HISTORY OF JERUSALEM LODGE
1849-1949

CHAPTER V

Progress 1899 - 1924

 In the beginning of the third period of the History of Jerusalem Lodge we find the Lodge activities being sustained. The town was growing, industries were being established and the future of the Lodge seemed assured.
 In Sept. 1900, the Lodge summonses in card form were adopted. Again we find a presentation to the Lodge when Bro. Lestock Reid presented the Tyler's sword in May, 1901.

Rt. Wor. Bro. D. B. Simpson Elected D.D.G.M.

 The following year Jerusalem Lodge was again honoured by having one of its members Rt. Wor. Bro. D. B. Simpson elected to the office of D.D.G.M.
 We notice in November, 1902, that at the regular meeting the Lodge was called off for the purpose of attending the fire at the Primitive Church.
 Once more Jerusalem Lodge was making preparations to move, for in May, 1904, a committee was set up to procure leases and have the rooms altered, etc., on the two top floors in the building on the south side of King Street owned by Mrs. Francis Bleakley. (The present site, 19 King St. E.) The committee included Wor. Bro. E. R. Bounsall, Wor. Bro. T. H. Spry, Rt. Wor. Bro. D. B. Simpson, Bro. F. F. Morris, Bro. J. J. Mason, and Wor. Bro. J. S. Moorcraft, W.M.
 By November the contributions towards the building fund amounted to $321.00.

Lodge Moved to Present Location

 We find that the Lodge moved to the new quarters Jan. 7, 1905, and the first meeting was held there January 19. As a token of appreciation for his services in helping prepare the new lodge room Bro. A. Norton was presented with a locket.
 In June, 1907, Bro. F. F. McArthur-one of the Charter members-who then was residing in Toronto, visited Jerusalem Lodge, this being the occasion of his 50th anniversary as a Mason.

Rt. Wor. Bro. E. R. Bounsall Elected D.D.G.M.

 In November of the same year Jerusalem Lodge was again honoured by the election of Rt. Wor. Bro. E. R. Bounsall to the office of D.D.G.M. and at the end of this term of office he was presented by the Lodge with a testimonial in appreciation of his services and high regard.
 For his gracious act in presenting Jerusalem Lodge with the illuminated windows, Rt. Wor. Bro. D. B. Simpson was heartily thanked in open lodge at the meeting in March, 1910.

Death of H. M. King Edward VII

 On May 16th, 1910, the British Empire, Freemasonry, and the World were saddened by the passing of Most Worshipful Brother His Majesty King Edward VII.
 A very fitting memorial having been received from Grand Lodge, it was read in open lodge and recorded in the minutes of the June 22, 1910, meeting. The Altar and Charter were draped for three months as an expression of the very great respect and love entertained for the memory of our distinguished Brother.

Dedication of New Lodge Room

 Later in the year a committee was set up to make the necessary arrangements in regard to the dedication of the new lodge room. In February, 1911, with many prominent Grand Lodge Officers in attendance, the new lodge room was dedicated in an impressive ceremony.
 Towards the end of the year a ventilating system was installed.
 One of the highlights of 1912 was the programme by St. Andrew's Glee Club, Toronto, put on in aid of the Hospital and from the reports it was well and favourably received.

Rt. Wor. Bro. Bonnycastle Elected D.D.G.M.

 In July, 1914, Jerusalem Lodge and Rt. Wor. Bro. G. C. Bonnycastle were honoured in his election to the office of D.D.G.M.
 The fire in 1915 caused a considerable amount of damage necessitating the renovation of the lodge room.
 During this period Jerusalem Lodge was active in fraternal visitations. The minutes record visits to and from Cedar, Lebanon, Durham, Composite and St. Andrew's, Toronto, to name a few. In the visit to St. Andrew's a special train was used.

Jerusalem Lodge Proud o f Record o f Wor. Bro. L. T. McLaughlin

 By this time the world was in the throes of World War I and many Canadians -members of the Masonic Order-freely responded to the call to King and Country. Among those who won for themselves distinction in the field was one from Jerusalem Lodge, Bro. L. T. McLaughlin (later W.M.) who rose to the rank of Colonel and for his merit won the distinctions of C.M.G., D.S.O. and 2 Bars, 4 M.I.D. and V.D. For these achievements Jerusalem Lodge is justly proud of Wor. Bro. McLaughlin. In December, 1916, Bro. J. H. Elliott, Captain and Chaplain of the 136th Battalion, presented Jerusalem Lodge with a photo of Bro. Major A. E. McLaughlin, a member of our Lodge, who died of wounds in France Sept. 11, 1916.
 We note in the minutes that Bro. F. C. Hoar was installed Worshipful Master, Dec. 27, 1918.
 Again the question of photos of Past Masters arose and we note where all Past Masters whose photos were not in the lodge room, met at Freeland's, Toronto, so that the complete set of photos of all the Past Masters might be in the lodge room.

Rt. Wor. Bro. F. C. Hoar Elected D.D.G.M.

 At the Grand Lodge meeting July, 1920, Rt. Wor. Bro. F. C. Hoar brought honour to himself and Jerusalem Lodge in his election to D.D.G.M.
 The plans for the 75th Anniversary of the Lodge were similar to the previous one and a picnic was held at Hampton Park the following June (192 S) in celebration of this milestone.

Third 25 Year Period Closes

 During this 25 year period many changes had taken place-probably the greatest changes the world had seen in this space of time. With the advent of the automobile, radio and aeroplane, people were living in a much different manner. Masonry, however, remained the same in a changing world-a steadying influence on men.
 Jerusalem Lodge had changed too for it had moved to a new location. This was truly an era of great growth for the Lodge accepted 252 new members in this period.
 Much could be written here regarding the donations to charitable institutions and about fraternal visits. However we will abbreviate this by saying that from the records Jerusalem Lodge was putting into application the teachings of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.

Copyright 2007 Jerusalem Lodge No. 31 GRC Ontario District

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