New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-02
A VETERAN HONORED.
a COMPLIMENTARY DINNER RENDERED
TO RIGHT woRsIHPFJTL THEoPHILUs
PRArT-A FERMENTATION AND MANY
CONGRATULATIONS UPON HIS
'EN E\TIETH RIRTHDAy

The many brethren who acquainted with r W
Brother Pratt know that he Is veteran and has
oeen tMost venerable of the Veteran Association
They have heard him talk OF the Old times OF the
long ago-of the times when had two Grand
Lodges In this State. and Of many very old Masons
In tho dim 1t Is known that he was the ma ster
OF Puritan Lodge long. long ago: It Is known thar
he was the first master of Alma Lodge. but Just
how old "Our The Is not known before
last Friday. when few of his friends dis
covered that he seventy years Old and
made arrangements nttingly celebrate the
event by rendering this veteran craftsman n
complimentary dinner at Peterles-by- the-Sea. at
Newborn. Staten Island. The day and the evening
were among the many rainy and dsagrceable days
which abounded In last month. yet large number
of brethren gathered to honor this prominent and
esteemed veteran. II most enjoyable affair.
and entirely informal About fifty brethren had
gathered. bent only upon showing their love and
esteem for X. W. Brother Pratt and enjoying the
present moment in each others company.
BY unanimous consen, r. w. William J. McDon-
aid was called upon to preside and act as toast
master. and when the excellent dinner provided by
mine host Peterle had been disposed Of and the
coffee and cigars were handed around Brother Nc
Donald called upon r. W. James 8. Manning to
state tho object Of the gathering Brother Manning
said in part II say with equal truth that those
who here and the day and the guest OF the even
ing bound by the enderest ties of friendship and
brotherly love. We have gathered with purpose
to express our love and esteem for guest. No
around this table but is happy and re-
jolces In the friendship OF this brother and we are
truly grateful to him for the good example set to
the younger members Of the craft We rejoice In his
life. rejoice in all he did for Masonry FOR the
Masonry of the long as well as to-day. FOR the
true Mason never tires. but Is imbued with its
teaching from the moment he beholds true Masonic
light until the moment the earthly light IL smut out
from his vision and he beholds the radiance of an
everlasting glory. Brother Pratt has been true
Mason hence a true friend he has made many
brethren happy with his friendship. and they have
profted by it, and we have gathered tonight TO ex
press our thanks for this and show in some tang
BILE way our appreciation of his many valuab bic ser
vices to thank you. Brother Pratt for the past ana
10 wish you many happy years OF future health ana
happiness. am proud to have been selected as the
spokesman for all these brethren and TO tell You
for them how much we love you. | am proud of the
honor to be able tell YOU all this, and also to read
a few of the many letters that were received by IA
expressing the best and kindliest wishes for YOU.
Here about hundred letters were produced, but
only few read, TO show the tenor Of the rest.
one from NJ. w ]. Edward Simmons. p. G. NJ:
from r w Claudin F. Beatty d. D.. OF the Fourth;
another from r. W. John G. Barker, past grand
librarian. and from r. W. Herman Cantor and other
prominent brethren.
In reply r. w. Pratt said 1T Is not fair of You
to have me nveglei down here in this manner.
Brother Miller had told me that some other fellow
was 10 be the victim. and came to do honor to
some one else. II have done anything You are
proud OF. to he proud OF il. too. so long
my friends satisfied with my conduct. II i
have friend cling to him. ana always have: I:
this deserves any credit. then. indeed, should
all share II. If have done anything that merits all
this honor. then feel that have not lived in vain.
and feel truly era ,ef you all and hope to live
to continue to deserve your love and your es
TEEN. | have much In Masonry during nearly
the half-ce2tury OF membership. and while have
been dSaDpOinteQ In | rejoice In
saying that have been more than pleased and re-
warded for what little good may have done in the
craft"
r. w. Mcdowell the new ID. ID. Of the Twen-
ty-sevenh District introduced and sad:
"You have invaded my district. We are small In
number. but give way to none in loyalty TO the
craft. its tenets and its teachings. We honor this
veteran brother tonight and am proud 10 he here
with YOU but ask you to come down again and see
VIVA. We have here Staten Island, and promise |
you an excellent welcome from all the brethren Of
the Twenty seventh District" X W. George !
Too2 spoke for the veterans of Alma Lodge NJ '. |
George W Thurber. president OF the Masonic Vet
Grams spoke for that association OF honored CRAFTS
men, He said: IL have known Our The for nearly |
fifty years. and in all that time have known him
az an honest man. uprigh; citizen and good and
true Mason. | proud of the opportunity To say
this for who has been my frieni and brother all
these years" Il. W. Anleck when called upon said:
Sixteen to one will knock out all the other speak
i a
NJ s-McDonald. Manning and Miller-to come
here. / intended to go Atlantic City, but as
did not have money enough 10 90 there, obeyed
the commands of the brethren and came Brother
Affleck continued in This humorous manner, and
wound up by heartily congratulating the guest Of
the evening II. W. Brother Cie then spoke. He
said: ITO say that / am pleased to be here does
express my feelings | am more than glad TO con-
gra iulate only upon your SEVENTEEN birth
day, but more upon this manifestation of esteem IN
ms deathbed said: I VIII be better known hundred
years from now. Masons do not wait long. They
appreciate good brother who faithfully works for
the good and benefit of humanity and Masonry"
X ". Rollin NJ Morgan then addressed the breth-
and ! am glad Of the opportunity to say this in pub
lie II IS unusual to see scene IKE this; to see
OF their number and we have no decrept old man
love and full Of the milk of human kindness iiIled
with all the enthusiasm OF young Mason. and who
he hearts, of his hn and
mounted cane and fine umbrella were presented 70
quarter OF 1926 is sunk and on the other side one of
as' ds wn %am Ms pretty and
Cd him with beautiful matchbox Of peculiar design.
Sad " sd fS" W 1ay e. of RrSh
tribute to the honored guest He said: You may
h F0ns re MN s@ hS just ana oar a h
n ne of Se 5SEs Of h he will be
He is ons who Is known a man whose word Is his
5s Roer Kogrs Se master a of xma
Lodge spoke for his lodge. and said: 1T is difficult
headed craftsmen, brethren VINO have grown gray
In the service Of Masonry, but wish to express. the
bred of our members, We know him, and
n work ana 1t is J psdasng r for me
nd cnr ohe F" Asr aSo
eugene brown Commando Of Morton C5nman5eTy
poke in feeling terms answering for Morton No
brother Pratt IS seventy and take him for
rfp "A