Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-02-25
TESTIMONIAL TO COL. CROOKS.
A Presentation Happily Made and Most
Worthily Bestowed.


There was an exceedingly pleasant gathering
at Masonic Hall last evening, which, at the
risk of exposing the secrets of the ancient
order, the GLOBE feels called upon to chroni.
Gle. The occasion was the regular commune
cation of Ancient Landmark lodge No, 5, A.
+. 81 A. M. There was an unusually large at
tendance of the craft, the hall being well filed
Two candidates were initiated as entered ap-
prentices, and the lodge was about to close in
the third degree when the worshipful master
asked if any brother had aught to say for the
good of the order. Gen. r. w. johnson
arose, and claiming attention, requested
Brother j. G. Terry to produce from the ante
room frame that was there deposited. This
was done, and proved to be an elegantly en-
graved and framed Masonic register, contain
ing recordof the various steps in Masonry
taken by Col. William Crooks, an esteemed
member of the lodge, further embellished with
life-like photograph of the colonel. Calling
Col. Crooks to his side behind the altar, Gen.
johnson, on behalf of many of his friends,
presented the token in the following appropri-
ate words:
sonal and Masonic friends desire to present to you
this beautiful chart, representing in detail your
Masonic history. The Offering, small in real value
it Is true ia presented as feeble token of the high
esteem In which you are held by your friends, the
donors.
On examining the chart, or register, the first
Deity, whose al-seeing eye neither the brightness
darkest night prevent from Ieholding
the nmost recesses of the human heart. He clothes
himself with light as with garment, and day and
night are the same with him.
To your left you observe the sun, the glorious lu
minary Of the day which every morning sends up
his silver rays which gradually change to gold and
food and battle the hills and valleys with golden
light and call all from repose to labor. and when
the day is spent the great king OF day passes behind
to shoot up its soft. mellow light to
light us on our wsy from labor to re-
pose. This regularity calls upon all created
intelligence to continue from day to day the duties
of life, and 10 perform with cheerfulness the will of
him whose watchfu care never forsakes them.
AS the dispenses his cheering rays upon all, so
| should We live to make others happy and to cheer
them On their way to thu eternal city, the final des
| nation Of every member Of the human family. On
your right you the gentle moon which ike fond
and devoted mother takes her watch by the seepers
pillow, when the labors of the day ended, and
| like her .smooths the troubled brow lulliDg our
passions into quiet repose, thereby preparing body
and mind to hail with delight the coming of another
day. Look just below the panel
scribed and you will observe sphere representing
the earth which like the good influence of the Fra
terpity Is equally boundless. Its principles embrace
all created things and its good results felt alike
by the rich the poor the DID, the young, the strong
and the weak AS the principles Of our order
UNIVERSAL catholic in their nature, should each
Of us be In doing good to all the members Of the
human family coming within the reach of our in
huences.
Prominent among the pictures you will see the
Holy Bible, the best gift from God to a
fallen race. Let 1t be lamp to your
feet, my dear friend, and may its teachings
lead you and all present through the golden gate,
where unending exemption from trials and troubles
will more than compensate US for the vexatOn and
annoyance of this world.
You will observe the working tools of our order
the square by which truth is tried the compasses to
measure our boundary line of duty as men and
Masons, and the trOwel, which is emblematic of
that principle which invites men of every sect into
one family, where differences of opinion touching
personal creeds or political rights can
never enter to disturb its harmony.
Other lessons, my dear brother, be drawn
from the chart, which you can draw out at your
pleasure. can assureyou that it gives me unbound
ed pleasure in being made the instrument by which
the chart is presented. The donors request you TO
accept it and desire me to express their great love
and affection for you as man and Mason, and beg
that you will take the simple gift in that spirit of
love and brotheriy kindness which die
tated its presentation. May your life
be spared for many years to enable you in the future
as you have in the past to practice those masonic
virtues which have ever characterized your Conduct
at every period of your manhood and may the rich
est blessings of God our Father rest upon you and
yours in all time 10 come.
Take it, tits simple gift,
From loving friends alone
Keep 1t for the doners' sake,