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 9
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gation they are under to the Lodges under their Jurisdiction, and to communicate to them Masonic instructions? If. we cannot remedy the past, we hope to prevent the recurrence of transactions injurious to the Craft.
The committee further remark that had the conduct of this Lodge been as offensive to the Grand Lodge, as our brethren of No. 131 imagine, they certainly would not have approbated our conduct in the manner they have done. The committee cannot discover that the members of this Lodge have ever attempted to "dictate to or think for" the Grand Lodge; but to think for themselves, we hope and trust that not only this, but every other subordinate Lodge, has a right to do. It is also a right of which they are not yet, and we hope never will be divested.
It does not appear that this Lodge has attempted to fix unalter- ably the compensation of those who might be employed in com- municating Masonic instruction: they have intimated an opinion what would be an adequate reward for the services of Lecturers :- and as to the travelling expenses, which appear to be an insur- mountable objection to our brethren of No. 131, we are sure that the country Lodges, seeing the deplorable state of ignorance in which they are now placed, and their eager desire to obtain light, would without hesitation defray those expenses out of their funds.
The committee cannot close their report without expressing their disapprobation of the course persued by our brethern of No. 13I, in criminating the conduct of this Lodge towards the Grand Lodge. If we have transgressed against that body, to them alone are we accountable.
It would counteract the principles of religion and our order, to look with veneration bordering on Idolatry, upon those who are only our equals.
To the Grand Lodge, under whose Jurisdiction we are placed, we owe duty and allegiance.
When that August Tribunal shall say we have broken our allegi- ance, then, and not till then, will concessions be made.
Signed, E. WRIGHT Jos. OGILBY JASPER SLAYMAKER.
The charitable and liberal spirit of the members of the Lodge at this time is shown by the following act: The city of Savannah, Georgia, having been visited by a very destructive conflagration, which was attended with much suffering and distress, compelling the citizens to appeal for aid, at the meeting of February 9th, a
Brother che of Landy
How are to Mat Folge NABon Nelles day the 13 - day of Now AL. 58Le ut l. Y SiHubby S P.M.
Nº
REPRODUCTION OF LODGE NOTICE OF THE YEAR 1822
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Bro. Freeman was present at this same meeting and delivered a lecture on the three degrees of E. A., F. C., and M. M.
At the December meeting the following members were duly elected officers for the ensuing Masonic year: Henry Keffer, W. M .; Abner Thomas, S. W .; Emanuel Shaeffer, J. W .; Benj. Ober, Treasurer, and F. D. Hubley, Secretary.
The meetings of the Lodge during the year 1821 were well at- tended; five members were initiated and one withdrew.
Previous to the year 1822 members were expelled for non-pay- ment of dues. In June of this year the By-laws were amended, substituting the word suspended for expelled. Of the eleven mem- bers of the Lodge who had been expelled at different times, one only was for unmasonic conduct, the other ten being for non-pay- ment of dues.
The financial condition of the Lodge being still one of depression, the difficulty still continuing in the collection of dues, it was deter- mined to appeal to the Grand Lodge for a reduction of the Grand Lodge dues from one dollar, which it then was, to fifty cents. This appeal was made but not granted.
At the June meeting, a communication from Perseverance Lodge No. 21, at Harrisburg, was presented, requesting the Lodge to join them in a recommendation to the Grand Lodge for the relief of the widow of Bro. Past Master Robert McElwee, a former member of this Lodge. The Lodge complied with the request of No. 21, which applications were presented and read at the next quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge and were referred to a committee of three for investigation, etc. At an adjourned Communication held September 16th, the committee submitted the following report:
The Committee appointed at the last Grand Quarterly Com- munication, September 2, 1822, to take into consideration the appli- cation made by Lodge No. 43, in conjunction with Lodge No. 21, relative to the case of the widow and children of Brother Robert McElwee, late of Lodge No. 21, deceased, and praying the Grand Lodge to grant relief to the widow and children of the said deceased Brother, Report,
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That they have taken the said communication into their serious consideration, and from information and personal knowledge, they are satisfied that the representations made by the two respectable Lodges are substantially correct.
Under such circumstances, it is with feelings of great mortifica- tion that your Committee do not feel themselves authorized to make a favorable report on this application for charity.
It is well known that the income of the Grand Lodge is specifically pledged for the payment of the debt due for the erection of the splendid and expensive building which we now occupy; and it is but too well known that the revenue of the Grand Lodge derived from all its sources, is barely sufficient to meet the debt with which it is encumbered and for the liquidation of which the Masonic faith is pledged.
It is true, a small charity fund has been established by the benevolence of some worthy Brethern, members of this Grand Lodge. As however this incipient charity fund has been altogether a voluntary subscription from individual Masons, and not originat- ing from any dues or fees paid to the Grand Lodge from subordinate Lodges, your committee are of opinion that it would be improper and indelicate in this Grand Lodge to appropriate any part of this small fund to objects of charity, unless at the particular request of those who have been instrumental in originating and establishing this well intended charity.
Under these considerations your committee submit the following resolution :
Resolved, That the Grand Lodge regrets that it is out of its power at this time to grant relief as recommended by Lodges No. 43 and 21.
WM BOYD, H. BENNER, D. H. MASON.
Philadelphia, September 14: 1822.
This report was adopted by the Grand Lodge and a copy for- warded to the Lodges interested.
At the stated meeting of July 10th, Bro. E. Wright offered the following preamble and resolution, which were adopted:
Whereas, the present state of Masonry in this Commonwealth, the want of Masonic instruction, the partial Representation of the Subordinate Lodges in the Grand Lodge, and the late rejection by the Grand Lodge of the proposition to establish a General Grand
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Lodge in the United States, are subjects which require the most serious attention of the members of the Fraternity. To bring this subject fairly into discussion before this Lodge,
Resolved, that a committee be appointed to draft resolutions for the consideration of this Lodge, embracing the foregoing subject.
Brothers Wright, Buchanan, Lightner, Reynolds and Porter were appointed said committee.
This committee at the next stated meeting of the Lodge, held August 14th, presented the following report, which was unani- mously adopted, ordered printed and a copy sent to the Grand Lodge and to every Lodge in the State. The report was as follows:
The Committee appointed at last stated meeting to make re- port to this Lodge on the present state of Masonry in this Common- wealth; the want of Masonic instruction; the partial representation of the subordinate Lodges in the Grand Lodge, and the late rejection by the Grand Lodge of the proposition made at a meeting of Masons, held in the City of Washington on the 9th of March, 1822, to estab- lish a General Grand Lodge of the United States,
REPORT,
That they approach the subject referred to them with that sense of responsibility which its importance is calculated to produce. Whilst they feel all the respect for the Grand Lodge which the high character of its members is so well calculated to inspire, they notwithstanding consider it their duty, with moderation but with firmness, to state their grievances .- They prize their Masonic rights too highly to suffer themselves to be deprived of them without a struggle .- In the opinion of your Committee these rights have been disregarded in several important particulars, a few of which will now be enumerated.
I. The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania is, in its most strict sense, a representative body. In that capacity it has the government of all the Lodges in the State; it should therefore shed its benign influence alike over all. Every Lodge throughout the Common- wealth, in proportion to the number of its members, pays the same dues to the Grand Lodge; every one should, therefore, as nearly as circumstances will admit, participate equally in the fostering care of that institution.
These principles we hold to be self-evident; yet a sense of duty to ourselves, compels us to declare, that the Grand Lodge have not been governed by them in their conduct towards the Country Lodges. We receive little or no Masonic instruction from that
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institution, to which our duty teaches us to look for light. Our money enriches their treasury; we ask nothing in return for it but Masonic knowledge. We often made this request, but always in vain. Our funds have been applied to other objects, in which, comparatively speaking, we have no interest.
2. Other evils which exist, and of which we have just cause of complaint, arise both from the location and organization of the Grand Lodge.
These subjects are so intimately blended that your Committee will consider them in connection. Conducted in the best and most equal manner, the place of the meeting of the Grand Lodge would be extremely inconvenient to the Country Lodges. This evil was not felt until the State became populous & subordinate Lodges were scattered over its whole surface. Many of these are now distant from two to four hundred miles from their representa- tive body. The existence of the same causes in the State, which are now in full operation in the Masonic body, produced a change in the seat of government. The same effect must necessarily be produced in the masonic government, unless it shall be conducted hereafter with such moderation and fairness as to leave no just grounds for complaint. The organization of the Grand Lodge is, however, more ruinous in its consequences to the Country Lodges; than its location. If each Lodge under its jurisdiction were en- titled to one vote, still the Lodges in the city and county of Phila- delphia would have a great preponderance over the Country Lodges; because their representatives could always attend the meetings of the Grand Lodge. When, however, we consider that every Master Mason who has passed the chair, and the Wardens for the time being of each Lodge are members of the Grand Lodge, and are each en- titled to one vote, then the preponderance becomes overwhelming. Whilst this system shall continue in force, the Masons in Phila- delphia must govern all the Lodges throughout the State.
Your committee confidently believe that it was the combina- tion of these two causes and the neglect to give notice to the country Lodges in due time, to enable them to be represented, which pro- duced the resolution of the Grand Lodge, "That the establishment of a General Grand Lodge of the United States and the calling a Masonic Convention for the purpose of instituting and organizing the same as proposed, is inexpedient, and in the opinion of the Grand Lodge, impracticable."
On the contrary, your committee firmly believe that a very large majority of the Masons throughout Pennsylvania would be favor- able to such an institution.
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The jurisdiction of that body ought not, in the opinion of your committee, to extend beyond the most important concerns of the society. It never was intended that it should embrace "the most minute affairs of the subordinate Lodges," as the Grand Lodge appear to apprehend. The whole internal police and government of those Lodges would still remain in the Grand Lodge, as in political affairs they remain in the State government. The Federal Masonic Government should only possess the power of establishing and enforcing a uniform system of work over the United States, and of corresponding with Masons in other countries, concerning the in- terests of the Craft. Its powers should be analogous to those of Federal government and should embrace only the important and general concerns in which the whole body of Masons throughout the Union are interested. These, and these only, are the powers intended to be granted to the "General Grand Lodge of the United States."
The good consequences which would flow from such an institu- ' tion are so obvious and so numerous, that your committee will not attempt to detail them. Suffice it to say, that it would pro- duce such a uniformity in working, that any member of any State Lodge would immediately be recognised as a brother by every Lodge and every Mason throughout the United States. Each Ma- son of every State, in analogy to the Federal Constitution, without changing his mode of labour, might at once become a member of any Lodge in any other State, in the same manner that the citizens of each State are entitled "to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several States." Indeed, the Grand Lodge of Penn- sylvania, by the report which they adopted on the 3d of June last, seem, in substance, to admit the propriety of such a measure by recommending "an occasional convocation of delegates from the different Grand Lodges throughout the United States."
It must, however, at once strike every mind, that such a conven- tion, possessing no power to compel the execution of any measure which they thought proper to adopt, would be of little service in producing any salutary effects. Their recommendations would either be regarded or disregarded, as the prejudices, the opinions, or the interests of the different Grand Lodges would dictate. They would soon sink into insignificance, as every government, whether political or masonic, must do, which has not in itself the power of enforcing obedience to its own laws. The old confederation among the States is a striking example of this truth.
If, therefore, there ever was a subject brought before the Grand Lodge which demanded their most serious deliberation, it was
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
whether a General Grand Lodge of the United States should be established. All the Masons in the State were deeply interested in the decision of this question; every Lodge therefore should have had full notice of the time when it would be determined, so that each might have been represented, if they thought proper.
The Grand Lodge, however, instead of adopting this course, hurried on to a decision at the first quarterly communication after the meeting of Masons held in the city of Washington. The Coun- try Lodges were entirely ignorant of their intention to do so, and were therefore deprived of any opportunity of expressing their sentiments on this most important subject. Heretofore proposi- tions of much less importance have been made at one quarterly communication, and have then lain over until the next, so that the sense of the whole Masonic body respecting them might be fairly ascertained. Your committee regret that this course was not adopted upon the present occasion.
They however consider it useless to ask for a reconsideration of the question. It will be remembered that on the 21st day of September, 1819, a Circular was prepared by this Lodge, and for- warded to the different Lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, expressing the sentiments of this Lodge on this subject-proposing that, as many of the Past Masters and officers of the different Lodges as could make it convenient, should attend the meeting of the Grand Lodge on St. John's day, then next, in order, if possible, to effect the objects proposed. From the answers of this Circular, it appeared that nearly all of the Lodges approved of the measures proposed by this Lodge. Accordingly, on St. John's day a committee of this Lodge attended the meeting of the Grand Lodge, and submitted for their consideration the following:
Whereas, it is the opinion of this Grand Lodge, that the establish- ment of a General Grand Lodge, to be composed of the Grand and Past Grand Officers of the different Grand Lodges in the United States, would essentially promote the interests of Masonry and conduce to a uniformity in the mode of carrying on the labors of the craft,
Therefore, Resolved, That a committee be appointed to open and carry on a correspondence with the different Grand Lodges in the United States, relative to the establishment of a General Grand Lodge.
Resolved, That the Right Worshipful Grand Master be, and he is hereby authorized and required to appoint Lecture Masters, whose duty it shall be to visit and lecture in the subordinate Lodges under their jurisdiction.
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
Resolved, That all the questions, as well as the election of officers of the Grand Lodge, shall be determined by a majority of votes, each Lodge having one vote.
On motion made and seconded, it was then Resolved, "That the propositions just read, be submitted to a committee of seven mem- bers, with instructions to investigate the subject, and make report to this Grand Lodge, at the Grand Quarterly Communication, to be held in September next; and that the discussion and considera- tion of the said report take place on the 28th of December, 1820; and that each subordinate Lodge be furnished with a copy of the said report."
The R. W. Grand Master asked time to appoint the said com- mittee, and on the 3d of April following this Lodge were first informed that he had appointed Josiah Randall, Samuel F. Brad- ford, Henry Baldwin, George B. Porter, Isaac Darlington, James Harper, Jr., and Benjamin Say,-a majority of whom reside in Philadelphia.
On the 9th of October following this Lodge was furnished by the Grand Secretary with a report made by the said committee, unfavorable to the propositions submitted. It appears that the said committee, with the exception of Brother Porter, had met on the 19th of June-that Brother Porter knew nothing of the meeting of the committee, being from home several weeks previous and subsequent to the said date, and the fact of his being absent was publicly known-and that the notice forwarded to him of the time and place of the meeting of the committee was so short that he could not have attended, had he been at home at the time of its delivery. The said committee having thus met, without giving an opportunity to the representative of this Lodge to support and shew the necessity of adopting the resolutions submitted by himself, induced this Lodge to believe that it would be useless to attend further to the subject-being satisfied that a determination had been formed by several members of the Grand Lodge, resident in Philadelphia, that the question relative to the establishment of a General Grand Lodge of the United States, or, as to any alteration in the mode of electing officers, or determining questions in the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, should not be fairly put before all the members of said Lodge. In this opinion they are fortified by the late precipitate decision made on the 3d of June last.
After maturely considering the subjects referred to them, your committee can devise no practicable mode of relief for the griev- ances of which we all complain, except by the assemblage of a General Convention of Delegates from all the subordinate Lodges 8
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in this Commonwealth-and therefore submit the following reso- lutions for the consideration of this Lodge:
I. Resolved, That a General Convention of Delegates from the different subordinate Lodges throughout the State, to take into consideration the interests of the Fraternity, and to devise some mode of remedying the evils generally complained of, be recom- mended to be holden at Harrisburg, on the first Monday of January next.
2. Resolved, That this Lodge will, at the stated meeting in Novem- ber next, appoint three members to attend as Delegates in the said convention, and that each subordinate Lodge be requested to ap- point a Delegate or Delegates, not exceeding three in number, for the same purpose.
3. Resolved, That a committee of five members be appointed by this Lodge, to correspond with, and to transmit for considera- tion, copies of the foregoing report and resolutions to all the sub- ordinate Lodges in this State, and to request an answer thereto, as soon as the determination of their respective Lodges be made.
Which report, together with the resolutions thereto attached, were read, considered and unanimously adopted, and ordered that the same committee be the committee agreeably to the third reso- lution.
A printed copy of the above report having been received by the Grand Lodge, it was referred to a committee of nine, who presented the following report at the adjourned quarterly Communication held September 20th.
To the Right Worshipful the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
The Committee to whom was referred the Circular Letter directed to the Right Worshipful Grand Master "by a committee of Lodge No. 43, held at Lancaster, being an address from the said Lodge to the different subordinate Lodges in the state containing a state- ment of their grievances, and recommending that a General Conven- tion of Delegates from the different subordinate Lodges throughout the State, to take into consideration the interests of the fraternity, and to devise some mode of remedying the evils complained of, be holden at Harrisburg on the first Monday of January next,"
Respectfully Report,
That, having assembled to perform the duty assigned to them, a communication from the Right Worshipful Grand Master to Lodge No. 43, in reply to the Circular Letter of that Lodge, was submitted to their consideration, unanimously approved and the,
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Right Worshipful Grand Master requested to forward the same without delay, when approved by the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge.
That your Committee place much reliance upon the efficacy of the kind spirit, candid statements, accurate details, and earnest exhortation of the above mentioned communication, to restore Lodge No. 43 to a just and lasting sense of its masonic duty: and although anxious and determined to maintain the paramount and inherent sovereignty and dignity of this Right Worshipful Grand Lodge, they wish to scrupulously avoid any hasty or vindictive severity. They, therefore, beg leave to offer, and recommend for adoption, the following resolution:
Resolved, That this Grand Lodge view, with extreme regret and decided disapprobation, the conduct of Lodge No. 43, as made known to them by the Circular addressed to the Right Worshipful Grand Master; and that they only refrain, until the first Monday in November next, from an exercise of their constitutional power to vacate the warrant of said Lodge, in the expectation that a com- munication from the Right Worshipful Grand Master, conveying information and fraternal remonstrance, will induce Lodge No. 43 immediately to retrace its steps and return to its masonic obedience and faith.
SAMUEL F. BRADFORD, Chairman.
JAMES HARPER THOMAS KITTERA,
GEORGE A. BAKER, ANDREW HOOLTON, MICHAEL NISBIT, H. BENNER, WILLIAM BOYD, G. M. DALLAS, Secretary.
Committee.
This Report was unanimously adopted, also the following reso- lutions:
Resolved unanimously,
That this Grand Lodge do highly approve of the calm, digni- fied and affectionate Letter to Lodge No. 43, just read by the Right Worshipful Grand Master, and that the thanks of this R. W. Grand Lodge be presented to him for the paternal zeal with which he has devoted himself to the investigation of the important subjects involved in it.
Resolved unanimously, That the R. W. Grand Master be re- quested to furnish to the Grand Secretary a copy of his Letter,
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
and that the same, together with the Report of the Committee, be printed, and sent to all the Lodges within this Commonwealth.
These proceedings of the R. W. Grand Lodge together with the Letter of the R. W. Grand Master were forwarded to Lodge No. 43. The following is a copy of the Letter of the Grand Secretary ac- companying the same:
PHILADELPHIA, SEPTEMBER 28, 1822.
W. SIR & BROTHER,
The R. W. Grand Master requests that you will, with as little delay as possible, convene Lodge No. 43 and lay the annexed Report and inclosed letter before it.
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