JOHN HODGE, 33 ̊. With the flight of years our friendships and the ties that bind us together, under the loving and heavenly care of a universal and ever watchful Father, become more and more strengthened, until we know not the difference between the consanguinity of relationship and the ever blessed bonds that rivet us in God's most blessed institution, our brotherhood of Masonry; and so we live and yield to the impulses of the heart, wherein nature has taught us to love one another as brethren, and to enjoy the blessings incident to a continuous social and benevolent existence. Seldom, if ever, more markedly has the chain of friendship, esteem and loving kindness been wrought and welded in strength and manly devotion than in the bond which has existed between the brethren of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite and the recent fallen chief, who held the highly honored post of Legate of the Supreme Council to our noble State of New York; one whose life has not only been a grand and active commentary on usefulness and benevolence, but a brilliant legendary, full of pleasurable accidents, so varied, so complete, even in incident, so marvelous in activity, and yet so beneficial to his fellow man. Who shall sing the praises of him whose days were not sufficiently numerous to grant him the fulfillment of his many undertakings for the advantage and improvement of mankind? Active, energetic, tireless, crowned with a justified ambition, with an apparently, but not actually, strong physical constitution, although days, weeks, years, even, did not exhaust the mental force essential to gratify his determination of purpose. Progression without limit, in everything that was good, just, and worthy of true manhood, seemed to occupy his every movement and thought. But then, at last, the winding vale grew narrow on his view, and steeper the ascent, until nature yielded to the pressure, and the heart, growing silent, suddenly stopped. It is not our purpose to rehearse the incidents of our illustrious brother's life, but rather to give expression to that warm love which had grown within us, ending in an attachment that will not be effaced until time shall call us to join him in a blessed hereafter. We feel that it is befitting that we should give evidence of record that the brethren of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of the City of New York were endeared to him, and affectionately appreciated his numerous qualities, and that the loss we have sustained, as well as others, can not readily, if at all, be replaced. We mourn with those that mourn," and unite in heartfelt sorrow with the numerous train of loved ones who will say: "He never gave us cause for sorrow before." We make the record following for reference: That our late beloved brother, JOHN HODGE, was born in 1837. While yet a lad he left the paternal roof and centered his career at Lockport, in Niagara County, where in time he made himself eminent in business. His many prominent civil and financial positions we shall not here rehearse, for such is not our purpose. JOHN HODGE entered Masonry in Niagara Lodge, No. 375, and shortly became its Secretary; after so remaining for five years he was elected the Master. He received the Capitular degrees in Ames Chapter, No. 88; the Cryptic degrees in Bruce Council, No. 15; the Chivalric degrees in Genesee Commandery, No. 10. Of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, he received the degrees of the Lodge of Perfection, Council, Chapter and Consistory in the bodies of the Rite in Rochester, the thirty-second grade being conferred on May 4th, 1875. He established a Lodge of Perfection in Lockport and became its Master. On September 16th, 1879, the Supreme Council conferred the thirty-third degree upon him. He was crowned an Active Member September 19th, 1888, and became the Deputy of the Supreme Council for the State of New York. BROTHER HODGE was the Junior Warden of the Grand Lodge of Masons of the State of New York 1888 to 1890; Senior Warden, 1891 to 1892; Deputy Grand Master in 1893 and Grand Master in 1894. JOHN HODGE, after a few weeks' suffering, died August 7, 1895, whilst sitting at his dining table. He was interred at Lockport, August 10, 1895. What he was, let us inscribe as his motto: Droit et Loyal." C. T. McC. |