The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-04-19
CAPT. MILLS LETTER
His Response to the Toast "The Grand
Lodge" at the Banquet
TO HIS BROTHER MASONS
The Great Work the Order Has
Wrought In M ontana-1 he Vet
eran Editor Regrets hat
He Can't attend.

The address of Grand Master James II.
Mills at the banquet of the Masonic
lodges of Deer Lodge and Anaconda as
a beautiful piece of literature. such as
might be expected from the pen OF the
gifted editor of the New Northwest In
its early days. The letter ran:
Mr.. POSTMASTER and Brethren:
..Regretting that circumstances prevent
the pleasure of meeting with you at Ia
Dor or refreshment on this occasion SO
happily exemplfying that harmony ana
fraternity which Masonry inspires ana
inculcates. / take this opportunity and
method of thanking you sincerely on pc
half of myself and all members Oh the
grand lodge for the courtesy OF remem-
brance and a toast to the legislative and
administrative body of the order, and to
personally thank you for your kindness
in designating me to respond to the same
I can conceive of no more gracious priVl-
lege than that of speaking for the grand
lodge of Masons of Montana, ana whhe
deprived OF the pleasure of meeting you
personally still cannot resist the desire
to say at least a few words this evening
in response and greeting.
THE theme brings to vision the great
work Masonry has wrought In Montana
since the first informal lodge was opened,
held and closed a third of century ago
on the summit of the Rocky mountains,
not far from where you will be assem-
bled and which meeting was the germ
and nucleus from which grew, ana
around which clustered, the law ana or
der sentiment that heroically braved all
perils. dared do and did all things that
were right and true and for the good of
man, and established on enduring foun-
datlons In Montana that civilization and
fraternity which we now enjoy.
1T calls TO memory not only the pres
ent organization in the state of that great
fraternity which has taught practically
the brotherhood of man wherever civili-
cation has shed its radiance around the
earth but II brings up with memories
tender and dear the long line of Illus
trious men and Masons whom in this Ju-
risdiction their fellow-craftsmen have ex-
allied to the east. All and each of these
IL has been my good fortune to personally
know and esteem. Many of them happily
survive to labor still among us. but 9TH
ers have laid down forever the working
tools of life and the sprig of acacia has
been dropped from tremulous hands TO
lie on the peaceful breasts of Hall, of
Duncan, of Pomeroy, of Anderson, of
Hickman and other good men and true
who intoxicated and practiced the Ma
sonic virtues years agone amid these
grand old mountains and have gone to
tect of the universe beyond the vision of
mortal eyes.
"Of our grand lodge to-day I speak
to-day with grateful appreciation In say
ing that its other members are Jealous,
active and skillful in the discharge of
their duties, and have most cordially and
fraternally upheld the hands of him upon
whom has devolved the duties of grand
master for the current Masonic year
And OF the craft generally / may say
there is not to my knowledge a ripple
upon the tranquil sea of Masonry. The
subordinate lodges are harmonious and
prosperous to a degree that is gratifying
indeed, and that has not probably been
surpassed since Masonry was established
in Montana
And now, brethren bearing in mind
that most of you are my juniors in years
and that old age is inclined to grow gar
rulous with either tongue or pen, / again
thank you for the honor bestowed in per-
hitting me to respond on this occasion
to THE Grand Lodge of Montana" and
trust the brethren OF Deer Lodge and
Acacia lodge will ever be close to each
other as they are tonight. May you all
live faithful to the principles and tradi-
tions of that great science of morality,
yelled in allegory and illustrated by beau
tiful symbols. which has come down to
us from the building of the temple, and
which / believe is destined to survive In
increasing beneficence until time shall be
no more.
II wish you all a most enjoyable occa-
sion."