The leader., 1900-02-07
MASONIC ADDRESS.
Jan. 31st, 1900. at the Dedication
of the New MASONIC Temple.


clude in its report, the address deliv.
cred by Acting Grand Master H.. II.
Folk on the occasion of the dedication
of the new Masonic Temple In this city.
1t will be of general interest and ID
given in full below:
"Over thousand years before the
Christian era, according to Scriptural
chronology, the Temple of Solomon at
Jerusalem, the work of those eminent
artists, whose memory we revere, was
dedicated to the living God. Not only
the Temple, but the manner of its ded
icati0n, were marvellous as set forth in
Holy Writ. The building with its sacred
and cunningly wrought vessels and
furniture, whether In the light of his
tory, or of Masonic tradition. was view
ed with wonder by the profane philos.
opher, classed as miraculous by sacred
writer's, and regarded by the Masonic
fraternity as one OF the grandest events
in its history, to be always eommema-
rated for the sublime incidents of such
transcendent symbolic moral lessons.
''fhis is the first Masonic dedication
of which we haye any kaQwledge, and
according to acustom thus fittingly in
augurated, we have met with the breth-
rem of Brookhaven to dedicate this
beautiful lodge.
I'VE congratulate the brethren here,
not only for the taste displayed in the
erection of this building, but also for
their energy, enterprise and devotion
to the cause of Masonry, thus symbol
lied, II is monument to their Ma
sonic zeal and to their love for the
principles Of fraternity, which is
worthy of them, and Of which they are
worthy members.
This an intensely practical age. So
much progress is being made in every
department of life, and the activities
of every thinking person are so stimu-
lated in consequence, that naturally
the spirit of the age judges everything
by its ability. Its tendency to assist
or retard progress, at once determines
the estimation in which anything is
held at the present day. 1t follows
from this that old institutions which
have outlived the necessity that gave
them birth; which may have been in
their day the greatest aids to civiliza-
tion in its struggle with ignorance and
superstition, but which belonged to a
place of activity that the rising tide of
civilization has submerged and oblit-
Grated, have ceased to interest the
present age. Institutions thus dis
carded are like the geological stratas
in the earth's crust. They we're once
the life of the planet, but now. though
still part of it, and essential to the
existence of the whole, they are buried
deep out of sight and forgotten. Our
fraternity, however, is of a different
class. It's objects are the advocacy and
practice of charity, benevolence and
bro therly affection, and in the realiza-
tion OF these objects it is a silent power
ever active for the right; an influence
ever present to stimulate virtue. In
degree, its effect may and does depend
upon the stage of intellectual and
moral development of the people. but
its benign influence is ever present
and active like the sunlight which
warns the desert and the beautiful
garden alike, however different the eff
feet of its genial, life giving rays may
be upon them. Age, therefore only
increases the influence of our brother
hood. The element Of veneration is
added. Its age and its vigor but exem-
plify and prove it's excellence.
"Freemasonry is the oldest social
organization in the world. 1t has also
the largest membership and exercises
the greatest influence for good. 1t is
in full sympathy with the activities of
the present age. Age has not brought
infirmity. 1t is an athlete with the
dust of centuries resting upon its gar
ments, and stands today as the cham
pion and cultivator of the most extern
sive moral field in the civilized world
Masonry is an aid in the elevation
of individual character towards the
perfect model. 1t is not exclusive, but
will work and cooperate with other
aids in this grand object. 1t is not re-
quired to crowd the Church and Reli-
gion out of the man to make room for
Masonry. Both can exist together in
harmony, and he who is SO narrowly
constructed as to have insufficient
moral or mental compass for both, has
obviously too little for either.
ION such broad, catholic foundations
was this institution built, that it has
been growing in strength and useful
ness from year to year and from centu-
ry to century; and so long as its pre-
cepts are obeyed by the Fraternity, so
long as it's members live out in their
daily lives the principles itteaches and
the conduct it demands from them,
just so long will it continue in its pres
ent power, freshness and vigor, bless
ing to humanity, honored and revered
by men; so long will it remain as now
a Gibraltar of moral and social
strength, alike Indifferent and impreg-
nable to the attacks of ignorance, in
tolerance and bigotry."
Burning of Union school House.