We Three Do Agree!!!

Baldwin Chapter History

1867

The Eleventh Annual Convocation was held September 11th 1867. In his address, Grand High Priest Baldwin gave good Masonic advise "Let Us," he said " by amiable, discrete and virtuous conduct, endeavor to convince mankind of the goodness of our institution, so that when a person is said to be a member of it, the world may know he is one to whom the burdened heart may pour forth its sorrow, whose hand is guided by justice, and whose heart is expanded by benevolence.
One hundred dollars was contributed to the relief of the Grand Chapter of South Carolina, which was afterwards gratefully acknowledged.
Warrants were issued to Baldwin Chapter No. 17. Eureka Chapter No 18 and Siloam Chapter No 19.
Most Excellent Companion J.V. Mattison was elected Grand High Priest.

Presented to

Baldwin Chapter #17 R.A.M.

By

M.E. Israel Baldwin P.G.H.P

Of the Grand Chapter of N.J. Who

Constituted said Chapter and set

it to work under dispensation.

January 14th 1867

A COSTLY MASONIC PRESENTATION

 

      At a recent meeting of Baldwin Chapter # 17, Royal Arch Masons, of Newton NJ. The chapter was presented with a rich and costly High Priest’s breastplate by the organizer of the chapter M.E. Israel Baldwin, Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of New Jersey, a resident of Newark. The Breastplate cost $2,500 and is of white corded silk, ten inches square, embroidered in green and gold and is set with twelve precious stones, emblematical of the twelve tribes of Israel. It is very handsomely decorated and is suspended by a heavy gold chain; the stones are set in gold sockets. In the “cyclopedia of Masonry” it is thus described.  A Splendid piece of ornamental embroidered cloth, of the same material of which the ephod was made. Ten inches square and worn by the Jewish High Priest on his breast, when dressed in full sacerdotal vestments. The front was set with twelve precious stones in golden sockets, arranged in four rows, three in each row, on each of which was engraved the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. On the 1st row a sardius, red for Judah; a topaz, pale green for Issachar; an emerald, green for Zebulon; on the 2nd row a carbuncle, for Ruben; a sapphire, deep blue for Simeon; jasper, green clouded with white for Gad;  on the third row a ligure, dull red. For  Ephraim; an agate, gray spotted with different colors for Manasseh; an amethyst, purple, for Benjamin; on the 4th row a chrysolite, pale green for Dan; an onyx, bluish white for Asher; a beryl bluish green for Naphtali. The Breastplate was double or composed of two pieces, forming a kind of purse or bag, in which according to learned Rabbis, the Urim and Thummin (Light & Truth) were enclosed. It was fastened at the four corners, those at the top to each shoulder, and a golden ring at the end of a wreathed chain; those below, to the girdle of the ephod, by four blue ribbons, two at each corner.  This ornament was never to be severed from the priestly garments, and it was called a “Memorial”. Being designed to remind the Priest, how dear those tribes should be to him whose names bore upon his heart.  It was also named the “Breastplate of Judgment” because it was believed that by it was discovered the Judgment and the will of God, or because the High Priest who wore it was revered as the fountain of justice, and put it on when he exercised his judicial capacity in matters of great importance which concerned the nation.

The Baldwin Breastplate