New England Lodge No. 4

New England Marks Bicentennial

Two hundred years from the end of the four-day convocation that founded the Grand Lodge of Ohio, New England #4 met for its Stated Meeting. During that convocation, WB James Kilbourne represented the Lodge in meetings with five other lodges that formed the nucleus of Ohio Freemasonry. On Jan. 8, 2008, the Brethren at New England marked the event in its Lodge Room.

Although Kilbourne represented his Lodge at the initial meeting to form the Grand Lodge, he was not permitted to remain at those first meetings as New England Lodge was not yet instituted. New England Lodge was formally instituted in June 1808 when Thomas Worthington installed James Kilbourne as its first Master. It was at the third Convention of January 1, 1810, that New England was accepted as a delegate and Kilbourne was appointed with two other delegates to examine the Constitution and By-laws of the Grand Lodge.

The bicentennial had been celebrated at the Jan. 5 Founder’s Day dinner at the Aladdin Shrine. New Englanders accounted for 31 of the 750 people at the event, which featured a special bicentennial video which was filmed in New England’s lodge room and elsewhere about the Grand Lodge building. The dinner was attended by MWB Ronald L. Winnett and characters representing prominent Masons such as MWB Ben Franklin, MWB Harry Truman, Ill. Brother James A. Rhodes, 33?, and MWB Rufus Putnam, Ohio’s first Grand Master.

RWB Tim Strawn played MWB Franklin and WB Chad Simpson appeared as MWB Putnam. MWB Rollie Lattanner portrayed MWB Truman and WB Bill Henderson represented Ill. Bro. Rhodes.

A timeline of Ohio Freemasonry history was on display and a painting depicting the convocation of the founding lodges was shown. The timeline is available for display and prints of the painting are available from the Grand Lodge of Ohio.

A special banquet honoring the founding lodges will be held July 12 in Chillicothe. Additional information is forthcoming.

The 14th District Grand Master’s reception will be held March 1 at the Aladdin Shrine. Cost is $32 per person. RSVP to Lodge Secretary WB Ken Sparks by Feb. 2.

The January Stated Meeting was attended by 20 Brethren, including nine Past Masters and three 50-year members. Lodge education was presented by Bro. Dave Welch, who read an article about the future of Freemasonry. “In order to build a good future for the world, we must inspire others to walk the path of Freemasonry,” he read. “Masonry provides the tools for leading men and making them better. We must use them. In order to lead, we must give freely to others. In giving, miracles occur.”

Bro. Doug Smith reported the New England Fellowcraft Club is working with Rotary to identify military families to receive a charitable donation from the Lodge.

The Lodge is planning for its Feb. 12 inspection and invites the Brethren to attend. Dinner will be served at 6:15 p.m. in the Williamsburg Dining Facility in the lower level of the building at 634 N. High St. in Worthington. Inspection in the Master Mason degree will be held at 7 p.m. RSVP to Ken Sparks at 614-266-5043 or secretary@newengland4.org. Cost for the Inspection Dinner is $10.

Trestleboard

Jan. 26, Fellowship Breakfast, 8 a.m.;
Jan. 29, Special Meeting, 7 p.m.;
Feb. 5, Stated Meeting, 7:30 p.m.;
Feb. 12, Inspection (MM), 6:15 p.m. dinner, 7 p.m. Meeting;
Feb. 26, Special Meeting, 7 p.m.;
Feb. 28, 14th District Association meeting;
March 1, Grand Master’s Reception;
March 4, Stated Meeting, 7:30 p.m.

For more information, visit www.newengland4.org or call 614-885-5116.