Page 48 - Cornelius Hedges Story

35 The Cornelius Hedges Story

In part of that letter Judge Hedges, had the following to say
about his work as Grand Secretary and his Masonic philosophy:

“Little did I think when I took the office of Grand Secretary
on the departure of Brother Hosmer, that it would occupy so
much of my time and service through the best years of my
life? Surely it was not for the higher honors, and still less for
the slender emoluments of the position, but altogether from
the encouragement and approbation of my brethren and the
growing conviction that I might accomplish as good a life work
here as anywhere else in aiding to build up an institution whose
influence on the individual is at the same time in sparing and
restraining, while upon sanctity it is harmonizing, elevating
and liberalizing.”113
Hedges resumed his affiliation with a newspaper, when on July
4, 1872, he accepted a retainer of $30 per week to write one editorial
per day for the Helena Herald. He continued this editorial writing,
with some periods of irregularity, until March 16, 1891.114
The memorial written on Hedges for the Grand Lodge
Proceedings at the time of his death summed up his contribution
to Montana in this field, “thus he contributed his part toward the
formation of a sound and healthy public opinion.”115
The year 1872 also brought a change in his law partnership. On
October 11, 1872, he dissolved his partnership with Robert Lawrence
and “sold him books and accounts for $500,” and L. M. Burson had
earlier left the Territory. On the 11th, he expressed his sentiments:
“Rather tired, but it seems good to be alone…It pays to be
alone in business. Nearly everybody congratulates me on being
by myself.”
The next day his worth as an extremely capable attorney was
shown well; he noted “Lawrence beggar asked to come in with me,
Wheeler also proposes to come in.”116
Yet another event of 1872 continued to make that year important
in his life. It was that year he switched denominations from the
Methodist Church to the Presbyterian Church and noted on August
15, a meeting of the fledgling Helena Presbyterian Church in his
office.