…presented at St. John's Lodge No. 82, Paris, November 14, 2006.

Right Worshipful Sirs, Very Worshipful Sirs, Worshipful Sirs Distinguished East and Brethren All.

Tonight I would like to talk to you about the past. For if we study the past I believe the future is bound to be better although from the varied past of St John's lodge #82 in Paris the future is very bright indeed.

Masonry in Paris Began with unity Lodge #40 Under the third Provincial Grand Lodge, and under the jurisdiction of the grand Lodge of England. It was consecrated on August 18, 1953 , the first Worshipful Master was Worshipful Bro Hiram Capron. He was followed by 145 distinguished brethren.

This lodge has held 2 warrants one from the as stated before issued to Unity Lodge #40 which relinquished its charter on May 22, 1957 in order to accept Dispensation from the grand lodge of Canada for the constitution of St. John's Lodge #44, Grand Register of Canada West receive from Right worshipful Brother W. C. Stephens. This warrant was reported to have been issued to St. John's Lodge Paris in the Hamilton Masonic District June 25, 1857 . This Warrant was signed By Most Worshipful Brother William Mercer Wilson .

On July 14, 1858, when Grand Lodge of Canada Contained all of the lodges from the two previous Grand Lodges with 129 lodges under its direction the lodges were renumbered and St, John's lodge Paris was assigned the new number 82.

Lodge meeting according to the original warrant were to be held on the first Tuesday of every month It was later changed to the second Tuesday of every month except for July and August.

This Lodge has been held in many different areas of Paris 111 Grand river Street North then for a short time in 1950 the Paris Oddfellows' Hall on February 10 th , 1951 St. John's lodge secured permanent residence at 11 Banfield Street which was consecrated to the service of masonry by Deputy Grand master Right Worshipful Brother Nelson C. Hart. This hall was closed for the last time on September 13 1994 , by past masters in the chair Very wor bro A. C. McCay as the Wor Master. From there the members of Paris used St. George as their home which they greatly appreciated until the builders

The new lodge was built on a lot purchased at 98 Scott Avenue , Paris , Ontario . The First meeting was held on March 10 th 1998 with the lodge being dedicated on June 2000 Grand Master Robert. L. McKibbon. Follow G. M. Reception at Paris Fair grounds where Good Times were had by all. Paris Lodge has supported Blood Donor Clinics at the Paris High School . The members are now busy at working supporting the prostate cancer research by having a Friend to Friend night in October and tonight's charitable collection is going to support this worthy cause.

To the members of Paris Lodge I personally wish you continued success now and in the future. If that future can be predicted by the success of the past, Paris has very positive prospects indeed.

Brethren, I thank you for the kindness that you have afforded me this evening and I close with words of wisdom from Right Wor Brother Leonard Meiler:

My Sufficiency is suffoncified. Anymore would be obnoxious to the systematical diabolical state of my anatomy. And he was Known to say this after a good meal and he was declining more.

"Its Great Architect of the Universe as we your humble
Servants gather to partake the joys of Masonry and
Fellowship may we be mindful of others in thoughts
and actions. May we pray for the men who are not
with us tonight due to illness and distress? We wish
everyone a safe journey home after lodge. Amen. "