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History
Of Freemasonry In Ohio
From 1791 to 1912 by W. M. Cunningham and John G. Reeve=
s
THE
HISTORY OF THE MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE By
W. M. CUNNINGHAM, M. A.,
VOLUME
3 Part
I Copyright,
1914 By J. H. Bromwell Grand Secretary Cincinnati, Ohio
FORWARD To the Most Worshipful Gran=
d Lodge
of Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio: This volume closes the History of the Grand Lodge from its organizatio=
n in
1808 to and including the Annual Communication of 1912. Volume I, prepared
and edited by M.·. W.·. William M. Cunningham, covered the
period from its organization in 1808 to 1844, inclusive, and volumes II a=
nd
III, prepared by and under the supervision of the present Committee, the
period from 1845 to 1912, inclusive; volume II from 1845 to 1891, and vol=
ume
III from 1892 to 1912, and including an Addenda, containing reference tab=
les,
statistics, and other valuable information for the Craft. Portraits of all the Grand Masters of the Grand Lodge of Ohio from its
organization until 1912, inclusive, were secured and are inserted in the
History, except the following, which could not be obtained, although every
effort was made to do so, viz.: Chester Griswold, 1818; William J. Irvin,
1825; Samuel Wheeler, 1826; John M. Goodenow, 1827; John Satterwaite, 183=
1,
and A. H. Battin, 1872. To facilitate the work the Committee, at the request of the Chairman,
designated M.·. W.·. Brother W. A. Belt to prepare the inde=
xes
for these two volumes, and he has carefully and skillfully performed that
tedious and important duty. The Committee and this Grand Lodge suffered a great loss in the death =
of
M.·. W.·. Brother Leander Burdick, who departed this life on
the first day of January, A. D. 1913. Brother Burdick took a great interest in the History, and by reason of=
his
long continued and active service in the Grand Lodge was well qualified to
and did render valuable advice and assistance to the Chairman of the
Committee in its preparation. The compilation of this work was practically
completed and received his approval before his death. His loss was severe=
ly
felt and regretted, not only by this Committee, but by every member of th=
is
Grand Lodge who had been favored by coming in contact with the benign
influence of his upright, sterling qualities and high standard as a man a=
nd a
Mason. Space will not permit an extended eulogy, but reference is made to the
history of his administration as Grand Master, and the valuable services =
he
rendered the Grand Lodge and the Craft in this Jurisdiction, as recorded =
in
this History and the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge. At the 1913 Annual Communication of this Grand Lodge, held October 22d,
1913, the Grand Master announced the appointment of M.·. W.·=
;.
Brother O. P. Sperra to fill the vacancy in this Committee caused by the
death of M.·. W.·. Brother Leander Burdick. The Chairman desires to acknowledge and tender to the other members of=
the
Committee his thanks for the valuable assistance and advice they so
cheerfully rendered him in the compilation and preparation of the history;
and to specially express his appreciation of the efficient services of
R.·. W.·. Brother J. H. Bromwell and M.·. W.·.
Brother W. A. Belt in furnishing data, correcting proof, preparing,
compiling, and publishing of the work. The Brethren will readily appreciate the difficulty experienced by the
Chairman in condensing within the limits of two volumes the important acts
and proceedings of this Grand Lodge, covering a period of sixty-eight of =
it's
Annual Communications, and detailed in several thousand pages of its prin=
ted
proceedings. Many items had to be omitted, others condensed and summarized, leaving=
to
the Masonic Student desiring the details recourse to the printed proceedi=
ngs,
which should be in every Lodge library. If the perusal of this History induces a number of the Craft to read a=
nd
study the glorious record of our Grand Lodge as recorded in it annual
proceedings, including the history of Freemasonry in the World, as detail=
ed
in the annual reports of our Foreign Correspondence Committee, it will ha=
ve
accomplished its purpose, and your Committee feel its labors have not bee=
n in
vain. Respectfully submitted, HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY I=
N OHIO
FROM A. D. 1791 VOL. III HISTORY OF THE GRAND LOD=
GE FROM 1892 TO 1912 1892 M.·. W.·. LEVI C. GOODALE, GRAND MASTER Grand Lodge convened in the city hall, Springfield, Wednesday, October=
19,
A. D. 1892, with Grand Master Levi C. Goodale in the Chair, and all the G=
rand
Officers present except R.·. W.·. Bro. W. F. Baldwin, Senior
Grand Warden, and R.·. W.·. Bro. L. F. VanCleve, Grand
Chaplain, both of whom had died since the last Annual Grand Communication;
and R.·. W.·. Bro. Jewett Palmer, Grand Marshal, unavoidably
detained at home. The following Past Grand Officers were present: Past Gr=
and
Masters R. C. Lemmon, Wm. M. Cunningham, C. C. Kiefer, S. S. Williams, C.=
A.
Woodward and L. Burdick; and Past D. G. Masters J. L'H. Long and W. J. Ak=
ers and
the representatives of 488 Lodges. The Grand Master read his address, calling attention to the death of O=
ur
Grand Chaplain, Rev. LaFayette VanClove, who died March 2, 1892, and who
served as Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge from 1877 to the date of his
death, in a similar position in the Grand Chapter of Ohio and as Grand
Prelate of the Grand Commandery of Ohio, K. T., for twenty-four consecuti=
ve
years. A Special Communication of the Grand Lodge was held at Milford, Oh=
io,
March 6, 1892, for the purpose of performing the funeral obsequies accord=
ing
to Masonic usage, over his remains. A great number of Lodges, Chapters, a=
nd
Commanderies were present, and the ceremonies took place from the church =
in
which he officiated as pastor previous to his death. The proceedings will=
be
found On pages 3 to 6, of the Grand Lodge proceedings. Attention was called, also, to the death of our R.·. W.·.
Senior Grand Warden W. F. Baldwin, who died April 3, 1892, a Special
Communication of the Grand Lodge being held at the Masonic Temple, Mount
Vernon, Ohio, April 12, A. D. 1892, for the purpose of conducting his fun=
eral
ceremonies according to Masonic usage, an account of the proceedings being
recorded in the proceedings of the Grand Lodge, pages 7 and 8. Dispensations were granted for the following new Lodges: The craft laid the corner stones of a number of public buildings this
year. Speaking of the "District Lecturers" the Grand Master says:
"The time has come, in my opinion, when this authority should be
recognized by conferring upon them, at least, the privilege of membership=
in
the Grand Lodge. They should have a place of honor in our meetings, and be
clothed with appropriate collars and jewels." During the past year over four hundred questions were asked, nearly al=
l of
which could have been answered by the Code and former decisions, but only
twelve are reported as not covered by the Code or former decisions, the l=
ast
of which relates to the Order of the Eastern Star. He decides under the legislation and decisions of the Grand Lodge and
former Grand Masters to decline to permit the use of anterooms to Lodge
Halls, etc., to be used by this organization for reception or banquet
purposes. He says, "While agreeing with my predecessors that this or=
der
is not Masonic, and that meetings of the order should not be held in Lodge
rooms, I regret that fidelity to the rules of the Grand Lodge compelled m=
e to
this decision. I believe that the policy of denying the use of Lodge and
anterooms to this organization is unwise. * * * It is no more than the pr=
oper
demand of the law of compensation that the wives and daughters of Masons
should be permitted to enjoy in part the social opportunities which follow
membership in a Masonic Lodge." He calls attention to the requests for recognition from the Grand Lodg=
es
of Switzerland, (Alpena), of Mexico, Japan and Italy, and refers the same=
to
the Foreign Correspondence Committee for investigation and report. Calls attention to the claim of Chas. H. Lander, that at the time of t=
he
trouble at Worthington, he was a member of a Lodge in West Virginia, and
loyal to this Grand Lodge, and requests that the same receive proper atte=
ntion. Reports on the litigation of the Grand Lodge, that the cases at Clevel=
and
had been argued and submitted to Judge Lamson in September, 1890, but no
decision had been rendered yet. The cases at Bucyrus were prepared for tr=
ial,
but a few days before they were reached the plaintiff dismissed them. The
Columbus cases had been decided by Judge Evans in favor of the Grand Lodg=
e,
appealed by the plaintiffs, Hershiser et al. to the Circuit Court of Fran=
klin
County, which sustained the demurrers of the Grand Lodge to the third ame=
nded
petition following the decision of Judge Evans that the state courts had =
no
jurisdiction to determine mere questions of membership in Masonic bodies.=
In October, 1891, the Grand Lodge of Kentucky adopted a resolution
inviting the several Grand Lodges to send delegates to a Fraternal Congre=
ss
to be held at the Masonic Temple, Chicago, Ills., in August, 1893. A numb=
er
of Grand Lodges had already appointed delegates, and the matter was submi=
tted
as to whether we should not do likewise. MASONIC HOME "The report of the committee will show that $104,000.00 has been
subscribed for the work. This afternoon the corner stone of this edifice =
will
be laid, and ere many months Ohio will have a home for those of the craft=
who
need shelter or the comforts of a home; and the Masons of Ohio will be
enrolled on the list of those jurisdictions which are making Masonic reli=
ef
practical." A list of the Grand Lodges which have established homes,
with the approximate cost of each, is given. After careful investigation authorized the removal of Bloomfield Lodge
No.422, from Sparta, Morrow County, to Centerburg, Knox County, which was
approved by the Grand Lodge. The following Lodges, chartered at the last communication, had been du=
ly
instituted and constituted: York Lodge, at Columbus, by M.·. W.·. P. G. M. S. S.
Williams; North Baltimore Lodge, at North Baltimore, by W. Jr. G. D. J. W.
Chamberlin; Weston Lodge, at Weston, by R.·. W.·. D. G. M.
Allen Andrews; Golden Rule Lodge, at Chicago Junction, by M.·. W.&=
middot;.
P. G. M. S. Stacker Williams. A number of Masonic Halls had been dedicated
during the year. Receiving information that the Senior Warden elect of Brooklyn Lodge
No.454 was an avowed active Cernean, he wired the Installing Officer to
require each Officer elect, before being installed, to declare in open Lo=
dge
that he is not now a member of any organization which had been declared t=
o be
clandestine or un-masonic. The Senior Warden and Secretary refused to com=
ply
and were not installed. After correspondence, finding the report true, he
declared the offices of Senior Warden and Secretary vacant, and ordered a=
new
election, requiring the Brothers elect to make a like declaration, which =
was
complied with. Arrested the charter and took up the effects of Battin Lodge No.487 and
sent same to the Grand Secretary, except the Bible which on request was l=
eft
with the Brethren of the Lodge. The Lodge room of Gibson Lodge, with its effects, was again destroyed =
by
fire, and a dispensation issued until this session permitting them to wor=
k. In the matter of Brother Whitehurst of Dayton: he burned all the books=
in
his possession and made declaration he would not circulate any more,
whereupon proceedings against him were dismissed. Reported that in compliance with the resolution adopted at the last
session of the Grand Lodge, (page 49, proceedings 1891), the Committee on
Ritual had prepared and submitted to him a written copy, which he had
approved and promulgated on September 1, and had the same in his custody =
for
proper use and preservation, under the direction of the Grand Lodge. IRREGULAR MASONS "The action of the seceders at Worthington last year, and the cou=
rse
pursued toward them by this Grand Lodge, has attracted the attention of o=
ther
jurisdictions. The action of this Grand Lodge has been invariably sustain=
ed.
One of the outgrowths of the Worthington disaffection was Franklin Lodge =
in
Columbus; and having information that the Officers of this organization w=
ere
claiming their members could visit in regular Lodges in this state, and t=
hat
some were attempting to so visit, in order to prevent such visitation the
Grand Master issued and mailed to each Lodge an edict calling their atten=
tion
to these facts and instructing them as follows: "Now, therefore, it is ordered, and you are hereby commanded to e= xact from every visitor to your Lodge, without exception, (and taken in the us= ual form of oath from visiting brethren), the following declaration, to wit:<= o:p> "'I hereon declare on my Masonic honor, and in all truth and
soberness, that I am a member in good standing of a Lodge of Masons
recognized by the Grand Lodge of Ohio as regular, and that I am not a mem=
ber
of any organization or society which has been declared by the Grand Lodge=
of
Ohio to be bogus, irregular, illegitimate, or un-masonic.' "And any visitor failing to make such declaration must be denied
admission to any Lodge room. MASON AT SIGHT General Asa S. Bushnell, of Springfield, though not a member of the or=
der,
was one of the most enthusiastic and liberal contributors and workers in =
the
cause of the Masonic Home; and at the earnest request of the members of t=
he
craft in Springfield and elsewhere, on the evening of October 18, A. D. 1=
892,
the Grand Master in due form made him a Mason at sight. Recommends that in view of the long and faithful services as Grand
Secretary and his declining health, a salary be voted to Bro. John D.
Caldwell. The Grand Treasurer's report shows a balance in his hands of $22,331.85
general fund, and of $428.50 charity fund. Charters were issued for the following new Lodges: Dispensation was granted for a new Lodge, viz: National, at Barberton,
Summit County The committee reported approving the decisions of the Grand Master, his
action in regard to Bro. Whitehurst, that of the Senior Warden and Secret=
ary
of Brooklyn Lodge, and his edict with reference to clandestine Masonry, a=
nd
the report was adopted by the Grand Lodge. The Grand Master announced that the Grand Lodge would convene at 2 o'c=
lock
p. m. for the purpose of laying the corner stone of the Masonic Home with
appropriate Masonic ceremonies. THE OHIO MASONIC HOME Promptly at 2 o'clock p. m., Wednesday, October 19, A. D. 1892, pursua=
nt
to announcement, the Grand Lodge reassembled for the purpose of laying wi=
th
appropriate ceremonies, and according to ancient usage, the corner stone =
of
the Masonic Home. The procession was formed at the public square in Springfield. The fir=
st
division was composed of seventeen Commanderies of Knights Templars---with
over fifteen hundred Sir Knights in line and thirteen bands; and the seco=
nd
division of forty-two Lodges, with over two thousand Master Masons in line
and five bands; and a large number of carriages; and special trains were =
run
at short intervals to convey visitors to the grounds. Arriving at the grounds, the corner stone was laid according to ancient
Masonic usage, and Bro. Barton Smith, R.·. W.·. Grand Orato=
r,
delivered an address. The full ceremonies of this important event will be
found recorded on pages 56 to 70 of the printed proceedings of the Grand
Lodge. A Lodge of Sorrow was held at the city hall on the evening of October =
19,
at which appropriate addresses were delivered on the lives and services of
our late Senior Grand Warden, W. F. Baldwin; our late Grand Chaplain, Rev.
Bro. L. F. VanCleve, and a tribute to the memory of the five hundred and
forty-nine Master Masons of this jurisdiction, who had been summoned to t=
he
Celestial Lodge above during the past year. The Committee on Necrology reported and the testimonials were approved=
and
ordered printed in the proceedings. M.·. W.·. Bro. J Ross Robertson, Past Grand Master of Ma=
sons
in Canada, was introduced, received and welcomed with Grand Honors, and
escorted to a seat in the East. The Board of Trustees of the Masonic Home made a detailed and very
satisfactory report showing that there had been received: Cash donation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 36,860.16 and the trustees and the committee make a fraternal appeal to the Lodg=
es
and members to take an active interest in securing the balance of the fun=
ds
necessary to complete and furnish the Home. The Grand Master appointed M.·. W.·. Bros. L. Burdick an=
d J.
M. Stull trustees of the Masonic Home for the term ending December 31, 18=
94,
and M.·. W.·. Bro. C. C. Kiefer, and R.·. W.·.
Bro. J. H. Bromwell for the term ending December 31, 1895, which appointm=
ents
were approved by the Grand Lodge. The committee to whom was referred the part of the Grand Master's addr=
ess
relating to the Order of the Eastern Star reported and recommended the
following to be added to Section 79 of the Code. "Or organizations known and designated as Chapters of the Eastern
Star, when composed entirely of Masons known to be loyal to the Grand Lod=
ge
and its Officers, and of the wives and daughters of such Masons, may, with
the consent of the Grand Master and by unanimous consent of the members of
all Masonic bodies occupying Masonic halls, be permitted to use such Maso=
nic
halls for festival and ceremonial purposes." This amendment not receiving unanimous consent was laid over to the ne=
xt
Annual Communication for final action. The committee to whom was referred the Dortion of the Grand Master's
address relating to the Emeritus Grand Secretary R.·. W.·. =
Bro.
John D. Caldwell, reported in favor of allowing him a salary of $500 a ye=
ar
during his natural life, which was adopted. Brother Allen Andrews was elected M.·. W.·. Grand Master;
Bro. Carroll F. Clapp, R.·. W.·. Deputy Grand Master; Bro.
William B. Melish, R.·. W.·. Senior Grand Warden; Bro. Bart=
on
Smith, R.·. W.·. Junior Grand Warden, and Bros. Charles Bro=
wn
and J. H. Bromwell re-elected Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary,
respectively, and they and the appointive Grand Officers were duly instal=
led. Cleveland was selected as the place, and Wednesday, October 18, A. D.
1893, the time for holding the next Annual Communication of the Grand Lod=
ge. Brother E. L. Lybarger called attention to the successful administrati=
on
of M.·. W.·. Grand Master Bro. Levi C. Goodale, and moved t=
hat
in testimony of the appreciation of the Grand Lodge of the business like
management and zeal of Brother Goodale, a Past Grand Master's jewel be
secured and presented to him; which was unanimously adopted. On motion of Bro. Barton Smith the sum of one hundred dollars was dona=
ted
to Trinity Lodge located at Bucyrus. The report of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence, reviewing the
proceedings of sixty-three Grand Lodges, and covering 298 pages, is print=
ed
in the proceedings. A good portrait of M.·. W.·. Grand Master Levi C. Goodale
faces the title page of the proceedings. The Committee on Masonic History, through its chairman, M.·.
W.·. S. Stacker Williams, reported progress and asked further time
which was, on motion, granted. 1893 M.·. W.·. ALLEN ANDREWS, GRAND MASTER Grand Lodge convened in Case Hall, Cleveland, Wednesday, October 18, A=
. D.
1893, with Grand Master Allen Andrews, in the Chair, all the Grand Office=
rs
in their stations, and Past Grand Masters C. A. Woodward, R. C. Lemmon, W=
m.
M. Cunningham, C. C. Kiefer, S. S. Williams, L. Burdick, L. C. Goodale, J=
. M.
Goodspeed; Past Deputy Grand Masters, C. M. Godfrey, W. J. Akers, J. L'H.
Long, and Emeritus Grand Secretary John D. Caldwell present, and the
representatives of 473 Lodges in attendance. The Grand Master read his address congratulating the Grand Lodge on the
universal, most cordial and fraternal relations existing with our sister
Grand Lodges in America, and most of the Grand Lodges of foreign nations =
in
the world. On May 23, he visited the Grand Lodge of Indiana at its annual session,
and was most cordially received and welcomed, and was impressed with the
zeal, earnestness, and business-like manner characterizing the proceeding=
s. He, with Bros. R. C. Lemmon, B. D. Babcock, and S. S. Williams, as
representatives of this Grand Lodge, attended the Masonic Congress held at
the Masonic Temple, Chicago, Illinois, August 14, 1893, and participated =
in
the proceedings. Twenty-three Grand Lodges were represented, including
Manitoba and two from Canada "The Congress was a remarkable gatherin=
g of
eminent Masons, the largest of its kind ever held in the history of our
Fraternity. It had no power or inclination to organize or suggest a Gener=
al
Grand Lodge, for such a body is not desired by Ancient Craft Masonry. It =
had
no power to legislate for the Grand Lodges, or even to recommend conclusi=
ons
to them." However, the representatives discussed a number of importa=
nt
questions and formulated conclusions for the use and information of the
craft--among which the following are of interest: SOVEREIGNLY OF GRAND LODGES "The conclusion of the Congress is that a Grand Lodge duly organi=
zed
in a state or other autonomous territory, is rightfully possessed of abso=
lute
sovereignty therein." THE PREROGATIVE OF GRAND MASTERS "That the dispensing power recognized in the old regulations as
residing in the person and office of the Grand Master, has been so genera=
lly
exercised by that officer, from the organization of Masonry on the Grand
Lodge system down to the present time, that its existence can not be
successfully denied. But that there are no dispensing powers so residing =
that
may not be limited or wholly denied by the Grand Lodge, save such as inhe=
re
in that office under the sanction of the ancient landmarks." THE CREED OF A MASON "An unequivocal belief and trust in God is the fundamental princi=
ple
which characterizes Masonry as defined by the Charges of a Freemason, and
without which the institution can not be identified as Masonry." NON-AFFILIATES "That every Mason ought to be a member of some regular Lodge, att=
end
its meetings, and share its burdens." PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS "That absolute competency to conform literally to all the
requirements of the ceremonies of the several degrees of Ancient Craft
Masonry, fulfills the requirements of physical perfection in a candidate =
for
the privileges of Freemasonry, as set forth in the ancient charges."=
The proceedings of this Masonic Congress were printed in pamphlet form=
and
generally distributed, and furnishes much valuable information on various
subjects of interest to the craft. Brother Monroe C. Crawford, Grand Master of Illinois, was President; B=
ro.
J. L. Powers of Mississippi, Secretary, and Bro. S. Stacker Williams of O=
hio,
one of the Vice-Presidents. The Grand Master answered a large number of questions relating to Maso=
nic
law and jurisprudence, and reports fifteen decisions which he thought oug=
ht
to pass the scrutiny of the Jurisprudence Committee, the last of which gi=
ves
a history and construction of the legislation of the Grand Lodge on the
subject of intoxicating liquors; and decides that since the passage of wh=
at is
known as the VanCleve resolution, making it a Masonic offense to engage in
the traffic of intoxicating liquors to be drank where sold, it is the law=
of
Masonry in this state, that to traffic in intoxicating liquors to be dran=
k on
the premises, or for purposes other than medicinal and mechanical uses, i=
s a
Masonic offense and any Brother violating this rule is guilty of un-mason=
ic
conduct, and is a proper subject for Masonic discipline; which decisions =
were
referred to the Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence and on their report the
Grand Lodge approved all of said decisions. CLANDESTINE MASONRY On this subject the Grand Master reports the efforts of the clandestine
so-called Grand Lodge, and the five subordinate Lodges and their members =
to
gain a footing in this state, and their reckless attempts to deceive and
induce persons to join their illegitimate bodies, and among other things
says: "The position taken by the Fraternity in Ohio and the measures
adopted to suppress clandestine organizations claiming to be Masonic, were
wise and effective. * * * "The Cerneau bodies have melted away, and, with perhaps a single
exception, have become extinct. The clandestine and illegal Grand Lodge w=
hich
pretended to organize at Worthington, in 1891, according to best informat=
ion,
started five unlawful Subordinate Lodges, one each at Worthington, Coshoc=
ton
and Bucyrus, and two at Columbus. These Lodges are aimless, lifeless and
fruitless, except the two at Columbus, styled Franklin and Columbian, whi=
ch
have a membership, and continue to hold meetings. They solicit candidates=
and
accept as members persons rejected by regular Lodges, and persons having =
but
one eye, one arm, one leg, or other physical or moral imperfections,
disqualifying them from membership in regular Lodges. Attempts were made =
to
establish clandestine Lodges elsewhere in the state, but were frustrated =
by
diligent Brethren who made known the character of these illegal
organizations. The method is to make up a class of men desirous of Masonr=
y,
and pretend to them that they are about to organize a new Lodge, and that=
all
who join in the beginning can obtain the degrees for $10.00. "The attempt to organize a rebellion against this Grand Lodge, and
plant clandestine bodies in this state, has not only failed of recognitio=
n,
but has encountered the just condemnation of all the Grand Lodges in the
world in fraternal correspondence with us. This is a source of satisfacti=
on
to us, and a new guarantee of the perpetuity of our institutions." About forty of the members of Franklin and Columbian Lodges requested a
conference with the Grand Master and proposed to renounce and dissolve th=
ese
clandestine bodies, claiming to have been deceived into joining what they
believed to be regular Lodges, and requesting him to, in some way, heal t=
hem,
and organize them into a lawful Lodge; but the Grand Master informed them=
he
had no power to heal them in that manner, and their proper course was to
renounce and withdraw from their present affiliation, and apply regularly=
for
admission to a lawful Lodge, which a number of them did. There has been little change in the litigation against the Grand Lodge=
by
the Cerneaus. They have been beaten in every trial, and have abandoned all
their cases except those in Columbus and Cleveland. The latter has not yet
been brought to trial. In the two cases in Columbus they were beaten in b=
oth
the Common Pleas and Circuit Courts, and have abandoned one case and taken
the other to the Supreme Court, where it is now pending. The courts have held in all these cases, that the controversy is not a
subject matter of civil jurisprudence, to be decided in secular courts, b=
ut
that it is a Masonic question, to be settled by the authorities of our Or=
der,
and that the civil courts of the land have no power to interfere, the very
thing we have contended for, and the decision we desire. Since this case has been pending in the Supreme Court, eight of the
plaintiffs, about one-fourth of the whole number, who were formerly membe=
rs
in good standing in Goodale Lodge No.372, expressed a desire to renounce
Cerneauism and clandestine Masonry, and to be restored to their former pl=
ace
in the Lodge, but the Grand Master held that they must first withdraw from
the law suit against the Grand Lodge, that we could not receive any one w=
ho would
greet us with one hand, and carry on a warfare against us with the other,=
and
on June 23, 1893, by leave of court these eight withdrew as plaintiffs fr=
om
the case and four more have moved for leave to withdraw, and still others
desire to withdraw and renounce Cerneauism. The Grand Master arrested the charter of Paulding Lodge No.502, and the
effects were forwarded to the Grand Secretary, on account of dissension a=
mong
its members engendered by four or five brethren who, for some unknown rea=
son,
had for the past two years acted together to destroy the harmony and
prosperity of the Lodge, and his action was unanimously approved by the G=
rand
Lodge. The Grand Master constituted the following chartered at the last sessi=
on
of the Grand Lodge: November 12, 1892, Roseville No.566, at Roseville, Muskingum County;
November 26, 1892, Omega No.564, at Defiance, Defiance County; and issued
special proxies to the following Brothers who constituted the following
Lodges: December 8, 1892, No.565, at Negley, by Bro. L. L. Truesdale; 10,
1892, Trinity No.556, at Bucyrus, John Blyth; Linwood No.567, at Linwood,
Hamilton County, by Bro. L. C. Goodale. The Grand Master dedicated the following Masonic buildings: February 13, 1893, Hall of York Lodge 563 at Columbus; June 27, 1893, =
Hall
of Racine Lodge 461 at Racine; October 4, 1893, Masonic Temple at Mansfie=
ld. And the following were dedicated by proxy: February 18, 1893, Hall of Ely Lodge 424 by Bro. A. E. Merrill; May 5,
1893, Hall of Tuscan Lodge 342 by Bro. C. E. Haman. On January 18, 1893, at the meeting of McMillan Lodge No.141, at
Cincinnati, the Past Grand Master's jewel voted to Past Grand Master Levi=
C.
Goodale at the last Communication of this Grand Lodge, was presented to a=
nd
received by him in a response in which he expressed his high appreciation=
of
the honor and his devotion to the principles of the Order. W. Bro. J. W. Chamberlin, on June 9, 1893, under special proxy, laid t=
he
corner stone of the New Central High School building at Tiffin. Reports a large number of visitations for the inspection of the work,
social occasions, installing officers, etc., among which was his visit to
Sanford L. Collins Lodge No.396, at Toledo, when the M. M. degree was
conferred by the first officers of the Lodge. These veterans who, twenty-=
five
years ago, started this Lodge on its useful career, rendered the work, if=
not
with the accuracy measured by the revised ritual, certainly with zeal and
impressiveness. Announces the death of R. F. Sir William Thomas Walker, Past Grand
Commander of the Grand Commandery of Ohio, Knights Templars, and a number=
of
distinguished Brethren from other Grand Jurisdictions. The Grand Treasurer submitted his report showing a balance on hand Oct=
ober
14, 1893, of $26,330.30 in the general fund and $428.50 in the charity fu=
nd;
total, $26,758.80; net increase during the year, $3,998.46. The Grand Secretary's report shows: Present membership, 38,089; net ga=
in
for the year, 1,045; number of active Lodges, 494. Telegrams of fraternal greetings were exchanged between the Grand Lodg=
es
of Ohio and Kentucky. The Committee on Revision of the Code and Preparation of a Monitor
submitted a full copy of a Monitor for the use of Lodges throughout the
state, which was adopted and ordered to be inserted in the printed
proceedings of this session, which was done (pages 435-460). The Grand Master having in his address called attention to the fact th=
at
since the close of the litigation with Bucyrus Lodge a number of the form=
er
members of said Lodge now defunct, claiming they had not participated in =
the
rebellious acts, but remained loyal to this Grand Lodge, had applied to h=
im
and the Grand Secretary for certificates in order that they might apply to
Trinity or some other Lodge for admittance. The matter was referred to the
Judiciary Committee, which reported as follows: "That, having given attention to the matter of granting certifica=
tes
to members of defunct Lodges we recommend that applicants for such be
required to sign the prescribed petition, and to secure the recommendatio=
n of
the Lodge within whose jurisdiction they reside. We recommend that on the
presentation of applications thus recommended, and he being satisfied that
all dues to the late Lodge of the petitioner have been paid, the Grand
Secretary issue certificate of good standing. In this connection we are n=
ow
constrained to offer a word of caution to Lodges making recommendations t=
hat
they do not recommend any improper persons;" which was unanimously
adopted. The committee also heartily approved all the suggestions and statement=
s of
the Grand Master on th subject of "Clandestine Lodges" in his
address, which was unanimously approved by the Grand Lodge. The report of the Committee on Necrology was presented, approved, and
ordered printed in the proceedings. The petition of Allen S. W. Huffman, a former member of New England Lo=
dge
No.4, located a Worthington, who was expelled by this Grand Lodge at its =
1891
session for participation in the rebellious acts of said Lodge and assist=
ing
in Organizing the Clandestine Grand Lodge at Worthington, and who now
renounces, annuls, withdraws, and forever disclaims any allegiance to the=
se
and all clandestine bodies and prays to be reinstated and restored to law=
ful
membership in the Order, was presented t the Grand Lodge and referred to a
special committee to investigate, and report to the next Annual Communica=
tion
of this Grand Lodge. The Committee on Charters and Dispensations reported in favor of appro=
ving
the consolidation of Mt Vernon Lodge No.64 with Norwalk Lodge No.467, and=
in
favor of granting a charter to National Lodge No.568, at Barberton, which
report was unanimously adopted. MASONIC HOME Brother J. M. Stull, President of the Ohio Masonic Home, presented his
report showing the total The contracts awarded for the building now in construction are for: A part of the subscription is past due, and another installment will be
due November 1, 1893, at which time the Administration Building will prob=
ably
be under roof. This report was referred to the Committee on Charity who reported that
Blue Lodge Masonry has contributed to the Home $16,595.80, Chapter Masonr=
y,
$16,379.50, Templar Masonry, $8,353.10, and that the Grand and Subordinate
Lodges had not contributed their share, and recommending that the Grand L=
odge
donate the sum of $5,000 additional to the fund, and that the Subordinate
Lodges and their members be urged to exert themselves in the matter of
raising additional funds for this noble work; which report and recommenda=
tion
was unanimously adopted. ORDER OF EASTERN STAR The amendment offered at the last session to Section 79 of the Code, a=
nd
laid over to this session for action to permit Chapters of the Order of t=
he
Eastern Star to occupy under certain conditions and restrictions the halls
and rooms of Subordinate Lodges was taken up and the amendment was
unanimously adopted and is now the law. See amendment in full in report of
last year. M.·. W.·. Bro. Allen Andrews was re-elected Grand Master,
and the other elective Grand Officers were re-elected to fill their prese=
nt
stations, and the appointive Officers were reappointed and confirmed to f=
ill
their present stations and all were duly installed. Columbus was selected as the place, and October 24, A. D. 1894, as the
time of holding the next Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge. The Committee on Foreign Correspondence reported recommending the reco=
gnition
of the Grand Lodges of Tasmania and New Zealand, which was unanimously
adopted, and these Grand Lodges welcomed as sister Grand Jurisdictions. The same committee presented its report reviewing the proceedings of
sixty-seven Grand Lodges, and covering 253 pages-91 to 343-the historical
part covering 12 pages. OHIO MASONIC VETERANS The Association met in the Masonic Temple, Cleveland. A large class of
candidates among whom were M.·. W.·. Allen Andrews, Grand
Master, M. Past Grand Master J. M. Goodspeed, R.·. W.·. Wm.=
B.
Melish, Senior Grand Warden, and Bro. J. M. Stull, President of the Mason=
ic
Home, was elected, received, and welcomed, after which an elegant banquet
furnished by the Fraternity of Cleveland was enjoyed. 1894 M.·. W.·. ALLEN ANDREWS, GRAND MASTER Grand Lodge convened at the Board of Trade Auditorium, Columbus,
Wednesday, October 24, A. D. 1894, with Grand Master Allen Andrews in the
Chair, and all the Grand Officers present, except Bro. Charles Brown, Gra=
nd
Treasurer, who was detained by illness; and also the following Past Grand
Masters: C. A. Woodward, R. C. Lemmon, Wm. M. Cunningham, C. C. Kiefer, S=
. S.
Williams, L. Burdick, L. C. Goodale and J. M. Goodspeed, and Past Deputy =
Grand
Masters W. J. Akers and J. L'H. Long, and Emeritus Grand Secretary John D.
Caldwell present, and the representatives from 479 Lodges in attendance, =
15
Lodges being unrepresented. Brother Leander Burdiek, Past Grand Master, announced the death of Bro=
ther
H. Clay Landis, and moved the Grand Secretary be authorized to wire the
members of his family the sympathy of this Grand Lodge, which was adopted=
. The Grand Master read his annual address reporting: That on invitation=
May
3, 1894, he attended the laying of the corner stone of the Masonic Temple=
at
Richmond, Indiana, and met the present Grand Master of that jurisdiction =
and
many other distinguished Masons. He calls attention to the subject of
"perpetual jurisdiction" and some of the vexatious questions ar=
ising
thereunder, and suggests some action be taken in reference thereto. Refer=
s to
the action of the Grand Lodge of Colorado in relation to celebrating the
centennial of George Washington's death, with proper memorial services at=
Mt.
Vernon by the representatives of the Grand Lodges in America. Reports sev=
en
decisions which were referred to the Jurisprudence Committee and by it and
the Grand Lodge approved. Pursuant to the action of the Grand Lodge at its last session the state
was divided into twenty-five districts, and one District Lecturer appoint=
ed
for each, who made inspections and rendered instruction to the Lodges in
their districts, resulting in much benefit to the craft in a reawakened
interest, renewed effort, a broader charity, closer brotherhood, and a hi=
gher
manhood. All factions have disappeared, and harmony prevails." A
synopsis of the reports of the Lecturers is given. EASTERN STAR The amendment of Rule 79 of the Code at last session has been attended
with good results, and it is manifest there was wisdom in "conferrin=
g on
Subordinate Lodges the authority to permit Chapters of the Order of the
Eastern Star, composed of Masons true and loyal to the Grand Lodge, and of
their mothers, wives, sisters and daughters, to occupy the Lodge rooms un=
der proper
restrictions. "This provision not only added many Chapters to the Order of the
Eastern Star throughout the state, but greatly revived interest and zeal =
in
Masonry in many localities, and it is no small thing that our Fraternity =
is
exalted in the minds of our mothers, wives, sisters and daughters, and th=
us
cherished in the hearts of those we best love on earth." Union City Lodge No.270, located at Union City, which lies on both sid=
es
of the state line between Ohio and Indiana, failing to arrange with Turpin
Lodge No.401, of Indiana, also situated in Union City, surrendered its
charter and effects, which were accepted and the books and jewels were se=
nt
to the Grand Secretary. Last July a disastrous fire at Edon destroyed the hall and all the eff=
ects
of Edon Lodge No.474, and many of the members lost their homes and all th=
eir
possessions; and at the request of the W. M. he had granted permission for
the Lodge to apply to the Lodges in this jurisdiction for such contributi=
ons
for relief as might be offered. On invitations the Grand Master laid the corner stones of the following
public buildings in due and ancient form, and with proper Masonic ceremon=
ies: May 17, 1894, the corner stone of the courthouse of Harrison County at
Cadiz. September 26, 1894, the corner stone of the Soldiers' Memorial buildin=
g of
Logan County at Bellefontaine. Bellefontaine Lodge No.209 presented the G=
rand
Master a silver trowel inscribed with Masonic emblems, commemorative of t=
he
occasion. October 18, 1894, Bro. Chas. A. Woodward, P. G. M., under proxy from t= he Grand Master, laid the corner stone of the Armory building in Cleveland.<= o:p> Reports a number of visitations made during the year to various Lodges=
. Reappointed Bros. George D. McBride and M. J. Mack as trustees of the
Masonic Home. Received a petition from a number of the members of Paulding Lodge No.=
502
for the restoration of its charter, which is referred to the Grand Lodge =
for
action. On June 28, the Grand Master dedicated the new Masonic Temple at Delta=
. Under authority from the Grand Master M.·. W.·.Bro. C. F.
Clapp dedicated the new Hall of Harbor Lodge No.558, and under proxies, B=
ro.
C. C. Bat constituted National Lodge No.568, at Barberton and dedicated t=
he
Hall of Hudson Lodge No.510. A number of the members of New England Lodge No.4, who had always rema=
ined
loyal to this Grand Lodge and had never been expelled, applied to the Gra=
nd
Master to be restored and have the interdicted against them removed, and
after due investigation that was done as to those who had remained faithf=
ul
and had never been expelled, and the Lodge was reorganized, through the
efforts of Brothers Ralph R. Rickly and S. S. Williams. Several members who were expelled by the Grand Lodge have renounced and
withdrawn from the cladestine body and filed their applications for
reinstallment, which are submitted to the Grand Lodge for action. R .·. W.·. Bro. W. B. Melish, Senior Grand Warden, wrote
last April suggesting the Masons Ohio erect a monument to the memory of o=
ur
deceased Bro. Rev. LaFayette VanCleve, who served as Grand Chaplain of th=
is
Grand Lodge from 1877 to his death in 1892, also of the Grand Chapter for
many years and as Grand Prelate of the Grand Commandery Knights Templars =
of
Ohio for twenty-three years which met with approval, and contributions
request from Lodges and Masons. R. .W. Bro. W. B. Melish as Special Committee reported that the monume=
nt
had been procured, and on Sunday, October 14, dedicated with appropriate
services in the presence of a large assembly of Masons and citizens, and
reports the financial statement as follows: Total amount collected . . . $967.44 which balance it is proposed to expend in placing a "VanCleve
Memorial Window" in the Chapel of the Ohio Masonic Home at Springfie=
ld,
Ohio. The Grand Treasurer submitted his report showing a balance on hand in
General fund of $14,491.94, and Charity fund of $428.50. Total, $14,920.4=
4. The Grand Secretary reported number of active Lodges, October 24, 1894,
495; total members, 38,851; that he had a number of extra copies (over 50=
0)
of the Monitor printed and bound up in smaller sized pages at a cost of
$90.00, and had sold sufficient to amount to $77.75, and had 192 copies,
worth $48.00, on hand, for sale as called for; that with the consent of t=
he
Grand Master he had purchased a safe for the preservation of the Grand Lo=
dge
records at a cost of $270.00; that in addition to the balance of $14,920.=
44
shown in the Treasurer's hands, he had in his hands the sum of $9,953.70
Grand Dues collected and held by order of the Grand Master on account of =
the
serious illness of the Grand Treasurer, to pay the expenses of this sessi=
on
of the Grand Lodge, and exhibited a certified check on the National LaFay=
ette
Bank of Cincinnati, to be turned over for that purpose, and the balance
turned over to the Grand Treasurer at the close of this session. The Grand Master, after announcing the serious illness of the Grand
Treasurer, appointed Bro. Ed. E. Townley as Grand Treasurer pro tem for t=
his
session of the Grand Lodge; and by a unanimous standing vote the Grand
Secretary was directed to wire Bro. Charles Brown the sincere sympathies =
and
best wishes of the Grand Lodge. Charters were granted for the following new Lodges: Wayne, No.569, at Waynesfield, Auglaize County Duplicate charters were granted to the following Lodges, in lieu of th=
eir
original charters destroyed by fire: Fulton Lodge No.248, Bartlett Lodge No.293, Edon Lodge No.474, and Ham=
er
Lodge No.167. The removal of Fairview Lodge No.446 from Fairview, Guernsey County, to
Hendrysburg, in Belmont County, was approved. The surrender of the charter of Union City Lodge No.270 was approved.<= o:p> THE MASONIC HOME R.·. W.·. J. H. Bromwell, Secretary of the Ohio Masonic
Home, on behalf the Board of Trustees, submitted their report showing in
detail the donations, subscriptions and cash payments to August 3, A. D.
1894, the summary being as follows: Total cash receipts during the year just ended . $23,310.79 The total obligations on outstanding contracts . $30,120.16 The amount of unpaid subscriptions is $24,686.98, about one-third of w=
hich
is now due, but a portion is probably uncollectible by reason of the deat=
h,
removal or business reverses of the subscribers. This report was referred to the Committee on Charity, which reported
recommending a donation of $5,000 to be applied to the completion of the
Home, which report and recommendation were adopted. The Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence recommended the approval of the
Grand Master's decisions, which report was adopted. R.·. W.·. Bro. John D. Caldwell, retiring from the posit=
ion
of Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, near this Grand
Lodge, turned Over the jewel of his office to his successor, R.·.
W.·. Bro. William B. Melish, in an eloquent and pleasing address,
referring to the Scotch ancestry of Brother Melish and his eminent fitness
for the position, to which Brother Melish responded in a feeling and eloq=
uent
manner. The Committee on Grievances, to which was referred the petition of H. =
C.
Tipton for reinstatement, recommended that it be referred to a special
committee to investigate and report to the next session of the Grand Lodg=
e;
also that the action of Grand Master Andrews in interdiction against cert=
ain
members of rebellious Lodges, who had never been expelled, be approved, a=
nd
further that those Brethren who were expelled for the above cause may be
restored to good standing in the Fraternity upon petition to the Grand Lo=
dge
setting forth their renunciation of, and all connection with, such
clandestine bodies by unanimous consent of the Grand Lodge, all of which
recommendations and report were adopted. The committee appointed at the last session to consider the applicatio=
n of
A. S. W. Huffman, former member of New England Lodge No.4, and expelled in
1891, reported in favor of granting him a certificate of good standing, w=
hich
was adopted. Brother James W. Staton, M.·. W.·. Past Grand Master of
Masons of Kentucky, was introduced, received and welcomed with the Grand
Honors, and responded in an eloquent address, congratulating the Fraterni=
ty
in Ohio upon their Masonic home, and urging them to contribute liberally =
for
its completion and maintenance. A committee was appointed to prepare a design for a District Lecturer's
jewel, ascertain the cost, and report to the next session of the Grand Lo=
dge. The following resolution was unanimously adopted: "Resolved, That it is improper, because inviting to improvidence =
in
the present, and therefore unjust to those who succeed the present
membership, for Lodges to receive from their members dues in bulk in lieu=
of annual
dues, and that the Grand Lodge declares any such regulation or By-Law
inexpedient and void." By unanimous vote the property taken by the Grand Master at the time of
the arrest of the charter of Paulding Lodge No.502, and formerly the prop=
erty
of said Lodge, was voted and donated to The Widow's Son Lodge No.571, loc=
ated
at Paulding. The Committee on Code Revision submitted a report, which was adopted a=
nd
ordered published. The following resolution was unanimously adopted: "Resolved, That this Grand Lodge send a communication to the Gove=
rnor
of Ohio, notifying him that New England Lodge No.4, as reorganized, is the
only body recognized by this Grand Lodge as New England Lodge No.4, the
beneficiary of the title to the property conveyed by deed to the Governor=
of
Ohio for the use of New England No.4 and Horeb Chapter No.3." M.·. W.·. Bro. S. S. Williams, as Chairman Committee on
Masonic History, composed of himself P. G. M. C. C. Kiefer and Bro. John =
E.
McVey, reported progress and was granted further time. This is the last
report of any kind made by this committee to the Grand Lodge and no part =
of
the propose history was ever reported or presented by this committee to t=
he
Grand Lodge. Brother Carroll F. Clapp was elected Most Worshipful Grand Master; Bro=
. William
B. Melish, Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master; Bro. Barton Smith, Right
Worshipful Senior Grand Warden Bro. Chas. F. Baldwin, Right Worshipful Ju=
nior
Grand Warden; Bro. Charles Brown, Grand Treasurer, and Bro. J. H. Bromwel=
l,
Grand Secretary and the Grand Lodge Officers were installed. Springfield was selected as the place, and Wednesday, October 23, A. D.
1895, as the time of holding the next Annual Grand Communication. The Committee on Foreign Correspondence granted leave to have its repo=
rt
printed in the proceedings, and covers 303 pages, reviewing the proceedin=
gs
of sixty English speaking Lodges and eleven non-English; the historical n=
otes
containing interesting letters from V.·. W.·. Bro. W. Hugha=
n,
of Dunscore, Torquay, England, and V.·. W.·. Bro. Robert Fr=
eke
Gould, of Kingfield, Woking, Surrey, England; and the other parts valuable
tables of statistics relating to Masonry throughout the world, makes it a
compendium of useful information to the Masonic student, and well worth a
careful perusal. A Past Grand Master's jewel was voted to Bro. Allen Andrews to be
presented by the Grand Master, C. F. Clapp. The following statement of the cost, maintenance, etc., of Homes in st=
ates
where established, will be of interest: COST OF BUILDINGS, LANDS AND IMPROVEMENTS Illinois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 66,000.00 NUMBER OF INMATES Illinois . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .38 ANNUAL COST OF MAINTENANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Expenditures =
. .
. . . . .Interest OHIO MASONIC VETERANS The Ohio Masonic Veterans met in Masonic Hall. M.·. W.·.
Bro. James W. Staton, Past Grand Master of Kentucky, was introduced and
elected an honorary member of the Association. A large class was elected =
introduced
and welcomed as new members. Bro. S. Williams was re-elected President and
appointed delegate to the National Convention to be held in Boston, Mass.=
, in
1895. The veterans enjoyed a banquet prepared by Lodges of Columbus. 1895 M.·. W.·. CARROLL F. CLAPP, GRAND MASTER Grand Lodge convened at the City Hall, in Springfield, Wednesday, Octo=
ber
23, A. D .1895, with Grand Master Carroll F. Clapp in the Chair, all the
Grand Officers, except the Junior Grand Deacon, in their station, and Past
Grand Masters C. A. Woodward, Wm. M. Cunningham, R. C. Lemmon, C. C. Kief=
er,
S. S. Williams, L. Burdick, Levi C. Goodale, J. M. Goodspeed, and Allen
Andrews, Past Deputy Grand Masters W. J. Akers and J. L'H. Long, and Emer=
itus
Grand Secretary John D. Caldwell, and the representatives of 485 Lodges
present. The Grand Master read his annual address, reporting the death on Novem=
ber
6, A. D. 1894, of R.·. W.·. Charles Brown, Grand Treasurer =
of
this Grand Lodge for the past fifteen years, and the convening of a speci=
al
session of the Grand Lodge on November 9, under charge of R.·.
W.·. Bro. William B. Melish, Deputy Grand Master, for the purpose =
of
conducting the funeral services of the Order over his remains, and Brother
Melish in his detailed report of the beautiful and solemn Masonic services
held in the Scottish Rite Cathedral in Cincinnati, pays a fitting tribute=
to
the private and Masonic life and character of our lamented Brother, which
will be found on pages 63 to 67 of the Grand Lodge proceedings. Also announces the death on May 8, A. D. 1895, of R.·. W.&middo=
t;.
Bro. Dr. Charles Moore Godfrey, Past Deputy Grand Master, at the advanced=
age
of seventy-eight years, ten months and twenty-one days, and the convening=
of
a special session of the Grand Lodge May 11, when the last sad rites of o=
ur
Order were held over his remains. He served this Grand Lodge as R.·=
;.
W.·. Junior Grand Warden from 1880 to 1881 as R.·. W.&middo=
t;.
Senior Grand Warden from 1882 to 1883, as Deputy Grand Master in 1885, an=
d on
account of his advanced years declined to allow his name to be used for t=
he
office of Grand Master. At the request of the Grand Master, R.·.
W.·. Past Deputy Grand Master J. L'H. Long, prepared a sketch of t=
he
private and Masonic character and life of Brother Godfrey, which is found=
in
the proceedings (pages 430 to 432), and was printed separately and
distributed. The terms of Bro. John M. Stull and M.·. W.·. Bro. L.
Burdick as trustees of the Masonic Home having expired, the Grand Master
re-appointed them for a term of three years, saying: "These Brothers=
had
labored so earnestly for the success of the Home, and have been so
prominently connected with it from the inception of the enterprise, that I
felt assured their re-appointment would meet the hearty approval of all
interested." On December 1, 1894, R.·. W.·. Bro. Ralph B. Rickly was
appointed Grand Treasurer to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Bro.
Charles Brown. He furnished bond in the amount of $20,000 without expense=
to
the Grand Lodge, and on January 1, A. D. 1895, when the funds of the Grand
Lodge were transferred, immediately secured interest-bearing certificates,
and the accrued interest earned is $240.00, which the Grand Master recomm=
ends
be donated to the Masonic Home. Bro. R. R. Rickly was installed as Grand
Treasurer in Goodale Lodge by proxy, D. N. Kinsman, December 10, A. D. 18=
94. Dispensations for new Lodges were granted as follows: CHARTERS ARRESTED On March 25, 1895, arrested the charter and took charge of the books,
jewels and effects of Central Lodge No.279, located at Calais, Monroe Co.,
the Lodge having failed to hold any meetings for several years and its
membership being below the constitutional number. The charter and effects
were deposited with the Grand Secretary. On August 21, 1895, the charter of Kennonsburg Lodge No.480, was arres=
ted
for the same cause and its effects sent to the Grand Secretary. CORNER STONE On May 11, 1895, with the assistance of Ohio City Lodge No. 486 and a
number of adjoining Lodges from Ohio and West Virginia, in the presence o=
f a
large concourse of people, the Grand Master the corner stone of the new
Central School building at Martins Ferry, Belmont County. The col stone bears the following inscription: "Ohio City Lodge No.486, F. & A. M. Issued special proxies for the constitution of new Lodges chartered at=
the
last session and installation of their officers to the following Brothers=
: November 27, 1894, to Bro. F. H. Johns, Wayne No.569, at Waynesfield;
December 21, 1894, to Bro. E. H. Johns, Continental No.570, at Continenta=
l;
January 30, 1895, to Bro. Allen Andrews, The Widow's Son No.571, at Pauld=
ing;
all of which were promptly executed. On November 16, 1894, the Grand Master dedicated the Lodge room of Wes=
tern
Reserve Lodge No.507 at West Farmington. This was a gala day West Farming=
ton,
all the shops and factories be closed, and the day devoted to Masonry. Special proxies were issued to the following Brothers to dedicate Maso=
nic
Halls and Lodge room Reports that each Lodge has been officially visited during the past ye=
ar,
and a written report of its condition filed with the Grand Master, these
reports being on blanks specially prepared for that purpose, and highly
commends the District Lecturers for their promptness and zeal in the
discharge of their duties. Reports a large number of visitations of Subordinate Lodges for the
purpose of inspecting the work, installation of officers, Masonic reunion=
s,
and other "Masonic social events, at all of which he found harmony a=
nd
zeal prevailing, and was received with the honors and welcome due the Gra=
nd
Master of this Grand Jurisdiction. One of these visits was to a joint mee=
ting
held by American Union Lodge No.1 and Harmar Lodge No.390, at Marietta, J=
uly
3, 1893, and he speaks in the highest terms of the cordial fraternal
reception and welcome accorded him at this city where the fires were first
lighted on the Masonic Altar in the great Northwestern Territory and says=
: "American Union Lodge No.1 has in its possession very many old and
valuable books and records that I believe this Grand Lodge should have co=
pied
and the copies placed in the hands of some competent historian, in order =
that
the material now lying unused might be properly arranged for future
reference," a valuable and timely suggestion, but unfortunately, like
many others on the same subject, was passed by unheeded and the golden
opportunity to save for the good of the Order many valuable facts and rec=
ords
that would be of inestimable value to the craft, now and in the future, h=
as
been lost. Reports nineteen decisions rendered on subjects of general interest; w=
hich
were referred to the Jurisprudence Committee, by them approved and
recommended to be published and digested in the new Code now being printe=
d,
which was adopted. Reports the Code Revision completed, highly commends the committee,
recommends that the Monitor, Forms and Ceremonies, Burial Service and a
complete index be added, and says: "The entire work when completed w=
ill
certainly be the most accurate and perfect Code ever published, and will =
be
of untold value fo the craft. It should be taken up and read in full befo=
re
every Lodge in the state." He delegated to Bro. W. B. Melish, R.·. W.·. Deputy Grand
Master, the duty of procuring and presenting the Past Grand Master's jewel
voted at the last session to M.·. W.·. Past Grand Master Al=
len
Andrews, which duty was promptly performed. Reports the kindest fraternal relations with all sister and foreign Gr=
and
Lodges with whom we have held intercourse, and recognized as legitimate, =
and
that the Grand Master of Tennessee had written him asking if he knew any
reason why the former fraternal relations existing between Ohio and Tenne=
ssee
should not be restored, to which he replied he would cheerfully endorse a=
ny
request made to that end, which resulted in an amicable understanding. Th=
is
was ratified by the Grand Lodge, and the old fraternal relations restored=
. Four Lodges lost their rooms and property by fire during the past year,
viz.: Felicity No.102, located at Felicity, Clermont County; Mount Olive
No.148, located at Chester Hill, Morgan County; Bartlett No.293, located =
at
Bartlett, Washington County; and Blanchester No.191, located at Blanchest=
er, Clinton
County. Highly commends the report of the Foreign Correspondence Committee, wh=
ich
receives the highest compliments from all other jurisdictions, and regrets
that every Master Mason in Ohio does not have the opportunity to read the
reports prepared by Past Grand Master W. M. Cunningham, who has for forty
consecutive years been in attendance at the Annual Communications of this
Grand Lodge. Congratulates the Grand Lodge on the practical completion of the main
building at the Masonic Home, and that the Home is to be dedicated by the
Grand Lodge today---"the finest structure that has ever been erected=
in
any Grand Jurisdiction by the craft for a similar purpose." He adds: "It is being urged by some that when the Home is complet=
ed
it should be turned over to the Blue Lodges to control and provide for. I
hope that you will never consent to nor accept of such a trust. The prese=
nt
plan of control has worked most admirably, having every legitimate and
recognized Masonic body of the state equal co-workers in this great cause=
of
brotherly love. * * * "The entire system from the Entered Apprentice to that of the
Thirty-Third and last Degree, should he contributors to this great and no=
ble
enterprise." Calls attention to the Order of the Eastern Star and the fact that he =
has
granted his consent for Lodge rooms to be occupied by Chapters of that or=
der
when ever the terms of the resolution of 1893 were complied with, the
conditions of said resolution, however making it almost prohibitory. He
quotes from letters received from the Worthy Grand Matron of the Order in
which she expresses the highest regard for and appreciation of the favors
extended by the Grand Lodge and on behalf of the Grand Chapter and its
fifty-three Chapters with over three thousand member tenders their assist=
ance
in building and furnishing the Masonic Home to the full extent of their
ability, and the Grand Master recommends that this spirit of charity and
benevolence should be met by a modification of the present rule and all t=
hat
should be required is a majority vote of the Lodge and the consent of the
Grand Master. Recommends that the rules be amended so as require an examination as to
the proficiency of the candidate in the M. M. Degree; that the annual due=
s be
increased, and that the District Lecturer's expenses be paid by the Grand
Lodge, stating that the entire expenses of all the District Lecturers mak=
ing
an inspection of every Lodge in the state during the past year amounted to
the sum of $1,323.38, or an average of $2.65 to each Lodge. The Committee on Code Revision made its report attaching a copy of the
revision, and its recommendation as to Decisions, By-Laws, Monitor, Forms,
Ceremonials, Burial Service, Index, etc., which was referred to a Joint
Committee composed of the Committees of Jurisprudence, Grievance, Charters
and Dispensations sitting jointly, which Joint Committee reported
recommending the Code as prepared by the committee including the By-Laws,
Rules, Resolutions, etc., be adopted as the laws and regulations of this
Grand Lodge, and the Subordinate Lodges under its jurisdiction, and that =
said
committee prepare a suitable index to the whole and have three thousand
copies printed and bound and placed in the hands of the Grand Secretary f=
or
distribution; which was unanimously adopted. M.·. W.·. Bro. R. C. Lemmon offered the following
resolution: "Resolved, That to expedite the publication of the completed Code,
now in course of preparation, Leander Burdick be added to the Code
Committee;" which was adopted. The Grand Secretary was directed to distribute the Codes as follows: To
each Lodge two copies, to remain the property of the Lodge and not to be
taken from the Lodge room; one copy to each Grand Officer, Past Grand Mas=
ter,
Past Deputy Grand Master, District Lecturer, and to each Grand Lodge with
which this Grand Lodge is in fraternal relations. Brother Harvey Vinal, a resident of Springfield, eighty-eight years of
age, and the oldest living Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of
Royal Arch Masons of Ohio, being present, was invited to a seat in the Ea=
st,
and Bro. J. H. Bromwell, M. E. Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of
Ohio, took the opportunity to present Brother Vinal an elegant Past Grand
High Priest's jewel, which had been ordered to be prepared and given to h=
im
by the Grand Chapter of Ohio. The venerable Brother made suitable respons=
e in
eloquent and touching terms. The reports of E. Townley, Assistant Grand Treasurer, who served until=
the
appointment of Bro. Ralph R. Rickly, and of Grand Treasurer Ralph R. Rick=
ly
were submitted and referred to the Committee Accounts, audited and found
correct, the account of Bro. Ralph R. Rickly showing a balance in his han=
ds
October 15, 1895, of $26,186.32 and $240.00 accrued interest credited to =
the
Grand Lodge, making a total of $26,426.32. The Grand Secretary submitted his report containing valuable statistic=
s of
the membership gains and losses, and general information for the craft,
including the following table of cash balances in the hands of the Grand
Treasurer for the past seven years, as follows: Year . . . . . Bal. on Hand . . . . . Net Gain . . . . . Net Loss Brother John M. Stull, President of the Ohio Masonic Home, presented to
the M.·. W.·. Grand Lodge a gavel made of wood cut from an
olive tree which grew in Jerusalem, and which he had been commissioned, by
the Master of the Lodge of Masons meeting in Jerusalem, to convey, with
expressions of fraternal greeting to the Grand Lodge of Ohio. The M.&midd=
ot;.
W.·. Grand Master accepted the gavel with appropriate response, and
used it for the remainder of the session. M.·. W.·. Bro. James W. Staton, Past Grand Master of
Kentucky, being present, was formally introduced, welcomed and invited to=
a
seat in the Fast, and responded in an appropriate address, Yondota, No.572, at Toledo, Lucas County Both the Grand Master and the Committee on Charters and Dispensations
heartily commend the work done by Yondota Lodge No.572, now numbering one
hundred and four members, having during the ten months of its existence U=
. D.
initiated fifty-nine and conferred the M. M. degree on fifty-five candida=
tes,
conferred in all one hundred and sixty-nine degrees, receiving therefor in
fees, $2,535.00. Duplicate charters were issued to J. B. Covert Lodge No.437, at
Withamsville; Blanchester Lodge No.191, at Blanchester, and Monitor Lodge
No.445 at Delhi, in lien of the original charters destroyed by fire. The action of the Grand Master in arresting charters of Central Lodge
No.279, at Calais, a Kennonsburg Lodge No.480, and his action in matter of
restoration of fraternal relations with Grand Lodge of Tennessee were
approved. The Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence report and recommended the adop=
tion
of the following resolutions: "Resolved, That the Worshipful Master of each and every Lodge sha=
ll
require every newly obligated Master Mason to acquire the Examination Lec=
ture
of the Master's Degree, and certify that this has be done on the annual
returns of his Lodge;" * * * which was unanimously adopted. "Resolved, That so much of the Grand Master's address as refers to
the Order of the Eastern Star be approved, and that Rule 79 of the Code be
amended by striking out from the last paragraph of said rule in line five=
the
word 'unanimous,' and in line six, the word 'all.' The paragraph will then
read as follows; "Provided, however, that any organization know and designated as a
Chapter of the Eastern Star, when composed entirely of Masons under obedi=
ence
to the Grand Lodge, and of the wives, daughters and families of such Maso=
ns,
may, with the consent of the Grand Master, and the consent of the Masonic
bodies jointly occupying such Masonic Halls, be permitted to use such Mas=
onic
Halls for festival and ceremonial purposes;" which resolution was
unanimously adopted. The Committee on Necrology reported proper testimonials to our departed
Brothers and recommended that the testimonials prepared by M.·.
W.·. Bro. Wm. B. Melish and R.·. W.·. Bro. J. L'H. L=
ong,
on the lives and characters of our lamented Brothers Charles Brown and
Charles M. Godfrey be printed in the proceedings; which was adopted. The committee on the petition of H. C. Tipton for reinstatement to good
standing in the Order reported in favor of such restoration and the same =
was
adopted. The Grievance Committee reported in favor of reinstating Isadore
Jacobs to good standing, which was adopted. When the ballots were cast for Grand Master it appeared that M.·=
;.
W.·. Carroll F. Clapp had received almost the unanimous vote of the
Grand Lodge, but he stated that while the expression in his favor was most
gratifying and very highly appreciated by him, he had long been of the
opinion that in a Grand Jurisdiction like Ohio a Grand Master should reti=
re
at the end of one term, and therefore he respectfully declined a re-elect=
ion
and requested the Grand Lodge to The second ballot resulted in the selection of Bro. William B. Melish =
as
M.·. W.·. Grand Master, and the following Brothers were ele=
cted
to fill the other elective stations: Brother Barton Smith of Toledo, R.·. W.·. Deputy Grand
Master; Bro. Nelson Williams, Hamilton R.·. W.·. Senior Gra=
nd
Warden; Bro. F. C. Gulliford of Cleveland, R.·. W.·. Junior
Grand Warden; Br B. B. Bickly, of Columbus, B. .W. Grand Treasurer; Bro. =
J.
H. Bromwell, of Cincinnati, R.·. W.·. Grand Secretary. Cincinnati was selected as the place, and Wednesday, October 21, A. D.
1896, as the time for holding the next Annual Communication of the Grand
Lodge. It was ordered that hereafter the expenses of the District Lecture=
rs
be paid by the Grand Lodge upon the approval of the Grand Master. The committee appointed to procure designs and prices for District Lec=
turer's
jewels submitted a design, and were authorized to purchase twenty-five at=
a
cost not to exceed $15.00 each, and place them the hands of the Grand Mas=
ter
for distribution. The following resolution offered by Bro. E. L. Lybarger was adopted: "Resolved, That the Grand Master be, and he is hereby, instructed=
to
purchase a Past Grand Master's jewel for each of the Past Grand Masters of
the Grand Lodge of Ohio who have not received the same at a cost not to
exceed $100.00 each." Brother Emil Baurittel, W. M., of Cincinnati Lodge No.133, arose in his
place and stated that this day was the fiftieth anniversary of the
constitution of his Lodge under its charter, and that, for the purpose of
properly celebrating this auspicious event, and to advance the great Maso=
nic
charity which the Grand Lodge had dedicated on the day previous, he was
instructed by Cincinnati Lodge No.133 to announce a donation of $1,000 to=
the
Ohio Masonic Home, of which not to exceed $250.00 was to be used in prope=
rly
furnishing a suitable room, to be selected by the representatives of said
Lodge. This generous gift met with hearty applause on the part of the members=
of
the Grand Lodge. Brother Edward F. Townley, to whom $50.00 had been voted for his servi=
ces
as Assistant Grand Treasurer, announced that he donated the amount so
appropriated to the Ohio Masonic Home, which was received with renewed
applause. The Committee on Charity reported in favor of the Grand Lodge donating=
the
sum of $10,000 to the Ohio Masonic Home, which report and recommendation =
were
adopted. A resolution instructing the Grand Secretary to furnish the library at=
the
Masonic Home a complete set of the proceedings of this Grand Lodge, and as
many of the proceedings of other Grand Jurisdictions IS he can procure was
adopted. The amendment to By-Law 16 of this Grand Lodge, offered at last session
and laid over to this, was taken up and adopted as follows: "Every Subordinate Lodge shall pay annually to the Grand Lodge, at
the stated meetings thereof, the following Grand Dues, to wit: For each
initiation, the sum of two dollars; and for each member, the gum of fifty
cents, fifteen cents of which shall each year be set apart and appropriat=
ely
by the Grand Lodge to the use of the Ohio Masonic Home." The general report of the Foreign Correspondence Committee, covering 3=
04
pages and reviewing the proceedings of sixty-two English speaking, and ten
non-English speaking Grand Lodges is printed in the proceedings (pages 12=
5 to
429) and contains a large number of valuable statistical tables and gener=
al
information as to Masonry throughout the world that can not be found in a=
ny
other publication. All the Grand Officers present were installed, and those absent were
ordered installed by their respective Lodges. DEDICATION OF THE MASONIC HOME On the afternoon of the first day of the session Wednesday, October 23=
, A.
D. 1895, the Grand Lodge, assisted by the Officers of all the Grand Bodie=
s of
Masonry in Ohio, many distinguished Masons from other states, thousands of
Masons and citizens, dedicated the Masonic Home to the uses of pure Mason=
ic
charity, the ritual and exercises having been prepare by the M.·.
W.·. Grand Master; and the following condensed account of the
proceedings, and the inception and carrying out the project, is here inse=
rted
for the information of the craft: The afternoon of October 23, 1895, was an almost perfect autumn day in=
the
city of Springfield, O. The air in the early morning was crisp and fresh =
but
warmed up in the bright sunshine of midday, until earth and sky took on a=
ll
the loveliness of a day in Indian summer. From early morning the trains centering in the city of Springfield had been bringing in Commanderies and Lodges, with their showy uniforms and w= hite aprons and their gayly-decorated bands, while hundreds of ladies, who had accompanied the visitors, lent the charm of their presence to beautify and enliven the thronged streets of the busy little city. The citizens, too, = and their neighbors from the surrounding country, made this a memorable holid= ay, and filled the public places of the city with an ever-increasing crowd. T= he workshops were closed, the houses were gayly decorated, and Springfield p= ut on its gala clothes for the most important celebration it had ever held.<= o:p> At 1 o'clock in the afternoon the procession was former, and moved at =
1:15
from the Public Square in Springfield in the following order: S. J. LAFFERTY, Grand Marshal Then followed detachments of the various Cornmanderies and their bands,
acting as escort to the Grand Lodge and the Subordinate Lodges. Following these came open carriages containing the Grand Officers of t=
he
Grand Council, Royal and Slelect Masters, the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch
Masons, and the Masonic Home Trustees. These, in their turn, were succeeded by a long procession of Master
Masons, and finally by the Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge in carriages.
The members of the Blue Lodge were under the direction of R.·.
W.·. Bro. F. C. Gulliford, Grand Marshal of the Grand Lodge, while
Comp. S. B. Markland acted in the same capacity for the Grand Chapter of
Royal Arch Masons. After moving upon several of the principal streets in the city of Spri=
ngfield,
the procession marched, by way of the old National Road, to the Home Grou=
nds,
and was massed as a solid body in front of the Grand Stand, which had been
erected at the entrance to the Masonic Home building. Upon the immense porch, which was to serve as a stage, assembled the
principal officers of each of the Grand Bodies, the members of the Board =
of
Trustees of the Home, and a large number of ladies who had accompanied th=
em,
while the roof of the porch, and the stands which had been erected at eit=
her
end, contained not less than a thousand spectators. At 3 o'clock the exercises were opened with the Overture "Frisch,
Frei, Stark, Treu," from Keisler, rendered by the Warren Commandery
Band. This was followed by the report of the Secretary of the Home, Bro. =
J.
H. Bromwell, to the Trustees, as follows: REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OHIO MASONIC HOME To the Trustees of the Ohio Masonic Home: BRETHREN--I submit the following as a brief report on the inception,
progress, and completion of the structure which we today dedicate to the
relief of distressed Masons, their widows and orphans. PRELIMINARY At the session of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State =
of
Ohio, held at Springfield, October 3, 1888, the M. E. Grand High Priest,
Comp. W. B. Hulman, called attention to the fact that there existed no
provisions for the care, maintenance, and comfort of worthy, infirm, and =
aged
Master Masons, or for the care and protection of Masonic widows and orpha=
ns
under the direction and control of the Grand Bodies of Ohio. He recommend=
ed
the purchase of from fifty to one hundred acres and the construction ther=
eon
of a Masonic Home, and suggested that for the proper consideration and
presentation of the matter to the various Grand Bodies, committees of thr=
ee
from each should be appointed to confer together and recommend suitable
action to the Grand Bodies which they represented. This portion of the Grand High Priest's address was referred to a
Committee on Charity, consisting of Companions J. H. Bromwell, J. W. Unde=
rhill,
and C. C. Park, who recommended the appointment of committees as suggeste=
d by
the Grand High Priest Hillman, and their recommendation was duly adopted =
by
the Grand Chapter; and the successor of Comp. Hillman, M. E. Grand High
Priest J. W. Iredell, Jr., appointed as the committee to represent the Gr=
and
Chapter, Comps. W. B. Hillman, W. W. Savage, and J. H. Bromwell. At the session of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, held October 24, 1888, a
similar action was taken, and the then Grand Master Leander Burdick appoi=
nted
as the committee from the Grand Lodge, Bros. J. W. Iredell, Jr., Henry
Perkins, and C. C. Kiefer. Similar action was also taken by the Grand Commandery Knights Templars=
of
Ohio, at its Annual Conclave held August 14, 1889, and Sir Samuel F. Forb=
es,
Sir G. B. Harman, and Sir Edwin Morrell were appointed as a committee. At the session of the Grand Council Royal and Select Masters, held
September 10, 1889, Illustrious Comps. Levi C. Goodale, John W. Chamberli=
n,
and Timothy S. Matthews were appointed to represent that body. This joint committee from the various Grand Bodies met in the office of
the Grand Secretary, Cincinnati, Ohio, July 20, 1889, and prepared a leng=
thy
report, outlining briefly what other Grand Jurisdictions had done in the =
way
of Masonic Homes, making suggestions as to the manner of raising funds,
discussing the desirability of the different kinds of Homes, making some
suggestions as to location and probable cost; and this report was submitt=
ed
to the various Grand Bodies, and was adopted by them at their next succee=
ding
Annual Session. The same joint committee were, by the various Grand Bodie=
s,
including the Council of Deliberation of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish
Rite, authorized to procure articles of incorporation for the Ohio Masonic
Home, which they accordingly did on the 25th day of February, 1890, and
adopted a Constitution which provided, among other things, for the
appointment of six Trustees from the Grand Lodge, three each from the Gra=
nd
Chapter and Grand Commandery, one from the Grand Council, and two from the
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. PERMANENT ORGANIZATION The first Board of Trustees appointed under this Constitution consiste=
d of
the following members: From the Grand Lodge - Bros. Charles C. Kiefer, J. H. Bromwell, J. W.
Iredell, John Stull, Charles A. Woodward, and Geo. D. McBride. These Trustees organized by electing the following officers: President=
, J.
W. Iredell, Jr.; First Vice-President, W. J. Akers; Second Vice-President,
Leander Burdick; Third Vice-President, Edwin Momrell; Secretary, J. H.
Bromwell; Treasurer, J. W. Chamberlin. The first subscriptions were made by members of the Board of Trustees,=
as
follows: Leander Burdick, $500; G. B. Harman, $100; L. C. Goodale, $100; =
J.
W. Iredell, Jr., $100; John M. Stull, $100; W. B. Melish, $100. PROPOSITIONS FOR LOCATION Propositions were received from various localities for the location of=
the
Home, which finally narrowed down to the consideration of four points; vi=
z.,
Tiffin, Columbus, Springfield, and Newark. The location offered by
Springfield, consisting of something over one hundred and fifty acres, was
finally selected, and the building which we dedicate today was placed in
process of construction by the selection of Bro. John Eisenman as archite=
ct. FINANCIAL The total amount of subscriptions received up to the present time from
various sources, and the total expenditures, are as follows: Receipts from Lodges . . . . . .$38,537.63 EXPENDITURES Printing, books, stationery . . . $671.19 Leaving a balance, after paying all bills and amounts due on contracts=
, of
$438.23. The total amount of subscriptions unpaid . . . .$10,622.52 The names of the officers and members of the Board of Trustees at the
present time are as follows: OFFICERS Brother John M. Stull, President; Bro. J. W. Iredell, Jr., First
Vice-President; Bro. William J. Akers, Second Vice-President; Bro. J. W.
Chamberlin, Treasurer; Bro. J. H. Bromwell, Secretary. Other members: Bro=
s.
Charles C. Kiefer, Edward Harford, Asa S. Bushnell, Leander Burdick, Levi=
C.
Goodale, B. D. Babcock, Edwin Morrell, William B. Melish, George D. McBri=
de,
M. J. Mack. Fraternally submitted Then followed an address to the M.·. W.·. Grand Master by
Bro. John M. Stull, President of the Board, requesting him to consecrate =
and
dedicate the Home to the uses and purposes for which it was intended, the
address of Brother Stull being as follows: ADDRESS OF JOHN M. STULL, PRESIDENT OF THE HOME To the Masons and Masonic Bodies here present: BROTHERS – It is fitting that we meet here today in the city of
Springfield to commemorate the completion of this beautiful structure, ha=
ving
its origin in one of the noblest sentiments that can inspire human
action-love for our fellows-and now about to be dedicated to one of the
holiest purposes-human charity-and, in so doing, to give a very brief acc=
ount
of the origin, progress, and completion of the work. In the year A. D. 1888, the Annual Convocation of the Grand Chapter of
Royal Arch Masons was held in this city. Comp. William B. Hillman, who was
then Most Excellent Grand High Priest, in his address to the Companions t=
here
assembled, introduced the subject of conferring with the other Grand Bodi=
es
of Masonry in relation to the establishment of a Masonic Home in the Stat=
e of
Ohio; and after referring to the benevolent and charitable institutions of
the state – the good they were doing – and speaking of the Maso=
nic
Homes in other states, closed by saying, "Are their obligations and
necessities greater than ours ?" and added: "I would therefore
respectfully suggest to this Grand Chapter that they appoint a committee =
of
three to confer with a like committee to be hereafter appointed by the Gr=
and
Lodge and the Grand Commandery (should these bodies concur), to agree upon
the amount to be collected, and arrange other details to accomplish this =
most
noble charity." At the same session the Committee on Charities repor=
ted
that it most heartily indorsed the language of the Grand High Priest, and=
was
in full accord and sympathy with him upon the subject of establishing a
Masonic Home in the state of Ohio for the relief of worthy aged and infirm
Masons and their families. It is remarkable that, in 1889, just six years ago today, the Grand Lo=
dge
passed its resolution indorsing this great movement. From that time, move=
d by
the inspiration of Divine Providence and love of mankind, the work began =
to
assume shape. All the other Grand Bodies became interested, fell into lin=
e,
and joined the noble enterprise. Immediate action was taken to become
incorporated under the laws of the state of Ohio, and to be known as
"The Ohio Masonic Home." The incorporation was perfected;
Constitution and By-Laws formulated and adopted; trustees appointed and
qualified, and executive officers chosen. Money was needed and subscriptions called for, one Brother after anoth=
er,
and Masonic body after Masonic body, came royally to its support; and so =
the
work of raising money has gone on until the grand sum of $125,101.95 has =
been
raised and paid into the treasury of the Home. While all the contributions
have been generous, I wish to make especial mention of the Grand Chapter =
of
Royal Arch Masons for its large and magnificent donations, aggregating the
total sum of $29,546.75. The several Grand Bodies enlisted in the buildin=
g of
the Home are: The Grand Lodge, the Grand Council, the Grand Chapter, the
Grand Commandery, and the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. Each of these
bodies is represented by Trustees selected from their number-fifteen in a=
ll. The next duty of the Trustees was to select a site upon which to erect=
a
suitable building. Different cities were visited in search of a desirable
place. After impartially considering the various locations, their
surroundings and advantages, the Trustees decided to take the one where we
now are. The site – including 153 acres of land, and a contribution =
of
$11,000 in money – was the grand offering of the city of Springfield=
. This magnificent Home is before you for inspection. It is beautifully
located. It has all the mode conveniences, and when entirely completed wi=
ll
rank among the grand and imposing structures of the state. The Masons of =
Ohio
may justly be proud of it. The architect has spared no pains or expense to
give us a model structure; and under the tasteful and painstaking directi=
on
of the Building Committee, the work has progressed without friction, movi=
ng
along under skilled workmen from its foundation to its dome. There are one hundred rooms, ninety-three of which are living rooms, a=
ll
finished save Memorial Hall. Much work is needed to be done outside to ma=
ke
the surroundings attractive and homelike. But if we shall be favored with=
the
continued donations and help of our Masonic Brothers of Ohio, we expect by
April 1, 1896, to have every room furnished, and the Home and its
surroundings in perfect order, ready to receive its inmates and begin its
noble work of caring for those less fortunate than ourselves. Several Lodges have already advised the Trustees of their desire to
furnish rooms. Two or three Chapters of the Eastern Star are taking steps=
to
the same end, and many more will doubtless do so. Let the good work go on.
Let every Lodge and every other Masonic Body in the state of Ohio, includ=
ing
the Eastern Star, furnish one room, or assist in doing so, and give notic=
e to
the Assistant Secretary, Bro. John W. Parsons, before leaving Springfield=
, of
its intention so to do. And for all this work our Father, God, will reward
you; and, in His name and in love for our own, I make this appeal, knowin=
g, "If thy burden is hard and heavy, And now, as we turn over the results of our labors to the Grand Master=
of
the State, to be Masonically dedicated to the holy purpose for which it is
intended, and remembering that there still "abideth faith, hope,
charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity," in the =
name
of that heavenly virtue, we invoke upon this Home the beneficent blessing=
of
the Supreme Master and Architect of the Universe, that it may be perpetua=
l,
an honor to the craft, and a refuge and safe Home for worthy and distress=
ed
Masons and their families. Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted
Masons in Ohio! this Temple, which commands our attention today, was built
with the generous offerings of Masons, Lodges, Councils, Chapters,
Commanderies, and Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Bodies throughout the st=
ate
of Ohio. Its inception had its origin in love for the indigent of the cra=
ft,
their widows and orphans. The Home is nearly completed, and will soon be
ready for the uses for which it was designed. And now, Most Worshipful Grand Master! at the special request of the B=
oard
of Trustees of the Ohio Masonic Home, I have the honor to ask you in their
behalf, and in the behalf of the forty thousand Masons in Ohio, and the
respective Grand Bodies of our noble Order, to dedicate and consecrate th=
is
Temple to the uses for which it was designed; namely, to the care of indi=
gent
Master Masons, their families, and the widows and orphans of deceased wor=
thy
Brothers throughout the state of Ohio. And we trust that, as the years ro=
ll
on, Heaven will still, as in the past, uphold and guide the work, until t=
he
Order, wearing "crowns of glory, and with palms of victory," wi=
ll
enter the Home where the "weary shall ever find rest" and
Fraternity live on forever. The Grand Architect, Bro. J. W. Iredell, of Cincinnati, who, as the fi=
rst
President of the Home, a afterwards as the Chairman of its Building
Committee, has been most prominently identified with every detail of the
work, then delivered to the Grand Master the implements of his office, wh=
ich
had been intrusted to him at the laying of the corner stone, informing the
M.·. W.·. Grand Master that the duty then assigned to him h=
ad
been performed, and the building stood completed; the following being his
language: To the M.·. W.·. Grand Master: Having been intrusted with the responsible duty of supervising the
constructing of this edifice, and the management of the workmen employed =
in
its erection, and having, according to the best of my ability discharged =
the
duties with which I was intrusted, I now surrender the implements committ=
ed
to my care when the foundation of this building was laid. I trust that my
exertions and the labors of the craft may meet with your approbation, and=
the
approval of the M.·. W.·. Grand Lodge. The M.·. W.·. Grand Master, in response to the address of
the President, and of the Grand Architect said: MR. PRESIDENT – In obedience to your request as President of the
Trustees of the Ohio Masonic Home I have caused the Grand Lodge of Free a=
nd
Accepted Masons of the state of Ohio to here assemble. This I have done, =
that
we may dedicate and consecrate, according to ancient forms and ceremonies,
this magnificent building and these spacious grounds to the purposes and =
uses
intended – a Home for indigent Masons, their wives, children, widows,
and orphans. To feed the hungry, clothe the naked, comfort the sorrowing, and bind =
up
the wounds of the afflicted, are among the principles inculcated and enjo=
ined
upon us as Free Masons. In building this Home you have demonstrated the
Mason's unfaltering belief in the principles of Brotherly Love, relief and
Truth. The foundations of this Home have been laid broad and deep in the hear=
ts
of the members of our great Brotherhood. You have erected here a structure
which is the pride of the craft of this city and of our great Commonwealt=
h.
The Masons of Ohio will, on account of their common interest in this great
undertaking, be more closely cemented together than ever before; for this
great work of charity has become with them a labor of love. The same generous impulses that prompted them to build this Home, will=
, I
trust, in the future see that it is properly provided for and maintained.=
The
call of want, the wail of sorrow, and the cry of the orphan will not go
unheeded. Some states have erected great and costly Masonic Temples; but they do=
not
dry the tears of our Brothers' widows and orphans; they do not furnish a =
home
for the friendless. You are not asking me to dedicate an asylum or an almshouse, but a Hom=
e;
and may it ever furnish to those for whom it is intended all the sacred
associations that the name implies! In this Home grief will be alleviated, the unfortunate comforted, the
helpless strengthened, young lives saved from crime and shame, and fitted=
for
usefulness. This Home will be the crowning glory of Masonry in Ohio. May we theref=
ore
annually celebrate the day that gave it birth and dedication! And now, Mr. President, in the name of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge=
of
Ohio, and in the name of the forty thousand true and valiant Masons of the
Grand Jurisdiction, without regard to rank or grade, I receive this Home =
from
you for the purposes you have indicated, and we will now proceed, accordi=
ng
to our ancient forms and ceremonies, to dedicate and consecrate it to the
benevolent uses for which it was ordained. May the Supreme Grand Architec=
t of
the Universe, the Mason's God, cause his blessing to rest upon it, and sp=
read
the work of charity and benevolence! The Grand Marshal then proclaimed silence in the following words: "In the name of the Grand Master of Masons the state of Ohio, I
command all persons here assembled to preserve silence, and to observe due
order and decorum during the ceremonies." The Grand Chaplain then invoked Divine blessing after which the Sanctus
from Gounod was rendered by the Temple Quartet, of Cleveland. The flowing
responsive selections were then read by the Grand Chaplain and the Brethr=
en: Grand Chaplain: Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain th=
at
build it. Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.=
O
come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Make=
r! Brethren: For he is our God, and we are people of his pasture and the
sheep of his hand. Grand Chaplin: Sing unto the Lord; bless his name; show forth his
salvation for day to day. Brethren: All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord, and thy saints shall
bless thee. Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord; for great is the
glory of the Lord. Grand Chaplain: Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for Brethren to
dwell together in unity! Brethren: It is the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon
the beard even Aaron's beard; that went down to the skirts of his garment=
s. Grand Chaplain: As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended the
blessing, even life for evermore. Brethren: Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sle=
ep. Grand Chaplain: The lord is thy keeper; the Lord is thy shade upon thy
right hand. Glory be to God on high! Brethren: As it was in the begaining, is now and ever shall be. Amen. =
So
mote it be. The exercises then proceeded as follows: Grand Master: By virtue of the authority vested in me as Grand Master =
of
Masons, and in the name under the auspices of the Most Worshipful Grand L=
odge
of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Ohio, I do now solemnly and
forever consecrate this building to the benevolent uses for which it was
ordained. MUSIC What Beams so Bright?............Kreutzer TEMPLE QUARTET PRAYER OF DEDICATION By Grand Chaplain "Our Heavenly Father, our Sovereign, our lawgiver, and our Judge,=
we
dedicate to Thee with our whole heart, this Home, to be forever devoted to
the solace and the comfort of our aged and infirm Brethren, their widows =
and
orphans. By this building we would glorify Thee. Thou dwellest not in tem=
ples
made with hands; neither art Thou worshiped with men's hands, as though t=
hou
needest anything. The silver and the gold are Thine, and we are Thine; bu=
t we
bless Thee that Thou hast made us Thy unworthy servants, the almoners of =
Thy
bounty. The needy are Thy special care. Thou hast given them in charge to=
us
to feed and clothe and shelter. We would glorify Thee by deeds of true
charity, by heartfelt sympathy and by acts of help. Thou art the Father o=
f t
fatherless, and Thou art the God of the widow. To the helpless Thou dost =
put us
in Thy stead. Thou dost bid us minister to them in Thy name. We beseech T=
hee,
our true Grand Master, to put it in the hearts of all Masons in our
Commonwealth, henceforth and forever, to ratify, by their gifts and by th=
eir
sympathy, this our solemn dedication of this Home. We beseech Thee in whom
alone is all our trust, Thee who aft the ever-living God, to watch over a=
nd
protect this Home, and to be the Comforter of all who shall be sheltered =
here
in the ages to come. And we beseech Thee, our Heavenly Father, that we, a=
nd
all who are permitted in Thy name to minister to Thy needy ones, may hear
from the lips of our Judge the words: 'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto o=
ne,
the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me "We ask all in the name of our Great Exemplar Amen. So mote it
be." Response by Brethren: Glory be to God in the highest, and on earth pea=
ce,
good-will toward men! Grand Master: Brother Deputy Grand Master, what is the proper jewel of
your office? Deputy Grand Master: The Square, Most Worshipful. Grand Master: What does it teach, and for what purpose is it used? Deputy Grand Master: We are taught to square our actions by the square=
of
virtue, and with it to prove our work. Grand Master: Having applied the Square to the walls of this building,
what is your report? Deputy Grand Master: Most Worshipful, its walls are square. The crafts=
men
have faithfully per-formed their work. Grand Master: Brother Senior Grand Warden, what is the proper badge of
your office? Senior Grand Warden: The Level, Most Worshipful. Grand Master: What does it teach, and to what use is it applied? Senior Grand Warden: The Level symbolizes the Masonic equality of all =
men,
and by it we test our work. Grand Master: Brother Senior Grand Warden, having applied the Level to=
the
various parts of this building, what is your report? Senior Grand Warden: Most Worshipful, the building is level in all its
parts. The workmen have done their duty. Grand Master: Brother Junior Grand Warden, what is your official jewel=
? Junior Grand Warden: The Plumb, Most Worshipful. Grand Master: What does it teach, and what is its use? Junior Grand Warden: The Plumb teaches us to walk uprightly in our sev=
eral
stations before God and man, and by it we prove our work. Grand Master: Having applied the Plumb to the walls of this building, =
what
is your report? Grand Masler (striking the wall three times with the gavel) : ~'~ell
built, well proven, true and trusty throughout, may this building stand a=
s a
perpetu~ memorial of the faithful dis~iarge of our Masonic duty, and ever
remind us that Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth are the principal tenets=
of
our Ancient Institution. Music Dedicatory Hymn – Temple Quartet The Junior Grand Warden (scattering the corn) says: I scatter this cor=
n as
an emblem of nourishment. May kind Heaven protect and nourish the inmates=
of
our Home! Grand Master: In the name of the Supreme and Eternal God, the Father of
all mercies, to whom be all honor and glory, I dedicate this building to
Masonry. Music Selection Temple Quartet The Senior Grand Warden (pouring the wine) says: I pour this wine as an
emblem of refreshment May the Divine blessing strengthen and refresh this
benevolent undertaking! Grand Master: In the name of the Holy Saints John, I do solemnly dedic=
ate
this Home to Virtue, Truth, and Charity. Music Selection Temple Quartet The Deputy Grand Master says: I pour this oil as an emblem of joy. May=
joy
and peace abound among us and crown all our labors! Grand Master: In the name of the whole Fraternity, I do now solemnly
dedicate this building to Universal Benevolence. Music Selection Temple Quartet Invocation by Grand Master: May the Supreme Grand Architect of the
universe bless our land with peace and prosperity, and may he enlarge the
spirit of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth in the hearts of the Fraterni=
ty
throughout the whole world! Response by Brethren: So mote it be. Public Grand Honors, three times (led by Grand Marshal). Music The Lord's Own Day Kreutzer Temple Quartet The Address of Dedication was then delivered by Bro. O. P. Sperra,
R.·. W.·. and Orator of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, in the fol=
lowing
language: Most Worshipful Grand Master, Masons of Ohio, Ladies and Gentlemen: These customs of celebrating with festivities and ceremony a great act performed, an extraordinary work accomplished, are as old as is mankind.<= o:p> The crude records of savage life and the hieroglyphical archives of
barbarous people and the history of more advanced civilization alike
demonstrate and attest this fact. They are all in this respect actuated by
the same feeling and governed by the same impulses. It is most fitting and
eminently proper that all public edifices, and more especially and
particularly those designed for advanced and continuing good, for the
amelioration of the condition of man, for the promulgation of Honor, Trut=
h,
and Justice, should have their dedication and their dedicatory ceremony; =
and
although the ceremony may differ in act and speech, the spirit which prom=
pts
and underlies, and the motive which determines it, are alike unchanging a=
nd
unchangeable. My Brethren and friends, the history of Masonry in Ohio, (to us the be=
st
in the increasing crowd of states), is coextensive with the history of the
Common wealth itself. Masonry is as old as is government in fact, Masonry=
is
government, and brings within its charmed circle, from its own power, ord=
er out
of chaos, union from disruption, light from darkness liberty and freedom =
out
of slavery, structures upon ruins. In its origin, its principles,
organization, au likewise in its administration, are to be found obedienc=
e to
the laws of God and man, loyalty to country compliance with established
usages and customs, hope of immortality, charity for all mankind, and love
for Brothers and Fellows. Without all of these attributes, there can not =
be
Masonry. Demonstrating, then, the practicability and truthfulness of these
principles, and in conformity with our duty as Masons, we are this day
permitted to crown with fitting ceremonial the completion of part, at lea=
st,
0, the greatest work of practical Masonry in the history of Ohio. This da=
y is
a Masonic heirloom, and this event a rich Masonic legacy. Cherish and
preserve it even as the Spartan cherished the olive-branch of the victor.=
No
man – particularly a Mason, and surely no Ohio Mason – an stand=
in
the presence of his Grand Lodge, within the shade of this beautiful build=
ing,
and not feel his heart grow more tender, and his breast fill and well up =
with
sympathy, when he considers that within this structure will be fostered a=
nd
perpetuated the beautiful truths of our profession; wherein Brotherly Love
will prevail; wherein relief will be furnished; and above all these, wher=
ein
the highest typo of Masonic manhood will be taught and inculcated, until =
the
prattle of baby orphans becomes the stronger sense of maturer years. Stop and realize what your enterprise has accomplished. Let the natural
feeling assert itself, and thereby consider the importance and magnitude =
of
the results to be obtained: that here will old men 'be protected; prostra=
te
old age, with usefulness all gone, be cheered and comforted; and you, in =
your
home surrounded with family and comforts, can have that pure and better
feeling that you have lived the life of a true Mason, and have aided in
smoothing. the life of your fellow-men. But, again, within these rooms wi=
ll
be provided comforts for the widow – your widow, perhaps – who =
can
tell? And thus, as God's beautiful sun shall rise on each succeeding day,=
and
with its warmth kiss the dew of night from grass and flowers, from turret=
and
roof; at the hour when the pure air of morning is filled with the joyous
songs of happy birds; from within these walls will come forth the happy
prattle of little children, orphan children your children, perhaps –=
you
hope not, but who can tell? – as they again commence the round of the
day duty and pleasure. Masonry has, in erecting this beautiful building and again in its
dedication with the presence of so many of the craft from all parts of the
state, demonstrated that its teachings are fraught with thought and deeds=
of
love and kindness, and that to be a Mason one must be willing to aid and
succor his fellow-men. And now, my friends and my Brethren, as members of this great Fraterni=
ty,
as Free and Accepted Masons, and belonging to an Order emerging from the =
dim
uncertainty of the past, as members of this great and honorable instituti=
on
that was born in the shades of King Solomon's temple, bathed in the
inspiration of his wisdom, it has come thundering down the ages loaded wi=
th
good deeds, and crowned with the gem of universal charity; and as it has,=
in
the light of good and generous deeds, walked hand in hand with the Christ=
ian
Church, it has aided in teaching the lessons that the Master taught,
inculcating Chant; Truth and Justice. As members, then, of such an Order, and with such a history, we comple=
te
this day, and at this time one of its most impressive ceremonials; and th=
is
completion of ceremonial work, this pageant, and this great intermingling=
of
Masons, would be but an idle thing indeed did we draw no new lesson from =
it,
or did we not anew become impressed with the many virtues our beloved
Fraternity inculcates. When you stop to think, that in the completion of =
this
building you have finished the greatest single act of your history in the
state: by dedicating this splendid building to its practical uses, wherei=
n may
be fostered those twin agents of civilization and progress – educati=
on
and charity. Today this structure has had to pass the inspection of us all. We have
examined it to see if it is complete in all its parts; to see if it has b=
een
completed plan-like and workmanlike. Satisfied with our, examination, we =
have
retired; and, figuratively at least, we have met in the Hall of Assembly =
the
Grand Master Architect, and grasping him by the right hand, in the joy of=
our
hearts have exclaimed, "Hail, Raboni,!" which is, being
interpreted, "Hail Most Excellent Master!" Masonry builds up character by the lessons taught from the Orders of
Architecture. Let us see that these lessons may be exemplified in us. Mas=
onry
is what we make it, and we are no better as Lodges, Chapters, Councils,
Commanderies, or Consistories than we are as individuals. We may never witness again a Masonic spectacle so interesting; for the
years of human life are few and short, and fast they are speeding away; a=
nd
the most splendid scenes, and the most August ceremonies that ever call us
together on this earth, may serve to convince us more surely that we are =
to
be summoned to a Grand Lodge other than this; and let us hope that the re=
sult
of the examination there will be, "Well done! thou hast professed
little; but in actual good accomplished, in benevolent acts and deeds
performed, the balance is on the right side." The heat and burden of Life's day of labor will soon be over, and we w=
ill
be called upon to present our work. It will then be tested, and must stand
the test of the great Overseer's unerring square. Let us make for ourselv=
es a
history that we were ever faithful in the performance of work and duty. L=
et
us here and now make the resolution that we will ever strive to brighten =
the
endless chain of Masonry link by link, as it girdles and encircles
civilization, and so pass it on, and hand it down, without blemish and
unbroken, till Time and Masonry shall perish together. Let us, in doing t=
his,
build a Masonic home in our daily lives. Let it be built broad and wide; let us build it strong, substantial. L=
et
it be builded on an everlasting and eternal foundation, thorough and soli=
d,
magnificent, rearing its walls as we pace one perfect ashler upon another,
and placing keystone and cope-stone with deeds of honor and duty; and sti=
ll
more than these, let us adorn it with the pillars and pilasters of Brothe=
rly
Love, of Charity and Self-sacrifice and this done, our personal building =
will
be the light, the admiration, and the blessing of mankind, even as this g=
rand
structure is now at once the gratification and admiration of the Masons of
Ohio. "In the elder days of Art, Let us do our part as well, The exercises then concluded as follows: PROCLAMATION Grand Master: Brother Grand Marshal, you make proclamation that this
building has been consecrated and dedicated in Ample Form in accordance w=
ith
ancient usage. Grand Marshal: In the name of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free =
and
Accepted Masons of Ohio, I now proclaim that this building has been
consecrated and dedicated to the use and purposes for which it was intend=
ed,
in Ample Form, by the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons of Ohio, in
accordance with ancient custom. This proclamation is made from the Fast
(trumpet sounds), from the West (trumpet sounds), and from the South (tru=
mpet
sounds). DOXOLOGY (Led by Band) "Praise God, from whom all blessings flow." BENEDICTION, Grand Chaplain And thus was dedicated by the Craft of Ohio, a Masonic ilome for the
helpless Brethren and the widows and orphans of deceased Brethren in this
Jurisdiction-a monument to the noble tenets of our profession, and an
incentive to practice Brotherly Love and Relief. 1896 M.·. W.·. WM. B. MELISH, GRAND MASTER Grand Lodge Convened at the Cathedral of the Ancient Accepted Scottish
Rite, in Cincinnati, Wednesday, October 21, A. D. 1896, with M.·.
W.·. William B. Melish, Grand Master, in the Chair, all the Grand
Officers in their stations, Past Grand Masters O. A. Woodward, Wm. M.
Cunningham, R. C. Lemmon, C. C. Kiefer, S. S. Williams, L. Burdick, I
Goodale, J M. Goodspeed, Allen Andrews, and C. F. Clapp, Past Deputy Grand
Masters Win Akers, J. L'H. Long, Emeritus Grand Secretary D. Caldwell and=
the
representatives of 481 Lodge attendance; total attendance, 641. The Grand Master read his annual address, reporting that in compliance
with the orders of the Grand Lodge at its last session he had received
competitive bids and awarded the contract for seven Past Grand Master's
jewels to Michie Brother of Cincinnati, at the price of $650.00; and in
January, 1896, presented, in the name of the Grand Lodge, a jewel to each=
of
the following Past Grand Master of Ohio, viz.: Chas. A. Woodward, of
Cleveland; Wm. M. Cunningham, of Newark; Reuben C. Lemmon, of Toledo; Cha=
s.
C. Kiefer, of Urbana; Jos. M. Goodspeed, of Athens; S. Stacker Williams, =
of
Newark; and Carroll F. Clapp, of Warren. Each of these beloved Brethren
acknowledged receipt of your token of appreciation in fitting terms, and
returned you their heartful thanks for the honor conferred. The committee charged with the duty of procuring jewels for the Distri=
ct
Lecturers, to be the property of the Grand Lodge, and worn by the District
Lecturers during their terms of office, reported they had procured
twenty-five jewels at a cost of $375.00; and I transmitted to each Distri=
ct
Lecturer the official badge of his office, and received due acknowledgment
from each. The District Lecturers visited 397 Lodges, and 101 Lodges were not
visited, the expense being $1,079.47, an average of $2.72 for each Lodge
visited this expense being paid from the Grand Lodge Treasury, an investm=
ent
resulting in great good to Lodges. The Grand Master constituted the following new Lodges which received
charters at the last session of the Grand Lodge and installed their Offic=
ers: November 1, 1895, Yondota Lodge No.572; November 8, 1895, Carthage Lod=
ge
No.573; December 11, 1895, Norwood Lodge No.576. November 30, Gibsonburg Lodge No.575 was constituted by R.·.
W.·. Barton Smith, Deputy Grand Master; November 25, New Burlington
Lodge No.574, was constituted by R.·. W.·. Nelson Williams,
Senior Grand Warden, as proxy for the Grand Master. On July --, 1896, a dispensation was issued for a new Lodge at West
Milton, Miami County. On May 25, 1896, issued dispensation permitting J. B. Covert Lodge No.=
437
to move from Withamsville to Tobasco, and on October 2, 1896, they remove=
d to
a new and commodious Lodge room and have entered upon a new era of
prosperity. Venice Lodge No.200 found themselves without a suitable Lodge room,
reduced in numbers, and in 8traitened circumstances, filed their annual
report, paid their Grand Lodge dues, and surrendered their charter and
effects to the Grand Lodge, and certificates of good standing were issued=
to
the Brethren entitled to them and the charter and effects received by the
Grand Secretary. The Revised Code was placed in the hands of Brothers A. P. Crane, R. C.
Lemmon, and L. Burdick of the committee to complete the index, compile and
arrange the forms, etc., they being residents of the same city. The task
assigned to Brothers Lemmon and Burdick was promptly attended to and plac=
ed
in the hands of the printers; but the index was delayed, and finally plac=
ed
in the hands of Brothers Burdick and Lemmon who promptly completed it and=
the
completed book left the publisher's hands for distribution to the Lodges =
on
February 10, 1896, and therefore it is to Brothers Lenimon and Burdick the
thanks of this Grand Lodge are due for the large amount of work they were
unexpectedly called upon to assume at short notice. The new Code contains=
511
Decisions, 41 Resolutions, 92 Sections of a Code, 16 Rules of Order, 29
By-Laws, 17 Articles of the Constitution, and 6 divisions of the Ancient
Charges, a total of only 712 items of law; and cost between $2,500 and
$3,000. The books were distributed in the manner ordered by the Grand Lod=
ge
at its last session, and the prices fixed for those on hand are, paper ba=
cks,
50 cents; cloth bound, $1.00; leather bound, $2.00. DECISIONS OF LAW "The Grand Master has made no decision of during his term. This
announcement may bring about a stroke of paralysis to some of our elder
Brethren who have attended Grand Lodge for a score of years. The Committe=
e on
Grievances has only one case to worry over. The effect it will have on the
learned and usually hard worked Committees on Jurisprudence and Grievances
can not be foretold, but it is hoped they will conclude they are entitled=
to
'a day off' and spend the time enjoying the hospitality of the Cincinnati
Brethren." Coshocton Lodge No.96, some years ago granted dimits to a number of
Brothers who preferred the dead fruits of Cerneanism to the fellowship of=
the
Lodge. Nothing is known by the Lodge regarding the use, if any, made of t=
hem.
Now these former members ask for duplicates of the dimits issued to them.=
The
Grand Master advised the Lodge to make careful inquiry into the character=
of
the Brother since the original dimit was issued. If he ever became a memb=
er
of another Lodge he is not entitled to a copy. If he ever joined a so-cal=
led
Lodge of "Cerneaus," or other clandestine body, either with or =
without
a deposit of his dimit, he has forfeited his Masonic character, and his r=
ight
to a copy of his dimit, and he should explain the loss of the original, a=
nd
the reason for his protracted non-affiliation. The Grand Master reports a number of personal visitations to Subordina=
te
Lodges, among which was Cincinnati Lodge No.133, on October 30, 1895, on =
the
occasion of the celebration of its Golden or Fiftieth Anniversary; the
reception tendered the Grand Master by his own Lodge, Lafayette No.81, on
December 30, 1895; on January 27, 1896, Monitor lodge No.445, on which
occasion a beautiful Past Master's jewel was presented to Past Master Bug=
bee,
who was taken by surprise, and set the audience in a roar by stating he h=
ad
unwittingly, through the solicitation of Brother Hoyt, contributed to the
purchase of his own gift, but discovered his mistake when the Grand Master
presented a Past Master's jewel to Past Master Thomas Kite and announced =
this
was the jewel to which Brother Bugbee had contributed; on August 24, 1896,
Vattier Lodge, No.386, on which occasion the Grand Master, on behalf of t=
he
Lodge, presented to every living Past Master of the Lodge an elegant Past
Master's jewel; on October 13, 1896, a reception to tile Grand Master by
Mystic Lodge No.405, at which he was accompanied by R.·. W.·=
;.
S. G. W. Nelson Williams and M.·. W.·. Past Grand Masters S.
Stacker Williams and C. F. Clapp, and Grand Tyler J. Randall. Special proxies were issued to the following Brothers to dedicate the
Halls and Lodge rooms of Lodges: November 21, 1895, to W. Bro. Henry Moser, Hall of Mercer Lodge No.121;
December 19, 1895, to R.·. W.·. Bro. Nelson Williams, Hall =
of
Tippecanoe Lodge No.174; April 8, 1896, to M.·. W.·. Bro. C=
. F.
Clapp, Hall of Mahoning Lodge No.394. LITIGATION OF THE GRAND LODGE Since the last session of the Grand Lodge the Supreme Court of Ohio
decided the case of "Hershiser v. Williams" and affirmed the
judgment of the Circuit and Common Pleas Courts, thus sustaining the
authority of the Grand Lodge to forbid the members of the Fraternity from
joining or attending organizations of the Cerneaus, or in any other way
giving recognition to these spurious bodies. It will thus be seen that the Grand Lodge is fully sustained in its ri=
ght
to pass the resolution which it did at Toledo, and in forbidding all
affiliation with "Cerneaus." The courts place their decision up=
on
the principle that the Grand Lodge alone has the right to determine what =
is
Masonic and what is un-masonic conduct, and that when it has determined a
question of this character the Masons are bound to observe the law as
established by the Grand Lodge, and the courts will not help any one in
rebellious attitude toward the Grand Lodge to which he owes his obedience=
. This substantially ends all litigation in regard to "Cerneaus,&qu=
ot;
and is an authoritative recognition of the right of Free Masons to govern
themselves in all matters concerning the Fraternity. LAYING CORNER STONES On June 9, 1896, escorted by some three hundred members of Hanselmann
Lodge No.208, and other Lodges, preceded by the First Regiment Band, the
M.·. W.·. Grand Master laid the corner stone of the Sixth
District School in Cincinnati, with due Masonic ceremonies, in the presen=
ce
of several thousand citizens and school children. On June 4, 1896, under dispensation from the Grand Master, the Master,
Wardens, and Brethren of Highland Lodge No. 38, assisted by the R.·=
;.
W.·. Grand Chaplain, Rev. H. D. Ketcham, laid the corner stone of =
the
new High School building in Hillsboro, in the presence of a large concour=
se
of Masons and citizens. On September 20, 1896, M.·. W.·. Past Grand Master Carro=
ll
F. Clapp, as proxy of the M.·. W.·. Grand Master, assisted =
by
Perry Lodge No.185, and escorted by Canton Commandery No.38 and Salem No.=
42,
Knights Templars, laid the corner stone of the High School building at Sa=
lem
with Masonic ceremonies. The terms of Brothers Jacob H. Bromwell and Chas. C. Kiefer, as Truste=
es
of the Masonic Home having expired, they were, on December –, 1895,
reappointed to serve as such Trustees for a new term of three years. The Trustees of the Masonic Home having reported that the buildings wo=
uld
soon be completed but the general fund would be exhausted, and nothing le=
ft
for furnishing, the Grand Master addressed a circular letter to the Subor=
dinate
Lodges calling their attention to this fact, and to the donations already
made by a number of Lodges for furnishing rooms, and requesting subscript=
ions
and donations for that purpose, which met with a prompt and generous resp=
onse
from a number of Lodges which contributed the sum of $5,766.50, of which
$4,849.00 was to the furnishing fund, and $917.50 to the general building
fund. The amount realized from Grand Dues ordered to he paid to the Home =
at
the last session will this year amount to $7,957.06. This sum, in additio=
n to
the donations of the Chapters of Ohio, and that recently made by the Grand
Commandery, will meet the balance due on the building contracts and place=
the
Home entirely out of debt, with the furnishing, improvements of grounds a=
nd
operating expenses to be met, and the Grand Master urges on the Grand and
Subordinate Lodges to meet these in a plain business manner and calls
attention to the Masonic outing given by the authority of the Masters and
Wardens of Cincinnati in September last, when Chairman M.·.
W.·. Levi C. Goodale and his committee paid to the Home over $1,20=
0 as
the profits of one single pleasure excursion on the river. Calls attention to the deaths of M.·. W.·. Past Grand Ma=
ster
Asa H. Battin, who served as Grand Master from 1872 to 1874, and died at
Steubenville, June 3, 1896, and Bro. W. H. Sedgwick, Sr., District Lectur=
er
of the nineteenth District, who died at Grandville, October 24, 1895. In January last the Grand Master permitted New England Lodge No.4 to
reinstate to membership Eros. Michael Slattery, Horace F. Smith, and Cice=
ro
Ellsbree, who were members of the Lodge when its charter was arrested, and
had filed with said Lodge oaths of fealty to the Grand Lodge of Ohio and =
to
New England Lodge, this in accordance with authority given by the Grand L=
odge
as appears on page 82 of proceedings of 1894. The Lodge rooms of Royalton Union Lodge No.434, of Lyons, and Frankfort
No.309, of Frankfort, with their charters and effects, were destroyed by
fire. The Grand Treasurer submitted his report showing a balance on hand
October 15, 1896, $25,292.21, which includes the $7,957.06 due the Masonic
Home out of the Grand Dues, and which is the only out standing liability =
of
the Grand Lodge so far as unpaid bills are concerned. The Grand Secretary reported that notwithstanding the depressed condit=
ion
of business, and the increase in the Grand Lodge dues, the net increase h=
as
been gratifying and the membership, August 31, was 40,839. His report
contains a detailed statement of the receipts and disbursements, and shows
that in addition to the extra donation of $5,000 to the Masonic Home at t=
he
last session, the Grand Lodge had a number of extra expenditures the past
year. M.·. W.·. Bro. T. S. Parvin, Past Grand Master and the
present Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Iowa, was introduced, recei=
ved
and welcomed, that responded in fitting terms, alluding to the fact that =
he
had received his initiation into the mysteries of our Order in N. C. Harm=
ony
Lodge No.2, of Cincinnati, and his very great pleasure in meeting with the
Grand Lodge on this occasion. Rev. Bro. J. M. Walden, Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a Ma=
son
of many years standing, was introduced and welcomed, and responded in an
eloquent manner. The Trustees of the Scottish Bite Bodies tend the use of their Cathedr=
al
to the Grand Lodge during its sessions free of charge, which was accepted
with thanks. A charter was granted to West Milton Lodge No.577, located at West Mil=
ton,
Miami County. A duplicate charter was issued to Frankfort Lodge No.309, located at
Frankfort, Ross County, in lieu of the original destroyed by fire along w=
ith
their Hall and effects, October 10, 1896. The Committee on Charters reported against granting a dispensation for=
a
new Lodge at Clarington, Monroe County, which report was approved by the
Grand Lodge. The Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence to whom was referred portions of
the Grand Master's address, reported as follows: Approving the position taken by the Grand Master on the subject of los=
t dimits,
and his clear and cogent statement of the law, and the reasons for it, we
recommend the following be adopted as the true interpretation of the law =
on
the subject: "Where a Brother applies to a Lodge for a copy of a dimit granted=
him
for the reason that he has lost the original one, it is the duty of the
Lodge, through a committee or otherwise, to make careful Inquiry. If the
Brother, after receiving the dimit, ever became a member of a Lodge, he h=
as
no right to demand, and should not receive, a copy of his dimit; and if,
while on dimit, the Brother had been un-masonic in his conduct, no copy
should be granted him. If he feels injured by the action of the Lodge, his
remedy is to petition or memorialize the Grand Lodge;" which was ado=
pted
by the Grand Lodge. On the subject of "Physical Qualifications" they report in
substance, that perhaps the Grand Master should not be required to pass u=
pon
the question whether a given defect disqualifies the applicant, but this
should be left to the Lodge; and recommends the following as the true
construction of the law on the subject: "A candidate for the Degree of Entered Apprentice should be able,
physically as well as intellectually, to receive and impart all the
essentials for Masonic recognition, and this the Lodge may determine;&quo=
t;
which was adopted by the Grand Lodge. On the subject of the occupancy of Masonic halls by Chapters of the Or=
der
of the Eastern Star, the same committee reports: "That Section 79 of=
the
Code as amended in 1894 and 1895, and as reported and printed in the new =
and
revised volume, is the law in regard to the attitude of Masonry towards t=
he
Order of the Eastern Star, and supplants all resolutions and decisions
heretofore made on the subject. Chapters of this society, when constitute=
d as
specified in that section, may use Masonic property with the permission of
the Masonic bodies occupying the property, and with the consent of the Gr=
and
Master, and not otherwise;" which was adopted by the Grand Lodge. The Committee on Charters and Dispensations reported against approving=
a
By-Law submitted by Science Lodge No.50, having for its object exemption =
from
the payment of dues of such of its members as have been paying dues for
twenty-five years; which report was adopted by the Grand Lodge. The Committee on Necrology submitted testimonials of the private and
Masonic lives and character of M.·. W.·. Past Grand Master =
Asa
H. Battin, and Bro. Dr. W. H. Sedgwick, Sr., which are printed in the
proceedings. Brother Barton Smith of Toledo was elected M.·. W.·. Gra=
nd
Master; Nelson Williams of Hamilton, R.·. W.·. Deputy Grand
Master; E. C. Gulliford of Cleveland, R.·. W.·. Senior Grand
Warden; E. L. Lybarger, Spring Mountain, R.·. W.·. Junior G=
rand
Warden; R. R. Rickly, R.·. W.·. Grand Treasurer, and J. H.
Bromwell, R.·. W.·. Grand Secretary, and they, with the
appointive Grand Officers, were duly installed. Columbus, Ohio, was selected as the place, and Wednesday, October 20, =
A.
D. 1897, as the time for holding the next Annual Communication of this Gr=
and
Lodge. The proposed amendment to Section 2 of the Code, laid over from last
session, which fixed the amount of the Subordinate Lodge dues at not less
than $2.00 annually, was taken up and adopted. The Committee on Accounts reported fixing the amount to be paid Bro. A=
. P.
Crane for his services on the Code Committee at $350.00 and that of
M.·. W.·. Bro. R. C. Lemmon at $150.00; which was approved.=
A resolution was adopted instructing the M.·. W.·. Grand
Master to appoint the Worshipful Master of each Lodge in the state a
committee to solicit donations of fifty cents from each member of his Lod=
ge
for the use and benefit of the Masonic Home. A committee of three was appointed to carefully examine the Revised Co=
de,
and report to the next session any omissions, errors, conflicts, etc., and
any corrections necessary to make the same conform to Masonic Law. Two proposed amendments were offered to Section 79 of the Code: One to
strike out all after the words "Grand Lodge" in the thirteenth
line; and the other to strike out the words "with the consent of the
Grand Master" in that section; both of which were laid over to the n=
ext
annual session. The following resolution was unanimously adopted: "Resolved, That=
the
R.·. W.·. Grand Secretary be instructed to procure a suitab=
le jewel
for presentation to our retiring R.·. W.·. Grand Master, as=
a
token of the appreciation of the Grand Lodge F. and A. M. ( the State of
Ohio, of his labors in its behalf." The Committee on Foreign Correspondence report covering 348 pages, and
reviewing the proceedings of 62 English speaking and 11 non-English Lodge=
s,
is printed in the proceedings. The M.·. W.·. Grand Master in his address pays the follo=
wing
compliment to M.·. W.·. Bro. Wm. W. Cunningham and his repo=
rts: "It is pleasant to note the kind words said concerning the chairm=
an
of our Committee on Foreign Correspondence, M.·. W.·. Bro. =
Wm.
M. Cunningham, and the high esteem and respect accorded him and his work =
for
this jurisdiction. It may be that his reports are not read as fully in Oh=
io
as they deserve, but the reading Masons, and learned Masonic critics
through-out the world accord him a high position among Masonic scholars a=
nd
writers." 1897 M.·. W.·. BARTON SMITH, GRAND MASTER Grand Lodge convened at the Auditorium of the Board of Trade, Columbus,
Ohio, Wednesday, October 20, A. D. 1897, with R.·. W.·. Bro.
Nelson Williams, Deputy Grand Master, in the Chair, the Grand Master being
unable to be in attendance; all of the Grand Officers present, except the
M.·. W.·. Grand Master, Bro. Barton Smith, and Bro. Merwin
Jackson, W. Senior Grand Deacon, who were unavoidably detained; and Bro.
Jacob Randall, Grand Tyler, who had died since the last session. The
following Past Grand Masters C. A. Woodward, W. M. Cunningham, R. C. Lemm=
on,
C. C. Kiefer, J. M. Goodspeed, S. S. Williams, L. Burdick, L. C. Goodale,
Allen Andrews, C. F. Clapp, and W. B. Melish; Past Deputy Grand Master J.
L'H. Long, and Emeritus Grand Secretary J. D. Caldwell and the
representatives of 486 Lodges, and 24 District Lecturers present, making =
the
total attendance 623. The Deputy Grand Master read the Grand Master's annual address, report=
ing: The death of Colonel Charles Fowler Baldwin, R.·. W.·. P=
ast
Junior Grand Warden, who was born January 6, A. D. 1837, and died at Mt.
Vernon, Ohio, October 23, A. D. 1896. His funeral services were conducted=
by
the Grand Lodge, M.·. W.·. Bro. C. F. Clapp acting as Grand
Master, on October 26, 1896, Mt Zion Lodge and a large number of visiting
Masons joining with the Grand Lodge, and Clinton Commandery No.5, Knights
Templars, acting as escort. Also announces the death of our Venerable Grand Tyler, Bro. Jacob Rand=
all,
who died September 13, 1897. Commends the District Lecturer system, and compliments the District
Lecturers on their zeal in the performance of their duties, and the good
results from their visitations and supervision of the work. He had permitted the Order of the Eastern Star to occupy Lodge rooms f=
or
ceremonial and social purposes when the terms of the law had been strictly
complied with, and did not find any difficulties or harm arising therefro=
m.
Calls attention to the two propositions pending to amend Section 79 of the
Code: one to exclude this Order entirely from the Lodge rooms; the other =
to
grant permission to make use of them with the consent of the Masonic bodi=
es
occupying them and not requiring the consent of the Grand Master; and
suggests a modification of the latter so as to more particularly define t=
he
purpose, tenure, and conditions of the occupancy. Calls attention to the remnant of the Cernean litigation, three eases =
in
Cleveland, which were decided in favor of the Grand Lodge in the Circuit
Court of Cuyahoga County, February 27, 1897, and taken by the seceding
plaintiffs to the Supreme Court on error, which court refused to allow th=
em
an injunction. Calls attention to so-called "Degree Peddlers" and says:
"Confidence operators are still fleecing the unwary. Under authority=
of
a self-constituted Grand Lodge, so-called Lodges are formed, and an expel=
led
Mason is eking out a precarious existence by pretending to confer Masonic
Degrees. His victims are usually those whose characters or habits prevent
them from ever becoming Masons." Reports a number of decisions on the questions of Annual Dues, Objecti=
ons
to Candidates, etc., which were approved by the Grand Lodge. Special proxies were issued to the following Brothers to lay, with Mas=
onic
ceremonies, corner stones of Masonic and public buildings: July 13, 1897, to Bro. E. C. Gulliford, the corner stone of the Allian=
ce
Christian Church at Alliance, Ohio; September 23, 1897, to Bro. S. W.
Courtright, the corner stone of the new Methodist Episcopal Church at
Leesburg, Highland County; October 18, 1897, to M.·. W.·. B=
ro.
L. Burdick, the corner stone of the Court House at Upper Sandusky; May 12,
1897, to R.·. W.·. Bro. Nelson Williams, the corner stone of
the new Masonic Temple at Washington C. H., Ohio; all of which were atten=
ded
to on the dates named. Reports the appointment of Bros. Henry Perkins and George D. McBride as
Trustees of the Masonic Home. "The Ohio Masonic Home, the glory and pride of Ohio Free Masonry,=
is
completed, and was, on the first day of April, A. D. 1897, opened for the
performance of its great duties and purposes. Its very success, however, =
and
its importance brings to us new cares and responsibilities, and imposes u=
pon
us new burdens." In compliance with the instructions of the Grand Lodge at its last ses=
sion
the Grand Master issued a circular to the Master of every Lodge in the st=
ate
calling attention of himself and Lodge to the action of the Grand Lodge
requesting a donation of fifty cents from each member of the Lodge and ur=
ging
prompt action, which was followed by another, and reports that in respons=
e,
up to October 1, A. D. 1897, the amount realized was $5,806.15, contribut=
ed
by 295 Lodges, which has enabled the Home to carry on its work until this
time. He is of the opinion this manner of providing for the maintenance of t=
he
Home can not be depended on, and suggests that some action be taken toward
providing a permanent endowment fund sufficient for that purpose. Commends the generous hospitality of the Masons of Ohio and the cordia=
l,
fraternal reception and wecome accorded him everywhere, and says: "T=
he
devoted loyalty of the Masons of Ohio is above description. No king ever
received more ardent welcome or more cheerful obedience than is accorded =
to
the representative of the Grand Lodge of Ohio." Reports that as his proxy, M.·. W.·. Bro. Charles A.
Woodward, on May 5, 1897, dedicated the beautiful new Hall of Ellsworth L=
odge
No.505, at Cleveland. The R.·. W.·. Deputy Grand Master, Nelson Williams, subm=
its
his reports: The sudden death on November 11, 1896, of Bro. Rev. Thomas J.
Melish, Eminent Grand Prelate of the Grand Commandery of Ohio, Knights
Templars; Right Illustrious Grand Chaplain of the Grand Council Royal and
Select Masters of Ohio; and Excellent Grand Chaplain of the Grand Chapter=
of
Royal Arch Masons of Ohio, and a member of Ohio Consistory of the Ancient
Accepted Scottish Rite, and having attained the Thirty-third and last Deg=
ree
of that Rite. He was seventy-five years old. His funeral was conducted by=
the
Grand Commandery of Ohio, Knights Templars. Also the death of Bro. Harvey Vinal who died at Springfield, February =
17,
1897, at the age of eighty-nine years, ten months, four days. He was a Pa=
st
Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Ohio, and =
his
funeral ceremonies were conducted by Clark Lodge No.101, R.·.
W.·. Bro. Nelson Williams acting as Worshipful Master. Also the death of Brother Jacob Randall, who served the Grand Lodge as
Tyler from October 19, 1864, until his death, having served as Junior and
Senior Grand Deacon at different times before 1864, and he held similar
offices in the Grand Commandery and Grand Chapter of Ohio. His funeral was
conducted by Peed Commandery, and was attended by representatives of all =
the
Grand Masonic Bodies in the state. As proxy of the Grand Master he constituted West Milton Lodge No.577, =
at
West Milton, in due and ancient form, on November 19, 1896, and on Decemb=
er
28, 1896, dedicated the new Masonic Hall of Xenia Lodge No.49, at Xenia; =
and
on January is, 1897, dedicated the new Lodge room of Hamer Lodge No.167, =
at
Wapakoneta, and installed the officers; and on May 12, laid the corner st=
one
of the new Masonic Temple at Washington C. H., Fayette County. During the
year visited thirty-three Lodges, in all of which he was received with th=
at
fraternal warmth and friendship which is characteristic of our Brotherhoo=
d. The Grand Secretary procured the Past Grand Master's jewel unanimously
voted by the Grand Lodge at its last session to the retiring Grand Master
William B. Melish, and at his request I presented it to M.·.
W.·. Brother Melish in "due and modern form" at the banq=
uet
which closed the annual reunion of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in
Cincinnati, February 25, 1897, and he "looked thankful, and acted
thankful." The R.·. W.·. Grand Treasurer submitted his reported sho=
wing
a balance on hand October 15, A. D. 1897, $$626,401.88. The R.·. W.·. Grand Secretary presented his report showi=
ng
the present membership 41,713 a net gain of 874 during the past year, and=
a
table showing the membership, and net gains in each year from 1887 to 189=
7,
ten years, which shows the total gain during that time 8,885, or an avera=
ge
of 888 each year. The amount due the Masonic Home from the 15 cents per capita tax is
$6,256.95. Brother Wm. B. Melish, on behalf of the Trustees of the Masonic Home,
invited the Grand Lodge to visit the Home the afternoon of the first day =
of
the session on a special train provided for that occasion, which was acce=
pted
and the entire Grand Lodge to the number of over 600, spent the afternoon=
in
an inspection of the Home. Corinthian Lodge No.111, was granted a duplicate charter in lieu of the
original which had become so discolored that it is almost illegible. The
Grand Secretary was authorized to correct the date of the duplicate chart=
er
issued to Wellsville Lodge No.180, in 1854, by erasing 1854 and inserting
1849, the date of the original charter, the "1854" having been
inserted by clerical error. A duplicate charter was issued to Bloomfield
Lodge No.422, in lieu of the original destroyed by fire. The Committee on Jurisprudence report that the Grand Master's decision=
s and
Opinions on the questions of "Conflict of Laws" and
"Objections, are in conformity with law and should be approved, which
was approved. Brother Nelson Williams was elected M.·. W.·. Grand Mast=
er;
Bros, E. C Gulliford, R.·. W.·. Deputy Grand master; E. L.
Lybarger, R.·. W.·. Senior Grand Warden; F. S. Harmon, R.·. W.·. Junior Grand Warde=
n.
Bro. R. R. Rickly, re-elected R.·. W.·. Grand Treasurer and
Bro. J. H. Bromwell, R.·. W.·. Grand Secretary. Columbus was selected as the place, and Wednesday, October 19, A. D. 1=
898,
as the time for holding the next Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge.=
The Superintendent and Secretary of the Ohio Masonic Home submitted his
report, showing the total expenditures to April 1, 1897, the date of open=
ing
the Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$167,443.42 Furnishing Account - Number of inmates now in Home-Men, 29; women, 9; boys, 9; girls, 9; to=
tal,
56. Average cost per month for maintenance of Home $,1,054.10, or $12,649.=
28
per year. Total number of rooms for all purposes, 134. Total number of bedrooms,=
81,
of which 17 are attic rooms and not suitable for summer use, leaving 64
available for all seasons. The Committee on Charity reported recommending a donation of $4,000 fr=
om
the funds of the Grand Lodge for the Ohio Masonic Home for its maintenanc=
e,
which report and recommendation were adopted. M.·. W.·. Bro. Wm. M. Cunningham submitted an amendment =
to
Section 16 of the Grand Lodge By-Laws increasing the per capita tax on ea=
ch
member from 50 to 60 cents per year, which under the rule lies over until=
the
next session. The Committee on Jurisprudence reported the two amendments offered at =
the
last session to Section 79 of the Code for consideration and action by the
Grand Lodge. The first amendment to strike out all after the words "Grand
Lodge" in the thirteenth line, which would exclude the Chapters of t=
he
Eastern Star entirely from the Lodge rooms, which was taken up, voted on =
and
lost, and the amendment rejected. The second amendment offered by Rev. Thomas J. Melish, to strike out of
said section the words "with the consent of the Grand Master;" =
so
as to permit the Masonic bodies occupying a Hall to grant permission to t=
he
Eastern Star to occupy the same without requiring the consent of the Grand
Master, was taken up, voted on and duly adopted, and is now the law. Brother Jobn Blyth on behalf of the Grand Chapter of the Eastern Star
returned thanks, and announced he had authority to say that said Grand
Chapter had donated $100 from its funds to the Ohio Masonic Home. The following resolution was adopted: "Resolved, That the Grand Secretary express to the M.·.
W.·. Grand Master, Barton Smith, the regret of this Grand Lodge th=
at
he was unable to be present at this Annual Grand Communication." The special committee appointed at the last session to examine the new
Code and report any omissions, errors, conflicts, etc., and recommend any
corrections necessary, reported as follows: M.·. W.·. Bro. W. M. Cunningham called attention to the =
fact
that statements had been published in the Columbus daily papers that there
was a probability of a consolidation being effected between this Grand Lo=
dge
and the bogus so-called Grand Lodge of Ohio, presided over by one Justin
Pinney, calling himself Grand Master; denounced all such statements as fa=
lse,
and made appropriate remarks by way of caution and admonition against
allowing the members of said bogus Grand Lodge and members holding allegi=
ance
to it, being given any recognition by the legitimate Masons of Ohio. The R.·. W.·. Grand Chaplain, Chairman of the Committee =
on
Necrology, asked leave to print their report in the proceedings without
reading the same, which was granted and the report was so printed. A resolution was adopted authorizing the incoming Grand Master, Nelson
Williams, to procure and present to the retiring Grand Master, M.·.
W.·. Barton Smith, a Past Grand Master's jewel, the Grand Secretar=
y to
draw a proper voucher for the payment of the expense thereof. The Committee on Foreign Correspondence presented their report which is
printed in the appendix to the proceedings, covering 336 pages, reviewing=
the
proceedings of 60 English speaking and 11 non-English speaking Grand Lodg=
es. If any Mason interested in the history or literature of the Order will
glance over the index to this valuable paper he will become convinced of =
its
merit, and will not lay the volume down until he has read every page of t=
his
report. Those desiring information on the subject of Masonic Homes will find
reports of fifteen such institutions; on the subject of Clandestinism, te=
n;
Cerneauism, ten; Antiquity of Freemasonry, nine; Anti-Masonic Congress,
three; Method of Wearing Apron, two; Cipher Rituals, thirteen; Freemasonr=
y,
thirteen; Grand Lodge Sovereignty, seven; non-affiliation, fourteen; and
other subjects too numerous to mention. The Ohio Masonic Veterans' Association held its annual meeting at which
eighty-two Venerable Brethren were present; S. S. Williams, President; E.
Morrell, Secretary. A large class of candidates was elected, received and welcomed; the us=
ual
banquet enjoyed. The Secretary reported that the proceedings of the
Association from 1872 to 1891, inclusive, had been printed pamphlet form.=
The death of Venerable Bro. Thomas J. Melis Grand Chaplain, and Venera=
ble
Bro. Jacob Panda were reported, and a committee appointed to draw a memor=
ial
for each.
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