----- In the Beginning -----
The first suggestion for the formation of a Grand Lodge for the then Territory of Nevada came from the brothers of Washoe Lodge No. 157, of Washoe City, who, in July, 1863, appointed a committee to confer with the other lodges of the Territory in regard to the matter. No results followed from this action.
In November, 1864, Virginia City Lodge No. 162 and Escurial Lodge No. 171, both of Virginia City, appointed a joint committee to confer upon this subject with like committees of the other lodges. The time was ripe for action. The other lodges appointed committees. After deliberation, the committees reported the following resolutions, which were adopted by five of the eight chartered lodges within the State:
"WHEREAS, The subject of organizing a Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in the State of Nevada, has been agitated:
RESOLVED, That it is the opinion of this lodge that it is expedient, advisable, and desirable that a Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons be at once organized in the State of Nevada.
RESOLVED, That if five chartered lodges within the State adopt similar resolutions to the foregoing, that a Convention of the Lodges of Free and Accepted Masons within the State of Nevada convene at the Masonic Hall, in Virginia, on Monday, the sixteenth day of January, A. L. 5865, A. D. 1865, at eleven o'clock, A. M. for the purpose of organizing a Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in the State of Nevada; each lodge to be represented its Master and Wardens, whose Charter shall be their credentials.
RESOLVED, That the Secretary notify each lodge in the State of our action in the matter."The Convention thus called duly assembled at the Masonic Hall in Virginia City, and was called to order by Bro. Joseph DeBell, chairman of the joint committee, Bro. J. G. Bloomer, of the committee, acting as Secretary. Permanent organization was effected by the election of Bro. G. W. Hopkins, of Escurial No. 171, as Chairman, Bro. Chas. H. Fish, of Virginia, No. 162, as Secretary, and Bro. E. Jackson as Sergeant at Arms. Six of the lodges were represented, namely: Carson Lodge No. 154, Washoe Lodge No. 157, Virginia City Lodge No. 162, Silver Star Lodge No. 165, of Gold Hill, Esmeralda Lodge No. 170, of Aurora, and Escurial Lodge No. 171, of Virginia. These lodges were represented by sixteen Master Masons. On the second day of the Convention, Silver City Lodge No. 163 was admitted, in the person of its three principle officers.
The principle business before this Convention was, of course, the adoption of a Constitution. This was accomplished on the second day of the Convention, Bro. Wm. A. M. Van Bokkelen presenting the report of the committee. On the afternoon of January 17 the Convention opened a Lodge of Master Masons, Bro. Henry B. Brady, Master of Washoe Lodge, acting as Master, and proceeded to the election of Grand Lodge Officers. The result was as follows:
M.'.W.'. Joseph DeBell -- Grand Master
R.'.W.'. Geo. W. Bailey -- Deputy Grand Master
R.'.W.'. Henry B. Brady -- Senior Grand Warden
R.'.W.'. R. T. Mullard -- Junior Grand Warden
V.'.W.'. Chas. E. Olney -- Treasurer
V.'.W.'. Chas. R. Fish -- Secretary
In the evening, Bro. Brady installed the Grand Master, who in turn installed the other officers. The object of the Convention had been achieved, and it forthwith adjourned Sine Die. Immediately thereafter, the First Communication of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Nevada was opened in Ample Form.
Step by step, point by point, degree by degree, the Grand Lodge of Nevada has advanced since that day toward Light, further Light, and yet more Light. It is interesting to note, however, how early certain matters which we are only beginning to solve presented themselves to the minds of the founders of this Body. For instance, in the opening address of Grand Master DeBell, delivered on the morning of January 18, 1865, is found this sentence: "One of the most important subjects which should claim your attention, is a uniform system of work and lectures." To give effect to this suggestion, a resolution, was passed appointing a committee to examine and adopt a system of Work, to be the authorized Work of this Grand Lodge, and empowering the Grand Master to appoint a Grand Lecturer and Deputy Grand Lecturers,'' in order that the lodges of this jurisdiction may be fully instructed in the system of Work adopted, * * *" Again, we find this paragraph in the address: "Some action should also be had in reference to the great and ever-increasing army of non-affiliates in our midst, -- men who have forgotten their vows, and live on year after year, without contributing anything toward the support of a lodge, or the relief of their poor and destitute brethren, and yet claim to be Masons * * *" Rarely a Grand Lodge session but this question has come up in some phase or other. Even after fifty years, we have not reached a final solution of the difficulty, constitutional provisions and regulations to the contrary notwithstanding.
General Regulation No. 1 reflects the pioneer social conditions which prevailed when the Grand Lodge was organized. It reads: "The practice of dueling being repugnant to the principles of Free-masonry, in all cases where two brothers resort to this mode of settling their disputes, it shall be the duty of the lodge or lodges of which they are members, or within whose jurisdiction they may reside, forthwith to expel them from all the rights and privileges of Masonry; and no brother who may fall in a duel shall be buried with Masonic honors."
The returns of the Constituent Lodges in January, 1865, showed a total of 465 initiated Masons, 410 of whom were Master Masons. These were included in eight lodges, Lander Lodge No. 172 of Austin having subscribed to the action of the Convention.