The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1891-06-03
MASONIC CHARITY.
Touching Address by the Grand
Master of New York.
The Character and Life-work of the
Order of Free Masons-The Masonic
Home for Aged Masons, Widows
and Orphans.

The following address, delivered at
Utica, n. Y, May 2lst, by John w.
Vrooman, Grand Master of Masons of
the State of New York, is worthy of care
full perusal. 1t gives the history of one of
the noblest works of charity in this
country:
The faith of devoted brotherhood is
to-day lost in sight.
The hope of q century is to-day ending
in fruition.s
The charity so long looked for is to-day
cheering the heart of the needy brother,
the unhappy widow, the helpless orphan,
Boon to enter this haven Of fraternal at
lection.
We are to-day proving that Mason's
charity begins with faith, continues in
hope, is perfected in works, and will eX-
tend through the boundless realms OF
eternity.
The Masonic fraternity has invited this
distinguished audience to witness these
interesting ceremonies, and we are CRATE
ful and proud that so many thousands
have responded to the invitation.
We welcome, In the name Of 723 lodges
and more than II 900 members, the power
of the Empire State represented here by
its military and by many Of its chief Off
Gals. Centuries ago EreemaSons were
charged TO be peaceful subjects to the
civil powers, and never to be concerned
I'm plots or conspiracies against the ma
ton; and we are pledged to be true to our
Government, just to our country and TO
submit to legal authority.
We welcome, thrice welcome. our
friends of the city of Utica, whether in
official station or private life. The in
habitants of this beautiful "City of Phil
anthropy" are endeared to the Masonic
heart of this great jurisdiction, because
\ II
aid and sympathy in promoting this
beneticent enterprise.
To-day it can truly be said of philan-
thropic Utica that history repeats itself.
Thirty-one years ago this month the
corner stone Of the Orphan Asylum yon-
der was laid with Masonic ceremonies by
John l.. Lewis, Grand Master.
The address he delivered upon that oc-
casion comes TO us now like the inspired
hope of a prophet. l repeat his thrilling
words for the satisfaction and JOY of our
Utica friends and brethren who are anx-
iouS that the home and school here builded
shall supplement the great work of yon-
der noble institution. He said: when
shall we come forth in our strength and
lay the foundation Of an asylum for a
brothers. little ones, worthy ofthe object,
worthy Of the craft, in New York? The
feeble accents of him who addresses you
now fall upon your ears probably for the
last time; but If in coming years you shall
cherish any kindly memories of your
present Grand Master, remember that his
latest words 10 you on such an occasion
We're a plea for the widow and orphan
his last ad,nonition that caught from the
loving and glowing lips Of a Greater Mas
ter, to remember that we have the poor
always with yoU-'"
We fondly cherish the memory of John
/. Lewis. We gladly and gratefully per-
L, L I
courage.
But to-day the Masonic eye of New
York is turned toward the living, and the
Masonic heart of this Imperial Jurisdic-
ton again welcomes with love and graft
tude that genius Of Freemasonry-Fran
II. Lawrence.
Listen to his first official utterance as
Grand Master, which was proclaimed to
the craft October 81, 1885:
eve have far higher and less selfish
reasons for Fastening its discharge. (Re-
ferring to the Masonic Hall and Asylum
Fund Indebtedness of S4S5, 000.) Until
this debt is paid the real purpose of the
Hall and Asylum Fund cannot be accom-
plished. The hall is merely means TO
an end. From its revenue, when freed
from debt, there will arise and be perpet-
ually maintained the great and noble
charity, the asylum, an abiding shelter
for the widow and the orphan, the help
less and the dependent, who cry to us for
aid in the name of God and humanity
Now listen to his last official utterance.
which was proclaimed TO the craft April
q, 1889:
81 have the unbounded pleasure to an
nounce, as has already been informally
made known to you, that the indebted
ness of the Masonic Hall and Asylum
Fund has been completely discharged.
THE great task is done. The last dollar
is paid. We are free! For a
single hour we give ourselves over to re-
joicing. Yet in this short life of ceaseless
activity the completion of one task is but
the signal for pressing forward TO that
which lies next beyond. The undertall-
ing in which it now becomes our duty
and privilege to participate, the establish
ment of an asylum for the INDECENT Ma
son, the widow and the orphan, is of the
highest and most sublime character. Al
though at this time unbounded prosper
1ty appears before us, il must not for a
moment be forgotten that in The future
the necessity for wisdom and caution will
be even greater than in the past. Let us
so proceed that when the asylum is com
pleted it may fittingly accomplish ou1
long-cherlshed purpose, and may in all
its features attest not only the kindly and
liberal impulses, but the intelligence and
deliberate judgment of the craft as q
wholen
Brother Lawrence equaled the most
brilliant of mis- predecessors in the inspi-
ration of beautiful words to urge the
erection of an asylum. He exceiled in
practical deeds to accomplish fixed fact
the payment of debt, the creation of q
surplus, which prepared a way for these
ceremonies.
God grant that the prophetic words O
our beloved Past Grand Master, 1.-THE
Golden Age of Masonry is not behind us
1t lies before!' may become gloriously
rich in results.
We welcome the friends and well wish
ers of our cause from every county in the
State, who to-day honor us with theil
presence.
We welcome and extend the hand o.
maternal greeting 10 the seven hundred
and twenty-three lodges here represented
by many thousands of brethren who have
come up 10 us from every quarter of this
grand jurisdiction.
We devoutly ask Gods benediction Il
rest upon all present, and, reaching over
and beyond them, 10 the State, the fam.
lily, the lodge which they represent.
Thus assembled it is your province tC
inquire: What mean these things?"
We answer: that brotherhood bound
together by fraternal ties are seeking K
provide for the needs OF a common hu
nanIty and to improve the moral anC
religious condition of Gods great family
The immediate enterprise before II.
may be regarded by some as too limited
IN plan and scope to provide for the wants
of 4 great fraternity second to none in thu
world.
This undertaking, however, like al
others of magnitude, must have a begin
ming, and we firmly believe it will grow
into larger and more magnificent proper
tions as the years go by.
H0H ID u