The Fremont County record., 1881-07-16

EaGcn City Beportsf. who copies OF
TMK FnnlloNT. Couzeex- HDcp4p Of
l[aroh Bth, 1881, and July ~, 1851.
H1stof1oA1 description of 66athern
eoluEad0- Papers relative - - =,
q kA. H
Rotk II these ceremonies aers n
t6rspersed wtthsoms excelleqt t6usie
by the hand. When this lage I'D;
been performed, Mr.. ]. &es
chairman of the board Of f1o4at -
nissioners, stepped to thg4t
introduced to tho assemp
Worshipfuf Grand MastsG2 hsk@qf
N. Greenleaf, of the 0fan4 e4ge
r. 4 A. u Of Colorado, de4sole
ed the following eloquen&1 Vf:
BRErHKREN-The plGe1 N which
we have assembled B0oSf hccom-
plished and our compsaed 4{rk lies
es1sss Tss ssov.l e; h., -soii;ss ao u 4.
from remote antiquity. II still glis-
tens above the rising wall like the
sheeny wing Of hoyering bird. TIE
mystic symbol OF nnicn and brother
hood. The fash Of the sword lays
waste and destroys, the gaosm of the
trowel upbuilds and creates. Those
who hold the scepter esteem It an
honor to WELD the trowel. With it
King Solomon, our first grand master
laid the foundation stone Of the tenn
pie at Jerusalem. With it our Illus
trious brother, the immortal WASH
iBgton, laid the corner stone of the
nations capitol. With the trowel
hallowed by such associations and
around which cluster the traditions
of the past, we this day have had the
the distinguished honor to spread
the cement, and, with the impressive
rites of masonry, to lay this corner
stone upon sure and lasting founda-
tion. Within ii we have placed q
casket containing a memorial of the
event and other appropriate relics.
We have poured upon it the ancient
elements of conservation, corn, wine
and oil-the symbols of plenty, joy,
gladness and peace. Plumb, level and
square have proven it; thrice hath
the mallet resounded above it, true
and trusty hath it been proclaimed.
To the ordinary mind this stone pre-
sents nothing of unusual significance,
but to the Mason who divines its in
depreciation, every line and angle of
its mute face grows radiant with
symbolic meaning.
The LAYING of the corner stones of
two different structures during the
same communication of Grand
Lodge is q memorable event in Ma
sonic history and one which will not
soon be forgotten. Above these
foundations are to rise temples of
justice and of Masonry. May the
judges who shall preside and the
brethren who shall assemble within
the completed structures, exert such
potent influences upon the general
welfare that there may never be cause
other than tor rejoicing, over the re-
suit OF tllis days labor. s-<lg~s.s
The ceremonies in which we have
participated naturally carry our
tive Masonry. Our symbols are de-
rived from architecture-the oldest
art known to man, aud which. under
the fostering care of Masonry, may
be said to have reached its highest
perfection. The first corporation of
builders is said to have been formed
at the Tower of Babel. According to
our traditions and esoteric teaching,
Freemasonry had its origin or was
intimately connected with the build
ing of King Solomon's Temple.
Whether authenticated or not as an
historical fact, it is SO completely in
vested with our beautiful symbolism
that to the mind of the Mason IL be-
comes living reality. The compile
ton of the temple witnessed the dis
persion of the craft into far distant
lands. During the course of succeed-
ing centuries, though widely separa-
ted, yet under whatsoever sky their
lot was cast, they still zealously
guarded their distinguishing secrets
and immortal truths. There they
transmitted in the whispers of tradi-
ton, their only vehicle Of thought,
for, like the Arab, they regarded
books as foes TO memory. While
local and historical data thus COM
soon passed from view,
their vital truths through constant
indentation, are yet distinct upon the
tablets of receptive minds. The early
history of Masonry for this reason is
wrapped in obscurity. Through riffs
in the clouds of darkness, we now
and then descry those who appear to
have the regular mark of the craft.
Masonry, since its first introsuc-
ton into America, has kept equal
pace with our wonderful growth as
pcOple, CTOSsluS tHe Coutlneut uhHu
in hand with advancing civilization.
1t is fully In sccord with the spirit
of our institutions. 1t requires no
defence. 1t needs no enoomium. 1t
Is already too popular. Our portals
are thronged with eager applicants,
and from the master workmen goeth
up the cry continually for more
rigid inspection of material. Our
chief danger lies from within, not
without.
Masonry, though hoary with age,
is young in achievements. 1t lives
in the past, works in the present and
plans for the future. Its great heart
beats in unison with the hopes OF
humanity, and nurtures the seed that
blossoms into Godlike deeds. In the
broad fields of progress, philanthropy
and enlightenment its champions are
none the less effective because invisi-
BILE.
will conclude these remarks with
. few extracts from poem which i
had the honor to prepare for . form
er occasion:
The temple made Of wood and stone may
crumble and decay,
But there's . vicwlcss nAbric which shAii
never fade away.
Age amer age each Mason strives TO carry out