RITemple18
Contents
TEMPLE LODGE #18
Location: X
Chartered By: X
Dispensation Date: date
Charter Date: date
Current Status: status
NOTES
Meeting Date: Saturday on or after the full moon.
PAST MASTERS
REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS
ANNIVERSARIES
VISITS BY GRAND MASTER
BY-LAW CHANGES
HISTORY
A few years prior to the fierce outburst of anti-Masonic feeling, the fraternity, which was so suddenly and bitterly assailed, seemed to have a condition of popular favor and general prosperity. The Masonic organization had become firmly established in nearly all portions of the United States and had acquired a prestige and influence which were suggestive of its rapid increase in numbers and resources. In Rhode Island this condition was most evident.
The older Lodges had a well deserved reputation and were well sustained, while several new Lodges were called into being about the time to which reference is here made. Evening Star Lodge, Lafayette Lodge and Temple Lodge were organized only a few years before the adverse period mentioned. Evening Star Lodge became extinct and has not been revived. Lafayette Lodge was not revived until 1961. The other Temple Lodge No. 18 went down before the storm, and for many years was practically dead, its name ceasing to be borne on the roll of the Grand Lodge; but there came a time of new life, of renewed activities and usefulness. It was revived in the year 1860, its Charter restored, and since that period it has moved on in a career of increasing influence. It is pleasant to not some of the movements and factors of its early history and of its more recent record.
In the Book of Records of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island, under the date of February 22, 1822, a statement appears, in substance as follows: A petition was this day received from several brethren in Smithfield, praying for a Dispensation to form a new Lodge to be called Temple Lodge.
There were six initiations during the first year of the Lodge’s organization and seventeen initiations during the second year. The Lodge held its meetings with regularity and they were well attended. The first officers and members of Temple Lodge took commendable price in rendering the ceremonies according to the prescribed Masonic ritual and with as much impressiveness as possible. Although subjected to some limitations in the doing of Masonic work, the brethren were yet able to present intelligent and impressive expression of the lessons of Freemasonry.
The career of Temple Lodge No. 18 from the time of its reorganization to date (1976), has been attended by manifold signs of influence and increasing usefulness. Its prosperity has been well deserved. It has had some adverse conditions to contend with, but these have been met and measurably overcome by the exercise of a Masonic spirit of faith and steadfastness on the part of its members.
