were called to leave in haste for the tented field, to "dare and do " for their country! We all remember how the churches were closed, and the people assembled to speed the brave boys on their way, for the salvation of the country,-heroic hearts all!-On that occasion of throbbing hearts, and hasty and sad farewells, well do I remember the words of Orton, as he talked with his friends, and bid adieu to his wife and children; that he should never more be a citizen of Woodbury. Something told him he should not survive the war, but that he thought it his duty still to go and fight in the defense of his country. How prophetic were his forebodings! He died a true soldier, from wounds received in the heat and shock of battle. The memory of such a soldier, such a brother, will be forever enshrined in the hearts of his living brethren of the "mystic tie."

I have already intimated, that, in all the civil and social virtues, and in all the great events in the history of our State during the past century, the members of King Solomon's Lodge have been prominent. Let us name a few of the more celebrated, for time would fail me to mention all who have done the State good service, and done honor to our ancient fraternity. John Hotchkiss, the first Worshipful Master, appointed by the Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, and residing "at or near Waterbury," assembled the first members of our Lodge, and appointed the Wardens. The records of our Lodge, from 1765 to 1775, are lost, and we know not who those Wardens were; but, in the latter year, the Lodge began to be permanently held in Woodbury, a town then older, and considerably more important than Waterbury. The history of the Lodge since then is complete, even through the dark days of the miserable political Morgan excitement, when many other Lodges yielded to the fury of that relentless storm of reasonless indignation. Of John Hotchkiss, little is now known, save that he was a prominent citizen of our Colony, trusted by the Massachusetts Grand Master, and the founder of the Hotchkiss family in this part of Connecticut.

Among the early Masters of the Lodge, was Hezekiah Thompson, Esq., the first practicing lawyer in the present limits of Woodbury, and a leading citizen. Beginning as a saddler, by trade, he won his way to distinction as an advocate and juri‹t, a magistrate, a legislator, a soldier, a genial friend and an honest man, and died, leaving descendants who, in this and the adjoining States, have continued to take a leading part in public affairs, and to exercise

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a powerful influence in the places of their residence. the founding of the Lodge, for near forty years, he was one of its most active and efficient members.

Associated with Mr. Thompson, were several other leading spirits of those early days, in the history of the Lodge. Among these was Dr. Joseph Perry, who, for nearly half a century, adorned the profession of Medicine, and for three-fourths of that time, greatly contributed to the prosperity of the Lodge, and the spreading of the benefits of Masonry. He was conspicuous in aiding the soldiers in the Revolutionary struggle, and in curbing the impetuosity of the rampant tories in our midst. And in this place, I have the pleasure to say, that the name of no tory disgraces the fair historic pages of our ancient Lodge. He died an honored citizen, at a good old age, leaving his son, Dr. Nathaniel Perry, fit representative of his father's virtues, to follow with reverence in his footsteps, in every great and good work. Well did he bear up his father's reputation, as the kind and skillful physician, the firm, considerate, and effective friend, the friend of all, the Mason's champion, the friend of charity and all good works, and that noblest of God's works, an honest man. For nearly fifty years did these worthy men labor with the workmen, and for half that time, directed them in their labors.

In the galaxy of talent, worth, and ability, which adorned the Lodge in these early days, was Hon. Ephraim Kirby, a native of Washington, and, for a long time, a resident of Litchfield; afterwards dying in Mississippi, while on his way to assume his duties as Judge of the territory of Orleans, by the appointment of Jefferson. He served during the whole of the Revolutionary war; was present, and participated in, nineteen battles and skirmishes, among which was Bunker Hill, Brandywine, Monmouth, and Germantown, and received thirteen wounds. In war, in civil and professional life, he greatly distinguished himself. He had the high professional honor of being the author of the first volume of judicial decisions ever published in this country. He was a fit representative of our Order,—a man of highest moral as well as physical courage, warm, generous, and faithful in his attachments, and of indomitable energy,

Associated with Past Masters Thompson and Perry, was Dr. Anthony Burritt, of Southbury, then a parish of Woodbury. He was a leading spirit in the Lodge, and in the events of his time. During a part of the period of the Revolution, he acted as Sur

geon's-mate, was taken a prisoner, and carried to Long-Island, but was afterwards liberated by the intercession of his friend, Jabez Bacon, of this town, the richest man that ever resided here. His son, Daniel Bacon, Esq., and General Chauncey Crafts, his son-inlaw, were afterwards honored and acceptable members of the Lodge, generous friends, and useful citizens of the town.

The last of the Past Masters who assembled at the grand reunion Lodge Meeting in the Hollow, with those before mentioned, in 1782, was Hon. Nathan Preston. He was a soldier of the Revolution, serving in the ranks, and in the Commissary Department. He was a lawyer of ability, with a full practice. He was Town Clerk for thirty-nine years, a member of the General Assembly twelve Sessions, and Judge of Probate fourteen years. He was often Master of the Lodge, and thoroughly identified with its interests, as well as those of the town.

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Among the early lights," serving in the South and West, was Elijah Sherman, familiarly known as "Father Sherman," from the fact that he was the father and founder of the Methodist Church in this town. An Elder in his Church for twenty years, with some few companions, worshippers in his faith, he held religious services in his own house, but lived to see the erection of a Methodist Church on a part of his own homestead, and a devout company of believers worshipping there. He was gathered to his fathers at the advanced age of ninety, in 1844; a useful citizen, an accepted Mason, and a Christian man, who adorned his profession. In the very early history of the Lodge, was another distinguished man and Mason, Col. Joel Hinman, who did much honor to the Lodge, by his earnest zeal and brotherly charity. Before 1800, Rutgers B. Marshall, Benjamin Stiles, Esq., an early lawyer in Southbury, Capt. Timothy Hinman, of Revolutionary fame, Dr. Samuel Orton, a physician of great eccentricity, but of rare ability as a physician, and an honest man; Deacon Scovill Hinman, for many years the oldest member of the Lodge, and dying at the age of more than ninety years; Jesse Minor, Esq., father of the respectable family that bears his name; Bartimeus Fabrique, and nearly thirty others of the best inhabitants of Woodbury, during the years of 1797 and 1798, were received as Apprentices, passed as Fellow Crafts, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason.

Previous to 1787, Rev. John R. Marshall, the founder of the Episcopal Church (St. Paul's) in Woodbury, was received into

the benevolent bosom of our honored Order, and well did he fulfill the sacred duties committed to his trust. He went to England in 1771; was ordained Deacon and Priest, returned to Woodbury the same year, entered upon his ministrations, and at a period between that and 1775, when the preserved records of the Lodge commence, he received the benevolent initiation of the "mystic tie." In the measures connected with the establishment of the Protestant Episcopal Church in America, after the war, Bro. Marshall bore a conspicuous and effective part. Nor was his influence less in the Lodge. Of him we may say, he "wrought well, and his works do follow him."

Of all the members of our venerated King Solomon's Lodge, now hoary with years, perhaps, all things considered, the most noted, revered and celebrated, by his works in the ministry as well as by his writings, was the Rev. Dr. Azel Backus, then of the Woodbury Parish of Bethlehem, celebrated as a theologian of great force and power, revered as a teacher of youth for the ministry and the colleges, and a devout, undeviating Christian; he was no less a decided and honored Mason. At the festival of St. John the Baptist, in 1794, he preached a sermon to the Lodge, in its private assembly, of great power, pathos and beauty, and the influence of this eminent man was ever felt in the honor, usefulness and success of the craft. Sweet flowers of memory bloom over the graves of such immortal members of our beloved Lodge. Near the beginning of the 19th century, other conspicuous names begin to greet our vision, of whom time fails me to speak. In 1812, among other noble men, were Hon. Curtiss Hinman, and the late Judge Charles B. Phelps. And there are many living members whose masonic modesty would not allow me to speak of their enduring merits. Judge Phelps has too lately passed to the spirit land to allow us to forget the great gifts and noble traits which he possessed. His eulogy has been fittingly spoken by the orator of the day-one who knew them well, and had the right to speak them. His kindly, genial and charitable acts are enshrined in many hearts.

In 1826, we find two respected members, father and son, occupying respectively the "East" and the "South" in the Lodge. They passed long ago to that "bourne whence no traveler re. turns," and have gone to join the numerous band of worthies who had passed before them into the spirit land. Need I mention the names of Dr. Samuel and Roderick C. Steele, to bring to the re

membrance of this presence the brothers to whom I refer? They were lovely in their lives. Too soon for earth they passed to the mansions above. The father was, in his generous nature, a father to all whom he knew. The true hand of masonic charity was stretched forth to all who were in need, in the Order and out of it. Genial, social and benevolent to the core, he charmed all within the circle of his influence, and died beloved as he had lived respected, having gained the affections of all. An honest man, a true friend, an honored citizen, a sincere Christian, he has left behind him the grateful incense of an affectionate remembrance.

Such are a few of the names of which our ancient Lodge has the right to boast, and which will ever be held by the fraternity, in honorable and affectionate remembrance. Their characters and noble actions will rise to view when the memory of others will have sunk in oblivion. "The good never die; to them belongs a double immortality, they perish not on earth, and they exist forever in heaven. The good of the present live in the future, as the good of the past are now with us and in us to-day."

I close with the finale of the sentiment to which I am responding: "The virtues of the Masonic dead are indellibly recorded upon living tablets, the hearts of their surviving brethren."

The next toast, "Harmony Lodge, No. 42, of Waterbury, the eldest daughter of King Solomon's Lodge. May she live to celebrate the ONE THOUSANDTH birth-day of her venerable mother," was well responded to by Bro. E. A. Judd, Worshipful Master of Harmony Lodge. Among other things he said:

"We are gathered here to-day, brethren, to celebrate the Centennial Anniversary of King Solomon's Lodge; and I feel as if Harmony Lodge had a peculiar interest in the ceremonies. In the words of the toast, she is the 'eldest daughter of King Solomon's Lodge.' We are, therefore, but children, come home to the family gathering-come home to join in the festivities of the one hundredth birthday of our mother Lodge.

"We find by an examination of the records, that in October, 1797, permission was granted by King Solomon's Lodge to the brethren residing in Waterbury and Salem, to apply to the Grand Lodge for a charter for a Lodge to be located in Waterbury or Salem, as the Grand Lodge might direct.' A charter was accordingly granted for a lodge to be holden alternately in Waterbury