News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1915-12-01
FIFTY YEARS A MASON
Austin wilkins Fiftieth Masonic Anniversary
Appropriately Observed

the Masonic birthday of Austin Wilkins
of Morrisville. Nov. 20, 1865, Mr.. Will
kins first saw the light off Masonry and
for fifty years he has been an active and
consistent member of Mount Vernon
| Lodge No. 8, F. 81 A. M. of Morrisville.
1t was fitting, therefore, that this event
should be observed by the Lodge and so
on that evening, in spite OF the incement
weather. rs members of the order,
mostly members of the home lodge,
! gathered at the lodge rooms and devoted
| the evening to addresses and a social
time in honor of Mr.. Wilkins.
After the lodge had been called to order
and opened in the usual form by w. NJ
Atkinson, T. c. Cheney was called to
the chair and presided as toastmaster. A
very interesting program had been pre-
pared and carefully carried out. After an
appropriate selection by quartet COM
posed of Ernest Gates, Frank Thomas,
F. w. Mould and Rev. w. E. Baker, re.
marks were made by Bros. Rev. Gran
mer, Judge Powers, DR.. G. IL. Bates, Hon.
r. w. Hulburd, Prof. Reynolds and Rev.
Baker. The several speakers were intro.
duced in felicitous manner by the toast
master and each spoke very impressixaly
concerning the guest of honor and his
long and faithful Masonic record, sug-
costing also of what good Masonry
consists.
Mr.. Wlkins thanked all for the honor
shown him, speaking as iollows:-
Brother POSTMASTER and Brethren of
Mount Vernon LODGE
thank you for this honor you have
conferred upon me tonight. tits perhaps
more than deserve, but am thankful to
have so many come out this bad night.
Fifty years ago tonight, in the old hall,
which was destroyed by fire in 1869,
l was raised to sublime degree of Master
Mason. Brother Samuel M. Pennock
was Master Brother H. Hs Powers, Sen
or Warden, / think Brother D. J. Stafford,
Junior Warden, and Brother r. K. Cook,
Senior Deacon. II l remember rightly
there were seven raised that night. | do
not remember them all now but Brother
Willard Stowe, whose picture hangs in
the northeast corner of the Lodge was
one of them. | think the Lodge closed at
a. m. the next day.
There were some sturdy old Masons at
that time who belonged to Mt. Vernon
Lodge. | remember such men as David
Mcdaniel, Hiram Wolcott, P. X. Gleed,
Cordilla Fitch, John Miles, L. Wakefield,
H. Gates, Chas. BlSs,C. S. Page, and the
officers that l have heretofore named.
l was fortunate in such fellowship. l
was soon appointed Steward. and from
that to Worshipful Master up through
the chairs without a stop. During the
war and for few years thereafter, there
were many that joined the lodge. so at
the time became Master there was lull
tor several years. 1 was elected to the
/ East in December 1877. re-electedin 1878
and 1879 and 1880, andI may say to
my surprise.
have not looked the books up to see
the number initiated through my terms
of office, but assure you that the number
was nothing like that of the few years
Just past.
Among those who were made Masons
the years | was in the East, there were
some good men, such as Rev. |. P. Booth
and Carlos Burke.
l am firm believer in Free Masonry.
A man who is a good Mason must be a
man, and a good Mason will mix his
Masonry with his business. In all my fifty
years in the Lodge my relations have
been pleasant with the men | have been
associated with and l hope the Lodge will
be as fortunate in the next fifty years in
getting good men as it has in the past.
Again | thank you for this honor and
hope / may assist many Others on their
fiftieth anniversary.
Brief remarks were also made by Bros
H, D. Bryant (S2 years old and the old
est living member of the LODGE and John
Miles, who are in the fifty-year class
also by Bro. w. M. Clark, who is ian
old timer" but not yet reached the hall
century mark Another song concluded
the formal proceedings, which were fol
lowed by an oyster supper served by A. {
Sulham in his usual good style. A smoke
talk and a social hour concluded thi:
very interesting and memorable occasion
Mr.. Wilkins, although beyond the three
score and ten, is lively young man
takes much interest in local and current
events and is fully enjoying the Afternoon
sunshine of well spent life. He ha'
always lived in this county, being ma
tive of the old town of Sterling. Hi
Masonic brethren, as well as citizen
generally wish him many years yet o
health and happiness.
Persons afraid they will do more worl
than they are paid tor never, advance 81
,ba+ thew are Maid for more work thai