Middletown transcript., 1912-02-03
TWO MASONIC PRESENTATIONS
Handsome Past Master Gifts, Com
pIimentarY Speeches and a Banquet

plimentary Speeches and a Banquet
On Thursday evening the members of
Union Lodge No. "A. F. and A. NJ. pre-
sented Messrs Alfred G. Cox and John A.
Jolls, both Past Masters, with handsome
gold Past Masters jewel. A scroll bear
ing the word Union with the figure ''5'
cuuningly wrought in the lower
ornamental edge, supports by two golden
chains fac simele copy of the old seal of
the lodge which is l47 years old, and
besides the customary square and compass
has the letters ga. Y. M, Ancient York
Masons (from the early Pennsy lvania
lodge deriving their charter from the
Duke of York, )e graved thereon and the
motto "Amor. Honora, ct Justicia"
"Love, Honor and Justice" Sin a
circle around the border" 1t is a curions
fact that through the blunder Of the
composter, or engraver the Latin word
Honor is incorrectly spelled "Honora. "
From this copy of the old seal is suspend
ed large wreath having within il large
square, compass and quadran. The
back of the seal has the inscription
''Alfred G.Cox Presented by Union Lodge
No. 5, Middletown Del. 1832-l9l2"
Union Lodge No. 5, was from it's found
ing in 1865 until 1916 known as Lodge
No. V. of the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania
Ancient York Masons."
While the Grand Lodge of Delaware
was instituted in 1905, Lodge No. V still
remained a subordinate lodge of Penn
sylvania, not coming In under the juris-
diclion of the Grand Lodge of Delaware
until 1916. In the archives of this lodge
are many interesting documents and
papers which the members value highly.
Among these documents is a copy of
the first printed proceedings OF the Grand
Lodge of Delaware, for the annual COM
munication Of 1926. Prior to that time
it had been the custom of the grand Sec
retary to write out in long hand the
copies of his minutes and send one to
each lodge. The lodge also has several
copies of the written minutes between
1916 and 1926. Another interesting
document is the original charter granted
by the Grand Lodge of Scotland to certain
officers and privates of his Britannia
Maiesty's SeventY.third Regiment Of
Foot, which regiment at the time OF
granting the charter, III I714. 'laIion-
ed at Edinburgh Castle. The charter
recites that more officers and privates had
some time prior to this date been granted
a charter by the Duke Of York, the
Titular head of Masonry in England,
which charter had been lost. The
charter authorized the officers and
privates to hold Masonic Lodge, where
soever they might be located. Just how
this charter came into the possession Of
Union Lodge is not definitely known. 1t
is thought, however that this Seventy
third Regiment of Foot took part in the
Revolutionary War and engaged in some
battle in which were Delaware troops,
among whom were one or more members
of Union Lodge, No. 5, that victory rested
with the Americans and that this charter
was obtained from the baggage or the
person of the master OF the lodge.
There are but four past masters in the
State who were elected to office before
Alfred G. Cox. They were: James W.
Marshall, Jefferson Lodge, Lewes, 1861;
John P. Almond, Temple Lodge, Will
mington, 1865; Philemma Chandler Of
Washington Lodge and James Crooks of
Lafayette Lodge, Wilmington, elected
1866. Mr.. Cox was elected master in
1867.
The speech on the presentation Of the
gift given Mr.. Cox, was made by Mr.. j.
c. Jolls who feIicetated him upon his
having reached his S0th year so greatly
blest in health and staength. Rev. V. S.
Collins made congratulatory presenta-
ton speech when a similar gold Past
Master Jewel was given Mr.. John A. Jolls.
Beth Mr.. Cox and Mr.. Jolls responded
appreciasively, and a number of other
members made speeches of like tenor,
and the pleasant evening closed with a
banquet in the lodges refectory.
Mr.. Cox Is the possessor Of another
handsome gold Masonic memento-a
Grand High Priest Jewel given him by
the Past Grand High Priest of the Grand
Chapter of Delaware. 1t consists of a
golden Jewish High Priests Mitre, from
which hangs gold edaion that is
copy of the Delaware State Arms, and
suspended from that, fac simile of the
ancient breast plate OF the Jewish High
Priest, with its II stones set in square.
This gift was bestowed in 1880 upon Mr..