The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-01-07
THE CONDITION OF MASONRY
WAS NEVER BETTER" SAYS
SECRETARY DREWRY.
THE MEMBERSHIP NOW NUMBERS li,424
The Chief Work of the North Carolina Masons
Has Been the Establishment of the
0>fard Orphan Asyum---Its
Prosperous Condition.


Lodge of Masons which meets in this
city next Tuesday, Grand Secretary John
c. Drewry said:
This viii be the 18th annual Com
mrnication of the Grand Lodge of
North Carolina, and it will meet at 1880
p. m., Tuesday, January 8, in the beau
tiful Grand Lodge Hall on the third
floor of the Holleman building.
The condition of Masonry was never
better in North Carolina" continued
Grand Secretary Drewry, upon being
requested to give this paper the benefit
of some observations on the subject,
than at the present time.
There are now in this State 3l2
Lodges in existence, numbering a to-
tai membership of 11,424.
The membership of these Lodges
now, as has always been the case since
the inception of Masonry in North Caro-
lima number many of the leading and
most influential citizens of the Com
Notwithstanding all the learned
professions and various businesses.
Samuel Johnson, the first Cover
nor of North Carolina, was likewise the
first Grand Master of North Carolina
The second Grand Master was Richard
Caswell and the third William II. Davic.
Since their day many particularly
prominent and able men have filled the
position of Grand Master of our Lodge.
| would instance such names as William
Dill IoLn I n,,i1. ToI-Io1. Gov Rp11
Smith Robert Strange. Gov. Stone, Al
fred Martin, Edwin G. Reade, Robt.
b. Vance, Charles G.. Clark, Gen. w. Il.
Cox, John Nichols, Maj. Robert Bing-
ham, Fabius H. Busbee, Gen. John w.
Cotton, Walter e. Moore and other able
men, the lives and deeds of quite
number of whom form important chap
ters in the history of the Old North
State. Our present Grand Master IS
Dr. Richard j. Noble of Selma, \. G.,
who is one of the most prominent and
influential physicians and business men
in his section of the State.
Abiding to the recent Masonic occa-
sion at the National Capital, Mr.. Drew
ry said
That occasion, on which the Masons
celebrated the one hundredth anniversary
of the death of George Washington,
who was AN eminent Mason, was one
of the largest and most imposing Ma
sonic events ever held in this or any
country
There were representatives of 81 of
the IL Grand Lodges in the United
States present. and representatives from
England, France, Belgium, Canada and
Nova Scotia attended and took part Ill
the ceremonies of the Occasi'.n.
president Mckinley. who is a Ma
son, accompanied by his entire cabinet
officers, was present a,s3, and ne de-
livored the address at the grave OF
Washington at Mt. Vernon, it will b.
remembered. The first part of ccre-
monies at the grave were performed by
the representatives of the original thlr-
teen States. The old Federal Lodge
of Washington took charge and the same
ceremonies were performed at the grave
by this Lodge which they performed
there one hundred years ago. as 1T was
old Federal Lodge which buried the
Father Of his country.
The chief work of, the Masons OF
North Carolina" continued Secretary
Drewry, SIS centered in the Oxford Or
phan Asylum. This is one of the no
blest works in the South au1 we have
one of the most comple-e and we'll
equipped and admirably conducted in
sttutions Of this character that | have
knowledge of anywhere N this coun-
try.
AT present there are 219 Of these
little orphans at our institution and L
know that everything possible IS done,
looking to their comfort and cultivation.
We not only train III 4tr minds. but their
hands also. striving TO develop their
physical skill as well as mental capacity.
We do this by teaching them various
trades. and thereby fitting thein 20
successfully make their way peculiarly
in the world after leaving the Asylum.
col. w. ]. Hicks, a Raleigh man, is
our superintendent and he has mace
model officer. Kind-hearted and beneyo-
lent. he is 'rue man in every re-
spect. ana uses the same Judgment and
exercises the same care and love in
directing this large family Of orphaned
children that he would i'll managing aad
rearing enc of his own blood.
The greatest benefactor the Oxford
Orphan Asylum has had, pecuniaruy
speaking. is Mr.. 8. n. Duke. of Durham
who has recently donated $500 % tins
institution. The amount has been used.