DENVER, COLORADO
With an idealist occupying the Grand Master’s Chair, in 1921 a group of Denver Masons who desired to form an exemplary lodge received enthusiastic approval of their application for dispensation.
The Grand Master was Hazlett P. Burke. Chairman of the petitioners was Dr. Harry L. Baum.
The group had high objectives: proficiency in ritual, simplicity of authentic degree work, careful selection of members so Masonic principles of fellowship would be practiced constantly.
These standards delighted M. W. Bro. Burke who advised the group of his opinion that it was impossible for healthy Masonic growth to take place rapidly. The dispensation was signed February 5, 1921 and delivered to the 41 signers three days later in the hall of South Denver Lodge No. 93.
The name “Emulation” was chosen from the passage in the Monitor which reads: “brotherly love and affection; that cement which unites us into one sacred band, or society of friends and brothers, among whom no contention should ever exist, save that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who best can work and best agree.”
Though the old English Lodge No. 21 in London, England had been named Emulation, there were few lodges in America having the name which to the petitioners signified the epitome of Masonry.
Dr. Baum was appointed first Worshipful Master. Brother Harry S. Finney cooperated with Dr. Baum for several years in establishing the lodge. During dispensation R. W. Bro. W. W. Cooper labored diligently and untiringly to perfect the officers in their work so perfection could be obtained.
Seven months later, September 21, 1 1931, the Grand Lodge chartered the lodge as Emulation No. 154.
Emulation has continued since to maintain a strict control over character of its members by judicious approval of the ballot. The largest membership was 211. Despite the comparatively small membership in a metropolitan city, the lodge has furnished two outstanding Grand Masters, Dr. Bamn and Charles A. Mantz.
R. W. Bro. Luther VanBuskirk, a member of the lodge and its tiler for 35 years, is regarded by many Emulation members as “Mr. Mason” of Colorado.
There were 220 members of the lodge on November 30, 1960.
