Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-08-02

ing the services, but owing TO the rea-
sons above stated the reporter was I'M
able to catch his words. Music from
the Boscobel band followed: after
which the waving of white plumes an
nounced the approach of the Sir knights
following whom appeared the acting
members of the grand lodge who were
to formally dedicate the lodge. These
members were as follows: r. ID. Pull
ford, Nj. w. G. M; Geo S. Antony,
Dept. G. NJ; H. H. Virgin, G. S. W.;
A. r. Bushnell as G. j. W.; L. N. Hub
bell, as G. Treas; j. w. Latin. as G.
Sec; M. A. Barker, as G. Chap; M.
l.. Young, as G. Mar; H. B. Coons, as
G. S. d.; Thos. Stevens, as G. j. D.;
j. Harker, as G. Steward; J. C. Ban
croft, as G. Steward; S. j. Wright, as
G.. Tiler.
Master McGregor delivered an ad-
dress of welcome to the visiting mem
bers, Sir Knights and friends, which
was responded to brief speech by
ex-Gov. Fairchild, the main portion of
both being lost owing to the noise which
swept in from the parlor.
Mr.. j. III. Evans, chairman of the
building committee, then arose and for
mally delivered the building over to the
lodge. His remarks were as follows:
Most Worshipfm Grand Master: The
committee to whom was intrusted the
superintendent and management of
the workmen employed in the construc-
ton of this edifice, beg leave to report
that they have accomplished the task
assigned to them, and are now ready
to transfer The building to the trustees
of Melody Lodge and Washington
chapter.
The labor has been difficult and ar
duous, requiring much time in super
vision and close attention to the details
of the work, but it has been performed
| cheerfully, and with no expectation OF
fee or reward, other than the hope that
onr efforts might meet the approval OF
our brethren and companions. During
the term of our service, covering q
period of nearly two years, there has
not been single instance of disc ord OIL
disagreement among the five brethren
to whom was delegated this work, but
all worked in harmony with a single OBJ
| ject in view, that of the faithf Il per-
Torrance of the duty assigned us By our
brethren. l can pay no greater COM
pliment to my colleagues, than by say.
ing, if it was ever again my lot to en-
gage in any creator important work,
would feel sure of success could have
the corporation, counsel and advice
of the brethren who aided me in plan.
ming and experimenting the erection Of
this edifice. On behalf of the commit.
tee | thank our brethren and com
panions for the honor of this appoint
ment, and for the generous confidence
and substantial support of those who
stood by us in this great undertaking.
| now return the implements which
were committed to my care when the
foundation of this fabric was laid,
humbly hoping that our labors will meet
your approval and that of the most
worshipful Grand Lodge.
The ark in the center of the room
was then uncovered Grand Master
Pulford poured the corn, the wine aud
the oil upon its surface aud in a brief
but impressive ceremony proceeded to
dedicate the building to the service of
the order.
After song by choir of well trained
voices Hon. p. A. Orton, of Darlington,
arose and delivered the Grafton of the
evening. Mr. Orton spoke as follows
From the first record in history, till
the present time, buildings have been
dedicated to the uses for which they
were intended by appropriate forms
and ceremonies. Over thousand years
before the Christian era, according to
scriptural chronology, King Solomon s
Temple at Jerusalem, the work of those
eminent artists, whose memory we
revere was dedicated to the Living God.
The Temple and the manner of its
dedication were marvellous, as they are
described in the sacred writings The
building with its sacred and cunningly
wrought vessels and furniture, viewed
in the light of sacred or profane history,
or of Masonic tradition, is marvel
and wonder unexplicable to the pro-
fame philosopher, clouded with the
miraculous by the sacred writers, and
by the fraternity regarded as one. of the
greatest events in history ever to be
COMMUNICATED for its sublime incidents
and the moral lessons symbolized by
them.
The master builder of this wonderful
temple, was one Hiram out of Tyre, q
widows son, sent by Hiram King OF
Tyre, to Solomon; a man skilled and
cunning in the work Solomon had in
| hand. He it was who manufactured
the two pillars of brass with their chapi-
tiers and network, which were placed
on the porch of the temple. One at the
right called joachim and the other at the
left called Boaz. Also the sea of brass
and all the vessels and ornaments.
which adorned the temple. These were
all cast in the clay ground on the plains
of Jordan, near Succoth. The wood
which entered into the Temple was
cedar, from Lebanon, conveyed by sea
in floats to Joppa and thence up tc
Jerusalem. The walls of the building
were of stone, so carefully prepared be-
fore it was brought thither, that there
was neither the sound of hammer noI
AK, nor any tool of iron heard in the
house white it was buildIng--a period
of twenty years.
The temple was built by the com
mand of God, given TO David, and
when fully completed in all its parts il
was dedicated by the King. The cere-
mony occupied eight days. 1t was at
tended by great concourse of people.
An immense orchestra composed of The
priests and Leyites furnished music for
| the occasion. $4,000 cattle and 120, 00C
sheep were sacrificed. There was I'M
doubtedly an orator on the occasion
though the sacred history is silent on
that point TIE most important part
of the dedicatory services was the
prayer of King Solomon, and its visible
answer by Jehovah. His prayer was
delivered from scaffold erected in one
of the courts of the Temple, for the
purpose, and was practical and com
prehensive petition TO Jehovah, to care
1 for and protect the people of israel,
and to hear and answer their prayers.
The sacred writings inform us that
Jehovah appeared at night TO Solomon
and answered this prayer as follows:
Il have heard thy prayer and have
chosen this place to myself for an house
of sacrifice Now mine eyes shall
be open and my ears attend unto the