The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-01-12
ton In the profession and one that can but
be appreciated
HISTORY OF MASONRY.

THE ANTIQUITY AND THE UNIVERSALLY OF
THE oRDER-GRowTH oFTHE GRAND LODGE
IN INDIANA-FoUNDERs OF THE FRATER-
NIFTY IN THIS STATE.
Masonry is one OF the oldest IL not the
very Oldest organized body of men existing
in the world. It's history is found in the
earliest records. 1t dates away back TO the
cradle of the race and the morning OF re-
corded time. Its legends extend beyond the
historic age. 1t has raked up in its ashes
the essence of all sciences and OF all human
history. It is common to all nations and TO-
all religions. Its altars now extend around
the world. It's liGht shines in all
lands. Its brotherhood is the most
complete of any in the world.
1t unites In one body men OF all countries,
sects and opinion. II contains in its srchiveG
the condensed wisdom of all time. The intel
ligent Mason stands upon the highest emmE
nence OF human observation. He finds in his
cosmos the histories of all nations, ages and
religions. ae finds the teachings of the or
der 10 the Vedas of Hindoosf an, In the So
cred books of CoDfucius and Boodsh, in the
Avesta of Zoroaster, in the ancient scrolls
and hieroglyhics of Egypt, in the writings of
the prophets and sages of Judes, in
the beautiful and enduring philos-
ophy of Socrates, Plato, and
Aristotle; in the teachings of Jesus and Mo
hsmmed; in the laws and religion or Rome,
and in the myths and legends of the Scsndi-
Davisn and TeutoDie races. He traces the
footsteps of our ancient brethren from the
cradle of the seven great races in Bactrisna,
in Central Asia, among the Judean hills
about Jerusalem, among the fallen columns
and broken arches of ruined cities snd desc
lated empires, around the pyramids and the
Sphinx, throughout
THE MARBLE WILDERNESS OF GREECE,
and among the mouldering temples of Roman
power. Wherever man has wandered, suf
fered and died, there he finds the footprintsOi
Masonry, and the grave of a brother. From
all these sources he culls lessons of wisdom.
While Masonry embraces in its tenets the
fundamental teachings of the Christian re-
ligion as we'll as of all other great religions
Ii does not profess to be religious institu-
tion. 1t regards the whole human species
as one family, the children of one Great Pa
rent, and strives to do good to all men with
out distinction. 1t visits the sick and
the afflicted, il buries the dead with the
hoDors of the order. 1t protects and pro-
vides for the widows and the orphans, end
spreads the broad mantle OF its charity over
the weakness, frailties and errors OF man.
kind. Its mission is love and good works.
1t seeks to do good TO all and harm to none.
Many of the greatest and best of men whose
names brighten the pages OF history, and
whose good deeds have rendered them i'm
mortal, were members of the order.
I5 mum bers more than balfa million men in
the United States, and over q 900 in :be
state of Indiana. Many of the best men in
every town or city in this state ere proud TO
say that they are members of this ancient
and honorable order.
THE HISTORY OF THE ORDER IN INDIANA.
The early settlers of Indiana organized
Masonic lodges and held their meetings in
the log cabins of the wilderness. The
first lodges were organized at Vincennes,
Lawrenceburg, Switzerland, Rising Sun,
Madison, Charleston, Brookville, Salem
and Corydon. These lodges received their
dispensatlons or charters from Ohio or Ken
tucky. Oh the Sd day of December, a. ID.
1917, delegates from these various lodges
met at the old town OF Corydon to make ar.
rangements for organizing Grand Lodge
for the territory OF Indiana. The brother,
William Hacker, who compiled the proceed
fpgs of this meeting and many others that
foIiawed it, wisely says:
The opinions and acts OF the far see
who had but the good of Masonry at heart, con-
stftu'e landmarks for the present generation;
and the volume which contains their transac-
tions should be the study OF those who are guild
ing the destinies of the order now,
But eleven Mas ons were present at this
meeting. They laid the foundation OF the
Grand Lodge and what has indeed become
grand body in IEdisna. they have all
PASSED TO the Grand Lodge above,
bat their names will ever be COM
memoratei as the founders of Masonry
in Indiana Some of them have children and
grandchildren now prominent members OF
the fraternity.
THE PIONEERS OF THE FRATERNITY.
Gen. w. Johnston, s. G. Stevens, Abel G.
Pepper, Christopher Harrison. Henry p.
Thornton, Joseph Bartholomew, John Mil
ler, Davis Floyd, Hezekiah B. Hull, James
Dill and A. Buckner. These legstes ad-
dressed a communication to the Grand
| Lodges of Olio and Kentucky, expressing
their desire to sever their connections with
their mother lodges as soon as a Grand
Lodge could be organized in Indiana.
| This body adjourned 10 meet at Madison on
toe IL n day OF January, ISIS. Delega' es
| from the various lodges of the state met
pursuant to this adjournment and were 10
session four days. The Grand Lodge of
Indiana was duly organized, and the follow
ing officers were elected: NJ. w. Alexander
Buckner, grand master; r w. Alexander
| A. Meek, deputy grand warden; w, Johu
Upton, senior grand master; ". Mafston
G.. Clark, junior grand warden w. Sam
uel @. Tate, grand treasurer; w. Henry
p. Thornton, grand secretary; W.
Howk, grand senior deacon w. Jonathan
| Woodbury., grand Junior deacon w. Nichos
las ID. Grover, grand pursuivant: w.
/ Alexander McCrosky, grand steward and
tyler. A constitution was then adopted for
the government OF the Grand Lodge, most
OF which still remains in force. The account
of EXPENSES OF this Grand Lodge shows the
spirit of economy that prevailed IN those
eariy days. The aggregate expenses were
$50 621x. 1t appears by the bill OF expenses
tnat the one-half cent was for "re-
freshments, etc." 1t appears by a reso-
luton then adopted that Indiana Mssons
were determined that it should be known in
the older states that they bad formed a
grand lodge, which is shown by the follow
ing resolution then adopted:
Resolved, That committee be appointed
whose duty Ii shall be TO prepare and forward an
address TO the several Grand Lodges within the
United States, from this grand lodge, explana-
tory of their reasons for forming a grand lodge
In the state of Indiana, and requesting of them
a reciprocation Of correspondence and commu-
nications