Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-06-25

your office to the several edges of the fouu-
dation-stone and matter.
The Junior Grand Warden did as ordered.
Junior Grand Warden-Most Worshipful,
find the stone is plumb-the craftsmen
have performed their duty.
Grand Master-This cornerstone has been
tested BY the proper implements OF masonry
i find that the craftsmen have skillfully
and faithfully performed their duty, and l do
declare the stone to be well formed, true and
trusty and correctly laid, according to the
rdles of our ancient craft. Let the elements
OF conservation now be presented.
CORN, WINE AND OIL.
The Deputy Grand Master then presented
to the Grand Master the vessels containing
corn. wine end oil, saying: Most Worship
full, Ipresent you, to be used on this occasion,
according to ancient customs, these vessels,
containing COLI, wine and oil, the emblems
of nourishment, refreshment and joy"
The Grand Master thea said: Corn, wine
and oil seem to have been regarded by the an
clients, Jews as well as Gentiles, christians as
well as heathens, as the emblems of national
prosperity-the essentifl' elements of sus-
tenance and domestic comfort. In this light
frequent illusions are made to them In the
SO 3red Writings and in profene history, and
hence, probably, originated the custom of
employing them in laying the corner-stones
of temples and other public buildings, and
in their dedication and conservation. Wine
saith The psalmist, 'maketh glad the heart of
man, oil maketh his face shine. and bread
strengtheneth mans heart Although, Ike
other customs, the actual origin of the use of
these embems IN laying the foundation
stones of public buildings, and in the dedica-
ticn of sacred and masonic edihces, has been
lost in the lapse of ages, it has been practiced
from time immemorial by the masonic
fraternity. In conformity with these GUS
| I at xyocSo1 IF 20
mathematical of that nourishment by which
human life is sustained. also pour out this
vessel of wine, as mathematical of that re-
freshment and gladness of heart of which
the psalmst speaks, aad which is the
result of its moderate and temperate use.
And, as Jacob anointed with oil the stone
upon which his head rested, when, in q
dre1m, he saw the ladder ascending from
| earth to heaven, and as Moses poured oil on
the tabernacle, so do l anoint this corner
stone with oil, and pray that the blessings of
| God may rest upon it, and that the cap-stone
may be Brought forth with rejoicing"
AT the conclusion of this part of the
ceremony the Grand Master said: "May
| all The bounteous author of nature,
the supreme and ever living God, bless the
inhabitants of this place with all the neces-
sarIes, comforts and conveniences of life, as
sist in the erection and completion of this
building, protect the workmen against eve, J
| accident, and long preserve from decay the
structure which will here arise, and may He
grant to US in hopefrl supply the corn OF
nourishment, the wine of refreshment and
the oil of JOY
Response-So mote it be.
| THE ARCHITECT RECEIVES THE BUILDING.
| The Grand Master struck the stone three
times with his Gavsl and the honors were
given. The Grand Master then delivered
over to the Architect the implements of Arch
itecture saying:
WORTHY SIR-Having thus, as Grand
Master of Masons, laid the foundation stone
| of this structure, now deliver these imple-
| ments of your profession into your hands,
| intrusting you with the superintendent and
direction of the work, having full confidence
in yorr skill and capacity to conduct the
same. He then said: MEN and brethren
here assembled. be it known unto you, that
we be lawful Masons, true and faithful to the
laws OF our country, and engaged by solemn
Obligations to fear God, the Great Architect
| of the Universe. We have among US, con.
cealed from the eyes of all men, secrets which
| cannot be div llged. and which have never
baen found out, but these secrets are Lawful
and honorable, and not repugnant 10 the law
| of God or man. They were intrusted II
peace and honor to the MaSOnS of ancien
times, and having been faithfully transmitted
to Us, it is our duty to convey them unim
paired to the latest posteIiiy. Unless oul
| CTdIG WEI6 GOOuY
we should not have lasted for SO many cen
turtles, nor should we have been honored witt
the patronage of so many illustrious men o
all ages, who have ever shown themselves
ready to promote our interests and defend u
from all adversarle5. We are assembled
here to- day in the face of you all, to build &
house, which we pray God may deserve t
prosper by becoming place of converse fol
| good men, and promoting harmony anC
brotheriy love throughout the world, till time
| shall be no more.
Response-So mote it be. Amen.
Here the Grand Master said:
ADDRESS OF THE GRAND MASTER
MY FRIENDs-You have just with esseC
the peculiar ceremonies INDUCED IN from
time lmmemorlal by that ancient and honor
able order of builders known as Freemasons
| when the chief foundation stones of public
| structures were laid, through invitation of the
| proper authorities. We have lad to-day
according 10 the ancient usages of our craft,
| the oornOr-stone of this magnificent building
which Is to be the pride of all Memphiani
and an object of admiration to Visitors O
every cline. We, the Freemasons of Mem
phis, an association moving among you In
the. common avocations of life, have gathered
to-day with scarcely any badge save oul
PLAIN white aprons, to participate In cere-
monies that appropriately attach to society
which uses the working tools of the builder
over half a century has passed since oul
brotherhood in ''this land of the free anC
home of the brave" could not move in pro
cession over the public highways without
danger of life and limb; and even to-day, bu
few hundred miles from this animated
scene, insane fanatics illuminate against u
bulls and slanderous publications, denounc
ing US as traitors, and as an organization
dangerous to the peace of our great republic
| | know you will excuse me if, for a few briei
moments, l allude to some of the principles
and practices of that ancient society who
with pardonable pride, account Solomon
king of Israel, who raised that wonderful
structure in Jerusalem, its first illustrlouI
Grand Master. One of the first lessons
taught mason is to be good man and true
At his initiation the neophlte Is charged: I'll
the State you are to be true to your govern
ment and just to your country. You ART
not to countenance any act which
in which you may reside, but pay due obedl
ence to the laws" Such are his imperative
obligations, and they who charge that thu
Masonic juryman cannot discharge his dut.
to his country and his fellow-citizens, when h
sits upon the trial of brother, grossly slam
ders our noble institution. would scorn b
| retain membership IL any society that would
limit my rights and privileges as freeman
| patriot and christian. We love our brethren
and will protect 01d vindicate them as al
true men should do; but we will not abet dis
order, conceal crime or prevent the punish
ment of the criminal, whether he stand II
the darkness of the northeast corner, as tn
humble member, or in the full blsze of th
orient as Grand Master. We believe In God
the Supreme Ruler of the universe, but thert
are neither sects nor creeds represented IL
that belief. On the frozen steppes of Russia
on the sunny wales of the orient, in the stump
tuous halls of the civilization of the occident
and mid the luxury of southern culture, the
Freemason is dist nguished by his universal
religion of o'lerly love. Our society en-
circles The glot;. Tossed on the pillows
away from home and corptry, the friendly
glip tells of brotherhood. Before the day o
blood the gallant soldier copnunes with his
1nrade-bro' her and wishes and secrets ar
So credly locked N each others bosom. Aye
1.-THE moaning plant of the wounded enemy
brother, be he Jew, Gent le, Mohammedan o
Christ an, rec ID tie Instructed ear, and
cup of water or a CT Ist of bread relieve:
the suffer 1g Of ne d. ing. Patriots they wer
| while face TO ff g IN the Struggle of crue
war, but brothers when the de Is cast ant
the pearly gatr open ID t1e dJ ing. As Free
masons, we m, 1t upon the level, act upoI
the plumb, and part upon the square. Il
the initiated these symbols SPEAK volumes
Distinctions of cast, creed or politics entel
not within the well-guarded portals of on
temple to disturb our councils or mar GU