AUBURN - The Free Masons can trace their roots as far back as the building of the great cathedrals of Europe, with beginnings in the masonry guilds of Europe; the order was built on brotherhood.

It was this ideal that was celebrated at Auburn Lodge No. 124 Thursday night when Neal Bidnick, Grand Master of Masons in the state, made the trip to Auburn from New York City to be present for the 70th anniversary of Auburn's Fred Atkins' membership in the order.

“I try to visit as many of our brothers as I can,” Bidnick said. “Masonry started with the building of the cathedrals of Europe. The idea was that if a member of the guild couldn't work or was injured, the other members would be there to take care of him and his family.

“This is where the idea of brotherhood, the most important ideal of the Masons, really began and that is what we are here to celebrate tonight. It is a real honor to be here and to see a brother reach this honor in our order.”

Eli Hernandez, Master of Lodge No. 124, said it was a true honor to recognize this milestone year in a fellow brother's time with the Masons and to welcome the state's Grand Master all on the same night.

“Fred has always been a very involved member,” Hernandez said. “We are really happy to be able to honor a brother like this and we hope that he is here for 75 years and 80 years. This is almost a once-in-a-lifetime event and we hope he is here with us for a long time. And to have our Grand Master here to be a part of this night is a real honor for the lodge.”

Atkins, 95, first joined the Auburn Chapter of the Order of DeMolay, an organization sponsored by the Masons, while he was a teenager, but by the time he was 24, Atkins was a member of the Masons.

“As soon as I was old enough and could afford it I became a member,” Atkins said. “I was always interested in this and the social connections and the camaraderie of it all.”

Atkins reached the level of Master Mason in 1938 and also served as Master Councilor and Scribe. For his time and service to the order, Atkins was recognized with the Legion of Honor Award and Cross of Honor Award.

Atkins worked at Columbian Rope for 35 years, before retiring as a credit manager. He also dedicated his time to volunteer work in the community with organizations such as Unity House, Meals on Wheels and the Red Cross.

A commitment to the community is one of the important tenants of Masonry and one Atkins was glad to be able to fulfill.

“This has been a terrific organization,” Atkins said. “I've always liked to camaraderie of it and all the people that are in the organization.”

Atkins was presented with a certificate recognizing his many years with the Masons by Bidnick.

In recent years, the face of the Masons has changed, as more young people have begun to take an interest in the organization, Bidnick pointed to people like Atkins as mentors for a new generation.

“The average age of a full member is 38.5,” Bidnick said. “It is a new generation that is becoming a part of our brotherhood. I think younger people are taking an interest in the principals and ideals that we stand for. And we are lucky to have members like Fred that are here for the younger generation to show them what we are all about. I am really proud of him and to be able to be here to be a part of this night.”

And even after 70 years, Atkins is still an active member, regularly attending meetings and taking part in various events. He has no intention of changing that.

As he looked back on his 70 years, he said he is truly proud to be a Mason.

“It is fantastic, really terrific,” Atkins said. “To think of all that I have seen and been a part of. This is a terrific organization and terrific people. All of this tonight is really incredible.”