The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-13
Largest Gathering Of Masonic Fraternity Ever Assembled In State Witnessed
 Impressive Exercises In
 Masonic Temple
Scholarly Address By Past Master Fred w. Tracy And HsO cal "Reminiscences By E. s. Phillips And
 Daniel M. Rowland

1, ure of prosperity in the future.'' l The Masonic choir from Waterbury | now sang the Soldiers chorus from l Faust with such fine effect as to thrill | rybody only to be so heartily ap- plauded that they felt obliged to give
 The next number on the program was Memories of Masonry" by Daniel | M. Rowland, the oldest living past master of St. Johns lodge, he speaking as follows:
 1 "WorshipfuI Master Warden and
 Brethern of St. Johns Lodge, No
 1t is indeed a happy omen of th4 times that We are permitted to as semble in our Temple and meet as Brethren upon this most suspicious occasion.
 Ut is perhaps within the memory of some of our oldest brethern thd. our order was at one time frowned upon by many people, and thought to be an injury to any community where a lodge existed, but now hap pity for us all, civilization and it's re- fning influences nave taken the place of pEeJudice and bigotry and under all skies, and under all flags, to be known as Free Mason ga mark of distinction.
 selected to say a few words to you this afternoon. They must neces- sariIy be brief, not only because many brethren will address you, Du:
 
 rule to public speaking, and yet z cannot allow this occasion to pass without congratulating my own lodge, it's members, and all here as- sembled, upon having lived to See the day when old St. Johns from its small growth, and from the time it's Colonial days, that its influence has permeated the rank and file of the citizenship of this city and state, and made the word Brother Mason re-
 Looking about me upon so many familiar faces, friends and brethren, my mind is also brought to bear upon those who formerly sat with us in our deliberations. Many, could I mention by name, and the recollec- ton of knowing them, their kindly natures, and to me their sweet com pansionship-will ever be a blessed memory.
 Then again, as I looked around this lodge room, and see the faces while gradually going through the stations until I arrive at the Easc, the same pleasant thoughts come to me, and I can truthfuIly say tha, Masonry is synonomous with uniVer-
 After all is said and done, the final analysis is that of lasting friendship. Friends are not made in middle life, and as one is facing the West, going down the slope to the fast sinking sun-friendships are nldQe III youth ana early ndnnOOu friendships which are indeed lasting and enduring-and yet within the lodge room, within the sacred portals. where none may enter unless he has been voUched for by other of our craft in good standing, these same friendships are again renewed, and new ones often made.
 And so the Hodge room is the great melting pot of us all. We meet upon the level; we part upon the square,
 There I say. if we have no other great day, it is enough if we mee! one anather-the friendly grasp, the brotherly greeting, and with it all recon pense for all.
 What pleasant memories such a meeting evokes can only be realized and appreciated by those who are united in this great fraternal broth erhood.
 And so most worshipfuI Master and Brethren I greet you all as one fraternity ever be in the front rank of all which makes better citizens. and better men of us all, and may wide undertaking, and be ever in the fore of universal progress"
 Continuing their splendid music the Masonic choir then sang "Torea dor
 Ex-Mayor E. T. Buckingham spoke as follows:
 Mir. Buckingham'S Address.
 Past Master E. T. Buckingham, as marshal of; the lodge spoke thus in passing over the roll of the dead to the worshipful master:
 "As we gather here to celebrate this 15Oth anniversary of the lodge it is well to pay tribute to the brothers that have passed to the great beyond.
 We love to think of them gath cred in the quiet lodge above where there is no sorrow no. pain. and all is at peace. We love to think of them as knowing all the happenings here on earth, to rejoicing with us when we reioica and grieVing with us when we grieVe.
 Some of them are brethern who to-day and some helped prove tha: it is one and inseparable.
 Brethren, who helped practice the ancient work of Masonry and preserve it for us who came after
 'Fearless in the cause of virtu- and Justice, let us remember them as brothers and men who were true to their duty, and God. Country and themselves"
 And so saying he passed over to containing the names of all the de- ceased brethren since the lodge was instituted.
 Chaplain Offers Prayer.
 Rev John c. France as chaplain of the lodge, next offered up a fervent prayer for the dead, after which came the historical address by F. s. Phillips, called the oldest member of the lodge in point of years This speaker started way back with the time the charter was issued to the lodge and told of it's first meeting in house on Division street, now Park avenue, located south of State street This meeting was held on Feb. 15. 1762. A second meeting was held the next day at the house of Richard Hub bell, and on the occasion of the meet ing on Feb. 24. 1762. the craft were set to work at o'clock in the morn ing.
 The ho"se where this meeting was held was standing some 10 years ago on the Easton road not far from Rrooklawn. From then on regular meetings were held with more or less frequency up to the time of the Revo- lution during which they were dis pensed with although on the records