USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > Wilkes-Barre > A history of Lodge no. 61, F. and A. M., Wilkesbarr?, Pa. with a collection of masonic addresses > Part 48
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"He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth unto the Lord ; and look what he layeth out, it shall be paid him again."
"Fair Charity, thou rarest, best, and brightest ! Who would not gladly hide thee in his heart, With all thine angel guests ? For thou delightest To bring such with thee-guests that ne'er depart. Cherub, with what enticements thou invitest- Perfect in winning beauty as thou art- World-wearied man to plant thee in his bosom, And graft upon his cares thy balmy blossom."
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Oh ! what pleasures in this world are equal to those which spring from the exercise of this blessed virtue, the first principle of our Order ? * * * We might appeal to the experience, perhaps, of some in this assemblage, who are not Masons and yet are aware of the fre- quent practice of Masonic charity. But our Institution desires not to blazon forth the virtues which it exercises, and the deeds of kindness which it may be daily doing. *
This principle of Charity and universal benevolence, about which we have been speaking, is indeed a great object of our Order, but it rests not upon this alone. It cultivates and seeks to improve in man all the moral virtues. Faith and Hope are also among the rounds of that great Masonic ladder which, founded and made firm upon the basis of Truth, leads the thoughts and the wishes of Brethren and of men to eternity and Heaven. Faith in the Great First Cause, the mighty Architect of the Universe, "in whom we live, and move, and have our being," and before whom all nations should bow in adoration and praise ! Hope in that eternal life, which the word of God reveals to us as the best sanction for the virtuous and the good; and Truth, bright, beautiful, and ever radiant Truth, the foundation stone of each redeeming excellence! Here rests that Masonic ladder, and he who would desire to ascend by it into a blissful eternity, starting upon Truth, must walk upon the rounds of Faith, and Hope, and Charity.
* * *
We have mysteries and secrets. None but the initiated are ad- mitted into the recesses of the Lodge-room, and our special dealings there are not always exposed to the world. Masons compose a vast and universal family, asking only that they may be permitted to con- duct their own affairs in their own way, without imputations unwar- ranted for what is visible in their conduct. In their rites and cere- monies among their own members they are secret; in their doings with the world they are open. They ask to be judged of their own family, and of their own transactions, and desire not to be exposed to the merely prying investigations of the malicious and the curious. They endeavor to bear in mind the words of the wise man, "A tale- bearer revealeth secrets, but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter."
Among those who have stood high in our Order, and have honored our mysteries with their countenance and favor, may be found many of the most gifted and worthy of the human race-prominent in the Churches, honorably fulfilling various private, public, and exalted duties. Men whose names have enriched the scroll of fame, and who would never have countenanced evil in any shape, have remained
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members of our Body to their dying days. These are our witnesses before the bar of public opinion. Will you infer evil still from the secret sessions of the Lodge ? Our ceremonies are private, our pro- fessed motives and conduct are public. If in these there be nothing wrong, condemn us not! But, in truth, we exclude none; we open our mysteries to all who are willing to join with us, and whose stand- ing and moral character shall be submitted to the proper scrutiny.
We have also symbols and hieroglyphical representations conveying to the adept scientific knowledge, and inculcating many of the moral and divine lessons of the Bible, and the explanation of these is not secret. It is true that these sciences and lessons may be learned else- where, but in no place will they be more beautifully explained and exhibited than by an eloquent and accomplished lecturer in the Lodge- room. I would that I had time and ability to spread before you our emblematic chart, and to attempt to show, even with the small Masonic knowledge I possess, some of these impressive and beautiful explana- tions. * * * We interfere with the religious principles of no one who believes in the existence of God ; we trespass upon the political opinions of nobody ; we profess to be a moral Society, and we deal with the moral principles alone. But to our symbolical representations each one may apply his own belief, and there is nothing in Masonry to counteract or to assail it. I, Christian as I profess myself to be, am permitted to look upon that emblematic star as the "bright morn- ing star" of my faith. I look upon that anchor and that ark as the sacred emblems of that only blessed "anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast," and of the ark of God the hope of my salvation. Ma- son as I am it gladdens my heart to say-
" Behold the ark of God, Behold the open door ; Hasten to gain that dear abode, And rove, my soul, no more.
"There safe shalt thou abide, There, sweet shall be thy rest, And every longing satisfied With full salvation blest.
"And when the waves of ire Again the earth shall fill, The Ark shall ride the sea of fire, Then rest on Zion's hill."
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Is there anything in the development of our principles which should lead society to fear or to oppose us ? We are bonded together, but only to do right. We are called upon to aid and assist a Brother, but we are bound to do so only when it can be done consistently with con- science and with justice. We have shown you that Truth and Hon- esty are at the foundation of our Institution, and no demand of any Brother can ever ask us to violate them. We bow to the majesty of the laws of God and the laws of the land; and justice and honor, in- tegrity and truth, paramount as they are, bind us stronger together as members of the human family, in our respective public and social relations, than do any of the subordinate obligations of Masonry. * We are in all cases to seek to do right ; Masonry can never countenance the false principle, that evil may be done to a stranger for the benefit of a member of the Lodge.
If these be our rules is there any danger in the principles we profess to hold? Can they be abused ? So may the interests and regulations of every other Society, moral or political. It is still how- ever but abuse, and no legitimate consequence of the precepts of the Institution. When the unfaithful members err it should never be charged upon Masonry, as their conduct is in fact a violation of the fealty they owe to that Society, and never can receive its approbation and sanction.
And now, my Masonic Brethren, permit me in conclusion to say a few words to you. Your consciences, your knowledge, and your judg- ment have all assented, I am sure, to the principles I have been ad- vancing as your own. You have felt, with me, that as humble sup- porters of this venerable Institution you were glad to hear her virtues proclaimed, and a warning voice uttered against those who, within her own borders, by the abuse of her precepts or by their unbecoming conduct abroad, would dishonor her ancient name. Let me from the situation, in which your kind and flattering invitation to address you has placed me, exhort you collectively and individually to walk cir- cumspectly and carefully in your several callings in life ; to remember that in a certain degree each Brother holds within himself the honor of the Order, and that that honor requires wary and cautious behavior in your dealings both with your fellows and the world. * * * * Masonry has secrets which are committed to you. Speculation may be rife about them ; prejudice may misrepresent them ; but your con- duct is open and by that you will be judged. And if that which is manifest and public may be right, the enemies of Masonry, if they can be found, will be quieted and silenced. "The path of the just is as the shining light, which shineth more and more, unto the perfect day.'
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I repeat to you as a brief and general summary of your duty, the words of a well-known Masonic Brother : " By Speculative Masonry we learn to subdue the passions, to act upon the square, to keep a tongue of good report, to maintain secrecy, and to practice charity." This is a comprehensive text for your lives, a moral and a guiding rule for your daily walk and conversation. Look to yourselves and look to your Brethren! " Know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary !" * * * Let us all, therefore, "give diligence that we may be found of Him in peace, without spot and blemish"; so that when the last stroke of the fatal scythe be given, the plumb line, the square, and the level be laid aside, having fulfilled their du- ties here, and our allotted tasks be finished, we may be called by the Great Master above, from the pains, and trials, and labors of earth, at the sound of the gavel, to be invested in the Grand Lodge on High with the jewels of eternity, to be refreshed by the never clouded rays of the Sun of Righteousness, and to rest in those mansions of the blessed,
" Where the noon-tide of glory eternally reigns,"
and where the contentions and struggles, the afflictions and troubles of mortality shall be found no more forever.
Address delivered by Bro. SIDNEY HAYDEN,* Past Master of Rural Amity Lodge No. 70, F. and A. M., of Athens,
* SIDNEY HAYDEN was born at Colebrook, Litchfield county, Conn., March Ist, 1813, the son of Luke and Ruth (Humphrey) Hayden. He was married at Torringford, Conn., March 23d, 1836, to Florilla E. Miller, and in 1840 removed with his family to Athens, Bradford county, Penn'a. For a number of years he was in business there as a manufacturer of brick, and as a contractor. At the same time he was a diligent and intelligent student in certain branches of science and history-acquiring, among other things, considerable and im- portant knowledge of botany and forestry. He was also a frequent contributor to the press, and in 1868 he published a very entertaining book entitled "Washington and His Masonic Compeers," an 8vo of 407 pages.
He was initiated into Rural Amity Lodge No. 70, F. and A. M., Athens, December 27th, 1851, and was Senior Warden of the Lodge in 1854 and '5, Worshipful Master in 1856, '7, '9, '62, '3, and '4, and Treasurer in 1858. He was a charter member and the first Eminent
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Bradford county, Penn'a, at Hollenback Cemetery, Wilkes- barré, June 24th, 1867. (See pages 22-24, and 117-119, ante.)
Worshipful Master, Wardens and Brethren of LODGE No. 61 ; Visit- ing Brethren ; Military Officers and Veteran Soldiers ; and Ladies and Gentlemen of Luzerne :
The time, the place, and the occasion of this assemblage are each suggestive of thought. The time is the anniversary of the natal day of one of the patron saints of our Fraternity. It tells of the cherished ancient legends kept in mystic lore, of him who came to prepare the advent of a new era in man's history. . The place calls to mind Wyo- ming as the white man saw it when he first made his habitation here -an island of beauty in a sea of billowy mountains. The occasion is to renew tributes of affection and pious care for the memory of two valiant Masonic Brethren, who were slain while connected with the vanguard of General Sullivan's army as they approached this valley on war's stern mission, to destroy and desolate the hunting-ground and the cornfield of the Indian, that they might give security to the hearth-stones of the pioneer.
You are aware, my Brethren, as well as many others whom I see before me, that it has been the custom of our Fraternity, for many centuries, to congregate on the anniversaries of the natal day of St. John the Baptist, commemorate his virtues, and renew our pledges of fidelity to precepts he enjoined, that we may thus make our path of life straight as the line of Masonic rectitude. We, as Masons, have all
Commander of Northern Commandery No. 13, Knights Templar, at Towanda, Penn'a ; and, as an A. and A. Rite Mason of the 33º, was a member of the Supreme Council of the Northern Jurisdiction of the United States. Brother Hayden was not only a very zealous, but an exceedingly intelligent and well-informed, Free Mason. He was for many years a careful and patient investigator in the domain of Free Masonry-ever seeking light, and more light; and his views and judgments on matters pertaining to the history, and to the ancient customs, usages and landmarks of our Fraternity, were always author- itative, interesting, and valuable. Some years ago the Rev. David Craft, D. D., author of the "History of Bradford County," wrote of Brother Hayden : "His motto has ever been, 'Dates are the bones of history, and accuracy is its life !' In treating of whatever relates to Masonry as a speculative science, to its history, etc., Mr. Hayden has no superior, probably, in the United States."
In 1884, when the writer was preparing the MS. for this "History of
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been taught by that mystic lore, which no man knoweth save him who receiveth it, that he who went forth as the herald of Him who had been foretold by Moses and the prophets, preaching in the wilderness, and clothed with camel's hair and bound with a mystic girdle, had previously been made the recipient of mysteries akin to Free Masonry. He is thus made the mythical head of our legends of the Free Masonry of that age; and since his sanguinary death he has been for untold ages regarded as one of the patron saints of our Fraternity. I am bold to declare before you, my Brethren, and all who hear me, that it matters little whether this is regarded as a historical verity or as a mythical legend. It is the precept, it is the principle, it is the truth, it is the soul of what he taught, which justifies Masons more in their commemoration of the natal day of St. John the Baptist, than any real or legendary connection he had with our Fraternity. All historic proofs, or Masonic legends connected with this patron saint of our Society, I regard but as caskets containing pearls of inestimable value, whose full beauty is concealed from all but Masons' eyes.
Free Masonry has not inaptly been defined as a system of moral, philosophical, and religious truth, veiled in allegories, and illustrated by symbols. Symbols were the first Masonic alphabet of thought ; and allegories and legends were the early compositions of Masonic science, whether preserved in oral tradition, or written on parchment, or combined in architecture. * * * To you, my Brethren, there- fore, I would say, still cherish and preserve those traditions of our
Lodge 61," he sent it and some of the pages of the book then printed to Sidney Hayden for his perusal. In commenting upon the work he wrote, among other things: "Your pages have much that is new to me, especially in relation to your Lodge. Your book will be of much value now, and still more and more generations hence. * * *
I am glad to see you, and such as you, breaking the cold ice under which the history of former Masonic events in our State was so long imprisoned, and letting present and future Brethren know through what channels the stream has flowed since its advent in the pathway of American civilization. *
* * I am pleased to find in your pages [124-131, ante] a fair and comprehensive view of our early Capitular Masonry. Your points are well taken, and well presented. I see in them nothing to correct, and nothing that is not germain to the sub- ject of your book."
Sidney Hayden died April 4th, 1890, at Sayre, Bradford county, Penn'a, where he had resided for a number of years. He was sur- vived by four sons, his wife having died at Sayre August 20th, 1868.
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Fraternity which have made our fathers for many generations set this day apart as a festival in memory of the Masonic virtues and precepts of St. John the Baptist, and as it returns each year when Summer is first robing herself in all her adornments, may it bring like gladness to your hearts. * * *
The twilight of American Masonic history is first seen in the annals of our country early in the last century ; and existing documents which were published or written contemporaneous with the events they nar- rate, state that as early as 1732, before the existence of warranted Lodges in America, the Masonic Brethren of Philadelphia met in ac- cordance with the ancient custom on the 24th of June, to celebrate the festival of St. John the Baptist in that city. They met, not by virtue of written warrants, but in accordance with immemorial Masonic usage ; elected their rulers whom they termed Grand Masters; dined most cheerily and merrily, and in their festivities did not forget to make contributions for the indigent and distressed. So read the early annals of Masonry in America. But the shadows on the dial-plate of Time rest darkly on all Masonic events in this country until 1733, when a more perfect system of Masonic organizations took place under what are now called regular warrants for Lodges, constituting them per- manent, perpetual bodies .*
Masonry has ever conformed in its public ceremonials somewhat to the customs of the country ; for it is an axiom in our landmarks that we should do no violence to the public polity, or religious customs of the country where we reside. The clergy at that time, especially in New England, wielded a two-fold power-as individuals, and as the representatives of a profession which almost dominated the State. Many of them were members of our Fraternity, and the goodly cus- tom prevailed of repairing with them to the Church as Masons on such public occasions, and listening to charity sermons and other instruc- tions and admonitions from their lips. At the festivals which followed on these occasions, "The Church, the State, and the Fraternity," became almost a standing toast.
Amidst such surroundings and under such influences, Masonic or- ganizations had so multiplied in this country that, at the commence-
* Sixteen years after Brother Hayden wrote and delivered this ad- dress, certain records were found and deposited with the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, which show, beyond question, that a Masonic Lodge existed in Philadelphia as early as June, 1731, at least. (See page 19, ante ; also, "The Beginnings of Free Masonry in America," Chapter VIII., post.)
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ment of the Revolution in 1774, there were warranted working Lodges in each of the thirteen colonies, and in seven of them Provincial Grand Lodges. Their membership embraced many of the first men in society, in Church, and in State. New England had then on her bright roll of Masonic workmen her Gridley, her Warren, her Han- cock, her Otis, her Putnam, her Wooster; New York her Clinton, her Jay, her Livingston ; Pennsylvania her Franklin, and many of his Masonic compatriots ; Virginia her Washington, her Randolph, her Mercer. All over the colonies, from the frozen North to the sunny South, were bands of mystic Brethren having in their membership the ruling spirits of those heroic days.
But when the clouds of adversity which had long been gathering in our political horizon grew broader and blacker, and shadowed our country with all their complicated gloom, the lights of Masonry then grew pale around our Masonic altars ; those mystic halls were many of them deserted-for the master and the craftsman were alike called into the ranks of our country's defenders, some in council chambers, and some on battle fields. Warren soon fell at Bunker Hill, and Ran- dolph in the council chamber of the Colonies at Philadelphia, where he had been called to preside. Both were Provincial Grand Masters, and their Masonic Brethren cast the green acacia on graves that were watered with their country's tears. Mercer, too, fell at Princeton, and Wooster near Danbury-both distinguished Masons; Franklin was sent as a diplomatist to a foreign court, and Washington exchanged the trowel for the sword, which became in his hand like the sword of Gideon. But when the local lodges of our country became so many of them dormant or extinct by reason of the absence of their members, other Masonic associations were formed, called Military or Traveling Lodges. Such Lodges had previously existed, during the old French War, among our provincial troops, and many also in the regular British regiments that had been quartered in America, one of which, at the commencement of the Revolution, held a warrant from the Pro- vincial Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, to work in the British 17th Regiment of Foot. Its number was 18 on our Grand Lodge registry. *
The pen of history in drawing the outlines of the prelude of to-day's proceedings may tell how, when the conflict came between the colo- nies and the inother country, the Indians, who had been taught to call the British king their father, and had bound themselves to him with war belts, and wore as a gift his blankets, were told our father's rebel- lion was a crime ; and perhaps by aiding in subduing it, they expected to be restored to their ancient hunting grounds, as well as avenge the
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real or fanciful wrongs their race had suffered. This prelude of to-day's proceeding must tell, too, of the bloody scenes of Cherry Valley, of Minisink, and your own Wyoming. Here, every hamlet had a ro- mance of horror, every hearth-stone a tale of blood ! The scenes of 1778 will never be forgotten while Wyoming has a name, or a de- scendant to keep her in memory.
The beginning of 1779 came, and opened the first scene in the drama we are closing to-day. [Reference was then made by the speaker to the expedition of General Sullivan ; the killing of Captain Davis and Lieutenant Jones by the Indians, and their interment with Masonic ceremonies in the old graveyard of Wilkesbarré.] *
* * Such were the scenes at Wyoming on the 29th of July, 1779, at its first Ma- sonic funeral. Your valley, desolated by cruel and sanguinary con- flicts, was then in mourning-weeds for the many citizens who had fallen in defence of their hearth-stones the year before. The graves of fathers, brothers and sons were wet with widows' and orphans' tears from every household in Wyoming. The Indian still lingered upon your hill-tops ; and wonder not, as he saw the ploughshare pass over the graves of his fathers, and unearth skulls over which once had waved a warrior's eagle plume, that his savage soul was deeply stirred within him ! * * *
While these scenes were transpiring in the Masonic history of this valley, Washington was with the main army upon the Hudson. There, upon the 24th of the same June (1779) the Brethren in the army celebrated the festival of St. John the Baptist. The records, which are still fully preserved, show that the "American Union" Mil- itary Lodge met that day at Nelson's Point, and proceeded thence to West Point, and being joined by a number of Masons from the brig- ades there and on Constitution Island, they proceeded to the Red House across the Hudson. The Lodge was then opened in ample form, and after the usual ceremonies retired to a bower in front of the house, where, being joined by General Washington and his family, an address was delivered to the Brethren and others present on the occasion by the Rev. Dr. Hitchcock, after which an address was delivered to the Brethren in particular by Capt. William Hull (afterwards General Hull of the War of 1812). The Lodge then dined, and toasts were drunk with music and songs. The record then states, "His Excellency Brother Washington returned to the barge, attended by the Wardens and Secretary of the Lodge amidst a crowd of Brethren, the music playing 'God save America,' and embarked. His departure was announced by three cheers from the shore, and answered by three from the barge, the music beating the 'Grenadier's
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March.' The Brethren then returned to General Patterson's head- quarters in the reversed order."
These facts from the records of this Lodge will show you the nature of the festivals of St. John by our Brethren of the army during the Revolution. The Masonic history of that period has never been writ- ten ; but there are existing broken records scattered throughout our country which show that it would be one of thrilling interest. There were Traveling Lodges connected also with the British army, and sometimes on the battlefield amidst its carnage, but oftener when the conflict was over, foemen met as brothers. Who has not heard how Brant, the fierce Indian warrior, whose very name was one of terror, dashed aside the tomahawk at Minisink in response to a Masonic sign of distress, and saved the life of Major Wood ? Who has not heard, too, how in the further desolating progress of Sullivan's expedition, after he had defeated the combined Indian and Tory army at Che- mung, and was on his northern progress, making a desert waste of every valley which the Indians loved, when a scouting party of his was cut off and nearly all slain except Lieut. Thomas Boyd and one of his comrades, who were taken captives-who has not heard how, when this gallant Boyd was brought before Brant and his infuriated warriors, then flushed with temporary victory, but threatened with entire destruction by Sullivan, who was on his track with fire and sword, that this same captive Boyd, upon giving the mystic sign of a Mason in peril to Brant, was hailed by him as a Brother, and received his protection ? * *
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