Objective

Baylor Lodge No. 125

Restoration Project

PO Box 2350

Brenham, TX 77834

By: Chris G. Dalrymple D.C., F.I.C.C.

It was our objective to see Baylor Lodge No. 125 restored as an active and functioning Lodge of Freemasons in 2015 -16.  

The foundation of Baylor Lodge began over 160 years ago in 1853 with a letter from Judge R. E. B.  Baylor.  While it is popular to refer to a non-operating lodge as "demised," carrying with it our contemporary notions of "deceased," the word originates from Latin dimissum from which we derive the word demit and dismiss.  Rather than referring to a "dead" lodge as many like to conceive it, the reality is that Baylor Lodge is not "dead" – it is merely dormant, surrendering its charter because there were too few to support its Masonic work.

Baylor Lodge surrendered their charter in 1888 stating "we surrender the Charter ... to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge for the following reasons, to wit:  our Lodge has grown so weak by the members moving away, that we deem it unwise for the Good of Masonry to try to keep up the Lodge, but think best to surrender and join with other Lodges."

The charter of Baylor Lodge No. 125 is not "dead,"  it has not ceased to exist.  It is deposited safely with the Grand Lodge of Texas.  In fact, almost all of the records of the lodge remain intact except for minutes from 1854 to 1866.  Digital copies of these records are in the possession of the Friends of Baylor Masonic Lodge committee.

We do not seek to "revive" a "dead" lodge.  We merely desire that the Grand Lodge restore the charter of a lodge so that the lodge may continue its Masonic work in the same area, for the same purposes as it was originally chartered – to be a place where Masons can meet for the work of learning, subduing passions, and improving in Masonry.

Members will be Masons who are interested in building what Baylor Lodge No. 125 exists to build. They will also those who desire to join with the Friends of Baylor Lodge to become a part of the family of the Lodge.  These will be local Masons living in the vicinity of Independence and Old Gay Hill who desire to help Baylor Lodge No. 125 build Masons, build a lodge family, and build a community of individuals supportive of the interests and culture of its location.  These will also be non-local Masons who have an interest in supporting that work will also have an interest in supporting this lodge as it seeks to preserve, promote, and participate in the living history of early Texas along the La Bahia trail in Washington County.

Baylor alumni who are Masons will certainly desire to support that which the namesake of their university originated, and the lodge will certainly desire to support and participate in Baylor Alumni and Baylor University heritage activities.

Baylor Lodge No. 125 will seek to make Masons of those men whose internal qualification recommends them to be made a Mason.  It will strive to provide the Masonic, moral, and social virtues that makes a community stronger, and Baylor Lodge will practice "making Masons" at every meeting, and will seek to ritually "make Masons" as the occasion arises.

In the early days, Freemasonry was primarily a spiritual endeavor intended to cultivate bringing man and his creator, the Great Architect of the Universe, closer together.  In fact, Freemasons have long held that it was the spiritual endeavor of bringing men and the Great Architect of the Universe closer together that was one of the most joyful activities in which humans may participate.  

Freemasonry seeks to focus upon "God-centered construction" rather than "passion-centered demolition."  Freemasonry seeks to promote "behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity."

Baylor Lodge, like it's founder – Pastor and Judge R.E.B. Baylor – will seek to promote observing the wisdom of God; to encourage brethren to "dwell together in unity"; to develop the moral and social virtues that cement us, as we demonstrate our respect for the Great Architect of the Universe and his creation.