Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-05-21

u
aroused considerable enthusiasm.
] Mr.. Atkinson began by saying that
he would divide what he wanted to say
| into two parts: first, few observations
why the Temple should be built in
/ Wheeling; and second, few remarks
on Masonry in general. He would con-
/ slider the propositions in reverse order.
III there is anything" he said,
! (which feel most earnestly and fer
/ vently aud reyerently. il is the father
I hood OF God and the brotherhood Of
man. This great principle underlies all
/ the different nations; they only differ
/ in the manner in which they are
conducted. Some say that Masonry
I Is the enemy of the Church.
deny this positively. Free
Masonry is not a religious institution,
but Is a moral institution. 1t is built
upon morality; ii teaches morality. 1t
also teaches sOciability-the cultivation
of the social relations Of its members.
It's great object is TO better the condi-
/ ton Of the people, TO lift humanity TO a
higher plane Of intelligence and useful
ness in the world. 1t is not an enemy
Of the Church. 1t also teaches US to be
sympathetic to one another. All along
the ages we find weak, puny men scat
tering their brains against the
WALLS OF MAsONY,
but il still stands, aud ever will stand. "
Referring TO his first proposition
how 70 raise the necessary money-he
called attention TO the fact that Wheel
/ ing is the metropolis OF the State, yet
i'm the little town Of Charleston
tho MaSOns are going 10
put up a $4,000 Temple,
while Wheeling MaSouS still hold their
meetings in the third story OF a bust
ness house. The State Grand Lodge
has always been located here, but now
il is on wheels for the simple reason
that there is uOta suitable Temple. For
MasOEs TO meet upstairs in Shanty Is
q disgrace 10 Masonry, The speaker
thought il could be demonstrated that
the stock would pay in years to come.
If so, why not push it ahead at once?
Mr.. j.. D. Ewing was the next 10 ad-
dress the audience. His opening re-
marks were in a humorous vein, and
put everybody in good humor. He said
be proposed for the benefits Of the
ladies present 20 give away the secrets
Of Masonry, and told OF how he came TO
Wheeling from little village, and was
Initiated into its mysteries. Be
fore he crossed the threshold
of the lodge room, he learned that
Mason must recognize and believe in
the existence of an Almighty God.
When he became q member he found
that every brother must stand up for
his honor, and he for theirs, and that the
same protection was guaranteed TO every
member of his family. All Masons are
good men, but some are not as good as
they should be; but he had never known
man, however base, to 90 back on that
obligation of Masonry. He also learned
that MasOns would extend
HELP TO THE DISTRESSED.
"This cry raised by the committee
for money to defray the expense Of
erecting a new Temple is the cry OF
distress, not only of one Mason, but of
every Mason in the city of Wheeling.
Now, brothers, to the rescue
The next thing upon the programme
was short addresses upon the general
welfare Of Masonry. Under this head,
DR.. w. II. Curry was first called upon.
He said he had a double reason perhaps
for feeling interested in the matter. lie
came 20 this city five years ago, and
was born and raised In Masonry in
Wheeling. Had il not been for the
kindness OF the brothers here, he would
still be an ophan, as far as Masonry
was concerned. He was no longer
- l.
not satisfied, but wanted 10 get In a bet
ter place. He took for granted that
these short talks were more for action
than words, and he pledged his hearty
support in the Temple project. He
would give every dollar that he could
and would raise as many more.
Mr.. ). c. Stephenson was next called
upon. He thought il unnecessary 10
make any comment upon the necessity
for a Temple. III that was necessary,
he would call attention TO the fact that
Wheeling is the metropolis OF the State,
a city whose resources are not known
by great many people living within it.
de thought Masonry should have tit
abiding place. The proposed Temple
would be a monument To departed
Masons, and would infuse new life into
the fraternity. lie hoped the meeting
would arouse renewed energy, that all
might stand together as one man in the
glorious work.
Mr.. Jas. Maxwell was called upon
He pleaded a severe cold and was eX-
cused. Alfred PAUL was the next
speaker. lie said they were heartily
ashamed of the present quarters, and
knew the necessity for building. With
an earnest and united effort, the work
could easily be accomplished. After
more music, the last speaker Of the
evening, Rev. DR.. A. b. Rlker, pastor
Of the Fourth Street NJ. Z. Church, was
introduced.
DIR. RIRER's ADDRESS
was a splendid effort, and lie kept the
undivided attention of the audience.
He thought il perfectly natural that
church man should be an enthusiastic
Mason. He dwelt at considerable
length upon the ancient origin Of Ma
sonry. The MaSons were temple-build-
ers in all the history Of the past, ana
have been associated with the church in
aU their practical work. All the great
buildings Of early times were
erected by them. They had great
thoughts and passwords, which as
they came down the ages, were
polished and crystalized. "A body Of
men," he said, carrying the name OF
these people OF the past, are welded to
the idea of building, and l do not see
how the four hundred Masons OF Wheel
ing could consent TO perform their work
in the fourth story Of some business
hov.a