USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > Lancaster > History of Lodge no. 43, F. & A. M. : being the records of the first century of its existence > Part 12
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Resolved, That the Secretary be instructed to notify the mem - bers of Lodge No. 43 to meet here, on this night a week, for the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of sur- rendering up the charter of Lodge No. 43 to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
At the special meeting of May 19th, thirteen members and two former members of the Lodge presented themselves. The resolution of the 12th inst. was withdrawn, a committee was ap- pointed to solicit the Grand Lodge to exonerate the Lodge from paying its dues, because of its want of funds, and the brethern were enjoined to be more regular in their attendance upon the meetings of the Lodge.
The encouragement derived from the unusually large attend- ance of thirteen members at one meeting was destined to be but short-lived. The Brethren did not forsee the bitter persecutions which were at this time having their origin among the enemies of our noble fraternity, and which soon, at the hands of an igno- rant and superstitious populace, was destined to break over their heads with the force of a hurricane. The June meeting was very poorly attended, there only being present eight members, including the officers : the Worshipful Master resigned his station and withdrew from membership.
A sufficient number of members could not be assembled to open a lodge until the following December, when eight of the members met and held an election for officers, with the follow- ing result : Bros. Henry Keffer, W. M. ; John A. Landis, S. W .; John Powell, J. W .; Elijah McLenegan, Treas., and Geo. B. Withers, Sec.
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HISTORY OF LODGE NO. 43, F. & A. M.
The meetings of January, February, and March, 1831, were poorly attended, and no business transacted. After March there were no meetings until July, when seven members met to confer the Fellow Craft degree upon a brother. There was no lodge opened from this time until December 14th, when nine members assembled, opened a lodge, elected and installed the following officers : Bros. Henry Keffer, W. M .; John Powell, S. W .; Arthur Toner, J. W .; John Longenecker, Treas., and Geo. B. Withers, Sec.
In January, 1832, four members presented themselves, after which no meetings were held until November 13, 1833. These were true anti-Masonic times.
The period of time which has been denominated "the anti- Masonic time," was from the fall of 1828 to the year 1838. After the Federal party had collapsed, in 1817, there was no political opposition of any importance to the Democratic party until the fall of 1828, when a considerable party was organized upon the principles of opposition to the Masonic order, which was charged as being the Nestor of the Democratic party. This party had its origin from the anti-Masonic crusade, which took its rise from the disappearance or so-called abduction of William Morgan, in New York State, in the year 1826.
We copy from Harris' Biographical History of Lancaster County the following :
It was a very captivating question with which to make cap- ital for a party. A jealousy always exists in the human mind against that which is exclusive, and towards secret societies this feeling is ever alive. Particularly amongst the people of the rural districts does this jealousy exist the strongest ; and with many religious bodies secret societies receive no favor. The Mennonites, Amish, and other such German sects were not hard to be persuaded into a party that had for its object the overthrow of Masonry, and they therefore welcomed . the crusade that was being preached against the murderers of Morgan and the advo- cates of the Masonic iniquity, as they regarded it.
An organ of the new party was started in June of the year 1828, at New Holland, entitled the Anti-Masonic Herald, with Theo. Fenn as its editor. This sheet was widely circulated through the county, and the effect was tremendous. Quite a number of those who had hitherto acted with the Democratic party received the new paper, and became converts to the new cause.
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The party grew with great rapidity. The most of the Ger- man non-residents warmly espoused the cause. In the election held in 1829, the anti-Masonic party swept the county with a considerable majority. From that time for several years anti- Masonic principles in Lancaster county were in the ascendant. Masonry sank rapidly below par. No longer was a member of the Order free from insult, and they mostly ceased all connec- tion with their Lodges. These were closed one after another, and every Lodge in the county remained closed for some years. Most of the rural Lodges were never again reopened.
Lecturers passed through the country detailing the horrors of Masonry ; exhibitions were given in which the different scenes of Masonic initiation were said to be represented upon the stage ; and almanacs, both English and German, were filled with cuts repre- senting Masonry in the most ludicrous light. Feeling became more and more intense against the order ; and he was a bold man, indeed, who any longer owned himself the member of an organization resting under such public odium. Most members of the order denied that they were Masons, and it even became matter of insult to charge a man with being a Free Mason.
Lancaster Lodge No. 43, after being closed for a considerable time, was again opened, and members stealthily began to visit it in small numbers, few members of respect, for a long time, fre- quenting any of the meetings. Robert Moderwell, Esq., Mayor Albright, and Dr. Geo. B. Kerfoot were amongst the most re- spected and influential Masons who helped to lift the order again to respectability. In 1837 the meetings of the Lodge were small, and those who visited them sought access so as not to be seen by their neighbors. An odium hung over the Order even for years later, and it was not much before 1850 that Masons felt bold enough to hold their public processions as in times prior to the anti-Masonic excitement.
The above account is very accurate as regards the rise and progress of the anti-Masonic craze; it also gives a correct ac- count of the bitter persecutions then heaped upon the fraternity, and which were especially marked in Lancaster county,-in fact, in no other portion of the State was there to be found a popula- tion so credulous and so ready and willing to espouse such a cause. But in the remarks relating to Lodge 43, Mr. Harris is somewhat in error, as will appear more fully from the records of the Lodge during those years. . It will be seen from those records that the Lodge suffered more or less from the summer of 1830 until November, 1833, and particularly from January, 1832 until
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HISTORY OF LODGE NO. 43, F. & A. M.
November, 1833, during which time no meetings of the Lodge were held.
But on November 13, 1833, the Lodge resumed its meetings, which from that time were regularly held, the attendance and interest gradually increasing. The year 1837, of which the writer makes especial mention, was a particularly busy year, for in addition to the Lodge meeting regularly on the second Wed- nesday of every month during the year, there were also nine special meetings for work, &c., held during that time. It is true, however, that the popular prejudice against the fraternity still existed, and continued to exist for a number of years afterward, but it was no longer dangerous to life and limb to be known as a Mason, only still imprudent as a business policy.
At a meeting of the Lodge held November 13, 1833, seven members and one visitor were present at the opening of the Lodge.
The Worshipful Master laid before the Lodge a communica- tion from the Grand Lodge, in relation to the inactivity of the Lodge and its accumulating dues. This communication was referred to the officers of the Lodge.
A special meeting was held on November 18th, which was at- tended by nine members, one visitor, and District Deputy G. M. Nathaniel W. Sample of Lodge No. 104, who had been appointed Dist. Dep. G. M. during the time the Lodge had discontinued its meetings. At this meeting two brethren were admitted mem- bers of the Lodge, and the election for officers was held with the following result : Bros. Thomas Jeffries, W. M. ; Philip Reit- zel, S. W. ; Alexander Miller, J. W. ; John Longenecker, Treas., and Robert Moderwell, Sec.
At the stated meeting held February 12, 1834, Bro. Moder- well offered the following resolution :
Resolved, That the whole amount of this, and Grand Lodge dues against all the members of this Lodge, prior to the last elec- tion on the 18th of November, 1833, the same shall be remitted.
The resolution was referred to a committee consisting of Bros. Barry, Miller and Moderwell, to report at next meeting.
This committee presented the following report at a special meeting, held on the 15th inst :
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HISTORY OF LODGE NO. 43, F. & A. M.
The committee to whom have been referred the resolution offered at the last stated meeting of Lodge No. 43, in relation to the outstanding dues against all the members of this Lodge prior to the last election on November 18th, 1833-that the same shall be remitted &c. &c.
REPORT,-that after a careful examination of the minutes of Lodge No. 43, they find-that up to the year 1829, the Lodge was in a flourishing condition, there having been during the year just mentioned (IS29) eleven stated and three special meet- ings, making in all fourteen meetings in that year-but that since the year 1829, until the present time, February, 1834, a period of upwards of five years, the minutes exhibit a most de- plorable state of affairs, the real cause of which they decline stating, as it is already well known to all the brethren, and it is with extreme regret they lay before you the facts as they are presented to them from the minutes of the Lodge, which are as follows:
In the year 1830, the Secretary states that at the stated meet- ings for July, August, September, October, and November, a sufficient number of members did not attend, no Lodge was opened. Here it will be seen that for almost one half of the year 1830, no business was transacted in the Lodge, and in the following year the minutes exhibit a still more desponding state of affairs.
In the year 1831, the Secretary states, that at the stated meet- ings for April, May, June, August, September, October, Novem- ber and December, a sufficient number of members did not at- tend, no Lodge was opened, so that for the year 1831, you have the lamentable fact, that for eight months, nothing was done, and the four meetings which were held this year, were very small indeed ; and, as we proceed still further into our exami- nation, we find we have not yet arrived at the worst.
The next year, which was 1832, there is but one meeting recorded, during the whole of this year, on which occasion there was but four brethren present. The Lodge, during this year, may certainly be considered, nearly, if not altogether, extinct.
We have now brought our examination to the last year, which is in 1833 ; and, we find that the Lodge did actually cease to exist as a Lodge, there being not a solitary meeting during the whole of the year, until the Lodge was specially convened on the 18th of last November, in pursuance of a communication from the Grand Lodge to the late Worshipful Master, the result of which meeting has had the effect of bringing together a few of its brethren, who are now striving to revive the standing and use- fulness of this Lodge; which certainly can never be accom- plished, should each of its members be required to pay Lodge
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No. 43 and Grand Lodge dues for upwards of five years,-there- fore
Resolved, That the resolution offered at the last Stated Meet- ing, remitting the dues against the members of Lodge No. 43,- be adopted.
Resolved, That the Secretary of this Lodge send a copy of the foregoing to the Grand Lodge, signed by the officers of this Lodge and attested by him.
Resolved, That this report be entered on the minutes.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
Signed, THOMAS J. BARRY, R. MODERWELL, Committee.
ALEXANDER MILLER.
This report was unanimously adopted.
Bro. Thomas J. Barry, on the part of the committee to whom was referred the circular from the Grand Lodge, bearing date Monday, March 4, 1833, to make reply to the Grand Lodge, presented the following report, which was adopted :
To the R. W. Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
Lodge No. 43, held at Lancaster, and under the jurisdiction of your Worshipful body, respectfully begs leave to state, that they have received your circular of date of March 4, 1833, A. L. 5833, but circumstances of a peculiar nature, and entirely beyond their control, totally prevented them from acting on it, until November, 1833, when a few of the old members, with some resident Brethren of good standing, met together, under the sanction of the District Deputy Grand Master, when an election was held, the lodge reorganized, and the officers were installed by the Deputy Grand Master.
It cannot have escaped the attention of your Worshipful body, that this Lodge has had more difficulties to encounter, and has met with more violent and determined opposition from the enemies of our order, than an other under your jurisdiction : and to such extremes were we persecuted that it was impossible to obtain a meeting for some years. The consequence of this per- secution has been an almost total abandonment of our duties as a Lodge, and an entire neglect of the election of officers for the space of two years, until the present reorganization.
We refrain at this time from entering minutely into our griev- ances or our difficulties, and will only observe now, that it gives us pleasure to say, that our Lodge is again revived, and we hope will be successful in proving to the world, " how Masons love one another."
In the reorganization of Lodge No. 43, it was found impossi-
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ble to comply with the tenor of your circular in all its terms, as it is impossible to collect from the members of the late Lodge, their dues. And, to insure harmony and good feeling through- out the Masonic body here, this Lodge has adopted a resolution, after a diligent and mature examination into the premises, by a committee, to remit all the dues, due by members up to Novem- ber 18, 1833. And this Lodge is perfectly aware that this was the only means of enabling us to resuscitate at all.
Having then on our part acted as was deemed most advisable, under the existing circumstances of the case, and feeling ourselves surrounded by a host of watchful and vindictive enemies, only waiting to avail themselves of any breach they might find amongst us to again draw public attention (and perhaps the indig- nation of some) upon us, we felt ourselves measurably compelled to adopt that mode of tranquilizing any feelings of animosity that might have existence amongst our body. Having thus acted on our part, we say, with our delinquent brethren (and a majority of whom are only delinquent from their inability to pay) we are compelled to throw ourselves upon the mercy and generosity of the R. W. Grand Lodge, and to ask of them an extension of their fatherly kindness and protection, by a remission of our past dues, and to permit us to commence our operations anew from the date of November 18, 1833. We would further state, in re- gard to compliance of the first requisition in your circular, which states "that we must remit the annual amount of dues to the Grand Lodge for said members so organized for the year 1832, which must in all cases be paid up to entitle any Lodge to the benefit of this resolution," that this Lodge literally had no ex- istence in that year, and it was only in November, 1833, that it was reorganized, from which date, we are willing to pay, and annually thereafter. Our Secretary will forward you the neces- sary returns comprizing a list of the present members with the initiations &c., &c., since our organization, and all such other information as is usual.
Having thus plainly and candidly confessed our total inability to pay our past dues, and assigned such cogent reasons therefor, which will be found in the report accompanying this communi- cation and to which we respectfully beg leave to ask your serious attention,-we subscribe ourselves
Fraternally yours etc.
A committee was appointed to determine how many of the old members were willing to continue their connection with the Lodge. This committee were unable to make a report until the stated meeting in July, when they presented the names of twenty- six former members, together with the names of four applicants for initiation and membership.
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HISTORY OF LODGE NO. 43, F. & A. M.
The Grand Lodge charitably considered the circumstances of the Lodge and generously accepted their proposition in regard to dues. Lodge No. 43 once again received a new lease of life, and slowly but surely moved forward and upward. The meet- ings were now regularly held and well attended. The force of the storm was spent ; the Lodge had survived the shock and from this time its condition became one of progress. All honor to the brethren who upheld the Lodge through those trying times. With unwearying devotion they anxiously watched its flickering spark of life, and when almost extinct fanned it into renewed existence. We here reverently and with fraternal gratitude record the roll of honor: Henry Keffer, Thomas Jeffries, Ar- thur Toner, Philip Reitzel, Alexander Miller, Thomas Barry, Elijah McLenegan, George B. Withers, and Robert Moderwell. They have long since finished their pilgrimage here below and have gone to their rewards. But they have left us this inheri- tance-our beloved Lodge, saved by their unwearying efforts and devotion.
At the stated meeting held December toth, the following brethren were elected officers for the ensuing year . Alexander Miller, W. M .; Emanuel Shaeffer, S. W .; W. F. Eberman, J. W .; Jno. Longenecker, Treasurer, and E. McLenegan, Secretary.
During the year 1834, seven members were initiated, two ad mitted, and two withdrew.
1
CHAPTER VI.
1835-1845.
NOTHING of special interest occurred during the year 1835, the meetings being devoted to routine business, and the en- tering, passing, and raising of nine new members. At the De- cember meeting the election for officers resulted as follows : Bro. Emanuel Shaeffer, W. M .; Bro. Philip Reitzel, S. W .; Bro. Wm. F. Eberman, J. W .; Bro. Thos. Jeffries, Treasurer, and Bro. E. McLenegan, Secretary. District Deputy Grand Master Bro. Sample not being present, the officers were not installed until the meeting in April, 1836.
Bro. Emanuel Shaeffer declined serving as W. M., and Bro. Robert Moderwell was elected to fill the position. In the month of July, the use of the Lodge room was granted to the Philhar- monic Society to meet for practice.
The Brethren feeling the need of instruction, at this time, a communication was sent the Grand Master requesting him to send a lecturer to visit the Lodge, to which they received reply that the Grand Lodge had dispensed with sending persons to lecture to subordinate Lodges for some time back, in conse- quence of the great excitement that prevailed throughout the country. A visiting brother, however, rendered them assistance, and the Grand Master appointed Bro. Thomas Jeffries District Deputy Grand Master. At the December meeting the following brethren were elected officers for the ensuing year : Robert Mod- erwell, W. M .; Wm. F. Eberman, S. W .; Frederick Fick, J. W .; Thomas Jeffries, Treasurer, and E. McLenegan, Secretary.
During the year 1836, nine new members were initiated, one admitted, and two withdrew.
The year 1837 was a particularly busy one for the Lodge, there being twelve stated and thirteen special meetings held dur- ing the year. There were twenty new members initiated, one admitted, and two withdrew. The meetings were mainly devoted
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HISTORY OF LODGE NO. 43, F. & A. M.
to work, and the record disproves the assertion of the disastrous effect of the anti-Masonic sentiment upon the Lodge during this year.
At this time, and for a number of years later, as long as the prejudice against our fraternity was marked, the brethren would approach the entrance to the Lodge room by the most circuitous route, and endeavor to glide in unobserved. The windows of the hall were hung with dark and heavy curtains, so that no light was visible from without, and the outside world had no evidence of a meeting being held.
The election for officers in December resulted as follows : Bros. E. McLenegan, W. M .; Geo. B. Withers, S. W .: D. A. Donnelly, J. W .; Emanuel Shaeffer, Treasurer, and John Long- enecker, Secretary.
During the years 1837 and 1838, a number of the brethren who had withdrawn from the Lodge during the exciting times just past, made application for readmission, and their prayer was granted on their paying the Grand Lodge dues.
At the stated meeting of February 14, 1838, on motion, it was resolved, that a committee of three members be appointed, to be called the Committee on Charity. The W. M. appointed Bros. Thomas, Shaeffer and Fick said committee. This was the first charity committee ever appointed by the Lodge.
Considerable dissatisfaction manifested itself among the mem- bers of the Lodge at this time. A number of improper characters had succeeded in gaining admisston into the Lodge, and gradu- ally acquired more or less control over its doings. A number of the officers of the Lodge resigned their stations and places, and finally, at the stated meeting of May 9th, the first attempt was made to establish a second Lodge in the city of Lancaster. At this meeting the following preamble and resolutions were presented and read, and action thereon postponed :
WHEREAS, It appears indispensably necessary from the rapid increase of the number of members of Lodge No. 43, which at present amounts to sixty-six, being a greater number of members than can be accommodated with seats in the Lodge room at one time, and for the benefit of the Craft generally, we the under- signed members of Lodge No. 43, for the purpose of establishing another Lodge in the city of Lancaster, offer the following Reso-
ยท
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HISTORY OF LODGE NO. 43, F. & A. M.
lutions, which we hope will be concurred in and adopted by the officers and brethren of Lodge No. 43.
And your Petitioners will ever pray,
ROBERT MODERWELL,
J. ALBRIGHT, M. GOLDSMITH, FREDK REINSTEIN, J. M. HARMANY.
Resolved, That for the establishing or forming of another Lodge in the City of Lancaster, any of the members of Lodge No. 43, who may feel desirous in furthering said object, can cease to be members of Lodge No. 43, by notifying the Lodge of their desire to withdraw.
Resolved, That the following shall be the terms and conditions under which Lodge No. 43 and the new Lodge to be established, shall control and manage such matters and things generally, as may pertain to the respective business of both Lodges.
First. Lodge No. 43 shall have for its stated, adjourned and special meetings the first and second weeks in each and every month.
Second. The new Lodge, to be established, shall have for its stated, adjourned and special meetings, the third and fourth weeks of each and every month.
Third. The meetings of Lodge No. 43 and the proposed new Lodge, to be held in the rooms over the Market House, and neither old nor new Lodge shall lease, let or allow the rooms to be occupied or used for any purpose whatever, other than for their own meetings.
Fourth. The furniture &c., &c., at present in Lodge No. 43 to be used by both Lodges, except the Jewels, which are the property of Lodge No 43.
Fifth. Any of the members of Lodge No. 43 who may with- draw for the purpose of joining the new Lodge, shall pay to the new Lodge, the amount of arrears, if any, he or they may be owing at that time, to Lodge No. 43.
Should the foregoing Preamble and Resolutions be adopted by Lodge No. 43, the Secretary shall then furnish the Petitioners, with a copy of the foregoing, together with the consent of Lodge No. 43 to the same, under the seal of said Lodge, signed by its officers and attested by the Secretary.
No formal action was ever taken on this communication, ex- cept postponement, and, from the fact that no further efforts were put forth by the petitioners, we infer that they became reconciled to the existing circumstances. This inference is
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HISTORY OF LODGE NO. 43, F. & A. M.
strengthened by the fact that at a subsequent meeting a series of resolutions touching irregularities in the proceedings of the Lodge, were under discussion and favorable action was only pre- vented by an alarm of fire, a motion to adjourn was made and the Lodge closed. At the following meeting however these informa- lities were corrected without debate as follows. At the special meeting held June 2d, R. W. Grand Master John M. Read, Esq., accompanied by the R. W. Grand Secretary made an official visitation to the Lodge, and after examining the minutes and correcting all errors and irregularities, they exemplified the work by passing Bro. Christian Widmyer to the degree of Fellow Craft Mason, and raising Bro. Christian Gast to the sublime degree of Master Mason. These two brethren are the two oldest living members of Lodge No. 43.
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