The herald., 1896-02-23

based upon the necessities of our being,
and is founded upon the wants common to
all men everywhere. Its wisdom is inspir-
alton. Its strength is eternal truth 1t is
clothed with the beauty of divine favor.
"And standing here today, upon the
verge OF the Western world, here upon the
shore OF the great Pacific ocean, where we
almost feel its waves break upon our
shore, looking out upon its waters stretch
ing far to the west, until it merges into the
east of the old world, standing here where
the setting sun paints the sky of the even
ing as the day fades from the western con-
tinent and at the same time heralds the
coming morn to the people inhabiting the
land where our ancient brethren gathered
together as Masons in the very dawn of
civilization, we are today placing in posi-
ton and dedicating the foundation stone of
q Masonic temple.
"StandiDg here and remembering this is
but temple built by the wayside of that
long path of work stretching down until it
is lost in the dim elimmerngs of supersti-
ton beyond history or q written language
standing here to build up an institution
to do the work that we perform, is, l say, to
all of us matter of great importance. 1t
is something that our citizens have right
to come out and congregate and witness,
for we expect through this to carry on our
work here to better results.
"Fellow citizens and Masons, we are
engaged in work here today that is of
deep interest to us as Masons, and of great
Importance to the community, and may |
say this: that the efficiency of any organ
ization is measured entirely by the charac-
ter of the individuals that form it. You
cannot, as an organization, elevate a party,
or church, or any community of people
above the average grade of the character
of the people who constitute its members.
And the success of Masonry comes heavily
and should be appreciated by every Mason,
to do the work and conduct himself at all
times in accordance with the principles
and the teachings that are announced in
our lodges.
"This corner stone is to be laid according
to the forms and ceremonies of the august
body who is here to perform that duty.
II thank you all for your attention, and
ask of you the charity to think of me, not
as the orator of this occasion, but as
Mason called out of the ranks, or citizen
called in here to talk upon this OCCASION
(Applause.)
AN IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY
Following Judge Bcknel's address came
the solemn ceremonies incidental to all
formal Masonic corner stone layines.
The grand master, addressing the senior
grand warden, said: 'Brother Senior
Grand Warden: 1t has been the custom
among the Fraternity of Free and Accept
ed Masons, from time immemorial. to as
semble for the purpose of laying the found
alton stones of public buildings, when re-
quested to do SO by those having authority.
The Grand Lodge of the state of California
having been invited by the board of trus-
tees to lay the corner stone of this tenn
pie, and it appearing tc be one of the
proper occasions for such service as above
mentioned. that body has by order been
here convened, and it is my will and pleas.
ure that it do now assist me in the per-
4 tt,ot A.txr
will communicate to the junior grand war
den, with instructions that he thus inform
the craft, that they and all others here
present may be duly notified hereof"
The senior grand warden continued the
order to the junior grand warden as fol-
lows:
'Brother Junior Grand Warden: 1t is the
will and pleasure of our most worshipful
grand master that the grand lodge of Cali
fornia do now assist in laying the corner
stone of this reform school to be erected by
the state of California. This you will COM
muncate to the brethren, that they and all
others assembled may have due and timely
notice of his order"
The junior grand warden repeated the
order to the assemblage as follows:
"Brethren: 1t is the will and pleasure of
the most worshipful grand master of ma
sons in the state of California, that the
grand lodge thereof do proceed with the
reform school to be erected by the state of
California. OF this you will take due notice
and govern yourselves accordingly
The grand master, addressing the grand
treasurer, will say:
"Brother Grand Treasurer: II has ever
been the custom of the Craft, upon occa-
sions like the present, to deposit within "a
cavity in the stone placed at the northeast
! corner of the edilce certain memorials of
the period at which it was erected; so that
| if. in the lapse of ages, the fury of the ele-
ments, the violence of man or the slow but
certain ravages of time should lay bare its
foundations, an enduring record may be
found by succeeding generations to bear
| testimony to the untiring, unending indus
| try of the Free and Accepted Masons. Has
such deposit now been prepared?"
| The grand treasurer responded:
1T has, most worshipful grand master,
| and the various articles Of which it is COM