Who Was Ill. Bro. Frederick Dalcho? (cont) 1820 - 1857 By: McDonald “Don" Burbidge, 33 o

1820      August - Dr. Dalcho published another story,  Evidences Of the Divinity of Jesus Christ; With The Testimony Of Christian and Heathen Writers, That He was Called GOD, And Worshiped as GOD, In the First Three Centuries      Dr. Dalcho had his chief work published,” An Historical Account of the Protestant Episcopal Church in South Carolina. It took Dr. Dalcho two years to write his book.      The book covered the first settlement in the province, to The War of the Revolution; with notices of the Present State of the Church in each parish; and some account of the early civil history of Carolina, never before published. Also included are the laws relating to religious worship; the Journals and rules of the Convention of South Carolina, the Constitution and Canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and an index with a list of subscribers. 1822      Dr. Frederick Dalcho published his second edition of the “Ahiman Rezon.” In the opening page of his second edition Dalcho wrote the following;      “Freemasonry comprehends within its circle every branch of useful knowledge and learning, and stamps an indelible mark of pre- eminence on its genuine professors, which neither chance, power, nor fortune can bestow. When its rules, are strictly observed, it is a sure foundation of tranquility, amidst the various disappointments of life. It is a friend that will not deceive, but will comfort and assist us in prosperity and adversity. It is a blessing that will remain with all times, circumstances, and places, and to which recourse may be had, when other earthly comforts sink into disregard.” 1823      Dr. Dalcho became involved in an unpleasant controversy with some of his Masonic associates, in consequence of difficulties and dissentions, which at that time, existed in the Ancient Rite his feelings were so wounded by the unmasonic spirit which seemed to actuate his antagonists and former friends that Dr. Dalcho resigned the Office of Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge, and Grand Commander of the Supreme Council, and retired for the remainder of his life from all participation in the active duties of Masonry. At the end of the year Dr. Dalcho withdrew his membership from the Grand Lodge which marked the end of his Masonic career. In Dr. Dalcho’s resignation letter to the Grand Lodge he states in part the following:      “Every friend of the Masonic institution, as well as every member, of our Order, must have felt, not only deeply interested, but greatly grieved, at the unhappy difference which, for a few weeks, has existed in the Grand Lodge. As an old Mason, and particularly as a religious man, I confess that it introduced in my mind the most painful sensations. Believing, as I conscientiously do, that genuine freemasonry is a powerful auxiliary to the religion I profess, I cannot but be solicitous to see it practiced in its native purity and truth. That charity which covert a multitude of sins; and that Brotherly-love, which makes the friend of his species, are fundamental principles of both. And where these principles are permitted to govern our feelings and our conduct, whether in the domestic and social circle, in the Lodges of the Fraternity, or the community in which we live, there peace and happiness, the types of celestial enjoyment, must necessarily reign. 1824      Dr. Dalcho established “The Charleston Gospel Messenger and Protestant Episcopal Register” a monthly journal of the church’s activities.  The first volumes of these registers included many highly interesting and some well-elaborated and learned essays from his pen. 1826 On May 16 - Dr. Dalcho published another address, An Address Delivered in St. Michael’s Church Charleston Protestant Episcopal Sunday School Society, At Their Seventh Anniversary May 16 Being the Tuesday in Whitsun Week 1826      The evening prayer was read by the Rev. Dr. Gadsen, Rector of St. Philip’s Church, and an Address, adapted to the occasion, was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Dalcho, Assistant Minister of St. Michael’s Church.      It should also be noted that a recently discovered letter written by Rev. Dalcho dated 1828 shows that he was the superintendent of the Sunday Schools Children which was attended by 800 children.      After Service, the members of the Society met to receive the Report of the Managers, to elect Officers, &c.      On motion of Mr. Thayer, the thanks of the Society were returned to Dr. Dalcho for his appropriate Address, and a copy therefore requested for publication. 1827      Dr. Dalcho delivered a sermon before the Grand Lodge of Ancient Freemasons of South Carolina at St. Michael's church located in Charleston, South Carolina. Again, as in 1807 a decade earlier, his text was John 12:36.      Dalcho remarked: “ May the light of the everlasting Gospel burn in your hearts with a pure and steady flame, guiding your footsteps unto all righteousness, and directing your conduct in every scene and condition of life." Free-Masonry, like the Religion of the Redeemer, is eminently Calculated to dispense “peace on earth, and good will towards men. ” Let me then, earnestly beseech you, in the name of your Savior, to endeavor, by a life of piety and devotion to flee from the wrath to come, that you walk before him as becomes your Christian calling; that you fulfill the Royal law according to the Scriptures to love your neighbor as yourself; and finally that you afford to the world a bright example of piety and faith, by walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless, for so is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. 1836      On November 24th - Dr. Frederick Dalcho passed away at his resident which was located at 54 Meeting Street. His physician was Dr. Campbell and he listed his death as “Paralysis."      Dr. Dalcho’s wife Mary passed away 16 years later in December 1852 at the age of 66 years. Her resting-place is in an unmarked grave next to Dr. Dalcho’s at St. Michael’s church. Printed in the Charleston News and Courier;      The Clergy of the Episcopal Church and of other denominations; the Members of St. Michael’s congregation, and of the other congregations of the Episcopal Church in this city, and the Friends and Acquaintances are invited to attend the Funeral of the late Rev. Dr. DALCHO, from his house in Meeting street, This Afternoon, at 4 O’clock precisely. Nov.25 Reference: The Charleston News and Courier Dated: Friday Morning Nov. 25, 1836      Rev. Dr. Dalcho’s life of great industry was now over. His remains were laid to rest in St. Michael’s Church Cemetery on the south side. The vestry defrayed the expenses of his mahogany coffin and interment in the churchyard, and caused a memorial tablet to be erected to him. This tablet was to have been placed inside the church, but because of a certain animosity towards the Masons at the time, it was erected outside against the south wall. In 1847, and again in 1852, the suggestion was made that it should be brought inside the building. Action was taken on neither occasion. Not until many years later was Dr. Dalcho’s tablet brought inside the church, which he loved and served for seventeen years.      The Church, showing their due respect for their late Assistant Minister was draped in black merino. The Masonic Grand Lodge was ordered to be clothed in mourning, for the space of six weeks” at its Quarterly Communication on the 16th of December. 1857      December 10, Dr. Joseph Johnson, M.D.  (a member of St. Philip’s Church) provides us with a first hand description of Dr. Frederick Dalcho from one that knew him personally and as a Mason.      “Dr. Dalcho was about five and a half feet in height, muscular and well proportioned. Having been accidentally wounded in his lungs, he became occasionally asthmatic, and his voice, naturally pleasant, was thus sometimes oppressed. His features were well marked, denoting a vigorous and well- cultivated intellect, as well as a thoughtful and earnest spirit. His kind, amiable and genial disposition, his fine social qualities, his extensive information and liberal principles made him a great and general favorite in the community.      Dr. Dalcho posed a spiritual quality throughout his life. Ordained to the ministry after a varied career and displayed throughout his life a gentleness and goodness of nature which would have put to shame more prominent theologians.      Although Rev. Frederick Dalcho passed away on November 24, 1836, the lives he touched through his addresses, sermons, and the other writings he left behind will continue to inspire others for generations to come.      In closing I would like to leave you with this one last passage written by Rev. Dalcho in December 1805 for the Medical Society Oration he delivered for that year. To me this is what Rev. Dalcho had intended to accomplish throughout his life.      “Let us, gentleman, cheerful and resolutely determine to make our society as useful as it is respectable, to make it the school of instruction, and the deposit of important information for our posterity. The ardent pursuit of scientific information, which it adds respectability and honor to a country, is of incalculable depth; an inexhaustible source of usefulness and profit. The human mind, vast and capacious in its resources, is bounded by no limits, but the GREAT FIRST CAUSE, and yields to no impediments, but the disorganization of matter. The hearts expands with virtue and benevolence, as the mind extends its information. The riches of the ancients become our property, and the labors of the learned, become our amusement. Compared to the learned, of the present day, the ancients were but the pupils of science; and we, in turn, will have to yield the palm of knowledge to those who will succeed us, and who, probably, will look back upon us, but as the removers of literary rubbish, or the pliers up of disjointed facts.”      (Oration before the Medical Society by Dr. Frederick Dalcho on December 24th, 1805).

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