MassachusettsHamiltonHistoryCh31

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CHAPTER 31: A NEW CENTURY

At the December Quarterly of 1902 Baalis Sanford was elected Grand Master.

Bro. Sanford, grandson of a Captain in the Revolutionary army, was born in East Bridgewater October 4, 1833. After being educated in the common school of his native town and in East Bridgewater and Bridgewater Academy he began his business life in 1851 as a bookkeeper for a dry goods firm in Brockton. He became a partner in the firm and became its head in 1890. He was prominent in the civic and business life of Brockton, serving as Representative in the Legislature, member of the School Board, and City Auditor. He was President of the Brockton Savings Bank, President of a Co-operative Loan Fund Association, and Treasurer of the Brockton Gas Light Co. He was a Director and Secretary of the Brockton Agricultural Society, a Director of the Wales Home for Old Ladies, and the Secretary-Treasurer of the Brockton Commercial Club. As we see his interest and activity touched every phase of the life of his city.

He took his Masonic Degrees in Paul Revere Lodge in 1864, and was its Master in 1868 and 1869. In the Grand Lodge he was Grand Sword Bearer in 1877, Grand Pursuivant in 1878, District Deputy Grand Master in 1882, 1883, and 1884, and Senior Grand Warden in 1887. When elected Grand Master he was sixty-nine years of age and had had a long service in the Grand Lodge. After his retirement from the Grand Mastership he was elected a Trustee of the Masonic Education and Charity Trust, and held that post until his death.

M. W. Bro. Sanford was an active member of all the collateral Masonic bodies, holding high rank in each of them, including Honorary Membership in the Supreme Council, 33° in the Scottish Rite.

Physically Grand Master Sanford was rather small, but erect. his face was expressive of the charm of manner and friendliness of disposition which was his marked characteristic. He accepted his high office in the spirit which always characterized him, an earnest desire to be useful in whatever capacity, lofty or lowly, he was called to serve.

He died November 17, 1909.

The trouble given by the clandestine bodies continued throughout Grand Master Sanford's administration. The Cerneau group who had been so unmercifully castigated by Grand Master Gallagher prepared a pamphlet in reply entitled Review of a Report of a Masonic Committee and circulated it extensively. Grand Master Gallagher had said that no member of the Committee on the petition of the Cerneau group was a Scottish Rite Mason. The Review says that Thomas W. Davis, Chairman of the Committee "informed a Brother in these words": "I have taken the degrees in the Lodge of Perfection, but I didn't like the way things were conducted, and I got out; but they are after me again, to put myself in training for the Grand Secretary's position."

At the March Quarterly of 1903, R. W. Bro. Davis made a formal statement which at his request was spread upon the record. He said that he had never taken any Scottish rite degrees, had never applied for any, and had never made the statement attributed to him.

At the June Quarterly of 1903, the Grand Master stated that he had received a petition asking for the repeal of the legislation defining regular Masonic bodies, substantially identical with the one received in September 1901 and very decisively dealt with by the Grand Lodge in the following March. He had grave doubts about reopening the question, but had decided to refer the question of receiving the petition to a Committee. The Committee reported in September recommending that the petition be not received, and it was so voted.

There were other, and more dangerous, spurious bodies, claiming to be Lodges, at work and the Grand Master warned against them in his annual address, and urged more stringent examination of visitors.

At the March Quarterly of 1904 the Grand Master reported that one John H. Whitehead had been elected Junior Warden of Wollaston Lodge. Whitehead was an officer in a Cerneau body, and on being informed that he must renounce it before installation he refused to do so. The Grand Master sent for Whitehead and personally put the matter up to him, but Whitehead persisted in his refusal. The Grand Master then forbade the installation of Whitehead and issued an order for a new election. Whitehead brought suit in the Equity Session of the Superior Court, claiming that he had been deprived of his Masonic rights without notice or trial. He also submitted a petition to the Grand Master asking to be heard before a Committee of the Grand Lodge. This petition the Grand Master refused to receive on the ground that the matter was pending in the civil courts.

Whitehead lost his case, but petitioned the Supreme Judicial Court for a writ of mandamus against the Master of Wollaston Lodge, the Grand Master, and the Brother who had been elected Junior Warden in his place. The considerable expense of these proceedings was borne by the Cerneau group. The hearing before the Supreme Court lasted two days and again Whitehead lost his case. These decisions are interesting as showing the disinclination of the civil courts to interfere with the conduct of fraternal organizations.

At the Quarterly in March, 1905, one William A. Frink of Charity Lodge was expelled from all the rights and privileges of Masonry upon recommendation of the Commissioners of Trials who found him guilty of "unwarranted and forbidden Masonic recognition of an irregular or clandestine Lodge, or member thereof." It appeared that Frink had aided and abetted a group of persons, some white and some colored, who were busy organizing a clandestine Lodge. Frink's son was a member of this group and the elder Frink's office had been used as a rendezvous for the members of the clandestine Lodge and then the elder Frink had introduced an initiate of Charity Lodge to some of them for the purpose of being taught the work and lectures.

Grand Master Sanford reported in his closing annual address that he had learned from the Grand Secretary of Ohio, which had been a hot-bed of spurious Masonry, that the thing had there pretty well died out. The tree, died at its roots, still showed life in its branches, but the quiet work of the District Deputy Grand Masters and the Lodge officers in caring for the purity of our institution had been very successful, probably more so than would have been any public denunciation of the enemy.

At the September Quarterly of 1903, the Master of Mt. Holyoke Lodge called the attention of the Grand Lodge to a rather annoying case. A Scotchman resident within the jurisdiction of Mt. Holyoke Lodge had applied for the degrees and been rejected. This man had gone to his birthplace on a visit and while there had been given the degrees in the local Lodge. On his return he had attempted to visit, but was refused admission. The Secretary of Mt. Holyoke Lodge wrote to the Secretary of the Scottish Lodge and was told that they had no rule requiring them to ask whether the applicant had been rejected. The Grand Secretary said that complaints were frequent that Scotch Lodges made no pretense of discriminating against residents of other jurisdictions, even though they had been, as in this case, rejected. The only remedy appeared to be refusal to recognize or receive men thus made. For a long time complaints came in that residents of Massachusetts were received into Scotch Lodges while temporarily visiting Scotland. Of late years, however, our Scotch Brethren have been more discriminating and do not appear to receive the applications of mere visitors.

As one incident of the difficulty with clandestinism the Grand Constitutions were amended in 1905 to require that a visitor should show a Grand Lodge diploma or certificate or a certificate under seal of his Lodge attesting his regularity The honoring of such certificates if more than three years old was at the discretion of the Master of the Lodge visited. This was later amended by requiring the production of a receipt for dues for the current or next preceding fiscal year. The production of these credentials is required if the visitor is vouched for, and, if admitted on examination, before the examination can be given him.

On April 14, 1905, a group of gentlemen formed the Paul Revere Memorial Association. The Association desired to buy, restore, and preserve Paul Revere's home, and to form a corporation for its permanent possession. An appeal was made to the Grand Lodge for funds and on recommendation of the Directors the Grand Lodge appropriated five hundred dollars. The Association was successful and the restored home is now one of the historic places most visited by persons interested in Revolutionary history.

Grand Master Sanford closed his administration at the end of December 1905. The administration was what might have been expected from the man. Never brilliant or aggressively enterprising, it was always quietly competent. His addresses at Special Communications of the Grand Lodge were admirable and always prepared with great care. John Albert Blake was unanimously elected to succeed him.

John Albert Blake was born in Danvers, April 13, 1843. He attended the public schools of Danvers, and on the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in the navy, serving about three years. On his return he entered the business of manufacturing shoes in which he continued until his retirement in 1910.

He took his degrees in Amity Lodge in 1866 and was its Master in 1878. He served as District Deputy Grand Master for what was then the Eighth Masonic District in 1889 and 1890, and was Junior Grand Warden in 1892.

His service in the collateral bodies of Masonry was most distinguished. He was High Priest of his Chapter, Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter and General Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter. In the Cryptic Rite he was Master of his Council and Grand Master of the Grand Council and General Grand Master of the General Grand Council. In Templar Masonry he was Commander of the Commandery and Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In the Scottish Rite he was a member of all the bodies and Past Thrice Potent Master of Merrimack Valley Lodge of Perfection and an Honorary Member of the Supreme Council, 33°.

Grand Master Blake was intensely interested in relief projects for the benefit of the less fortunate among the Brethren. As we shall presently see he made this work the special object of his work as Grand Master. On September 14, 1910, he became Relief Commissioner for the Grand Lodge and thereafter devoted his whole time to the work. He labored at that post diligently and very efficiently up to the time of his death in 1926. M. W. Bro. Blake was elected a Trustee of the Masonic Education and Charity Trust at the annual meeting in 1908 and was elected a Director at the annual meeting in 1909. He held both of these offices until his death.

Grand Master Blake was admirably fitted by temperament and disposition for this work. He had a rare combination of sympathy, tact, gentleness, firmness and wisdom. In dealing with the aged and unfortunate he always appeared to understand each case and to be able to deal with it wisely, sympathetically, and, if necessary, firmly.

In person he was tall and heavy, though not stout. His face seemed always ready to break into a genial smile. His smile was ready, but it was never safe to presume upon his good nature for any improper end.

At the March Quarterly of 1906 the Grand Lodge took the unprecedented step of declining a legacy. Bro. John Clarke, of Warren, R. I., left a somewhat involved will leaving the Grand Lodge the residue of his estate for the purpose of founding a home for destitute Masons or their widows. The matter was referred to Past Grand Master Gallagher who reported recommending that in view of the condition of ti e bequest and the restrictions upon it the Grand Lodge express to the executors appreciation of the benevolent intentions of Bro. Clarke and stating that the conditions made acceptance impracticable for the Grand Lodge and that therefore the bequest is declined. It was so voted.

In April, 1906 the Grand Lodge was saddened by the news of the death of Worshipful and Reverend Charles A. Skinner, at the age of eighty-two years. He had been Grand Chaplain for fourteen years and was very deeply and deservedly loved. He was the father of Otis Skinner and grandfather of Cornelia Otis Skinner, both brilliant ornaments of the American theatre.

On April 18, 1906, the city of San Francisco was devastated by an earthquake and following conflagration which destroyed perhaps ninety per cent of the city and caused immense distress. The Grand Lodge sent $2,500.00 for relief and issued a circular calling for contributions from the particular Lodges. One hundred and twenty-six Lodges out of two hundred and forty responded. The total amount contributed by the Fraternity of Massachusetts was $9,619.50.

Beginning June 19, 1906, the General Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the United States held its Triennial Convocation. By invitation R. W. Sereno D. Nickerson delivered before it an address on "Early Masonic History in America." As the address dealt largely with Massachusetts it was printed in the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge. The address, which was very interesting, runs to twenty-two pages in the Proceedings,

In the course of this address R. W. Bro. Nickerson told the story of the purchase of the Beteilhe Manuscript. In looking over the announcement, in 1880, of the sale of the library of a collector named Brinley, of Hartford, Conn. Bro. Nickerson saw that one of its items was a copy of the rare Franklin reprint of Anderson's Constitutions (1734). Bound with it were twenty-five or thirty pages of manuscript relating to the early history of Masonry in Massachusetts. Bro. Nickerson was much interested and told Past Grand Master Lawrence, who was then collecting his own Masonic Library, that he was considering taking up a subscription to buy it for the Grand Lodge, as the price would probably be high. After some little reflection Gen. Lawrence authorized Bro. Nickerson to go to Mew York and buy it for him, no matter what it cost. There was sharp competition in the bidding between Bro. Nickerson and Dr. Moore of the Lenox Library. Bro. Nickerson finally bought it for $275.00. The manuscript was supposed to have been written by Franklin, but a search among the Grand Lodge papers positively identified it as in the handwriting of Francis Beteilhe, who was Secretary of the First Lodge in Boston in 1736. It contains the by-laws of the First Lodge, a list of members as of 1736, and some other interesting matters. It came into the possession of the Grand Lodge with the rest of the Lawrence Library. It is, of course, priceless.

In the summer of 1906 a severe earthquake in Chile wrecked Valparaiso and Santiago, in which cities we had Lodges and caused great distress among our members. The Grand Lodge sent a contribution of $500.00. At the current rate of exchange this was about $2,000.00 in Chilean money and proved of great assistance. This experience was repeated in 1938, when the city of Conception, where we also have a Lodge, was destroyed. Again the Grand Lodge contributed generously to our distressed Brethren, sending $1,000.00 for the relief of Masonic distress among both Chilean and American Masons.

At the September Quarterly of 1906 Grand Secretary Nickerson called attention to the inadequacy of the existing regulation for waiver of jurisdiction over applicants for the degrees. His experience showed that while many requests for release were well founded others were decidedly not so. In some cases the applicant sought admission to Lodges outside the region of his residence in order to save money on his fees, while others were afraid to apply at home and believed that their chances would be better where they were less well known. Lodges were not always careful in examining such requests and officers were often disposed to grant them through fear of being considered greedy and ungenerous.

A Committee was appointed to consider the matter and at the March Quarterly reported recommending that one of the required waivers must come from the Lodge meeting nearest the applicants place of residence, and providing that the name of the applicant and the Lodge asking release must be borne upon the notice of the meeting at which action was to be taken. The release was still in the hands of the officers, but the Master was not to announce the decision until the close of the meeting. In the meantime Brethren might communicate with the Master and state objections, if any there were, to granting the waiver. It was the duty of the Master to hear and consider such objections, but he was not bound to be governed by them unless they seemed to him to be well founded.

There was more or less friction over the matter of release and in 1915 a provision was inserted in the Grand Constitutions granting a right of appeal to a Lodge which felt itself aggrieved by a refusal of jurisdiction. There is only one recorded case of such an appeal and in this instance the appeal was denied.

In 1919 Grand Master Abbott made an attempt (not altogether successful) to have any Lodge asked to release jurisdiction appoint a Committee of Investigation to deal with the request exactly as petitions for the degrees were handled.

The condition did not materially improve. In some cases releases were granted on very insufficient grounds. In others they were refused on grounds even less proper. Some Lodges made it a rule to refuse all releases except on unusual grounds of relationship and like.

Some Lodges which would not accept the application of certain classes would never release them. Obviously this was a very unjust and oppressive extension of the right of a Lodge to control its own membership. Finally in 1930 an amendment to the Grand Constitutions was adopted in the following terms. "No person residing in a town or city where there is a Lodge or where any Lodge or Lodges have jurisdiction under the provision of Section 319 shall be balloted for in any Lodge located in any other town or city without the written consent of the Grand Master or District Grand Master for the District of the balloting Lodge, written application for such consent having been made by the Master of the Lodge receiving the application for the degrees."

This arrangement seems to have worked to the general satisfaction of all concerned.

In 1906 the first move for the introduction of Massachusetts Masonry into the Canal Zone was made by a petition for Dispensation for a Lodge there. Grand Master Blake issued the Dispensation to Isthmian, or Isthmus Lodge. Conditions prevented the organization of the Lodge and the petitioners asked in March, 1907, that the Dispensation be extended for a year. The construction of the Canal, however, was only beginning and matters were not sufficiently established for constructive Masonic work. No action was taken under the Dispensation and it was allowed to lapse unused.

At the September Quarterly of 1907 Past Grand Gallagher made an interesting and important report on Masonic contacts made in connection with his attendance upon an international conference of Supreme Councils held in Brussels in June. The delegates from the Northern Jurisdiction were Samuel C. Lawrence and Charles T. Gallagher, of Massachusetts, and Barton Smith, of Ohio. Of the conference itself, Bro. Gallagher, of course, had nothing to say. On the way there the Massachusetts delegates made a visit to London. Of this visit Bro. Gallagher wrote to Grand Master Blake, "our Masonic treatment at London is unexpected, but is of so high a character that we cannot avoid accepting it." Every possible attention was shown the Massachusetts visitors, including a reception into the United Grand Lodge of England at its regular Quarterly Communication. This was the first of the many delightful and profitable personal contacts between the officers of the Grand Lodge of England and those of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts which have drawn the two Grand Lodges so close together. The journey also included a visit to Paris where, through Scottish Rite channels, conferences were held with French Masons. Both the Grand Orient of France and the Grand Lodge of France wore desirous of relations with the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Our representatives, however, were not disposed to recommend such relations. The insuperable objection was the doubtful, or worse, attitude of both the French Grand Bodies on the recognition of Deity. Another minor objection was the political activity of one, perhaps both, of these bodies.

While in Paris, General Lawrence secured the priceless Paul Jones relics now in possession of the Grand Lodge, and presented them on hie return. These were obtained from Madame Gombault, a great grand daughter of a sister of Jones, who was in a position to authenticate fully their genuineness. Perhaps the most historically Important of those articles is an original bill, bearing Jones' autograph, against the Marine Committee of the United States for expenses incurred by him in fitting out the "Ranger" and allowed July 25, 1782 by the Deputy Secretary. This was in accordance with a resolve of the Continental Congress, passed June 14, 1777, appointing Jones to the command of the Ranger. It effectually disposes of the charge of piracy made from hostile sources against Jones. It proves that he was a regularly commissioned officer in the service of the United States and that no hostile acts committed by him against a nation with which the United States was at war could possibly be called piracy.

In 1907 Grand Master Blake began work on what was destined to be his lasting Masonic monument, the Masonic Home at Charlton. The idea was not a new one. At the December Quarterly of 1892 R. W. Bro. Daniel W. Lawrence moved that a Committee be appointed to consider the expediency of establishing a Masonic Home for the care of aged Masons and the wives, widows and orphan, children of Masons. The motion was unanimously adopted and a Committee of seven was appointed at the June Quarterly in 1903 it was reported that the Committee was at work on the Question. They had found some differences of opinion as to the expediency of such an institution and thought time should be given to ascertain the experience of other jurisdiction with homes, to make a survey of our own wants and necessities, and to consider the best means of providing for them. The Committee hoped to make a report at the September Quarterly.

When that time arrived Grand Master Briggs had died, and the country was in the grip of a very serious financial depression. It was no time to undertake any enterprise which involved a campaign for money. The Committee never reported and the whole matter lapsed.

In June, 1907, Grand Master Blake reported that early in the year he had requested the District Deputy Grand Masters to ascertain whether the Lodges favored the establishment of a Home and whether the members would be willing to contribute moderate sums to finance such an enterprise. The result was a general expression of belief in the desirability of a Home and a willingness to finance it, although the financial details had not been fully worked out. Upon motion of R.w. Thomas W. Davis it was voted to appoint a Committee of fifteen to consider the matter and report to the December Quarterly. Our Committee was authorized to add to their number with approval of the Grand Master.

The Committee, increased to thirty-five in number, reported in December, as directed. The report was a report of progress, but the Committee was agreed upon certain points: there was definite need, generally recognized, for a Home; the initiation of a movement for a Home contemplates no call for any part of the invested funds of the Grand Lodge; the beginning should be on so modest a scale as to avoid burdening the Grand Lodge; the greater part of the money collected should be set apart as a maintenance fund. The Committee felt the need of a more definite authorization to raise money. For the present the Committee made but one recommendation, "That the present Committee be allowed to continue its work, and be empowered to solicit and receive subscriptions for the establishment of a Masonic Home. No part of said subscriptions is to be expended except by vote of the Grand Lodge."

The recommendation was unanimously adopted. A vote of June,1908 provided that the necessary expenses of the Masonic Home Committee might be advanced by the Grand Treasurer and later repaid from the earnings of the funds in the hands of the Committee. Every subscriber was thus assured that every cent of his subscription would go into the fund without any deduction for overhead or cost of collection.

At the June Quarterly of 1908 the Committee reported satisfactory progress. The Plans for soliciting and receiving subscriptions had been worked out and the machinery set in motion. Cash had been received to the amount of $16,386.50 and subscriptions to the amount of $19,500. Other money was known to be actually on the way.

At the September Quarterly the Committee reported that although no special efforts had been made to increase the fund during the summer months, the cash and pledges in hand amounted to $47,796. The time was fully a ripe for the choice of location. Such a choice would undoubtedly greatly stimulate contributions. The Committee asked for authority to upon and place an option upon land, or land and buildings, to be acted on by Grand Lodge in December.

At the December Quarterly the Committee recommended the purchase of Hotel Overlook, at Charlton, at a price not to exceed $50,000. and proposed the votes necessary to implement the recommendations. The Overlook estate contained 397 acres of land. The recommendation was unanimously adopted, and the necessary votes were passed. The cash received to date was $40,025.41, while there were pledges to the amount of upwards of $36,000. The Hotel Overlook had been built for a summer resort by a street railway company. It was a well built and well appointed property, and had been in use but; a few years. Changes in travel conditions had made it no longer profitable as a summer hotel and the owners were ready to sell and cut their losses. At the same meeting R.W. Thomas W. Davis, having been elected Corresponding Grand Secretary, resigned from the Chairmanship of the Masonic Home Committee, and the retiring Grand Master, John Albert Blake was appointed in his place.

At the March Quarterly of 1909 the Committee reported that the purchase of the Overlook had been completed and $27,000 had been paid. The remainder was due May 1. Subscriptions were coming in well and the balance was promptly paid when due. The furnishing was being paid for by Lodges and individuals, each furnishing a room at the cost of one hundred dollars. In March fifteen rooms had been provided for and by the June Quarterly that number had been increased to forty-two. Meanwhile the women had set their hands to the work and a "Ladies Auxiliary" was being formed who would raise money for particular objects in the furnishing of the Home. Of course there were innumerable things to be procured, such as table and kitchen ware, linen, and the like which were not covered by the room provisions and which it was desired to be obtained without recourse to the Home fund. In their September report the Committee suggested a policy for the practical use of the Home. They said:"The Home will be a refuge for the helpless and homeless, but those who have the vigor and the will to labor should remain among their friends and their accustomed surroundings." This was the result of the discovery that many hoped to become residents at the Home and pay for their maintenance, at least in part, by their labor about the place. This opinion that the Home should be reserved as a last resort for the helpless clearly raised the question of outside relief, a question which was later very successfully solved.

Meanwhile the collection of the funds had been placed in the hands of the Grand Secretary and the custody of the funds themselves had been placed in the hands of the Masonic Education and Charity Trust to be known as the Masonic Home Fund. An appropriation from the income was made to meet the expenses of the Committee to December 1, 1909, and $10,000 of the income of the Grand Charity Fund since 1904 was ordered transferred to the Masonic Home Fund. It was further voted that hereafter the annual income of the Grand Charity Fund should be divided into three parts, one to be added to the principal, one applied to the maintenance of the Home, and one to be available for the general charities of the Grand Lodge.

The Committee was directed to submit to the Quarterly Communication of March, 1910, plans for the administration and management of the Home. At that Communication a very encouraging report of progress was made. The cash contributions were now in excess of $100,00. Owing to differing methods of collecting and reporting by the Lodges the additional amount pledged could not be definitely stated, but was certainly in excess of $40,000. The Women's Auxiliary reported that it had collected over $3,500. The Committee asked further time on the plans for administration and management.

At the June Quarterly the Committee offered an amendment to the Grand Constitutions setting up a Board of Masonic Relief, which should have full management and control of the dispensation of charity and benevolence by the Grand Lodge and of the solicitation and collecting of funds for such purposes. The powers of the Board were very wide. All income from relief funds of all sorts, except a few funds the expenditure of the income of which is vested by the terms of the bequests in the Masonic Education and Charity Trust, was to be expended by the Board. It had the entire charge of the Home, including the hiring of all employees and the admission and discharge of residents. It was to consist of nine members at large, to be elected in groups of three for three year terms, and associate members, one from each Lodge. It was to choose its own officers, committees, and agents.

Pending the delay necessary to amend the Grand Constitutions the Grand Lodge passed a resolution providing for the appointment of such a Board immediately by the Grand Master and the transfer to it of the duties of the Masonic Home Committee and the discharge of the Committee.

The amendments were in due time passed with the provision that the temporary Board appointed under the resolution should hold until the annual Communication. Feeling the necessity of an executive head who should have charge of the completion of the work at the Home and supervision of it when completed, and who should also investigate cases of distress as they were from time to time reported, the Board created the office of Relief Commissioner and offered it to Past Grand Master Blake. He accepted, and discharged the duties of the office with tireless zeal and complete efficiency for the remainder of his life.

The organization thus effected remains in force until the present time with certain minor modifications. The Grand Master is ex officio President of the Board. There are twelve representatives at large, elected annually for a three year term by the Grand Lodge. Each Masonic District has a Representative chosen annually by the Masters of the District. Each Lodge has a representative chosen by the members annually. All representatives have the same voting power in the meetings of the Board. Originally there was a distinction, more theoretical than practical, between the different classes of members, but this was abolished in 1927. There is a Standing Committee of six appointed annually by the Grand Master. This Committee annually elects the belief Commissioner, with the approval of the Grand Master. It examines all applications for the Home and Hospital, and all applications for outside relief and recommends to the Board such actions as it deems advisable.

The policies and procedure of the Board were early determined and have been consistently followed. Any idea of institutional care for children was early abandoned. The Board and the Grand Lodge do not favor such a method. All children having a legitimate claim on Masonic care receive it, but not in a Home. The Home is a last resort, used only for our aged Brethren and their dependents who cannot be adequately cared for elsewhere. There is great reluctance to uproot old people who have settled into friendly and neighborly relations in their home town «nd set them in new and strange surroundings. Consequently every effort is made to enable them to continue their habitual way of life.

The Board of Masonic Relief never deals with individuals. Applications for admission to the Home and Hospital are made by the Lodge on which the applicant has a claim,and the Lodge assumes certain responsibilities in case of admission. The Initial responsibility for Masonic relief is on the Lodge and this is never lost sight of. Any Brother or dependent in need of Masonic relief applies to his Lodge. The Lodge is in duty bound to render assistance if the applicant is worthy. If the resources of the Lodge are not sufficient to meet the calls for relief, the Lodge applies to the Board of Masonic Relief for assistance in caring for A. B. The case is investigated by the Relief Commissioner acting with the aid of the Master of the Lodge, the Lodge representative on the Board, and the District representative. The case is considered, the expense is budgeted, and an arrangement is made for division of the cost of relief between the Lodge and the Board. The Relief Commissioner places the matter before the Standing Committee, the Committee reviews it and makes its recommendation to the Board. The Board never votes aid directly to an individual. All votes are "to assist X Lodge in the care of a member." The aid is paid to the Lodge and by it dispensed, All appropriations are limited to three months at the end of which the case is reviewed.

On its face this looks like a lot of red tape. Actually it is not. The machine works smoothly, promptly, and efficiently. Investigations are made with fraternal kindness and consideration. Emergencies ;re met without any delay whatever. The Board meets monthly and it is a very unusual occurence. When it does not dispose of every case which has been reported since the previous meeting. The Lodges rise loyally to their responsibilities. There is no disposition whatever to unload relief responsibilities upon the Grand Lodge while the Lodges have any means left with which to carry them.

The Home was dedicated May 25, 1911. A very large gathering of Brethren and their families and friends from all parts of the state witnessed the dedication, which was performed with full form and ceremony. This ceremony years. Grand Master Blake and his immediate successor, Grand Master Flanders, gave themselves whole heartedly to the work. They travelled far and wide. They stirred the conscience and imagination of the Craft. They knew neither fatigue nor discouragement. In these six years they gave the Fraternity a Home ready for use, free from debt, with a substantial fund for operating expenses. Surely these two devoted Brethren earned the undying gratitude of the Craft.

On October 4 the first resident was admitted to the Home. He was an eighty-nine years old member of Montacute Lodge of Worcester. Before the end of the month four others had come in, and before the end of the year there had been fourteen admissions. The first woman was admitted December 28, 1911 and she was alone until March 23, 1912 when another woman came in, followed shortly by four others.

It was evident that the resources available from voluntary contributions were pretty well exhausted. In order to insure financial backing for the Home in adequate amount the Grand Constitutions were amended at the June Quarterly of 1912 to provide for a charge of five dollars upon each initiate to be applied to the Masonic Home Fund... Nothing succeeds like success. Bequests for the Home had already begun to come in, the first of a life-giving stream which has kept the Home a going concern in spite of the increasing demands upon it.

On August 20, 1907 the Grand Lodge laid the corner-stone of the Pilgrim Memorial Monument at Provincetown. The address of the occasion was delivered by Bro. Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States.

At the September Quarterly of 1907 an application for recognition of the Grand Lodge of France was presented and referred to Charles T. Gallagher, Baalis Sanford, and Albert A. Folsom. At the December Quarterly of 1908, Bros. Gallagher and Sanford presented a report. R. W. Bro. Folsom had died in the meanwhile. The Committee had given the matter exhaustive study and their report was detailed and thoroughly documented. The Committee was not convinced of the soundness of the Grand Lodge on the question of the recognition of God. It did not appear that there was any requirement of an unequivocal profession of belief in a Supreme Being by all candidates. The Committee therefore recommended that the request be respectfully declined, and it so voted.

At the December Quarterly of 1907 the Grand Master was requested to appoint a Committee to consider the subject of additional legislation for the protection of fraternal and secret associations against the fraudulent use of their rituals and emblems by spurious and pretended members. The Committee was appointed and proceeded to consult the principal officers and members of the several fraternal organizations in the state. The result was the drafting of a general bill to cover the situation. The bill prohibited the sale of unauthorized degrees by persons using the name of a fraternal organization or a name sufficiently like it to deceive. The bill was enacted March 25, 1908 (Statute 280, Acts of 1908) and a conviction had already been secured under it when the Committee reported.

Grand Master Blake suggested the creation of a Committee on jurisprudence. Later, acting on this suggestion, an amendment to the Grand Constitutions was proposed establishing a Committee on Jurisprudence, of five members to consider and report on such questions of law, jurisprudence, or Masonic policy as might be referred to them by the Grand Lodge or the Grand Master. This amendment was presented at the March Quarterly of 1909 and referred to a Committee. At the March Quarterly of 1910 the proposed amendment was withdrawn. Grand Lodges generally have a Committee on Jurisprudence which appears to be considered very important. Massachusetts has never had one and has done very well without it.

At the December Quarterly of 1907 the Grand Lodge came into contact with a curious Masonic adventurer who had much more effrontery than intelligence. He was a young Greek calling himself Ange Romeos and claiming to represent several Grand Bodies. He filed requests for recognition purporting to come from a Grand Lodge of Greece and a Grand Orient of Argentina. The papers, as usual, were referred to a Committee, but Romeos was too impatient to wait and started what he called "Haramon Lodge No. 143 under the jurisdiction of the Grand Orient of the Argentine Republic." This was bad enough, but he associated himself with a group of well known spurious Masons. His petitions were thrown out and the Craft were warned to have nothing to do with him. So passed Ange Romeos.

At the March Quarterly of 1908 a resolution was passed stating that the Grand Lodge ought to have a history written and providing for the appointment of a Grand Historian for that purpose with an allowance of $2,500 per year. In the following June Grand Secretary Nickerson resigned, and was immediately appointed Grand Historian, He unfortunately had little opportunity for work in his new field, as he died on November 6, 1909.

R. W. Thomas W. Davis was appointed Recording Grand Secretary to serve until the annual elections. At the annual meeting R. W. Bro. Davis was elected Recording Grand Secretary and held that office until his death in 1914.

Thomas White Davis was born November 1, I84.4, in Michigan City, Indiana, where his father, Rev. Elnathan Davis, held a pastorate. He came of old Massachusetts stock. His great-grandfather was a Captain in the Revolutionary army and his great-grandmother was a niece of Samuel Adams. After a few years his father came back to Massachusetts and settled in Fitchburg, where Thomas attended school. He graduated from Williams College in 1866. After a few years spent in various occupations he became a school teacher and continued in that occupation until he accepted the Grand Secretaryship. He was an active and useful citizen of Belmont, where he took up his residence. He was a Trustee of the Public Library from 1877 to 1895, Selectman from 1895 to 1899 and from 1901 to 1907 and an assessor from 1883 until his death. He was a Trustee of the Massachusetts School for Feeble-minded, President of the Waverley Cooperative Bank, and Clerk and Trustee of the Belmont Savings Bank.

Bro. Davis was raised in Charles W. Moore Lodge in 1867 and became its Master in 1871. In 1877 he dimitted from Charles W. Moore Lodge and immediately affiliated with Belmont Lodge serving it as Secretary. He served in the Grand Lodge as Junior Grand Steward in 1875, 1876, and 1877, as Junior Grand Deacon in 1878, 1879, and 1880, as District Deputy Grand Master for the Fourteenth District in 1881 and 1882 (by appointment by Grand Master Samuel C. Lawrence), and as Junior Grand Warden in 1883. He was exceedingly valuable member of Grand Lodge, serving on the Committee of Charters and By-Laws and on the board of Commissioners of Trials. He also served on many important special Committees, drafting a number of very important reports. His work on the Masonic Home Committee has already been described.

R. W. Bro. Davis was a member of all the bodies of the York and Scottish Rites, although he did not join the latter until somewhat late in life. He received the Thirty-third degree and Honorary Membership in the Supreme Council in 1907.

On October fourth and fifth 1908, St. John's Lodge obtained its one hundred and seventy-fifth anniversary. Many distinguished guests were present, including fourteen Grand Masters. On the second day of the celebration a conference of Grand Masters was held to which many matters of common interest were discussed. This was followed by later conferences at irregular intervals. Finally, in connection with the annual meeting of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association, those conferences became an annual event of the greatest value. These conferences are so conducted as to avoid any appearance of a tendency to form a General Grand Lodge. There is full and free discussion but no votes or resolutions are passed. While at first they were viewed with some suspicion by the very conservative, that suspicion passed away and the conferences are now regarded as of the greatest value to the Craft.

In his valedictory address to the December Quarterly of 1908 Grand Master Blake spoke of his action in ending the custom of serving wine at the Feast of St. John. The custom of serving wine and spirits on such occasions was universal in 1733 and had been continued through the years. With changing social customs came criticism, especially from the correspondence reports in the proceedings of other Grand Lodges, which led to a feeling that we were liable to serious misunderstanding and he had discontinued the custom. The change had been regretted by some good Brethren, but Grand Master Blake was satisfied that the time would come when it would be looked upon by all who had the true interest of the Craft at heart as a wise and helpful action. The time did come, and soon, and probably no one could now be found who would advocate a return to the old custom.

Some of the outside criticisms were very amusing. One writer thought "White Rock" was a brand of champagne and imagined the fraters getting thoroughly intoxicated with it. Another said that the Feast cost about a thousand dollars, "mostly for wine and cigars," This was after the service of wine had been discontinued. The same writer asserted that "some of the after-dinner speakers were ministers full of claret, champagne, and Roman punch." Evidently the good Brother thought Roman punch was something to drink.

Grand Master Blake commented upon the tendency to use certain forbidden accessories to the ritual such as costumes and stereopticons and the tendency to overload the degree with too much music. He wisely remarked that "the strength of Masonic work and its peculiar characteristic is to be found in its impressive simplicity and that our attempt should be to inculcate the moral principles of Masonry rather than to make a dramatic display."

At the December Quarterly of 1908 Dana J. Flanders was elected Grand Master. There was only one dissenting vote, probably that of Bro. Flanders himself.

Dana Judson Flanders was born at Plaistow, N. H. December 21,1850. He was educated in the Plaistow schools and spent a few terms at Atkinson Academy. At the age of thirteen he learned telegraphy from his father, who was station agent at Plaistow. Becoming a telegraph operator he worked at the key and taught telegraphy up and down the line of the Boston & Maine Railroad and then was made operator in the office of the Superintendent of the road. He remained in the service of the Boston and Maine Railroad until he retired in 1910, being then Passenger Traffic Manager. He had been a Director in the Maiden Trust Company since 1897 and became Vice President in 1909. After his retirement from the railroad he gave his principal attention to his position with the bank, which he held until his death. He served for a time as an Alderman of the city of Maiden. The greater part of his active life was spent in Maiden, where he was very active in the affairs of the Universalist church.

He became a Master Mason in Gideon Lodge No. 84, of Kingston, N. H. in I873. When he came to Massachusetts he took residence in Haverhill, dimitting from Gideon Lodge to affiliate with Merrimack Lodge, whose Master he became in 1879. After his final settlement in Maiden he dimitted from Merrimack Lodge to become a Charter member of Converse Lodge. In 1883, 1884, and 1885 he was District Deputy Grand Master for the Tenth Masonic District, being appointed by Grand Master Lawrence and continued in office by Grand Master Howland. He served as Junior Grand Warden in 1888. After his retirement from the Grand Mastership he gave many years of excellent service as Director and as a member of the Board of Masonic Relief.

Bro. Flanders was active in all branches of Masonry^ serving as Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar and being coronated an Honorary Member of the Scottish Rite, Supreme Council 33°.

Bro. Flanders was a man of unusual poise of character. Unhurried in his conclusions, he was never dilatory, meeting all conditions with clearness of vision and steadiness of purpose. One of the kindest of men, he was capable of any degree of firmness which an occasion might call for. He always won the confidence and affection of his associates.

Grand Master Flanders took up the work of the Masonic Home with vigor and enthusiasm. The momentum given it by Grand Master Blake was not allowed to slacken in the least. Like his predecessor, Bro. Flanders gave time and labor without stint to the work, traveling all over the state and leaving nothing undone which could set the work forward. The crowning point of his work as Grand Master was the dedication of the Home in the third year of his administration.

At the March Quarterly of 1898 a very important legal decision was reported by R. W. Leon M. Abbott, one of the counsels for the Grand Lodge. William H. Williams, a member of Joseph Webb Lodge, died in 1905 leaving a considerable amount of money to the Grand Lodge. The money was to be held and the income added until it amounted to $200,000. and then was to be used to build a Masonic Home. A portion of the legacy was paid in 1907 and the assessors of the city of Boston levied a tax upon it, claiming that the Grand Lodge and the sums held by it for such purposes as indicated by the will were not tax exempt and that the gift was not to be considered a gift for a public charitable or benevolent purpose within the meaning of the Massachusetts statutes. The 1907 tax was paid under protest and the Masonic Education and Charity Trust brought to recover the amount paid. The suit was brought in this form because the Grand Constitutions placed such funds in the custody of the Trust and in this particular case the Grand Lodge had made an assignment to the Trust of the right to recover the tax paid. The case was heard in the Superior Court and the judge decided in favor of the Trust and reported his decision to the Supreme Court. The case was argued there and the full bench confirmed the decision of the Supreme Court. The effect of this decision was that the Grand Lodge and the Masonic Education and Charity Trust are legally identical and that such funds as the Williams fund constitute a public charity and are not liable to taxation. This recognized the claim that whatever other objects the Fraternity may have "one leading one is that of charity, supporting the poor and indigent members, their widows and orphans" and that Masonry is therefore a charitable and benevolent institution and entitled to all the rights and privileges of such.

Up to this time Grand Masters had the title of Most Worshipful only while in office. On retirement they became Right Worshipful. In I909 an amendment to the Grand Constitutions gave Past Grand Masters the title of Most Worshipful.

Mention has already been made of the conference of Grand Masters held in Boston in 1908 in connection with the one hundred and seventy-fifth anniversary of St. John's Lodge. In June of 1909 Grand Master Orlady, of Pennsylvania, called a conference of the Grand Masters east of the Mississippi river. Eighteen Grand Lodges besides Pennsylvania were represented. Grand Master Orlady found no specific authority for calling such a conference, but treated it as unfinished business of the Grand Lodge on the strength of a resolution authorizing the opening of correspondence with the several Grand Lodges with a view to calling a general convention of Grand Officers to consider the general interests of Masonry in the United States. This resolution was passed October 2, 1910.

In November of 1909 Maryland dedicated a new Temple in Baltimore and in this connection held a conference of the Grand Masters present. Twenty-six Grand Lodges besides Maryland were represented, coming from all sections of the country.

These conferences had aroused keen apprehension of a plot to start a General Grand Lodge. The Baltimore conference considered it advisable to pass resolutions disclaiming any such intentions or desires in the most solemn and positive manner.

At the March Quarterly of 1910 recognition was extended to the Grand Lodge of Valle de Mexico, having its seat in Mexico City. This Grand Lodge had shared the checkered fortunes of Mexican Masonry. Founded in 1823 it was originally a York Rite body. Later it changed to the Scottish Rite and was such at this time, though free from the control of the Supreme Council. In 1911 it changed back to the York Rite. There was opposition to this change and there were other causes of dissension which resulted in the secession of the Mexican part of the membership. The loyal members took over the Grand Lodge, but the seceders continued to use the old name. The loyalists took the name York Grand Lodge of Mexico. This Grand Lodge continued to recognize what it considered the true Valle de Mexico under its new name. The present Valle de Mexico is now recognized by this Grand Lodge. There is no reason why it should not be if the Mexican Grand Lodges would cease squabbling, recognize each other as regular, and agree to live and work side by side.

At the March Quarterly of 1910 a request was received for recognition of the Grand Orient of Italy. The request was as usual referred to a Committee. The Committee several times requested further time and did not finally report until March, 1912. Meantime Grand Master Flanders reported in his December address of 1910 that the request had been handed in by a native of Italy who had been a resident of Boston for twenty-five years. He had expressed a hope that such relations might be established with the Italian Grand Orient that Italian Lodges might be established under our Charter or that the Italian Grand Orient might be permitted to Charter Italian Lodges in Massachusetts. He was of course told that under no circumstances could the chartering of Lodges by any foreign Grand Lodge be tolerated in this jurisdiction, but that we desired to establish fraternal relations as widely as possible. When the Committee did report it said that it had given much time to correspondence, interviews, and the examination of the ritual, literature and proceedings of the Grand Orient. The Committee found that there were two rival bodies in Italy, each claiming to be regular and each denouncing the other as irregular. There was a condition of extreme discord in Italy, both Masonic and political. The Committee was not satisfied of the soundness of the Grand Orient on the question of requirement of profession of belief in a Supreme Being. They therefore recommended that the request be declined, and it was so voted. An Italian charter was afterward granted for a Lodge in Boston. That Lodge worked for some time but was never recognized and the charter was finally withdrawn. In 1925 a Dispensation was issued for Hesperia Lodge, a Lodge consisting mainly of men of Italian descent, but working in English as a regular Massachusetts Lodge. Some members of the disbanded Italian Lodge applied for and received the degrees in Hesperia.

At the June Quarterly of 1910 the Grand Lodge passed unanimously vote which set an important precedent. Bro. William J. Tilley of Quincy, died, leaving a will providing that upon the death or re-marriage of his wife the residue of his estate should go to the Masonic Home. The son and daughter of the testator entered an appearance in the Probate Court as contestants. It was agreed that as a condition of the withdrawal of the protest, when the Grand Lodge should receive the residuary bequest it should pay to the daughter one third of the amount received and to the son one tenth of the amount. The Grand Lodge came into possession after the agreement had been fulfilled of slightly more than $4,500.

It has ever since been the policy of the Grand Lodge in cases where relatives or dependents having a moral claim on an estate had been overlooked or neglected by the testator to make fair and equitable provision for them either by outright payments or by allowances of a part or sometimes the whole of the interest during the life time of the persons having such a claim. The Grand Lodge is a benevolent and philanthropic institution and as such should not profit by the privation of those whose necessities are caused by the diversion into the Grand Lodge treasury funds which in the natural course of events would keep these worthy people from suffering.

At the March Quarterly of 1910 an amendment to the Grand Constitutions was offered providing that in January of each year the Secretary of each Lodge should sent, to each contributing member whose dues were paid an identification card for the current year "which must be shown to the Tyler before being admitted into any subordinate Lodge. The Committee to which the proposed was referred reported in December recommending rejection and it was so voted. The principal ground of objection was that visiting in "the privilege of every affiliated Mason in good and regular standing." Such standing can be affected only by definite action in each case and no card system could keep a member outside the lodge-room.

In 1926 the Grand Lodge Constitutions were amended to provide as a requirement for visiting the production of a duly authorized uniform card showing the payment or remission of the Lodge and Grand Lodge dues for the next preceding or current fiscal year. This was not contrary to the general provision regarding the rights of members "in good and regular standing." The adoption of Grand Lodge dues in 1924 had caused much more strict collection of dues and dealing with delinquents. The production of the card was proof of such standing and the inability to produce it showed that the visitor was not in good and regular standing. It was the only practicable way of showing the applicant's right to visit.

On February 22, 1910, representatives of twenty-three Grand Lodges met at Alexandria, Virginia, and formed the George Washington Masonic National Memorial for the purpose of building a fitting memorial to George Washington. At the December Quarterly of 1910 this Grand Lodge voted to join the Association. fiver since that date this Grand Lodge has co-operated heartily in the work. Large contributions have been made and our own Melvin M. Johnson has been an active officer of the Association.

At the December Quarterly of 1910 two amendments were offered, one relating to the conditions for forming a new Lodge and one relating to election to receive the degree. The latter, providing that if an elected candidate failed through his own fault or neglect to present himself for initiation within one year, the election becomes void and all fees paid are forfeited, was adopted at the March Quarterly of 1911. The provision that the failure to appear within one year must be through his own fault or neglect is very important. It occasionally happens that the failure is due to causes not within the control of the candidate. This point must be ruled upon by the Master.

One other, after recommitment and hearings by the Committee was by the adopted in June, 1911. This provided that applications must be approved by the District Deputy Grand Master and assented to by the Lodges whose jurisdictions would be affected with two important reservations. In the city of Boston the assent of two thirds of the Lodges should be sufficient. In case only one Lodge failed to approve the Grand Master, in his discretion, or the Grand Lodge might issue the Dispensation.

The question having arisen as to the effect upon Lodge membership of Grand Lodge suspension for a definite period, the Grand Constitutions were clarified at the September Quarterly of 1911 by providing that suspension by Grand Lodge whether for a definite period or indefinitely, terminated absolutely the Lodge membership of the suspended member, and whether the suspensions were terminated by expiration of time or by vote of reinstatement the person affected had the status of an unaffiliated Mason.

At the June Quarterly of 1911 the Trial Commission reported on the case of a member of Union Lodge of Dorchester, charged with conduct detriment to the unity and harmony of the Lodge. The specifications give a picture of a member who was an unmitigated nuisance. After a full hearing the Commission found that the respondent was fully aware of the annoyance he had caused, but expressed no regret and refused to give any assurance of amendment of conduct. The Commission brought in a verdict of guilty and recommended suspension for one year. The sentence was amended after discussion, by adding the words "after which he shall not regain membership in any Lodge in this jurisdiction without unanimous election thereto," and in that form was approved by the Grand Lodge. This action anticipated the Constitutional amendment above referred to. The respondent was a contentious person and ran true to form by filing an appeal from the report. The Grand Secretary stated at the September Quarterly that he had received the appeal, but as the Grand Lodge had passed upon the matter he doubted whether the appeal had any standing. The appeal might well have been refused consideration on the ground that the Grand Lodge, the supreme Masonic authority,had passed upon the case and there could be no appeal from its decision. This Grand. Lodge, however, is never hasty or arbitrary and the appeal was referred to a very strong Committee of five, of which M. W. Charles T. Gallagher was Chairman. The Committee made an elaborate report to the December Quarterly. Holding that the appeal technically had no standing, the Committee decided to treat it as if it had. They heard the appellant and conferred with the Chairman of the Commission. The appeal was based on certain specific objections to the findings of the Commission on certain matters of fact and on exceptions to refusals of the Commissions to allow or require evidence to be produced. The Committee had no power to review questions of fact already passed upon by the Committee. The exceptions applied only to certain specifications of the original complaint which were not sustained by the Commissioners. No injury had been done the respondent by the rulings excepted to. The Committee saw no reason for a retrial of the case on the original evidence, and recommended that the appeal be dismissed, and it was so voted. The case has been described at some length because it is the only recorded attempt to upset a decision of the Trial Commission by appeal to the Grand Lodge.

At the December Quarterly of 1911 Everett C. Benton was elected Grand Master.

Everett Chamberlin Benton was born in Guildhall, Vermont, September 28, 1862. He was of Revolutionary ancestry, one of his forbears f( serving as a Captain with Washington at Valley Forge and another being with Ethan Allen at Ticonderoga. He always retained keen interest in his native town. In 1889 he caused a stone monument to be erected on the site of the first church in that town. In 1901 he built and presented to the town a Public Library and Masonic Hall.

After study at the Academies at St. Johnsbury, Vt., and Colbrook, N. H. young Benton was employed for a time by a local newspaper, but; at the age of nineteen he came to Boston and entered the insurance business. He remained in that business for the remainder of his life, rising to a position of wide influence and leadership. He was a partner in the large John C. Paige Co. and the organizer of the Massachusetts Fire and Marine Insurance Company. Bro. Benton was active in every movement for the welfare of Belmont. He was town Moderator for many years. Broad in his religious sympathies he aided the formation of two churches, one Congregational and one Methodist, giving to each the use of a private chapel on his estate until their own churches could be built. Before the modernization of the Belmont fire department he procured a hand engine which had been used for the protection of the Cushing estate (which had become his home) and organized a fire company with himself as foreman. He was a Trustee of the Belmont Savings Bank and a Director of the Waverley Co-operative Bank.

He became interested in politics very early in life having been Assistant County Clerk of Essex County, Vermont, and clerk to the Secretary of State of that state before coming to Massachusetts. He was a member of the Republican State Committee and was appointed a member of the staff of Governor Greenhalge, with the rank of Colonel. In 1897 he was elected a member of the Executive Council. He was a member of the Metropolitan Park Commission, and of the Constitutional Convention. A delegate to the Republican Convention which nominated Theodore Roosevelt, he was Republican candidate for the governorship in 1912, but was unsuccessful. Many persons, both inside the Fraternity and outside, questioned the propriety of such a candidacy in the part of the Grand Master, as he then was.

M.W. Bro. Benton's Masonic career was a very active one. He received the degrees in Simon W. Robinson Lodge in 1894, but dimitted to join Belmont Lodge in 1896. In 1900 he became greatly interested in the Masonic life of his native town. As Vermont did not permit plural membership he dimitted from Belmont Lodge and was the founder and first Master of Benton Lodge No. 88, of Guildhall. Shortly afterward he was appointed the first District Deputy Grand Master for the newly organized Fourteenth Masonic District of Vermont and in 1905 he was elected Junior Grand Warden. Returning to his Massachusetts affiliations he affiliated with Mt. Lebanon Lodge in 1905 and reaffiliated with Belmont Lodge in 1908. He was Deputy Grand Master in 1906, by appointment by M. W. John Albert Blake. After his retirement from the Grand Mastership he served until his death as a member of the Board of Directors.

He was active in all the collateral branches of Masonry, a member and officer of St. Andrew's R.A. Chapter, Past Master of Boston Council, Past Commander of St. Bernard Commandery, and Past Commander-in-Chief of Massachusetts Consistory. He was coroneted Honorary Member of the Supreme Council,33°, in 1902.

Early in 1912 Grand Master Benton sent a delegation to Ottawa to present to H. R. H. the Duke of Connaught, Grand Master of Masons in England, who had recently taken office as Governor General of Canada, an address and an invitation to visit the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. The Duke received the delegation with the utmost courtesy, but replied that his official duties precluded his acceptance of the invitation. In fact the Duke refrained, wisely, from any Masonic activities during his term as Governor General.

Late in 1911, Hyde Park Lodge again raised the troublesome question of the jurisdiction of Boston Lodges. In 1873 the Grand Lodge had voted that no changes by the Legislature of Municipal Corporations or the boundaries thereof should in any way affect the jurisdiction of Lodges. In 1888 the changes and annexations to the city of Boston had thrown the jurisdiction of the Boston Lodges into great confusion. In June of that year the Grand Lodge, after a careful and thorough study of the situation, amended the Grand Constitutions to provide that all the Lodges in Boston should have concurrent jurisdiction. There were no further annexations until 1912, and there have been none since.

The annexation of Hyde Park to Boston became effective January 1, 1912. Hyde Park Lodge petitioned to be allowed to retain its original jurisdiction. The question was as to which Section of the Grand Constitutions should rule in the case. The Committee to whom the petition was referred made a careful study of the whole case and reported that the act of 1873 ruled and that the annexation of Hyde Park did not affect the original jurisdiction of that Lodge. In 1918, however, there was a general revision of the Grand Constitutions which contained the concurrent jurisdiction rules. As this revision was adopted as a whole it was held that Hyde Park, being then a part of Boston, was included in the concurrent jurisdiction. This was accepted without protest, and has worked well ever since.

At the September Quarterly of 1912 the Grand Master announced that a he had granted Dispensation to Sojourners Lodge at Cristobal on the Canal Zone. At the December Quarterly a Charter was voted and on January 13, 1913 Grand Master Benton, accompanied by R. W. Herbert E. Fletcher, Deputy Grand Master and Grand Secretary Davis personally Constituted Sojourners Lodge and installed its officers. This was the beginning of the very successful work of Massachusetts Masonry on the Canal Zone.

The story of Sojourners Lodge was a somewhat peculiar one. There had been a Sojourners' Lodge at Christobal for some years under Charter from the Grand Lodge of Scotland. The political changes in that region, bringing the Canal Zone into the possession of the United States, caused these Brethren to think that an American obedience would be more suitable and more advantageous than Scottish affiliation. They, therefore, surrendered their Scottish Charter and,as individual Master Masons, petitioned for a Massachusetts Dispensation, asking for their old name. So the old Sojourners Lodge died and the new Sojourners Lodge took its place.

After leaving the Canal Zone Grand Master Benton, accompanied by his family, continued his journey to Chile, where he visited our three Lodges in that country. He was the first Grand Master of Massachusetts to visit Chile and was received by the Lodges with great enthusiasm. He was also accorded every possible courtesy by the Grand Lodge of Chile and Chilean Masons generally.

On September 10, 1912, some workmen engaged in excavating for the foundation of the City Hall extension on Court Street found the cornerstone of the old Court House with the metal box placed therein when it was laid in 1833. The newspapers of the time recorded that the corner-stone was laid September 28, 1830, with Masonic ceremonies. There is no record of a Special Communication of the Grand Lodge for that purpose and no record of it appears in the records of the Boston Lodges of that time. One paper, hostile to the Craft, says that there was no parade and scarcely any ceremony. The Masonic persecution was then in full force and it was probably not thought wise, either Masonically or politically, to have an imposing public ceremony. We know that at least seven of the public officials present were Masons. Doubtless others quietly assembled and the Masonic ritual was used. Whatever documentary record was made perished in the fire of 1864.

On September 30, 1912, Grand Master Benton paid a visit to Liberty Lodge. President William Howard Taft was then at his summer home in Beverly, and was present as a member of the Grand Master's suite. His presence in the capacity of a Master Mason only and the short address which he made showed the quality of his Masonry and tit© understanding of its principles.

At the December Quarterly of 1913 the Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands was recognized. The Philippines being open territory a considerable number of Lodges had been constituted there. California had three, Scotland had two, and Spain a large number. The three California Lodges called a Convention which met and organized in proper form and established the Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands. The Committee in charge of their request for recognition commented in highly laudatory terms upon the care and regularity of their procedure and the excellence of the Grand Constitutions which they adopted. The Scotch Lodges were invited to the Convention, but did not come in. The Spanish Lodges appear not to have been consulted. There was no Masonic reason why they should be, and their presence would have caused serious complications for many reasons.

At the December Quarterly of 1912 a Committee appointed to consider the Grand Master's address of the previous year reported favorably upon his recommendation that China and Chile be given District Grand Lodges and proposed an amendment to the Grand Constitutions dealing with the matter.

At the same Quarterly it was voted that thereafter the Directors should procure and present a Past Grand Master's jewel to each Grand Master.

At the December Quarterly of 1913 Grand Master Benton declined re-election and so closed his two years administration.

He had introduced one custom which soon came to be of great importance. Hitherto the Grand Master had made formal addresses to the Grand Lodge only at the annual Communications. Grand Master Gardner, however, had addressed a few Quarterly Communications. This was on account of the important work of reconstruction which he was carrying on, but did not inaugurate a custom. Grand Master Benton made an address at each Quarterly Communication, These addresses were brief and dealt largely with necrologies. The custom has been continued ever since, and in the hands of the next Grand Master became what it has since continued to be, an immensely important feature of the Grand Lodge work.


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