News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1903-12-09
Presented with a Masonic Jewel.

| y
who is 33 degree Mason, and who
has been Commandments of YER
mont Consistory of the Ancient Scot.
fish rite of Free Masonry, was pre-
seuted with a handsome Masonic
Jewel at the last meeting of that
body, held in Burlington last Friday
night. Mr. Stearns, because of bust
ness engagements and want of time
to give proper attention to the
duties of the office, gave notice that
he could not serve longer in IL e
capacity of COMMUNICATIVE He
was excused, but his associates took
advantage Of the occasion and gay
him the jewel. The presentation
speech was made by D. N. Nicholson,
who said in part:
There is one present tonight wi o
comes wildly to our minds, owing o
the exalted position he has so re-
Gently held among us, and whom W e
delighted to honor as our leader.
His voice has been heard in high
places with no uncertain sound. He
distinguished himself in both houses
of our state Legislature, having
thrice served to the satisfaction of his
constituents with credit to himse f
and honor to the community of Vel
mont. He was one of the leader
who planned and carried to success
full finish the remonies, doing honor
to that gallant hero who sunk the
ships of Spain in Manila Bay, the
grandest celebration that ever
graced the old Green Mountain
State.
Illustrious Brother Stearns, it is a
few words OF your history which l
have been reciting, and | now beg
leave to say that your masonic work
has been equally earnest and success
full. 1t was my pleasure to be upon
the field of action as grand lecturer
when you assumed the duties of dis
trict deputy grand master in
"Spunky Lamoille." 1t was the
signal of the departure of those
erroneous ideas then so prevalent
among the lodges, and the dawn of
the morning star of devolopement
which raised masonry in the 18th
district to the present high standard
of excellence.
In the Ancient Accepted Scottish
Rite YOU have been Jealous and act
i've, and as though distance lent en-
chantment Notwithstanding the long
way you reside from the masonic
mecca, you have been present a
every meeting for work since the de-
grees OF the Rite were conferred upon
you in 1898, and although the laurel |
wreath of advancement to the high |
est tribunal of the Rite was placed
upon your head by the Supreme
Council in 1901, giving you the
proud title of sovereign grand inspect
or general OF the 33rd and last de-
gree, you did not lay aside the
working tools OF the order, but &C
cepted the office of commander-in-
chief of this Consistory and have
given us an admirable administra-
ton, a browning victory of a faithful
officer.
Your brethren of the Supreme
Council have watched yourprogress,
admired your zeal and rejoiced in
your success, and as slight token
of appreciation of your efforts in the
Rite, by permission of the new COM
handkerchief, it is my privilege
and great pleasure in behalf of your
brother 33rd degree Masons to pre-
sent you this jewel, which we hope
you will accept as alasting memorial
of our brotherly love and fraternal
esteem Every part Of it's beautiful in
tricate mechanism is emblematic of
some great and important truth.
The great brillancy of the diamond
should be a constant reminder that
the daily life of sovereign grand in
spector general should be bright
and shining example worthy of i'm
itation by his brothers and fellows.
The crowned eagle should ever call
to mind, that, he who knoweth and
doeth the will of his Heavenly Father
shall wear a crown of eternal reioic-
ing in the Supreme Council above,
where the Sovereign Grand Master
of the Universe forever reigns.
Mr.. Stearns accepted the jewel in a
neat speech, feelingly expressing his
gratitude and his appreciation of the
Jewel, and more than that, the kindly
feeling and noble generosity of his
brethren of the supreme council which
prompted the gift.