The History of Bethesda Lodge The History of Bethesda Lodge legally begins with the first meeting of the Lodge, in the Town Hall of Brighton on March 15,1819, after the granting of a Charter by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts on March 10, 1819. The Charter was granted to: John Norcross, Ebenezer Kimball, Francis Moore Josiah Holland, Edward Sparhawk, Thomas Park Joseph Warren, Amos Wright, Charles Dana Elijah Corey, Stephen Stone, S. W. Pomery Ebenezer Fuller, Jr., John English, Timothy Corey Ebenezer Whitney, Solomon Rice, Benjamin Herrick Moses Kingsley, Jonathan Livermore, Jr. In reviewing the early History of Boston and especially of Brighton (which in the early days was known as Little Cambridge), you will find the family names of many of these Charter members. They were the descendants of a hardy breed who had known poverty and privation, they had a strong belief in God, Liberty, and Independence with the fortitude to undergo pain and peril to their beliefs. Most Wor. Francis J. Oliver was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Mass. at the time Bethesda Lodge was was granted its charter. Most Wor. Bro. Oliver was a very talented and able man. He was graduated from Harvard at the age of 18 and became one of the leading and most respected citizens of the City and State. A matter of interest that should be noted is that it was during his term of Grand Master that the cornerstone of the Mass. General Hospital was laid by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, so Bethesda Lodge and the Mass General Hospital have something in common. The records of the Bethesda Lodge A. F. & A. M. begin with the first meeting of the Lodge, which was held after the receipt of notice of the vote of Grand Lodge, on March 10th, 1819, Granting a charter for the Lodge. The first meeting of the Lodge was held on March 18,1819 in the Town Hall and there were present twelve substantial citizens of the town. The following extracts are taken from the originals, which have been carefully preserved: “Voted: that a committee of three be chosen to fix and furnish the Hall, and the following Brethren were chosen: Bro. Jonathan Livermore R.W.B., John Norcross, W.B., and Edward Sparhawk, S.W. elect.” ”Voted: that the same committee see what the Jewels can be procured for and report at the next meeting.” “Voted: to adjourn this meeting to Monday, the 27th. Inst. at Seven O’clock P.M., which night shall be considered our regular night till further regulations are made.” Attest, Joseph Warren, Sec. The Regular meeting was held on March 29th in Mason’s Hall, with Masterelect John Norcross in the Chair. It was voted that a committee of three be chosen to make the by laws for the Lodge and that the 24th of June, next, be the day for our installation, and that a committee of one be chosen “to wait on the Grand Master and see if he can come on that day.” It was further, “Voted: to have an Altar erected” and “Voted: that the Brethren pay $5.00 each as membership in the Lodge.” The following vote is an indication of the small size of the Lodge and the simplicity of the life of that day, for it was: “Voted: that the Secretary call on all absent Brethren, in the course of the week and collect this fee for membership.” By April 12th there were sixteen members who had paid the fee of $5.00 for membership. At the meeting on March 29th, 1819, the first candidates, two in number, were proposed for membership in the Lodge and a committee was chosen to inquire into the “caracter” of the candidates. At the meeting on April 12th it was voted that the Second Tuesday in the month be the night for the regular Lodge Meeting, and the Second Tuesday of July, annually, be the time for the choice of officers. At this meeting it was voted that when refreshments were served, every visiting Brother pay 25 cents. This vote has not been obeyed within the memory of this historian, but might have proved of some help to the Treasury, if it had been. During the early months of the life of the Lodge, meetings were held more often than once a month and at several of them, action was taken on various details of the furnishings of the Lodge, as for instance, at the meeting on April 12, it was voted to paper the Hall, and “Bro. C. Kimball gave the paper for it, which was accepted with the thanks of the Lodge. At later meetings it was voted to put in a new floor and procure a stove for it. At the meeting on April 25th, 1819, the committee previously chosen to investigate the candidates, reported favorably and one was elected and given the First Degree, and paid $15.00. The other candidate was not balloted on until the next meeting and was then accepted. The earliest records of the lodge seem to indicate several differences in the procedure of the Lodge, as for instance: business seems to have been done when the lodge was open on any Degree: a candidate given the Degrees did not thereby become a member of the Lodge, but at some later time, was balloted on for membership and paid a fee of $5.00. The fee paid at initiation did not cover all Degrees as candidates seem to have paid $5.00 when they received the Third Degree. As candidates were few between the organization in March and the 24th of June, the time at meetings was used to rehearse the Lectures of the several Degrees. We now come to the first great day in the history of Bethesda Lodge. We have seen that as early as March 29th, it had been voted the Installation of officers should be on June 24th and at different meetings between March and June, committees had been appointed to arrange for the different features of the day. A committee was appointed to see the Parish committee of the First Parish Church and ask for the use of the Meeting House for the Installation ceremony, which was granted; a committee was appointed to secure tickets for the Installation and appoint suitable places for the sale of them. The tickets were sold for $2.00 for men and $1.50 for ladies. The following description of the exercises at the Installation and the celebration after it, are taken from the records of the Secretary: Special Meeting, June 24th, 1819. The feast of St. John having been celebrated as a suitable occasion for the consecration of Bethesda Lodge and the Installment of officers, the Lodge convened at their Hall at 9 A.M. and opened on the First Degree, and after a short session, adjourned to attend the Services of the day. After the arrival of the Grand Lodge and the Preparatory Services of it, a procession was formed under the direction of the Grand Marshall comprising a great number of visiting brethren, officers of various Lodges, Royal Arch Masons, the Encampment of Knights Templar in full dress with their banners displayed, Bethesda Lodge and the Grand Lodge, which moved to the Meeting House, accompanied by a band of music. After the ceremonies at the church, which included a Hymn, Prayer, Address, Consecration to the memory of the Patron Saint, whose Festival had been celebrated that day, the officers were installed by the Grand Lodge Officers with a very impressive charge given by the M.W. Grand Master, and a second Address. Appropriate music was interspersed through the whole performance which was witnessed by a large number of spectators “and were conducted with a dignity and decorum as pleasurable to the Brethren as honorable to the Institution. ”On retiring from the Meeting House the procession was again formed, increased by some of the Rev. Clergy and a Brilliant Assemblage of Ladies, and repaired to an elegant bower, where dinner had been prepared in a superior style... at which Invited guests enjoyed a feast of reason and a flow of social feelings, while the generous sentiment and lively song enlivened and added zest to the whole entertainment.” “Nothing of a disorderly nature, no instance of dissention, no act of intemperance occured to mar the festivities of the day and the company separated at an early hour, with more friendly feelings toward each other and with better impressions in favor of our excellent Institution.” The Lodge returned to their Hall about 5 O’clock and closed in order, waiving usual ceremonies.” At a later meeting fifteen members paid $2.60 each and one visitor paid $1.50 for the music at the Installation. For some unknown reason, M.W.B. John Norcross, the first Master elect, failed to function after the earliest meetings, and although attempts were made by committees, to get him to act, he refused and was excused: and at another election the Senior and junior Wardens elect were advanced one station, and a new Junior Warden was elected. M.W.B. Norcross was later given a Demit and elected the first Honorary member. The first visitation of the R.W. District Deputy Grand Master was in November, 1819, with a collation, at which fifteen officers and members and fourteen visitors were present. The history of the Bethesda Lodge is closely connected with the history of the district in which it was organized and in which it has been active ever since. The district Known as Brighton was first a part of Cambridge, which was settled in 1638. It then included what is now Cambridge, Newton, Brighton, Arlington, Lexington, Billerica and Bedford. Brighton was set off as a separate Parish on April 2,1779 and was incorporated as the Town of Brighton on February 24, 1807, and was annexed to Boston on January 5, 1874. Brighton was settled by a number of families who came directly from England or who were of the early descendants of such emigrants, and many of the members of the families of those early settlers were living in Brighton during the early years of the Lodge. It was just 12 years after Brighton became a town that Bethesda was Chartered. The population of Brighton at that time was 702 “1820 Census”. The Town Hall at that time was situated at the corner of Market and Washington Streets. The Town Hall was located in the Meeting House of the First Parish Church which was erected in 1744. EXCERPTS FROM EARLY RECORDS September 1819 A committee of one was chosen “to wait on Rt. Wor. Bro. Powers and request him, if consistent with his business, to put off our visitation to a more convenient time, on account of the cattle show.” At another meeting the records state that “The Lodge was closed omitting all ceremonies, on account of the noise and tumult of the cattle show.” At the meeting after the first visitation by the District Deputy it was voted “That the Treasurer be requested to call on Mr. Aaron Fuller and pay his bill for entertaining if it does not exceed $1.20.” The Historian records: “that this was the Golden Age of American History when New England Rum was three cents a glass.” April 9,1822 It was voted to have a Past Masters Jewel by subscription and have the Jewel marked: “If sufficient money is subscribed.” May 10, 1825 The quarterages (Dues) were reduced to 37 1/2 cents and on January 8,1828 they were placed at 25 cents. Wherever the obloquy gathered around Masonry at that time, it did not cost much in cash to be a Mason. January 8,1833 The record states Bro. William Fletcher was elected Grand Master, but declined to serve. July 8,1823 The first committee on charity was appointed, and apparently there has been need for a committee of this kind to function ever since. One of the first acts of charity to relieve the distress of a needy brother is recorded in January 1826, when it was voted “That as a Lodge we truly lament the severe loss of R.W. Bro. Park, and the Treasurer present him with the sum of $50.00 as evidence of our sorrow for the heavy loss sustained to him by fire.” During the intervening years Bethesda can be justly proud of her charitable record. Propriety restrains the recording of these acts, but the records are testimony that a distressed brother, his widow, or orphans have never been knowingly neglected. December 11, 1832 The records say, The by laws were changed so that the Master was to remain during the pleasure of the Lodge, instead of two years only.” This was occasioned by what was known as the Anti Masonic times or Morgan Inquisition. The events that aggravated and brought about these times are a chapter of Masonic History that we do not have the time and space to relate. To quote, Wor. Bro. Livermore, Historian for the 75th Anniversary of Bethesda Lodge. This country has seen fierce and bitter political contests but none has approached in intensity of those of the Anti Masons against Masons No relation of family or friend was a barrier to it. Not only were Teachers and Pastors driven from their stations, but children of Masons were excluded from their Schools and members from their Churches. The Sacraments were refused to Masons. Families were divided, brothers were arrayed against brothers, fathers against sons, and even wife against husband. Desperate efforts were made to take away chartered rights from the Masonic Corporation and to pass laws that should prevent Masons from meeting and performing their ceremonies.” For 18 years this Lodge did not receive an application or confer a degree, yet through all that long period it met regularly, preserved its organization and recorded its constancy. Proud therefore are we of those who during these trying times faithfully and loyally carried on, that our original charter was preserved when many were given up, and the old “Bethesda Banner” like that of the American Flag has never struck the ground. During these trying but stirring times Ebenezer Fuller was the Master: serving from 1831 to 1848. When the young daughter of this Lodge was constituted in 1820 what greater name could they have honored than by using that of one who so nobly and fearlessly preserved for this Lodge its Charter. He was truly named ‘Ebenezer’ the rock: and on February 13,1849, he laid down the gavel and as the record says, ‘Delivered a very able and appropriate address on resigning the chair which he had filled with honor to himself and the craft since January 25, 1831.” From the proceedings of the Grand Lodge 1844, Vol. IV, P, 740 The R.W. Bro. E.M.P. Wells offered the following resolution which was adopted: Resolved: That the Grand Lodge of Mass. with cordial aprobation, and the highest admiration, the firm unyielding, and right onward course of the Bethesda Lodge of Brighton in the for the past 8 years, though old members have been leaving them, and not one new member has been made yet they have maintained their connextion with, and have paid their dues to the Grand Lodge with the fidelity of a Hiram Abif.” Charles W. Moore, Rec. Grand Sec. March 11, 1845 “The Wor. Master proposed the names of Edward Sparhawk and John Gordon for degrees in Bethesda Lodge” eighteen years before they had last listened to the reading of an application. This was followed on March 6, 1846 by one from John Duncklee. From this time on applications were numerous. Hope burned brightly, and life and energy rapidly succeeded to the torpor and depression of years. Up to January 1850 the Lodge met on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. On January 8, 1850 it was voted to hold the monthly meeting on the Tuesday on or before the Full Moon. This change was probably made for the desirability of having light for driving or walking home after the meetings. This was in effect until 1893 when it was voted to hold the meetings on the first Tuesday which has been the custom ever since. MEETING PLACES The first meeting place is presumed to have been in the Town Hall, on the 2nd floor of the First Parish Church, which at that time was near the corner of Market and Washington Street. At the completion of the new Town Hall in 1842 the old Town Hall was sold and the Lodge must have changed its meeting place, but the records do not show it. There is a tradition that at one time it met at the house of Bro. Stephen Stone, and without doubt it was at this time. In 1844 the records state that the Lodge met in the new Hall in the School House. This was the High School Building then situated on Rockland Street, now Academy Hill Road. This Hall was used for about 10 years. From 1854 to 1860 it is believed that the Meetings were held in rooms over the Baxter and Sanborn Store on Washington Street nearly opposite Market Street. In 1860 the Lodge moved to new and more commodious quarters in The Dr. Mason Building at the corner of Washington Street, and Harvard Place. In 1870 the Lodge moved to the Osborne Block where it remained for 10 years. In 1880 the Lodge moved again to the Warren Building on Washington Street. In 1898 a building fund was established and grew by gifts from Members and two Bequests from Bro. William R. Rollins and Wor. Bro. Charles E. Holman, so that by 1941 we had the sum of $23,577. In May and June 1915, while Warren Hall was being renovated, Bethesda Lodge met in the Masonic Hall of Beth Horn Lodge of Brookline at the corner of Harvard and Kent Streets, Brookline. In 1941 the Lodge took over the Church Building of the First Parish Church and made the necessary renovations. The Church was built and dedicated in 1895 and our occupancy completed a cycle for it was in the Town Hall in the Old First Parish Church where the first meetings and installations of officers took place in 1819. In 1980, the Lodge found itself unable to maintain our Temple on Chestnut Hill Avenue in Brighton. The bodies using the Temple also were unable to help at that time. We voted to sell the Temple in January of 1980 and relocated to Watertown Masonic Temple. We have been meeting in this Temple ever since with some of our original properties around us, including the Altar, Bible, Square and Compass, Deacon Chairs and the Plain and Rough Ashlar Stones.