USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > Lancaster > History of Lodge no. 43, F. and A.M., 1785-1910, with biographical sketches of charter members, past masters and present officers, together with a complete list of members of the lodge > Part 12
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Reconciliation having been effected between the Grand Lodge and Lodge No. 43, and the charter returned, an extra meeting was held December 23, 1822.
This meeting was largely attended. The committee appointed to appear before the Grand Lodge on Monday, the 16th inst., made report, giving a detailed statement of the proceedings in the Grand Lodge, which resulted in a reconciliation between the Grand Lodge and Lodge No. 43, and the restoration of the charter to the Lodge. On motion, it was unanimously resolved that the thanks of the Lodge be presented to the committee who represented the Lodge before the Grand Lodge.
At this meeting an election of officers, to serve for the ensuing Masonic year, was held with the following result: Bro. James Bu- chanan, W. M .; Bro. Ebenezer Wright, S. W .; Bro. Rudolph C. Nagle, J. W .; Bro. Benj. Over, Treas .; and Bro. Daniel Fuller, Sec.
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At this time Bro. Buchanan was representing his district in Congress, and was not present at the meeting. Worshipful Master Bro. Henry Keffer, notified him, by letter, of his election. On receiving this notification Bro. Buchanan sent the following reply in accepting the office.
WASHINGTON, 28th DECEMBER, 1822.
Dear Sir: I yesterday received yours of the 24th instant an- nouncing my unanimous election as Worshipful Master of Lodge No. 43. For this distinguished honor, please accept for yourself & present to the brethren my most grateful acknowledgments.
You request me to be in Lancaster on the second Wednesday of January next for the purpose of being installed & taking the chair. This will be impossible without violating the duties which I owe to my constituents & to myself. Nothing of importance has yet been transacted in Congress nor is it expected there will be until after New Year's day. Immediately after that day all the important business of the session will press upon us; in some of which our state is very materially interested. It will therefore be out of my power to comply with your request which would be so agreeable to my wishes as that of meeting my Masonic brethren in Lancaster on the second Wednesday of January next. I hope therefore that the Lodge in consideration of my peculiar situation will excuse my absence until the second Wednesday of March next. By that time I trust I shall have acquired sufficient Masonic infor- mation to enable me to preside over so respectable a Lodge as No. 43 without disgracing them or myself.
I should be glad to hear from you soon. In the mean time I remain yours fraternally, JAMES BUCHANAN.
MR. HENRY KEFFER.
At the extra meeting held on St. John's day the officers were installed, with the exception of the Worshipful Master, who was unable to be present.
During the year 1822, two members were initiated, one admitted, four withdrew and two were suspended.
This year witnessed the beginning of the custom of the appoint- ment of District Deputy Grand Masters, and to R. W. Grand Master Josiah Randall belongs the credit of instituting this impor- tant office in the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
At a meeting of the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge, held January
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6, 1812, a resolution was adopted recommending the appointment of District Deputy Grand Masters. No appointments were, how- ever, made at that time, and no further action in the matter, was taken until 1822, when R. W. Grand Master Randall made the first appointments. On December 27, 1823, the counties of Lan- caster, York and Lebanon were apportioned into a district, to be known as District No. I, and the retiring Worshipful Master of Lodge No. 43, Bro. James Buchanan, was appointed District Deputy Grand Master.
The Masonic convention which had been called to meet at Harris- burg on January 7, 1823, was duly held on that date. The fol- lowing is a copy of the circular report of its proceedings, which was sent to every Lodge in the jurisdiction.
MASONIC CONVENTION.
At a meeting of the Delegates from sundry Lodges and other Masons, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, held at Harrisburg, in the Lodge Room of Perseverance Lodge, No. 21, the following Brethren present:
Hon. Edward Herrick, Lodge No. 70, E. Wright, 43, J. D. Biles, 144, H. Frick, 144, C. Gleim, 141, Johan Brewster, 149, John M'Meens, 106, Ethan Baldwin, 163, G. R. Horter, 21, W. Holbrook, Gen. John H. Wise, 64, H. Minshall, 159, John De Pui, 153, Jere- miah Rees, 21, John Stanley, 119, I. M'Cord, 21, William Greer, 21, Joel Bailey, 21, J. Brubaker, 141, Dr. Thomas. T. Huston, 70, and N. B. Wood, 21.
The Hon. Edward Herrick was called to the chair, and Brother N. B. Wood, Esq., was appointed Secretary. The object of the meeting being stated from the chair, whereupon a motion was made and read as follows:
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to draft certain resolu- tions expressive of the sense of this Masonic Convention, which was agreed to and the resolution adopted, whereupon the Con- vention appointed Brothers C. Forward, Wood, Biles, Baldwin and Huston. On motion,
Resolved, That all Masons under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, in this place, be requested to attend the meeting of the delegates in this Convention this evening, at six o'clock.
N. B. WOOD, Sec'y.
Adjourned until that hour.
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Same day, 6 o'clock, P. M. The Convention met, in pursuance of adjournment. The Hon. Edward Herrick in the chair, and N. B. Wood, Secretary. The following Brethren present:
Hon. Edward Herrick, delegate
William Myer, Esq., delegate 108 70
Dr. Thomas T. Huston, do
70
David R. Porter, Esq., do 178
Ethan Baldwin, Esq.,
do
163
A. Beaumont, Esq., do 61
J. D. Biles,
do
144
John Huss, Esq., do 116
H. Frick, Esq.,
do
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Joel Bailey,
do
21
N. B. Wood, Esq.,
2I
George R. Horter,
do
21
C. Forward, Esq.,
William Greer,
do
21
W. Holbrook,
2I
Christian Gleim,
do
141
Samuel Power, Esq.,
Jonah Brewster, Esq.,
do
149
William Diven, Esq., 123
James Wright,
2I
John M'Meens, Esq., 106
Fred'k Eichelberger. Esq.,
John M. Eberman, 21
John A. Fisher, Esq.,
Hon. Rees Hill, 153
Henry M'Kinney,
Dr. James Roberts, 2I
Samuel Bryan,
Adam Hays, Esq., 153
Gen. John H. Wise,
64
John Zearing,
2I
John A. Kurtz,
2I
Ebenezer Wright, Esq., 43
John De Pui, Esq.,
I53
Nathaniel B. Eldred, del. 147
John Reynolds, Esq.,
43
Thomas Wallace,
Robert M'Clure, Esq.,
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Richard T. Jacobs,
21
Henry Keffer,
43
Henry Minshall,
159
T. Kirk, Esq.,
Jeremiah Rees,
2I
John Ryan, Esq.,
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John Buffington.
The committee who had been appointed in the morning, made report, which was read as follows, to wit:
The committee appointed by the meeting, composed of dele- gates from a number of the Subordinate Lodges, held under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and numerous other Brethren of the Masonic Fraternity, convened at Harris- burg, on the first Monday of January, 1823, to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the said meeting,
REPORT-That they view with deep concern the differences ex- isting between the Grand and Subordinate Lodges of this State. That being extremely anxious to reconcile all such differences, to establish said Lodges in the legitimate exercise of their proper and respective rights, do respectfully represent to the Grand Lodge, that in the opinion of this committee, and in the opinion of the Brethren generally, as far as has come to the knowledge of this committee, very great dissatisfaction with the rules and proceedings of the Grand Lodge generally prevails. That, in the opinion of this committee, the Grand Lodge, willing to lend an attentive ear
John Stanley, do 119
I. M'Cord, 2I
Joseph Brubaker,
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to the complaints of the Masonic Family, will not hesitate to con- sider such measures as may be suggested for the good of the craft, with such due regard as they are justly entitled to receive.
For years past the Subordinate Lodges have had little influence in the proceedings of the Grand Lodge. They have paid their dues, as in duty bound, but have received no equivalent for the same. A great diversity in the mode of working in the different Lodges, prevails throughout the State. The committee believe this is an evil of serious magnitude: But this is not all: the Masonic Family of Pennsylvania are, in many instances, excluded from participation in the meetings of the craft, in other parts of the world, by reason of the peculiar regulations of their Grand Lodge. This is an hardship not to be borne. The principles of Masonry are universal, and its privileges should be coextensive with them, else we lose its benefits, and Masonry loses its charms. In full confidence of the justice of these remarks, and to remedy all the grievances complained of by our Brethren, and further believing that a knowledge of our wants will ensure the prompt interference of the Grand Lodge, we submit to their consideration, the following resolutions, with a full reliance on their justice.
Resolved, That the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania shall consist of the Masters and Wardens of the Subordinate Lodges, for the time being.
2. That all Past Masters shall be entitled to a seat in the Grand Lodge, with power to vote on all abstract questions of Masonry; but they shall have no power to vote in any question of taxation, or right claimed by the Grand Lodge over a Subordinate Lodge.
3. That the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania shall have no power to tax a Subordinate Lodge, by dues, dispensation, or otherwise, without the consent of a majority of the whole of the Subordinate Lodges first obtained, either by resolutions of the Lodges trans- mitted to the Grand Lodge, under the seals of the Subordinate Lodges, or by a personal representation of those Lodges, through their officers in the Grand Lodge, at some regular Grand Quarterly Communication.
4. That each Subordinate Lodge shall have but one vote in the Grand Lodge, on all questions of taxation or right of jurisdiction, claimed by the Grand Lodge over the Subordinate Lodges, and that each Lodge shall be entitled to vote in the Grand Lodge, either by personal representation of its officers, by proxy, or by a resolu- tion of the Lodge, under its seal transmitted to the Grand Lodge.
5. That no question affecting the rights of a Subordinate Lodge, shall be decided in the Grand Lodge at any other meeting than a
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regular Grand Quarterly Communication, and not till all the Sub- ordinate Lodges shall have had at least one previous Quarterly Com- munication's notice of such proceeding.
6. That as uniformity, in the Masonic labors is essentally neces- sary to advance the interest of the craft, the Grand Lodge shall appoint one Grand Lecturer, yearly to inspect and correct the labors of the different Lodges, who shall be compensated out of the monies raised by dues, from the Subordinate Lodges, or out of their funds, as shall be hereafter settled between the Grand Lodge and the Subordinate Lodges.
7. That the Grand Lodge shall have no original jurisdiction as to suspension or expulsion, except over their own members, and that to extend no further than to their privileges in the Grand Lodge.
8. That the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania has no Masonic juris- diction over any degrees above a Master Mason.
9. That it shall be incumbent on the Grand Lodge of Penn- sylvania, to open a correspondence with the other Grand Lodges of the United States, and endeavor to produce a uniformity in work, lectures and the manner of conferring degrees, that the craft of Pennsylvania may be entitled to equal privileges with the Breth- ren under the jurisdiction of the other most respectable and en- lightened Grand Lodges.
IO. That it shall be the duty of the Grand Lodge, annually to furnish the Subordinate Lodges with detailed accounts of their receipts and expenditures.
II. That the foregoing resolutions be respectfully submitted to the Grand Lodge, and the Convention to meet at Philadelphia, in the Grand Hall, on the 25th February next, for their approbation and adoption.
12. That if they should not be adopted as aforesaid, John De Pui, James Wright and N. B. Wood, be appointed a committee to present a copy thereof to each Subordinate Lodge under the present Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and when a majority shall . have substantially adopted the same, to call a meeting of said Lodges at Harrisburg, for the purpose of establishing a Grand Lodge at Harrisburg, and that the foregoing resolutions, or such of them as shall be adopted by a majority of the said subordinate Lodges shall be inherent principles in the constitution of said Grand Lodge.
C. FORWARD, THOMAS T. HUSTON, N. B. WOOD, ETHAN BALDWIN, J. D. BILES.
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And said report was read, and the resolutions thereto attached, were severally considered and adopted unanimously.
On motion, the following resolution was offered:
Resolved, That the committee named in the 12th resolution, be directed to have printed the proceedings of this Convention, and forward a copy to the Grand and each Subordinate Lodge in the State. On motion,
Resolved, That these proceedings be signed by the Chairman, and attested by the Secretary.
EDWARD HERRICK, Chairman. N. B. WOOD, Secretary.
HARRISBURG, JANUARY 7, A. L. 5823.
Sir and Brother-We are directed to transmit to you the fore- going proceedings, with a request that you will be pleased to lay them before the Lodge over which you preside, at as early a period as possible.
We are fraternally and respectfully yours, JOHN DE PUI, JAMES WRIGHT, N. B. WOOD,
Committee.
Worshipful Master of Lancaster Lodge No. 43.
A printed circular of the proceedings of this Convention, held at Harrisburg, having been sent to every Lodge in the jurisdiction, a copy was received by Lodge No. 43, and was presented and read at the meeting held on February 12th.
No further action in this matter was taken by Lodge No. 43.
At the stated meeting March 12th, Worshipful Master elect, Bro. James Buchanan, was by special permission of the R. W. Grand Master duly installed.
The election for officers for the ensuing Masonic year, which was held December 10th, resulted in the selection of the following brethren: Ebenezer Wright, W. M .; Rudolph C. Nagle, S. W .; Jacob Albright, J. W .; Benj. Ober, Treas .; and Geo. Beckel, Secre- tary.
The Right Worshipful Grand Master having notified the Lodge of his intention of paying them an official visitation, the following resolution was adopted at this meeting:
Resolved, That in consideration of the visitation of the Grand Lodge on the 19th inst., there shall be a procession of this Lodge
Lodge No 43 Luchael Nummer Lancaster April 11th 1823
to, Cherry Coffin forder book -9:00 to Digging Grave . 2.00 lup Oberth Haline ble for Proces & Gloves -3.39 Urs Deans Able for Breking the Cortes. " VV $1501939 Lancaster 10 th aproti 1823. Treasures of Lodge No 43. Joy to Michael Wimmer fifteen dollars of 39 cents y.
By order of the doga James Buchanan . w. m.
REPRODUCTION OF BILL AND ORDER ON TREASURER OF LODGE No. 43
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
on that day: and that a committee of seven be appointed to make the necessary arrangements.
Accordingly the Lodge assembled in extra meeting on the morning of that date. The meeting was largely attended by the members of the Lodge and by representatives of other Lodges. Right Wor- shipful Grand Master Josiah Randall, Esq., accompanied by his Grand Officers, honored the Lodge with his presence.
This was the first official visitation that had ever been made to Lodge No. 43. On December 19, 1803, Right Worshipful Grand Master Israel Israel honored the Lodge with his presence, but he came unattended and took no part in the proceedings. The Lodge closed its morning session at 1:30 o'clock, P. M. At 2:30 o'clock the brethren formed in procession and proceeded to the Lutheran Church, where they listened to an appropriate discourse, delivered by Rev. Dr. Endress.
The brethren then returned to the Lodge Room, where the Right Worshipful Grand Master exemplified the Fellow Craft and Master Mason's degrees and lectured on the Entered Apprentice degree.
The expenses incurred by this first Grand Visitation amounted to $29.75, and consisted of the following items:
Rev. Dr. Endress, $8 00
Sexton, . . 2 00
8 Suppers @ 1700 10 00
Tickets, .
2 00
Grand Chaplain (Rev. Clarkson)
5 00
John Michael, I 75
$29 75
This visitation was of material help to the brethren and to the Lodge, and was followed by a noticeable improvement in the pro- ceedings of the Lodge.
During the year 1823, four members were initiated, two with- drew, and four died.
Of the officers elected at the December meeting the W. M., J. W. and Secretary declined serving, and on application the Grand Lodge granted permission to the Lodge to hold a special election to fill the vacancies.
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
Accordingly on March 10, 1824, the following brethren were elected: George H. Whitaker, W. M .; John Landis, J. W .; and Daniel Fuller, Secretary, and they were duly installed at that meeting.
Up to this time it had been the custom for the brethren to rise on the entrance of Past Masters. This custom was discontinued by resolution at the stated meeting in April.
The Lodge had again become financially embarrassed. The Grand Lodge presented their account, amounting to $501.03, ar- rearage for Grand Lodge dues. There were no funds to meet this debt, and the matter was finally compromised with the Grand Lodge. The Lodge at this time was in need of aprons, but a report of the Treasurer at the September meeting showing a balance due the Treasurer by the Lodge of $61.94, the aprons could not be purchased. For the same reason an application from Lodge No. 143 for pecuniary assistance could not be granted. Efforts were made to collect outstanding dues, and brethren who were unable to pay the same were recommended to withdraw from the Lodge in order that the Lodge might be relieved from the payment of their Grand Lodge dues.
At the November meeting of this year it was resolved to exonerate the Treasurer from the payment of dues, as compensation for his services, and this custom has prevailed to the present time.
The annual election for officers in December resulted as follows: Bro. Jasper Slaymaker, W. M .; John Landis, S. W .; Washington Hopkins, J. W .; Emanuel Shaeffer, Treasurer, and Daniel Fuller, Secretary.
During the year 1824 five members were initiated and seven withdrew. All of the withdrawals were in pursuance of the resolu- tion requesting them to do so by reason of their neglect of dues.
CHAPTER V.
1825-1835.
T HE year 1825 opened with the affairs of the Lodge in a slightly improved condition. The Grand Lodge debt had been re- duced until there was a balance of only $2.16 due that body, while the Lodge was credited with $17.56 in the hands of the Treasurer.
The Right Worshipful Grand Master, John Banister Gibson, Esq., was pleased to appoint Bro. P. M. George B. Porter as Dis- trict Deputy Grand Master for the district comprising the counties of Lancaster, York, Lebanon, Dauphin, Berks and Schuylkill, and the townships of Sadsbury and Honeybrook in Chester county. Bro. Porter's commission was presented and read at the stated meeting on March 9th.
On the occasion of our distinguished brother General Lafayette's visit to Lancaster, in July of this year, a party was given him in Masonic Hall, on Thursday evening, July 28th, which was attended by many of the leadings citizens and most respectable and fashion- able ladies of the town. This ball eclipsed everything which had up to that time been seen in this city. Of the eight citizens who composed the committee to receive General Lafayette, five were members of Lodge No. 43, and District Deputy Grand Master George B. Porter made the reception speech.
At the meeting of the Lodge held September 14th, it was resolved that a committee of three members be appointed to call upon Bro. Ebenezer Wright and request him to attend the October meet- ing of the Lodge, for the purpose of conferring the Mark Master's degree on such members as may be disposed to receive it. This does not seem to have been the correct method of proceeding, even in those times, to have the degree conferred; at least there is
IO
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
no reason assigned why this excellent idea was not carried into effect.
At the stated meeting of December 14th, a communication from Bro. Ebenezer Wright was presented and read, in which he set forth that he applied "to be discharged from his membership in this Lodge on the 31st of December, 1823," and that he "now asks to withdraw that application and to be restored as a member of this fraternity." On motion, the following resolutions were adopted:
Resolved, In consideration of the high Masonic standing of Bro. Wright, his extensive information and well known zeal for the honor and interest of the fraternity, that he be permitted to with- draw his resignation as a member of Lodge No. 43.
Resolved, That Bro. Wright be reinstated as a member of this Lodge.
Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to wait on Bro. Wright and request him to take his seat in the Lodge this evening.
Bros. Keffer, Ober and Mathiot constituted that committee, and having conducted this highly esteemed brother to the meeting, the brethren further expressed their appreciation of him by at once electing him their Worshipful Master. The following brethren were elected to fill the remaining offices: John Landis, S. W .; Matthew McKelly, J. W .; Emanuel Shaeffer, Treasurer, and Daniel Fuller, Secretary.
Ten members were initiated and one withdrew during the year. The year had been a prosperous one for the Lodge, and it closed with all the debts, including Grand Lodge dues, paid, and a balance in the hands of the Treasurer of $148.62.
On January 5, 1824, the Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter of Penn- sylvania, with the sanction and consent of the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge, assumed exclusive control over the Subordinate Chap- ters of the State, issuing warrants and exacting dues from Chapters. This met with considerable opposition from some of the Lodges which had obtained authority from the Grand Lodge to confer the Chapter degrees, mainly on the ground that having paid for said authority and the annual dues of the Grand Lodge, they considered it burdensome to now have to take out charters from the Grand Chapter, and pay Grand Chapter dues in addition to the
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
Grand Lodge dues. Several communications had been received by the Lodge, from the Grand Lodge and from Perseverance Lodge, No. 21, of Harrisburg, on this subject, all of which were referred to a committee to investigate and report. At the stated meeting of November 8, 1826, the committee presented the following report, which was unanimously adopted:
The committee of Lodge No. 43, to whom were referred the communications of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, of September 5, 1825-June 19, 1826-and September, 1826; and of Perseverance Lodge, Harrisburg, of September 29, 1826.
REPORT,
That they have devoted to the subject that due consideration which its importance demands, and are of opinion that the forma- tion and establishment of a Grand Chapter, in the city of Phila- delphia, on the 5th of January, 1824, was not a violation of the compact between the Grand and Subordinate Lodges.
In examining this subject we have been led to inquire, whether the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania ever had the legitimate power to grant warrants for holding Chapters of Royal Arch Masons, and Lodges of Most Excellent and Mark Masters; and after a full investigation, we are clearly of opinion that the Grand Lodge never had, and, agreeably to the land-marks of Masonry, never could have that power. The exercise of it in former times, was a usurpation of authority which even the plea of necessity can scarcely justify.
An inquiry naturally presents itself, why should not the Grand Lodge have jurisdiction over Royal Arch, Most Excellent, and Mark Master Masons? We answer, because the Grand Lodge, by the very nature of its constitution, is restricted to the three first degrees of Masonry, and the appendant degree of Past Master; but as the three higher degrees are distinct and dissimilar in their nature, and depend on distinct and different principles, how, with any shadow of common sense, could the Grand Lodge, which, from its organization as a body, can know nothing of the rules, regulations, and land-marks of the higher orders, undertake to grant charters for conferring those degrees? "Suppose a difference arise between two Chapters, who shall decide them?" Shall the Grand Lodge? No: the Grand Lodge, as a body, know nothing of their constituent principles, and cannot, under any circumstances, regulate the mat- ters in dispute .- "If unworthy characters, who might gain admission
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