"If Freemasonry is good, let us talk about it" Theodore Meriam - Part 5

PHYSICAL IMAGE - by this I mean the physical facilities which we possess, such as Lodge Halls and cemeteries.  I also mean the physical image that is presented by individual Masons themselves.  First, let us talk about physical facilities.

This Memorial Temple is a tremendously impressive building.  It does its public relations work very well indeed.  It HAS quality, dignity, substance.

Does your Lodge Hall do the same relatively in your community?  In some cities, yes - in too many, no!

The Oklahoma man said, "get the birds' nests off the window sill" - and he's right!  PERHAPS there's the chance of a real project in your Lodge - a do-it-yourself project.  Or perhaps it's time to build the new Temple - MAYBE you town needs it!

What I am really suggesting here is that every Lodge should take real pride in the physical appearance of its meeting place, both inside and outside the building, and I believe it should be very hard to find any excuse at all to do anything but a first class job of housekeeping at all times.  The same applies to those Lodges which happen to possess their own cemeteries, or sections within community cemeteries which are allotted for Masonic use.  It is really important that these cemeteries, or sections thereof, be maintained in the finest possible condition - for these places are a constant reminder to those who visit them of the existence of Masonry in the community.

The public relations of the individual Mason can be, and ofttimes is, constantly at work.  The Mason who is looked up to for his every action is constantly bringing credit to the Craft.

On the other side of the coin - the Mason who creates a bad impression, in whatever field of activity it may be, can bring discredit to the Craft.

(I am in the women's clothing business, and in our business we are concerned about what our female employees wear "off the job" as well as on.  Our salesgirls make an impression at ll times - and we want it to be a good impression!)

This reminds me of another item; a detail perhaps, but nevertheless important.  Clean aprons at all public functions are essential if our image is to be good; and this is good public relations. (Clean aprons at Lodge meetings are important, too, because of the psychological effect on each of us as we wear the apron.)

Now let's return to our public relations definitions.

From Webster "...to interpret itself to society."  This is the basic theme. I am suggesting that we as Masons in California become concerned about our public relations - that we be alert to all means at our command to interpret ourselves, as Masons, to society - and above all, that we do so with DIGNITY, with full attention to the QUALITY and SUBSTANCE of our beloved Fraternity.

QUALITY, DIGNITY and SUBSTANCE attract good men.

BUT - they must see and sense them to be attracted!

Public relations for us is not just newspaper stories.  It is much, much more.  And it's our duty to recognize and use all the facilities at our command to project our IMAGE to the public, and I trust it's one of QUALITY, of DIGNITY, of SUBSTANCE.

"If Freemasonry is good, let us talk about it" Theodore Meriam - Part 4

2. LODGE ACTIVITIES - or, in other words, our public appearances as a group of Masons making up a Lodge.  Th are several natural Masonic functions that give the public an opportunity to watch us in action.  Many of the smaller Lodges have the custom of having an annual open installation and this is excellent providing, or course, that the ceremony is done in the most creditable manner possible.  Perhaps no other Masonic ceremony gives a more important image of the Masonic Fraternity than a Masonic funeral - for here, perhaps more than at any other time, many of the precepts of Masonry are presented to an attentive public and this is why it is so important that the ritual of our funeral service be done with DIGNITY and with QUALITY - and certainly there is a wealth of SUBSTANCE in the service itself.

Our sponsorship of Public Schools Week throughout California provides annually a very important function which the public can observe. For many years it seemed to be the pattern for the sponsoring Masonic Lodge to stay very much in the background and say almost nothing publicly about the fact that Public Schools Week actually was sponsored by the Masons.  Fortunately, in recent years, this pattern has changed and Lodges throughout California have become definitely identified in the mind of the public with this very important annual observance - Public Schools Week.  This is as it should be for certainly we are proud of our founding of and our sponsoring of Public Schools Week.

Annually, too, during Constitution Month there is the opportunity in every community for the Masonic Lodge or Lodges to stage an interesting and important observance, built around what should be, and can be, strong public interest in the tremendous value and importance of the Constitution of the Untied States of America.  I think there is a real challenge here to every Lodge to devise ways and means of developing greater public interest through outstanding programs in the annual Constitutional observance.

From time to time there are Grand Lodge functions which convey to the public an important image of the function of Masonry in California.  For example, in May of 1961, the Grand Lodge of California officiated at the re-enactment of the laying of the cornerstone of the State Capitol at Sacramento.  Perhaps the most important highlight of this occasion was the informal parade of approximately 1,000 Masons in aprons marching from the Masonic Temple on "J" Street several blocks to the State Capitol.  Many thousands of people in Sacramento saw this parade and saw the assemblage of Masons at the State Capitol building.  This provided a good image.

This past summer also he Grand Lodge officiated in the dedication of a public park in the City of Redding.  The park had been named as a memorial to a very prominent Redding citizen, and ardent Mason, who had devoted his live to the service of his community.  To the best of my knowledge, this was the first time in the history of our Grand Lodge that a public park had been formally dedicated by the Grand Lodge.  This attracted widespread and very favorable attention in the general Redding community to the Grand Lodge of California.  This was good public relations!  Most important, though, we should be ready, willing and able to tell the public about such events.  We should not hesitate to tell the public what we are doing, if we are doing anything.  Just a year ago a Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Information was formed; although the title of the Committee is Masonic Information, what really is meant is public relations.  This Committee has done an excellent piece of work during its first year of existence and those of us who are strongly interested in this subject of Masonic public relations feel that as the Committee continues to serve, very splendid results will accrue to Masonry in California.  The Committee will be of much aid in the future to individual Lodges, and we suggest that the officers of each Lodge be anxious to use the suggestions an material which will be provided by this important Committee.

"If Freemasonry is good, let us talk about it" Theodore Meriam - Part 1

This is an address made before the Research Seminar of Grand Lodge at its 1961 Annual communication by Theodore Meriam, then a member of the Masonic Information Committee.  It is commended to you for your reading and application.  MASONIC INFORMATION COMMITTEE

The opportunity to speak to you on public relations for Masonic Lodges is most welcome, because I feel that discussion of this topic is long overdue.  In order that we may be on common ground, let's consider for a minute what we mean by public relations.

Some definitions: Webster - "Public relations are the activities of a corporation, union, government or other organization in building and maintaining sound and productive relations with special publics such as customers, employees or stockholders, and with the public at large, so as to adapt itself to its environment and interpret itself to society."

This last phrase - "interpret itself to society" - is perhaps the most important.  Keep it in mind.

Another - "Public relations are the words and deeds which over a period of time establish and maintain a business' (Masonic Lodge's) reputation for good or evil."  (Notice how appropriate this definition is when we substitute the word "business" with Masonic Lodge.)

And another - "Public relations are designed to give a business a good reputation with the public, establish it in the public mind as an institution of character and an institution which functions in the public interest."

Abraham Lincoln once said: "Public sentiment is everything.  With public sentiment nothing can fail.  Without it, nothing can succeed."

This is appropriate to our topic also.

Perhaps we can say - for our purposes - our public relations are the things we do to build an IMAGE, in the public mind, or our Lodge.

For hundreds of years Masonry has rightfully enjoyed a position of great respect in the general public eye.  This has been because of favorable activities on the part of individual members, individual Lodges, and Masonry as a whole.

While there is some mystery surrounding the function of a Masonic Lodge in a community - there is very little misunderstanding as to what Masonry represents - OR IS THERE?

Two years ago it was my privilege to speak formally in this room during the 110th Annual Communication of this Grand Lodge.  At that time I asked this question: "Are we relatively as influential as we have been or should be?"  This question can be disturbing - and it's very hard, if not impossible, to answer.

What really is our relative position?

ARE we as important and influential in each of our communities as we should be?

IS Masonry the same in Alturas, in Sacramento, in Oceanside, in Fresno, in Pasadena, in Marysville?  Is the Masonic Fraternity regarded, by the community, as the finest fraternal organization in each of these communities?  And if it is, what what has it done to justify this position - or is the public riding along in the vapor trail of a great tradition?

Let me illustrate with an assumption.

Let's assume that in Alturas, Oceanside and Marysville the Masonic Lodge is of relatively greater stature and community importance than in the larger cities - simply because a greater proportion of the population is aware of the existence of Masonry and what it stands for.  THIS CAN BE A REASONABLY VALID ASSUMPTION.

If the assumption is correct - if it is unfortunately true - then perhaps we are declining in importance in the larger communities.  (Remember - I am using this assumption only for the purpose of illustration - and I don't want to invite calls from delegations of representatives from Sacramento, Fresno and Pasadena).

I am reasonably certain that our membership enrollment figures do not show a growth in direct proportion to California's population growth.  And I am quite certain that we have not gained in membership in proportion to our economic prosperity.  WHY?

Perhaps too few people know what we stand for and what we do.

Shouldn't we tell them?

125th Year Observance, part 10: This is Masonry

California Freemasonry ardently supports free public education, and Chico Lodge has always been an active supporter of our public schools.  the minutes of the Lodge are testimony to the concern and participation of the Masons of Chico in matters affecting public education in our community.  Masons recognize the essential role of public schools as a primary unifying force for our free American society.

Masonry is a patriotic institution.  Appreciation for the law of our nation is demonstrated by an annual observance honoring the U.S. Constitution, which is the foundation of our national liberty, and by observance of Flag Day.

Masonry stands for exemplary moral conduct to which we are personally committed by our vows and obligations as well as by the removal of membership of any Mason who does not lie up to the standards which he is expected to perpetuate.  Past Gran Master of Indiana, Dwight L. Smith, summed it up this way:

"The person who yearns to be a bit above the average can climb several rungs on the ladder of excellence - first, by refusing to be content with mediocrity, then by lifting his standards to the highest possible level of attainment and working unceasingly to measure up to those standards."


"It all adds up to the fact that the purpose of Freemasonry is and always has been to take a good man - just one at a time - and try by our teachings to make a better man out of him."

Masonry must speak out for that for which it stands.  It has a character building philosophy.  It compels men to look at themselves, to clean up their own act when character seems to get out of line.  Men will regulate their behavior when they do not want to affect the group to which they belong, especially when that group is a Lodge of Freemasons advocating standards which are the bond of all society.

It is not a social kind of thing; it is a fraternity, a brotherhood, mutually supporting yet helpfully guiding.

125th Year Observance, part 9: Theodore Meriam

Theodore "Ted" Meriam

Ted Meriam, singularly, stands out in the Masonic history of Chico Lodge No. 111.  Most representative of the vertical view of our Blue Lodge's life, Ted was raised to Master mason on December 3, 1940, and served as Master of Chico Lodge in 1946.  in 1958, he was appointed Grand Orator of the Grand Lodge of California.  He was elected Junior Grand Warden in October, 1961, Senior Grand Warden in October, 1962, Deputy Grand Master in October, 1963, and on October 16, 1964, he was elected Grand Master of California Masons.

Not only has Ted filled those august offices through which his election honors this Lodge which raised him, but he is a leader, lecturer, author and historian as well.  A sought after advisor on Grand Lodge committees, Ted has served for many years on the important Policy and General Purposes Committee.  While serving on the Masonic Information Committee, he authored the widely circulated pamphlet "If Freemasonry Is Good Let Us Talk About It."  Many times this Lodge and other Masonic bodies in Chico have been the benefactors of his speeches and research.

Ted was born in Chico on April 18, 1910, and he has lived in this community all of his life, except for the two years spent at Stanford University completing his degree in economics.  From January, 1932, until July, 1978, he was continually employed at M. Oser & Company, becoming a partner and later the President of this long established retail company.  He has been active in business, civic, and municipal affairs, even serving a ten-year term as Mayor of Chico.  He was also, in 1958, the President of the League of California Cities.  He served for over ten years on the prestigious Board of Trustees of California State Colleges, serving as its Chairman in 1968-69.

He is a member of the York Rite Bodies in Chico, of the Scottish Rite Bodies in Sacramento, and belongs to Ben Ali Temple of the Shrine, Sacramento.  he has been awarded the honorary 33rd degree of Scottish Rite Masonry.  He is a member of St. Francis Conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine, San Francisco, and he holds plural membership in Sincerity Lodge No. 132 at Greenville.  The "1965 Proceedings in the Grand Lodge of California" reports that Ted "has been an outspoken advocate of individual responsibility by all Master Masons for the welfare of Freemasonry...He has stressed that Freemasonry is an institution of Quality, of Dignity and of Substance."

125th Year Observance, part 8: Growth of Freemasonry in Chico

Chico Masonic Cemetery Memorial - then

Chico Lodge No. 111 has added another twenty-five years to the history which precedes this.  We are looking to our anniversary of 125 years, via a Charter that was issued on December 31st and a first lodge meeting that was held on January 10th, at the end of this year and the beginning of the next.  It has been an exciting time of outstanding leaders and of the highest membership and of the establishment of a new lodge in Chico which caused Masonry to continue to grow.  And, pointedly, we are survivors... perhaps the sixty-fifth oldest lodge in the State of California.  This lodge continues as witness to the meaning of Freemasonry, and Masonic history is the bond that ties us all together.

Cornerstone ceremonies are important to Masons because of their symbolism.  In the past twenty-five years, Chico Lodge No.111 has participated with the Grand Lodge of California in the laying of four cornerstones.  Chico Lodge No. 111 acted as host on September 19, 1964, in the laying of the cornerstone at Pleasant Valley High School by Grand Master Elmer Heald, and many past Masters of Chico Lodge assisted in the ceremony.  On April 19, 1968, the Grand Lodge was opened in Chico Lodge No. 111 by Deputy Grand Master Robert A. Crigler who presided over the laying of a cornerstone for the new administration building of Chico Senior High School.  On September 7th of the same year Grand Master Eugene S. Hopp laid the cornerstone of the new Durham High School.  Finally, while Grand Lodge was opened in Paradise for the laying of the Butte College cornerstone on September 10, 1974, many past Masters of Chico Lodge No. 111 participated. 

Chico Masonic Cemetery Memorial - now

The dedication of the Chico Masonic Cemetery Marker was an important event to local Masons.  It is a symbol of our concern and care and is a place of beautiful, quiet dignity.  This Masonic burying ground is contained within the north-west boundary of Chico Cemetery; Chico Lodge No. 111 endowed the permanent care of this section through Chico Cemetery Association on December 8, 1964.  The brick monument was designed by Bro. Loren Ward and was dedicated on May 12, 1962, with Deputy Grand Master Ira W. Coburn presiding.

125th Year Observance - part 7: Allen Wood, first Master of the Chico Lodge

Allen Wood

Recently it has been possible to learn more about the first Master of Chico Lodge 111, Allen Wood.  He was named Master on December 31, 1856, by the Grand Lodge of California for the period of dispensation.  He was succeeded by General John Bidwell as the first elected Master a few months later, and then followed General Bidwell as the first elected Master to serve on full year.

He was a dynamic leader.  Having been born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1812, General Wood was raised in Connecticut, lived briefly in Indiana, and settled in Arkansas in 1839.  He was twice elected to the Arkansas legislature.  In the war with Mexico, Wood was given a captain's commission and raised a company of volunteers who were attached to the twelfth infantry.  He "fought in the battles of Contreras and Cherubusco on August 18 and 29, 1847.  On the latter day, he took command of the regiment, Colonel Bonham having been wounded the night before...For his gallant conduct in these engagements, he was made a brevet major." (From History of Plumas, Lassen and Sierra Counties, Fariss & Smith, 1882)

General Wood came to Butte County, California, in the fall of 1856.  He immediately became a part of that group which asked for a dispensation for Chico Lodge No. 111.  Within two years, General Wood moved to Plumas County, where in 1863 he was affiliated with Sincerity Lodge No. 132 at Rich Bar.  In 1872, he affiliated with Lassen Lodge No. 149 at Susanville and remained a member of that Lodge until his death in 1890.  If he was in a place where there was no Masonic Lodge, he was the sort of man to put it together.  He was the founder of the Royal Arch Chapter at Susanville, the first High Priest of Lassen Chapter No. 47, R.A.M. at Susanville on July 23, 1875, and the first Eminent Commander of Lassen Commandery No. 13, K.T. at Susanville on April 23, 1878, as well as the initial organizer of this Commandery.

In Plumas County, he erected a fine, large hotel, which unfortunately burned, nearly bankrupting him.  In 1860, he was elected on the Douglas ticket to the California Assembly continuing in his life of leadership and service.

125th Year Observance - part 6: John Bidwell and the Chico Lodge

From a detailed reading of the minutes of Chico Lodge No. 111 it is clear that John Bidwell was an extremely important figure in the founding and early history of this Lodge.  There is evidence that he furnished the money necessary for procuring the charter from the Gran Lodge, and there is no evidence that he was ever reimbursed. He provided the first meeting places for the Lodge.  He was a member of most important committees. On numerous occasions he installed the officers for Chico Lodge.  Although his early Masonic history is sketchy and his last years as a Mason are of no consequence, for a period of approximately ten years he was indeed an active and prominent member of Chico Lodge No. 111.

Chico Lodge has occupied four meeting halls, or temples, in its first hundred years of existence.  The first meeting place was in the upstairs floor of John Bidwell's frame store building on his Rancho Chico.  This building was erected in 1852, or earlier, and was located between Bidwell's famous "Old Adobe" and Chico Creek.  This spot was a few yards west of the present Esplanade Bridge over Big Chico Creek and must have been quite close to the bank of the creek.  There are several pictures in existence which show this building, known to have been "Bidwell's Store" as early as 1852, and it is generally believed that this building served as Bidwell's store building until 1861 when John Bidwell  constructed the Bidwell brick store building on the southwest corner of First and Broadway.  No buildings were south of Big Chico Creek until after the town of Chico was laid out by Bidwell in 1860.

For many years it has been suspected that this old frame store building was the site of the first meeting place of Chico Lodge, but the following quoted report, secured from the California State Library in July, 1953, definitely confirms the meeting place: From "California Agricultural Society, official report, 4th annual fair, Stockton, September 29th, 30th, October 1st and 2nd, 1857. (Report of the visiting committee on farms, orchards, vineyards, etc.) (Left Stockton June 8, 1857)"

          "... Fifty miles from Marysville, on Chico Creek, is the extensive farm of Major Bidwell.... His dwelling is a large two-story adobe building.... He has, also, a large wooden building, two stories high, the lower part used as a store, and the upper as a Masonic Hall."  

The proposal for building our present building was first made officially at a meeting of the Masonic Hall Association on February 20, 1908.  The Association had been organized March 15, 1898, and had full jurisdiction over the building properties of the Lodge.  A contract to construct the new Masonic Hall was awarded June 22, 1908.  Oddly, there is apparently no written record to show the date of the first meeting in the present building.  However, several who were present at the Installation of Officers on December 27, 1908, recall that this installation was conducted in the new building.

From the Minute Books of Chico Lodge much of the material was gathered for the preparation of this brief historical summary.  Recognition should be given to the secretaries who have so faithfully and thoroughly recorded the minutes of the Lodge.  Unquestionably the dean of this excellent group was Augustus Leonard Neubarth, better known as "Gus" who served as Secretary of Chico Lodge from 1906 until his death in 1935.  The historical researcher is indebted to such brethren as "Gus" Neubarth, and from the entries of the secretaries one can readily discern the prosperous times as well as the lean times in the history of Chico Lodge has been on of steady, solid growth.