Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-11-16

THE FIRST M E<EIlN0 WAS LEV y
ED TO THE CONSID GRAFTON OF
ROUTINE BUSINESS. THE APPOINT
ApFlNT OFF COMMITTEES ETC.-A
LODGE OF SORROW AFTER THE
BUSINESS SESSION, IN MEMORY OF
c. S. LONG.
The Grand Lodge of West Virginia,
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, is
meeting at the Masonic Temple. The
first session was held last night, and
it was attended by prominent represen-
tatiyes of the fraternity from all parts
of the State. In the morning the order
of High Priesthood was conferred up
on several candidates. A lodge of in
struction was held. Past Grand High
Priests of the Royal Arch Chapter are
eligible to membership. The presld-
ing officer was the late o. S. Long,
and H. r. Howard, of Point Pleasant,
was elected as his successor. Col.
Hugh Sterling served as Secretary, on
account of the removal OF Jonn Z.
Riheidaffer to C.blcago.
The first session OF the Grand Lodge
was called to order at seven O'CLOCK IN
the Temple, with nearly all the SUD-
ordinate lodges represented. Inc Dus-
mess transacted was all OF a routlne
character. 1t consisted in the reading
of reports of grand officers, and the
appointments of committees to whom
these reports were referred Tor con-
Sideration and report.
The meeting adjourned about l0:3O
o'clock, and about half an hour later
the Lodge of Sorrow convened. TRls
was held in memory OF the late Odell
8. Long, the most prominent Mason IN
the State of West Virginia. The exer-
cises were of beautiful and most SOL
emn and impressive character
Members of the Grand Lodge
and other members of the
fraternity who were present
wore in their coat lapels, buttons con-
tanning the likeness of Mr.. Long.
Printed programmes of the service
were placed in the hands of all who
were present. Portions OF the music
were rendered by the entire congrega-
ton, and the remainder by quartette
composed of Messrs. Zulauf, Day, Bull
lard and Baum. The singing was ex-
cellent.
The exercises opened with the sing
ing of the hymn, "Hark, Hark MY
.Soul'' after which an invocation was
offered up by the Grand Chaplain, the
Rev. R. D. Roller, of Charleston. Then
followed a responsive reading OF selec-
tions from the psalms The quartette
rendered 1.-THE Eye That Never Sleeps. .
Most Worshipful Grand Master S. N.
Myers announced an address by Mr..
Hugh Sterling, Grand Treasurer.
Mr. Sterling's address was very
pretty tribute to the worth of the late
Odell S. Long. He said he was per-
forming the saddest duty in his Ma
sonic career. The news of the death of
Mr. Long came like thunderbolt from
a clear sky. When the Grand Lodge
last met there was no token OF i'm
pending death. 1t came as a surprise,
but it gave time for that gentle spirit
to prepare to meet the Supreme Grand
Master. Much of Mr.. Longs life was
spent in searching for the truths of
Masonry, and to him is Masonry in
debted for much that is of inestimable
value to the brethren of the craft.
Mr.. Sterling spoke of those who had
known the hospitality of o. S. Longs
home, and of the far greater number
who had experienced the warmth and
sincerity of his hand-clasps. He was
a man of great purity and delicacy Of
feeling Coarseness and vulgarity
were peculiarly offensive to him. He
was in every sense a courteous and
cultured gentleman. He died in the
heighth of his Masonic career. 1t
would be vain to endeavOr to fill the
place left vacant by his death. Be
cause he was with us, life is manlier,
Heaven is nearer.
After Mr.. Sterling's address the con-
gregation sang a hymn, after which
an address was made by Col. Robt.
White, who was listened to with I'M
divided attention, while he glowingly
eulogized the character of Mr.. Long.
He said he had undertaken to write
something upon the subject, and after
finishing a page, he had read it, and
thought the words were too cold, and
fell far short of expressing what was
in his heart. He told of entering the
Grand Lodge 81 years ago, and men
toned the Grand Lodge officers at that
time, nearly all of whom have since
passed away.
One of the number was Odell S. Long,
who had much to do with the history
of this jurisdiction. He was far more
than an ordinary man, far more than
an ordinary Mason. He left the i'm
press of his brilliant mind upon Ma
sorry, as upon everything else with
which he was connected. He was a
man of fine judgment. He was usually
right, because he was guided by an
honest purpose, and a strong mind.
He was a manly man. When con-
science pointed the way, he never lack
ed the courage to follow, and he never
swerved from the right path.
No other man in the jurisdiction of
West Virginia had ever given so much
thought to Masonic lore, and no one
better understood the beautiful tenets
of Masonry. He was a true Mason,
and he loved the order He is gone,
and one by one the other Masons shall
follow him.
Col. White stated that o. S. Long
was the first Master, and one of the
charter members of Bates Lodge No
33, of this city, and he was the last
charter member to die. He then con-
cluded by reading the resolutions
adopted by Bates Lodge some time afte'
the death of Mr.. Long.
After the chant, Still, Still With