LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 125th Anniversary of Babylon
Lodge No. 793, Free and Accepted Masons, Babylon, New York, on April 29,
2012

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those fraternal organizations of high purpose and worthy
accomplishment whose endeavors have faithfully served the welfare of the
citizens of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
125th Anniversary of Babylon Lodge No. 793, Free and Accepted Masons,
Babylon, New York, to be celebrated with a Black Tie Dinner Dance on
Sunday, April 29, 2012, at the Babylon Lodge, Babylon, New York; and
WHEREAS, Resonant with a constancy of theme, the 125-year history of
Babylon Lodge No. 793, Free and Accepted Masons records the orchestra-
tion of a patrimony of unparalleled excellence in commitment to the
principles and ideals of Freemasonry; and
WHEREAS, The Free and Accepted Masons (F. and A.M.) are the oldest
fraternal organization in the world dating back some 3,000 years; Free-
masonry in Babylon has been successful for 125 years because throughout
its distinguished history, it has continuously been a great influence in
the community by providing leadership, a principled way of life deeply
rooted in a system of values, social benevolence, emphasis on individual
excellence and serving as a stabilizing force in the community; and
WHEREAS, New York State has approximately 136,000 members in over 800
lodges, which belong to the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of
the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Proud of its lineage, its record of service to mankind, and
its Masonic achievements, the history of Masonry in the Village of Baby-
lon has prevailed unbroken for 125 years; it is deeply rooted in the
American Revolutionary era; from its introduction in 1887 to the present
day, Freemasonry has been an important influence at work in the develop-
ment of the Babylon community; and
WHEREAS, On January 27, 1887, the first regular meeting of the Babylon
Masonic Lodge was held in the Willets Building, Village of Babylon;
present were the 22 original charter members: Theodore C. Fletcher,
Henry Livingston, Richard Higbie, Jr., Charles Searle, Henry Seaman,
Philip Sammis, John Jarvis, Charles Hendrickson, Dacio Falconer, George
Dingenthal, Alex Mathias, Henry Erick, George Burr, Samuel deForest,
Philip Seaman, Harold Finlay, Carl Schmidt, Leonard Fishel, Norman
Smith, Samuel Muncy, Charles White, and James McLachlan; and
WHEREAS, The Masonic Lodge's second location was at Halycon Hall on
Deer Park Avenue; it was occupied from 1910 until June 1, 1955, when the
Lodge moved to its present location, 250 West Main Street, Babylon, New
York; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of Master, The Most Worshipful
Edward T. Bartels, the members of Babylon Lodge No. 793, F. and A.M. are
dedicated to supporting their community; each year they host a Holiday
Party for the AHRC in Bohemia and buy gifts for over 120 special-needs
children; they also donate food baskets to local churches to help feed
the needy; host Blood Drives; and donate their building and time to
different organizations such as the Babylon Arts Council, the Babylon
Historical Society, and the Babylon Beautification Society; and
WHEREAS, Recently, Babylon Lodge No. 793, F. and A.M. raised funds to
help a Lodge in upstate New York that was devastated by Hurricane Irene;
and
WHEREAS, Babylon Lodge No. 793, F. and A.M. also supports many youth
organizations by giving awards to boys who attain the rank of Eagle

Scout, and girls who earn the Girl Scout Gold Award; they also award a
young person every year with a college scholarship; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, Babylon Lodge No. 793, F. and A.M. has given back
to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who are stationed
overseas by sending them much-needed supply packages; and
WHEREAS, Along with the lodges in Suffolk, Babylon Lodge No. 793, F.
and A.M. has supported the Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center and
the Long Island State Veterans Home at Stony Brook University by holding
church services as well as other entertaining events for the residents;
in 2011, the Masons of Suffolk assisted in taking the residents of the
Long Island State Veterans Home to a Long Island Duck's baseball game;
and
WHEREAS, Organizations of singular distinction such as the Babylon
Lodge No. 793, F. and A.M. provide a model for enhancing the quality of
life in the community and, as such, merit the grateful praise of the
community of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when insti-
tutions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and
most joyously commemorate the 125th Anniversary of Babylon Lodge No.
793, F. and A.M., Babylon, New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Master, The Most Worshipful Edward T. Bartels, Babylon Lodge
No. 793, Free and Accepted Masons.