The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-08


characteristic energy he Joined her people
! in the great work OF restoration. The
passing years brought prosperity alike
20 the city and the stranger-friend with
! in her gates. Partakcr OF our trials IN
the time Of war, he became more and
! more linked with our people in the years
/ OF returning peace and plenty Business
capacity and untiring industry earned for
him handsome competency. High
character and gentle qualities Of heart
won for him the esteem Of his fellows
I or the Masonic fraternity he was a de-
voted member and I'm all Of the interests
OF the order evinccd the liveliest concern
While never aspiring 20 official place
he honored the craft by illustrating in
his life the noble principles Of Masonry
As the evening Of life came on he more
ana more sought 70 promote the comfort
ana happiness OF others. until at length
he crowned a life OF noble benefactions by
founding the Masonic Home Of Virginia
such, IN brief, are some OF the salient
features Of the life and character Of Alex
ander @. BabcOck. As we look back over
his earnest, and not uneyentful life, there
come 10 us many reasons for grateful
memory. But with him | am sure he
would best wish 20 be remembered be-
cause he was the father OF the Masonic
Home-for helpless infancy. n nursery OF
love ana care. for decrepiG age, a haven
Of peace and rest.
There in that safe retreat the lonely
orphan Will find friendly guides for his
, untaught feet and old age, gentle min
lstrations TO cheer and so0the. On
, through tho years to come, that noDie
charity Of which his heart was the IN
spiraiion viii stand dispensing blessings.
! And 50 to-day we trace upon the memo
rial stone as his highest enCOmium, the
! simple epitaph Founder Of the Masonic
WORTHY or THE HONOR.
1.-THE Masons OF the State have done
we'll to lend their aid to the erection or
qhis monument and to TESTIFY by the
presence here to-day of their Most Wor-
shipful Grand Master and this great con-
course from the lodges. that they honor
the memory Of Alexander g. Hancock. ~
honOrs alike the recipient, ana the great
order from which the expression so NJ
tiuglv comes. Masonry needs no eulosg
at my hands It's very existence coming
down from remote ages, denonstrates the
eternal chara oter OF IT'S pIlncipies ~
hires have risen and pershedi races OF
mon have passed from the eartn. YET thls
ancient order. witnessing the changes Oi
centuries stlll lives unchanged ~,
ner stone. belief in God ana loVe LOT ici;
i'm life these great tenets OF our oruer'
and In the language o. . me pogh,t
With human hands the creed OF creeds'
In lovolmcss OF perfect deeds.
we gratefully record upon yonder monu-
mont Erected by the Masons OF VIZ
And though. my friends. that inscrip-
zion tells the builders Of this memorial.
vet II rs but simple truth 70 say that tno
inspiration OF the movement which result
LADIES' AUXILIARY ASSOCIATION
or THE MASONIC HOME. They appre-
clatcd tho work OF the founder OF tnat
Home. as they toiled on from day TO Day
20 enlarge its usefulness ana multiply us
! blessings. Their hearts knew as only the
1 hearts OF women could know what i
/ meant 20 take the orphan chld. berett
TO meet alone the dangers OF life. and
give II a home and womails care. And
/ so women first suggested this memorial;
| they have iabored for its erection, and
, they ara here to-day TO crown 81 and the
/ if. Il honors with boncdctions.
"A CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM"
ITO mo there IS something peculiarly
! beautiful In the thought that this mon
umcnt. the result of the efforts of women,
has been erected to commemorate a man
whose chief claim upon our esteem Is
| founded IN his Affection FOR littlo chill
dren. IL Is a noble impulse which causes
the heart 10 kindlc with tenderness at
the sight Of a little child. in the greater
sympathy for children. IN a tendercr re-
gard fer al the happenings Of their iitye
world in the adoption OF better methods
Tor their education and development, and
In the consequent reflex influence for good
unnn the hearts and lives OF older people,
verkoned among its surest claims to great
"a ereat prophet. looking. down the
ages and catching glimpses OF that gold
en- era. when love and peace should dom
wsor,ls n little child shall lead them. And
a greater than he picturing forth the
, eiorlcs Of the eternal homo, pointed TO a
little child and said, OF such as the king
dom Of heaven.
and so to-day ! feel that the life OF
This man. no less than the fact that we
have felt constrained TO do him honor. IL
a sign, small though II may De, yet still
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