South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-09-24
The Corner Stone Ceremonies.

Noon LAST. The unconstitutional the Wheel
ing papers say. Was without doubt she
most imposing ever seen in that city. the
number on the Capitol grounds alone be.
ing vsriously estimated at from 10000
to $4,000.
About 5: A. every one being in place.
the cerenonie. of layisg The corner. stone
commenced according - the programme.
First. was the apnounssnent Of the Oh.
ject of the gathering. u the Grand Mas.
ter of West Virginia, CT Robert White.
which was followed by ~ appropriate
ode sung by three hundred voices, under
the direction of Professor Frank Rasse,t.
The corner stone WAS then raised, the
band playing appropriate music, and
then came prayer BY the Grand Chap.
lain, Rev. DIR. Reilly, addressed to the
Grand Architect Of the universe. and in.
voking blessing on the enterprise, and
the people of the State. Thi2being end.
ed. tho Grand Master deposited in the
SlouV, COii, uOCuUlentS. &c.
Afterthis the work was proycnBy The
Grand Master with the square, leyel and
plumb. and il was pronouncedwell form.
ell, true and trusty. lie then consecra.
ted che stone by Pouring upon the corn
of nourishm ent, the winmof rcfreshmen
and the. oil Of joy. The chorus. then
sang an ode. in which many Of tho Ma
sons joined.
ADDRESS OF GRAND MASTER WHITE:
Most Worthy Grand Master Robert
White came forward upon the platform
and spoke rs follows:
The work OF laying the corner stone
OF this building ia now performed. That
stone Inns been, we'll and truly tried by
the plumb. by the level. aud by the
square. and founl to be well formed,
true and trasty.- Called suddenly from
my home, AWAY east of the Alleghanies,
to- perform this duty, regret that want
OF time for preparation prevents any OK.
tended remarks. from mo-.
IL il but meet anu fit That the "Dreth.
ern Of the mystic tie" should thus he
called together here. Tcnrs upon years
ami ages upon ages have rolled away.
and Grand Master after Grand Master
has timeandagain'performcda like duty.
Bound together by the tencts Of our
profession, the angry broilss OF political
strife separate us not. 1.-The petty quarrels
OF religious zealots, change not our
course; but with Faith, Hope and Char.
ity directing, our institution has passed
along adown the corridors of time, un-
shaken, unshnttercd by those bitter feuds
which have in times past, crushed and
crumbled both Church and State. War
and bloodshcd seem but to have bound
MS closer together, and in pestilcnce and
famine our beautiful teuets shine bright
~ forth. Unbrokcn blythe weight OF
centuries, Free Masonry stands before
tie admiring world in the strengt.. and
beauty Of manhood. The great light of
day, in its never ending course. cease
not to shine upon its votarics. "'for in
every cline n brother may he found
and wherever you may go that ''hiero-
glyph;c bright whic'. none but craftsmen.
ever saw will call fricnd.an brother.
Before the trees were feiied on Lcba-
non and sent by floats To Joppa--before
the corner stone of that great temple.
dedicated 10 God at Jerusalem, was laid
on Mount Moria"'s top-i,Tee Masonry
lived 1T was with those who went by
the river Of Babylon and hung their
harps upon the willows there, and it re.
joiced whom the completed halls OF the
new Temple resounled with anthems Of
praise 20 the Great Deliver. Cod
1t lived whilst the prophets lived
John of whom the prophet spake ~ OF
the voice Of one crying in the wilder
ness was it's patron, and so too was
John, the beloved, the Prophet Of Patmos.
1t has seen the Christian Church flour
ish, and been 10 ii - "helpmeet indeed"
1t has lived through war, an6 tunult.-
1t has seen empires decay, and king
doDls fall IL has seen war. pestilence
and famine sweeping lands rs with the
Bosom Of destruction. and still it lives,
q proud monument TO its OWL inherent
good, and it will live through coming n
gcs even until the Heavens shall be
rolled up rs n scroll, and the Archangel
standing with ole foot upon the sea, and
tue other upon The LAND, shall swear by
Him who HYeth forever and ever that
time shall he no longer" This stone il
the corner Of building designed as the
Capitol Of our young and growing State.
q State born amidst the ngonies of war,
daughter OF the "Old Domfnfon.'
Within tlissc walls arc to assemble
and labor the Legislature. Executive
and Judicial branches Of the govern
ment; the one tn make your laws, the
other to see them faithfully executed,
and the latter TO expound them to the
people.
Fellow citizens, can We do more Tier
TO pray Him who ruleth all things we'll
TO guide our ship OF State DER eyeTy
breaker and every wave. 10 enlighten our
minds with wisdom TO select as our pub
&c servants men, high.minded men men
like many who were cur mothers pride !;
men, honest, pure iDen. who know their
duty, and knowing dare maintain it.
Men in each Of whom life is 80 pure,
and the elements so mixed iff him that