Page 153 - Cornelius Hedges Story

For This And Succeeding Generations Gardiner 140

On June 24, 1872, the same day as the corner-stone laying
for Helena’s new Masonic Temple, Hedges was appointed to fill
Hezekiah Hosmer’s unexpired term as Grand Secretary. Judge
Hosmer had moved out of the Territory.454

The following October, he was elected Grand Secretary,455 and
as he expressed it, the position occupied “so much of my time and
service through the best years of my life.”456 He held that position
until his death, and in terms of service - two months short of 35
years was longest serving Grand Secretary in the Nation, if not in
the world.457

It was Hedges in 1875 who called to the attention of the Grand
Lodge the urgent need to have their early proceedings reprinted.
This was made necessary by the loss of the Grand Lodge records in
the Helena fire of January, 1874.458

In his “General Report” as Grand Secretary on September 24,
1890, Hedges proposed a celebration of the Silver Anniversary
of the Grand Lodge in Virginia City on January 24, 1891. The
suggestion was referred to a committee and they “reported aversely
on the ground of expense and the inaccessibility of the place, and
their report was adopted.”459

In 1897, Cornelius Hedges was presented with a cut-glass
inkstand and inscribed silver tray as a token of appreciation for his
25 years of “long and valuable services” as Grand Secretary.460

In 1902, the occasion of his 30th anniversary as Grand Secretary,
the Grand Lodge adopted a testimonial. Part of it read:

“This is the thirtieth report of your Grand Secretary. Thirty of
the best years of one of the purest lives spent in Montana have been
devoted with unfaltering zeal to your service and to Masonry, as
well as to the general brotherhood of mankind. This service stands
out in bold relief as an example to all, and as living argument in
favor of unselfishness and charity.”461