Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-06-29

Men and Brethren here d.sembitd;
Finy-eight years ago upon the invitation OF the
president OF the University of Vermont thls corner
stone was laid by Gen. Lafayette then making his
last triuinphal tour through the Cntei states The
meagre history of that important event US given
IN the press OF That period does not inform us
whether Masons were prominent In the transaction
or moi. The predomlnltlns element IN 1t uay have
been 10 honor that distinguished man aul patriot
and 70 express the profound gratitude OF the
"Green Mountain boys" Tor "tne distinguished
privileges we enjoy, NJ less of a literary than
civil aud religious character through his instru-
mentality But we are assured thar the corner
stone was laid IN the presence OF lrge conconrse
OF people, some of whom yet remain TO lell the
story OF the enthusiasm displayed on that occasion,
that many Masoas OF Burlington AMI rs vlciu-
ity were present. Moreover we are assured that 1t
was laid by Il brother OF the great Masonic
fraternity, for the stone was hewn, squared,
and marked. II was adjusted TO its place 10y the
square, level and plumb, and The symbolic cement
was spread upon is surface, 1t initiated a sure
iOundi ion. 1t Is tried stone. Upon II WAS
rected THIS great temple OF learning. which mas
aud Which to-day renews ITS age IN more resp en-
dent beauty and glory.
ro-d,y ~ the invitation OF the President Of the
same University, as the representatives of the
same great masonic brotherhood, we are assembled
on the ground consecrated by the presence OF our
ilustrlous brother aud distinguished aero oI The
Revolution, whose name mex to that OF Wash
ingOn As MasOns and as Americans we ytncTatc-
TO relay upon the same corner stone, with reverent
hands the square, the level atd the plumb 10 pour
npon 1t with devout thanksgiving to the Supreme
Architect OF the Universe, The elubematlc elements
of conservation, and To restore 1t with Joy and re-
joicng, to Its hitting place III tins new
and more beautiful temple than the former,
this day dedicated anew 10 Literature, sclence
and Art. We accept the h gh honor thus conferred
upon the Masons Of Vermont for the first time
IN their history. We accept 1t asa tuhnic to The
fraerlal organization tina; has from int iminemO-
rial been accustomed, upon invitation, 10 lay the
corner stones OF buildings dedicated On their COM
plclOn To the service of God, and the well being of
humanity. In compliance with this custom accord
Cu u MhsOus IN countries. ne corner kiNue
the Capitol at Washington was lad with Masonic
cercn MES our immortal Bro Gen, george
| Washington participating ~ The ceremonies.
| Churches, colleges ami stni,na1es Of learning all
over the world, monuments TO the patriot dela nave
been consecraied by the impressive symbolism! a
| the order which We this day witness.
| We accept this invitation, moreover, as u reCog
milton of the fact that Masonry has IN all the ages
| OF IT'S existence been tne patron aud promoter
OF educatlon OF science and the arts Inc gorgeous
| architecture of KING S)omon's tomple, anu The
more excellent glory OF the new, rebuilt upon tht
ruins OF the Old, are monuments o Masonry IN us
earlier history, and cnblendtlc OF that SpiTltnl
| Temple which every Mason is. seeking To build ant
| beauty for Himself, by the golden rules Of mora
architecture 50 plainly revealed IN the Mason
chart and guide, the BIhle. ln many State OF The
| Union the Masonic fraclnIt, have established an,
are maintaining institutions Of learning. Every
where they are the earnest supporters Of education
and good morals.
world. Thoy are low. They have been hanlg,
down TO us, Ike the niad OF Homer, from brothe
to brother, thlouBh AL the successive ages OF gu
| existence and they are to-day JUST what the!
were many thousand yeIrs ago. rncy are Lawful
and honorable, and they are mo- repugnant to III
LAWS OF God ur man, and II is our duty 10 cOnyc
| them unin paired To tue latest poslcrity.
Masonry "a world wide IN IS extent; ]
, has closely olowed the march OF ctvilizl
ten, Eastward Westward, North and South. tn
sun never sets upon it, domains. In whatGye
! cline or patton Mason Is found, the Language Il
his signs or his words are understood and rrcol
nized and no nnds i;iend and brother. KING
. aud piinces and potentl es, mtn OF all ranks /
society, IN the commun and IN the State, ia
most eminent In learning, the most exalted IN y,
stlon, the most noted for christian virtue the be-
U men the world has ever produced. have bowe
around our common altar. and recorded the
n names upon the grand roll of the Masonic Drothe
u hood.
. I'VE meet upon the level though from every st
I, ton come
The rich man from his palace or the poor man fro
A his home"
/ The audience then moved to the Cole
a Park, where the statue Lafayette took plac
!, Laying of the Howard Corner sion
c The laying of the corner stone of the I
!, constructed college, and dedication of Il
s building, followed The stone, bearing on
: face the inscription: "Rebuilt by John
u Howard, 1884," was placed in the place Il
:, for it in the foundation wall, Mr.. q. A. Da'
Il son, of New York. us the representative
e. Mr.. Howard, spreading some of the NOR,
\ and tapping the stone with the trowel, in
8, customary form. The Dedicatory pray