The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-14
CThe State. |

ssSS0AeoAW'ou county. Inc corner
stone Of the new court house was
ilaid with impressive ceremonies In
the presence of fully 1000 people,
s Sgathered from the town and from
gall portions of the new county.
Ladies' formed the great majority of
the audience. Everybody turned
out, and il was Q general holiday
here. The cite Of the new court
house is about three hundred yards
from the business portion of the
town, and the building is composed
offgranite and brick. It is q v9fy
beautiful structure. r
Tho exercises were conducted by
the Masonic Order, J. T. Barron, of
columbia, grand master. The exer-
cises were begun at 1925 by the
singing OF the opening Masonic
song, "When earth's foundations
first were laid"
Mrs. II. w. Brittian, Of this city,
presided at the piano on the stand,
and was ably assisted by about
twelve gentlemen and ladies. The
singing throughout WAS very fine
and impressive.
On tho stone, which was lowered
at the northeast corner of the build
ing, was engraved the year Of
Masonry end the name Of Grand
Master J. T. Barron.
Prayer was offered by the grand
chaplain, In which be made a for
vent appeal to heaven for its guild
ance and blessing upon these people.
That this building may always be
the temple of justice, where the law
is dispsn5od according to the holy
word Of God. Help ue to escape
the dispensary, package stores and
blind tigers. Keep us from muir
ders, lynchings and other crimes.
May our hearts be as polished
stone. May the foundations of this
building be very deep aud strong,
and may the roof always be an orna-
ment May we settle all our diff
cultles by arbitration without going
to law. Help US to always vote for
the best men-men who fear God
and love tho truth; men who will
fill their offices with honor; and, o
Lord, save our country from scandal
and shame Help us to do our duty
10 the day. - como, and finally save
us in>aeaSen. Amen.
After the choir had sung the an
them, "Iet there be light" the grand
treasurer deposited the box. (See
annexed paper for contents.) The
stone WAS then lowered by three
gradual movements and sealed.
Grand Master j. T. Barron then
spoke for fifteen minutes and had
the closest attention at all timea He
spoke Of the work Of Free Masonry
in the past. Especially in the mid
die ages, when darkness lowered
over all the world, WAS Masonry a
bright star which shone through all.
We point with pride to the history
of Masonry in the past. Dynasties
have arisen and fell and pestilence
has swept the world with blighten-
ing hand, but still Free Masonry
continues. It teaches that in his
graudest era, man is dependent be.
ing. Dependent upon God for fu-
ture hope, but when he is strength
enea by fraternity, his soul is borne
Rlyond the twinkling stars to the
CITY Of God. Happy 10 tho man who
can, whom the storm bursts, find re-
fuge in the bosom Of brother Ma
son. Masonry makes mon, religion
redeems their souls. It is for Ma.
sonry to make that casket in which
to lay that precious jewel, the i'm
mortal Roul
Dr. Maxwell, the chairman Of the
board Of court house building com.
mittee, then introduced Prof. Hodges
who read very beautiful poem
written by q young lady of this
place 1t is entitled "a Prophecy"
II dwelt on the coming growth of
Greenwood, and was we'll received,
and many were tho praises heard
concerning it.
Col. George Johnstone, Of New
berry, the orator Of tho day, was