Freemasonry In Detroit.

FREEMASONRY IN DETROIT .

EXTRACT from the Semi-Ceufcennial Address by Bro . Hugh McCurdy , before the Grand Lodge of Freemasons in Michigan , at Detroit , 24 th January 1895 . It is one hundred and thirty years since Freemasonry was first planted

. j ) etroit . 27 th April 1754 is the precise date , and the authority for it was warr » nfc granted by Provincial Grand Master George Harrison , of New York to Brother Lieutenant John Christie , of the Sixtieth Regiment , and others , as Lodge No . 1 , the Brethren to give it whatsoever distinctive name they might choose . They named it Zion , and so it is named this happy

hour . The Sixtieth Eegiment was stationed in Detroit for thirty years , and the mother country kept control of this portion of what is now the United States , until the year 1796 , when possession was given to us and " Old Glory " was for the first time unfurled on this historic ground .

The territory was so long a hone of contention between England and the United States that we find the Brethren of Detroit petitioning the Grand Lodge of Canada for a warrant . It was granted as prayed for , 7 th September 1794 , to James Donaldson and others , to form and hold a Lodge in the city of Detroit , in Upper Canada . No name is specified in the charter , but it was registered by the Grand Lodge of Canada as Zion Lodge , No . 10 .

The political change of our territorial condition , in r 796 , caused our Brethren of Zion Lodge to surrender their warrant of British parentage , and to petition the Grand Lodge of New York for a new warrant . Thia was granted , 3 rd September 1806 , and was signed by that eminent patriot , high-minded man and exemplary Freemason , De Witt Clinton , Grand

Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York . And by this act Zion Lodge , No . 1 was baptized anew . Her subsequent history need not be repeated here . It is coextensive with the history of the territory of the commonwealth , and of the proud metropolis wherein she occupies the ohair of honour , and where , out of the full hearts of Freemasons , she is

affectionately called Mother Zion . Let us never cease to venerate her . In this State there have been three Grand Lodges , so-called . The first was organised in Detroit , 24 th June 1826 , when Brother General Lewis Cass was elected and Installed Most Worshipful Grand Master . A second Grand Lodge was attempted to be formed in 1841 , but it was

not recognised by the Masonic world as legal ; and for the purpose of correcting certain Masonio illegalities , the present Grand Lodge was formed in this city , 17 th September 1844 , when the Grand Master elect , John Mullet , was installed , as the record has it , by M . W . Brother Lewis Cass , Past Grand Master of Ohio and Michigan * , and the Most Worshipful Grand Master then proceeded to instal the other Grand Officers .

An impression may possibly arise in the minds of the Brethen that contention and an unfraternal spirit existed in those days by reason of these irregularities . Such , however , was not the fact . There merely was a misapprehension of Masonio law and practice which made it necessary to retrace the steps that had been taken in organising the second Grand Lodge .

All the time the Brethren were working in absolute harmony , and upon the formation of the third Grand Lodge , the second met in emergent communication , 17 th November 1844 , the new Grand Lodge being then in session , and by resolution the Grand Secretary and the Grand Treasurer were directed to make over to the new Grand Lodge all the property and effects in

their official custody , and requiring all the Lodges in this jurisdiction to report and pay dues to the new Grand Lodge at its next annual communication . As a finishing touch to their labour this resolution was adopted : " Eesolved , that this Grand Lodge be closed in harmony and be henceforth forever dissolved . "

This was formally carried out , and thus was exemplified the golden rule of universal Brotherhood ; and the new Grand Body entered upon its mission of love , peace on earth , and goodwill to man . Now , after a half a century , during which our growth has been continuous , vital and sound , we find ourselves at the fountain of content , glad in the honours that have

befallen our Craft and rock-ribbed in the faith that it is destined for still greater honours , and yet other and larger opportunities for engaging in the ministrations that have made Freemasonry a positive potential good to man . For friendship is the corner stone of Freemasonry ; and " Friendship , " says Cicero , " is the only thing in the world concerning the usefulness of which all mankind are agreed . "

At the period of which I speak there were in the whole state of Michigan only nine Lodges , having a gross membership of about two hundred . Note the contrast with the present I In these fifty years , the completion of which

we celebrate in this happy hour , the Lodges and membership have multiplied and remultiplied until we now have four hundred and seven Lodges , under the jurisdiction of this Grand Body , with a membership of forty thousand I

General Cass , our first Grand Master , was a ripe scholar , a true patriot and a courteous chevalier . His . name and deeds , and every fibre of his being are intimately associated with the infancy and the struggles of Freemasonry in Michigan , and inseparably linked with all that is worth remembering in connection with our beloved commonwealth at home and abroad . Having

had such a baptism , and blessed with the inspiration of noble and historic names , what wonder is it that Freemasonry , under its banner of Liberty , Equality and Fraternity , has been so conspicuous and so continuous a power for good ? By steady devotion to the principles which are the conviction of all civilized nations and peoples , and the unwritten creed of every manly heart , Freemasonyr has reached its present proud eminence . In evidence

Freemasonry In Detroit.

of this we need only point to the fact , known to all , that enrolled among the Craftsmen are found tho names of the best and most representative men the State has produced .

A Loose Screw.

A LOOSE SCREW .

HOW often we mourn over the unsatisfactory condition of some of our Lodges , and wonder why success seems to pass them by . They are as good a lot of fellows who compose the membership as you could find in a day ' s travel . They are charitable , too , and are ready to open their hands to relieve the distressed , but somehow there is a rattling of dry bones ,

and a scraping sound when the till is touched . There is seldom any work done , and the raven of discouragement seems to sit in the East with its mournful " never , forever . " It is plain to be seen that there is something wrong . There is a screw loose somewhere , that ought to be tightened .

No machine will do its work properly with a screw loose . It may move its wheels and spindles , but , sure as fate , there will be a dropped stitch or an imperfect seam , and if the screw is not tightened it will not be long before the whole machine will be ruined .

The Lodge is a machine built to certain work . The Master must direct the various parts in such a way as to produce perfect harmony . Friction is destruction . The machinery of the Lodge should work smoothly . One of

the most important works to be done by this machinery is the teaching of moral lessons . These lessons are taught by certain ceremonies and lectures . Their beauty and completeness can only be realised when each and every Officer performs his part well .

If the Tyler is continually thumping at the door during the work , the clack of the knocker sounding through the whole room and above the voices of the Officers , there is a screw loose , and the Tyler should be

attended to and taught not to disturb the Lodge . We have seen a degree greatly marred by the hammering of the Tyler . He can arrange with the Junior Deacon , and the two can work quietly and in harmony , and the Lodge not be disturbed .

If the Senior Deacon balks in his reception of a Visiting Brother , and fails to do his work properly , there is a screw loose that ought to be tightened by a little instruction and study . If the Senior Warden absents himself from the meeting , the machinery of the Lodge is sadly in need of repair . If

the Junior Warden fails to properly superintend , the Craft , and permits the members to run riot over well-known rules of propriety , a little use of the screw-driver will prove beneficial . If the Secretary is careless in sending out notices , or in making collections , or in writing up his minutes , he needs a little tightening—there is a screw loose .

Muoh of the weakness of Lodges comes from local screws . A machine is a unity only when everything is properly adjusted , and every screw is tight . The Master [ may be the most rattling part . of the whole machine , if he is willing to have slipshod work performed . If he is careless about his

own work , and " refers a candidate to the monitor , " he will soon find the interest in the work is lost , and before long he will not have any work to do . Good work , true work , the very best that can be done , ought to be the aim of every Master and Officer .

Another important thing that this Lodge machine must do , is to relieve the needy Brother . The charities of Lodges ought to be properly organised . That Lodge is sure to be successful whose members recognise the duty and

obligation resting upon them to see that those who are in distress are relieved ; that those in need of a kind word , get it ; those in need of a hand stretched forth to save them from falling are not neglected . This serves as a lubricator , and the wheels of the whole machinery run smoothlv .

When members of a Lodge stay away there is need of a little attention to them . Their indifference is a loose screw that makes the machinery rattle . The united efforts of the members to do good work , both in ritual and charity , will be sure to attract the worthy to its benefits . In union there is strength , and a united Lodge is a strong one .

A Lodge of a few members working in perfect harmony is bettor , and will do more work and more good than a big Lodge where discord or indifference are found . With all the screws tightened a Lodge will be united , and must accomplish good . — " N . Y . Dispatch . "

On Saturday , 23 rd ult ., the Brethren of the Hundred of Elloe Lodge , No . 469 , Spalding , gave a treat to the poor of the town , which was carried out with characteristic generosity , and much appreciated by the many recipients , says the " Spalding Free Press . " In the afternoon a tea was provided at the Corn

Exchange for 220 poor children , who were regaled with tea , hread and butter , and a bun , and upon leaving each received an orange . The treat was very much enjoyed by the youngsters . In the evening , a supper , consisting of hot roast beef , with potatoes and bread and cheese , and a glass of beer each , was

given to 150 poor adults ; and after the supper they were entertained with music and recitals . Whilst sitting down , the "W . M . of the Lodge ( Bro . Gooch ) welcomed the company , and explained that the supper was provided by the Brethren of the Lodge , with

a view in these depressed times to give them a " good square meal . " The Brethren , with their wives and daughters , had undertaken all the arrangements , and the gathering passed off most successfully , there being many expressions of appreciation of the donors' kindness .