The History of Heights Lodge #633
< < - | The Third Masonic Year 1919 | - > >
Owing to the prevalence of that dread scourge, influenza, in our community, the ban upon public meetings was not lifted until the latter part of December, 1918, which necessitated the postponement of the Annual Communication. Early in January, 1919, Most Worshipful Grand Master. Bro. Isaac Kinsey, issued a dispensation permitting the Lodge to hold the annual meeting January 3rd, 1919. The officers, elected and appointed, were duly installed January 17th, 1919.
[Invitation to Installation & Roll Call, with elected officers listed]
Past Worshipful Bro. O. G. Hildebran, Woodward Lodge #508, acted as installing officer and our own Past Worshipful Brother Bogue, as Grand Marshall. After the installation ceremony Worshipful Master Ernest A. Feazel, in most eloquent words, presented the retiring Master with a beautiful Master's Emblem in the form of a watch charm.
As it was impracticable to hold the Annual Roll Call at the time provided in our Standard Resolution, it was decided to hold the same on the night of installation. About one hundred brethren were present and responded as their names were called.
Two very beautiful and impressive ceremonies were introduced by Worshipful Bro. Feazel, - the roll of those departed to the Grand Lodge Above, and the roll of those who served our country in the Great World War.
The first ceremony was particularly impressive and touched the hearts of every one present as five of our brethren, Harry D. Jones, Howard D. Pritchard, Lewis A. Preyer, Julius P. Preyer and. John W. Teare had recently passed away during the influenza epidemic
As each the organ tolled "low twelve" and an officer advanced and placed a floral offering upon the altar, then standing at attention until the ceremony was completed. This was followed by appropriate vocal selections by Past Worshipful Brother Harry Coopland. As the Lodge Room was in total darkness except for a brilliant illumination of the altar, and as the officers participating were clothed wholly in black and white, the impressiveness of the scene made the ceremony one that will never be forgotten by those present.
For the second ceremony, an arch had been built to span the altar and as the names of those who served our country were called each in person or by proxy, responded and placed an American flag in the arch. The hearty welcome accorded each brother present in uniform as they approached the altar, must have warmed the cockles of their hearts and assured them of the pride of their brethren in the service they had rendered.
These ceremonies were followed by an address by Bro. M. H. Lichliter, Pastor of Epworth Memorial Church, who set forth in his theme the belief that if the principles of Free Masonry could be impressed upon the leaders of thought and rulers of the World, such a catastrophe as the World War, through which we just passed could never happen again.
After the close of the meeting, light refreshments were served and each brother present went to his home a better man and Mason because of what he had seen and heard.
The annual Inspection. April 12th, proved to be a very interestng and pleasing occasion. The work of the officers in the exemplification of the Master Mason's Degree could hardly be improved upon and the District Lecturer, Past Worshipful Brother James B. Ruhl and the Rt Worshipful Deputy GrandMaster, Bro. Matthew Smith, were very complimentary in their remarks to the Lodge.
The closing of the Lodge for such an extended period in the final months of the preceding year resulted in the receipt of an unusual number of petitions for degrees, and to take care of the work in a dignified manner an extraordinary number meetings were held.
April witnessed nine communications, May, six and June nine. These meetings were a splendid thing for the health and spirit of the Lodge and did much to eliminate the depression resulting from the sad closing of the preceding year.
Two new features were introduced during the year which added to he credit of Worshipful Bro. Feazel in his endeavor to make membership in Heights Lodge something distinctly worth while. on July 11th, the Lodge attended divine worship at the Heights Presbyterian Church in commemoration of St. John the Baptist's Day, when the Pastor, Rev. Bro. Wm. F. Dickens-Lewis, a member of Heights Lodge and recently returned from service abroad, preached an eloquent sermon befitting the occasion. About seventy brethren were present.
This year also witnessed the first affair given wholly for the pleasure and amusement of our children. As the Historian was not present and as he had no reporter on the job, no account can be given. However, the numerous children present seemed to think that they had a great and glorious time.
The annual Picnic was held at Chester Caves, August 22nd. About three hundred were present, including members, wives, sweethearts and children, automobiles furnishing the mode of transportation. The selection of this spot for a picnic was especially fortunate because of the natural beauty of the place and the absence of counter attractions to distract the attention from the object of the affair - that all get together, visit and have a social time among themselves.
The committee provided an interesting program of athletic and near-athletic events, details of which may be found in the Scrap-book. Not the least amusing of the events was the distribution of the prizes by the Parson, Bro. Benson. After basket lunches, the more agile visited the dancing pavilion, while the others soon wended their way toward the setting sun, refreshed in body and spirit.
The "Grim Reaper" has seen fit to visit our ranks once during the current year. About the middle of November, Bro. Horace Fisher was taken from us when the St. Owens, of which he was mate, went down in Lake Superior. At this writing, no trace of the body has teen found. Because of his sterling qualities as a man and Mason, our sympathy goes out to his family in their great bereavement.
In closing the history of the Masonic year, it may be said that it has been an ideal, well-balanced and memorable one.
Lodge has seen its members in service return to civil life. Of the twenty-one, eleven saw service abroad and all but one, Bro. Leon Oman, were returned to us in perfect health and safety and we trust that time will completely restore him.
We have seen the Lodge prosperous and fortunate in the quality and quantity
of work done. It has had very few disagreeable tasks to perform. It has
furnished its members as well as their families many social and instructive
as well as entertaining features. Through the excellent and dignified
character of its work, it has given these initiates an insight to the
beauties and glories of our order which should truly make a deep and lasting
impression upon their entire life and conduct.
To the Master, the leader and inspiration in all this good work, we can
only say "Well done, good and faithful servant"; your reward
shall be the everlasting love and affection of the brethren whom you have
served.
Charles A. Tilden, PM
Historian, 1922
Compiled by W.B. Waggoner, Ira R.. Disbro, Ernest A. Feazel
Edited By Earnest A. Feazel, Charles A. Tilden
Contact us at historian@ohiomasoniclodge633.org
- or -
Shawn Miller, PM - Lodge Historian
Heights Lion Heart Masonic Lodge
Lyndhurst
Masonic Center
5516 Mayfield Road
Lyndhurst, OH 44124 [map]
