The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-06-21
DE MOL
Continued from Page Three


and permanent quarters could be
had over Coburn Hall, fine build
ing then about to be erected. In
order to further the object, the
lodge voted to take stock in the
new building to the amount of
$500, provided such arrangements
could be made with the Hall Assoc
citation as would be satisfactory
satisfactory terms We're agreed
upon, and the building commence
ed.
This action appears to have bee
taken in 1856, but il is further state
in the lodge history that the frs
meeting of that body in the new hal
was May Is, 1868, the building pro
cess having taken two years Tn
Lodge historian states that the hal
taken in connection with the commit
tee rooms. all large and convenient
answers all the requirements for a
elegant. neat and model masonl
home for the bodies occupying il
The furniture, all new. was paid 10
jointly by the lodge and Somerse
r. A. Chapter, each appropriatin
about one thousand dollars.
The hall was dedicated on Angus
90, 1868, the Commandery acting a
escort at the services. The follow
ing extract from the lodge histor
describes the ceremonies:
The Hall was dedicated and
solemnly consecrated to Masonry,
Virtue and Universal Beneyolence,
August Goth, by the Most Wor-
shipful Timothy J. Murray, Grand
Master, assisted by r. ". Albert
Moore. ID. d. G. NJ, and other rep
resentatives of the Grand Lodge.
There We're present as escort to
the Grand Lodge the following Ma
sonic Bodies: kennebec Lodge,
Hallowell. Temple Lodge. Winth-
rOp. Northern Star. Arson. Bethle-
hem, of Augusta, Somerset, of
Skowhegan, Somerset Royal Arch
Chapter. Maine Commandery of
Knights Templar. of Gardiner,
Portland, of Portland, Trinity, of
Augusta. and De Molay, of Show
hogan; all forming procession
superior in character and beauty
to any that had ever before pa
raded the streets of SkoWhegan.
After marching through some OF
the principal streets, the process
sion repaired to Coburn Hall and
partoOk of a bountiful collation.
prepared by the fraternity and
the willing hands of their ladies.
Rev. Bro. e c. Bodies, of Port
land. delivered an eloquent and
instructive address. The arrange
ments for dedication We're admir-
ably made and carried out, and
everything passed off creditably to
81 -; in, tho iOtprnSf-
ing ceremonies.
On April s, 1869, a petition for
new COmmandery at West WaterVill
was presented for approval, and ID
MOlaY voted to recommend the praye
of the petitioners. Eminent 81
Estes history states that the men
bers voting in favor undoubtedly Ill
so against their better judgment, an
to show their friendliness to the fra
ters of that place, believing the Gran
C0mmanderY would act adversely
their wishes, as it did in the follow
ing report o. the Committee.
The Committee on DISPENSE
tiOns and new Communicates have
attended to their duty and beg
leave to report. that they recon-
mend that the petitioners for
new Commandery at West Water
vile have leave to withdraw; be-
lieving that the best interests of
Templar Masonry do not, at pres
ent, require any addition to the
number of Communicates in this
State
The year. 1869, during which Emf
nent Sir Estes was in command, wa
a remark BILE one In the course &
the year more work was done tina
in any one year before or since, an
more than was done by any Com
mandery in the State, forty-three can
didates receiving the orders of Knight
hood
In April. 1871, another attack wa
made upon our jurisdiction, a petitio
being presented from several 81
Knights of WaterVille and vicinit
asking the recommendation of thi
COmmandery for a new commander
at WaterVille, the request WAS grant
ed by De AIolay, but the Grand Com
mandery declined To grant the praye
of the petitioners.
The effort was renewed, however
in 1874. when WaterYille Sir Knight
again asked the consent of De Mola
lOl al HtN I tllllldlldfl ' ul0 YIN
the action of De MolaY. based appaT
entity on the conviction of its mem
bers that the policy of the Gran
CommanderY did not favor new com
manderies at that time. Was adverse
but the Grand Commandery granite
the charter. and De Molay suffered
material loss in jurisdiction
The low water mark of activity i
the Commandery appears to hay
been reached in 1873, when only on
member Was admitted To quot
from Eminent Sir Estes:
40 year in the history of the
Commandery shows SO little work
as this The only reason to he
given for it is the hard times and
depressed condition of business,
reaching every channel OF trade,
all communities and organizations
being alike affected To say that
our beloved order is an exception
would he forgetting one of the
high moral virtues of our institu-
ton. How shall | earn my bread
and butter% Is for the present
time a more significant rallying-
cry than that inscribed on our
banner In hoe signo vinces' ."
In closing his history in 1879 En-
inent Sir Estes gives the following
interesting summary of the work t
that time:
Number created knights Tenn
plar 159
Number admitted to member
bership ia
Number dimitted Gncludng 81