The morning call., 1893-10-13
WITH DUE RITES.
The Grand Masonic Order
Lays the Stone
FOR A CHURCH AT ALAMEDA.
An Interesting Masonic Ceremony
Witnessed By Very Large
Number of People.

The cornerstone Of the First Unitarian
Church of Alameda was laid yesterday oy
the grand officers Of the Masonic order Of
California, Grand Master a. ". Conklin
presiding.
The ceremony was an extremely inter-
estipg one. for it was performed with all
the Masonic rites appropriate to the ocea-
sion.
'It has been the custom for Masons from
tine immemorlak" said the grand master
in his opening speech, ito assemble To
gether for the purpose of laying founda-
tion. stones when required TO do so By
those having authority"
Rev. George K. Dodson. the pTesump-
tive minister of the new building, pro-
nounced the address Of welcome 10 the
Masons. In speaking of the doctrine TO be
taught he said: I'VE hope to have a
church which aims to be as broad as Truth
nseIf-a guide to our intelligence. a law
for our lie and hope for our souls.
A. u. Conklin stated that he had been
called there in the capacity OF grand mas
ter Of the Grand Lodge Of California, the
request of the Uuitarians having been ex-
pressed through the Oak Grove Lodge OF
Alameda.
The brother junior grand warden was
then requested TO repeat 10 the brethren
the contents Of sealed copper ooX, and
that officer, rising 70 comply. read ilst
containing fourteen items. Among the
articles named were reports Of Unitarian
associations; a description OF the new
church; sermon Dy Rev. .. Dodson;
report of the PariameD. Of Religions. aud
copies OF the daily papers.
The junior grand warden having
afTirmed that these articles were indeed
safely contained in the box, that
of stone and Grand Master COnkiin
formally placed tie mortar upon it with
his troWel.
Deputy Grand Master II. s. Orne being
asked what was his most valued instru-
meUt replied, "the square," whereupon
the grand master ordered him to apply
mis- square 10 the stone and see If ii had
been worlhily adjusted. The deputy
grand master complied by carefully
measuring the cornerstone with silver
square, and then announced that the work
If the craftsmen had been skillfully per-
formed.
Tie grand master and Grand Senior
Warden I. B. Stevens went through the
same Formally with regard to using the
level. after which Junior Grand Warden
L. b. Preston applied the plumb. Grand
Master CoDkIIn then declared the corner
stone laid, adding the hope tha. the build
ing might be completed By the craftsmen
iD peace, love and harmony. Corn, wine
and oil were then poured over the work.
Grand Chaplain Rev. Rabbi Yoorsanger
in his prayer, which followed, asked that
the house might become a temple IN
which Gods children shall learn that even
though IDEAS may separate them, all may
recognize that God lives" and he added
the hope may the lodges of California be
consecrated to such good work as h0noring
the Grand Master Of the Universe"
Grand Orator Eugene \. Degprey made
speech, alluding to the fact that the Ma
sonic craft of ages gone by we're builders
who had raised some OF the grandest tem-
=. Dles on the face Of the civilized globe, and
he concluded with: I'VE wish 20 you who
are to occupy this structure The greatest
good and happiness in all the efforts which
you may put forth.
Rev. c. w. Nendte, who spoke next,
said that it might be asked why a new
church was to be added to the many al
ready in Alameda. sit is for the many"
he said, "wbo have broken with the
religions OF the past, and yet cherish belief
in future life. q church for such as these
is not sufficiently represented in the de-
nomination around u.s." The speaker
then made some statements regarding the
tenets held by Unitarians. and alluded
VIII pIcd5OEt 70 lEE ldbL tUdI Lie saw Oh
the platform members Of all the lodges in
the State. from SiskiyOu to San Diego.
Rev. Horatio Stebblns dwelt upon the
good taste displayed by the architect In his
plans for the church, and the discretion OF
its founders in avoiding debt
Charles a. MurdocK spoke of Alameda
In the early sixties, stating how little he
ever expected at that time to live to see a
church erected In the wilds where be used
10 picnic and practice targetshooting.
Rev. l.. M. Sprague urged mot to have
this temple given 10 theological discus
sion. Make il wide and free TO include
the whole human race, whoever shall
come"
This young minister apd this young
church are laying the cornerstone Of their
home" said Rev. L. Z. Payne, in his ad-
dress, wherein ne dWelt uDon the work
that lies before Rev. George r. Dodsou.
The ceremonies were completed with the
singing Of the doxology By all present, led
: by quartet of male voices, conducted by
Grand Organist S. ID. Mayer. The Mason 5
then partOok or a collation. provided by
the ladies Of the Unity Circle of the First
Unitarian Church.
In addition to those above mentioned the
following officers took part in the cere-
monies: Grand Secretary George John
son, Grand Treasurer William johnson,
Grand Marshal G. w. Filkins. Grand
Deacon II. a. Kelley, Grand Junior
Deacon S. a. Earle, Grand Lecturer Z. G.
Hare, Grand Sword Bearer S. Prayer,
Grand Stewards r. c. Irvine and |. l.
Jones. Grand Bible Bearer K. Bright
Grand Tyler j. Ogilve.