The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-26
THE GRAND LODGE JUBILEE.

The History Of How the Debt Was Paid,
Told by Secretary Smythe.
It was quarter past o'clock when the mem
bers began to file into Lyra Hall. where covers
were laid for over six hundred persons, the stage
being utilized for the officers and speakers. The
tables and stage were tastefully decorated with
plants and flowers, and the menu was one of un
usual excellence the whole being under the
management of Mr.. Ferd Christman. After
prayer by Rev. Willis D. Engle, the members
enjoyed the many good things for an hour,
when Grand Master Albert P. Charles intro
duced the venerable William Hacker to the audi
ence as the oldest living past grand
master. Mr.. Hacker is unable 10 hear
anything, but retains his voice
we'll. He gave some interesting "reminiscences
of the early days Of Masonry in the State and
said that when the Grand Lodge was formed in
this State, in 1884, it had but eleven subordinate
lodges under its jurisdiction, which afterwards
fell to seven, and from that point steadily rose
to its present large number. He spoke of the
rise and fall of the fraternity, and the courage
it required in those days to acknowledge mans
allegiance to Masonry, but that, notwithstand
ing the attempts of the Eastern anti-secret So
ciety men to exterminate the order, its inhu-
ence gradually spread until now there over
five hundred lodges, with y, 600 members
Bruce Carr was next introduced az the young
est past grand master. He said that the entire
fraternity have reason to congratulate them
selves over the payment of the debt. He had
had the pleasure of attending the Grand Lodge
since 1872, and had found one member who was
always the first to forward the interests of the
Grand Lodge in everything that was audable,
and that person Albert p. Charles, the re-
firing grand master. He said it was his pleasure
to present him with beautiful past grand mas
ter's jewel in token of the high esteem in which
he is held by the Masous of the State The
jewel. which is a beautiful work of art, was pre-
scented By his fellow grand officers and a number
of the members.
IL replying to Mr. Cars presentation speech.
Mr. Charles said il was the first time in his life
whom an audience found him unprepared to make
reply of some Sort He briefly thanked his
friends for the gift and would prize it as souye
mir of the occasion.
next speaker. Mr.. Charles explained that the
payment Of the Grand Lodge debt had been
credited to great number of people, but he felt
snre that credit would now be placed where it
belonged Mr.. Smythe then read a shor; history
OF the way the liquidation of the debt was
brought about. in which he said:
The proposition to raise the Grand Lodge dues first
originated with the committee ways and means at
the meeting of the Grand Lodge in May, 1877. That
committee consisted of Albert p Charles r. d.
Brown, A. o. Marsh. Perry w. Gard and Samuel Il.
Wells. Brother Albert p. Charles, as chairman of
said committee. submitted elaborate report, and
wound it up by recommending, among other things,
that the of this Grand Lodge should be in
creased by an increase of the dues of subordinate
lodges initiation fees and increase of price in dspen
sations. This report and recommendation
April g. 1873 the trustees OF the Grand Lodge sub
mted an elaborate array of figures in tabulated form
to Grand Master Andrew j. Hay land it is but just to
say that this table of figures was prepared by Brother
John N. Bramwell showing how and when the debt
could be paid, provided the Grand Lodge dues
raised to 81 per member sugg, sted in 1877 This
table was incorporated IN Grand Master Hays adj