The Newtown bee., 1894-09-14

J INV. NJ. r. J. >rrnorN, OF RISING SUN LODGE. been looking forward and preparing for this centennial celebration of it's history. However, they were not downcast but went ahead with the festivities as planned. A large tent had been erected on the creamery grounds, in which the exercises were to have been held, but on account of the down-pour of rain the afterdinner speaking took place in the creamery. building around the dinner tables.
 Despite the rain people began to arrive at Washington Depot by teams at an early hour. The morning train south from I.itchfeld brought large delega- tion, but the special train from the south on the Shepaug came in with Il hundred CT more passengers. A goodly delega- ton from Clinton Commandery of South Norwalk, with band of music, were present to act as escort to Rising Sun lodge, but the parade about the village was omitted on account of the rain. Shortly after 1 o'clock the exercises in the tent began, Worshipful Master F. J.. kilborn being the pre- siding officer.
 Among those who occupied seats on the platform were Past Grand Master John II. Barlow of shelton, R. w. Ford of Hartford, Rev Mir Whipple of Marble dale, Rev Mir Humphrey of Roxbury, Judge Guy C. Ford, the historian of the day, Dea Baldwin, Key Mir Fair and Rev k. W. Woodruff of Washington, Rev MT Still and Editor Bolles of New Milford, John Drowne of New Hartford, member of Amos Beecher lodge No. l2, and dis trict deputy for Litchfeld county, and Peter Decker, Arthur Wheeler, George w. Raymond, Christian Swartz and James B. Wildman, members of Clinton Commandery. The prayer of invoca- ton offered by Rev Ralph W. Bowles of Huntington, was beautiful one, as fol lows:
 co God of braham, Isaac and Jacob God of our Fathers, we yield Thee humble hno hoarty thanks that hundred years ago Thou didst move and inspire our brothers to asso ciate themselves together for the promotion of every social and moral virtue, and that by they Instituted, with faith and trust in Thee is transmitted to this living generation. Ac cspt Lord, our hearty tribute of praise fol nll the good this lodge has wrought througl the vtctssitudes of the century, whose close we celebrate today; for every tear 1t ha' dried for every burden it has lightened, fol every bond of sympathy and fraternity 1t has woven around human hearts, and Tor every noble and manly aspiration with whichi has inspired and uplttted It's members to become better men, better fathers, husbands, brother, Lord, unto Thy servants to whom the ricl heritage Of the long past Is now committed that sense ot responsibility, that intelligence of and zeal for the lofty and righteous prtnci plGS Of their ancient and honorable order which shall inspire and impel them to con tinue and extend the work of their Fathers whose Zeal and integrity and sacrifices they commemorate to-day. Direct us LOrd in al our doings this day with Thy most gracious favor, and further us with Thy continual help May 1t please Thee to grant Thy divine assis tanco tO and pour Thy blessing upon all wh' are to conduct and lead in the exercises O this important and memorable occasion command Thy Fatherly benediction upon al rank and degrees of our beloved order, hell to relieve the distressed, to exemplit! "every moral and social virtue" and to st faithfully serve our day and generation il our lodge below, that may finish ou course with joy, and obtain an entrance int' the Perfect Lodge above. All which we hum ply ask tor Thy Greet Names sake. Amen So mote it be. Amen.
 In the following few brief but wei chosen words, Mir Kilborn welcomed tn, visitors:
 Most worshipful grand master, righ worshipful officers of the grand lodge 0 the state of Connecticut, eminent com manders, officers and Sir Knights O Clinton commandery, No. 3, now visit ing at the birthplace of your command cry, worshipful masters and brethren o King Solomon's lodge, No. z, St Paul lodge No. II, Federal lodge, St Peter, lodge No. 2l, who each furnished Masonic material for rebuilding ou Masonic temple here, individual breth ren from other lodges to the clergy anC representatives of the press, in the nam' of Rising Sun lodge No. P, greet you with fraternal greeting and welcome yor to the festivities of our centennial ami versary. And to those without tho order who have taken the interest to Dc with us on this occasion, I greet you ont and all, thanking you for your kind at. tendance and heartily welcome you to our festivities.
 He then introduced the historian of the day, Hon Guy c. Ford, who delivered a carefully prepared and able address l: Judge Ford spoke substantially as fol. lows:
 It is with very great regret that I am unable on this occasion to present you a full and complete history of the Rising Sun lodge previous to the 24th day oi June, 1924. The two first volumes of its records unfortunately being lost, all oi It's history shall be able to present you previous to that date in drawn from the old treasurer's book, which fortunately has been preserved, and from this imper- feet source must be drawn a most imper- feet history of it's beginning and work foI many years.
 Although we may not be able to trace the old lodge with that accuracy of de. tail wLich would be desirable on an oc. caslon like the present, yet allow me tc congratulate you my brethren, that the Rising Sun Lodge has completed 10( years of It's existence. Truly magnifi cent period, three generations as human life is measured. What almost countless mutations physically, morally and social. ly during that term of it's existence, have taken place, changes of which the world took, perhaps, little heed at the time many almost imputable, and received as duly in the course of events. But taker as matters of little moment as they came from the distance of 100 years they are startling, magnificent and almost appall. Ing.
 But not only is Rising Sun Lodge to bs