WILMINGTON LODGE OF PERFECTION, 14°

In the 1910 Proceedings of the Supreme Council of Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, IllˆSamuel Crocker Lawrence, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander, reported: "On March 31, 1910, a dispensation was granted upon the petition of twenty-six Princes of the Royal Secret for a Lodge of Perfection, to be located at Wilmington, Delaware, to be known as Wilmington Lodge of Perfection*** I granted the petition *** after I had made a careful investigation of the merits of the case and became satisfied that there are adequate reasons for the success of the body in the future. This is the first body of our Rite established by our Supreme Council in the State of Delaware."

We the members of the Scottish Rite in Delaware, can be thankful for this foresight for which IllˆBrother Lawrence was ever distinguished. It was his wise and prudent judgment and diplomatic skill that brought about successfully that great Union of 1867. He more than any other one person succeeded in bringing together a friendly conference between William Sewall Gardner and Henry Lynde Palmer. From this conference was sown the fruitful seed from which our present Supreme Council has grown. And from this great man was sown the seed that has been nurtured into our beloved Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Delaware.

In every successful venture there must be a driving force that can overcome all obstacles, a force that will not give way to impediments, a force that, if stopped momentarily, utilizes that brief respite to gain more power so as to push forward toward the goal with even greater eagerness. Such a dynamo was needed in 1910, to push Scottish Rite Freemasonry in Delaware to a healthy future. That dynamo was Harry Jones Guthrie. At the earnest solicitation of Sovereign Grand Commander Lawrence, he rallied about him twenty-five other Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret and they presented a petition to the Supreme Council for authority to open a Lodge of Perfection in Wilmington, Delaware.

Pursuant to a notice sent to all the petitioners, a meeting was held in th Asylum of the Masonic Temple, Wilmington, on Friday, May 27, 1910, at 7 p.m. The Asylum was on the third floor of the Masonic Temple at 818 Market Street, the room known today as the South or Red Room.

A dispensation signed by IllˆSamuel C. Lawrence, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander, and IllˆJames H. Codding, 33°, Grand Secretary General, and dated March 31, 1910, was read. It granted authority until the next Annual Meeting of the Supreme Council and designated the following first officers:

Brother Guthrie opened Wilmington Lodge of Perfection (U.D.) With eighteen of the petitioners and IllˆGeorge W. Kendrick, Jr., 33°, Deputy for Pennsylvania, IllˆJames I. Buchanan, 33°, Active Member for Pennsylvania and Brother Henry S. Cowins, 32°, from Jersey City Lodge of Perfection, New Jersey, present.

Twenty-four candidates were elected, introduced and received the 4° to 13° in abbreviated form. The officers conferred the 14° in full ceremonial form upon this Charter Member Class. At the conclusion of the work, IllˆBrother Buchanan admonished those present as to the responsibilities resting upon them and felicitated the officers upon their industry. IllˆBrother Kendrick and Brother Cowins extended with well chosen words their best wishes. The Thrice Potent Master reported that IllˆJames H. Codding, 33°, Grand Secretary General of the Supreme Council, had been appointed Special Deputy for Delaware until the next meeting of the Supreme Council.

In the Special Deputy's report to the Supreme Council in September 1910, IllˆBrother Codding, 33°, recommended the granting of a charter and wrote, "Of the zeal and ability of our brethren in Delaware I have no doubt. I have heard from one of high Masonic standing in that State that the opening of this Lodge of Perfection is one of the most important actions of Freemasonry in that jurisdiction."

The Charter Was granted on September 22, 1910. At a Communication of Wilmington Lodge of Perfection (U.D.) On October 28, 1910, the Lodge was constituted in full ceremonial form by:

*not present-installed later

After the installation, IllˆBrother Codding gave an interesting and encouraging talk. His words of wise counsel made a deep and lasting impression on those present. He was followed by other Illustrious Brethren who extended good wishes and encouragement. The lodge was called from Labor to Refreshment and proceeded to Hanna's Café, across the street from the Masonic Temple.

In the evening, Labor was resumed and sixteen petitions were balloted upon favorably. Work was opened in the 4° and the following cast conferred the degree of Secret Master in full ceremonial form:

IllˆCharles E. Green, 33°, MSA
From "A History of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in the State of Delaware"