The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-11-04

pleasure and satisfaction OF all
GRAND OFFICERS.
L. c. Houghton, North Bennington, as
grand master.
John b. Hollister, Factory Point, as
deputy grand master.
Gilbert ). Madison, North Bennington,
as grand senior warden.
II. X. Fowler, Manchester, as grand
junior warden.
p. G.. Mattison, Arlington, as grand
treasurer.
A. ]. Madison, North Bennington, as
E. L. wyman, Factory Point, as grand
A. s. Marshall Rutland as grand junior
deacon.
Rev. G. G. V. Eastman, Factory Point,
as grand chaplain.
Willard Holden, Arlington, as grand
marshal.
James II. Dyer, Rutland, as grand pur-
suivant.
A. p. Childs, Bennington, as grand sword
bearer.
d. X. Simonds, Manchester, and Samuel
| Terrill, Rutland, as grand stewards.
A. s. Cook, Brandon, as grand tyler.
After prayer by the grand chaplain and
singing by the lodge glec club, composed
of brothers Whipple, Beach, Wyman.
Childs aud Mattison, the ritualistic cere-
monies of dedication were performed and
the acting Grand Master Houghton intro
duced Rev. G. G. V. Eastman, grand pre-
late of the Grand Commandery of Yer
mont, as orator of the occasion
| TIE GRAFTON.
Disclaiming the vanity of thinking l can
| instruct those long familiar with the usages
| and principles of the masonic fraternity,
| am encouraged to speak upon this occasion
| of some features of the institution which
| in our judgment entitle it to the public toler-
alton and respect. In so doing | trust |
shall not lack the kind indulgence and SYM
patty of my brethren, who having left the
| first principles have gone on to perfect
| themselves in the richer mysteries of our
| ancient institution. take it for granted
our fellow citizens who honor us by their
presence are not pre.disposed to judge us
harshly. That at least they are not hostile
to our institution. Before its open and
avowed enemies, masonry maintains rigid
and proud reserve. She degns no reply to
objections charged with venom OF hate
upon the authority OF that Word whose ut
terances all masons are taught to reverence.
We may decline to expose her Jewels be-
fore those whose desire to rend her and would
be influenced in proportion to their bril-
lancy and value. This may appear a
proud bearing and high assumption. Ma
sonry does indeed make high pretensions.
She claims an early origin in the history of
civilized man, and to bear the impress OF
the purest and most gifted minds of an
tquity; not on this ground alone. would
allege her worthy of honor Venerable
cobwebs have no value in our estimate of
merit. speak of her antiquity in con-
nection with her present existence as show
ing that she has passed the careful ordeal
of successive ages, and united the suffrages
of the best spirits in each successive
century since. Time overthrows the
illusions of opinion, but establishes the
decisions of truth and reason. When SCI
ence and art under the guidance of natures
architect, concentrated that power in the
erection of that most gorgeous temple of
Solomon1in which the shekinah or symbol
of Gods visible presence took up it's abode,
masonry presided over the mighty work
from the squaring of the first stone in the
quarries to the adjustment of the last en-
bellishment which gave grace andcOmplete-
ness to the beautiful and stately fabric.
Whenever since, in the revolutions of time,
the light of knowledge has been clouded
and the darkness of ignorance has been
most gross, masonry has ever been found
within the circle of the brightest illumina.
ton. When despotism has trodden with its
iron heel upon the PROSTATE necks OF the
people, masonry has kept alive the desire
| and fostered the determination to assert
| the rights of trampled humanity. When
vaulting ambition has striven by ruthless
assaults upon constitutional freedom to
erect for itself throne from the ruins il
| could pile around 1t, masonry has stood
| forth the uncompromlsing foe alike of the
| tyrant demagogue, and the hereditary des-
| pot. If it be no merit to have lived through
many cycles of time, it is surely an honor
to have SO lived.
1t 10 TO us masons an invaluable boon,
that its record il distinctly traceable on all
the great revolutions of society which have
issued in the elevation of man to a loftier
terrace of social and political freedom. 1t
has always existed as voluntary society
and no other combination of men not
owing their beginning Immediately to the
inspiration of God, can be named as its
parallel in length of years and tenacity of
life. Bearing the frost of ages upon its
honored brow, its step is no less elastic and
firm, its life current no less rich and unim-
peded than when its first grand master at
high twelve called the craft from labor to
refreshment.
Does any one question the clear right OF
men to associate together in large or small
numbers? Must not this right be conced-
ed without argument? Since no inconsid-
cradle part OF legislation consists in en-
towering voluntary associations to hold
property and manage their affairs accord
ing to such rules as they themselves may
please to propose under no other limta-
tons than such as the legislature deem
ne ccessary for the public safety. So long
right of individuals and in no way imperil
the public interest in their modes of action,
there can be no plausible reason for with
holding from them legal and social tolera-
ton.
AS accredited instrumentalities for ef
feeling extensive and costly improvements
tinctive differences between absolute bar
barlsm and the highest civilization, ant
claim them all and singly as the products
OF confederated capital, enterprise ant
genius. Our whole country from the At
antic to the Pacific, from the busting
cities on ocean borders to the remotes
hamlet of the interior is demonstration O
, the mighty power of voluntary association
Every hill top is a stand point from
which the eye may survey the rich variety
of railway; magnetic telegraph, sky-kssin!
temples of learning and religion, and nobl
manufactures with the music of ever,
waterfall in our romantic rivers is mingle'
the noise of the exquisitely adjusted ma
chinery working out wealth and comfor
for the multiplying millions. These ar
the results of voluntary association ant
show the expedlency of associating to
, gether Tor specific purposes. Masonry a
/ an institution, recognized by the laws 0