Evening star., 1898-09-27

mitted to have part in a cordial greeting
to the General Grand Chapter of the United
States, Order of the Eastern Star / wei
come YOU as the representatives of ma
tional organization, which, in its personnel
in its impressive ritual and in its lauda BILE
purposes and aims. constitutes an influen-
tial force for the Improvement of human
conditions in every community where it
has been maintained.
"As an outgrowth of and an accompani-
ment to that great brotherhood which is
as old as civilization ard as broad as hu-
manty. our order brings into closer bonds
OF friendship the members of the families
of Master Masons. fosters the cause of
charitable relief and encourages such social
and fraternal gatherings as tend to tighten
the burdens and dispel the cares attendant
Upon that strange journey known as hui
man life.
1T the star in the east which guided
the wise men to the place where He was
born whose sublime life, teachings and
death have given faith and inspiration 20
the human race. And SO, for nearly 1850
years, the star in the east has been typical
of the influences which have tended to en-
noble character and imrart true dignity to
the sons Of men. Reverently guided by
less ems from His life, the Order of the
Eastern Star brings to US, in the midst of
our daily cares and perpleXities. influences
which uplift our hopes and aspirations and
strengthen the bonds of friendship among
US as members of Masonic families.
Also Citizens.
And it is our pleasure to greet you, rot
alone as members of the order, but also
as citizens Of the United States who come
to their own governmental headquarters.
Many of you view the capital for the first
time. Some of you who have made prior
visits have not until now honored us by
your presence since the nation received its
recent baptism of blood. AS you look upon
the stately federal buildings you are re-
mir fp6 only of the that a
the home of the general government, hut
that in them and from them We're directed
the movements of the forces on the land
and on the sea which. in three short
months. freed the gem OF the Antilles from
d serfdCrn OF nearly four hundred years
duration, destroyed all Spanish dominion on
the western hemisphere ard acquired ter
ritCry worth many times the cost of the
war.
You will visit the Executive Mansion
10 be received by the first citizen of the
republic. who is a Master Mason and q
Knight TeEplar. He has so borne himself
during the terrible ordeal now passing into
history as to have won and retained the
love. The respect and the confidence of the
American people, without regard to party
affiliations
You will be received by the commander
in-chief of the army and navy of the
United States. under whose guiding and di-
rectng mind those victories of our heroes
on land and sea were won, which added
to the prestige of the republic and made 1t
a power TO be respected henceforth in what
ever quarter of the globe its flag shall be
carried. You will go TO that imposing
structure which by its architectural gran
deur fifty symboliZes the strength and dig
nifty of the great people whose servants
assemble there to execute their will. You
will inspect the halls where the war Con-
gfess de1berated when voting for the sup
plies and the revenue measures to conduct
the war against Spain. In the House of
Representatives there will be pointed out
to you the desk of the gallant knight Tenn
plar. fighting Joe Wheeler, whose greatness
OF soul is in an inverse proportion to the
size of his physical frame. You will look
In upon the new Congressional Library,