The age-herald., 1900-03-27
GRAND OPENING OF
 "a THE MASONIC FAIR
 I
Brilliant Scene at the Walker
 Building in First Avenue.
A NOTABLE SOCIAL EVENT
Formal Exercises Conducted by Capt. John G. Smith-Beautiful Letter from Grand Master Williams
 Full Programme ~

The opening of the Masonic Temple Fair | in the Walker building at the corner or | First avenue and Twenty-first street, last night, was a notable social event. The spacious room on the ground floor was pro fusely decorated with flags and bunting, and the ten booths, artistically designed, | added to the beauty of the scene. There was an immense crowd in attendance, Hundreds of Birmingham's representative men and women being present. It was indeed a gala occasion.
 At s:15 o'clock the two blue lodges-F'ra- ternal and King Solomon-headed by Mem offs band, marched 300 strong from the Masonic hall to the Fair. Their arrival was followed by the formal opening exer- cses, Captain John G. Smith presiding
 After a prayer by the Rev. Dr. Handley
 a member of the craft Mayor Drennen, was introduced. His honor made a humor- ous ten minutes speech, which was punctu- ated by laughter and applause Among | other things, he said: Notwithstanding the antiquity of Masonry, the secrets of the order are as profoundly kept today as they ever were. This Is surprising when | it is known that the majority of Masons are married men. Some men join the Ma sons because they desire to Hlelp their fel- lows. Others are prompted to send in their applications from motives of curiosity. They wish to find out the secrets. My ap- plcation, with $50 pinned to 1t, Is now be- fore of the lodges of this city. If it true, some people imagine that man must ride billy goat before he can be | Mason, 1 want to know it." -
 The mayor concluded by congra tulating the managers of the Fair upon the large attendance, and predicted that it would prove financial success. 1s''e
 Letter from Grand Master. Y,ss
 The chairman read the following letter from the grand master: f+tS2 'Office of the Grand Master of Masons of
 Alabama. .fF
 "Oxford, March. p, 1sOO
 "Mr. John G. Smith Chairman, Birming-
 ham, Ala: My Dear Sir and Brother-Much
 to my regret I will not be able to be with
 you at the opening of your fair. had in-
 tended to do so, but other engagements
 have arisen to prevent, and besides l am
 suffering with a severe spell of influenza,
 which renders me unfit for almost any kind of service. 'It is unnecessary for me to assure you
 that though absent in the flesh. T will be
 present in spirit. I feel that great things
 depend upon the success of your heroic en-
 terprise-the welfare of the fraternity in
 your great city and, indirectly, in our en- | tire commonwealth.
 Birmingham is destined to be. in my
 opinion, the great center of Masonic strength and influence of Alabama, if in-
 deed it is not already so. The success of the present undertaking and the ultimate erection of a magnificent temple, dedicated to the order, will Joe long step in the full . flment of this prophecy.
 Alabama is rich in mineral resources. and the development of the future in open 5 ing up and utilizing her boundless deposits of ore and coal, in the production and con
 version of king cotton, and in the conserva- ton of diversified industries. will challenge 7 the widest dreams of fancy. We are just l ly proud of our material resources, but Q Alabama has one moral and ethical asset that is better than all her cotton factories I and ore mines-Specultive Freemasonry. It
 instructs and polishes the mind elevates and ennobles the soul, relieves and purifies 9 the desires, and binds man to man with the golden links of brothery love and af-
 lection. It makes ideal citizens, upright, , unselfish business men, and ornaments the , professions with jewels of virtuous, jealous and progressive artists. It laid the foun-
 dations of our peerless republic upon the solid rock of love and loyalty to God, with
 the imperishable cement of charity, frater-
 nity and equality; and in its superstruct- |, ure is interwoven living stones, tried by , the plumb and square. Our republic a model of wisdom, strength and beauty l and will ever remain so, so long X as continue to abide in faith, hope, and charity, and to practice temperance, for titude, prudence and justice.
 l "The 12,000 Free Masons of Alabama are :. bannered and aproned host, battling for all that is grand and noble in manhood, ' all that is lovely and chaste in womanhood f loyal to the state obedient to its laws, zeal ! ous in projecting and upbuilding institu- tions, which have for their object the glory ' of God and the elevation and happiness of $ His image-Gnan; dispensing charity, wip- ing tears from widowed cheeks, succoring the oppressed, feeding, clothing, and edu- eating orphan children and lifting a sim
 fallen world back to God. I bid you, in the n name of the jewel-spirits, friendship, nor = ality and brotherly love, God speed. - May
 the temple speedily be built, a proud mon-
 ument to the noble craft of the Magic City. o an ornament to the brotherhood of Ala V, bama Fdaternally,
 SS "B. DUDLEY WILLIAMS, Grand Mastsr" nn Dr. R. M. Cunningham, deputy grand