MEMaine20

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MAINE LODGE #20

Location: Farmington

Chartered By: William King

Charter Date: 06/01/1820

Precedence Date: 06/13/1810

Current Status: Active; Founding Lodge of GLME. Formerly Maine, chartered by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.


YEARS

EVENTS

CENTENARY, OCTOBER 1909

From New England Craftsman, Vol. V, No. 2, November 1909, Page 65:

Maine Lodge No. 20, F. & A. M., of Farmington, Maine, celebrated the Centennial of its birth Friday, October 8th with appropriate and interesting exercises in the presence of a large number of members and friends. The exercises began in Masonic Hall at 9.30 A. M., when Maine Lodge was opened. A procession was formed which was joined by five sister lodges and proceeded to Music Hall where greetings were extended to visiting brethren. Most Worshipful Edmund B. Mallet, Grand Master of Maine and Most Worshipful Dana J. Flanders, Grand Master of Massachusetts were cordially welcomed. Each responded to the sentiments of welcome spoken by Past Masters Enoch O. Greenleaf in behalf of Maine Lodge. Welcome was also extended to the sister lodges, acknowledgments being made by Past Master Harry B. Austin for Blue Mountain Lodge; B. F. Makepiece, for Franklin Lodge; Rev. Howard A. Clifford, for Davis Lodge; and Past Master Lavella A. Norton, for Mt. Auburn Lodge. This was followed by an informal lunch.

The afternoon exercises were open to the Public and were attended by a large number of brethren and friends. Hon. Joseph C. Holman, Past Master, was the presiding officer. An interesting historical address was delivered by D. H. Knowlton. He stated that on July 14th, 1808, the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts granted a dispensation to Ezekiel Porter and others of Farmington to hold for one year. On the 13th of June, 1809, a charter was granted. The territory over which the authority of the lodge extended at that time was very large; it is now occupied by sixteen or seventeen lodges.

Right Worshipful Thomas W. Davis, recording grand secretary of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was the next speaker. He gave a brief, but excellent address on the purposes and achievements of Masonry. lie dwelt especially on its works of charity, its willingness to do for others, the growth of true manhood it promotes and the noble characters it tends to build up. In speaking of its charitable works Mr. Davis stated that when Maine Lodge was separated from the Massachusetts Grand Lodge a charity fund of $1,000 was allowed it. This, it was later stated, has grown to $60,000. Mr. Davis told of the effort now on foot to establish in Massachusetts a "Home" for aged or unfortunate Masons, their wives and widows. Twenty states now have institutions of that kind.

Mr. Davis recited a very beautiful centennial hymn of his own composition. He also complimented the residents of Farmington on their beautiful town and gave all a cordial invitation to visit the Masonic temple in Boston whenever they come to the city.

Remarks were made and a poem read by Right Worshipful John W. Ballon of Bath. A letter of regret from Grand Secretary Stephen Berry was read with regrets from other leading brethren of Maine.

In the evening a banquet was served in Drummond Hall. The tables were handsomely decorated with glowers and a bevy of charming young ladies dressed in white, made attentive and pleasant waitresses. Music was also furnished by an orchestra. The ladies at the table presented a picture of beauty in their evening costumes and the scene was brilliant and inspiring. Worshipful Master Samuel O. Tarbox presided.

After sufficient attention had been paid to the good things on the table the Worshipful Master introduced Past Master Newell R. Knowlton as toast-master, who in a graceful manner with fitting words introduced the following speakers: Most Worshipful Edmund B. Mallett, Grand Master of Maine, who warmly congratulated Maine Lodge on its honorable history. He commended Freemasonry and spoke of the brotherly kindness inculcated, the methods employed to restore erring brethren to right ways of living, the exercise of sympathy and thoughtfulness. He stated that the $1,000 charity fund with which Massachusetts endowed the Grand Lodge of Maine, at the time of the separation, has grown to the handsome sum of $60,000.

Most Worshipful Dana J. Flanders, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, was the next speaker, he said in part that in Masonry the church has ever had a helpful hand-maiden, and outlined the ways in which one organization complements the other. He also told of the patriotism of Masons as shown in the time of the Revolution, relating interesting incidents of Masonic gatherings in the Green Dragon Tavern, Boston, and their connection with the famous tea party.

The toast-master then told of the portrait of a Maine musician painted by his daughter and now hanging in the Maine building on the grounds of the Poland Spring House. The man whose portrait is seen there was made a Mason in Maine Lodge. He is a noted violinist and a manufacturer of violins as well, having in his lifetime made one hundred and forty-six instruments of that kind, He is here tonight and will favor us with some music from one of his own violins. Amid enthusiastic applause Mr. Richardson, now 84 years old, mounted the platform and gave a well-rendered selection. To an earnest encore he graciously responded, but modestly declined to play the third time.

Other speakers were: Past High Priest A. L. Talbot, Past Master E. O. Greenleaf of Jephthah Council, Eminent Sir James Morrison, commander of Pilgrim Commandery and Mrs. George M. Currier, worthy matron of the chapter of the Eastern Star, whose speech was considered one of the gems of the evening.

The celebration of the Centennial was completed with music, friendly greeting and a feeling that it was .in auspicious opening for a new century on which they were entering.


DISTRICTS

District 15


LINKS

Maine Lodges