Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-02-24

] lngS ike TINS, where the beauty OF the
ladies eXcels the beauty of the temple.
the best Is not too good for the Eastern
Star. The best is not too good for a
Temple erected to God and dedicated
| to the holy Saints John.
| only wish to add a word for Ma
sonry and word to Masons:
Masonry teaches its members. in the
strongest manner possible, the Father
hood of God and the Brotherhood of
Man. which is the foundation of all
true religion: 1t teaches them the fear
of the Lord, which is the beginning of
wisdom: it teaches them to do that
which is right in the sight of the Lord,
and this is the sum of all moral phil
osophy.
Now, Brethren, it is our duty to
learn well the important lessons which
Masonry teaches; but it is all impor-
that when we have learned them that
we act them out in our lives Truth
is not to mediate upon, but to be
translated into action.
The Athenians learn their duty well but 10!
The Spartans act out what the Athcnians
know,
Learning, OF course. comes first:
but it should be followed by action
right action: The brethren who
assemble here should meet in unity.
work in love, and part in harmony.
Fidelity should keep the door, Faith
prompt the duties, Hope animate the
labors. and Charity dit1use the bless
ngs of the lodge. Then, indeed, will
these walls be Salvation, and this
arch Praise.
Let Masons everywhere only emu
late the great Spartan virtue. and
truly act out the principles of the
order, and wisdom and virtue will dis
| tinguish the Fraternity, and Masonry
will become glorious in all the earth.
| So mote it be.
ADDRESS OF A. S. WHITE.
We have gathered together this af-
the service of dedicating this Hall. so
beautiful and commodious in its ar
rangemcnt, SO elegant in its fittings,
to the use of an institution of wide
spread organization.
AS our minds wander back over
brief period of time, to the I'd day of
May last past, we again see the old
| hall, with its pleasant memories: and
as we ON that day stood upon the
street and saw that building standing.
as we had seen it for years past, no
thoughts, no fears, no forebodings,
over came to our minds that on the
morrow, before the sun of the day had
made its temperance in the eastern
horizon, that we should stand upon
the same spot, and gaze with fearful
eyes and sorrowing hearts not upon
the Temple upon the ashes, the
burning and ClWmbling walls of that
which had been the TpmDle
No tongue did forctell no tongue
could foretcll that upon this 18th day
of February 1898, we should be as
scmbled together for the purpose of
dcdicating Il far more beautiful a far
more grander Temple than that which
had been destroyed.
You have listened to the beautiful
and appropriate ritual service in|
which the several Grand Lodge Off
GERS have set apart these rooms for
the perpctuation of the holy principles
of the institution.
| congratulate you, my Brothers,
that in so beautiful home You are to
inculcate the lessons of Masonry.
But our duty is yet to be performed.
Let each Brother say: with brave
hearts, willing hands and Il sclf-sacri-
licing spirit, we will go forward in the
work SO well begun, and not cease our
labors until We are called away, leav-
ING as an Inheritance to our children.
and children's children. this mOnu-
mcnt together with shield of honor
unSpottcd, and name unsullied on
the roll of Masonry.
ADDRESS BY GEORGE CRAWFORD.
| deem it IA high honor, a privilege,
and II pleasure, to briefly address you
in this Temple, erected to God, and
set apart for the practice of Masonic
rites and ceremonies.
| wish to take you into my conf
dence, and tell you, that, when-a few
years ago prompted by the migratory
spirit of man, | left the source of my
Masonic light, and travelled west in
search Of Il better fortune. | found
that one of the strongest ties that
bound me to my old home. and dccid-
formed in old Mineral Point Lodge
And | am glad to be here, tonight. to
rcioice with those who do rejoice in
the erection. completion and dedica-
of this beautiful home.
To my mind the support the
strength, and the perpetuity of this
Temple, are assured. by the fact that
upon its altar continually rests the
Bible rs the rule and guide of our
Masonic faith. Point me to a land
where the Holy Bible, square and
compasscs, are unknown, and | will
point you to that land, as a land
of moral darkness and rctrOgression.
AS the glory of the latter Temple
at Jerusalem was greater than the glo-
ny of the former, because of the pres
ence therein of the Christ of human
ity. SO is the glory of this, our new
Masonic home greater than the glory
of the former not because it is more
magnificent but because there is
brought to it, broader humanity, a
deeper sympathy, and a sweeter char
ity.
The Book that rests upon our altar
it gives me pleasure to SAYS the
thoughtful gift of sister, who, as
head of IN order closely related to
ours, not only brought credit to her
self, but honor to the Masonic fra