The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-06-25
RAIN SPOILED DAY
Masonic Celebration Interfer-
ed With by Weather
OBJECTIONS TO MASONRY
Was Theme Of Judge S. R.
Peters Address

The annual celebration in honor of John
the Baptist, The patron saint of Masonry,
to whom all Masonic lodges are dedicat-
ed. occurred yesterday afternoon in the
grove at the Masonic Home grounds
This was the celebration for southeastern
Kansas, and as rates had been secured
on all roads many Masons in this district
took advantage of this opportunity to
visit the home and attend the celebration.
II was estimated that during the after
noon about 400 people visited the home
and the grounds and that the majority
of these were out of town Masons. The
threatening weather and the irregularity
of the train service resulting from this
! springs foods reduced the attendance
materially from what it has Deem in past
years.
The exercises were held in the grove OF
the Masonic Home. This is a delightful
place and everything had been done for
the accommodation of those who attend
ed. The part Of the program which was
| rendered was excellent and fulfilled the
highest expectations Of those who at
tended Deputy Grand Master Thomas
G. Fitch presided.
Sanfords band gave d short concert
while the crowd was gathering. The in
vocation was delivered by Rev. Ritchey.
| Judge Thomas c. Wilson delivered an ad-
dress welcoming the visiting Masons and
| their friends Of Masonry. He referred
briefly to John the Baptist and TO Ma
sonry. Wichita he characterized as a
| Masonic city because Of il having the
largest Masonic interests Of any city in
Kansas
After selection by the band Deputy
| Grand Master Fitch introduced the
speaker of the day. Judge S. r. Peters
| of Newton. Senior Grand Warden. His
address was full of logic, eloquent
thoughts and apt Illustrations and was
well received. He chose for his theme
| the objections which are commonly made
! to Masonry. His first thought was a
warning to Masons not TO speak on Ma
sonic topics before those who through
! ignorance of the workings of the order
might be led to think and speak with dis
respect of the order. He then took up
and answered in order the objections
commonly made against the Masonic or
der. He first considered the objection
against secrecy. saying that there are
many things in the Masonic order which
it is not necessary to keep secret, yet
there are other things which the general
public has no right to know. He used
several illustrations to prove this point.
He said if a brother Masan had fallen by
| the wayside and the order had been able
to redeem him and make him a man
again. this should Of necessity and honor
| be a Masonic secret; or if the order rem
| dered financial aid to an unfortunate Ma
son, the same should be true. Besides
| these. there is the secret work which all
lodges have Another objection which he
| answered was that the workings of the
| Masonic order We're opposed to Christ.
| He said if these objections were true, Ma
sonic lodges would not have as their pa
| iron saints John the Baptist and John
| the Evangelist. Masonry and the church
are in harmony. If not. he asked, why
should so many ministers of the gospel
be present at this celebration and take
part in the exercises? When a man signs
an application blank 20 enter "A Masonic
Deity He then took UP his final and
central theme, the proof Of the existence
Of a Deity Nobody can prove this exist
ence absolutely; it is belief. Science.
history, nature and the Bible are proofs
OF this. The harmony that exists among
celestial bodies shows the existence Of a
Divine hand and will Natures work
ings, such as life and the winds, cannot
be explained. vet that they exist is GER
tain. The harmony and intelligent plan
in nature: the Bible. and history are
proofs Of the existence Of n Deity. one
must reason from inference and believe.
Rev Bruce Griffith began his address
on John the Baptist" but he had bare
Is started when the rain began. The au-
dience then adjourned 70 the home. but
on account OF the incouvenient arrange
ment in the home for seating the audi
ence Rev Griffith asked 10 be excused.
Those VINO have seen his address say it
is fine AID the Masons expect to arrange
TO hear it at some future time.
The children OF the Home then gave
their part Of the program in the parlor.
They did exceptionally well for ones 50
young and those who are interested I'm
the Home are Erat:fied at the progress
made. Their singing was exceptionally
well executed and showed thorough prac-
tce. Those who have charge Of the
training OF the children are 20 bo con
graduated Every number on the fol
lowing program was well nderef:
! Song America BY the children.
song As We Journey
! Recitation. Ten Little Lodge Men
Harry Beve1-
Song. Village Bells"
sonz-Earl PettInEer.
Recitation. THE Eastern Star'-Nelue
Ezeil
song Laugh whenever You Can
Recitation, Little Dot''-Mar- Barker
Song. There's work for Each OF Us
Recitation. Two Little Eyes'-Cecl
Straw.
Sons. star Snansled Banner
The hand concert which was 20 have
bes1 cive1 in the grove IN the evening
was POSTPONED Until this evening Tbs
rro=ram published for last ni-hts con-
cert VIII ne rendered and the ladies - the
Eastern Star viii serve refreshments.
KICKED OK TIE TAX.
TeIsrhore co1parv saws CITY Asses