Master Masons gather for first official L.O.I Meeting

Recently, Master Masons from throughout the 24th Masonic District traveled to Solomons Temple Lodge in Uxbridge, to attend the new (DDgM) District Deputy grand Master Right Worship Jonathan Neitz, 1st official (L.O.I.) Lodge of Instructions meeting. The guest speaker was Right Worshipful Michael Jarzabek, Past Junior grand Warden of the grand Masonic Lodge of Boston. The topic of brother Jarzabek’s conversation was about the inventor of the game of basketball James Naismith who also happened to be a Master Mason.

Solomon Temple Lodge in Uxbridge was packed with brethren from all 7 lodges from the 24th Masonic District. These Masonic Lodges are in the towns of Auburn, Southbridge, Webster, Douglas, Oxford, Charlton, and Uxbridge. Did you know Solomon Temple lodge is the oldest Masonic lodge in Massachusetts that still operates in its original building? It was charted on December 10th, 1818, and this lodge is still thriving, wow 204 years strong and continues having meetings in its original building. For your history enthusiasts go to Masonic genealogy of Massachusetts to read more about the historical notes about Solomon Temple Lodge and most of all the buildings rich history.

James Naismith graduated from Mcgill University in Montreal with a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education in 1888 and then he became a physical education teacher. He left Montreal for a job as a physical education teacher at the YMCA International Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts. At the Springfield YMCA Naismith was left with a challenge. He had a class of rowdy young men who unable to go outside in the harsh winter and had become almost uncontrollable. The game had to be no contact as his boss did not want anyone to get hurt. Naismith looked at some popular games at the time, baseball, football, soccer, and lacrosse. He had an idea and Naismith decided to put two peach baskets that he attached to the railings,

10 feet above the gym floor and used a big soft soccer ball. Initially people were allowed to move with the ball, and this led to a variety of injuries since people’s instinct was to tackle the player with the ball. After the first round of injuries rules were put in place and players had to strictly pass the ball.

Naismith was also a Master Mason and member of the Russell Lee Lodge in Springfield, Mass and later affiliated with the Lawrence Lodge No. 6 in Kansas. He was Worshipful Master of Lawrence Lodge from 1927 until 1928.

If you find yourself in Springfield, Massachusetts visit the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. If you would like more information or interested in Freemasonry, please visit, and go to massfreemasonary.org and find a lodge nearest you.

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DEADLiNE

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