Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-05

never would have smiled In life In such
company. opposite the bust OF the mosl
dissolute and disgusting wretch tnat ever
bore the name of Louis. King OF france.
SO the world OF nations. the Same ola
world OF all time. honors alike SAINT anu
sinner. blood-thirsty warrior. or tehuel
hearted. true-souled patriots. since 10 her
hckle heart they have in some way en-
deared themselves or In her opinion mace
them worthy OF remembrance.
We meet tonight 10 unveil the features
OF one whose life-too brief-was but the
plain. everyday life OF a plain. simple
minded. honest man. He came and went
among his people nothing much above the
ordinary-a gallant soldier. a correct. up
right businessman. a faithful friend.
good Mason. loved. honored. respected by
the warm circle of those who knew him
well. but never knew until death had al
most set its seal upon his lips the great
, purpose that was ever broOding in his
heart. and which will keep his name dear
TO all Masons TO the end of time.
LISP AND LOVE HIS NAME.
Alexander G. Babcock. In the long.
long years TO come when the names OF
those Of us who meet here tonight are
but family marked lines upon yellow and
decaying registers. and when our fea-
lures will have forever passed from the
sight or remembrance OF men, this por-
trait will need no scroll 10 explain the
reason of its existence or 10 recall the
The voices of little children-the sweet
est. tenderest. truest of all earthly
voices-will throughout the long centuries
learn to lisp and love his name as from
the home his benehcence first founded
they come to bear witness of his thought
and love for them.
The Masons of Virginia. who owe 10
him. under God. the greatest charity they
have ever maintained. will place his name
high In that roll OF WORTHLESS which be-
gan with Hiram. and In our own state
holds Washington and John Marshall in
letters Of gold
would not have you think me extrava-
CANT. Nor would l. by placing In luX-
opposition with his the names OF these
iilustrious Masons and Nirginians. have
you believe that / unduly elevate him or
lower them.
The one stands alone. First in all
things human. within his circle none
dare walk bat he" The other. Americas
greatest jurist. one Of our Grand Mas
tiers. and the simplest, as he was one OF
the greatest OF men. They stand the
greatest names I'm Masonic registers. But
this I do say that the founding OF the
Masonic Home by Alexander Babcock
places him. as a Mason. alongside of any
man. no matter how exalted his position.
We are taught that Masonry respects no
man for his worldly wealth or honors.
and that II IS the internal not the eX-
tcrual. qualifications that We most re-
gard. Surely he who. in the depths or
his mind resolved 10 benefit humanity. 10
help the orphan child. the desOate widow.
and the aged man, and with the fixed
and steady purpose carried that resolu-
ton into reality and OF his hard-earned
savings gave not the 1.-THE but well-nigh
the whole TO SO noble a purpose, de-
serves wei Of his kind and amongst Ma
sons stands second TO no man.
In that day to come Of awful reckon
ing and glorious recOmpense. tie, VINO 50
many Of Us own az our Master and our
I 4r1I hot h.. rl.y hafh arfzrf n
even cup Of cold water to these little
ones shall In no wise lose his reward.
Across the veil separating time and eter-
nifty no human eye has ever looked 10
tell us what is the fate Of those who
loved their Creator and their fellow-man;
bat the eye Of faith. to whose sight there
is neither veil nor darkness. sees that
with them there. as here. all is vel, for
what in can there ever be in the sun
light Of the smile Of God?
his REWARD is SURE.
So. looking into the features here de-
pictcd. SO familiar 10 US all. | feel that
we need not fear fOrgetfulness Of him.
either Of man or God His reward is sure
az his earthly Immortality is secure.
Earthly immortalIty-strange contradic-
tion Of terms-and yet it is here, here or
this earth that man must win immor-
talty If it be won al all. Here life must
evolve Immortality out OF death.
] do not know If the dead ever come
~ 4
and the woe, and the sin and shame. the
suffering and deep agony Of even the best
and purest lives here viii keep the blessed
from ever again desiring 10 tread the un-
sanctified earth. And yet | love 10 think
that sometimes they may come back
sometimes when the incense of prayer
has purified our sin-tainied ether ana
the holiness OF some great deed has made
the ground indeed holy srOund. when
from the heart sacred and precin~. mem
orles exale, driving away all that is base
and unhOiy and impure. then II may be
that those who were once ours. and now
are Gods return for a moment 10 touch
us with the waiting OF an angelic wing
and strengthen us with an influence OF
sacred presence. If such a moment can
be given to earth. II seems 20 me that
in each recurring year the time viii come
10 us when we. my brethren, gather a.
the home this man founded, and the lit
tie children his fostering care has aidef
us TO keep from suffering and want ano
woe. come trooping In. singing the praise
q that God who OF all gods IL the only
one who has told US that Of such as these
is the Kingdom Of Heaven; then. me
thinks an unseen company will come
fathers and mothers, friends and beloved
ones now beyond the voices" and with
them God may permit this man. our q
parted brother. TO see what he has done
for his kind. and hear the sweet voices
ones. legacy 10 care for and keep. o.
Masons Of Virginia. remember we'll
legacy to keep to cherish. TO guard and
foster as long as orphans are in the
world and until the eternal fathernooc
OF God has made this earth the kingdom
of the Lord and Of His Christ.
THE PICTURE UNVEILED.
when Judge Duke concluded the choir
sang. Lord. For Thy Tender Mercy's
Sake" after which the portrait was
formally transferred 10 the lodge BY
Worshipful J. w. Eggleston. chairman
Of the committee under whose supervi-
sion IT was painted The portrait was
then unveiled By the two little tots from
the home. the choir singing at the time
most impressively, Home. Sweet Home.
Worshipful Thornton accepted the por-
trait on behalf Of his lodge, in a neat
speech. and as he took his seat Grant
lis Thy Peace" was sung by the choir
Little Laura McCabe. an inmate OF the
home. was introduced by Grand-Master
Courtney. and sang "Nobody's Darling
so sweetlv and pathetically as 10 brine
tears TO many eyes. The Old Dominion
sextette one Of Richmond's most cui-
tured musical organizations, rendered an
overture. "Invitation TO the waltz
which was especially arranged for them
by Mr.. S. r. Crowder. SO sweetly wa
+, rendered that they We're forced TO re
spond to an encore, and they subsequent
Iv PLAYED march FOR the Masonic pro
.cession as IL left the hall. The picture
,~tn he hung In the lodge-room.