Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1907-10-10
Masonic Centennial Celebration.

Rising Sun lodge, No. Z, A. +. and A
NJ, on Tuesday, Oct. s, 1907, observes
the one hundredth anniversary of its es
tablishment by a celebration afternoon
and evening. Grand Lodge officers anC
other prominent Masons were present
Nine neighboring lodges were invited
4 The formal exercises commenced at 81
p. m. in the Masonic hall, DIR. Z. J. Fish
master of ceremonies, in charge. 4
lodge of Master Masons opened in du,
form; reception of Grand officers; wei
come extended by the master;' followed
by reading of the charter and lodg,
history by DIR. E. J. Fish, historian
closing the lodge, followed by public
exercises at the Congl church as pro-
/ grammed Organ voluntary; prayer by
Rev. Sherman Goodwin, chaplain; vocal
quartet; Grafton by Rev. Henry L. BaIlou
of Chester, grand senior warden of the
Grand Lodge of Vermont; music in clos
ing.
The post prandial exercises, held at
6 80 p. M, in the church dining rooms,
were very enjoyable. The toasts pre-
sented by DR.. Fish gave scope for a
character of thought well suiting the
occasion, as follows:-"The Grand
Lodge" responded to by Rev. H. NJ.
Ballou; 1.-THE Golden Rule Hon. Frank
Plumley, with that diversity of wit and
eloquence which never fails to interest
and amuse; Ernest Hewitt responded to
"The Ideals of Masonry" for the young
Masons; Rev. Sherman Goodwin spoke
on the character OF Masonry; Rev. f. NJ.
Baker upon his views of Masonry. The
banquet furnished by the ladies of the
Eastern Star was surely all the term
implies, luxurious feast.
Rev. Henry Ballou gave an intensely
interesting address, partly historical,
covering the years of which Rising sun
lodge has existed, its prosperity and ad
versity, the lodges in Vermont and else
where, paying a glowing tribute to the
fraternity who were instrumental in
maintaining their standing through the
period of persecution and hatred.
The lodge history, given by DIR. f. J.
Fish, was full of interesting points from
beginning to end, requiring over an
hour in delivery.
Rising sun lodge was granted a charter
by the Grand Lodge of Vermont and is
sued by John Chapman, grand master,
attested by f. d. Woodbridge, grand
secretary, Oct. S, 1907. The petitioners
were Bibye Cotton. stephen Cleayeland,
Phineas Parkhurst, Benz. Day and
George Danny. The first communication
was held Nov. 26, 1907. The first three
officers appointed by the grand master to
organize the lodge were John Woodward,
Stephen cleveland and Joseph Park
hurst. The first election of officers
was held in December, 1907.
The lodge has a history very interest
ing, attested by records which have been
kept and preserved from communications
of 1907 to 1899 and from 1s4S to the
present time. From 1899 to 1915 no
records are to be found. Presumably
none were kept II made, owing TO the
antagonistic influence exercised by the
party during the years OF
1927 TO 1S4S. During the nine years,
1889 to 1913, the lodge held only secret
meetings, as tradition states, moving
from house to house and places outside, |
hiding their properties to avoid mob vio-
lence. This feeling was very likely in
tensifed by the influence of one of their
members. Jacob Collamer. a rising young
lawyer, aspiring to political honors, who |
the surrender of the lodge
charter. as the lodge records show, yet (
those old AiasOns, strong in the faith of /
their principles and loyal TO the order, |
refused to surrender their charter at |
a communication held Sept. q. 1881, and |
this lodge was one OF the seven lodges in |
he state that retained its standing in the |
Grand Lodge.
From 1907 to 1857. with the exception !
Of three years. from 1893 to 1857, (those |
held in South Royalton) the communica- !
ions were held at Royalton, and from /
1857 to the present time in South Royal |
ton.
LIP the early records of membership are
'ound the names Of Jacob Collamer OF |
Royalton. later judge Of the supreme |
curt, member of Congress, United States
senator and cabinet officer; DR.. Phineas
parkhurst, widely known; DIR. 10. Deni-
ION OF a prominent family; Gen. Elias
stevens and Lowell Hubbard, strong in
heir conviction of right, who carried
he lodge through those stormy years Of
persecution, and Tuesday
he lodge celebrated the centennial of its
existence with a record of membership of
$50; its old Bible, printed in 1896; altar
made in 1926; charter as legible and clear
IS when issued.