The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-05-22
UTICA'S MASONIC HOME.
RAIN INrEREEREs WITH THE LAY.
ING OF TIE CORNERSTONE.

ING OF TIE CORNERSTONE.
fifteen Thousand Masons in the City.
Only 5000 Of Them in Line-Funy
10000 Visitors in All Drawn to the
Town - The Speech of Hon. John
Vrooman.
UTICA, n. Y. May GA wet, dismal
day dawned in Utica. The festooned streets
and bedecked buildings were soaked in the
prevailing moisture and ran their colors
into blurred mass of color against gray
skv. The laying of the corner stone of the
Masonic home for INDECENT Mssons, widow 8
aud orphans was, apparently. to be cele-
brated in bad weather. As the hour
Of noon approached the raln graduated
down TO occasional drizzles. The crowd
was the most orderly and cheerful that ever
visited the city. There we're about 30, 600
visitors from all parts of the state and some
from distant states. Fully 1900 Masons
we're here, but not more than 5000 were in
line, and 900 or 1900 more wore regaIia
THE PROCESSION.
The procession passed in review before
the grand officers and the mayor near the
tbs grounds, it then countermarched. The
grand officers drove to the home grounds
and laid the cornerstone according to the
prescribed ritual. the addresses being re-
served uutil evening. The site is one of
the most beautiful in central New
York, aud great disappointment was
felt OF the inability to carry
out the complete programme. About 1000
people, however, visited the site. The big
1,il1ino lie alraQdU riciprv from 70 10
ton. Tonight at Utica opera house about
5000 people listened to addresses by the
mayor, Hon. Alexander T.. Goodwin, Hon.
John Vrooman, Past Grand Master Law
renee and Chauncey NJ. Depew.
vRooMAN's SPEECH.
Following is an extract from Mr.. Vrco-
mans speech:
MEETING MANY YEARS AGO.
Eighty three years ago twenty lodges, repre-
senting few hundred members. assembled in
grand lodge communication in the city of New
York. A resolution was then adopted, THAT a
committee be appointed to devise and report a
plan for the education of children of poor
Aasons" A few months later that committee
reported. THAT they are of opinion that fund
may be raised sufficient to defray the expense
of an establishment to consist of fifty children:
and in order to ascertain the probable expense
of education, including all articles necessary for
that purpose, your committee applied to the
u
who have agreed to educate in their semi
nary fifty children constantly for
$500 annually" Although the grand
lodge at that time was neither great in wealth
nor numbers, it nevertheless was interested
then, as we are now in the dear children, and
after considering the subject reported a plan
for the education of fifty poor children whose
fathers are, or have been, members of the
ancient and honorable fraternity of Free and
Accepted Masons."
The report was adopted, and on Dec q, 1870.
the school committee" delivered over to the
trustees OF the New York free school fifty chill
dren.
II is interesting to note then as now, public
confidence in the Masonic institution, as evil
the officials of the free school Of New York and
the craft.
The mere handful of seed thus sown in our
Masonic vineyard seems to have been scattered
and well-nigh lost But God, wiser than man,
never permits the seed of unselfish endeavor to
die. It may lie dormant for a season. but will
surely spTout again.
The seed sown by our Masonic Fathers did lie
dormant from 1919 to 1912, when it again took
root in the hearts of Greenfield Pote, James
Herring and other noble workmen, who will be
forever remembered by a grateful brotherhood
for bringing to Masonic light that most wonder
full memorial, which prayed for the building of
hall and the founding of an asylum for
worthy decayed Masons, their widows and or
phans"
ITS AUTHOR.
IuC HiSLOIlC lACb SuOuiu DC TeCOrQbQ UQdb IiliS
memorial was conceived and written by James
Herring, grand secretary, and the first subscrip-
ton Of one dollar was made and paid at that
time by Greenfield Pote, grand tiler. There
lore, we properly claim that the Hail and
Asylum Fund" had its origin IN the year 1912,
although the interesting document did not Off
cially reach the grand lodge until June s, 1S43.
AT that communication representatives were
present from forty -nine lodges, which Included
membership of a few thousand.
The first subscription was followed by others
from time to time, until the memorial was pre-
sented to the grand lodge, signed, as we are
told, by 100 brethren, and the amount
subscribed upward of $780," The glorious in
SEPARATION of James Herring, and the first con-
tribution by Greenfield Pote on that bright day
for Ereemasonry in 1912, made possible, aye,
certain, the ceremonies Of this day
Forty-nine years have passed since that mem
cradle event; years full of marvellous growth
aud Improvement
GROWTH OF THE ORDER.
The small beginnings of 1908 and 1912 have
developed into the broad and grand field of
May q, 1891.
The seed sown by that original charity fund of
S5OJ was scattered broadcast throughout this
grand jurisdiction, and none of it has ever fallen
on unfruitful ground. 1t has brought forth an
hundred aye, many hundred fold. Among
other good things it has brought forth in money
S35l4, 359 so, which has builded and furnished a
Masonic hall. paid debt purchased these
broad and beautiful acres, placed in bank on the
first of the present month 1926, 464 16. a sum
more than sufficient to erect and equip this
asylum, the cornerstone of which we have just
placed with loving hands and grateful hearts
Although we officially designate this building
oy the name Asylum let us vie with each
other to make it Home, - with all the endear-
ments surrounding that sacred retreat.
Freemasonry thus plainly presents to its
Trends and supporters the character of its life
work. In it the brethren all labor as equals, but
they teach the equality that elevates. Thank
tod, there is no aristocracp in our institution,
unless it be that of faithful service, of honest
merit; and so long as we remain true to our
standard Freemasonry will never need de-
fender.
MAsoNRYs OBJECTS.
But, my brethren, be not forgetful that the
nigh character of an institution does not neceS-
sarliy form the good conduct of its members;
neither is an institution great or useful by
reason of its boosted antiquity, but rather on
account of its love and labor for the human
family. Proudly can we boast that the Masonic
institution is both great and useful, because its
every thought is pure; its every teaching emo
blng its every effort dedicated TO the service
OF God and distressed brother. Measured by
eucn standards, consecrated by such motives, do
you wonder that we prosper? Do you wonder
mat we are united? Do you wonder that we
are permanent? Do you wonder that the bene-
ulcuon OF God rests upon us?
NY beloved brethren. let not prosperity lessen
onrlaoor Rather let it quicken US to greater
love and broader charity, until no alnlshouse
name OF single unfortunate brother, widow
OF orphan of the fraternity. Then, with one
mighty acclaim may we unite to celebrate the
year OF Masonic Jubilee, not only in dedication
Of this magnificent structure, but in proclaim
ing liberty to every captive brother bound by