By November of 1879, Elk Grove Lodge No. 173 had been in existence for over 15 years. During those years we had a small number of Lodge Masters, the first being Brother Anson S. Ferris who served for only 3 months until the end of 1864. As you may remember, Brother Ferris requested a demit and returned to his Blue Lodge, Tehama No. 3. Our second Master was Brother Thomas McConnell who served for 2 years, from 1865 through 1866. Brother James B. Maholm was our Master in 1867. Brother McConnell then served again from 1868 through 1869 followed by Obediah S. Freeman, our longest serving Treasurer. Then in 1870 Brother Richard Allin became the Master of Elk Grove Lodge No. 173. Worshipful Allin saw us through the majority of our formative years which included the temporary rental of a hall and the purchase of our first lodge property at the Elk Grove Corners near Elk Grove Boulevard and Highway 99. Worshipful Allin served a total of 9 years as Master of this Lodge and helped establish our Masonic Cemetery.
This month’s Trestleboard article contains an address Worshipful Allin gave to our Brothers in November of 1879 and can be found beginning on page 219 of our first log of Minutes (Lodge Minutes, library classification number MIN 1). What appears here is the address as it was originally written; the only changes were those necessary for the ease of understanding. In one instance a single word was added [in brackets] as the original text was illegible, in this case it was simply my best guess.
In this Address Worshipful Allin touches upon points of concern that were obviously weighing on his mind in regards to the brethren.
The Annual Address of Richard Allin, Worshipful Master of Elk Grove Lodge No. 173, delivered November 22nd 1879
Brethren of Elk Grove Lodge, F&AM. Another Masonic year has rolled around and passed behind us and gone into the unknown. It’s joys and it’s sorrows are also passed, and since we last met on an occasion like this, thousands have gone to that undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveler has ever returned but the blessing and overseeing care of our Supreme Grand Master to whom our devoted thanks should be forever extended in gratitude for the preservation of our lives and the rich bounties that he has bestowed on us in the year that is passed. And Brethren we can congratulate each other now our safe arrival to this period the grim messenger death has not invaded presents, this year in the Lodge, and our call for benevolent purposes have been very small, and good health generally prevailed. We are in moderate good circumstances although we have not done any work in the past year. And if every other Lodge was the same as Elk Grove Lodge then maybe the profane truly say that masonry was on the decline and will tumble to the ground, But my Brethren such is not the case, other orders spring up around us, bud and blossom as the rose for a day then drops into oblivion and passes out of sight. While amid the downfall of empires the crash of nations, the bitter persecutions of fanatics, Masonry goes on, stretching out her arms to the nethermost parts of the Earth. Carrying Liberty and Civilization and gathering within her circle to all people; kindred nations; and tongues and masonry stands higher on the scroll of fame than any other in existence. Masonry is the most ancient and honorable institution in the world and as we are informed that princes think it not derogatory to their dignity to lay down their scepter and take up the trowel. And may we never lose sight of that valuable instrument; always in readiness when occasion requires to spread the cement of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.
And now brethren, the time has again arrived when we must elect and appoint officers for the ensuing year and you are aware that it is the burden duty of the officers to fill their several stations at each regular meeting as far as they possibly can, in the year that has past with one or two exceptions the officers have been prompt in their attendance.
And it is the duty of the Brethren to attend the regular meetings as far as they possibly can do. But there appears to be several kind of Masons one class you will find to be very bright and intelligent, well versed in Masonry. He generally approaches you on the square and will give you to understand that all their actions is according to that perfect rule but my Brethren from such beware, for if they do not get the advantage of you in the end it will not be through their mismanagement but your good luck.
Their come the bright and intelligent Mason of another class you will always find him in his seat at every regular meeting and when from home; if a Lodge is in session you will find him there and if requested to fill a vacancy he will modestly inform you that he is not very [capable] but will do the best he can and is always ready and willing to assist in his own Lodge.
The next class is the indifferent Mason and is generally one of those you have to pull through the degrees and as soon as the Masters Degree is conferred on him he is all right, keeps his dues paid up and considers himself a Master Mason in good standing whether he comes to the Lodge or not. You meet the Brother, in inquire why he does not come to the Lodge he says he has not time and it is so late before he gets home but however he is going to be more prompt and to this same as he would like to visit some other Lodge, but he forgets and you meet him again it is the old story with a little added. He does not see anything in Masonry. It is kind a running down and (perhaps by accident) he never received any benefits from it and never expects to but will keep his dues paid up anyway but alas his indifference soon lets his dues get behind. He is suspended from his Lodge and his gray hairs go down into the gravel, unhonored and unrecognized by the Masonic fraternity.
The indifferent mason as regards Masonry is like the country bumpkin in the art gallery, he passes along, be halts before a masterpiece of Rafael or the much talked of picture of Cleopatra. He turns away; you ask him what he thinks of it. He remarks it is a pretty good picture but can see nothing in it to make so much talk about. The art critic comes along, his eye rests on the beautiful picture, his artistic vision beholds the beautiful tints and shades, his innermost soul is filled with rapture he turns away and takes his last look with regret. So with the intelligent Mason he looks forward with pleasure to the regular meeting night when he will again meet his Brothers and greet each other with Brotherly Love and Friendship and the older he grows the stronger his ties become to the fraternity. His soul is never unhappy and when at last old Father time knocks at the door his couch is surrounded by his Brothers, ready to gratify his every wish and when his soul has returned to the God who gave it, his body is carefully laid in the tomb, the silent tear with the sprig of acacia is draped into his grave reminding those that are left behind of that important part of man that never, never dies, and in conclusion Brethren let us not grow weary in well doing. Patience and perseverance subdues all things and I hope to live to see the day that Elk Grove Lodge shall be as the tree planted by the riverside, that it shall bud and bloom and its leaves shall not wither and it shall bring fruit in due season an hundred fold. Is the prayer of your old Master.
Richard Allin
-Brother Don Price, Lodge Historian