The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-05-03
KNIGHTS OF THE RED CROSS.
VIM. Greinenstein and W. II. Lopez Knights
Last Evening az the Masonic Temple.

Last evening Mt. Olivet Commapdery,
No. Il, X, T., met in regular cQnclave and
after tranSacting the usual routine busl-
ness conferred the Order of the Red Cross
on VIM. Greiffenstein and W. II. Lopez.
When the impressive ceremonies had been
completed the Sir Knights sat down TO a
sumptuous banquet and whiied away the
hours in conversation, speeches. etc. Sir
Knight j. 2. Allen, as one of the oldest
members of Mt. Oliyet C~ommandery, made
a very pathetic speech and referred with
much feeling TO the lifelong acquaintance
and friendship with his companion, VIM.
Gr~eiffenstein. Speeches were also made
by W. S. Corbett, c. VI. Jones. H. L. Cor
don, I. 2. Threlkeld and others, and all
alluded with feelings OF pride and satisfaC-
ton to the prosperous condition and the
uniformly good work Of the c-ommandery.
The following is the substance of Sir
Knight Aliens remarks:
Sovereign Master and Sir Knights:
As all things differ so this occasion diff
fers from any previous one of ike charac-
ter in that we have with Us tonight u
oldest citizen n respected friend. This
is d time at which au orator might reyel
among the clouds, but not being blessed
with the gift of Oratory should l succeed
III SAYING alNlllUS 1 AlDSU GOlACllL lily sri
to remain close TO the earth.
Almost a quarter of a century ago. when
from the brow of yonder hill l viewed for
the first time this beautiful valley, there
was spread before me a promised land as
fair as that which met the vision of Moses,
and, in the language Of Scott,
Far to the south aud west there lay,
Extending in succession gay.
Deep waving fields OF pastures green,
With gentle slopes and groves between"
Descending the gentle declivity and cross
ing the valley | soon found myself and
ing on the banks of the then beautiful
little Arkansas river, with its sparkling
water, sandy bottom and pebbly shore,
sklrted with trees, the air was laden with
the songs of birds and the perfume of
flowers, the beauty and newness of every
thing was suggestive of its having Just
come from the hands of its creator. Stand
ing there in the midst of all things new,
and thinking back over the mighty past
and forward to the grand future of this
country, l could not but think that some
such d scene as this must have been in the
mind of LongfellOw when he wrote.
THE past and future here unite,
Beneath Times flowing tide.
Like footprints hidden by d brook.
Yet seem on either side o.
Here on this picturesque spot l first met
our brother companion and now Sir
Knight Greiffenstein, the Zerubbabel
whose hands We're laying the foundation,
not of the second temple" but of the first
and grandest city in the state. The few
that were here then manifested the same
patient, perseverance and zeal that has III
such a marked manner characterized all
those who have come later and which has
been the means of building a city that IS
the pride of the southwest, q credit TO Its
founder and a glory to us all.
We have grown in numbers. wealth and power,
And lived an age IN every hour
With the founding of Wichita came the
social and benevolent s~ocities, first of
which was the Masonic order, when in the
fall of 1870 about half a dozen Of us met
together and organized, afterwards apply
ing for and receiving a dIspenSatIOn 10
start q lodge. Working under this dis
%pensation for about a year we were then
chartered and Wichita Lodge No. %, \. +.
& \. N, became a reality, and l am
pleased to say has kept pace with the won
derful growth and prosperity of our city.
1t is not my purpose to attempt any
reminiscence of the Masonic order but
suffice it to say that from the very humble
beginning in 1870 the order has grown TO
such proportions hat all the degrees III
Masonry are conferred in Wichita except
the 33d.
and in reviewing the past and seeing the
difficulties encountered and the victories
that nave been won. we can congratulate
ourselves on the progress we have made.
Thus it is with human life when we
reach the age of manhood and tan on
the brow Of the hill and look out into the
future and behold the great panorama
of life spread out before us and the posi-
bilities which as the poet says,
IN bright uncertainty they lie.
Like future joys To fancies eyes
We feel that everything was made for us
and life was 10 be one glorious round of
HOLIDAYS, but alas we too soon find we often
have to travel the rough and rugged roads;
often have to press the hot sands Of the
desert with unshod feet; often rave TO par
take of the libations of sorrow, but in all
our trials we should remember
the rough roads lead through
pleasant groves ladened with tropical
fruits, that every desert has its
oasis and there are more of the latter than
the former, that Our bitter diSappOlnt-
ments are intended TO inculcate the
almighty force and Importance OF truth,
and after all there Is more of sunshine
than shadow, and occasions Hke this are
some of the fruits. some of the green spots,
some of the sunshine which cheer US or
orr life's p~ilgramage, and tonight, after
witnessing the impressive ceremonies Of
this degree, ! am glad that / was ever
found worthy TO be admitted TO this
ancient and honorable order. | am proud
to belong to and associate with gentlemen
who are members Of an order whose prIn-
date back to the time when the
morning stars first sang together and kept
when God said let there be light,
aud in obedience 10 the command
The sun. from OF his altitude sublime.
dashed the first raw thai marked commencing Tine