Monday evening, March 27, saw the Lodge room crowded with the biggest turnout of "Old Timers" in years. Beginning at 6:30 with a delicious chicken and rice supper served by the stewards, Bro. Frank Laxer and Bro. Benjamin Rosenbaum and then continuing with a meeting at which the old timers were distinguished from the young fellows by a white carnation in their lapels.
The following "old timers" were present: (The date after their names is the year in which they were raised).
Wor. Bro. Hugh R. Richmond-1898 Wor. Bro. William Pelton - 1910 Bro. John Mapes - 1917 Bro. Robert York - 1917 Bro. Edgar Layton - 1917 Wor. Bro. Sam B. Levy - 1918 Wor. Bro. Dehnont R. Race - 1918 Wor. Bro. Isaac Silberman - 1918 Bro. David Frnser - 1919 Bro. Wendell Ormiston - 1919 Bro. Ray Elmore - 1919 Bro. James Bishop - 1920 Bro. David Mearns - 1920 Bro. Ralph Coddington - 1920 Bro. Wm. Eberhard - 1922 Bro. Al Barber - 1922 Bro. Ralph Masten - 1922 Bro. Ralph Stratton - 1922 Wor. Bro. Louis Halprin - 1924 Bro. Arthur Knapp - 1924 Bro. Lester Bishop - 1925 Wor. Bro. Charles Horton. - 1925 Bro. Ralph Spaulding - 1925 Wor. Bro. Earl Stratton - 1926 Wor. Bro. Albert Stanton - 1926 Wor. Bro. Fred Durland - 1927 Bro. Arba Phillips - 1928 After the Master had formallv introduced the Old Timers, Rt. Wor. Alvin O. Benton gave a resume of some of their rnasomc history and concluded with everyone singing "Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot."
Bro. Benton's talk was so appropopriate that it is being printed here for al1 the Brethren to read:
"I would like to think of old timers night not onJy as a night to pay special tribute to our senior brethren who have labored in the quarries of Masonry for many years but as an occasion to remin. isce, review old times and to take stock of ourselves as - present day Masons.
"When we speak of old times I would like to go back beyond today's living Masons and call attention to the accomplishments of old time Masons who have passed to the great beyond but who always will be remembered as faithful workmen who helped greatly to maintain the fine reputation our great organization has today. And as we pay tribute to old timers we should not forget that it was the Masons of old as well as today's living who deserve much credit for work well done as good and faithful servants of God.
"We will celebrate the l00th anniversary of this Lodge's founding in December 1962, and it is my sincere hope that we do nor pass up this occasion too lightly for as we dig into the history of Masonry in thjs area and learn more about the beneficent effects of Masonry we will enrich our mlinds with a deeper understanding of things so essential to our daily lives and which an industrious craft provides.
"Today we have the comfortable automobile and excellent highways in place of the slow horse drawn buggy and tortuously rough and rutty country roads known only to early or old time Masons. It would seem, therefore that with better means of transportation and better high,vays that we should have better lodge attendance, but as times change, so do habits and customs.
"We become Masons today by the same process which was known to the old timers but we somehow fail to practice Masonry as vigorously as did the Masons of old. In the early days it was operative Masonry which occupied the brethren and later it was speculative Masonry and as for the future I am sure that most of us have wondered what the world of Masonry will be. Will it be a world of joiners, of opportunists or could it be a world of believers and doers. I am sure that there would be no need to ask the old timers, many of whom are here tonight about their role in Masonry. History of our Lodge indicates clearly their zeal for the institution. History indicates that they were doers and believers. Bad weather, dangerous roads, snow drifts, indigestion, headaches or burden of business failed to stop these men frqm attending communications. The fellowship of Maonry was stronger than the urge to stay home or go elsewhere when there was a Lodge meeting. Today I am afraid we have slipped into the easier way of life and have found television and other diversions to be substitutes.
"It is my hope that this evening set aside for the old timers will bring to light a great deal of the good part of Masonry and will inspire the younger generation of this Lodge to a more active life as true and dedicated craftsmen.
"It is easy to forget our senior members and few seem to remember how important the old timers were and still are to our Lodge's welfare.
"I feel that it would be in order this evening to tell you some facts about our old timers who have carried on the work most industriously since Masonry was established in this county nearly 150 years ago.
"Samuel and John P. Jones, the founders of Monticello, and 43 other pioneers founded Sullivan Lodge No. 272 in 1811 and spread its beneficent influence throughout Sullivan County until the Morgan episode showed its damaging effects upon Masonry throughout most of the state. Some of these early Masons had known Masonry before as members of the military lodges throughout the colonies and which had welcomed Washington as one of the distinguished members. There also was Bloomingburg Lodge No. 310, warranted on June 10, 1818. Seventeen prominent Sullivan County men, including some who had been members of Sullivan Lodge No. 272 were among the 17 original members of Bloomingburg Lodge No. 310.
"Then came Monticello Lodge No. 460 which was formed on September 25, 1858. Difficult times and a war-torn country gave little hope for this Lodge and activity ceased. However, Masonry still survived in the hearts of men and on December 27, 1862 dispensation was granted for the formation of Monticello Lodge No. 532.
"This Temple represents the work of many hands and the instution of Masonry represents the labors of craftsmen from time immemorial.
"We are proud of our beautiful temple and even more proud of the organization of which we are a part. One represents the beauty which our workmen have wrought from the material and the other stands out as a great beacon lighting our paths for a better way of life.
"The efforts of many from the Master of the Lodge to the sideliner have been spent in the rearing of this institution. I would be remiss in my aim to give due credit to the members of old if I were to mention some and not the others. However, there are those who have been given honor by our Lodge and whose pictures grace our dining room aand lobby. Some have been doubly honored with the purple of the craft and speaking for them I can only say that you can never do for Masonry what Masonry can do for you."
A pleasing feature of the evening was the presentation of the colors by the color guard of the Masonic War Veterans, Bethel Post No. 29 of Middletown. Their colorful uniforms and beautiful presentation were a colorful climax to a grand evening.
[LODGE HISTORY]
