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 9
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Copy of the letter of invitation to the R. W. Marie Paul Joseph Yves Gilbert Mottier de Lafayette, referred to in the preceding Records:
"City of Boston Augt. 25th A.L. 5824.
It having been represented to the undersigned the Master of St. John's Lodge that the Ancient Fraternity of Free & Accepted Masons has the honour of enrolling among its members the illustrious name of Lafay- ette & the officers and Members of said Lodge having expressed their ardent desire to Meet their highly revered and distinguished Brother in the Masonick Sanctuary the Undersigned Most cordially and respectfully invites the Right Worshipful Gen. Lafayette to honour St. John's Lodge With his presence on Saturday evening Next at 8 o Clk. or on any other evening during his stay in this City Which May be More convenient or agreeable to him.
The Undersigned also respectfully informs Gen1. Lafayette that St. John's Lodge is the oldest Masonick Institution on this Continent and Was once Visited by his late illustrious Companion in Arms our M. Wor- shipful Bro. George Washington,
The undersigned begs leave Most respectfully to assure Gen1. Lafay- ette of the esteem, veneration & love, Which he entertains for his person and character.
Signed Joseph Eveleth Master of St. John's Lodge.
General Lafayette."
Copy of Gen. Lafayette's reply :
"Boston Augt. 29 1824
I have an apology to offer to the Venerable Master of the first Lodge on the Continent of America for My not having answered yesterday his Most Kind note. I hope he will do me the justice to think it has been an error not an intentional fault. Happy I would be to be admitted into the presence of the Most Venerable Lodge And while it becomes impossible for me to enjoy this gratification before I leave town Tuesday morning I will avail myself of the Much valued invitation, to solicit that favour, on My return from the Southern States before I leave the American Shore.
I beg the venerable Master to accept My respectful & dutiful acknowl- edgement.
Signed
Lafayette
Joseph Eveleth Esq"."
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SAINT JOHN'S LODGE
"St. John's Lodge, Boston Oct". 5 A.L. 5824, R.W. Brother White, Chairman of a Committee appointed at the last meeting of the Lodge to get the answer of Gen . Lafayette to the invitation of the Lodge framed, reported that the committee had fulfilled their duty & the answer so framed was suspended in the Hall."
"St. John's Lodge Feb. 1 A.L. 5825, the R.W. Master read the follow- ing letter :
R. W. Master
In addition to that respect which St. John's Lodge has been pleased to manifest towards our distinguished Brother Gen1. Lafayette by inviting him to partake of their friendship & hospitality and the very happy & acceptable manner which he was pleased to reply to it, I beg leave to offer as a further testimony of the high sense we entertain of him, as a Mason, a Christian & a Patriot & for all those virtues for which he is so eminently distinguished, that St. John's Lodge, the most ancient & first chartered Lodge in the United States of America, do admit receive & ac- knowledge him as an Honorary Member. Also move that a Special Com- mittee be appointed to communicate the same and request his accept- ance of the honour intended him.
Yours Affy. C. C. Nichols.
This proposition being sustained by the Lodge the following Brethren were nominated & appointed by the Chair as the committee: The R.W. Master Joseph Eveleth, Francis J. Oliver, Esq., John Dixwell, C. Nichols, & Ferdinand E. White, P. Masters."
"Regular, St. John's Lodge, June 7 A. L. 5825, In consequence of an invitation from the Chair the Committee chosen to communicate the vote of Honorary Membership of Gen. Lafayette were charged to ascer- tain when it will be convenient for him to honour St. John's Lodge With a visit, & to make the necessary arrangements for his reception in such an event. It was proposed by the Chair, & voted To add two more mem- bers to the Committee to communicate with Gen1. Lafayette & the R. W. Master nominated the Secy. Tho8. Payson & the W. Sam1. Eveleth."
"Copy of a Certificate of Honorary Membership presented by the Committee of St. John's Lodge to General Lafayette agreeable to a vote passed by the Lodge Feby. 1st. A. L. 5825.
To all the Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons throughout the World, Greeting,
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HISTORY OF SAINT JOHN'S LODGE
Be it Made Known by these Presents That at a regular Meeting of St. John's Lodge, held at Masons Hall in Boston, United States of America, on the evening of Feby. 1st. Anna Lucis 5825, it Was unanimously Voted.
That in consideration of the sentiment of cordial affection for his per- son, profound veneration for his character, lively gratitude for his serv- ices, and deep sympathy for his sacrifices and sufferings in the cause of humanity cherished by the officers and members of Saint John's Lodge towards their R. W. Brother the Illustrious General Lafayette, as a man, a Mason & a patriot, they did themselves the pleasure to admit and acknowledge him an Honorary Member of this Ancient Lodge (the first chartered in the United States) and to proffer him all the Rights & Privileges appertaining to such Membership.
Witness our Master & Wardens under the Seal of the Lodge at Boston on this Seventh day of June, A.L. 5825."
"A Special Meeting of the Lodge was called and held in Faneuil Hall the 17th June A.L. 5825, by order of the R.W. Master and under the charge of the W. Sam1. Eveleth, uniting with the G. Lodge and many other Masonic Bodies from this and many of the other States in a splen- did procession to assist the M.W.G. Lodge in laying the Corner Stone of the Bunker Hill Monument. This day being the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill, which happened on the 17th June 1775."
On June 17, 1825, at 15 minutes past 8 o'clock in the morning Gen. Lafayette came to the Old State House on State Street and entered Masons' Hall, where he met the officers of St. John's Lodge.
At the Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge the 13th of September, 1826, it was "Voted, That a committee be appointed to inquire into the expediency of directing the Treasurer of this Grand Lodge to de- liver to the presiding Master of St. John's Lodge in this city, the original Charter of said Lodge, which was surrendered to this Grand Lodge about the year 5783 and that the Treasurer be directed to cause said Charter to bear an indorsement similar to that which is now borne on that of St. Andrews Lodge." The subject was committed to R.W. John Soley, R.W. Francis J. Oliver, and R.W. Benjamin Russell, the two latter being Past Grand Masters and the former assuming the Chair in December follow- ing. At the next meeting, Dec. 13, 1826, "the committee appointed on the petition of St. John's Lodge, Boston, requesting the return of their ancient Charter, Reports: That in their opinion the prayer of the peti- tion ought to be granted upon similar terms as were proposed to St. An- drews Lodge.
Read & Accepted."
John Soley, Chairman.
SHUBAEL BELL
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SAINT JOHN'S LODGE
"St. John's Lodge, April 3d A.L. 5827, two communications were rec'd from the Secy. of the Gen1. Comee. of the Masonick Institutions in Boston, under date of March 19 & 31; Will you authorize your com- mittee to unite with the Committee of the other Masonick Institutions in the purchase of such a piece of land or the erection of a Masonick Temple as said Comee. shall approve of ?- and on motion of Bro. Hews in writing as follows, viz. Voted that St. John's Lodge will appropriate the sum of five hundred dollars more towards the erection of the con- templated Masonick Temple & that we will guarantee to the stock- holders, so far as St. John's Lodge is concerned, our proportion of rent, that will make it equal to Six per cent. on the amount of expenditures, the Lodge voted its acceptance."
"Saint John's Lodge, stated meeting at Masons Hall Old State House Monday Evening April 5-5830. A communication from the Record- ing Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was rec'd re- questing that a committee be appointed to co-operate with a committee of the Grand Lodge in renting a Hall for a place of meeting for all the Masonic bodies in the city. On motion it was voted that the three first officers of St. John's Lodge be such a committee with full power to act on the subject. A communication was received from the Grand Lodge relating to the Temple about to be erected in this City & read from the chair, it was on motion voted that a committee of three be appointed to take the subject of the communication into consideration & report at the next regular meeting; the chair appointed R.W. Bro's James A. Dickson, John B. Hammatt, Joseph Eveleth, Committee; the Secretary notified them of their appointment & of the vote of the Lodge. A communica- tion was received from the Grand Lodge inviting St. John's Lodge to attend the ceremonies of laying the Corner Stone of the Temple, it was read from the chair & on motion voted that St. John's Lodge accept the invitation. The Secretary was directed to issue notification to the Mem- bers to meet the Grand Lodge at Faneuil Hall on the fourteenth day of October current to unite in the Ceremonies of laying the Corner Stone of the Temple."
The members of the Lodge assembled in Faneuil Hall on the four- teenth day of October, 1830, and thence walked in procession through Merchants Row, State, Court, and Tremont Streets to the site of the Temple. They returned through the same streets to Faneuil Hall, and thence to a dinner in Quincy Hall. The Worshipful Master was Lynde M. Walter, the editor and proprietor of the Boston Transcript.
"Saint John's Lodge, stated meeting, Washington Hall, Boston Mon- day Evening, Jany. 3, 5831, the report of the Committee on the Temple
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HISTORY OF SAINT JOHN'S LODGE
which was laid on the table at the last meeting was taken up and accepted & a Committee appointed to raise subscriptions according to one of the recommendations in said Report."
"Saint John's Lodge, stated meeting Washington Hall Boston, Mon- day Ev'g March 7th 1831, on motion of R.W. L.M. Walter voted that the Committee of which Francis J. Oliver is chairman relative to sub- scriptions for the Masonic Temple, be requested to report their doings at the next regular meeting of the Lodge & that the chairman of the comee. be notified of this vote by the Secy."
"Saint John's Lodge, Stated Meeting, Washington Hall, Boston Mon- day Evening Oct". 3d, 5831, on motion of R.W. Bro. Hammatt, it was voted that the committee on the Temple, of which Bro. F. J. Oliver is chairman, be discharged from further duty."
"Saint John's Lodge, Stated Meeting, Washington Hall, Boston Mon- day Ev'g November 7th 5831. A communication was rec'd from John R. Bradford asking St. John's Lodge to appoint a committee to meet a committee of other Lodges respecting hiring rooms in the Temple. R. W. F. E. White was appointed that Committee."
Washington Hall was on Washington Street opposite the head of Franklin Street. Rooms were paid for by the quarter at a rent of $500 a year. The first quarter commenced July 1, 1830; the last ended with the close of the year 1831.
The corner stone of the First Masonic Temple, corner of Tremont Street and Temple Place, was laid Oct. 14, 1830, being the first building erected by the Masonic Fraternity in Boston for their own use. It was dedicated May 30, 1832. It was sold to the United States for a court house Oct. 7, 1858. The site was a portion of the Washington Gardens and contained a little over 5,000 square feet of land and cost $13,393.50. The Masonic apartments in this building were in the attic only the first fifteen years, and in 1846 the story next below the attic was appropriated also. It contained a commodious lodgeroom and convenient ante-rooms, which were dedicated on November 11, 1846.
"Saint John's Lodge, regular meeting at the Masonic Temple Monday November 5th 1832, on motion of Bro. F. E. White it was voted that Bro's Francis J. Oliver, James Dickson, JNº. Dixwell, F. E. White, Charles C. Nichols, Jos. Eveleth & Abel Phelps, be a committee to con- sider the expediency of St. John's Lodge noticing the 30 day of April next, it being the Centennial Anniversary of the Lodge, & that they have power to confer with a similar committee raised by the Grand Lodge, & that they be requested to make a partial report at the meeting of St. John's Lodge in December."
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SAINT JOHN'S LODGE
"Saint John's Lodge, regular meeting at Masonic Temple, Monday January 7th 5833, the Comee. appointed by a vote of the Lodge at its regular communication in November to take into consideration the expe- diency of noticing the Centennial Anniversary of the Lodge report thro' their Chairman Bro. Francis J. Oliver that it is expedient to notice said Anniversary by an Address & such other performance within the Lodge, as shall be determined by a Committee to be appointed for that purpose. Which report was accepted & the R.W. Master the ST. & Jr. Wardens & Bro. F. E. White & Jos. Eveleth were appointed a Comee. to carry said report into effect & to make all necessary arrangements."
"Saint John's Lodge Centennial Anniversary Special Meeting at the Masonic Temple April 30, 5833
The Lodge Celebrated at the Masonic Temple, Corner Temple Place & Tremont Sts., its Centennial Anniversary, in the presence of many of the officers and past officers of the Grand Lodge, Grand Chapter, and Grand Encampment, of the Commonwealth, Boston Encampment of Knights Templars, St. Andrew's and St. Paul's Chapters of Royal Arch Masons, together with the officers & members of all the Lodges in the City & many visiting brethren from the Country.
The Lodge was opened, omitting the usual ceremonies, when the R.W. Master announced the object of the meeting & the Marshal, in con- formity with his directions, proceeded to form a Procession in the fol- lowing order- Viz.
Tyler of St. John's Lodge Stewards Lodges
left in front in the following order viz:
Mount Lebanon Columbian The Massachusetts St. Andrew's St. John's Standard of St. John's Lodge borne by Bro. Edwd. Eldredge Past Masters of St. John's Lodge .
Officers & Members of the Grand Lodge G.Chapter & Grand Encampment.
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HISTORY OF SAINT JOHN'S LODGE
The Three Great Lights borne by Bro. JNº. Kennedy Chaplains Revd. Bros. E. M. P. Wells and Samuel Barrett - Orator - R. W. Joshua B. Flint M.D. Wardens of St. John's Lodge Master of St. John's Lodge Deacon - - - Deacon
In this order the Procession proceeded to the spacious Lecture Room below, where a large number of Ladies & Gentlemen were assembled to witness the ceremonies of the evening. After this Procession had been seated, the Boston Encampment of Knights Templars, and St. Andrew's & St. Paul's Chapters of Royal Arch Masons, who had assembled in their respective apartments in the Temple, by invitation of the Lodge entered in procession & passing in front of St. John's Lodge took the seats as- signed them by the Comee. of arrangements.
The R.W. Master then arose & inducted the ceremonies of the evening as follows-
MASTER'S ADDRESS
The occurrence of the Centennial Anniversary of the institution of St. John's Lodge has been deemed by its Members a fitting occasion for the Manifestation of those grateful feelings to the history of the good men & time whose labors were instrumental in laying the foundations of our order in this Western World. It seemed to them proper that an event which has carried in its train so many blessings to the forlorn & destitute, which has oft times served to light up a smile on the wan cheek of de- spair should receive at their hands a notice befitting the noble & generous impulses in which it had its origin. They accordingly decided that its hundredth anniversary should be celebrated by an address commemorative of the event together with such religious & other services as should com- port with the occasion; & that the members of all the Masonic Institu- tions in the city should be invited to participate. In conformity with these arrangements the performances will now be commenced with an Anthem by the Choir.
In conformity with this announcement the Singing Choir, under the direction of Bro. Chas. Zenner, performed an appropriate Anthem, which was followed with an impressive Invocation by the Revd. Bro. E. M. P. Wells. To this succeeded the following original Ode written for the occa-
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sion by Bro. Samuel A. Allen of Boston, with original music, by Bro. Zenner.
ODE
An hundred years of peace-of love An hundred years have come & gone, Since with the aid & smile of Heav'n, Our Fathers laid this corner stone. Hail, Masons then this festal hour ;- Loud let your pæans ring, and long; And Heaven's blue vault shall echo still The rapt'rous measure of your song.
Confed'rate foes, 'tis true, have sought To blast the Masons' hope and fame ;- But triumph, brethren, waits tonight To gild the glory of our name.
Then let us yield our thanks, our praise To him whose goodness, grants us this; Whose ever watchful eye doth guard The Mason's right - the Mason's bliss.
Yet pause-we drop a tear to those Whose mem'ry we should cherish now ;- Whose spirits lean from heav'n to breathe Their kindred blessings on our brow. Theirs were the hearts and hands that join'd In days gone by this Lodge to rear; Theirs were the deeds of Charity, That claim our warmest sanction here.
Now, to the triumph of this hour- Of Friendship's league, the hundredth eve,
A Song of thanks and joy we sing- A wreath of constancy we wear. Hail, brethren, then this festal hour ;- Loud let your pæans ring, and long; And Heaven's high vault shall echo still The rapt'rous measure of your song.
The R.W. Joshua B. Flint M.D. then delivered an Address in which he traced the history of the Institution from its first establishment in this
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HISTORY OF SAINT JOHN'S LODGE
country to the present time, paying a deserved tribute to the virtues and talents of the illustrious worthies who have graced the annals of the order. To the address succeeded the following original ode, composed for the occasion by the Reverend James Flint D.D. of Salem, with the original music by Bro. Charles Zenner-
ODE.
When does man approach the nearest To his Maker here below? "Tis, O mortal, when thou cheerest Hearts oppress'd with want and wo. 'Tis not, when around thee gleaming Rays of earthly splendour shine; When in power or science seeming To thyself a thing divine. Power almighty is appalling When revealed in might alone,
Nations, awe-struck, prostrate falling Such a God in terror own. If almighty and omniscient Then more dread and awful still; Knowledge shows him all sufficient To enforce a tyrant's will.
Only when with these is blended Love's serene and priceless gem, Shines with peerless glory splendid E'en the Godhead's diadem. From that fount forever pouring Flows the tide of bliss above While the hosts of heaven adoring Shout forever God is love.
Would'st thou man, thy God resemble? Thou canst not be like in power E'en tho' subject millions tremble 'Neath thy sceptre of an hour. Nor canst thou be like in knowing Since to knowledge, there are bounds- All thy plummets live still showing Deeper seas and new profounds.
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Show thy likeness then in loving All who wear the form of man; And thy love by deeds approving Second heaven's eternal plan, Godlike thou approachest nearest To thy Maker here below
When a brother's heart thou cheerest
Chill'd with want or pierc'd with wo.
Wit but dazzles and bewilders; Tongues shall cease and all shall die;
Thrones and empires and their builders Shall in mingled ruin lie.
Time all other ties shall sever Save the mystic tie of love,
Round by this, our souls forever Shall be join'd in bliss above.
An appropriate benediction by the Reverend Samuel Barrett closed the ceremonies of the evening."
The orator, Dr. Joshua B. Flint, was the deputy of the First Masonic District and in December of the following year he was elected Grand Master.
"A regular meeting of St. John's Lodge was held at the Masonic Temple Boston on Monday evening February 1st A.L. 5841 at 6 3/4 o'clock. Brother Hammatt, chairman of committee on taking schedule of the property of the Lodge, reported: The committee appointed at the last meeting of St. John's Lodge to make an inventory of the furniture and effects of St. John's Lodge having attended to the duty assigned them report:
Portrait of the M.W. Samuel Dunn P.M.
of R.W. Benjamin Franklin presented by Bro. Wm. Austin. View of the conflagration of the Masonic Hall in Philadelphia, pre- sented by R.W. Joseph Eveleth
Portrait of Rt. Worshipful Bro. George Washington
Portrait of R.W. Andrew Jackson, painted by Bro. C. G. Pickman Portrait of an ancient Tyler, presented by Bro. Winslow Lewis Jr. Case containing a letter from Bro. Lafayette in rich frame
Trunk containing Holy Bible presented by Rt. Hon. Alexander Lord Gosniss, printed in 1566
Book of constitutions printed in 1792
" 1798
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HISTORY OF SAINT JOHN'S LODGE
Silver Compas & Square, presented by R.W. Bro. T. J. Oliver"
June 24, 1845. The Lodge attended the celebration on Bunker Hill.
November 11, 1846. Dedication of the New Masonic Hall in Masonic Temple upon Tremont Street. The Lodge attended the ceremonies of consecration by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge.
October 25, 1848. Celebration of the introduction of water into the City of Boston. The Lodge joined in the procession.
March 2, 1857, Lewis A. Kimberly was admitted to the degrees. He had served in the Navy of the United States as a midshipman in 1846, as Past Midshipman in 1852, and as Master in 1855. He was made Lt. Commander 16 July, 1862, Commander in 1866, and Captain 30 Oct., 1874. At the time of his death he held the rank of Rear Admiral.
October 4, 1858, the last meeting of any lodge in the Masonic Temple, corner of Tremont Street and Temple Place.
November 1, 1858, the first meeting of any lodge in Nassau Hall, corner of Washington and Common Streets.
December 6, 1858. Voted to give the sum of $100 towards the pur- chase of Mount Vernon.
December 19, 1859, the last meeting of any lodge in Nassau Hall.
"Regular Communication of St. John's Lodge Freemasons' Hall, corner of Tremont and Boylston Streets, January 2, 1860. The Worship- ful Master said to the Brethren: The Fraternity have purchased and re- modelled the building now known as Freemasons' Hall, at the outlay of upwards of a Hundred Thousand Dollars, and have now, it is said, the most convenient and elegant apartments in the Country. It is a source of interest to the Lodge that its first Regular Communication of the year is the First Masonic Meeting held within its walls since their Consecra- tion by the M.W. Grand Lodge, M.W. Winslow Lewis Grand Master."
The Winthrop House, corner of Tremont and Boylston Streets, after- wards the site of the Second and Third Masonic Temples, was purchased at public auction in February, 1859, by Edward A. Raymond, Past Grand Master, who, March 24, 1859, sold it to the Grand Lodgefor $106,- 500. The Grand Lodge repaired the building and added three stories. The Masonic apartments were dedicated Dec. 27, 1859. The building was destroyed by fire April 6, 1864.
WINSLOW LEWIS was born in Boston July 8, 1799; and, after gradu- ation from Harvard College, continued his medical studies in France and in Great Britain, and upon his return began practice in Boston. He was the city physician in 1861. He was president of the New England Historic Genealogical Society 1861 to 1866, and was a member of the General Court of the Commonwealth in 1835, 1852, and 1853. He re-
JOSIAH QUINCY
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SAINT JOHN'S LODGE
ceived his degrees in Columbian Lodge, became a member of St. John's Lodge in 1834, and was a charter member of Winslow Lewis Lodge in 1858. He was an officer of the Grand Lodge nearly every year from 1834 to his decease, and was Grand Master in 1855, 1856, and 1860. He died August 3, 1875, and upon the sixth day of August the funeral services were attended by the Grand Lodge, and by a large representation from St. John's, Winslow Lewis, and other lodges. His remains at first were placed in a tomb under Saint Paul's Church and later were re- moved to Mt. Auburn Cemetery.
James Augustus Fox became a member of the Lodge in 1858 and was its Worshipful Master 1863-64. Later he was Deputy Grand Master for the First Masonic District. He was Captain of the 13th Regt. Mass. Vols. 1861-62, Capt. of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery 1864-5, and Mayor of Cambridge 1881-1884. He died in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1900.
William H. Kent became a member of the Lodge in 1860 and was its Worshipful Master in 1866. He was Mayor of Charlestown 1870- 72. He died in 1889.
Thorndike Hall, on the north side of Summer Street near Washington Street was arranged for the use of the Masonic bodies immediately after the destruction of the Winthrop House, and was occupied by them until the completion of the Second Masonic Temple. Thorndike Hall was de- stroyed by the great fire of 1872.
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