Editing Tri-Lodge

The 2nd Monday of every February, Corinthian Lodge meets joinly with Caleb Butler Lodge and Simon W. Robinson Lodge.  A brother asked how this tradition started and Right Worshipful George Herbolsheimer wrote this lovely article to explain it's creation: 

ONCE UPON A TIME, in the far distant land, there were a number of like-minded men who formed themselves into groups for the betterment of themselves, each other and society in general.  These groups adopted some of the working tools and structure of the cathedral builders to impress on themselves certain inalienable truths by which they could assist each other and to give a format for running meetings.  Slowly they figured out that one member’s tools probably weren’t the others tools, and they needed to standardize use so that a man could visit with other groups and be recognized as a part of the organization.  Here in the Northeast of the Colonies, Lodges having been chartered by and adopting the English Masonic structure, the Masons here figured it was time to create a higher body over which they could rule and govern the various Lodges which they claimed as part of their jurisdiction – which jurisdiction encompassed not only Massachusetts, but had chartered lodges in Northern Massachusetts, Vermont and Connecticut and as far afield as South Carolina!  The upper organization became known as a Grand Lodge. A Grand Master was chosen to be the head of the Grand Lodge and to watch over the Lodges within his jurisdiction.  Attempts were made from time to time to form a Supreme Lodge to rule over everyone from sea to sea, but no real need was found to standardize the Lodges any more than they had already been.

This worked quite well for many years, and the Grand Master would perform his tasks as he saw fit.  Close to the end of the 18th Century, a Grand Master, one Paul Revere, of the famous ride, found an opportunity to organize and charter some 28 additional Lodges, and in doing so outstripped his ability to manage them. Realizing this as a problem, his successor, Samuel Dunn, instituted a system of Masonic Districts and appointed a Representative to visit and observe the Lodges in his District.  Having already founded the title of Deputy Grand Master on one who would rule in the absence or disability of the Grand Master, these appointees had to take on a different title, and were styled District Deputy Grand Masters.  Since these officers performed only ceremonial duties, most of the Lodges begrudgingly accepted them as the representative of the Grand Master.

Around the turn of the 21st Century, these positions became less ceremonial and more controlling.  Not only were they attending Lodges a couple of times a year, but they were also collecting the funds due the Grand Lodge (which had fairly steadily increased), reporting to the Grand Master on the work of the Lodges and other more than ceremonial duties.
Irregularly, these Districts were reorganized.  Just before the turn of the 21st Century, the Grand Lodge, under the direction of Grand Master M.W. Fred K. Bauer, realized again that the Districting of the Lodges needed to be revised.  There were districts with about a dozen Lodges and some with as few as three.  

This brings us to our story.  It had become a tradition of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts that on the visits of the District Deputy Grand Master, the officers of each of the Lodges in the District were “encouraged” to attend and be a apart of his suite.  In one case, however, notably the new 14th District, which had been carved from the old 12th, 13th and 14th Districts, three of the Lodges met on the same night, the second Monday of the month which would preclude those officers being on the District Deputy’s suite for those visits.. The current Grand Master, M.W Donald G. Hicks, Jr. instructed the District Deputy Grand Master, one R.W. Everett A. Johnson, to visit the three Lodges and get two of them to change their night of meeting. “No Problem, Grand Master. Will do.”  Borrowing from Masonic Tradition, R.W. Johnson visited the youngest of the lodges, Caleb Butler Lodge in Ayer.  “Easy thing to get done”, thought R.W. Johnson.  However, he was quite surprised when the Lodge’s leadership informed him that many of their members were active-duty military at Fort Devens, and that the Commanding Officer of the Fort had indicated that the second Monday would be kept on the Schedule for those Masons who wished to visit the Lodge.  Many Masons from other Lodges and jurisdictions regularly visited Caleb Butler Lodge.  “Ok. That’s more than a reasonable reason to keep Caleb Butler on the Second Monday”, thought R.W. Johnson. “I’ve still got two Lodges to get to move.  How hard could that be?” So, R.W. Johnston visited the second oldest, Simon W. Robinson Lodge in Lexington.  He informed Simon W. Robinson’s leadership. “Well, I visited with Caleb Butler Lodge and they told me that they really couldn’t change their date without seriously affecting the solders on Fort Devens, so I am coming to you to ask you to move yours.  I know that the building is sparsely booked and you should be able to find another date.”  After realizing that the next Grand Master would be coming from Simon W. Robinson Lodge, it was determined that it would be problematic for the Lodge to move its meeting date.  Having failed to get two Lodges to move their meeting date, but with bright spirits, R.W. Johnson visited Corinthian Lodge in Concord.  He said he had been unable to get either of the other two Lodges to change their meeting date, so Corinthian had to. District Deputy Gand Masters have great power, but one of those powers isn’t telling a Lodge when they are going to meet.  The leadership of Corinthian informed the R.W. that they were older than either of the other Lodges, and in fact had, since changing from a Moon Lodge, met on the second Monday.  If neither of the others were not going to change their night, Corinthian wasn’t either.

Although the penalties for a District Deputy Grand Master are probably not what they were in 1800, one still has a problem going hat in hand to a Grand Master to report that he had failed in a task.  But R.W. Johnson thought.  What could I do?  Then, as if sitting under the proverbial apple tree, the light went off in R.W. Johnson’s head.  He visited the Grand Master and indicated that he would like to have a revolving tri-Lodge meeting on the second Monday in February each year, with the host Lodge providing dinner.  M.W. Hicks responded; “Tell me what you need and I’ll give it to you.” Papers were exchanged and the first annually recuring all Massachusetts Tri-Lodge was set to meet on February 10, 2003 at the apartments of Corinthian Lodge.

No one knew what to expect from such an audacious Masonic idea.  Would the Brethren from the Lodges come?  Yes, the officers would be there – that would make about 30 or so in attendance.  Would the sideliners who generally fill the rooms of the individual lodges also attend – well Corinthian Lodge was the centrally situated Lodge of the three, so maybe some would attend.  Yes the top officers of the other Lodges in the District would be there – add another 20.  Maybe one or two from Grand Lodge as well, just to see how it worked.   So, maybe 60 or 65 as a maximum.  No problem. Corinthian could handle well over a hundred.

Corinthian Lodge also had an Assembly of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls meeting there, and one of the Advisory Board was well known as a home ec teacher and could prepare a simple and tasty meal.  Plans were made, details sent out and a call for reservations was included with a deadline of the Friday before. In typical Masonic fashion, there were 20 reservations by Friday night.  No Problem!!!  Monday morning there were 120 reservations.  The Rainbow Girls actually served 144. Pieces of lasagna were made smaller and salads were present but almost non-existent.  Everyone enjoyed Concord water!

There were 168 in the lodge room when the District Deputy called the meeting to order.  Every pew was completely filled and there were a few chairs set up in the West.  The first degree was more than ably performed by the Lodges.  

The highlight of the night - that night as well as at every Tri-Lodge meeting since - was however,  “Gee. I didn’t know you were a Mason!” as Brothers looked around the Lodge room to find friends whom they hadn’t a clue were Masons.

Although not with the attendance of the first Tri-Lodge, the Tri-Lodge continues to this day with many Brothers making Masonic friendships where they were only acquaintances.  While Masons are famous for “We’ve never done it that way.”, without the thinking outside the box of R. W. Everett A. Johnson, this valuable addition to Masonic activities might never have come to fruition.