Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-05-21
Whole No. 372,

| w lNll lllt NllOlNt0l HONtlS OI Dtdtt anu
harmony, attest TO square and true
work; and its columns of truth and
fidelity reach 10 that higher Lodge
whose Grand Master inspects all our
labors and passes upon us the judg-
ment of good WOrl-Well done.
The cosmopolitan character of our
institution must necessarily include
minds as diversified as are the members
composing ii. but the federation with
which it grants both religion and poll
ties prevents the breeding of diSsen-
siOns in behalf Of either. 1t is high in
prestige, active in life, esteemed and
approved by an inqustve public, and
has never sh0ne more brilliantly before
the world than at the present day The
force OF character sustained by the in
stitution will generally prevail against
| ignorance, and the meritoriouS will
readily yield an obedience to an in
crease Of knowledge and growth in
Masonic education.
In the broad fields of progress. phi
| lanthropy and enlightment, its champi-
iOnS are none the less effective because
Invisible. How. then, shall we be edu-
Gated, in order that individuals, as well
as ou institution, may be benefited?
The philosophy OF Free Masonry, its
morals and It's dOgmaS are SO little un-
derstoOd, and, indeed, SO little regard
ed. that there are scores who outward
ly assume the garb of the Mason. OF
the trappings OF the Templar. without
amy higher aim than pastime. Beyond
question. it is Il truism that none are
qualified to teach but those who submit
to learn. Recognizing this truth. let
our institutions Of learning be made as
beautiful and comfortable as consistent
with the interests of the citizen and the
public revenue. Our school houses and
churches are the mirrors which reflect
the generosity Of noble people. They
are the barriers that check the spirit Of
ignorance and crime which otherwise
might force itself into the farest Of
homes and, with demOniac hama or
yenOmOuS breath, scatter the house,
hold gods of the people. They are bet
ter and cheaper than almshouses and
prisons.
We are taught that our order was G
When the christian era began; an or
which assisted in building those gie
tic cdiliceS which adorned the
/. pages of the worlds history: an O.
whose emblemS are found among Z. l.
ruins of the buried cities of the Ole
World; an order that has seen the most
gorgeous ediiiceS tOttCr and fall, which
has Outliyed all else of man S creation. 4
With such history we should not havf\
amy misgiyings at the ceremony of lav
ING foundation stones Of central pOin
where light and knowledge are to b
diffuScd Ii is our bounden duty,
far rs in us lies. to give couptep ancy
land support to every cnternj ) whOs6v
object is the improvement an, enlight-
eminent of the race.
TO You who have inaugu lted
project OF erecting this l@ linz
tender our CONGRATULATIONS
The purpose for Which we have a
Sembled is accomplished and Jur WOr
here lies before us. Above lis ston
are to arise the walls destil ed to b
the pride and glory of gelier; tions ye
to come. Within it we ha e placed
memorials Of the glad event, With other
appropriate relics. We h;Iye ,OnSecrat-
ed it with the ancient eleme its, corr
wine and oil. 1t has been roved
the plumb. level and square. The mai
let has resomded above it. t rice, and
true and trusty hath it been proclaim
ed.
: May this temple of learn ag, to he
consruc by the labor a I'd intelli
gence of man. be the means by which
the trials, SufferngS and gri is of suf-
fering humanity may be- mitigated,
- and from which may 90 70 tn to the
world at large, unbiased by the influ-
ence of sect orcreed, tyrany rmarchy,
sellislmess or pride. the pun st system
= of Justice. law and order ever CON-
e ceiVed by human intellect.
May our banners. inscribl with |,
, grand old motto. 'Libert Equality
!! and Fraternity" inspire cOs rage in the
hearts of all free men and asst dismay
r among the ranks of theirs: dversaries.
} With Justice. mercy and tT Ith as our
WatchWOrd. we may mar 1 ons con-
qucring and to conquer ut O. 2eCet
= freedom. the rights of m an va dniver-'
sal bencVOlence and mys aith, hope
and charity continue to I'M nate us to
this end always. Thus 80 wing. sus-
tanned by unialtering tlltSt II the Arch
itect OF the Universe. thu II imam fami-
" will become brilliMt 'Xample OF
the wisdom and power II 4 od prOduc-
z ing harmony in all His v0l IS. Under
: the supervision of your ms 'ter builder
| there is every assurance OF Jhe success
{ ful completion of this pr0 osed build
t ing in strict accOrdanca Y ith the de-
signs he has placed on the trestle
b. board.
The trowcl has been Ian led down to
1S s@s 5% SS%rs .s'1 s Ss 5s s a5a vi = If
, With it. King solomon, lop first gram
master. laid the foWdatio stone of IT,
ancient temple at Jerusale n. With i
, Our illustrious brother, ~ le immort
! Washington. laid the durl Ell stone ON
Il Nations capital. Witllit ''our Hugh"
. laid the corner stone of o II new state
: capitol at Lansing. Octoh 2nd, 1S7a-
+ With it. we have this day lad the M
or of spreading the ccnen to lay
: corner stone of this buildi g for edltca
= toual purposes. with on { impressive
{ Masonic rites.
i Let MS mfuse into thev )rld about us
! those elements whicll lake society
more charming; viii Oh make song
o laughter and innocent ar usements O
!, the Nnnnr more pleaSNlf and