Morning journal and courier., 1880-12-31
Hiram Lodge Election.

Address by the Retiring Master-Inter-
esting Facts.
The annual election of officers by Hiram
Lodge No 1, F. and A. M, took place last
evening. Before proceeding to the election
Worshipful Master Julius Twiss delivered the
following address, which viii be read with
interest by the fraternity:
Brethren-By the feeting lapse of time,
we are again brought to another annual COM
munication, and before proceeding to the
regular business of the evening, it is expect
ed that shall give you brief history of
Hiram Lodge for the past year.
The affairs of the lodge are about In the
same condition that they were at the close of
last year, and since 1876 no money has been
drawn from the hands of the trustees.
Near the beginning of the present year
Bro Dan A. Dawson was taken from among
us by one of those mysterious visitations of
Divine Providence. The great love he had
for Masonry, his thorough knowledge of the
work and his quiet, genial and lovable dispo-
sition had endeared him to us all By special
dispensation from the Grand Master and by
vote of this lodge, succeeded him to the Of
fee of Master, though unworthy to succeed
predecessor SO eminent in Masonry.
An average number of worthy brethren
have been added to our membership during
the past year. There have been initiated II,
passed II ana raised II. mere nave Oeen
no additions by demit. Five have been re-
iected, four Withdrawn. None have been
| suspended or dropped.
AS far as has been ascertained Is of our
members have been called from labor to re-
freshment. We have lost by death Bros.
John B. Kirby, William D. Campbell, John
H. Benhan, Dan A. Davidson James Cannon,
Lyman Treadway, James Il. Leforge, James
Frink, George Beekwith, henry F. Perkins,
L. F. Standish, Calvin l.. Hubbard, David G..
Taxter, Charles F. Lockwood, Chauncey O..
Crosby.
We have lost large number of old men,
tbers Brother Frink having Joined in 1918,
over sixty-two years ago.
Our death rate this year has been unusually
| large. By the request of the family or friends
of the deceased the funerals of Brothers VIM.
Campbell, Dan A. Davidson and James 81.
Laforge were attended by the lodge with the
usual Masonic ceremonies. Bearers and part
| for the funeral of Brother David G. Taxter,
and bearers were provided at the funeral of
Brother James Frink
RELIEF FUND
1t is desirable that this fund should be in
| creased, if possible, and that the members
| should more generally pay the 81 per year.
4 In 1876 the amount paid into this fund was
| 1915. so, and it has annually decreased since
i that time until the present, when this year
the amount thus far paid in is only $249. so.
| Should this decrease continue money will
have to be taken from the treasury for relief
purposes. And as it is now difficult to pay
| the current expenses of the lodge from inia-
ton fees only, there is danger that it will be-
| come necessary, in the near future, to adopt
/ a system of compulsory dues, unless the
| members take more interest, not only in the
payment of relief dues, but also in the pros-
perity and financial affairs of the lodge. The
secretary, who now completes his eleventh
| official year, has put oforth repeated efforts
/ to collect the relief dues. During his long
| official service he has missed very few COM
| munications and has been the means of add
ing about seventy persons to our member
| ship. His activity and faithfulness in the
| service of and in promoting the best inter
ests of the lodge entitle him to our thanks.
Captain Silas Ford, of Westville, who
| joined in June, 1911, and who is the oldest
member of the lodge, is still living.
Although for the past four years Hiram
Lodge has been unable to increase its surplus
| and has remained almost stationary, yet it
may be safely said that she is in prosperous
| financial condition.
Whenever the needs of ''Old Hiram" are
understood by its members they always re-
| spond literally.
| I would take this opportunity to thank the
officers who have been associated with me
| for their prompt attendance at our regular
communications and for their valuable assist
ance in exemplfying the work.
| / would also thank the brethren for the
uniform kindness and courtesy which have
been extended to me on every occasion and
for my election by you to the Office of Wor-
| shipful Master. Be assured that the friend
| ships here formed and the time here spent
will ever be. one of the most pleasant recoI-
| leetions of my life.
Brethren, in closing, permit me to urge
| upon you the necessity of spending SO much
| of your time, talents and means in the ser
| vice of sold Hiram as shall raise her to a
| higher plane of usefulness, and make her in
fact, as well as in age and name, Biram
Lodge No. L.
The election of officers resulted as follows :
John r. Hutchinson, w. M. ; Edward F.
Mansfield, S. W.; William ]. Veitch, J. w. ;
William W. Hyde, treas. William A. Beers,
| sec. trustees, James D. Dewell, George
Crabtree, William F. Coburn marshal, A.
). Kennedy organist L. B. Norton.
The officers will be installed next Thursday
evening, when it is expected that Past Grand
Master William Wallace Lee,> of Meriden,
will be present and install the officers. A
banquet will follow the installation and a full
attendance is anticipated