HISTORY OF JERUSALEM LODGE
1849-1949

CHAPTER VI

Progress 1925 - 1949

 The last period of this history probably has more appeal to many since most of our members will recall the interesting items contained therein.
 Early in 1925 the ante-room was furnished and re-decorated. Later in the year a donation of $100.00 was made towards the War Memorial then being erected.
 At the April meeting, 192 S, V. Wor Bro. T. H. Spry was presented with an appropriate gift as a token of esteem and of his value to Jerusalem Lodge.

Two Prominent Members Pass Away

The following year two prominent and much respected members were called to the Grand Lodge Above for on Jan. 9, 1926, the Masonic Funeral Service was held for Rt. Wor. Bro. D. B. Simpson and on Jan. 22, 1926, the Masonic Funeral Service was held for V. Wor. Bro. J. S. Moorcraft. Their passing was a distinct loss to Jerusalem Lodge and to the town, for both men were of outstanding ability and a loss so great could not but be keenly felt.

Fraternal Visits and Travelling Square

 During this year many fraternal visits were recorded prominent in which was the visit from Stanley Lodge, Toronto, and the visit from St. John's Lodge, Cobourg, at which time the Travelling Square was presented. On another occasion the Lodge was honoured by a visit from Wor. Bro. James L. Hughes who delivered a most interesting address.

Wor. Bro. A. W. Mingeaud Presented With Life Membership

 Later in the year Wor. Bro. A. W. Mingeaud was presented with an honourary life membership in recognition of his outstanding assistance and value to the Lodge.
 In December, 1926, we note that the rent was increased to $180.00 per year.
 The year 1927 was also a very active and interesting year with several items worthy of noting. This being the 60th anniversary of Confederation, Jerusalem Lodge co-operated with the Civic Committee to help make the local observance a success.
 The Masonic Ward at the Hospital was decorated at a cost of $200.00 and late in the year the Lodge contributed $100.00 towards the Bowmanville Hospital Nurses' Residence.
 In April, 1927, Bro. C. E. Shortridge made a presentation to the Lodge of a set of Masonic books for the library for which he was accorded the thanks of the Lodge.

Bro. John Keachie Presented With Life Membership

 The following month Bro. John D. Keachie was presented with an honourary life membership with full privileges, in token of his service to Jerusalem Lodge and to the Craft generally.

Visit From Grand Master

 Also in May, Jerusalem Lodge was honoured by a visit from Imperial Lodge, No. 543, Toronto, on which occasion they were accompanied by M.W. Bro. W. D. McPherson, Grand Master.

Rt. Wor Bro. W. J. Bragg Elected D.D.G.M.

 At the December meeting Wor. Bro. E. H. Brown was installed as W.M. During 1928 among other fraternal visits are those from Ashlar, Kilwinning and Cathedral Lodges, Toronto, and Composite Lodge, Whitby. Again in 1928
 Jerusalem Lodge was honoured by having one of its distinguished members, Rt. W. Bro. W. J. Bragg, elected to the office of D.D.G.M.
 These were busy years for Jerusalem Lodge for this was a period of good times and the tempo of fraternal activities appears to have kept abreast of the times. This was a period when many new members were received.

Lodge Rent Increased

 In 1929 the rental for lodge rooms was increased to $40.00 per month. Later in the year in April is recorded the official visit of Rt. Wor. Bro. W. J.
 Bragg, D.D.G.M., to Jerusalem Lodge.
 During 1931 are recorded many items worthy of noting. In March a visit from Cathedral Lodge and in the same month at an emergent meeting, a military night was held when Jerusalem Lodge was honoured by a fraternal visit from many of the prominent Officers of Durham Regiment. Rt. Wor. Bro. Bonnycastle presided in the East with the other members of the Regiment occupying the chairs and assisting with the degree work.
 The following month records the passing of Wor. Bro. John Percy, a member of Jerusalem Lodge for fifty-two years.
 At the May meeting a moment of silence was observed in memory of M.W. Bro. The Hon. John S. Martin, Past Grand Master.

Silver Plated Columns Presented to Lodge

In June Bro. J. H. Percy presented Jerusalem Lodge with the silver plated Columns for the pedestals of the Sr. and Jr. Wardens, in memory of his father, Wor. Bro. John Percy.
 At the Grand Lodge meeting V. Wor. Bro. Rev. C. R. Spencer and the Lodge were honoured in his election to the position of Grand Chaplain.

Silver Plated Working Tools Presented by Palestine Chapter

 On St. John's Night in December, Rt. Wor. Bro. F. C. Hoar on behalf of Palestine Chapter, presented Jerusalem Lodge with a set of silver plated Working Tools.
 During this period, conditions were at a much lower level and we note the many acts of fraternal benevolence being carried out by the Lodge.

Passing of Valued Members

 Again our hearts are saddened as we record the passing of highly respected and valued members of the Lodge.
 In July, 1932, V. Wor. Bro. T. H. Spry, a member of Jerusalem Lodge for fifty-three years.
 In October, 1932, Bro. C. M. Cawker, a member of Jerusalem Lodge for thirty-three years.
 In June, 1933, V. Wor. Bro. T. H. Annison, a valued member and Secretary for several years.

Wor. Bro. John Lyle Retires From Treasurer's Office

 At the December, 1933, meeting Wor. Bro. John Lyle retired as Treasurer after having filled that office faithfully for fifty years. At the same meeting Wor. Bro. E. H. Brown was elected Secretary and Wor. Bro. J. R. Stutt was elected Treasurer.
 At the Annual Past Masters' Night in October, 1934, Jerusalem Lodge honoured Wor. Bro. John Lyle, a member for sixty-three years, and Bro. J. Roenigk, a member for fifty years, in a very appropriate manner.
 The following year V. Wor. Bro. Mingeaud was given a presentation in Lodge on his leaving Bowmanville to reside in Windsor.

Fifty Year Jubillee Medal to Wor. Bro. John Lyle

 At the December meeting, 1935, Rt. Wor. Bro. Bonnycastle presented Wor. Bro. Lyle, on behalf of the Lodge, with his fifty-year Jubilee Medal, pointing out that he had been sixty-four years a Mason and member of Jerusalem Lodge, fifty-three years a Past Master and fifty years as Treasurer.

Passing of H. M. King George V

 In February, 1936, the Lodge observed the passing of H. M. King George V and appropriately the altar was draped for a three-month period in memory of his passing.
 In the following year, on the occasion of a fraternal visit by Fidelity Lodge, the Travelling Square was presented to the Lodge.

Visit From Grand Master

 In October, 1938, Jerusalem Lodge was honoured in having the Grand Master M. Wor. Bro. W. J. Dunlop visit this Lodge and attend Divine Service at St. John's Church, where he delivered the sermon.
 About this time consideration was being given to a Masonic Temple. Investigations were directed towards the purchasing and renovation of the Congregational Church but it later was decided inadvisable at that time to continue the project.
 Once more in a seemingly short period the Clouds of War roll up and the world is again drawn into a violent onslaught.

Past Masters' Jewels to Rt. Wor. Bros. Hoar and Bonnycastle

 In December, 1939, Wor. Bro. J. R. Stutt, on behalf of Jerusalem Lodge, presented Rt. Wor. Bros. F. C. Hoar and G. C. Bonnycastle with Past Masters' jewels, suitably inscribed in token of their high regard by and esteemed value to the Lodge.
 At the Annual Past Masters' Night in October, 1940, Wor. Bro. John Lyle was again honoured in an appropriate presentation of a box of cigars. Wor. Bro. Lyle was then ninety-two years of age, sixty-nine years a member of Jerusalem Lodge and fifty-five years a Past Master.

Visit and Degree by Officers o f Midland Regiment

 On December 12, 1940, is recorded a visit from the Officers of the Midland Regiment who initiated Bro. John M. James, also an officer of this regiment. Wor. Bro. (Lt.-Col.) A. H. Bounsall assumed the Master's chair for this degree.

Grand Lodge British War Relief Fund

 This was a period of great anxiety. We were in the throes of the Second World War and the destruction and loss of life in Great Britain through aerial warfare brought to her the sympathies of the Empire and the Allied Nations. The Masons of Canada rallied to the assistance of their brethren and the Grand Lodge of Canada instituted "The Grand Lodge British War Relief Fund". The complete story of this has been recorded by Grand Lodge and we will only comment here by saying that Jerusalem Lodge fulfilled well its share of this very worthwhile cause.
 Activities at home were curtailed through the rationing of gasoline, rubber, many foods, etc., and as a result of this, visitations to other than neighbouring lodges were not made.
 During 1942 visits with Orono Lodge and Durham Lodge are recorded.

Reception of Returned Veterans

 In the April, 1946, meeting a reception was held in honour of the returned veterans who had served in His Majesty's Forces.
 A moment of silence was observed in memory of Bro. H. F. Longworth, the only member of this Lodge who made the supreme sacrifice on active service.
 The members of Jerusalem Lodge who were veterans of World War II, are as follows: Rt. Wor. Bro. C. R. Spencer, V. Wor. Bro. E. S. Ferguson, Wor. Bro. A. H. Bounsall, Wor. Bro. J. S. Emmerson, Bros. R. M. Ainslie, P. D. Armstrong, H. A. Barron, J. W. Braden, S. N. Casbourn, W. R. Caverly, J. N. Hardyman, J. M. James, H. Kingscott, A. B. Lobb, G. L. Martyn, A. R. Virgin, and J. B. Wilcox.
 Jerusalem Lodge is justly proud of our veteran members.
 On the occasion of his 50th Wedding Anniversary in June, a number of brethren visited Wor. Bro. Gus. Bounsall and a suitable presentation was made to Wor. Bro. and Mrs. Bounsall.
 At this time we might add that the Committee on the Visitation of the Sick which had been re-organized a few years before, was carrying on a very worthwhile work and one greatly appreciated.

Wor. Bro. John Lyle Passes Away

 Early in 1947, on January 2, Wor. Bro. Lyle passed to the Grand Lodge Above. His was an enviable record in Masonry--one of which we of Jerusalem Lodge are justly proud. He was ninety-nine years of age, seventy-six years a member of this Lodge, sixty-two years a Past Master, and Treasurer for fifty years. We are proud of this record and respectfully mourn his passing.
 During 1947 is recorded the passing of several active members, Bros. T. A. Garton, Frank Rogers, J. J. Mason and Wor. Bro. A. L. Nicholls.
 At the October meeting is recorded a visit from Durham Lodge accompanied by Rt. Wor. Bro. D. E. Gibson who was honoured in July by his election to D.D.G.M.

Building Fund Established

 In April, 1948, a Building Fund was established, trustees were appointed and we note also that the dues were increased to $8.00 per year. With the prices of most commodities being at or near record highs, the Lodge found that additional funds were necessary to meet the increased prices.
 Later in the same month Jerusalem Lodge was honoured when a District Divine Service was held in St. John's Church. Many prominent Grand Lodge members were present including Rt. Wor. Bro. Gibson who took a very active part in organizing the Service. This event was further graced by the presence of Rt. Wor. Bro. W. L. Wright, Grand Chaplain and Bishop of Algoma, who delivered the sermon and later gave a short talk in the lodge room.
 Again is recorded the passing of members of our Lodge. In August Bros. Gus Annis and W. H. Flaherty were called to the Grand Lodge Above.

Passing of Rt. Wor. Bro. F. C. Hoar

 The following month Jerusalem Lodge lost one of its most prominent and active Masons in the passing of Rt. Wor. Bro. F. C. Hoar who, many will recall, for several years conducted the installation ceremony. He was truly one of the pillars of this Lodge and his passing was a distinct loss to Masonry in Bowmanville in particular and to the District generally.
 During these years are recorded several visits to and from neighbouring lodges indicating that Jerusalem Lodge was keeping up the friendships and fraternal ties of former years.
 Later in the year is recorded the passing of Wor. Bro. Gus Bounsall and Bro. W. G. Allison.

V. Wor. Bro. Ferguson Presented With Life Membership

 At the December meeting V. Wor. Bro. E. S. Ferguson was honoured by Jerusalem Lodge when Rt. Wor. Bro. E. H. Brown, on behalf of the Lodge, presented him with an honorary life membership in appreciation of his service to the Lodge.
 As mentioned above this was an era of prosperity; wages were high; prices were high and the tempo of living was at a higher pitch than for many years. Many new members petitioned the Lodge and were received.

Wor. Bro. White Elected Wor Master for 1949

 Wor. Bro. L. C. White was elected to the office of W.M. for 1949, the year of the 100th Anniversary.
 At the March meeting Rt. Wor. Bro. C. B. Tyrrell, D.D.G.M., on his official visit, delivered a very fine address at the banquet table.

V. Wor. Bro. A. W. G. Northcutt Honoured by Grand Lodge

 For his distinguished service to Jerusalem Lodge and the Craft generally, V. Wor. Bro. A. W. G. Northcutt was honoured in his appointment as a member of Grand Lodge at the July, 1949, Grand Lodge meeting.
 Earlier in the year, fifty-year jewels were presented to Wor. Bro. C. B. Kent and Bro. T. E. B. Henry.
 The new members received during this period numbered 227. The total membership thus far 502.

First Century Ends

 In order to have this booklet printed it has been necessary to end this historic outline at the 31st of July, 1949.
 There will doubtless be items of historic interest which we would all liked to have seen included and I know you will understand why this move was necessary.
 As previously mentioned this last period has been more interesting to most of us as it covers a time which we remember.
 As we draw the curtain on the first one hundred years of Masonry in Jerusalem Lodge, let us look ahead into the future and steadfastly resolve to hold fast to the Masonic principles which have been so well followed during the past century in this Lodge.

Copyright 2007 Jerusalem Lodge No. 31 GRC Ontario District

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