The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1868-05-07
THE LINCOLN MONUMENT.
Masonic Dedication.

u; Va, was dedicated with Masonic cere<
monies, April 18th, by the Grand Lodge
of the District of Columbia. The follow
ing Masonic dedicatory ceremonies we're
conducted in the most impressive manner:
Grand Master, benjamin B. French.1
RI W. Junior Grand Warden, what is the
Jewel of your ofieel e
Junior G.. Warden, Joseph B. Will
The plumb, Most Worshipful.
Grand Mastcr-Have you applied the
plumb to such parts of the base Of this pc.
destal as should be plumb
Junior G. Warden, Applying the
plumb,l rr
have, Most Worshful, and the crafts
men have done their duty.
Grand Master-R. w. Senior Grand
Warden, what is the Jewel of your office
! Sr. G.. Warden, John H. Russell.7
The level, Most Worshipful.
Grand Master--Have you applied the
level to such parts of the base Of this pes
destal as should be level2
Sr. G. Warden, Applying the level
have, Most Worshipful, and the craftsmen
have done their duty.
Grand Master.--R. W. Deputy Grand
Master, you will now apply the proper
architectural instrument to the base Of
this pedestal, and see if the several angles
thereof are duly and properly formed.
Deputy Grand Master, John Locke
applying the level. Most Worshipful
Grand Master, I have applied the level to
the several angles Of the base of this pc
destal, and find that the craftsmen have
done their duty. ~ ta
Grand Master.-As the implements Of
architecture, in the hands of Che skilful
operative Mason, enable him to prepare
and adjust the sundry materials of which
the complete structure is composed, so do
they, in the hands of enlightened and ac-
cepted speculative Masons, teach them to
prepare their minds as living stones for
that spiritual building, that "house not
made with hands, eternal in the heavens.''
[The Deputy G. Master presented the
corn. ..... ...
Grand Master-Brethren, the corn,
wine, and oil, which you carry in your
possession, and which are the consecrating
elements used on occasions like this, are to
remind us that in the pilgrimage of life,
we are to impart a portion of our bread to
the hungry, to send cup of our wine to
cheer the sorrowful, and to pour the heal
ing oil of consolation into the wounds
which sickness hath made in the bodies,
aMiction hath rent in the hearts Of cur
fellow men.
In placing the corn upon the foundation
of this statue, / invoke the blessing of
plenty on the people of this city and up-
ON the people of our whole country. Es-
pecially may they never want for that
bread for which to eat is life eternal.
TThe Senior Grand Warden presented
the wine. &
Grand Master.--In pouring the wine
upon it, do itin the fervent hope that
the wine of joy may ever gladden. the
hearts Of the people everywhere. IA
TThe Junior Warden presented the oill
Grand Master.-In pouring oilupon the
foundation of this statue, | hope and pray
that its healing element may spread al!
over the face of this land, and, like oil
upon the troubled waters, calm the waves
Of discord, and be conducive to that peace,
harmony, and brotherly love, and sincere
affection, assuring happiness TO- all, that
we believe would have rejoiced the heart
of the good man whose semblance it sup
ports, had the will of God been that he
should have lived to look once more upon
a united people. ~"
May the consolation Of the gospel Of the
Prince of Peace accompany us all through
life, and illumfne our pathway as we pass
through the dark valley of the shadow Of
death.
! The Grand Master gave three raps with
his gavef on the foundation and made the
announcement: 81 now pronounce this
foundation properly prepared, well laid,
true, trusty, and this statue, erected by
the citizens of Washington to the memory
of Abraham Lincoln, duly and fully dedi-
Gated to the American people," Ap-
plause.
/ The grand honors were then performed,
/ and the Marine Band, occupying the east
end of theplatform, performed with touch
ing effect the "Miserere, from al Trova-
tore!n No sooner had the Grand Master
pronounced the words Of dedication, than
the sun, which, until this time, had been
obscured by the clouds, shonc forth, and
the coincidence was remarked by all upon
the stand.