| MASONRY IN NORTH DAKOTA | ||||
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Chapter 3 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
NORTHERN LIGHT LODGE U. D. PEMBINA—1863-1864 ________ |
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IT WAS IN the fall of 1863 following, the events narrated in the preceding chapter, that active Freemasonry came to the northern part of Dakota Territory and it was as a direct result of the founding of Northern Light Lodge, at Pembina, that Masonry spread from Minnesota to Dakota, thence across the international boundary to Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. As Shakespeare so fittingly said: "How far that little candle throws his beams;" so the light of Masonry has spread throughout the world and its influence has been diffused far and wide. Again, it was General Henry H. Sibley's expedition against the Indians in Minnesota and Dakota, and the dedicated Masons in his battalions, who supplied the impetus for this movement as we shall see. In July, 1863, the Secretary of War authorized Major E. A. C. Hatch of St. Paul to recruit a battalion of cavalry, which he proceeded to do without delay. He was selected on account of his peculiar fitness for the position due to his many years in the "far west" and his intimate acquaintance with Indian characteristics, their customs and usages. Accordingly, four companies of cavalry and a battery of light artillery, together with a band of friendly Indian scouts, were organized. As a result of General Sibley's expeditions of 1862 and 1863, the different bands of Sioux Indians had been demoralized and scattered into remnants and several hundred, under Chiefs Little Six, Little Leaf and Medicine Bottle, had sought refuge from danger and distress near the international boundary in the vicinity of St. Joe, then in Dakota Territory, twenty-five to thirty miles west and southwest of Pembina. The United States Government deemed it important, for the protection of the people who were living on the frontier in Minnesota and Dakota Territory, to restore confidence to those who had fled from their homes during the Indian outbreak, and, to insure their early return, to capture or in some way to secure these Indians who were fugitives from justice. On October 5, 1863, the battalion under Major Hatch, left Ft. Snelling on its long trek to Pembina. Major Charles W. Nash, of whom we shall hear much more later, was quartermaster and commissary of subsistence of the command and to him fell the responsibility of supplying food for man and beast on the long journey. A long supply train with food and supplies for the men joined them at St. Cloud. They were to pick up grain and hay for the animals at Georgetown, which failed to materialize, except for a small amount of hay, and many horses, oxen and cattle suffered and died along the way. Snow fell to a depth of over a foot and the weather was intensely cold, so it was a discouraged and disheartened band of men who arrived at Pembina on November 13, 1863. Immediate steps were taken for the comfort of the troops and citizen employees, as well as the horses and cattle, by the erection of log quarters for officers and men—headquarters, hospital, commissary and quartermaster's warehouse, guardhouse, barns, stockade, and other buildings as required. The severity of the weather increased and on January 1, 1864, the thermometer dropped to sixty degrees below zero. However, indomitable perseverance pushed forward to completion the several buildings, and the majority of the troops were in comfortable quarters by the first of the year or soon after. While fresh vegetables were almost impossible to find, trapping and hunting provided meat and Major Nash was able to purchase sufficient potatoes and onions for variety. A. G. B. Bannatyne of Fort Garry—now Winnipeg—furnished a small supply of ground feed for the working horses and hay for the other animals, so all were cared for on a subsistence basis at least. Major Nash had been temporarily stationed at Fort Abercrombie, in the southeastern part of what is now North Dakota, and joined the battalion at Georgetown before its northward march. With him were a number of Masons who had suggested that a lodge be organized and had placed the matter in his hands. Brother Nash visited St. Paul in the early fall of 1863 and presented a petition for a dispensation to M.-. W.'. Brother A. T. C. Pierson, Grand Master. In the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota for 1863 we find the following, in the Grand Master's address, on October 27, 1863: "About the middle of last month I received an application signed by Brothers C. W. Nash, J. L. Armington, A. T. Chamblin, Charles H. Mix and eight others who were en route for Pembina, Dakota Territory, for a dispensation authorizing them to open and work a lodge. Pembina is the most northern point in the territory of the United States—a great central point where concentrates a large amount of immigration and of travel between the two oceans. The want of a lodge at that place has long been felt and often expressed; and as the brethren named were active, well informed and discreet Masons—the first two former Masters and the latter Wardens of lodges within this jurisdiction—and as they expected to remain in that hyperborean region for at least two years, I granted a dispensation to establish a lodge at Pembina." The officers appointed by Grand Master Pierson were:
The dispensation was issued September 13, 1863, and was received by W.'. Brother Nash at Fort Abercrombie, while the troops were preparing to march to Pembina. He did not read it carefully at the time, but observed its nature and put it away until it would be required. As stated before, the troops did not reach Pembina until November 13, 1863, and it was early in January, 1864, before the officers and men could occupy their new quarters on the north bank of the Pembina River, near its confluence with the Red River of the North. Brother Nash had two rooms, office and private quarters, with a door between. These were appropriated and used as a lodge room. Many of the officers' quarters adjoined, seven or eight in number, with connecting doors, and were placed at the disposal of the brethren when required. Due to the burning of all records of the lodge at a later date, in a fire which destroyed the Grand Lodge headquarters in St. Paul, the exact date of the first communication of the lodge is unknown, but it has been estimated that it must have been on or about January 15, 1864. The brethren at Fort Garry had previously been informed that a dispensation had been issued and Brother Sir John Schultz, M.D., ex-governor of Manitoba, was present at the first meeting. As noted above, he was appointed junior deacon. About this time it was discovered that the lodge had no name and that the Grand Master had omitted to give it one. How it was settled is told by Worshipful Brother Nash: "I wrote to the Grand Master calling his attention to the omission and took occasion to suggest what I thought would be a proper and very appropriate name, and in case it met with his approval, to so advise me and direct that I insert it in the dispensation. The name that was suggested met with his cordial approval and the lodge was thus named. It came about in this way. It was at night that I was writing the Grand Master and on going out of my quarters I observed the grandest display above me that it was ever my pleasure to behold. I never witnessed such grandeur of this character before and I never expect to again. It was an exhibition of the Northern Lights; the celestial globe was grand and beautiful in the extreme and for a long time my eyes feasted upon the sight with delight. It was also witnessed by many in our cantonment. On returning to my quarters to complete my letter to the Grand Master, I narrated the circumstances, hence, the name 'Northern Light Lodge' was given." A busy winter followed and twelve Master Masons were raised. Most of their names and occupations follow:
Three others whose names cannot be obtained were initiated, passed and raised at Pembina, there having been thirty-six degrees conferred in Northern Light Lodge, U.'. D.'., during that winter. It will thus be seen that this pioneer lodge was an industrious and working lodge from the start. The lodge worked at Pembina during the winter and spring of 1864, until May 5th, at which time the troops were removed. In the meantime, the Indians who had been encamped near St. Joe, hearing of the location of Hatch's battalion at Pembina, moved further down the Red River of the North and went into winter camp near Fort Carry. In December 1863, Major Hatch hearing that some of the Indians had returned to St. Joe, organized a surprise attack, surrounded them at 3:00 o'clock one morning, killed several and took the rest prisoners. Soon after, the Indians encamped near Fort Carry, and through the Governor of the Province, offered to surrender, provided they would not be punished. Major Hatch agreed to nothing but unconditional surrender and slowly they were either captured or gave themselves up. Two hundred came in first and were imprisoned at Fort Pembina. In January, 1864, Little Six and Medicine Bottle were captured, taken to Fort Snelling at St. Paul and hanged as murderers. Slowly, the rest came in and were imprisoned, until by spring only Little Leaf and a dozen others, mostly women and children, were left and they were reported to have perished from starvation and disease. Thus, the object of the expedition was fully consummated and the troops were occupied in guarding the prisoners and performing the necessary routine incident to garrison life until their departure. On W.'. Brother Nash's return to St. Paul in June, 1864, he delivered to the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota the records, petitions and all papers relating to Northern Light Lodge which, of course, included the dispensation and the report to the Grand Master of all the acts and doings of the lodge. On April 21, 1868, the building in which the Grand Lodge, the subordinate and co-ordinate bodies of Masonry met in St. Paul was destroyed by fire, as was all the property contained therein, including the records of the Grand Lodge. Prior to the departure of the troops from Pembina in 1864. a petition to Grand Master Pierson was drafted, praying that the dispensation of Northern Light Lodge be continued with authority to transfer it to Fort Garry. The petition was handed to Brother A. G. B. Bannatyne to obtain the necessary signatures. These were obtained, the petition was forwarded and a dispensation was received, as follows: "To All Whom It May Concern: "Know ye that we, A. T. C. Pierson, Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons of Minnesota, having received a petition from a constitutional number of brethren who have been properly vouched for as Master Masons in good standing, setting forth that having the honor and prosperity of the Craft at heart, they are desirous of establishing a new lodge at the Red River Settlement under our jurisdiction, and requesting a dispensation for the same, and: "Whereas, there appears to us good and sufficient cause for granting the prayer of the said petition, we, by virtue of the powers in us vested by the Ancient Constitution of the Order, do grant this dispensation empowering Brother John Schultz to act as Worshipful Master, Brother Andrew G. B. Bannatyne to act as Senior Warden and Brother William Ink-ster to act as Junior Warden of a lodge to be held under our jurisdiction at Red River Settlement, Rupert's Land, by the name of Northern Light Lodge, U.'. D.'., and we further authorize the same brethren to enter, pass and raise Freemasons, according to the Ancient Constitutions of the Order, the customs and usages of the Craft and the rules and regulations of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Minnesota, and not otherwise, and this dispensation shall continue in force until the next Annual Meeting of the Grand Lodge aforesaid, or until this dispensation is revoked by us. "Given under our hand and seal at St. Paul, the twentieth day of May, A.L. 5864, A.D. 1864.
In his address to the Grand Lodge October 25, 1864, Grand Master Pierson stated: "That he had renewed the dispensation for Northern Light Lodge, removing it to Red River Settlement. Application for charter will be made during the present session." In 1853, the Grand Lodge of Minnesota had been organized; in 1863, Northern Light Lodge at Pembina; in 1864, Northern Light Lodge at Fort Garry; in 1866, the Grand Lodge of Montana; in 1875, the Grand Lodge of Dakota; and in 1889, the Grand Lodges of North Dakota and South Dakota. In the short space of one generation all of them will have celebrated 75th and 100th anniversary observances. How Masonry moved west in the last half of the nineteenth century! The matter of a charter for the new lodge at Fort Garry —or Red River Settlement, as it was sometimes called—was not considered by the Grand Lodge of Minnesota in 1864; however, officers had to be elected, a meeting place found and many other details completed before it could even function as a lodge. Accordingly, on November 8, 1864, a meeting was called in the building of Brother A. G. B. Bannatyne, senior warden, and the roster of officers was completed, as follows:
Thus we see that all of the officers of Northern Light Lodge, after its removal to Fort Garry, had been identified with the former lodge at Pembina and it was off to an auspicious start. We shall not tarry long enough to follow the fortunes of the lodge during the years ahead. Suffice it to say that it prospered for a while and its dispensation was renewed, without fee, from year to year until 1867, when a special committee of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota reported on October 23, 1867: "From Northern Light Lodge, LV. D.'., located at Fort Garry, no late returns or records have been received. In this the committee deems it proper to present the following facts: Fort Garry is situated on the northern confines of the state, several hundred miles from St. Paul, and far outside of usual mail or transportation facilities, the mails being carried by dog-train at long intervals, through the intervening wilderness and often lost in transit. * * * * * "The lodge was originally organized under letters of dispensation granted in 1863 to our present Grand Master, Charles W. Nash and others at Pembina by Grand Master A. T. C. Pierson, and has been continued at Fort Carry by dispensation of successive Grand Masters to the present time, and it would seem that the time has arrived when the lodge should be relieved of its anomalous position. * * * * * "After considering these facts they have arrived at the conclusion that it is wrong to make the remote position and consequent inability of these brethren to communicate with the Grand Lodge, at the annual communication, a reason for depriving them of the benefit of a charter and therefore, recommend that a charter be granted to them as soon as they have made their return and settled accounts with the Grand Secretary, to the satisfaction of the Grand Master." As a result of this report on October 24, 1867, a charter was issued to the lodge and it became Northern Light Lodge, No. 68 on the register of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota. However, the charter was never delivered nor the lodge constituted, and the following reason is given by Grand Master Charles W. Nash in his address to the Grand Lodge on January 12, 1869: "The lodges which were chartered at the last Grand Communication have all been properly constituted and the officers installed, either in person or by proxy, except Northern Light Lodge No. 68 at Fort Garry, British America. The charter of this lodge remains in the possession of the R.'. W.'. Grand Secretary. The great distance of Fort Garry from an organized lodge has rendered it impracticable to constitute the lodge and install its officers." There are some records to show that the lodge met December 23, 1867, after its charter was granted, and elected officers for the ensuing year, with Brother A. G. B. Bannatyne as Worshipful Master, but the Red River Rebellion—better known as the "Riel Rebellion"—had begun, the province was in a turmoil and lodge meetings were impossible. As far as the records show, Northern Light Lodge No. 68 never met again and the last record of the lodge appears in the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota for 1870, as follows: "Brother L. E. Thompson offered the following resolution which was adopted: 'Resolved, that the charter heretofore granted to Northern Light Lodge, at Fort Garry, be and the same is hereby revoked.' " Surely, this was a pathetic ending to an activity which had been brought into being with high expectations, not only by the men who composed its membership, but by the inhabitants of these outposts of civilization on the frontier of the great Northwest. But, if the door was closed, it was only for a brief period. The fire kindled by these hardy pioneer Masons only smouldered; the spirit was still alive and it remained for others to revive Freemasonry in Dakota and Manitoba and to resume the labor which these Craftsmen began in 1863-1864.* ________ INTERNATIONAL MASONIC CELEBRATION Held at Pembina, N. D. June 21, 1921 It was just half a century after the events we have narrated took place that steps were taken to perpetuate them in the minds and hearts of posterity. While M.'. W.'. Brother Allan V. Haig of Devils Lake was Grand Master in 1920-21, he worked enthusiastically with a committee, of which he was chairman and of which Grand Secretary Walter L. Stockwell, Grand Treasurer Clinton D. Lord, Past Grand Master Grant S. Hager and Finance Chairman E. George Guthrie were members, to bring this to pass. The land on which Northern Light Lodge had met in Pembina, near the junction of the Pembina and Red Rivers, was purchased by the Grand Lodge and a granite marker was prepared with a bronze plate bearing the following inscription:
So momentous were the events attendant upon this auspicious occasion, they are printed in full for the record. *Sincere gratitude is extended to M.'. W.'. Brother William Douglas, Past Grand Master and Grand Historian of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba at Winnipeg, for his invaluable assistance in preparing the above, for the use of his "Story of the Original Lodge Institution in Dakota Territory", which was presented at our Golden Jubilee in 1939; and for his "Freemasonry in Manitoba", which was presented at his Golden Jubilee in 1925. H.S.P. *Sincere gratitude is extended to M.'. W.'. Brother William Douglas, Past Grand Master and Grand Historian of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba at Winnipeg, for his invaluable assistance in preparing the above, for the use of his "Story of the Original Lodge Institution in Dakota Territory", which was presented at our Golden Jubilee in 1939; and for his "Freemasonry in Manitoba", which was presented at his Golden Jubilee in 1925. H.S.P.________ INTERNATIONAL MASONIC CELEBRATION PEMBINA June 21, 1921 The old town of Pembina, around which so much of the history of this northwestern country centered during the past century, was the scene of a great celebration on Tuesday, June 21. The good people of Pembina—and there were many of them—had worked like beavers to be ready for the host of Masons, their families and friends who gathered there on this eventful day. The decorations were remarkably fine; the intertwining of the Stars and Stripes and the Union Jack indicated that there was the greatest goodwill and friendship between the two great peoples who live side by side along the 49th parallel. The public buildings, stores and private homes all gave evidence of the spirit of the day. So far as human foresight could provide, the details were complete. At the communication of 1920, the Grand Lodge created a committee consisting of the Grand Master, M.'. W.'. Brother Allan V. Haig, Grand Treasurer, R.'. W.'. Brother Clinton D. Lord and the chairman of the Finance Committee, W.". Brother E. George Guthrie to arrange for the International Masonic Celebration at the time of the unveiling of a tablet and marker which was to be placed on the site of the building in which the first lodge organized within this Grand Jurisdiction held its meetings during the winter of 1863-64. To this committee were added by common consent, Past Grand Masters Grant S. Hager and Walter L. Stockwell. The worshipful master and secretary of Pembina Lodge No. 2, Brothers J. A. Wilkins and Ray C. Stinson, sat with the committee. Early in April the committee began actual plans for the celebration, which was fixed for the afternoon of the first day of the communication of Grand Lodge. It was decided that no reasonable expense should be spared to make this a day long to be remembered in the Masonic history of the three grand lodges especially interested—Minnesota, Manitoba and North Dakota. Beautifully engraved invitations were sent to every English-speaking Grand Lodge in the world and to distinguished Masons throughout the United States and Canada. A special train from Grand Forks to Pembina and return was provided for the Grand Lodge and its guests. A special commission bore an official and personal invitation to the Grand Lodge of Manitoba at its communication early in June. This invitation was accepted with great enthusiasm and plans for a special train from Winnipeg and a large delegation from the lodges of that city was promised. W.'. Brother (Major) Manville H. Sprague of Crescent Lodge No. 11, Grafton, was selected as marshal of the parade and it proved a most happy choice. Everything moved forward with greatest precision and harmony. The lodges of Pembina and Walsh counties planned to come in force. The neighboring lodges in Manitoba entered heartily into the spirit of the occasion. The interest in the Grand Lodge communication that year was greater than ever. Many lodges sent all their representatives, every lodge but three being represented, and in addition some 70 past masters, as members of the Grand Lodge came for the first time. The stage was set. Tuesday morning dawned clear, but by noon the sky was completely overcast, though no one would admit that rain was possible. Shortly after 11 o'clock the Grand Lodge called off and just before High Twelve W.'. Brother Theodore S. Henry formed the Grand Lodge in procession in front of the Masonic Temple in Grand Forks. Headed by the Stars and Stripes, led by Grand Master Allan V. Haig and our guests, Grand Master Frederick E. Jenkins of Minnesota and Past Grand Masters George L. Schoonover of Iowa, and George A. Pettigrew of South Dakota, moving to the inspiring music of Kem Temple band, the Grand Lodge marched to the Northern Pacific station. A delay of some thirty minutes was encountered here and it was 12:45 o'clock before the special left. The train and transportation arrangements were in the hands of W.'. Brothers J. H. McNicol, W. W. Shaw and H. H. Ellsworth, all of them experienced railroad men. The Northern Pacific Railway Company had done its best to provide adequate and up-to-date equipment; special representatives of the operation and passenger departments were aboard. There was no crowding, no accidents;' everybody was happy, especially so when the skies cleared and there was every promise of a fine afternoon. Stops were made at Gilby, Forest River, Grafton and Drayton. A few boarded the train at Gilby and at the other points large delegations were in waiting, especially at Grafton where from seventy-five to one hundred boarded the special. The train reached Pembina practically on scheduled time, 3:15 o'clock. The nearby lodges from both sides of the boundary were in waiting and organized for the parade. The Grand Lodge officers awaited the special from Winnipeg which arrived only a few moments after the Grand Forks train. Our Winnipeg guests with their Kiltie Band were held in their cars some fifteen or twenty minutes until the immigration inspection requirements had been met. As soon as the guests had detrained, the parade was organized by Marshal Sprague and his aides. It was headed by the Union Jack and Stars and Stripes, Kem Temple band and Grand Masters Alien V. Haig, North Dakota; George N. Jackson, Manitoba; Frederick E. Jenkins, Minnesota; Past Grand Masters George L. Schoonover, Iowa; and Geo. A. Pettigrew, South Dakota. The balance of the parade consisted of the escort, Pembina Lodge No. 2, the Grand Lodge of Manitoba, the Grand Lodge of North Dakota, constituent lodges of Manitoba, the Kiltie band, constituent lodges of Minnesota, constituent lodges of North Dakota and casual visitors. The following Manitoba lodges were represented: Dominion City, Gretna, Morris and Brandon. The Winnipeg lodges marched without separate formation. The North Dakota lodges were as follows: Acacia No. 4, Grand Forks; Crescent No. 11, Grafton; Minto No. 17; Tongue River No. 22, Cavalier; Bathgate No. 23; Golden Valley No. 26, Park River; Temple No. 30, St. Thomas; Lebanon No. 34, Langdon; Hamilton No. 35; St. Johns No. 36, Forest River; Crystal No. 38; Cando No. 40; Fidelity No. 52, Drayton; and Ionic No. 64, Hannah. A number of Minnesota Masons were present but not as organizations. Many of the Hallock brethren joined with Pembina Lodge No. 2. The parade moved west on Rolette Street to Stutsman, down Stutsman to Third, one block north on Third to Rolette, and east on Rolette to the site of the marker and tablet. The parade was in every way a wonderful success. It was variously estimated that from 1,500 to 2,000 Masons were in line. It was an imposing sight. Just before reaching the site of the marker, the parade was reviewed by the Grand Masters of Minnesota, Manitoba and North Dakota. Just behind the marker had been erected a speakers' stand capable of seating some sixty guests and Grand Lodge officers. It was nearly four o'clock before the exercises began. The Masons and other interested spectators massed in front of the stand and marker, which were draped with the Stars and Stripes and Union Jack. The assembled multitude was called to order by Grand Master Haig, who presided. The following program had been arranged:
The two little girls selected to unveil the marker and tablet were Miss Elinor Bannatyne, granddaughter of Hon. A. G. B. Bannatyne, the first senior warden of Northern Light Lodge after its removal to Ft. Carry, and Miss Esther La-Moure, granddaughter of Hon. Judson LaMoure, pioneer citizen and first senior warden of Pembina Lodge No. 2. The program started most auspiciously. The singing in unison of "America" and "God Save the King" was a fine start. Bishop Tyler's invocation was an eloquent appeal to Almighty God for His blessing upon this great occasion, and upon the peoples interested. He prayed for the President of the United States and the King of England, for peace and concord among the nations. The original dispensation transferring Northern Light Lodge to the Red River Settlement, Rupert's Land, namely Ft. Carry, was read by W.'. Bro. William Douglas, who has given us a fine account of the old lodge. It should also be mentioned that the old jewels of the lodge were worn by brethren of the present Northern Light Lodge, who came with the Winnipeg party. Grand Master Frederick E. Jenkins of Minnesota was introduced and gave a fine address. During the latter part of Bro. Jenkins' address the ominous clouds of an approaching storm caused most of the people to seek shelter. Past Grand Master George L. Schoonover had just been introduced when the storm broke. Those who had remained were soaked to the skin but it took more than a June downpour to dampen the ardor of such a gathering. Strange to say, the rain was local and extended only a few miles out of Pembina. In spite of the rain, before leaving the grounds, the marker and tablet were officially unveiled. As soon as the rain was over, as many as could be reached were asked to assemble in the auditorium of the high school and the program proceeded. While the audience was gathering, the Fargo Masonic quartette sang several numbers. When the program was resumed, Grand Master George N. Jackson gave a most finished and thoughtful address. It was greatly appreciated. The dedicatory address which was to be given by W.'. Bro. Richard E. Wenzel, Grand Orator, follows. It was a matter of greatest regret that the addresses of Brother Schoonover and Brother Wenzel were not given. Following the address of Grand Master Jackson, the quartette led in singing "The Maple Leaf Forever." Just before the close Grand Master Haig called upon Grand Secretary Stockwell who made an impromptu address calling attention to the historic significance of "Old Pembina" and the real meaning of the da/s celebration. The audience then joined in singing "Onward Brother Masons" after which the Grand Chaplain, Bishop Tyler, pronounced the benediction. At other public places, the city hall in particular, the Kiltie band and Kem Temple band entertained the visiting Masons. There was a general fraternization everywhere, which possibly might not have occurred had the storm not drawn everyone indoors. At 7 o'clock the officers of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba and other distinguished visitors were the guests of the Grand Lodge of North Dakota at an elaborate dinner served in the gymnasium of the high school building. The guests were seated so that with each visitor there was some officer of the Grand Lodge of North Dakota. During the dinner the orchestra played and the Fargo Masonic quartette sang. Mention should be made of the souvenir trowel presented by Pembina Lodge No. 2 to each dinner guest and the specially prepared menu card. As soon as the dinner was concluded, Grand Master Haig introduced the following after-dinner program:
Brother Schoonover had been compelled to leave before the dinner in order to catch a train for Minneapolis. Brother George A. Pettigrew, Past Grand Master and Grand Secretary of South Dakota, spoke briefly; called attention to the fact that he was there as the special representative of the General Grand Chapter 0. E. S. of the World. The program was completed about 8:30 o'clock. Following this all joined hands and sang "Auld Lang Syne," and "Blest Be the Tie that Binds." Greetings and good-byes were exchanged and all agreed that the day was historic and that from this auspicious beginning must come more frequent exchange of visits. The Winnipeg train left shortly after 9 o'clock amid shouts and songs and the stirring music of Kem Temple band. It was only a few moments later when the Grand Forks special pulled out. A twenty minute stop was made at Grafton and the band and a large number of visitors marched up town where two or three selections were played. After leaving Gilby there were no more stops before arriving at Grand Forks. The engineer gave the passengers a little touch of fast riding, which brought them into Grand Forks shortly after midnight. The International Masonic Celebration had become history. ________ DEDICATORY ADDRESS Richard E. Wenzel, Grand Orator (It is deeply regretted that, although Worshipful Brother Wenzel was prepared to deliver his splendid address at this time, a downpour of rain had terminated the program just previously. H.S.P.) In ancient times there was said to dwell beyond the North Wind, beyond the nipping reach of Winter, in a Land, wonderful in its enchantment, and alluring because of its perpetual springtime, unbroken peace and eternal youth, a people extremely favored of Apollo. They were known as the Hyperboreans. But this wonderful land ever receded, and its legendary inhabitants ever vanished, as the geographical knowledge of the world was increased, bringing within its intelligent, matter-of-fact survey the inhabited parts of that world; until, finally, the story ceased to be even a tradition of civilized Europe. Apparently appreciative of all of the connotative force of the word "hyperborean", the Grand Master of Minnesota Masonry, Most Worshipful Brother A. T. C. Pierson, on the 13th day of September, 1863, issued to and sent along with Brothers C. W. Nash, L. L. Armington, A. F. Chamberlin, Charles H. Mix, and eight others, his authoritative Masonic dispensation, empowering them to enter and possess this beautiful country we look upon today, and which he called a "hyperborean region" then. Thus favored, not of Apollo, but of the Pillar of Wisdom of a modern Masonic Grand Body, these men and Masons came out into this, then, crass creation, and gave to our venerable Order a far-flung local habitation and a home. And here, on this very spot, where, nearly three-score years ago, the effect of human wisdom was displayed in the choice of an habitation, there was spread before the mortal eyes of the leader of this Brotherly Band a most radiant and imposing manifestation of celestial splendor— it seems, almost, as if in recognition and approval of that expression of human wisdom and of the appropriately suggestive language of the Grand Master of Minnesota Masonry. The flaming streamers of the Aurora greeted our hardy, resolute brother. They darted, flashing and glowing, across the entire northern heavens. Their lavish beauty and prodigal grandeur brought inspiration to him, and he, himself, stated that for a long time his eyes feasted upon this sight with delight. Thus it was that this new outpost of Liberty, Justice and Fraternity came to be designated as Northern Light Lodge, and here we are come today, to mark the place, and to dedicate it as one of the beginnings— yes, THE beginning—of Masonry in what is now the State of North Dakota. Intimately interwoven, however, as that beginning- was with the Masonic history of Minnesota, we find that men, in their search for Light, were not to be handicapped even by international boundaries. Across the wilds to the north of Fort Pembina lay Fort Carry, on the site of what is now the city of Winnipeg. There, also, lived men, men worthy and well qualified, duly and truly prepared as craftsmen and builders. Not only desirous of maintaining the personal contact with other civilized humans in order that their own hearts and lives might not too freely respond to the brutal, frequently ribald, and sometimes barbaric call of the western wilderness, but eagerly anxious, also, to aid and assist in laying foundations that were strong and enduring in that pioneer day, in order that those who came after them might be able with safety to raise thereon the temple of a great commonwealth, they gave expression to their desires and their ambitions by knocking at the door of Northern Light Lodge, and their acceptance into fraternal fellowship and co-operative craftsmanship is noted among the first recorded activities of the new Lodge, U.'. D.'. As the first meetings of the lodge were held in the balmy month of January, of the year 1864, we, of this geographically and historically wise twentieth century, can readily picture the pleasant vacation trips that were occasioned to these outriders of civilization, when they held their meetings in this land of perpetual springtime, unbroken peace and eternal youth. Across the haze of the yesterdays we see them as unhampered by laws of the road, keep-to-the-right signs or city speed limits, unmindful of grade crossings or gasoline shortages, they pursued the even, and more or less peaceful, tenor of their way through this vast territory, where only the buffalo and the Indian ran and reigned. The new lodge, though, was active for only a few months. Then, in keeping with the European traditions regarding this mystic land of the Hyperboreans, the renewal of the dispensation of Northern Light Lodge, in the fall of 1864, also marked its removal to the Red River settlement in Manitoba, where it found lodgement in the trading house of Brother A. G. B. Bannatyne. There Brother John Schultz presided as Master, Brother Bannatyne as Senior Warden, and Brother William Inkster as Junior Warden, and they and the Craft in general continued their labors until the year 1867. By that time a portion of the mystic territory of the Hyperboreans had again been expropriated by the process of civilization, and the troubled times which naturally seemed to follow every such expropriation caused the membership to become scattered and the lodge, not unlike the mystic land and its legendary inhabitants, finally ceased to exist. Temporary in character, as well as in point of time, therefore, may seem the work of Northern Light Lodge; magnified, today, it may be by the mystic magic of the long ago, something of borrowed and reflected glory it undoubtedly has; and yet, as one glances over the names of those who labored within its portals and left their imprint on the daily as well as the permanent life of this great Northwest, it scintillates with its own radiance, and brings to us of this present day a fuller and a keener appreciation of our responsibility as men and Masons. And worthy of note is the fact that nowhere does the record disclose that these, our predecessors, ever imbibed this millenial moonshine that is today so freely and so promiscuously being brewed in the "brassy" kettles of imported—isms. Our past, Masonically, is secure. But we, too, are builders. We, also, must build. The beauty, strength and permanence of the future moral, Masonic, yes, and political edifices of these two neighboring and neighborly nations will, in large measure, depend upon the seriousness with which we view our responsibility as Craftsmen today. We may, and rightfully so, find much of pride in the fact that this is an ancient institution, or that members of our Order measured up to the full stature of men in the days when the woodsman here first felled the forest and the pioneer made his home, in the days when the trapper followed the unblazed trail and the planter prodded the virgin soil. Yet, that must not be our sole satisfaction. Dedicating a tablet to the memory of those who labored and have departed, without considering the living who ha,ve come into possession of the products of that labor and are thereby better enabled to look out upon a future of promise, is mere sham. There is no esteem, if the object of that esteem kindles in us no new devotion. It would be but vanity and mere ostentation for us to link our names with those that have been mentioned here today without standing ready, ourselves, to answer the call for laborers that come from the ripening vineyards of the day. What matters it, indeed, if we can point with pride to the magnificence of the Temple at Jerusalem, to the sublime beauty of our symbolism, or to the moral worth and manhood of the men who have in times past been numbered among our membership, if the breath of Masonic Brotherhood has not been breathed into the individual Mason of today; if there has not been infused into his being the spirit of love, of charity, of benevolence, if there has not become a part of his very make-up not only the desire but also the WILL to be true to himself, just to his government and unflinching in his devotion to his country and his fellow men. When, four years ago, the call came to Masonry as an organization, true to its teachings and its traditions, it responded in wholehearted service for a common cause. Individuals there may have been who failed to see any design drawn upon the trestleboard. Individuals there may have been who forgot that they were not to countenance disloyalty and rebellion but patiently to submit to legal authority. Individuals there may have been who failed to remember to be true to their government and just to their country. But as an organization, Masonry stood, a solid phalanx of lodges and Grand Lodges, against the propagandist and the fighting enemy, against the Hun within and the Hun without our gates. Neither interest, favor nor prejudice caused a Masonic body to become guilty of a dishonorable action. Willingly and unselfishly, Masonry threw the full force of its influence, its money and its talent, into the national crucible, to the end that America might once more stand before the world, a free people in a free land, with malice towards none and charity for all, in order that peace and good-will might once more begin to reign among men. Everywhere, and at all times, Masonry did its utmost to spread the doctrine of loyalty, love and service. And just as the call of country and humanity ran a sap under our selfishness, undermined our greed for gain, brushed aside our political entanglements, stormed the barricades of our isolation, and wiped out our radical antagonisms in time of war, may the call for volunteers, now, for privates in the armies of peace and progress, today, find ready response in the hearts of Masons, so that here, upon the soil, broken, cultivated, packed and made fertile by the loving labor of those who gave that we might profit, there may grow to its fullest fragrance that fairest of all flowers, a universal Brotherhood. We place this marker today almost at the junction point of three great commonwealths, and dedicate it to the memory of those who imitated the Divine plans and built deeply upon the solid rock. As we do so, we once more stretch our hands across those imaginary lines, in friendly fellowship and communion, and find that the grip has become just a little stronger, the handclasp a little warmer and more sympathetic, for experiences of the recent past have bound us by a double tie to one another. We concede to our neighboring Grand Jurisdictions of Manitoba and Minnesota not only the right to participate in this pleasant and auspicious occasion, but accord to them the privilege of feeling and displaying the greater joy by reason of the part they and their membership played in the writing of Masonic history here. We jealously guard, however, our own right to self-determination, and retain this early site of these Masonic labors as our very own not, we assure you, from any selfish or unworthy motive, but that we may cherish it as an ever present reminder of that cordial comity which brings together and unites men of different countries, sects and opinions.
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