Introduction

Introduction

The history of Mississippi Lodge No. 147, Almonte, Ontario is of course not a history of Masonry. Rather it is a chronicle of the sometimes mundane, sometimes humorous and often energetic efforts and undertakings of many men who, over the 133 years covered by this history, worked to apply the principles of Masonry to the isolated affairs of a "country Lodge".

The accounts of the early proceedings of the Lodge are substantially factual, and perhaps less than personal, for it was assumed that, apart from a particular interest which any one family may have, the names of most of the early Lodge members would be rather unimportant or insignificant to today's reader. The portion of the history reviewed in the last forty years dwells to a greater degree upon the people involved, since many of those members, or their relatives, are still associated with the Lodge, and their memory or acquaintance is therefore more proximate. There was, of necessity, a limitation on the period covered by the Lodge minutes. The arbitrary decision was made to end December 31, 1993, since the writer began the three-year writing endeavour January, 1994.

That Mississippi Lodge enjoys such a long existence (since 1861) is no small compliment. As institutions go, Mississippi Lodge has more than earned its colours, not to mention the gold braid which adorns the apron of each Brother of the Lodge who has the honour to wear it. Masons are often chided for what is cavalierly dismissed as its "secrets". To the uninitiated, this term embraces far more than was ever intended to remain within the recesses of the Lodge. To the members of the Craft, the Secrets are no more than allegorical symbols of greater moral significance, and to share those Secrets would in fact do little to enlighten the dilettante or casual observer.

For purposes of this historical enquiry, it was originally anticipated that examination of the contents of the minute books would, with some extrapolation, reveal the deeper (perhaps darker) side of the events surrounding the growth and development of the Lodge. On the contrary, true to the Masonic spirit to confine observation to the facts, little is revealed, even upon the closest examination, of much of the background and contextual social currents which precipitated the recorded events. No serious attempt has been made to provide such background, either by reference to contemporaneous social conditions, or by speculation.

What appears in this historical summary is essentially an account, slotted into selected categories, of what was recorded by the studious and conscientious Secretaries of the Lodge. To a degree, each Secretary contributed his particular slant to the record of proceedings, but largely each Secretary acted as a scribe (though the commitment to sanctify and condone in writing the efforts of those who did the job well is apparent throughout). It should nonetheless be apparent from even a cursory examination of this history that our actions in this life are recorded. It may surprise the reader to rediscover in this chronicle some long-forgotten detail which, though perhaps innocuous at the time, is the key to open a floodgate of memories.

The obvious omission from the history is the lack of detail regarding the period for which a Minute Book is missing (1927 - 1939). This is clearly unfortunate not only as general matter, but also because it was a period of great world-wide turmoil. The customary "grape vine" enquiries have been made among the senior members of the Lodge to locate the missing minute book, but without success. Nonetheless, the fact remains that the Lodge survived that difficult period, which is part of the continuing credit to those who served as its officers and members.

It is hoped that this history will provide the members of the Lodge with some information which will embellish not only a knowledge and an understanding of our own Lodge, but also of the Craft as a whole.

The members are also encouraged to take the time to examine that portion of the Minutes pertaining to their particular installation, since it may engender some fond memories of that special night when you entered through the tyled door of Mississippi Lodge No. 147.

Dedicated to the Memory of long-time friend and mentor
L. C. Audette, O.C., Q.C. who said
"I'll believe it when you've written the last word."