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Have an Indefatigable Spirit for the Holidays
Have an Indefatigable Spirit for the Holidays
Reid Gardiner, Grand Secretary Emeritus, Grand Secretary Emeritus
Reid Gardiner
Often many of us feel the stress and pressures from our Brother Hedges was a devoted family man, and he
work, family or fi nancial limitations, and many end up believed that the well-regulated home is the foundation of
working longer hours or more than one job, but we strive our institutions, and was blessed with domestic happiness
to make our families happy and secure. such as few men enjoy. He took time out of his busy
schedule to take his family fi shing and to circuses. He was
Our Past Grand Master and Past Grand Secretary a man so close to his family that when they had been gone
Cornelius Hedges, in order to provide adequately for his for an extended visit in the East, he would remark in his
family, often engaged in economic pursuits other than his journals upon their safe return, “Thank God the long agony
law profession and public offi ces, such as Probate Judge, is over.”
Superintendent of Public Instruction, and State Senator.
Brother Hedges was never content when he had to limit his December should be a happy and festive time, fi lled with
family. Yet, within the limits of the time and money that joy and excitement and wonder, and to many, it is a month
he had, our good brother was indefatigable in his quest to of peace and miracles. Among the world’s great faiths, two
make the holidays joyful and meaningful for his family - will be holding major celebrations this month, those being
can we do anymore? Christmas and Hanukkah. In whatever way you celebrate
your faith, may it be a wonderful time with your family,
Hedges wrote in his journals just a few weeks before friends and sharing in Masonic fellowship. As Masons, we
Christmas of 1864 of "One of the happiest days of the year, should respect and rejoice in whatever holidays or religious
when he received news of the birth of another son. “How customs our Brothers and friends celebrate. We should
thankful for such good news.” The new-born was named always be respectful of all faiths and religions.
Henry Highland, because Hedges was then working in
Highland Gulch. As Freemasons, we espouse the great Masonic Doctrine
of universal Brotherhood. In that sense, our mystic circle
From the journals of Cornelius Hedges, December 1864 knows no bounds; we espouse the virtues of "Brotherly
while working his claim at Highland Gulch. Love, Relief and Truth." Let us remember those who are
Problems continued, in mid-December, due to disputes lonely, homeless, sick, hungry, and in general need of
over water rights and side ditches, could not get the a helping hand. This month and this season provide an
necessary water to work their claim. But to off -set that, opportunity for Masons to refl ect upon the world around us
“lady luck” smiled in time to give them an early Christmas and demonstrate our concern for our family and community.
present - three days of good run. On the 22nd, they took out During this month it seems that everyone is just a bit
$98, with one nugget worth $11.10, they cleaned up $30.85 more charitable , let us share own good fortune by being
on the 23rd, and just $22.50 on the 24th. charitable to those who need a bit more.
In his journals from October of 1866, Hedges wrote "I
was on my way to the states to renew my acquaintance with The following quote is off ered to help inspire you.
my family from whom I had been separated for two and a
half years, uncertain whether I could induce them to return “I wish for you our brothers of all faiths, that just a little
with me to such a wild country as Montana still was." light will drive away much darkness and you and I and all of
us together can make a diff erence. We are Masons. We are
In the journals of Cornelius Hedges from ChristmasDay, the children of the Great Creator. We have a defi nite pattern
1869, he wrote, “Christmas –Sunday school festival last to follow, and that is the life and love of Freemasonry. At
evening - I was busy getting something for the children this time of the year, some of us observe Chanukah, others
-Spent $5.00 in presents -Times are too hard to do much.” observe Christmas, and still others Kwanza. Whatever your
faith, whatever your tradition, we wish you a happy holiday
From the journals of Cornelius Hedges, December 1872. as brothers and as children of one Creator.”
Brother Hedges while serving as Superintendent of Public - Melville H. Nahin, PGM (CA)
Instruction"visited schools at Hills, Jeff erson Island,
Whitehall, Argenta, Bannack, Sheridan, and Virginia City,
and returned home on Christmas Day."

From the journals of Cornelius Hedges, December
1884. Brother Hedges while serving as Superintendent
of Public Instruction, "Visited Boulder December 18 to 20,
Missoula; and December 23 and 24, Dillon. He returned
home on Christmas Day, and spent much of that day sending
out certifi cates of attendance at Teachers’ Institutes."
Volume 94 Number 8 Montana Freemason Page 33