Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1890-10-31
DEDICATION
OF THE
MASONIC * HALL,
ISLAND POND, VT.


citizens generally, with more than or
dinarily pleasant anticipations. This
ceremony occurred on Thursday AT,
ternoon, October %, being performed
by the officers OF the Grand Lodge OF
Vermont. The hall was crowded to
its utmost capacity, many unable to
gain admission. The ceremony OF
dedication Is not a very lengthy one.
70 the Inspiring strains of Bigelow's
the grand officers entered
tue lodge and were received with the
grand houors of the order. The pro-
ceedings then began with a selection
by "A quartette, which was rendered in
capital style, followed by prayer,
when the ". NJ. OF the Lodge, Chas.
Gonya, addressed the acting grand
master, Bro. ID. NJ. Bacon OF st. Johns.
bury, d. q. NJ, declaring the wish of
the craft that the lodge he formally
dedicated. lie was followed by Bro.
dali, representing the architect, who
announced the completion OF his la.
bors, and presented his work for in.
spection. The grand officers next
formed in procession, and moved three
times around miniature lodge, the
presiding officer sprinkling about 1t
corn, wine and oil. mathematical OF
peace, health and plenty, and in the
name Of the Great Architect OF the
Universe declared the lodge dedicated
and set apart to the principles OF
ancient craft masonry. A masonic
ode was sung, prayer offered, and the
dedication exercises, which had been
rendered In a very effective manner,
and which had deeply impressed the
spectators,-wcrec concluded.
Next came the banquet, and seldom
has its equal been seen In Island Pond.
1t was indeed an appetizing repast,
and partaken OF by over six hundred
persons.
Following the banquet the large
assemblage adjourned to the opera
house to take in the literary exercises
After music by the orchestra, and
singing by the quartette, Bro. Gonya
introduced the speaker Of the evening,
Right Worshipful Kittredge Haskins
OF Brattleboro. Bro. Haskins with
the aid OF carefully collated facts and
traditions traced the history OF the
masonic order from what he conceived
10 he its beginnings, suggesting that
1t reaching 50 far into antiquity Its
beginnings we're necessarily shrouded
in mystery, and mystery had been one
ofits principal charms through all ages.
lie emerged from the realm OF mystery
and tradition, and claimed to stand
Oh we'll authenticated historic facts
when he identified the order with the
work upon the temple, especially the
enumeration OF the workmen, their
organization and discipline, the hew'
ing OF the material In the forests q,
Lebanon, carrying it in floats to Jop
pa, thence to Jerusalem, and the
striking relation OF the cunning artifi
Ger to an organization, the many fea
lures OF which were identical with the
principles and practices OF the order
today. lie then dwelt upon the fra
ternal relations OF the members Of the
order, their sacred beliefs, their teach
ings Of reverence for Deity, their reliefs
and the benefits OF the order I'm dan
gers, citing instances OF brethren IL
the army being relieved and savet
from cruelty by the mystic symbols
Of the hearts OF savages being turned
to generous pity by sign or token
and made many pleasant illustrations
too numerous to mention, and closst
with an exordium to his brethren, ant
especially to Island Pond Lodge, to b,
true and loyal to the sacred tenets O
the order, speaking in his happiest
vein.
After another selection by the or
cbestra, the toast master, Bro. Geo
N. Dale, p. NJ, abiding to the ab
sence OF the grand master called X. W
Whipple's attention to the sentimen
"The Most worshipful Grand master
OF the jurisdiction OF Vermont"
In responding, Bro. Whipple reac
a very interesting letter from grand
master Wing, then, explaining hi
absence he closed by happily concratu
lating our lodge on its elegant rooms
and furniture, its remarkable progress
discipline and work, aud left with II
his ardent wish that 1t might go OF
forever.
Pc. NJ. Bowman's attention wa
then called to the sentiment
Light from the East"
to which he responded by giving q
history OF leland Pond Lodge. 1T
early restitution, It's marked influence
Ia moulding and changing societ.
from its then natural crude and rougl
condition to what 1t Is now, like tn,
more perfect ashiar. lie feelingl.
alluded to the death OF his old associ
ates and charter members and CAV
many very interesting "Reminiscences
OF the birth and life OF the lodge
Bro. Hale OF Lunenburgh was tn
next speaker, responding To the toas
| "hs must fall,
Who thinks all made for one, notone for all.
lie commenced by comparing the
strength and passions of man Il