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ANNUAL COMMUNICATION. 1824.
The Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Maine, was holden at Masons' Hall in Portland, Thursday, January 8tb, A. D. 1824.
Present—M. W. SIMON GREENLEAF, G. M.
R. W. WILLIAM SWAN, D. G. M.
R. W. CHARLES POX, S. G. W.
R. W. SAMUEL FESSENDEN, J. G. W.
R. W. JOSEPH M. GERRISH, G. Treasurer.
R. W. WILLIAM LORD, G. Secretary.
R. W. GEORGE THACHER, Jr., G. Marshal.
R. W. Rev. JONA. GREENLEAF, G. Chaplain.
R. W. JOHN H. INGRAHAM, G. Chaplain.
R. W. SAMUEL STEPHENSON, G. Sword Bearer.
R. W. ELEAZER WYER, S. G. D. p. t.
R. W. NELSON RACKLYFT, J. G. D. "
R. W. CHARLES B. SMITH, G. Steward, p. t.
R. W. LUTHER RICHARDSON, G. Steward, p. t.
R. W. OLIVER S. HARTSHORN, G. Pursuivant.
R. W. WILLIAM STEVENS, G. Tyler.District Deputy Grand Masters from the First, Second, Third and Fifth Districts.
Lodges represented:
| Portland, | No. 1 | Oxford, | No. 18 | Waterville, | No. 33 |
| Kennebec, | No. 5 | Felicity, | No. 19 | Bethlehem, | No. 35 |
| Amity, | No. 6 | Oriental Star, | No. 21 | Casco, | No. 36 |
| United, | No. 8 | York, | No. 22 | Washington, | No. 37 |
| Saco, | No. 9 | Freeport, | No. 23 | Harmony, | No. 38 |
| Cumberland, | No. 12 | Village, | No. 26 | Lygonia, | No. 40 |
| Oriental, | No. 13 | Adoniram, | No. 27 | Morning Star, | No. 41 |
| St. George, | No. 16 | Blazing Star, | No. 30 | Freedom, | No. 42 |
| A. Land Mark, | No. 17 | Hermon, | No. 32 | Alna, | No. 43 |
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The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form. Prayers were offered by the Junior Grand Chaplain.
The Committee on Finance submitted their annual Report as follows:—
| There was a balance in the Treasury at the annual settlement in January 1823, of | $307.78 1/2 | ||
| There has been paid into the Treasury by D. D. G. Masters since January 1823, as follows : | |||
| By the D. D. G. Master of the First district, | 308.70 1/2 | ||
| By the D. D. G. Master of the Second district, | 72.75 | ||
| By the D. D. G. Master of the Third district, | 213.87 | ||
| By the D. D. G. Master of the Fourth district, | 180.87 | ||
| Of do. for arrearages from Solar and Amity Lodges, | 36.87 | 217.74 | |
| By D. D. G. Master of Fifth district, | 185.20 | ||
| Of do. for arrearages in said district, | 75.00 | 260.20 | |
| By D. D. G. Master of the Sixth district, | 104.12 | 1177.38 1/2 | |
| Received for two Charters granted since the last annual Communication, | 160 | ||
| Deduct amount applied to Charity fund, | 20 | 140.00 | |
| $1625.17 | |||
There has been paid by the Treasurer since the last annual communication, and for which satisfactory vouchers have been exhibited to the committee, the following sums, viz:
| To the increase of the Charity Fund, being half of the balance in the Treasury on settlement Jan. 1823, | 153.89 |
| Amount of donation to the Charity Fund by the Treasurer, being the sum allowed him for his services for 1822, | 25.00 |
| Amount paid the Grand Recording Secretary, as allowed him for his services for 1822, | 45.00 |
| Amount paid Grand Tyler for his services for 1822, | 5.00 |
| Paid sundry bills presented and allowed to the Grand Stewards, | 99.04 |
| Cash paid for printing, stationery and postages, | 52.12 |
Cash paid to D. D. G. Masters for actual expenses incurred in the discharge of their respective duties, viz:
| To D. D. G. Master of First District, | 41.62 | |
| To D. D. G. Master of First District, | 19.63 | |
| To D. D. G. Master of First District, | 13.87 | |
| To D. D. G. Master of First District, | 26.70 | |
| To D. D. G. Master of First District, for 1821, '22 and '23, | 96.75 | |
| To D. D. G. Master of First District, | 31.12 | 229 69 |
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| Cash paid for parchment for 400 Diplomas | 102.50 | |
| $712.24 | ||
Leaving in the Treasury a balance of |
912.93 | |
| which is carried to a new account. | $1,625.17 | |
The committee have examined the books of the Grand Treasurer and settled his account—they have also examined the Records of the Grand Recording Secretary, and find that the important duties of both offices have been discharged with faithfulness and ability. They recommend an allowance of Fifty Dollars to the Grand Recording Secretary for his services to this period; and the sum of Thirty Dollars to the Grand Treasurer for his services the past year; and the sum of Six Dollars to the Grand Tyler for his services to this period.
All which is respectfully submitted. WM. SWAN, CHARLES FOX
Committee on Finance.
Portland, January 8, 1824.
The committee also submitted a statement of the Charity Fund, Jan. 8, 1824; the Aggregate of which is as follows, viz:
| Ten shares in the Bank of Portland, | $1,000.00 |
| Amount in promissory notes, satisfactorily secured, | 500.00 |
| Cash in the Treasury unapplied, | 71.03 |
| One half the balance of account applicable by regulation in the By-Laws, | 456.46 |
| $2,027.49 |
Which report was accepted.
On motion,
Voted, That the thanks of the Grand Lodge be presented to R. W. Brother Joseph M. Gerrish, for the donation of thirty dollars made to the Charity fund, being the amount allowed him by the committee on finance for his services as Grand Treasurer the past year.
The committee to whom was referred the question whether the Masonic degrees can be conferred on affirmation without oath, having attended to that subject, submit the following report:
Your Committee deem this a question of no little importance, as it bears on the interests of the Craft. On the one hand, if decided in the negative, there will necessarily be excluded from a participation of all the mysteries, and very many of the benefits and advantages of Masonry, a large class of men, among the most respectable of our fellow citizens on account of their integrity, their conscientious regard to all those great moral principles which dignify human nature, and certainly not among the most backward in deeds of mercy and charity. On the other hand, if decided in the affirmative, it would seem at least to sanction a departure from what, for ages, has been deemed a form of
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sound words, and what has not hitherto failed to bind the consciences of otherwise the most hardened offenders.
It is impossible that your Committee should not examine, with mistrust, a principle which should shut out from the Masonic fraternity such men as Clarkson; and they cannot close their eyes to the bad effect which sanctioning such a principle must have on the moral sense of the community. Can any other inference fairly be deduced, than that a society, which excludes the best men because conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath, must entertain principles which will not bear the light; and that we must be more solicitous to secure the victim, than to promote the cause of virtue ?
And your committee are also aware of the importance of preserving inviolate those ancient landmarks which have had so great influence in perpetuating an Institution, which has during so many centuries been producing benefits to mankind; leaving it to the silent, but certain effect of time, to prove its value.
We have been led to inquire whether the varying in this particular our masonic obligations would be removing any ancient landmark, or violating any principle of our venerable institution ?—and with satisfaction your committee have come to the result, that this will not remove a stone from the masonic edifice, or mar any of its ornaments or beauty. The grand object of masonic obligations is to bind the conscience to the cause of virtue. No one can for a moment believe that this can depend on the forms of expression in which the promise is couched; As well might it be urged that the sanctity of an obligation depends on the character in which it might be written, or the language in which it might be delivered. The masonic edifice rests not on words, but on deeds. Where the substance is preserved, the precise form cannot be essential to the stability of the fabric.
It cannot be supposed that the wise founders of our institution, looking down the long vista of time, would not anticipate those slight verbal alterations which should adapt its principles to the language, genius and customs of the different nations of the earth,—as also to the consciences, or even innate prejudices of the mass of individuals who compose the great community, while they have so wonderfully fortified those principles themselves from violation. Indeed, it is apprehended, that the variation in the form of expression (for it amounts to nothing more) is not greater than would be found to arise from the idioms of different languages. Besides, who ever apprehended that a slight variation in the form of administering the obligations in different lodges, (and such variations exist), ever lessened the weight, or discharged from the sanctions of those obligations ? Your committee think they might safely refer to ancient usage as a proof that an affirmation is as strong an obligation in form, as well as on the conscience, as an oath.
The penalties remain unaltered. The duties required are not lessened or less strongly inculcated and enforced. The negations are as strong; and the whole no less binding on the conscience, whether the form be that of an oath or
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affirmation. What then is lost to masonry by the variation, except a mere verbal criticism, or play on words, which your committee cannot perceive have any place in the temple of masonry ?
On the whole, your committee conceive that no masonic principle is violated In adapting the form of the obligations to consciences of men equally good and true, but, on the contrary, that serious hurt would grow to the Institution of Masonry, by an adherence to the technical form of words heretofore used for the purpose of securing that fidelity in the craftsmen, which has never yet been violated, even when all other principles have been wrecked in the vortex of unhallowed appetites, or the whirlpool of nngoverned passions-All which is respectfully submitted,
CHARLES FOX, per order.
Which report was accepted.
The Report of the Committee on the subject whether the officers of subordinate Lodges ought to be admitted to seats in Grand Lodge without bearing their appropriate jewels—which was submitted to the Grand Lodge, Oct. 9, 1823—viz: that they be not admitted without the express permission of the presiding Grand Officers, was taken into consideration and unanimously adopted.
The Committee to whom was referred the petition of Brother John McDonald and others for a lodge in Limerick, reported, that at present it is inexpedient to establish a lodge in the town of Limerick, and consequently the approbation of Adoniram Lodge and the D. D. Grand Master of the First Masonic District to the petition for that purpose are not unreasonably withheld.
The Recording Grand Secretary reported the proceedings of the Board of Trustees of the Charity Fund at a stated meeting, January 5, 1824.
The Committee on Foreign Correspondence of the Grand Lodge made the following Report, viz:
Your Committee find, in the foreign correspondence, but little to which they deem it necessary to direct the attention of this Grand Lodge.
They remark with pleasure and satisfaction the growth and spread of the principles of our venerable institution in the United States, and the flourishing situation of most of the Grand Lodges in the Union. And they cannot but consider it as evidence that the sacred principles of integrity, kindness and charity are gaining ground and preparing the way for still greater blessings on the human family.
They remark with pleasure the similarity of views, as regards the grand
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masonic edifice, which the correspondence exhibits, as existing among the different Grand Lodges ; the beneficial effects of which must be realized in completing this moral superstructure.
The attention of your committee has been called to the reiterated wishes strongly expressed by the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, that a General Grand Lodge for the United States may be formed ; and they find by an examination of the communications of different Grand Lodges, made to this Grand Lodge, since its last annual meeting,, that the subject has been fully discussed, and that a very large proportion of the several Grand Lodges, with which this Grand Lodge holds correspondence, have expressed a decided opinion, that the establishment of a General Grand Lodge is inexpedient and unnecessary. But the report of the Committee, made at the last quarterly meeting of this Grand Lodge, to whom the communication from the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia was specially referred, renders it unnecessary for the Committee of Correspondence to remark particularly upon this subject.
In some of the Grand Lodges your Committee have noticed, that there is a regulation, which prohibits a subordinate lodge from a voice in the Grand Lodge, whose dues have not been paid. How far such a regulation in this Grand Lodge might be useful is left to the wisdom of the brethren. All which is respectfully submitted,
D. GRANGER, per order.
Which report was accepted.
The time assigned agreeably to the By-Laws for the election of officers for the ensuing year having arrived, the Grand Lodge proceeded to that business.
Our Most Worshipful Brother Simon Greenleaf, Esq., Past Grand Master, declined being a candidate for reelection, and made the following valedictory Address to the Grand Lodge :—
- Brethren :—The return of another anniversary naturally leads us to a review of the events of the past year, and to a consideration of the present state of our institution, and the means by which its benefits can best be imparted to our fellow men. The separation of the lodges in this State from the parent Grand Lodge, was an event of no small importance to the interests of the fraternity in Maine. Our distance from the place of its meetings, and the infrequency of our communications with it, naturally gave birth to some abuses, and our situation on many other accounts was not wholly favorable to the prosperity of Masonry. It was an enterprise, too, of some peril. The existing abuses were to be corrected—conflicting interests to be balanced and reconciled—the accounts of the lodges and D. D. G. Masters to be settled—arrearages to be collected, and a new constitution and regulations to be framed and
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adopted for the government of the Grand Lodge. But the most essential of these objects have been accomplished with a degree of success and harmony far exceeding our highest anticipations. Our By-Laws and permanent regulations, after three years of successful operation, are found to need no essential changes; the accounts of nearly all the lodges have been liquidated and closed, and a system adopted which must forever prevent the recurrence of that state of confusion into which these accounts had heretofore fallen. Most of the arrearages are paid up, and such measures have been taken that it is expected that no lodge will hereafter be guilty of the unmasonic practice of suffering its dues to remain a year unpaid. Our funds, too, are in a prosperous condition. In addition to the purchase of regalia, and other expenses incidental to the establishment of a Grand Lodge, we have been able to add $571.03 to our permanent charity fund, besides what moneys have been dispensed in charities—so that our permanent fund, including the $1000 received from the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, now consists of §1571.03, to which sum an addition of $456.46 is now to be made from the floating fund. It is highly gratifying to know that in most of the lodges all unnecessary expenses are avoided, and a system of economy has been adopted which has put their funds into a flourishing condition; and for the purpose of preserving them, the Legisture, with a liberality much to their honor, have granted an act of incorporation to every lodge which has requested it. The principle, too, of contributing masonic services without reward, charging our funds, except in one or two cases which are necessarily excepted, with a bare reimbursement of moneys actually expended, which has been so long practiced upon in Massachusetts and some other States, has produced among us also the expected happy results. We have now under our jurisdiction 44 Lodges, divided into six districts, composed of 1586 acting members. In the past year they have initiated about 220 candidates into our mysteries, and paid $1177.88 into the Grand Treasury.
With such an institution in our hands, so well organized, supported, as it is, by a large body of intelligent and virtuous citizens, and having at command a fund already respectable and rapidly increasing, besides the stock private Lodges themselves possess,—our responsibilities to God and the craft for the wise and beneficent appropriation of these ample means are deep and of serious import
Without touching on topics which have heretofore been discussed and acted upon in the Grand Lodge, there are many designs of benevolence in which, I am persuaded, we all can heartily unite.
In the distribution of masonic funds we should never lose sight of the great principle that they are the property of the whole fraternity, and are to be expended in deeds of beneficence and charity. Of course the erection of splendid edifices, and the preparation of costly entertainments, can hardly be considered as within the legitimate appropriation of these funds. But the occasional relief of worthy masons, as their necessities may demand, is not the
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only object to which they may lawfully be applied. In the more populous places benevolence itself would suggest the adoption of measures to reduce this relief to system and rule:—and hence in some cities, hospitals have been endowed, wholly, or in part, by the fraternity, for the reception and cure of sick and infirm masons. Our correspondence with other Grand Lodges has brought to our notice a proposition for an institution of this kind in New Orleans.
Our charities also may well be applied to aid the widows of poor masons, and to assist their children to obtain such an education as may qualify them for future usefulness. The latter has been a subject of peculiar interest to the fraternity for many years. In various parts of Europe and in one or more of the United States, schools for their instruction have been founded, and are still in successful operation; and the beneficial results to society from these charities must long be felt. We owe much to the orphans of worthy deceased brethren. They are a sacred trust committed to our care and oversight; and although the excellent public institutions of New England have rendered it unnecessary for Masonry to afford assistance in the acquisition of common learning, the public schools being free to all; yet the time is not far distant, when it may be expedient to make some appropriation for. the endowment of one or more scholarships in some of our Academies, Lyceums, or Colleges, by which the sons of deceased masons, if found worthy and in want, may receive aid in the higher branches of learning, and thus become capable of more extensive usefulness. A single individual, thus saved from neglect and perhaps from ruin, separated as a rough stone, from the mass of ignorance, and fitted to support and adorn the fabric of social life, would reflect more true glory on our institution than monuments of brass or marble.
It is by works like these that we approach to what I conceive to be the true spirit of Masonry—for it is not to be forgotten or denied that our institution professes to diffuse light and knowledge—that its connection with the arts and sciences is brought into the foreground and to the threshold of its mysteries— that it is indeed "a holy institution"—that it inculcates a profound reverence and devotion to the Supreme Being, and requires every mason to square his life and faith by the precepts and instruction of his Holy Word.
Indeed masonry is only valuable as she is the hand-maid of religion. This life may be regarded as a school in which the character is formed for eternity. It is the period in which a mansion, is erected for endless duration. Masonry furnishes its votaries with a large portion of the scaffolding and the working tools—but these also at last will become useless, and be laid aside. Let it then be our great endeavor and prayer that we may become the temples of the living God, and be consecrated, by his spirit, to his service forever.
The following R. W. Brethren were chosen a committee to sort and count the votes for Grand Officers, viz:—Daniel Granger,
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Leonard Jarvis, and James L. Child. Which Committee reported the following Brethren to be duly elected, viz:
M. W. WILLIAM SWAN, Esq., Grand Master, Portland.
R. W. SAMUEL FESSENDEN, Esq., Senior Grand Warden, Portland.
R.W. GEORGE THACHER, Jr., Esq., Junior Grand Warden, Saco.
R.W. JOSEPH M. GERRISH, Esq., Grand Treasurer, Portland.
R.W. WILLIAM LORD, Rec. Grand Secretary, Portland.
R. W. Charles Fox, Samuel Fessenden and Eleazer Wyer, were chosen a committee on Finance.
M. W. Simon Greenleaf Esq., Albion K. Parris Esq., Daniel Granger Esq., Peleg Chandler Esq., Charles Fox and Robert Boyd, were chosen to constitute a permanent part of the Board of Trustees of the Charity Fund, for three years ensuing.
The Grand Lodge adjourned to Friday evening, January 9, at 6 o'clock.
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Mason's Hall, Friday Evening, Jan. 9, A. D. 1824.
The Grand Lodge met by adjournment, M. W. William Swan presiding, and was opened in ample form.
Prayers were offered by the Senior Grand Chaplain.
M. W. William Swan declared his acceptance of the office of Grand Master, and was duly invested by R. W. Charles Fox, Senior Past Master and Grand Officer present.
The M. W. Grand Master then installed the Senior and Junior Grand Wardens, Grand Treasurer and Recording Grand Secretary.
The following appointments for the ensuing year were then made by the M. W. Grand Master, viz:—
R. W. CHARLES FOX Esq., of Portland, Deputy Grand Master.
R. W. PELEG SPRAGUE, Esq., of Hallowell, Cor. Grand Secretary.
R. W. JESSE ROBINSON, Esq., of Hallowell, Grand Marshal.
R. W. Rev. JONATHAN GREENLEAF, of Wells, Grand Chaplain.
R. W. Rev. JOHN H. INGRAHAM, of Thomaston, Grand Chaplain.
R. W. Rev. GIDEON W. OLNEY, of Gardiner, Grand Chaplain.Page 102
R. W. Rev. SAMUEL RAND, of Portland, Grand Chaplain.
R. W. BENJAMIN D. BARTLETT, of Bath, Senior Grand Deacon.
R. W. JAMES L. CHILD, Esq., of Alna, Junior Grand Deacon.
R. W. ELEAZER WYER, of Portland, Grand Steward.
R. W. NELSON RACKLYFT, of Portland, Grand Steward.
R. W. ISAAC LINCOLN, of Brunswick, Grand Steward.
R. W. AMOS NOURSE, of Hallowell, Grand Steward.
R. W. SAMUEL STEPHENSON, of Gorham, Grand Sword Bearer.
R. W. SETH CLARK, of Portland, Grand Pursuivant.
R. W. OLIVER S. HARTSHORN, of Portland, Grand Pursuivant.
R. W. WILLIAM STEVENS, Grand Tyler.
DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTERS.
First District—R. W. Daniel Granger, Esq., of Saco.
Second District—R. W. Cornelius Holland, Esq., of Canton.
Third District—R. W. Henry W. Puller, Esq., of Augusta.
Fourth District—R. W. Robert P. Dunlap, Esq., of Brunswick.
Fifth District—R. W. Jacob McGaw, Esq., of Bangor.
Sixth District—R. W. Ichabod R. Chadbourne, Esq., of Eastport.
The foregoing officers were severally installed by the M. W. Grand Master, either by themselves or by proxies.
The following Brethren compose the Board of Trustees of the Charity Fund:
M. W. William Swan, Grand Master, ex officio.
R. W. Charles Fox, Deputy Grand Master, ex officio.
R. W. Samuel Fessenden, Esq., Senior Grand Warden, ex officio.
R. W. George Thacher, Jr., Esq., Junior Grand Warden, ex officio.
R. W. William Lord, Grand Secretary. ex officio.
R. W. Simon Greenleaf, Esq.
R. W. Albion K. Parris, Esq.
R. W. Daniel Granger, Esq.
R. W. Peleg Chandler, Esq.
R. W. Robert Boyd, Esq.
The report of the Committee on the subject of a lodge in the town of Limerick, made to the Grand Lodge last evening, was now resumed; which report was read and the further consideration postponed to our next annual communication.
R. W. Eleazer Wyer, Nelson Racklyft, and Joseph M. Gerrish were appointed a committee to make such additions to the regalia and furniture of the Grand Lodge as may be found necessary.
On motion,
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Voted, That the thanks of this Grand Lodge be presented to the Most Worshipful Simon Greenleaf, Esq., Past Grand Master, for his unremitted and faithful labors, in masonic duties, as connected with the interests of this Grand Lodge, and for the impartial, dignified and highly intelligent manner in which he has presided over the same—that he be pleased to accept the best wishes of all the members of this Grand Lodge, for his prosperity and happiness; and that he be requested to furnish this Grand Lodge with a copy of his address, delivered at this communication, and that the same be printed and circulated with the annual Communication.
The committee on Past Masters' Diplomas was fully authorized to procure a plate (or otherwise as they think proper), provided the expense does not exceed 150 dollars.
Prayers were offered by our Rev. Brother Asa Mead, and the Grand Lodge was closed in ample form.
Attest, WILLIAM LORD, G. Secretary.
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QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION.
A Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of Maine was holden at Masons' Hall in Portland, on Thursday, April 8, A. D. 1824.
Present—M. W. WILLIAM SWAN, Esq., G. M.
R. W. CHARLES FOX, Esq., D. G. M.
R. W. SAMUEL FESSENDEN, Esq., S. G. W.
R. W. ELEAZER WYER, as J. G. W.
R. W. JOSEPH M. GERRISH, G. Treasurer.
R. W. WILLIAM LORD, Rec. G. Secretary.
R. W. SAMUEL STEPHENSON, as G. Marshal.
R. W. NELSON RACKLYFT, as S. G. D.
R. W. CHARLES B. SMITH, as J. G. D.
R. W. DANIEL CLARK, as G. Steward.
R. W. SETH CLARK, G. Pursuivant.
R. W. OLIVER S. HARTSHORN, G. Pursuivant.
R. W. WILLIAM STEVENS, G. Tyler.
The following Lodges were represented, viz:—
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Portland, No. 1 Blazing Star, No. 30
St. George, No. 16 Harmony, No. 38
A. Land Mark, No. 17 Alna, No. 43
Tranquil, No. 29
The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form.
The petition of Joel Wellington and others, praying for a charter to hold a Lodge in the town of China, county of Kennebec, by the name of Central Lodge, was laid before the Grand Lodge; read, and committed to R. W. Samuel Fessenden, Joseph M. Gerrish and Samuel Stephenson; which committee reported that the prayer of said petition be granted.
Voted, That the foregoing report be accepted, and that a charter be granted accordingly.
The petition of Joseph Whitney and others, praying for a charter to hold a Lodge in the town of Calais, by the name of St. Croix Lodge, was laid before the Grand Lodge; read, and committed to R. W. Charles Fox, Daniel Clark and Eleazer Wyer; which committee reported that the prayer of said petition be granted; but as it appears to the committee from official information that one of the petitioners, viz. Lorenzo Rockwood, has been expelled from a regular Lodge, and no information that he has been restored, they therefore recommend that his name may not be inserted in the charter, unless it shall appear to the Grand Lodge that he has been restored.
Voted, That the foregoing report be accepted, and that a charter be granted accordingly.
A petition from Somerset Lodge praying for permission to hold their meetings in alternate years in Milburn, near Skowhegan falls, and in Norridgewock village, was laid before the Grand Lodge. Read and committed to R. W. Samuel Fessenden, Joseph M. Gerrish and Seth Clark.
Which Committee reported, That
Referring to the original petition, we find that the approbation of the District Deputy Grand Master was obtained to the prayer thereof, which was, that the Lodge might be holden in alternate years in Norridgewock and Canaan or Bloomfield. We therefore consider his approbation as in fact accompanying the present petition; and inasmuch as your committee are satisfied that it would
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be for the benefit of Somerset Lodge that it be holden alternately at Norridgewock and Milburn, instead of Bloomfield, would recommend that their request be granted, and that said Lodge hereafter and during the pleasure of the Grand Lodge, be holden at Norridgewock and Milburn alternately.
Which Report was accepted.
The Recording Grand Secretary reported the proceedings of the Board of Trustees of the Charity fund of the Grand Lodge, at a stated meeting, April 5, 1824, and that one vacancy existed in said Board of Trustees.
A petition from Amity Lodge, praying for a remission of part of the balance due the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, and by their assignment now due the Grand Lodge of Maine, was laid before the Grand Lodge; read, and committed to the Committee on Finance.
Voted, That our R. W. Brother Joseph M. Gerrish, Treasurer of this Grand Lodge, be authorized to assign over and present to the widow of our late Bro. Oliver Bray, Esq., two notes due from him to this Grand Lodge, one for the sum of $61.29, with interest, the other for $239.74, with interest, that she may file them for her own benefit as a demand against the estate of her deceased husband.
R. W. Brother Woodbury Storer, Jr., Esq., was unanimously chosen a member of the Board of. Trustees of the Charity fund, to fill the vacancy which existed in said Board.
The Grand Lodge closed in ample form.
Attest, WILLIAM LORD, G. Secretary.
QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION.
A Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of Maine was holden at Masons' Hall in Portland, on Thursday, July 8, A. D. 1824.
Present—M. W. WILLIAM SWAN, Esq., G. M.
R. W. CHARLES POX, Esq., D. G. M.
R. W. SAMUEL FESSENDEN, Esq., S. G. W.Page 106
R. W. GEORGE THACHER, Esq., J. G. W.
R. W. DANIEL GRANGER, Esq., G. Treasurer.
R. W. WILLIAM LORD, G. Secretary.
R. W. SAMUEL STEPHENSON, as G. Marshal.
R. W. ELEAZER WYER, as S. G. Deacon.
R. W. NELSON RACKLYFT, as J. G. Deacon.
R. W. OLIVER GERRISH, as G. Steward.
R. W. JOHN CHUTE, Jr., as G. Steward.
R. W. SETH CLARK, G. Pursuivant.
R. W. OLIVER S. HARTSHORN, G. Pursuivant.
R. W. WILLIAM STEVENS, Grand Tyler.
The following Lodges were represented, viz:—
Portland, No. 1 Blazing Star, No. 30
Saco, No.9 Somerset, No. 34
Orient, No. 15 Casco, No.36
A. Land-Mark, No. 17 Harmony, No.38
Oxford, No. 18 Morning Star, No. 41
The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form.
A remonstrance from Eastern Lodge at Eastport, was read and committed to R. W. Charles Fox, Samuel Fessenden and John Spring. Which Committee reported:
That the appointment of District Deputy Grand Masters, is by the rules and regulations of the Grand Lodge, exclusively placed under the control of the Most Worshipful Grand Master; whose duty it is to appoint those officers. That it hence results that the subject matter of this remonstrance is not within any powers vested in the Grand Lodge as such. That such remonstrance should be addressed to the Grand Master, for which reasons the committee would recommend that the remonstrance be put on file, and the Secretary be directed to furnish Eastern Lodge with a copy of this report.
CHARLES FOX, per order.
Which report was read and accepted.
The Committee on Past Masters' Diplomas, reported, that they had completed the business assigned them by procuring a plate and having a sufficient number of Diplomas printed for present use. Which report was accepted and the committee discharged.
The Recording Grand Secretary reported the proceedings of the Board of Trustees of the Charity Fund of the Grand Lodge at a stated meeting, July 5, 1824,—and that one vacancy existed in said Board of Trustees.
Page 107
The following resolution was submitted by R. W. Daniel Granger, Esq.:
Resolved, That the 3d section of the 5th chapter of the By-Laws of the Grand Lodge, be so altered as to read thus: The Trustees of the Charity Fund shall meet at Portland, at 8 o'clock in the afternoon of the day of each Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge. The remainder of the section to stand as it now does.
Which was read, and the further consideration of it postponed to our next communication, and ordered to be communicated to the several Lodges under this jurisdiction.
R. W. Thomas Browne, of Portland, was chosen a member of the Board of Trustees of the Charity Fund of the Grand Lodge, to fill a vacancy which existed in said Board.
M. W. William Swan, R. W. Samuel Fessenden and R. W. Charles Fox, were appointed a Committee to correspond with other Grand Lodges in the United States on the subject of erecting a Monument over the Tomb of Washington.
The Grand Lodge was closed in ample form.
Attest, WILLIAM LORD, G. Secretary.
QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION.
A Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of Maine was holden at Masons' Hall in Portland, on Thursday, October 14, A. D. 1824.
Present—M. W. WILLIAM SWAN, Esq., G. M.
R. W. CHARLES FOX, Esq., D. G. M.
R. W. CHARLES B. SMITH, as S. G. W.
R. W. MOSES SPRING, as J. G. W.
R. W. JOSEPH M. GERRISH, G. Treasurer.
R. W. WILLIAM LORD, G. Secretary.
R. W. NELSON RACKLYFT, as G. Marshal. Her.
R. W. Rev. JONA. GREENLEAF, G. Chaplain.
R. W. Rev. SAMUEL BAND, G. Chaplain.
R. W. OLIVER S. HARTSHORN, as S. G. D.Page 108
R. W. DANIEL CLARK, as J. G. D.
R. W. JAMES McARTHUR, as G. Steward.
R. W. JOHN CHUTE, JR., as G. Steward.
R. W. WILLIAM STEVENS, G. Tyler.
The following Lodges were represented, viz:—
Portland, No. 1 Adoniram, No. 27
Saco, No. 9 Hermon, No. 32
Orient, No. 15 Somerset, No. 84
St. George, No. 1 Casco, No. 36
A. Land Mark, No. 17 Morning Star, No. 41
York, No. 22
The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form. Prayer was offered by Rev. Jonathan Greenleaf, Senior Grand Chaplain.
The resolution submitted by R. W. Daniel Granger, Esq, at our last communication, proposing an amendment in the By-Laws, | was taken into consideration and unanimously adopted.
On motion,
Voted, That blank proxies be printed and sent to the several Lodges under our jurisdiction,
R. W. Brother Samuel Emerson presented a petition from York Lodge, praying that this G. Lodge would assume their loss (recently sustained by fire) as a family misfortune. Which was read and committed to R. W. Charles Fox, Samuel Fessenden Esq., and Simon Greenleaf, Esq.
The Recording Grand Secretary reported the proceedings of the Board of Trustees of the Charity fund of the Grand Lodge at a stated meeting, Oct. 11, A. D. 1824.
Prayer was offered by the Grand Chaplain, and the Grand Lodge was closed in ample form.
Attest, WILLIAM LORD, G. Secretary.
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