USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of Saint John's Lodge of Boston in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as shown in the records of the First Lodge, the Second Lodge, the Third Lodge, the Rising Sun Lodge, the Masters' Lodge, St. John's Lodge, Most Worshipful Grand Lodge > Part 16
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" At the Altar of Truth " Mohr
Quartette
Closing of the Lodge
Schubert Quartette Bro. Daggett's Orchestra
Bro. Charles S. Johnson, Organist
These exercises were followed by a banquet, at which more than 500 members of the craft were seated.
When the brethren of the lodge, with their guests, marched into the banquet hall in the basement of the temple to the music of "Onward, Christian Soldiers," played by the orchestra, they were at once impressed with the beauty and historical significance of the decorations with which the room was adorned. The bunch of grapes has come to be the historical symbol of this lodge, and the chief decorative feature was the bunches of grapes which, with maple leaves, covered the arc lights.
The walls were festooned, the pillars hung and the ceiling roped with laurel, and as the diners were seated incandescents hidden in these ropes flashed up. Asters and dahlias were the floral decorations.
Above the seat occupied by the Worshipful Master of the lodge, Leon- ard G. Roberts, who presided and was also toastmaster, was a shield in electric bulbs with the tools of the craft and the dates 1733 and 1908. On either side were the seal of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and of the Commonwealth.
When the toastmaster arose, he read the following letters:
The White House,
May 16, 1908.
Washington.
Worshipful and Dear Sir:
Please accept for yourself and the members of St. John's Lodge my high appreciation of the invitation to attend your One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Anniversary Celebration, which I regret very much to be unable to accept.
One hundred and seventy-five years of active existence is a magnificent
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record, and while tendering my hearty congratulations upon such an evidence of prosperity, I extend to the lodge my best wishes that its activity may continue uninterrupted until the end of time.
Fraternally yours,
Theodore Roosevelt.
Leonard G. Roberts, Esq., Worshipful Master, St. John's Lodge, A. F. and A. M., Boston, Mass.
United Grand Lodge of England. Freemason's Hall, Great Queen St., London, W. C. 25th August, 1908.
Dear Sir and Worshipful Brother:
I am desired by the Duke of Connaught, Most Worshipful Grand Master, to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 6th July, inviting His Royal Highness to be present at the Celebration of the 175th Anniversary of the St. John's Lodge of Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons of Boston, U. S. A., in October next.
His Royal Highness regrets his inability to avail himself of the most kind invitation to attend on so interesting an occasion as that proposed to be celebrated, and to ask the lodge to accept his heartiest congratula- tions on the event and to express a fervent hope that the prosperity of the lodge, which I believe was the first one warranted in America by the Grand Lodge of England, may be continued.
I am, Dear Sir and Worshipful Brother,
Yours sincerely and fraternally,
E. Letchworth, per W. L. Grand Secretary.
W. Brother Leonard G. Roberts, Worshipful Master and Chairman of the 175th Anniversary Celebration Committee St. John's Lodge, Boston, Mass., U. S. A.
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GRAND LODGE OF GEORGIA F. & A. M.
Sept. 23, '08.
Hon. Leonard G. Roberts, Chairman, Masonic Temple, Boston, Mass.
Dear Sir and Worshipful Brother :-
I beg to acknowledge the most courteous and kind invitation to myself and lady to be present at the celebration of the One Hundred and Sev- enty-fifth Anniversary of St. John's Lodge.
It is with profound sorrow that I am obliged to decline the invitation.
The press of private business, just at that time, coupled with the an- nual session of my own Grand Lodge, which convenes in October, and the necessary labor attendant upon the preparation therefor, make it impossible for me to accept a privilege and enjoy a pleasure which would fil: me with delight.
The inspiration of such an occasion, hallowed by the sacred memories of so g'orious a past, will be a rich contribution to every one present.
A century and three-quarters of life, from a "Bunch of Grapes Tav- ern" to the magnificent Masonic Temple is a sign of progress, but how infinitely more is the development of Masonry, springing from this foun- tain source, pouring in well-directed channels a perennial stream of the cherished principles of Friendship, Morality and Brotherly Love, throughout a nation.
Grand old lodge, whose children and children's children have taught the sons of men that God is our Father and that we be brethren in every city, hamlet and country side in all this broad land, welding the hearts of the brave men and the free in bonds of indissoluble love and attuned their tongues to the melody of peace and harmony.
Georgia sends happy greetings and tidings of love and great joy upon this auspicious event. Let her indulge the fond hope that, old St. John's Lodge, looking from the regal heights of her past attainment, may out of the garnished treasure of her past, gather the golden seeds of love and with lavish hand sow for a richer harvest in the next quarter of a century than she has ever garnered before, even a harvest of peace on earth and good will among men.
May the blessings of Heaven rest upon you, may the peace of God fill you, and may Brotherly Love inspire you to every good word and work.
With most cordial good will and sincere fraternal regard,
T. H. Jeffries, Grand Master of Masons in Ga.
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The first speaker of the evening was Most Worshipful Grand Master John Albert Blake.
Then followed a series of speeches by the visiting Grand Masters, all of which were eloquent and witty, and replete with historical lore.
TUESDAY, OCT. 6.
The crowning feature of the three days was a reception, general enter- tainment, dancing and collation in the Temple, day and night being taken up with some diversion to entertain the members and guests.
In the morning the visiting Grand Masters were taken on an automo- bile trip to Newton, Wellesley, Waltham and the site of the historic bat- tlefield in Concord, a visit first being made to the State House.
The visiting Grand Masters were entertained at dinner in the after- noon at the Algonquin Club, by Grand Master Blake on behalf of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, and other officers present were Deputy Grand Master William H. L. Odell, Senior Grand Warden William M. Belcher, Junior Grand Warden Oliver A. Roberts, Grand Secretary Thomas W. Davis, Grand Marshal Melvin M. Johnson, Past Deputy Grand Master Everett C. Benton, Past Deputy Grand Master Harvey N. Shepard and Worshipful Leonard G. Roberts of St. John's Lodge.
Mrs. J. Albert Blake was the hostess at a luncheon for the ladies ac- companying the Grand Masters, and included in the party were Mrs. W. H. L. Odell, Mrs. Oliver A. Roberts, Mrs. Leonard G. Roberts, Mrs. Everett C. Benton, Miss Shepard and Miss Belcher.
More than 700 guests attended the reception held in Corinthian Hall from 7.30 to 8.30. The following were in the receiving line:
Leonard G. Roberts, Worshipful Master of St. John's, and Mrs. Rob- erts; J. Albert Blake, Grand Master of Massachusetts, and Mrs. Blake; George B. Orlady, Grand Master of Pennsylvania, and Miss Orlady; J. L. Michie, Grand Master of South Carolina, and Miss A. R. Odell; Frederick W. Sawyer, Grand Master of New Hampshire, and Mrs. Saw- yer; S. Nelson Sawyer, Grand Master of New York, and Mrs. Sawyer; Charles R. Smith, Grand Master of Nova Scotia, and Mrs. Smith; Joseph W. Eggleston, Grand Master of Virginia, and Miss Eggleston; William L. Chatterton, Grand Master of Rhode Island, and Mrs. Chatterton; Thomas J. Shryock, Grand Master of Maryland, and Mrs. Shryock; Ed- ward E. Fuller, Grand Master of Connecticut; Samuel M. Gattis, Grand Master of North Carolina and Mrs. E. C. Benton; Thomas J. Day, Grand Master of Delaware, and Mrs. Day; Edmund B. Mallet, Grand
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Master of Maine, and Mrs. Mallet; Lee S. Tillotson, Grand Master of Vermont, and Mrs. William H. L. Odell.
Sodality Hall was crowded during the evening by those eager to see the historic souvenirs possessed by the lodge, some nearly as old as it is.
The Albion Quartette, Miss Bessie Bell Collier, violinist; Charles T. Grilley, impersonator; Van Veachton Rogers, harpist; Miss Grace Col- lier, accompanist, and Charles S. Johnson, organist, contributed an enter- tainment of ten numbers in Ionic Hall.
While this feature was in progress the banquet room was open for the collation, the guests being served at small tables.
As the dancing did not end until 1 a. m., the lodge took its guests into four days before they saw the close of the celebration.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
November 2, 1908. A letter from Brother James D. Perkins was read, in which he offered to present the lodge an autograph letter of General Lafayette in English, written August 6, 1825, during his visit to this country, and "one of a set of plates made to commemorate the landing of General Lafayette at Castle Garden, New York, August 16, 1824; a dark blue plate, ten inches in diameter, with a view of the landing, Staf- fordshire ware."
Right Wor. Albert B. Root then presented the gifts to the lodge, which were gratefully accepted, and an appreciative resolution was ordered sent to Brother Perkins.
Feb. 1, 1909. The Worshipful Master announced his intention to visit Richmond, Va., on the invitation of Most Worshipful Joseph W. Eggle- ston of the Grand Lodge of Virginia, and it was voted that the fraternal greetings of this lodge besent to Most Worshipful Brother Eggleston, and through him to the Grand Lodge of Virginia; and the Worshipful Master was instructed to present to Most Worshipful Brother Eggleston a gavel, the head of which is made of wood from one of the original timbers of the Old South Church, and the handle made of wood from one of the original timbers of the frigate Constitution, as a token of the friendship and fra- ternal regard of the officers and brethren of St. John's Lodge.
March 1, 1909. Fraternal visit of Harvard Masonic Club, members of which assisted in the work.
April 5, 1909. More than 100 members of the Great and General Court, headed by Lieutenant-Governor Louis A. Frothingham and other distinguished State officers, were guests of the lodge.
The Worshipful Master gave an interesting account of his trip to Vir- ginia, transmitting to the lodge various gifts which were intrusted to him for that purpose by the brethren of that State. The following reso- lutions were adopted:
Resolved, that the members of St. John's Lodge of Boston, Mass., ac- cept with pleasure from Richmond Randolph Lodge No. 19 of Richmond, Va., the picture of its lodge room, the trowel made from old wrought nails taken from the old hall and the other working tools made from timber taken from the old Masonic building, all of which were so kindly
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given to us through our Worshipful Master during his recent visit to Richmond.
Resolved, That we express our appreciation of the many courtesies extended to Worshipful Brother Roberts during that visit, and for the expression of fraternal feeling held by the Masons of Virginia for the Masons of Massachusetts, and we assure them that the feeling is fully reciprocated.
Resolved, That the members of St. John's Lodge of Boston, Mass., accept with pleasure the picture of Edmund Randolph, presented by Right Worshipful Ben P. Owen, Jr., in behalf of Manchester Lodge No. 14 of Virginia, through Worshipful Brother Roberts during his recent visit to Virginia.
Resolved, That the fraternal greetings of the lodge be extended to all of the members of Manchester Lodge, coupled with the hope that they will visit St. John's Lodge.
May 3, 1909. In the presence of Most Worshipful Dana J. Flanders and representatives of the Grand Lodge, Past Master Frederic W. Bliss stated that he had been commissioned by Most Worshipful Thomas J. Shryock of Maryland, acting for himself and the thirteen other Grand Masters who were the guests of the lodge at the time of the celebration of its 175th anniversary, to present to the lodge, for them and in their names, a silver loving cup as a token of their appreciation of the courte- sies extended to them during their visit. At the request of Worshipful Brother Bliss the Worshipful Master was escorted to the altar upon which had been placed the loving cup. Worshipful Brother Bliss then formally presented the cup to St. John's Lodge and poured a libation of the pure juice of the grape, unfermented, and offered it as a pledge of the love and friendship of the donors toward St. John's Lodge. The Worship- ful Master, in behalf of the lodge, accepted the cup with appropriate and feeling remarks, and partook of the libation.
The cup is inscribed:
1773 - -1908 To commemorate the celebration
of the One hundred & seventy-fifth anniversary of St. John's Lodge, A. F. & A. M. Oct. 4th, 5th and 6th, 1908 Leonard G. Roberts, Worshipful Master John Albert Blake, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts
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This cup is presented by the visiting Grand Masters present.
George B. Orlady of Pennsylvania
Charles Reynolds Smith of Nova Scotia
Thomas J. Shryock of Maryland Frederick W. Sawyer of New Hampshire
S. N. Sawyer of New York W. O. Wolfskeil of New Jersey
Thomas J. Day of Delaware
Edmund B. Mallet of Maine
Lee S. Tillotson of Vermont William L. Chatterton of Rhode Island
J. L. Michie of South Carolina
S. M. Gattis of North Carolina Joseph W. Eggleston of Virginia Edward E. Fuller of Connecticut
April 4, 1910. Annual Legislative Night, attended by Lieutenant- Governor Louis A. Frothingham and about 106 members of the General Court and State officers.
March 12, 1911. Curtis Guild, for 57 years a member of St. John's Lodge, died at his home on Mt. Vernon street. Brother Guild was made a Mason in St. Paul's Lodge in 1852, and on March 6, 1854, became a member of St. John's Lodge.
Editor, author, member of the city government, interested in many or- ganizations to advance the interests of his native city, he has left a name of which not only St. John's Lodge but the entire community will ever be proud.
April 3, 1911. More than 100 State officials, headed by Lieut .- Gov- ernor Louis A. Frothingham, and including Attorney-General James M. Swift, Hon. J. Stearns Cushing and Hon. W. S. Schuster, members of the Governor's Council, and President of the Senate Allen T. Treadway, were entertained at dinner and the subsequent communication.
May 1, 1911. An interesting and unique feature of this communica- tion was the appearance of nearly 100 Masons connected with the various newspapers of Boston, who came to pay their respects to Worshipful Master John C. Hurll, as a member of their own newspaper craft. Previ- ous to the work, which was participated in by two teams from among the visitors, a committee, consisting of Brothers Alexander Cook of Robert Lash Lodge, James H. Brehaut of Washington Lodge and Thomas F. Murray of Dalhousie Lodge, presented the Worshipful Master a beauti-
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ful ebony gavel, gold mounted, suitably inscribed; also a sum of money as a donation to the Masonic Home.
June 19, 1911. Godfrey Morse, Master in 1888, died in Dresden, Ger- many. He was a prominent lawyer, member of the City Council, trustee of Public Library, and held many responsible positions in the governing boards of charitable bodies and institutions.
August 1, 1911. Rev. Samuel H. Winkley, Chaplain in 1879-80, 1883- 84, died at the age of 92 years. For 50 years he was pastor of the Uni- tarian church now located on Bulfinch place. The estimation in which he was held by his flock and by many others was summarized in the title popularly awarded to him, of "Bishop of the Poor."
Oct. 9, 1911. Cornelius N. Bliss, Secretary of the Interior under President Mckinley, died in New York. He joined St. John's Lodge in 1858.
March 16, 1912. Frederick J. Brand, Master in 1910, died at his home in Dorchester. He served in the old Boston Board of Aldermen in 1908- 09, in the latter year as chairman. His sterling honesty was well known, and he was identified with many public spirited enterprises.
April 1, 1912. Nearly 150 visitors connected with the State govern- ment were present as guests at the annual Legislative Night, including the Attorney-General, members of the Governor's Council, President of the Senate and many other notables.
May 6, 1912. Of particular interest at this communication was the presence of a score or more members of the Harvard Chapter, Acacia Fraternity, all undergraduates of Harvard University. They represented lodges in 14 States, and one in Porto Rico. In addition there were visi- tors from about 75 lodges, 25 grand jurisdictions being entered on the register.
Jan. 6, 1913. At the annual ladies' night the lodge was honored by the presence of Most Worshipful Grand Master Everett C. Benton and Mrs. Benton, and the occasion was in the nature of a farewell to the Grand Master on the eve of his departure for a three months' trip among the craft in Chile. During the evening Worshipful Master Fogg, addressing the Grand Master, said that, as one of the lodges in Chile, within the grand jurisdiction of Massachusetts, was named St. John's, it was hoped he would convey a letter to it from the one whose name it bears. He then introduced Right Worshipful Harvey N. Shepard, chairman of the com- mittee that prepared the letter, who stated that according to the old records of the lodge it was the custom long ago, even before the Revolu- tion, to send letters to and receive them from other lodges near at hand and in distant climes. Following this laudable example it was the wish of
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St. John's to forward a letter to the craft in Concepcion, Chile, as the lodge there is under the Massachusetts jurisdiction and has the same name, St. John's. As the Grand Master was about to add to his many other notable deeds in behalf of the order, by being the first to visit the lodges in far-off Chile, he was requested to convey the message of love and good will to St. John's. The Grand Master in his response accepted the commission, saying it would give him great pleasure to carry out the wishes of the committee.
The full text of the message is as follows:
To the Worshipful Master, Wardens and Brethren of St. John's Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Concepcion, Chile, South America, Greeting:
We, the worshipful master, wardens and brethren of St. John's Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Boston, Mass., U. S. A., on the occasion of our annual ladies' night entertainment, with 500 of the brethren and their ladies, in- cluding Most Worshipful Everett C. Benton, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts, assembled in the Masonic Temple, Boston, extend to the brethren of St. John's Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Concepcion, Chile, South America, our warmest fraternal greetings and most cordial and sincere good wishes.
St. John's Lodge of Boston, the first and oldest regularly constituted lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in the western world, instituted at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern in the town of Boston, on Massachusetts Bay, July 30, 1733, has from those far-off days down to the present time taken the keenest interest and has played a most conspicuous part in the dissemination of the principles of our noble order throughout the various grand jurisdictions of the United States of America and other lands, Ma- sonry in many of the grand jurisdictions of the United States as well as in Nova Scotia and the West Indies having been first instituted by the St. John's Grand Lodge of Massachusetts; and so it is with peculiar pleasure that we remember the institution, by our Worshipful Grand Lodge, of Bethesda Lodge at Valparaiso Aug. 27, 1853; of Huelen Lodge at Santiago Feb. 8, 1876, and especially your own lodge at Concepcion April 9, 1884, bearing our own honored name of St. John.
We congratulate you on your dignified and honorable career and with you rejoice that the pure and lofty principles of our order, diffusing their light in every clime throughout the habitable world, are everywhere the same, and whether by the side of Massachusetts Bay or amid the cloud- crowned summits of the distant Andes are alike sufficient to make sweeter
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and brighter and more blessed the life of every brother in whom they are exemplified. This is the glory of our order that in all lands it makes all men brothers, and so tonight with these common bonds of sympathy and recognizing our common dependence on the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, we clasp hands with you our brothers and bid you godspeed.
Our honored guest of the evening, Most Worshipful Everett C. Benton, has graciously consented to bear with him and present to you on the occasion of his contemplated visit to your lodge, the first ever made to the lodges of South America under this grand jurisdiction by any Grand Master, this expression of our good will and fraternal regard.
The doors of St. John's Lodge of Boston have ever been open to the Masons of all countries, and we extend to any brethren of your lodge who may chance to come to our city a most cordial invitation to visit St. John's Lodge, and beg to close this greeting with the hope that the future of your lodge may be as happy and prosperous as your past has been worthy and honorable.
Fraternally,
FREDERICK S. FOGG, Worshipful Master WALTER F. W. TABER, Senior Warden. CHESTER C. WHITNEY, Junior Warden. FRANK M. COPELAND, Secretary. RT. WOR. HARVEY N. SHEPARD. WOR.' DAVID T. MONTAGUE. WOR. LEONARD G. ROBERTS.
Boston, Mass., United States of America, Jan. 6, 1913.
April 7, 1913. Nine Senators, 50 Representatives, State Treasurer Elmer A. Stevens, Attorney-General James M. Swift, Councillor E. G. Frothingham and many other State officials to the number of more than 150 attended the annual Legislative Night, in honor of two of their mem- bers, belonging to St. John's Lodge, Senator David T. Montague, Past Master, and Representative Channing H. Cox.
May 5, 1913. Martin A. Munroe, Master in 1879-1880, died at his home in Brookline, in his 68th year. His membership covered a period of nearly 44 years. In 1881 he was made an honorary member. For 43 years he was in the customs service, being chief special deputy collector at the time of his death. He was a veteran of the Civil war, having en- listed Dec. 17, 1861, at the age of 16, and being mustered out June 17, 1865.
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June 6, 1913. Special communication to welcome the Most Worshipful Grand Master on his return from South America, whither he had gone to visit the craft in that country and also to convey a fraternal message from this lodge to St. John's Lodge of Concepcion, Chile. Worshipful Mas- ter Fogg, in greeting the Grand Master, said that it was five months since St. John's Lodge had requested him to convey its message of good will to St. John's of Concepcion. Then a large number of the fraternity had wished him godspeed on his pilgrimage and now welcomed him back to the hearts of all in St. John's of Boston. In reply Grand Master Benton said that he was happy indeed to be received by the oldest lodge on this continent after he had visited its namesake in South America. He had delivered the message of the parent to her children, and said that they were proud of their mother lodge, as it should be of them.
March 2, 1914. Fraternal visit of about 150 members of St. John's Lodge No. 1 of Portsmouth, N. H. The visitors were met at Lynn by a committee headed by Worshipful Albert B. Root. On arriving in Boston the party was joined by the officers of the local lodge and escorted to the Temple, where supper was served. In the evening the visitors were re- ceived into the lodge room by Worshipful Master Fogg, who extended a cordial welcome. Worshipful Master George J. Googins of the New Hampshire lodge made a happy response. Later in the evening the visit- ing officers assisted in the exemplification of the work.
April 6, 1914. Annual visit of members of the State government. They numbered about 125, and included members of the Governor's Council, Representatives, Senators, heads of various departments, etc.
August 5, 1914. On invitation of Mt. Horeb Lodge of West Harwich a large party headed by Worshipful Master Fogg journeyed to that town to enjoy the hospitality of the Cape lodge. They were met at South Dennis by a committee from Mt. Horeb Lodge and conveyed by auto- mobiles to Witchmere Tavern. After dinner the visitors were escorted to the lodge room and welcomed by the more than 200 brethren gathered there. In the degree work that followed the officers of St. John's Lodge assisted, as did officers of local visiting lodges. The Boston party were entertained overnight by the brethren of Mt. Horeb Lodge. The following day, after a short fishing trip, the officers of Mt. Horeb Lodge became the guests of St. John's members at a lunch at Hotel Belmont, and late in the afternoon train was taken for home.
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