CHAPTER XXI
The Grand Lodge of Maine Today, 1969-1970.
In the one hunded and fiftieth year of its existence as a sovereign Masonic power, the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Maine consists of its fifty-four Grand Lodge officers, its sixty Permanent Members, and the Masters and Wardens of its 207 constituent lodges. It is ruled and governed by its reigning Grand Master, M. W. Harold L. Chute, a distinguished educator and scientist and a Past Master of Mechanics Lodge, No. 66, Orono. Dr. Chute's earlier service to our Grand Lodge was as Grand Standard Bearer, Chairman of the Committee on Blood Bank, Junior Grand Warden and Deputy Grand Master. He represents the Grand Lodge of Argentina near the Grand Lodge of Maine. Our Grand Master also serves as President of the DeMolay and Pine Tree Youth Foundation.
His Deputy Grand Master, who, in the natural course of events, will succeed to the Grand Mastership in 1970, is R. W. Roger I. White, a Past Master of Rising Virtue Lodge, No. 10, Bangor. Bro. White formerly served as D.D.G.M. in the 6th District and as Senior Grand Warden. He is the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia in Maine. He currently serves as Treasurer of the DeMolay and Pine Tree Youth Foundation.
R. W. Aubrey H. Chase, a Past Master of United Lodge, No. 8, Brunswick, now serves our Grand Lodge as its Senior Grand Warden. R. W. Roger P. Snelling, a Past Master of Governor William King Lodge, No. 219, Scarborough, serves as Junior Grand Warden. Since 1945, the following Right Worshipful Brethren have served as Senior and Junior Grand Wardens of our Grand Lodge:
| Date | Senior | Junior |
| 1946 | Clyde French | Frederick C. Lounder |
| 1947 | Elmer P. Smart | Wesley L. Oxton |
| 1948 | Frank L. Milan | James A. Sanker |
| 1949 | Judson P. Lord | Merton E. Leech |
| 1950 | Lewis T. Brown | Harry I. Rollins |
| 1951 | George R. Caswell | Fred J. Lowell |
| 1952 | Everett S. Higgins | Adin L. Hopkins |
| 1953 | Arthur W. Seaward | Clifford H. M. Perry |
| 1954 | Philip D. Tingley | Merrill R. Kittredge |
| 1955 | Royal L. Cleaves | Harold W. Blaisdell |
| 1956 | B. Glen McGee | Norman W. Lindquist |
| 1957 | Andrew M. Lund | Isaiah J. Jackson |
| 1958 | Richard C. Cookson | Elmer S. Doe |
| 1959 | Malcolm R. Holts | Donald T. Page |
| 1960 | Glendon R. Ayer | Victor N. Greene |
| 1961 | Reginald F. Berry | Harold L. Chute |
| 1962 | Albert W. Hoffses | Laurence G. Higgins |
| 1963 | Gilbert R. Chadbourne | B. Warren Dodge |
| 1964 | Harold S. Baker | Howard R. Mallar |
| 1965 | John H. Lee | Charles A. Duncan |
| 1966 | Roger I. White | Lewis E. Newell |
| 1967 | Emery L. Scribner, Jr. | Elmer J. Russell |
| 1968 | Edward E. Haskell | Charles S. Brown |
Since 1941, when he succeeded his beloved father in that office, R. W. Bro. H. Norton Maxfield has rendered faithful and efficient service as Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Maine. Bro. Max field also serves as Chairman of the Committee on the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, and represents the Grand Lodge of Indiana near the Grand Lodge of Maine. He is a member of Deering Lodge, No. 183, Portland.
The vitally important office of Grand Secretary is held by R. W. Earle D. Webster, a Past Master of Greenleaf Lodge, No. 117, Cornish. Before succeeding to the Grand Secretaryship in 1956, Bro. Webster had served for many years as Corresponding Grand Secretary, as Librarian of our Grand Lodge Library, and as Curator of our Grand Lodge Museum. He had also served as D.D.G.M. in the 18th District and as Junior Grand Warden in 1944 and 1945. He now serves as Secretary of the Trustees of our Grand Lodge Charity Fund, as Chairman of the Committee on Returns, as Chairman of the Committee on Library and Museum, as a valued member of the Committee on Masonic Education and Lodge Service, and as a member of the special Sesqui-Centennial Committee. He represents the Grand Lodge of Louisiana near our Grand Lodge. R. W. Bro. Webster has also served as Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Maine and as Grand Master of the Grand Council of Maine, R. & S. M.
Earle D. Webster Grand Secretary
The following Right Worshipful Brethren are now serving as District Deputy Grand Masters in the Districts indicated below:
| 1st | Bernard W. Shaw | 13th | Elmer J. Russell |
| 2nd | Carl E. Ross | 14th | Boyd R. Estabrook |
| 3rd | Ellis E. Small | 15th | Philip C. Smith |
| 4th | Charles E. Briggs | 16th | Malcolm H. Brackett |
| 5th | Walter M. MacDougall | 17th | Charles R. Glassmire |
| 6th | Rev. Robert M. Mitchelll | 18th | Asa M. Douglass |
| 7th | Willard H. Hardy | 19th | Leonard B. Barnes |
| 8th | James W. Mollison | 20th | Richard M. Adams |
| 9th | Arthur C. Frieder | 21st | Robert H. Salisbury |
| 10th | Hubert A. Cowan | 22nd | Elmer G. Hayward |
| 11th | James M. Dalbeck | 23rd | Ira L. Goodwin |
| 12th | Lee E. Evans | 24th | Charles A. Coffin |
Other appointive offices in Grand Lodge are now held by the following brethren:
| Grand Lecturer | Donald S. Smith |
| Grand Chaplains | Rev. Edward L. Fenderson |
| Rabbi David Berent | |
| Rev. Percy G. Cotton | |
| Rev. Robert M. Mitchell | |
| Rev. Aubrey L. Burbank | |
| Rev. Malcolm A. MacDuffie | |
| Grand Marshal | Francis S. Harvey |
| Grand Senior Deacon | Austin C. Carter |
| Grand Junior Deacon | Henry J. Milne |
| Grand Stewards | Colby E. Boyd |
| Colwyn F. Haskell | |
| Grover C. Rolerson | |
| Hermon A. Scott | |
| Grand Standard Bearer | James G. Warren |
| Grand Sword Bearer | Kenneth D. Fryover |
| Grand Pursuivants | Richard J. Willard |
| Victor L. Springer | |
| Grand Organists | Frederick C. Davis |
| Claude J. Comeau | |
| Leo K. Andrews | |
| Sidney Lerman | |
| Grand Tyler | Elmer S. Bakke |
Roger I. White Deputy Grand Master
The Grand lodge of Maine is fortunate to have among its Permanent Members no less than fourteen living Past Grand Masters, whose Masonic knowledge and experience are thus available for continued service to the Craft. A brief outline of their present Masonic assignments appears below:
(1) M. W. Clark D. Chapman is now the Dean of our Past Grand Masters. For eighteen consecutive years, he installed the officers of our Grand Lodge. He now serves as Chairman of the powerful Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence, a chairmanship once held by his illustrious grandfather, M. W. Josiah H. Drummond. He also serves as Chairman of the Committee on Doings of Grand Officers, a post which he has held since 1943. Bro. Chapman represents the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations near the Grand Lodge of Maine. He is also an Active Member of the Supreme Council, 33°, A.A.S.R., for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States. He is a Past Master of Ancient Landmark Lodge, No. 17, Portland.
(2) M. W. Henry R. Gillis is our oldest living Past Grand Master, being now in his ninety-ninth year. After serving for many years on some of our most important Grand Lodge Committees, Bro. Gillis has now retired from such service and makes his home in Florida. He is the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Virginia near the Grand Lodge of Maine. M. W. Bro. Gillis has also served as Grand High Priest of our Grand Chapter and as Grand Master of our Grand Council. He is a Past Master of St. Croix Lodge, No. 46, Calais. Bro. Gillis is a veteran of the Spanish-American War.
(3) M. W. and Dr. Charles E. Crossland now presides over our Grand Lodge elections and installs the officers of our Grand Lodge. He is a Trustee of the Grand Lodge Charity Fund, and serves that Board as Chairman of its Committee on Distribution, the agency actually responsible for the distribution of Masonic Charity in Maine. Bro. Crossland is a valued member of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence and of the Committee on Ritual. He also serves as Chairman of the new special Committee on Long-Range Planning. He is the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Vermont near our Grand Lodge. He is a Past Master of Mechanics Lodge, No. 66, Orono. He also serves as a Trustee of the DeMolay and Pine Tree Youth Foundation.
(4) M. W. Carroll W. Keene is a Past Master of Sebasticook Lodge, No. 146, Clinton. Since 1954, he has served as Chairman of the highly important Committee on Finance, the only elective committee in our Grand Lodge. He also serves as Chairman of the Committee on Dispensations and Charters and as a member of the Committee on Amendments to the Constitution and of the special Committee on Long-Range Planning. He represents the Grand Lodge of Quebec in Maine. At the present time, M. W. Bro. Keene is serving as Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Maine.
(5) M. W. Ervin E. J. Lander, a Past Master of Bethlehem Lodge, No. 35, Augusta, has served since 1954 as Chairman of the Grand Lodge Trial Commission, the Court of original jurisdiction for the trial of Masonic offenses in Maine, and has rendered outstanding service in that highly important post. He also serves as a Trustee of the Grand Lodge Charity Fund and as a member of the Committee on Jurisprudence, the Committee on Ritual, and the Committee on Dispensations and Charters. Bro. Lander is the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut near the Grand Lodge of Maine.
(6) M. W. Ralph J. Pollard has served for twenty-five years as Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence and writer of the Maine Correspondence Report, and is now the Dean of Foreign Correspondents in the United States and Canada. He also serves as Chairman of the Committee on Masonic Education and Lodge Service, as editor of "The Wayfarer", and as Grand Lodge Historian. He is a Past Master of King Solomon's Lodge, No. 61, Waldoboro, and an Honorary Member of Ralph J. Pollard Lodge, No. 217, Orrington, Portland Lodge, No. 1, Portland, Lodge of Research, No. 104, Atlanta, Georgia, and Amity Lodge, No. 1, Taipei, China. He represents the Grand Lodge of Canada, in the Province of Ontario, near the Grand Lodge of Maine.
(7) M. W. Benjamin W. Ela is a Past Master of Northern Star Lodge, No. 28, North Anson. He represents the Grand Lodge of California near the Grand Lodge of Maine and serves as a member of the Committee on Amendments to the Constitution. Bro. Ela has also served as Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Maine, R.A.M., as an officer of the General Grand Chapter, and as Grand Master of the Grand Council of Maine, R. & S. M.
(8) M. W. Paul L. Powers serves as one of the Co-Chairmen of the special Sesqui-Centennial Committee, as a member of the special Committee on Long-Range Planning, and as a valued member of the Committee on Masonic Education and Lodge Service. He represents the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire near the Grand Lodge of Maine. M. W. Bro. Powers is a Trustee of the DeMolay and Pine Tree Youth Foundation, and is presently serving as an Active Member of the Supreme Council of the International Order of DeMolay. He is a Past Master of Freeport Lodge, No. 23, Freeport.
(9) M. W. and Rev. Aubrey L. Burbank is now serving as one of the Grand Chaplains of our Grand Lodge. He also serves as Chairman of the Committee on Memorials, as Chairman of the Committee on DeMolay, and as a member of the Committee on Jurisprudence, the Committee on Foreign Correspondence, the Committee on Masonic Education and Lodge Service, the Committee on Doings of Grand Officers, and the Committee on Ritual. He represents the Grand Lodge of New Jersey near our Grand Lodge. He is a Past Master of Waterville Lodge, No. 33, Waterville. M. W. Bro. Burbank has also served as Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Maine, and is presently serving as President of Maine Council, Order of High Priesthood.
(10) M. W. John M. Littlefield now resides in Oklahoma, and holds no committee assignments at the present time. He is the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Texas near the Grand Lodge of Maine. M. W. Bro. Littlefield is a Past Master of Ancient Brothers Lodge, No. 178, Auburn. He has also served as Grand High Priest of our Grand Chapter, as Grand Master of our Grand Council, and as General Grand Master of the General Grand Council, International, R. & S. M., thus being the only Maine Freemason since Josiah H. Drummond to serve at the head of a National Masonic Body.
(11) M. W. Leon M. Sanborn is a Trustee of our Grand Lodge Charity Fund. He serves as Chairman of the important Committee on Amendments to the Constitution, as Chairman of the special Committee on Insurance, and as a member of the special Sesqui-Centennial and Long-Range Planning Committees. He represents the Grand Lodge of Illinois near the Grand Lodge of Maine. He is a Past Master of Standish Lodge, No. 70, Standish. M. W. Bro. Sanborn is presently serving as Commander-in-Chief of Maine Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite.
(12) M. W. Raymond M. Rideout, Sr., is presently serving as Chairman of the Committee on Ritual, as a Trustee of the Grand Lodge Charity Fund, and as a member of the Committee on Masonic Education and Lodge Service and of the special Sesqui-Centennial and Long-Range Planning Committees. He is the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Kansas at our Grand Lodge. Bro. Rideout is a Past Master of Deering Lodge, No. 183, Portland.
(13) M. W. Wallace H. Campbell is a Past Master of Eastern Frontier Lodge, No. 112, Fort Fairfield. At present, he holds no committee assignments, but will undoubtedly assume such duties when vacancies on suitable committees occur. He has the unique distinction of representing two Grand Lodges near the Grand Lodge of Maine, the Grand Lodge of Florida and our Mother Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.
(14) M. W. M. Donald Gardner now serves as Chairman of the Committee on Condition of the Fraternity, as one of the Co-Chairmen of the special Sesqui-Centennial Committee, and as a member of the Committee on Ritual. He is a Trustee of the DeMolay and Pine Tree Youth Foundation, representing the Commander-in-Chief of Maine Consistory, of which he is himself a Past Commander-in-Chief. He is a Past Master of Ancient Landmark Lodge, No. 17, Portland. He presently serves as a member of the Commission on Information for Recognition sponsored by the Grand Masters' Conference. He represents the Grand Lodge of Tasmania.
The Charity Fund of the Grand Lodge of Maine, along with its associated trusts, now amounts to the impressive figure of $1,172,521, with an additional $56,863 in the Maine Masonic War Fund. These funds are under the control of a Board of Trustees, which manages their investment and which, through its Committee on Distribution, disburses charitable expenditures in our State. The Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Senior and Junior Grand Wardens, and Grand Secretary serve as ex-officio members of this board, along with six elected Trustees, who serve for three year terms. Presently serving in this capacity are R. W. Philip D. Tingley, M. W. Raymond M. Rideout, Sr., M. W. Charles E. Crossland, who also serves as Chairman of the Committee on Distribution, M. W. Leon M. Sanborn, M. W. Ervin E. J. Lander, and M. W. George F. Giddings, whose recent death creates a vacancy on this Board. In the last year for which figures are available, the sum of $20,700 was paid out in charitable grants.
The administration of Masonic Justice is in the hands of two important committees. Actual trials are conducted by the Commissioners of Trials, of which Commission M. W. Ervin E. J. Lander serves as Chairman, the other Commissioners being Bros. Franklin G. Hinckley, Clifford H. M. Perry, Fred E. Hanscom and Ray L. Littlefield. The findings and recommendations of this Commission are reviewed by the Committee on Grievances and Appeals, of which Wor. Clark D. Chapman, Jr., now serves as Chairman, his associates being R. W. Bros. Donald S. Smith and Harold W. Blaisdell. Upon the recommendation of this Committee, the Grand Lodge makes its findings and imposes sentence.
Throughout its history, the Grand Lodge of Maine has consistently followed a most conservative foreign policy, refusing to recognize any so-called Masonic body whose past conduct has been such as to bring the good name of Freemasonry into disrepute, which does not now live under the tongue of good report, whose own interpretation of the Ancient Landmarks is, in the slightest degree, evasive, ambiguous or equivocal, or which knowingly remains in amity with any of those clandestine and unmasonic groups which have ceased to require a belief in God or to display the Holy Bible upon their altars. It has also consistently refused to give the slightest countenance or comfort to any form of domestic clandestinism, or to tolerate any deviation from the doctrine of exclusive territorial jurisdiction. The foreign relationships of our Grand Lodge are the responsibility of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence, presently consisting of M. W. Ralph J. Pollard, M. W. Charles E. Crossland and M. W. Aubrey L. Burbank.
The financial position of our Grand Lodge is sound. This is due both to the efficient and accurate work of our Grand Treasurer and to the careful stewardship over our Grand Lodge finances exercised by our elected Committee on Finance, now constisting of Bros. Carroll W. Keene, Horace M. Budd and Clayton C. Fickett, Jr.
Subject only to the restrictions of the Ancient Landmarks, which are beyond the power of any man or body of men to change, the Grand Lodge of Maine is, within the limits of its own proper jurisdiction, absolutely sovereign and supreme over all things Masonic. In the past, under the wise leadership of such great Masonic figures as Simon Greenleaf, Robert P. Dunlap, Josiah H. Drummond, Albro E. Chase, Edward W. Wheeler, Thomas H. Bodge, and David E. Moulton, it has exercised this almost boundless authority with wisdom, discretion and restraint. It has maintained a traditionally conservative attitude on all Masonic questions, has rigidly adhered to the established usages and customs of the Craft, and has successfully resisted the ever-present and restless spirit of innovation. At the present time, the legal course of our Grand Lodge is largely guided and influenced by two important committees—the Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence, now consisting of M. W. Clark D. Chapman, M. W. Ervin E. J. Lander, and M. W. Aubrey L. Burbank, and the Committee on Amendments to the Constitution, now composed of M. W. Leon M. Sanborn, M. W. Carroll W. Keene and M. W. Benjamin W. Ela.
The Josiah Hayden Drummond Medal for Distinguished Service to Freemasonry is the highest honor within the gift of the Grand Lodge of Maine. During the period covered by these additional chapters, this honored decoration has been conferred upon a select number of distinguished Freemasons from other Jurisdictions, upon all Past Grand Masters of our own Grand Lodge, and upon the following additional brethren from the State of Maine: Frank C. Allen, George W. Haskell, H. Norton Maxfield, Harry S. Grindall, George R. Caswell, Lewman B. Soper, Irving I. Goodof, Alvoid E. Cushman, Earle D. Webster, Richard C. Cookson, Philip D. Tingley and Clifford H. M. Perry.
Since its establishment in 1956, our Simon Greenleaf Medal has been presented to the following outstanding Masons: Frederick C. Davis, M. Gerry Plummer, Henry Doherty, Elmer S. Doe, Percy G. Cotton, Herschel P. Boynton, Horace M. Budd, Harold L. Chute, Peter K. Constantine, Milton M. McGorrill, George P. Jackson, Raymond H. Clark, Harold S. Baker, Aubrey H. Chase, Harlan E. Irish, Donald S. Higgins, Elmer J. Russell, Sidney Gass, John H. Reed, Norman J. Mee, James H. Doyle, Roger L. Matthews, Roger P. Snelling, Maurice J. Dionne, and John S. Turner.
In its 150th year, the Grand Lodge of Maine has 207 active lodges on its roll, with a combined membership of 45,254. Hiram Lodece, No. 180, South Portland, is still our largest lodge, with a membership of 1,114. Our smallest lodge is now Naskeag Lodge, No. 171, Brooklin, with 47 members.
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