Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-02-24
ADDRESS BY GRAND MASTER, JUDGE N. c. GIFFIN.
Impressive and Invited Guests
Ielcaory II Music Speeches,
the Evening.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING.

/
/ but the Masonic idea is the same and
/ goes on forever. This lodge is No. l.,
number significant, it shows the
lodges age, and It's place in Masonic
/ life in this state. Figures are not
cold and dry when We think of what
thoughts and sentiments this No. ! +,
may awaken. This suggests some
what the date Of Masonry itself.
! Some have claimed that Joseph, the
son of old Jacob, was the first Grand
| Master of Egypt. Others would beat
Joseph and King Solomon by six
Thousand years. At any rate, the old
maxim in regard to the common law
existing from time when the memory
of man runncth not to the contrary, is
also applicable to Masonry. All this
would seem to indicate that Masonry
had been very popular institution;
and yet the days of the anti-Masonic
excitement in New York show us how
elections were made to turn upon this
fact. In those days the acknowledged
Mason had no show of election, and
for his defeat every artilcc was en-
plOycd. So that when u body was
found, Thurlow Weed was asked, If it
not Morgan's body, his reply was,
that it would be u good enough Nor
gan body until after election. This
all led even to local prosecutions. I'm
many eases, lodge rooms were radcd,
the furniture destroyed, and the Sos
sions intcrIcred with and broken up.
70 be known us u Mason in some
localities meant not only political,
but social and commercial ostracism:
but thcs" prosecutions were only blcs-
sings in disguise aud brought u great
reaction, for the Americans like fair
play. And today, Masons, as it were,
rested under their own vine and liz
tree with none to modest or to mako
afraid. The danger now, the Grand
Master said, is not persecution, but
popular favor. TOO many may knock
at the doors. 70 guard the outer
door, in these days OF prosperity, is
essential. Character, not numbers,
should determine the ballot: the lodge
should always be given the benefit of
the doubt, when an applicants char
nctcr is doubtful ON points Of honesty
and honor The lodge Ii not reform
atory in it's character in the sense that
churches and some other institutions
are. It seeks to take in mon of true
aud approved character, and make
them it's representatives. How many
of such Nlnsons have been prominent
not only IN the order but in the wider
circles of life. Presidents, generals
of rrnown, orators, and statesmen of
the highest rank show the influence of
Masonry, and tell us that there must
be something behind this beautiful
ritualism to enlist such hearts and
brains, and that he who docs not
enter into the spirit, but only ahidcs
in the hotter does not keep the Ma
sonic faith. Philip BROOKS said, let
your religion do something: and the
speaker would say, let your Masonry
do something and be something, SO
that each craftsman might, with the
Apostle say, 4" have fought the good
fight: ! have kept the faith. During
the address, the Grand Master gave
statistics, showing the marvellous
growth of Masonry,
Alderson's orchestra, and the Min
cral Point Band, with Adam Dresrn
rs leader, made the musical part of
the program of the afternoon II great
success.