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Article RHODE ISLAND'S MASONIC CENTENARY. Page 1 of 3 Article RHODE ISLAND'S MASONIC CENTENARY. Page 1 of 3 →
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Rhode Island's Masonic Centenary.
RHODE ISLAND'S MASONIC CENTENARY .
Historical Address by Eev . Henry W . Iliif / g , 7 X 7 )
Grand Chaplain , at the Centenary Celebration of the Grand Lodye of Freemasons in Rhode Island , at Providence , Q-fch Jane 1 S 01 . nnHE organisation which deserves this Centennial JL Festival is privileged to review a bright and useful
past . A hundred years do not constitute a very long period in tho history of the human world , but such a space of time is quite sufficient to test the elements of stabilit y and worth in Institutions and to show that which is ephemeral in contrast with that which is abiding . A
century furnishes ample opportunity for the making of a record , attractive or otherwise , on tho part of organisations that enduro so long . Fortunate indeed is the Grand Lodge of Masons in Rhode Islaud that , while it comes to tho keeping of this anniversary having a present strength of
membera and resources greater than at any former period , it is yet able , in the backward glance which tho occasion prompts , to look upon abundant tokens of progress and prosperity , of sweet fellowship and fraternal service , that mark the ascending way from tho first until now .
Freemasonry has a just prestige of antiquity . It has been evolved from a remote past . In . its modern expression , considered as a system and as an Institution , it
represents a growth of moral principles and a development of tho ideas of human association , and ought thus to be regarded , rather than as having como full-formed into being—created afc some one fixed date .
This occasion does not justify any discussion of the origin and antecedents of Freemasonry , which involve many unsettled questions , conflicting theories and propositions , sometimes made tho more perplexing by tho fanciful connections of Masonic writers and historians . Tho
Freemasonry of to-day is au evolution ; its sign and prefignrement may bo seen in the association of workmen employed on King Solomon ' s temple , tho Collegia Fahrontm
of the Roman Empire , and more distinctly in the various operative guilds of tho middle nges , between whoso organisations and our own many features of semblance can be traced .
The actual historic period of tho Masonic Institution can hardly bo said , however , to antedate tho seventeenth century , aud of thafc early period wo havo but scanty and unsatisfactory records , and tho Masonic . student must depend largely on tradition for information respecting tho
character and movements of Freemasonry . It is only when wo come to fcho date of the formation of tho Grand Lodge of England , on Saint John tho Baptist ' s Day , 1717 , that we are able to trace each important stop of fcho Masonic Institution , and note its progress in all lands whoro it has beon established .
Tho history of organised Freemasonry in this conntry does not go back to 1730—indeed , tho cjuestion is still an open ono whether , under strict limitations , tho date should not bo brought forward to 1733 . Boston and Philadel phia assert their respective claims for priority , and a decision
giving precedence to ono or the other of theso cities depends not a lifctlo upon tho way and manner in which " organised Freemasonry " is defined and limited . Undoubtedly thcro were Masons in Philadelphia , associated together under tho name and form of a Lodge , iu 1730
and if it could bo shown that Daniel Coxe , of Now Jersey , who was appointed Provisional Grand Master , Sth June 1730 , by tho Grand Lodgo of England , exercised the authority with which ho was invested , then the question
of precedence would he settled in favour of Philadelphia . But this is nofc clear , while it does appear that Saint John ' s Lodgo in Boston was duly constituted , 30 fch June 1733 , by Henry Price , Provincial Grand Master of New England .
There were Masons and Masonic meetings , no doubt , in this conntry prior to tho beginnings of tho organic life of the Institntion in Philadelphia and Boston . If tradition , which has frequently found its way into print , might be
accepted , Freemasonry was known and communicated in Newport , Rhode Island , soon after the middle of the seventeenth century . There are no records , however , no authentic and satisfactory accounts , of such Masonic life and movements in our State as aro intimated in tho
unverified legends to which frequent reference ia made
Rhode Island's Masonic Centenary.
Tho history of Freemasonry in this jurisdiction properly begins with tho formation of Saint John ' s Lodge , Newport , 27 th December 1740 , a warrant for said Lodge having been issued by Thomas Oxnard Provincial Grand Master at Boston . For somo reason or other the document
authorising this Lodgo was wrongfully withheld by the Worshipful Master , thus causing an exceedingly unpleasant condition of affairs , which was relieved by the issuing of a second warrant , from the same authority , bearing date 14 th May 1753 . A little later another complication
arose , thcro having been an intention on tho part of the governing body to restrict the new Lodge to tho conferring of two degrees , whereas the Newport brethren , acting under a misapprehension of the powers granted , had also
beon conferring the third or Master ' s degree . After duo explanation , the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts issued ( a supplementary warrant , dated 20 th March 1759 , expressly authorising the conferring of the Master ' s degree by tho Newport Lodge .
A little more than two years before tho granting of this confirmatory charter , a Lodge had been organised in Providence , also taking tho name of Saint John ' s , tho warrant being dated 18 th January 1757 . Ifc is pleasant in this connection to recall tho fact that tho two oldest Lodges in
the State wero created by the same authority , and that each is in possession of a charter signed by Jeremy Gridley . It is pleasant , likewise , that these Lodges took the same name , the one , in special recognition of Saint John tho Evangelist , tho other of Saint John the Baptist . So it is
provided in tho charter granted to tho brethren afc Nowport , thafc they wero annually "to keep or cause to be kept the feast of Saint John the Evangelist , " while in similar terms tho brethren at Providence were enjoined to observe the feast of Saint John the Baptist .
There is no question of tho priority of Saint John ' s Lodge in Newport . It is the oldest Lodge , and ranks accordingly ; but Saint John ' s of Providence , formerly designated as No . 2 , is now also privileged to use the premier number , action allowing such numerical designation
having boon taken by tho Grand Lodgo in 1861 . Both Lodges were inactive for a considerable period in their early history , tho Lodgo at Providence remaining dormant from 1769 to 1778 , when ifc was revived by a warrant issued by Grand Master Rowo of Massachusetts . Tho
Lodgo at NeAvport likewise falling into desuetude during the timo of tho Revolution , and continuing in such a condition until about tho timo that the question of forming a Grand Lodgo in this jurisdiction camo under consideration . In explanation of this declension of tho Newport Lodgo ,
mention should be mado that , 7 th Juno 1780 , a second Lodge was organised—King David ' s Lodgo , constituted under tho immediate authority of Moses M . Hays , Inspector
General , claiming large powers , under a general " warrant of Masonry , " emanating from Georgo Harrison , Provincial Grand Master of New York , and for a timo residing in Newport . This Lodgo lived and flourished for about ton
years . In tho year 1790 American Craftsmen were considerably exercised over the proposition to create a Federal Grand Lodge , and individual Lodges , as well as State Grand Lodges wero addressed on tho subject and thoir opinion
solicited . It was on tho receipt of a communication from Past Grand Master James Jackson , of Georgia , relating to a plan of establishing a National Grand Lodge , that King David ' s Lodgo appointed a committee to confer with tho Master of St . John ' s Lodgo , Providence , on that subject ;
and , also , to suggest to him " the expediency of forming a Grand Lodgo in this State , and to appoint a Grand Master for tho same . " This action on tho part of fcho Newport brethren , taken 7 th September 1790 , was the beginning of tho movement , resulting in the year following in tho
organization of tho Grand Body which to-day observes Saint John the Baptist ' s Day by tho celebration of its ono hundredth anniversary . This consultation gave form and impetus to the movement , and with but little delay committees were appointed to take the necessary steps to
accomplish the desired object . It was at this time that King David's Lodge decided , 13 th October 1790 , to merge its existence in the revived first Lodge of Newport , and six days later tho members were declared in good standing in
the Saint John ' s Lodge , this addition of ono hundred or more of course being the controlling power . Tho committee appointed for the organization of a State Grand Lodgo made rapid progress , agreeing npon a plan , form of
Government , rnlea of procedure , & c , which were duly
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Rhode Island's Masonic Centenary.
RHODE ISLAND'S MASONIC CENTENARY .
Historical Address by Eev . Henry W . Iliif / g , 7 X 7 )
Grand Chaplain , at the Centenary Celebration of the Grand Lodye of Freemasons in Rhode Island , at Providence , Q-fch Jane 1 S 01 . nnHE organisation which deserves this Centennial JL Festival is privileged to review a bright and useful
past . A hundred years do not constitute a very long period in tho history of the human world , but such a space of time is quite sufficient to test the elements of stabilit y and worth in Institutions and to show that which is ephemeral in contrast with that which is abiding . A
century furnishes ample opportunity for the making of a record , attractive or otherwise , on tho part of organisations that enduro so long . Fortunate indeed is the Grand Lodge of Masons in Rhode Islaud that , while it comes to tho keeping of this anniversary having a present strength of
membera and resources greater than at any former period , it is yet able , in the backward glance which tho occasion prompts , to look upon abundant tokens of progress and prosperity , of sweet fellowship and fraternal service , that mark the ascending way from tho first until now .
Freemasonry has a just prestige of antiquity . It has been evolved from a remote past . In . its modern expression , considered as a system and as an Institution , it
represents a growth of moral principles and a development of tho ideas of human association , and ought thus to be regarded , rather than as having como full-formed into being—created afc some one fixed date .
This occasion does not justify any discussion of the origin and antecedents of Freemasonry , which involve many unsettled questions , conflicting theories and propositions , sometimes made tho more perplexing by tho fanciful connections of Masonic writers and historians . Tho
Freemasonry of to-day is au evolution ; its sign and prefignrement may bo seen in the association of workmen employed on King Solomon ' s temple , tho Collegia Fahrontm
of the Roman Empire , and more distinctly in the various operative guilds of tho middle nges , between whoso organisations and our own many features of semblance can be traced .
The actual historic period of tho Masonic Institution can hardly bo said , however , to antedate tho seventeenth century , aud of thafc early period wo havo but scanty and unsatisfactory records , and tho Masonic . student must depend largely on tradition for information respecting tho
character and movements of Freemasonry . It is only when wo come to fcho date of the formation of tho Grand Lodge of England , on Saint John tho Baptist ' s Day , 1717 , that we are able to trace each important stop of fcho Masonic Institution , and note its progress in all lands whoro it has beon established .
Tho history of organised Freemasonry in this conntry does not go back to 1730—indeed , tho cjuestion is still an open ono whether , under strict limitations , tho date should not bo brought forward to 1733 . Boston and Philadel phia assert their respective claims for priority , and a decision
giving precedence to ono or the other of theso cities depends not a lifctlo upon tho way and manner in which " organised Freemasonry " is defined and limited . Undoubtedly thcro were Masons in Philadelphia , associated together under tho name and form of a Lodge , iu 1730
and if it could bo shown that Daniel Coxe , of Now Jersey , who was appointed Provisional Grand Master , Sth June 1730 , by tho Grand Lodgo of England , exercised the authority with which ho was invested , then the question
of precedence would he settled in favour of Philadelphia . But this is nofc clear , while it does appear that Saint John ' s Lodgo in Boston was duly constituted , 30 fch June 1733 , by Henry Price , Provincial Grand Master of New England .
There were Masons and Masonic meetings , no doubt , in this conntry prior to tho beginnings of tho organic life of the Institntion in Philadelphia and Boston . If tradition , which has frequently found its way into print , might be
accepted , Freemasonry was known and communicated in Newport , Rhode Island , soon after the middle of the seventeenth century . There are no records , however , no authentic and satisfactory accounts , of such Masonic life and movements in our State as aro intimated in tho
unverified legends to which frequent reference ia made
Rhode Island's Masonic Centenary.
Tho history of Freemasonry in this jurisdiction properly begins with tho formation of Saint John ' s Lodge , Newport , 27 th December 1740 , a warrant for said Lodge having been issued by Thomas Oxnard Provincial Grand Master at Boston . For somo reason or other the document
authorising this Lodgo was wrongfully withheld by the Worshipful Master , thus causing an exceedingly unpleasant condition of affairs , which was relieved by the issuing of a second warrant , from the same authority , bearing date 14 th May 1753 . A little later another complication
arose , thcro having been an intention on tho part of the governing body to restrict the new Lodge to tho conferring of two degrees , whereas the Newport brethren , acting under a misapprehension of the powers granted , had also
beon conferring the third or Master ' s degree . After duo explanation , the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts issued ( a supplementary warrant , dated 20 th March 1759 , expressly authorising the conferring of the Master ' s degree by tho Newport Lodge .
A little more than two years before tho granting of this confirmatory charter , a Lodge had been organised in Providence , also taking tho name of Saint John ' s , tho warrant being dated 18 th January 1757 . Ifc is pleasant in this connection to recall tho fact that tho two oldest Lodges in
the State wero created by the same authority , and that each is in possession of a charter signed by Jeremy Gridley . It is pleasant , likewise , that these Lodges took the same name , the one , in special recognition of Saint John tho Evangelist , tho other of Saint John the Baptist . So it is
provided in tho charter granted to tho brethren afc Nowport , thafc they wero annually "to keep or cause to be kept the feast of Saint John the Evangelist , " while in similar terms tho brethren at Providence were enjoined to observe the feast of Saint John the Baptist .
There is no question of tho priority of Saint John ' s Lodge in Newport . It is the oldest Lodge , and ranks accordingly ; but Saint John ' s of Providence , formerly designated as No . 2 , is now also privileged to use the premier number , action allowing such numerical designation
having boon taken by tho Grand Lodgo in 1861 . Both Lodges were inactive for a considerable period in their early history , tho Lodgo at Providence remaining dormant from 1769 to 1778 , when ifc was revived by a warrant issued by Grand Master Rowo of Massachusetts . Tho
Lodgo at NeAvport likewise falling into desuetude during the timo of tho Revolution , and continuing in such a condition until about tho timo that the question of forming a Grand Lodgo in this jurisdiction camo under consideration . In explanation of this declension of tho Newport Lodgo ,
mention should be mado that , 7 th Juno 1780 , a second Lodge was organised—King David ' s Lodgo , constituted under tho immediate authority of Moses M . Hays , Inspector
General , claiming large powers , under a general " warrant of Masonry , " emanating from Georgo Harrison , Provincial Grand Master of New York , and for a timo residing in Newport . This Lodgo lived and flourished for about ton
years . In tho year 1790 American Craftsmen were considerably exercised over the proposition to create a Federal Grand Lodge , and individual Lodges , as well as State Grand Lodges wero addressed on tho subject and thoir opinion
solicited . It was on tho receipt of a communication from Past Grand Master James Jackson , of Georgia , relating to a plan of establishing a National Grand Lodge , that King David ' s Lodgo appointed a committee to confer with tho Master of St . John ' s Lodgo , Providence , on that subject ;
and , also , to suggest to him " the expediency of forming a Grand Lodgo in this State , and to appoint a Grand Master for tho same . " This action on tho part of fcho Newport brethren , taken 7 th September 1790 , was the beginning of tho movement , resulting in the year following in tho
organization of tho Grand Body which to-day observes Saint John the Baptist ' s Day by tho celebration of its ono hundredth anniversary . This consultation gave form and impetus to the movement , and with but little delay committees were appointed to take the necessary steps to
accomplish the desired object . It was at this time that King David's Lodge decided , 13 th October 1790 , to merge its existence in the revived first Lodge of Newport , and six days later tho members were declared in good standing in
the Saint John ' s Lodge , this addition of ono hundred or more of course being the controlling power . Tho committee appointed for the organization of a State Grand Lodgo made rapid progress , agreeing npon a plan , form of
Government , rnlea of procedure , & c , which were duly