MassachusettsHamiltonHistoryCh28
CHAPTER 28: NEW HORIZONS (PART 2)
Charles A. Welch, of Waltham, was unanimously elected Grand Master.
Charles A. Welch was born in Boston January 30* 1315, and died in Cohasset, January 22, 1903, only eight days short of his ninety-third birthday. He was graduated from Harvard in 1833, studied law in a Boston office and was admitted to the Bar in 1837. In 1833 he formed a law partnership with Edward D. Sohier which lasted until Mr. Sohier's death in 1888, fifty years later. The firm held a commanding position at the Boston Bar, and its practice was very lucrative.
Bro. Welch was of Masonic ancestry. His grandfather was one of the Grand Stewards at the installation of John Rowe as Grand Master November 23, 1768. His father was a member first of Old Colony Lodge and later of St. John's Lodge, with which he participated in the cornerstone laying of the first Temple in 1830.
Bro. Welch became a member of Monitor Lodge of Waltham, in 1861, and was its Master in 1868 and 1869. At the Annual Communication in 1871, M. W. Sereno D. Nickerson appointed him District Deputy Grand Master for the Fourth Masonic District. Grand Master Nickerson long after said that the appointment was made in "the hope that the interest of Bro. Welch in the Fraternity might continue and ultimately lead to his election as Grand Master." Apparently Bro. Nickerson saw to it that only the interest and cooperation of Br. Welch were needed to bring about the consummation he desired. When Grand Master Nickerson was succeeded by Grand Master Everett, who had been his Deputy during his entire administration, Bro. Welch was appointed Deputy Grand Master and after serving through the entire Everett administration became in turn Grand Master. He was elected a member of the Board of Directors in 1865 and served until 1896, when he declined reelection; He was a member of all the Bodies in both the York and Scottish Rites, receiving Honorary Membership in the Supreme Council in 1876.
He was a man of very decided opinions which were formed after careful consideration. He was hard to move from the opinions thus formed, but was far from obstinate. This is shown by his personal attitude toward the capitation tax. When it was first assessed he strongly opposed it but when the problem of debt and interest again became acute during his administration he took the lead in the movement which resulted in the renewal of the tax, planned and carried through the necessary measures, and accomplished the task to the general satisfaction. To abilities of the highest order he added a charming personality and a keen wit, which never wounded. His long life was as beautiful as it was useful.
During the year 1878 numerous amendments to the Grand Constitutions were adopted. They were almost all merely changes in phraseology for the purpose of clarifying the text. Two, however, were of importance.
One established the rule that suspension or expulsion by Grand Lodge definitely and completely separated the Brother so sentenced from all connection with the Lodge of which he was formerly a member. If reinstated or restored he was an unaffiliated Mason and could only regain membership in his own or another Lodge by an application for affiliation which application must take the course prescribed for such applications.
The other extended to all Lodges a provision which had hitherto applied only to Grand Lodge, namely, that no elected officer, can act as such until he has been installed. In such cases the previous incumbent holds over until the installation of his successor.
Procedure in certain cases was clarified by a provision that a motion for reconsideration could he made only by one of the majority which decided the question.
In the summer of 1878 several of the southern states suffered a severe epidemic of yellow fever. The Grand Master advanced $500.00 for the relief of Masonic sufferers in the confident expectation that the Grand Lodge would ratify his action in September. The Grand Lodge promptly ratified the advance. Contributions were received from Lodges and individuals bringing the total up to $1,842.42. Of this sum $842.50 was forwarded for relief. No more was called for and after waiting a year for calls which might come in the balance was returned to the donors.
The Grand Orient of France had removed the requirement of belief in a Deity from its Constitutions, and communications relating thereto from the Grand Lodges of England, Ireland, and Egypt were referred to Henry Chickering, Charles Levi Woodbury, and Haskett Derby. The Committee reported in September, offering a resolution and asking further time for consideration. The resolution read "Resolved, that the belief in God is a Landmark of Freemasonry, incorporated in its creed from the beginning, and must be unequivocally expressed by every initiate into its mysteries: that it is not in the power of any man or body of men to alter or annul it: that any effort to do so has our solemn protest, and will receive, as it will justly deserve, our unqualified condemnation." Although the Committee was several times continued by grants of further time, no further action was taken. The Grand Orient of France has ever since been regarded by English speaking Freemasons as having committed Masonic suicide by its action.
The action of the French Masons was a phase of the long conflict between the Roman Catholic Church and Freemasonry. In their revulsion from the claims of Rome many persons renounced the doctrines of organized religion entirely. In countries where Protestantism did not offer a refuge they became free-thinkers, agnostics, or even atheistic. The action of the French Masons was not intended as an avowal of atheism, but rather a declaration of independence of Rome in religions, and clericalism in politics. It seemed to them logical to throw the doors wide open and abandon even the requirement of a belief in a Supreme Being. The logical French mind could see no other course. It was unfortunate, not only because it was Masonic suicide, but because it gave a basis for the charges that the Fraternity was definitely hostile to religion.
On July 10, 1878, the Grand Lodge laid the corner-stone of the Town Hall at Holbrook.
At the September Communication of 1878, the Grand Lodge authorized the printing and publication of the revised Grand Constitutions and Moore's Digest. The work was based on the labors of Moore, but the task of editing and verification was performed by Tracy P. Cheever. The Grand Lodge pronounced the work "an authoritative declaration of the law of this jurisdiction." All its statements are still good law except as modified by later legislation.
R. W. Charles H. Titus, Grand Secretary, died October 29, 1878, after a six months' illness. During his illness R. W. Tracy P. Cheever acted in his place and on his death was appointed Grand Secretary pro tempore by Grand Master Welch. At the Annual Communication in December he was unanimously elected Grand Secretary. Tracy P. Cheever was born in Marblehead March 28, 1824, of colonial ancestry. While he was yet an infant his family moved to Salem, where his early education was obtained. He graduated from Brown University in the class of 1843. On graduation he took up the study of law and was admitted to the Bar in 1846. At about the same time the family moved to Chelsea, where he spent the rest of his life. In August, 1862, he entered the war as a Captain of infantry. At the battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862, a shell exploded near him and the concussion caused injuries from which he never fully recovered. He, however, remained in command of his company until June, 1863, when his health compelled him to leave the army. His illness increased and for a year he was unable to attend to any business and for a time his recovery was very doubtful. In 1864 he was so far recovered as to take office as City Solicitor of Chelsea. He held this office for ten years, but then resigned because his health became such that prolonged attendance in crowded court rooms was impossible. It was only this condition that made it possible for the Grand Lodge to secure his services as Grand Secretary.
R. W. Bro. Cheever became a member of Star of Bethlehem Lodge in 1855 and was its Master in 1859. In. 1867 he dimitted to become a Charter member of Robert Lash Lodge. He served as District Deputy Grand Master for the Second Masonic District in 1868, 1869, and 1870. In 1871 he was Junior Grand Steward and in 1872 Junior Grand Warden. When trial by Commission was introduced he was made the first President of the Commissioners and held that position until his election as Grand Secretary. He was an extremely useful member of the Grand Lodge serving on many important committees. His reports fill many of the most interesting pages in the proceedings of the years of his activity. His literary style was lucid, his logic invulnerable, and his wit trenchant.
He was a member of the several bodies of the York Kite and presided over all of them. His facility In memorizing ritual was remarkable. It is said that he worked the Council degrees only three days after receiving them.
Although somewhat reserved in manner, he was a man of warm friendships and deep attachments. Always courteous, only those close to him realized fully the finer qualities of his nature. His portrait shows the broad brow, clear eyes, and firm mouth of the scholar and man of activism combined.
In 1879 Germania Lodge, upon petition, was furnished a German translation of the official ritual. This translation was to be held in the Grand Secretary's office under the same regulations as those governing the official standard ritual in English. This ritual is still used by Germania Lodge.
At the March Quarterly of 1879, a Committee report, presented and probably drawn, by Percival L. Everett, was accepted by Grand Lodge strongly condemning the growing use of publicity in Masonic matters. The report says; "The publication in the newspapers of Masonic proceedings, and the too free indulgence in Masonic parades . . . your Committee believes to be generally a work of Brethren who seek to get good rather than to do good to Masonry." "Don't advertise your Masonry. Keep it off your sign-boards, off your business cards, out of your newspaper advertisements, off your shirt-bosoms, out of the street. Don't puff the Lodge. Don't try to advertise its interests by bluster and noise. Work quietly. 'Let not your right hand know what your left hand doeth.' . . . In a word follow Charles Dickens' advice 'Do all the good you can and make no fuss about it.' "
Reading between the lines one can see that Masonic publicity had gone to very great lengths in some cases. While present conditions are far from ideal, they are much better than they were. Masonic proceedings and Masonic membership are not, and probably under normal conditions never again will be, secret as they once were, but they are, and always should be, private. It is worth mentioning here that the display of Masonic badges and jewelry, so common, is a distinctly American custom. One does not see it in other countries, even where Masonry is strongest.
On November 11, 1879, the Grand Lodge dedicated the Soldiers and Sailors Monument at Gloucester.
The report of the Committee on Charity for 1879 is a very interesting and illuminating document. The greatest number of applicants for relief belonged to Lodges outside the jurisdiction or even outside the United States. Next in order came Brethren who were dimitted. The unaffiliated Mason had been in many ways a problem for years. Charity Committees were often at their wits end to know what to do about them. The question remained a problem until 1918, when a provision was put into the Grand Constitutions that "A Master Mason who has voluntarily remained for more than one year without being affiliated with some regular Lodge shall not of right be entitled to any of the benefits or privileges of Masonry, and shall be subject to the same disabilities as if under suspension for non-payment of dues." This action greatly simplified the problem. It rests upon the principle laid down in the Anderson Constitutions of 1723 that every Mason ought to be a member of a Lodge entitled to all its benefits and sharing all its duties and responsibilities This principle is fundamental and has very wide implications. "In addition to these comes a class, mostly unaffiliated, whose only aim seems to be to live on the charity of the Fraternity . . . When informed that a telegram will be sent to the Lodge, and, if worthy, they will be assisted, they usually fail to appear for an answer."
Then there were the several applicants, in winter suffering from cold and hunger, in summer, tramping from place to place, generally impostors. The Committee bewails the difficulty of spreading information about such cases and frankly admits helplessness. The organization of the Masonic Relief Association of the United States and Canada in 1885 went far to meet this need. The Committee calls attention to the unwise habit of many Masons of encouraging too broad expectations on the part of their families. "To represent to one's family that the Masonic Fraternity is a benefit association, and that in case of death the family has a claim on the Fraternity, is only to bring disappointment to the surviving members and harm to the Fraternity." All this has a familiar sound. Very recently several Grand Lodges, Massachusetts among them, have attempted to forestall this by pre-application instruction and statements to be signed by the prospective applicant. How successful these efforts will be can only be determined after years of experience.
At the September Quarterly of 1880, the Grand Master introduced an amendment to the Grand Constitutions providing that the Past Masters in each Masonic District were to elect one of their members as a representative in Grand Lodge for a term of two years, such representative to have a seat and vote in Grand Lodge during his term of office. The amendment was referred to a Committee of five presiding Masters. At the December Quarterly three members of the Committee reported recommending adoption of the amendment. One member recorded dissent. The fifth did not sign the report at all. There was a rather prolonged discussion in the Grand Lodge, the result being that the proposed amendment was rejected with only one vote for adoption.
At the December Quarterly of 1880, the long discussion of the Grand Lodge seal was closed. The present seal was unanimously adopted, to be the official seal from and after March 1, 1881.
In his valedictory address Grand Master Welch complained seriously of the negligence of Lodge Secretaries in sending in required reports and furnishing information needed and asked for by the Grand Secretary. He instanced that in July 1879 the Grand Secretary sent to all Lodges for lists of their members as of June 11, 1879. At the end of six months a majority of the Secretaries had failed to send in the lists. Second letters were sent out and then third letters, but on November 30, 1880, twenty-one Secretaries out of 223 had not filed the lists. Returns of officers were not sent in promptly, if at all. Blanks for the annual returns were sent out in July. So many were lost or defaced that in 1880 the Grand Secretary was obliged to sent out one hundred additional blanks to enable the District Deputy Grand Masters to receive the returns on their Visitations. Secretaries are not yet quite perfect but no such conditions exist.
The Proceedings of the Grand Lodge were sent Quarterly and it was ordered by the Grand Master that they be read in all Lodges. To the best of Grand Master Welch's knowledge and belief this was rarely if ever done and as a consequence the members of the Fraternity were utterly ignorant of what passed in Grand Lodge, even as to important legislation. The Quarterly Proceedings were probably too long for any reasonable expectation that these would be read in full in the Lodge. The present system of sending a brief abstract quarterly containing the important pronouncements of the Grand Master and a statement of all important legislation is much more practical.
The great accomplishment of Grand Master Welch's administration was the inauguration of a determined and successful effort to extinguish the debt on the Temple. At the close of Grand Master Everett's administration the debt stood at $278,928.91. The capitation tax had enabled the Grand Lodge to reduce the debt by about $12,000 a year but the tax would cease in two years and the income of the Grand Lodge was not sufficient to pay Grand Lodge expenses, provide carrying charges on the Temple, and pay interest charges. A careful estimate showed a probable deficit of about $14,000 a year. If the Temple were allowed to be sold, quarters would have to be found for the Grand Lodge outside and an estimate showed that without the Temple there would be a deficit of $2,000 to $3,000 a year. Moreover, the honor of the Grand Lodge was at stake. The Grand Master suggested a renewal of the tax for another twelve years.
The Grand Master remarked that many of the Brethren would be surprised and disappointed to learn of the present financial condition. When the capitation tax was first ordered it was confidently estimated by Grand Masters that its proceeds would extinguish the debt in about ten years. A reexamination of the reports and addresses containing these estimates end the figures upon which they were based would show the sources of error. The Grand Master significantly said "It is but just to remember, however, that the estimates were made and the opinions expressed in times of great inflation, when rents were in some instances twice as high as now, and every one seemed to think himself in possession of the Lamp of Aladdin."
The whole matter was referred to a Committee of one representative from each Masonic District to consider and report. The Committee did its work thoroughly and well. When it reported it took its courage in both hands and unanimously recommended a renewal of the tax for fifteen years with the privilege of commutation for a cash payment of $10.00. Stress was laid upon this feature of the plan as a means of raising money for the immediate reduction of the debt, with consequent reduction of interest payment, and improving the security so that mortgage renewals might be made at a reduced interest rate.
The Committee also touched on the feeling in the outside districts that the Boston bodies which used the Temple should pay more rent. Confessing that some of themselves had entertained this feeling they agreed that the Boston tenants were paying all that they could reasonably be expected to pay, and expressed the conviction that they would continue to co-operate with the Grand Lodge by bearing their full share of the burden by paying rent and by.paying the capitation tax.
The report was considered and the legislation necessary to implement it was introduced for consideration, under the rules, at the next Quarterly. Several other propositions were introduced in the nature of amendments or substitutes.
The matter was due for consideration at the Quarterly, June 11. The Quarterly was to assemble at two o'clock in the afternoon. A Special Communication was held, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon of the same day for the special purpose of discussing the proposed legislation. The meeting was well attended and the discussion was very illuminating. When the Grand Lodge assembled in the afternoon there was further discussion, all the amending propositions were withdrawn, and the Constitutional amendment necessary to carry out the Committee's proposition was adopted by a vote of 537 to 55.
The Grand Master immediately went to work to carry the plans into effect. It was urged that the Lodges assume the commutation on the basis of $10.00 per member, reimbursing themselves by assessment oft such other means as might appear best. Grand Master Welch and his successor, Grand Master Lawrence, devoted themselves to the work with untiring energy and indomitable persistence. They went all over the state urging the. Lodges to commute. They submitted themselves to all kinds of inconveniences and paid all their expenses themselves. The result was a splendid success. When Grand Master Lawrence went out of office at the end of 1883 the debt was extinguished.
