MassachusettsHamiltonHistoryCh14
CHAPTER 14: A QUARTER CENTURY OF GROWTH (PART 2)
President Jefferson, whatever else may be said of him, had no military sense whatever and little interest in commerce or perception of its problems. Throughout his administration he clung to the idea that the United States could coerce both belligerents into recognition of its neutral rights by refusing to trade with them. The result was a series of restrictions and non-intercourse acts which finally led to an entire embargo of American shipping in 1807. Some inconvenience was undoubtedly caused both England and France, but immensely more was caused the United States. Commerce was destroyed and very great suffering was inflicted particularly on the northern states, which depended very largely on commerce, but incidentally on the whole country. Only three of the new Lodges chartered in this administration were in sea port towns, two of them in 1803 and one in 1804.
On December 9, 1805, Grand Master Thomas having served three years, Timothy Bigelow was elected Grand Master. Bigelow was born April 30, 1767, and was elected Grand Master at the early age of thirty-eight. His father, Col. Timothy Bigelow, was a Major in Arnold's expedition to Canada and was captured at Quebec. After being exchanged he was appointed Colonel of the 15th Massachusetts regiment in the Continental Army and commanded it until the end of the war. Young Bigelow was graduated from Harvard in 1786 and was admitted to the bar in 1789. He took up the practice of law at Groton and rapidly built up a very successful practice. He was elected a representative in the legislature in 1798. From that date until the end if his life he was almost continuously in public life As representative from Groton until he moved to Medford in 1806,then as representative from Medford, as Senator from Middlesex, as a member of the Governor's Council and eleven times chosen Speaker of the House, he filled a large place in the political life of the state. He was . one of the leaders of the Federalist party and was a delegate to the famous Hartford Convention in 1814. The Convention was called for the purpose of organizing New England opposition to President Madison*s administration in general and to the War of 1812 in particular. The conclusion of peace shortly after the Convention adjourned prevented it from doing any particular good or harm.
Bigelow was a man of enormous energy and industry. In addition to his political and Masonic work he carried on a vast practice of law. The almost incredible claim is made that in his thirty-two years at the bar he argued ten thousand cases. He was a great student and general reader and was renowned for the charm and brilliancy of his conversation. He is described as tall and slender, but well proportioned, with a dark complexion, black hair, and large, penetrating gray eyes. His appearance was dignified, his carriage erect and graceful, his manner very courteous. He had a strong, clear voice, and his enunciation was clear and distinct. He died May 18, 1821, at the age of fifty-four.
Bigelow was raised in Saint Paul Lodge of Groton, August 18, 1797. In December of that year he was elected Secretary and after one year's service was elected Junior Warden, becoming Master in 1801. In Grand Lodge he was Junior Grand Warden in 1803 and Senior Grand Warden in 1804 and 1805.
At the March Quarterly in 1806 Bigelow reported to Grand Lodge that a blind man applied to King Solomon's Lodge for the degrees and asked Grand Lodge to decide whether or not such a man could be made a Mason. The Grand Lodge voted "That it is inconsistent and incompatible with the Constitutions of Masonry."
At the same meeting the Master of Union Lodge of Dorchester, Henry M. Lisle, raised a very important question: "Whether an affirmation by that part of society which profess the religion of the Quakers,or Friends, if to be admitted into a Lodge, would be conceived by the Grand Lodge equal to the oaths and obligations usually administered at a meeting." A long discussion followed and the consensus of opinion seemed to be in favor of accepting such an affirmation, but it was finally voted to refer the matter to the next Quarterly. At that meeting it was voted that the subject be submitted to the Grand Master, R. W. Simon Elliot, the Deputy Grand Master, and such of the District Deputy Grand Masters as could be most readily consulted and that they report to Grand Lodge as soon as possible.
At the December Quarterly the Grand Master reported his opinion "that with respect to such candidates for initiation and other degrees, as have conscientious scruples about taking an oath, the act of affirmation is equally valid as swearing in receiving the obligation of Masonry." That decision has remained the law of Masonry in Massachusetts ever since.
In the administration of the District Deputy Grand Master systems some questions had arisen and some weaknesses had been noted. On motion of Thaddeus Mason Harris a committee was appointed at the December Quarterly of 1805 to consider the matter and recommend legislation. The committee was a very strong one, consisting of Isaiah Thomas, Timothy Bigelow, William Scollay, Thaddeus Mason Harris, and Samuel Dunn. The committee reported at the December Quarterly of 1806, Their report was long and elaborate and was unanimously accepted by Grand Lodge.
The principal features of the report gave the District Deputies rank and station in Grand Lodge during their terms of office, but gave them no vote except on matters which directly concerned their Districts or Lodges therein unless they sat in Grand Lodge as Proxies; stated more definitely their duties and responsibilities; authorized them to issue certain dispensations; to constitute Lodges and install officers when directed so to do by the Grand Master; and to convene the Masters and Wardens of the Lodges in their Districts as District Deputy Grand Lodges to adjudicate complaints of a member against a Lodge or of one Lodge against another. The action of these District Deputy Grand Lodges was limited to the special matters for which they were convened and was subject to appeal to the Grand Lodge. The main purposes of the legislation are clear. The office of the District Deputy was magnified by recognizing him as a Grand Lodge member, although he was not yet accorded full voting rights. The powers of dispensation, of constituting Lodges, of installing officers, and of holding District Deputy Grand Lodges, was clearly called for by the condition of the time. With the slow and expensive travel which alone was possible at that time some such arrangement was imperatively necessary in order to get things done. The new legislation was a long step in advance toward increasing the efficiency and perfecting the machinery of Masonic organization.
Closer interjurisdictional cooperation was also in the air. American Masonry has always been, and is now, obsessed by the idea of the desirability of uniformity. Accordingly at the June Quarterly of 1806 a very friendly communication was read from M. W. Thomas Thompson, Grand Master of New Hampshire. As a step toward a general uniformity of ritual throughout the Continent (sic) he expressed a wish "that a convention may be formed of respectable and skillful Past Masters from the Grand Lodge of each State, to meet in open convention to amplify, communicate, extend, and illustrate Masonry; mutually aiding and assisting each other in the search of truth; correcting errors, until they shall find a perfect level and uniform system established on the Ancient Landmarks of Masonry." As a practical measure he had appointed a committee of three to confer with a like committee which he hoped Massachusetts would appoint on the subject of making the rituals of Massachusetts and New Hampshire identical. A committee was duly appointed and conferences were held. The committee reported at the December Quarterly and their report was accepted and ordered recorded. Unfortunately the report was not recorded in the minute book of the Grand Lodge and we do not know what it was. Apparently, however, except for promoting acquaintance and good feeling, the conference was without result. For obvious reasons we learn very little from the records about the actual development of ritual.
At the December Quarterly in 1806 a communication was read from Wisdom Lodge, of West Stockbridge, and Cincinnatus Lodge of Great Barrington setting forth that inasmuch as the fees charged in New York were less than those charged in Massachusetts these Lodges were suffering because prospective candidates were crossing the state line to New York and taking the degrees there, and asking to be permitted to reduce their fees to the New York level. The matter was referred to Isaiah Thomas who was authorized to take the matter up with the Grand Lodge of New York. Thomas wrote an excellent letter to the Grand Master of New York, stating that
"It is the wish of the M't. W. Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, that the M't. W'l Grand Lodge of New York would take the subject into consideration; a conformity in the price of Initiation, etc., would be desirable, as well as in the modes of working, etc., and in all other general and useful regulations. In short, the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts wish, that union and harmony and every good that Masonry is intended to produce, may be promoted and maintained and a mutual exchange of good offioes may be perpetual between you and them."
Apparently the correspondence was without result. The records of the Grand Lodge of New York show that Thomas' letter was read and referred to the Grand Officers, but there is no further mention of it. There is no record of any reply from New York and no action was taken for the relief of the complaining Lodges. The incident is chiefly significant as showing that the principles governing the jurisdiction of Lodges and even of Grand Lodges were not yet defined. Under modern Masonic Law of course such a condition as was complained of could not possibly exist. This and the New Hampshire correspondence above described show the earnest desire of Massachusetts to consolidate interjurisdictional relations.
An even more striking example of this disposition almost immediately occurred. At the September Quarterly of 1807 a communication was read from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania proposing a convention of delegates from the several Grand Lodges to meet in Philadelphia on the first Monday in May, 1808. The purpose of this convention was to consult on measures for the general good of Freemasonry, to endeavor to form a more intimate connection and provide for more regular intercourse between Grand Lodges, and to promote uniformity of government, discipline, and labor among the particular Lodges. This overture was referred to a committee consisting of R. W. Isaiah Thomas, R. W. Allen Crocker, Grand Treasurer, and R. W. Simon Eliot, Deputy Grand Master. The committee reported at the December Quarterly recommending approval of the project. The report was accepted and an appropriation of.not to exceed two hundred dollars was made toward the expense of delegates. There is no further mention of the matter in the Massachusetts Proceedings. The Pennsylvania Proceedings show at that a meeting of Grand Lodge held March 21, 1808, it was voted to postpone the convention until November, no definite day being set.
There is no further mention of it. The postponement was virtually an abandonment of the project. The reason for the abandonment probably was the concurrent effort, started about the same time as Pennsylvania's move, on the part of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina and Tennessee to assemble a convention at Washington for the purpose of organizing a "Superintending Grand Lodge". With that proposition Pennsylvania had no sympathy whatever. While the Pennsylvania proposal was In essence quite different from the other there was obvious danger that the distinction might be lost sight of and a confusion arise which might be very unfortunate. North Carolina and Tennessee, therefore were given a clear field for their endeavor, of which we shall hear later.
In connection with the matter of interjurisdiction relations two other matters may be mentioned. At the September Quarterly of 1805 a petition was received for a Charter for Scioto Lodge to.be located in Chilicothe, Ohio, and the Charter was granted. At the June quarterly of 1808 a request was received from Scioto Lodge to be released from its allegiance to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in order that it might join the new Grand Lodge of Ohio, and the request was granted. In December, 1806, a petition was received from certain Brethren in St. Stephen's, New Brunswick, asking for a Charter, but at the March Quarterly following on report of a committee, the petitioners were given leave to withdraw. A second petition was received from the same place at the March Quarterly of 1808. The Grand Corresponding Secretary was instructed to inform the Provincial Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia of the petition and to inform it that Massachusetts would not take action in the matter without the cordial approbation of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia. The Provincial Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia in a fraternal and respectful letter signified that it did not approve, and the petition was returned to the petitioners not granted.
It will be remembered that in February, 1800 St. Andrew's Lodge closed negotiations with the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts on the subject of union by declining to enter into a union at that time, but expressing a realization of the advantages of union and an assurance that at the proper time they would be glad to unite. This left the next move to St. Andrew's. At the December Quarterly of 1807 a letter was received from St. Andrew*s so fine in spirit and so courteously dignified in form that it deserves quotation in full.
Saint Andrew's Lodge, 30th November,5807.
Most Worshipful and Respectable Brethren,
St. Andrew's Lodge, having ascertained by a committee, appointed for that purpose, what is due from to their parent, the Grand Lodge of Scotland, have determined to remit to the said Grand Lodge the balance due, and request of them an honorable dismission; and, if obtained, to unite themselves under your Jurisdiction, provided they can be received in such manner and placed in such situation as will comport with the honor and dignity of both Lodges. And as it is necessary they should know whether this object can be obtained, previous to their writing the Grand Lodge of Scotland, the manner and form of which will depend on the arrangement which is made with your respectable Lodge (as they will not by any means solicit a dismissal from the Lodge which gave them birth, and whom they hold in the highest veneration and esteem, without the fullest assurance of being received and placed in such a station in your Lodge as becomes their antiquity); and that they may with pleasure render to you the respect which is due to the head of the Grand Masonic family of this Commonwealth, they have for the purposes above alluded to, appointed Brothers Elisha Sigourney, Andrew Sigourney, Benjamin Hurd, Jun., David Bradlee, James Green, Henry Purkitt and James Farrar, a committee to wait upon and confer with any committee your respeotable Lodge may please to appoint, on the business herein mentioned. You will therefore please to take this subject into your wise consideration, and the above committees will meet your committee, at any time and place they may appoint, to discuss this business, that it may terminate in such manner as will tend to promote the honor, harmony and prosperity of the whole Masonic family of this Commonwealth is the ardent wish of St. Andrew's Lodge, and in whose behalf I have the honor to subscribe myself, with respect and esteem.
Your fraternal and obedient servant,
Joseph Smith,
Secretary.
A committee of conference was appointed consisting of Josiah Bartlett, Past Grand Master, Timothy Whiting, Past District Deputy Grand Master, John Warren, Past Grand Master, James Laughton, Past Deputy Grand Master, Isaiah Thomas, Past Grand Master, Allen Crocker, Grand Treasurer, and Daniel Davis, District Deputy Grand Master for the First Masonic District. This committee met the committee from St. Andrew's at the Green Dragon Tavern (the home of St. Andrew's) and after conference agreed upon the reply which follows.
To the R.W. Elisha Sigourney and the Committee of St. Andrew's Lodge,
Brethren,
The committee of the Grand Lodge, to whom was refer'd the communication of St. Andrew's Lodge of November the 30th ultimo, having experienced much pleasure from the conference of the day, and being desirous by every means in their power to promote the interests of our Ancient Fraternity, beg leave to solicit your attention to the following Articles in the Constitutions of the Grand Lodge.
"All Lodges heretofore established may retain their original charters (the dates and Grand Lodges from whence they were respectively issued being recorded by the Grand Secretary), and a due representation with the payments of equal quarterly payments, or assessments, shall entitle such Lodges to take precedency, accordingly to seniority."
It is the unanimous opinion of the committee, that by this Article the Lodge, you so honorably represent, may connect itself with the Grand Lodge of. the Commonwealth; and that a compliance with the requisitions, there specified, will entitle it to all the privileges of such a connection.
I am with fraternal esteem, etc.
Joslah Bartlett,
Chairman.
To the above committee of St. Andrew's Lodge made the following respectful reply:
Worshipful Brethren,
The committee of St. Andrew's Lodge have the pleasure to inform you that they are perfectly satisfied with the propositions this day made on the part of the Grand Lodge, and which they have no doubt will meet the approbation of their Lodge, and which they will take the earliest opportunity of laying before them. Necessary steps will be immediately taken to procure an honorable discharge from their parent Lodge, which, when received, shall be immediately communicated to your Grand Lodge.
Ellsha Sigourney, Chairman of the Committee of St. Andrew's Lodge.
December 15th, 1807.
The Committee of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts."
Further action was suspended pending the arrangements to be made by St. Andrew's Lodge with the Grand Lodge d>f Scotland. All arrearages of quarterages to the Grand Lodge of Scotland, amounting to ninety pounds were paid and formal assent was obtained to the transfer of allegiance. At the September Quarterly of 1809 a committee of St. Andrew's appeared and stated that they would take their place in Grand Lodge at the next Quarterly Communication in December, and presented their Charter to be recorded and endorsed. The Charter was duly endorsed and St. Andrew's was given second place on the list of Lodges, conformably to the original date of its Scotch Charter. St. Andrew's still works under its original Charter with the Massachusetts endorsement. St. Andrew's holds in tender reverence her old Mother Grand Lodge and retains many of the customs and traditions of the olden time, but she has always been a faithful and loyal member of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, exceeded by none in her devotion to the common welfare. The union was happily sealed to the great satisfaction of all concerned by the election at the meeting in which St. Andrew's took her place in Grand Lodge of Andrew Sigourney, Treasurer of St. Andrew's, to be Grand Treasurer, in place of R. W. Allen Crocker, who had declined, in writing, to be a candidate for re-election.
At the June Quarterly 0f 1808, R.H. Henry Fowle, Past Grand Warden, brought a very serious accusation against the officers of Washington Lodge. He claimed that the officers had appropriated the Charter for the purpose of conferring and receiving other degrees than those known to the Grand Lodge, He made out so good a case that the Grand Lodge immediately arrested the Charter and directed the Grand Marshal to take possession of it. This was done and the Charter was placed on the Grand Secretary's table at the September Quarterly.
At the September Quarterly a committee consisting of Benjamin Russell, Shubael Bell, Henry Fowle, Job Drew, and Oliver Prescott was appointed to inquire whether any attempts were making or had been made whereby the rights of Grand Lodge were usurped. At the December Quarterly Henry Fowle presented the following letter:
To the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Grand Wardens, and other Grand Officers and members of the Grand Lodge, etc.
Gentlemen:
At a regular meeting of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts in June last, the subscribers were appointed, a committee to wait upon, and act in concert with, any committee which Grand Lodge has appointed, or may appoint, for the purpose of inquiring what innovations have been made on the Ancient Laws and Regulations, usages and customs of the Craft, and to take such measures as they may think proper to restore and preserve that obedience without which no society can prosper. The committee embrace the present opportunity to offer their congratulations to the M't W'l Grand Lodge on the general prosperity, order and harmony which prevail among the Craft, and although spots are discernible on the face-of the luminary - the Sun - yet his glorious lustre remains unimpaired and his benign and salutary influence undiminished.
We have the honor to be with high respect and esteem,
Gentlemen, your fraternal and humble servants,
- Henry Fowle,
- Andrew Sigourney,
- Thomas Jackson,
- Henry Purkitt,
- Edward Horseman,
- Committee.
A committee of five, consisting of Josiah Bartlett, Shubael Bell, Timothy Whiting, Ezekiel L. Bascom, and John Boyle, was appointed, added to the committee appointed in September, and instructed to confer with the Grand Chapter Committee. On the face of it this looks lake the beginning, or at least a threat, of discord between the Grand Lodge and the Grand Chapter. It should not, however, be so interpreted. What had happened was this. It will be remembered that in 1769, St. Andrew's Royal Arch Lodge had been formed under the Charter of St. Andrew's Lodge. This body continued to work both the Royal Arch and Knight Templar degrees under the St. Andrew's Charter until it took out a Charter of its own from the Grand Royal Arch Chapter. It ceased to work the Knight Templar degree after 1794. The Grand Chapter was formed in 1798.
Up to that time, and even a little later, the Royal Arch was conferred under the Charters of Lodges. There is abundant evidence of this, but very little in the way of records. The work was not done as a part of the Lodge work and does not appear in the Lodge records. It was done in separate meetings held under the authority, or supposed authority, of the Lodge Charters, but no, or very few, records are extant.
Apparently a group of members of Washington Lodge thought that they could do in 1808 what had been done by members of St. Andrew's in 1769. They used the Charter of Washington Lodge as authority to form Washington Encampment (what we now call Commanderies were then called Encampments) and proceeded to confer Chapter and Encampment degrees. This action was highly offensive to Grand Lodge and prompt disciplinary action followed. It was equally offensive to, the Grand Chapter and the Grand Encampment. The Grand Chapter had been organized in 1796 and the Grand Encampment organized in 1805. Both were in a formative state and neither felt any too firmly fixed in the seat of authority. Neither had the slightest willingness to have the degrees administered by it conferred by any group outside its authority. There was no disposition whatever to usurp the authority of Grand Lodge, nor did Grand Lodge think there was. Timothy Bigelow was Grand High Priest, Several of the members of the Grand Lodge Committee of inquiry and conference were high ranking officers in the Grand Chapter and connected with the Grand Encampment, while all the members of the Grand Chapter Committee were familiar figures in Grand Lodge.
The members of Washington Lodge who had not participated in the doings of Washington Encampment petitioned to have the Lodge Charter restored to them, and the petition was granted. The joint committee of conference reported that they had had a thorough discussion of the matter with the members of Washington Encampment, who had seen the error of their ways and were ready to recant. They recommended that nineteen of them who had signed a very humble apology and recantation be reinstated. The Grand Lodge voted to reinstate the nineteen and authorized the Grand Secretary to add to the list any others who might later sign the recantation. There were no more attempts at unauthorized use of Lodge Charters.
The principle that Masonic tribunals are entirely independent of the civil courts, was fixed in Massachusetts usage by an act of the Grand Lodge at the June Quarterly in 1808. The Massachusetts Lodge reported as follows: "That Brother J— B—, contrary to the duties of morality and in violation of Masonic obligations, has been actively concerned with others in counterfeiting bank notes and feloniously passing the same, and that he has been instrumental in seducing others from the paths of honesty to villainy and disgrace. These facts appear not only from evidence but from his own confession and although he is exonerated from legal punishment, yet, in our opinion, he ought to be expelled from the Lodge." The expulsion was confirmed by the Grand Lodge, making It expulsion from all the rights and privileges of Freemasonry, On what grounds the defendant was "exonerated" we do not know. The action showed clearly that while the Fraternity took cognizance of the acts of the civil courts it was not bound by them. It might convict where the civil courts acquitted or acquit where a conviction had taken place.
A survey of Grand Lodge conditions at the end of 1808, when Bigelow's third and last year of office came to a close shows a very interesting, even critical condition. That condition may be described as prosperous but precarious. Growth continued. During Bigelow's three years twelve new Lodges had been chartered in Massachusetts, including the Province of Maine. One of the two Lodges of Massachusetts constitution in Ohio had just withdrawn to join the new Grand Lodge of Ohio. The other, owing to an unfortunate misunderstanding at the time of the formation of that Grand Lodge, had not yet joined it. There was a Lodge of Massachusetts constitution in Demarara, but it added nothing to the strength of the Grand Lodge. At the end of 1808 there were ninety-four Lodges in twelve Masonic Districts.
The District Deputy Grand Master system was working, but not yet entirely satisfactorily. Conditions were beyond comparison better than they had been before its inauguration, but still left much to be desired. The difficulty was partly because some of the Deputies appear to have been remiss in attention to their duties and in a few regrettable instances had turned in their collections very slowly or not at all, and partly because some of the Lodges did not cooperate properly. In 1807 it was reported that no returns had been received from the Third District for a year. In the Sixth District no returns or funds had been received since 1802 except that one Lodge had sent in some money in 1804. There had been no returns from the Eleventh District since 1804. Several Lodges had made no returns or remittances since their constitution*. The times were very hard and were to remain so for several years to come. Jefferson's Embargo was lifted late in 1808, but there were still serious restrictions on trade which in turn affected production and domestic exchange. In addition the Brethren had much individual Masonic consciousness, but corporate Masonic consciousness was developing slowly. New England individualism was very strong and New England Masons were very slowly learning to co-operate.
Financially the Grand Lodge was solvent, but it was the day of small things. The Grand Treasurer's account for 1808 showed receipts, including balance from previous year, of $3,388.82 and expenditures of $1,081.41, with a balance on hand of $8,297.41, The operating expense had exceeded the operating income for the year by $62.34.
Isaiah Thomas wrote in 1807 "Till lately the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts has been unable to meet the necessary expenses of that existence, and is but just emerging from its (the Grand Lodge's) pecuniary difficulties. Numerous things for the general good of the Craft, and absolutely necessary, are yet to be done, as speedily as its finances will permit."
The situation was one which required very delicate handling. Revenue provided by Grand Lodge legislation must be collected. The bonds uniting the Fraternity, frail as yet, must be strengthened. Co-operation must be secured. Loyalty and obedience to the Grand Lodge must be developed. Corporate consciousness must be cultivated. Too great leniency and indulgence on the part of the Grand Lodge would defeat all these ends. On the other hand arbitrariness, too strict dealing with delinquencies, would lead to rebellion, perhaps the breaking up of the Grand Lodge.
Fortunately the Grand Lodge was well supplied with far-seeing, wise men who were also sound Masons. Leading them were Bigelow, Thomas, and Bartlett. With them were Shubael Bell, Henry Fowle, John Proctor, Thaddeus Mason Harris, Francis J. Oliver, John B. Hammatt, Benjamin Russell, Allen Crocker, Robert Lash, Andrew Sigourney (after 1806) John Soley, and others hardly less distinguished. These men and their associates, as we shall see, were equal to their task, hard though it was.
Under these circumstances the Grand Lodge very wisely held fast to its tried and proved leaders. At the December Quarterly of 1808 Isaiah Thomas was again chosen Grand Master. Thomas' second administration lasted only one year. The most notable event which marked it was the accession of St. Andrew's which has already been described.
Provision was made at this time to have the records of the Grand Lodge copied up to date and to have the future records kept in duplicate. This practice has been followed ever since.
Past Grand Master's jewels were procured and presented to all the living Past Grand Masters. This custom was abandoned during the lean years which later followed and was not resumed until 1914, when the present elaborate and beautiful jewel was authorized and has since been presented to Past Grand Masters. At the same time (1809) aprons and sashes were provided to be worn by Grand Officers.
This same year paper was substituted for parchment in Master Mason's diplomas, the reason being given that it was impossible to obtain parchment any longer. Parchment was an imported article, and the practical stoppage of European trade rendered importation impossible. The embargo of 1807 had, indeed, been lifted, but that was only a slight amelioration of the situation.
With the accession of St. Andrew's the Grand Secretary was ordered to draw up a list of Lodges in order of seniority. St, Andrew's was placed next St. John's and Rising States demoted from second to third place. This was the occasion, though not the cause, of events concerning Rising States which we shall presently consider.
When Thomas' year ended there was a contest for the Grand Mastership. Nineteen Officers and Permanent Members were present and the representation of twenty-six Lodges. The votes were divided between five candidates: Isaiah Thomas, Timothy Whiting, Josiah Bartlett, Benjamin Russell, and Oliver Prescott. Probably the supporters of the several candidates were much more keen about it than the candidates themselves. Indecisive balloting was continued until a late hour, and it was finally voted to adjourn until ten o'clock the next morning. Matters were adjusted during the night, and on reassembling the next morning Grand Lodge elected Josiah Bartlett on the first ballot. Prescott was elected Junior Grand Warden, Whiting took an appointment as District Deputy Grand Master, and Russell retained his post as Grand Marshal.
Rising States Lodge lost no time in expressing its dissatisfaction with the action of Grand Lodge in placing St, Andrew's in the list of Lodges as senior to Rising States. A communication, unfortunately not preserved, was submitted to the March Quarterly of 181p "referring to a competition of rank between that Lodge (Rising States) and Saint Andrew's Lodge." A committee consisting of John Warren, Timothy Bigelow, John Boyle, Benjamin Russell and Francis J. Oliver was appointed to confer with the representatives of Rising States, with directions to report at the next Quarterly.
The Committee reported in June as follows:
"The committee appointed by the Grand Lodge, at their Quarterly Communication in March last, to confer with a committee of Rising States on the subject of the rank of that Lodge in the Grand Lodge, have attended that duty and have had several free conferences with a respectable committee of Rising States Lodge, and now ask leave to report, that upon said conferences the committee of the Rising States Lodge represented to your committee that all the facts set forth in their remonstrance to the Grand Lodge in March last are correctly and truly stated; and that they comprise all the facts material to the Question, in support of which one of their committee, being the only surviving witness of all said facts, gave his Masonic assurance of all said facts to your committee. Your committee having no authority to confer with any other Lodge, nor enquire into any facts connected with said subject, but such as might b e disclosed to them upon said conferences, nor to pronounce any opinion as to the measures proper to be adopted by the Grand Lodge, make no other report than the foregoing, except to add that they are well satisfied as to the truth of the facts stated in said remonstrance, but yet are of opinion that others do exist which are not there stated, which would have a material influence on the Grand Lodge in deciding on the subject.
"All which is respectfully submitted,
"Signed,
- John Warren,
- Benj. Russell,
- Timothy Bigelow,
- John Boyle,
- Francis J. Oliver.
"June 10th, 5810."
Evidently the committee felt that it had gone as far as its instructions warranted, but was by no means satisfied that the representation of Rising States Lodge had been entirely frank in their representations. No action on the report is recorded.
At the December Quarterly the matter advanced another stage. "R. W. John Brazer, R. W. John Tuckerman and Bro. David Greene were introduced to Grand Lodge and presented by the R. W. Grand Marshal, as a committee from the Rising States Lodge, and were allowed to take their seats, they wearing their jewels as Masters, Wardens and Officers of that Lodge. But it being suggested by the R. W. Francis J. Oliver, Senior Grand Warden, that Rising States Lodge had determined on an early resignation of their charter to the parent Grand Lodge, a doubt arose whether they had a right to vote in Grand Lodge. It was also affirmed that a dissolution had taken place as a Lodge and a division of their funds contemplated. On this information the M. W. Grand Master called on the committee of Rising States Lodge for the records of that Lodge by which the foregoing facts were fully substantiated. Bro. J. Brazer then came forward and resigned the charter in behalf of that Lodge. After some debate a committee was raised to take the state and circumstances of that Lodge into consideration and the propriety of accepting the resignation of their charter. The committee consisted of the five following Brethren, vizt: R. W. John Soley, R. W. Shubael Bell, R. W. Tim. Whiting, R. W. Francis J. Oliver, R. W. John Dixwell."
The committee took time to go into the matter very fully. Their exhaustive report not only goes thoroughly into the affairs of Rising States Lodge, but deals so soundly with fundamental Masonic principles that it deserves reproduction in full.
"The committee appointed to take into consideration of the late conduct of the Rising States Lodge, to trace the causes that led to its unprecedented dissolution, and to report what means would be most advisable for the Grand Lodge to adopt on this important occasion, have attended to the duty assigned them, and respectfully submit the following, as the result of their investigation.
"From an examination of the records of the Lodge, it appears that in the year 5785, their funds amounted 3600 dollars in Loan Office Certificates; in the year 5788 to 692 dollars 96 cents Consolidated Loan Office Certificates and £1707.17 old Continental; in the year 5797 they amounted to 1779 dollars 25 cents, and from that period to the year 5803 the amount varied from 1846 dollars to 2354 dollars; from the year 5803 to 5810 it gradually decreased to 1339.89 cents, 1300 dollars of which had been invested in Union Bank Stock and was sold in December, 5810, at an advance of 17 1/2 per cent, making an amount of 1527.50 cents. This fund, together with the proceeds of the regalia, furniture, etc, of the Lodge, was divided among the nominal members thereof That on the question of dissolving the Lodge, the following persons are recorded as having voted:
- Yeas. Amos Lincoln, Paul Revere, Jun., Joseph Clark, Percival Hall, John Tuckerman, John D. Howard, Stephen Francis, David Greene, Peter Balade, Enoch Baldwin and Jno. Brazer. 11.
- Nays. Ephrain Beaman, Benjamin Russell, William Whall, Jr., John Collins, Josiah Willard, Simeon Dow, Joseph Batson, Frederick Wm. Major and Joseph Allen. 9.
- Whole number 20.
That after the question of dissolution was decided, Bro. Jos. Batson proposed that, when the charter shall be returned to the Grand Lodge, it be accompanied by all the stock, jewels, regalia, etc.; the stock to be under the direction of the Grand Lodge for charitable purposes. On this important question five only voted in the affirmative, vizt: Benjamin Russell, William Whall, Jr., John Collins, Joseph Batson, and Ephralm Beaman.
It further appears, by the official returns to the Grand Lodge, dated November 29th, 5810, that the Lodge consisted of nineteen members only; and that the list did not include the names of John Brazer, Benj. Coolidge, Enoch Baldwin, Paul Revere and the Reverend John Murray, who in the division of the funds were considered as members and received a dividend. The three former were apparently admitted for the sole purpose of effecting the object in view, and upon the question of dissolving the Lodge. Brazer and Baldwin voted in the affirmative. Coolidge was not present.
It also appears from the records, that the following Brethren rec'd a dividend of the stock, vizt; Paul Revere, Amos Lincoln, BenJ. Coolidge, Paul Revere, Jun., John Brazer, Benj. Russell, Joseph Clark, Percival Hall, John Tuckerman, Enoch Baldwin, William Whall, Jr., John Collins, Joseph Allen, Josiah Willard, Ephraim Beaman, John D. Howard, Stephen Francis, Fred'k Wm. Major, David Greene, Seth Webber, Jeremiah Gardner, Joseph Batson, Peter Balade, Simeon Dow and the Rev'd John Murray; thirteen of whom were admitted members since the year 1797, at which period the funds were greater by several hundred dollars than at the time the division of monies, to which they had not contributed a cent, was effected.
Having ascertained these facts your committee caused a special notice to be served upon every individual of the late Rising States Lodge, stating that a meeting of the committee of the Grand Lodge would be held at Masons Hall, on Monday, April 15th, 5811, to inquire into the causes which led to the late unhappy occurrences and requesting his presence at the time. In consequence of this notification there appear'd the following persons, vizt: Amos Lincoln, Percival Hall, John Collins, Jno. Tuckerman, Paul Revere, Jr., David Greene, John D. Howard, Simeon Dow, Josiah Willard, Fred'k Wm. Major, Joseph Allen, Joseph Batson and Ephraim Beaman, being thirteen of the twenty members who voted on the question of dissolving the Lodge.
The above named persons were severally questioned and examined by the committee as to the general situation of the late Rising States Lodge, for several years past, and the causes of dissatisfaction which had existed and the reasons for dissolving their union.
From this examination your committee were perfectly satisfied that discord and uneasiness had found admittance into the Lodge sometime prior to the report of the Grand Lodge upon the petition of St. Andrew's Lodge to be received binder the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, which report had before been assigned, by several members of the Rising States Lodge, as the only cause of the dissolution of said Lodge. Several members testified that there were great and increasing difficulties in the Lodge for five years past, and before the question of rank was agitated. In the opinion of some, they were caused by the appointment of the Grand Lecturer; others attributed them to the disappointment of certain characters in not being elected to the first offices of the Lodge. It appear'd that during this.period members were generally at variance with each other; that great opposition was made to the admission of candidates, in consequence of which there was an accession of very few members; and that applications for charity, even from members, were seldom attended to, and when relief was granted to a distressed Brother, it was with a sparing hand. One of the oldest members.(Tuckerman) declared that great disunion had existed in the Lodge from the time Brother Russell left the Chair; that applications for charity were seldom allowed; that there was a general disposition not to admit new members; and that such was the state of the Lodge, he conceived it to be for the best interests of Masonry, that it should be dissolved; for the sole object of effecting which, he consented to accept the office of Junior Warden at the last election.
Your committee would here observe, to the honor of the member mentioned, that he publicly declared, that the chief reason which operated on his mind and finally determined him to exert himself to obtain a vote to return the charter of the Lodge, was a conviction that in consequence of the multiplied rejections of the claims of charity, the funds of the Lodge could in no other way be appropriated to the grand objects for which they were raised, and that to keep his conscience clear, he had sacredly reserved the position assigned him for the relief of distressed Brethren, to which noble purpose one-half of the sum received had already been applied. Acting under this impression and from these motives your committee consider this worthy member free from any intentional offense with which his coadjutors may be justly chargeable. From the preceding state of facts, collected from the records of the Rising States Lodge and from the testimony of a majority of its members, your committee are irresistibly compelled to believe, that a spirit of disorganization manifested itself -in the Lodge many years since and prior to the now pretended cause of dissolution.
That the admission of St. Andrew's Lodge under the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge, taking rank from the date of its charter, gave some offense to the Rising States Lodge is very apparent; but why their resentments should be more particularly excited is difficult to determine unless they admit the existence of old animosities and internal dissensions; for every other Lodge except St. John's was equally superseded.
The members of Rising States Lodge must have been aware that it is a primary duty of Masons, quickly to acquiesce in the opinions of the majority and submit to some individual deprivations to promote general harmony and prosperity. Your committee are of opinion that the principal advantage derived to society from the Masonic Institution is the encouragement and extension of its benevolent and charitable principles; and when these cease to be the governing object of its members the Institution is disrobed of its greatest ornament. Animated by this sentiment it has ever been the first and most important duty of every Lodge to establish a fund for the relief of the unfortunate. These funds are created and enlarged by various means; many individuals of the society, who have been blessed with prosperity and feel under the moral obligation to become useful members, have made considerable donations for this purpose, with the hope that they leave with their successors a disposition to apply the sacred deposit to the proper objects of charity.
It is the regulation with many Lodges to appropriate the initiatory fees to a Charity Fund. This appropriation is made on strict Masonic principles, for in the opinion of your committee, all monies received for initiations, excepting the regular sums required by the Grand Lodge exclusively, belong to this Fund, because every initiate thereby contributes to that stock from which he is entitled to relief in the day of adversity; and every well-regulated Lodge is in duty bound to establish such quarterages and make such assessments as are adequate to its ordinary support and festive inclinations. A Fund thus raised, and sacredly devoted, becomes the exclusive property of the poor and needy and is deposited with the several Lodges as their trustees, who, under the All-seeing Eye of God, are, with a careful and discriminating hand to apply it to their several necessities. To divert it f-rom this sacred and noble object, by applying it to the purposes of festivities or the aggrandizement of the Lodge, is removing the Ancient Landmarks of the Institution and destroying its usefulness. To divide it among the members of a Lodge, whenever they may think proper to dissolve their union, is making the funds an object of speculation and thereby encouraging such dissolution. It is treating the noble example of departed donors with contempt and devoting their sacred deposit to individual emolument; it is absolving those who are charitably disposed from all obligation to contribute their aid in the establishment of such funds; it is presenting to those of the rising generation the sad example of "reaping where they have not sown, and gathering where they have not strewed;" it is taking bread from the hungry; it is multiplying the tears of the widow and the fatherless. The assuming the right to divide these funds is an alarming and dangerous innovation and must essentially undermine the foundation of the Institution which every member is obliged to support. That unless the Inviolability of funds can be firmly established, it will become necftssary for the Grand Lodge to adopt measures to prevent Lodges accumulating property which may excite into action the rapacious desires of designing and unprincipled men.
Impressed with the importance of these sentiments, your committee's view with the most serious apprehension the conduct of the late Rising States Lodge; they consider it as an alarming precedent, tending to excite a spirit of disorganization, inducing Lodges to take offense on the slightest occasion, that they might have a plausible pretext to obtain possession of the funds. These apprehensions are equally increased from observing those measures countenanced and supported by men of respectable and influential standing in society, whom we have been in the habit of esteeming and who have held high and responsible stations in the Masonic family.
The preservation of the institutions, under the guardianship of the Grand Lodge, imperiously demands the expression of its most signal disapprobation of such conduct, and an exhibition of its fatal tendency. It appears, however, that the late members of the Rising States Lodge were actuated by very different motives in voting for a dissolution and division which took place; some to put a stop to the waste and disorder which had become apparent and thereby secure the remnant of the funds for charitable objects.
In order, therefore, to afford the members of the Rising States Lodge an opportunity to manifest the purity of their principles and the sincerity of their actions, and to exhibit to the Fraternity that spirit of forbearance and reconciliation which has ever characterized the conduct of the Grand Lodge, your committee recommend that they be allowed until the next Quarterly Communication to show that the dividend which they received of the funds of said Lodge, has been bestowed on individual objects of charity; and that such part of said dividend which has not been thus bestowed.should in the interim be paid over to the Grand Treasurer, to be deposited in the Grand Charity Fund; or they should exhibit testimonials of their having devoted it to the Charity Fund of some Lodge under the Jurisdiction.
Your committee further recommend that the Grand Lodge make the tenor of this report known to the late members of the Rising States Lodge, and appoint a committee to receive communications from them, witness the fulfillment of the recommendations herein contained, and report at the next Quarterly Communication.
All which is respectfully submitted.
Signed,
- John Soley,
- Shubael Bell,
- Francis J. Oliver,
- John Dlxwell,
- Timothy Whiting
Committee.
Right W'l. Brother Whiting, from his remote residence, was unable to meet the committee, but has expressed his full approbation of the report of the committee in Grand Lodge and authorized them to affix his name.
The foregoing report was unanimously accepted, and on motion,
"Voted, That the report of the committee on the concerns of Rising States Lodge , which has now been read and accepted, be printed under the superintendence of the same committee and distributed to the several members of Rising States Lodge, and to all the Lodges under the Jurisdiction; that the same committee be empowered to communicate with the members of Rising States Lodge and generally to fulfill and complete the purport of the said report."
Attest:
John Proctor,
Grand Secretary."
At the December Quarterly the committee reported progress and asked further time. At the March Quarterly of 1812 the committee presented a report which was read and "recommitted for the final accomplishment of the duty assigned them." At the June Quarterly the committee made an exhaustive report. They had received communications from fifteen of the members of Rising States Lodge. Fourteen had accounted for the money received at the division of assets' as having been expended in Masonic charity, deposited in the charity funds of other Lodges, or as being held at the disposal of the Grand Lodge. One had replied that he had not appropriated his dividend, that he would do so at a convenient time, and that -s-none of it should go to the Grand Lodge. The fourteen were regarded as having made their purgation, although at this distance of time it seems to have taken some stretch of fraternal charity in some cases. Not even the utmost stretch of fraternal charity could cover the fifteenth, and his offense was not condoned. The report concluded;
"Your committee having thus named all the members of the late Rising States Lodge from whom they have received communications, leave the final decision of the subject to the wisdom of the Grand Lodge, respectfully suggesting the expediency of granting one other opportunity to the non-conforming members to embrace the proffered hand of reconciliation before the infliction of that penalty which will be alike painful to the Grand Lodge and to the objects of it.
All which is respectfully submitted.
- John Soley
- Shubael Bell
- Francis J. Oliver
- John Dixwell,
Committee.
Boston, 9th March, A,L. 5812.
The foregoing report was read and unanimously accepted. On motion,
"Voted, That a committee be raised, by nomination from the Chair, to report what measures ought to be adopted by this Grand Lodge, consistent with its dignity and the welfare of the Masonic family, in regard to those members of the late Rising States Lodge who have refused to comply with the recommendations of this Most Worshipful Grand Lodge as expressed by the acceptance of the report of their committee at the Quarterly Communication, September 9th, A.L. 5811.
"The Most Worshipful, pro tem., (the Hon'ble Josiah Bartlett, Esq.), then nominated the Masters of St. John's Lodge, Massachusetts Lodge, Mount Lebanon Lodge, Columbian Lodge, with Shubael Bell, as a committee for the purpose aforesaid, which nomination was unanimously accepted by the Grand Lodge."
At the September Quarterly the committee reported, recommending that three months be allowed the delinquents to comply with the lenient requisition of the Grand Lodge and that a Masonic summons be issued under Grand Lodge authority and forthwith served by the Grand Marshal on e each and every one of them; requiring them to appear at the next Quarterly Communication to certify their acceptance or to show cause why a vote of expulsion from the benefits and immunities of Masonry should not be passed upon them. The report was unanimously adopted.
The Grand Marshal served the summonses and in making his returns to the December Quarterly of 1812 reported that one Brother had satisfactorily met the requirements of the Grand Lodge, two were at home sick, and one had removed more than a hundred miles from Boston. Six remained and the Grand Lodge ordered them to be called into Grand Lodge. One responded to the call and declared upon his Masonic oath that he had devoted his dividend to Masonic charity except for a small sum which he had intended giving two widows whom he named. He then paid the aforesaid balance to the Grand Treasurer, expressing a hope that the two widows might have the money. There remained five who had done nothing to exculpate themselves and did not enter an appearance. These five were solemnly expelled from all the rights and privileges of Freemasonry. Arrangements were made to have a full report of these proceedings in this painful case printed and sent to all the Lodges in the Jurisdiction. The committee was directed to proceed with the collection of the balances due the Grand Lodge from the delinquents.
This was a matter of time and while the committee reported progress from time to time it was not finally discharged until March, 1815. This long delay was probably due in part at least to the fact that from the middle of 1812 to the opening days of 1815 the United States was at war with England and times were very hard, especially in New England. We shall see many evidences of this state of affairs as we proceed with the history of this period.
So ended perhaps the most painful experience through which this Grand Lodge ever passed. It has been described at length because it was epoch making in the importance of the issues raised and in the importance for the time and for the future of the way in which they were met. Grand Lodge met the issue squarely and dealt with it firmly, calmly, and with dignity. Nothing of the sort had ever happened before and the Grand Lodge fully intended that nothing of the sort should ever happen again if it was in its power to prevent it. Indeed, nothing else of the sort ever occurred.
Toward individuals the Grand Lodge consistently acted with kindly and generous forbearance. Every reasonable excuse was accepted; every opportunity for making amends was afforded; every possible fraternal consideration was extended; and when at the very last the final blow fell it struck only a few who remained defiant or indifferent to the last and to whom no further leniency could be shown except at the cost of an entire sacrifice of the dignity and self-respect of Grand Lodge.
With this exception, the year of Bartlett's second administration, though busy with routine matters, presents nothing of historical importance.
