The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1897-12-02
DEDICATED.
The New Grange Building For
mally Opened and Set Apart
For Work of Patrons.
An Auspicious Opening. Dinner and
Addresses.

Unfortunately the day set apart for
the dedication of Skowhegan grange
hall proved most unfavorable, rain fall
ing early in the morning prevented
Patrons from outside oranges attending
only in limited numbers.
At eleven o'clock State Master
Wiggin. State Lecturer Stetson and Dr..
G.. NJ. Twitchell of the Maine Farmer,
who had been especially invited to at
tend the services, arrived and were
greeted by members of Skowhegan
grange who were already present in
large numbers.
The beautiful rtualstic services of
dedication were conducted under the
password of the order, State Master
Wiggin by virtue of his office, taking
the leading part, assisted by Worthy
Master Holway and officers of Skowhe-
gan grange. Upward of $50 patrons
and few invited friends partook of a
bountiful dinner in the banquet hall,
uDuoI TIC dusplCoo Vi 1hO oAo'OAo VI
Skowhegan grange and at 1.30 p. m. the
exercises of the afternoon began.
At this time clouds were dispersed and
the welcome sunlight greeted large as.
sembly, as a well organized choir offer
ed the tribute of song, with Mrs K. c..
Dunton as organst. Worthy State
Master Wiggin was first introduced.
We have met today said the State
Master to dedicate this hall. 1t has
been the custom in all ages of the world
to dedicate temples and structures, but
none erected in the past surpasses in
their significance the one we dedicate
today. This structure has been erected
through the sacrifice of time and ex
pense, but it is a sacrifice that Is far
reaching in its effect and grand in its
purpose. The speaker compared the
agriculture of primitive times to the
agriculture of today. Toll in olden
times was performed by slaves and
those who labored at their hard tasks
were considered as slaves and we are
not far removed from the time when
those who followed agriculture were re-
garded as lower in the scale of social
standing, but as time passed on condi-
tons changed. Farmers began to think
for themselves and long for better days.
The time was rife for changes and that
change came when the grange was or
ganiZed. A new era dawned and
through organized effort the grange has
from a small beginning reached its
present high standing and influence.
Wrong ideas at first prevailed, the
object of which was to make money and
there was great rush in that direction.
This proved false and disappointment
followed. The members of the order
soon learned that there was something
higher and grander than selfish pur-
poses and these principles soon came to
the front. If it be not our purpose to
build up true manhood and aid the farm
ing classes of this country we may as
well disband. But such is not the case.
We are working for the best interests of
the farmer and we can point to our past
record with pride, and have the assur-
ance that through continued effort
through our organization, we can exer-
else a great influence in shaping legisla-
ton for the common good.
Again the grange Is powerful factor
in helping the homes of our people.
Our farm-homes are having mighty in
fluence on society at large and it is in
these homes that the grange comes and
does its noblest work. The culture and
education of the grange is reaching
these homes and teaching the farmer to
think for himself, to act for himself and
he will derive benefit from 1T. And we
can say that the grange is an adjunct to
our common schools 1t works with
these schools for the education of it's
Younger members. 1t has also been of
great benefit to the wives of our
farmers 1t has lifted them out of
drudgery into higher and grander
state of living In closing the speaker
congratulated Skowhegan grange for
the great work that has been done in
erecting TIL hall. 1t stands as monu-
ment of their devotion and sacrifice.
DR.. G. NJ. Twitchell was the next
speaker. Bro. Twitchell began by ask
ing if those present who started this
grange had the least idea that at this
time this local organization would have
such an influence and such standing in
this vicinity as it now has. The grange
can come to it in the spirit of fellowship
and good will. Its progress should al
ways be upward. This grange should
do better work, grander work in this
hall than it has ever done before. Time
was limited and Bro. Twitchell had to
be brief.
After a song Worthy Lecturer Stetson
was introduced. Bro. Stetson also con-
graduated Skowhegan grange in the
success that has attended them in erect
ing this hall, and he believed that it
should be dedicated to building up our
homes, to opening the front doors, the
parlors, land making them what they
should be the very best places on earth.
The hall should be dedicated to an ad-
vanced position on all questions for the
best interests of our schools, of our
modes of living, of all our surroundings.
The world must move on and not stand
still and let us be trained in the direc.
ton of development of thought, of
action. The opportunity is here and
may members of Skowhegan grange rise
to the height OF its opportunities. Bro.
Stetson's time was also limited and his
remarks wers brief.
Col. Plummer was next introduced.
He was interested in the remarks that
had been offered by the speakers. He
believes the grange to be one of the
greatest organizations in our land. He
placed it next to the schools in its edu
cational features. These grange halls in
our State were great factories in Great
ing intelligence and the best interests of
the community. He respects the grange