CHAPTER XVII.

The losses of the Masonic Fraternity.—Great Destruction of Masonic Regalia and Paraphernalia.—Organization of the General Masonic Board of Relief.—Amount received in Aid of the Suffering Brethren.

The losses of the Masonic fraternity have been computed, and found to be much greater than was at first supposed. The private lodges saved nothing, and all their warrants, banners, jewels, clothing, and other paraphernalia were lost. Some of them even did not rescue their seals; and Hibernia, Union Lodge of Portland, and New Brunswick Lodge, lost their records. The Union Lodge of Portland was a heavy loser. Her loss amounts to

$1,250; Albion, No. 1, $850; St. John's, No. 2, about $600; Leinster, No. 9, and New Brunswick, No. 22, foot up to $750 each; and Hibernia, No. 3, to $850.

The Chapters have also fared badly. Carleton Royal Arch Chapter, formed in 1802, lost the seal and $1,150 worth of property; while New Brunswick Chapter meets with a loss of $1,475.

There were two Encampments which met in Masonic Hall. St. John Encampment not only lost $2,300 worth of property, which included the rich regalia of the order, the jewels, banners, charters, and general paraphernalia, but also the seal of the Encampment, and the regalia in the armory, which was owned by the private members. This latter consisted for the most part, of the chapeaux,

swords, belts, gauntlets, baldrics, aprons, etc., usually worn by the Sir Knights when on parade and other duty. Hardly a member of the organization saved his masonic clothing. The regalia of this body was especially gorgeous in character, and no better dressed organization, before the fire, existed anywhere. The Union De Molay Encampment experienced the same loss of general wardrobe and appliances. Their loss reaches upwards of two thousand dollars. The bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Rite lost everything but the records. The Royal Order of Scotland—a very select body,—saved their records only; the entire paraphernalia and regalia were lost. All the furniture and furnishings, the organ, etc., belonging to the General Hall Committee of the body, with all the paintings, photographs, and engravings, were destroyed with the rest.