HISTORY OF JERUSALEM LODGE
1849-1949

CHAPTER III

PROGRESS 1849 - 1874

Lodge: Room Changed to New Site

 Like many families who sooner or later change their place of abode, we find by the records that Jerusalem Lodge which had hitherto met in Hinde's Hotel, now moved on the 19th January, 1853, to Brodie's Hotel (later called the Eastern House and situated on the site where the Trimble Store, 18 S King St. E., is now located) and met on that date in their new quarters for the first time.

New Furniture Obtained

 A resolution was passed on that evening to procure the necessary furniture. The following items and donors were listed: Dr. Geo. H. Low offered to procure a chair, Bro. Dickson the platform, Bro. Stott to have the candlesticks gilded, Bro. T. Brodie would provide batons and erect the platform for the Sr. and Jr. Wardens, Bro. Young would provide pillows and purchase a carpet and give it to the Lodge at first cost. The following subscribed towards the payment of the carpet: Bro. R. S. Manning 0 .00, Bro. Ashton $5.00, Bro. Secore $5.00, Bro. Lovekin $5.00, Bro. J. Milne $5.00, Bro. Floody $2.00.
 Bro. Young was also requested to provide two hanging lamps but was instructed not to be too expensive.

First Fraternal Assistance

 The earliest record of Fraternal Assistance is indicated on April 20, 1853, when a committee was appointed by the Lodge "to inquire into the character and assist poor and unfortunate brethren traveling or in want."
 On June 15th, 1853, we note where the Lodge suspended a brother for six months for drunkenness but that at the following meeting the suspension was repealed and the brother severely admonished and afterwards re-instated.
 On 30th June, 18 S 3, Jerusalem Lodge assisted in the laying of the corner stone of Whitby Court House. They were accompanied on this occasion by the town band.
 At about this time it would appear that the attendance of officers dropped off, for on Sept. 19th, 1856, the Lodge passed a resolution "That any officer of the Lodge neglecting to attend our regular or special communications at the hour specified in the By-laws without good and sufficient cause shall be fined 2/6 for the first offence, S%- for the second offence and 10/- for the third and each successive offence." No doubt part of this lack of attendance was the aftermath of the reaction in U.S.A. and also to a lesser degree in Canada, to what is known as "The Morgan Incident".

Lodge Room Again Changed to New Location

 Again the urge to move shows up for on January 27th, 1858, the following resolution was passed "That it is more in accordance with the principles and practices of Masonic Lodges that they should hold their meetings in private rooms removed from all connection with the unenlightened and that this Lodge be removed to rooms prepared exclusively for its use in a more central part of town."
 Following this the members were refused admission to their Lodge Room in Brodie's Hotel, Feb. 24th, 18 S 8, and so they met emergent on March 3 rd, 18 S 8, in rooms belonging to Bro. F. F. McArthur to take such steps as the case demanded.
 Rooms were rented from Bro. The Hon. John Simpson (over what is now The Statesman Office, 66 King St. W.). More trouble arose when Bro. Brodie refused to allow the Lodge furnishings to be removed, unless he be paid the full year's rent of $30.00. However, the furniture was obtained and the first meeting in the new rooms was held June 24th, 18 S 8. Bro. Brodie was later excluded from the Lodge when he failed to appear in Lodge to answer a charge laid against him. He was later re-instated.
 Worthy comment is here paid to Bro. The Hon. John Simpson for his financial assistance to the Lodge and reduction of the rental charge from $50.00 per year to $30.00.

St. John's Night Changed From June to December

 On Dec. 27, 1862, the election of officers took place by virtue of an order by the Grand Master "That officers be appointed on St. John the Evangelist Eve (Dec. 27th) instead of that of St. John the Baptist (June 24th). This is evidently the reason for, and date of, the change in installation dates.
 The records further show that the tracing boards were obtained in 1864.

First D.D.G.M. Rt. Wor. Bro. Milne

 In 186f Rt. Wor. Bro. John Milne was honoured in his election to the office of D.D.G.M. He was the first member of Jerusalem Lodge to hold this office.
 With the growth of the Lodge, the necessity of larger and more suitable rooms arose, and we find recorded in the minutes of May 19, 1869, that a committee was appointed with full power to make all of the necessary arrangements regarding new rooms.

Lodge Room Moved to New Location

 At this time Mr. McClung and V.Wor. Bro. McArthur were erecting new buildings on the south side of King St. W. on the site where the Hydro Building now stands (19 King St. W.) and the Lodge through the committee availed themselves of the opportunity of obtaining this location. The records indicate that the Lodge moved to this new location towards the end of the year 1869.
 Included in the cost of the equipment were two chandeliers at $21.00, furniture at $167.00 and a new carpet $112.00.

Happy Relationships With Durham Lodge

 Another item of particular interest during this period was the close fraternal tie between Durham Lodge, Newcastle, and Jerusalem Lodge, for, it is recorded in the minutes, of the many St. John's Nights jointly celebrated and the happy relationship between the two neighboring lodges-a condition we are proud to say is still continuing.
 Thus ended the first quarter century of Masonic activities in Bowmanville and it appears that Jerusalem Lodge was finding its place as one of the prominent organizations in the community. The number of new members during this period was seventy-six.

Copyright 2007 Jerusalem Lodge No. 31 GRC Ontario District

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