The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-11-24

al GAdfIH. OIGfE0 l0E PRAYER If
said:
oh God, our Saviour and Guide. we
give Thee praise tina Thou hast
brought TO such a measure OF success
this work which Thou has put into
the hearts Of these. Thy 10
undertake. We beseech Thee now to
give such wisdom and energy TO all
those who are engaged in this fair
which We are about TO open thai they
may bring this undertaking TO a fun
and successful completion.
When this temple, erected TO Thy
honor. stands forth completed In
strength and beauty. may r. be the
centre Of all good work TO the welfare
OF our people; may the cross standing
on its highest pediment tell of the
beauty and power Of sacrifice in ali
good undertakings: may the crown
surrounding the cross foretell the re-
ward OF all who fear no the cross in
every good work for the glory OF Thy
great name and for the good OF their
fellow men.
All mis- we ask n the name of Him
who faced the cross and Ear the
crown. our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ"
GRAND MASTERS ADDRESS.
At the close OF DIR. Strange's elo-
quent and fervent prayer, Grand Mas
IcT ~NODic TtSpOLucu " tie HclCOiiIc DN
Colonel Waddell and declared the fair
open. He said:
"Worshipful Masters and Brethren Of
St. Johns. Wilmington n Orient
Lodges, Companions. Sir Knights.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
1T is indeed a very great pleasure TO
be here and share with you the de-
lights Of this glorious occasion. Per-
s%onally, I am exceedingly glad to join
with you in these beautiful and inspir-
ing ceremonies here tonight, and / now
give thanks to the distinguished and
eloquent brother who has so kindly
hidden me wecom in your behalf.
Officially, / am filled with pride as
/ stand before you and behold so many
evidences Of a Masonic zeal unparallel-
ed in the history of Mystic tie in the
Grand jurisdiction of NORTH Carolina.
Your good old city, rich in historic
love and distinguished for its patriot
ism, philanthropy and safe business
conservatism, is equally and justly
distinguished as the North Carolina
centre of Masonic zeal and enthusiasm
both in the past and present.
Nothing more clearly and easily
proves your leadership in Masonry than
the fact that here, in Wilmington, is
the beginning of every branch of the
order in our state. In the Blue Lodge
it is ST. Johns No. 1, in the Royal
Arch it - Concord Chapter No. 1, and
in Templar Masonry it is Plantaganet
No. 1. No wonder then, that in the
brigter light of the closing days Of the
nineteenth century, you brethren have,
in the erection of this beautiful build
ing, set the pace for the lodges in 9TH
er cities throughout the state.
And in the future, when they shall
have followed your example and build
ed for themselves equally beautiful
temple homes, you shall even then be
known in the history of temple build
ing as Temple Builders No. 1.
Il congratulate you on the ambi-
tion that led you to build, on the zeal
and patience which kept you from Civ
ing up the work n On the splendid
success which has rowne your eff
forts.
lone word more. The encouragement
and support of your non-masonic
friends in making this occasion the
very great success that it is, proves to
me that the life and conduct of Ma
sonry in Wilmington is kept up to the
high teachings of our symbolic order.
May they ever thus win the approval of
the world.
"I now declare this Fair duly organ
lied and open for the patronage of the
public"
For a few minutes after the formal
opening of the Fair there was an in
formal reception to Grand Master No
BILE and other visiting grand officers. and
thereafter the routine work of the fair
began in real earnest. The throngs of
people moved about the fair apart
mentS pausing before this booth and
that one to admire the exceptionally
beautiful decorative designs and make
purchases as their fancy dictated, or
----1 - - 49, -oxv0~o on~a
mittees in charge invited them.
Limited space will not at this time
admit of an aatemDt to describe the
fair apartments and booths in detail.
They are all as pretty as they can be,
thanks ito the faithful work and skill
OF the ladies composing the commit
tees, who have labored SO faithfully
for the success of the fair. Vari-colored
buntings, ported and cut flowers, fes-
toons and a thousand and one decora-
tive articles are blended in and about
the booths, presenting a scene the
beauty of which ELECTED gratifying ex-
clamations of surprised delight from
hosts of the visitors whose privilege it
had not been to visit the fair apart
menits before the hour for the opening.
The ladies composing the several
committees who lave worked for the
various booths Of the fair and were on
duty last night are as follows:
st. Johns Booth.-Mesdames A. M.
Waddell (chairman), R. w. Price, w.
E. Springer, r. c.. Merritt, ]. F. Post,
J. F. Maunder, J.. c. Stout, E. D. Sloan,
Geo. Honnet, T.. O.. Bunting, Oscar By
erly, w. H. Fallon, r. R.. Bellamy, p.
L. Platt, T. J. Pratt, j. F. Cause, H.
McClammy; Misses Kate Munson, Lidia
Yates, Mary Bellamy, Eliza Meares,
Scott, Jane Meares, Mary Carpenter.
Wilmington Booth.-Mesdames c. II.
Robinson (chairman), j. L. Cantwell,
w. L. DeRosset, Jr., Harry Waters,
Haywood Clark, has. Granger, w. HI.
Northrop, N. B. Rankin, w. p. Nom
roe, r. H. Grant, E. w. Fuller, AL
bert Gore, F. L. Higgins, Louis Belden,
H. w. Collins, j. c. Stevenson, z. H.
Sneed, Preston Cumming, w. l.. Smith,
w. B. Cooper, H. c. Orrell; Misses An
ma Cantwell, Elizabeth McKoy, Katie
Monroe, Maggie Wigs, Robbie Sutton,
Mary Cantwell, Edna Gasque, Anna
Peck, Sarah Kenan, Sue Mcqueen, Car
RE Maffitt, Georgia Orrell.
Orient Booth.-Mesdames A. NJ. Wad-
dell, Jr. (chairman), c. c. Brown, E.
o. Toomer, E. r. Daggett, Berry
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