Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-07-20
A MASONIC TEMPLE.
THE HOME WHICH THE VERMONT
MASONS WILL SOON HAVE.
Reasons why 1t Should be Located In
burlington and why 1t should be Fay
ing Investment-Other Towns Making
Bids for the Temple.

The subject OF building a Masonic temple
for Vermont has been discussed to consd-
abo extent by both Masons and profane
since June, 1888, at which time Grand
Master Alfred A. Hall called attention TO 1T
in his address to the grand lodge then in sea-
sion and recommended the appointment OF
committees by the several grand Masonic
bodies of the State and the Masonic bodies
of Burlington that they might confer and
report at the next annual meetings Of tho
grand bodies; the grand lodge and one of
the lodges in this city appointed such COM
mttees. Col. Halls recommendation was
strens thened in 1890 by ID. n. Nicholson,
then grand lecturer, who in his address ut
the annual meeting OF the district deputy
grand masters, forcibly set forth the neces-
sity Of prompt action in the matter, giving
most excellent reasons therefor. Ia 1891 it
was again alluded to by DIR. w. s. Nay,
grand lecturer, in his address before the dis
trct deputies. Meantime nothing further
was done save the renppoiutment of the
committees above referred to until 1892,
when q committee was appointed by an
other grand body, and this year, as has
been stated in these columns, resolutions
were offered by Col. Hall and adopted by
the several grand bodies empowering the
first four officers of each body to invest such
an am ount Of the funds as they shall see fit
in temple building.
The time is coming when Vermont will
have Masonic temple, and from the very
fact that the constitution OF the grand lodge
provides that it shall hold its annual com
municatous in this city aud has done for
more than score of years lie prima facie
evidence, that the Masons of Vermont con
slider Burlington the place to erect a tenn
PIE. But il the Masons Of the city are 4 OF
in terest sd sufficiently to appoint commit
tees to take the matter in hand, somo other
pace will no doubt be selected, even though
Iuconvenient. some one must lead and
when the matter is fully understood others
will follow. There are ways IN which
temple can be built and not be begging
institution" but rather yield a good rev.
enue. ut is believe! that by making it q
stock company it will b, an easy matter for
the grand bodies and Masonic bodies Of Bur
lington and private individuals who would
in terest Themselves to carry stock sufficient
to provide ample means, and that the in
vestmeut will be paying one If conducted
upon business principles. "
In connection with this arrangement It
should be definitely settled that each OF the
Masonic bodies in Burlington should rent
q long term OF years, thus contributing to
the revenue of the whole The balance of
tho rooms in the upper stories would readily
rent for other purT o.es, aud the ground
floor should he finished for stores, which
with the growth OF our city aud its increased
manufactures could b, quickly leased at a
paying rental. The building would be a
credit to the city, u credit to the State and
credit TO the Masonic fraternity. a
proper officer woIli then be in attendance
ut the temple during oaic, hours. The Ma
sonic library would rapidly increase and it
would open the way to the brethren from
all parts Of ths State to avail Themselves Of
the fund of Masonic Information contained
in the books thsrs kept
| In short it would be the Msson's home Of
| Vermont, with the privilege of inviting
! their friends not members OF the order to
view the interior and learn from its anthem
tic histories that the principles of Masonry
are based on good and sure foundation.
Such Temples have been erected in many
other jurls Lotions and are to-day the pride
of tho fraternity.
Tho Masons Of Burlington have one COM
mon purpose and the unanimity of feel
ing which exists among them makes them
n power in all their laudable under tax ngs
and now they need the backing of our city,
which like some other towns in the State
may see ft to offer some inducemcnt in the
way of a site for the temple. They also
need the assistance CT some capita Lists no
will take stock as an investment There is
no reason why the temple building would
not net ca good au income as other build
ingj which have been erected here. 1t
should be seen at once that steps are taken
to insure its erection