Centennial Observance

History 1870 – 1970

Unity Lodge No. 146

Ancient Free and Accepted Masons

Prepared by BRO. ARCHIE H. ELDRIDGE

Past Master of Oriona Lodge No. 229, Fillmore, N. Y.
Member of Unity Lodge No. 146, Front Royal, Va.
Member Scottish Rite Masonry, Cornering Consistory, Corning, N. Y.
December 1970

A History of a Masonic Lodge can be a source of information regarding many items of value to persons or organizations of varying interests. To the Community Historian, for its references to events of community interest; to the genealogist, for its record of individuals in regard to birth and death dates with location of each, the name of the father and mother including her maiden name; marital status with the names of dependents; to the Master Mason as an indication of the growth of his Lodge, the names of the men who have labored on the symbolic Temple, and of their achievements. It should serve as an incentive, spurring him on to even greater things, not with the thought of excelling his Brethren of earlier years, but that Masonry might continue to grow and make light to shine in dark places through the Divine guidance of the Supreme Architect of the Universe.

A record of the activities of a Masonic Order should be kept in detail. It should be a running account of those events not elsewhere recorded. Deletions should not be permitted. In the records searched in preparing this brief summary, I found instances where whole pages had been removed, I found blank pages apparently left for the recording of meetings which were never entered. One minute book could not be found. Events scheduled for the next succeeding meeting, but not entered; did they take place or not? We do not know.

I would like to suggest that at each annual meeting, a Lodge Historian be appointed by the Wor. Master, whose duty it would be to supplement the minutes of the Secretary with a running account

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