Connecticut western news., 1896-09-24

against innovation in Masonic work. In conclusion he said; 1T assure you the Grand Lodge is worthy of a better speech than am able to give you"
 Bro. R. I. Crissey, of Norfolk, spoke next of the history of Western Star Lodge as follows:
 MIR oRIssEY's SPEECH.
 "A historical address must of necess- ity be somewhat dry and prosy, especial ly so when composed largely of statis- tics, but will make this very brief and try not to test your patience in what l have to say.
 Western Star Lodge, No. 37, received it's charter May 18th, l796; Il charter members. On the 31st day of August, 1796, its first officers were installed into their respective offices by the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the State of Connecticut, Right Worship ful John Mix. Howard B. Ensign was Grand Master at the time and B. G.. Storer was Grand Secretary, both of whom signed the charter. Giles Petit bone, Jr., was Master, Ovid Burrall, Sen. Warden: Jeddediah W.Phelps, Jun. Warden; Benjamin Welch, Treasurer; Joseph Battell. Secretary; Frederick Plumb, Sen. Dea; Ariel Lawrence, Jun. Dea Joel Walter. Tyler. Francis Benedict, Levi Thompson and A. Phelps were the other three charter members.
 After the installation of the officers the records say they proceeded to the meeting house. where most excellent sermon was delivered by the Rev Dr Edwards, and a very pertinent oration was spoken by our worthy brother, Grand Secretary Mix. Then proceeded to the house of Brother Giles Pettibone, Jr, and partook of 8 most excellent dinner, provided for the occasion. Numerous toasts were responded so, among which were these: "Our illus trious brother, George Washington, president of the Uuited States;" an- other, "May our wisdom be as consplc- uous to our sisters as our Grand Master Solomon's was to the Queen of Sheba".
 The first communication of the lodge was held Sept 14th, 1796. It was the custom of the lodge to celebrate St. John the Evangelist's day in December, and St John the Baptist in June, on which occasions they usually went to the meeting house and had sermon by some clergyman in this section. Parson Robbins of Norfolk was frequently the speaker. Sometimes on these occasions an oration was delivered by some one of the brethren. One by the Master, Giles Pettibone, Jr., and later one by Joseph Batteh at the time Master, are very highly spoken of. It was the cus- tom on these occasions to invite neigh boring lodges. Montgomery Lodge of Salisbury, Clncinnatus Lodge of Barring ton, whose charter also bears the date of 1796. and the lodge at New Hartford were often invited.
 The jurisdiction of Western Star com- prised the towns of Norfolk, Colebrook, Winchester and Torrington.
 At a communication of the lodge April 9th. 1900, we find the following Whereas & number of members of this lodge from Winchester and it's neigh borhood have petitioned the Grand Lodge for charter for lodge to be holden in Winchester. A committee of two from each town was appointed to confer with the petitioners to try to in- duce them to withdraw their petition. Benjamin Welch. Giles Pettibone, Ovid Burrall. Lewis Norton. Seth Wetmore, Moses Wright and Isaac Benedict were appointed. As a result of this the Grand Lodge was petitioned to grant Western Star liberty to hold it's com munications in Norfolk, Winchester, Colebrook and Canaan. to do any and all regular Masonic business in either of said towns. This was evidently grant ed, as their meetings from this time until April, 1916 were holden in these several to- wns, the lodge voting where to hold it's next com m munioation. Also the celebration of St Johns days after this were in these different towns.
 December 18th, 1901, lodge convened at the house of brother John 0. Riley, in Winchester, proceeded to the meet ing house to listen to the sermon and oration. A vote of thanks was extend ed to brother Erastus Baker for his very timely oration. Also voted to extend the thanks of the Lodge for the most excellent sermon this day delivered to us, and that copy be requested for the press. Also voted that $6 be drawn from the treasury and be presented to the Rev gentleman, but the Rev gentle mans name is not given.
 On Monday, Dec. 27th. 1902, they met in Canaan, at the home of Brother Seth Rockwell, opened lodge in due and ancient form, then in procession pro ceeded to the meeting house and listen ed to a we'll adapted discourse delivered by Rev Mir Morgan.
 In June 1903, in Colebrook, at the house of Brother Arah Phelps, Re, Chauncey Lee preached the sermon and so on, having their St John cele brations, as we'll as their regular com munications. m in the different towns. Rev Mir Bradford, Rev MT Marsh Rev MT Prentice, Rev Sylvester Burt Rev Ralph Emerson, are all mentioned | as delivering sermons on these occa l siops, always passing vote of thank | and presenting them with from $6 t. $10.
 | The regular hour for all communica | tions was at 10 &. m., occasionally at | D. m.. but not often at that hour, Tn | attendance at these festivals was large Their bills were quite considerable an, were usually paid by the brethren usually paying the minister from tn l treasury. The bills are often itemize. on the records. I will give you one a a sample, 1t was at the celebration q St, John the Baptist at Canaan, Jun 10th, 1918. I copy it verbatim iron the record.
 Paid MT Pomeroy for Liquors, S35. 9
 " !" "72 Meals, 72.0
 For Music hired, $6.0
 Warmers Bill for Ribbon, 3.3
 IS Female Singers, 13.0
 Providing for them at
 MT Finn's, 5 8
 ' Clergymen and Wives, 10
 Voted from treasury to the Rev
 Mir Bradford who delivered
 the sermon, 100
 Total s152.
 Then this entry: "Paid of the abov
 by visiting brethren, S5l.84."
 They were evidently much moI
 strict in discipline than most lodges al
 at the present time. One brother @,
 pelled for excessive indulgence