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 -FROM THE 
 
 BENNO LOEWY LIBRARY 
 
 COLLECTED BY 
 
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 1854-1919 
 BEQUEATHED TO CORNELL UNIVERSITY 
 
CornelJ University Library 
 HS539.P54 M52 
 
 Sernj-centennial exercises of Melita Lodg 
 
 3 1924 030 290 120 
 olin.anx 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of tiiis book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
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MASONIC TEMPLE, BROAD STREET. 
 
i'^mt-OI^ntettnml lEx^rria^a 
 
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 iifltta Slohgf. No. 295 
 
 3F. anh A. 
 
 3l«riahtrttmt nf pfnttaglttanta 
 
 Printed by Authority of a 
 Resolution of the Lodge 
 
 PRESS of 
 
 THE NEW ERA PRINTING COMPANY 
 
 LANCASTER, PA. 
 
 1906 
 
Elected and Appointed Officers 1905 
 
 EJECTED OFFICERS 
 
 WOKSHIPFVL HASTES 
 
 JOHN R. FOX 
 
 SENIOE WAEDEN JUNIOB WAEDEN 
 
 JAMES R. PHILLIPS GEORGE H. LOKES 
 
 TEEASITBEK SECBETABY 
 
 DANIEL BAIRD, P.M. THOMAS A. REDDING, P.M. 
 
 TBTJSTEES 
 
 WILLIAM EISEMAN, P.M. JOHN E. CHEESEMAN, P.M. 
 
 HENRY SHETZLINE 
 
 BEFBESENTATIVE TO THE GBAND LODGE 
 SAMUEL M. CLEMENT, P.M. 
 
 APPOINTED OFFICERS 
 
 befbesextative to masonic befbesentative to hasonic 
 
 home abt association 
 
 William R. Hortz, p.m. Edwin T. Harvie, p.m. 
 
 SENIOB DEACON JTTNIOB DEACON 
 
 Charles N. McGahey Samuel F. Irwin 
 
 iii 
 
Elected and Appointed Officers 
 
 behioa master of ceremonies juitior master of ceremonies 
 William E. Griffith Frank H. Myers 
 
 puestjitant tyler 
 
 Henry Heins Edwin T. Harvie, p.m. 
 
 CHAFIAIirS 
 
 William R. Hortz, p.m. Alfred Heebner 
 
 Samuel M. Clement, p.m. Charles M. Boswell 
 
 J. G. Wilson 
 
 COMMITTEE ON CHARITY 
 
 Daniel Baird, p.m. J. Frank Adams, p.m. 
 
 John E. Cheeseman, p.m. William Eiseman, p.m. 
 
 Samuel W. Gadd 
 
 committee on grievance 
 Samuel H. Howitz, p.m. Edward E. Joachim, p.m. 
 
 N. W. Witmeyer, p.m. Charles S. Schofield 
 
 John S. McConnell 
 
 STEWARDS 
 
 John H. Simon David H. Kollock 
 
 committee on instrttotion 
 Samuel Shaw, p.m. Chas. M. Prince 
 
 Joseph C. Gaither, p.m. J. Wesley Heins 
 
 George E. Long Dillman G. Rosenberger, p.m. 
 
 Julius A. Heck George S. Robinson, p.m. 
 
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FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 
 MELITA LODGE, No. 295, F. & A. M. 
 
 PREFATORY. 
 
 To participate in a celebration which marks the fiftieth 
 anniversary of such an organization as Melita Lodge, 
 295, F. & A. M. is so much beyond the ordinary in occur- 
 rence, and such an unusual experience, that it deserves to 
 be noted. How to do this, however, is not so readily 
 determined; it perhaps resolves itself into a matter of 
 opinion. This subtle factor, if unfairly exercised, is very 
 difficult to deal with or satisfy. Some may think it a very 
 easy task to glance back over the years that have been 
 crossed, and review the occurrences. In the performance 
 of such a duty, it may be thought unfair to omit what has 
 been omitted, no matter what may have been included. 
 
 The very able and exhaustive address of our Secretary, 
 Past Master Thomas A. Redding, read at the fiftieth anni- 
 versary of the Lodge, was so appreciatingly received by 
 the members that it was referred to the following named 
 committee, Bros. John C. Hunterson, George H. Lokes, 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 and Thomas A. Redding, to prepare it for publication, 
 that it may be distributed to the members. 
 
 There are so many events which constitute the record 
 of these years, which could not possibly be presented in 
 an address intended to be read at one of the Lodge ses- 
 sions, that it has been thought best to allow the committee 
 to elaborate and extend their comments, leaving the 
 address of Bro. Redding very much as originally deliv- 
 ered, but amplified as to details and extended in statement, 
 so as to comprise at least a short history of the Lodge. 
 
 Fifty years is an extended lapse of time. Very few 
 indeed are permitted to see but one such event as a semi- 
 centennial. Twenty-five years is a standard more readily 
 measured to, and there are more than three score of our 
 members who have been blessed with such an experience. 
 On January 28, 1880, Mellta celebrated its twenty-fifth 
 anniversary with the importance that such an event de- 
 manded, and during the evening Past Master Brother 
 Dennis F. Dealy, in giving the history of the Lodge, made 
 this statement : " In the course of nature it is hardly 
 probable that even a score of those here tonight will be 
 present at our semi-centennial." This statement assumes 
 a prominence, as it has been printed with our by-laws, 
 which makes it so important a remark that your committee 
 has taken the trouble to compile the list of those of our 
 
 2 
 
Melita Lodge, No. 2g5, F. and A. M. 
 
 members who were present at both of these events, and 
 have ascertained that It contains the following names : 
 
 Alexander, T. D. G. 
 
 Atkinson, John C. 
 
 Baird, Daniel, Jr. 
 
 Beam, John A. 
 
 Benison, Joseph 
 
 Benckert, John W. 
 
 Brooks, John T. 
 
 Cams, Gilbert, P. M. 
 
 Chubb, Jos. H. 
 
 Clements, Samuel M., P. M. 
 
 Conrade, Geo. T. 
 
 Cranmer, Wm. C. 
 
 Culp, Thomas. 
 
 Duncan, John A., P. M. 
 
 Eiseman, Wm., W. M. 
 
 Fredericks, John 
 
 Gessler, Chas. W. 
 
 Hamer, Henry C. 
 
 Harris, George J. 
 
 Hawkins, Hugh 
 
 Hayllar, Benj. 
 
 Hehl, Charles 
 
 Heins, Henry 
 
 Hickman, Wm. L. D. 
 Hortz, Wm. R., P. M. 
 Hunterson, John C. 
 James, Noah 
 Joachim, Edw., P. M. 
 King, Thos. P, 
 KoUock, David H., S. D. 
 Long, George E. 
 Maloney, A. J. 
 McDowell, Edgar S. 
 McGirr, Wm. J. 
 Miller, Charles R. 
 Morrison, James P. 
 Norris, Albert A. 
 O'Neill, Charles 
 Peltz, Wm. 
 Presker, David H. 
 Redding, Thos. A., J. W. 
 Tripple, Wm. T. 
 Tripple, James M. 
 Vaughn, Richard S. 
 Watson, Thos. B. 
 Wintrup, John, 
 
 Forty-six In number, as to attendance upon the two oc- 
 casions referred to, although In fact sixty-six members are 
 yet on the roll who were associated with us twenty-five 
 years ago. 
 
 3 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 Members present at celeb 
 
 Thomas D. G. Alexander, 
 John C. Atkinson, 
 Benjamin J. Aitken, 
 Emil F. Aubel, 
 Frederick E. Aubel, 
 George W. Arthur, 
 James M. Applegate, 
 David J. Allcutt, 
 William Amman, 
 Chester F. Appleton, 
 John Atlee, 
 John T. Brooks, 
 Frank Bayle, 
 John W. Benckert, 
 John A. Beam, 
 Daniel Baird, 
 John W. Beebe, 
 Christian Brandt, 
 Albert Baney, 
 Harry Beyer, 
 Maurice E. Benton, 
 George P. J. Braun, 
 William H. Beitenmiller, 
 William H. Buchman, 
 Rodman L. Betts, 
 William T. Barrett, 
 Thomas Bleyler, 
 Charles M. Boswell, 
 John F. Burns, 
 
 ration of semi-centennial : 
 
 David H. KoUock, 
 Frederick Koehler, 
 Charles H. Kors, 
 Carl Kaufman, 
 Charles W. Kirk, 
 Burton T. Kyle, 
 George E. Long, 
 William Landis, 
 Morris F. Lewis, Jr., 
 James K. Laudenslager, 
 Albert Legg, 
 Edward Lupton, 
 George H. Lokes, 
 Francis W. S. Lee, 
 Edward W. Laskey, 
 Meyer Isador Lifshetz, • 
 George F. Logan, 
 Harry C. Largeman, 
 Henry J. Llewellyn, 
 Lewis K. Lockard, 
 Andrew J. Maloney, 
 James P. Morrison, 
 Martin V. B. Musselman, 
 Charles R. Miller, 
 John W. Murgatroyd, 
 Addis W. Munyan, 
 Howard Miller, 
 William Clinton Moore, 
 Harry W. Moore, 
 
Melita Lodge, No. 2QS, F. and A. M. 
 
 Charles Buob, Jr., 
 Albert Behm, 
 Eugene G. Bleck, 
 John T. Brooks, Jr., 
 Henry S. Bastion, 
 George H. Bastian, « 
 Louis C. Bechtle, 
 George M. Banks, 
 Samuel M. Beamer, 
 Joseph A. Buckwalter, 
 William Braucher, 
 Samuel M. Clement, 
 Gilbert Cams, 
 Thomas Culp, 
 George T. Conrade, 
 Joseph H. Chubb, 
 William C. Cranmer, 
 John E. Cheeseman, 
 William S. Campbell, 
 Samuel M. Clements, Jr., 
 Frank H. Cope, 
 John Campbell, 
 William F. Cushing, Jr., 
 Charles Clappier, 
 J. Rhea Craig, Jr., 
 Charles I. Clegg, 
 William E. Crouch, 
 Robert Coates, 
 John A. Duncan, 
 John W. Dick, 
 
 Marshall McCulley, 
 William J. McGirr, 
 Edgar S. McDbwell, 
 Frank McAvoy, 
 Robert C. McNeil, 
 John McLernon, 
 Norris S. McDowell, 
 John S. McConnell, 
 David McAfee, 
 Thomas F. McAdams, 
 Joseph McGayhey, 
 William G. McCarter, 
 James C. McLaurin, 
 Charles N. McGahey, 
 Albert A. Norris, 
 Hugo J. Nickel, 
 Clarence S. Nesbit, 
 Charles O'Neill, 
 Charles H. Ott, 
 William Oates, 
 Richard Peltz, 
 John Peterson, 
 David H. Presker, 
 Edward Pole, 
 Wesley H. Paramore, 
 James R. Phillips, 
 Charles M. Prince, 
 Walter L. PauU, 
 John L. Price, 
 Winfield D. Pallatt, 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 Harry A. Dealy, 
 Francis Davis, 
 Walter Durfor, 
 August C. Dietrick, 
 William E. Ervin, 
 William Eiseman, 
 John Evans, 
 Max B. Elwert, 
 Llewellyn H. Eby, 
 John Fredericks, 
 Walter Faires, 
 Frank N. Forsyth, 
 John T. Frick, 
 John R. Fox, 
 Clayton G. Fritz, 
 John K. Freid, 
 Albert Foerderer, 
 Louis C. Fairchild, 
 Charles W. Gessler, 
 William D. Gardner, Jr., 
 Charles S. Gardner, 
 Joseph C. Gaither, 
 William L. Gaulbert, 
 Hartman K. Gilmore, 
 Harry T. Gilmour, 
 Samuel W. Gadd, 
 William E. Griffiths, 
 Lee W. Gray, 
 Amos K. Geikler, 
 John Gundermann, 
 George W. Gallager, 
 
 Frederick F. Quicksall, 
 Thomas A. Redding, 
 Albert B. Richards, 
 William T. Rockett, 
 Alfred N. Redding, 
 Dilman G. Rosenberger, 
 Henry D. Roe, 
 George D. Rheim, 
 George S. Robinson, 
 Walter C. Redding, 
 Raphael L. Rosenberg, 
 Charles C. Rankin, 
 Thomas F. Read, 
 Henry Shetzline, 
 Frank Sidney, 
 George Y. Shoch, 
 John Scanlin, 
 W. Harris Seltzer, 
 William S. Stewart, 
 Samuel Shaw, 
 Charles H. Shetzline, 
 Philip R. Schuyler, 
 Augustus Spicer, 
 William K. Smith, 
 William H. Schultz, 
 Thomas Spark, 
 Charles A. Shetzline, 
 L. James Spear, 
 John H. Simon, 
 Edward R. Snader, 
 Reuben A. Shetzline, 
 
Melita Lodge, No. 2gS, F. and A. M. 
 
 Richard Stanley Green, 
 James Glover, 
 John G. Geyss, 
 George W. Gallager, Jr., 
 Henry Goldner, 
 Hugh Hawkins, 
 John C. Hunterson, 
 William L. D. Hickman, 
 Henry Heins, 
 Henry Holl, 
 William H. Hutt, 
 Henry C. Hamer, 
 William R. Hertz, Sr., 
 Philip S. Hortz, 
 George J. Harris, 
 Benjamin Hayllar, 
 Charles Hehl, 
 Henry A. Herbott, 
 Edwin T. Harvie, 
 Alvin R. Hillyard, 
 Samuel H. Howitz, 
 Jesse K. Himmelwright, 
 Harry E. Humphreys, 
 Henry T. Humphreys, 
 Albert C. Hageman, 
 Julius A. Heck, 
 Frank Holman, 
 Harry B. Hansbury, 
 J. Wesley Heins, 
 Benjamin F. Harrison, 
 Robert Hetherington, 
 
 Ellerslie W. Shetzline, 
 David W. Shetzline, 
 C. Addison Schuler, 
 Joseph P. Snyder, 
 Louis J. Suess, 
 Frederick Sharp, 
 Walter Silliman, 
 John F. Sharp, 
 John E. Shoch, 
 Walter Frederick Schenk, 
 David B. Schoch, 
 Clarence G. Summers, Jr., 
 Charles P. Stroh, 
 John V. Spruance, 
 Thomas E. Sollers, 
 David H. Simon, 
 William T. Tripple, 
 Gideon C. Torbet, 
 Edward T. Tyson, Jr., 
 Luther G. Terry, 
 John Thommen, 
 Frank H. Tuft, 
 Robert Twiggs, 
 Richard H. Vaughan, 
 Charles H. Voigt, 
 Franklin D. Van Auken, 
 Edward H. Voigt, 
 John Van Auken, 
 Charles H. Voigt, Jr., 
 John Wintrup, 
 William H. Wallace, 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 Frank A. Hoppe, 
 Samuel Gibson Hewitt, 
 Samuel Hubball, 
 William S. Higbee, 
 William R. Hortz, Jr., 
 Henry J. Holl, 
 George Hofltman, 
 Henry M. Irwin, 
 John Irvine, 
 Henry A. Ickes, 
 Harry W. Irwin, 
 Samuel F. Irwin, 
 Alexander Irvine, 
 Edward E. Joachim, 
 John L. James, 
 Albert H. Johnson, 
 William C. Juram, 
 William King, 
 Thomas F. King, 
 George E. Kimmey, 
 
 Louis Wanner, Jr., 
 Henry Wittman, 
 Thomas B. Watson, 
 Harry E. Winner, 
 Frederick Woerner, 
 John H. Whitaker, 
 Wesley Williams, 
 Julius G. Weygandt, 
 Lucien M. Wiler, 
 William T, Weir, Jr., 
 Norman H. Witmeyer, 
 Frank E. Witty, 
 John H. Williams, 
 William H. Wolter, 
 Lincoln W. Williams, 
 John G. Wilson, 
 Robert Walters, 
 Alexander J. Whittingham, 
 William C. K. Walls. 
 
 Regrets were read from the following : 
 
 Brother M. H. Henderson, Past Grand Master. 
 Brother Edgar A. Tennis, Past Grand Master. 
 Brother George W. Kendrick, Jr., R. W. Dep. Grand 
 Master. 
 Also from members of Melita, as follows : 
 Brother James Borer, Boston, Mass. 
 Brother William T. Birch, Collingswood, N. J. 
 
 8 
 
Melita Lodge, No. ZQS, F. and A. M. 
 
 Brother Frank M. Dealy, P. M., Palm Beach, 
 Florida. 
 
 Brother Holford G. Jones, St. Louis, Mo. 
 
 Brother William J. Kirkpatrick, Winter Park, 
 Florida. 
 
 Brother Wm. A Porter, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 
 Brother Joseph W. Sturgis, Conshohocken, Pa. 
 
 Brother Richard D. Wallace, Fort Worth, Texas, 
 and from twenty-four other brethren who resided in Phila- 
 delphia. 
 
 Every member of Melita certainly anticipated sharing 
 the pleasure of the celebration of the semi-centennial of 
 the Lodge. Very many, however, were prevented, from 
 conditions beyond their control. The day set apart for 
 this event, Wednesday, January 25, 1905, proved to be 
 an unusually stormy one. A blizzard set in early and 
 continued with increasing severity until the next morning. 
 
 The intensity of the storm deprived a number of the 
 opportunity of assembling with their brethren of the 
 Lodge, as many of the trolley lines had ceased their trips, 
 and the steam roads were unable to maintain their sched- 
 ule time, and only kept their trains running with great 
 difficulty. Many of the members present will remember, 
 however, and perhaps narrate to the younger members in 
 the years to come, how they were compelled to walk home 
 that night, not being able to secure a conveyance. 
 
 9 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 But while the storm was raging, and these conditions 
 were ruling without, all was cheerfulness and gladsome 
 sociability within. Everyone present was wearing a smile 
 that betokened a warmth of genial good-fellowship, which 
 defied the unwelcome storm without to interfere with the 
 enjoyment that reigned within. 
 
 The Lodge was opened at 4 o'clock P. M., convening 
 in the grand and spacious Corinthian Hall, and remained 
 in session about two hours. The Worshipful Master, 
 Brother John R. Fox, assumed his station promptly at the 
 hour named, with Brother James R. Phillips, Senior War- 
 den, and Brother George H, Lokes, Junior Warden, pres- 
 ent and officiating. The other officers present in their 
 stations were : Secretary, Brother Thomas A. Redding, and 
 Treasurer, Brother Daniel Baird. 
 
 After the appropriate Lodge prayer by Rev. Charles 
 M. Boswell, Chaplain, the Lodge was led by the orchestra 
 in singing the hymn which is printed with the program. 
 At its conclusion the Worshipful Master, Brother John R. 
 Fox, in his genial and modest manner delivered the follow- 
 ing address: 
 
 Right Worshipful Grand Officers and Mem- 
 bers OF Melita Lodge: As you are aware, we are 
 assembled here this afternoon to celebrate the fiftieth or 
 
 1.0 
 
Melita Lodge, No. 2g3, F. and A. M. 
 
 semi-centennial anniversary of the constitution of our 
 Lodge. 
 
 I feel assured when Melita Lodge, No. 295, was con- 
 stituted in January, 1855, its charter members little 
 dreamed it would ever reach the proportions it has, and 
 number over four hun*dred members at this time; and I 
 think we have every reason for pride, thanksgiving and 
 congratulation in the fact that we have attained our high 
 standing in the Fraternity, and to-day I can consistently 
 claim for it the proud position of one of the most success- 
 ful, prosperous and harmonious lodges in the Jurisdic- 
 tion. 
 
 I will not dwell upon historical facts or data, as that 
 pleasant duty has been assigned to one more competent 
 than I, and during the course of our ceremonies this eve- 
 ning our worthy Secretary, Past-Master Thomas A. Red- 
 ding, will give you a short account of some of the leading 
 and interesting occurrences during the fifty years that have 
 passed, and give you in detail our marvelous growth. 
 
 Entering as I do to-day upon my first experience as 
 Worshipful Master of this Lodge, I feel some diffidence 
 and embarrassment, as I am well aware it requires ability 
 and qualities that are not given to us all, so I ask of every 
 officer and member of the Lodge his encouragement and 
 assistance and I promise, to the best of my ability, to so 
 fulfill the duties of this position as to continue for the 
 
 II 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 Lodge its healthy growth and prosperity, so that its high 
 standing amoung our sister lodges shall be maintained. 
 
 As there is quite a lengthy programme of ceremonies 
 in commemoration of this important event, and as we are 
 to be favored by addresses from some of the officers of the 
 Grand Lodge who have honored up by their attendance, 
 I will not detain you by any further remarks, so will con- 
 clude by expressing the sincere and heartfelt hope that 
 there shall always abide with us that brotherly love, har- 
 mony and good fellowship taught us by the pure principles 
 of our Fraternity, and that among us there shall no con- 
 tention arise, save that noble contention or rather emula- 
 tion as to who shall best work and best agree. 
 
 (A copy of the program is appended herewith, also the 
 Menu of the Banquet) . 
 
 Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 Melita Lodge No. 295, F. &. A. M. 
 
 Masonic Temple, Philadelphia, 
 
 Wednesday, January 25, 1905, Corinthian Hall, 4 P. M. 
 
 Opening 
 
 Prayer Rev. Brother Charles M. Boswell, D.D. 
 
 12 
 
Melita Lodge, No. 2gS, F. and A. M. 
 Singing Lodge 
 
 To Him who rules, be homage paid, 
 
 Where hearts with voice unite; 
 To Him we bring fraternal aid. 
 
 Who guides in solemn rite. 
 
 • 
 Come, Brothers, bound by kindly ties. 
 
 Your notes harmonious bring; 
 While acts of generous sacrifice, 
 
 In thoughts of love we sing. 
 
 As days and years roll by — 
 
 As Time's sad changes rise. 
 No doubt shall dim the trusting eye. 
 
 Where rule the good and wise. 
 
 To Him who rules, be homage paid, 
 
 Where hearts with voice unite ; 
 Till life shall cease, and time shall fade. 
 
 We'll bring our solemn plight. 
 
 Address of Welcome, Worshipful Master Brother John R. Fox 
 
 Singing Quartette 
 
 Historical Address. .Brother Thomas A. Redding, P. M., Sec. 
 Singing Quartette 
 
 Closing 
 Prayer Rev. Brother Alfred Heebner, D.D. 
 
 At the conclusion of the Worshipful Master's congratu- 
 latory address, Brother Thomas A. Redding, Past Master 
 and Secretary of the Lodge, entertained the brethren with 
 
 13 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 an historical address, and exhibited to the members several 
 articles which belonged to some portion of the Lodge 
 history of previous years. 
 
 At 6:45 o'clock the special meeting of the Lodge was 
 closed, and at seven o'clock the regular monthly meeting 
 was opened in due form and closed at eight o'clock when 
 the members retired to the Grand Banquet Hall, where this 
 excellent menu and program of addresses entertained and 
 delighted the brethren until midnight. 
 
 GRAND BANQUET HALL 
 
 . . . MENU . . . 
 
 LYNN HAVENS 
 
 CELERY CIGARS 
 
 GREEN TURTLE SOUP 
 
 KENNEBEC SALMON POTATO SURPRISE 
 
 TENDERLOIN OF BEEF AND MUSHROOMS 
 
 PUNCH CIGARETTES 
 
 ROAST SQUAB 
 
 SALTED ALMONDS PECANS 
 
 LOBSTER SALAD 
 
 ICE CREAM FANCY CAKES 
 
 ROQUEFORT CHEESE AND CRACKERS 
 
 COFFEE CIGARS 
 
 14 
 
HISTORICAL ADDRESS 
 
 Organization and Institution, January 15, 1855. 
 
 Extract from minutes of the Grand Lodge : 
 
 At an extra grand communication of the Right Wor- 
 shipful Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania held in the Masonic 
 Hall, Third St., above Spruce, Monday, January 15, 
 1855: 
 
 " An application was read from a number of brethren, 
 asking for a new warrant in the City of Philadelphia, nam- 
 ing Brother Harmon Yerkes as the first Worshipful Mas- 
 ter, Brother William E. Harpur as the first Senior War- 
 den, and Brother Charles Gilpin as the first Junior War- 
 den. On motion duly made and seconded, it was referred 
 to the Grand Officers with power to act." 
 
 These brethren to whom reference is made, and upon 
 whose petition the matter came before the Grand Lodge, 
 are described in the First Annual Report of the Lodge as 
 follows : 
 
 Name. 
 
 Age. 
 
 Occupation. 
 
 Residence. 
 
 Harman Yerkes 
 
 60 
 
 Gentleman 
 
 60 N. Eleventh St. 
 
 William E. Harpur 
 
 — 
 
 Jeweller 
 
 Chestnut St. 
 
 Charles Gilpin 
 
 46 
 
 Att'y at Law 
 
 Walnut St. 
 
 George W. McMahon 
 
 39 
 
 Clerk 
 
 i6z S. Ninth St. 
 
 Robert McCrory 
 
 46 
 
 Merchant 
 
 American Hotel 
 
 William Elliott 
 
 39 
 
 Manufacturer 
 
 Lombard St. 
 
 15 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 The petition was endorsed, and the granting of the char- 
 ter or warrant recommended by Lodges No. 9 and 19, with 
 whom this charter list were affihated, Brother Harman 
 Yerkes with Lodge No. 9, and the remaining five brethren 
 with Lodge No. 19. 
 
 Both of these were established lodges at this time, then 
 as now occupying prominent positions among the Masonic 
 fraternity. 
 
 The petitioners had been Masons for several years and 
 were not novices in the craft, fully realizing the impor- 
 tance and responsibility which they took upon themselves 
 when petitioning for a new Lodge, and as the result shows 
 they were men of faith and courage, able to bear the re- 
 sponsibility as well as to grasp the opportunity that pre- 
 sented ; for be it remembered that the fraternity still occu- 
 pied the hall on Third St. The new Masonic Temple 
 on Chestnut St., above Seventh was at this time nearing 
 completion and attracting public attention to our fraternity 
 that was able to erect such a building, and occupy it for 
 Its own uses exclusively, regarding it as a great undertak- 
 ing. 
 
 It appears that the Grand Officers acceded to the re- 
 quest of the brethren named, for the original warrant, now 
 displayed in the presence of the Lodge, bears the date of 
 that meeting, January 15, 1855. It bears the signatures 
 of James Hutchinson, Right Worshipful Grand Master, 
 
 16 
 
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Melita Lodge, No. 2gS, F. and A. M. 
 
 Peter Williamson, Deputy Grand Master, and the remain- 
 ing Grand Officers, attested by William H. Adams, Grand 
 Secretary, all of which names are honored by the craft to- 
 day. 
 
 It is somewhat a source of suj"prise that there seems to 
 be no date of record as to the constitution of the Lodge, 
 either in our own minutes or the records of the Grand 
 Lodge. But as Melita has several times held anniversary 
 meetings while the Charter members were yet active par- 
 ticipants, we must conclude that they regarded the date of 
 the warrant as the date of organization. At this day the 
 life of the Lodge would begin at its constitution by the 
 Grand Officers. The first recorded minutes are dated 
 February 27, 1855, Lodge was opened at 3 P. M. We 
 infer from this that the Lodge was constituted — certainly 
 with all the ceremonies which belonged to such an occasion 
 — at high noon on February 27, 1855. That upon the 
 ceremonies being completed, the Grand Officers retired, 
 and Melita Lodge No. 295 opened its first meeting; as 
 the meeting was closed at 5 P. M. no doubt all the per- 
 sons interested united in the Banqueting room to celebrate 
 the happy event. But let us go back to that first meeting. 
 
 Brother Harman Yerkes was Worshipful Master, 
 Brother Wm. E. Harpur, Senior Warden, Brother Charles 
 Gilpin, Junior Warden, with three members present, 
 namely: Wm. Elliott, George W. McMahon and Robert 
 
 17 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 McCrory, also four visiting brethren. Brother Charles 
 Gilpin read a code of by-laws, which were unanimously 
 adopted. The dues were fixed at $6 per annum, initia- 
 tion and membership, $35, membership $10, life member- 
 ship $40. A committee of three was appointed to procure 
 regalia. The fourth Wednesday of each month was fixed 
 for regular stated meetings, a selection so satisfactory that 
 it continues to the present. An election was held for treas- 
 urer and secretary. George W. McMahon was elected 
 Treasurer and Robert McCrory Secretary. Two peti- 
 tions for initiation and membership were received and re- 
 ferred to a committee. The Lodge, as before stated, 
 closed at 5 P. M. 
 
 The Lodge convened in regular session March 28. 
 Present were the Worshipful Master, Senior Warden, 
 Junior Warden, Treasurer, Secretary, and one member, 
 Wm. Elliott, with an attendance of thirteen visiting breth- 
 ren. The petitioners of the previous meeting were ap- 
 proved, and one, Alfred J. White, entered. Three peti- 
 tions for initiation and membership were received and one 
 for membership. One of the three was signed by Hugh 
 Hawkins, who, we are happy to note, is present with us on 
 this occasion. He has continued a member of the Lodge 
 from then until now, and is still faithful in his attendance 
 at the meetings. We congratulate him that his life has 
 been spared, and we congratulate ourselves that we are 
 
 18 
 
Melita Lodge, No. BQS, F. and A. M. 
 
 permitted to have with us one who was associated with the 
 beginning of Melita Lodge. 
 
 At the meeting convened April 25, 1855, five officers 
 and two members were present with twenty-five visiting 
 brethren. Four petitions for initiation and membership 
 were received, and five petitions for membership. The 
 three petitions of the March meeting were approved, and 
 an Entered Apprentice Mason's Lodge being opened, the 
 approved applicants were initiated, one of the three 
 being Brother Hugh Hawkins. At this meeting It was 
 
 Resolved, " That the charter members be declared life 
 members of the Lodge, provided that the dues of said 
 members under the by-laws shall not cease until the Lodge 
 shall consist of thirty members, exclusive of said charter 
 members." 
 
 At the stated meeting of May 23, 1855, five officers and 
 eight members were present, with fifteen visiting brethren. 
 Six petitions for initiation and membership were received, 
 four candidates were initiated, and the third degree con- 
 ferred upon one. At this meeting the appointed offices 
 were filled, and one brother made a life member by the 
 payment of forty dollars. 
 
 The fifth stated meeting convened June 27, 1855, with 
 an attendance of sixteen, including officers, and sixteen 
 visiting brethren. Five petitions for initiation and mem- 
 bership were presented. Five candidates were initiated 
 and three received their second degree. At this meeting 
 
 19 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 a petition for membership was presented, which no doubt 
 will interest the present membership of the Lodge. It 
 was signed by Robert B. Salter, age 38; occupation, car- 
 penter; residence, 169 Wharton St. 
 
 The continued accession to the list of membership dur- 
 ing these first six months was beyond the ability of the 
 Lodge to care for in the conferring of degrees, so we find 
 a special convocation was called for the afternoon of July 
 16, 1855, beginning at three o'clock. The second degree 
 was conferred upon one, and three received the third de- 
 gree. Twelve officers and members were present, and also 
 twenty-four visitors. 
 
 At the regular session of the Lodge, July 25, eighteen 
 officers and members were present and twelve visiting 
 brethren. Six petitions were approved, five were entered 
 and four passed. Three petitions for Initiation and mem- 
 bership were received. At this meeting the Worshipful 
 Master and Secretary were directed to make application 
 to the hall committee, requesting that the blue room in the 
 new hall on Chestnut St. be assigned to the Lodge. The 
 members kept late hours then as now, for the Lodge did 
 not close until 11:15 o'clock. 
 
 Sixteen officers and members with five visitors were pres- 
 ent at the second special meeting of the Lodge, which 
 was convened July 30, the session beginning at 4 and 
 ending at 6 P. M. Two candidates were entered, one 
 crafted and one raised. 
 
 20 
 
Melita Lodge, No. 2Q_$, F. and A. M. 
 
 August 22 was the date for the regular meeting but the 
 Lodge was called in special session at 3 P. M. and closed 
 at 6. Two candidates received the third degree. Twen- 
 ty-seven officers and members with eighteen visiting breth- 
 ren assembled at 7 P. M., when the regular session was 
 opened. Ten petitions for initiation and membership 
 were presented. The work done was to enter three, craft 
 three, and raise two. 
 
 The custom of Melita Lodge for many years past has 
 been to omit the July and August meetings because of the 
 intense heat of summer. It will be noticed that this was 
 not done in the first year of our history. In fact, special 
 meetings were added to the regular ones because of the 
 pressure of the work demanding attention. Instead of 
 resting, the officers were called upon to perform double 
 duty. This certainly was unselfish devotion to the inter- 
 ests of the Lodge, and commends those who so diligently 
 wrought in our early history to our consideration as worthy 
 men and true. There must have been an unusual willing- 
 ness as well as capability on the part of the Master and 
 his Wardens to have accomplished the laborious task which 
 presented itself. This duty, well performed as it was, 
 must have been at the sacrifice of much personal comfort, 
 and surely was recognized and appreciated. As the re- 
 sult of this patient toil the Lodge numbered sixty-five at 
 the close of the first year. 
 
 21 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 A special of the Lodge was called for the fourth time 
 on September 5. The Lodge opened at 2 P. M. with 
 twenty-three officers and members and four visiting breth- 
 ren present. Two candidates were entered, three were 
 crafted and three were raised. At this meeting arrange- 
 ments were made for the Lodge to participate in the public 
 procession at the dedication of the new Masonic Temple 
 on Chestnut St., and the following resolution was passed: 
 
 "Resolved: That the Worshipful Master appoint a 
 Marshal for the procession of the members of this Lodge 
 participating in the dedication. Also a committee of three 
 to take charge of the aprons and sashes which shall be 
 delivered to each member at the place of meeting, to join 
 in the procession, to wit: The Robert Morris Hose 
 House on Lombard St., south side above Eighth. Each 
 brother will be required to deliver to the committee his 
 sash and apron at the dismissal of the. procession; or if 
 not delivered he will be accountable for the cost thereof." 
 Brother George W. Briggs was appointed as the Marshal. 
 
 September 26: The Lodge opened at 6 P. M., eigh- 
 teen officers and members with thirteen visitors being pres- 
 ent. Seven petitions for initiation and membership were 
 presented. Five were entered and one passed. Among 
 those entered was our Brother Richard Peltz, who is with 
 us this evening. 
 
 The dedication of the Chestnut St. Hall took place upon 
 this date. From the report of the committee just referred 
 
 22 
 
cm3sa/paw£Srme co/w/u, 
 
 MASONIC HALL, CHESTNUT STREET. 
 
Melita Lodge, No. ZQ^, F. and A. M. 
 
 to we find that thirty-seven members met at the Robert 
 Morris Hose House at seven o'clock A. M., thence pro- 
 ceeding to Twelfth and Pine Sts. by 8 A. M. Melita 
 being the youngest Lodge it was assigned its proper place 
 at the head of the procession. After the procession was 
 dismissed they returned to the place of meeting. Each 
 member had been supplied with an apron and sash. At 
 the meeting it was 
 
 "Resolved: That each member be entitled to retain the 
 sash worn by him in the procession at the dedication of the 
 new hall." A bill of $2.50 for rental of Robert Morris 
 Hose House was paid. 
 
 On October 5, 1855, the Lodge met for the first time in 
 the new hall, the session being a special one for work. 
 There were thirty-five of the officers and members present, 
 and fifty-two visiting brethren. Four were entered and 
 one was passed. The number of visitors would seem to 
 indicate the estimation in which the Lodge was held by the 
 fraternity, while some, no doubt, were curious to see the 
 new Lodge perform its work in its new surroundings. 
 
 No mention up to this point has been made of the re- 
 ceipts of the Lodge from fees and dues, but they were be- 
 ing regularly received, so that quite a fund had accumu- 
 lated in the treasury of the Lodge. As an indication of 
 the prompt and loyal spirit governing the Lodge, and 
 which we believe has characterized it ever since, at this 
 meeting it was 
 
 23 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 Resolved: " That an order be drawn on .the Treasurer 
 in favor of the Grand Lodge for $250, on account of dues 
 accuring and due on St. John's day next." 
 
 On October 1 1 the Lodge was again called into special 
 session, and with a total attendance of thirty-three mem- 
 bers work was performed in the third degree upon four 
 candidates. It was at this meeting that the custom began, 
 which has continued until the present time, as shown in the 
 following resolution: 
 
 Resolved: "That the Secretary be authorized and di- 
 rected to procure a Past Master's regalia and jewel, to 
 correspond in quality and similar in design to the Lodge 
 regalia." 
 
 On October 24 another special session was convened at 
 5:15 P. M. for the purpose of conferring the Past Mas- 
 ter's degree. Wm. Harpur, Senior Warden and Charles 
 Gilpin, Junior Warden, were in their stations and offi- 
 ciated, but Francis Blackburn, not a member of the Lodge, 
 officiated as Worshipful Master. Warrants were read 
 from James Hutchinson, Esquire, Right Worshipful Grand 
 Master, to pass to the chair Brothers George W. Mc- 
 Mahon, Robert McCrory and William Elliott. Each was 
 separately Introduced and passed to the chair. The ses- 
 sion closed at 5 :55, as It was the night of the regular 
 meeting. 
 
 24 
 
Melita Lodge, No. 2gS, F. and A. M. 
 
 Three specials with the regular meeting in one month 
 was certainly a record for work, and we cannot recall a 
 similar month in the years which have followed. The con- 
 tinual pressure of applications for membership made it 
 necessary, as it was impossible to confer the degrees at the 
 regular sessions. 
 
 The evening was devoted to the regular session of the 
 Lodge. Present thirty-one officers and members, with 
 thirty-three visitors, including the R. W. Grand Master. 
 The degree of Entered Apprentice was conferred upon 
 five, and that of Fellow Craft upon four candidates. 
 There were twelve petitions for initiation and membership 
 presented. At this meeting the first investment of the 
 Lodge funds was authorized by vote, viz : 
 
 Resolved: "That the Worshipful Master, Treasurer 
 and Secretary be authorized to Invest $500 in the Masonic 
 Loan by February ist, 1856." 
 
 On November 14, 1855, ^ special meeting was again 
 needed to confer degrees. One candidate was entered, 
 two were crafted and three were raised. Twenty-six offi- 
 cers and members were present, and twenty-nine visitors. 
 
 The tenth regular stated meeting convened November 
 28, 1855, with an attendance of thirty-three officers and 
 members, and forty-four visitors. Seven petitions were 
 received for initiation and membership. The first degree 
 was conferred upon five, the second degree upon six and 
 
 25 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 the third upon two candidates, the Lodge closing its ses- 
 sion at 1 1 :50. 
 
 On December 1 2 another special meeting convened with 
 an attendance of thirty-five officers and members. Visitors 
 to the number of eighteen were also present. Four candi- 
 dates were entered, two passed and four raised. At this 
 meeting another order was drawn for $250, in favor of 
 the Grand Lodge for dues which would be due by St. 
 John's day. 
 
 The first annual meeting and election for officers oc- 
 curred on December 26, 1855. Thirty-seven officers and 
 members were present, with twenty visitors. The record 
 states that the Master Mason's Lodge was closed and an 
 Entered Apprentice Mason's Lodge opened, when the 
 Lodge was called off from labor for the space of five min- 
 utes, to prepare ballots for an election. The Entered Ap- 
 prentice Mason's Lodge was called on, tellers appointed, 
 and the election held, when it was announced that the fol- 
 lowing brethren were elected : 
 
 William E. Harpur, Worshipful Master, 31 votes. 
 
 Charles Gilpin, Senior Warden, 32 votes. 
 
 William Elliot, Junior Warden, 34 votes. 
 
 George W. McMahon, Treasurer, 34 votes. 
 
 Robert McCrory, Secretary, 34 votes. 
 
 Before closing the Master Mason's Lodge, however, 
 the Worshipful Master Harmon Yerkes delivered an ad- 
 
 26 
 
Melita Lodge, No. 2Q_5,F. and A.M. 
 
 dress, a portion of which is included here, as it no doubt 
 will interest the present membership : 
 
 " Before calling off the Lodge preparatory to the elec- 
 tion of Worshipful Master, I propose to say a few words 
 in view of my retirement from the chair, as it is my pur- 
 pose to install my successor and the officers immediately 
 after the election. Melita Lodge No. 295, A. Y. M., 
 was chartered on the fifteenth day of January, 1855, with 
 six charter members. It has now sixty-five members. 
 
 There have been entered, passed, and raised 26 
 
 Entered and passed only 10 
 
 Entered only 13 
 
 Approved and not entered 3 
 
 Elected from other lodges 7 
 
 Including charter members 6 
 
 " It has held stated and special meetings numbering 
 eighteen, at every one of which your charter members have 
 been present. 
 
 " The gross receipts, excluding this meeting, are $1,323 ; 
 and the gross expenditures which have been paid, $391.27. 
 On the sum due the Grand Lodge there has been advanced, 
 in anticipation of the amount $500. 
 
 " The fees and charges of the Grand Lodge incident to 
 the grant of the charter were paid by the charter members, 
 
 27 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 and are not embraced in the gross expenditures. As the 
 Lodge has deemed the charter members worthy of life 
 membership, they wish to be understood as declining any 
 reimbursement, and have requested me to say for them, 
 while I speak for myself, that we are duly sensible of the 
 honor conferred, and hope to continue to deserve it. 
 
 " I think I may say that the prosperity of Melita Lodge 
 is unexampled in our Masonic annals. Her labor is active 
 and harmonious. Her strength and character elicit the 
 commendation of the fraternity, and her work receives the 
 encouragement and approbation of brethren in high places 
 and of great experience. 
 
 " My brethren, we have in all this cause for congratula- 
 tion, and great encouragement for well doing, and I trust 
 that our labors hereafter, as heretofore, may produce good 
 fruit, and be acceptable, not only to our Grand Master, 
 but to our Great Grand Master, the Supreme Architect of 
 the Universe, the Omnipotent, the Omniscient, the Omni- 
 present." 
 
 The Committee on Accounts reported that there was in 
 the Treasurer's hands a balance of $431.24. After the 
 officers had been installed there was appointed a committee 
 on charity consisting of three brethren. A Past Master's 
 regalia was presented to the retiring Master, Brother Har- 
 mon Yerkes. Four candidates were entered, the Lodge 
 closing at eleven o'clock. 
 
 28 
 
Melita Lodge, No. ZQS, F. and A. M. 
 
 We have thus particularized the various items in the 
 minutes connected with the first year of the Lodge, that 
 the brethren of to-day might gain some idea of the charac- 
 ter of the men who organized Melita Lodge. They have 
 passed away, but while here they acted well their part, and 
 Masonically we can truly say that their works do follow 
 them. 
 
 A special meeting was held on the evening of January 9, 
 1856, the Lodge opening at 6 o'clock. There were pres- 
 ent 43 members and 37 visitors. This, no doubt, was 
 the first anniversary occasion, for while three were raised 
 and one entered — the one entered being our brother 
 Charles F. Kessler, who is with us tonight — the Lodge 
 closed at nine o'clock. Among the members recorded as 
 present were Brothers Hugh Hawkins and Richard Peltz, 
 both of whom are now present. 
 
 We presume it was an anniversary occasion because of a 
 beautifully gotten up notice or invitation, which was evi- 
 dently arranged so that the members could invite their 
 friends. It is through the courtesy of the Librarian of 
 the Grand Lodge, Brother George P. Rupp, that we have 
 a copy of this invitation here this evening, which the breth- 
 ren may examine. The Lodge was honored by the pres- 
 ence of Peter Williamson, Esquire, Right Worshipful 
 Grand Master; John R. Mitchell, Right Worshipful 
 Deputy Grand Master; William E. Whitney, Past Grand 
 
 29 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 Master; Henry M. Phillips, Grand Senior Warden; John 
 Thompson, Grand Junior Warden, and others of the 
 Grand Lodge. 
 
 The bill of the Grand Lodge for the first year's dues and 
 rent is quite interesting at the present day by way of com- 
 parison : 
 
 Dues 71 members at $1 each $ 71 00 
 
 53 initiates at $7 each 371 OO 
 
 Rent, light, fuel, 7 months, Third St. Hall at $2.50 17 50 
 
 3 months Chestnut St. Hall at $7 21 00 
 
 3 extra meetings Third St. Hall at $2.50 7 50 
 
 4 extra meetings Chestnut St. Hall at $7 28 00 
 
 $516 00 
 
 As $500 had already been advanced, it was only neces- 
 sary to draw an order of $16 to square the account. 
 There was also paid to the Grand Lodge for forty sets of 
 regalia used at the dedication of the Chestnut St. hall at 
 $i.8o^$72.oo. The first petition for aid was read and 
 granted. That the brethren were interested, and closely 
 watched the proceedings of the Lodge, the following will 
 show. A petition signed by Brother William H. Adams, 
 R. W. G. Secy., Wm. B. Schneider, Robert Clark, and 
 others well known in Masonry, asking aid for a worthy 
 brother, a past master of his lodge, and now holding an 
 
 30 
 
Melita Lodge, No. 2gS, F. and A. M. 
 
 appointment under the Grand Lodge was read, when 
 Brother Yerkes moved that $20 be granted; Brother El- 
 liott moved to amend by making it $10. Brother J. B. 
 Whitaker moved to further amend by making it $ 1 5. On 
 the vote being taken •the amendment to the amendment 
 ($15) was not agreed to. The amendment ($10) was 
 not agreed to, and the original motion of $20 was finally 
 carried. 
 
 At the stated meeting of May 28, 1856, the following 
 is recorded : " Brother Charles Gilpin offered the follow- 
 ing resolution, which on motion duly made and seconded 
 was adopted. 
 
 "Resolved: That permission be asked from the Grand 
 Lodge to adjourn over, and omit the stated meetings of 
 July and August, if the Lodge should deem it expedient." 
 The minutes of the Grand Lodge of June 2, 1856, contain 
 this reference — " The communication was read, and the 
 prayer contained therein granted; and the same privilege 
 extended to all the Lodges who wish to omit meeting in 
 July and August." It appears it was then the rule to ask 
 permission to close over. The Ahiman Rezon now per- 
 mits by vote of the Lodge. 
 
 At the December meeting of 1856 two members were 
 suspended for non-payment of dues. Bills were presented 
 and paid for carriages at funerals of members of the 
 Lodge. 
 
 31 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 At the regular meeting in January, 1857, a resolution 
 was offered that a committee of five be appointed to make 
 arrangements for a banquet. Motion to amend to strike 
 out "make arrangements" and insert "to report at next 
 stated meeting whether it is expedient for the Lodge to 
 have a banquet." Amendment lost. Motion also lost. 
 That the Lodge had refreshments, however, is shown by 
 the bill of the Tyler rendered June 24, 1857, for $81.50. 
 
 The first ripple on the harmony of the Lodge was a 
 charge against a brother for maliciously libeling and tra- 
 ducing another brother who owed allegiance to the Grand 
 Lodge of Ireland. The charge was made by P. M. Har- 
 mon Yerkes. A committee of three was appointed. It 
 appears that this Brother A. who owed allegiance to the 
 Grand Lodge of Ireland had made petition for member- 
 ship in Melita Lodge. Brother O., a member of Melita, 
 was formally charged with libeling Brother A., by saying 
 to several members that Brother A. had dealt in policies. 
 A committee was appointed who heard the testimony pre- 
 sented. Brother O. made no defence, and would not state 
 from whom he received the information on which his state- 
 ment was grounded. The report of the majority of the 
 committee was that Brother O. be expelled. But before 
 taking a vote on that resolution a minority report was pre- 
 sented, which is worthy of consideration even to this day. 
 It began by acknowledging that it had been admitted that 
 
 32 
 
Melita Lodge, No. 2gS, F. and A. M. 
 
 Brother O. had used the words attributed to him, but called 
 attention to the fact that no malice had been proved, nor 
 had it been proved that the words so used had any tangible 
 effect on the ballot which it appears had been taken on 
 Brother A.'s petition. That while Brother O. may have 
 yielded toO' ready credence to reports concerning Brother 
 A., yet no unmasonic feeling had been proven in the case. 
 
 The motion to expel was changed tO' suspend, and was 
 carried. This suspension we find was removed by the 
 Grand Lodge shortly after, on motion of the Brother who 
 had presented the original motion to expel. 
 
 On October 28, 1857, the first visitation of the Grand 
 Lodge officers was made. The Grand Secretary was very 
 commendatory of the manner in which the Lodge was con- 
 ducted, and its minutes kept. 
 
 The record of November, 1857, shows a bill for refresh- 
 rhents paid to the Tyler, as follows: January 27, $8.00; 
 February 24, $8.00; March 24, $20.00; April 28, $18.00; 
 May 26, $20.00. 
 
 In December, 1857, Brother Dennis F. Dealy was 
 elected Secretary. 
 
 In December, 1858, it was resolved that bills for dues 
 be placed in the hands of a collector. No further mention 
 is made of this, however. 
 
 May 10, 1859. The death of Brother Robert Mc- 
 Crory, late Secretary and one of the charter members was 
 
 33 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 announced at this meeting. It was a source of grief to the 
 members, as he was held in high esteem and at this time 
 was the Senior Warden. Brother Dealy says of him that 
 " He was a man among men; trusty, tried and true. He 
 never wavered in the cause of right, never faltered in well 
 doing. No obstacle prevented his efforts to aid a friend 
 and brother." 
 
 In September, i860, the initiation fee was raised tO' $40. 
 
 On October 24, i860, the Lodge was honored by a 
 second visitation of the Grand Officers. Hon. Henry M. 
 Phillips was the Grand Master at this date. The report 
 of the Grand Secretary was again highly complimentary. 
 
 April, 1 86 1, is a momentous date in the history of the 
 country, and those present who remember these days of 
 peril and war will be interested in the following resplution, 
 passed at the meeting held April 24 : 
 
 Resolved, " That the dues of those brothers of the Lodge 
 who may enlist in defence of the Union and country, which 
 shall accrue during their absence in such service, shall be 
 donated to each and all of them." At this meeting men- 
 tion is made of that masonic charity which always makes 
 the heart warm when we hear of it. The death of Brother 
 D. was announced, also that he had been staying for some 
 time at Tampa Bay, Fla. The brethren there had minis- 
 tered to his wants, and upon his making an effort to re- 
 turn to Philadelphia had given him a letter of credit to 
 
 34 
 
Melita Lodge, No. 2QS, F. and A. M. 
 
 parties in Savannah, Ga., which, however, he did not use, 
 for death overtook him on his journey home. The proper 
 acknowledgment was made to the Lodge in Florida. 
 
 During the whole of the year 1861 the attendance upon 
 the meetings of the L^dge was small, though some work 
 was done. Even on the night of the annual election there 
 were only thirty-nine present. The total receipts for dues 
 and fees amounted to $712.50. The expenses, however, 
 were cut down accordingly, for the bill for refreshments 
 for the year was only $65, and the year closed with a bal- 
 ance in the treasury of $58.03. 
 
 January 22, 1862. At this meeting the death of Past 
 Master Harmon Yerkes was announced. He was one of 
 the two who were instrumental in organizing and establish- 
 ing Melita Lodge. Brother Dealy says regarding him: 
 " His loss to the Lodge was as great as that of a father 
 taken from a young and tender family. We had been so 
 accustomed to see his familiar face, to go to him for advice, 
 and to lean upon him for support. He was always zeal- 
 ous in watching the interests of the Lodge, its welfare and 
 high standing; jealous of its faithfulness to the standard 
 work, and of the firmest attachment to the regulations of 
 the Grand Lodge." 
 
 July, 1862. A communication was read from Lodge 
 No. 158, suggesting the formation of an association by the 
 different lodges for the aiding of sick and wounded soldiers. 
 
 35 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 A committee, consisting of Brothers Dealy, Sinexon and 
 Leach was appointed to represent Melita in this undertak- 
 ing, and $50 was placed in the hands of the committee to 
 begin the work. They expended $5 per month. It 
 existed until December, 1863. 
 
 At the stated meeting in April, 1864, the by-laws were 
 changed, so that the initiation fee was increased from $40 
 to $50. 
 
 January 16, 1865. This being the tenth anniversary 
 occasion the Lodge was called in special session for work 
 on the afternoon of above date, opening at 3 and closing at 
 5 :30 to partake of the anniversary supper, for which prep- 
 arations had been made, as no bill for refreshments ap- 
 pears to have been presented during the previous year, ex- 
 cepting a bill for $ 1 00 for the night of annual meeting and 
 election. This was offset by the expenditure for refresh- 
 ments in the following year of $956. 
 
 In December, 1865, the initiation fee was raised to $80. 
 This continued only one year, however, as in December, 
 1866, it was restored to $75. 
 
 In May, 1866, the Lodge was Informed of a proposition 
 of the Grand Lodge to secure a new site and erect a more 
 capacious temple. It was favorably received and agreed 
 to by a unanimous vote of the Lodge, which from then on 
 until the dedication took a lively interest in its erection, in- 
 vesting $2,600 of its funds in the new Masonic Loan. 
 
 36 
 
Melita Lodge, No. ZQS, F. and A. M. 
 
 At the stated meeting held June 27, 1866, a resolution 
 was passed requesting members to attend in Masonic dress, 
 or in dark clothes and white gloves. Three dozen pairs 
 of white gloves were purchased for the use of members in 
 the Lodge room. , 
 
 A communication with the resolution was received from 
 the Grand Lodge in March, 1867, fixing the time to close 
 meetings of subordinate Lodges at 10:30 from March to 
 September and at eleven o'clock from September to 
 March; and charging $3 per hour rental if the time fixed 
 was not adhered to. 
 
 In 1867 at the May meeting the Lodge held a banquet 
 at the Washington Hotel, adjoining the Temple, as indi- 
 cated by a bill of $120 for refreshments. At this meeting 
 it was 
 
 Resolved, "That the Worshipful Master be appointed 
 to represent the Lodge at the meeting of the Grand Lodge 
 in June." It appears that up to this time lodges meeting 
 outside the city had appointed brethren, who resided in the 
 city and were members of the Grand Lodge, as their proxy. 
 
 On June 24, 1868, the laying of the corner stone of the 
 present Masonic Temple took place. All of the city and 
 many of the country Lodges participated in the event, 
 which was preceded by a parade, and followed by a ban- 
 quet. Melita members to the number of 127 were in the 
 procession. The Lodge assembled in the large sales room 
 
 37 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 of the carriage factory of Brother Wm. D. Gardner, on 
 Fifth St. below Walnut. The room was emptied of car- 
 riages on that day so that the Lodge might be accommo- 
 dated. The Liberty Cornet Band was engaged for the 
 day, and added very much to the creditable display which 
 the Lodge made in the procession. At the close of the 
 ceremonies the Lodge proceeded to Eighth and Spring. 
 Garden Sts., where the necessary preparations had been 
 made for a banquet, to which the brethren did full justice, 
 after the long march in the heat and dust. The bill which 
 was submitted amounted to $4 1 1 . This was disputed and 
 a committee was appointed to adjust differences. They 
 succeeded in securing a reduction of $128.50 from the ex- 
 orbitant charge, leaving the bill $282.50, which was then 
 ordered paid. 
 
 As an indication of the degree to which the Masonic 
 Charities have grown, we quote from the minutes of a stated 
 meeting held April 26, 1871 ; when a communication was 
 read from the Board of Almoners of the Grand Lodge, 
 soliciting an appropriation to the Board, to meet appeals 
 in special cases coming before it — the Lodge heartily con- 
 tributed the sum of $50. Again In October of the same 
 year the Lodge donated $100 to the fund for relief of 
 sufferers by the Chicago fire. Also took action on the con- 
 templated changes in the Ahiman Rezon relating to fees 
 and dues. The action was against the acceptance. 
 
 38 
 
Melita Lodge, No. ZQS, F. and A. M. 
 
 April 23, 1873. At the stated meeting held this date 
 consideration was given to the increased expenditures 
 which would be incurred by meeting in the new Temple. 
 A committee appointed to consider the question ^iiggested 
 the increase of the income of the Lodge by _ raising the 
 dues ten cents per month, from $6 to $7.20 per annum; 
 abolishing half dues to the members outside of the city, 
 and Increasing life membership from $50 to $75. These 
 propositions were all adopted at the meeting In May. At 
 this meeting the committee also reported that they had 
 visited the new Temple and had selected Egyptian Hall 
 as the future meeting place of the Lodge. At this meet- 
 ing a circular was read from the Library Committee re- 
 lative to the proposed Library. A donation of $25 was 
 made which the Library Committee afterward acknowl- 
 edged, stating that they had purchased with the amount — 
 Webster's Dictionary in sheep, Hallam's Works, and His- 
 tory and Origin of the Bible. This dictionary is still on 
 duty at the old stand. 
 
 On Friday, September 26, 1873, the new Masonic 
 Temple was dedicated with full Masonic rites and cere- 
 monies. At this date the Lodge was officered as follows : 
 Brother Samuel M. Clements, Worshipful Master; 
 Brother James L Wright, Senior Warden, and Brother 
 Jacob K. Thompson, Junior Warden. The Lodge par- 
 ticipated in the procession. Past Master Henry L. Sinexon 
 
 39 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 officiating as Marshal. After the conclusion of the cere- 
 monies the Lodge proceeded to the Continental Hotel 
 where the 130 members who marched over the route of 
 parade seated themselves around the banquet table and 
 refreshed their wearied bodies back to normal conditions. 
 The total cost of this ceremony to Melita was $805.89; 
 but this amount was lessened by a voluntary subscription 
 which amounted to $503.50, leaving the amount paid out 
 of the Lodge fund $302.39. 
 
 The last meeting held in the old Hall on Chestnut St. 
 was on September 24, 1873, ^^^ the first meeting held in 
 Egyptian Hall of the new Temple was on October 22. 
 Members present, 102; visitors, 49. 
 
 March 27, 1878. A communication was received from 
 the Grand Lodge informing the Lodge of the intention to 
 erect an elevator in the Temple. The proposition was 
 favorably received, and a donation of $25 made for the 
 purpose. 
 
 At the stated meeting held March 26, 1879, the follow- 
 ing was adopted by the Lodge : 
 
 "Resolved: . That the use of liquors, either malt, vinous 
 or spirituous be prohibited at all collations and banquets, 
 whether at the expense of the Lodge, or individually." 
 
 On Wednesday, January 28, 1880, Melita had ended Its 
 twenty-fifth year of existence, and the fact was deemed 
 worthy of a substantial celebration. From the early years 
 of its existence it had held a prominence In the fraternity, 
 
 40 
 
Melita Lodge, No. 2g5, F. and A. M. 
 
 and had established a reputation for exemplifying the 
 "pure principles of the Order." The Lodge session be- 
 gan at 6 o'clock and the regular work occupied the time 
 until 7 130. The following named brethren were in office 
 at this time, and it is thought proper to give them mention : 
 
 Worshipful Master, 
 William Eiseman. 
 
 Senior Warden, Junior Warden, 
 
 Joseph Welch. Thos. A. Redding. 
 
 Treasurer, Secretary, 
 
 William D. Gardner. Dennis F. Dealy, 
 
 Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, 
 
 David H. KoUock. George J. Harris. 
 
 Senior Master of Cere- Junior Master of Cere- 
 monies, MONIES, 
 
 Frank Gihon. Frank M. Dealy. 
 
 Guides, 
 Charles M. Betts, Benjamin Hayllar. 
 
 Pursuivant, Tyler, 
 
 Henry H. Fenimore. Harrison G. Clark. 
 
 Trustees, 
 Wm. Wiler, George W. Briggs, Robert B. Salter. 
 
 41 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 The session closed promptly at 7 :30 and the Lodge 
 proceeded to the large banqueting room where a table 
 lodge was opened, and the following programme enjoyed. 
 The Grand Officers were present and took part in Lodge 
 ceremony. 
 
 Music Orchestra. 
 
 Introductory Address by the Worshipful Master, 
 
 Brother William Eiseman. 
 
 Hymn Led by Orchestra. 
 
 Unto Thee, Great God, belong 
 
 Mystic rites and sacred song. 
 Lowly bending at Thy shrine. 
 
 We hail Thy Majesty divine. 
 
 Glorious Architect above, 
 
 Source of light and source of love. 
 Here, Thy light and love prevail. 
 
 Hail ! Almighty Master, hail ! 
 
 Historical sketch of the Lodge, by the Secretary, 
 
 Brother Dennis F. Dealy. 
 Music 
 
 anniversary ode. 
 
 (Composed for this occasion by Brother Dennis F. Dealy.) 
 
 Round this altar of our God, 
 
 Where we all have humbly trod, 
 Faith our Guide and Hope our Stay, 
 
 Trusting Thee, tho' dark the way. 
 Master Great, again we ask 
 
 Bless our work, Thy craftsman's task. 
 
 42 
 
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 O 
 
Melita Lodge, No. 2gS, F. and A. M. 
 
 Temples fall and men decay. 
 
 Soon the best loved pass away. 
 But the seeds of Charity, 
 
 Bloom thro' all eternity. 
 This the field, and Thine the hand, 
 
 Find the eleaners in our band. 
 
 Bright the Past, the Present peace. 
 
 To the Future lend Thy grace. 
 Send Thy sunshine, send Thy dew, 
 
 Make us worthy, keep us true. 
 Among the chosen, loved and blest. 
 
 Let Melita be the best. 
 
 Closing Ceremonies. 
 
 Music by the Orchestra. 
 
 One hundred and forty-four members of Melita parti- 
 cipated in this event, together with twenty-nine visiting 
 brethren. Sixty-six of this number are still members, and, 
 as previously stated, forty-six of them are present on this 
 occasion. 
 
 June 27, 1882, was the date of the sesqui-centennial 
 celebration of the Grand Lodge. One hundred and fif- 
 ty-one members of Melita participated in this event and 
 marched in the procession under Brother Thomas A. Red- 
 ding, Worshipful Master. Afterward the Lodge pro- 
 ceeded to the Colonnade Hotel where a sumptuous ban- 
 quet was provided. The celebration cost $597.70 of 
 
 43 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 which the sum of $284 was contributed by members of the 
 Lodge. 
 
 March 28, 1883. A communication was received sug- 
 gesting the establishment of a Masonic Home, and ask- 
 ing the association of Melita in the project. It was heart- 
 ily approved and a committee appointed. 
 
 June 27, 1883. It was announced at this meeting that 
 the Grand Lodge had passed a resolution approving of 
 the establishment of a Masonic Home, by the appointment 
 of a committee of fifteen to meet with the committees 
 appointed by various lodges to carry the project into exe- 
 cution. 
 
 March, 1884. On this date Melita became a member 
 of the Masonic Home Association and appointed Brother 
 Past Master Wm. R. Hortz as its representative. 
 
 February, 1886. At this meeting Brother Hortz re- 
 ported that the property on North Broad St. had been 
 secured for the uses of a Masonic Home, and that fourteen 
 Inmates were comfortably quartered. The Lodge do- 
 nated one hundred dollars. June, 1886. Brother John 
 Chapman of Jordan Lodge, No. 1402, of Torquay, Eng- 
 land, delivered a lecture before Melita Lodge on the 
 Pyramids. The lecture was illustrated by the use of 
 a magic lantern. 
 
 October 27, 1886. The Lodge assembled in Corinth- 
 ian Hall to celebrate "The Centennial Anniversary of 
 
 44 
 
Melita Lodge, No. 2gj, F. and A. M. 
 
 the Sovereignty and Independence of the Grand Lodge 
 of the Most Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free 
 and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania, and Masonic 
 Jurisdiction thereunto belonging." 
 
 There were no m^bers and 70 visitors in attendance. 
 Past Master Chas. E. Meyer delivered an address on " A 
 Century with the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania." 
 
 Brother Dennis F. Dealy also read the history of Me- 
 lita Lodge. Both of these were ordered printed, and 
 copies were distributed to the members of the Lodge. At 
 the end of the exercises the Lodge retired to the banquet 
 room and partook of refreshments. 
 
 At the stated meeting held September 28, 1887, the 
 death of Brother Dennis F. Dealy was announced. All 
 that has been said concerning Brother McCrory and 
 Brother Yerkes can safely be said of him. His death 
 was a great shock to the members. The estimation in 
 which he was held was shown by the large number of 
 members who attended his funeral. At this meeting a 
 communication was read from Lodge No. 51, relative to 
 forming an Art Association. Past Master Jas. L Wright 
 was appointed a delegate to represent Melita. 
 
 November, 1887. Brother John A. Duncan was re- 
 elected as the Worshipful Master. This was due to the 
 fact that in December, 1886, on account of the crowded 
 condition and continued growth of the membership of the 
 
 4S 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 Grand Lodge the Ahiman Rezon was amended, so that 
 two years' service was required to make a Past Master 
 a life member of the Grand Lodge. This continued for 
 two years, when the amendment was revoked. 
 
 April, 1888. The Art Association commenced the 
 decoration of Egyptian Hall and the Lodge donated $100 
 towards the expense. 
 
 May, 1888. It was announced at this meeting that 
 a member of Melita had been admitted to the Masonic 
 Home. A discussion was had over the " Cerneau Rite " 
 and also over the " Rite of Memphis." Each member of 
 the Lodge answered that he was not associated with either. 
 
 June, 1889. The Grand Lodge called for benevolent 
 action on the part of the Lodges to aid the sufferers in the 
 Johnstown Flood. One hundred dollars was sent at once 
 by the Worshipful Master, and the further sum of fifty- 
 nine dollars, which was made up by the individual sub- 
 scription of the members. 
 
 September, 1890. An edict of Grand Master Mc- 
 Calla required that candidates for advancement should be 
 proficient in previous degrees, and pass examination in 
 open Lodge. 
 
 February, 1891. Brothers Alfred N. Redding and 
 Wm. S. Stewart were examined in open Lodge in the En- 
 tered Apprentice degree. Being found proficient- therein 
 
 46 
 
Melita Lodge, No. 2gS, F. and A. M. 
 
 they were granted advancement. These were the first 
 candidates examined under this rule. 
 
 March, 1893. Edict of Grand Master Arnold. That 
 he personally knew that an examination in open Lodge 
 caused lodge to be kfpt in session until an unreasonable 
 hour. He declared that proficiency meant that a brother 
 be able to prove himself as a Mason in the degree he has 
 taken, which would enable him to pass an examination 
 for admission to a lodge. That the report of the com- 
 mittee would be sufficient for the Worshipful Master to 
 pass him. 
 
 In 1895 the Grand Lodge continued to call in its loans, 
 and the Lodge authorized investment in other securities. 
 
 January, 1896. An organ was placed in Egyption 
 Hall by Mozart Lodge, and Melita contributed $25 
 toward its purchase. 
 
 The minutes of April, 1896, record the first service by 
 Melita Lodge at Masonic Home. The sermon was de- 
 livered by Past Master Rev. Joseph Welch. 
 
 In September, 1896, the by-laws were amended mak- 
 ing dues $4 per annum to all members of twenty-one 
 years' standing, and ordering all life members' fees into 
 the invested funds of the Lodge. 
 
 January 27, 1897. A Masonic Mark paid for by in- 
 dividual subscription was presented to Brother Wm. D. 
 Gardner, Treasurer. 
 
 47 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 May 26, 1897. At this meeting the death of Brother 
 Past Master Robert B. Salter was announced as having 
 occurred May 9. Universally esteemed and beloved, his 
 funeral was large and attended by very many of the 
 Masonic bodies to which he was attached, especially by 
 the members of Melita. Always present at the meetings 
 of the Lodge, mingling freely among its members, exhib- 
 iting that genial, kindly, sympathetic manner which made 
 him not only helpful to his brethren, but a welcome visitor 
 in any circle. He filled many of the offices of the Lodge 
 with special faithfulness and distinction. 
 
 February, 23, 1898. The stated meeting of the Lodge 
 took place upon this date. After the lodge closed the 
 members retired to the banquet room where the patriotic 
 spirit again prevailed in anticipation of a threatened war 
 with Spain, as it was only nine days before that the 
 " Maine " was blown up in Havana Harbor. The mem- 
 bers joined heartily in singing " Columbia, The Gem of 
 the Ocean," "My Country 'tis of Thee!'" "Marching 
 Thro' Georgia," and other patriotic songs. 
 
 April 27, 1898. The Lodge convened in monthly ses- 
 sion as usual, closed at an early hour, and repaired to 
 the grand banqueting hall, where the jubilant spirit was 
 again awakened in patriotic songs and addresses, as War 
 had been declared by President McKinley, and an army 
 
 48 
 
Melita Lodge, No. 2gS, F. and A. M. 
 
 was being speedily raised to resent the insult of the sink- 
 ing of the " Maine." 
 
 January 21, 1900. At this meeting a legacy of five 
 hundred dollars received from the estate of Brother 
 Thomas Singleton was ordered invested. 
 
 The death of Bro?her Wm. D. Gardner, Treasurer, 
 accurred on August 4, 1900. The funeral was attended 
 by a large concourse of the Lodge. He was highly 
 esteemed for his cordial and kindly manner and bearing 
 toward all with whom he came in contact, especially his 
 brethren of Melita Lodge. 
 
 November 28, 1900. At this meeting the Lodge was 
 honored by a visit of Grand Master George E. Wagner, 
 Esquire, accompanied by several of the Grand Officers. 
 His address was one of congratulation to the Lodge for its 
 sterling reputation and Masonic standing and praise to the 
 officers for the excellence of the work in conferring the 
 degrees. 
 
 February 24, 1902. An edict was received from Grand 
 Master Tennis requiring that a Lodge should be opened 
 as a part of the ceremony at funerals. Melita Lodge al- 
 ways attended to the duties devolving upon it on such 
 occasions, but our compliance with this order has added 
 such a degree of solemnity and orderliness as to be most 
 satisfactory. Our officers have ever been faithful to this 
 last sad duty. 
 
 49 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 At the stated meeting of March 22, 1902, Brother 
 Norman W. Witmeyer, Worshipful Master, on motion of 
 Past Master Eiseman, it was 
 
 Resolved: "That a committee be appointed to make 
 arrangements for the proper observance of the Fiftieth 
 Anniversary of this Lodge." 
 
 The following brethren were appointed : 
 
 Committee on Anniversary. 
 Wm. Eiseman, Chairman. 
 
 John E. Cheeseman Daniel Baird 
 
 Samuel M. Clement J. Frank Adams 
 
 Edwin T. Harvie Adam Deist 
 
 William R. Hortz Samuel Shaw 
 
 Edward E. Joachim Samuel Howitz 
 
 George E. Long Henry Shetzline 
 
 John H. Simon Edward R. Snader 
 
 George P. J. Braun William K. Smith 
 
 LuciEN M. Wiler Harry H. Heist 
 
 George H. Lokes Edgar S. McDowell 
 
 Thomas B. Watson George Y. Schoch 
 
 Norman W. Witmeyer Alfred N. Redding 
 
 George S. Robinson J. Wesley Heins 
 
 Thomas A. Redding, Secretary. 
 
 At the stated meeting of April 23, 1902, the Anniver- 
 sary Committee reported that they had met and organized, 
 by electing Past Master Wm. Eiseman, chairman; Past 
 
 50 
 
Melita Lodge, No. 2gS, F. and A. M. 
 
 Master Daniel Baird, treasurer; and Past Master Thomas 
 A. Redding, secretary; and had appointed sub-committees 
 as follows: On Finance, Entertainment, Souvenirs, Re- 
 ception, Printing, History, Decorations, and Banquet. 
 
 September 4, 1902. A special meeting called on the 
 death of Brother Pasf Master Jacob K. Thompson. His 
 death was universally regretted, and during his last illness 
 every effort was made to smooth his declining years. 
 
 September 24, 1902. At this meeting an edict was an- 
 nounced from Grand Master Edgar A. Tennis prohibit- 
 ing the continuance of sessions of a Lodge after twelve 
 o'clock. 
 
 October 23, 1902. Brother Witmeyer as Worshipful 
 Master. At this session was celebrated the sesqui-centen- 
 nial anniversary of Brother George Washington as a 
 Mason. The exercises in the Lodge room consisted of 
 music, singing by the brethren and addresses by Brothers 
 Heebner and Past Master and Secretary Brother Thomas 
 A. Redding. There was a large attendance and great 
 interest manifested in the proceedings. At the close the 
 Lodge proceeded to the commandery banqueting room, 
 when a Table Lodge was opened, at which toasts were 
 proposed and replied to by the brethren. It proved to be 
 a very enjoyable occasion. 
 
 On account of the largely increasing Membership the 
 Lodge finally at the Stated Meeting in November, 1903, 
 unanimously decided to remove from Egyptian Hall to 
 
 51 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 the Corinthian Hall In the Masonic Temple, the decorat- 
 ing of which was then nearing completion. The first 
 meeting held in this room was the Stated Meeting of 
 January, 1904, with Worshipful Master George S. Robin- 
 son in the East. 
 
 The funeral of Past Master Edwin W. Kuhlemier took 
 place February 11, 1904. It was largely attended by the 
 members of the Lodge. Brother Kuhlemier's sudden 
 death was a great surprise and cast a gloom over the 
 Lodge. He was one of the youngest of the Past Masters, 
 most earnest and zealous in the affairs of the Lodge, full 
 of good cheer and helpfulness. 
 
 The Lodge has had but three Treasurers during the 
 past fifty years. Brother George W. McMahon who 
 served until 1874 when Brother William D. Gardner was 
 elected and filled the office until his death in 1900 when our 
 present Treasurer, Past Master Daniel Baird, was elected 
 and continues at the present date in discharge of the duties 
 of this responsible position. 
 
 Retrospecting the past and counting by decades we find 
 the invested funds to be 
 
 In January, 1865 $ 2,600 
 
 1875 8,200 
 
 1885 8,200 
 
 1895 9,200 
 
 1905 12,625 
 
 52 
 
Melita Lodge, No. 2QS, F. and A. M. 
 
 Applying the same test as to membership, at the close 
 of: 
 
 1855 Number of members 65 
 
 1865 " " 205 
 
 1875 " . " 243 
 
 1885 " " 249 
 
 1895 " " 305 
 
 1905 " " 423 
 
 No. at the twenty-fifth anniversary 227 
 
 No. at the fiftieth anniversary 423 
 
 Total number received from all sources 840 
 
 " " deceased 206 
 
 " " resigned 56 
 
 " " suspended 155 
 
 417 
 Total number of members, December 27, 1904. . . . 423 
 
 The Lodge can be congratulated on the large number of 
 the sons of members who have sought to travel the way in 
 which their fathers have traveled, and have gained ad- 
 mission to the Lodge. Also in the fact that the large 
 majority of those who gained admission during the past 
 five years are young men full of life and vigor, deeply in- 
 terested in the welfare of the Lodge, and capable to take 
 up and administer its affairs, maintaining its standard of 
 
 53 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 worth and excellence. It is a great satisfaction to us 
 who have passed the meridian of life to 'know that there 
 is an element of strength and vitality in our ranks, and 
 upon this we have every reason to hope for a future of 
 Melita Lodge which shall still further increase in power, 
 interest and usefulness. 
 
 The personnel of Melita Lodge has always been of a 
 distinctive type. Men of progressive thought, probity of 
 character and stalwart moral purpose have predominated. 
 Their influence and example has been exerted upon their 
 associates with such force as to incite a generous emulation, 
 as suggested by Bro. Fox in his address, " as to who can 
 best serve and best agree." This class of men, have from 
 the first, constituted our membership, and as may readily 
 be inferred, many of them have been chosen to fill posi- 
 tions of trust in our community. Out of the charter list of 
 six names Bro. Charles Gilpin was honored by his fellow 
 citizens with the position of Mayor of our great City, and 
 Bro. William Elliott elected High Sheriff of the County. 
 Many others could be named who have filled positions of 
 trust and confidence in the affairs of City, State and Na- 
 tion. This, of course, has been a cause of gratification to 
 those selected, which has been shared by the entire mem- 
 bership of the Lodge. This quiet atmosphere of good 
 fellowship has proved a magnet to very many persons who 
 have sought association and membership in Melita Lodge. 
 
 54 
 
Melita Lodge, No. ZQS, F. and A. M. 
 
 In looking back over the fifty years just closed, we 
 find, as is always the case, that a few unworthy men man- 
 aged to gain an entrance into the Lodge, but in each case 
 their shortcomings were made known, and expulsion soon 
 followed. ^ 
 
 Melita has always stood for uprightness of character, 
 trueness of heart and rectitude of conduct. Charity has 
 been given with a free hand; not only that charity repre- 
 sented by a dole of money, but a brotherly feeling of com- 
 miseration over the misfortunes of suffering; one which 
 cannot be counted by dollars and cents, and can only be 
 measured by the standard of — " Inasmuch as ye did it to 
 one of the least of these my brethren, ye did it unto Me ! " 
 
 The true principles of Free Masonry have been upheld 
 within these tyled precincts for fifty years. Every 
 thoughtful brother must confess that the influence of these 
 surroundings has had its effect in moulding true char- 
 acter. Here we have met and associated with men of 
 broad, honest, sterling worth, whom we have felt better 
 for knowing. Who that has come into contact with such 
 men as Dealy, Salter, Gardner, Thompson, Scott, Kuhle- 
 meier, and a host of others whose names could be men- 
 tioned, but feel that there comes a warmth over the heart 
 when their memory is recalled, and we realize that we are 
 better men by reason of meeting with them within the 
 Lodge room. All honor to the earnest men who organ- 
 
 55 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 ized Melita Lodge; all honor to those who came after 
 them and in the day of their strength carried on the work 
 until it has reached the honored position it now occupies. 
 We have every ground of hope and assurance that this 
 position will be maintained and upheld. 
 
 And now in closing I cannot do better than quote again 
 the words of that first Worshipful Master when he said : 
 
 " My brethren we have in all this great cause for con- 
 gratulation, and great encouragement for well doing, and 
 I trust that our labors hereafter as heretofore, may pro- 
 duce good fruit and be accepted not only by our Grand 
 Master, but by our Great Grand Master, the Supreme 
 Architect of the Universe, The Omnipotent, The Omni- 
 scient, and The Omnipresent." 
 
 Standing on this side of a half century of existence, 
 Melita Lodge casts a glance backward through these years, 
 and gathers from them a throb of satisfaction and inspira- 
 tion for the future. No cause for regret, but rather for 
 rejoicing, for all is well. 
 
 This review brings to our recollection the long chain 
 of friendly association and mutual confidence in ties of 
 fellowship formed within the sacred precincts of the 
 Lodge, which could not have been duplicated anywhere 
 else on the earth. Where else could the purity of friend- 
 ship be cultivated in so rich a degree? Where else could 
 it be maintained to as perfect devotion as here, under the 
 inspiration of the spirit of Free Masonry? 
 
 56 
 
LU 
 
 H 
 I- 
 
 O 
 O 
 
 I o 
 
Melita Lodge, No. ZQS, F. and A. M. 
 
 The past years have proved a fertile record of these 
 conditions. A review of the names of the deceased mem- 
 bers who have fallen out of this chain of good fellowship, 
 will revive these promptings, and remind us of the close 
 tie, — ^which even noy as ever before, — holds the Lodge 
 in fervent congenial association ! 
 
 SO MOTE IT EVER BE I 
 
 Respectfully submitted, 
 
 John C. Hunterson, 
 George H. Lokes, 
 Thomas A. Redding, 
 
 Committee. 
 
 57 
 
PAST MASTERS 
 
 Harman Yerkes [d] 
 William E. Harpur [d] 
 Charles Gilpin [d] 
 William Elliott [d] 
 John M. Coleman [d] 
 Henry L. Sinexon [d] 
 Benjamin C. Brooker [d] 
 John J. Foster [d] 
 Leonard R. Fletcher [d] 
 Henry C. Baton 
 Charles E. Meyer 
 Absalom Taylor [d] 
 Dennis F. Dealy [d] 
 Robert B. Salter [d] 
 Frank Mills [d] 
 George W. Scott [d] 
 Henry R. Lawrence 
 Robert H. Pattison [d] 
 Samuel M. Clement 
 James L Wright 
 Jacob K. Thompson [d] 
 James M. Stewart [d] 
 John Dolman [d] 
 John H. Dye [d] 
 Gilbert Carns 
 
 Fred. F 
 
 William Eiseman 
 Joseph Welch 
 Thomas A. Redding 
 Charles M. Betts [d] 
 Benjamin Hayllar 
 William R. Hortz 
 Frank M. Dealy 
 John A. Duncan 
 Edward E. Joachim 
 Edwin T. Harvie 
 Daniel Baird 
 Adam Deist 
 J. Frank Adams 
 Samuel H. Howitz 
 John E. Cheeseman 
 Samuel Shaw 
 Joseph C. Gaither 
 Edward W. Kuhlemeier [d] 
 Robert H. Nones 
 
 DiLLMAN G. RoSENBERGER 
 
 Albert H. Johnson 
 Norman W. Witmeyer 
 Alfred N. Redding 
 George S. Robinson 
 John R. Fox 
 quicksall 
 
 58 
 
LIFE MEMBERS 
 
 J. C. Atkinson 
 Henry C. Baton • 
 Frank Bayle 
 William J. Bauer 
 Albert Baney 
 Thomas Sleyler, Jr. 
 William H. Castle 
 John E. Cheeseman. 
 Adam Deist 
 William H. Deitz 
 William Eiseman 
 Fred'k Gutekunst 
 Hartman K. Gilmore 
 John C. Hunterson 
 Henry Heins 
 William R. Hortz, Sr. 
 Philip S. Hortz 
 Franklin Hoyt 
 Julius A. Heck 
 J. Wesley Heins 
 Noah James 
 
 James I. 
 
 John J. Krider 
 Edward W. Laskey 
 Jesse L. Leach 
 Albert Legg 
 Mayer I. Lifshetz 
 David S. Mathers 
 Charles E. Meyer 
 Charles R. Miller 
 John McLernon 
 Albert A. Norris 
 Wesley H. Paramore 
 Richard Peltz 
 M. N. Phillips 
 Charles C. Rankin 
 Philip R. Schuyler 
 Samuel Shaw 
 Charles H. Voigt, Sr. 
 Edward H. Voigt 
 Charles H. Voigt, Jr. 
 Wesley Williams 
 Henry Wittmann 
 Wright 
 
 59 
 
MEMBERS 
 
 The date is of initiation; A., is Admitted from another Lodge; 
 R., Resigned; E., Expelled; E. A., First Degree; F. c, Second De- 
 gree; s., Suspended; G. M. s., not members, but in good Masonic 
 standing; d., Deceased. 
 
 Harman Yerkes, D Charter Member. 
 
 William E. Harpur, D 
 
 Charles Gilpin, d 
 
 George W. McMahan, d 
 
 William Elliott, D 
 
 Robert McCrory, d 
 
 Alfred J. White, s March 28, 1855 
 
 George Cooke, a. — R April 25, 
 
 Hugh Hawkins, d 
 
 John J. Foster, D 
 
 Robert Thompson, d 
 
 Alfred M. Herkness, A. — ^D May 23, 
 
 Samuel McManemy, a. — ^D 
 
 John M. Coleman, a. — ^D 
 
 William M. Ogden, r 
 
 George Murgitory, g. M. s 
 
 William Nassau, Jr., s 
 
 John Noble, A. — s 
 
 Joseph B. Craig, A. — ^D 
 
 Samuel Kiker, e June 27, 
 
 George W. Briggs, d 
 
 60 
 
Melita Lodge, No. 2gS, F. and A. M. 
 
 Samuel Wallace, d June 27, 1855 
 
 David Matthews, d 
 
 Thomas McManemy, d 
 
 Thomas McGrath, e. a. — s July 25, 
 
 W. J. H. Verdette, D 
 
 Charles Frank, s 
 
 William Hodgson, s 
 
 Jeremiah Nichols, D 
 
 David Wilson, d 30, 
 
 Thomas W. Wallace, d 
 
 Thomas W. Price, d August 22, 
 
 William J. Sheldrake, d 
 
 Leonard R. Fletcher, D 
 
 William Divine, Jr., s Sept. 5, 
 
 William Irvine, S 
 
 William P. Stew^art, F. c. — R 
 
 Jacob K. Ritter, D 26, 
 
 George H. Whitaker, D 
 
 S. B. Dumont, R 
 
 William H. Bowdoin, R 
 
 Richard Peltz 
 
 Thomas Balch, a. — s 
 
 Robert B. Salter, a. — ^d 
 
 Jacob Knorr, d October 5, 
 
 Daniel W. Hutchin, s 
 
 Andrew M. Spangler, s 
 
 J. Y. B. Damont, s 
 
 Volney J. Frazer, E. A. — D 24, 
 
 Albert Stewart, d 
 
 Samuel E. Kister, d 
 
 61 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 Anthony W. Penrose, D October 24, 1855 
 
 Sylvester Crout, D 
 
 John B. Whitaker, s Nov. 14, 
 
 Henry L. Sinexon, d 28, 
 
 Israel C. Gillespie, d 
 
 Isaac B. Kimble, e. a. — s 
 
 John McAbee, s 
 
 Israel Amies, G. m. s 
 
 Adam Eckfeldt, D Dec. 12, 
 
 J. W. T. McCallister, d 
 
 John M. Rush, s 
 
 William Nuttall, E. A. — s 
 
 Thomas Gray, s 26, 
 
 John F. Rodes, s 
 
 Job Harris, s 
 
 William F. Hansell, a. — s 
 
 Abraham Myers, d 
 
 George A. Coffey, a. — ^d 
 
 Charles F. Kessler January 9, 1856 
 
 William Hacker, r 23, 
 
 Mahlon P. Hutchinson, s Feb. 27, 
 
 Joseph Mirkel, D 
 
 Dennis F. Dealy, d March 26, 
 
 Edward S. Rowand, R 
 
 S. S. Mann, s 
 
 Charles Vanwinkler, s 
 
 John R. Worman, R 
 
 Henry C. Baton April 23, 
 
 Moses L. Hyneman, g. M. s 
 
 Charles W. Beck, s 
 
 62 
 
Melita Lodge, No. 2gS, F. and A. M. 
 
 Joseph Heritage, d May 28, 1856 
 
 George W. Fox, s 
 
 Banner Thomas, d 
 
 Philip Trotter, s October 22, 
 
 Benjamin C. Brooker, d 
 
 Willard J. King, d Nov. 26, 
 
 Peter Armbruster, D 
 
 William Wolbert, G. M. s 
 
 Upton R. Moore, r 
 
 Gustavus Pellman, e. a. — s January 28, 185^ 
 
 William A. Duff, D 
 
 Daniel G. Thomas, D 
 
 Julius B. Allen, d Feb. 25, 
 
 Theodore Blackwell, s 
 
 Thomas Smith, s 
 
 William R. Smith, s 
 
 Henry Bartling, g. m. s 
 
 William E. Cook, A. — R 
 
 Charles F. Stadiger, d March 25, 
 
 James S. Cromwell, S 
 
 Joseph M. Badger, F. c. — S April 22, 
 
 C. H. Hodson, s 
 
 John G. Miller, s May 27, 
 
 James Fox, e. a. — S June 24, 
 
 John Murray, s Sept. 23, 
 
 Richard Park, d 
 
 Theophilus Stabler, s Nov. 11, 
 
 John H. Wyle, s 
 
 William C. Ervin 
 
 Alfred Weschler, d 
 
 63 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 James R. Gaskins, s Nov. 25, 1857 
 
 James Matthews, s 
 
 Charles W. Duke, s Dec. 23, 
 
 Charles W. Wood, G. M. s January 27, 1858 
 
 Richard Glassen, s 
 
 C. Eng. Claghorn, G. m. s 
 
 James T. Stover, s Feb. 24, 
 
 George W. Watson, d 
 
 Thomas James, Jr., f. c. — s 
 
 Jesse L. Leach 
 
 Frederick Lambert, S May 26, 
 
 John R. Senior 
 
 William Penrose, Jr., s June 23, 
 
 Philip R. Schuyler, d July 28, 
 
 Hiram Stimmel, d Sept. 27, 
 
 Thomas K. Conrad, G. M. s 
 
 James M. Gibson, s October 27, 
 
 John J. Stadiger, d 
 
 Walter Ross, d Nov. 24, 
 
 W. B. R. Selby, d Feb. 23, 1859 
 
 Absalom Taylor, d : March 23, 
 
 Alfred R. Davis, D 
 
 Martin Rizer, s 
 
 Joseph Benison, d April 27, 
 
 James B. Boone, e. a. — d 
 
 David Henderson, d 
 
 Edward Buckley, D May 10, 
 
 Hiram Focht, R 
 
 William D. Nassau, s June 22, 
 
 William A. Babcock, c. m. s 
 
 64 
 
Melita Lodge, No. ZQS, F. and A. M. 
 
 Archibald Ritchie, s July 27, 1859 
 
 John H. Parker, s 
 
 Jacob K. Thompson, d 
 
 John Dolman, d August 24, 
 
 John A. McDowell, F. c. — g. m. s Sept. 28, 
 
 Samuel N. Foster, s . ^ 
 
 William Cooper, d October 26, 
 
 George Shibe, d 
 
 Albert Warner, d 
 
 William King, s 
 
 George Erety, d 
 
 Kenneth Jewell, D Nov. 30, 
 
 William F. Johnson, s ". January 25, i860 
 
 C. Eugene Meyer 
 
 T. George Morton, g. m. s 
 
 Joseph Patton, d 
 
 Jas. E. Flemming, e. a. — s 
 
 Charles E. Ristine, d Feb. 22, 
 
 Edwin F. Moore, d 
 
 Jacob Snare, d March 28, 
 
 R. Penn Smith, o. m. s 
 
 John F. Curry, d 
 
 Calvin H. Test, d 
 
 James Robinson, D April 25, 
 
 Joseph B. Tevis, D May 3, 
 
 E. Weld Thayer, s 23, 
 
 Charles Newhouse, S June 27, 
 
 Joseph Moore, Jr., d July 25, 
 
 James Neill, R 
 
 Joseph Q. Harris, F. c. — s 
 
 65 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 Robert H. Bennett, S August 22, i860 
 
 Charles O'Neill, d Dec. 26, 
 
 Henry F. Geyer, R January 23, 1861 
 
 W. Foster, s August 28, 
 
 A. Robert Roseman, s Nov. 27, 
 
 Joseph Money, D Dec. 25, 
 
 David Foy, d January 22, 1862 
 
 James W. Blaylock, s Feb. 26, 
 
 John R. Tobin, r 
 
 James Shawr, d August 27, 
 
 Samuel J. Creswell, d January 28, 1863 
 
 William Anck, d 
 
 James R. Stanley, r Feb. 25, 
 
 William Wiler, d 
 
 William G. McMichael, D 
 
 Thomas F. Duffleld, S April 22, 
 
 John H. Peterson May 27, 
 
 James D. Alberger, d Sept. 23, 
 
 Anthony Eshner, d October 28, 
 
 George W. Scott, d Nov. 25, 
 
 John Fullerton, d 
 
 Charles Couture, s 
 
 Samuel M. Clement January 27, 1864 
 
 Frank Mills, D 
 
 William Bumey, g. m. s 
 
 J. Eldon Salter, r 
 
 John H. Kinsley, d 
 
 Henry Francis, S Feb. 24, 
 
 Jacob L. Asay, r March 23, 
 
 Richard A. Poulson, s 
 
 66 
 
Melita Lodge, No. 2gS, F. and A. M. 
 
 Charles R. Miller March 23, 1864 
 
 Owen T. Edgar, a. — r April 27, 
 
 Robert Wetherill, g. M. S 
 
 Theodore S. Fulton, d May 25, 
 
 Robert P. Johnson, d 
 
 William D. Gardner, {> 
 
 William McElroy, D 
 
 James Flemming, d 
 
 William McCarter, d June 22, 
 
 Henry H. Guion, s 
 
 J. Mason Burns, d July 27, 
 
 Isaac Killian Sept. 28, 
 
 Joseph E. Vantine, g. m. s October 28, 
 
 Wm. Leary, Jr., d 
 
 Patrick Devine, d Dec. 28, 
 
 James I. Wright 
 
 Isaac Keller, D 
 
 Samuel Harrison, D 
 
 William King 
 
 Robert J. McGee, r January 25, 1865 
 
 John C. McManemin, D Feb. 2, 
 
 William H. Deitz 22, 
 
 John C. Hunterson 
 
 Tobiae M. Huber, D 
 
 Thomas L. Vanderslice, R 
 
 James Perry, s March 22, 
 
 Evan J. O. Fisher, s April 26, 
 
 Lewis G. Reed, a. — s 
 
 James A. Campbell, D May 12, 
 
 John Riddell, d 
 
 67 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 John S. Hansell, D May 12, 1865 
 
 Thomas B. Burns, R 
 
 Henry M. Palmer, R 
 
 Frederick Gutekunst 24, 
 
 Charles R. Shantz, r 
 
 Parker H. Bradford, D 
 
 Samuel D. Dailey, s 26, 
 
 John H. Dye, d 
 
 James W. Simmons, s 
 
 Joseph T. Wilson, Jr., R 
 
 Benjamin F. Harvey, D 
 
 Lewis F. Caron, d June 9, 
 
 William H. Castle 28, 
 
 Joseph E. Winner 
 
 John McClintock, r 
 
 Charles H. Ingram, r Sept. 27, 
 
 James W. Rhodes, d October 5, 
 
 James A. Flemming, r 25, 
 
 William C. Seymour, d 
 
 William H. Simpson, r 
 
 J. Milton Raab, r Nov. 10, 
 
 John Hirst, s 
 
 John T. Brooks 
 
 Henry Heins 
 
 Charles Heins, D 
 
 Nathan H. Levering, r 22, 
 
 Robert H. Pattison, a. — ^D 
 
 James H. Stevenson, A. — s 
 
 William L. D. Hickman Dec. 20, 
 
 Septimus Witmer, d 
 
 68 
 
Melita Lodge, No. ZQS, F. and A. M. 
 
 Marshall McCully Dec. 20, 1865 
 
 Francis Luke, D 
 
 Henry R. Coulomb, R Dec. 27, 
 
 Alexander R. Cutler, d , 
 
 Sanford M. Robison, s 
 
 Francis Bayle ^ 
 
 Samuel Bayle, d 
 
 Ezra D. Wise, s January 27, 1866 
 
 Thomas Singleton, d March 28, 
 
 Isaac B. Smith, f. c. — e 
 
 Thomas H. Mullen, a. — ^D 
 
 Thomas A. Lancaster, d April 25, 
 
 Benjamin A. Wolf, r May 23, 
 
 Daniel Baird, D 
 
 Harry O'Neil, D 
 
 Harrison W. Eastburn, r 
 
 W. Alex. Bulkley, D 
 
 William C. McVey, A. — R August 22, 
 
 George B. Thomson, a. — ^d Sept. 26, 
 
 James M. Stewart, a. — ^D 
 
 James Kirkpatrick 
 
 Henry Holl October 24, 
 
 Gilbert Cams 
 
 Robert S. Menamin, A. — ^D Nov. 28, 
 
 William W. Creekmore, A. — d 
 
 Henry R. Lawrence, A Dec. 26, 
 
 David M. Evans, A. — S March 27, 1867 
 
 John K. Wright, s April 24, 
 
 Manuel N. Phillips May 22, 
 
 George H. Hulings, D October 23, 
 
 69 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 Walter J. McKee, s October 23, 1867 
 
 Samuel W. Norris, R Nov. 27, 
 
 James L. Brown, s 
 
 Charles H. Black, D 
 
 James M. Sturgis January 22, 1868 
 
 Andrew J. DeCamp Feb. 26, 
 
 Amasa May, r 
 
 Thomas F. Harvey, R April 22, 
 
 Henry R. Henry, s May 27, 
 
 Andrew J. Maloney August 26, 
 
 J. Monroe Stukey, A. D Sept. 23, 
 
 Edward Cubberly, D 
 
 William R. Green, D 
 
 William J. McGirr 
 
 James P. Morrison, d January 27, 1869 
 
 John E. Dodd, D 
 
 Augustus C. Hamer, D March 24, 
 
 Henry C. Hamer April 28, 
 
 Franklin Hoyt June 23, 
 
 Robert Walsh, s Sept 22, 
 
 S. Alfred Ford, s 
 
 Hugh Taylor, s 
 
 James Rule, s 
 
 William H. Benckert, d 
 
 Thomas Gulp, d October 27, 
 
 James Dunn, d 
 
 Benjamin D. Ellis, d 
 
 James N. Laws, G. M. s 
 
 Samuel Walsh, a. — S Nov. 24, 
 
 James Odgers, d January 26, 1870 
 
 70 
 
Melita Lodge, No. 2gS, F. and A. M. 
 
 Thomas T. Rockett January 26, 1870 
 
 George Michtle, D May 25, 
 
 George W. Nixon, s 
 
 John H. Roach 
 
 William F. Heininger, s June 22, 
 
 James C. Oliver, A. — s« October 26, 
 
 J. Prentis Tuckerman, r Dec. 28, 
 
 Martin V. B. Musselman, d 
 
 Henry Wittman 
 
 George C. Wilkins, D Feb. 22, 1871 
 
 William T. Tripple 
 
 Harry W. Bevan, s March 22, 
 
 William H. Dankel, s June 8, 
 
 Joseph E. Weiss, d Sept. 27, 
 
 John W. Coleman, 
 
 Nathaniel B. Briggs, S October 25, 
 
 Joseph Donnelly, d 
 
 William Eiseman Dec. 27, 
 
 William Rule, s 
 
 Harry H. Fennimore 
 
 Charles W. Gessler January 24, 1872 
 
 Thomas D. G. Alexander Feb. 28, 
 
 Samuel Troth, Jr., d March 27, 
 
 James W. Gannon, s April 24, 
 
 William J. Cochrane, R 
 
 James M. Tripple Sept. 25, 
 
 William P. Howell, A. — D October 23, 
 
 John W. Benckert 
 
 Edgar S. McDowell 
 
 Joseph Fitzell, R 
 
 71 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 Charles M Banks, S October 23, 1872 
 
 William Evans, d Nov. 27, 
 
 Robert Henderson, r 
 
 David Mullen, d 
 
 William R. Hortz January 22, 1873 
 
 Philip S. Hortz 
 
 E. E. Joachim 
 
 Frederick W. Steiger, G. M s Feb. 26, 
 
 John Fredericks 
 
 F. Gegenheimer, d March 26, 
 
 Charles M. Betts, A. — ^D 
 
 David A. Kirkpatrick, s April 23, 
 
 Joseph Welsh, a May 28, 
 
 Samuel H. Allen, r 
 
 Shamgar S. Hand, A. — E June 25, 
 
 Franklin B. Jaggard, d July 23, 
 
 George A. Dougherty 
 
 William R. Park, d 
 
 Savery Bradley 
 
 Jacob H. Smith, A. — d August 27, 
 
 William W. Ker, D Sept. 24, 
 
 Matthew Robinson October 22, 
 
 William H. Hutt 
 
 Harry C. Carpenter, (f. c.) s Nov. 26, 
 
 Benjamin M. Jagoe, R 
 
 John A. Duncan 
 
 Thomas Brooks, d 
 
 Thomas B. Watson 
 
 Thomas P. King January 28, 1874 
 
 George E. Long 
 
 72 
 
Melita Lodge, No. 2gS, F. and A. M. 
 
 John Wintrup Feb. 25, 1874 
 
 David H. KoUock 
 
 John D. Gaulbert, D 
 
 J. Wesley Bowen 
 
 William Walker, A. D 
 
 Washington A. Comly g, March 25, 
 
 Thomas Connerton 
 
 Gottlieb H. Doberer, r 
 
 Lemuel W. Price 
 
 Augustus G. Ibach, D August 26, 
 
 Marcus Kepner, D 
 
 Charles Allen, d Sept. 23, 
 
 Charles H. Cooper, d 
 
 George J. Harris 
 
 Nathan McK. Wilson October 28, 
 
 Thomas A. Redding Nov. 25, 
 
 George T. Conrade 
 
 Samuel Creadick, s 
 
 Benjamin Hayllar, A Dec. 23, 1874 
 
 Jacob F. Bowrer March 24, 1875 
 
 Joseph R. Tindall 
 
 James M. Tatem, s 
 
 Wallace M. Hoffner May 26, 
 
 Reuben A. Shetzline 
 
 Henry F. Hehl 
 
 John C. Atkinson August 25, 
 
 James D. Karcher, D January 26, 1876 
 
 Jacob Hehl 
 
 De Angeli H. DeNegre, s Feb. 23, 
 
 William J. Sloan, S 
 
 73 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 Henry ShetzHne March 22, 1876 
 
 John T. Brooks 
 
 David H. Presker April 26, 
 
 Noah James May 24, 
 
 Charles B. Edgar 
 
 Joseph H. Chubb August 23, 
 
 Richard S. Vaughan Sept. 27, 
 
 Joseph W. Rulon, s October 25, 
 
 James B. Hoffner, d May 23, 1877 
 
 Wm. C. Cranmer Sept. 26, 
 
 Albert A. Norris Nov. 28, 
 
 Frank Gihon, d January 23, 1878 
 
 Ferdinand H. Claiborne, s 
 
 William Peltz March 27, 
 
 Houston Smith, Jr., d April 24, 
 
 Martin L. Kohler, r 
 
 William M. Wiler, D May 22, 
 
 Charles H. Vautier, d 
 
 Francis L. Miller, r June 26, 
 
 Edwin J. Buckley, d 
 
 Charles H. Boehmler, d August 28, 
 
 John A. Beam October 23, 
 
 Joseph T. Loane January 22, 1879 
 
 Daniel Baird, Jr May 28, 
 
 Frank M. Dealy June 25, 
 
 Charles Wade Close August 27, 
 
 Charles Hehl Sept. 24, 
 
 Jacob Meyers January 28, 1880 
 
 Robert Holly, d 
 
 Frank Thurwanger, d May 26, 
 
 74 
 
Melita Lodge, No. 2gS, F. and A. M. 
 
 Wm. T. McAlees January 26, 1881 
 
 Allen B. Rorke, d 
 
 Henry P. Brooks May 25, 
 
 William H. Costigan, g. m. s Sept. 28, 
 
 George W. Price, s October 26, 
 
 George M. Burnham, Rk, Dec. 28, 
 
 Leonard Otterbach, D 
 
 John W. Beebe 
 
 Harry A. Herbott March 22, 1882 
 
 William Perrine 
 
 Joseph C. Howell, D April 26, 
 
 Charles Jones 
 
 W. H. Wallace 
 
 Charles C. Bowen, r 
 
 John Evans June 28, 
 
 Alan H. Reed, R 
 
 Alfred B. Richards 
 
 William N. Shivers, D Sept. 27, 
 
 Harry E. Winner 
 
 Frank Sidney Nov. 3, 
 
 Benjamin J. Aitken 
 
 Edwin T. Harvie 
 
 Louis Wanner, Jr Dec. 27, 
 
 Edward L. Mintzer, Jr., D 
 
 Richard Evans, R Feb. 28, 1883 
 
 Frederick Mann, Jr 
 
 William C. Stewart, d March 28, 
 
 James Borer, a April 25, 
 
 Eldridge Claiborne, d 
 
 Nicholas J. Rossiter, d Sept. 26, 
 
 75 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 Peter H. Morad, D October 24, 1883 
 
 Isaiah Hall 
 
 Sidney Buckley, s 
 
 George Y. Schock, a Nov. 28, 
 
 Charles T. Jones 
 
 Samuel Hart D January 23, 1884 
 
 John Scanlin Feb. 27, 
 
 W. H. Durham June 25, 
 
 W. Walter Faries Sept. 24, 
 
 Edward A. Parker, r October 22, 
 
 Alvin R. Hilyard Nov. 26, 
 
 George M. Simpson, s 
 
 Herman Wolters, D January 28, 1885 
 
 Alfred T. Clarke, d Feb. 25, 
 
 George W. Wallace, d 
 
 Richard D. Wallace 
 
 Henry M. Kister March 25, 
 
 J. Smith Orem, d 
 
 Edwin Harris, d 
 
 William V. Runkle, D 
 
 Edward T. Crane, s 
 
 John W. Dick April 22, 
 
 William F. Cooper, d June 24, 
 
 William T. Rockett Nov. 25, 
 
 Archie L. Sheldon, s January 27, 1886 
 
 Laffya W. Stewart, s Feb. 24, 
 
 George E. Kimmy April 28, 
 
 Adam Deist Sept. 22, 
 
 Charles H. Voigt April 27, 1887 
 
 George W. Tucker, R October 26, 
 
 76 
 
Melita Lodge, No. 2gS, F. and A. M. 
 
 George W. J. Allen, r October 26, 1887 
 
 Christian Brant, A Nov. 23, 
 
 William J. Miller Dec. 28, 
 
 John H. Jordan, r January 25, 1888 
 
 Henry M. Irwin March 28, 
 
 Harry Goodman April 25, 
 
 Philip M. Lutz, s June 27, 
 
 J. Frank Adams Sept. 26, 
 
 Alfred D. Wiler 
 
 W. Harris Seltzer October 24, 
 
 Moritz L. Fischer, D 
 
 Edward Bryant, s 
 
 John Q. A. Erickson, d Nov. 28, 
 
 Harry A. Dealy 
 
 Daniel Boehm March 27, 1889 
 
 Frank N. Forsyth 
 
 Charles P. Nesbitt, D 
 
 Charles W. Young, d April 24, 
 
 Louis C. Thomas, s June 26, 
 
 Frederick Woerner Sept. 25, 
 
 Frederick Koehler 
 
 Edward B. Joachim, r 
 
 John W. Whitaker October 23, 
 
 Henry Wilhelm 
 
 Frank McAvoy 
 
 Samuel Shaw Nov. 27, 
 
 Walter R. Oram, s January 22, 1890 
 
 John Schmidt, D Feb. 26, 
 
 Christian. Aichele 
 
 William J. Baur March 26, 
 
 77 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 C. Harry Showaker, S March 26, 1890 
 
 Samuel H. Howitz, A April 23, 
 
 Robert Hughes, S June 25, 
 
 David Dunbar Nov. 26, 
 
 Philip R. Schuyler Nov. 26, 1890 
 
 William Landis 
 
 Alfred N. Redding January 28, 1891 
 
 William S. Stewart 
 
 Wesley Williams Feb. 25, 
 
 John E. Cheeseman 
 
 Julius G. Weygandt 
 
 Lucien M. Wiler March 25, 
 
 William D. Gardner, Jr 
 
 Chas. S. Gardner 
 
 W. T. Birch May 27, 
 
 John W. Moore, a. s 
 
 Augustus Spicer June 24, 
 
 Jesse K. Himmelwright 
 
 William K. Smith Sept. 23, 
 
 Dillman G. Rosenberger 
 
 Henry C. Sinex, d 
 
 Joseph C. Gaither October 28, 
 
 Charles H. Shetzline Nov. 25, 
 
 John F. Ferguson, a Dec. 23, 
 
 John L. James January 27, 189a 
 
 Gideon C. Torbert 
 
 Francis Davis 
 
 Robert C. McNeil Feb. 23, 
 
 Frank S. Elliot 
 
 Charles Watson, d 
 
 78 
 
Melita Lodge, No. 2gS, F. and A. M. 
 
 Edward W. Kuhlemeier, D March 23, 1893 
 
 Albert Baney May 25, 
 
 William T. Weir, Jr 
 
 Edwin S. Stanert, d 
 
 Cornelius E. Warner, d June 22, 
 
 John J. McHenry, R.* Sept. 22, 
 
 Norman W. Witmeyer October 26, 
 
 James S. Shoemaker, s 
 
 William H. Bowen, d October 26, 1892 
 
 George E. Ellis Dec. 28, 
 
 William J. Kirkpatrick, A 
 
 Edward Pole January 25, 1893 
 
 John H. Trotter, d 
 
 William L. Gaulbert 
 
 Albert H. Johnson 
 
 William Milnes Feb. 8, 
 
 Harry Stead " 22, 
 
 Charles H. Ott 
 
 Harry Beyer. 
 
 Benjamin B. Cooper, A. r 
 
 John Irvine June 28, 
 
 Charles Burk, Jr., D 
 
 Morris P. Lewis, Jr October 25, 
 
 Daniel Laverty, e. a. d Dec. 27, 
 
 Harry Shetzline January 24, 1894 
 
 Robert H. Nones 
 
 Hartman K. Gilmore 
 
 Alexander C. McAvoy Feb. 28, 
 
 John W. Murgatroyd March 28, 
 
 Franklin D. Van Auken April 25, 
 
 79 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 Maurice E. Benton April 25, 1894 
 
 Harry H. Heist May 23, 
 
 Emil F. Aubel June 27, 
 
 John McLernon October 24, 
 
 Edward T. Tyson, Jr 
 
 William H. Schultz 
 
 Harry E. Humphreys Nov. 28, 
 
 Thomas P. Lonsdale, D Dec. 26, 
 
 Norris S. McDowell January 23, 1895 
 
 Henry D. Roe 
 
 Samuel W. E. Love, R Feb. 27, 
 
 William A. Deist, S March 27, 
 
 John T. Frick 
 
 Luther G. Terry 
 
 Harry T. Gilmour May 22, 
 
 Edward Russell, d June 26, 
 
 William S. Kames October 23, 
 
 Thomas Spark 
 
 Henry T. Humphreys Nov. 27, 
 
 William S. Campbell Dec. 26, 
 
 Ferderick E. Aubel 
 
 Frank E. Witty 
 
 Albert Legg 
 
 James K. Laudenslager January 22, 1896 
 
 Samuel W. Gadd Feb. 26, 
 
 George J. Riehm March 25, 
 
 William Oates April 22, 
 
 George W. Arthur June 24, 
 
 Andrew Ferguson Sept. 24, 
 
 George L. Jann October 28, 
 
 80 
 
Melita Lodge, No. zg^, F. and A. M. 
 
 William H. W. Quick January 27, 1897 
 
 Holford G. Jones Feb. 24, 
 
 Isaac Lowengrund March 24, 
 
 Max B. Elwert April 28, 
 
 A. Howard Duckett 
 
 Charles A. Shetzline October 27, 
 
 Louis Hasselbusch Nov. 24, 
 
 Edward Lupton 
 
 Wesley H. Paramore January 26, 1898 
 
 James U. Kreidler 
 
 William A. Porter 
 
 Albert C. Hageman Feb. 23, 
 
 John H. Williams, A March 23, 
 
 George P. J. Braun June 22, 
 
 George S. Robinson October 26, 
 
 L. James Spear 
 
 Charles H. Kors October 26, 
 
 Louis J. Dorp 
 
 Walter Durfor 
 
 John H. Simon October 31, 
 
 Wesley Rockett Dec. 28, 
 
 James R. Phillips 
 
 John Redstreake Fox 
 
 James M. Applegate 
 
 Rufus D. Naylor, d January 25, 1899 
 
 Alfred A. Faxon, a 
 
 Edward R. Snader March 22, 
 
 Reuben A. Shetzline May 24, 
 
 Ellerslie W. Shetzline 
 
 Llewellyn H. Eby June 28, 
 
 81 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 Adolph Dransch, s June 28, 1899 
 
 George H. Lokes 
 
 Francis W. S. Lee 
 
 William E. Griffith Sept. 27, 
 
 Cloyde Addison Schuler October 25, 
 
 Julius Albert Heck 
 
 Edward H. Voigt 
 
 William C. Faber 
 
 Walter C. Morrison, a 
 
 Walter F. Shetzline Dec. 27, 
 
 William G. Melvin, r January 24, igoo 
 
 David W. Shetzline Feb. 28, 
 
 William F. Doyle 
 
 Lee W. Gray March 28, 
 
 George C. Norton, s ' 
 
 Henry A. Ickes May 23, 
 
 Frank Holman 
 
 Hezekiah King, s Sept. 26, 
 
 William C. Juram 
 
 Lincoln W. Williams October 24, 
 
 John J. Krider Nov. 28, 
 
 Harry L. Ogle 
 
 Samuel Hamilton 30, 
 
 Carl Kaufman 
 
 John Thommen 
 
 Addis W. Munyan January 23, 1901 
 
 Amos K. Geikler Feb. 27, 
 
 Joseph P. Snyder 
 
 William H. Beittenmiller, A 
 
 John S. McConnell, A March 27, 
 
 82 
 
Melita Lodge, No. 2QS, F. and A. M. 
 
 John Van Auken April 24, 1901 
 
 C. Lewis Noble 
 
 Robert Twiggs 
 
 Burton C. Simon 
 
 Louis J. Suess 
 
 Mendis Lipman, a. ^. May 22, 
 
 Wm. Henry Buchman 
 
 John Wolfe 
 
 Samuel M. Clement, Jr 
 
 Barney R. Simons Sept. 25, 
 
 Theodore Willken 
 
 Rodman L. Betts 
 
 Charles W. Kirk October 23, 
 
 Maurice Hall 
 
 Harry Blair Hansbury 
 
 David J. Allcutt 
 
 Charles M. Prince Nov. 27, 
 
 John C. Wells, A 
 
 Amos Johnson 
 
 John Wesley Heins January 22, 1902 
 
 William Stern 
 
 Walter C. Redding Feb. 26, 
 
 Warren C. Holbrook 
 
 William H. Millard 
 
 Charles N. Hortz March 26, 
 
 William Ammann, R 
 
 John H. Sinberg April 23, 
 
 Fred Sharp . . . .' May 28, 
 
 John Campbell 
 
 Thomas Bleyler, Jr 
 
 83 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 John M. Hoover May 28, 1902 
 
 Charles M. Boswell 
 
 Alfred Heebner, a 
 
 Walter Silliman June 6, 
 
 John Gunderman 25, 
 
 Arnold H. Meier 
 
 Howard Miller 
 
 John Phillip Altberger Sept. 24, 
 
 John Franklin Sharp 
 
 Charles Buob, Jr , October 22, 
 
 William F. Gushing, Jr Nov. 26, 
 
 Raphael L. Rosenberg 
 
 Robert Hetherington, a Dec. 24, 
 
 John E. Schoch January 24, 1903 
 
 Frank A. Hoppc 
 
 Edward W. Laskey 
 
 Albert Behrn 
 
 Clayton G. Fritz January 28, 
 
 Charles L. Smethurst 
 
 William R. Hortz, Jr 
 
 Philip H. Hortz 
 
 David S. Mathers 
 
 Walter L. Paull Feb. 13, 
 
 David H. Schuyler, Jr., d 
 
 Joseph McGaghey 
 
 Thos. F. MacAdams 
 
 Charles P. Stroh 
 
 Harry W. Irwin Feb. 25, 
 
 George A, Hulings 
 
 Robert Walters 
 
 84 
 
Melita Lodge, No. 2Q^, F. and A. M. 
 
 James Glover, a Feb. 25, 1903 
 
 G. Henry Bickley March 25, 
 
 Richard S. Green April 22, 
 
 Frank H. Tuft 
 
 Chas. N. Gimberling 
 
 Eugene G. Bleck. . . «. 
 
 Charles C. Hahl 
 
 Mayer I. Lefshetz May 27, 
 
 Samuel H. Beamer 
 
 David McAfee 
 
 George W. Gallager, Sr 
 
 John L. Price 
 
 Samuel G. Hewitt June 24, 
 
 Walter F. Schenck 
 
 John G. Wilson 
 
 Thomas May Peirce, Jr 
 
 David B. Schoch 
 
 Frank H. Myers 
 
 William H. Wolter 
 
 Frank H. Cope Sept. 23, 
 
 William S. Higbee 
 
 Samuel F. Irwin 
 
 Charles S. Schofield 
 
 William Brancher 
 
 Samuel Hubball October 9, 
 
 Clarence G. Summers, Jr 
 
 J. Howard Wilson 
 
 Charles H. Voigt, Jr 
 
 Geo. T. Kirkpatrick October 28, 
 
 Chester F. Appleton 
 
 85 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 Burton T. Kyle October 28, 1903 
 
 Robert Williams 
 
 Charles Clappier 
 
 George F. Logan Nov. 25, 
 
 J. Rhea Craig, Jr 
 
 George M. Banks 
 
 Hugo J. Nickel 
 
 Albert C. Dietrick 
 
 Thomas E. Sollers, A Nov. 25, 
 
 Benjamin F. Tamney Nov. 27, 
 
 Harry W. Moore, A 
 
 John G. Geyss Dec. 15, 
 
 Clarence S. Nesbitt, A Dec. 23, 
 
 John V. Spruance, a 
 
 John Atlee Jan. 13, 1904 
 
 Harry C. Largeman 
 
 John K. Freiot 
 
 Charles C. Rankin 
 
 Charles I. Clegg Jan. 27, 
 
 Samuel T. Doyle 
 
 William G. McCarter 
 
 Alexander J. Whittingham 
 
 George W. Gallager, Jr Feb. 24, 
 
 Winfield D. Pallatt 
 
 Henry J. Holl 
 
 Joseph A. Buckwalter 
 
 Thomas P. Read March 23, 
 
 Henry J. Llewellyn 
 
 James C. McLarin, a 
 
 George Hoffman May 25, 
 
 86 
 
Melita Lodge, No. 2gS, F. and A. M. 
 
 Alexander Irvine May 25, 1904 
 
 George H. Bastian 
 
 Henry S. Bastian, Jr 
 
 Louis C. Bechtle, a 
 
 Albert Forderer June 22, 
 
 W. Clinton Moore, a 
 
 Charles N. McGahey, a 
 
 Louis C. Fairchild, A 
 
 William E. Crouch Sept. 28, 
 
 Henry Goldner 
 
 William C. K. Walls 
 
 Robert Coates 
 
 Lewis K. Lockard, a 
 
 David H. Kollock, Jr October 26, 
 
 John T. Brooks, Jr 
 
 William E. Myers, Jr 
 
 Robert G. Weir 
 
 Samuel Kreps 
 
 Fred. F. Quicksall Nov. 23, 
 
 William D. Jones Dec. 9, 
 
 Charles I. Psltton 
 
 Crawford J. Kames 
 
 Lot Boardman 
 
 Daniel Nicolai 
 
 John E. Bradley Dec. 28, 
 
 David H. Simon 
 
 William H. Young 
 
 George W. Maclntyre 
 
 James S. Holmes, a 
 
 Franklin D. Wieand, A Jan. 25, 1905 
 
 87 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 Alfred Thornley Feb. lO, 1905 
 
 Arba M. Pennington 
 
 Garrett V. Clark 
 
 Charles H. Simon 
 
 Joseph A. Reteneller 
 
 William Lienberger. Feb. 22, 
 
 William S. Shallcross 
 
 G. Mayland Arthur 
 
 Herman J. Ware 
 
 Charles R. Jones 
 
 Charles F. Hahn, a March 22, 
 
 Graham W. Long, a 
 
 Reuben E. Goho 
 
 James S. McCaulley 
 
 Sidney M. Weatherly 
 
 William R. Heins 
 
 Sidney D. Conwell 
 
 D. Walter Morton March 24, 
 
 Paul Thommen 
 
 Morris M. Von Moskovitz 
 
 H. Alfred Guy April 26, 
 
 James Chestnut 
 
 Grant A. Lewis 
 
 C. Edgar Adamson June 2, 
 
 Lewis S. Hall 
 
 Richard B. Greenwood 
 
 John B. Clement Sept. 27, 
 
 George F. Schoch 
 
 Henry T. Bidwell 
 
 Grant Cadwallader, A 
 
 88 
 
Melita Lodge, No. ZQS, F. and A. M. 
 
 William Robertshaw October 25, 1905 
 
 George B. Burnwood 
 
 Thomas A. Paramore 
 
 David W. G. Campbell 
 
 George R. Hocker, Jr 
 
 Charles F. Hartwi^ October 31. 
 
 Edward Gundermann 
 
 Harvey K. Gerhart 
 
 Henry J. Nelson Dec. .8, 
 
 Ralph W. Maynard 
 
 Thomas S. Phillips 
 
 George L. Megargee 
 
 George K. Craig 
 
 Duncan H. MacKenzie Dec. 24, 
 
 Samuel G. Finley, Jr Dec. 27, 
 
 Charles W. Flood 
 
 Edwrard D. Kruse 
 
 Frank W. Webster, a 
 
 Jesse W. Achey Jan. 24, 1906 
 
 Karl H. Mayer 
 
 James Ford 
 
 James W. McCully 
 
 Uriah Phillips, A 
 
 Albert Goldner, a 
 
 Charles R. Harrison Feb. 28, 
 
 Roland Z. Garber 
 
 William Salter 
 
 Henry A. Rowan, Jr 
 
 William E. Rash 
 
 Cornelius Hudson, a 
 
 89 
 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
 
 George E. Savage March 22, 1906 
 
 Curtis G. Dalby March 28, 
 
 Ernest Wilde, f. c. D 
 
 Charles H. Kropff 
 
 Robert S. De Bow, a 
 
 Elwood B. Moyer April 25, 
 
 John W. Morris 
 
 Louis A. Negner 
 
 Charles E. Evans 
 
 Nathan C. Graham 
 
 John W. Buerdsell May 23, 
 
 George W. Stolworthy 
 
 Roy Earley 
 
 Thomas Graham, Jr June 27, 
 
 George B. Irvine 
 
 Evans S. Mucklow 
 
 Emmor W. Haines, A 
 
 William F. Meyers, a 
 
 SejTiiour T. Percival October 17, 
 
 Harvey T. Schlichter 
 
 J. Lee Irwin 
 
 Walter R. Herbert 
 
 John W. Urly 
 
 90 
 
Ikjout Committee closes tbls volume witb tbe bope tbat tbeg 
 4> bave pertormca tbelr tasf? to gour sattsfactton, anO scnD 
 greetings to tbe Committee on tbe 
 
 Centennial of tbe Xo^ge, 
 
 trusting tbis worft will be of assistance to tbem in compiling 
 tbe blstocB of tbat event, anO also expressing tbe fervent 
 bope tbat "295" will continue to grow in numbers an& 
 prosperity.