The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-07-29
Presentation of
Masonic Jewels to
His Widoqu, Mary
Jones,

siye forcefulncss OF the pioneer and from.
detkman Of his time, ara to his lack OF
self asseftiveness more tnan anything
else is due his failure to attain all Of the
nonur and distinction which. viewed from
every Standpoint, should have been his by
right OF superiority OF Intelligence, fitness
aud business. II has been uuly said that
republics are ungrateful. and viewing the
past from an impartial and unprejuJiced
standpoint This truth is made manifest In
the disappointed hopes which marked the
closing years In the life OF this lllustrlous
citizen, who having insisted with pen and
sword In blazing out the pathway to civil.
l2aiion In Texas had rcnsGn to hope for
better treatment nj the hands Of the peo-
pie ne had served SO long, so ardently
and SO well
But 1t Is not Of Arson Jones, the soldier,
the statesman or the patriot that ! would
speak tonight. 1t is rather of Arson Jones
the Mason. Amidst ahe multiplicity OF
cares incident TO his private, professional
and public life, he chung tenaclously to the
principles of our order which had been SO
carefully ineutated In him., even before
he came 10 our state, and having organ
the first Masonic lodge ever chartered in
Texas, he zcalously guarded the interests
of our order until, In tinal elimination, he
saw an INDEPENDENT Ercnd lodge organized
in the State Of Texas OF which he was the
first presl ling officer, and which grand
lodge exists today, proud monument TO
the efficiency and zeal of those Masons
who 'ln times that tried Nous souls On
dcayored and did thus succeed in perpe
tuuting the institution ana It's teachings,
so that the grind lodge OF Texas stands
second to no grand Jurisdiction in the
world today In the work of good deeds and
in commanding the respect and admiration
Of the Masonic powers in every country on
the face Of the globe
%%+
| come now to the neglected link OF
which have spoken in the chain that
binds us so closely to the past history
Of ftv
Jones, the grand lodge of Texas is not I'M
mindful of its duty to you, the worthy
rcllct OF our first grand master, and the
one living link In the chain Of memory
that carries us back to the days when he
himself presided over and guided the deS-
tiuics of this august body; and though,
through years of tardy neglect, we have
failed to manifest that interest in Your
welfare our love for him and our respect
for you demanded. we come now tardily
repentant not With apologies bat with the
healing oil of love ana yencratlon to join
you again to oar sacred charge and to
give eXpr 'ssiun TO the feelings of fraterpnl
regard which We entertain for the wife
and widow of the man who did so much
for Texas Masonry 1t Is my pleasant
duty ana proud privilege, therefore, In
their name to present you With this jewel
as small token of our esteem and regard
Tor YOU ds woman ana for Arson jones
as a Mason. There is no virtue in the jewel
save that inspired by uubouuded love and
respect Ii Is not imhued With the power
of Aladdlns lamp or ring, which by
touch would summon the gcnii of its com
mand 10 bring 10 Its possessor the full gra-
tihcatiOn OF his every Wish. but In pres
emitting II | beg to assure you that In It's
giving the grind lodge of Texas assumes
most willingly the pow ers and duties Of the
genli Of this jewel. lit is an earnest to you
that your slightest wish If made known 10
MS shall be grutihed, and as around the
silver sheen of glory that crowns your
head we throw the Masonic mantle of our
loving protection, we praycrfully hope that
this evidence OF our esteem may brighten
the closing years of your beautiful life and
bring YOU joy In knowing that as YOU were
contemporaneous with all the great events
affecting the modern history of our glOr-
inuS state. so III our heart OF hearts you
shall forever dwell as the shining example
OF wifely regard, motherly devotion and
womauy gcntleness, and of all the pure
and noble qualities Of mind and heart
which We ls Americans and us Masons
love to admire in our mothers our wives.
our daughters and our sisters. and which
Is the true essence of and characteIizcs
American womauhood Accept this Jewell
then. my dear sister in the spirit in which
it Is given aud believe me when [ say to
you In all sincerity that | voice the seuti
ments Of every Mason In Texas when |
pray 10 God that YOU may live many years
to enjoy its l,usse sion and 10 command
Its powers and prerogatives