This is part 2 of “Some Early Oregon Scottish Rite History“. If you are interested in reading part 1 click the link: http://bit.ly/1FDpsMP
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Louis Gaylord Clarke
Early in the spring of 1880, I knocked at the door of Portland Lodge No. 55 and two years later was received into full fellowship in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. My early Masonic affiliation was with these pathfinders of the West. From these men who stood high in the country’s development and who taught by practice and example the great lessons of life, I learned many and valuable lessons.
The Oregon country was settled by a super type of empire builders from the East and great middle West. This vast territory .afterwards became the states of Oregon, Washington and Idaho. As the country developed, as the gospel of good government, hard work and self denial was spread among the hardy toilers of the West, this vast country grew in importance, and became the land of promise. The light of a new day dawned; that light shed its benevolent rays over these hills and valleys, mighty forests of inexhaustible
timber and navigable rivers flowing into the sea; new industries soon followed. The men and women who crossed the plains to this western El Dorado builded their churches and schools coincidentally with their homes and defended their families from attacks of the Indians who grew suspicious of these ambitious newcomers. These pioneers were not without
trials and vicissitudes. The call to new territory and to new prospects was a constant drain on their resources. The little colonies became at times depleted and discouraged by the constantly moving spirit of restless activity.
It was early in the fall of 1886 that a meeting of Oregon Lodge of Perfection was called to discuss the advisability of surrendering its charter and disbanding the Order because of discouragement and many other problems. Dissolution seemed imminent.
This meeting was called in the old Masonic Temple at the corner of Third and Alder streets. A general invitation was extended to the brethren of the Rite throughout the Jurisdiction. The meeting was well attended considering the size of the membership. A full discussion followed relative to the standing of the order, its vicissitudes and discouragements. After fully bringing forth the reasons for asking for dissolution it was decided to pass the hat in order that sufficient funds might be secured to pay off the debts of the order before disbanding.
It was evident that lack of money was not the reason for wishing to disband for the brethren responded splendidly to the request for funds with which to pay the indebtedness. It seemed rather strange with such a financial response, that the brethren should be so apathetic about personal effort in saving the very life blood of the order.
A visiting brother, in the government service, supervising the establishment of the Chemawa Indian School at Salem, whose name I have unfortunately forgotten, was largely responsible for saving the charter of the Oregon bodies. It was his counsel and impassioned appeal that turned the tide. He declared that the brethren knew not what they were doing in abandoning this Temple of Philosophy to the tender mercies of the profane. “Man is a builder,” he said, and as he builds, he builds also a Temple, a City or a civilization. He also builds habits, character and destiny;
Your great work here is only begun; to leave the unfinished Temple, so auspiciously begun, would make you false to yourself, your brethren and to God.”
After continued discussion it was suggested by Brother Withington that Brother Malcolm, then fresh from his achievements in Australia, be asked to take over the direction of the bodies. He finally consented to do so provided he could have full control of the bodies and not be hampered by any committees or delegations. He also wished to have exclusive power to appoint his officers; in other words to be given a free hand until such time as he was ready to report.
It was the only light that had shown through the darkness and the brethren were enthusiastic in accepting Brother Malcolm’s proposition. Full power was delegated to him by this committee to proceed along the lines he had indicated. Following this general line of procedure Brother Malcolm appointed David S. Tuthill, Senior Warden, Louis G. Clarke, Junior Warden, Edward Withington, Master of Ceremonies, and Gustav Wilson, Tyler.
Brother Malcolm at once proceeded to rejuvenate the conditions, establishing the same officers in the various degrees that were then to be worked, namely the Fourteenth, Eighteenth, Thirtieth and Thirty-second. Of these officers chosen by Brother Malcolm, all have passed on except the writer.
The brethren entered upon their new duties with vim and determination and from that hour the bodies had a full quota of applications for membership. Two years elapsed from the time the novitiate received his first degree until the Thirty-second could be conferred upon him.
Invitations were extended to the brethren at this time, in a well and courteously directed letter to unite with the bodies. These letters usually brought forth the desired favorable reply, so highly did the brethren regard such an invitation to join the Scottish Rite Bodies at this time.
Our membership was enthusiastic and progressive. I have never seen the degrees exemplified in better form than in the old Temple at Third and Alder streets. It was during Grand Commander Caswell’s visit to the coast in 1895 that he reviewed the work of the Oregon Bodies and pronounced it “most excellent,” declaring that the Oregon Bodies were doing the finest work in the jurisdiction at that time.
All degree work was done from the floor. We had no stage and very little paraphernalia with which to bring out the beauties of the various degrees. The membership of the bodies at that time was approximately one hundred
In 1891 we moved to the old Marquam building on the 8th floor, fitting up new quarters and adding much paraphernalia. This forward step brought us even more inquiries for membership and at no time in the early growth of our order were we hampered for initiates. We selected our own members and were indeed careful as to the character and standing of the men who we were to unite with us in this new and great organization.
By 1895 the order had grown to more than 250. The attendance was splendid and we began to feel the want of more room and better facilities. A resolution to build a new Temple met with much opposition, but finally carried, some of the older members declared that breakers were ahead, but these good brethren soon fell into line, got under the proposition and boosted for the new Temple which now occupies the southwest corner of Lownsdale and Morrison streets.
In 1902 ground was purchased for the new Temple at Morrison and Lownsdale streets. The lot, 100 x 120, was purchased for $ 18,000. That location was considered to be in the residential part of the city. Plans for the new Temple were designed and the building erected by Architect Richard Martin 33° in 1903. The bond issue to cover the cost was absorbed by the brethren. It has long since been retired. The Temple covers the entire ground and is now the home of the Portland Scottish Rite Bodies exclusively. The auditorium has a seating capacity of fifteen hundred and is one of the most attractive in the city.
The pipe organ, built by the Eolian Company for the Lewis and Clark Exposition, 1905, was purchased by the Rite at a cost approximately $10,000. It was made possible largely by the personal contributions of the brethren. The scenery and stage settings were the work
of William Grabaugh 32°, who gave much time and study to the work. The art treasures are very valuable. The social hall is attractive and commodious, the executive quarters of the bodies are domiciled here with Brother B. H. Nicoll 33° as the efficient secretary. For nearly two score years he has called the brethren to labor.
Oregon Consistory was chartered March 20, 1891. The incorporators were P. S. Malcolm 33° D. D. Tuthill 33° and Louis G. Clarke 33°.
The visit of Grand Commander Albert Pike to Oregon in June, 1890, was a memorable occasion. The influence of his presence was inspiring and abiding. A banquet was given in his honor by the brethren of the rite, in Louis Eppinger’s restaurant, at First and Ankeny streets. The writer remembers well the inspiring words of wisdom that fell from the speaker’s lips. This was his second visit to Oregon. His first visit was in the late 1878 or early in 1880, when he conferred the Fourth and Fifth degrees on about twelve brethren at the old Temple.
No one could know Brother Pike without loving and venerating him as a man and Mason. My contact with him was one of the outstanding features of my Masonic career. More than any other event of my life was the inspiration he gave me to further effort in the great cause of Freemasonry. Albert Pike died in 1891.
“To the past go more dead faces,
every year,
As the loved leave vacant places,
every year;
Everywhere the sad eyes meet us
In the evening’s dusk they greet us
And to come to them entreat us
every year.”
In the year 1894 it was suggested by some of the members that the Inspectors General in Oregon meet for dinner on the anniversary of Albert Pike’s birthday, spend the evening together and so bring the members into closer union and further cement the ties of friendship and fraternity. At this first meeting there were present Brothers McCracken, Pratt, Malcolm, Roberts, Foster, Withington, Tuthill and Clarke, all of whom have passed on except the writer. These meetings have been zealously observed ever since. Now there are thirty-two Inspectors General about the table.
Our Oregon Bodies now number about five thousand active, harmonious workers in the great and glorious cause of Scottish Rite Masonry. We are peacefully domiciled in our Temple. Over the threshold of its protecting dome no dissension or discord has ever crossed.
In addition to the present Temple in Portland, we have a Consistory, Chapter of Rose Croix, Council and Lodge of Perfection in Eugene; Consistory, Chapter of Rose Croix. Council and
Lodge of Perfection in Baker; Lodge of Perfection and Chapter of Rose Croix in Roseburg; Lodge of Perfection and Chapter of Rose Croix in Marshfield; Lodge of Perfection and Chapter of Rose Croix in Medford, and Lodge of Perfection in Salem. The bodies are all prosperous and progressive.
The spiritual altars of Scottish Rite Masonry that were builded in the hearts and consciences of these sturdy western pioneers of the Rite and dedicated to the God of their fathers, continue to illuminate the horizon though their builders have long since passed the portals to their reward.
“But the truer life draws nigher.
every year,
And its morning star climbs higher,
every year;
Earth’s hold on us grows slighter,
And the heavenly burden lighter,
And the dawn immortal brighter,
Every year.”
* • *
EDITOR’S NOTE: This most interesting historic review of Scottish Rite Masonry in Oregon, by our Illustrious Bro. Clarke 33°, is the only authentic record of the Rite available. Brother Clarke is the surviving member of that noble band of Scottish Rite pioneers who paved the way for those who were to follow . By their perseverance and faith in the belief in the Grand Architect of The Universe.
We have today this magnificent Scottish Rite organization throughout the state numbering among its membership leading citizens of the community. We will never be able to repay them for their gift to Masonry in material things but we can by virtuous lives and kindness to our fellow man, at least show our appreciation to them for having kept alive that flickering spark amidst the wilderness, that has become one of the leading states of the Pacific slope.
To know Brother Clarke, is to love him. We cherish his friendship among our most valued possessions. The spirit that surrounds him in his everyday walk of life is of that noble type which endears him to all who meet him at first sight. Scottish Rite Masonry is indeed fortunate to have him as its leader.
About the editor of this essay:
Michael D. Robinson 32° KSA, was the second Master Mason Raised in Esoterika Lodge #227, and the first member Raised in that Lodge to serve as Worshipful Master. He was elected Master in 2013 and 2014, and currently serves as Chaplin for that Lodge. Brother Robinson was appointed Historian for the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Orient of Oregon in December of 2014, and Secretary of the Eugene Valley in March of 2015. He also serves as Historian for Research Lodge #198 and Eugene Lodge #11. He is the recipient of the “Novus Astorum” from the Scottish Rite in 2010, and the Hiram Award from Esoterika Lodge in 2012.
Brother Robinson has a degree in History from Colorado State University, class of 1982, and is a Historian, Genealogist, Certified Vertebrologist, Artist, Craftsman and Bishop Emeritus of the Essene Church.
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