The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-02-26

West Virginia enters upon It's career
weak in numbers but strong In latin:
Invoking the favor OF Emmanuel and
soliciting the charitable Judgment Of
her peers, she takes her place as new
star in the armament OF Masonic
Knighthood.
In response 10 the toast: "The Grand
Lodge of Ohio" Sir A. Il. Batlin' Of
Steubeuyille, Grand Master OF Mssons
in Ohio, spoke as follows:
MIR. PRESIDENT AND SIR KNIGHTS: Sit
mated as the States OF Ohio and West
Virginia are geographically, with but
the beautiful river as the dividing line
| it is natural that the people OF eaeh
State should regard those OF the other
as their friends and neighbors. TO q
great extent they become one people 10
sentiment. Their institutions are sim
liar in character, their aims aud enas
the came.
Need we wonder then, that between
the Masonic bodies of the two States
there ehould be a strong fraternai feel
ing {? That the Grand Lodges should re-
gard each other IS near neighbors, uni-
ted by the strongest OF fraternal ties and
ever ready to assist in STRENGTHENING;
the bonds which unite the brotherhood
OF Free and Accepted Masons within
their jurisdictions2
Standing here tonight, Sir knights
of West Virginia, ! realize that you
have Just entered upon great under,
taking, the organization OF Grard
Commsndery in your young State.
am fully aware that you realize the
great res ponsibility which rests upon
YOU, and that you have girjed on your
srmor determined that you will not lay
| it aside until your whole duty has been
performed. Be not discouraged, though
your labors may seem severe aud your
J task heavy. Persevere in the path OF
duty; act well your part, and you shall
in the end receive your reward. And
as the Grand Lodge, which have the
honor to represent was the FIRST to
formally recognize the Grand Lodge OF
West Virginia, and our Grand Master
assisted at its organization, so l hope
that the Grand Commaudery Of Ohio,
will promptly recognize the body which
we have this day assisted In constitute
| ing, and as true and courteous Knights
extend to yeu hearty welcome, into
the grest asylum of Christian Knight
hood. Starting forth upon your jour
ney as the youngest Grand Comman-
derry in the Union, you must expect
rough habit, coarse Diet, and severe du-
ty; but you may rest assured that your
friends upon the other side OF the rlv
er" will watch over you, pray for your
success, and be ever ready 10 succor
and defend all your laudabIe undertake
ings.
May the fra.ernal relations between
the Grand Bodies of West Virginia AID
Ohio ever remain undisturbed by the
sound OF dscord or contention, except
! that noble contention, or rathef emu
latiou, OF wEo can best work ard best
agree.
"The Grand Lodge CT Pennsylvania
| was next proposed and the following
letter from Sir Alfred Creigh, OF Wash
iogton, Pa, was read. The allusion to
Sir Morgan Nelson, formerly Of this
city, WAS we'll received.
OFFICE OF GRAND RECORDER OF |
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR OF PENYA.
WASHINGTON, PA Feb, %, A. l..
1914, A. D. 1874, A. o. 1861. J
VERY DEAR SIR KNIGHT Your let-
ter inviting me to be present at the
banquet given in honor of the organi-
zation Of the Grand Commsndery OF
West Virginia, came duly to hand. l
have delayed answering it with the
hope that / might be enabled to give
you a satisfactory answer. This is the
week OF our court, and | am an im-
portaut witness in a case involving the
title OF two lots 10 our borough, which,
il not present, would be serious loss
to brother Mason. Yet, if ! POSSIBLY
can, hope to be with you. Should |
be absent, present my iraternal COM
gratulations 10 the officers aud Sir
Knights OF r L Grand Commanaery
OF West Virginia, with the following
sentiment:
May the Templar virtues which
adorned the life OF our Past Deputy
Grand Master, Sir Morgan Nelson,
deceased. stimulate the Sir knights OF
West Virginia to emulate his noble
character in the practice and disemina-
ton OF those Christian principles upon
which cur order is based
Very respectfully yours in the bonds
OF Christian KnIghthood,
ALFRED CEEIGH,
P. Dep. CIR. Com. OF Pennsylvania
In response to the next toast THE
Grand Lodge Of West Virginia :" Sir
Thomas II, Logan, OF Wheeling. Grand
Master OF Masons in West Virginia
spoke as follows
tits true that the territorial Jurisdiction
of this Grand Lodge ls email and that
its subordnates ere few in number
compared with those OF other States.
1t is also true that it began its career
under very peculiar and somewhat
embarrassing circumstances, and that
for q considerable period its progress
was regarded with some distrust by
those not FULLY informed in regard 10
ali the facts.
Guided, however, by wise COUNSEL
lors at home and aided by friends both
kind and wise from abroad, the perils
OF Its youth have been safely
passed, and we may say tonight,
we trust, with becoming modesty
and gratitude, that the Grsnd
Lodge OF West Virginia is not only
cordially recognized but hopo-ably
spoken Of in ell grand jurisdictions
throughout the Masonic world.
| T. - -. s,-n-;.;n. tbof tho 90 ~