USA > Kentucky > Collins historical sketches of Kentucky. History of Kentucky: Vol. I > Part 99
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There, the first vow of the Entered Apprentice was uttered-there, the Fellow Craft for the first time beheld the Pillars crowned with peace, unity, and plenty-there it was, the widow's son traced his designs and became immortal-
"There, as westward you go, Near the brow of the hill The master lies low " __
There, the secrets of the Master Mason were made known to those who waited with time and patience-there, the workmen were taught to draw wages-there, the trusty Giblemites conducted Solomon in his declining years to the oriental chair-and it was there, the Most Excellent Master de- dicated the Cap-stone-and there, the laborers were rewarded for their im- portant discoveries-there, Masonry built her first Altar, baptized it with the dew of Hermon, the dew that descended from the mountains-and there, the Lord commanded a blessing, even life forevermore. It was there, Masonry received her first charge of light, and thence went forth on her world-wide pilgrimage into every land, erected her altars in every clime, and has her ceremonies uttered in every language.
The ever memorable land of Palestine is, and ever will be, dear to the heart of the true Mason; and, with the Christian, the Mason exclaims-
" If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.
" If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth."
Tradition continues its details down to the year 926-when the written history begins, with the charter issued by King Athelstan directed to the Master Masons of England, and the convening of a Grand Lodge at York. From that date, Masonry has made an enviable historic record in every nation; and except where proscriptive supremacy reigns, is very general and flourishing.
England, Ireland, and Scotland have presented a succession of their most eminent philantrophists, statesmen, and nobility in the Most Worshipful Grand Master's chair, exercising the powers of that great office; with a present most happy, harmonious, and numerous Fraternity in every part of the United Kingdom. The American Masonic excursion party, of June and July, 1873, fully realized this, in the magnificent receptions and entertain- ments given them as they passed through Great Britain and Ireland, en route to the Continent; and which will no doubt be followed by joyful greetings
523
FREEMASONRY.
through Germany, Italy, France, and other European localities, the details whereof will not be known until after this sketch will be with the printer.
The first Masonic Lodge in the New World was instituted July 30th, 1733, under a grant from the Earl of Montague, then Grand Master of England. Henry Price was therein designated " Provisional Grand Master of New England and the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging ;" and upon the day designated, the Brethren named assembled "in a secure room of Ye Bunch of Grapes tavern " in Boston, organized, and appointed the necessary officers.
1 In 1734, Benjamin Franklin published the Masonic Book of Constitutions; and in this year Henry Price was constituted Grand Master over all North America, and established a Lodge in Philadelphia, with Benjamin Franklin as first Master.
In 1735, two Lodges were established in Charleston, S. C.
Nov. 4, 1752, George Washington was initiated in Fredericksburg Lodge, Virginia. June 24, 1769, Joseph Warren (afterwards a Revolutionary general) was created first Provincial Grand Master of Massachusetts ; and in 1773, his Patent was enlarged to embrace the Continent of America. That position did not prevent him from being among the foremost to resist what he justly regarded as the oppression of the ministry of King George, and at Bunker Hill, on the 17th of June, 1775, to yield up his life, in behalf of National Freedom. His death dissolved the Grand Lodge over which he had been presiding, but in the succeeding year it was established as the First Independent Lodge in America.
In 1777, Gen. David Wooster, the Provincial Grand Master of Connecticut, was killed whilst battling for Independence.
Saint John's day, 1778, Gen. Washington appeared in a public Masonic procession at Philadelphia, and listened to an oration delivered in Christ Church. In 1793- then the first President of the young Republic, but in his Masonic capacity- arrayed in the paraphernalia of the Craft, and attended by the imposing cere- monies of the Order-he laid the corner-stone of the Capitol at Washington. His confidence in and partiality for the Masonic organization was well known, and regarded all through the eventful struggle for Independence ; and nearly every officer above or of the rank of Captain, and a large proportion of the pri- vates, were, like their great commander, members of the Mystic tie; the principles and practice learned in the matters of subordination, obedience to constituted authority, and respect for law and order, necessarily making them among the best soldiers of the Revolution.
Page after page could be filled with interesting Masonic incidents, and the part taken in them by John Marshall, Marquis de La Fayette, and other great and good men : who justly regarded every member of the fraternity as doubly bound to his God, his Country, and his Fellow-men. But the steady advance of the Order and its present enviable status are sufficient to attest the purity of purpose that is so surely guiding it to a prosperous future.
The Grand Lodge is composed of representatives from the subordinate Lodges, and is the only true and legitimate source of Masonic authority under which the subordinates congregate. It has the inherent power to investigate and determine all Masonic matters, relating to the Craft in general, to partic- ular lodges, or to individual brethren; and is required to preserve the an- cient landmarks. The Constitution declares that "it is the duty of every Freemason to live in peace, harmony, and love with all mankind; to despise hatred, malice, and calumny ; to practice universal charity and benevolence; to avoid as much as possible, all law suits, and to submit all differences that may arise between brethren-except such as may relate to real or personal property-to be reconciled by the several Lodges to which they belong, or by the Grand Lodge."
The Subordinate Lodge is composed of Entered Apprentices, Fellow Crafts, and Master Masons; and those 3 degrees, all taken together, make up Blue Lodge Masonry, and constitute the corner-stone and foundation of the Ancient Masonic Temple-which is the most important and controlling part of the Order. Every well informed Royal Arch, Knight Templar, or Scot- tish Rite Mason, readily recognises that the Blue Lodge is the root, the magnificent trunk-growing in ancient symmetrical beauty; while all con-
524
SKETCH OF
tained in Capitular, Templar, or Scottish Rite Masonry are branches of the parent tree ; and membership in those branches is only attainable in regular progression by those who are Master Masons in good standing.
The following table indicates the progress of Blue Lodge Masonry, and shows
Date of Organization of Grand Lodges in the United States, number of Subordinate Lodges, and total of active members in each at close of year 1871.
1
States and Territories.
Year when Organized.
Working
Lodges.
Enrolled
Members.
Year when
Organized.
Working
Lodges.
Enrolled
Members.
Alabama
1821
221
10,643
Missouri.
1821
361
23,118
Arkansas
1832
262
9,831
Mississippi
1818
296
11,528
California
1850
170
9,909
Montana Territory.
1866
14
678
Colorado Territory.
1861
16
1,079
Nebraska
1857
31
1,579
Connecticut
1789
103
13,715
New Hampshire.
1789
71
7,056
Delaware
1806
20
1,046
Nevada ...
1865
14
1,028
Dist. of Columbia
1810
19
2,443|
New Jersey
1786
118
9,161
Florida.
1830
54
1,769
New York.
1787
683
79.849
Georgia.
1786
272
15,095
North Carolina
1787
199
11,148
Idaho Territory
1867
8
283
¡Ohio
1808
403
27,392
Illinois
1822
626
36,503
Oregon
1851
39
1,440
Indiana
1818
437
23,308
Pennsylvania
1786
315
33,328
Iowa
1844
293
14,541
Rhode Island
1791
25
3,892
Kansas
1855
96
2,425
South Carolina.
1787
146
6,476
Kentucky
1800
474
20,469
Tennessee.
1813
338
19,401
Louisiana
1812
148
7,307
Texas
1837
263
12,771
Maine.
1820
153
15,518
Vermont.
1794
91
8,09
Maryland.
1781
76
5,161
Virginia
1778
173
8,825
Massachusetts
1777
182
24,622
Washington Ter'tory
1858
13
496
Michigan.
1826
286
23,996 |West Virginia
1865
43
2,126
Minnesota ..
1853
80
4,588 |Wisconsin
1843
160
9,203
It will thus be seen that the 12 old Colonial or Provincial Grand Lodges became independent in the following order: 1. Massachusetts, 2. Virginia, 3. Maryland, 4. Pennsylvania, 5. Georgia, 6. New Jersey, 7. New York, 8. South Carolina, 9. North Carolina, 10. New Hampshire, 11. Connecticut, and 12. Rhode Island.
The Grand Lodge of Virginia exercised jurisdiction over Kentucky, before and for eight years after the latter was admitted into the Union as a state ; and established,
Nov. 17, 1788.
Lexington Lodge as No. 25.
Nov. 25, 1791
Paris
" No. 35.
Nov. 29, 1796
.Georgetown = No. 46.
Subsequently
Abraham
" U. D.
Upon the 8th of September, 1800, delegates from those Lodges met in convention at Mason's Hall, in Lexington, with John Hawkins, of Georgetown, in the chair, and Thos. Bodley, clerk. Wm. Murray, Alexander MacGregor, Thomas Hughes, Simon Adams, and Samuel Shepherd were appointed a committee to draft an address to the G. L. of Virginia-setting forth the necessity for the establishment of a Grand Lodge in Kentucky, and designated the 16th of October, 1800, for the purpose of constituting the same. Upon that day the meeting was held, in the same place, James Morrison, the oldest Past Master, presiding. William Murray was elected Grand Master; and the numbers of the Lodges changed as follows: Lexington, No. 1; Paris, No. 2; Georgetown, No. 3; Hiram, No. 4; Solomon's, late Abraham, No. 5.
Those five Lodges have increased until there are now 474 working Lodges in Kentucky, with 20,469 active members. This does not include the many thousands who, from long service and other reasons, are non-affiliated, but re- tain a steadfast adherence to the principles of the Order.
States and Territories.
FREEMASONRY
525
Grand' Masters of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky from its formation, Oct. 16, 1800, until August 1, 1873.
1800| William Murray,
1824 John Speed Smith,
1849; John D. McCture,
1801| James Morrison,
1825 Thomas H. Bradford,
1850 #John M. S. McCorkle,
1802 James Morrison,
1826 Samuel Daveiss,
1803 John Jordan, Jr.,
1827
Daniel Breck,
1804
Geo. M. Bibb,
1828
Robert Johnston,
1854 Marcus M. Tyler,
1806
Geo. M. Bibb,
1807
Geo. M. Bibb,
1831|
Levi Tyler, John Payne,
1856 #Theodore N. Wise, 1857 Philip Swigert,
1809
John Allen,
1833
Abraham Jones,
1858 #Robert Morris,
1811
įJoseph Hamilton Daveiss,
1835
Willis Stewart,
1860 Lewis Landram,
1812
Anthony Butler,
1838
#Derrick Warner,
1863 #Thomas Sadler,
1815
Daniel Bradford,
1840
Geo. Breckinridge, Abner Cunningham,
1864 *J. D. Landrum, 1865 #M. J. Williams, 1866 Isaac T. Martin, 1867 *Elisha S. Fitch, 1868 Elisha S. Fitch,
1819
Samuel H. Woodson,
1844
#Bryan R. Young,
1869 *Charles Eginton,
1820 Henry Clay,
1845 Wm. Holloway,
1870| Charles Eginton,
1821
John Mckinney, Jr.,
1846 *Wm. B. Allen,
1871 *E. B. Jones,
1822
David G. Cowan,
1847| James H. Daviess,
1872 *Edward W. Turner.
1823
Asa K. Lewis,
1848 #Chas. Tilden,
1873 *Thomas J. Pickett.
In all 64, of whom 22 marked thus (#) are living. Geo. M. Bibb served 4 terms, John Allen 3, James Morrison 2, Anthony Butler 2, Wm. H. Richardson 2, Elisha S. Fitch 2, and Charles Eginton 2.
t Killed at the battle of River Raisin. į Killed at the battle of Tippecanoe.
The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, in October, 1872, reported 105 working chapters and a membership of 3,949.
Grand High Priests, from the formation of the Grand Chapter of Kentucky in 1817, to the 1st of August, 1873.
YEAR.
GRAND HIGH PRIESTS.
YEAR
GRAND HIGH PRIESTS.
YEAR
GRAND HIGH PRIESTS.
1817 ..
*James Moore,
1835
#Nathaniel Hardy,
1856 *Marcus M. Tyler,
1818.
#James Moore,
1836
Did not meet this year
1857 #William H. Forsythe,
1819.
#James Moore,
1837
Did not meet this year!
1858| *William M. Samuel,
' 1820.
#David G. Cowan,
1838 Did not meet this year #Caleb W. Cloud,
IS60 Theodore N. Wise,
1821 Dec.
#David G. Cowan,
|1840 #William Brown, Jr.,
1861 *Theodore Kohlhass,
1822
@Wm.Gibbes Hunt, #Jn. McKinney, Jr.
1842 #Abner Cunningham,
1863 #Sam'l D, Mccullough,
1824
#Tho. Mcclanahan
1843 John M. McCalla,
1864 William E. Robinson,
1825
#James M. Pike,
1844 #Richard Apperson,
1865|
Harry Hudson,
1826.
#Robert Johnston,
1845 Herman Bowmar, Jr.,
1866 J. H. Branham,
1827
1846 Dempsey Carrell,
1867 #Isaac T. Martin,
1828
#Tho. H. Bradford, Henry Wingate, #Levi Tyler,
1848 #Humphrey Jones, Jr.,
1869
1830.
1849 #James II. Daviess,
1870 Henry Bostwick,
1831
Andr. M.January, #Warham P. Loomis, #John Payne, Jag M Bullock,
1852 #Isaac Cunningham,
1873
David P. Robb,
1833.
..
1853 John M. S. McCorkle,
1834
..
*ChurchillJ. Black· burn,
1855
Harvey T. Wilson,
1851|*Chas. G. Wintersmith 1852 Thomas Ware, 1853 *Thomas Todd,
1805
Geo. M. Bibb,
1829
Wm. W. Southgate, John M. McCalla,
1855 #David J. Montsarrat,
1808
John Allen,
1832
1834
Richard Apperson,
1859|*Harvey T. Wilson,
1813
Anthony Butler, James Moore,
1816
Wm. H. Richardson,
1817
Win. H. Richardson,
1841 Thomas C. Orear, 1842 Henry Wingate,
1818
Thomas Bodley,
1843 Leander M. Cox,
1861 #Hiram Bassett, 1862 *John B. Huston,
1814
1839
1836 William Brown, Jr.,
1837 James Rice, Jr.,
1810 tJohn Allen,
1830
1850 Chas. G. Wintersmith, 1851 #Thomas Ware,
1871
J. P. Rascoe,
1872
William Ryan,
1832
1841 Derrick Warner,
1862; Thomas Sadler,
1823
1859| Thomas Todd,
1821Jan.
#David G. Cowan, 1839
1847 #Willis Stewart,
1868 *R. G. Hawkins, E. B. Jones,
1829
1854 *John D. McClure,
These (*) are dead.
In 1807, the office of Grand Orator was established by the Grand Lodge, and abolished in 1858. Between those dates the following distinguished citizens, now dead, were among those elected to that important position :
526
. SKETCH OF
Henry Clay, William W. Southgate,
Samuel S. Nicholas,
William S. Pilcher,
Joseph Cabell Breckinridge, Garret Davis, John Pope, Wilkins Tannehill, John M. McCalla,
John Rowan, William T. Barry,
Robert J. Breckinridge,
William S. Downey,
Chilton Allan,
William M. O. Smith.
Daniel Breck, James M. Bullock,
Besides those on the roll of the honored dead, there were many other bright lights whose labors added to the strength, moral status, and prosperity of the Fraternity.
The four great Executive continuous officers were Daniel Bradford, Philip Swigert, Albert G. Hodges, and John M. S. MeCorkle.
In addition to the service rendered by the first named in other stations, and as publisher, he, acceptably and with great credit, between 1801 and 1831, performed the duties of Deputy Grand Master, Grand Master, and for 23 years Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge. He was well worthy of being called " one of the Fathers in Masonry."
Philip Swigert, than whom a better name is not upon the roll of time, entered the Grand Lodge in 1820; in 1824-25-26-27 was Senior Grand Deacon; in 1828-29-30-31-32, Grand Treasurer; in 1833 became Grand Secretary, and continued as such until 1854; in 1855-56-57, was successively Junior Grand Warden, Senior Grand Warden, and Most Worshipful Grand Master; and for 45 years was Grand Secretary of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. In every position-as clerk, legislator, man of business, private citizen, bank president, and Mason-he was eminently true, faithful, intelligent, and honorable. Those who knew him best, loved him most; and the Grand Chapter has fitly inscribed upon the memorial page dedicated to his memory, that he was-" For half a century a representative man in the business and Masonic circles of Kentucky, and died without a stain upon his honor."
Brothers Hodges and McCorkle have been in active Masonic service so long that the memory of man runneth not to the contrary; and are yet ex- ercising the vigor of youth, with the earnest wish of the entire Brotherhood of Kentucky that the Love, Purity, and Light, which they so pre-eminently reflect may be dispensed by them in person to yet another generation.
The Councils of Royal and Select Masters compose another branch of the flourishing Masonic tree-whereof the following are in a prosperous condition in Kentucky :
.NO.
NAME OF COUNCIL.
WHERE HELD.
NO.
NAME OF COUNCIL.
WHERE HELD.
1.
Washington
Lexington.
35.
Wingate
..
Marion.
4.
Louisville
Louisville.
36.
Maysville
Maysville.
5. Frankfort
Frankfort.
37.
Antioch
Ballard county
6.
Versailles
Versailles.
38. Franklin
Franklin.
10.
Greensburg
Greensburg.
39.
Mayfield
Mayfield.
11.
Glasgow
Glasgow.
40. New Concord
New Concord.
12.
Graham
Bowling Green
41.
Bransford
Lodgeton.
13.
Kenton
Covington. Hickman.
43.
Princeton
Princeton.
24.
Eliot.
Elizabethtown
44.
Shelbyville.
Shelbyville.
25.
Kassidean.
Hardinsburg.
45.
Mt. Sterling.
Mt. Sterling.
26.
Philip Swigert.
Eddyville. ..
46. Henderson
Henderson.
28.
McClure
Owenton.
47. Bewleyville
Bewleyville.
31.
Adoniram
Carlisle.
48. Danville.
Danville.
32.
Paducah
Paducah.
49.
Harrison
Cynthiana.
33.
Jeffries
Newport.
50.
Murray
Murray.
34. 1Owensboro
Owensboro.
42. J. P. Foree.
Christiansburg
. 18.
Hickman
Representatives from those subordinate Councils meet annually in Louis- ville, in October, and constitute a Grand Council. The following are the officers in 1873:
FREEMASONRY.
527
Comp. Thomas Todd. .G. P.
Comp. A. H. Gardner. G.Treasurer.
Henry Bostwick D. G. P. Rev. Howard A. M.
Joseph H. Branham D. T. I. Henderson, D. D ... G. Chaplain.
William Rvan. G. P. C. W. Lorenzo D.Croninger G.C.G.,protem.
Albert G. Hodges. G. Recorder.
Joseph T. Davidson ... G. S.
The Grand Council of the Order of High Priesthood holds an annual communi- cation in the Masonic Temple at Louisville, on the Tuesday succeeding the 3d Monday in October of each year. The Grand Officers in 1873 were :
M. E. Comp. Thomas Todd, of Shelbyville. Grand President.
M. E. Henry Bostwick, of Covington. Grand Vice President.
M. E. Rev. Peter H. Jeffries, of Newport. Grand Chaplain.
E. John H. Davis, of Hickman. .Grand Treasurer.
E. Wm. C. Munger, of Franklin Grand Recorder.
E. Lorenzo D. Croninger, of Covington. Grand M. of Ceremonies.
E. Charles Eginton, of Covington .Grand Conductor.
E. Garret D. Buckner, of Lexington Grand Herald.
E. Henry Hudson, of Louisville ... Grand Guard.
The Knights Templar are in prosperous progress, with the following Sub- ordinate Commanderies in Kentucky in 1872:
COMMANDERIES.
LOCATION.
COMMANDERIES.
LOCATION.
Louisville, No. 1.
Louisville.
Paducah, No. 11.
Paducah.
. Webb, No. 2 ..
Lexington.
De Molay, No. 12
Louisville.
Versailles, No. 3
Versailles.
Newport, No. 13 ..
Newport.
Frankfort, No. 4.
Frankfort.
Henderson, U. D
Henderson.
Montgomery, No. 5
Mt. Sterling.
Owensboro, U. D Owensboro.
Covington, No. 7
Covington.
Cynthiana, U. D. Cynthiana.
Bradford, No. 9.
Georgetown.
Ryan, U. D .. Danville.
Maysville, No. 10. Maysville.
A Grand Commandery-composed of Representatives from the Subordinates -assembles at stated periods and enacts all needed legislation. The Grand Officers in 1873 were :
Rt. Em. Sir Henry Bostwick Grand Commander.
Very Em. Sir James A. Beattie . Deputy Grand Commander.
Em. Sir Samuel S. Parker, Grand Generalissimo.
Em. Sir Hiram Bassett .. .Grand Captain General.
Em. Sir Rev. Wright Merrick Grand Prelate.
Em. Sir Jacob Swigert.
Grand Senior Warden.
Em. Sir Matthew H. Lewis. Grand Junior Warden.
Em. Sir David P. Robb .Grand Treasurer.
Em. Sir Wm. C. Munger .. . Grand Recorder.
Em. Sir Henry C. Courtney Grand Standard Bearer.
Em. Sir Jas. M. Poyntz. .Grand Sword Bearer.
Em. Sir John O. Pearce Grand Warden.
Em. Sir David M. Snyder
.Grand Captain Guard.
PAST GRAND COMMANDERS.
Right Eminent Sir William C. Munger. Right Eminent Sir Rev. Peter H. Jeffries.
Right Eminent Sir Hezekiah H. Culbertson. Right Eminent Sir Charles R. Woodruff.
Right Eminent Sir Rev. John M. Worrall, Ď. D.
Right Eminent Sir Wm. A. Warner.
Right Eminent Sir Martin H. Smith.
The Ancient and Accepted or Scottish Rite of Freemasonry was founded in Louisville, Aug. 20, 1852. Its originators and first officers were :
Henry Weedon Gray ..... Gr. Com. in Chief. Fred Webber Gr. Secretary.
Henry Hudson . lat. Lieut. Com.
Lewis Van White
. Gr. Chancellor.
John H. Howe. .2d Lieut. Com.
Isaac Cromie Ur. Treasurer.
C. Boerwanger
Gr. Guard.
These composed the Grand Consistory of 32º, or Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret-which body supervises and controls the subordinate bodies of the Rite, viz. : Lodges of Perfection, 14°, Councils of Princes of Jerusalem,
528
SKETCH OF
16°, Chapters of Rose Croix, 18°, Councils of Knights Kadosh, 30°; and is itself subordinate only to the Supreme Council of 33 .. degree.
The membership in Kentucky is small-not quite 200 in 1873-and its progress has been slow, but sure. To hold the highest rank in this Order, the applicant need only be a Master Mason in good standing.
OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE GRAND CONSISTORY OF KENTUCKY, IN 1873.
Ill. John W. Cook, K. C. C. H.
33° Grand Com. in Chief.
Wm. Ryan, G. H. P. 32º 1st Lieut. Com.
¥ I. B. Webster 32º 2d Lieut. Com.
Henry H. Neal
32° Grand Constable.
60 R. B. Caldwell
32° Grand Admiral.
Wm. Clark, K. C. C. H
.32º Grand Min. of State.
Levi Sloss
32° Grand Chancellor
John V. Cowling.
32º Grand Almoner.
Wm. Cromey 32º Grand Treasurer.
Frederick Webber 33º Grand Registrar,
and Treasurer General of Supreme Council 33º.
Wm. Alva Warner, P. G. C. of Ky 33º Grand Primate.
James C. Purdy
32º Grand Master of Cer.
Edwin L. Sessions .32º Grand Expert.
John Garbutt
32º Assistant Grand Expert.
Wm. Kreigshaber
.32° Grand Beau'fer.
S. T. Norman
32º Bearer Vexillum Belli.
W. M. Bristol.
32º Master of Guards.
Richard McQuillan
32° Chamberlain.
Ed. Grauman.
.32º Grand Steward.
Americus Wheedon
32º Aid-de-Camp.
Wm. Reinecke
32° Grand Organist.
The following 33° also belong to the Grand Consistory :
John C. Breckinridge Lexington. James Alex. Beattie .... Louisville.
Henry Weedon Gray .. .Louisville.
John H. Howe. Little Rock, Ark.
John M. S. McCorkle .Louisville.
A. W. Freeman St. Louis, Mo.
The Masonic Widow and Orphans' Home, at Louisville, Ky .- one wing whereof is finished, and occupied by a hundred happy children-is now in full progress of completion. And in order to give new life, and more thoroughly awaken, intensify, and concentrate the entire Masonic mind of Kentucky, and the friends of humanity generally in this state, the recent Anniversary of St. John the Baptist-June 24, 1873-was constituted an efficient help-mate in aiding the resources of this great Masonic charity. The magnificent demonstration at Louisville, which exceeded any thing of the kind ever attempted in behalf of the widow and the orphan, and the response from other points to the action of the Grand Lodge at its session in 1872, added at least $30,000 to the treasury of the Home; and will cause the natal day of this distinguished Patron Saint of the Order to be appropriated annually to this holy work until an established fund is secured, from the interest of which this great benevolence will be sustained accord- ing to its unquestioned merit.
The Masons generally have halls and temples for their especial use, and in a great many places, including Kentucky, possess the most beautiful build- ings in the vicinity. Throughout the United States they now (Sept., 1873,) have under way magnificent commodious structures, in value exceeding $4,000,000-besides the one just completed in Philadelphia, at the cost of $1,475,000.
Hitherto, the Masonic Order has had to withstand the concentrated pros- cription hurled with intense animosity against what the persecutors are pleased to call "Secret proceedings." And yet the chief objector is more of a secret society than all those complained of combined; but without their liberality, benevolence, or self-direction. It is clearly apparent that the real objection is because the alleged secret societies are extending the area of individual freedom, placing their members upon a platform of mutual support, defense, and equality during life, securing an honored burial and remembrance after death, and fostering care for the bereaved dependents that survive.
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FREEMASONRY.
The Sons of Temperance, Odd Fellows, Good Templars, Knights of Pythias, Red Men, Good Fellows, and other orders and societies of like character, are, in common with the Masons, experiencing the proscription which induces withdrawals and resignations, and prevents applications for membership. Hence the Ancient Fraternity will have help in resisting the oppressive in- termeddling supervision, that claims the prerogative of dictation, and the right to restrain personal independence of thought and action. But whether this help is or is not effectual to prevent assumptive officious intervention and con- trol, the Free and Accepted Mason should remember, that the time-honored principles of his Order requires of him, in his actions, to dignify humanity, exemplify a living faith, and throw over surrounding toil and trouble a bright . reflection of brotherly love, relief, and truth; and which-when reasoned with the cardinal virtues of fortitude, temperance, prudence, and justice- practices charity that vaunteth not itself, tells not to the left hand what the right hand doeth, forgiveth seventy and seven times, and is yet rich in the treasures of pardon, visits the sick, smoothes the pillow of the dying, drops a tear with the mourner, buries the dead, educates and cares for the widow and the orphan, instructs the ignorant, and preaches good tidings to the poor and benighted; performing all these high ministrations in silent effective power, and declaring, in decisive terms, that all within the tabernacle who desire to be honored and useful, must cherish and illustrate the generous feeling and ennobling sentiment therein made known.
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