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June 2017

Trestle Board

St. John’s Lodge No. 1

Portsmouth, NH

The Master’s Message Brethren, On a personal note, I would like to thank everyone that came to the Grand Lodge Installation held on May20th. There, I was installed as the District Deputy Grand Lecturer. It is a commendation of high distinction that I am both honored and still a little in shock about. This accolade, is one I never sought out and was humbled to accept. This will be near the top of memories in my Masonic career I will not soon forget. At Our Stated Communication, we will be presenting a $650 scholarship check to 5 local High School Seniors. The recipients and their families will be joining us for dinner that night as well. Due to the performance of our investments, we were able to increase the scholarship amounts which I’m sure will make for some very happy parents! I would also ask all of the Brethren that are planning on joining us for dinner that night to please go out of your way and make our special guests feel very welcomed as only St. John’s Lodge can do. On June 21st, we will be honoring Our Past Masters. I have always enjoyed Past Master’s Night and now as a Past Master, the night has new meaning for me. That evening, Our Past Masters will be performing a Master Mason Degree. And as always with Our Past Masters, the ritual will be flawless! A fun night is guaranteed for all! With June 24th being St. John’s Day, it marks many important historical events in Masonry. The oldest being the 300th anniversary of the formation of the first Grand Lodge in London. The next is Our own Lodge’s 281st anniversary. Not too shabby I must say. To mark the occasion, we will be holding a Table Lodge. It is my understanding that we haven’t had one since 2010. And I can’t think of a better way to honor the day. The price will be $25 for a main course of Prime Rib. The festivities will begin at 6. Reservations can be made to me through my email, Floyd.StJohns@gmail.com St. John’s Sunday this year will be held on June 25th. We will be marching from the Lodge this year in the continuation of Our celebration of the previous day’s milestones. We will be led by an extravagant band of Bagpipers and Drummers numbering in the double digits. We will meet at the Lode at 8:00AM and hope to step off at 8:30AM.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

Worshipful Floyd Caron

In this painting of George Washington, by Charles Willson Peale, Washington is seen wearing a sash but Washington carried a different sash with him through most of the war for independence. That sash, blood-stained from battle, was given to him by the dying and defeated British General Edward Braddock at the Battle of Monongahela, where Washington became a war hero at the age of 23. In a letter written in 1932 by Mrs. Ellis Lovell Cros-by, a great-great niece of President Washington to Brother S.J. Pridgen of Atlanta, GA, she states, “I am sending a piece of fringe from Washington’s sash. I

sold the sash to Pierpont Morgan for $3,500. He gave it to Mount Vernon and it now hangs in the hallway of the mansion. I only took a little from the sash so as to keep it” She presented the small piece of the sash to Georgia Lodge # 96, F&AM of Atlanta which they proudly display among their archives.

Calvin Coolidge Wilder Born: 07/30/1920—Rockingham, VT Entered: 02/03/1954 Crafted: 03/03/1954 Raised: 04/28/1954 Past Master: 1967 Passed to eternal rest: 03/24/2017

Edgar Warren Anderson Born: 05/23/1929—Lincoln, NH Entered: 09/06/1950 Crafted: 10/02/1950 Raised: 11/08/1950 Past Master: 1984 Passed to eternal rest: 04/25/2017

Corn, wine and oil are the Masonic elements of consecration. The adoption of these symbols is supported by the highest antiquity. Corn, wine and oil were the most important productions of Eastern countries; they constituted the wealth of the people, and were esteemed as the sup-ports of life and the means of refreshment. David enumerates them among the greatest blessings that we enjoy and speak of them as “wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which

strengtheneth man’s heart” (Psalm 104: 15) In devoting anything to religious purposes, the anointing with oil was considered as a necessary part of the cer-emony, a rite which has descended to Christian nations. The tabernacle in the wilderness and all its holy vessels were, by God’s express command, anointed with oil; Aaron and his two sons were set apart for the priesthood with the same ceremony; and the prophets and kings of Israel were consecrated to their offices by the same rite. Hence, Freemason’s Lodges, which are but temples to the Most High, are consecrated to the sacred purposes for which they were built by strewing corn, wine and oil upon the Lodge, the emblem of the Holy Ark. Thus, does this mystic ceremony instruct us to be nourished with the hidden manna of righteousness, to be refreshed with the Word of the Lord, and to rejoice with joy unspeakable in the riches of diving grace. “Wherefore, my brethren,” says the venerable Harris (Discourse iv, 81) “wherefore to you carry corn, wine and oil in your processions, but to remind you that in the pilgrimage of human life, you are to impart a portion of your bread to feed the hungry, to send a cup of your wine to cheer the sorrowful, and to pour the healing oil of your consolation into the wounds which sickness hath made in the bodies, or afflictions rent in the heart, of your fellow travelers.” In processions, the corn alone is carried in a golden pitcher, the wine and oil are placed in silver vessels an this is to remind us that the first, as a necessity and the “staff of life,” is of more importance and more worthy of honor than the others, which are but comforts.

Source: Mackey’s Encyclopedia of Freemasonry

Corn, Wine and Oil

Stated Communication Semi-Public

Presentation of Scholarship Checks Wednesday, June 7, 2017 (Dinner 6:00, Open 7:00)

Dinner—Pork Loin and Mashed Potatoes ($10) Officer dress—White tie, gloves and tails

Special Communication—Master Mason Degree

Michael Scott Adkins Past Master’s Night

Wednesday, June 21, 2017 (Dinner 6:00, Open 7:00)

Dinner—Prime Rib ($10) Officer dress—White tie, gloves and tails

Past Masters — Business Suit and Tie

Masters and Wardens Gideon Lodge in Kingston Thursday, June 22, 2017 (Dinner 6:30, Open 7:15)

Special Communication—Table Lodge

Saturday, June 24, 2017 Starts 6:00PM Cost—$25.00

Special Communication—St. John’s Sunday

Sunday, June 25, 2017 Open 8:00AM, Step off 8:30AM

This year, we will be marching from the Lodge to the church.

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June 2017

St. John’s Lodge Historical Sketch

Josiah Morrison Varrell

In 1839, Portsmouth was divided into five fire districts with engine companies assigned to each to help protect the city from the devastation of structural fires. The engine companies took on names including Governor Langdon, Piscataqua, Atlantic and Granite State. Over the next couple decades, the city acquired six fire engines which at that time were called hand tubs. In 1863, the city purchased its first hook and ladder carriage and built the firehouse on Court Street. In 1864 the first steam engine was purchased and it was given the name Sagamore. Soon after, two more steamers were purchased and called Dearborne and Kearsarge. Kearsarge, as you may recall, was used at the Great Boston Fire of 1872 and was credited with helping save the Old South Church. In 1880, additional steamers were acquired for the Moses H. Goodrich Company and the Colonel Sise Company. The firefighters who manned all of these companies were on-call volunteers; one of them was a man named Josiah. Josiah Morrison Varrell was born in Portsmouth on August 22, 1870, a son of William D. and Sarah Ann (Locke) Varrell. He attended local schools and on January 1, 1890 married Estelle (DeNavarro) in the Methodist Church in Portsmouth. They had three children, including: a daughter Avis, and two sons William Morrison and Merton Wentworth Varrell. They lived at 170 Cass Street, which Josiah built in 1892. Josiah was a fine carpenter and for a number of years was employed by the Frank Jones Brewing Company. He later worked as a quarterman shipwright in the Joiner shop and Spar shop at the Portsmouth Navy Yard from which he later retired. In his retirement, he continued to do carpentry in his own business. For 34 years he served with the Portsmouth Fire Department. He entered the department under Chief Engineer (Fire Chief) Bro. John D. Randall (a member of St. John’s Lodge) as a member of Moses H. Goodrich Company No. 4 located on Hanover Street near Bridge Street. He also served with Colonel Sise Company No. 2 located at 18 Court Street. He served as a lieutenant and captain, and later on the board of engineers, before retiring in 1923. In the 1830’s he served as chairman of the Portsmouth board of street commissioners. He was a member of the North Congregational Church of Portsmouth and was very active in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He served as noble grand of Osgood Lodge, No. 48, IOOF, and as district deputy grand master of the order. He served for 39 years as the organization’s financial secretary.

Josiah and Estelle were very active and popular citizens and after 56 years of marriage, she died on November 4, 1946 at the age of 77 years. A few years later on Thursday afternoon, June 29, 1950, he died at his home on Cass Street at the age of 79 years after a lengthy illness. They are buried in their family plot in the South Cemetery. Josiah was a good man, a good husband and father and a hardworking and dedicated citizen. It should not be a surprise to learn that he was also a member of the Masonic fraternity. That’s right; Brother Josiah Morrison Varrell was raised a Master Mason is St. John’s Lodge on August 2, 1899. He was a long-time active member of the Lodge and was presented his 50-year medal in 1949. His sons William and Merton were also members of our Lodge.

Alan M. Robinson, PM Historian Remember to check your Dues Card and be sure that it says 2017. Also Life Membership is now much more affordable than in the past. Check with the Secretary for your cost.

Robert L. Sutherland, Jr. Secretary

robert7615@aol.com (603) 828-5246

Floyd Caron Worshipful Master

Floyd.stjohns@yahoo.com (207) 577-3028

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