The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-09-09
NEWS OF THE lodges.
Renewed Activity in the
Ranks of the MaSons.
ODD FELLOWS PLANS AND WORK.
FOresters Getting Ready for Their
Great Parade and Celebrations.


This story will be read with interest by
the Masons. 1t is from the Bridgeton
Pioneer
The early history of Free Masonry in
New Jersey is involved in a shade of OBJ
security, yet there is evidence that it ex-
listed in the province nearly a century
and a half ago, and was introduced but
a few years after it's revival in England.
In 1729, Daniel Coke, a large proprietor
in West Jersey, and for many years a
Justice of the Supreme Court, was ap-
pointed Provincial Grand Master for
New Jersey, under the seal of the Duke
of Norfolk, Grand Master of England.
There is no evidence that the appointment
resulted in the province, and it is pre-
sumable that in these times temporary
lodges were convened, at irregular inter
walls, to give the craftsmen an opportun-
ity of enjoying fraternal amenities and
promoting the cultivation of Masonic
science among the scattered brethren. AT
these esoteric communications it is prob
able that candidates were initiated into
the ancient mysteries of the craft under
a d~ispensation from the Grand Master.
The first deputation for New York was
2FdUl6u III 1901, during Tile OrdlU IMdSl6I-
ship of the Earl of Darnley, to Richard
Riggs as Provincial Grand Master, and
neither is there n record of his having
established any lodges or doing anything
towards organizing or extending this
order.
By the deputation of Grand Master
Coke, therefore, whose jurisdiction in
cluded New York and several other pro-
vinces, it is safe to say hat the history of
Free Masonry on American soil had its
starting point in the province of New
Jersey.
On December IS, 1856, a convention
was held in New Brunswick, and a
Grand Lodge was organized, the Hon.
David Brearley, Chief Justice of the
State being elected Grand Master.
From that time Masonry in New
Jersey has a distinctive history, and
the growth and prosperity of the institu-
ton in the century which has elapsed
since the organization of that body, both
at home and in other States, is a matter
of pride and congratulation to the more
than twelve thousand craftsmen now
within the borders of the fostermother of
American Free Masonry.
The first regularly organized lodge of
which we v any record, n which
a~ntedates the Grand Lodge by nearly a
quarter of a century, is st. Johns Lodge,
No. 1, F. and A. NJ, of Newark, which
was instituted the 18th day of May, 1851.
#. and A. NJ.
The fall CAMPAIGN was opened on Satur-
day night by D. d. G. M. Robert E. Simp-
son. 1t will be a vigorous one. The first
meeting of the District lodge was held
last Saturday at Hiram Lodge rooms.
Taking into consideration the fact that
the officers have just returned from a
pleasant sojourn at the White Mountains,
etc.
Weehawken can be counted in the ct
cetera, for a few of them were too busy
to get beyond that delightful oil satur-
ated district; the attendance was large.
Nine masters were present. The work of
the first degree was exemplified. The de-
gree work will be taken up in order: that
is, at each meeting the District Deputy
will advance a peg, so that it is essential
that every officer should attend each
meeting. The next meeting will be held
at the rooms of Zeredatha Lodge next
Saturday night, which is the second Then
In the following order:-Third Saturday,
Euclid Lodge rooms, Hoboken; fourth,
Eagle Lodge rooms, at Pohlmann's; fifth
Doric Lodge rooms, West Hoboken, and
fourth Tuesday in the month at Bergen
Lodge rooms, Montgomery street and
Tuers avenue. 1t vas the E.. A. degree
that was exemplified last Saturday night.
A week or two ago / told how beats
manage to get their information to enable
them to swindle members of secret orders.
There is no reason why a Mason in this
district should be duped, as there is a
Board to attend to all applicants for aid.
Since the last story of the num-
Der OF beats sent away with as
light pockets as when they came there
have been four applicants. Only one OF
these produced satisfactory proofs, and
he received aid, but used it not to return
to his home n employer but in going
off on a Jamboree. The Board has de-
cided to compel all applicants to produce
proofs, and put the responsibility on some
lodge.
The lodges will begin work this week.
Only two have held regular meetings
since the summer weather-Bergen and
Jersey City.
Hiram Lodge will hold a regular com
munication tonight.
Enterprise Chapter, Royal Arch Ma
sons, will resume work on Wednesday
night. Five candidates will be tortured.
as the M. r. M. degree will be conferred
by M, E. G. Lewis L. Lyme, with mechan-
ical effects.
Eagle Lodge meets tonight, Doric to-
morrow night, Mystic Tie on Wednesday,
Bay View. Rising Star, Highland and
Hoboken Lodges on Thursday, and En-
terprise Lodge on Friday night.
Lodge Notes.
The Grand Council of the Order of
United Friends was held at Passaic last,
week. S. A Hanna, of this city, was
elected grand recorder, and w. M. Drew
one of the grand trustees. The order has
2,100 members in the State.
The next session of the Grand Lodge of
United Friends will be held in this CITY.
Hudson Lodge, Sons of Benjamin, at
tended the funeral of the wife of Brother
Green, their presiding officer.
Granite Assembly, R. S. of G. f., will
have an entertainment at Ruth's Hall on
October Is.
1t is painfully quiet and dull in K. OF P.
circles.
The picnic of the Ladies' Auxiliary of
Ellsworth Post, G.. A. R., was unfortu-
nately not a success.
Master Rudolphy, of Euclid Lodge. at
tended the annual session of the Masonic
Board of Relief held in New York last
week. He was elected one of the Adj
visory Board.
Pilgrim C~ommandery will meet tonight.
The Committee on Bylaws will present
its report. The c~ommandery will attend
the annual conclave at Washington, DC,
next month.
Bayonne Lodgeyworked the Fellowcraft
degree on Thursday night.
Id Fellows.
The Sovereign Grand Lodge of Odd
Fellows will convene at Columbus, Ohio,
next Monday. The session viii last