The San Francisco call., 1897-04-25

due and ancient form, and will present you
with this trowel, with which you may spread
the mortar that will cement this stone firmly
in its proper place.
1t is our desire that you retain the trowel as
souvenir OF this days event
The cornerstone was then laid by Grand
Master Lucas 1t is inscribed with the
following:
Mission Lodge No. 169, F. aud A. NJ,
April "a, A. J.. 1897.
In the copper box deposited beneath the
stone were the constitution ana bylaws of
Mission Lodge, together with list of
mem bers and u historical sketch of the
lodge; other records relating TO the Grand
Lodge Grand Council, Grand Chapter and
Grand Consistory and the officers who
took part; list of directors cf the Mis-
sion Lodge Masonic Hall Association;
list of officers and members of Mission
Chapter, q. Do. E. S.-A. d. 1897; cur
rent coins of the United States; business
card of the architects OF the building,
Hermann d. Swain; copies of the daily
papers; the front elevation of the build
ing; copies of the Trestle Board of April,
1887, and March. 1897.
The ceremonies proper were followed by
an ELOQUENT and learned Grafton by Grand
Orator Cobb. After plimenting Mis-
sion Lodge upon the progress ii had made
and the acquisition OF its new building, he
said:
very distinguished and scholarly man in
this community recently made the public
statement that there is no excuse to-day Tor
the existence OF such organization the
statement l deem it proper on an occasion
like this to briefly state The objects of free
masonry and the reason why We devote our
time and means in promoting its welfare. =
To increase knowledge, to promote virtue,
to learn TO subdue the passions, act upon the
square, keep tongue of good report, main
tain secrecy and practice cnarity-this is tie
mission OF free masonry to-day. And candi-
date should be raised mentally and morally
as well as physically to he sublime degree of
master mason.
We are banded together to assist each other
i'll building broad, manly, religious charac-
tiers, and II we are not doing this then our
critic was right and there is no excuse for our
existence as an institution in this day and age
OIL the worl Id. A lodge cannot be measured by
the perfection OF its work under the ritual; !;
nor by the mum Der of its candidates; nor the
frequency and attendance OIL its meetings;
nor by its wealth, its temple Its
charity; but its true and final measure is
by the characters it builds. Emerson
says: Very few OF our race can be said TO
be as yet finished men. We still carry
sticking to us some remains of the preceding
quadruped organization.' II love with tears
and joy; If want with his scourge; If Chris
tianity with its charity; If trade with its
money; if art with its portfolios; if science
with its telegraphs, through the deeps of
space and time can set mans dull nerves
throbbing and with loud taps on the tough
chrysalis can break its walls and let the new
creature emerge erect aud free, make May and
sing p8an, the age OF the quadruped is to go
out, the age OF the brain ana OF the heart is 10
| come in. Mans culture can spare no othing
needs all materials"
Brethren, tod we dedicate this temple to
Almighty God and lay It's cornerstone, hut
every day we are laying cornerstones OF
grander temples than any of which King Sol
omon ever dreamed; and we toll amidst the
dust and rubbish of human environment
waiting for the goddess and the Shrine. Moth
ing shall drive from me the belief that there
is arising here in America type of Masonry
new to history, from which shall proceed in
ages yet to come an influence more tender, a
majesty more pure and grand than any which
the ancient craft ever knew. Through tear
and smiles, through the joys and sorrows
which have united hearts in all ages-through
the exercise OF rights never before conceded
of duties never before imposed-the spirit of
truth is evolving the truly Masonic character
OF perfect manlfness
The ceremonies were concluded with
the singing OF the old, familiar hymn,
PRAISE God, From Whom All Blessings
Fiow," and the bened diction, By Grand
Chaplain Church. In regular order the
various bodies then marched back to Mis-
sion Lodge Hall, corner of Sixteenth and
Valencia streets, and disbanded.
When completed the new building will
be handsome structure of pressed brick,
terra Gotta and steel, two stories in height
An extensive basement is to be con-
structed Tor the use of stores, and heating
and ventiiating apparatus which consists
of furnace, a large ventilating fan and
an electric motor.
The first story will contain two elegant
stores, with plate glass windows and
mosaic tiled entrances.
Above will be the large hall, 1915 by So
feet. with dome, organ loft and secre-
tary's Office. and one smaller hail and
banquet room. Outside the Masonic
Temple, in this City. the main hall or
lodgeroom will be the largest of its kind
in the Stata.'