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and, on August 3, 1780, the petition was granted and Lodge No. 9 was duly
constituted. When Lodge No. 9 commenced its work, there were twenty-nine
Lodges working and, according to the date, Lodge No. 9 should have
received warrant No. 30. Of the original thirty Masonic Lodges, there are
now only seven in existence - No. 2, 3, 9, Montgomery No. 19 in
Philadelphia; Perseverance No. 21 in Harrisburg; No. 22 in Sunbury and No.
25 in Bristol. Of the seven, five Lodges have gaps from two to
twenty-three years when they ceased labor for some reason. Lodge No. 9 has
a continuous record since constituted.
The officers above mentioned were installed by Alexander Rutherford, Grand
Master Pro. Tem. at the home of David Copeland, the Innkeeper. The
initiation was fixed at sixty dollars and every member was fined one
dollar for non-attendance. Due to the assistance of the Grand Secretary's
office, valuable records have been brought to light, our By-laws are
complete, the names of all Past Masters from 1780 to date are known, and
the Secretary's notes show our munificent response to appeals to charity.
Children of deceased Brethren were cared for until they were of working
age; widows were given special financial attention; firewood and food were
given to the needy from the Charity Funds. In the beginning every member
of the Lodge was obligated to pay one shilling per month to the Charity
Fund. Even Burial expenses were assumed by the Lodge in cases of financial
distress. On March 15, 1783 the Provincial Grand Lodge reported that
Lodges Numbered 2, 3, 4, 9, and 13 were the first to establish a fund for
the relief of indigent and distressed Masons. Through the years this has
been an unending cardinal project with No. 9.
On June 27, 1787, our original Warrant from the Grand Lodge of England was
surrendered to the new Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania which, on September 25,
1786 had ceased working as a Provincial Grand Lodge. Brother Matthew Hand,
Master of Lodge No. 9, received our new Warrant which is always placed in
front of the Worshipful Master's Station when the Lodge is open.
In 1797, 1798, 1799 and 1802 the September and October meetings of the
Lodge were suspended owing to the great epidemics of Yellow Fever. The
meticulously kept 'Minutes' note that, on July 2, 1802, one Archibald
Owens was expelled for seventy-seven years for un-Masonic conduct! Our
total membership at that time was fifty and the charge for our banquets
was twenty-five cents. A debt we owed to the Grand Lodge was cancelled
when we turned over to them seven lengths of stove pipe, six chairs, two
pine tables, four benches and a mahogany cabinet. At the same time, we had
begun our investments by the purchase of two Certificates of United States
"Sixes" amounting to two hundred, thirteen pounds, ten shillings
and two pence. The records show that our Initiation fee was Twenty-nine
dollars, dues were fifty cents, and visitors also paid fifty cents,
collected every meeting night. The Tyler's salary was made up from
admissions paid each meeting, as well as from new candidates fees. The
Secretary's salary was $2.00 for each meeting and $1.50 from each man
initiated.
Even in those early years we were a prospering Lodge ever mindful of
Charity obligations to the less fortunate. It was noted in our Minutes
that a cord of wood was given a widow as charity; Tyler Grey, lacking
money to bury his daughter was voted Twenty dollars for the burial. In 181
2, new aprons for the Officers were bought, and jewels and swords were
purchased for the Masters of Ceremonies. A new Seal of the Lodge was
obtained, the previous one having been lost. An Edict ordered that no
Officer's or Past Master's Jewels could be taken home, but must be left in
the Lodge room. All members serving in the Armed Forces during the War of
1812 were exonerated from paying dues. In 1818 the Initiation fee was
raised to Thirty dollars and, on April 2, 1819, Two Hundred dollars was
given out of a loan of Five Hundred dollars to assist in building the
Masonic Hall on the north side of Chestnut Street between 7th and 8th
Streets to replace the one burned down March 9.
The minutes of 1820 noted the first serious rift in the Lodge. Brother
McGuigan,; the Treasurer and Steward, had been suspended for overcharging
the Lodge for liquor and paying the bill in violation of the By-laws,
Section four. He refused to surrender the papers and monies to his
appointed successor, and all bills had been destroyed. On July 7, 1820,
the Grand Lodge appointed a Committee to investigate and reported in favor
of reinstating Brother McGuigan. His successor, having refused to give up
his Station, was removed from the Lodge by the Deacons as ordered by the
Worshipful Master. It appears that the Lodge had conducted the election
out of regular order without having received permission from the Grand
Lodge.
On October 6, 1821, new By-laws were voted upon, among which it is noted
that, Officers elected to serve were fined Two dollars if they refused to
assume the office: the Secretary's salary was Twenty dollars per annum;
the Tyler was to be an expert, attentive to his duties, sober and not a
member of the Lodge, for which he was to receive Two dollars per night. At
the November 1824 meeting there were thirty-one members and twenty-nine
visitors present. The supper cost fifty cents each.
The year 1836 saw the height of anti-Masonic trouble when the unsolved
disappearance of one William Morgan, whose enmity upon refusal of the
LeRoy Lodge and Chapter to admit him, was the cause of this trouble. John
Quincy Adams, President of the United States from 1825 to 1829 - and son
of a Mason who was second President - made some strong statements against
Freemasonry, which perhaps partly cause his defeat by Andrew Jackson, Past
Grand Master of Tennessee. During this excitement, Masons who refused to
leave their Lodge were called 'Adhering Masons'. During this period the
Lodge suffered the loss of few members by resignation but instead gained a
number of Petitions for Admission of new members.
On April 2, 1852, a Communication from the Grand Lodge requested all
Officers and Past Masters to wear their jewels and collars in the Grand
Lodge Meetings. That year, on August 7th, Fifty dollars was given to
Brother William Cundy, whose factory had been destroyed by fire and Five
dollars was given to a Brother Mason from Ireland to 'help him get to
Pittsburgh'. By now, the Initiation Fee was Fifty Dollars, Admission was
Twenty dollars and the dues were Ten dollars, while the Secretary received
Fifty dollars for his services.
Five years later the assets of the Lodge equaled $2562.30 and the
Secretary was requested to collect all outstanding debts due the Lodge for
which he received ten percent of the proceeds. A Motion on March 2, 1860
gave retiring Masters a Past Master's collar and apron to be their
property.
From 1861 until 1865 our Nation was racked by Civil War, when Brother
Mason fought against Brother Mason. As members volunteered for service
they were given a Certificate of Membership for identification and were
exempted from payment of dues. On January 1, 1864 all Securities were
taken from Brother Peter T. Wright's Deposit Box and deposited in the
names of the Trustees. Investments of $5129.27 had been made of which
$3000.00 was in United States 5/20 Gold Bonds.
'At High Twelve' on June 24, 1868 the cornerstone of the present Masonic
Temple at No. 1 North Broad Street was laid by the Right Worshipful Grand
Master, Richard Vaux, and on the same day, Lodge No. 9 purchased a sewing
machine for the daughter of a deceased member. On November 3, 1869, Fifty
dollars was sent to sufferers of flood damage. An interesting note of the
Minutes records that 'Swords of the Officers be made blunt to save carpets
and furniture!' February 21, 1876 we sent One dollar as requested by a
Confederate Lodge in Selma, Alabama to help lift a mortgage on their Hall
rebuilt after Federal Troops had burned it down April 2, 1865.
1880 was the Centennial year for Lodge No. 9 and, while its Membership was
not large, the character of its Members showed that the foundations laid
down by our Brothers a century before were still strictly adhered to.
Loyalty and Devotion; Peace and Harmony pervaded the atmosphere of the
Lodge and, in the ensuing century it was fortunate to be governed by its
Worshipful Masters with Justice and Equity, having the full approval and
generous support of all elected and appointed Officers as well as the
entire membership. This membership includes the names of men in all the
varied walks of life, having enrolled members in National, State and City
Governments, Clergymen, Physicians, Lawyers, Teachers and other honorable
careers in the community. The Charities of the Lodge through the excellent
judgment of its Committees, exemplified the true spirit of Charity, and
calls made upon it on behalf of those whose circumstances and afflictions
made their necessities urgent, met with generous and hearty responses.
During 1883, when the establishment of a Masonic Home was broached, Lodge
No. 9 was among the first to become a Member of the Corporation. Every
year a Life Membership was taken out, which with the voluntary
contributions added earned our Lodge the honored position at the top of
the list of contributors.
Our Membership never exceeded sixty-four in the first fifty years. By the
time we reached our Centennial, the 'high-water' mark for Membership was
in 1874, when we had 202 Members. In the year of our Sesquicentennial,
1930, we reached our zenith in membership with an enrollment of 980. That
year, Brother Crosby L. Smith was Worshipful Master and we met in
Corinthian Hall of the Masonic Temple. The Right Worshipful Grand Master
accompanied by his Officers paid our Lodge a Grand Visitation on October
3rd, to assist in celebrating our One Hundred and Fifty Years of
continuous existence.
The preceding year on 'Black Friday', October 24, 1929 had seen the
collapse of the Stock Market when millions of people in all walks of life
were left penniless. Businesses failed and great unemployment followed.
Yet through it all, Lodge No. 9 continued to prosper. Brother Benjamin L.
Berry, P.M. and District Deputy Grand Master was appointed by the
Worshipful Master to take charge of the Religious Services at the Masonic
Home, 3333 N. Broad Street on November 9, 1930. From the will of our late
Brother Frederick Jennings, Lodge No. 9 received the sum of $5000.00 to be
used for Charity purposes.
In 1931 the Worshipful Master, Brother P. Davey Critchlow, received notice
that the 200th Anniversary of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania
would be celebrated from October 11th to the 14th and he appointed our
Secretary, Brother Samuel Sigler, P.M. as our Representative. On November
6, brother David J. Spangler, P.M. gave a lengthy and instructive History
of 200 years of the Provincial Grand Lodge.
By 1932 the Initiation and Membership Fee was increased from $170.00 to
$180.00, forty dollars of which went for the Homes of the Grand Lodge. In
that year $1542.00 was disbursed for Charity. On March 3rd of the
following year, Right Worshipful Past Grand Master Brother J. Willison
Smith visited the Lodge and gave us timely and instructive advice. By May
5th, the Fee for Initiation and Membership was reduced to $125.00 and a
suggestion from our Secretary that his salary be reduced by 15% was
categorically rejected. Membership had dropped this year to 820, a loss
from the preceding year of 24 Brethren.
On September 7, 1934, an Edict from the Right Worshipful Grand Master
reaffirmed and directed that subordinate Lodges could not meet in Lodge
Rooms or in the same building where there were held meetings of the Order
of the Eastern Star, the White Shrine of Jerusalem, the Amaranth or any
organization whose membership is comprised of both sexes, and which in any
way have Masonic affiliation as a prerequisite. An accompanying letter
addressed to our Worshipful Master, referred him to Article XVIII, Section
2, of the Ahiman Rezon, admonishing all Lodges to maintain detailed and
correct records of all accounts and proceedings. Since our Lodge has
always been noted and frequently commended for the excellence of its
records, this in no way affected us.
By 1936 our membership had fallen to 756 and the average attendance
dropped to 92. Consequently we changed our meeting place from Corinthian
Hall to the smaller Norman Hall for the next 36 years. Due to the attempts
of some Lodges to raise money, an Edict was received from the Right
Worshipful Grand Master on February 5, 1937 reading: - "No member of
the Fraternity in this Jurisdiction shall alone, or with others, be a
party to any gambling, lottery, or gift enterprise devised or arranged to
raise money which shall directly or indirectly inure to the benefit of any
Masonic Lodge or Masonic Hall Association in this Jurisdiction." In
1938 the Right Worshipful Grand Secretary died and the Right Worshipful
Grand Master, Brother Robert R. Lewis appointed Brother Matthew Galt,
Junior to fill the Office of Grand Secretary. On November 30, Brother
Samuel Sigler, P.M., who had been our Secretary for many years also passed
away, and the Worshipful Master appointed Brother David Spangler, P.M. to
be acting Secretary. On motion, his salary was reduced from $1,000.00 to
$750.00 per annum.
During all of the years following the crash of the Stock Market in October
1929 and until the outbreak of hostilities on September 1, 1939 that
ushered in World War II, our beloved Nation was foundering in the throes
of the worst depression to befall us in a century. Then, as a supplier of
necessary war material to those nations arrayed against the Central
Powers, employment rose to an acceptable level. Yet, in this decade, due
to the wise care of our finances by the Trustees, Lodge No. 9 was able to
continue its generous charities, disbursing over $16,000.00 for benevolent
purposes. In May, 1939 the following Grand Lodge "Declaration of
Principles" appeared in our minutes: -
'Freemasonry is a benevolent, educational and religious Society. Its
principles are proclaimed as widely as men will hear. Its only secrets are
in its methods of recognition and of symbolic instruction.
It is Charitable in that it is not organized for profit and none of its
income inures to the benefit of any individual but all is devoted to the
promotion of the welfare and happiness of mankind.
It is Benevolent in that it teaches and exemplifies altruism as a duty.
It is Educational in that it teaches by prescribed Ceremonials a System of
morality and brotherhood based upon the Sacred Law.
It is Religious in that it teaches monotheism, the Holy Bible is open upon
its Altars whenever a Lodge is in Session, reverence for God is ever
present in its Ceremonial, and to its Brethren are constantly addressed
lessons of morality; yet it is not sectarian or theological.
It is a Social Organization only so far as it furnishes additional
inducements that men may forgather in numbers, thereby providing more
material for its primary work of education, of worship, and of Charity.
Through the improvement and strengthening of the character of the
individual man, Freemasonry seeks to improve the Community. Thus it
impresses upon its members, the principles of personal righteousness and
personal responsibility, enlightens them as to those things which make for
human welfare, and inspire them with that feeling of Charity, or Goodwill,
toward all mankind which will move them to translate Principle and
Conviction into action.
To that end it teaches and stands for the worship of God; Truth and
Justice; Fraternity and Philanthropy; enlightenment and orderly liberty,
civil, religious and intellectual.
It charges each of its members to be true and loyal to the Government of
the Country to which he holds allegiance and to be obedient to the law of
any State in which he may be.
It believes that the attainment of these objectives is best accomplished
by laying a broad basis of principle upon which men of every race,
Country, Sect and opinion may unite rather than by setting a restricted
platform upon which only those of certain races, Creeds and opinions can
assemble.
Believing these things, this Grand Lodge affirms its continued adherence
to that ancient and approved rule of Freemasonry which forbids the
discussion in Masonic meetings of Creeds, politics, or other topics likely
to excite personal animosities.
It further affirms its Conviction that it is not only Contrary to the
fundamental principles of Freemasonry, but dangerous to its unity,
strength, usefulness and welfare, for Masonic Bodies to take action or
attempt to exercise pressure or influence for or against any legislation,
or in any way to attempt to procure the election or appointment of
governmental officials, or to influence them, whether or not members of
the Fraternity, in the performance of their official duties.
The true Freemason will act in civil life according to his individual
judgment and the dictates of his Conscience.'
Brother Allen G. Scott was our Worshipful Master in 1940. During this year
the Nine Klub was reorganized to entertain and honor our Ladies. It held
banquets and Christmas parties every year and formed a Minstrel show to
entertain the guests at the Masonic Home, all at no expense to the Lodge.
In 1941 Brother George H. Wittmer became our Worshipful Master, and he
appointed Brother Allen G. Scott, P.M. to be our Representative to the
Masonic Home of Pennsylvania at 3333 North Broad Street. Our By-laws were
amended, reducing the Fee for Initiation and Membership to $125.00, of
which $40.00 was for the Masonic Homes of the Grand Lodge; making the Fee
for Admission and Advancement of a Fellow Craft Mason $50.00. Admission of
Brethren from Lodges in other Jurisdictions became $40.00, which was to go
to the maintenance of the Masonic Homes of the Grand Lodge.
December 7, 1941 was the "Day that will live in infamy!" The
Japanese Air Force, without warning or provocation attacked the United
States war fleet that was stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Immediately
our Brother Franklin Delano Roosevelt, President of the United States, in
Congress assembled, declared that a state of war existed between the
United States and the Imperial Government of Japan. This was followed by
Germany and Italy, allies of Japan, declaring war upon us. Beginning with
our stated meeting of March 6, 1942 when Brother Archer P. Crosley was
Worshipful Master, pursuant to a Communication from Brother John A.
Lathwood, Right Worshipful Grand Master enjoining our Membership to
actively participate in the Flag Ceremony, consisting of reciting the
'Oath of Allegiance' to the Flag, followed by singing the first stanza of
the 'Star Spangled Banner.' On May 3rd, it was on motion resolved that all
members of Lodge No. 9, serving in the armed forces of the United States
be exempt of dues for the duration of the War. Resolutions were issued
concerning proper Masonic conduct and loyalty to our Country in these
times of war; of the proper procedure in case of air-raid alert; of taking
proper precautions to guard records and the Lodge Warrant, and emphasized
the importance that Candidates of foreign birth give proper proof of their
Naturalization as a citizen of our Country.
Within the Lodge in 1943, our Worshipful Master Brother Heywood M. Wiley
entertained a motion that the sum of $1 50.00 be applied to a fund for
celebrating the 175th Anniversary of our Lodge in 1955. On April 2nd, ten
members and twenty sons of members were reported to be in the armed
services and the Committee on Masonic Military and Naval Services made a
collection of money for their use. A revised Masonic Burial Service was
read in open meeting on May 7th. This permitted the Service to be
performed at the Funeral Parlor on the night previous to the burial. May
2, Brother Stacey F. Wallace, P.M. and Treasurer passed away. Permission
being granted by the Grand Lodge to fill the vacancy, an election was
held, when Brother Donald F. Graham, P.M. was elected and installed in
Ancient Form.
From 1944 to 1954 membership showed a steady increase. These were joining
years throughout the Nation. Peace at long last had come, prosperity
encouraged an optimism and fraternal spirit in our midst which, in turn,
resulted in rapid Masonic growth. In 1945, during the term when Brother
Roy N. Tope was Worshipful Master, Brother Israel Leopold notified the
Lodge that his name had been changed legally to Ed. Wynn. He was one of
the outstanding comedians of his time and a loyal supporter of Lodge No.
9. In 1946, in March and April alone, there were seventeen petitions
submitted for Initiation and Membership and, at the annual Meeting in
December, 300 Members - practically half of our entire membership -
attended.
April 4, 1947, Brother T. Harrison Gibson, who later was to become a great
benefactor to both the Masonic Home of Pennsylvania and to Lodge No. 9,
was constituted a Life Member. Year after year, more and more Petitions
were being received for Initiation and Membership, wise investments made
by our Trustees permitted our Treasury to grow; at the same time we were
able to withdraw hundreds of dollars each year for charity purposes. On
November 11, 1949, Brother David J. Spangler, P.M. and Secretary of our
Lodge, who had been Initiated October 9, 191 1, passed away and Brother
George H. Wittmer, P.M. was appointed Acting Secretary for the remainder
of the year. It is of interest to note that, whereas in 1939, the cost of
the retiring Worshipful Master's jewel was $28.00, in 1951 the cost was
$48.00 so long ago had inflation begun!
In 1951 Brother Joel Carver was our Worshipful Master and the average
attendance at stated Meetings was 120. Also during this year, Membership
had grown to 720. Several Edicts and Communications from the Right
Worshipful Grand Master, Brother William E. Yeager, to our Lodge are of
interest. One was to the effect that, "a physical disqualification
arising after initiation of a Brother will not prevent his advancement
provided he is still mentally and morally fit, and has the ability to give
the signs properly." The Right Worshipful Grand Master also revoked
Decision #783 which permitted Lodge notices to be mailed with open flaps,
restoring the former Decision #388 which had required that all Lodge
notices, except for funerals, must be mailed in sealed envelopes. Another
Communication dated September 28, 1951 from the Right Worshipful Grand
Master, Brother William E. Yeager, stated that showing the name of the
Candidate on whom a Degree is to be conferred must be discontinued in the
Lodge notices.
In 1952, when Brother John W. Loxley was Worshipful Master, Lodge No. 9
was the recipient of two bequests. Brother Theodore A. Finkenauer who had
been Initiated October 6, 1894 passed away, bequeathing our Lodge the sum
of $3,000.00 absolutely. From the Estate of Mrs. Edna E. Spangler,
deceased wife and widow of Brother David J. Spangler, P.M. and former
Secretary, Lodge No. 9 received a bequest of $2,000.00 to be used for the
maintenance and support of the Lodge.
On June 6, 1953, our Worshipful Master, Brother Edwin H. Mabry, appointed
a Committee of eight Past Masters: - Brothers Benjamin L. Berry, Isaac F.
Benner, Robert J. Thompson, Crosby L. Smith, P. Davey Critchlow, Raymond
S. Henning, Robert Richards and Edward L. McElroy, Ch'mn, to formulate a
written History of Lodge No. 9 from its inception, as complete as
possible, with cuts of Officers, Committees, etc., to be completed and
printed by September 1, 1955, for distribution on the 1 75th Anniversary
of Lodge No. 9. In the Minutes of October 2, there appears the first
mention of a 'Past Masters' Night.' All the chairs were occupied by Past
Masters and Brother Joel Carver, P.M. conferred the Sublime Degree of a
Master Mason on Brother Thomas Huffington. The Secretary received a letter
from the Masonic Home of Pennsylvania, 3333 N. Broad Street, thanking the
Lodge for the donation with which they refurbished a room originally
furnished by our Lodge thirty years previously. On November 8, our Lodge
conducted the religious services at the above Home, following which a
Plaque was unveiled in honor of Brother T. Harrison Gibson, a deceased
member of our Lodge and a most generous benefactor both to the Masonic
Home of Pennsylvania and to Lodge No. 9.
Neither the Korean conflict had, nor was our forthcoming embroilment in
Vietnam to have any appreciable effect upon the good fortunes of Lodge No.
9. In 1954 when Brother Harry S. Nitterauer was our Worshipful Master, the
average attendance at stated meetings was 11 7 and our membership was 730.
The first Member ever to receive the 50 Year Masonic Service Emblem was
Brother John Schaack who had been initiated April 7, 1904. A Communication
from the Right Worshipful Grand Master was received relative to the
establishment of a Masonic Blood Bank. On September 11th, at an extra
Meeting, held in the George Washington Memorial, Alexandria, Va., our
Lodge was honored by the presence of Brother Lewis A. Major, Worshipful
Master of Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22, A. F. & A. M.
In 1955, while Brother Joseph J. Higgins was our Worshipful Master, Lodge
No. 9 celebrated 175 years of continuous existence. Brother Higgins
appointed Brother Benjamin L. Berry, P.M. Chairman Emeritus, and Brother
Joel Carver, P.M. General Chairman, and all the Elected Officers as an
Executive Committee in order that the entire Lodge might celebrate this
remarkable occasion. One of the features was that each Member received a
plastic coated Card on which his name and a record of the dates of his
Initiation and Advancement were printed. On October 29, at an Extra
Meeting held in Corinthian Hall of the Masonic Temple, the Worshipful
Masters of District 'H' were presented and welcomed by the Worshipful
Master of our Lodge, his Elected Officers and the 323 Members and 24
Guests who were in attendance. Then the Right Worshipful Grand Master,
Brother Ralph M. Lehr, was admitted to the Lodge and he announced the
presence of the Officers of the Grand Lodge on their Grand Visitation to
Lodge No. 9 on the occasion of the 175th Anniversary of its existence.
Thereupon the Right Worshipful Grand Master and the other Grand Elected
and Appointed Officers were formally admitted. The Worshipful Master gave
the Lodge the Sign to greet the Right Worshipful Grand Master and, after
greeting him in the East, turned the Lodge over to him. The Right
Worshipful Grand Master instructed the Grand Lodge Officers to relieve the
Officers of Lodge No. 9 and take their places. He then called upon the
Officers to make a few remarks. Then Brother James H. Sims, Chairman of
the Trustees of our Lodge, presented the Right Worshipful Grand Master
with a check in the amount of $5,000.00 and stated that the Trustees had
set aside another $5,000.00 to be presented to the 'Hospital Extension
Fund of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania' at the unveiling of a Plaque in
the Dispensary in memory of Brother T. Harrison Gibson, a deceased Member
whose generosity had made these presentations possible. Brother Sims then
added that, so long as it is financially possible, Lodge No. 9 has agreed
to make an Annual Donation to the Dispensary of $2,000.00. The Right
Worshipful Grand Master accepted these munificent donations with thanks
and stated that, on completion of the Hospital Dispensary, he would
arrange with our Lodge to make the presentations to take place in
Elizabethtown at the unveiling of the Plaque in honor of Brother T.
Harrison Gibson and Lodge No. 9. The Grand Lodge Officers then retired to
the Banquet room and our Worshipful Master proceeded to close the Lodge.
In January 1956, our Worshipful Master, Brother Allen G. Schultz, caused
the Amendments to our By-Laws, which had been passed the previous
November, again to be read. By these Amendments, the annual Dues of
Members were raised from $8.00 to $12.00; the Fee for Initiation and
Membership was raised from $150.00 to $200.00, of which a sum of $60.00
would accrue to the Masonic Homes of the Grand Lodge; the Treasurer would
receive annually $100.00 and be exempt from paying Dues; the salary of our
Secretary would remain at $1,000.00 per annum and, by Article 6, Section
3, any Member who has paid full Dues to the Lodgefor3Oyears or more may,
by a vote of the Lodge, be made an Honorary Member and, thereafter, only
be required to pay his Grand Lodge Dues. All of these changes in our
By-Laws were approved by the Grand Lodge with the exception that they
deleted the figure '30' and inserted the figure '35' to be the length of
time that a Member must have been in our Lodge before he may be deemed an
Honorary Member and be eligible for the remittance of his Dues. On Motion,
it was approved that $200.00 be withdrawn from the treasury and placed in
the fund for the celebration of our on-coming 200th Anniversary in 1980.
Our Membership during this year was 725 while, at the end of 1957, when
Brother John A. Staufenberg was our Worshipful Master, the Membership was
709, twenty-two of our Members having passed away during the year, two
others having been suspended and eight new applicants having been
Initiated. During that year, the average attendance during Stated Meetings
was 99. Since that year, there has been a modest though steady decline
both in attendance at Stated Meetings and also in total Membership.
Our Worshipful Master in 1958 was Brother Eber B. Wenger. On June 6, the
Right Worshipful Past Grand Master, Brother Charles F. Nitsch visited our
Lodge and gave a very interesting talk on Free Masonry and the Masonic
Homes at Elizabethtown. The Right Worshipful Grand Secretary, Brother
George A. Avery, having passed away, the Right Worshipful Grand Master,
Brother Sanford M. Chilcote announced the appointment of Brother Ashby P.
Paul to fill the vacancy.
In 1959, when Brother Gustave Scheerbaum was our Worshipful Master, at an
extra Meeting on June 13 with 51 Members and 60 Visitors present, our
District Deputy Grand Master, Brother Charles E. Kauffman, conferred upon
Brother Thomas Reichhardt the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. On October
3, Brother Benjamin L. Berry, P.M. and Past Deputy Grand Master, District
'H', was presented with a Plaque honoring him for 52 years of active
service in Lodge No. 9.
Brother Henry Schleyer, who was our Worshipful Master in 1960, entertained
a Motion to draw $500.00 from our Treasury to be placed in the Fund for
the purpose of celebrating the 200th Anniversary of our Lodge. The last
time that any money had been 'ear-marked' for this purpose had been 1956.
On Motion approved, the salary of the Tyler was increased to $12.00 per
meeting. On December 4 our Treasurer, Brother Ellwood G. Schmidt announced
his resignation from that position and that he was a candidate for the
station of Junior Warden. In the subsequent election that evening, he was
elected. In the twenty year period between 1941 and 1960, Lodge No. 9 had
withdrawn from its treasury approximately $18,000.00 to be used for
Charitable purposes.
During the year 1961, while Brother William J. Peters, Jr. was our
Worshipful Master, Lodge No. 9 suffered the loss of Brother Benjamin L.
Berry, a Past Master of our Lodge, a 33, Mason, and a former District
Deputy Grand Master. He was born March 29, 1864, initiated November 4,
1898, was Worshipful Master in 1907 and was, at one time, Director of
Docks, Wharves and Ferries in the City of Philadelphia. Until his death at
the age of 97 years, Brother Benjamin L. Berry was a very active member of
Lodge No. 9. On April 7, at an election held for a successor to Brother
Berry as Representative in the Grand Lodge, Brother Gustave Scheerbaum,
our Worshipful Master in 1959 was elected. On November 3, Right Worshipful
Past Grand Master, Brother Charles H. Nitsch, presented Brother Crosby L.
Smith, our Worshipful Master in 1930, with the 50 year Service Emblem of
the Grand Lodge.
In 1962, Brother Robert J. Wood was Worshipful Master of Lodge No. 9. A
communication from the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge, referring to Masons
attending meetings of the Order of the Rainbow Girls and/or Job's
Daughters, forbade them to take any active part in, or to serve on their
Advisory Boards. The Right Worshipful Grand Master, Brother Max F. Balcom,
issued the following decision: The solicitation of a petitioner for
initiation and membership in an Organization which has as a prerequisite,
membership in the Masonic Fraternity, is forbidden before he has received
the degree of a Master Mason, or upon the same night. Such solicitation is
forbidden as conduct unbecoming to a Mason and any violation is fraught
with Masonic discipline. March 2 was designated District 'H' Night and the
District Deputy Grand Master, Brother Charles E. Kauffman was present. The
Officers of District 'H' filled all the chairs and Brother Ellwood G.
Schmidt, Senior Warden of Lodge No. 9 conferred the Master Mason Degree on
Brother Marvin W. Kirkland. On April 6, the Worshipful Master welcomed a
visitation of Brethren from Riverside Lodge No. 187 and Ionic Lodge No. 94
of New Jersey. On May 4, Brother Harry S. Nitterauer, P.M. and Secretary
of the Trustees of Lodge No. 9, reported that the Trustees were preparing
a presentation of a Program for an Educational Fund to be used by the
Brethren to advance the education of their children.
In
1963, when Brother Ellwood G. Schmidt was Worshipful Master, the Trustees
advised the Brethren that the Educational Fund Program was prepared and
funds were available for that purpose. This is the "T. Harrison
Gibson Educational and Charitable Fund" from which interest-free
loans have been made to students.
In 1964 Brother William J. Fickenscher, Jr. was our Worshipful Master and
an invitation was received and accepted that our Lodge would repay a visit
by Ionic Lodge No. 94 of New Jersey to our Lodge on April 6 of last year.
On April 20 our Lodge was well represented when they celebrated
'Pennsylvania Night. On May 1, Right Worshipful Past Grand Master Brother
Charles H. Nitsch and Brother Albert H. Bauer, District Deputy Grand
Master, District 'D' were received with honors. A Table Lodge was held
with Brothers Charles H. Nitsch, Right Worshipful Past Grand Master,
Albert H. Bauer, District Deputy Grand Master and Clarence L. Walker, P.M.
Lodge No. 380 being the principal speakers. On June 5, members of Ionic
Lodge, No. 94 of New Jersey, returned our visit of April 20.
In 1965, Brother G. William Schmidt, Jr. was Worshipful Master of our
Lodge. On March 5, a moment of silent prayer was held for Brothers and
Past Masters Ellwood G. Schmidt and Gustave Scheerbaum, both of whom had
passed away since our meeting in February. On April 2 a special election
was held to fill the vacancy for a Representative in the Grand Lodge left
by the death of Brother Gustave Scheerbaum, P.M. and Brother Heywood M.
Wiley, P.M. was elected. On May 7, a visitation of members of Ionic Lodge
No. 94 of New Jersey was received, and on June 12, members of our Lodge
visited the Masonic Homes in Elizabethtown.
In 1966 the Worshipful Master of our Lodge was Brother Don H. Stadler. On
January 7, the retiring Worshipful Master, Brother G. William Schmidt, Jr.
was presented with his Past Master's Jewel and Apron and, during the year,
$1120.00 was withdrawn from the Treasury for Charitable purposes. The
Membership of the Lodge was 591 and average monthly attendance was 67.
In 1967, Brother Gerald A. Horn was Worshipful Master of Lodge No. 9. On
May 5, he welcomed a visitation by members of Ionic Lodge No. 94 of New
Jersey. On September 1, a Communication was received from the Office of
the Right Worshipful Grand Master stating that the Masonic Employment
Bureau had been closed. Brother P. Davey Critchlow, P.M. reported to the
Grand Lodge that, for Insurance purposes, the value of the property
belonging to our Lodge was $3,361.24. During the year, $1,006.10 had been
withdrawn from the Treasury for Charity purposes. Membership at year's end
was 568 and average attendance at stated meetings was 69.
Brother Charles A. Fricke was Worshipful Master of our Lodge in 1968. On
January 5, it was announced that the Right Worshipful Grand Master would
formally present Brother Alfred K. Mills, District Deputy Grand Master,
District 'H' in Corinthian Hall, Saturday, February 5, at 2:00 p.m. On May
3, a 'Father and Son' ceremony was held when Brother David Uhlman, Jr.
gave a stirring talk on how Freemasonry could bridge the communication gap
between generations. On September 6, Brother Joel Carver, P.M. gave an
interesting account of the History of Lodge No. 9 from 1780 to the present
time. During the year $1,025.15 was withdrawn for Charity purposes.
Membership as of December 27, 1968 was 556 and average attendance at
Stated Meetings was 61.
In 1969, Brother William M. Norris was our Worshipful Master. On March 7,
Brother George H. Wittmer, P.M. and our Lodge Secretary passed away and
Brother Robert J. Wood, P.M. was appointed Acting Secretary - a post to
which he has been re-elected every year to date. On Motion approved, a
Committee was appointed to institute action for procuring a suitable
memorial for our late Brother George H. Wittmer. A Communication was
received from the Right Worshipful Grand Master on September 5 to the
effect that Members must be informed regarding approval, disapproval or
modification of the By-Laws or Amendments thereto. During the year,
$1,137.60 had been withdrawn from the Treasury for Charity purposes. The
Membership as of December 27, 1969 was 561 and average attendance at
stated meetings was 61.
In 1970, Brother Dale T. Keddie was Worshipful Master of our Lodge. On
February 6, a 'Table Lodge' was opened at 8:00 PM; and, on March 6, the
Chester Chapter of the Order of DeMolay exemplified their second degree.
Twelve members of our Lodge were given the 50-year Service Emblem of the
Grand Lodge. On May 1, Brother Joel Carver, P.M. and Chairman of the Lodge
Trustees, announced that each graduate of the Patton Masonic Institution
for Boys at Elizabethtown, upon graduation, would receive $25.00 in the
name of Lodge No. 9. On September 4, the Trustees reported that six
student loans, totaling $3,000.00 had been made. In a letter, the Right
Worshipful Grand Master thanked the Lodge for their donation of $3,700.00
which was used to pay for the carpeting of the dormitories and dining room
in the Patton School for Boys at Elizabethtown. On October 2, a motion
that the Dues of sixty-four 50-year Members be remitted, was declared Void
by the Grand Lodge. During the year, the sum of $3,265.22 was withdrawn
for Charity purposes. Membership as of December 27, 1970 was 541 and
average attendance at stated meetings was 66.
Brother William F. Ault was our Worshipful Master in 1971. On February 5,
at the close of our Stated Meeting, the members visited Perkins Lodge No.
402 to witness the presentation of Brother C. Edward Weaver as our new
District Deputy Grand Master. On May 7, we received a Communication from
the Right Worshipful Grand Master stating that the Grand Lodge Committee
on Finance had approved a 116 Bed Extended Care Building adjacent to and
connected with the Freemason's Memorial Hospital at Elizabethtown be built
at a cost of $3,500,000.00, and on June 4, a letter of thanks from the
Right Worshipful Grand Secretary for the Lodge's $2,000.00 contribution to
the Hospital Dispensary in the Masonic Homes at Elizabethtown, was
received. Attention was called to Decision LXXIV-46 refusing permission of
a Lodge to make a retiring Worshipful Master an Honorary Member or to
reduce the Dues of a Past Master because of his Service as a Worshipful
Master. On November 5, Worshipful Master William F. Ault, presented the
Lodge with a large Bible in Honor of his Father, our late Brother William
L. Ault, which was placed upon the Altar. The Trustees of the Lodge made a
contribution of $2,500.00 from the T. Harrison Gibson Fund to the Masonic
Homes at Elizabethtown and a gift of $500.00 to the Philadelphia Shiners'
Hospital for crippled children. During. the year, $2,265.72 was withdrawn
for Charity purposes. As of December 27, 1971, our Membership was 521 and
average attendance at the Stated Meetings was 56.
In 1972, Brother Harry E. Stowman was our Worshipful Master. On February
4, a Communication from the Right Worshipful Grand Master was received
which revoked Paragraph 7 of Decision XXXVI, and encouraged Lodges to
sponsor activities to which Ladies and Families of Masons are invited,
which activity may be held before or after Stated, Extra or Special
meetings. On March 3, Brother Joel Carver, P.M. and Chairman of the
Trustees, presented a check for $15,000.00 from the T. Harrison Gibson
Fund to the District Deputy Grand Master to be used at the discretion of
the Right Worshipful Grand Master for the Masonic Homes at Elizabethtown.
On May 5, Lodge No. 9 was about to make a momentous decision. After
meeting for ninety-nine consecutive years in the Masonic Temple, the
Worshipful Master appointed a Planning Committee which unanimously
recommended that our Lodge seek another place of Meeting. While in 1951
our average attendance had been 120and our Membership 720. Twenty years
later, attendance at Stated Meetings had declined to 56 and our total
Membership was 521 - a drop of 200 in Membership. The drop in average
attendance was ascertained to be due to reluctance of members to come into
centre city from outlying areas. Membership was also declining due to
deaths, resignations and a paucity of new applicants.
Numerous Lodge Halls within the city's perimeter were visited by the
Committee, after which Brothers Harry S. Nitterauer and Eber Wenger, Past
Masters and Brother John Creely presented a resolution that our place of
Meeting be changed to the Tacony Masonic Temple located at 4400 Magee
Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa., 19135. At an Extra Meeting held May 30, with
102 Members present, the Planning Committee explained at length the
reasons prompting the change and, after open debate, a Motion by the
Planning Committee to change our Meeting place to the Tacony Masonic
Temple was made, seconded and approved by a vote of 97 for and 5 against,
and it was so ordered. On May 19, the Right Worshipful Grand Master
revised Paragraph 5 of Decision XXXI II so that with approval of the
District Deputy Grand Master, a relative or friend could participate in
Installation ceremonies of the Order of the Rainbow for Girls and the
International Order of Job's Daughters. Also Paragraph 2, Decision XI I
was altered to permit non-Masons to address banquets and other festivities
of a Masonic Lodge except at an Anniversary or Annual banquet which are
restricted to Masons.
On September 1, our first Stated Meeting in the Tacony Masonic Temple was
held. As a result of this change in our meeting place, the Lodge was
transferred from District "H" to District "D" and
Brother Glen T. Renegar became our District Deputy Grand Master. The
Planning Committee was also given the task of designing a new cover for
our Lodge Meeting notices. A Motion, made by Brother G. William Schmidt,
P.M. that the nineteen books comprising the 'Minutes of the meetings of
Lodge No. 9 since 1789 be micro-filmed and that the film be stored in the
Trustees Safety Deposit Box was seconded and approved. On October 6,
Brother Glen T. Renegar, District Deputy Grand Master presented the
50-year Masonic Service Emblem to Brother Heywood M. Wiley, P.M., who had
been initiated September 1, 1922. On October 6, a Communication was
received from the Right Worshipful Grand Secretary acknowledging receipt
of a check in the amount of $22,088.61 from the Estate of Helen R. Pariett,
widow of the late Brother Harold R. Parlett of Lodge No. 9 to the use of
the Masonic Homes of Pennsylvania.
In 1973, our Worshipful Master was Brother Robert L. Brooke, who on March
2, welcomed visitations of fifty-two Members from Lodge No. 161 of
Palmyra, New Jersey and also the Officers from District 'D'. Past Master,
Brother Edgar N. Peppler, of the Palmyra Lodge, gave a most interesting
and informative talk on the, "Entered Apprentice Mason." On
April 6, Brother Glen T. Renegar, District Deputy Grand Master, District
'D', announced that the Dedication of the Mason's Health Care Building at
Elizabethtown would take place on July 28 and also that an Open House
would be held at the Masonic Temple, No. 1 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia
on the occasion of its 100th Anniversary celebration, September 15-16,
1973. Brother Robert H. Hamilton, deceased member of our Lodge, bequeathed
$2,297.54 to the William L. Elkins Masonic Orphanage for Girls and the
Masonic Home of Pennsylvania and he requested in his Will that they obtain
a suitable memorial in his name. September 5, the Right Worshipful Grand
Master, Brother W. Orville Kimmel, informed the Lodge of the Appointment
of Brother William A. Carpenter, P.M. of Chester Lodge No. 236 as the
Right Worshipful Grand Secretary to fill the vacancy resulting from the
resignation of Brother Ashby B. Paul for reasons of health. The Board of
Governors of the Philadelphia Masonic Schools of Instruction are financing
their operation through a 'per capita' tax of ten cents per member of the
Lodges in Districts 'A' to 'J' inclusive. For this year, the assessment of
Lodge No. 9 was $49.70. The average attendance at Stated meetings was 74.
In 1974, Brother Helmut M. Boehm was our Worshipful Master and, on
February 1, he welcomed a visitation of thirty-three Members of Kensington
Lodge No. 21 1. Brother Dr. Arturo P. LeFebre, who was made a Mason in
Cuba, addressed our Lodge on "Masonry as a Universal Fraternity"
and answered questions concerning Masonry in Cuba. On March 1, an Edict
was read from the Right Worshipful Grand Master against, "The
Universal League of the Most Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and
Accepted Masons", which has circulated applications for membership
throughout this Jurisdiction, stating therein that "no member of a
Lodge in this Jurisdiction can hold a membership." The Trustees of
Lodge No. 9 made contributions of $3,000.00 to the Dispensary and $500.00
to the Guest and Building Fund of the Masonic Homes of Elizabethtown.
Following the closing of our Lodge on April 5, all the members retired to
the Banquet room and joined with their wives to enjoy 'Ladies Night.'
Brother Joel Carver, P.M. gave a talk on the History of Lodge No. 9 and
Brother Heywood M. Wiley, P.M. talked on Freemasonry in general. On May 3,
on motion, it was approved that a bequest of $45,995.02 from the Estate of
Mrs. Matilda E. Neill be deposited in a Federally Insured Savings Account
until further action may be taken by the Trustees of the Lodge, who
subsequently put it for Investment in the Memorial Fund. On September 6,
the Officers of District 'D' visited our Lodge. The monthly rental for use
of the Lodge Room in the Tacony Masonic Temple was raised from $150.00 to
$175.00. On November 1, a Memorial Service was held to honor our deceased
Brethren. On December 6, our Representative in the Grand Lodge reported
that Article X, Sec. 5 of the Ahiman Rezon had been amended, increasing
mileage allowance to Representatives attending the Grand Lodge, but that
the proposed amendment to create open territory among Symbolic Lodges was
defeated. The average attendance of members at stated meetings was 63.
In 1975 Brother George B. Scheerbaum served as Worshipful Master. On
December 30, 1974, Brother George H. Earle, III, a member of our Lodge and
a former Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania passed away. On
February 7, our Lodge purchased fifty master reference Editions of the
Heirloom Masonic Bible to be used in the Initiation of Candidates for the
Sublime Degree of Master Mason, which at the close was to be presented to
the Candidate. On June 6, a request was made to the District Deputy Grand
Master, which was subsequently granted, to hold an extra meeting in the
George Washington National Memorial Building in Alexandria, Virginia on
Saturday, June 19, 1976 at which Brother Leon A. Soltysiak was raised to
the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason. On September 5, Brother Glen T.
Renegar, District Deputy Grand Master, after a very interesting speech on
the History of Lodge No. 9, accepted a check for $15,000.00 from the
Trustees of our Lodge as a contribution to the Building Program of the
Masonic Homes of Elizabethtown. Brother and Mrs. William M. Norris
received a special vote of Thanks in appreciation for the many hours they
spent in arranging the Bulletin Board in the Tacony Masonic Temple lobby
that contains a complete list of the Past Masters and their year of
service to Lodge No. 9. On November 7, a Committee consisting of Past
Masters, Brothers Heywood M. Wiley, Robert L. Brooke and Helmut M. Boehm
was appointed to study a possible revision of the Lodge's By-Laws. On
December 5, our Lodge received a Communication from the Right Worshipful
Deputy Grand Master to the effect that, since Brother Glen T. Renegar,
District Deputy Grand Master had completed ten years in that office, it
was his intention to replace him by Brother Arthur Watley Buzzard, P.M.,
Meriden Sun Lodge No. 158. The average attendance at stated meetings in
1975 was 66.
In 1976 Brother Kenneth D. Guinther became our Worshipful Master. On
January 2, the Right Worshipful Grand Master confirmed the appointment of
Brother Arthur W. Buzzard as District Deputy Grand Master, and in a letter
to our Secretary, Brother Robert J. Wood, thanked our Lodge for the
contribution the Trustees had made of $4,500.00 to the Masonic Care Center
at Elizabethtown. The Committee of Past Masters that, on November 7, 1975
had been appointed to revise our By-Laws, made the following
recommendations: - (1) For the Admission of a Brother from another
Jurisdiction, a Fee of Ten dollars be charged, plus Sixty dollars which
would be for the Masonic Homes at Elizabethtown; (2) That Article VII,
Section I be amended to read: "Any Member who has paid full Dues for
35 years or more, may, by a vote of the Lodge, be made an 'Honorary
Member' with payment of Dues of $8.00 per annum; (3) Article Xi was
changed so that the Committee on Charity could distribute $200.00 instead
of $100.00 in maximum emergency allowances; (4) That annual Dues for
Members would be increased from $12.00 to $16.00. On March 5, the above
proposed amendments were again read, separately acted upon and approved,
except that, after December 3, 1976, the annual Dues of Members were
raised from $12.00 to $18.00. On June 19, the extra meeting of our Lodge
in the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Building at Alexandria,
Virginia, was held at which 33 of our Members and 39 Visitors were
present. On September 3, the Right Worshipful Grand Master informed us
that our proposed amendments to our By-Laws had been approved. We were
informed on December 3 that the Right Worshipful Grand Master had caused a
change to be made in the Digest of Decisions, XXXVII concerning
entertainment so that Paragraph 2, Sub-paragraph 8 should read: -
"Picnics and other social activities conducted by a Lodge with Masons
and/or non-Masons present may be held on Sunday after 2:00 p.m., provided
a Masonic Temple, Hall or Lodge Room is not used and further provided that
no alcoholic beverages are served at or in conjunction with such a picnic
or social event.
In 1977 the Worshipful Master of Lodge No. 9 was Brother William M.
Wallace. A letter from the Right Worshipful Grand Master, Brother John L.
McCain, that we received January 7, thanked our Lodge for the donations of
$4,000.00 for maintenance of the Dispensary and $500.00 for the General
Fund at the Masonic Homes at Elizabethtown. On March 4, a Ladies Night was
fully enjoyed by all following the closing of the stated meeting. On April
1, Brother Clarence Walker of Lodge No. 280 gave us a most interesting
talk on 'King David and his Son.' A letter from the Right Worshipful Grand
Master received May 6 reiterated his Decision whereby a period of six
months must elapse between the time a newly-made Mason has the Master
Mason degree conferred upon him, and the date on which he may sign a
petition for admission to another Organization that requires, as a
requisite, membership as a Master Mason. Likewise, the official dues card
issued by a Lodge must be withheld until the newly made Master Mason has
produced a Certificate of Proficiency. On June 3, our Worshipful Master
appointed Past Masters Brothers William M. Norris, Harry E. Stowman, Jr.
and Kenneth D. Guinther to be our Lodge Committee on Examinations in
accordance with instructions of the Right Worshipful Grand Master. On
September 2, we welcomed a visitation of the Officers of District D'. A
Communication from the Right Worshipful Grand Master informed us that the
Mother of a living Master Mason may be admitted to the Masonic Home at
Elizabethtown provided that the Mason has been in good standing for ten or
more years. Likewise non-ambulatory sisters and daughters of a deceased or
living Master Mason may be admitted provided he has been in good standing
for ten or more years. At year's end, the Trustees of our Lodge
contributed $500.00 to the Masonic Services Fund.
Brother Carl W. Jackle was our Worshipful Master in 1978. January 8 we
received a letter from the Right Worshipful Grand Master in which he
thanked us for our gift of $4,000.00 to the Hospital Dispensary and of
$500.00 to the Guest and Building Fund of the Masonic Homes at
Elizabethtown. A notification of a change in the Digest of Decisions was
received by our Lodge March 3rd, stating that the Ancient Charges are not
a part of the Esoteric work - however, they must be recited from memory by
the Worshipful Master or a Brother designated by him. May 5th was again
'Ladies Night' and while our meeting was in progress, they were
entertained by music and an illustrated Travelogue. Acting upon an appeal
from the Grand Master, the Trustees donated the sum of $1,000.00 to the
Hospital Visitation Program of the Masonic Veterans Fund. Two unusual
Petitions for Initiation and Membership were received and favorably
processed - unusual in that they represented simultaneous applications
from a father and a son, Donald Carl Snyder and Donald Carl Snyder, Jr. On
December 1, the Lodge authorized charitable contributions totaling
$1,334.61.
In 1979, Brother George K. Gordon, Jr. became our Worshipful Master.
January 5th saw us thanked by the Right Worshipful Grand Master for our
contribution of $5,149.61 to the Masonic Homes at Elizabethtown. Letters
of thanks came from the Shiners' Hospital for Crippled Children for the
donation of $1,000.00 as well as from the Northeast Chapter of the Order
of DeMolay for our support. $1 00.00 was donated to the Northeast First
Aid corps to cover services to our members attending Lodge meetings in
Tacony Temple. On May 4th, sums of $15,000.00 for a double room and
$2,500.00 for its furnishing were given to the Masonic Homes at
Elizabethtown in memory of Members of Lodge No. 9 and T. Harrison Gibson.
On Ladies Night following the close of our stated meeting, Brother Eugene
Kelchner, Grand Historian of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey, spoke on
'Famous Masons in the American Revolution,' and we were further
entertained by Brother Henry Shuttleworth, in colonial costume, the
Official Bell Ringer at Independence Hall. On June 1, Friendship-Bray
Chapter exemplified the second degree of the Order of DeMolay, when as the
result of a well kept secret, Brother Allen G. Scott, P.M. and Treasurer
of Lodge No. 9, was presented with a 50 year Membership Award of the Order
of DeMolay. Our Worshipful Master, Brother George K. Gordon, Jr.,
possessor of the Brown Belt in Karate, gave a very interesting
demonstration of that difficult art.
Brother William M. Patrick, Jr. was elected Worshipful Master for 1980,
and under his leadership many events were planned to commemorate our Two
Hundred Anniversary Year. It was started with a Rededication Ceremony, in
which all the members present took part, followed later by a precedent
setting event - a visit to a Subordinate Lodge in Pennsylvania by Brother
Edward N. Peppier, Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in New Jersey
and his entourage of Grand Lodge Officers. 215 Brethren attended this
meeting. On April 30th we celebrated by holding a meeting in Congress
Hall, part of the historic Independence Hall Shrine where we had met years
ago. Many Brethren came from long distances to attend this meeting,
including a delegation from Commerce Lodge No. 215, Haslingden, England
led by Most Worshipful Brother John Dearden, Past Provincial Grand
Standard Bearer. Many other events highlighted by a Formal Visitation of
Brother Joseph E. Trate, Right Worshipful Grand Master of Pennsylvania and
his Grand Lodge Officers were planned.
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