The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1877-03-08
DIR. E. Edmundson, G. NJ. of
Tennessee.

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We take pleasure in presenting
our readers with brief biograph
ical sketch of the Masonic life OF
the present Grand Master of Ten
nessee. We do not present him as
brilliant meteor, that has just il
lumined the Masonic horizon, but
as planet, steady and true; al
ways to be found giving out natu
raj, regular and certain light by the
astronomer and constant observer.
Happily for the craft, he is a stu
dent, and has been for years, ask
ing no honor, seeking no position
save such as his acknowledged mer-
it have thrust upon him. Hence he
was safe Mason, with too much
intelligence to plunge into unpar
donable heresies, and too much
sense to commit an unqualified
blunder. Independent, determined
and free, we have sometimes
thought that we would feel more Sc
cure on our side of the case IN argu-
ment with him, if he was physically
a little smaller. He carries with
him by his advoirdupois, and he at
times 'bats his eyes, on an oppo-
neat in such a manner as to make
little men "fear and tremble." Yet
none are more courteous, conserva-
tive or just. He is disposed to
keep up with the Masonic fashions.
Yet, if he could not see good in
them, he would not "affiliatc."
None could but like the Brother, if
well acquainted; for they would feel
his life was pure, and that his mo
tives were ever honest, just and
true. Now read the following
sketch:
The Masonic life of the subject of
this sketch began in the spring Of
the year 1916, at Athens, Ala, where
ne was temporarily sojourning as
medical student. He, at the time
ramed, received the symbolic de-
grees in Athens Lodge, No. 116,
and about the first of September
following, he Omitted therefrom,
and went to New York to prosecute
his medical studies. A few days
after arriving at the great metropo-
lis, being entirely among strangers,
and without friends, he repaired to
Masonic head quarters-Howard
Home, on Broadway-and present
ed himself at the office Of the Grand
Secretary for recognition, prepara
tory to visiting someaof the Lodg-
es. Being unable to comply with
regulation of the New York Grand
Lodge in the exhibition of q certifi-
cate from the Grand Lodge of Ala
bama, he had the modification of
being informed that he could not
be examined. He was requested TO
procure such a certificate, and re-
turn. He left somewhat cooled and
disappointed, being then too young
in Masonry to appreciate properly
the necessity of strict adherance
to G. and Lodge regulations. He
wrote at once to his Lodge and
asked for the certificate required,
and in answer was informed by the
Secretary that the Grand Lodge of
Alabama repudiated the Grand
Lodge certificate system, and there
fore none could be furnished. The
Secretary, however, forwarded him a
duplicate Lodge certificate, and ex-
pressed the hope it might be suffi-
cient. With the letter of the Secre-
tary, he again proceeded to the
office of the Grand Secretary, and
finding the Deputy Grand Master,
the regulation referred to was by
him dispensed with, and an exami-
nation was permitted, which proved
entirely satisfactory, and enabled
him thenceforward to visit any Of
the many Lodges in the city. This
privilege he exercised TO a consider
able extent, and during his sojourn
there, from the 1st of Septem-
Der, 1S46, to March, 1S48, he had
the pleasure OF visiting from time
To time the American, German and
French Lodges. During this time
he petitioned for and received the
degrees of the Chapter, Council and
Commandery, and received from
each of these bodies, and has now
in his possession, a diploma.
Leaving New York in March, I94S,
he returned to his home in the
Southern portion of Giles CO.,
Tenn, and commenced the practice
of medicine and farming. He was
now within the jurisdiction of Elk
ton Lodge, No "a, which he frequent
ly visited, until the spring of the
year 1850, when he petitioned with
others, for a Dispensation for Beth
ell Lodge No. 1S4. He was the
first Master OF this Lodge. and was
elected almost continuously as long
as he remained a member thereof.
In January, 1859, he Omitted from
the Lodge, and soon thereafter affil
lated with Pulaski Lodge No. l0l,