The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-09-22
THE NEW TURNER'S, HALL.
LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE.

HiOOCooiOh
tion of w. Bro. /. W. Homan, grand marshal, in
the following order:
Music; tyler, with drawn sword; stewards,
with blue rods; Master MasOns; deacons. with
blue rods; grand tyler, with drawn sword stew.
ards, with white rods members of the grand
lodge architect. with Implements representatives
Of grand lodges; grand secretary and grand treasu
rer; d. d. grand masters; oldest master, bearing
Holy Bible square and compass, supported by stew
ards, with white rods; past masters, with lights;
grand chaplain past grand wardens past deputy
grand masters; orator past grand masters; ju-
nior grand warden, with silver vessel with oil; Sc
nior grand warden, with silver vessels with wine
deputy grand master. with golden vessel with
corn; grand masters; deacons, with white rods;
grand sword bearer, etc., etc.
After the Invocation and other appropriate cere
monies, the following Grafton was delivered by
W. r. Whitaker, ESQ.,:
Most worshipful Grand Master, Brothers and Friends:
Ii is not the tendency of the Masonic insttu.
tion to seek occasion for public demonstration
Seldom are the insignia of our order displayed,
save when Mason goeth to his long home,"
and we as " mourners 20 about the streets.n To.
day, however, our task Is not a sad one. To-day
we are acting and speaking for the living, and
for those who are not of our peculiar brother
hood. At the request of our friends of the rur
of Louisiana has been conyoked to conduct, In
conformity with ancient and honored usage, one
of the most solemn and significant OF Masonic
ceremonies. We have laid the corner stone of an
edlce to be dedicated TO vitality, to the cultiva
ton and preservation OF physical aud mental
health and vigor, to the education of mind and
body. Our ancient brethren, at once operative
and speculative Masons, zealOusly and with won
deriul success, labOred TO build enduring mOnu-
ments of their skill and industry wherever man
kind has so advanced in civilization as to ofier
field for their work. Temples for Jew and
Gentle, Pagan and Christian-impregnable
towers and splendid pslaces-arose to testify of
the wisdom, strength and beauty of the archi
lecture of the Free Masons. Though preserved
with jealous care as the precious jewels of our
order and the symbols of a sublime system Of
philosophy, the implements of the operative
Mason are, in our day, seldom literally our work
ing tools. an occasions like this we put them to
their ancient use. and repeat in public those ven
cradle and impressive rites observed by our
brethren since very remote period in the history
of the world. To other hands we leave the cree.
ion Of the superstlucture. We have laid the
chief stone Of the corner, and having proved 1t
in accordance with the immutable rules Of our
craft-by plumb, level and sqdare-we can safely
and heartily bid God speed TO those who take up
the trowel after us. The work is well begun.
We are grsti6ed to be brought into direct con-
nection in this public manner, with an association
| that has at heart many things dear to Masonry !;
that holds much social power in this and other
| lands; is active In deeds of charity and pure
benevolence, and aims to tit men for the realities
of sxistsnoa--And while holding this pleasing
| intercourse and joining hands with strangers to
our peculiar Institution IL is perhaps fitting mo-
| meDt 10 give some thought to our position and
| duties as Mssons with reference to the outside
/ world. .---.
| The first OF Mason's duties is labor. Many Of
Us are too literally speculative Masons, yielding
| merely passive assent to the principles OF the
| craft RpDTeciatiug the lessons of Masonry with
out much attempt to make active use thereof.
| Faith without works is dead. sympathy Is but a
part of charity. BrOtheriy love must be practical
| to have value. Justice is an active principle.
Truth wants workers as we'll as believers.
We should labor out OF the lodge room. The
field for our exertions is wide enough TO offer
room for all. Commencing in our own hearts,
embracing our lodges, IT extends wherever hu-
msniiy can be found. There is work In the world
for head hand and heart; and the most important
piece of labor before each of US to-day is TO keep
strict watch and ward over himself in the affairs
of life outside of the lodge. Are we truly charit
able one toward another. when dealing With IN at.
ters not Masonic? Is our fraternal affection as
warm and active as il should be p? Do we habitualy
bear ourselves among ourselves so as TO reflect
that credit upon our beloved institution which II
| deserves, and would always receive, if we were
but true TO it? II so-then do prudence, forti
tude, temperance and justice characterize US all
| II nOt-masonry imperatively demands our retor.
nation. This elf.preparation and discipline
| are necessary to prepare us for labor in which
| credit shall be found by the craft, and profit By
| the G.. A. o. T. u. Without them profession ]:
/ mockery, and our share of Masonry is nothing
t0f what use is truth to Us If we use 1t not! VI
what use are to the fraternity, if we do not, II
| our daily walk and conversation illustrate tht
beauty and worth of its principles Let Us strive
my brothers, TO elevate-not Masonry, fol
MansoBTy is truth-but the standard of Masonic
| character. We have faith in our system. W.
anticipate for it as glorious history in time t
| come ss il has achieved in its past But that sys
tenn is to work by instruments, and we are IT
Instruments. II we be poor, faulty and inefhcient
1 aUa1a wNa q nUE Enar
worst hndrances to the success of the doctrines
the philosophy and the morality we claim t
| reverence.
Masonry aims to make good citizens. It de
| mapds of US in our intercourse with tie protan
that We should care for peace and order. We ar
bound 10 recognize the claims of soceity an
country upon our fealty aud we should work 10
peace and order, for society and country-esc
one with due respect for law, according to tn
dictates of conscience allowing to all others free
| dom of opinion. We are not born for ourselve
alone, nor does anything in Masonry abridge ou
social responsibilities. Duty is written on th
| volume of Masonic life, and irradises its ever
/ | page. Labor is life, in Masonry and out OF II
When we acknowledge our duty to country an
society, and labor to discharge it, let US, howeve
{ | else We may differ, write in patriotism and in bt
!, | half Of concord. When peace Is honorable, le
: Masonry be peace-maker.
!. Wherever in the world truth needs helE
' | wherever charity has work to do, there shoul
| Masons be-not as enthusiasts or fanatics, bu
). with that moderation of spirit natural TO thos
8 who venerate the doctrines of Masonry, doctrine
J., of truth and soberness that have endured throug
|. trials, vlcisstudes and prosecutions and the II
i greater danger Of long seasons of prosperit,
Rash innovation Is not taught in that schoo
Before God and man our walk should be uprigh
A | Gas the builder raises his column by the plar
! or perpendicular, so should the Mason carry hin
> self before the world" Among ourselves OF
| noble contention, OF rather emulation, should
= as TO who should best work for the good Of a
, By harmonious unrelaxing effort we can alone a
| quit ourselves Of the responsibilities we have a
= | sumed in setting ourselves apart from the rest
mankind, and adopting the Masonic code Of Ii
! | and morals. The grandeur Of our ethics we ca
y demonstrate il we will. As the immortal Schili
n | finely expresses it,
ts "United thus, each helping each,
a. 4 Brisk work the countless hands Forever
:. | For rtaurht its DO Eer 70 strength can tsacE,
81 Like emulation and endesyOr."
- F"work and therein have well-being,' is