Strict Observance Lodge No. 73 A.F.M.

Charleston, South Carolina

Strict Observance Lodge No. 73 A.F.M. was organized on December 26, 1859 under a warrant of dispensation granted by A.E. Miller Grand Master of Masons in South Carolina for that year. W. Bro. Dr. A.C. Mackey, Grand Lecturer for the Grand Lodge of South Carolina, presided and installed W. Bro. F. C. Barber as Master and presented him with the warrant.

He then placed W. Bro. S. J. Hull in the West, and Bro. L. C. Duncan in the South. The Lodge of Strict Observance was then opened in due form, and the following officers were elected and appointed:

Bro. J. M. Gardiner, Treasurer; Bro. J. H. Ferguson, Secretary; Bro. J. B. Watson, Senior Deacon; Bro. T. S. Nickerson, Junior Deacon; Bro. J. A. Cleaveland, Steward; Bro. J. H. Schmidt, Steward; and Bro. J. A. Willberger, Tiler.

It was voted that the regular meetings of the Lodge would be held on the first Friday of each Month. The Lodge received its warrant of constitutions on March 5, 1850.

According to Mackey, the Lodge derived its name from the Rite of Strict Observance, which was a modification of Masonry based on the Order of Knights Templar and introduced into Germany in 1754 by its founder the Baron Von Hund. This order is supposed to have been the shield behind which the then persecuted Templars hid under the guise of Masons, and from which the system of Speculative Masonry is supposed to have sprung. Other writers however, have connected the Rite of Strict Observance with others existing prior to, as well as subsequent to 1754.

The number 73 was given to the Lodge, as this was at that time the next vacant number on the Grand Lodge register. In 1851 upon checking records it was found that no less than 36 Lodges had numbers lower than 73, therefore Strict Observance Lodge No. 73 is at least the 37th oldest existing Lodge constituted by the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina.

Strict Observance Lodge was consecrated on April 25, 1850 by the Grand Lodge.

Her By-Laws were adopted on July 5, 1850 and have changed very little over the years. The Lodge has survived through many wars, and many of her members have died on the battlefields. She has gone from prosperity to destitution, survived the depression and came back prosperous. Her ranks have been filled by young and zealous disciples, the upmost harmony has prevailed, and the brethren with one accord working diligently and faithfully, having raised her to a rank worthy of her ancient fame and honor.