Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-09-05
M. 1st V.
H. Penniman,
Cephas Morton

w SudpstI 40, 81, vas liSu pbO
nounced duly constituted and its officer
properly installed into their several stations
The ceremonies were performed in an easy
graceful and ready manner by High Prizes
Burbank. Next in order was
THE GRAFTON.
| At nine o'clock, the orator of the evening
Hon. Josiah II. Drummond of Portland, wa
introduced by A. d. Knight Esq, of Halo
well. Mr.. Drummond said that when friend
| are gathered together on occasions of thi
character, the question naturally arises
What is the organization Of Free Masonry
He should try, briefly, to answer that ant
some other questions growing out of it
There are half million of Free Masons in
the United States, and yet within the rank.
of the fraternity there is not knowledge of the
objects, principles and history of the order az
there ought to be. The underlying principle
is, the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood
of man. 1t not only fosters fraternal love
but kindly sympathy and the broadcast charity
1t is Numerically opposed to self-interest
Its symbols and adornments may seem frivi
lous and even foolish to the outside world
but they are all symbolical of some truth tha
masonry teaches. They reveal the light and
truth of which we are in pursuit; from the
jewel of the Grand High Priest to the sword
of the Tyler, they all forcibly teach great
moral principles.
In considering the origin of Masonry VIC
shall find that it was not invented by some
mind, not construction, but a growth. Il
sprang up naturally 10 man, as the idea of q
Creator, and its growth is like that of a tree
The order reaches back farther than the
building OF King Solomon's temple--it reaches
back farther than any man knows. The time
of its present organized form is of course
known; but before the time of Rome, corpor-
atoms were formed who gave the preference
In workmanship to their own members; in
the middle ages there were operative Masons,
as ikewi Use in the early history of England,
including within their numbers some learned
men. After the erection of the magnificent
buildings of those times there ceased to be a
demand for those laborers; and recognizing
the value Of the principles of the operative
work, speculative Masonry came into exist
ence. So that about I'LL operative Masonry
disappeared, and from mere association OF
builders arose grand institution, having for
its purpose the inculcaton Of moral princi-
Piles. Masonry is not Religion; it is lower
than that; it furnishes platform on which
all may stand without regard to shades OF
opinion or belief. The opposition that it had
met ard triumphed over shows that there is
something good in it. 1t developed itself in
this country in organized form in 1873. In
l162 charter was obtained for lodge in
Maine. There were 80 lodges in the State
in 1870; now there are 10. 1t has drawn to
its ranks some of the ablest men in the State.
1t has passed through dark times that would
have extinguished the light of inferior and
less worthy bodies.
But its rapid growth the last fifteen years
has been its greatest danger; it diminishes
the bond of union, and lessons the influence
of body whose power is SO much needed in
these times of corruption and crime, when
the fountains OF justice seem to be polluted
No vice or sin is countenanced by Free Ma
sonry, its principles rest on the Eternal Word
and it teaches US to take the name Of God up
on our lips only with reverence. It teaches
temperance in all things. 1t is opposed to
war, and wears the beautiful garb of peace.
II ipculcatas Cha rjtv-pot that Ch r;tu xr h; u
relieves physical wants alone, but which en-
ables US to look upon brothers failings with
out exaggerating them. The orator warned
his audience of some of the dangers aad quick
sands that beset Free Masonry, and closed
his address by urging Winthrop Chapter to
so carry out the principles of the order that
they may have the respect of themselves and
the community. The Grafton occupied thir-
ty minutes in its delivery, and was well re-
ceived. During the exercises the Winthrop
Band furnished some very excellent music.
The procession was reformed and marched
to the Town Hall, where
SUMrTUous BANQUET
mad been prepared for the resident brethren,
their invited guests and ladies'. Well filled
tables were ranged the length of the hall and
the stage, around which gathered happy and
social company. The banquet was gotten up
by Mr.. Lovejoy, proprietor of the Winthrop
House, and was another evidence of that gen.
tlemen's ability to make provision for the
hungry public. The party broke up about
eleven O'Clock, having enjoyed themselves
finely, and wishing success to the newly or
ganized Masonic body. This occasion was
significant from the fact that it forms a mile
stone of progress in the goody town that has
celebrated its centennial. The anti Masonic
spirit was once rife and outspoken in that vi
cinity, but enlightenment has caused the
clouds of prejudice to pass away, and a
ha hahn 80 L.