Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-03-24

49,
DEDICAIloN or Ia soNIc HALL. 7
Last week Tuesday evening the elegant
and commodious new Masonic hall Of
this city was duly and publicly dedicated.
The attendance was large, fully $50 be-
ing present. The dedicatory ceremony
was beautiful and interesting, being in
charge of Grand Master r. II. Cove, Of
Rochester, assisted by Senior Grand War
den ]. A. Kiester of Blue Earth City,
Grand Orator G. B. Arnold of Kasson,
Grand Chaplain Rev. John Stafford, pas
tor of 1st n. E. church of Minneapolis,
and other distinguished Hasons from
abroad. The Knights Templsr acted
IS an escort for the grand officers. The
singing by the Glee Club, composed of
Misses Addie johnson and Gertie Sher-
wood and Vert Anderson and Will Lord,
with Miss Ruth Brooks 1T the organ, was
especially fine, and many compliments
were bestowed upon them. Grand Mas
and listened to with much interest. We
are happy to be able to publish the great
erportion Of them this week. The ad-
dress by Judge Kiester was mastery
production. and we regret to say that we
were unable to obtain it for publication.
The supper was excellent. The wives of
Austin Masons always excel in this re-
spect. The tables were beautifully dec
Grated with flowers In fact, everything
was pleasant to see and hear, and in q
high degree enjoyable to the appetite for
either physical or intellectual food.
We think the major portion of the cred
it for this grand intellectual and social
treat is due to our most Wsrshipful Mas
ter, Charles L. West. He devised the
entertainment, and carried it to success
full issue. The receipts Of the evening
netted about 800 to the lodge funds.
Following is the address of Grand Mas
ter Cove:
Assembled at this time for the purpose
of dedicating this Hall to Masonic uses,
it is fitting that something be said Of it
and it's uses. and what may be expected
from its influence, and Of its aims and pur-
poses. Chief among them may be named
and fittlnglY 50 the design of the Masonic
institution. Its design Is to make its vo-
taries wiser and consequently happier,
and such being its object it is worthy of
age.
To be good and true are among the
first lessons it teaches. To be good has
in all time been deemed a virtue and q
plant worth cultivation. 1t has the legit-
innate tendency to make the world at
large better for its having been practiced.
We do not knowingly receive any into
our society but the good and true, and
toward that end all our actions tend with
unerring and answering fidelity as the
needle to the pole star.
You who are members of the craft of
this particular Lodge have christened
your Lodge "Fidelity," which to every
true Mason signifies much, very much.
What virtue rises higher than Fidelity"
1t is csmmendable virtue and highly
distinguishes him who practices it.
What makes the marked distinction that
marks the character of George Washing
ton and Benedict Arnold? Fidelity in
one and intidelity in the other One was
faithful to the trust reposed in him, and
he is this day more revered than any
other American, living or dead. What
means that Hottest monument in the
world, erected to his memory, in the city
that bears his honorable name? II says
that he was fsithful to and preserved in
tact all the large interests committed to
his care and keeping by the infant colo
MES. then struggling for liberty and q
place among the nations Of the world,
and by whose Fidelity our liberties were
secured and maintained.
How many pilgrimagss have been made
to his sleeping and lnanimate dust to pay
henors but little short Of divine to his
answering fidelity, and as time rolls
adown the ages. the name of Warrington
will be the more and more rsvered for
this one trait of his lovely character as
man and Mason. The name of the i'm
mortal Washington is now and ever will
be spoken with Difference and respect,
and when his character is more studied
and better known, it will be the more
highly priced, and chiefly for this one
characteristic, Fidelity. His wisdom and
craftsmanship, be they never so great, will
be among the attendants of this ennobling
feature of his noble life, and will bear to
and relation thereto that the satellites of
Jupiter Saturn and Earth do to the central
planet around which they revolve and
are constant attendants, and which they
assist to magnify and ennoble.
While the name of Benedict Arnold,
when associated with his infidelity, will
be remembered but to be execrated. No
pllgrimages are or will be made to his
sleeping dust to stimulate patriotism. His
name shall be remembered only to be
hated and despised, and he sleeps, if he
can, in an unknown and uncared for
grave, and his infidelity is the one cause
Of this unhonored sleep.
Craftsmen, you did well in the name
that you have bestowed on your Lodge.
Cherish it and make it the representative
and synonym of our orders brightest
jewel. Fidelitas, and with the faithful
your name shall be written in the Grand
Lodge Registry above.
The number of your Lodge is also sig
nifcant, not being susceptible of division
without remainder. Yet it corresponds
with the number Of the Articles of Reli
gion of one of the broadcast and most
Catholic churches of the world, and upon
whose communion the sun never sets and
whose articles of religion cheers many q
weary sin sick soul
Cherish also this sacred number for ito
associations. Its figure is symbolic of
many things which will occur to the mind
of the attentive Mason and in many ways
is held in reverence by the craft. God
said, The light, and light was" 1t sym
bolizes the means by which the angelic
host attained the celestial lodge above a.
seen in vision at Bethel by the Patriarch,
and when he said, Surely the Lord is in
this place and I knew it not. This is
none other but the house of God, and
this is the gate of heaven"
1t has in itself Unity and Trinity, and
fitly serves to remind US of Birth, Life
and Immortality: of Youth Manhood.