWhite
Contents
OTIS C. WHITE 1874-1957
Deputy Grand Master, 1928
SPEECHES
HALL DEDICATION, DEDHAM, JANUARY 1928
From Proceedings, Page 1928-6:
My Brethren:
This evening marks the successful culmination of the hopes and ambitions of the Masonic Fraternity in this community, the Dedication of this beautiful new Temple in accordance with ancient form and usage, and its approval and acceptance for the purposes of Masonry by the supreme governing body, the Grand Lodge. It is eminently fitting and proper that these ceremonies should take this ancient form of expression, for the purposes to which we have so solemnly consecrated this edifice are as old as the records of civilized man. You have erected a building symbolizing the fundamental morals and precepts upon which civilization itself is based and endures. Throughout the ages mankind has experienced an all-impelling impulse to seek expression, through inanimate objects, of the spiritual essentials of his being — of his reverence for Supreme Intelligence, the Author of his existence, the Ruler of his destiny. To such spiritual urge mankind, so far back as history records, has responded by the building of temples, tabernacles, cathedrals, and churches, hallowed by Divine inspiration and consecrated to the teaching and promulgation of godly morals and tenets.
For such reasons and for such purposes has Masonry built its Temples, differing from other consecrated structures only in the very broadness of the ideals in which they are conceived, for in their building there is no fundamental consideration of sect, religious dogmas, or creed; the precepts of our "Ancient Landmarks," universally acceptable to god-fearing men, are the actuating motives. Masonry illustrates its teachings by symbols and "The Temple" is the all-embracing symbol of our faith. "There's nothing ill can dwell in such a temple; if the ill spirit have so fair a house, good things will dwell within it."
In the building of this edifice, so well appointed and of such dignified proportions, you Brethren of Constellation Lodge have been actuated primarily by the spirit «>f our Masonic forefathers. Von have been impelled by the laudable desire for a sanctuary, a home of your very own. You have accomplished your desires in a manner highly creditable to yourselves and to the Craft at large. To a higher degree, therefore, are you now equipped to foster the teachings of Masonry and to spread ils beneficences throughout the community which yon serve. The degree of success which will be attained by your enterprise will be measured by your future conduct.
You have built this Temple of Masonry conspicuously on a public thoroughfare in this busy community, In so doing, my Brethren, you must have appreciated the responsibility you have assumed. You have erected a monument plainly in evidence to all the public — to the tenets and principles of your profession as Masons. The attention of your fellow-citizens will he the more sharply focussed upon you as a constant reminder that you must assiduously practice what you preach. Believing that you are fully cognizant of the new responsibility you have thus acquired, the Fraternity at large has full confidence of your future success.
Experience — that great teacher — has shown that there are many Brethren well-grounded in Masonic principles and skilled in their profession as Masons. With equal regard for the truth, she has also disclosed that there are others within our membership who, most unfortunately, are not so well acquainted with our aims and purposes. Men do not react alike to moral teachings. To some is given, as a birthright, a quick perception and ready aptitude for the spiritual side of life; to others, truth unfolds more gradually. Upon the well-informed, upon the Brethren who endeavor to practice out of the Lodge the great moral duties which are inculcated in it, the Fraternity relies for its guidance and for its strict adherence to a true and unchangeable course as laid down by our age-old precepts. As it is beyond the power of any man to change the laws of Nature, so is it beyond the power of any man to change Masonry Itself, for Masonry rests upon Divine law. But it is possible, yes, too frequently the actuality for Brethren to misinterpret and misapply Masonic teachings, oven to fail to understand them. A wider conception of the true aims and purposes of Masonry is the urgent need of the Fraternity today, in plain words, a better understanding of what it is all about and what it endeavors to do and does accomplish. The necessity for a more liberal Masonic education throughout our membership, and particularly for our candidates, is clearly indicated. With the conveniences and appointments which this beautiful new edifice of yours affords, you have an exceptional opportunity for the promotion of educational programs, of giving extra-ritualistic instruction in Masonry to your members and to your candidates, ever bear ing in remembrance thai Masonry is not practiced in the Lodge-room — it is taught there. Truly, indeed, has the dedication of this Temple consecrated it to the education and enlightenment of the Craft, and such, we know, must be your understanding of the purport of this important occasion.
In closing, let me stress one attribute of the truly Masonic character which the building of a Temple seems particularly to emphasize — the virtue of "Toleration." There is no room for bigotry in Masonry. Although, al times, we may not and cannot agree with the opinions and beliefs of certain of our fellow-men, yet, if those opinions and beliefs are founded on sincerity, if convictions, even antagonistic, are due to misunderstanding, the contingency of birth, or the fortunes of environment, then, clearly it is our duty as Masons to exercise a spirit of toleration which, after all. is but a manifestation of charity to all mankind. To quote the wise philosophers, — "There is only one religion, though a hundred versions of it." "The humble, meek, merciful, just, pious, and devout souls are everywhere of one religion; and when death has taken off the mask they will know one another, though the diverse liveries they wore here made them strangers." In what you do or say, then, he at least tolerant of the honest opinions of you? fellow-men, even though they differ materially from yours — for of such fibre are patriots made.
In the absence of the Grand Master, I extend the congratulations of the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts lo the Master, Wardens, Officers, and Members of Constellation Lodge. We commend your zeal and sincerely hope it will meet with the most ample recompense. May this Temple always be the happy resort of reverence, virtue, and benevolence, and may it long endure as a monument of your fidelity to Masonry.
MEMORIAL
From Proceedings, Page 1957-113:
Right Worshipful Otis Converse White was born in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, on January 21, 1874, and died in Worcester on April 22, 1957. Into those eighty-three years of life was crowded all of the varied activity thar could come to a brilliant student, a successful business man, an active Mason, and a distinguished citizen.
He was the son of Dr. Otis C. White and Henrietta Walker, and came from New England Colonial stock on both paternal and maternal sides, dating back to pre-revolutionary days. Otis White was educated in the Worcester public schools, matriculating from English High School into Harvard University. He graduated from Harvard, magna cum laude, in 1896, with a degree in science.
He chose for his business activity the field of manufacturing of electric lighting appliances, and was President of the Otis C. White Company from 1907 until his death.
That our Brother was a man of very wide interests is indicated by the fifteen clubs of which he was a member. These included the Harvard Engineering Club, the Lakeside Boat Club, the Worcester Pistol and Rifle Club, the Foreign Policy Association, and the Worcester Economic Club. He was a member of the Massachusetts State Guard, and was appointed an officer in it by Governor McCall in 1917. He gave outstanding service to the American Red Cross. He was Chairman of the Disaster and Relief Committee of the Worcester Chapter, and Chairman of the Worcester Chapter for three years. He was appointed a National Director during the period of the hurricane and floods in 1938.
Otis White had a distinguished Masonic career. He was raised in Quinsigamond Lodge, Worcester, in 1900. He did not wait long to get in line, for we find that he was Master of the Lodge in 1909, and continued in office for two years. He received the Royal Arch degree in Eureka Chapter in Worcester in 1910, and the Order of the Temple in Worcester County Commandery in 1922. FIe was a member of the three Scottish Rite Bodies in Worcester, and of the Massachusetts Consistory in Boston. ln 1925, R.W. Brother White was appointed District Deputy Grand Master of the twenty-first Masonic District, which office he held for two years. At the close of his second year he had the unusual distinction of being appointed by M.W. Frank L. Simpson as Deputy Grand Master. He had an unusually busy year. He officiated as Acting Grand Master at the laying of the corner-stone of the Masonic Temple in Newburyport and the Masonic Temple in Hingham. He was Acting Grand Master in the dedication of the Masonic Temples at Dedham and Plymouth. His addresses on those occasions were in the best tradition of Masonic teaching.
Our Brother's abilities were further used, as he was a member of the Funding Committee of Juniper Hall, our Masonic Hospital at Shrewsbury, and was appointed Chairman of that Committee in 1929. He was representative of the Grand Lodge of Indiana near the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts from 1929 until his death. The Henry Price Medal was conferred upon him in Grand Lodge by Most Worshipful Frank L. Simpson in 1928. He received the Veteran's Medal in 1950.
R.W. Brother White worked on a narrow margin of health during his later years, and his Masonic activities were correspondingly abridged. But during the years of his health, he gave himself unsparingly, and exemplified the best in Masonic character and service.
He was affable and urbane, courteous and warm-hearted. He was every inch the gentleman. He was gifted in speech, and had a rare facility in bringing the appropriate word to each occasion he graced with his presence. As witness his address at the Masonic Temple dedication in Plymouth, when he said among other things:
The structure of the material builder, be it ever so strongly built of the most enduring substances which this earth affords, is foreordained to destruction the lapse of time, but the edifice of the spiritual builder, founded on immortal virtues and reared in faith, shall last till time shall be no more.
We can say with the biblical writer: "Give him of the fruit of his hands, and let his own works praise him in the gates." Freemasonry is fortunate in having had such a life to serve its ideals, and in having such a memory to enrich its history.
Fraternally submitted,
Thomas S. Roy
George A. Russell
Rupert H. Robinson
Committee
