The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-03-10
Masonic Centennial Celebration.
GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS.

| GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS,.
On the eighth day of MARI 1777, the
most worshiPful grand lodge of 1lassachu-
sette, the fret Of the grand lodges Of
America, declared its independence and be-
came sovereign aud independent grand
lodge The original charter was granted
in 1898, and commission was sent over TO
Henry Price, investing him with the au-
thority of provincial grand master. In
1863 the grand lodge of Scotland commits
stoned Joseph Warren grand master Of
Boston, New England, and within one hun
dred miles of the same, and this commits
sion was aftcrward extended over all the
masonic lodges in North Americc In the
midst Of the revolution, one hundred years
ago, the grand lodge of Massachusetts de-
clared Its independence, and since, without
interruption, has continued to exercise the
rights, powers and prerogatiyes of an in
dependent and sovereign grand lodge.
Free masons will recall that this "blas-
sachusetts grand lodge" is the celebrated
body who tided the institution over the
stormy sea of the American revolution, and
In 1892 united with st. Johns grand lodge,
thus forming the present M. W. grand
lodge of Massachusetts,, an event of great
Importance to the fraternity, healing, as it
did, much controversy.
At communication OF the grand lodge
held on the last festival of st. John the
" al ntfa 80
S. Gardner, past grand master, it was vot
ed TO celebrate the centennial anniversary.
After full consultation between the NJ.
w. grand master and the board of direc.
tors, it was agreed that the grand lodge be
called together on the Sth day of March at
one o'clock p. M, for the purpose of COM
memorating the independence of the grand
lodge, and r. w. Charles Levi Woodbury.
was selected as orator for the occasion. 4
general invitation was extended to the
members of the craft throughout the iuris-
dlction to attend the ceremonies at one
o'clock and banquet at four o'clock p. m.
Only those ha'in tickets were admitted
to the ceremonies, and about two hundred
and fifty members of the order were pres
ent. Invitations were sent to all grand
masters of all the grand lodges in the
United States, many of whom were pres
ent, and also several past grand masters.
The grand lodge was opened at one o'clock
and an introductory address delivered by
the Most Worshiptul Percival l.. Everett,
grand mo ster, after which an historical ora
ton was delivered by Right Worshipful
Charles Levi Woodbury., past grand master.
AT o'clock the company repaired to the
W
tainment was spread. The hall was deco
rated with the choicest flowers by Messrs.
Calder d Wiswell. Floral balls depended
from each OF the chandeliers baskets of
flowers, in which callas were conspicuous.
were placed at intervals on the tables, the
head of the ceLtre one having an elegant
display of glass ornaments and flowers. M.
w. Percival i. Everett presided, and
among those present were NJ. W. John j.
Bell, Grand Master of New Hampshire
M. w. Henry Ii. Smith, q. NJ. of YER
mont nj. W. Nicholas Van Slyck, G.. M.
of Rhode Island NJ. W. Edward b. Rowe,
G. Nj. of Connecticut NJ. w. j. Ii. Drum
mond, p. G. M. of Name M. w. Thomas
A. Doyle, p. G. NJ. of Rhode Island
M. W. N. 7. Bowman, =. G.. M. of
Vermont; Il. w. Henry Clark, Grand
Secretary of Vermont; Past Grand Mas
ters of Massachusetts; M. w. John r.
Heard, William Parkman. William S.
Gardner, William ID. Coolidge, Charles G. |
Dame, Serene d. Nickerson, Marshall p.
Wilder, Charles r. Train, Eben Sutton,
Samuel 9. Lawrence and G.. Washington
Warren were also present. The toast
master was Serene d. Nickefson, and
speeches were offered by w. s. Gardner,
John t. Heard, Marshall T. Wilder, Thos
A. Doyle, mayor of Providence, Edward
b. Rowe of Connecticut, Nicholas Van
Slyck Of Rhode Island, j. j. Bell of New
Hampshire, j. Ii. Drummond of Maine,
Henry II. Smith of Vermont, Charles j.
WEIGH, deputy grand master Of Massachu-
sets, Charles Levi Woodbury., Tracy p.
Cheever, Rev. Joshua Young, grand chap
lain, Hamilton Willis, past master of st.
Andrews lodge, William p. Coolidge, p.
u. NJ, and George Washington Warren.
After five hours session a, the banquet
table tho ceremonies were closed with sing
ing the doxology.