The San Francisco call., 1897-04-25
He Makes a Manly and Rather
Vigorous Defense of Free
Masonry.
A DESCRIPTION OF The NEW
BUILDING.
The Main Hall Will Be the Second
Largest of the KIM IN the
State

Under the fierce ravs of old Sol, who
did his very best TO scrape a close ac-
quaintanceship with everybody present,
with large, orderly crowd of people
standing by in respectful silence, and all
points of vantage III the vicinity taken up
by sightseers, the cornerstone of the new
Masonic Tenn pie on Mission street, be-
tween Tweniy-second and Twenty-third,
was laid yesterday afternoon in accord
ance with the beautiful and solemn ritual
OF the Masonic brotherhood.
1t was ared letter day for Mission Lodge
No. 169. +. and A. NJ. II meant to the
membe the beginning of building that
will be not only an ornament 10 the City
an edihce in which they may well be proud
to hold lodge sessions, but u monument
TO their labors of the past
Proceedings began with the formal open-
ing of the grand lodge, F. and A. M, of
California in the present rooms of Mission.
Lodge, SiXte enth and Valencia streets. A
procession WAS then formed. including
California Com mandery and Golden Gate
Commandery, Knights Templar Mission
Lodge, L. and A. NJ and unofficial dele
cations from the various Masonic lodges
chapters, councils, comLhanderies and the
consistory, all acting as escort to the
grand lodge. A uniformed band headed
the procession, and 1t passed iG stately
march slong Valencia street 10 Nine
teenth, along Nineteenth to Mission and
thence to the site Of the ceremonies the
streets were lined with spectators and en-
1ivened by the unusual scene.
The list of officers of the Mission Lodge
IS as follows:
Andrew Christensen, W. NJ. William H.
Cobb, S. w; Fred Ii. Gibson, J. W; George D.
Flack, treasurer; Charles D. bunker secretary :
A.
D.; Charles F. Libby, marshal; Charles E
Benedict and William c. Ordway, stewards /;
Charles Gitsham, tyler.
The officers of the Mission Lodge Ma
sonic Hall Association are:
President, Harvey C. Somers: vice-p sident.
James p. Hodgdon; treasurer, George D.
Flack; secretary, Henry G.. Bunker; directors
James w. keyston and Andrew Christensen.
The cornerstone was laid by Grand Mas
ter William T. Lucas OF the Grand Lod ge
OF California, assisted by the other grand
officers included in the rituaI. All the grand
officers, however, were present, as follows
William T. Lucas, g. NJ; Thomas Flint Jr
D. 6. NJ. F. NJ. Angelotti, :. q. w: Charles L.
Patton, J. q. W; L. Coleman, 6. Treas Geo.
Johnson. g. S; +. b. Church, G. C.; w H.
Cobb, G. o.. W. ii. Edwards, G. L.; B Ste-
vens, G. Marshal; J. G. South, g. s B.; R.
Vandercook, q. Swordsmnn; William ). Moses
6. B., b. E. R0deekeT. T S; G. D.; NJ, Y. B. Tay-
lor, j. 6. D.; w. W De WintOn, 5. 6. s; W. c.
Ordway, J. q. s; J. K. Hillman, q. p; S D.
Mayer, 6. Organist; c. Getchan, q. Tyler
The ceremonies were opened with a
prayer by the grand chaplain. When The
time arrived for Harvey C. Somers. presi-
dent OF the Mission Lodge Masonic Hall
Association to deliver the silver trowel to
Grand Master Lucas, he did so with the
following brief speech
Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand
Lodge OF Free and Accepted Masons of Califor-
MIA. Brethren and friends:
nf eli nHU how for
contemplated building US Masonic home
and have finally selected this spot. We will
erect this building not only for ourselves bu,
for the generations to come after US. We have
laid the foundation good and strong and il is
now necessary that the cornerstone be well
and truly laid
Most Worshipful Grand Master-Ia behalf OF
Mission Lodge No. 169, +. and A. NJ, / now
invite you TO lay this corners tone for US in