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Article BASILICA ANGLICANA ← Page 3 of 3 Article EARLY HISTORY OF MASONRY IN TEXAS. Page 1 of 1
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Basilica Anglicana
seated on benches immediately in front of the pulpit , which is occupied by a divine , who is evidently , by the earnestness of his gesticulation , intent on the conversion of his auditory . There are strong signs of commotion among the congregation , who seem to be swayed by the force of the eloquence to which they are listening , whilst the outside is skirted by
those listless loiterers who are in times of enthusiasm reported to be indifferent to grace . It was a privilege for criminals or political prisoners to stop here ancl hear the words of religion , not always acceptable , but still persistently held out . We can well imagine for instance that the victims of Queen Mary did not accept with respect the ministrations she had
provided for them . The roses of York ancl Lancaster shed many a leaf on this spot . Clarence received here the last offices just before he was immersed in his butt of malmsey . Here the hunchback Gloucester swore , fretted , and bullied . It was entirely overthrown in the time of the commonwealth ; hut its site was retained by the Puritanswho fulminated the
, doctrine of Geneva against the idols that had been erected by the " Philistines . " At the restoration it was not thought advisable to re-erect it , having been so often a rallying point for fanatical outrage ; so old Paul ' s Cross went down with the old cathedral , but happily much of the strife , of which it was the centre , has gone down with it .
Early History Of Masonry In Texas.
EARLY HISTORY OF MASONRY IN TEXAS .
WE copy the following very interesting article from the reprint of "Proceedings of Grand Lodge of Texas , " published by tho E . W . Grand Secretary , A . S . Ruthven . As I took _ an active part in Laying the first foundations of Freemasonry in this country , originated , and was personally present at , the first meeting ever held here , and cognizant of the earliest taken
steps for the organization of a Lodge , I place upon record the following facts , which may he of interest perhaps to the fraternity hereafter , and would otherwise be lost , as 1 am now the only one living of the five brethren who originated Holland Lodge . In the winter of 1 SS 4-5 , five Master Masons , who had made themselves known to each otherconsulted - themselvesand
, among , after various interviews and much deliberation , resolved to take measures to establish a Lodge of their Order in Texas . This resolution was not formed without a full appreciation of its consequences to the individuals concerned . Every movement in Texas ivas watched at that time with jealousy and distrust by the Mexican government , and already had its spies and emissaries denounced some of our best citizens as factionists and disaffected
persons ; already were the future intended victims of a despotic power being selected . It was well known that Freemasonry was particularly odious to the Catholic priesthood , whose influence in the country at that time was all powerful . Thc dangers therefore attendant upon an organization of Masons at this time , ivhich
was trying men's souls , " were neither few nor unimportant . But zeal for a beloved institution , a belief that it would be beneficial at a period when society seemed especially to need some fraternal bonds to unite them together , predominated ; all fears of personal consequences ivere thrown aside , and the resolution to establish a Lodge , as abovenientioned , was adopted . Tbe five brethren were John II . Wharton , Asa Brig-bam , James A . E . Phelps , Alexander Russell and and
Anson Jones , they appointed a time and place of meeting to concert measures to carry their resolution -into effect . In the meantime another Master Mason came into their plans—Bro . J . P . Caldwell . The place of meeting was back of thc town of Brazoria , near the place known as General John Austin ' s , in a little grove of wild peach or laurel , and which had been selected as a family burial ground by that distinguished soldier and citizen . Thc secludedand out of
spot was , thc way of " cowans and eavesdroppers , " and they felt they were alone . Here , and under such circumstances , at ten o ' clock in the morning of a day in March , 1835 , was held thc first formal Masonic meeting in Texas , as connected with the establishment and continuance of Masonry in this country . The six brethren I have mentioned were all present thereand it was concluded to lto the Grand Lodof Louisiana for
appy ge a dispensation to form and open aLodgc , to be called Holland LocVe ri it "T t 0 tlle thcl 1 MM - Grantl Master of that bocl y . J- IL Holland . The funds were raised hy a contribution to deli-ay thc e xpenses , to which each contributed as he felt willing aud able .
A petition was in due time drawn up and signed by them , which was forwarded to "New Orleans , having been previously signed by another Master Mason , Bro . W . C . I ) . Hall , and perhaps one or tivo more ; but of this I do uot recollect . The officers named in the petition were—for W . M ., Anson Jones ; S . W ., Asa Bri ghani ; J . W ., J . P . Caldwell , who filled those offices respectively until the close of 1837 . The dispensation was granted , after some
delay , to these brethren , and Holland Lodge , No . 3 G , U . D ., was instituted and opened at Brazoria , on the 27 th of December , 1835 . Bro . Phelps was chosen Treasurer , and M . C . Patton , Secretary ; the other ' officers I do not recollect . The Lodge held its meetings at Brazoria , in the second story of the old court house , which room was afterwards occupied by St . John's Lodge , No . 5 . About this time the difficulties with Mexico broke out into open
hostilities , and our work was very much retarded by that circumstance , and by the members having to be absent in the service of the country . Still , there were a few others from time to time introduced into the Order , either by receiving tlie degrees or by affiliation . The Lodge struggled on until February , 1 S 3 G , when I presided over its last meeting at Brazoria . I well recollect the nihtand the fact that Bro . Faninwho one month after became
g , , so celebrated for his misfortunes and those of his unfortunate party at Goliad , acted as Senior Deacon . It seemed , indeed , that the gloom which prevailed in the Lodge that night was a foreshadowing of its and their unhappy fate which was soon to overtake both . In March , Brazoria was abandoned . Urea soon after took possession of the lace at the head of a detachment of the Mexican
p army , and the records , books , jewels , and everything belonging to the Lodge , were utterly destroyed by them , and our members were scattered in every direction . Bros . Wharton , Phelps , and myself , joined the Texan troops on thc Colorado , about the 18 th of March . In the meantime , the Grand Lodge of Louisiana had issued a charter for Holland Lodge , No . 3 G , and it was brought
over tb Texas by Bro . John M . Allen . This , together with some letters from the Grand Secretary , was handed to me by Bro . Allen , on the prairie between Grocc ' s aud San Jacinto , while wc were on the march , and carried by me in my saddlebags to the encampment of the army on Buffalo Bayou , at Lynchburg . Had we been beaten here , Santa Anna would have captured the charter of Holland Lodge at San Jacinto , as Urea had the dispensation
for it at Brazoria . Such an event , however , was impossible . The charter and papers were taken safely to Brazoria ; but , as the members had been lessened in numbers by death , or scattered in the army and elsewhere in the service of the country , no attempt was ever made to revive thc work of the Lodge at that place . In October , 1837 , however , it was reopened by myself and
others , at the city of Houston , haying then been in existence about two years . In the meantime two other Lodges , with charters from the Grand Lodge of Louisiana , were established in Texas , Milam , at Nacogdoches , and McFarlane , at San Augustine . Delegates from these , and from Holland Lodge , met in convention at Houston , in the winter of 1837-S , and the Grand Lodge of the republic was formed . By advice and direction of this body , the three subordinate Lodges transferred their allegiance from Louisiana to their own Grand Lodge , surrendered their charters to Louisiana , and
received others from Texas ; and Holland Lodge , No . 3 G , under the former , became Holland Lodge , No . 1 , under the Grand Lodgo of thc Lone Star Republic . By this course , the causes of the many difficulties whicli have afflicted so many of thc Grand Lodges of the United States were considered and obviated in the formation of the Grand Lodge of Texas . Holland Lodge , No . 30 , was the only one established in Texas
prior to the revolution which separated her from Mexico . Such is a brief but faithful sketch of the first establishment of Freemasonry in Texas . It was founded , like our political institutions , amid thc stem concomitants of adversity and war , but its foundations were laid broad and deep : and upon them has been raised a superstructure of strength aud beauty , symmetrical in its proportions and vast in its dimensions , which I trust will rise and cheer
usque ad astra , and continue as a beacon to guide worthy Masons ou their journey of life , and against which the wasting storms of time shall beat in vain , and the restless waves of persecution dash themselves to destruction in angry foam ; while thc presiding genius ofthe institution , from its lofty walls , shall ever continue to exclaim in emphatic tones to be heard by all—cast , west , north , and south —• " Procul I 0 procnl ! cstc profani ! Tit que invade viain . " " Far hence , ye profane ! Welcome , ye initiated , to these glorious courts ! Tread ye them aright ! "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Basilica Anglicana
seated on benches immediately in front of the pulpit , which is occupied by a divine , who is evidently , by the earnestness of his gesticulation , intent on the conversion of his auditory . There are strong signs of commotion among the congregation , who seem to be swayed by the force of the eloquence to which they are listening , whilst the outside is skirted by
those listless loiterers who are in times of enthusiasm reported to be indifferent to grace . It was a privilege for criminals or political prisoners to stop here ancl hear the words of religion , not always acceptable , but still persistently held out . We can well imagine for instance that the victims of Queen Mary did not accept with respect the ministrations she had
provided for them . The roses of York ancl Lancaster shed many a leaf on this spot . Clarence received here the last offices just before he was immersed in his butt of malmsey . Here the hunchback Gloucester swore , fretted , and bullied . It was entirely overthrown in the time of the commonwealth ; hut its site was retained by the Puritanswho fulminated the
, doctrine of Geneva against the idols that had been erected by the " Philistines . " At the restoration it was not thought advisable to re-erect it , having been so often a rallying point for fanatical outrage ; so old Paul ' s Cross went down with the old cathedral , but happily much of the strife , of which it was the centre , has gone down with it .
Early History Of Masonry In Texas.
EARLY HISTORY OF MASONRY IN TEXAS .
WE copy the following very interesting article from the reprint of "Proceedings of Grand Lodge of Texas , " published by tho E . W . Grand Secretary , A . S . Ruthven . As I took _ an active part in Laying the first foundations of Freemasonry in this country , originated , and was personally present at , the first meeting ever held here , and cognizant of the earliest taken
steps for the organization of a Lodge , I place upon record the following facts , which may he of interest perhaps to the fraternity hereafter , and would otherwise be lost , as 1 am now the only one living of the five brethren who originated Holland Lodge . In the winter of 1 SS 4-5 , five Master Masons , who had made themselves known to each otherconsulted - themselvesand
, among , after various interviews and much deliberation , resolved to take measures to establish a Lodge of their Order in Texas . This resolution was not formed without a full appreciation of its consequences to the individuals concerned . Every movement in Texas ivas watched at that time with jealousy and distrust by the Mexican government , and already had its spies and emissaries denounced some of our best citizens as factionists and disaffected
persons ; already were the future intended victims of a despotic power being selected . It was well known that Freemasonry was particularly odious to the Catholic priesthood , whose influence in the country at that time was all powerful . Thc dangers therefore attendant upon an organization of Masons at this time , ivhich
was trying men's souls , " were neither few nor unimportant . But zeal for a beloved institution , a belief that it would be beneficial at a period when society seemed especially to need some fraternal bonds to unite them together , predominated ; all fears of personal consequences ivere thrown aside , and the resolution to establish a Lodge , as abovenientioned , was adopted . Tbe five brethren were John II . Wharton , Asa Brig-bam , James A . E . Phelps , Alexander Russell and and
Anson Jones , they appointed a time and place of meeting to concert measures to carry their resolution -into effect . In the meantime another Master Mason came into their plans—Bro . J . P . Caldwell . The place of meeting was back of thc town of Brazoria , near the place known as General John Austin ' s , in a little grove of wild peach or laurel , and which had been selected as a family burial ground by that distinguished soldier and citizen . Thc secludedand out of
spot was , thc way of " cowans and eavesdroppers , " and they felt they were alone . Here , and under such circumstances , at ten o ' clock in the morning of a day in March , 1835 , was held thc first formal Masonic meeting in Texas , as connected with the establishment and continuance of Masonry in this country . The six brethren I have mentioned were all present thereand it was concluded to lto the Grand Lodof Louisiana for
appy ge a dispensation to form and open aLodgc , to be called Holland LocVe ri it "T t 0 tlle thcl 1 MM - Grantl Master of that bocl y . J- IL Holland . The funds were raised hy a contribution to deli-ay thc e xpenses , to which each contributed as he felt willing aud able .
A petition was in due time drawn up and signed by them , which was forwarded to "New Orleans , having been previously signed by another Master Mason , Bro . W . C . I ) . Hall , and perhaps one or tivo more ; but of this I do uot recollect . The officers named in the petition were—for W . M ., Anson Jones ; S . W ., Asa Bri ghani ; J . W ., J . P . Caldwell , who filled those offices respectively until the close of 1837 . The dispensation was granted , after some
delay , to these brethren , and Holland Lodge , No . 3 G , U . D ., was instituted and opened at Brazoria , on the 27 th of December , 1835 . Bro . Phelps was chosen Treasurer , and M . C . Patton , Secretary ; the other ' officers I do not recollect . The Lodge held its meetings at Brazoria , in the second story of the old court house , which room was afterwards occupied by St . John's Lodge , No . 5 . About this time the difficulties with Mexico broke out into open
hostilities , and our work was very much retarded by that circumstance , and by the members having to be absent in the service of the country . Still , there were a few others from time to time introduced into the Order , either by receiving tlie degrees or by affiliation . The Lodge struggled on until February , 1 S 3 G , when I presided over its last meeting at Brazoria . I well recollect the nihtand the fact that Bro . Faninwho one month after became
g , , so celebrated for his misfortunes and those of his unfortunate party at Goliad , acted as Senior Deacon . It seemed , indeed , that the gloom which prevailed in the Lodge that night was a foreshadowing of its and their unhappy fate which was soon to overtake both . In March , Brazoria was abandoned . Urea soon after took possession of the lace at the head of a detachment of the Mexican
p army , and the records , books , jewels , and everything belonging to the Lodge , were utterly destroyed by them , and our members were scattered in every direction . Bros . Wharton , Phelps , and myself , joined the Texan troops on thc Colorado , about the 18 th of March . In the meantime , the Grand Lodge of Louisiana had issued a charter for Holland Lodge , No . 3 G , and it was brought
over tb Texas by Bro . John M . Allen . This , together with some letters from the Grand Secretary , was handed to me by Bro . Allen , on the prairie between Grocc ' s aud San Jacinto , while wc were on the march , and carried by me in my saddlebags to the encampment of the army on Buffalo Bayou , at Lynchburg . Had we been beaten here , Santa Anna would have captured the charter of Holland Lodge at San Jacinto , as Urea had the dispensation
for it at Brazoria . Such an event , however , was impossible . The charter and papers were taken safely to Brazoria ; but , as the members had been lessened in numbers by death , or scattered in the army and elsewhere in the service of the country , no attempt was ever made to revive thc work of the Lodge at that place . In October , 1837 , however , it was reopened by myself and
others , at the city of Houston , haying then been in existence about two years . In the meantime two other Lodges , with charters from the Grand Lodge of Louisiana , were established in Texas , Milam , at Nacogdoches , and McFarlane , at San Augustine . Delegates from these , and from Holland Lodge , met in convention at Houston , in the winter of 1837-S , and the Grand Lodge of the republic was formed . By advice and direction of this body , the three subordinate Lodges transferred their allegiance from Louisiana to their own Grand Lodge , surrendered their charters to Louisiana , and
received others from Texas ; and Holland Lodge , No . 3 G , under the former , became Holland Lodge , No . 1 , under the Grand Lodgo of thc Lone Star Republic . By this course , the causes of the many difficulties whicli have afflicted so many of thc Grand Lodges of the United States were considered and obviated in the formation of the Grand Lodge of Texas . Holland Lodge , No . 30 , was the only one established in Texas
prior to the revolution which separated her from Mexico . Such is a brief but faithful sketch of the first establishment of Freemasonry in Texas . It was founded , like our political institutions , amid thc stem concomitants of adversity and war , but its foundations were laid broad and deep : and upon them has been raised a superstructure of strength aud beauty , symmetrical in its proportions and vast in its dimensions , which I trust will rise and cheer
usque ad astra , and continue as a beacon to guide worthy Masons ou their journey of life , and against which the wasting storms of time shall beat in vain , and the restless waves of persecution dash themselves to destruction in angry foam ; while thc presiding genius ofthe institution , from its lofty walls , shall ever continue to exclaim in emphatic tones to be heard by all—cast , west , north , and south —• " Procul I 0 procnl ! cstc profani ! Tit que invade viain . " " Far hence , ye profane ! Welcome , ye initiated , to these glorious courts ! Tread ye them aright ! "