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== CHAPTER 19: STORM AND STRESS ==
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== CHAPTER 19: STORM AND STRESS (PART 1) ==
  
 
The last days of Abbot's administration saw the beginning of a period on unpopularity amounting to actual persecution which Masonry and Masons were to suffer for the next seventeen years. It would be a very misleading mistake to suppose that this unpopularity was caused by any one incident. As a matter of fact its roots run far back into the past. As early as 1753, when the Provincial Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was founded we are told that "Masonry caused great speculation in these days to the great vulgar and the small." The atmosphere of secrecy which surrounded Freemasonry was then much more dense than it is now. Even now enough of it remains to cause "great speculation" in the outside world. Secrecy always breeds suspicion and some apprehension. This suspicion was stirred into activity in the last quarter of the eighteenth century by certain rumors which came from the other side of the Atlantic. This has already been referred to in connection with the correspondence with President John Adams in 1798, but a fuller statement appears advisable in :his connection.
 
The last days of Abbot's administration saw the beginning of a period on unpopularity amounting to actual persecution which Masonry and Masons were to suffer for the next seventeen years. It would be a very misleading mistake to suppose that this unpopularity was caused by any one incident. As a matter of fact its roots run far back into the past. As early as 1753, when the Provincial Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was founded we are told that "Masonry caused great speculation in these days to the great vulgar and the small." The atmosphere of secrecy which surrounded Freemasonry was then much more dense than it is now. Even now enough of it remains to cause "great speculation" in the outside world. Secrecy always breeds suspicion and some apprehension. This suspicion was stirred into activity in the last quarter of the eighteenth century by certain rumors which came from the other side of the Atlantic. This has already been referred to in connection with the correspondence with President John Adams in 1798, but a fuller statement appears advisable in :his connection.
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Bro,. Moore's Masonic activities were varied and numerous. He was Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters, GrandCommander of the Grand Encampment of Knight, Templar of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and an Active Member aM officer of the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite for the Northern Jurisdiction.
 
Bro,. Moore's Masonic activities were varied and numerous. He was Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters, GrandCommander of the Grand Encampment of Knight, Templar of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and an Active Member aM officer of the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite for the Northern Jurisdiction.
  
Bro. Moore had but a comparative slight formal education, but had an unusually brilliant mind and trained it by wide reading and deep meditation into an instrument of wonderful precision. It was essentially a legal mind and had he been a lawyer by profession he would certainly have become one of the leading jurists of his time.
+
Bro. Moore had but a comparative slight formal education, but had an unusually brilliant mind and trained it by wide reading and deep meditation into an instrument of wonderful precision. It was essentially a legal mind and had he been a lawyer by profession he would certainly have become one of the leading jurists of his time. In person he was tall and slender. His expression was rather cold and austere. Among his intimates he was one of the most companionable of men, but in general intercourse, especially official intercourse, he was often as austere as he looked. Perhaps unfortunately, he never learned to "suffer fools gladly" and was liable to see foolishness where there was only inexperience or lack of information. He -eV&i not understand, probably would have scorned, the little graces which make men popular. The votes so generally cast against him in Grand Lodge show that he was not popular. There was always a minority who wanted a change. He held his place through the years by virtue of his transcendent ability, an ability which commanded the confidence and respect of his Brethren, if not their love.
In person he was tall and slender. His expression was rather cold
+
 
 +
General Crane's administration, through no fault of his, marked the low tide in Grand Lodge affairs. Not only was there the legislative crisis, but a bad state of general disorganization. Crane appointed but one District Deputy Grand Master, and that for the First Masonic District, which then as now comprised the Lodges in Boston and a few in the immediate vicinity.
 +
 
 +
Abbot began the work of reorganization. Abbot appointed at least seven District Deputy Grand Masters. Their appointments are not recorded, but they appear in attendance at Grand Lodge meetings. An attempt to clear up the situation, and see just how much had weathered the storm was made at the June Quarterly. The Grand Lodge voted
 +
<blockquote>
 +
"That the Charter of every Lodge; which has ceased to hold its meetings, and has not paid its dues to the Grand Lodge, be surrendered; and in every case of surrender, where the Lodge is unable to pay said dues, that the same be remitted; Provided nevertheless, that if the members of such Lodge, or a major part of them, shall after such surrender, desire to act as a regular Lodge, they shall be holden to pay said dues, and upon such payment shall be entitled to receive their said Charter: Provided also, that said surrender shall have been made in conformity to the Bye Laws touching the surrender of Charters."
 +
</blockquote>
 +
 
 +
Apparently the attempt was only partially successful. Unfortunately there was no record made of the surrendered Charters. We have later records of the return of a considerable number. A good many Lodges simply disappeared so far as any record is concerned. How many, if any, of them formally surrendered their Charters we have no means of knowing. If the Charters were in the possession of the Grand Lodge, they were lost, with other archives, in the fire which destroyed the nome of the Grand Lodge in 1864. We know that in some cases the Brethren who had Charters in their possession were unwilling to give them up. In one case the demand for the Charter was met with a flat refusal to give it up and the Grand Lodge was obliged to use severe measures against the recalcitrant holder. There are several local traditions of the concealment of Charters which were later produced and used for the resumption of work.
 +
 
 +
One of the most amusing of these traditions, apparently well authenticated, relates that the Master of a certain Lodge lived in an old house with a huge chimney having a brick oven in it. The Master secretly removed some bricks, put the Charter in the hole and closed it up. When a committee from the Grand Lodge went to his house to demand the Charter they were told that the Master was at work on a remote part of the farm. They hunted him up and were received cordially. Yes, he had taken the Charter home. He would go to the house with them, but unfortunately he had business in a neighboring town and must leave at once to attend to it. He had not seen the Charter for a long time. If they would go back to the house perhaps the women folk could find it for them. Needless to say the committee departed without the Charter.
 +
 
 +
At the June Communication the Grand Master presented a communication which shows clearly how not a few Brethren were discouraged and ready to give up the fight.
 +
<blockquote>
 +
"To John Abbot Esqr the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.<br>
 +
<br>
 +
The undersigned a committee appointed at a meeting of the members of the Executive council, of the Senate and House of Representatives of the commonwealth of Massachusetts - assembled at the State House on Thursday the 20th instant respectfully represent.<br>
 +
<br>
 +
That as members of the Masonic Fraternity, they feel a deep interest in the honour, reputation and best good of the Institution in all the Legitimate, valuable and highly useful objects, for which the same was originally established, and to which it has in so great a degree, hitherto been directed. They would also express a high degree of satisfaction, that amidst all the opposition and abuse which for many years past the Institution has been called to encounter; so great a degree of union harmony and good feeling have pervaded all the members of the Fraternity throughout this commonwealth.<br>
 +
<br>
 +
But while your memorialists thus congratulate themselves, and their brethren, upon this happy union of feeling and design, they cannot but feel constrained to remark; that a great variety of circumstances have recently transpired, the tendency of which has been to render the Institution a cause of jealousy and distrust, to a great portion of the community, a source of discord in our moral, Religious, and Political Institutions, and also to create in the minds of your memorialists an honest and serious doubt as to the practicability expediency or utility of any longer attempting to perpetuate the ancient Landmarks and prerogatives that have heretofore characterized the Masonic Fraternity. Under the operation of the existing laws which we feel bound as good masons and good citizens to obey, it is rendered self evident that the Institution cannot any longer preserve the ceremonies attached to the order, or further extend its influence through the community. Under these circumstances your memorialists feel constrained from a sense of duty which they owe to themselves, to their country and their God, to make this solemn appeal to you as the Legitimate head of the Grand Lodge (if proper and consistent) to direct a circular of the members to the said Grand Lodge throughout the commonwealth requesting a punctual attendance at the next quarterly communication, to take into consideration the existing state of things in regard to the Institution, and to devise and adopt, such measures, as their wisdom and prudence may suggest to allay the public feeling that exists both in and out of the fraternity; and at the same time save your memorialists from the necessity of making any further appeal to effect their object, viz. that of restoring the peace, prosperity, and happiness of their Brethren, and of the commonwealth of which they are members.<br>
 +
<br>
 +
We further respectfully inform you, that said meeting stands adjourned to Tuesday evening next, and in compliance with the wishes of those present, we most anxiously entreat you to enable us to lay before the meeting, your answer to this communication.<br>
 +
<br>
 +
In behalf of the memorialists Very Respectfully<br>
 +
Boston March 31st 1834 <br>
 +
Signed
 +
* Luke Fiske
 +
* William Ferson
 +
* William Hilliard
 +
</blockquote>
 +
 
 +
The following vote was then offered and unanimously adopted viz.:
 +
<blockquote>
 +
Whereas a written communication signed by Rt. W. Wm. Hilliard, Hon. Luke Fiske & Wm Ferson, in behalf of the Masonic Members belonging to the present General Court, has been made to the M. W. Grand Master and by him laid before the Grand Lodge, which communication requests the said G. Master to issue notice to the several Lodges in this communication, to take into consideration the existing state of things in regard to the institution, evidently with reference to its dissolution; and whereas in the opinion of this Grand Lodge the Institution of Freemasonry in this Commonwealth cannot be abolished by the dissolution of the Grand Lodge and all the Lodges under its jurisdiction, unless by the unanimous consent of all the members thereof:<br>
 +
<br>
 +
Therefore Voted, that it is inexpedient to notify said Lodges as requested, or take any further order on the subject of said Communication."
 +
</blockquote>
 +
 
 +
An examination of the signatures to this remarkable document is interesting. Hilliard had been a member of Amicable Lodge since 1824. He was never Master of the Lodge, but was a District Deputy Grand Master in 1829 and 1830 and Deputy Grand Master under Joseph Jenkins in 1831. He signed the Boston Declaration. He was very active in state politics, serving seven years as a Representative, three years as Senator, and then three years as a member of the Governor's Council. When he signed this document he was a Councillor. Probably his action in this case was under political influence. He appears to have recanted. He never again appeared in Grand Lodge and the records of Amicable Lodge are silent as to what became of him.
 +
 
 +
Luke Fiske (1794-1845) became a member of Monitor Lodge in 1825 and was Junior Warden in 1826 and 1827. He held no other office in the Lodge, but was in good standing at the time of his death.
 +
 
 +
William Ferson took his degrees in Franklin, N. H., and affiliated with The Tyrian Lodge in 1820. He was Master in 1821 to 1823 and 1825 to 1828 and at this time was Secretary. He appears to have in time recovered from his anti-Masonic aberration and later made an excellent Masonic record. He was Master again in 1843 and 1844, District Deputy Grand Master in 1850 and 1851, and Senior Grand Warden in 1852. The Royal Arch Chapter in Gloucester bears his name.
 +
 
 +
The three records give an interesting and illuminating cross-section of the effects of the anti-Masonic excitement.
 +
 
 +
On June 30, 1834 the Grand Lodge was called in Special Communication to take action on the death of Lafayette, who had died just a month before. A committee was appointed to arrange a fitting memorial service. On October 9 the service was held. The Grand Lodge was opened and proceeded to the Lecture Room in the Temple, where the exercises were held in the presence of a large number of Brethren, ladies and invited guests. Hon. Francis Baylies, of Taunton, a member of King David Lodge, delivered a very excellent address, which was printed and may be consulted in the Grand Lodge Library. As we shall presently see, this address had important results.
 +
 
 +
Attempts were made to break up the Fraternity by "boring from within". At the September Communication of 1834 Joshua B. Flint, District Deputy Grand Master for the First Masonic District,offered a series of resolutions relative to certain Masonic meetings in various parts of the state. The resolutions were referred to a committee of seven: J. B. Flint, Benjamin Russell, Francis J. Oliver, John Dixwell, John Soley, Joseph Jenkins, and Paul Dean. Every member of the committee was either a Past Grand Master or a future Grand Master. For some reason, perhaps because the resolution appeared too drastic, the committee reported adversely. In spite of the great influence and authority of the members of the committee, the Grand Lodge rejected the report, Flint then presented a minority report submitting a series of resolutions which were separately fully discussed and adopted. These vigorous and uncompromising resolutions, which follow, appear to have been entirely successful in putting a stop to all such irregular activities.
 +
<blockquote>
 +
"Whereas this Grand Lodge has noticed with deep regret, that certain members of the Fraternity have assembled, in pursuance of public notice from some person or persons unknown, for the purpose of considering their Masonic relations and to take measures to promote the dissolution of the lnstitution, and have thereupon published proceedings calculated to grieve and embarrass their more steadfast brethren and to mislead the public - Therefore<br>
 +
<br>
 +
Resolved - That the assemblies referred to were irregular in their constitution and conduct, of a character altogether unknown to the usages of the Craft, and in opposition to the constitutions of the order.<br>
 +
<br>
 +
Resolved - That while the members of the Grand Lodge acknowledge with, pleasure the general soundness and candour of the public sentiment in the community, to which it is their happiness to belong, and highly appreciate the opinions and feelings of their intelligent fellow citizens, they nevertheless believe, and in view, of some of the sophistries of the day feel constrained to declare, that that "public opinion" does not deserve "respectful regard" and that "Tranquility of society" is not worth its price, which call upon citizens to surrender the Imprescriptible Rights of Association - especially when they demand the sacrifice of an institution "in the spirit, objects, and practical influence of which, nothing has been observed inconsistent with the civil and religious duties of its members, nothing dangerous to the order and security of Society, and nothing advers to the absolute supremacy of the laws."<br>
 +
<br>
 +
Resolved - That although the Masonic connection is a voluntary one, and although the Grand Lodge is far from wishing, if she had the power, to retain disaffected members she nevertheless feels bound by the relation she sustains to the craft, to remind all whom it may concern, that there are more becoming methods of withdrawing than public conventions and that masons cannot in such meetings, vote nor recommend a dissolution of the institution, without violating engagements from which neither the temporary unpopularity of Freemasonry, nor its political inconvenience can honorably discharge those who have voluntarily contracted them.<br>
 +
<br>
 +
Resolved - That the faithful members of the Fraternity be exhorted to persevere in their fidelity: to observe the regular communications of their respective; Lodges and their prescribed methods of Charity; to maintain peace and self respect: to discountenance all irregular assemblies of Masons, and scrupulously to avoid connecting Freemasonry with any political controversy or speculations being assured notwithstanding statements to the contrary, which may be made for political effect, that the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, is still in active existence, enjoying, her quarterly meetings, superintending the affairs of the craft, and through the weekly sessions of her "Board of Relief" distributing the . . . income of her little property to sick and needy brethren, their widows and orphans - that while she will sustain the Lodges under her jurisdiction by all proper means in her power, she is willing and desires to receive immediately, the charters of all such as may wish to surrender them according to the conditions in such cases made and provided."
 +
</blockquote>
 +
 
 +
At an adjourned Communication held September 25, votes were passed to choose by ballot a committee of five to confer with the Trustees of the Charity Fund and the Trustees of the Real and Personal Estate of the Grand Lodge and determine the amount, nature and condition of the property held by them and to determine what, if any, measures should be taken for its better security. They were to consider also, the advisability of repurchasing the Temple and if repurchased, how it should be held. The committee consisted of Joshua B. Flint, Edward A. Raymond, John Hews, Samuel Eveleth, and Simon W. Robinson.
 +
 
 +
The Temple property had been sold before the Charter was surrendered in order to protect it from the mischievous activities of the Legislature. That danger had been safely averted. The Grand Lodge having reverted to the status of a voluntary association there was no reason why it should not resume its property to be held and managed by Trustees. Some such action was contemplated in the vote. The committee was instructed to report to the December Communication of Grand Lodge, but it did not report until December 1835.
 +
 
 +
At the Annual Communication of 1834 there were thirty-seven voting members present. Twenty-two were Officers or Permanent Members of the Grand Lodge. The five Lodges located in Boston were the only ones represented.
 +
 
 +
Grand Master Abbot declined re-election and Francis Baylies was elected Grand Master by unanimous vote. Baylies, who was then fifty-one years old, was the leading citizen of Taunton. He had served three terms in the National House of Representatives, but lost his seat because when the presidential election of 1824 was thrown into the House of Representatives he was the only member from New England to vote against John Quincy Adams. Adams was elected over Jackson, but in 1828 the conditions were reversed and Jackson defeated Adams. The friends of Baylies endeavored to secure a cabinet position for him, but were unsuccessful. In 1832, however, Jackson appointed him Acting Minister to Buenos Aires, with power to negotiate a treaty. The United States was then at odds with the Buenos Aires government over a fisheries dispute at the Falkland Islands, Baylies took a firm, and probably correct, stand and after three months of unsuccessful negotiations returned home taking with him the American Consul and the legation archives expecting war. There was no war, but diplomatic relations were not resumed for twelve years.
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 +
Baylies had been a member of King David Lodge since 1810, but had never held office. He had signed the Boston Declaration. His election was due mainly to the fact that he was an outstanding citizen and had made a great impression by his admirable eulogy of Lafayette.
 +
 
 +
A committee was appointed to wait upon Baylies and inform him of his election. The Grand Lodge adjourned to December 24, at which date the committee reported that they had waited upon Baylies and that he had accepted election. At the Stated Communication Baylies did not appear and there was no word from him. Evidently word had gone out that something was wrong, as only nine Officers were present. The Grand Lodge adjourned to February 3, 1835, twenty-two voting members being present, A committee of three, Joshua B. Flint, David Parker, and Gardner Ruggles, was appointed to wait upon Baylies and inform him that the Grand Lodge was in session and ready to receive him. The whole matter had been settled in advance, as the committee certainly did not go to Taunton. They promptly reported "That for considerations which the committee deem sufficient, and which the chairman will communicate herewith, the R. W. Bro. Baylies feels obliged to revoke his former acceptance of the office of Grand Master." The "considerations" do not appear in the record. Undoubtedly they were political. Baylies was deep in politics and did not care to endanger his political future by standing before the public as Grand Master of Masons. It is gratifying to note that he did not have any political future, though he lived until 1852.
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 +
The Grand Lodge then proceeded to elect a Grand Master. There were several names proposed, but Joshua B. Flint was elected on the second ballot. The Grand Lodge then adjourned to February 11, and at that meeting Flint and the Officers who had been elected at the Annual Communication were installed.
 +
 
 +
Flint was born in Cohasset in 1802 and was thus only thirty-three years of age when chosen Grand Master, the youngest Grand Master Massachusetts ever had. Flint's father was a minister and himself prepared the boy for Harvard, from which he was graduated with honor in 1820. After two ye years teaching in a secondary school in Boston he took up the study of medicine and received his Doctor's degree from Harvard. He took up practice in Boston and soon distinguished himself. He was for several years physician to the County penitentiary institution and was sent in 1832 to New York as a member of a medical commission appointed to study
 Asiatic cholera. In 1827 or 1828 he established a course of public 
lectures on anatomy, illustrated by actual dissections, probably the 
first lectures of the sort ever given.
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At that time the study of anatomy was being pursued with great difficulties. There was no legal method of obtaining dissecting material and Medical Schools and practitioners were obliged to purchase cadavers without asking embarrassing questions as to how they came to be for sale, although in fact everybody knew. Efforts were being made to get legislation which would make possible a regular, legal, and sufficient supply of the needed material. Dr. Flint was sent to the Legislature in the expectation that by his recognized professional and social standing and his experience he might be of assistance in procuring the needed legislation. He served in the Legislature three years and was one of a committee which proposed a project of law which led to the first legislative action ever taken to secure the legal provision of dissecting material. In addition to his legislative service he was several times elected a member of the Boston City Council.
 +
 
 +
Toward the end of his third year of Grand Mastership, he removed to Louisville, Kentucky, to take the chair of surgery on the first Faculty of the Louisville Medical Institute. He spent the rest of his life in the teaching of surgery and in the practice of his profession in Kentucky. He died in 1864.
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 +
He became a member of Columbian Lodge in 1823, immediately after reaching his majority. He was Master in 1850, 1831, and 1832. In 1833 Grand Master Crane appointed him to the only District Deputy Grand
Mastership which was filled that year, and he was continued in office by Grand Master Abbot, being promoted from that office, as we have seen, to the Grand Mastership. He did not surrender his membership in Columbian Lodge when he went to Kentucky, being made an honorary member in 1840. He had proved his activity, courage, and aggressiveness by his conduct in Grand Lodge, particularly in the matter of the resolutions regarding irregular and subversive gatherings of Masons, which he had carried over the opposition of some of the greatest personages in the Grand Lodge. Such a leader was needed in 1835 and Flint was emphatically the man for the hour. It was very fortunate for the Grand Lodge that the gavel of authority passed into his hands instead of those of the time-serving Baylies,
 +
The struggling Lodges were having great difficulty in maintaining their existence and many requests came for remission of quarterages, even though they had been reduced to four dollars a year. Several of these requests had been referred to the Committee of Finance and at an Adjourned Communication February 3, 1835, the Committee, in a brief but rather pungent report, recommended leave to withdraw. The report closes "If there be any Lodge under this jurisdiction among the members of which there is not sufficient public spirit and attachment to the principles of the Order to induce them to raise the small annual fee which the Grand Lodge exacts for her subsistence, it would be well for such Institution to resign at once into the hands of the Grand Lodge the charter which only ''gives it a name to live while in fact it is dead''."
 +
 
 +
At the Annual Communication of December 7, 1835 there were twenty-eight qualified voters present, sixteen Officers and Permanent Members and representatives of seven Lodges. Grand Master Flint was unanimously re-elected.
 +
 
 +
At this meeting the Committee on Property of the Grand Lodge which had been appointed in September, 1834, and whose powers had subsequently been enlarged made its final report
 +
<blockquote>
 +
"That soon after their appointment they commenced negotiations which have lately terminated, in the transfer of the Masonic Temple, and the whole estate of which it is a part, from the gentleman to whom it was sold by the Grand Lodge, previous to the surrender of their act of incorporation, to a Board of Trustees who hold and improve it for the benefit of the Grand Lodge, so long as it shall exist either as a voluntary association or as an incorporated body, and in the event of its final dissolution, are required to transfer the estate to the Grand Lodge of South Carolina to be by them held for Masonic purposes, forever. The particular terms, conditions, and limitations of this trust are explicitly set forth in the indenture by which it is instituted, and which is duly recorded in the Suffolk Office Lib- P -. As the Grand Lodge is made in some respects a party to the execution of that instrument, the Committee recommend that a fair and authentic copy of it be made in our Records, or in some other book which will always be at hand at our communications.<br>
 +
<br>
 +
The Board of Trustees, consisting of nine brethren, faithful, intelligent and zealous in their Masonic relations - has been organized for the present by the appointment of Brs. E. A. Raymond, Benj. B. Appleton, & Winslow Lewis, Jr. respectively to the offices of Chairman, Treasurer & Secretary, and has adopted a code of by-laws, a copy of which will be forthwith placed in the hands of the Grand Secretary. In effecting the repurchase of the Temple, an object so desirable & important to the Grand Lodge, your Committee were obliged again to resort, to the Treasury of the Grand Charity fund, and of course, have incurred a debt there for which the Grand Lodge, should immediately provide a suitable acknowledgment. And as it appears that the debits of the Grand Lodge to that institution are at present represented in several notes of different dates and amounts, but all at the same rate of Interest, it is recommended as a measure of convenience, that the Grand Treasurer be authorized to execute a single Note to the Trustees of the Grand Charity Fund, to the amount of all their actual dues from the Grand Lodge at the time of making it, and providing the same rate of Interest, as is now paid, and then to exchange the note thus made for the several notes against the Grand Lodge, now held by the Treasurer of the Grand Charity Fund.<br>
 +
<br>
 +
The Committee cannot refrain from congratulating their brethren upon the favorable termination of this protracted negotiation, which has restored this valuable estate to its original owners and placed the financial concerns of the Grand Lodge in an unembarrassed and most promising condition.<br>
 +
<br>
 +
A nation is deemed eminently fortunate to come out of a contest either of aggression or defense without an impoverished treasury.<br>
 +
<br>
 +
At the end of the controversy as we believe, in which we have been engaged for several years past - a controversy which was stimulated in no considerable degree by the expectation of booty - it is certainly a fair subject of self-satisfaction to find our treasury solvent, and accumulating, and our resources adequate to the immediate and prospective wants of the institution, find not only so: but what is still more tributary to our self respect a more precious treasure than this has been preserved. ay we not be permitted to boast then, that we have come out of the struggle with honor untarnished, and. the good faith of our Masonic engagements inviolate?<br>
 +
<br>
 +
This Grand Lodge has neither made nor meditated any of those unworthy concessions, which has made us blush for our brethren in some other places. Regardless alike of the assaults of declared enemies, and the insidious suggestions of timid or time serving friends, she has held on the even tenor of her way, amid opposition and contumely her members determined to hold and exercise the unalienable right of association, and confident that their fellow citizens would ultimately sustain them in this manly and worthy determination.<br>
 +
<br>
 +
Nor have our fidelity and perseverance failed in an abundant reward in the auspicious circumstances to which this report particularly relates. Free Masonry has/recovered her home - The Grand Lodge, is no longer a tenant,- this beautiful edifice the object of our common interest and pride is again our own, and we may well nigh realize the consciousness of independence and security of those who sit under their own vine and fig tree, having none to molest or make them afraid.<br>
 +
<br>
 +
The committee cannot conclude their report in a more appropriate manner than by presenting to the grateful consideration of their brethren the name and services of a benefactor, without whose timely and disinterested aid, it is very doubtful whether the present auspicious condition of our property could have been realized.<br>
 +
<br>
 +
When by the surrender of its act of incorporation the Grand Lodge had become incapable of holding its estate a worthy brother of adequate fortune, and corresponding generosity, readily became its purchaser and spared us the pain and mortification of alienating it from the Masonic Family,<br>
 +
<br>
 +
With equal readiness, when suitable arrangements had been made for its keeping, he met the proposal and terms of the Grand Lodge for its repurchase, and has restored it to our hands not only unembarassed with any charges for the care and trouble incurred in the premises; but of it, his mere gratuity, actually some thousand or two Dollars better to us
 +
than when sold.<br>
 +
<br>
 +
To our Brother, Shaw, we are greatly indebted in this matter, and the committee cannot doubt that the Grand Lodge, will adopt some suitable expressive of the thanks and gratitude which are his due.<br>
 +
<br>
 +
All which is respectfully submitted for the Committee<br>
 +
J. B. Flint, Chairman.
 +
</blockquote>
 +
 
 +
The vigorous phraseology of the report, especially the reference to "the insidious suggestions of timid or time-serving friends" marks it quite distinctly as the work of the courageous and uncompromising Flint.
 +
 
 +
The Committee had not the slightest idea that the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was going to die, but wisely made proper provision for the disposal of the property in case that improbable event should occur. But why should the Grand Lodge of South Carolina be made residuary legatee?
 +
 
 +
Probably we shall never know. There is no trace in the records of either Grand Lodge of any particularly friendly relations between the two Grand Lodges which might prompt such action. It is true South Carolina was next Massachusetts in point of seniority, but that in itself would hardly seem a sufficient reason. South Carolina was a long way off and its Grand Lodge though not so seriously affected by the Morgan persecution as some of her northern neighbors, was not then in a very strong position. One wonders what a combination of personal and political considerations may have had to do with it. The Grand Lodge was hurt, humiliated, and very angry over the treatment it had received from Andrew Jackson. After accepting an invitation to attend a meeting of the Grand Lodge especially called to meet his convenience, he had failed to appear and had offered a very flimsy excuse. The humiliation had not been forgotten. On the political side, Massachusetts never supported Jackson, but Masonic relations ordinarily overrode political differences. Just now South Carolina was just emerging from a bitter contest with the President Jackson who was a determined Nationalist. South Carolina was the champion of States1 Rights. Displeased with the Federal tariff, South Carolina, in 1832, by legislative act, forbade the collection of customs duties within her borders. This "nullification" amounted pretty nearly to secession. Jackson threatened to hang John C. Calhoun and hostilities seemed immanent. They were averted by a compromise tariff engineered by Henry Clay in 1833, but both sides claimed the victory. For the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts to make the Grand Lodge of South Carolina its residuary legatee certainly looks like a slap in the face of Andrew Jackson, and Joshua B. Flint was quite capable of administering the slap.
 +
 
 +
During 1836 R. W. Nahum Capen, Corresponding Grand Secretary, visited Europe and through his good offices as Special Representative fraternal intercommunication was resumed with the Grand Lodge of England and France, both of which bodies received him in a very gratifying and fraternal manner.
 +
 
 +
At the Annual Communication, December 14, 1836, there were twenty-seven voting members present, eighteen Officers and Permanent Members and representatives of eight Lodges,Flint was unanimously then elected Grand Master.
 +
 
 +
There was no action of the Grand Lodge during this last year of Flint's administration which calls for special comment. At the September Quarterly Flint announced that he expected to leave Massachusetts before the next Quarterly and took formal farewell of the Grand Lodge.
 +
 
 +
At the Annual Communication of 1837 there were present forty-seven voters, twenty-six Officers and Permanent Members of the Grand Lodge and representatives of twelve Lodges. Paul Dean was unanimously elected Grand Master.
 +
 
 +
Dean was born in Barnard, Vt. March 28, 1783. He was a farm boy and spent the first twenty-three years of his life in farm work,study, and some school teaching. In 1806 he entered the ministry of the Universalist Church, in which calling he spent the remainder of his life. In 1813 he went to Boston, where he preached until age and infirmity caused his retirement to Framingham, where he spent his later years. He died October 1, 1860, at the age of seventy-seven.
 +
 
 +
His service in the Grand Lodge was long and useful. He took his degrees in Centre Lodge No. 6, in 1805. He affiliated with St. John's Lodge in 1807, and with Rising Star Lodge in 1847. He was an Honorary member of Columbian Lodge and served as its Chaplain from 1817 to 1836, inclusive. He was never Master of his Lodge. He was a Grand Chaplain from 1814 to 1820; 1824 to 1827, and in 1834. He was District Deputy Grand Master for the First Masonic District in 1821, 1822, and 1823, and for the Fifth Masonic District in 1849, 1850, and 1851. This is worthy of note as the only case on record where a Past Grand Master served as a District Deputy, He was Deputy Grand Master in 1835, 1836, and 1837.
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His Masonic labors were by no means limited to the Grand Lodge. He was General Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter, an officer of the General Grand Council, an officer of the General Grand Encampment of Knights Templar and an Active Member of the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite.
 +
 
 +
He was always consistent, firm, and faithful, but never combative. Perhaps his most marked characteristic was a sweet reasonableness which won affection and respect without any sacrifice of principle. One who knew him well for many years said of him "though we many times differed in conviction and judgment, I always found him a preeminently just, honorable, conciliatory, and magnanimous man." He was a splendid specimen of the finest type of Mason. The writer just quoted says "He was a man of very comely figure,countenance, and deportment: of great personal dignity, suavity, and politeness." All these qualities are indicated in the portrait of him in possession of the Grand Lodge.
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At the meeting at which Dean was installed two important amendments to the Grand Constitutions were proposed. One was that the members of the Committee of Finance, the Committee on Charity, the Trustees of the Grand Charity Fund, and.the Trustees of the Masonic Temple should "rank and be entitled to all the privileges of Members of the Grand Lodge." The other was that the Deputy Grand Master should be made an elective officer, The committee to which these proposals were referred reported adversely on both of them and their report was accepted. The objection to the first was that it would be a very dangerous innovation and would set a precedent where consequences were incalculable. It really amounted to nothing less than an entire recasting of the ancient constitution! of the Grand Lodge. Members of these Committees might well sit in Grand Lodge and speak on matters pertaining to the work of their several Committees but should not vote. On the second proposition the Committee remarked "The appointment of a Deputy is by immemorial usage the prerogative of the Grand Master, and your committee are not aware that any evils have resulted from its exercise, or are likely to. To justify the proposed alteration in this particular, there should exist not only obvious necessity for the change, but a reasonable prospect of improvement xx: neither of these have been shewn to your committee." The question has never since been seriously raised and in Massachusetts, unlike most of the American Grand Lodges the Deputy Grand Master continues to be an appointed officer. Needless to say the system works admirably. At the March Quarterly some papers were received from New York which called for an expression of opinion on an unfortunate controversy which had arisen in that state. For many years it had been the custom for the Masons of New York City to observe Saint John the Baptist's Day by a public procession and a banquet. In 18S6 the Grand Lodge decreed that as such public observance was not for the good of Masonry it should be discontinued unless by special dispensation from the Grand
 +
Lodge.
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In 1836 one of the city Lodges petitioned for such a dispensation and it was refused. In 1837 Henry C. Atwood, Master of New York No. 367 invited the other city Lodges to join in such a procession. Two of them accepted and the parade was held in spite of an interdict from the Grand Master. Such an infraction of Masonic law could not be tolerated and a group of the ringleaders was expelled from Masonry. These expelled members gathered others around them and organized "Saint John's Grand Lodge." They issued a "Declaration of Rights and Independence" and an "Appeal" from the action of the Grand Lodge and sent them around to the Grand Lodges. The Grand Lodge of New York responded by a circular letter setting forth its side of the case.
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These papers were referred to a committee which reported in June and whose report was accepted. The committee could find no merit in the contention of the St. John's Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge of New York had acted entirely within its legitimate power: the action of a Grand Lodge is final and from it there is no appeal, expelled Masons cannot exercise any Masonic function, right, or authority unless or until restored and any attempt to do so is not the seeking of redress, but flat rebellion. It was voted to send a copy of the report to the Grand Lodge of New York with the following resolution: "Resolved unanimously, that while we most deeply and seriously deplore the recent events which have come under our notice in connection with our sister Grand Lodge of New York, yet from her Masonic intelligence, wisdom, and moderation we deem the rights of her members and the honor, peace, and prosperity of our ancient and excellent Institution perfectly secure under her control."
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 +
The report is noteworthy because of its sound and clear statement of Masonic law. A similar clear grasp of fundamentals, followed by energetic action, would have prevented many of the unfortunate experiences which have disfigured the pages of Masonic history.
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The issue of the rebellion is not without interest. At first Atwood found hard going, though he sold degrees at a bargain price of nine dollars. Later the movement was taken over by some stronger men and attained some prosperity. The new leaders, however, became convinced that their Grand Lodge was entirely irregular and sought reconciliation. They were met in a friendly spirit and in 1850 their twenty-five Lodges dissolved and received new Charters from the Grand Lodge of New York.
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In 1838 Charleston, S. C. was visited by a disastrous conflagration which destroyed, among other buildings, a new temple, which had just been built by the Grand Lodge, The Grand Lodge of South Carolina appealed to her sister Grand Lodges for aid in rebuilding. The appeal was referred to a committee whose report recited that considerable relief had been sent from Boston to the distressed citizens of Charleston and that the Grand Lodge had no money which it could spare. Upon recommendation of the committee it was voted to appoint the presiding officers of the several Masonic bodies in Boston a committee to collect subscriptions to be forwarded to the Grand Lodge of South Carolina. That committee reported at the next quarterly that they had found this task impracticable and were discharged. The Grand Lodge had to content itself with expressions of regret and sympathy.
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At the March Communication of 1840 two constitutional amendments were adopted. One repealed the provision that the initiation fee of ministers might be remitted. Henceforth if ministers joined the Fraternity, they did so on the same level as other candidates. It was a wise move. While the exemption had been granted out of respect for the cloth and in consideration of the meagerness of ministerial salaries, it established a distinction which was essentially contrary to the equalitarian truth of the Fraternity. Feeling that the moral support of the ministers would be valuable Soley and Jenkins had appointed nine or ten Grand Chaplains annually. Flint and Dean reduced the number to five at most, generally less. While the attendance of Grand Chaplains at Grand Lodge is occasionally recorded, and then only one or two appear in attendance, it is not a safe inference that there were none present,but there is reason to believe, especially in an analysis of the voting number present at the annual Communication that their attendance was not general. During the dark days of the persecution the ministers proved very much like other people. Some, like Thaddeus Mason Harris and Samuel Osgood, were heroically steadfast. Others bent before the storm, feeling that the loss of their pulpits meant ruin to themselves and their families. We must not judge them harshly. Grand Lodge wisely determined not to purchase the support of anybody. If it could not stand without the support of any class, even the ministry, it would better fail.
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 +
The other amendment dealt with a question which must now have become pressing, the status of smothered Lodges and their members. It will be remembered that a considerable number of Charters had been vacated and the Charters themselves had not in all cases been recovered. The following amendments were adopted;
 +
<blockquote>
 +
"If at any time it shall be found necessary to suspend or cancel the Charters of any Lodge under this jurisdiction, for irregular or unmasonic conduct, the members of said Lodge, at the time of its having incurred such penalty, shall be disqualified to visit or joining any other Lodge without special permission of the Grand Lodge, obtained on memorial.<br>
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<br>
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Any Mason assisting at the work of a Lodge whose Warrant or Charter has been suspended or cancelled shall be liable to expulsion from the rights of Masonry."
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</blockquote>
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This law is still in force.
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At the March Communication of 1840 an overture was received from the Grand Lodge of Alabama requesting that delegates be appointed to meet in convention in Washington in March, 1842, for the purpose of determining upon a uniform mode of work throughout all the Lodges of the United States, and to make other lawful regulations for the interest and security of the Craft. Upon recommendation of a committee the Grand Lodge voted in June to appoint a delegate to such convention provided other Grand Lodges generally did the same.
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At the December Communication a committee which had been appointed to report upon an inquiry from the Grand Lodge of Missouri as to the opinion of this Grand Lodge regarding the propriety of discussing Lodge affairs when the Lodge was open upon any other than the third degree reported "That so far as their information extends it has been the universal practice of the Lodges under this jurisdiction to discuss all matters relating to the fraternity at large or to their own particular Lodge (observing of course a proper distinction as to technicalities) without any reference as to which of the three degrees they may be open upon at the time; and your committee are not aware that any evil has resulted from this practice. The report was accepted. In the general revision of the Constitutions in 1843, however all such discussions were limited to the third degree.
  
 
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''Unfinished''
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* [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsHamiltonHistoryCh18 Previous Chapter]
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* [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=MassachusettsHamiltonHistoryCh20 Next Chapter]
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Revision as of 15:49, 18 September 2017

CHAPTER 19: STORM AND STRESS (PART 1)

The last days of Abbot's administration saw the beginning of a period on unpopularity amounting to actual persecution which Masonry and Masons were to suffer for the next seventeen years. It would be a very misleading mistake to suppose that this unpopularity was caused by any one incident. As a matter of fact its roots run far back into the past. As early as 1753, when the Provincial Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was founded we are told that "Masonry caused great speculation in these days to the great vulgar and the small." The atmosphere of secrecy which surrounded Freemasonry was then much more dense than it is now. Even now enough of it remains to cause "great speculation" in the outside world. Secrecy always breeds suspicion and some apprehension. This suspicion was stirred into activity in the last quarter of the eighteenth century by certain rumors which came from the other side of the Atlantic. This has already been referred to in connection with the correspondence with President John Adams in 1798, but a fuller statement appears advisable in :his connection.

In 1776 a Bavarian named Weishaupt founded a secret society which he called "The Illuminati (Enlightened)". All the Continental states of that period were absolute monarchies. The rulers were largely under clerical domination. These states were for the most part small and they were very numerous. There seemed very little possibility of the success of liberal, not to say democratic, reforms. The purpose of the Illuminati was to set up an "invisible empire" composed of intelligent persons devoted to the advancement of civil, intellectual, and religious liberty. This organization was so secret that to a large extent even the members did not know each other. Every member was to work individually under the direction of his immediate chief. Their special object was to obtain the confidence and, if possible, the control of the rulers of these petty states and induce them to liberalize their governments. For a time the Society was very prosperous, spreading far beyond Bavaria. It is probable that in the hands of many of the members the original aims of the society were converted into general revolutionary activities. The importance of the society in the public mind was exaggerated by its secrecy and by the open antagonism of the more conservative princes and especially of the clergy. Certain of the Illuminati went to Prance and were popularly supposed to have played an important part in the French devolution although in fact their influence, if they had any, was very small.

The Illuminati had certain points of resemblance to the Ku Klux Klan and, like the Klan, attempted to identify itself with Masonry with a view to controling it. On the whole the attempt was unsuccessful, but in some cases Lodges fell under Illuminist influence and were guided by Illuminist direction. It was exactly similar to what happened a few years ago when the Klan attempted to identify itself with American Masonry and did, through the entrance of its members into some Lodge, create a good deal of confusion in some states. While the Illuminati were never really associated with Masonry, great confusion was caused in the popular mind. The fundamental differences between the two organizations were lost sight of and there was a tendency to identify them in the mind of "the man in the street." Both were secret. The Illuminati were notoriously opposed to the Jesuits and the antagonism of the Catholic Church to Masonry was well known, Both organizations had moral and social ends in view and the world-wide differences between the principles and methods of the two were unknown of forgotten.

The American of this period immediately following the Revolution was desperately afraid of the Illuminati. Reports of their sinister activities, deeply colored by their enemies, came across the Atlantic. They were represented as the secret, but powerful and dangerous enemies of religion and the social order. Coupled as these rumors were with the suspicion that Illuminism and Masonry were allied, if not identical, they caused thousands of good Americans to see in every Mason a disguised Illuminist, an enemy of church and state.

This feeling was intensified by two books written independently in two separate countries but both published in the same year, 1797. John Robison, Professor of Natural Philosophy in the University of Edinburgh, published Proofs of a Conspiracy against all the Religions and Governments of Europe carried on in the Secret Meetings of the Freemasons, Illuminati, and Reading Societies, collected from Good Authorities. Robison, who had himself taken the Masonic degrees, ought to have known better than to write such a book. He was really an intelligent and learned man who did much good in his own field, but when such a man attempts to deal with matters lying quite outside of his field he usually makes a lamentable exhibition of himself, and Robison was no exception to the rule. The scope and purpose of his work are sufficiently set forth in the title, including the identification of Masonry with the Illuminati. His book was widely read and swallowed whole by readers who knew no more of the subject than the author did, and many copies found their way to America.

The other book was Barruel's Memoires pour servir a l'Histoire du Jaeobinisme (Recollections to serve for a History of Jacobism). Barruel was on the whole more excusable than Robison. He was a French priest who had lived through the excesses and horrors of the French Revolution and wrote under the government of the Directory when France was at its lowest ebb and before Napoleon had come to consolidate the gains of the Revolution. Like the great majority of persons before and since, Barruel had no conception of the underlying forces which control the development of history. He could not account for the utter overthrow of state and church except as the result of a subtle, wide-spread, and tremendously effective conspiracy and he decided that the Masons and the Illuminati were the conspirators. In exactly the same way, and with exactly the same misapprehension of facts, General Ludendorff today attributes the fall of the German Empire to a conspiracy of Freemasons and Jews. To Barruel the Freemasons are the enemies of God and Man. Barruel*s book was quickly translated into English and promptly found its way to America.

Unfortunately these books formed the minds of many Americans both receptive and retentive. To very many persons there seemed reason to fear Masonic influence in politics. The American, of the generations of and shortly after the Revolution were very skittish indeed. They were constantly suspicious of attempts to deprive them of their liberty. They were, for example, very much afraid of the perfectly harmless Order of the Cincinnati formed by officers of the disbanded Revolutionary army. They saw in it a distinct and terrible threat of a military oligarchy. They knew that many of the Revolutionary leaders, both civil and military, were Freemasons. They saw that many of the political leaders of the succeeding period, such men as Chief Justice Marshal, Presidents Madison and Monroe, Andrew Jackson, DeWitt Clinton and Henry Clay were Masons and they scented a Masonic conspiracy to control the government.

It unfortunately happened that Masons themselves, forgetting some of the fundamental principles of the Fraternity, made mistakes which lent color to these suspicions. While there is no evidence that Masonic bodies, as such, dabbled in politics or that attempts were made to secure general Masonic support for any proposed governmental measures, there is no question that efforts were made, both privately and publicly, to secure votes of Masons for candidates who were Masons. Two striking cases may be cited. In 1816 the two candidates for the governorship in Massachusetts were John Brooks, who was a Mason, and Samuel Dexter, who was not. An article signed "A Master Mason" and bearing at its head the square and compasses was published in the Boston Centinel in which this sentence occurs; "And all other things being favorable he (a Mason) Is bound by every Masonic obligation to give his vote for the one who la a Free and Accepted Brother in preference to one who is not." The editor and publisher of that paper was Benjamin Russell, who at that very time was Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts.

In 1824 a paper called the National Union was published in New York solely for the purpose of aiding the candidacy of DeWitt Clinton for the governorship. Clinton was a great pluralist in high Masonic offices, though the actual Masonic value of his services is open to some question. The paper just named published a very warm and rhetorical plea for Masons to vote for Masons generally and Clinton in particular. The plea was signed "The Widow's Son."

It may be pointed out that this was exactly the sort of thing which would cause greatest apprehension. What was feared was not the open appearance of the Masonic Fraternity as the supporters of a Party or the advocate of a policy. It was the permeation of the governmental structure by an"lnvisible Government" like that attempted by the Illuminati. It was feared that such permeation might enable the Masonic members of the government, from the President of the United States down to the Selectmen of the smallest town, working together regardless of ostensible party affiliations, to work their will with the government and accomplish all their secret and supposedly nefarious purposes.

Added to this political suspicion was a very powerful religious opposition. The entire body of Roman Catholics were committed to opposition to Masonry by the official pronouncement of their Church. The Friends and some of the minor Protestant denominations were, and still are, opposed to the taking of oaths, While some at least of the Grand Lodges, Massachusetts by formal decision in 1806, accepted the affirmation of a conscientious objector as equivalent to an oath this by no means disposed of the objection to oath-bound organizations. Certain conservative elements in the major denominations were firmly opposed to all secret societies and remain so to this day.

But there was much more, and of greater importance, behind this. After the Revolution a wave of religious liberalism swept over the country. By 1825 the Unitarian movement under the leadership of William Ellery Channing and the Universalist movement under that of Hosea Ballou were in full swing, while liberal opinions were held by many, both clergy and laity, who were not ready to break with the Churches of their birth. The conservatives, under the leadership of the younger Jonathan Edwards and other influential ministers, took alarm and undertook a vigorous resistance. They knew the wide tolerance of Freemasonry and its absolutely unsectarian character and they believed the assertions of Robison and Barruel that it was anti religious. Like religious conservatives of all places and all times they feared and hated heresy and no views could be more heretical in their eyes than the views of Freemasonry. They commonly bracketed Unitarians, Universalists,and Freemasons as determined and dangerous enemies of religion and morals. No charges against them, however monstrous* were too bad to be believed.

The unknown is always suspected and generally feared. It is therefore not at all surprising that Freemasons, meeting in secret as they did and ordinarily much more reticent than they now are as to their membership and their doings were objects of suspicion and fear to many of their fellow-citizens.

There had been accumulating for many years a mass of explosive material ready to blow up at any time. The match was set to the mine by the affair of William Morgan.

Morgan was a worthless fellow, by trade a stone mason. He claimed to be a member of a Lodge and a Royal Arch Chapter, and probably was so, though there are no extant records to prove his claims, About 1824 he drifted into Batavia, N.Y. where he was refused admission to Lodge and Chapter. He was also refused enrollment among the petitioners for a new Chapter. Whether these refusals were based on doubt of his Masonic regularity or objection to his character is not quite clear. Angered by this, and probably thinking to make some much needed money, he agreed with one Miller, a local printer, to publish an expose of the Masonic ritual. The records of the copyright office show that on August 11, 1826, he made copyright registration of the title of his book Illustrations of Freemasonry. Possibly he thought that under this title the book would pass for another of the many editions of Preston's Illustrations of Masonry.

The local Masons got wind of what was going on, became unduly alarmed, and some few of them lost their heads. Petty legal proceedings for debt and larceny were instituted against Morgan and an attempt was made to burn Miller's printshop. Finally the legal proceedings were settled and one night in the middle of September, 18S6, Morgan was taken from jail at Fort Niagara by four men, said to be Masons, and driven away in a hack, apparently going quite willingly. From that moment, so far as any authentic evidence goes, Morgan disappeared from human sight forever.

It was at once put about that the Masons had executed him. This must be admitted to be barely possible, but in the highest degree improbable. At the improbable worst it would have been the act of a very few irresponsible individuals and not that of the Masonic Fraternity. More than a year later a badly decomposed human body was pulled out of the Niagara River and was identified as that of Morgan by Mrs. Morgan, although it in no way agreed with what was known of his dress, appearance, and even size. It was afterwards definitely identified as that of another man who was known to have been drowned in the river long after Morgan's disappearance.

What actually became of Morgan nobody ever knew. A man named Hill gave himself up as one of the murderers and signed a confession. He refused to go before the Grand Jury to testify to the truth of the confession and the Grand Jury refused to find an indictment on the ground that the man was insane. Such confessions by more or less demented persons are by no means uncommon. Ben Perley Poore, long the Washington correspondent of the Boston Journal, declared that Morgan had been seen and identified in Turkey. Another story was that he was given a considerable sum of money on condition that he go to Canada and never return, and that he conceal himself so effectually that he could never be traced. Another story, and probably the most likely one, was that on being turned loose and headed for Canada with a considerable sum of money Morgan went into a low riverside saloon (he was a drinking man), got drunk, showed his money, and was murdered and robbed.

The disappearance of Morgan was promptly and gladly seized upon as proof positive of the wickedness of the Masons and full justification of all the fears and suspicions. Pulpit, press, and platform got into action and the country resounded with attacks on Masons and Masonry. The agitation was kept alive by politicians who found it a convenient stalking-horse. An Anti-Masonic party was formed and Anti-Masonic papers were started. In 1832 there were 141 of these papers. The Anti-Masonic Party put candidates in the field in many places, and won some local elections. In the Presidential election of 1832 the Anti-Masonic Party put a presidential ticket into the field and carried the state of Vermont. In 1833 John Quincy Adams ran for Governor of Massachusetts on the Anti-Masonic ticket. Evidently Adams himself, however, wise old politician that he was, regarded it merely as a gesture, for he made no move to resign the seat in the National House of Representatives which he then held. In this year the voting strength of the Anti-Masonic Party in the United States was estimated at 341,000, a very respectable number for those days. The census of 1830 gave the population of the country including slaves as 12,866,020. The population in 1833 was probably about 14,000,000.

This was the high-water mark of organized political Anti-Masonry, but by no means the end of the persecution. Persecution is not too strong a word. Ministers were driven from their pulpits. Public men were driven from office. In many of the smaller communities Masonic membership was a bar to any public service. Business men were ruined. Good Christians were forced out of their churches. Masons and their families were socially boycotted. Families were divided and embittered. Mason/were subjected to every possible harm short of actual physical violence. Under this pressure which made it an act of some moral heroism for Masons to remain true to the Craft some recanted, but the.number was surprisingly small.

The effect upon the Lodges, however, was disastrous. For fifteen years and more there was practically no initiation. Many Lodges surrendered their Charters. Others ceased to function and a good many of these simply disappeared without the formality of surrender. The average membership of the Lodges in 1826 was just under forty-three. When we consider the comparatively large membership of the older and centrally located Lodges it is clear that many of the country Lodges must have had a membership considerably under twenty. It is not surprising that these were unable to carry on. Of the hundred and seven Lodges on the roster in 1827 only 52 remained in 1843. But this is far from a true picture of the situation. Charles W. Moore, who piloted the Grand Lodge through the storm, says that hardly more than ten Lodges made even a pretense of continuous activity. Meeting after meeting of Grand Lodge was attended by representatives of fewer than ten Lodges. At the annual meeting of 1826 there were one hundred and twenty-five persons present in Grand Lodge, ninety-six of whom were representatives of fifty-six Lodges. The low-water mark for annual meetings came in 1836 when there were twenty-seven present, only nine being the representation of seven Lodges. The records of a considerable number of Quarterly Communications do not show the representation of Lodges. A number of Grand Lodges omitted their meetings for several years,

The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, however, held every Quarterly and Stated Communication during the whole period and attended to its regular business without interruption. Fortunately the question of a quorum could never be raised. In 1770 the Massachusetts Grand Lodge, as we have already seen, when faced by an emergency "Voted unanimously as the opinion of this Lodge, that whenever Summons's are issued for convening the Grand Lodge by the Grand Master or by his direction, and the Grand Lodge in consequence thereof is congregated, the same is to all intents and purposes a legal Grand Lodge, however few in number, and such may with the strictest propriety proceed to business."

That vote established the law in this jurisdiction and it was the law in 1826 and is still the law. The legislation of the Provincial Grand Lodges survived their merger and still stands unless superseded by subsequent legislation.

The Grand Lodge met for its December Quarterly in 1826 in a confident, not to say defiant mood. Morgan had disappeared September 11, and the hue and cry had been raised at once. It had been heard in Massachusetts but the members of the Grand Lodge and of the particular Lodges were as yet neither terrified nor even apprehensive. They had no doubt that they could stand firm against the blast and that It would soon blow itself out. The large attendance has been already described.

In his annual report on the state of the Lodges the Grand Treasurer reported that at the close of the fiscal year, August 31, only six Lodges were delinquent in their reports. Only one of these was delinquent for more than one year, this one for two years. In view of the fact that the custom of having a fixed period for the District Deputy to make his visitations and collect the returns and money had not then been established this is a very good showing. The Grand Treasurer said "It is difficult for the Grand Treasurer to state the particular situation of all the Lodges as not all the District Deputy Grand Masters have complied with the directions given them to indorse on the returns the state of the Lodges in their respective Districts. But from the endorsements thereon and from enquiries made by the Grand Treasurer, he is happy to state, the Lodges were never more prosperous, harmonious, and respectable, than at the present time. During the seven years the Grand Treasurer has had the honor of holding the office of Grand Treasurer, the returns of the Lodges have not been so flattering as the past year."

The number of affiliated Masons is given as 4312, an increase over the previous year of 583. The number of initiates was 918, an increase of 44 over the proceeding year. Among the initiates were 28 clergymen. The Fraternity, as we have already seen, was desirous of having as many clerical members as possible and was inclined to capitalize their membership for its moral and social effect, especially in view of the fact that conservative church people had long been inclined to look askance at Masonry. At the installation of Grand Officers in 1826 six Grand Chaplains were appointed and a minister, Rev. John Bartlett, was appointed Deputy Grand Master. Later, when the persecution was at its hottest for several years in succession there were ten Grand Chaplains. The intent of these appointments is obvious, but we owe much honor the courage of the ministers who accepted them.

Only a few questions of importance from the point of view of Masonic law arose during Soley's administration. At the March Quarterly of 1827 the following vote was passed:

Voted; That a Committee be appointed to consider and report on the expediency of establishing an Ordinance prohibiting all Lodges under the jurisdiction of this Most Worshipful Grand Lodge from receiving into Membership any person who has been or may hereafter be, expelled from Membership in any of said subordinate Lodges in consequence of a non compliance with the By Laws or written rules or regulations of any of said Lodges.

And also the expediency of making it the duty of every Lodge under the said Jurisdiction to report to the Grand Lodge the name and residence of every person so expelled from Membership, specifying whether any suoh expulsion from Membership shall have been caused by a non payment of the dues to such Lodge as expressed and provided for by the written rules by which any such rejected Member agreed to be governed during the continuance of his Membership therein."

This vote was referred to a committee. Their report appears not to have been satisfactory to the Grand Lodge and was referred to another committee. This committee reported in June 1828:

"That said Resolution contemplates an inquiry into the expediency of establishing an ordinance prohibiting Lodges under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, from receiving into membership any person who has been or may be expelled from membership in any subordinate Lodge, in consequence of non compliance with the By Laws, Rules and regulations of any Lodge; and requiring said Lodges to report to the Grand Lodge the name and place of residence of every person so expelled from Membership, stating in such Report whether such expulsion shall have been caused by nonpayment of dues provided for by the written rules of the Lodge from which such person is expelled.

Your Committee concur in sentiment with your former Committee, that it is a well recognized Masonic principle that no Lodge can wisely or justifiably admit to membership a Brother known to have been expelled from membership in any Lodge for dishonorable conduct, at least until he shall have given plenary and satisfactory evidence of his contrition and amendment.

The fact of the general recognition of this principle theoretically and practically, by the Lodges in this Commonwealth furnishes a sufficient argument that the Ordinance above contemplated is not required for their general regulation.

It is the well known duty of every Lodge in case of expulsion, on their part, from the Institution, of an individual, on account of moral turpitude or gross violation of Masonic duty, to give notice thereof to the Grand Lodge; and this it is believed, is invariably done. But your Committee are exceedingly doubtful of the expediency and propriety of exacting from Lodges a report of suspension or expulsion from the privileges of membership by reason of a non-compliance, voluntary or involuntary, with financial regulations which, with certain limitations and requisitions, are left to the discretion or different Lodges, and consequently, are not uniform in their extent and operation . It is sufficient that this Lodge on the occurrence of disorderly procedure and knowledge thereof by complaint, appeal or otherwise, has a supervisory and remedial power, which it will ever be prompt to exercise.

The adoption of the requisition before alluded to, it is believed, would be attended with much of inconvenience - without any proportionate practical utility, and would be as little complimentary to the character of our Lodges for the observance of good discipline and good principle, as it is uncalled for by reason of existing evil in consequence of its non-existence. Wherefore your committee recommend that no further order be taken by this Grand Lodge in relation to the aforesaid resolution.

Respectfully Submitted by

  • William J. Whipple.
  • John P. Bigelow.
  • Thomas Power.

The acceptance of this report by the Grand Lodge left the whole matter in an unsatisfactory state. The Lodges then and for long after tried Masonic offenders themselves and reported their findings to the Grand Lodge. These findings were reviewed and generally confirmed, although there are a few cases in which the finding, was overruled or modified. Members expelled from the Fraternity could not, of course, join other Lodges unless restored by the Grand Lodge. If, however, a member was suspended or discharged (the report inaccurately says "expelled") from a Lodge for non-payment of dues, this action left any other quite free to admit him to membership. In practice this freedom was soon abolished, but the requirement that an applicant for affiliation must be in good standing in the Fraternity was not definitely fixed in law until 1830. While the mechanical difficulties of the proposed legislation must be admitted, the essential propriety of the rejected regulation would appear to present day Masons quite unquestionable,

A case which in many ways interesting, involving a modification by Grand Lodge of the disciplinary action of a Lodge came up at about the same time.

The Committee of the Grand Lodge to whom was referred a Communication from St. Andrews Lodge stating that George Wheelwright had been expelled from the Fraternity by said Lodge and likewise a remonstrance from said Wheelwright against the proceedings of said Lodge have attended to the duty assigned them and ask leave to

Report: given That having the parties a full and patient hearing and made strict inquiry into the general character of the individual implicated, they have been led to take a different view of the subject from that which seems to have influenced St. Andrews Lodge: and while your Committee do not fully accord with the decision of said Lodge, nor altogether approve of the course of its proceedings, yet they are of opinion that the motives which governed said Lodge are highly commendable.

As it regards St. Andrews Lodge, the case was a novel one. Neither the complainant nor the accused was a Member of that Lodge, and it was with great reluctance that the Lodge took cognizance of the complaint, but they were compelled to do it from a high sense of the duty which they owed to the fraternity at large. A crime had been committed by a member of the fraternity against the laws of Society and of morality and against which our Institution places the strongest barriers. This crime had been openly acknowledged in a Court of Judicature, and is of a nature to fix an indelible stain on the Fraternity should they suffer it to pass without a censure. On the other hand, the criminal pleads that there are important facts which may be brought in extenuation of the crime, and that he feels apprehensive that these facts have not had their due weight in the decision of St. Andrew's Lodge, in consequence of his not having had a hearing previous to their having decided on the case and although a hearing was subsequently given him, on his requesting it, that those facts had not made all the impression which they might have done had the Lodge been informed of them in the commencement of the investigation.

Your Committee are of opinion that there is some weight in these objections; that in all cases where it is practicable, a Brother should have a hearing before Judgment is passed upon him even if he has been found guilty in a Court of Judicature, for evidence may arise which did not appear in Court, that would very materially qualify the crime in the view of a charitable fraternity. It appeared in evidence before your Committee, that Capt. George Passarow, a master mason, entered a complaint to St. Andrews Lodge against George Wheelwright, a master mason, for having violated the chastity of his Wife and called on them to take cognizance of the crime. In confirmation of his having committed the crime he produced said Wheelwright's confession in a Court of Judicature, at the same time alleging that the said Wheelwright, at the time of the crime was committed, knew her to be the wife of a master mason.

An honest indignation must have arisen in the minds of the members of St. Andrews Lodge against an individual who had committed so flagrant a crime and thereby brought disgrace on the whole fraternity. The fact was acknowledged, though not perhaps in all its most aggravated form. It appeared to St. Andrews Lodge that no other alternative was left but to rid the fraternity of so foul a disgrace by expelling the guilty individual and that they were bound to do it as good members of the Institution. They accordingly expelled him. On his making application for a hearing, it was readily granted him. The crime was still admitted but as it did not appear in evidence that the said Wheelwright knew the said Passarow to be a master mason at the time the crime was committed, it was contended that the said Wheelwright had not violated any masonic obligation, and consequently ought not to be expelled from the fraternity. This position was calculated to excite an alarm in the breast of every moral man: for an individual who would deliberately proceed to undermine the virtue and chastity of a woman of modest deportment, would not be deterred by any laws, human or divine. Beside there are many crimes of the most flagrant nature, which would not only expel the guilty from every moral society but would forfeit his life to his country, and yet would not be an infraction of any masonic obligation. St, Andrews Lodge did not see fit to revoke their sentence.

Notwithstanding this decision there are many circumstances attending this case which were laid before St. Andrew's Lodge and your Committee, and were proved in Court, which, in the opinion of your Committee, ought to have weight in extenuation of the crime.

As far as your Committee can learn, it appears that the defendant sustained an unblemished moral character before he committed the above crime: that he appears bowed down with grief and humiliation since the discovery of it: that he has been stripped of all he possessed with the most unrelenting persecution, and that he would in all probability, have put an end to his miserable existence, had it not been for the interposition of his friends. His personal deportment is that of one a who is repentant and desirous of proving it by correct and unblemished life in future.

Other circumstances were presented to your Committee which proved that the defendant was placed in a situation of peculiar trial and temptation which they deem it inexpedient to lay before the Grand Lodge in detail, or expose to public view.

With these facts before them, your Committee are of opinion that it would be better not to drive the defendant to extremities by inflicting on him the severest punishment in our power. The object of all punishment should be the reformation of the guilty and to deter others from the commission of crimes. The Defendant has already been punished severely for his crime by the resentment of the injured party, and the laws of his country, and we would gladly draw the veil of charity over his faults were it not for a consideration of great magnitude to our Institution. In a society like ours which is known only by its effects on the community it is of the utmost importance to our own reputation not to appear to shield the guilty from the odium to which crime is justly liable. With these principles in view and with the evidence before them your Committee recommend a commutation of the punishment inflicted by St. Andrews Lodge, viz. that George Wheelwright be suspended from all the rights and privileges of Freemasonry for two years; and that his restoration to the fraternity shall depend on his future moral conduct.

Respectfully submitted, by order of the Committee
John Dixwell Chairman.

It will be noted that St, Andrews entertained and tried a complaint in which neither party was a member of that Lodge, and that the Grand Lodge approved its action in so doing. The Lodge tried the case ex parte, though it did afterward give the respondent a hearing. The Grand Lodge considered their procedure wrong, but not sufficiently so as to invalidate the verdict. The other purely technical defense that the respondent did not know that the woman was the wife of a Master Mason was set aside so emphatically as to make it clear for all time that any serious moral offense constituted a Masonic offense even though no technical breach of a definite Masonic obligation took place. The mantle of Extenuating circumstances was considered, as was apparently sincere contrition of the offender and the exercise of Masonic charity left open the door of hope.

At the very close of the administration the Corresponding Grand Secretary called attention to a resolution of the Grand Lodge of Georgia pronouncing in favor of a General Grand Lodge. The matter was referred to a committee. The committee's report is not recorded, but it was undoubtedly adverse to the project. Throughout this administration we find evidence of the increasing pressure of unpopularity upon the Fraternity.

In June 1828 a petition was received for a Lodge to he located in the town of Douglas. The committee to which the petition was referred reported at the December Quarterly:

"The petitioners are Brethren of respectability and undoubtedly had the prosperity of the Fraternity in view in making said application. But your committee believe that the present time is inauspicious for the multiplication of Lodges, and that a greater evil would result therefrom to the Craft than any probable good. Wherefore they are of the opinion that it is inexpedient to grant at this time the prayer of said petition."

The Grand Lodge concurred.

The records of the Annual Communication are eloquent. At the 1827 Annual there were 96 present and nine Lodges were reported in arrears, three of them for two years. In 1828 the attendance was further reduced to 86 and fifteen Lodges were in arrears, four for three years. In 1829 the attendance went down to 66, hardly, more than half of 1826, while the number of Lodges in arrears had risen to thirty-six, one third of the whole number.

On December 9, 1829, Joseph Jenkins was unanimously elected Grand Master. Jenkins was a man of different type from his predecessors, but was eminently the man needed in the circumstances.

Jenkins was born in Barre, November 11, 1781, He learned the trade of carpenter in his native town and came to Boston about 1808. He carried on a contracting and building business with varied success, making and losing at times considerable amounts of money.

When Boston became a city in 1822 he was a member of the first Board of Aldermen and was a Representative in the State Legislature in 1823 and 1824. He was active in the militia, being an Ensign in 1810 and rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel of the Third Regiment twelve years later. He became a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company in 1810. He was a very active member of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanics Association, serving for two years as its Vice President.

Jenkins took his degrees in Columbian Lodge in 1804 and was its Master in 1810 to 1812 and in 1817 and 1818. In the Grand Lodge he was a Grand Pursuivant in 1816 and Junior Grand Warden in 1819. For some years after this his Masonic interest was dormant. The persecution, however, revived it. As he himself said in his inaugural address, "For myself, though I was once enthusiastically attached to Masonic pursuits, I have no hesitancy in saying, that from the re-examination, which the present opposition has induced me to make, I have now a more rational conviction of the utility of Freemasonry, and the necessity of its continuance than ever before."

On taking the Chair Jenkins delivered an admirable inaugural address. It was an able defense of the Fraternity against the criticism leveled against it, a wise and tolerant treatment of those who had recanted, and an expression of a firm belief that Freemasonry would issue from its time of trial stronger and more useful than ever. He made no reference to the Morgan affair, rightly considering it as an occasion, not the cause of the existing condition, an occasion exploited for much more than it was worth by the enemies of the Fraternity. Realizing the financial difficulties of the Lodges Grand Lodge adopted in June 1830, an amendment to the Grand Constitutions reducing the annual dues from the Lodges from eight dollars to four.

A petition was received early in the year from Orphan's Hope Lodge "praying that the Grand Lodge would interpose by loan or otherwise to relieve them from embarrassment." After full consideration the committee in charge presented its report at the September Quarterly, as follows:

"That said Lodge from the operation of causes unanticipated and beyond their control,have become much embarrassed in their financial concerns-that ever since the excitement against Masonry has shed its unholy & blighting influence abroad the members of said Lodge have had to meet and to contend against the open and secret hostility of those unrelenting and avowed determination is to destroy the Institution, if means the most unhallowed and reprehensible can effect its destruction: that their Lodge room has been forcibly broken open, and the furniture, jewels, and other property of the Lodge been feloniously stolen or wantonly and maliciously destroyed - That its members, from the unavoidable expenses of procuring a charter, of constituting a Lodge, of hire and preparation of a Lodge room and other necessary expenditures in prosecuting the business and performing the duties of a Lodge, as well as from the losses above stated, by violence of felony, and from the disappointment of their expectations of receipts from their regular operations for defraying their necessary and unavoidable expenditures, notwithstanding liberal and generous sacrifices by some of the members to meet and alleviate their difficulties - have become involved in pecuniary liabilities to an amount of more than two hundred dollars, from which they are unable by any reasonable exertions and sacrifices on their part to extricate themselves. Under these circumstances the petitioners have appealed for relief to the protecting care of the Grand Lodge; and your Committee are unanimously of opinion that their peculiar and embarrassing situation presents a strong case for the interposition and assistance of the Brethren.

But while they feel bound from choice as well as duty to urge their sense of this rightful appeal to the fraternal and benevolent consideration of individuals of the order and a belief that a reasonable and seasonable remedy may be the result of such appeal - they are constrained to express their opinion that under existing circumstances it is not expedient to resort to the funds of this Grand Lodge for such remedy.-

As a satisfactory foundation for this opinion without adverting to other reasons which will naturally suggest themselves, it is sufficient to state that from the operation of causes before alluded to there are many Lodges in this Commonwealth under a greater or less degree of pecuniary embarrassment amounting in the gross to an aggregate which the funds of the Grand Lodge would not discharge without manifest interference with, and ruinous consequences to the principles and system of their regular, appropriate and consistent management and operation - that if the prayer, of the petitioners be granted by a direct appropriation from the funds of the Grand Lodge, and a principle be introduced which your Committee believe has been heretofore invariably denied to similar applications, the various Lodges visited with financial embarrassment will urge their wants with claims similar in principle, though perhaps unequal in degree, which cannot be denied without a departure from equal and exact justice, nor answered without a disregard to the best interests of the Grand Lodge, and of the fraternity.

Wherefore your Committee after again recommending the circumstances of Orphan's Hope Lodge to the generous and liberal consideration of the members of the Fraternity, whose ability will enable them to extend a helping hand, ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject referred to them.

William J. Whipple, per order.

The report is interesting in two respects. It will be remembered that the Grand Lodge had already refused a loan to a particular Lodge for the purpose of completing its quarters. The acceptance of this report definitely fixed the policy ever thereafter pursued by the Grand Lodge, that Grand Lodge funds could not be loaned to particular Lodges. It also shows the extremes to which the enemies of the Fraternity were prepared to go in their persecution of it.

The question of the extent to which the Grand Lodge would go in financial aid to the Lodges had come up earlier in the action on a petition from Meridian Sun Lodge that the Grand Lodge would receive a deed of their hall and then lease the property to certain members. In this case the committee reported "That in their opinion it is inexpedient for this Grand Lodge to receive the deed of said hall, as a mere easement, and that a qualified one, would be vested in this Grand Lodge, and some inconveniences might result from a practice of receiving such grants in trust. Wherefore your committee further report, that in their opinion the deeds above deferred to should be returned to Meridian Sun Lodge."

The report was accepted and this together with the Orphan's Hope case, finally settled the whole question.

The outstanding event of the year was the laying of the corner stone of the first Temple to be built by the Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge, as we have seen, had always met in rented quarters which had been frequently changed. This had never been satisfactory and from time to time consideration had been given to plans to buy or build permanent quarters, but nothing had come of it. Since 1821 the Grand Lodge had been occupying quarters in the Old State House under lease from the. town of Boston. In 1822 the town of Boston became a city and the new city government wanted the building for its own use. The city could not dispossess its tenants during the lease without their consent, but it made it clear that the quarters were wanted and the lease would not be renewed at its expiration.

The Grand Lodge then took the matter up in earnest. A committee was appointed with wide powers. They were to terminate the lease at the proper time, to purchase a lot, and to confer with the several bodies meeting in the Grand Lodge apartments with a view to cooperation in raising money. There were nine of these bodies, five Lodges, St. John's, St. Andrew's, The Massachusetts, Columbian, and Mount Lebanon, St. Andrew's and St. Paul's Royal Arch Chapters, Boston Council of Royal and Select Masters, and Boston Encampment (as Commanderies were then called) of Knights Templar. It does not appear that these bodies co-operated generally in raising money, but arrangements were made with them for the rental of accommodations. These Lodges, the two Chapters, and Rural Lodge of Quincy, together loaned the Grand Lodge $4,800. This system has prevailed through all the changes which followed. The Grand Lodge had always been the sole owner of the Temple, renting accommodations to whatever bodies wished to meet there. The committee bought a lot on the northerly corner of Tremont Street and Temple Place, the present site of the R. H. Stearns Co. building. On October 14, 1830, the corner-stone was laid with full Masonic ceremonial.

At nine o'clock in the morning the Brethren assembled in Faneuil Hall. At half past ten the lines were formed in the following order:

  • Two Grand Pursuivants.
  • Entered Apprentices.
  • Banner.
  • Fellow Crafts
  • Banner.
  • Master Masons.
  • Master Masons' Banners.
  • Tylers of Lodges.
  • Stewards.
  • Junior Deacons.
  • Senior Deacons.
  • Marshals of Lodges.
  • Secretaries.
  • Treasurers.
  • Wardens.
  • Wardens' Banner.
  • Past Masters.
  • Past Masters' Banner.
  • Subordinate Chapters.
  • Banners.
  • Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts.
  • Grand Banner,
  • Grand Encampment of Massachusetts & Rhode Island.
  • Grand Banners.
  • Presiding Masters of Lodges.
  • Banner.
  • Reverend Clergy of the Fraternity.
  • Music.
  • Grand Tyler.
  • Two Grand Stewards.
  • Guests invited by the Grand Lodge.
  • Banner of Architecture.
  • Banner of the Grand Lodge.
  • Banner of Implements.
  • Silver Vessel with wine; Gold Vessel with corn; Silver Vessel with oil
  • Globe; Principal Architect with Square, level, & plumb; Globe
  • District Deputy Grand Masters.
  • Grand R. Sec.; Grand Treasurer; Grand C. Sec.
  • Grand Chaplain; Bible, Square & Compasses; Grand Chaplain.
  • Past Grand Wardens.
  • Past Grand Masters.
  • S. G. Warden; Dep. Grand Master; J. G. Warden.
  • Book of Constitutions.
  • S. G. Deacon; Grand Master; J. G. Deacon.
  • Grand Sword Bearer.
  • Two Grand Stewards.

The procession marched to the site of the new Temple and the corner-stone was laid in due and ancient form. The lines were then reformed and the procession marched back to Faneuil Hall, where the Grand Lodge was closed in Ample Form.

All this, in the dignified Grand Lodge Proceedings, was very quiet and formal. Charles W. Moore, who was a participant, later gave his recollections of the event, which present a far different picture.

"Notwithstanding anti-Masonry was so violent here at that time, that no Freemason could walk through the streets without being pointed at and denounced as a murderer, such as "There goes one of the murderers of Morgan;" "There goes one of those knightly assassins," and all such opprobrious and insulting epithets,- the Grand Lodge had the firmness and determination to lay that corner-stone with a public procession! This was formed at Faneuil Hall in October, 1830; and after the Brethren had got together and organized within the building, they marched out into a crowd such as the eye, at that time, rarely rested upon. The entire square, and every place where anybody could get an opportunity to see, was crowded with people. The Grand Marshal who led off on that day, or one of the Assistant Marshals, was Lynde M. Walter, a young man, but a man of good deal of nerve; and Masons at that time had a good deal of nerve, particularly those who dared to come out in a procession. He walked out with his baton in his hand, and, with his head erect, marched into that crowd. It was the grandest exhibition of moral courage that my eyes ever fell upon. Old men, with gray hairs and trembling limbs, our oldest and most substantial citizens, and hundreds of others, of equal weight of character and social position, were among the number, and they walked into that crowd as the cavalry at Balaklava walked into the Russians. Of course we had the police there to open a way for us, and we moved on steadily through Merchants Row and up State Street, the whole way lined with anti-Masons, and every ten steps we heard them taunt, "There go the murderers!" Men would come up to the Boston Encampment and say, "You are the men who killed Morgan;" and the crowd hooted and yelled at the "assassins," as they called us. It was a trying time, and it required a good deal of nerve to meet it; but it was met, and the corner-stone was laid* In a few weeks, as soon as the building rose above the ground, those infamous scoundrels went in the night-time, and wrote upon its corner-stone, "Golgotha;" intimating that there was the place for assassins, a building erected for murder, "the place of the skulls."

At the Annual Communication on December 8, 1830 there were thirty-eight persons present, twenty being Officers and Permanent Members of the Grand Lodge. At the election of Grand Master thirty-three votes were cast, all being for M. W. Joseph Jenkins.

The Grand Lodge realized that it was technically violating its Charter. It will be remembered that the Charter of 1817 provided that the Corporation might hold real estate not exceeding twenty thousand dollars in value and personal property to the amount of sixty thousand. A committee was appointed and authorized to petition the Legislature for an amendment to the Charter. It was not to ask authority to hold a larger total than eighty thousand dollars, but only to change the proportions to accord with the facts. No one supposed that this modest and reasonable request would encounter any opposition.

Isaiah Thomas died April 4, 1831, and in his will bequeathed $500.00 to the Grand Lodge "to be applied towards the erection of a commodious Hall in Boston for their use and accommodation, to be made of permanent materials and respectable in its appearance." He also left the Grand Lodge a trunk full of Masonic papers and records. Grand Lodge passed a set of resolutions accepting the legacy, one of which is interesting;

  • Resolved, 4th. That in accepting the legacy bequeathed to us by our late Past Master Thomas, and in taking charge of the Masonic records which he has committed to our care, we renewedly pledge ourselves to sustain and extend, as fas as in our power, the principles and forms of the Masonic Institution - an Institution which we know to be useful to its members and to the world and which for many years enjoyed the active support, and has now received the dying blessing of that patriotic and distinguished citizen and Mason.
  • And whereas our late Past Grand Master in the Codicil to his Will alludes, to the present opposition to our Fraternity as "an unjust and wicked excitement, raised against Free Masons, evidently for political purpose, by self created inquisitions, formed of persons styling themselves antimasons, aided by a few unworthy and unprincipled members of the fraternity" - and whereas we entirely concur in this opinion-therefore
  • Resolved, that admonished alike by a conviction of the excellence of the Institution, by a sense of our common rights as citizens of a Republic, and by the dictates of self respect, we will not permit the operations of the antimasonic faction, nor the intrigues of any other politicians to deter or seduce from an adherence to Free-Masonry, nor from continuing our Masonic communications according to the ancient organization and rulers of the Order- and for the maintenance of this determination amidst the persecution with which we are threatened, we rely on the justice of our cause, on the favorable determination of a kind Providence, and on the equity and candor of the intelligent community, of which it is our happiness to be a part."

At the Annual Communication, December 14, 1831, there were fifty-eight persons present. Again Jenkins was unanimously re-elected. The annual reports are very depressing reading. There is no attempt to go into the details of the situation in the jurisdiction. The affairs of the Lodges were in such a condition that returns could not be gathered and quarterages were uncollectable. The Grand Lodge had met its current bills, but in order to do so it had been obliged to use previous unexpended balances on general account and the current balance in the treasury was only $257.65. The building account, of course, was an entirely separate matter. The conditions were appalling and the future dark and doubtful, but the leaders of the Craft and the majority of the members were loyal, determined, and confident.

The most important Masonic event of the year was the issuance of the so called "Boston Declaration" which was published December 31.

The public laying of the corner-stone of the Temple had had a salutary effect on public opinion. The number and character of the citizens who had publicly identified themselves with Freemasonry by marching in the procession, the dignity and impressiveness of the ceremony, the very fact that the Grand Lodge was embarking on a permanent enterprise of such financial magnitude, all. excited comment. The public began to think. That Masons meddled in politics could be and was believed That they were guilty of the scandalous charges alleged against them was hardly credible. Yet the charges had been made and endured in silence. Did the Masons not owe it to themselves and to the public to make a formal denial of these charges? Such a denial would not convince the more violent opponents of Freemasonry, but it would remove the imputation that the Masons were unwilling to answer the charges because they were unable to do so truthfully. The issue of such a formal denial or declaration had been much discussed among the members of the Grand Lodge but no conclusion had been reached. Ho one had been able to produce a satisfactory document and there was objection to having it go out from the Grand Lodge officially. Such a statement from that source would be immediately discounted in the public mind.

At this juncture a man came forward who was destined to play a great part in Massachusetts Freemasonry for the next forty years. It was the custom at this time for the members of Boston Encampment of Knights Templar to meet at the houses of their members every Friday night. At one of these meetings it was decided that a committee should be appointed to draw up a statement which the members should sign as individuals. Charles W. Moore was chairman of the committee and drew up the decleartion which follows:

Historical Sketch.
Declaration of the Freemasons of Boston and Vicinity.
Presented to the Public December 31, A. D. 1831.

"While the public mind remained in a high state of excitement, to which it had been carried by the partial and inflammatory representations of certain offenses, committed by a few misguided members of the Masonic Institution, in a sister Stated it seemed to the undersigned (residents of Boston and vicinity) to be expedient to refrain from a public declaration of their principles or engagements as Masons. But, believing the time now to be fully come when their fellow-citizens will receive with candor, if not with satisfaction, A solemn and unequivocal denial of the allegations, which, during the last five years, in consequence of their connection with the Masonic Fraternity, have been reiterated against them, they respectfully ask permission to Invite attention to the subjoined declaration.

"Whereas, it has been frequently asserted and published to the world, that in the several degrees of Freemasonry, as they are conferred in the United States, the candidate on his initiation and subsequent advancement binds himself, by oath, to sustain his Masonic brethren in acts which are at variance with the fundamental principles of morality, and incompatible with his duty as a good and faithful citizen; in justice, thereof, to themselves, and with a view to establish truth and expose Imposition, the undersigned, many of us the recipients of every degree of Freemasonry known and acknowledged in this country, do most solemnly deny the existence of any such obligations in the Masonic Institution, so fa?s as our knowledge respectively extends. And we as solemnly aver that no person is admitted to the Institution without first being made acquainted with the nature of the obligations which he will be required to incur and assume.

"Freemasonry secures its members In the freedom of thought and of speech, and permits each and every one to act according to the dictates of his own conscience in matters of religion, and of his personal preferences in matters of politics. It neither knows, nor does it assume to inflict, upon its erring members, however wide may be their aberrations from duty, aha, penalties or punishments, other than those of admonition, suspension, and expulsion.

"The obligations of the Institution require of its members a strict obedience to the laws of God and of man. So far from being bound by any engagements inconsistent with the happiness and prosperity of the Nation, every citizen who becomes a Mason is doubly bound to be true to his God, to his Country, and to his Fellow-men, In the language of the "Ancient Constitutions" of the Order, which are printed and open for public inspection, and which are used as text-books in all the Lodges, he "is required to keep and obey the Moral Law; to be a quiet and peaceable citizen; true to his government and just to his country."

"Masonry disdains the making of proselytes. She opens the portals of her asylum to those only who seek admission, with the recommendation of a character unspotted by immorality and vice. She simply requires of the candidate his assent to one great fundamental, religious truth -the existence and providence of God - and a practical acknowledgment of those infallible doctrines for the government of life which are written by the finger of God on the heart of man.

"Entertaining such sentiments as Masons, as Citizens, Christians, and as Moral Men, and deeply impressed with the conviction that the Masonic Institution has been, and may continue to be, productive of great good to their fellow-men; and having "received the laws of the society and its accumulated funds in sacred trust for charitable uses," the undersigned can neither renounce nor abandon it. We most cordially unite with our brethren of Salem and vicinity, in the declaration, and that, "should the people of this country become so infatuated as to deprive Masons of their civil rights, in violation of their written constitutions and the wholesome spirit of just laws and free government, a vast majority of the Fraternity will remain firm, confiding in God and the rectitude of their intentions for consolation, under the trials to which they may be exposed."

The original intention was that only the members of Boston Encampment should sign the declaration. When others heard of it many persons requested permission to sign. The movement spread rapidly and when the Declaration was made public it bore 1476 signatures from all parts of the state. The effect of the Declaration was very great. Here was something which could not be discounted as mere formal, official document.

A great number of men, well known in their respective communities, avowed themselves to be faithful end loyal Freemasons and gave reasons for the faith that was in them. No thinking man could believe that these men were guilty of the scandalous things which had been charged against the Masonic Fraternity. Opposition continued for a long time, but it was not too much to say that the Boston Declaration turned the tide.

At this time Moore was the Editor and publisher of the Masonic Mirror, a publication begun in 1825 and devoted to the defense of Masonry. About this time the Mirror published a severe castigation of one Samuel D. Greene, publisher of the Anti-Masonic Christian (Heaven save the mark!) Herald. Greene was incautious enough to sue for libel; Moore welcomed the suit. In the trial which followed he proved that Greene was an utterly worthless fellow and that all he had said of him, and more, was strictly true. The result was much more than the acquittal of Moore. It was a devastating exhibition of the character of the opposition to Masonry, and as such had an effect only second to that of the Boston Declaration.

On May 30, 1832, the Temple was dedicated. The report of the committee states that the plan as originally made provided that after the dedicatory ceremony, had been performed there should be a procession to a church where public exercises were to be held. "After a lapse of a week or more, the Committee were given to understand that a superior power had determined that all the performances in relation to the Dedication would be confined to the Building to be dedicated." Whether this action of the city authorities proceeded from Anti-Masonic sentiment in the city government, from fear of rioting, or from a political unwillingness to antagonize a certain number of voters is not clear.

The cost of the building, complete in every respect and ready for immediate use, was $45,877.47. Of this amount $20,000 was borrowed from the Grand Charity Fund, $20,000 was borrowed from Harvard College, and $4,800 was borrowed, as we have seen, from certain Masonic bodies. In addition to this an honorarium of $1,000.00 was voted to Joseph Jenkins who, as chairman of the building committee had rendered inestimable service throughout the program of the work, giving his time, business and professional service, and technical skill without stint. By vote of the Grand Lodge testimonials in the form of pieces of plate were given to the other members of the committee.

In 1831 the Rhode Island Legislature appointed a committee to investigate the charges against Freemasonry. The report"of the committee was long and somewhat inconsequential. In the body of the report it practically finds the charges baseless, but in conclusion finds that Freemasonry ought to be discontinued. Of course this was a blank cartridge as the Legislature had no power to suppress Freemasonry.

The answer of the Grand Lodge was a flat defiance, communicated to the sister Grand Lodges in a circular, which follows:

Circular.

"At a Quarterly Communication of the G. Lodge of the State of Rhode Island, at Mason's Hall, in the City of Providence on the 27th August 1832, a large number of the members being present, from different parts of the State, the following preamble and resolutions were offered, read, discussed and passed, unanimously:-

Whereas the General Assembly of this State, at their October session, A. D. 1831, appointed a Committee consisting of four members of the House of Representatives and one member of the Senate, "fully to investigate and inquire into the canny grounds and accusations brought against Freemasonry and Masons in this State;"

And whereas said Committee have caused to be published the result of their investigations which, as respects all the most vile and obnoxious of the charges, said Committee have fully exonerated Masons, and the Masonic Institution in this State; and on page 19 of their report they say "as there is no evidence that the obnoxious and criminal clauses in the forms of oaths, contained in the antimasonic books ever made any part of the forms used in Rhode Island or indeed any where else; the Committee do not think it worth while to lose time in stating the testimony to the contrary:"

And whereas notwithstanding the above and a vast variety of reasoning and argument contained in sixty eight octavo pages, all or nearly all of which is not unfavorable to the Masonic Institution; Yet said Committee conclude their report as follows: "This Committee cannot but come to the conclusion, that the Masons owe it to the community to themselves and sound principles to discontinue the Masonic Institution: "

Therefore, resolved by this Grand Lodge, that while we highly appreciate the character & standing of the Committee of the State Legislature, and the motives which induced their recommendation, we are of opinion that no good can result either to the public or- to Masons, in adopting their recommendation - that in our view the clamorous leaders of antimasonry are not whether we meet in Lodges or Chapters - it is not the Institution of Masonry they are contending, against: that it is merely the pretenses: political power is the object.

Resolved, that we deeply regret that any of our fraternity should be so regardless of the principles of our Institution as to commit crime; but nevertheless, we think it cannot excite surprise in any one who understands the discrepancy which frequently is exhibited between professed principles and practice of members of all other Societies.-

Resolved, that we regret the present state of society, but are of opinion that our duty is plain; which is that we manifest a determination peacefully to adhere to our institution through evil as well through good report.

Signed by order & in behalf of the Grand Lodge.
Stephen A. Robinson, Grand Master
Samuel W. Wheeler, Grand Secretary.

It is unfortunate that the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island included in its otherwise excellent statement a passage which could not be interpreted otherwise than admission that William Morgan had been murdered by Masons, though claiming that the Craft ought not to be held responsible for the acts of individuals. It would have been far better to ignore Morgan and his doubtful fate altogether as Massachusetts did.

At the Annual Communication of December 12, 1832, there were forty-two present, of whom fifteen were Grand Officers and Permanent Members. The Grand Treasurer's report was disheartening. His entire receipts for the year on current account had been only $568.51. He had paid all the bills out of his own pocket and the Grand Lodge owed him $180.12, representing the deficit for the year.

Jenkins having served his three years, the choice of Grand Lodge for his successor fell on Elijah Crane.

Crane was born in Milton, August 29, 1754 and died there March 21, 1834. At the outbreak of the Revolution he was one of the men raised to defend Boston. He retained his interest in military affairs to the end of his life, rising to the position of Major General commanding the First Division of the Massachusetts Militia.

His chief occupation was farming, but he did a great deal of work as a contractor in building granite buildings, being one of the leaders in the utilization of our local granite quarries. He was an ardent Federalist in politics and gave much attention to public life, serving for twenty years as Sheriff of Norfolk County. He was widely reputed and respected for his sound judgment, rigid adherence to what he regarded as right, and strict impartiality. For this reason he was often called upon to serve on boards of reference and to adjust differences which might otherwise have resulted in long and expensive litigation. Liberal in his religious views he was a generous contributor to church building funds and to other enterprises for promoting the good of society.

His Masonic career was a somewhat unusual one. He became a member of Rising Star Lodge in 1804, being then in his fiftieth year. He served the Lodge as Master in 1809. In 1820 he served under Grand Master Fay as District Deputy Grand Master for the Fourth Masonic District. In 1821 and 1822 he was Junior Grand Warden and in 1823 he was Senior Grand Warden. Now at the age of nearly seventy-eight he was elected Grand Master, the oldest man ever to hold that office.

He was exactly the man for the time. Few, if any, men in the state were more widely known or more highly respected. For the Fraternity to call such a man to its highest post and for him to accept it was in itself an effective reply to the charges current against it. The call was imperative, and General Crane was not the man to decline it.

At the June Quarterly the following action was taken respective the expected visit of Andrew Jackson, President of the United States and Past Grand Master of Masons in Tennessee.

Whereas we understand that our M. W. Bro. Andrew Jackson now President of the United States, is about to visit this Commonwealth-

Voted, that R.W. Benjamin Russell, Francis J. Oliver, John Dixwell, Henry Purkitt, and Samuel Barrett be appointed to wait upon Brother Jackson in the name of this Grand Lodge, and tender to him the congratulations of the fraternity in this jurisdiction, and express our deep and grateful sense of the firm, discreet, and honorable manner in which he has sustained his masonic relations during a period which the enemies of our institution have rendered somewhat embarrassing to brethren in conspicuous public stations - to assure him of our hearty good wishes and prayers for his future health, prosperity and happiness, and to invite him to honor the Grand Lodge with a visit on the evening of the 24th of the present month at a special communication to be called for that purpose.

Voted, that R. W. Joshua B. Flint, Enoch Hobart, and Edward A. Raymond be a Committee to make arrangements for the reception of the President at the Masonic Temple, in the event of his accepting the invitation tendered to him."

Accordingly a Special Communication was called on June 22, at which twenty-seven Officers and Permanent Members of Grand Lodge appeared. The Records show what happened.

"The Committee appointed to communicate the vote of the Grand Lodge to M. W. Andrew Jackson reported that he had appointed 7 o'clock this evening to meet the Grand Lodge but that he would be unable to attend. They then presented his written answer as follows:

Boston June 22d. 1833,
Gentlemen:

I anticipated the pleasure of waiting upon the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts this evening, and of tendering to them, in person, my thanks for the cordial terms in which they were pleased to notice my arrival within their jurisdiction: but finding myself a good deal fatigued after the labors of the day, I must ask their indulgence, and beg them to accept in this form the assurance that I justly appreciate their kindness and good will, and trust that their interests as an institution calculated to benefit mankind may continue to prosper.

I am very respectfully, Yr. obt. Servt. Andrew Jackson.

Mess. Benjamin Russell,Francis J. Oliver and others, committee.

After the above letter was read, R. W. Joel R. Poinsett rose and stated that he was charged by the President to express to the Grand Lodge his regret at not being able to visit them as intended. After other remarks the R. W. Brother retired.

Voted, that we deeply regret the inability of Brother Andrew Jackson to visit us this evening as expected; and that it be requested that the R. W. Bro. Poinsett be requested to furnish for the Records a copy of the communication made by him.

The following was furnished by R. W. Bro. Poinsett.

The President of the United States charged me to express to the Brethren of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts his sincere regret at being prevented by indisposition from accepting their invitation to meet them in the Temple, and from tendering them in person his acknowledgments for their attentions. He begged me to assure them that he shall ever feel a lively interest in the welfare of an institution with which he has been so long connected, and whose objects are purely philanthropic, and he instructed me to express to them the high esteem and fraternal regard which he cherishes towards them all.

In conformity with the resolution of your worshipful body presented to me this day, I have furnished herewith.a copy of the communication made by me on the 22d instant to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge in behalf of our worthy Brother, Andrew Jackson.

Respectfully and fraternally yours, J. R. Poinsett."

While the record is studiously restrained, it is evident that the Grand Lodge did not take Jackson's excuse seriously and felt humiliated and resentful. They were not content with Poinsett's oral statement, but exacted it from him in written form. Jackson's action was unquestionably due to political pressure. General Jackson - "Old Hickory" - was never in his life afraid of any man. He was accustomed to personal opposition and did not fear it. As President, however, he was the responsible head of his political party and had its interests to consider. In the summer of 1833 Anti-Masonry was a political force which could not easily be measured. In the last Presidential election it had put a a national ticket in the field and won the electoral vote of Vermont. The party was strong in Massachusetts. In September of 1832 a state convention of 353 delegates had nominated candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor. It was not successful at the polls, but was actively preparing for the next election. In September following Jackson's visit to Boston it held a convention of 419 delegates and nominated John Quincy Adams for Governor. For Jackson to visit the Grand Lodge and be received as a Past Grand Master would have infuriated the anti-Masons and might have turned the scales in their favor at the next election. Jackson did not dare to take the chance.

Joel R. Poinsett (1779-1851) was so colorful and important a personage, both politically and Masonically, that he deserves a digression. The earlier years of his life were spent in study, both at home and abroad, and in very extensive foreign travel. In 1810 he was appointed special Agent in Rio de la Plata and Chile. During four years service in that post he got into South American politics and did his best to encourage the movement for independence from Spain.

Returning to the United States he got into the politics of South Carolina, his native state, serving as a member of the State Legislature and a Representative in the National Congress. From 1825 to 1829 he was American Minister to Mexico. Here again he meddled in Mexican politics, made something of a nuisance of himself, and was finally recalled at the request of the Mexican government.

Poinsett was a prominent Mason in South Carolina and intervened in the turbulent affairs of Mexican Masonry. There were both Scottish Rite and York Rite Lodges in Mexico. They were much more political than Masonic and led opposing political parties, known as "Escoseses" and "Yorkistas.** Acting under authority from New York Poinsett gathered some of the York Lodges into a York Grand Lodge.

Returning to America he took a leading part in aiding his friend Jackson to repress the nullification movement (forerunner of the later secession movement) in South Carolina. He served with distinction as Secretary of War under Van Buren making a lasting contribution to the development of the national defense. Throughout his life he steadily and consistently opposed everything which savored of disloyalty to the Union.

Poinsett was always greatly interested in science and learning. He developed from a flower which he found in Mexico the very beautiful flower which is so much used especially in Christmas decorations which bears his name - the Poinsettia.

During Crane's administration the Grand Lodge was absorbed by difficulties over the Temple property. Between the September and December Quarterlies the Grand Lodge held four adjourned Communications all dealing with this matter.

It will be remembered that the Grand Lodge had violated its Charter in building the Temple, and had applied to the Legislature to have it amended. The Anti-Masonic members were a minority party, but they held the balance of power. The application for amendment unleashed the torrents of their vituperative oratory. They not only secured the refusal of the petition but took the aggressive. They demanded a thorough investigation of Freemasonry with a view to the vacating of the Charter. Where such an investigation might lead, no one could prophecy. It might mean laying bare not only all the business of the Fraternity, but even its entire ritual. 559. The first measures taken in defense was the sale of the Temple property. This was an actual cash sale to Robert Gould Shaw for $35,000. On December 30 a committee was appointed to consider the surrender of the Charter and report at the next Communication, December 27. On this Committee was Charles W. Moore, who had been elected Grand Secretary December IS, but not yet installed. At the appointed time the Committee presented a Memorial to the Legislature and it was adopted unanimously. Moore drafted the Memorial which was a Masterpiece. We can hardly suppose that it was drawn up between December 20 and December 27. Moore probably engineered the whole matter and had the Memorial in his pocket when the Committee was appointed. This is the document.

Memorial.

To the Honourable Senate and House of Representatives in General Court Assembled.

The Memorial of the Undersigned the Master and Wardens of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons, within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, respectfully represents:

That the said Grand Lodge was established and organized in the then Town of Boston in said commonwealth as a voluntary association, on the 30th of July A.D. 1733 - assuming and exercising, all the powers rights and privileges, which by the ancient laws and usages, recognized by the Fraternity of Freemasons, in their consociated capacity, it was empowered so to.assume and exercise: That in the legitimate exercise of those powers, and privileges, and in its official capacity, as the head of a prosperous and growing benevolent association, by the liberal donations of individual Freemasons, and by the usual contributions of the Subordinate Lodges, it was in time enabled to create and establish the Fund known as the "Charity Fund of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts" subject to the provision that the income thereof should be held in sacred trust for and faithfully applied to charitable purposes, to the relief of the distressed & suffering and your Memorialist have the gratification to believe that the letter and the spirit of this provision have ever been, and they trust will long continue to be scrupulously observed and performed.

Your Memorialist further represents, That from the period of its establishment until the year 1817 this fund was held by and under the control and direction of the said Grand Lodge, acting as a voluntary association. This tenure was not only thought to be insecure, but the management of the Funds was found to be attended with the various and unavoidable difficulties which are always incident to the conduct of property thus situated. Under these circumstances, and in the belief that an act of incorporation would increase the security of the Fund, and facilitate the distribution of its charities, Francis J. Oliver Esqr and others - members of the said Grand Lodge petitioned and obtained of the Hon. Legislature on the 16th of June 1817 an act by which the Master, Wardens and Members of the Grand Lodge, were incorporated and made a body politic, authorized and empower'd to take by purchase or gift, grant or otherwise, and hold real estate not exceeding the value of twenty thousand Dollars, and personal estate not exceeding the value of sixty thousand dollars, and to have and exercise all the privileges usually given by acts of incorporation to charitable societies. And so far as the knowledge of your memorialists extends, or their experience enables them to judge, they most confidently believe and affirm. That all the transactions of the said Grand Lodge (with the single exception hereafter noted) have been conducted with a scrupulous regard to the original purposes of its institution and with an honourable endeavour to preserve the inviolability of the corporate powers with which it was invested by the Hon. Legislature of the commonwealth.

That in the performance of the interesting duties pertaining to this connexion its members have conducted as honest and peaceable citizens recognizing in the following "Ancient Charges" of their order unexceptionable rules of duty in all their social and political relations "that they have agreed to be good men and true, and strictly obey the moral law; to be peaceable subjects, and cheerfully to conform to the laws of the country in which they reside; not to be concerned in plots or conspiracies against government but patiently submit to the decisions of the supreme Legislature; to pay a proper respect to the civil Magistrate, to work diligently, to live creditably, and act honourably with all men (this phrase was derived from the Book of Masonic Constitutions); And that confidently relying on the protection guaranteed alike to all classes of citizens, by their written constitutions they have rested quietly under their own vine and fig tree, giving just cause of offense to none, and willing to believe they had none to molest or make them afraid. Such was the condition of the affairs of the said Grand Lodge prior to the summer of the year 1830: when having previously been under the necessity of vacating the commodious apartments which it had for a long term of years occupied in one of the public buildings of the City: and experiencing much inconvenience from the want of suitable permanent accommodations for the transaction of Masonic business it was proposed and determined by an unanimous vote of its members to erect an edifice which while it afforded ample accommodation for the Fraternity, should also be an ornament to the City, and a public convenience. Your memorialists would not disguise the fact, that considerations of revenue contributed to produce the determination on the part of the Grand Lodge. As the depositary aid guardian of a Charitable Fund the Grand Lodge, held itself morally responsible to the indigent recipients of the charities accruing from it, and felt bound to see that it was rendered as productive as a proper regard to its security would allow.

Under these circumstances and not entertaining a suspicion that the Hon. Legislature would refuse, or that the most unyielding among the opponents of Free masonry, could object to such a modification of its act of incorporation, as would enable it to hold a greater amount of real estate and proportionally less of personal estate, than it was then empowered to do the said Grand Lodge, in the autumn of 1830, laid the corner stone of the building known as the Masonic "Temple" in the City of Boston. The original purchase of this estate was far within the amount which the act of Incorporation authorized the Grand Lodge to hold; but foreseeing that the augmenting value of the rising structure, would exceed this amount a petition was presented to the Hon. Legislature, at the winter session of 1831, praying for such a modification of its corporate powers, as would enable it to hold real estate, not exceeding the value of Sixty thousand Dollars, and personal estate not exceeding the value of Twenty thousand Dollars. The petitioners did not ask for an extension of their corporate powers, nor to be invested with any additional ones; but simply for such a modification of the rights and powers which they already enjoyed, as the Hon. Legislature has always shown itself willing to make for the accommodation of other corporate associations; a modification which your memorialists humbly conceive, was calculated to lesson rather than to increase the power of the Corporation; and by which no principle of law or policy was to be surrendered or prejudicially affected.

For reasons which impartial history will doubtless exhibit but the pertinence of which the wisdom of the historian may not easily recognize, the prayer of these petitioners was not granted.

The embarrassment, in which this unexpected result involved the corporation, will readily occur to your Hon. Body. The land on which the contemplated building was to be erected, had been purchased; the foundation laid; and the contracts made for its erection. Your memorialists respectfully submit, that there can be no difference of opinion among the ingenuous and unprejudiced portion of your Hon. Body in respect to the course it was proper under the circumstances for the Grand Lodge to pursue. It determined to go on with the erection of the building it had commenced, and either to trust to the magnanimity and justice of a future Legislature, for the necessary modification of its act; or to dispose of the property as circumstances might dictate, when it should become saleable. For reasons with which it is unnecessary to trouble the Legislature, the Grand Lodge have adopted the latter alternative.

Although your memorialists had observed In the proceedings of a former Legislature that certain citizens professing to be jealous of the powers conferred by our act of incorporation or of the manner in which the. were exercised, had applied for a repeal of it, we had received no formal notice of any measure for that purpose, until a few days ago, when a circular purporting to be a copy of a Memorial to your Hon. Body, was addressed and handed to all the principal officers of the said Grand Lodge, by a sheriff. The ultimate object of this petition seems to be, a revocation of the act of Incorporation of the Grand Lodge. On the face of it, however, is spread out a series of direct charges and scandalous insinuations against the principles and practice of that corporation. But as they are true or supposable, only as a faithful representation of the spirit and proceedings of those who originated them, a due regard to the blamelessness and respectability of the said Grand Lodge, as well as a personal sense of self respect alike admonish your memorialists, to refrain from any more particular notice of them. The Grand Lodge can enter into no discussion of the principles of Freemasonry, with prejudiced and abusive partizans; but especially would it avoid the indecorum of obtruding such a controversy into the presence of the Legislature of the commonwealth.

All controversy which may be honorably avoided, is inconsistent with the conciliatory precepts and benificient designs of our association. We are required rather to suffer undeserved persecution, and injury, than unnecessarily to maintain strife and bitterness. And although as citizens of a government of laws, we can submit to nothing that is clearly wrong; as the friends of peace and order we can persist in nothing that is not clearly right. Actuated by these sentiments, and by a sincere desire to spare the Legislature the annoyance and unprofitable consumption of time, which the political party is interested in the petition, may otherwise occasion, the Grand Lodge has determined to make a voluntary surrender of its civil charter: and the undersigned the present memorialists have been duly appointed to inform the Hon. Legislature, that by a vote passed at a regular meeting of that corporation, on the evening of December 27th 1833, (a copy of which is hereunto annexed) its corporate powers were relinquished, its acts of incorporation vacated, and your memorialists instructed to return it to the Hon. Legislature, from whom it derived.

Finally, that there may be no misunderstanding of this matter, either in the Legislature, or among our fellow citizens, we beg leave to represent precisely the nature and extent of the surrender contained in this Memorial. By divesting itself of its corporate powers, the Grand Lodge has relinquished none of its Masonic attributes or prerogatives. These it claims to hold and exercise independently alike of popular will and legal enactment not of toleration; but of right. Its members are intelligent freemen, and although willing to restore any gifts or advantage derived from the government, whenever it becomes an object of jealousy, however unfounded; nothing is further from their intentions or from their convictions of duty, than to sacrifice a private institution for social and benevolent purposes - the interests of which have been entrusted to them - in order to appease a popular excitement, of which that institution may have been the innocent occasion.

Signed

  • John Abbot, Master
  • Elias Haskell, Benj. B. Appleton, Wardens

of Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.

The Master and Wardens of the Grand Lodge were authorized and directed to present the Memorial and surrender the Charter. The following vote was then offered and adopted:

"Whereas, at the present communication of the Grand Lodge it has been voted to surrender to the Legislature, the Act of Incorporation granted to said Grand Lodge in 1817, and a Memorial has also by vote been adopted, to be presented to said Legislature notifying them of the fact of said surrender: therefore voted that the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts exists only as a voluntary association having and possessing all and the same rights, powers, privileges, and immunities, under its ancient charter, in relation to Freemasonry which said Grand Lodge had and possessed before the aforesaid act of Incorporation was granted, and that the officers last elected have and retain their respective offices,- until the next annual communication of said Grand Lodge."

This action definitely shouldered the Legislature off the board. The Anti-Masonic members might tear their hair and gnash their teeth, but there was nothing they could do.

The year 1833 marked the centenary of the Grand Lodge. The question of a centenary observance was discussed and a committee appointed to consider the matter, but it was wisely decided to allow the occasion to pass without any observance.

The Grand Lodge had always considered the Bunker ilill Monument as a quasi- Masonic enterprise. It took the place of a monument erected by King Solomon's Lodge. The Grand Lodge had laid the corner-stone. The Bunker Hill Monument Association depended upon popular subscriptions for its funds and the work was proceeding slowly. This year the Grand Lodge, in spite of its own difficulties, financial and others, made a contribution of two hundred dollars to the building fund.

At the Annual Communication of 1833 there were thirty-six persons present, seventeen of them being Officers and Permanent Members, Grand Master Crane declined to stand for re-election (he lived less than a year longer) and John Abbot was recalled to the Grand Mastership.

Without doubt the most important act of this meeting was the election of Charles W. Moore as Grand Secretary, a position he was to hold for thirty-four years.

Moore's parents came to America from England, where his father had held a post in the household of King George III, late in the 18th century. Their son, Charles Whitlock Moore, was born in Boston, March £9, 1801. He was apprenticed to the printing trade and spent the whole of his life thereafter as a printer and publisher. In February, 1823, he applied to The Massachusetts Lodge and would have been received on his twenty-first birthday, but just at that time business called him to Maine. With the consent of The Massachusetts Lodge he was admitted to Kennebec Lodge No. 5, of Hallowell, and was raised on June I2, 1828. Returning to Boston in July he affiliated with St. Andrew's Lodge October 10. At the November meeting he was appointed to one of the minor offices in the Lodge and was never thereafter without Masonic office of some sort. He served as Master in 1832 and 1833. He was Grand Pursuivant in 1833. After his retirement from office as Grand Secretary at the end of 1857 he served one year as Deputy Grand Master. He was then appointed Corresponding Grand Secretary and held that post until his death. Very shortly before his death he was elected Honorary Past Grand Master.

Great as Moore's services were as an executive perhaps a greater service was his work as a Masonic publicist whose work has never been superseded. In 1825 he began the publication of the Masonic Mirror. Shortly afterward the opposition broke out and Moore ably and vigorously led the defence. He conducted the Masonic Mirror until 1834. He then took charge of the Masonic department of another paper and carried on the championship of the Fraternity through that agency until 1841. In November of that year he began the publication of the Freemason's Magazine which he continued until his death. This was a monthly of thirty-two pages, devoted entirely to Freemasonry. It dealt with Masonic news, history, philosophy, and law. Its discussions of the fundamental principles of Masonry and of the legislation of this and other Grand Lodges, is sound, keen,and trenchant. If he finds it unsound, he does not hesitate to say so in no uncertain terms. It makes no difference to him whether the act he condemns is the by-law of a particular Lodge or the act of a Grand Lodge. His thirty-odd volumes are an inexhaustible mine of Masonic wisdom and experience.

Bro,. Moore's Masonic activities were varied and numerous. He was Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters, GrandCommander of the Grand Encampment of Knight, Templar of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and an Active Member aM officer of the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite for the Northern Jurisdiction.

Bro. Moore had but a comparative slight formal education, but had an unusually brilliant mind and trained it by wide reading and deep meditation into an instrument of wonderful precision. It was essentially a legal mind and had he been a lawyer by profession he would certainly have become one of the leading jurists of his time. In person he was tall and slender. His expression was rather cold and austere. Among his intimates he was one of the most companionable of men, but in general intercourse, especially official intercourse, he was often as austere as he looked. Perhaps unfortunately, he never learned to "suffer fools gladly" and was liable to see foolishness where there was only inexperience or lack of information. He -eV&i not understand, probably would have scorned, the little graces which make men popular. The votes so generally cast against him in Grand Lodge show that he was not popular. There was always a minority who wanted a change. He held his place through the years by virtue of his transcendent ability, an ability which commanded the confidence and respect of his Brethren, if not their love.

General Crane's administration, through no fault of his, marked the low tide in Grand Lodge affairs. Not only was there the legislative crisis, but a bad state of general disorganization. Crane appointed but one District Deputy Grand Master, and that for the First Masonic District, which then as now comprised the Lodges in Boston and a few in the immediate vicinity.

Abbot began the work of reorganization. Abbot appointed at least seven District Deputy Grand Masters. Their appointments are not recorded, but they appear in attendance at Grand Lodge meetings. An attempt to clear up the situation, and see just how much had weathered the storm was made at the June Quarterly. The Grand Lodge voted

"That the Charter of every Lodge; which has ceased to hold its meetings, and has not paid its dues to the Grand Lodge, be surrendered; and in every case of surrender, where the Lodge is unable to pay said dues, that the same be remitted; Provided nevertheless, that if the members of such Lodge, or a major part of them, shall after such surrender, desire to act as a regular Lodge, they shall be holden to pay said dues, and upon such payment shall be entitled to receive their said Charter: Provided also, that said surrender shall have been made in conformity to the Bye Laws touching the surrender of Charters."

Apparently the attempt was only partially successful. Unfortunately there was no record made of the surrendered Charters. We have later records of the return of a considerable number. A good many Lodges simply disappeared so far as any record is concerned. How many, if any, of them formally surrendered their Charters we have no means of knowing. If the Charters were in the possession of the Grand Lodge, they were lost, with other archives, in the fire which destroyed the nome of the Grand Lodge in 1864. We know that in some cases the Brethren who had Charters in their possession were unwilling to give them up. In one case the demand for the Charter was met with a flat refusal to give it up and the Grand Lodge was obliged to use severe measures against the recalcitrant holder. There are several local traditions of the concealment of Charters which were later produced and used for the resumption of work.

One of the most amusing of these traditions, apparently well authenticated, relates that the Master of a certain Lodge lived in an old house with a huge chimney having a brick oven in it. The Master secretly removed some bricks, put the Charter in the hole and closed it up. When a committee from the Grand Lodge went to his house to demand the Charter they were told that the Master was at work on a remote part of the farm. They hunted him up and were received cordially. Yes, he had taken the Charter home. He would go to the house with them, but unfortunately he had business in a neighboring town and must leave at once to attend to it. He had not seen the Charter for a long time. If they would go back to the house perhaps the women folk could find it for them. Needless to say the committee departed without the Charter.

At the June Communication the Grand Master presented a communication which shows clearly how not a few Brethren were discouraged and ready to give up the fight.

"To John Abbot Esqr the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.

The undersigned a committee appointed at a meeting of the members of the Executive council, of the Senate and House of Representatives of the commonwealth of Massachusetts - assembled at the State House on Thursday the 20th instant respectfully represent.

That as members of the Masonic Fraternity, they feel a deep interest in the honour, reputation and best good of the Institution in all the Legitimate, valuable and highly useful objects, for which the same was originally established, and to which it has in so great a degree, hitherto been directed. They would also express a high degree of satisfaction, that amidst all the opposition and abuse which for many years past the Institution has been called to encounter; so great a degree of union harmony and good feeling have pervaded all the members of the Fraternity throughout this commonwealth.

But while your memorialists thus congratulate themselves, and their brethren, upon this happy union of feeling and design, they cannot but feel constrained to remark; that a great variety of circumstances have recently transpired, the tendency of which has been to render the Institution a cause of jealousy and distrust, to a great portion of the community, a source of discord in our moral, Religious, and Political Institutions, and also to create in the minds of your memorialists an honest and serious doubt as to the practicability expediency or utility of any longer attempting to perpetuate the ancient Landmarks and prerogatives that have heretofore characterized the Masonic Fraternity. Under the operation of the existing laws which we feel bound as good masons and good citizens to obey, it is rendered self evident that the Institution cannot any longer preserve the ceremonies attached to the order, or further extend its influence through the community. Under these circumstances your memorialists feel constrained from a sense of duty which they owe to themselves, to their country and their God, to make this solemn appeal to you as the Legitimate head of the Grand Lodge (if proper and consistent) to direct a circular of the members to the said Grand Lodge throughout the commonwealth requesting a punctual attendance at the next quarterly communication, to take into consideration the existing state of things in regard to the Institution, and to devise and adopt, such measures, as their wisdom and prudence may suggest to allay the public feeling that exists both in and out of the fraternity; and at the same time save your memorialists from the necessity of making any further appeal to effect their object, viz. that of restoring the peace, prosperity, and happiness of their Brethren, and of the commonwealth of which they are members.

We further respectfully inform you, that said meeting stands adjourned to Tuesday evening next, and in compliance with the wishes of those present, we most anxiously entreat you to enable us to lay before the meeting, your answer to this communication.

In behalf of the memorialists Very Respectfully
Boston March 31st 1834
Signed

  • Luke Fiske
  • William Ferson
  • William Hilliard

The following vote was then offered and unanimously adopted viz.:

Whereas a written communication signed by Rt. W. Wm. Hilliard, Hon. Luke Fiske & Wm Ferson, in behalf of the Masonic Members belonging to the present General Court, has been made to the M. W. Grand Master and by him laid before the Grand Lodge, which communication requests the said G. Master to issue notice to the several Lodges in this communication, to take into consideration the existing state of things in regard to the institution, evidently with reference to its dissolution; and whereas in the opinion of this Grand Lodge the Institution of Freemasonry in this Commonwealth cannot be abolished by the dissolution of the Grand Lodge and all the Lodges under its jurisdiction, unless by the unanimous consent of all the members thereof:

Therefore Voted, that it is inexpedient to notify said Lodges as requested, or take any further order on the subject of said Communication."

An examination of the signatures to this remarkable document is interesting. Hilliard had been a member of Amicable Lodge since 1824. He was never Master of the Lodge, but was a District Deputy Grand Master in 1829 and 1830 and Deputy Grand Master under Joseph Jenkins in 1831. He signed the Boston Declaration. He was very active in state politics, serving seven years as a Representative, three years as Senator, and then three years as a member of the Governor's Council. When he signed this document he was a Councillor. Probably his action in this case was under political influence. He appears to have recanted. He never again appeared in Grand Lodge and the records of Amicable Lodge are silent as to what became of him.

Luke Fiske (1794-1845) became a member of Monitor Lodge in 1825 and was Junior Warden in 1826 and 1827. He held no other office in the Lodge, but was in good standing at the time of his death.

William Ferson took his degrees in Franklin, N. H., and affiliated with The Tyrian Lodge in 1820. He was Master in 1821 to 1823 and 1825 to 1828 and at this time was Secretary. He appears to have in time recovered from his anti-Masonic aberration and later made an excellent Masonic record. He was Master again in 1843 and 1844, District Deputy Grand Master in 1850 and 1851, and Senior Grand Warden in 1852. The Royal Arch Chapter in Gloucester bears his name.

The three records give an interesting and illuminating cross-section of the effects of the anti-Masonic excitement.

On June 30, 1834 the Grand Lodge was called in Special Communication to take action on the death of Lafayette, who had died just a month before. A committee was appointed to arrange a fitting memorial service. On October 9 the service was held. The Grand Lodge was opened and proceeded to the Lecture Room in the Temple, where the exercises were held in the presence of a large number of Brethren, ladies and invited guests. Hon. Francis Baylies, of Taunton, a member of King David Lodge, delivered a very excellent address, which was printed and may be consulted in the Grand Lodge Library. As we shall presently see, this address had important results.

Attempts were made to break up the Fraternity by "boring from within". At the September Communication of 1834 Joshua B. Flint, District Deputy Grand Master for the First Masonic District,offered a series of resolutions relative to certain Masonic meetings in various parts of the state. The resolutions were referred to a committee of seven: J. B. Flint, Benjamin Russell, Francis J. Oliver, John Dixwell, John Soley, Joseph Jenkins, and Paul Dean. Every member of the committee was either a Past Grand Master or a future Grand Master. For some reason, perhaps because the resolution appeared too drastic, the committee reported adversely. In spite of the great influence and authority of the members of the committee, the Grand Lodge rejected the report, Flint then presented a minority report submitting a series of resolutions which were separately fully discussed and adopted. These vigorous and uncompromising resolutions, which follow, appear to have been entirely successful in putting a stop to all such irregular activities.

"Whereas this Grand Lodge has noticed with deep regret, that certain members of the Fraternity have assembled, in pursuance of public notice from some person or persons unknown, for the purpose of considering their Masonic relations and to take measures to promote the dissolution of the lnstitution, and have thereupon published proceedings calculated to grieve and embarrass their more steadfast brethren and to mislead the public - Therefore

Resolved - That the assemblies referred to were irregular in their constitution and conduct, of a character altogether unknown to the usages of the Craft, and in opposition to the constitutions of the order.

Resolved - That while the members of the Grand Lodge acknowledge with, pleasure the general soundness and candour of the public sentiment in the community, to which it is their happiness to belong, and highly appreciate the opinions and feelings of their intelligent fellow citizens, they nevertheless believe, and in view, of some of the sophistries of the day feel constrained to declare, that that "public opinion" does not deserve "respectful regard" and that "Tranquility of society" is not worth its price, which call upon citizens to surrender the Imprescriptible Rights of Association - especially when they demand the sacrifice of an institution "in the spirit, objects, and practical influence of which, nothing has been observed inconsistent with the civil and religious duties of its members, nothing dangerous to the order and security of Society, and nothing advers to the absolute supremacy of the laws."

Resolved - That although the Masonic connection is a voluntary one, and although the Grand Lodge is far from wishing, if she had the power, to retain disaffected members she nevertheless feels bound by the relation she sustains to the craft, to remind all whom it may concern, that there are more becoming methods of withdrawing than public conventions and that masons cannot in such meetings, vote nor recommend a dissolution of the institution, without violating engagements from which neither the temporary unpopularity of Freemasonry, nor its political inconvenience can honorably discharge those who have voluntarily contracted them.

Resolved - That the faithful members of the Fraternity be exhorted to persevere in their fidelity: to observe the regular communications of their respective; Lodges and their prescribed methods of Charity; to maintain peace and self respect: to discountenance all irregular assemblies of Masons, and scrupulously to avoid connecting Freemasonry with any political controversy or speculations being assured notwithstanding statements to the contrary, which may be made for political effect, that the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, is still in active existence, enjoying, her quarterly meetings, superintending the affairs of the craft, and through the weekly sessions of her "Board of Relief" distributing the . . . income of her little property to sick and needy brethren, their widows and orphans - that while she will sustain the Lodges under her jurisdiction by all proper means in her power, she is willing and desires to receive immediately, the charters of all such as may wish to surrender them according to the conditions in such cases made and provided."

At an adjourned Communication held September 25, votes were passed to choose by ballot a committee of five to confer with the Trustees of the Charity Fund and the Trustees of the Real and Personal Estate of the Grand Lodge and determine the amount, nature and condition of the property held by them and to determine what, if any, measures should be taken for its better security. They were to consider also, the advisability of repurchasing the Temple and if repurchased, how it should be held. The committee consisted of Joshua B. Flint, Edward A. Raymond, John Hews, Samuel Eveleth, and Simon W. Robinson.

The Temple property had been sold before the Charter was surrendered in order to protect it from the mischievous activities of the Legislature. That danger had been safely averted. The Grand Lodge having reverted to the status of a voluntary association there was no reason why it should not resume its property to be held and managed by Trustees. Some such action was contemplated in the vote. The committee was instructed to report to the December Communication of Grand Lodge, but it did not report until December 1835.

At the Annual Communication of 1834 there were thirty-seven voting members present. Twenty-two were Officers or Permanent Members of the Grand Lodge. The five Lodges located in Boston were the only ones represented.

Grand Master Abbot declined re-election and Francis Baylies was elected Grand Master by unanimous vote. Baylies, who was then fifty-one years old, was the leading citizen of Taunton. He had served three terms in the National House of Representatives, but lost his seat because when the presidential election of 1824 was thrown into the House of Representatives he was the only member from New England to vote against John Quincy Adams. Adams was elected over Jackson, but in 1828 the conditions were reversed and Jackson defeated Adams. The friends of Baylies endeavored to secure a cabinet position for him, but were unsuccessful. In 1832, however, Jackson appointed him Acting Minister to Buenos Aires, with power to negotiate a treaty. The United States was then at odds with the Buenos Aires government over a fisheries dispute at the Falkland Islands, Baylies took a firm, and probably correct, stand and after three months of unsuccessful negotiations returned home taking with him the American Consul and the legation archives expecting war. There was no war, but diplomatic relations were not resumed for twelve years.

Baylies had been a member of King David Lodge since 1810, but had never held office. He had signed the Boston Declaration. His election was due mainly to the fact that he was an outstanding citizen and had made a great impression by his admirable eulogy of Lafayette.

A committee was appointed to wait upon Baylies and inform him of his election. The Grand Lodge adjourned to December 24, at which date the committee reported that they had waited upon Baylies and that he had accepted election. At the Stated Communication Baylies did not appear and there was no word from him. Evidently word had gone out that something was wrong, as only nine Officers were present. The Grand Lodge adjourned to February 3, 1835, twenty-two voting members being present, A committee of three, Joshua B. Flint, David Parker, and Gardner Ruggles, was appointed to wait upon Baylies and inform him that the Grand Lodge was in session and ready to receive him. The whole matter had been settled in advance, as the committee certainly did not go to Taunton. They promptly reported "That for considerations which the committee deem sufficient, and which the chairman will communicate herewith, the R. W. Bro. Baylies feels obliged to revoke his former acceptance of the office of Grand Master." The "considerations" do not appear in the record. Undoubtedly they were political. Baylies was deep in politics and did not care to endanger his political future by standing before the public as Grand Master of Masons. It is gratifying to note that he did not have any political future, though he lived until 1852.

The Grand Lodge then proceeded to elect a Grand Master. There were several names proposed, but Joshua B. Flint was elected on the second ballot. The Grand Lodge then adjourned to February 11, and at that meeting Flint and the Officers who had been elected at the Annual Communication were installed.

Flint was born in Cohasset in 1802 and was thus only thirty-three years of age when chosen Grand Master, the youngest Grand Master Massachusetts ever had. Flint's father was a minister and himself prepared the boy for Harvard, from which he was graduated with honor in 1820. After two ye years teaching in a secondary school in Boston he took up the study of medicine and received his Doctor's degree from Harvard. He took up practice in Boston and soon distinguished himself. He was for several years physician to the County penitentiary institution and was sent in 1832 to New York as a member of a medical commission appointed to study
 Asiatic cholera. In 1827 or 1828 he established a course of public 
lectures on anatomy, illustrated by actual dissections, probably the 
first lectures of the sort ever given.

At that time the study of anatomy was being pursued with great difficulties. There was no legal method of obtaining dissecting material and Medical Schools and practitioners were obliged to purchase cadavers without asking embarrassing questions as to how they came to be for sale, although in fact everybody knew. Efforts were being made to get legislation which would make possible a regular, legal, and sufficient supply of the needed material. Dr. Flint was sent to the Legislature in the expectation that by his recognized professional and social standing and his experience he might be of assistance in procuring the needed legislation. He served in the Legislature three years and was one of a committee which proposed a project of law which led to the first legislative action ever taken to secure the legal provision of dissecting material. In addition to his legislative service he was several times elected a member of the Boston City Council.

Toward the end of his third year of Grand Mastership, he removed to Louisville, Kentucky, to take the chair of surgery on the first Faculty of the Louisville Medical Institute. He spent the rest of his life in the teaching of surgery and in the practice of his profession in Kentucky. He died in 1864.

He became a member of Columbian Lodge in 1823, immediately after reaching his majority. He was Master in 1850, 1831, and 1832. In 1833 Grand Master Crane appointed him to the only District Deputy Grand
Mastership which was filled that year, and he was continued in office by Grand Master Abbot, being promoted from that office, as we have seen, to the Grand Mastership. He did not surrender his membership in Columbian Lodge when he went to Kentucky, being made an honorary member in 1840. He had proved his activity, courage, and aggressiveness by his conduct in Grand Lodge, particularly in the matter of the resolutions regarding irregular and subversive gatherings of Masons, which he had carried over the opposition of some of the greatest personages in the Grand Lodge. Such a leader was needed in 1835 and Flint was emphatically the man for the hour. It was very fortunate for the Grand Lodge that the gavel of authority passed into his hands instead of those of the time-serving Baylies, The struggling Lodges were having great difficulty in maintaining their existence and many requests came for remission of quarterages, even though they had been reduced to four dollars a year. Several of these requests had been referred to the Committee of Finance and at an Adjourned Communication February 3, 1835, the Committee, in a brief but rather pungent report, recommended leave to withdraw. The report closes "If there be any Lodge under this jurisdiction among the members of which there is not sufficient public spirit and attachment to the principles of the Order to induce them to raise the small annual fee which the Grand Lodge exacts for her subsistence, it would be well for such Institution to resign at once into the hands of the Grand Lodge the charter which only gives it a name to live while in fact it is dead."

At the Annual Communication of December 7, 1835 there were twenty-eight qualified voters present, sixteen Officers and Permanent Members and representatives of seven Lodges. Grand Master Flint was unanimously re-elected.

At this meeting the Committee on Property of the Grand Lodge which had been appointed in September, 1834, and whose powers had subsequently been enlarged made its final report

"That soon after their appointment they commenced negotiations which have lately terminated, in the transfer of the Masonic Temple, and the whole estate of which it is a part, from the gentleman to whom it was sold by the Grand Lodge, previous to the surrender of their act of incorporation, to a Board of Trustees who hold and improve it for the benefit of the Grand Lodge, so long as it shall exist either as a voluntary association or as an incorporated body, and in the event of its final dissolution, are required to transfer the estate to the Grand Lodge of South Carolina to be by them held for Masonic purposes, forever. The particular terms, conditions, and limitations of this trust are explicitly set forth in the indenture by which it is instituted, and which is duly recorded in the Suffolk Office Lib- P -. As the Grand Lodge is made in some respects a party to the execution of that instrument, the Committee recommend that a fair and authentic copy of it be made in our Records, or in some other book which will always be at hand at our communications.

The Board of Trustees, consisting of nine brethren, faithful, intelligent and zealous in their Masonic relations - has been organized for the present by the appointment of Brs. E. A. Raymond, Benj. B. Appleton, & Winslow Lewis, Jr. respectively to the offices of Chairman, Treasurer & Secretary, and has adopted a code of by-laws, a copy of which will be forthwith placed in the hands of the Grand Secretary. In effecting the repurchase of the Temple, an object so desirable & important to the Grand Lodge, your Committee were obliged again to resort, to the Treasury of the Grand Charity fund, and of course, have incurred a debt there for which the Grand Lodge, should immediately provide a suitable acknowledgment. And as it appears that the debits of the Grand Lodge to that institution are at present represented in several notes of different dates and amounts, but all at the same rate of Interest, it is recommended as a measure of convenience, that the Grand Treasurer be authorized to execute a single Note to the Trustees of the Grand Charity Fund, to the amount of all their actual dues from the Grand Lodge at the time of making it, and providing the same rate of Interest, as is now paid, and then to exchange the note thus made for the several notes against the Grand Lodge, now held by the Treasurer of the Grand Charity Fund.

The Committee cannot refrain from congratulating their brethren upon the favorable termination of this protracted negotiation, which has restored this valuable estate to its original owners and placed the financial concerns of the Grand Lodge in an unembarrassed and most promising condition.

A nation is deemed eminently fortunate to come out of a contest either of aggression or defense without an impoverished treasury.

At the end of the controversy as we believe, in which we have been engaged for several years past - a controversy which was stimulated in no considerable degree by the expectation of booty - it is certainly a fair subject of self-satisfaction to find our treasury solvent, and accumulating, and our resources adequate to the immediate and prospective wants of the institution, find not only so: but what is still more tributary to our self respect a more precious treasure than this has been preserved. ay we not be permitted to boast then, that we have come out of the struggle with honor untarnished, and. the good faith of our Masonic engagements inviolate?

This Grand Lodge has neither made nor meditated any of those unworthy concessions, which has made us blush for our brethren in some other places. Regardless alike of the assaults of declared enemies, and the insidious suggestions of timid or time serving friends, she has held on the even tenor of her way, amid opposition and contumely her members determined to hold and exercise the unalienable right of association, and confident that their fellow citizens would ultimately sustain them in this manly and worthy determination.

Nor have our fidelity and perseverance failed in an abundant reward in the auspicious circumstances to which this report particularly relates. Free Masonry has/recovered her home - The Grand Lodge, is no longer a tenant,- this beautiful edifice the object of our common interest and pride is again our own, and we may well nigh realize the consciousness of independence and security of those who sit under their own vine and fig tree, having none to molest or make them afraid.

The committee cannot conclude their report in a more appropriate manner than by presenting to the grateful consideration of their brethren the name and services of a benefactor, without whose timely and disinterested aid, it is very doubtful whether the present auspicious condition of our property could have been realized.

When by the surrender of its act of incorporation the Grand Lodge had become incapable of holding its estate a worthy brother of adequate fortune, and corresponding generosity, readily became its purchaser and spared us the pain and mortification of alienating it from the Masonic Family,

With equal readiness, when suitable arrangements had been made for its keeping, he met the proposal and terms of the Grand Lodge for its repurchase, and has restored it to our hands not only unembarassed with any charges for the care and trouble incurred in the premises; but of it, his mere gratuity, actually some thousand or two Dollars better to us than when sold.

To our Brother, Shaw, we are greatly indebted in this matter, and the committee cannot doubt that the Grand Lodge, will adopt some suitable expressive of the thanks and gratitude which are his due.

All which is respectfully submitted for the Committee
J. B. Flint, Chairman.

The vigorous phraseology of the report, especially the reference to "the insidious suggestions of timid or time-serving friends" marks it quite distinctly as the work of the courageous and uncompromising Flint.

The Committee had not the slightest idea that the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was going to die, but wisely made proper provision for the disposal of the property in case that improbable event should occur. But why should the Grand Lodge of South Carolina be made residuary legatee?

Probably we shall never know. There is no trace in the records of either Grand Lodge of any particularly friendly relations between the two Grand Lodges which might prompt such action. It is true South Carolina was next Massachusetts in point of seniority, but that in itself would hardly seem a sufficient reason. South Carolina was a long way off and its Grand Lodge though not so seriously affected by the Morgan persecution as some of her northern neighbors, was not then in a very strong position. One wonders what a combination of personal and political considerations may have had to do with it. The Grand Lodge was hurt, humiliated, and very angry over the treatment it had received from Andrew Jackson. After accepting an invitation to attend a meeting of the Grand Lodge especially called to meet his convenience, he had failed to appear and had offered a very flimsy excuse. The humiliation had not been forgotten. On the political side, Massachusetts never supported Jackson, but Masonic relations ordinarily overrode political differences. Just now South Carolina was just emerging from a bitter contest with the President Jackson who was a determined Nationalist. South Carolina was the champion of States1 Rights. Displeased with the Federal tariff, South Carolina, in 1832, by legislative act, forbade the collection of customs duties within her borders. This "nullification" amounted pretty nearly to secession. Jackson threatened to hang John C. Calhoun and hostilities seemed immanent. They were averted by a compromise tariff engineered by Henry Clay in 1833, but both sides claimed the victory. For the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts to make the Grand Lodge of South Carolina its residuary legatee certainly looks like a slap in the face of Andrew Jackson, and Joshua B. Flint was quite capable of administering the slap.

During 1836 R. W. Nahum Capen, Corresponding Grand Secretary, visited Europe and through his good offices as Special Representative fraternal intercommunication was resumed with the Grand Lodge of England and France, both of which bodies received him in a very gratifying and fraternal manner.

At the Annual Communication, December 14, 1836, there were twenty-seven voting members present, eighteen Officers and Permanent Members and representatives of eight Lodges,Flint was unanimously then elected Grand Master.

There was no action of the Grand Lodge during this last year of Flint's administration which calls for special comment. At the September Quarterly Flint announced that he expected to leave Massachusetts before the next Quarterly and took formal farewell of the Grand Lodge.

At the Annual Communication of 1837 there were present forty-seven voters, twenty-six Officers and Permanent Members of the Grand Lodge and representatives of twelve Lodges. Paul Dean was unanimously elected Grand Master.

Dean was born in Barnard, Vt. March 28, 1783. He was a farm boy and spent the first twenty-three years of his life in farm work,study, and some school teaching. In 1806 he entered the ministry of the Universalist Church, in which calling he spent the remainder of his life. In 1813 he went to Boston, where he preached until age and infirmity caused his retirement to Framingham, where he spent his later years. He died October 1, 1860, at the age of seventy-seven.

His service in the Grand Lodge was long and useful. He took his degrees in Centre Lodge No. 6, in 1805. He affiliated with St. John's Lodge in 1807, and with Rising Star Lodge in 1847. He was an Honorary member of Columbian Lodge and served as its Chaplain from 1817 to 1836, inclusive. He was never Master of his Lodge. He was a Grand Chaplain from 1814 to 1820; 1824 to 1827, and in 1834. He was District Deputy Grand Master for the First Masonic District in 1821, 1822, and 1823, and for the Fifth Masonic District in 1849, 1850, and 1851. This is worthy of note as the only case on record where a Past Grand Master served as a District Deputy, He was Deputy Grand Master in 1835, 1836, and 1837.

His Masonic labors were by no means limited to the Grand Lodge. He was General Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter, an officer of the General Grand Council, an officer of the General Grand Encampment of Knights Templar and an Active Member of the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite.

He was always consistent, firm, and faithful, but never combative. Perhaps his most marked characteristic was a sweet reasonableness which won affection and respect without any sacrifice of principle. One who knew him well for many years said of him "though we many times differed in conviction and judgment, I always found him a preeminently just, honorable, conciliatory, and magnanimous man." He was a splendid specimen of the finest type of Mason. The writer just quoted says "He was a man of very comely figure,countenance, and deportment: of great personal dignity, suavity, and politeness." All these qualities are indicated in the portrait of him in possession of the Grand Lodge.

At the meeting at which Dean was installed two important amendments to the Grand Constitutions were proposed. One was that the members of the Committee of Finance, the Committee on Charity, the Trustees of the Grand Charity Fund, and.the Trustees of the Masonic Temple should "rank and be entitled to all the privileges of Members of the Grand Lodge." The other was that the Deputy Grand Master should be made an elective officer, The committee to which these proposals were referred reported adversely on both of them and their report was accepted. The objection to the first was that it would be a very dangerous innovation and would set a precedent where consequences were incalculable. It really amounted to nothing less than an entire recasting of the ancient constitution! of the Grand Lodge. Members of these Committees might well sit in Grand Lodge and speak on matters pertaining to the work of their several Committees but should not vote. On the second proposition the Committee remarked "The appointment of a Deputy is by immemorial usage the prerogative of the Grand Master, and your committee are not aware that any evils have resulted from its exercise, or are likely to. To justify the proposed alteration in this particular, there should exist not only obvious necessity for the change, but a reasonable prospect of improvement xx: neither of these have been shewn to your committee." The question has never since been seriously raised and in Massachusetts, unlike most of the American Grand Lodges the Deputy Grand Master continues to be an appointed officer. Needless to say the system works admirably. At the March Quarterly some papers were received from New York which called for an expression of opinion on an unfortunate controversy which had arisen in that state. For many years it had been the custom for the Masons of New York City to observe Saint John the Baptist's Day by a public procession and a banquet. In 18S6 the Grand Lodge decreed that as such public observance was not for the good of Masonry it should be discontinued unless by special dispensation from the Grand Lodge.

In 1836 one of the city Lodges petitioned for such a dispensation and it was refused. In 1837 Henry C. Atwood, Master of New York No. 367 invited the other city Lodges to join in such a procession. Two of them accepted and the parade was held in spite of an interdict from the Grand Master. Such an infraction of Masonic law could not be tolerated and a group of the ringleaders was expelled from Masonry. These expelled members gathered others around them and organized "Saint John's Grand Lodge." They issued a "Declaration of Rights and Independence" and an "Appeal" from the action of the Grand Lodge and sent them around to the Grand Lodges. The Grand Lodge of New York responded by a circular letter setting forth its side of the case.

These papers were referred to a committee which reported in June and whose report was accepted. The committee could find no merit in the contention of the St. John's Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge of New York had acted entirely within its legitimate power: the action of a Grand Lodge is final and from it there is no appeal, expelled Masons cannot exercise any Masonic function, right, or authority unless or until restored and any attempt to do so is not the seeking of redress, but flat rebellion. It was voted to send a copy of the report to the Grand Lodge of New York with the following resolution: "Resolved unanimously, that while we most deeply and seriously deplore the recent events which have come under our notice in connection with our sister Grand Lodge of New York, yet from her Masonic intelligence, wisdom, and moderation we deem the rights of her members and the honor, peace, and prosperity of our ancient and excellent Institution perfectly secure under her control."

The report is noteworthy because of its sound and clear statement of Masonic law. A similar clear grasp of fundamentals, followed by energetic action, would have prevented many of the unfortunate experiences which have disfigured the pages of Masonic history.

The issue of the rebellion is not without interest. At first Atwood found hard going, though he sold degrees at a bargain price of nine dollars. Later the movement was taken over by some stronger men and attained some prosperity. The new leaders, however, became convinced that their Grand Lodge was entirely irregular and sought reconciliation. They were met in a friendly spirit and in 1850 their twenty-five Lodges dissolved and received new Charters from the Grand Lodge of New York.

In 1838 Charleston, S. C. was visited by a disastrous conflagration which destroyed, among other buildings, a new temple, which had just been built by the Grand Lodge, The Grand Lodge of South Carolina appealed to her sister Grand Lodges for aid in rebuilding. The appeal was referred to a committee whose report recited that considerable relief had been sent from Boston to the distressed citizens of Charleston and that the Grand Lodge had no money which it could spare. Upon recommendation of the committee it was voted to appoint the presiding officers of the several Masonic bodies in Boston a committee to collect subscriptions to be forwarded to the Grand Lodge of South Carolina. That committee reported at the next quarterly that they had found this task impracticable and were discharged. The Grand Lodge had to content itself with expressions of regret and sympathy.

At the March Communication of 1840 two constitutional amendments were adopted. One repealed the provision that the initiation fee of ministers might be remitted. Henceforth if ministers joined the Fraternity, they did so on the same level as other candidates. It was a wise move. While the exemption had been granted out of respect for the cloth and in consideration of the meagerness of ministerial salaries, it established a distinction which was essentially contrary to the equalitarian truth of the Fraternity. Feeling that the moral support of the ministers would be valuable Soley and Jenkins had appointed nine or ten Grand Chaplains annually. Flint and Dean reduced the number to five at most, generally less. While the attendance of Grand Chaplains at Grand Lodge is occasionally recorded, and then only one or two appear in attendance, it is not a safe inference that there were none present,but there is reason to believe, especially in an analysis of the voting number present at the annual Communication that their attendance was not general. During the dark days of the persecution the ministers proved very much like other people. Some, like Thaddeus Mason Harris and Samuel Osgood, were heroically steadfast. Others bent before the storm, feeling that the loss of their pulpits meant ruin to themselves and their families. We must not judge them harshly. Grand Lodge wisely determined not to purchase the support of anybody. If it could not stand without the support of any class, even the ministry, it would better fail.

The other amendment dealt with a question which must now have become pressing, the status of smothered Lodges and their members. It will be remembered that a considerable number of Charters had been vacated and the Charters themselves had not in all cases been recovered. The following amendments were adopted;

"If at any time it shall be found necessary to suspend or cancel the Charters of any Lodge under this jurisdiction, for irregular or unmasonic conduct, the members of said Lodge, at the time of its having incurred such penalty, shall be disqualified to visit or joining any other Lodge without special permission of the Grand Lodge, obtained on memorial.

Any Mason assisting at the work of a Lodge whose Warrant or Charter has been suspended or cancelled shall be liable to expulsion from the rights of Masonry."

This law is still in force.

At the March Communication of 1840 an overture was received from the Grand Lodge of Alabama requesting that delegates be appointed to meet in convention in Washington in March, 1842, for the purpose of determining upon a uniform mode of work throughout all the Lodges of the United States, and to make other lawful regulations for the interest and security of the Craft. Upon recommendation of a committee the Grand Lodge voted in June to appoint a delegate to such convention provided other Grand Lodges generally did the same.

At the December Communication a committee which had been appointed to report upon an inquiry from the Grand Lodge of Missouri as to the opinion of this Grand Lodge regarding the propriety of discussing Lodge affairs when the Lodge was open upon any other than the third degree reported "That so far as their information extends it has been the universal practice of the Lodges under this jurisdiction to discuss all matters relating to the fraternity at large or to their own particular Lodge (observing of course a proper distinction as to technicalities) without any reference as to which of the three degrees they may be open upon at the time; and your committee are not aware that any evil has resulted from this practice. The report was accepted. In the general revision of the Constitutions in 1843, however all such discussions were limited to the third degree.


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