CHAPTER IX
THE GRAND LODGE OF NOVA SCOTIA
1900-1932
FURTHER ACHIEVEMENTS

Addressing Grand Lodge in 1897, the year of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, the Grand Master, J. W. Rhuland, spoke with pride of the fact that Her Majesty's father, husband, son, and grandson were Freemasons and that it was from the very heart of her prosperous Empire that "our beloved order spread throughout the world." Turning to his own province, he was equally proud of what had been achieved. "The Craft of this jurisdiction", he declared, "is in a healthy state. A new life seems to have been inspired during the year, and reports of advancement come from every section of the province"1

The Grand Master's statement reflected the optimism that characterized the last part of the 19th Century, but it was more than mere Victorian pride, only twenty-eight years had passed since the union of the English and Scottish lodges. There were the fifty-one lodges with an average membership of about forty. As the century drew to a close, the number of lodges had increased to sixty-four and the average membership to fifty-five. More significant still, the "growing together", of which the framers of the union dreamed, had been achieved, and the members of the Craft were ready to undertake new and larger tasks. One project which soon became of primary importance, was the establishment and maintenance of the Nova Scotia Freemasons' Home at Windsor. It is with this, and other achievements of the first third of the 20th Century that the present chapter is concerned. For purposes of organization it is divided into two parts, the pre-war period, 1900-1915, and the war and its aftermath, 1915-32.2

In the first period there were eight Grand Masters. Five of them held office for only one year; one served for two years; one for three years; and one for five years. Their names and dates they were head of the Craft follow:

Theodore A. Cossman...................1900-01
Thomas Trenaman, MD...................1901-02
Luther B. Archibald...................1902-03
Hon. William B. Ross..................1903-04
Charles R. Smith, K.C.................1904-09
W. Marshall Black.....................1909-11
Agustus J. Wolff......................1911-12
W. Medford Christie, K. C.............1912-15

At the time of his election in 1900, Theodore A. Cossman was the Senior Past Master of the Lodge of St. Mark, No. 38. He had been Deputy Grand Master, under William Taylor back in 1881-82. He was Grand Master for one year. l Later as a Past Grand Master, he rendered outstanding service to the Craft as chairman of the Masonic Fair Committee of 1906. During the period he was known as a safe and wise counsellor and a warm-hearted man. He died in 1916.

Thomas Trenaman was a highly regarded physician, who for a number of years served the city of Halifax as Medical Health Officer. In Masonry as a member of St. Andrew's Lodge No. l, where he had been Worshipful Master. He was also a Past District Deputy Grand Master for the Halifax District, and had served as Deputy Grand Master under Thomas Flint, K.C. in 1909. He was Grand Master for one year. At the time of his death in , he had been an active Mason for forty-three years.

Arthur B. Archibald was an active member and Past Master of Truro Lodge No. 43, Deputy Grand Master under Rev. D. C. Moore, 1888-89, he was elected Grand Master in 1902. He was in office for one year. An official in the Intercolonial Railway he brought to Freemasonry a wealth of executive .One of the first members of the Board appointed to manage the of the Nova Scotia Freemasons Home, he gave generously of both time and talents. It was said of him that he completed difficult tasks with and efficiency. He died in 1918.

Hon. William B. Ross was born in Victoria County, Cape Breton and joined The St. Andrew's Lodge of Cape Breton No. 7. When he moved to Halifax, he affiliated with Virgin Lodge No. 3, where he was Worshipful Master in 1882-83. Two years later, 1885, he was elected Deputy Grand Master under J. W. Laurie. As this was the last year of the Laurie era, and the Grand Master was either in the Northwest or in England, Ross was elected Grand Master and presided at Grand Lodge in 1886. On the death of Benjamin Curren in 1869, Ross was chosen to succeed him as Grand Secretary and held the office until 1900. In 1903 he was elected Grand Master, but retired in 1904. Interested in Masonic history, his address to Grand Lodge entitled Freemasonry in Nova Scotia was later published in pamphlet form (1910). In addition to his Masonic duties, Ross found time to represent his native county in both the Provincial Assembly and the House of Commons. For twenty-six years, 1874-1900, he was Collector of Customs for the port of Halifax. Appointed to the Senate in 1904, he continued a member of Canada's Upper House until his death in 1912.

Charles R. Smith, K.C. lived in Amherst. He was a Past Master of Acacia Lodge No. 8, and had served his District as Deputy Grand Master. During the year 1898-99, he was Deputy Grand Master under

WILLIAM B. ROSS

HON. WILLIAM B. ROSS,
Grand Secretary, 1889-1900
Grand Master 1903-1904

CHARLES R. SMITH

CHARLES R. SMITH, K.C.,
Grand Master, 1904-09

a fellow lawyer, Thomas Flint. He was Grand Master from 1904 to 1909, the longest term of office since the days of Major-General Laurie. It was while he was in office that the Nova Scotia Freemasons' Home was purchased and equipped. As a Lawyer, he was interested especially in Masonic Jurisprudence. His long term of office enabled him to become widely known, not only in his own jurisdiction, but in many other jurisdictions as well. His period of service to the Craft has been called one of "unprecedented progress". He died in 1937.

William Marshall Black belonged to St. John's Lodge No. 2, where he was Senior Warden, 1897-98 and Master in 1898-99. He does not seem to have held any office in Grand Lodge prior to his election as Grand Master in 1909. He was in office when the Nova Scotia Freemasons' Home was dedicated. He died in 1917. For a number of years he was a resident of Wolfville and was not an infrequent visitor at St. George's Lodge No. 20.

Augustus J. Wolff was at one time mayor of Lunenburg. He belonged to Unity Lodge No. 4, and had served the South Shore as District Deputy Grand Master. In 1898, he was elected Senior Grand Warden, and in 1903, Deputy Grand Master. He was Grand Master for one year, 1911-12.

William Medford Christie, K.C. was Grand Master from 1912 to 1915 and was, therefore, in office when the First World War began. He was a member and Past Master of Welsford Lodge No.26. In 1905 he was elected Senior Grand Warden, and in 1912, Grand Master. As a resident of Windsor, he was an enthusiastic supporter of the Nova Scotia Freemasons' Home. He gave generously of his time and abilities to the promotion of Freemasonry in general. He died in 1923 at the age of seventy-two.

A suggestion that a Masonic Home be established for the three Maritime jurisdictions was made in 1896 by the Grand Secretary of New Brunswick to the Grand Lodges concerned. No immediate action was taken, but the following year, Grand Master Rhuland proposed that, since 1897 was the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, it would be an appropriate time "to erect such a monument of mercy for our worthy poor and indigent brethren, to be called the Diamond Jubilee Masonic Home, and in that way put our Masonic charity into actual practice." In spite of this happy proposal, which combined the patriotic with the charitable appeal, the brethren decided the Grand Lodge did not have the necessary funds for such a venture, and, so, for the time being, the project was dropped.3

Early in 1904, it was reported in Halifax that a Past Master of Virgin Lodge, Dr. Charles E. Puttner, who had served as Grand Steward, and was later, 1907, Deputy Grand Master, was proposing to establish a "Home for Aged Men." To obtain the cooperation of the Craft, he, with the assistance of four fellow Masons, sent a circular letter to the lodges of the jurisdiction requesting support for his plan in order that suitable provision might be made to open the Home for needy Masons. The proposal was heartily endorsed by the assembled representatives of the city and some outside lodges. It was the opinion of those present that, while a Home for Masons only might not be at once possible, the Puttner plan offered something practical for immediate action and should therefore be supported. To raise the funds required for the modest project, the brethren suggested a per capita tax of 25 cents a year. With 4000 Masons in the Jurisdiction, such a tax would provide $1000 annually, which, it was estimated would support ten brethren in the Home. It was agreed that the institution should be non-sectarian and that applicants for admission should be sponsored by their own lodges and approved by a Board of Grand Lodge, appointed for that purpose No Mason below the age of sixty would be accepted.

When the Puttner plan came before Grand Lodge in 1904, it evoked considerable discussion, especially regarding finance. The general proposal was quite acceptable, but, instead of adopting the 25 cent assessment, Grand Lodge decided to assume the responsibility of paying annually the sum of $900 for the support of aged and indigent brethren in the proposed Home. The newly-installed Grand Master, Charles R. Smith, thereupon appointed a Board of Trustees, consisting of nine members, one from each of the city lodges. 4

In order to raise the needed $900, voluntary contributions from the lodges were solicited. The initial results were disappointing, only a little over $400 being received. Most of this money came from the smaller lodges; the more healthy ones had not yet taken the project seriously.

The failure to obtain the needed $900 by voluntary giving forced Grand Lodge in 1905 to decide whether to make further appeals, resort to an assessment, or abandon the project. The second alternative was chosen, and on motion by Past Grand Master, L. B. Archibald, the assessment was made 25 cents per member, quite a familiar amount. The brethren were bowed and determined to do more than talk. Then, instead of continuing with the Puttner plan, it was voted that Grand Lodge should establish a small Home specially for Masons. It should preferably be on a farm where part of the food supply could be raised. In such a Home aged couples who were unable to support themselves could spend their declining years together in comfort. There was a real appeal; Masons wold be doing something worthwhile "to help, aid and assist" their brethren who were less fortunate than themselves. The wide support which the project received gave a new sense of unity and responsibility to the now forty year old Grand Lodge.

Once the decision had been made to establish a Nova Scotia Freemasons' Home, there was no turning back. Within a month after Grand Lodge had acted, June 1905, Grand Master Smith sent a communication to all of the lodges in the jurisdiction announcing that a meeting of the Craft was called for October 26 to consider the advisability of establishing a Freemasons' Home, and requesting that delegates attend from each lodge.

When the Conference opened, it was found that most of the lodges were represented. The Grand Master outlined the plan for a Home, and suggested that the initial funds be raised by means of a Masonic Fair to be held in Halifax in September 1906, at the same time as the Dominion Exhibition. The proposal was adopted with enthusiasm, and committees were appointed to make the Fair a reality.

In the months that followed, Grand Master Smith, as he visited the individual lodges, requested support for the Fair, and received it. In every community where there was a lodge the Masons and their wives made articles to be sold in various booths, and otherwise rendered assistance. In Halifax, a Fair Committee was appointed with Past Grand Master Cossman as chairman. To obtain the aid of the ladies, the Grand Master and Chairman Cossman invited them to a special conference. They responded enthusiastically and worked diligently. Their participation was an important factor int he success of the Fair.

The Masonic Fair of September 1906, nearly sixty years ago, was held in the Armories then comparatively new. On the first day a special session of Grand Lodge was convened and the brethren marched from the Masonic Hall to the Armories where Past Grand Master Duncan C. Fraser, now the Lieutenant-Governor of the Province, declared the Fair duly opened. The large building was filled with people, and the enthusiasm of the opening day continued throughout the Fair, making it a great success. A popular number on the programme was a drill staged by a number of young ladies and called the "Masonic March" It was staged each evening during the Fair, and delighted thousands of spectators. Each of the city lodges, the two Royal Arch Chapters, the Scottish Rite, and the Knights Templar had booths of various kinds, which the Masons and their ladies supported to the full. At the next session of Grand Lodge, June 1907, the Grand Master expressed his personal thanks and appreciation, and those of the Grand Lodge to Bro. Cossman and those who assisted him, both men and women.5

Financially the Fair was even more successful than its promoters anticipated. It brought at least $17,400 to the treasury, which, with what had been raised in other ways made the total Masonic Home Fund $21,000.6

With the required funds at hand, the Grand Master in February 1907, appointed a representative committee of seven, three from the city lodges and four from those outside, to seek a suitable property for the proposed Home.

Nova Scotia Freemasons' Home, Windsor, N.S.

The committee reported at the session of Grand Lodge in June 1908. They had investigated several properties but found one more to their liking than the others. It was a farm known as "Fairfield" which had once belonged to the Chief Justice of Nova Scotia, Sampson Salter Blowers.7 Subsequently, it has been owned by a son-in-law of Judge Blowers, Judge William Blowers Bliss, and then by a former Grand Chaplain, Rev. Henry Pryor Almon, D.D. The property consisted of about forty acres, much of it not then being cultivated. The buildings had been painted recently on the outside, but would need intensive internal renovation, including paint. An option to purchase the farm for $5000 had been secured. It was known that there were five guests that would seek admission as soon as the Home was ready, and seven others had expressed interest. From a study of costs in other jurisdictions, it was estimated that $200 would be needed to support each guest who was admitted.8

The recommendations of the committee were adopted, and "Fairfield" was purchased for the sum agreed upon. It was renamed the Nova Scotia Freemasons' Home. Thus the years 1908 and 1909 saw the beginning of a new era in the development of Freemasonry in Nova Scotia. The Craft could now demonstrate in a tangible way the Masonic principles of "Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth."

As soon as the purchase was completed, renovations began. These included painting the interior of the house, installing a heating plant, electric lights, and water pipes, and repairs to the farm buildings and fences. With the necessary furnishings for the house, the total amount expended was $6000. The responsibility for the work was in the hands of trustees. The first Board of Trustees consisted of the Grand Master (Smith), Past Grand Master Thomas Cossman, Grand Treasurer James Dempster, Grand Secretary, Thomas Mowbray, W. M. Christie, W. Marshall Black, and John C. Gass. They and their successors were to establish the Home, make by-laws and regulations for its administration, and control its finances.

One of the first official acts of the new Board was to appoint Rev. John B. Merrill as manager and his wife as Matron of the Home, February 1, 1909. Nine days later, the first guest was admitted. He was Isaac Walters of Royal Sussex Lodge No. 6, Halifax..

The official opening of the Nova Scotia Freemasons' Home was held on August 25, 1909 with the Grand Master, W. Marshall Black, presiding. Special trains from Halifax and Annapolis Royal brought the Grand Lodge officers, members of the Craft, and many visitors to Windsor for the occasion.10

The ceremonies began with the opening of a special communication of Grand Lodge. This was followed by the presentation by Grand Master Black of a Past Grand Master's Jewel to Charles R. Smith in recognition of his five years as head of the Craft, and his success in having the Home established. The recipient of the honour replied expressing his thanks and appreciation. The official dedication of the Home followed. Past Grand Master Smith giving an eloquent address, told the story of the Home from its inception. Other speakers were Judge J. W. Longley, a Past Master of the Lodge of St. Mark and Right Rev. Clare L. Worrell, D.D., Lord Bishop of Nova Scotia, and a Past Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario. Both congratulated the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia on the completion of such a well-equipped Home.

During the day, music was supplied by the Windsor Brass Band. The Home was opened for inspection and hundreds of visitors expressed admiration of the beauty of the location, and the facilities provided for the guests.11

From the first it was evident that the Nova Scotia Freemasons' Home was meeting a real need. Soon every room was occupied and there was a substantial waiting list. By 1912 further expansion had become imperative. The request of Grand Lodge and the Board of Trustees, Bro. Leslie R. of Aylesford, a member of Harmony Lodge No. 52, was engaged as Architect to submit plans for an extension to the old building. The plans called for the construction of a wing on the south side of the building which would accommodate twenty-two guests and provide living quarters for the Superintendent, Matron, and other employees. The plans were approved, and construction began. The wing was completed and opened in 1913, just before the beginning of the Great War. The subsequent history of the Nova Scotia Freemasons' Home will be told in Chapter X.

II

The second period under review, 1915-32, covering the war and its aftermath, was one of great stress and change. During the seventeen years there were eight Grand Masters. All rendered loyal and devoted service, and have laid down their working tools. They were as follows:

Donald F. Fraser.................1915-1918
John Hay.........................1918-1919
George D. MacDougall.............1919-1921
J. Murray Lawson.................1921-1922
James Henry Winfield.............1922-1925
Arthur J. Davis..................1925-1927
John C. MacKay...................1927-1929
Martin Luther Fraser.............1929-1932

It will be noted that of the eight, two served for one year, three for two years, and three for three years. The first, D. F. Fraser, carried the burden of the war years; Hay, Macdougall, and Lawson were a part of the early aftermath; Winfield, Davis, and MascKay were in office during the boom years of the late twenties; Martin L. Fraser experienced the first years of the great depression. A brief biography of each will make us better acquainted with them.

Donald F. Fraser was a member and Past Master of Queens Lodge No. 34, and a founder of Euclid Lodge No. 92. In Grand Lodge he was Senior Grand Warden in 1908, and Deputy Grand Master under W. M. Christie in 1914. A man of strong personality and great ability, he was a tower of strength to the Craft, especially to the Nova Scotia Freemasons' Home. Engaged in newspaper work he became active in civic and political affairs and represented Pictou County in the Provincial

Assembly for twelve years. He died April 1, 1946.

John Hay was one of the Senior Past Masters of Truro Lodge No. 43 when he was elected Deputy Grand Master in 1915. He had previously served as District Deputy Grand Master, 1901. He was ever faithful and zealous in the cause of Masonry, but is best remembered for his service as a member of the Ritual Committee and as Grand Lecturer. He was chiefly responsible for the inauguration of an Endowment Fund for the Nova Scotia Freemasons' Home. He died in January 1925.

George D. Macdougall was a Past Master of The St. Andrew's Lodge of Cape Breton No. 7. In 1912 he was elected Deputy Grand Master, and was Grand Master for two years, 1919-1921. He was a Mechanical Engineer who held high office in the Dominion Iron and Steel Corporation in Sydney. He brought to Freemasonry a keen and accurate mind in the fields of history, ritual and jurisprudence. He was active in the Concordant Orders and during his active life headed three of them. Macdougall Council, R. & S.M,. in Sydney, bears his name. He died December 29, 1945.

J. Murray Lawson was an active citizen of Yarmouth, where he edited the Herald and Telegram. He was a Past Master of Scotia Lodge No. 31 and had served as Senior Grand Warden 1892, and Deputy Grand Master in 1900. He was considered an authority on Masonic Ritual and History, and wrote a number of important articles in these fields. He died in May 1925.

James Henry Winfield was a member of Virgin Lodge No. 3, where he had served as Worshipful Master. In Grand Lodge he was Junior Grand Warden in 1912, and Deputy Grand Master in 1913. He was Grand Master for three years, 1922-1925. Connected with the Maritime Telegraph and Telephone Company, he brought to Freemasonry a trained mind and executive experience. He did much to put the financial affairs of Grand Lodge, Freemason' Hall, and the Nova Scotia Freemason' Home on a solid foundation. His ability, courage, foresight, and resourcefulness were invaluable to the Craft. Interested in Masonic history, he was appointed our first Grand Historian in 1916. He died June 1, 1963.

Arthur J. Davis was a Past Master of Royal Sussex Lodge, No. 6. He brought to Grand Lodge the business experience of half a century. As a business executive, and Freemason, his career was marked by forgiveness, courage, and industry. After two years as Grand Master, 1925-1927, he served six years, 1928-1934 as Grand Treasurer. He was also of the Home, and President of Freemasons' Hall Limited. He died in 1934.

John C. MacKay was a Past Master of The St. Andrew's Lodge of Cape Breton No. 7. In Grand Lodge he served as Grand Lecturer, 1914; Junior Grand Warden 1917; Deputy Grand Master 1925; and Grand Master 1927-1929. He was interested in all branches of Freemasonry, especially in the work. As Grand Lecturer he was an active member of the committee that prepared the present authorized ritual. He was a man of personality, a loyal friend and an outstanding leader. MacKay Lodge No. 113 of Sydney is named for him. He died December 2, 1948.

Martin Luther Fraser was a founder and a Past Master of the junior of New Glasgow, Euclid No. 92. He was District Deputy Grand Master, and Deputy Grand Master, 1928. He was Grand Master for three years 1929-1932, and hence was in office when the great depression began. He the Nova Scotia Freemason' Home as a member of its Board for -five years, and exerted a quiet but effective influence on the welfare of the Craft. He was for a time chairman of the Board of Jurisprudence, from 1953 to his death in April 1955, he served as President of the Canadian association of Grand Lodges.

The Great War of 1914-1918 came with suddenness and fury to millions of in many countries who did not want it and were ill-prepared to face it. To Great Britain, the Age of Victoria was still a precious memory, and there opes that the new century would be like it. This was not to be. Four years of war drained the country of her man-power and material resources. ominions, too, made sacrifices. Canada had some 600,000 under arms, more than 400,000, served overseas; 51,000 were killed in action or from wounds, and 175,000 were wounded or otherwise injured.

Freemasons in Nova Scotia, as in the rest of Canada, felt the shock of but played their part in it. Every lodge in the jurisdiction had men in uniform, some of whom held positions of leadership and responsibility. The number of the Craft in Nova Scotia to join His Majesty's forces reported to the Grand Secretary's office was 471. The actual number who were killed or died of wounds has never been officially tabulated, but many are remembered by plaques or tablets on the walls of lodge rooms.

In order to contribute financially to the war effort, Grand Lodge established a Patriotic Fund to which many lodges and individuals made contributions. Masons and their families also assisted through the Red Cross and many other non-military organizations.

In the midst of the war came the Explosion of December 6, 1917, which killed or permanently injured hundreds of the citizens of Halifax and laid waste the whole north end of the city. Sixty-five members of the Craft and their immediate families were among the casualties. A Relief Fund instituted by Grand Lodge reached the sum of $20,000, and helped to care for some one hundred and fifty who were injured or made homeless. With the end of the relief work $3000 which had not been used was added to the Grand Lodge Fund of Benevolence. Halifax was the only city on the North American continent to experience so directly the horrors of modern warfare. The assistance rendered by Freemasons in the days that followed the Explosion will ever be a source of satisfaction to the Craft.

In every organization there are always some members who are interested in its past. This has been true of the order of Freemasonry. In Nova Scotia, within two years after the union of 1869, a committee was appointed by Grand Lodge, 1871, to make a list of the many records, documents, minute books, and the like, which were in what might be called the Masonic Hall Archives. This work was not carried out with any great speed and it was eight years before the committee made a report. Meanwhile the collection of documents and relics continued to increase. In 1875 several priceless items of Masonic interest were turned over to Grand Lodge for safe keeping. These were placed in the library of sorts, which had been established in 1874, and were put away so well that their existence was forgotten. Then in 1878, Grand Lodge received as a gift from the family of the late Hon. Alexander Keith, a number of items which he had treasured:

1. the jewels of the late Provincial Grand Lodge of Scotland.
2. a full length portrait of the long time Provincial Grand Master by John Valentine.
3. the handsome silver candelabrum and centerpiece which he had received as a Silver Jubilee gift in 1865.
4. the silver trowels used by him in laying the cornerstones of important public buildings.
5. the Keith regalia, together with jewels, numerous diplomas and many books.

These were accepted by Grand Lodge and carefully stored, but again, no special attention was given to them.

In 1879 the committee appointed in 1871, finally reported. They noted among many other documents and relics Grand Lodge had:

2. A copy of the original petition for the first Masonic Lodge in Halifax, now St. Andrew's No. 1, dated 1750 and signed by Edward Cornwallis and associates. This contains the certification of the founder of Freemasonry in Nova Scotia; our first Provincial Grand Master, Erasmus James Philipps.
3. The original warrants for Lodges No. 2 and No. 3 in Halifax issued by the "Ancients" and signed by the Grand Secretary, Lawrence Dermott.
4. The warrant from the Grand Lodge of England (Ancients) for Lodge No. 155, Halifax, No. 4, P.R.N.S., now St. Andrew's, signed in three places by Lawrence Dermott.
5. The original warrant of June 1784, appointing John George Pyke, Provincial Grand Master (Ancients).
6. A continuous line of minute books and registers of members of all the fifty-six lodges of the English Provincial Grand Lodges of Nova Scotia from 1784 to 1869, and of the nine Scottish lodges from 1845-1866.
7. Scores of original warrants, certificates, demits, and other documents dated from 1786 to 1869.
8. A sermon preached by Rev. Joshua Weeks to Grand Lodge in 1784 by Loyalist members of Lodge 169, and scores of other historic items dating from 1784.
9. Two Masonic charts brought to Shelburne in 1784 by Loyalist members of Lodge 169, and scores of other historic items dating from 1784.

While all this material was accumulating, little was done to have it catalogued and made available to the Craft. Several Grand Masters suggested the work should be done, and, in 1910, W. Marshall Black, then Grand Master, proposed the appointment of a Grand Historian. This brought no immediate action, but the appointment of such an officer was authorized in , and the following year, under Grand Master Donald F. Fraser, J. H. Winfield became our first Grand Historian. Those who have held the office are as follows:

J. H. Winfield......................1916-1917
Donald F. Fraser....................1918-1919
J. Pimsoll Edwards..................1920-1921
R. V. Harris........................1922-1932
J. H. Winfield......................1933-1934
R. V. Harris........................1935-1945
Hon. John Doull.....................1946-1960
R. S. Longley.......................1961-1964
E. T. Bliss.........................1965-1966

During the war years, the semi-centennial of the Grand Lodge was fittingly observed. The programme consisted of music by a Masonic quartette, an address by the Grand Master, William Medford Christie, a brief outline of the events of 1866 by T. A. Cossman, and an oration by Bro. Charles R. Smith.

In 1915, a number of brethren interested in the history of Freemasonry in Nova Scotia applied to the Grand Master, D. F. Fraser, for a warrant for a Lodge of Research patterned after the famous English Quatuor Coronati Lodge. Bro. Cossmann was the first Master, with Bros. Charles R. Smith and W. M. Christie as Wardens.

Four meetings were held in the first year when the following papers were read:

1. A biographical sketch of Theodore A. Cossmann (recently deceased) by W. Bro. Mr. Justice J. W. Longley.
2. Early Freemasonry in Colchester County by M.W. Bro. L. B. Archibald.
3. The Bicentenary of the Grand Lodge of England by R. W. Bro. J. Murray Lawson

All these papers were printed and circulated to the members of the Lodge. In the first ten years, nineteen meetings were held, at which 38 papers were read.

In 1919, the Grand Historian, D. F. Fraser, reported that the classifying and binding of the many documents and records of the period 1784-1869, had been completed.

In 1920, Grand Lodge directed that every lodge should appoint a lodge historian, or committee, to write the history of the lodge, but only a very few lodges made such appointments, and of these only one or two made any attempt to write a history, even when the Secretary of the Lodge of Research volunteered to assist.

Since that time continued pressure by Grand Lodge and by successive Grand Historians has led to the appointment of historians by most of the lodges, and to the completion of the histories of about one-third of the constituent lodges.

In 1922 the Grand Historian, R. V. Harris, began to write a complete history of Freemasonry in the jurisdiction which, from 1738 to 1869, included all four Atlantic Provinces which at various periods were under the jurisdiction of one or more of our Provincial Grand Masters. The writing of such a history proved a gigantic task and involved much research over the next or more years, and led to the orderly compilation of more than 150 chapters based on the hundreds of documents sorted out by the earlier committee of 1871-1880. This present volume is written largely from the manuscript volumes compiled at that time.

While W. J. Winfield was Grand Master, he inaugurated in 1924-25 the District Meetings for the purpose of bringing together the members of the Craft in each Masonic District for an exchange of views, Masonic instruction and fraternal intercourse. Without exception, the attendance of each both large and enthusiastic, and as a result such meetings have become a permanent feature of our Masonic life.

At a number of the early meetings, the Grand Lecturer exemplified one of the degrees for the benefit and instruction of the brethren. On several occasions a church service was held. A question and answer period was an feature and aroused much interest. Most of the questions dealt with "work", the constitution, the qualifications of petitioners, relations with the Order of the Eastern Star, and matters of concern to the Craft. Addresses of prominent speakers were sometimes included in the programme; Grand Lodge officers not installed at the annual session were invested and installed in office. While started as an experiment, the District Meeting seems to have become a permanent institution among us.

In 1923, Grand Lodge set up a Board of Jurisprudence, consisting of all Past Grand Masters, to review all judicial rulings and advise the Grand Master of matters on which he might require advice. The Constitution had not been revised since 1900, but numerous rulings had since been made regarding its interpretation. In 1909, Bro. W. Marshall Black, P.G.M>, compiled a useful list of decisions and rulings of Grand Masters, but by 1919-1920, it was too out of date.

The first undertaking of the new Board was the annotation of the constitution covering the period 1866 to 1923, which was completed and published in 1923.

One ruling of Grand Lodge, made on the recommendation of the Board of Jurisprudence, was the definite prohibition of bingo games and other forms of lotteries as a means of raising money for Masonic purposes.12

The matter of physical qualifications of candidates for degrees came before Grand Lodge in 1919. Previously many petitioners had been excluded from Masonry because of the rigid adherence of the Craft to the doctrine of "The Perfect Man". Some had been excluded because they lacked a leg or arm, or even a finger. In the opinion of many this was "going altogether too far"; as one Past Grand Master put it, "it was better to accept a man with a wooden leg, than one with a wooden head". After the end of the war, Grand Lodge in 1920 recommended that in future, the Grand Master should place upon each case an interpretation "most liberal to the sailors and soldiers who had fought the battles of our Country and for whom we all have honour and esteem."

One of the major achievements of the post-war era was the construction of a new building on Barrington Street to supplement the Masonic Temple built in the days of General Laurie, 1875-77.

As has been noted, the original building involved Grand Lodge in considerable debt which by 1894 had been reduced to $15,000. Shortly after this date, the Grand Secretary, later Grand Master, then Senator, Hon. W. B. Ross, with the authority of Grand Lodge set up a Sinking Fund into which annual payments were made. By 1908, the debt was liquidated and the mortgage was burned by Hon. W. B. Ross, then eighty-four years old, at a special ceremony of Thanksgiving attended by 200 brethren.

With, the property free of debt, the trustees began to think in terms of a much-needed expansion. It was then (1910) realized that a mistake had been made in selling "the corner lot". Learning that this lot could be re-purchased, the trustees and other members of the Craft organized the Masonic Realty Company Limited with J. H. Winfield, later Grand Master, as president, and secured the lot for $17,000. The Company then offered the lot to Grand Lodge for the purchase price. The offer was gratefully accepted.

Not wishing to acquire a further debt, Grand Lodge left the initiative for the construction of a new building to the Halifax Lodges. Representatives from these lodges met for a discussion of plans and agreed that they would be responsible for the entire cost of the proposed building. Grand Lodge approved the project at the Annual Communication in 1913, but with the outbreak of the War the following year, no further action was taken until after the Peace Treaty of l9l9.

The cornerstone of the new Temple was laid, May 2, 1924, by J. H. Winfield, Grand Master. The contractor was the Brookfield Construction Company, which had erected the first building nearly a century earlier. As had been planned, the City Lodges assumed responsibility for the cost, and organized Freemasons' Hall Limited, which is still in existence. Since 1924, Grand Lodge has been a tenant of this Company.

FREEMASONS' HALL IN
1875 AND AGAIN IN 1925

The popularity of the Craft with the public in the Halifax area has through the years been greatly promoted by the formation of Masonic Choirs and orchestras. The first such effort was made in 1922 when such a group was organized by Professor Horace Wilson consisting of 75 voices and an orchestra. This choir rendered excellent service on many occasions arranging public concerts and assisting at the installation ceremonies of various lodges. In later days the direction of the Choir passed to Bro. W. Percy Burgoyne. The present Temple Choir, directed by Bro. Ralph S. Willis was morned in 1949 and has since rendered notable and loyal service.

NOTES

1. Proceedings, 1897, p. 24.
2. The date 1915 was chosen instead of 1914 to coincide with the term of office of the last Grand Master of the pre-war era.
3. In 1898 Grand Master Flint declared that "Just at present I see no very clear way to practical work in this desirable direction." Proceedings 1898, Grand Master's Address. Six years later, Grand Master Ross noted that with a mortgage of $10,000 on the Masonic Hall, and $15,160 in debentures to liquidate, little could be done on the Masonic Home project, even though reports from other jurisdictions indicated clearly the value of such institutions. Proceedings 1904.
4. The Grand Master stated that it had first been his intention to include representatives from lodges outside of Halifax, on the Board of Trustees, but had decided that the Home would be of primary concern to the city lodges only.
5. Those in charge of the Fair in addition to the Grand Master and Chairman Chessman, were Dr. Trenaman, Grand Treasurer Dempster, and James H. Terry, who acted as Secretary
6. It was reported in Proceedings that the total raised through the Fair was actually $19,221.17, with enough additional expected to provide a grand total of $20,000.00. With other money in sight, the Home Fund reached $21,000.
7. S. S. Blowers was Chief Justice from 1797 to 1833.
8. The cost in American jurisdictions varied from $145 to $295 per guest. The committee making the recommendation consisted of the Grand Master (ex officio), Past Grand Master Wolff, W. Marshall Blacke, W. Medford Christie, J.B. Douglas, William Crowe, J. C. Gass and Thomas Mowbray.
9. Other admissions followed, Thomas Lownds, a Past Master of St. Andrew's No. l, February 15, and John W. Higby of Scotia Lodge No.31, Yarmouth, and his wife, March l.
10. Masons came to the official opening from all parts of the province. Among those unable to be present were the Lieutenant-Governor, Hon. D.C. Fraser; the Chief Justice, Sir Charles Townshend; and the Grand Chaplain, Rev. Henry D. DeBlois.
11. The members of Welsford Lodge No. 26, their wives, and other assistants served refreshments throughout the afternoon.
12. Because it was raised by a lottery, Grand Lodge in 1937 declined to accept a donation of $7,400 from another organization.