Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-07
CORNERSTONE LAID.
IMPOSING CEREMONIES IN coNNec-
TON WITH THE MASONIC HOME.
Grand Master FIcasants Presides and
Hon. II. r. w. Duke Makes
Splendid Address.

u MA. n grand gathering OF Masons
that attended the ceremonies incident TO
The LAYING OF the cornerstone OF the
Masonic Home yesterday afternoon. On
account OF the snow the exercises were
held IN the Grand-Lodge room at the Ma
sonic Temple instead OF on the ground.
The ceremonies were conducted by the
Grand Lodge. which marched in the hall
an fun regalia. headed by Grsnd-Master
peasants. who was master OF ceremonies.
ana tho other grand officers. To delight
ful strains OF music by the Blues Band
the orphan boys OF the home. with bright
faces and neatly clad. marched upon the
stage amid the applause OF the assem-
blagc.
The Ladies' Auxiliary. who raised over
$1,000 TO the erection Of the spiehoid
new building. occupied seats on the Stage
as ala a number of others Interested IN
the cause OF Masonry.
THE EXERCISES BEGIN.
All Of the grand officers present oceu-
piod their usual positions. NhiIe 'he
band was playing pixie Captain A. u
pabcock. founder OF the Masonic Home,
who is now an invalid. was rolled INTO
the room ,ipon n whee-chair by four
high-degree Masons. His chair was lifted
upon the stage. and as his snowy head
was observed among those or the iads OF
the institution created by MN 'here was
oud and prolonged applause.
Tho exercises were after the prescribed
r,tu,l and the printed programme was
carried out. Rev. George II. Ray. acting
Grand chaplain, offered prayer, Colonel
10 Lane stern discharged the duties OF
chief marshal. and the audience, led by
rooiain =. W Cunningham. sang seye-
-aI suitable selections. one OF them being
TO Heavens High Architect MI
Praise"
Tho block and fall under which the
cornerstone was laid was erected IN the
northeast corner Of the room. and TO II
he grand master. accompanied by the
grand secretary and grand treasurer
went and superintended the placing In
,osltion Of the box After an examine
lion OF the work and the delivery OF the
rrand masters address. in which the
cornerstone was pronounced true
,rustv. and well laid" Contractor Thomas
received the working tools, and Major
A T. Courtney, the vice-president. al
tho rcauest Of Captain Babcock. the
president. accepted the work In q short
and graceful three-minute speech. lie
saId the building would be pushed as
rapidly as possible and the board would
be glad when It was ready 20 receive the
orphans Of Virginia Masons.
JUDGE DUKES GRAFTON.
Hon. r. T. ". Duke was the orator OF
tho occasion. ana hts address was fine
one. he began by abiding to the TACT
that the spot upon which the home was
20 be erected suggested memories. The
- - Ia
hack tho ghosts Of thirty years egone.
The home itself was a reality made posi-
be bv the generosity OF Brother n q.
Eabcock. TO whose virtues and libaraliiy
ne speaker paid glowing tribute, which
he audience chocred heartily. The home
sugpostci possibilities WATCH quiCkened
tho pIlse and stirred the heart as the
vast good 10 be- done 10y 1t was realized.
His theme WAS Poverty" in It's three
forms-of the body. OF the mind. and OF
ne soul Poverty-physical, mental
spiritual.
The speaker then dwelt for short
while upon the blessings poverty had
brought to the world In literature, art.
&c and upon its power MS one Of Gods
orcncies for the material salvation OF
men. The tendency OF the human race
was % rise higher with each generation.
Gods plan was slow. Like the weavers
~ the Gobelin tapestry-who work ever
al the reverse NJ the pattern-man dld
not see the perfectness Of Gods plan until
Il was completed. but in the speakers
opinion the study Of lifes darker side
was most useful. He believed poverty
was to b. studied. aleviated, but not 10
ha considered as only an evil The rear
OF poverty for ourselves or those we
Iove-the want Of something material or
nf
centives to human action.
A HIGHER NAME.
Poverty also had a higher name for It's
existence. BY 1t mans spiritual life was
elevated Charity and love were its fos-
ter children. The true plan of giving was
to be carefully considered. and as the
material was helped the moral and spirit
nal was 10 be aided. Character was 10
be built up: tho vicious were to be con-
trolled by force II need be; places sought
and made for those willing TO work. The
immigration of the idle and depraved OF
other nations was to be checked entirely
The self-respeCt of the assisted was not
10 be destroyed by making them feel
that they were degraded 10y being helped.
All men were borrowers. In thought as
well as in the material things OF me-
each generation borrowed of the past.
OF the home In building up the character
OF the young. and passed to the conside-
ration Of heart and soul poverty.
WHAT TO GIVE.
In concluding his speech, which was an
excellent one and literally applauded
judge Duke said:
BE not satisfied with having given OF
your substance to add your fellow-man.
Give your hearts, your intellects.
your zeal. and earnest effort each
day 10 aid and elevate these
your poorer brethren who need your ala
IN temporal and spiritual things. Let
the memories Of the grander days Of the
fathers mi your hearts. the realities or
this earthly life stir each spirit. and for
get not the grand possibility which awaits
each listener here. that II Is his In this
life by love and faith to lay the corner
stone OF that spiritual temple that home
not made with hands, eternal In the
Heavens