Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-11-26
THE MASONIC HOME.
Its Great work-A Plea for More
Liberal support.


Richmond. Va, November Is, 1896.
To the Editor of the Dispatch;
IN view OF the meetings OF the
Grand Masonic bodies of Virginia,
deem Il not amiss TO say something about
The Masonic Home. an institution that
should occupy a warm place in the heart
OF every Mason in Virginia and | ask
that you kindly give this a place In your
paper. This home Is located something
over mile from the eastern limits OF
Richmond. on the beautiful farm Of
forty-four acres, donated by that big
hearted generous Mason, Sir knight
a. G.. Babcock now deceased. Beside the
farm. Mr. Babcock gave $4,000 In cash.
and this, with $4,000 given by the Ladies'
Masonic Home Auxiliary Association. Of
which that noble Christian woman. Mrs.
J. II. Capers, is president, and The sums
donated by subordinate lodges, chap
tiers, and communicates in the State.
enabled the Board Of Governors. provided
for in the charter. TO erect a magnificent
home for the care Of destitute children
OF deceased Masons. On a visit TO the
home (and a home II Is in reality. and
with a look into the bright and happy
faces Of the thirty-slx orphans now there
being educated and brought up. one can
institution. trust that every
Mason attending the grand bodies on
dates named above will visit the home.
feeling sure that such visit will engender
a deeper interest i'm its maintenance and
prosperity. Mrs. l.. r. AGREE. the matron.
is most excellent lady, and is eminently
qualified 10 fill the responsible post
ton she holds. Professor ii. j. Boggs
has charge Of the educational depart
fc ba yfoH In he iVN
place, being thoroughly equipped in the
art of training the young minds and
hearts entrusted to his care. The farm is
under the care of Mr.. Davis, a practical
farmer The boys and girls are given
a dual education, the former being taught
farming and the latter sewing, cooking.
ETC.. and are thus thoroughly trained TO
go out into life qualified to fill honorable
and useful positions in business and So
ciety. The writer met among the many
bright and happy childish faces at the
home those of six from my section of the
State, three of the inmates being the
children of Brother Groseclose, Of Lode
Lodge. No. 1Oi, Washington county. and
three of Companion Gregory's, Marion
Lodge. No. 81, Marion, Va.
These being all from the section west
OF Lynchburg, speaks well for the pros
perity of the craft in Southwest Virginia.
OF the 26l lodges in the State forty-three
hold life-membership in the home; of the
nfty-eght chapters three, and of the
twenty Communicates two, and l am
proud TO note that my lodge. Marion. No.
81: my commandery, Lynn, No. 8, Ma
Tion, Va, and Johnson COmmandery, 10.
Il, Bristol. are among those holding such
memberships. Sir-Knight y. r. Courtney,
a true and active Mason of this city, Is
president. and Sir-Knight {. A. Nespitt
Is the efficient and wide-awake secretary
of the Board of Governors of the Home,
which is composed of the following
prominent and exemplary Masons-viz:
b. r. Wexford. Jr., John S. Elicit, ).
Thompson Brown, julius Straus of Rich
mond; +. J. Weisiger, Manchester; G.. q.
Gooch. stanton; G. II. Ray and Thomas
n. Davis, Lynchburg; N. T. Patteson, Jr.'
s II. Worthngton. Petersburg; Harry
Hodges, Norfolk; j. II. Fisher, Alexan-
dria: T. II. Boisseau. Danville; Sam. W.
williams. Wytheville. On their thorough
and proper management of the home the
craft may confidently rely.
This home is a grand institution, and
the good it has done, is doing, and Will
do, in saving from sin. vice. and wrecked
lives our helpless orphans by throwing
around them the strong arm of Freema-
sonry and educating them to useful and
religious lives will stand as proud mon
ument
The Board Of Governors sacrifice much,
serving without compensation, besides be-
ing handicapped and worried in the man
agement of the home for want OF suih-
cient financial support This should not
be. and hence every subordinate body IN
the State sending representatives to the
grand bodies Of Virginia should instruct
them to act literally in response TO any
calls made by the board for help.
With fraternally greetings to the craft
Holm w RICHARDSON.