Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-10

the Sesqui Centennial. about which the
Nirginian Pilot has kept it's readers
we'll posted. The following delegates
will attend:
y. T. Hofheimer, worshipfui master;
a. Tatem. senior warden; w. Is. Keys,
junior warden.
A large number of members of this
and other Norfolk lodges, as we'll as
Masons from Portsmouth, Berkley and
other places In this section, will also
be i'll attendance.
OTHER LODGES.
The delegation from Ruth Lodge No
50, consists OF w: A.. l.. Koyster; $.
w. Il. j. Randolph, proxy for j. W.; IL.
Hodges, and Secretary w. NJ. Grubb.
That from Atlantic Lodge No = is
w A., Henry Myers; $. W.. a. w.
tairer, and j. W.. Fl. II. Tricc.
AMERICAS OLDEST LODGE.
1t may not be universally known that
Norfolk is the cradle in which the in
FAINT genius OF American Masonry was
first rocked, and that Norfolk Lodge,
No. ]. is the oldest In the United States.
but 1t is fact nevertheless. Virginia
Is, therefore the premier State. and
Norfolk the premier city. as Major Vim.
l.. Foster remarked in his address, at
the Centennial Celebrat ton of this lodge
October %. 1890.
Norfolk Lodge, No 1o7, was instituted
in 1929, and was formally chartered un>
der the title of Royal Exchange Lodge,
No. lI2. 1t worked under the Grand
Lodge Of England until 1741. when it
surrendered its English charter and re-
ceived one from the Grand Lodge of
Scotland, heing designated as St. Johns
Lodge, No. III. The inauguration of
the Revolutionary war cut of inter
course With the grand lodges. In 1717
Il convention of the several lodges in
Virginia was held ut williamsburg. and
Mathew Phripp. p NJ. OF St Johns.
which took the initial stens toward the
meeting Of delegates, was elected prcsi-
dent In 1878 the Grand Lodge of Wiz
ginia Was instituted. In 1890 st. Johns
was formally chartered as Norfolk
Lodge, No. l, having been placed, as
she richly deserved to be, mt the head OF
the column.
The history of this old and honored
institution is n part of the history of
Norfolk. 1t has steadily maintained n
position at the head of the column In
the march of progress, In 1906 the
corner stone of the first Masonic Hall
was laid In this city by this lodge,
which. on Sunday. October 81. 1924. was
honored by the presence Of General, the
Marquis de Lafayette. The distinguish
ed Frenchman was received with eXalt-
ed Masonic honors. Nos. 16, sc and 100
having united With No. 1 oil this oc-
casion. At Christ Church Rev. DR.. Will
mer delivered an eloquent sermon. aft
er which the General wns escorted to
The Grigshy House. which then stood on
the site of the Bassett House. on East
Main street
The Oldest active member of Norfolk
Lodge Is Mr. 7. Hardy IIendren, who was
raised to the Sublime Degree March s..
1853. nearly q half century ago. He Is
still hale and hearty.
The history of this lodge is In many
respectS The history of Masonry in Vir-
ginia and of the city OF Norfolk. Hun
drcds Of incidents which would thrill
the reader could be mentioned but time
and space forbid. Suffice it that it has
expended Il vast sum i'll charity buried
the dead. sheltered and clothed tho
widow. fed and schooled the orphan
and aided with sympathy aud relief
multitudes of worthy and distressed
strangers. When the roll of Masonry
in Virginia is made M and placed in
the archives of Eternity Norfolk Lodge
may be relied upon to appear rs No. l..
The original charter of this lodge
adorns the walls of the Blue Lodge
room in Masonic Temple. y million
dollars would not induce the lodge to
part With 1t. II is priceless.
AN OLD JF,WEu.
The oldest or one of the oldest. jewels
OF any Masonic order in America is
probably that now in The Keeping of
Mr.. Hofhcimcr. worthy master of Nor
folk Lodge This is IL salid gold mast
masters jewel. five inches in length
and four inches wide. weighing about
one and one-hRif ounces. II has n bril-
ll0nt topaz in the joint CT the compass,
which is bevelcd on all edges and en-
sraved handsomely on both sides The
compass holds Bible in the swell of
the points. with q flaming sun in q cir
Gle Immediately below it. and the %
degree scale on which the points are
based Tho open Bible bears the title
page Of st John. chapter II.
Beginning With the 3 BIZ. on the re-
verse eide is the following inscriptions:
presented December ~. 5sOi a. L."
(Which is 1901 ~ ID "hy the Lodge no.
l. Norfolk, Va, to the r. w. James
Whitehead, T. ~. as q testimony of
respect and gratitude for the zeal and
ab liti5s displayed by him in his exalted
station
The section ending with "5Sol' Is in
scribcd on the Bible. thence to Va"
Oil the sun. and the remainder on the
curved scale.
The jewel remained in the Whitehead
family for Il number Of yenrs and was
then presented by Mr.. Whitehead's de.
sccniants TO the lodge again where IT
is now kept as a priceless heirloom. 1t
Is still enclosed in the original case OF
morocco. lined with white satin.
siuItz te uaucr
rinnO'.