Turning back the dust lated pages of time to the days when Sullivan County was a wilderness and when the first settlers carved their way through the deep forests of this section we find a story of Masonry filled with human interest, sacrifice and devotion which after nearly three years of research Monticello Lodge will have printed in book form for distribution among the brethren.
No sooner did the early pioneers see the light through the thick virgin forests than the light of Masonry began to shine upon him.
Masonry seemed to be a part of the settlers' plan and fn 1811 Sullivan Lodge was formed in the; sparsely scattered log cabin village of Monticello for the perpetuation of the pure principles of our fraternity.
The lodge grew in membership, men who sought Masonry grew in knowledge and through its influence were able to accomplish work which has found a place in the history of the community they founded.
Old Sullivan Lodge prospered through its first ten or more years, then came the Morgan troubles and anti-Masonic groups like a thief in the night, robbing Sullivan Lodge and Masonry in general of members and assisting fancied and zealous groups in their work of destruction.
The story of these trying days experienced by the Craft, the struggle of Sullivan County Masons through years of vicious attack and depression is found in this recently published book.
Other chapters cover Masonic events from the days of Sullivan Lodge, the formation of and members of old Bloomingburgh Lodge No. 310; the story of the formation of Lodge No. 460 in Monticello and events leading up to the forfeiture of its charter just before Monticello Lodge No. 532 was formed.
More complete than any will be the history of Monticello Lodge No. 532. Included in this history will be human interest stories of Masters. A resume of each of the 46 Masters to serve since the Lodge was formed in 1862 and interesting facts covering fires which have devastated Monticello; the building of three temples in Monticello and other facts which few of the present day members have known about the Lodge.
The book will contain a chronological list, including the name of everyone who ever has been a member of Monticello Lodge; pictures of every Master and others who have contributed their time and service to the Lodge.
Others features will include histories of all other Lodges in Sullivan County; a list of all Lodges in the district with names, Lodge numbers and dates of instituted.
[A.O. BENTON, 1942]
