Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-05-08
For the Journal.
TRIBUTE OF RESPECT.


30th of April, 1868, the following pream
BILE and resolutions were unanimously adop
ted, and the Secretary instructed to fur
nish copies of the same to the editors of tn,
Wilmington Journal, Masonic Sun, Squar
and Compass, and the National Freenaason
with request to publish
In the providence of wise Creator anG
Ruler, we have been bereft of one whom
we loved, admired and delighted to honor
our friend, brother and companion, ALEX
AMBER MACRAE. In submitting this token
OF our affection and profound respect fol-
HIM as man and Mason, while living, and
OF our deep regret, that one endowed with
SO many v.rtuous qualities has been taken
from us, we deem 1t unnecessary to offer
an apology for prefacing our resolutions
with few comments upon his Masonic
life, character and services. He was initia.
ted In this Lodge on the 29th day of Jan
uary, 1918, raised to the degree of Master
Mason on the 10th day of February, and
elected Jr. Warden i'll December of the
same year. On the 21st day of April, 1919,
he was exalted to the NJ. S. degree of Royal
Arch Mason, in Concord Chapter, No. l.
In 1920, he lnaugurated the movement for
the establishment of a Grand r. A. Chapter
IN North Carolina was a delegate to the
Convention of 1921, by which that
enterprise was consummated. In 1922 he
represented Concord Chapter in that grand
body, and was elected to the very impor-
tant office of Grand Marshal. His name
appears at the head of all important com
mittees in almost every Masonic assembly
at which he was present, both at home and
abroad. For more than half a century he
hoe, 81 L. T..
stitution. His zeal, talents and energy
brought him, at an early age, prominently
to the attention of the fraternity, and, by
rapid strides, he attained, successfully, to
the Mastership of this Lodge; the High
Priesthood Of the Chapter the Grand
Mastership of the Council, and the office
of Grand Commander of the Encampment
of Knights Templar. Ever modest and
retiring, he was indebted alone to his con-
spicuous abilities and sterling integrity for
his rapid promotion. When the demon
Of fanaticism held high carnival in all the
land, proclalmlng as its great mission the
utter annihilation of the Masonic Order
when Lodges, Chapters, Concistories and
Grand and Subordinate,
were swept away by the fiery breath of that
Anti-Masonic monster, he bravely with
stood its anathemas, and when the Grand
Grand Lodge was on the verge of dissolu-
ton, he gathered around him few brave
spirits, and, through the long years of
strife and the succeeding desOlatIOn which
that fell spirit had bequeathed to our Or
der, sustained and preserved st. Johns
Lodge and Concord Chapter. Alternately
Master of the one and High Priest of the
other he, by his unceasing efforts and no.
bic example, brought back the timid, who
had taken council Of their fears and desert
ed the cause; prepared and educated the
young and inexperienced, who had
the moral courage to enlist under our
and thus fortified and defended
the institution against the assaults of all
its enemies. Seventeen years after its dis
solution he was among the foremost in
his time, his talents and his
means in re-es establishing our State Grand
Chapter, and in organizing our Encamp-
ment and Council.
None were ever more thoroughly identi-
fed with our Masonic institutions, and
few, if any, ever contributed more to exalt
it in character and usefulness.
Though never seeking prominence in
any capacity, his many virtues, noble quail
tiles and sterling abilities, ever pointed
him out to those who desired council, or a
leader in any great or good enterprise, as
the man most competent, most reliable and
most likely to achieve success.
It is almost Uncomfortable how one who
was ever most prominent and active in all
the important enterprises designed to pro-
mote the general interest of our State and
City, could devote any portion of his time
and attention to the study and practice of
Masonry, and yet he was a learned and
wise counsellor IN Masonic law and usage,
and well skilled in the practice of all the
rites of the various branches of the Order.
With an exalted appreciation of the sub
lime principles of our Order, he made them
a rule and guide of lifelong devotion and
service to the Institution, and to his breth-
ren and companions who proved themselves
worthy. In every relation of life he held
those principles sacred and inviolable. Lib
eral, genial and hospitable, in his moments
of relaxation, he devoted the rare faculty
with which he was endowed, to the enter
talnment, instruction and amusement Of
his brethren, companions and friends. In
deed, his whole life was true exemplifca-
ton of the moral and social virtues.
Twenty years of his Masonic life were
passed IN one unceaslng struggle, first,
against that spirit of fanaticism which had
Frustrated nearly ali our Lodges, and left
three Chapters only in our State. and
I11OA IAO VI C11dV
the widespread ruin which that
reign of terror had entailed, not only up
on our own State, but upon the whole
country, embraced within our Masonic do
main. He had been the brave, steady and
liberal leader of those who had succeeded
In building up the waste places and rekind-
ling the fires upon our deserted affairs, and
might, therefore, when peace and prosper
ity were restored to the Institution, have
laid his armor off and retired with honor
from active service. But feeling, as every
true Mason should that he had enlistedfor
life, be that life long or short, he abated
nothing of his accustomed devotion and
labors until admonished by the intirmlties
of age, to yield his place in the front ranks
to those whom he trusted would fill it with
honor and advantage to the fraternity
There is something exceedingly beautiful
and touching in the example bequeathed
to us by our deceased brother and compan-
ion.
Though past the age of three score years
and ten, and almost totally blind, yet up
to the very last week preceding that of his
death, on the occasion of all-important
meetings of our Lodge and Chapter, he
could be seen, with none to guide, none
to assist him, feeling his way from his dis