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The Huron Expositor, 1975-06-26, Page 85STM • ' ' YOUR HE AD QUARTERS FOR THE BEST IN TAKE OUT FOOD BURGERS CHICKEN SHAKES FRIES FLOATS PIZZA ONION RINGS CONES SEAFORTH FREEZE KING JUST WEST OF T WN ON HWY 1111) Before Seaforth was a town Britannia Lo e here since 1865 P (By the late Rev: J.C.Britton) The year 1865 marked the end of the Civil War in the United States. It was not without its effect on Upper and Lower Canada with particular reference to the community of our immediate interest. The whole continent suffered for some considerable period from a financial depression and commercial st agnation that directly affected the struggling communities of the Huron tract in Upper Canada. Settlements of a purely rural nature were proceeding rapidly with farmsteads dotting the -countryside regularly. The Townships of McKillop and Tuckersmith were thriving. Settlements at Broadfoot's Bridge and Roxboro . had been established for nearly 30 years, but the Seafortth community was slowly emerging from its desig- nation as "Signboard Swamp", so called because of the signboard raised at the present juncture of Main Street and No. 8 Highway, pointing to Ainleyville (now Brussels), to the north, and Goderich, to the west. Development of a business and residential area in Seaforth was slew, occasioned by the fact that Harpurhey on the west, and Egmondville to the south, were the established business and commercial areas. lit was not until the coming of the Buffalo an'd Huron Railway, and the discovery of salt within the town limits, that Seaforth was assured of a place in the expanding community. Masonry Grows Paralleling the growth of commerce and industry , in Seaforth was the inception and growth of masonry. Even though Seaforth only had village status (it was not incorporated as a village until the year of Confederation, 1867; and as a town in 1875), certain loyal and perceptive brethren began to lay the cornerstone of a work that in the ensuing century has assumed permanent and beautiful propor- tions. Chief among the laborers, to whom the original petition was granted were Alexander Slemmon, W.M.; Royal McShea, S.W.; Edward Hickson, J.W.; Robert Nathaniel Brett, Richard Vanstone, John Brett, Alonzo Strong and Julius Duncan. In the report of the D.D.G.M. of Huron District, Charles Kahn, we find this excerpt: "Appli- cations were made through me for Warrants for establishing new lodges at Seaforth and Ayr; the one to be called Britannia Lodge, and the other Ayr Lodge; and on my certifying that the Masters named were skilled in the established degrees, the Most WOrshipful Grand Master issued his dispensations for the establishment of these Lodges, ands. which, I hope will be confirmed by Grand Lodge granting to them Warrants of Constitution." "Whilst on this subject, I cannot pass over in silence the credit due the charter members of Britannia Lodge, for the true Masonic spirit displayed by them in fitting up -their Lodge room, making it the handsomest in the district, in this respect causing it to conform with their work; which is second to none in the Province." We should pause to pay tribute here to the first Worshipful Master of Britannia Lodge, No. 170, Alexander Slemmon, who was originally a member of Clinton Lodge, No. 84, regularly received November 20, 1861; advanced January 15, 1862, and was raised to the third degree on February 19, 1862. Wor. Bro, Slemmon was Master of Britannia Lodge in 1865-66-68. He continued his interest and support of the regular work by acting as Director of Ceremonies until 1897 when relieved by Bro. R.S.Hays. It was not until 1909 that this Brother, who had laboured ceaselessly for his" beloved Lodge, was called to higher service. There were other labourers, who from the first knock of the gavel, gave unstinting service to Britannia Lodge in the early days. To name a few — Bros. J. Duncan, Master in 1867; J. McIntyre, Master in 1869 and 1878; William Ballantyne, Master in 1870-76-87-88-91; J. H. Benson, Master in 1871-73; Dr. H.L.Vercoe, Master in 1874-75-77. Up until 1890, it was not unusual for a Brother to serve several terms as Worshipful Master to keep the Lodge working in good order. These, men, while being the mainstay ' of their Lodge, were also leading business and professional men in the community. This is a relation- ship that has persisted for a century between the established community and the Masonic Order. Baptists In Hall A news note from The Huron Expositor, 1869., mentions that the local Baptist congregation held regular worship services in the Masonic Hall until their chapel was built. - While Masonic • work was carried on normally• with many candidates being received, it was not always easy to meet financial commitments. Progress placed demands upon the Lodge to find new quarters: In 1874 the present Lodge rooms were leased for twenty years at a rental of one hundred dollars a year. It was then necessary to equip and furnish the new Lodge rooms 'for occupancy by the, Blue Lodge and the newly organized Malloch Chapter. The dedication of the new Lodge rooms took place on March 39 1875. A banquet was also served on that occasion with thirty-seven members present from Britannia Lodge and twenty- five guests, including the acting Grand Master, It.W. Bro. J. E. Kerr, and the acting' Gr and Secretary, R.W.Bro. J.J.Mason, as well as other visitors from neighbouring , Districts and Lodges. The ladies were also invited and brightened this social event by their presence. A Debt As a consequence of refurbishing the new Lodge rooms a debt was accumulated that greatly distressed the brethren. They exerted their labours in their appointed 'task with a will, and by paying their dues in advance for up to three years, the full debt was retired to the great relief of all concerned. It was in 1881 that an organ was purchased for one hundred dollars, so that music could grace the work of the Lodge. In; 1882 the first recorded Divine service was held by the brethren of Britannia Lodge of St. Thomas' Anglican Church. Rev. Bro. Jeffrey Hill preached the sermon. Twenty-eight members and fifteen visitors were in attendance. On January 13, 1893, another social event, peculiar to that day, was held by the Lodge. It was called a 'Converzasione'. It appears that such an event consisted of a supper, to which the ladies were invited, group singing afterwards, with speeches and parlor games, to pass a very enjoyable evening. Lights Installed • The annual visit of the D,D.G.M., in the person of R. W. Bro. Joseph Beck, was well received since the R. W. Bro. Beck complimented the Lodge officers .for their fine wor.k, and the companion honor of being the Banner Lodge of the District. It wasn't until 1879 that steps were taken to have electric lights installed in the Lodge rooms. This, of course, was another step in line with the progress of the community. The First Great War put demands upon the loyal brethren of Britannia Lodge. Many of them volunteered for service in the armed forces. All brethren serving King and Country. Were relieved from the payment of dues for the durationilros. Francis Cluff, Frank Weiland sand Andrew Archibald made the supreme sacrifice. It should be noted as well that other brethren lost sons, being themselves too old for military service. - From time to time the constitution of Britannia Lodge came up for revision. This was as expected. Conditions change and expanding demands made it necessary to increase the Lodge dues to five dollars. Long Service There were an increasing number of brethren who had given long service to Masonic work for which the Lodge was indeed grateful. Fifty-year jewels _were presented to W. Bro. William Ament; Bros. J.A.Wilson, and J. C. Greig for long and faithful service. In June 1943, Britannia Lodge was host to a very distinguished visitor in the person of Bro. the Hon. John- Bracken, who addressed the lodge in a very interesting and constructive manner. Britannia Lodge has had several members who served faithfully in the political field, i.e. Bro. Th omas McMillan and Bro. William Golding; the latter not only served for many years As sitting member in the House of Commons, but served in the Senate as well for many years, • until his death on December 31, 1961. Of more recent memory are the arrangements which led up to the annual visits between Britannia Lodge and Lincoln Lodge, Detroit. Firm and lasting friendships have been developed through these visits. These annual visits are still being held on a turn-about basis at the time of writing. It was about' this time (1950) that Britannia Lodge took the necessary steps to acquire possession of the building in which the Lodge rooms are situated. A committee was appointed to raise funds' for this purpose. After acquisition it became necessary in the ensuing years to rehabilitate sections of the building, and modernize the lodge rooms with needed facilities. In 1965, a lower section of the building was converted into an area that will lend itself to social activities in connection with the Lodge work. It can be said with a certain degree of pride tha t Britannia Lodge now owns the building, entirely free of debt. A modern gas furnace now supplies the heat in place of the old wood and oil stoves, which were so prominent in the lodge rooms a few short years ago. The progressive spirit evidenced by the officers and members of Britannia Lodge, both past and present, is deserving of a sincere and well-merited tribute. Space does not permit the setting down of the many events that might be deemed important. As with life, the work of Britannia Lodge has been predominantly routine through one hundred years of constant service. It should be stated- that the officers and members of Britannia Lodge serve as faithfully and well today as did those who have goner before them, "that they without us should not be made perfect." 12—THE HURON EXPOSItOR, JUNE 2S, 1975 Collgrattaa6"s to the Residents of - SEAFORTH on your 100th Anniversary EERO[E0 OF CANADA LIMED 4 5.0 14'