StMaryNewtonCentenary1913

CENTENNIAL OF A CORNER STONE

From New England Craftsman, Vol. IX, No. 1, October 1913, Page 7:

Thomas W. Davis, Grand Secretary

It is not often that the cornerstone of any edifice is allowed to remain in place for a hundred years and then taken out for inspection and replaced with ceremony for another hundred years rest. Such was the case with the cornerstone of St. Mary's Episcopal Church at Newton Lower Falls, Monday, September 29th, when the officers of the Grand Lodge of Masons of Massachusetts relaid the stone which was first set in place just one hundred years before. The Grand Lodge officers who officiated on this interesting occasion were: Herbert E. Fletcher, Deputy Grand Master, who presided, as Grand Master Benton was unable to be present; Melvin M. Johnson, Past Grand Warden, who acted as Deputy Grand Master in the ceremonies; Frank W. Mead, Senior Grand Warden; W. H. H. Soule, Junior Grand Warden; Thomas W. Davis, Recording Grand Secretary; Rev. Edward A. Horton, Grand Chaplain; George C. Thacher, Grand Marshal; Wilber A. Dykeman, and John C. Hurll, Grand Deacons; Clinton A. Ferguson and Henry B. Prescott, Grand Stewards; Philip T. Nickerson, Grand Sword Bearer, and George W. Chester, Grand Tyler. Past Grand Master Dana J. Flanders was also present. In addition to the delegation from the Grand Lodge, Meridian Lodge of Natick and Dalhousie Lodge of Newton were represented.

Many Episcopal clergymen from other parts of Newton, as well as from surrounding towns and cities, were present. After the cornerstone was set in place a group of young girls, dressed in white, many of whom were descended from the founders of the parish, strewed flowers on the stone. The original box contained in the stone was replaced by a new one, containing the articles placed in the old stone, as well as a new setof parish records and other things.

The program opened with a procession from the parish house headed by the Grand Lodge followed by Meridian and Dalhousie Lodges, members of the vested choir, led by director Carl Safford, Rev. Francis B. White, the rector; Rev. H. U. Monro, rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, North Andover, a former rector of St. Mary's, and Rev. John Matteson, rector of the Church of the Messiah, Auburndale, followed by flower girls from the congregation.

Prayer was offered by Rev. Edward A. Horton, and the address was delivered by Thomas W. Davis, recording grand secretary, who spoke as follows:

"The 29th day of September, 1813, was the day assigned for laying the corner-stone of this church by R. W. Francis J. Oliver, who was then Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and later Grand Master. He was assisted by Rev. John Sylvester Gardner, Rector of Trinity Church of Boston, and by Rev. Dr. Asa Eaton, Rector of Christ Church, who was at that time Grand Chaplain, and who served the Grand Lodge in that capacity for twelve years. He afterwards in 1819 became Deputy Grand Master, and held membership in the Grand Lodge, by virtue of holding that office, for thirty-eight years until his death in 1858. Escort duty was performed by Meridian Lodge, chartered at Watertown in 1797; removed to Needham and thence to Newton, and finding its home in Natick in 1852.

It is interesting to note that to-day as then, it is our Deputy Grand Master, who oversees our work, the officers of the Church are assisting, and our escort is furnished by the same Lodge which acted in like capacity one hundred years ago.

The ceremony in which we have this afternoon taken part is believed to be without a precedent in the history of this Grand Lodge. It has a remarkable Masonic and moral significance. Upon the one hundredth anniversary of the founding of a church in this village the successors of those who met to signalize its inception by laying the cornerstone of this edifice have assembled, Church, Grand Lodge and Lodge, to examine and review what was done by our predecessors, and to re-establish the foundations then built upon, and the fact that the expiration of a century finds these parties in accord demonstrates, more unmistakably than could be done by written and printed word, the permanence of them all, and teaches the lesson that this continued harmonious action exists because of the character of these institutions. The Church, because it is builded upon the rock of Christian faith, precept and teaching, endures, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it, and the Masonic Institution, tried as by fire in the years that have elapsed, remains now as then the handmaid of the Church—because it is striving for the same end, the elevation of mankind, until those who enter its portals shall be fitted as living stones for that spiritual building, eternal in the heavens, of which the Church is the visible symbol on earth.

It is sometimes said that nothing succeeds like success. It may be more properly said that nothing endures like character. All else is temporary and fleeting. The permanence of the Church, the continued existence of the Masonic fraternity, is secure so long as they strive to seek the divine ideal, and to imitate the divine example. God grant that we who are gathered here to-day, and those who press on to fill our places, shall so order our lives and conduct that not only for a century to come, but for the eons of time and eternity which lie before us, it may be known that we are walking with God; we are helping to carry out his wise and infinite purposes; and so doing, are growing into his likeness.

We stand here looking backward to the story of the past. May we from the same vantage ground look forward with hope for a record of even a brighter and better future."

Melvin M. Johnson, Past Grand Warden, read a list of the articles in the metal box in the stone. The rector, Rev. Mr. White, expressed the gratitude of the parish to the visiting Masonic bodies, after which a collation was served by young women in the parish house.

In connection with the exercises at the church, the members of Dalhousie Lodge placed a wreath on the grave of Albert A. Kendall, the first Master of the lodge in 1860 and 1861. This grave is in the old St. Mary's burying ground which adjoins the church. The ceremony was witnessed by the widow, son and daughter-in-law of the deceased.

In the evening an address was made by Rev. H. U. Monro of North Andover and a reception in the parish house brought the celebration to a close.