Centennial Observance

Vigilance Committee was appointed annually by the Master, whose duty it was to “inquire into the standing of the Brethren, and if chargeable with any un-Masonic conduct, reporting the same at the first regular meeting, at least quarterly, and monthly if necessary”.

In many instances candidates were passed and raised in the same evening, a custom which we would frown upon today, and declare not in conformity with the accepted Masonic procedure and law. In 1843, the Lodge was apparently moved from its rooms in the Court House to the Odd Fellows Hall where they were still meeting June 16th, 1851, the last meeting date recorded in the minute book.

Here, again, Grand Lodge informs us that Front Royal Lodge #102, was declared extinct in 1857. The question has often been raised as to the attitude of Masonry during the period of the Civil War but no answer has been forth coming. Whether or not dissension among members; difference of opinion, etc., had any influence on the dissolution of Front Royal Lodge #102, is not known. At any rate, there was no Masonic Lodge actively functioning during the period between 1857 and the formation of Unity Lodge #146.

After a period of nearly fifteen years, during which Masonry as such did not exist as a working Lodge, we find this information in the original minute book:

At a meeting of the Craft, held on the upper floor of the Academy in Front Royal, Warren County, Virginia, on Friday evening, March 25, A.D. 1870; A.L., the following Master Masons were present, to wit:

Brother	Origin
x. x. xxxxxxxx
x. x. xxxxxxxx	formerly of Front Royal Lodge #102
x. x. xxxxxxxx	formerly of Front Royal Lodge #102
x. x. xxxxxxxx	formerly of Front Royal Lodge #102
x. x. xxxxxxxx	formerly of Hiram Lodge #107, of Md.
x. x. xxxxxxxx	formerly of Washington Lodge #78
x. x. xxxxxxxx	formerly of Triluminar Lodge #117
x. x. xxxxxxxx	demitted from Greenway Court Lodge #94
x. x. xxxxxxxx	formerly from Lafayette Lodge #137

A sufficient number of Brethren being convened, a Dispensation was presented from our Grand Master, Brother x. x. xxxxxxxx attested by Brother x. x. xxxxxxxx, Grand Secretary, bearing the Seal of the Grand Lodge of the State of Virginia, under date of March 14, 1870; appointing Brothers x. x. xxxxxxxx as Master, x. x. xxxxxxxx as Senior Warden, and x. x. xxxxxxxx as Junior Warden, with such other true and lawful Brethren as may be permitted to associate with them, to assemble and work as a regular Lodge in the Town of Front Royal, designated as “Unity Lodge”, and there to enter Apprentices, pass Fellowcrafts, and raise Master Masons agreeably to the customs and usages of Free and Accepted Masons.

Whereupon, Brother x. x. xxxxxxxx was conducted to the East; Brother x. x. xxxxxxxx was conducted to the West, and Brother x. x. xxxxxxxx was conducted to the South. Brother

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