Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1911-10-13

since that time has been the home of old
Blazing Star.
Mr.. Cutler told an interesting narra-
tive of the proceedings of the lodge in
the early days, and of the differences of
opinion which at times threatened its
existence. In referring to the change
from the old to the present charter MIR
cutler said: What trials and hardships
were endured by our ancient brethren
during this time the first 40 years in the
history of the LODGE only the records
and Masonic tradition can tell us"
The speaker made a fitting reference
to Rev. jonathan Nye, the first elected
Worshipful master of the lodge. who was
grand master of the grand lodge of Yer
mont ISIS, 1911. He was a Congrega-
tional minister who settled in Newfane
in 1911. Martin Field, prominent i'm the
ledge in it's early days, was a famous
lawyer, legislator and judge, ana Luke
knowlton, another pioneer, was also a
judge.
Mr.. Cutler said that at the time the
lodge purchased its present home it was
not financially able to carry it unincum-
hered and money was raised in two
ways, first by issuing notes or bonds
by the lodge, and second, by mortgag-
ing the real estate of the lodge, and on
Jan. s, 1870, the mortgage was recorded
to the Windham County Savings bank
for the sum of $500, which, together with
the bonds. made a total Indebtedness of
about $500. The debt wGs carried for n
number of years. finally with the dawn
of brighter days, more work and greater
interest i'm the lodge, the reduction of
the debt began. The bonds were called
in and slowly but surely the mOrtGa ged
Indebtedness was reduced until Jan. !,
1909. the last dollar of principle and in
terest was paid and the lodge was free
from debt, ana on oct. Is, 1909, a cele-
hration was held for the purpose of
burning the mort@age, at which visiting
brothers We're present from "a number of
LODGES, and i'm the evening BROTHERS :.
T.. IIcscock and w. II. Eddy, the only
two surviving members who signed the
note, applied "a match to the mortgage
and note, which were slowly consumed,
while a few Wcll-chusen remarks were
made 10y i;ruthcr IicSCock relative to the
struggle through which the lodge had
passed.
In addition to paving the debts of the
lodge the lodge room has been thorough
ly repaired, new furniture added, and a
safe procured for the preservation of the
records in case of fire.
During the present year eight have
! been raised to the sublime degree of a
Master Mason, and we trust there are
yet more to come. Since the lodge was
rechartered in 1851, 2G5 have signed the
bylaws, of whom 20 were members I'M
der the old charter; 224 have been re-
ceived by initiation and 81 by utilization.
Mr.. Cutler was unable to tell how many
signed the old charter, as the roll book
is not in existence so far as Known.
During the century the lodge has been
presided over by 36 different masters and
81 brothers have held the office of sec
rotary.
In closing Mr.. Cutler said;
ION June Sth, 1907, We welcomed to
our home Blazing Star chapter No. 90, OF
the Order of the Eastern Star, and have
since shared our lodge room with them
we rejoice hat they are with us and
we hope they will continue the noble
work in which they have enlisted, and
we pledge to them, at their centennial
the came hearty cooperation which
they have so generously given us al
this time.
Recruits to our ranks have beer
gathered from every walk in life, many
of whom nave attained distinction IN
their chosen professions and not a few
have reached a high plane of Masonic
usefulness; nay, more than this, with
light added to light, their ambitious feet
have trodden round after round the lad,
der that leads to fame in our mystic
circle, until the purple of the fraternity
has rested upon their honored shoulders
such is the record of Blazing Stal
lodge, long and honorable; for ter
decades she has stood for all that is bes'
in life's short journey. For 100 years
she has held aloft the banner of the
Fatherhood of God and the Brother
hood of Man; for a full century has
been taught at her altar those prin,
ciples which make for the upbuilding OF
character, for nobler manhood and bet
ter citizenship.
May we who are today members o.
old Blazing Star lodge, as she enter,
upon the second century of her exist,
ence, be more closely united by the tie:
of sincere friendship, may brotherly
love prevail and every moral and socia
virtue cement us"
Brattleboro lodge quartet, with f. c
Leitsinger as organist, won hearty ap,
plause in its rendition of selections il
connection with this service.