Difference between revisions of "SolomonsTemple"

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	* ''Peter D. Pendergast'', 2011		* ''Peter D. Pendergast'', 2011
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Revision as of 13:10, 4 March 2013

SOLOMON'S TEMPLE LODGE

Location: Uxbridge

Chartered By: Francis J. Oliver

Charter Date: 12/10/1818 III-167

Precedence Date: 12/10/1818

Current Status: Active

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PAST MASTERS

Living PMs and GL officers only; need full list

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YEARS

1818 1873 1874 1876 1879 1881 1886 1907 1910 1911 1912 1918 1920 1924 1925 1943 1947 1949 1958 1959 1967 1968 1973 1976 1984 1993 1994 2005 2010

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HISTORY

CENTENNIAL HISTORY, DECEMBER 1918

From Proceedings, Page 1918-244:

HISTORY OF SOLOMON'S TEMPLE LODGE 1818-1918, by Rt. Wor. William L. Johnson
PREPARED FOR THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION DECEMBER 10, 1918

As we assemble here to celebrate the one hundredth birthday of the pioneer Lodge in the Twenty-second Masonic District we are reminded of the words of our genial poet Holmes:

"Little of all we value here,
Wakes on the morn of its hundredth year,
Without both feeling and looking queer:
In fact, there's nothing that keeps its youth,
So far as I know, but a tree and truth."

Little did our fathers dream when they formed the Lodge one hundred years ago tonight that we would assemble now to praise their work; but they built upon a strong foundation and their faith has made us strong through the truth.

Tradition tells us that previous to the formation of the Lodge the Masons of Uxbridge and the surrounding towns were wont to meet and consult in private houses. These meetings finally resulted in a petition to the Grand Lodge for a Charter in the name of Solomon's Temple Lodge, to be located in Uxbridge. This petition was favorably received by the Grand Lodge and a Charter was issued bearing the date of December 9, 1818, and signed by Francis J. Oliver, Grand Master, and John Soley, Grand Secretary. Curiously enough the names of the Senior Grand Warden and the Junior Grand Warden do not appear upon the Charter.

The original petitioners were twenty-two in number and their names follow:

Daniel Carpenter. John W. Slocum. Welcome Whipple. Ezek Pitts. Ezekiel Preston. David D. Paine. Richard Olney. Pliney E. Capron. Luke Prentice. Cheney Taft. Jesse Aldrich. Andrew Brown. Horace Seaver. Benjamin Taft. Frost Draper. John Starkweather. Charles S. Capron. Israel Mowry. Job Carpenter. Danforth Draper. Calvin Prentice. Alpheus Baylies.

They were all men of standing and influence in the community. Many of their descendants have brought honor and reputation to the good town of Uxbridge and even the lapse of one hundred years has not effaced the memory of their character and ability.

I want to say a few words about one of the Charter Members because of a very pleasant privilege which is mine tonight. Alpheus Baylies appears last upon the list, but he was really the moving spirit of the Lodge. He was a prosperous farmer Iiving near Williams Hill in the north part of the town, some two miles from the center. Though past the meridian of life he was as active in Lodge duties as he was influential in town affairs. He arranged a place for the first meeting, a little schoolhouse next to his own residence. He was on the committee to secure a hall for meetings, then on the building committee for the new hall, then on the dedication committee. He was the first Treasurer of the Lodge and served on the committee on character for all applicants for the degrees.

Through the kindness of Miss Annie E. Goldthwaite, a descendant of Alpheus Baylies in the fourth generation, I am pleased to present to the Lodge tonight the original apron worn by Brother Baylies at the first meeting of the Lodge. It is beautifully made of silk and has been carefully preserved, the initials of the owner being worked in, as was a frequent custom at that time. The erudition of the Right Worshipful Grand Secretary has explained what puzzled me greatly. The apron is a Royal Arch apron, and shows that Brother Baylies had taken his Chapter Degrees. The Royal Arch Degree was then conferred in Blue Lodges and the custom of this early day allowed Masons of higher rank to wear these aprons at Blue Lodge meetings and such he had undoubtedly done.

Fortunate indeed is the Lodge in any period of its history when it has a member of his attainments and energy to conduct its affairs, but doubly so when it is a new venture looked at with doubtful eyes by many worthy people. All honor to Alpheus Baylies and his co-workers. May the Lodge honor his memory at each succeeding anniversary.

The original records of the Lodge show that there were sixteen members present at the first meeting. The organization was as follows:

• JOHN STARKWEATHER, Worshipful Master pro tem.
• PLINEY E. CAPRON Senior Warden.
• JOHN W. SLOCUM . Junior Warden.
• ALPHEUS BAYLIES Treasurer.
• CHARLES S. CAPRON Secretary.
• ANDREW BROWN Senior Deacon.
• DAVID D. PAINE . Junior Deacon.
• FROST DRAPER Senior Steward.
• ISRAEL MOWRY Junior Steward.
• JESSE ALDRICH Tyler.

A committee was formed to arrange for a permanent place of meeting and the Luther Spring's hall in North Uxbridge was secured and here meetings were held regularly till the next November. These pioneers were too energetic to be satisfied with a public hall. On June 3, 1819, it was voted to build a Masonic Hall and a strong committee was appointed to carry the vote into effect. They secured permission from the town to build a second story on the Academy building, situated on the town common, and on November 25, 1819, the first meeting was held in the new hall, and it has been continuously occupied ever since.

'I'he Dedication of the new hall was the first public function of the new Lodge and it must have brought a full measure of pride and satisfaction to the faithful members. Alfred Baylies was the Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements: David D. Paine and Frost Draper were a committee to remove the Lodge furniture to the new hall, and Joseph Thayer and Jacob Chapin were a committee to prepare toasts. The oration at the Dedication was given by Reverend Brother Benjamin Wood, and the Grenadiers, the crack military organization in this section, turned out in force to honor the occasion. Alas that the records of the Lodge are so silent as to the full programme of the day! It would be a matter of great interest to us at the present time.

The early records of the Lodge sometimesthrow an interesting light upon the manners and customs of the people. March 23, 1820, at a regular meeting it was voted to refresh but once during a meeting. May 25, 1820, it was voted that the Brethren who partake of refreshments shall pay to the hands of the Secretary six cents and shall be called upon if not paid quarterly. Again the wisdom of our present Grand Secretary makes this curious vote clear. Six cents was the universal price at that day of a drink of New England rum! At the annual meeting in October a moderator was chosen to preside.

The meeting of May 6, 1824, seems to have been a very interesting one. There were seventy-one members present, the largest number recorded in the early records. The Lodge opened at two o'clock in the afternoon and the Brethren then proceeded to the meeting-house where an oration was delivered by Reverend Brother Otis Converse, after which they returned to the Lodge-room and partook of a bountiful collation. A side-light on the esteem entertained for clergymen in the early part of the last century is shown in the vote of December 22, 1825: Voted, that the Rev. Samuel Judson be invited to attend the next regular meeting, make a prayer, and listen to a Masonic discourse by Rev. Bro. Benjamin Wood and to partake of the refreshments furnished." All of which he did, though he was not a Mason.

It was more of a tribute to the distance some of the members had to come than to the thirsty proclivities of the Brethren when the Lodge voted, December 27, 1827, to have the Tyler furnish refreshments at each regular meeting, and these to consist of cheese, biscuits, and cider. At a subsequent meeting it was voted that the office of Tyler be put up at auction for the year ensuing. Brother Jesse Aldrich bid forty-five cents for the privilege and was declared elected. The next year he must have felt that he had overcharged the Lodge, however, for he bid fifty cents and was again elected. Now we have to pay our Tyler a substantial sum for his services, and I am constrained to think there was a connection between the nature of the refreshments and the desirability of the office. The members would certainly want to keep on the right side of the Tyler when he had the sole charge of the refreshments, both solid and liquid, and this made it worth while to pay a substantial sum for the privilege. I find no record that this vote was ever repealed, but no Brother would dare to bid for the position at the present time.

Either there was a growth in prohibition sentiment or the Lodge needed money when we find a vote, March 12, 1835, to sell, among other things, five decanters, twelve tumblers, five stone jugs, four pitchers, one punch-bowl, and a large waiter.

We now come to the trying period of Masonry, the time of the Morgan excitement. In this section the agitation was very strong and the most bitter feelings were aroused. From 1835 to 1845 there are no records of the Lodge and it is probable that no meetings were held. Royal Cummings was the Master during all this period, and though not a single member joined in the ten years, we honor him for his fidelity, for he preserved the Charter and the early records during all this time and kept up his interest in Masonry, as is evidenced by his subsequent activities.

The first decade of the Lodge was its period of greatest activity, for no less than one hundred and fifty-five joined the Lodge during that time, a truly remarkable record and an evidence of the high character and energy of its founders. How suddenly the change came! From 1829 to 1845 not one member was added to the Lodge and only three during the following ten years, making twenty-six years of almost complete stagnation. Just before the Civil War there was a great revival of interest in Masonry and the decade from 1858 to 1868 saw one hundred and thirty-one persons become members of the Lodge. So completely discouraged had the Lodge become in consequence of its long inactivity that we find a vote passed on April 9, 1851, to move the Lodge to Upton. Hiram Clark and Royal Cummings were appointed a committee to arrange for a hall and make the change, but fortunately the vote was never carried into effect. Another reason was the number and influence of the members of the Lodge resident in the town of Upton who regularly attended the meetings in Uxbridge until other Lodges were formed easier of access to the Upton Masons. There are now no members of Solomon's Temple Lodge who reside in that town.

Two Lodges have gone out from the mother Lodge in Uxbridge, Mumford River Lodge, of East Douglas, and Granite Lodge of Whitinsville. Both have made an honorable record in Masonic work and Granite Lodge has far outstripped the older Lodge in membership and opportunity.

I find the record of five members who have been District Deputy Grand Masters, Arba C. Slater, Orville B. Seagrave, Daniel W. Taft, William L. Johnson, and Charles A. Barton. Two have been elevated to the high and honorable position of Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge, Daniel W. Taft in 1901 and William L. Johnson in 1918.

The usual term of office of the Master has been two years, but there have been notable exceptions. Royal Cummings and Hiram Clark each served ten years as Master, Zadok A. Taft and Charles A. Taft five years each, David D. Paine four years, while our first Master, Horace Seaver, served three years.

I cannot close without a brief tribute to three men who have left an indelible influence for good on Solomon's Temple Lodge.

Zadok A. Taft will rank as the greatest Master in our history. He was a plain, unassuming man, a farmer by occupation, and a born leader of men. He served the town in many offices with diligence and fidelity. He was devoted to the cause of education, serving many years as Chairman of the School Committee. He never spared himself or shirked a duty. He joined Solomon's Temple Lodge in April, 1857, and in December of the same year was elected Master, serving for five years. He mastered every part of the work without an apprenticeship! But this was only the beginning of his offerings to the Lodge. At the close of his term of service he was elected Secretary and served for eight years, was then elected 'I'rasurer and served for eighteen years, and was in that officeat the time of his death. Thus we have a continuous period of over thirty years of active duty in the most important offices in the Lodge. Modest and unpretentious by nature, he would be the last to claim what he so richly deserves, the crown of immortality in the memory of the Lodge.

Charles A. Taft may well be called the inspiration of Solomon's Temple Lodge. He was of a totally different type, dignified, persistent, and assertive, a banker by profession and thoroughly alive to all the important measures for the good of the community. He joined the Lodge also in April, 1857, and was elected as Senior Deacon in December of that year. He brought the ardor of youth and an intense love for the Craft into a Lodge dormant and cold. The result was an awakening that has not yet spent its force. He ably assisted the Master in every effort, served in the Warden's chairs, and in 1862 was elected Master, serving for five years. He has the distinction of raising more members than any Master in our history, no less than eighty-six having joined while he was in the Chair. He was active and energetic in the work of the Lodge as long as he lived. An abiding love for the Fraternity, sterling worth, indomitable perseverance, and great ability were his characteristics and the Lodge owes him a lasting debt of gratitude.

Daniel W. Taft deserves the title which has been given him of the best loved Master. He was not an original member of the Lodge, having been raised in Blackstone River Lodge where he had previously served as Master. He moved to Uxbridge shortly after the Civil War; and at once took an active interest in the Lodge. He was a man of large capacity, of great intellect, and unusual ability.He was a prominent and successful manufacturer, devoted to the interests of the community and ready at all times to give his best thought to the good of the town. He had that happy gift of attracting the earnest and enthusiastic regard of his friends. He was untiring in his devotion to Masonry. He was the standard authority on Masonic lore, a real teacher of the art. Night after night he would instruct a class of enthusiastic young beginners in Masonry, though his days were filled with solving intricate problems. He was known and loved in Masonic circles all over the State. He was my guide and counselor in every Masonic path as he was of many more who join with me in loving tribute to his memory.

Brethren, and what shall I say more? For time would fail me to tell of Seaver, of Starkweather, of Capron, of Holman, of Paine, of Morse, of Cummings, of Clarke, of Sweet, of Jefferson, of Scott, of Seagrave, of Finchon, of Keegan, of Preston, of Sayles, "Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, stopped the mouths of lions, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the army of the aliens." These all died in the faith and through their labors we enter into a great heritage. Let us be worthy of our important trust.

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GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

• Charles A. Barton, DDGM, District 19 (Southbridge), 1909, 1910; Memorial
• James W. Blackburn, Jr., DDGM, District 20 (Blackstone), 1989, 1990; SN
• Milton L. Goldthwaite, DDGM, District 20 (Blackstone), 1941, 1942; SN
• Merton L. Griswold, DDGM, District 22 (Blackstone), 1920, 1921; SN
• Howard J. Holbrook, DDGM, District 20 (Blackstone), 1953, 1954; N
• William L. Johnson, DDGM, District 19 (Southbridge), 1896, 1897; Junior Grand Warden 1918
• Elton C. Jones, DDGM, District 20 (Blackstone), 1977, 1978; N
• Orville B. Seagrave, DDGM, District 19 (Southbridge), 1884, 1885, 1886; Memorial (died in office)
• Arba C. Slater, DDGM, District 12 (Milford), 1880, 1881, 1882; SN
• Daniel W. Taft, DDGM, District 4, 1860, 1861; Senior Grand Warden 1902
• Joseph Thayer, DDGM, District 6, 1822, 1823, 1824, 1825; SN
• Philip E. Thomas, Jr., DDGM, District 20 (Blackstone), 1965, 1966; SN
• Mark S. Watson, DDGM, District 20 (Blackstone), 2001, 2002

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DISTRICTS

1818: District 4 (Southeast)

1821: District 6

1835: District 6

1849: District 6

1867: District 12 (Milford)

1883: District 19 (Southbridge)

1911: District 22 (Blackstone)

1927: District 22 (Milford)

1931: District 20 (Blackstone)

2003: District 24

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LINKS

Lodge web site

Massachusetts Lodges