The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-22
OFFICERS INSTALLED
Auditor Dixon'S Address to
Masons Last Night.
Raleigh Lodge InstaIls Its Offers. Treasurer
Lacy Presents The Past Master S 1--WE
10 Mr., H. c. Butter.

Last night at the ceremony of installa
ton of officers of Raleigh Lodge of
Masons, State Auditor B. f. Dixon was
the orator of the evening, and his effort
was a splendid one. 1t met with hearty
applause and was much appreciated by
the large audience of Masons.
The new officers were installed by
Past Grand Master r. ]. Noble, of Sell
ma.
State Treasurer B. r. Lacy made the
presentation of the Past Masters Jewell
to the retiring master, H. c. Butler in
a very appropriate, brief speech, which
was very fittingly responded to by Mr..
Butler.
The following officers were installed:
Worshipful Master, F. f. Harding; Sen
Tor Warden, w. r. Smith; Junior War
den, o. M. Minor; Treasurer, M. S.
Clark; Secretary, w. E. Faison; Senior
Deacon, b. II. Baker; Junior Deacon,
H. o. Kendrick; Stewards, b. C. Glover
/ and Mr.. Moore; Tyler, L. G. Rogers.
Refreshments were served and several
impromptu speeches were made by the
new officers.
DR.. Dixon, after some appropriate
opening remarks, said that Masonry
/ opens up such broad field for discus
sion that he could only touch upon a few
of its high places, and that while he con-
Quoted them hurriedly through the rich,
oriental shrubbery, planted centuries
ago, and nurtured with so much care
by our forefathers, that amid it's deep
recesses there were bubbling brooks, and
mountain heather, and rich and beauti-
fui flowers he would not be able to dis
! cover to them.
He said Masonry was first established
in America about the year 1882, and while
Boston claimed the honor of having the
i first lodge, this was also claimed by New
York city and Savannah, Ga. The first
lodge organized in Philadelphia had for
its Worshipful Master, no less a person.
age than Benjamin Franklin, and from
his printing press was sent forth the
first book published in America on Free
masonry.
In 1852 George Washington was made
a Master Mason in Fredericksburg lodge,
in the State of Virginia. With such men
as these to lead off in the work. is it
any wonder that Masonry has held it's
abnner in the heavens with increasing
strength and glory to this good day?
DR.. Dixon said that Masonry was a
true friend to the State and to the ma
tion. One of it's most fundamental laws
prohibits all political discussions, and
to be law-abiding citizen was requi-
site of Masonry, and it was a token of
weak and timid nation when Masonry
was not sanctioned.
1t is a friend to the church. and when
ever a church assumes a hostile attitude
| toward Masonry, it is not proof of any
mischievous tendency of the institution,
I but of ignorance of its real nature and
| influence.
| He spike of it's civilizing influence upon
| all countries where it has been estab-
| lished.
The glory of Masonry is not in any
Of these things, but rather in it's exalted
mission of intoxicating love and charity
moral courage and fortitude. Carrying
/ its white banner into the cabin of the
poor, or to the bedside of him who is
ready to perish" comforting the afaict-
| ed bringing back the erring to the path
/ of virtue, and wiping away the tears of
the widow and the orphan.
Continuing in this thought, he said:
| 'While the Masons of other States have
/ Masonic Temples, and give great annual
! hanquets to the members of the f.
| ternity, and have a royal good time fer
| themselves, the Masons of North Caro-
lima have their temple in the form of an
Orphan Asylum at oxford, and they
spread a banquet three times every day
before 25O orphan children, and thus
North Carolina Masons have chosen that
good part which shall not be taken away
from them In time or in eternity" He
gave some interesting and pathetic Incl
/ dents which occurred at Oxford during
: his connection of seven years as super
intendent of that noble institution. He
| then spoke OF the courage and self-sacri-
! ficing spirit of Masons, closing with this
picture.
"a spark shines like a glow worm in
an obscure dwelling 1t is so small that
! single drop of water would extinguish
f, it, or the pressure of a babys finger
would put it out, but no one sees it.
| There it shines! BY and by it gathers
| strength and reaches out for more COM
| bustible material, until its black smoke
| ascends to the heavens, and its awful
| roar is carried to the street. Then the
watchmans cry of alarm is heard, and
! the wall goes up-'God of Heavens save
our City Look at that massive building
enveioped in smoke-the firemen have
Withdrawn, and the house is LEFT to its
! fate. Suddenly at an upper window APP
pears the form of a young man. The
! firemen look up at him with blanched
faces but no man moves. Hear that
cry of distress, that every Mason under
stands, "Tis widows son, is the echo,
and firemen are brushed aside. and brave,
heroic men place ladders to the build
ing, and up amid the smoke and flame of
that burning hell they go-choking, CROP
ing, but upward they go until the son is
reached, and the brother is saved
Go to Norfolk on Christian & Wealth
ers fast train over the Seaboard Air
Line June 25th. Arrive there at 2 p. m.
Four hours in Norfolk before leaving