Baalis Sanford Lodge

Brief History of Baalis Sanford Lodge Baalis Sanford Lodge was instituted at their Masonic Quarters at 52 Center St, in Brockton Ma., until June 13, 1962. On this date, Baalis Sanford held its first communication at its new home at 279 Prospect St here in Brockton. The dedication of the newly enlarged quarters occurred on Oct 20, 1964 with MW A. Neill Osgood along with the Master of Paul Revere Lodge, Wor. George Andrews and Wor. Kenneth H. Simpson, Master of Baalis Sanford Lodge. The purposes of the visit from the MW Osgood was for the purpose of dedicating the new quarters and unveiling the cornerstone of the Building. This was accomplished in an impressive manner using ancient Masonic ritual which included the pouring of corn, wine and oil on the carpet. Baalis Sanford Lodge AF & AM now continues to enjoy renewed growth with men who work hard to once again reflect the historical merit of this Lodge. Baalis Sanford Lodge AF & AM meets every 2nd Tuesday. At this writing, Wor. Mark A. Maraglia serves as its Master. Bro. Peter A Del Sette District Historian Most Worshipful Baalis Sanford Baalis Sanford was born in East Bridgewater on October 4, 1833. He died in Boston, at the Hotel Brunswick, November 17, 1909, age 76. MW Sanford will long be remembered as one of whom it may well be said: “He wore the marks of many years well spent, Of virtue, truth well tried, and wise experience.” In the various positions of honor and responsibility which he so ably filled, his unfailing courtesy and his gentleness won all hearts, and it is a most precious heritage to his friends to know that not on honored whit his friendship has aught by the kindest words of his career among them. He was the son of Baalis and Lucy (Burt) Sanford. He descended from good old revolutionary stock, his paternal grandfather, Captain Joseph Sanford having been an officer in the war of the revolution. He was married August 19, 1856, to Miss Lucy Cotton Hapgood, of Brockton who died November 25, 1908. Three children blessed this union, two of them died in infancy; the survivor, a daughter, Miss Irene G. Sanford. Most Worshipful Brother Sanford received his education in the common schools of his native town, and in the East Bridgewater and Bridgewater Academies. He began his business life as a bookkeeper April 21, 1851, with Robinson & Barry of Brockton. February 1, 1858, he was admitted a member of the firm of H.W. Robinson & Co., and, upon the retirement of Mr. Robinson March 1, 1890, he became the head of the firm and its financial manager until his death. He was prominent in all that concerned the interests of Brockton, as is shown by the many positions of trust to which he was called. The following is a list of those positions; Brockton School Board – Secretary – 1875 to 1885 Massachusetts House of Representatives – 1878 – Mercantile Affairs Committee City of Brockton – City Auditor – 1882 to 1894 Justice of the Peace – Appointed 1881 – Reappointed, 1888, 1895, 1902 Security Cooperative Loan Fund Association – Organization’s first President in 1878 Brockton Gas and Light Company – Treasurer – 1886-1887 Brockton Agricultural Society – Elected director 1888 Secretary – 1897 until the time of his death Wales Home for Old Ladies – Elected Director in 1898 Brockton Commercial Club – Secretary and Treasurer 1883 to 1896 Brockton Savings Bank – President 1892 until the time of his death Brother Sanford began his Masonic life and career in Paul Revere Lodge, Receiving the Entered Apprentice degree March 29, 1864; Fellow Craft, April 26; and was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason May 24, 1864. He served as Worshipful Master from December, 1867 to December 7, 1869. Grand Sword-bearer 1877 Grand Pursivant – 1878 District Deputy Grand Master – 1882 – 1884 Senior Grand Warden – 1887 Most Worshipful Grand Master – 1902 to 1904. Trustee of the Masonic Education and Charity Trust 1905 until the time of his death. MW Sanford received his capitular degrees in Pilgrim Royal Arch Chapter of Abington in 1865, where he held the positions of Principal Sojourner, Captain of the Host and Scribe of the Chapter. In 1869 he demitted to become a charter member of Satucket Royal Arch Chapter of Brockton and served as its High Priest from December 3, 1869 until December 1872, when he was elected Treasurer, which position he held until December 1881. In the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts he serves as District Deputy Grand High Priest from 1876 to 1878 and in December 1878, he was elected Grand Scribe and became a permanent member. December 10, 1907, Companion and Brother Sanford was elected Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts, was reelected in 1908 and held the position at the time of his death. He receive the Cryptic Degrees in Abington Council in 1869 and membership in 1870. he demitted from there to become a charter member of Brockton Council in 1884 and was the first Recorder. Later he held the positions of Conductor, Captain of the Guard, Principal Conductor of the Work, Deputy Master, and was elected Thrice Illustrious Master in 1895 and reelected in 1896. He was elected Grand Principal Conductor of the Work of the Most Illustrious Grand Council in 1897, Most Illustrious Grand Master in 1899 and reelected in 1900 and 1901, and became a permanent member of the General Grand Council of the United States. He received the Orders of Knighthood in Old Colony Commandery No. 15 in 1866 and served this Commandery as Junior Warden, Captain General and Generalissimo. June 12, 1874, he demitted to become a charter member of Bay State Commandery No. 38. He was its first Generalissimo, and its Eminent Commander from October, 1875 to October 1878, and Recorder from October, 1878 to October 1892. He was Grand Captain of the Guard of the Grand Commandery of Massachusetts and Rhode Island in 1884. He was elected President of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Association of Knights Templars Comanders in 1906. MW Bro. Sanford received the Thirty-second Degree Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in Massachusetts Consistory on March 27, 1870, and became a life member. He was created a Sovereign Grand Inspector-General and Honorary member of the Supreme Council, Thirty-third Degree on September 15, 1903. Thus, briefly, we have portrayed the service given by our Most Worshipful Brother, Baalis Sanford, as taken from a record prepared by his own hand. His funeral was held in the Porter Congregational Church in Brockton on Friday, November 19, 1908. Business was almost wholly suspended, for his death was indeed a personal loss to the whole community. The Masonic Services were conducted by the officers of Paul Revere Lodge in a most impressive manner. The Rev. Bro. Frank A. Warfield, a former pastor, delivered a touching eulogy, from which in closing we quote: “We have the comfort of a memory which will not let go the really valuable in his life, of an affection that is kept aglow with the cheer which he imparted and which enshrines him in our hearts, from which he shall never be removed. What he gave to others lives now that he is gone. What he really was continues now that life’s course is run.” Fraternally Submitted, M.W. J. Albert Blake M.W. Edwin B. Holmes Wor. Merton S. Gurney, Committee Rev. August 15, 2007 Back to Top M.W. Baalis Sanford’s Acceptance After First Election as Grand Master Most Worshipful Sir; I thank you most sincerely for the kind words and friendly sentiments with wich you have communicated to me the official announcement of my election to the office of Grand Master Masons of Massachusetts. Brethren of Grand Lodge, I stand before you almost dazed as I face the great mountain of responsibility which looms up in my pathway and which I am called upon to cross. I approach it with fear and trembling; with many doubts and misgivings; for when we recall the long list of honored names who have filled this high position, distinguished for their brilliant and successful administration of the affairs of this Grand Lodge, which has exited our admiration, it is any wonder that I hesitate to follow the path which they have trod, and assume the duties and responsibilities which they carried so gracefully and so well, with credit to themselves and honor to the Craft? But I am sustained and strengthened by the cheering thought that never yet, in the long history of this venerable Grand Lodge, has it ever failed to support and sustained its presiding Grand Officers, or to encircle them with steadfast hearts, and brotherly co-operation, and kind forbearance – and so, Brethren, hoping and believing that I shall receive at your hands the same kind of consideration, I accept the office and tender to you my warmest thanks for this expression of you confidence, and the great honor thus conferred upon me by this election; promising to bring to its duties such measure of service as my ability will permit; hoping and praying that I may be guarded and guided by the hand that guides the world, end enriched with that wisdom which cometh from above. Again, Brethren, I thank you, not only for myself but also in behalf of Paul Revere Lodge, of which I am an humble member. Activities as G.M. related to Brockton: January 6, 1903 – Installed Officers of Paul Revere Lodge February 25, 1903 – Visited St. George Lodge March 24, 1903 – Visited Paul Revere Lodge April 30, 1903 – Attended Exemplification of Degrees at Paul Revere Lodge May 12, 1903 – Visited Paul Revere Lodge 3rd Degree November 17, 1903 – Visited Paul Revere Lodge 3rd Degree December 29, 1903 – Appointed Wm. H. Emmerson, Deputy Grand Master September 19, 1904 – Laid Cornerstone of Brockton High School (Warren Avenue) in Masonic Ceremony Prepared by H. W. Sprague from Proceedings of Grand Lodge of 1902, 1903, 1904, 1910 and sundry other sources. December 1971 Back to Top