What a contrast between 1808 and 1908! In 1808, twelve Masons from five Lodges met in a little room in Chillicothe (and on of them was asked to leave.) In 1908, 72,000 Masons from 514 Lodge had a opportunity to celebrate the entry of the Grand Lodge into its second century.

The big day arrived in October 21, 1908, when Grand master George D. Copeland, of Marion Lodge No. 70, and his officers assembled at the Hotel Sinton in Cincinnati. At 9:15 a. m., the were met by other Brethren and military bands for the march to the Music hall.

"Great throngs filled the streets." Masonic banners and emblems waved from business centers by the thousands. The several bands thrilled the crowds lining the streets as hundreds of masons marched to the Music Hall.

The Grand Lodge historian wrote: "The program of the day was Initiated by the march to Music Mall and the formal opening of Grand Lodge, was Passed along to the immense parade in the afternoon, and was Raised to a sublime degree of enthusiasm in the exercises of the evening."

The first session was opened to non-Masons, and all were welcomed in glowing terns by the Mayor. The Scottish Rite "double quartet" sang appropriate selections. But the highlight of the morning was a choir composed of fifty boys and girls from the Ohio Masonic Home. It presented several selections, ending with "Home, Sweet Home."

Grand Master Copeland then opened the Annual Communication of The Grand Lodge of Ohio. He recalled some of the history of the Grand Lodge. He was particularly proud to say it had grown to over 72,000 "active, earnest and faithful members." he was also proud of the "the long list of distinguished patriots and statesmen who had served our state and nation in positions of high honor and trust, and who had thane from the designs upon the trestle board in our lodges, the inspiration for lives which have left their impress upon the pages of history."

Copelnad said an attempt had been made to organize a clandestine lodge if masons in Cleveland. After it had advertised in the local papers, two members of the Grand Lodge were instrumental in having the papers "discontinue such advertisements, and the matter seems to need no further attention."

The Grand Secretary reported new York with 779 Lodges and a membership of 152,928, was the largest jurisdiction in the country. It was followed by Illinois with 759 Lodges and 85,341 members. Pennsylvania was third with 470 Lodges and 84,341 members. Ohio was fourth with 72,339 members and 514 Lodges. He was particularly pleased to note the Grand Lodge was completely free of debt.

The committee on Masonic History reported that "finding cooperative work in this connection not only ill-advised and unsatisfactory, but difficult in execution, and deeming it for the best interest of the proposed historical work, they delegated its compilation and the work connected there with to the Chairman of the Committee, who had compiled and completed the manuscript of the first volume and had the same ready for the printer for publication." It had learned a committee cannot writ a book.

The Grand Lodge refused to permit an organization known as the "White Shrine of Jerusalem" to use masonic halls for meeting purposes.

The Centennial Committee announced the plans for the afternoon. The Grand Lodge and visitors would be entertained a the Zoological Garden. There would be a special band concert by Bellstedt's famous band. The Drill Corps of Hanselmann Commandery No. 16, knights Templars, "one of the prize winners at the last Triennial Conclave," would perform. So would its military band. And there would be "other special features of amusement and entertainment."

The drive of the Scottish Rite for funds to add two additional stories to the dining room at the Masonic Home met with an overwhelming success. The lower floor had been completed and occupied; the second floor was nearing completion. The Endowment Fund had reached almost $92,000.

The President of the United States, Brother Theodore Roosevelt, sent a telegram saying: "I heartily congratulate the Grand Lodge of Masons of Ohio no the celebration of its Centenary. Please present my fraternal greetings and regards to the Brethren."

Brother Charles W. Fairbanks, Vice President of the United States, wrote:". . . How grateful I would be were the way clear to accept the invitation you extend to participate in the festivities of your Centennial celebration . . . I can not tell you how much I regret this, for the occasion is one that appeals to me in the strongest possible manner. I am always gratified to be associated with my Masonic Brethren in those events which seek to bring the members of the Fraternity in closer fellowship."

After the 27 boys and 23 girls from the masonic Home had left the Grand Lodge session, their celebration began. The were the guests of the city, and "were given the time of their lives. The visited the zoo . . . , rode in a tallyho above the city, and were the guests of the Committee for a number of other pleasant experiences, including a visit to the Walnut Street Theater to see ‘Buster Brown,' which they enjoyed to the limits."

A total of 5,834 participated at 2:30 p. m. in "the greatest Masonic procession seen in this and probably in any State." Thousands of souvenir masonic aprons, "specially made and inscribed for the occasion, were distributed." The Committee believed "some of these will no doubt be treasured by the children and the children's children of as precious keepsakes when the bi-Centennial Anniversary shall be celebrated by our Masonic Successors."

Over 8,000 were present for the events of the evening at the Music hall. Featured were several musical selections by different groups. Past Grand Master William B. Melish, Chairman of the Centennial Committee, was the master of Ceremonies. In his introductory remarks, he said:

Today we note the beginning of a new century of life for our Grand Lodge, and by comparing the early period of its life with the present we find abundant cause for congratulations and for a glad and grateful celebration of this significant anniversary. The storm of the past, if rightly read and interpreted, is the power of the present, the prophecy of the future. Life is brief, duty grave, but with rain folded wings of yesterday's sunshine the grateful heart sings. We are the owners of Ohio's proud history of Masonry. To us of right belongs it ancient glory and its present prestige. On us depends it future fame and fortune. May the faith and fealty of the fathers ve renewed in the high resolve and noble deed of each member of the Fraternity in Ohio.

Bishop David H. Moore of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a member of Ancient Landmark Lodge of China, was the principal speaker for the occasion. His topic was "The Masonic Fraternity, Wheresoever Dispersed on Land or Sea." He opened his long address by saying:" This Fraternity is one form of that Brotherhood which has its best representation in the family. There how tender and holy the relationship! Brothers, children of the same parents, objects of the same live and care, heirs to the same estate; interests a like, hopes, fears, joys and sorrows — Brotherhood!"

Later he explained "three characteristics of Masonic Fraternity." He said, "The first is its antiquity." The second "is its democracy. It chooses the insignia of labor rather than the luxury and pomp of power; the apron of the Marather than purple and gold; the square and the compass rather than the scepter and the crown. It recognizes the dignity of toil, sets its seal upon honest industry, and points all alike to sacred duties and higher reward. Within the Lodge vanish all the separations of life – high, low, rich, poor; men meet men upon the level and part upon the square."

The third characteristic he said "is its universality." A Mason can go around the world and neever be "beyond the cable-tow of a Master Mason."

A beautiful, but long, "Centennial Poem" was written and read by Past Grand Master Nelson Williams. One of the verses asks:

And what of our future? Who can answer the question?
Who can tell what the coming years may have in store?
Who can say that the pillars of our mighty fabric
Shall remain, and be free from decay evermore?
Who shall say that our banners will be ever stainless,
Symbolic of Purity, of Virtue and Love?
That our precepts and lessons will still lead us onward?
As they do at the present, to the Temple above?

The benediction was presented by the Reverend Paul Hickok, Grand Chaplain:

As we shall turn our faces from this place, to go back to our homes and our work, may the Devine Master be our Director and Protector. May the principles we have learned tinder the tutelage of our Brotherhood so govern our lives, that at the end of our earthly labors we may be enabled to gather in that Heavenly Temple above, where with virtue that is celestial, truth that is radiant, and love that is Godlike, we may meet to separate no more, forever. Amen.

The Eastern Star Chapters had contributed sufficient funds to improve the Masonic Home hospital. Two wings were added to the north and south ends, making the building 100 feet long and 40 feet wide. It now had 11 rooms, five wards, one sun parlor, two duty rooms, kitchen, and
utility space in the basement.

Grand Master Charles S. Hoskinson, of Amity Lodge No. 5, "exercised his prerogative as Grand Master." He made William Howard Taft a Mason-at-Sight. The publicity must have been excellent. There were 14 Grand Masters 14 from sister jurisdictions present, along with 12 Past Grand Masters of Masons in Ohio. Three hundred two Worshipful Masters, 20 District Lecturers, and "a large number of Active and Honorary Members of the Supreme Council
A.A.S.R., Thirty-third Degree," were also in the Scottish Rite Cathedral in Cincinnati. A large representation from The Grand Commanderies and Grand Chapter also participated.

Later on that same evening, February 18, 1909, Taft was present when the Master Mason's Degree was conferred in Kilwinning Lodge No.356. He was presented with "a beautiful lambskin apron." Later he was elected to membership in the Lodge.

A real mystery would occur less than 20 years later concerning Grand Master Hoskinson. He disappeared, and his disappearance has never been solved. He resided in Zanesville and had an insurance business in the city. Actually, his office was across from the Masonic Temple. It
would appear that Hoskinson was to go to Columbus on the weekend before Easter 1926. His automobile broke down, so he left on a bus. That was the last his family or anyone else heard from him. The Muskingum County Court had no record of his estate being probated. There is no
record of him being declared dead. He paid his dues on April 2, 1926, to Lodge of Amity No.5. He was carried on The roles until 1932 when he was suspended.

William M. Cunningham, the senior Past Grand Master, died on August 16, 1909. Cunningham was the author of the first volume of the history of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, and for over a quarter century he had written the Foreign Correspondence reports.

During the Annual Communication of October 20, 1909, the code was revised to read: "No Lodge shall confer the first three degrees of Masonry for less than $25, and in cases where three or more Lodges have concurrent jurisdictions, for less than $40."

Grand Master B. F. Perry, Jr., of Tuscan Lodge No. 342, told the Grand Lodge on October 19, 1910: "The beautiful lessons taught by our ceremonies have this year been imparted to more applicants than in any other period in the history of this Grand Jurisdiction. We are not only numerically stronger, but I believe the lodges, as well as the individual members of the Craft, are doing more toward the upbuilding of character, more nearly fulflling the mission of the great Brotherhood, than ever before."

He said the members of American Union Lodge No.1 Had held special communication on June 14, 1910. They had received Judson Harmon, Governor of Ohio. On the following evening, it held another special Communication and received the President of the United States, William Howard Taft.

As it had been doing every year since the formation of the Masonic Home, the Grand Lodge contributed much more than was allocated to it from the per tax. Its Board was pleased with the way things were progressing. The Brethren were invited to take their ladies to visit the home in the afternoon on a special train chartered for the purpose. The Endowment Fund had reached $125,408.21.

Grand Master Harry S. Kissell, of Anthony Lodge No. 455, noted on October 18, 1911, that in Adams County during the past year more than 1,800 men had been convicted for selling their votes. He said this was in a county "where we have five active Masonic Lodges, and out of the 1,800 men so convicted not one is a Mason, and not a Mason was indicted by the Grand Jury investigating these cases; if Masonry could maintain this record, it would be a mighty power aiding in the solution of the many great problemswhich confront us as a nation."

Grand Secretary Bromwell presented his report and within it he stated:

It is in a spirit of retrospection that I present to you this, my twenty-third annual report as Grand Secretary, and in looking back over the span of years during which I have had the honor to represent you I see the pleasant mingled with the sad; the pleasant in the privilege of companionship with such a body as this, representing, as it does, the highest type of citizenship and loftiest ambition to make the world better for their living in it; the sad, when we recall the names of the great and good men who once stood upon our roster but from whom no response now comes as the rolls of our membership is called.

During these twenty-three years we have seen this roll of members in good standing grow from only a little over thirty thousand to but a few short of eighty-three thousand and have seen the altar of Masonry erected in sixty-six Lodges that have been constituted under your authority. The first charter signed by me as Grand Secretary in 1888 was numbered 546; the one which I shall sign for the latest Lodge now under dispensation will be No.612.

The membership of the individual Lodge has increased in many instances to an almost marvelous extent. Two have over a thousand members each and a large number over seven hundred, and even in the case of the smaller Lodges the mere handful of members which often found it difficult to form a quorum to transact the business of the Lodge now find it necessary to increase the capacity of their halls in order to accommodate the ever-increasing membership.

One of the most pleasant features of this growth is the numerous magnificent Masonic Temples which have been erected throughout the state, standing forth, as we say in our ceremonial, 'to bear testimony to the untiring industry of Free and Accepted Masons.' I hope to be able during the coming year, if I shoud be continued in my present station, to procure photographs of all Temples in this state owned by the various Lodges or Masonic Temple companies, for insertion in the future proceedings of this Grand Lodge, in order that the Brethren in our own Lodges, as well as those of other jurisdictions, may be informed of the progress we have made in adding
to the dignity and securing the convenience and comforts of our places of assemblage.

Grand Secretary Jacob H. Bromwell had spent every spare moment during the year checking and correcting the By-Laws of the Lodges. The Grand Lodge felt this was over and beyond the call of duty. It ordered a special award to be made and presented to him. During the following Annual Communication, he was presented with a beautiful desk and matching chair. The desk is still used by the current Grand Secretary.

As is had for many years, the liquor question again raised its head. The delegates unanimously adopted an amendment to section 58: "To engage in the selling of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes is a Masonic offense and should subject any Brother so offending to
charges and expulsion; it should also be a disqualification for initiation or affiliation in a Masonic Lodge."

The Grand Master was authorized to obtain member ship for The Grand Lodge of Ohio in the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association.

Past Grand Master Nelson Williams had become a recognized Masonic poet, as well as the Foreign Correspondent. He ended his report in 1912 with another of his poems:

From Labor to Refreshment

From Labor to Refreshment - what a happy thought it is,
As we journey down the avenues of Time,
To feel that sweet refreshment will reward our labors here,
In that Lodge where every precept is sublime.

To feel that all the burdens, all the sorrows, all the woes,
All the trials, all the aches, and all the pains,
Will be buried as poor Hiram, when the Soul in freedom goes
To that Lodge where our Grand Master ever reigns.

From Labor to Refreshment - 'tis the Junior Warden's call
In the Lodge known as Symbolic here below,
And every Brother pauses when he hears the gavel fall,
For its potent power all the Masons know.

Our Mystic work suspended, sweet converse reigns supreme,
And Fellowship, which is our richest gem,
Is set in Love cemented, and its iridescent gleam,
Lights to brilliancy our dazzling diadem.

From Labor to Refreshment-'tis the Great Grand Master's call
When our labors in the earthly Lodge are o're,
And he takes us through the portals of His Grand Celestial Hall,
There to live in sweet refreshment evermore.

There we shall see completed all the Master's wise designs,
No longer need the level and the square;
And there will be no longer any need of grips or signs,
For we shall all be Brethren over there.

John G. Reeves closed his History of Freemasonry in Ohio, Volume III, by recounting some of the history of the early years. "In the Councils of the General Masonic Bodies in both York and Scottish Rites," he wrote, "the influence of Ohio's gifted and honored Masonic Brethren has always been felt and recognized."

In 1816, both Thomas Smith Webb and John Snow moved to Worthington. On March 14, 1818, Webb issued a dispensation to Snow and others authorizing the organization of Mt. Vernon Encampment No.1, Knights Templars, at Worthington. This was the beginning of this Christian
branch in Ohio. Royal Arch Masonry had been active long before the Grand Lodge was organized. Cryptic Masonry came along later.

A dispensation was granted on April 27, 1853, to constitute Ohio Sovereign Grand Consistory, 32nd degree, at Cincinnati. It was the first Consistory to be instituted west of New York. It would become one of the largest in the world. From it evolved the other four great Consistories in Ohio up to the year 1912.

"A large part of the State of Ohio was laid waste and destroyed by flood and fire," during March, 1913. Grand Master Edwin S. Griffiths, of Cleveland City Lodge No. 15, immediately asked every Lodge in Ohio to respond to the plea for assistance. They did, and so did every Grand Lodge in the country. As a result, Griffiths was able to report: "The hungry were fed, the naked were clad, the homeless were housed and out of that chaotic condition of disaster and distress there arose a grander, a nobler Masonry."

He praised many of the Lodges and committees that had worked: "In the city of Columbus, the Masons have made an enviable record. They opened the beautiful Temple, fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and bound up the wounds of the afflicted.' For many days no less than 5,000 homeless, hungry people were fed, and the great work was done by the Masons of that city without the General Committee donating a dollar. He added in glowing phrases:

And there is another story that cannot be told in words. It is the glory of our Ancient Graft that, though the corporate transactions of the Grand and Constituent Bodies may be may be recorded in published annals and kept through the years in public archives, the real works of Freemasonry are performed in unostentatious quiet, Unheralded, unblazoned, unchronicled to public fame, but nevertheless constituting lasting history because such works are born of the divine in man and never, never, never die. The record may be written of prompt and effective Masonic relief, unstintingly poured out with eager helpfulness and generous liberality in times of great disaster and imminent need such as have called to us during this year. But what story can be told of Masonic charity which, daily and hourly, in every city, village, and hamlet of our State, enters the abode of the poor, hears the wail of a child in hunger, regards the sob of a mother in distress, sees the anguish of a strong man in his hour of desperation, and feeds the starving, succors the afflicted, helps, sustains, and strengthens the despairing? It is such Masonry that makes the arid waste of desolation blossom into a garden of joy and yet leaves no record except for him who, refreshed by the fragrance and beauty of the roses, feels that a Mason has been there.

The flood caught a delegation from Hiram Lodge No. 18 away from home. The fellows were visiting Ostrander Lodge 594 for its annual inspection. A Ford automobile was the means of transportation. About midnight the group started home. When the Scioto River was reached, water was overflowing it and backing up about 50 feet. One of the Brethren wanted to cross; the others vetoed the idea. It was fortunate. A short time later the bridge was washed away. They returned to Ostrander, learned the other bridge was out, so they spent the night. The next morning "they procured a handcar and crossed the Scioto River by means of the railroad bridge." They walked home to Delaware from the east side of the Scioto.

A short time later Grand Master Griffiths had another unusual experience. This one more pleasant. He opened the Grand Lodge at "high twelve" in Parlor "Z" of the steamer City of Buffalo, "as it was entering the gayly decorated harbor of But-in-Bay." The Grand Lodge had accepted an invitation to lay the cornerstone of the Perry Memorial, "Which, among other things, is in commemoration of the Battle of Lake Erie and of the peace of 1814."

Over 5,000 members of the Craft assembled in the park in the village of Pu-in-Bay. After they were escorted to the base of the Memorial, heard Brother John H. Clarke, President of the Ohio Commission, conclude his address by saying: "I am directed by the inter-state board of Perry's Victory Centennial Commissioners to commit to you, sir, the Worshipful (sic) Grand Master of The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Ohio, the duty, which I am sure will be esteemed by you as a great honor, of laying with the appropriate ceremonies of your ancient and illustrious Order a cornerstone of the magnificent memorial now rising before us to commemorate a like a hundred years of peace with the Kingdom of Great Britain."

After the ceremonies were over, the Grand Lodge was closed in the Grand Master's rooms at the Hotel Crescent.

The activities of the day closed with a banquet, "given by the Ohio Commission in honor of the Governor of Ohio, the members of the Legislature, the Supreme Court, the State Officers, the Masonic Fraternity, and distinguished guests."

The Grand Master, in responding to the toast "Masonry and Patriotism," stated:

Nearly one hundred years ago, within shot-sound of where we now stand, men of a common race engaged in combat for control of these great inland seas. As stated by the illustrious commander of our fleet, it ‘pleased the Almighty to give to the armies of the United States the victory.' Those were the opening words of the Commander's report to the Secretary of the Navy. They were the words of a patriot and a Mason, and show belief in and show an ultimate purpose.

Small in the size and number of ships, small in the number of men engaged on both sides, small in the number of casualties; measured by the so-called great battles, it might seem trivial - to be covered by a few lines of history's page, and then forgotten of all save the student. Measure it, however, by the type of men engaged in it and by their purpose; by its effect on the formative period of this infant nation, and by its example to all people as a striking and signal event, renowned for its showing of fortitude in preparation, and for its faith in purpose – and it ranks with the great, the decisive battles of the world.

Through almost trackless forests and across swamps they marched from the East and the frontier with arms and munitions of war. They felled trees in the living forests, fashioned timbers and built vessels of war – they manned them, they sailed them, they fought with them, they won victory with them.

But other men have done as much. Other men will do as much. We are wont at times to say that the hope of glory, fame, personal advancement or aggrandizement, or personal ambition, move men in wars, conquests, nations. But what was done by these men in this Nation's making, what of like character has been done by other men, all found their great incentive in one thing – patriotism. . . .

But the card says I am to respond to other toast, ‘Masonry and Patriotism.' I have not overlooked the words, or the meaning of the text. They are properly joined; they cannot be separated.

A list of the master masons who may well be classed as patriots for their devotion to their country and her cause, in war and peace, would be vary long and embrace many names which are household words – name to conjure with. But I cannot forbear saying that Masonry was
literally rocked in the cradle of liberty by Washington, by Franklin, by Hancock, by Warren, and by Paul revere, Grand Master of Massachusetts.

We might call to your attention the military Lodges of our early times; indeed, the first Lodge of this great State was a military Lodge. But patriotism is not limited to the camp or field of war – splendid as are its evidences there. It is equally present and potent in the shop, in the fields, in the marts of trade, in the pulpit, and in the hall of justice. It is a idea rather than a person, a purpose rather than a place. The propriety, therefore, of this conjunction of masonry and patriotism may not be made to appear by naming individuals, however many of illustrious they may be.

While all patriots have not been and may not be Masons, all masons must have patriotism; and failing that, fail of a chief stone in the building. Both must be tried by the touchstone of loyalty; and nothing in either opposes the loyalty to the other. They are modest; both have Faith; both entertain Hope; both exercise Charity.

The patriot, whether his work be in the field amid the noise of conflicting armies and the strife of passion, or in the walks of civil life, does not exploit his own deeds or vaunt his individualism. He is content with the doing; others may write of them, and build their honor on his.

It may be said with absolute truth that every teaching of our Masonic bodies has for its purpose the inculcating, the fixing and keeping in mind and putting into practice those principles of right thinking and right living that make for good homes, good citizens. And self-sacrificing patriots.
The three great light of life, Faith, Hope, and Charity, are the foundation stones of both. Belief on God, loyalty to one's country, loyalty to oneself, the practice of charity in deed and thought, the killing of malice, the stifling of slander and ill-report, the picking up of the fallen, the guiding of the weak, the caring for the helpless – does this not make for patriotism? Masonry and patriotism/ The aim of each is justice. The purpose of each is freedom from injustice; to give to every man a man's place – a man's share in the world.

Grand Secretary, J. H Bromwell, in his 25th Annual Report, noted then membership now totaled 90,666 members. He was particularly proud of the reception of the insertion of pictures of various Masonic Temples from throughout the State appearing in the previous year's Proceedings. He said more would be added this year.

Grand Master Griffiths was displeased with the number of Secretaries using "loose typewritten leaves" for their records. He said that typewriting fades after a few years, and sheets of paper are easily lost. The Grand Lodge agreed with him. Secretaries were ordered to use permanent binders in which they were to write by hand the proceedings of the Lodge communications.

The Grand Lodge agreed with the Grand Secretary that something should be done about the conferring of the Past Master's Degree. The Committee on Ritual and Floorwork was granted permission to study the matter and report at the next session of the Grand Lodge.

The 183 page report of the Foreign Correspondent was concluded by stating: "A review of the Proceedings of the Masonic Grand Lodges of the world will, we believe, convince anyone of two things: First, that with very few exceptions there is everywhere prevalent the most complete concord and harmony, and a prosperity, when measured by numbers, never before equaled." It condemned those who were trying to "modernize the oldest and best fraternal institution on earth." It disapproved of those who advocated a National Grand Lodge. It was pleased because it had received "the most courteous and fraternal treatment" from its fellow correspondents.

The Foreign Correspondents, as well as all Freemasons and citizens of the world, would have far more troubling things to discuss in the years ahead. The long years of a relative peace in the world of nations were to come to an end. Changes were to be drastically made, and the world
would never be the same again.

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