Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-20
CROWNED WITH LAUREL.
Rob Morris, of Kentucky, Becomes the
Poet Lauratte of Free Masonry


Poet Lauratte of Free Masonry
One of the most notable events in the his
tory OF modern Masonry, says the New York
Sun OF Dec II, was the crowning of the Poet
Laureate of Free Masonry, Rob Morris. of
Kentucky, in the Grand Lodge room of the
Masonic Temp e, last night. Gen. Charles
Roome, NJ W Past Grand Master, of New
York, presided.
The programme consisted of an organ vol
untary by George w. Morgan, organist of the
Grand Lodge: an invocation nv the Rev
Howard Henderson, Past Grand Chaplain of
kentucky; an address on the scope and de-
sign OF Free Masonry by the Rev. j. NJ. Wor-
rail-, late Grand Commander of Kentucky; a
recitation of the poem which had given the
Poet Laureate his greatest fame 1--WE Meet
Upon the Level and We Part Upon the
Square" by Mr.. John f. Collins; an address
Dy Mr.; Frank K. Lawrence on the Poetry of
free Masonry" and two duets by Mrs. Juvia
Z. Hull and Miss +. Belle ,nker.
Then Grand Master William A. Brodie
made a short address on the history of Ma
had been the only Mason hitherto crowned in
all the existence of the order He SAID that
Masonic bards had not beeniwanting but the
kentucky poet was the first since Burns, who
had Deen found worthy of the honor. "He
stands before yoU," said the speaker as the
poet rose up, and the audience applauded
vigorously, "bearing the marks of years, but a
monument OF what temperate habits and a
The poet was tall, broad -shouldered man.
with bushy ring of gray hair around the
sues OF Dald-topped head, and with clear
gray eyes and kindly expression under a
prominent forehead. Although accustomed
to appear in public, he was manifestly af-
Iected IN sthe presence of the 400 Masons, with
thelr wives and daughters, who had gath
cred to do him honor. The Grand Master
continued:
Having been selected to perform this cere-
mony, 4 request our MostiWorshipful Bro her.
Joseph ID. Evans, the oldest Past Grand Mas
Ter OF tnls state, to place the crown of laurel
on the brow of the Poet-Laureate of the Ma
sonic Fraternity"
The poet flushed and bowed, and the vener-
able Past Grand Master advanced and placed
a simple laurel wreath upon his head, while
the audience applauded and the organist
played "All hail the power of Jesus name"
Alter waiting long time for the applause
TO cease, Mr.. Morris SAID that he consented to
receive this testimonial from his brethren
because he hoped that the impulse of his heart
would serve In place of poetic inspiration. II
tne EFFORTS OF his pen had pleased the frater-
nlty, the credit must be given not to poetic
merit, but to the industry which had nerved
MIN TO study the emblems and symbols of the
fraternity and depict the poetry alredv there.
After this event, he should date his Masonic
NE, not from the rainy evening on the banks
OF the Mississippi, when he first became en-
titled to a full knowledge of the teachings and
mysteries of the craft, but frcm Dec. II, 1884,
In closing, he read poem entitled
THE Last, Last Word"
The ceremonies closed with the presenta-
ton to the Grand Lodge of the State of a
crayon portrait of the poet, drawn by Miss
Marian Foster, Mason's daughter, who was
present to witness the laureatiOn