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 7
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clothed as above attended the funeral of their deceased Brother, Col. Wilder Bevans.
The election in December resulted as follows: Bro. Jeremiah Mosher, W. M .; Bro. Wm. Hamilton, S. W .; and Bro. Wm. Pitt Atlee, J. W.
The year 1809 had been a prosperous one for the Lodge.
Eleven members were initiated, five admitted, two withdrew, one died, and one was expelled.
A number of special meetings were found necessary during the year, in order to accomplish the unusual amount of work. The Brethren did not fail to enjoy the fruits of prosperity, for we find on several occasions during the year they indulged in Lodge suppers. We present two accounts of these occasions (verbatim et literatim): Lodge No. 43. 1809 To Robert Wilson, Dr.
January 3Ist. To 28 Suppers @ Po' eac. 50 $14.00
IO Bottles wine. 10.00
$24.00
The Gentlemen of the Lodge:
To Robt. Wilson,
To 4lb. of candles. £0.16.0
To 16 gils. wine and brandy at the time fixing the Certins. . 0.15.0
To one Supper from 20 to 24 gentlemen. Coln Moser in the chare. . 3.15.0
April 12th, 1809. 5.6.0
The year 1810 was an uneventful one. Six new members were added to the Lodge, five being by initiation and one by election. The records show two to have been suspended. At the stated meetings for June and December the officers of the Lodge were reëlected, and Bro. Henry Antes was appointed Secretary. At this time the east or corner room was occupied by the Auditor- General.
The minute-book containing the records of the Lodge from June, 18II, to January, 1816, has been lost for many years. As long ago as 1823 this book has been reported as missing, and repeated efforts made since then have failed to disclose its whereabouts. The initiations, admissions, elections, etc., for that period of time,
Lodge A. 43. 1809.
To Robert Nihon Dy January $1,7 To 28 Supers a 50 each_ $14.00 .. 10 Bottles Mine. 10.00 Queve the above in full en 13 Subway 24.00 Mobswilson
Brother Egberts Taylor Treasurer of Lodge ( F /3 .... you are hereby directed to pay W. Robert Wilson the above. Bill, It being the Expences of an extra light of Lodge 43. as directed By thes & Re Hr Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania for which Jim they are allow us a credit at the next settlement of oun Grand Lodge dues by order of the nt Worshipfile Grand Frutos? tocarry
Umperspätrich Master
REPRODUCTION OF AN OLD BILL, WITH MEMORANDUM OF CREDIT ATTACHED
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
have been obtained from the records of the R. W. Grand Lodge.
At the stated meeting on June 12, 1811, the following Breth- ren were elected for the ensuing term: Bro. Wm. Hamilton, W. M .; Bro. Wm. Kirkpatrick, S. W .; Bro. Jeremiah Mosher, J. W; Bro. Egbert Taylor, Treasurer, and Bro. Henry Antes, Secretary. At the December meeting Bro. Hamilton was reelected W. M .; Bro. Jere. Mosher was elected S. W .; Bro. Sam'l Humes, J. W., and the Treasurer and Secretary were reelected.
During the year 181I seven members were initiated, two ad- mitted, and one withdrew.
At the meeting of the Lodge held December 30, 1811, John Banister Gibson, LL. D., was admitted a member of the Lodge. He was a Fellow Craft Mason, and was the same evening raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. He also became a member of Chapter No. 43, R. A. M. John Banister Gibson was the son of Lieut. Col. George Gibson, an officer of the Revolutionary Army, who fell in St. Clair's expedition against the Indians on the Miami, in 1791. He was born in Sherman's Valley, Perry County, Pa., November 8, 1780. He was a graduate of Dickinson College, studied law in the office of the Hon. Thomas Duncan, and was admitted to the Cumberland county bar in 1803. He practiced in Carlisle and Beaver, Pa., and in Hagerstown, Md. In 1810 and 18II he was elected to the Legislature. In July, 1813, he was appointed President Judge of the Eleventh Judicial District of Pennsylvania, and three years after was commissioned an Associate Judge of the Supreme Court. In 1827, he was appointed Chief Justice, and reappointed in 1838. In 1851 the Judiciary was made elective, and he was elected as Associate Justice and served until attacked by his last illness.
He withdrew from Lodge No. 43 on March II, 1812. In 1814 he became affiliated with Lodge No. 61, of Wilkesbarre, Pa., and was elected R. W. Grand Master of the R. W. Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in December, 1824, which office he filled one year. He died in Philadelphia on May 3, 1853.
The election in June, 1812, resulted as follows: Bro. Wm. Hamil- ton, W. M .; Bro. Wm. Kirkpatrick, S. W .; Bro. Jere. Mosher,
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J. W., and the Treasurer and Secretary again reelected. In Decem- ber, Bro. Sam'l Humes was elected W. M .; Bro. Nathaniel Lightner, S. W .; Bro. Daniel Lefevre, J. W .; Bro. Benjamin Ober, Treasurer, and Bro. Henry E. Heinitsh, Secretary.
The year 1812 is noticeable as witnessing the greatest number of additions to the membership of the Lodge, of any year since its foundation. Sixteen were initiated, one admitted, two suspended, and one expelled.
At the stated meeting in June, 1813, the following brethren were elected officers for the ensuing term of six months: Nathaniel Light- ner, W. M .; Charles H. Cordes, S. W .; Stacey Swem, J. W .; Benj. Ober, Treasurer, and H. E. Heinitsh, Secretary, and at the Decem- ber meeting Bro. Nathaniel Lightner was reelected W. M .; Bro. Molton C. Rogers was elected S. W .; Bro. John Reynolds, J. W .; and the Treasurer and Secretary were reelected.
During this year nine members were initiated and one withdrew.
The custom of holding elections for officers twice a year was discontinued this year, and the Masonic term was made to extend from St. John the Evangelist's day of one year to that of the next. We accordingly find the next election held in December, 1814, which resulted in the selection of the following brethren as the officers for the ensuing Masonic year: Molton C. Rogers, W. M .; John Reynolds, S. W .; George H. Whiteker, J. W .; Benj. Ober, Treasurer, and Isaac Lightner, Secretary.
During the year 1814 nine members were initiated and one with- drew.
CHAPTER IV.
1815-1825.
T HE opening year of this chapter being included in those of which the records have been lost, we have little of interest to present. The election for officers took place at the stated meet- ing in December and resulted as follows: Bro. John Reynolds, W. M .; Bro. Geo. H. Whitaker, S. W .; Bro. Thos. Jeffries, J. W .; Bro. Benj. Ober, Treasurer, and Bro. H. E. Heinitsh, Secretary.
During this year ten members were initiated, six withdrew, and one died.
At the stated meeting of March 13, 1816, the Lodge was hon- ored with the presence of several prominent visiting Brethren, one of them an officer of the R. W. Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, another was a Past Master from Lebanon. At the invitation of the W. M., Bro. John Reynolds, the brother from Lebanon, worked the E. A. Degree upon candidate Samuel Greer.
The Lebanon brother must have been overzealous in the dis- charge of his duties, and probably the officers of the Lodge vied with each other as to who could best work in the presence of these strangers. For the return of the Philadelphia Brethren to their homes was followed by a "Bull" from the R. W. Grand Master, which stated he had been informed that certain forms and cere- monies had been introduced in carrying on the labors of the Lodge, different from those recognized by the R. W. Grand Lodge. If such were the case, he enjoined, required and directed, that they conform most strictly to all the true and ancient landmarks and forms and ceremonies as approved by the R. W. Grand Lodge, without any deviations therefrom or additions thereto, etc., etc.
This letter of rebuke was not received by the officers and mem-
85
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
bers of the Lodge with any marked degree of humility. In fact it was to them a revelation; for, up to this time, they believed themselves to be in the true faith, and they could not believe themselves to be censurable. A committee, composed of Bros. Hamilton, Lightner, Mosher, Rogers and Shippen, was appointed to draft an answer to R. W. Grand Master Kerr's letter. This was a formidable committee, which, for social standing, force of character and brains, could scarcely be surpassed in any Lodge in the jurisdiction; but their cause was not of such a character as to be influenced by any degree of ability or intelligence. This correspondence could end with but one result, and that not in favor of the subordinate body. The fact developed was, that throughout the jurisdiction there existed a lack of uniformity in methods; and this may be justly styled the first seed of dissatis- faction sown between the Grand Lodge and the Subordinate Lodges throughout the State, which in a few years brought forth an abun- dant fruit of a bitter variety, and which we will chronicle in its appropriate place.
On September 28th, 1816, the officers and members of Lodge No. 43, by special invitation of the brethren in Marietta, repre- sented the R. W. Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and conducted the ceremonies of dedication of the new Masonic Hall in Marietta. The Lodge meeting in that place, at this time, was Amicitia Lodge, No. 116, which had removed there from Elizabethtown.
During this year the Lodge seems to have been somewhat cramped for room, hence we find at the meeting in September a committee was appointed to wait on the Commissioners or Burgesses, and ascertain whether the room adjoining the Lodge room (the east room, then in use by the corporation) could be obtained for the use of the Lodge. This committee seem to have been unsuccessful, for at the meeting in November a resolution was unanimously adopted, appointing a committee to ascertain the correct amount of expenditures in erecting the Lodge room, and to meet the Bur- gesses of the borough, and treat with them for the sale of our rights and privileges in the same. This committee were also unsuccessful, the hall never passed out of the possession of the Lodge, and it
the Nos shof ful Matter, Manding, & Bothering of Liege No 43 Around Book One Young The petition Forthe Dubschen rufrestfully, the weth, that , having long entertained
1 a favourable opinion of your ancient motalutions he is desirous of being admitted a member there of, of found war the
Her place of medence in the Borough of hanaustin, this age 2, This accusation ane
James Buchanan
attan & Cogen .
REDUCED REPRODUCTION OF THE APPLICATION OF JAMES BUCHANAN FOR DEGREES AND MEMBERSHIP IN LODGE No. 43, PRESENTED Nov. 13, 1816
Jo Br. To Br. Jo Bri MiPrimo@ of raser,
Doit are requested to meet the Sfaster and Brethren of dodge No. 43, Encient jock Diasons, at the Lodge Room, in Lancaster, at b) o'clock, on the evening of the 10th instant.
By Order of the Worshipful Master.
Secretary.
Lancaster, 3
A. M. 581b
REPRODUCTION OF LODGE NOTICE OF THE YEAR 1816
1
1 95046225
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
was a number of years afterwards before the Lodge obtained ex- clusive control of the east room.
At the stated meeting of December 11th, Bro. James Buchanan was approved, and received the first degree in Free Masonry. At this meeting the following brethren were duly elected officers for the ensuing year: George H. Whitaker, W. M .; Thomas Jeffries, S. W .; Jacob Brenner, J. W .; Benjamin Ober, Treasurer; Frederick Hubley, Secretary. During the year seven Brethren were initiated, six withdrew, one died, and one was expelled.
The year 1817 was an uneventful one for the Lodge. Five mem- bers were initiated, two admitted, five withdrew, and one was suspended. The officers of the Lodge were reelected for the ensuing year.
At the stated meeting in January, 1818, a petition was presented from a number of brethren, praying the Lodge to recommend to the favorable consideration of the Grand Lodge, their application to that body for a warrant to hold a Lodge at Chestnut Level, in Lancaster county. The Lodge recommended the same, and the Grand Lodge issued the charter in the name of Washington Lodge, No. 156. A number of the members of No. 43 withdrew for the purpose of forming this new Lodge. Washington Lodge is now held at Drumore Centre.
On St. John's day, June 24th, the Lodge had a public procession.
The first step in the movement which brought much trouble upon the Lodge and ended in the loss of its charter, was taken at the stated meeting in November, when the following resolution was adopted, "that a Committee be appointed to meet any Com- mittee which may be appointed by any of the Lodges of this Com- monwealth and draw up a petition to be presented to the Grand Lodge for to introduce a regular mode of working, &c., throughout the State, and that they make report, &c." This committee failed to perform the duty assigned them, and it was not until the fol- lowing summer that the movement assumed any definite shape and importance.
The election for officers at the stated meeting in December re- sulted in the selection of the following brethren to serve for the
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
ensuing year: Thomas Jeffries, W. M .; Henry Keffer, S. W .; George B. Porter, J. W .; Benj. Ober, Treasurer, and Thomas Yarrell, Secretary. On St. John's day, December 27th, the Breth- ren, in pursuance of the old custom, dined together. During the year five members were initiated, one admitted, and nine withdrew.
The year 1819 found the Lodge ably officered, its meetings well attended, and marked interest manifested in its proceedings. Among its members were some of the foremost citizens of the time.
The Secretary, Bro. Thomas Yarrell, having removed from Lan- caster, Bro. George Beckel was at the June meeting elected to that office for the unexpired term. In the early part of this year some repairs were made in the Lodge room, and the furniture, jewels, etc., were put in order.
This year is distinguished as witnessing the opening of differ- ences between the Lodge and the Grand Lodge, which ended in the vacating of the Charter of the Lodge. Ever since March, 1816, dissatisfaction had existed in the minds of the Brethren with the management of the Grand Lodge, and with their failure to receive from that body benefits to which they believed themselves justly entitled.
One of the measures which was proposed to be adopted as a means of accomplishing their wishes was the election to office in the Grand Lodge of those in accord with their views, also the adoption of measures for the better dissemination of knowledge. Hence we find at the stated meeting of August 11, 1819, a com- mittee, composed of Bros. P. M.'s N. Lightner, John Reynolds, and Bro. S. W. Henry Keffer, was appointed to correspond with the Lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Penn- sylvania, requesting them to appoint committees to attend at the election of officers of the Grand Lodge on the next St. John's day.
At an extra meeting held September 2Ist, this committee pre- sented as their report a circular letter, which being read was unani- mously approved, and the same committee was instructed to have one hundred and eighty copies of this circular letter printed, and when signed by the committee and Worshipful Master and Secre-
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
tary, to be immediately forwarded to the different Lodges in the State.
The following is a correct copy of the circular letter as prepared by the committee, which was printed and forwarded to every Lodge in the State:
Extract from the Minutes of Lodge No. 43.
At a special meeting held in the city of Lancaster, on Tuesday evening, September 21, 5819,
The committee appointed at the meeting of August 11th last, to draft a circular to be sent to the different Lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, reported the following circular, viz .:
LANCASTER, SEPTEMBER 21, 1819. . WORSHIPFUL SIR AND BROTHER,
The difference in the mode of working, directed by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and that adopted and practiced by the Grand Lodges of the Eastern and Southern States, is a serious and lamentable evil, productive of the worst consequences to the craft in general; but still it is an evil not so immediately affect- ing us, as the different modes of working practiced by the Lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
That there should be a uniform mode of working throughout the United States, is a matter generally admitted, and certainly cannot well be denied: and for the accomplishment of this object and the better government of the craft in general, we are decidedly in favor of the establishment of a general Grand Lodge, composed of all the Grand and Past Grand officers of the different Grand Lodges in the United States. To this body should be delegated such of the sovereign and independent powers now exercised by the different Grand Lodges, as would give it a complete control of the institution, and which would enable them to lay down general rules and principles, which the Subordinate Grand Lodges should be bound to carry into effect. In this manner the govern- ment of our Order would, in some degree, resemble the plan of government under which we live, and which is now in such happy and complete operation as to excite the admiration and wonder of the world.
But the subject that most immediately interests us, and to which we particularly wish to invite your attention, is the different modes of working practiced in the Lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. This has not proceeded from a
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
disposition to degrade the character of the craft, as might be sup- posed, from seeing (as is frequently the case) men at the head of Lodges, who are utterly incapable of understanding the principles, nature, and objects of the institution; and others, who, if they did understand, are altogether unable to explain them .- No, it has proceeded from a want of Masonic instruction, and so glaring has been the neglect of the Grand Lodge on this subject, that but few of the Lodges that meet in its hall work precisely in the same manner. But the country Lodges, after paying for and receiving their charter, are suffered to go on in their own way without instruction or exami- nation, and the only matter required of them is the regular payment of their dues, and for which we have never received any equivalent.
As to the visitations which are made by the Grand Lodge to the subordinate Lodges in the City and neighborhood of Phila- delphia, we believe them productive of but little good, being prin- cipally matter of Parade and Show.
A remedy for this evil has for many years past been within the power of the Grand Lodge-we mean the appointment of Lecture Masters, whose duty it should be to visit the Lodges throughout the State once in every year; and we think two Lecture Masters at a salary of 800 or 1000 dollars per annum would have been sufficient to the completion of this object. This indeed we have been promised but have looked in vain for its accomplishment. And here we cannot avoid observing, that the expenditure of a very large sum of money in the erection of a splendid Masonic Temple in the City of Philadelphia, while this deplorable state of Masonic Ignorance pervades the subordinate Lodges, was not the most judicious application of its funds. Had the erection of this edifice been delayed for a few years, and a few hundred dollars per annum expended in the dissemination of Masonic knowledge, what a different spectacle would the Masonic part of the great State of Pennsylvania have exhibited! Then upon your entrance of a Lodge, instead of being disgusted by attempt at explanations of the prin- ciples and emblems of the Order, as incomprehensible as they are ridiculous, the heart would be cheered and the understanding en- lightened by a judicious and apt illustration of the moral, religious and scientific principles of the Order .- For Masonry is a scientific as well as a moral and religious institution: And indeed there is much reason to believe that where the scientific principles of the order are not understood, the moral and religious are but little attended to.
In order to effect one or both of these objects if possible, it is proposed that as many of the Past Masters and Officers of the
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
different Lodges, as can make it convenient, attend the meeting of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, to be held on St. John's day next, in the City of Philadelphia.
Upon the receipt of this Communication you are respectfully requested to submit it to the consideration of your Lodge, and to inform us of their determination respecting it.
JOHN REYNOLDS, NATHANIEL LIGHTNER, HENRY KEFFER.
On motion, said report was adopted, and the circular ordered to be printed, and a copy of the same to be forwarded to the different Lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. Signed, THOMAS JEFFRIES, W. M.
ATTEST.
Signed, GEO. BECKEL, Secretary.
Copies of this circular letter having been sent to every Lodge in the State, replies were received from the following Lodges: Nos. 51, 91, 130, and 139, Philadelphia; No. 61, Wilkesbarre; No. 70, Tyoga Point; No. 83, Damascus, Wayne county; No. 106, Williamsport; No. 120, Tioga; No. 123, York; No. 124, Erie; No. 14I, Halifax, Dauphin county; No. 142, Sadsbury, Chester county, No. 146, Meadville; No. 148, Northumberland; No. 159, Danville; and No. 169 Columbia. All of these with the exception of the Philadelphia Lodges approved the circular and endorsed its contents.
Of the Philadelphia Lodges, No. 91 disapproved of the formation of a General Grand Lodge, but approved of the appointment of Lecture Masters at a more convenient time, when the Grand Lodge was in funds. No. 139 acknowledges the existence of "differences and evils," but suggested that the remedy lay with the Lodges themselves. Lodge No. 51, after reviewing the contents of the circular letter, in their reply, proceed as follows:
Your Committee having taken the above premises into con- sideration, are of opinion that the beauty and harmony of our Masonic Institutions, would be much improved could an efficient plan be projected and carried into execution, by which a uniform mode of working could be introduced in all the Lodges of our Fraternity. When however they consider, that much of the opera- tions of Masonry are to be carried into effect by oral, and tradi- tionary instruction, it cannot be expected that the same precision
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in working will be attainable, as if the same instruction was pre- sented in a written or printed form. It is certainly most lamentable to see persons fill the Master's chair-to see ignorant persons, elevated to the first honors of the Lodge, who are utterly incapable of understanding or explaining the mysteries of our order. It is equally lamentable to view others qualified by nature, and educa- tion, endowed with high mental qualifications, who upon being elevated to the Chair, instead of becoming a great and shining light, and irradiating the paths of Masonry, pay so little attention to the important duties incident to their station, and carry on their work in so careless and imperfect a manner, that it is not to be wondered at that considerable discontent is excited.
If instead of accusing the Grand Lodge of want of proper at- tention, the Subordinate Lodges would be more particular in select- ing their Officers, and those Officers attend to their duties faithfully, and diligently, your committee are of opinion, that the Craft in- stead of falling into disrepute, would exhibit a very different spec- tacle than that held up by Lodge No. 43; and here we cannot help remarking, and reprobating the language made use of by that Lodge in speaking of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, language in our opinion, reproachful, illiberal, and unjust, and which only can be excused by the zeal which no doubt actuated our Brethren on this occasion for the benefit of our Order; it would however have much better comported with the respect due the Grand Lodge to have tempered their zeal with becoming respect.
We concur with Lodge 43 in opinion that much benefit might be derived by well appointed Lecture Masters, and hope the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania will take into their serious consideration the propriety of adopting such a measure.
With regard to the formation of a General Grand Lodge as recommended in the propositions before us, we are of opinion, that it is entirely beyond the power of the subordinate Lodges to originate, and carry into effect an innovation so great, and which if practicable, in the minds of your Committee would be of very dubious utility.
While the grand Land marks of our order are strongly and dis- tinctly defined, although some dissimilarity in working may creep in, yet we do not view this evil with as much apprehension, as the creation of a new superior and controlling power, such as alluded to in the letter referred to us. Under these impressions your Com- mittee submit the following resolution.
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