Mystic Tie Lodge #279

Mystic Tie Lodge #279 was formed from the amalgamation of New Hope Lodge #279 and Otto Klutz Lodge #731on Oct. 20, 2003.

HISTORY OF NEW HOPE LODGE

A Dispensation dated May 15th 1872, was granted by M.W. Bro. James Seymour, Grand Master, for the formation of a Lodge in the Village of Hespeler, to be denominated New Hope Lodge. The Petition was signed by eleven Charter Members. The three Principal Officers named were W. Bro. Isaac Huber, W.M., Bro. Archibald Bryden, S.W., and Bro. Richard Clayton, J.W.

The name, New Hope, was the second name of the community adopted about 1835, and made official when the Post Office was opened in 1851. Some of the early Mennonite settlers had come from New Hope, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on the west bank of the Delaware River. The name was subsequently changed to Hespeler in 1859 when the Village was incorporated, and later absorbed into the City of Cambridge January 1st 1973.

The Beehive, an ancient Masonic symbol of industry and obedience, was an apt choice for the civic emblem of Hespeler, one that proudly proclaimed "Hespeler - a hive of industry!" It was adopted as the emblem of New Hope Lodge in 1976. The Minutes record: "New Hope - a hive of industry, and a honey of a lodge." The Beehive was given a place of prominence in the present arms of the City of Cambridge.

HISTORY OF OTTO KLOTZ LODGE

The Otto Klotz Lodge was formed under Dispensation from M.W. Bro. R. W. Davies on October 17, 1977.

The impetus to form this lodge came from R. W. Bro. William S. McVittie, Past D.D.G.M. of Wellington District. The lodge was named in honour of Otto Klotz, an outstanding member of the Masonic fraternity. Initiated in to Barton Lodge No. 6- Hamilton - in 1846, he affiliated with Alma Lodge No. 72 - Galt - in 1858 and was elected as the first D.D.G.M of the newly formed Wellington District in 1869. He was appointed to the Board of General Purposes in 1864, and was elected Honorary Past Grand Master in 1885. His regalia was presented at the 90th anniversary of Barton Lodge No. 6 in Hamilton.

Otto Klotz was born in Keil, Denmark in 1817 and arrived at the German settlement of Preston in 1837. He witnessed its growth from a rural backwater to a major industrial centre of its time. He had a profound influence on his community, notably the founding of the Mechanics Institute (now Preston Public Library) in 1871. The institute provided free instruction through its large library to the Mechanic, Tradesmen, Farmer and students of Science and Art. The entire library was donated by Otto Klotz.

As stated in the Final charge - part of which he wrote - "He did the good act, not for himself, but for the cause of good"

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