The Savannah morning news., 1903-04-30
ROYAL ARCH MASoNS
Held Further Election of Officers.
Colding's Report.


Macon, April 29.-Robert L. Colding
declined reelection as grand high
priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal
Arch Masons this afternoon. and A.
NJ. Lambdin of GAINESVILLE was chosen
to succeed him. Y. A. Wright of jack
priest; John c. Joiner of Atlanta, grand
king; j. L. Gable of Brooks Station,
grand scribe.
The report of former High Priest
Colding. now grand master, was as
follows:
ITO the officers and members of the
Most Excellent Grand Chapter of Roy
al Arch Masons of the state of Geor-
gia:
My Companions: BY the gracious
kindness and goodness of Him who
doeth all things well, we are permitted
to meet again in annual convocation,
to renew our associations and friend
ships, meet again in friendly and fra
ternal intercourse to review this past,
and by his assistance to legislese for
the best interests of our noble order.
Another year has taken its Hight
almost like a meteor, which dashes
across the face of the heavens, leaving
it's beautiful brilliant train of fire, and
then falls to the earth and becomes as
it were a tale that is told, leaving moth
ing but recollection.
Twelve months ago when you call
ed me to the honorab bic position of
grand high priest of the state of Geor-
gia, l felt gratitied beyond measure at
this tangible evidence of your favor
and AGtaano n accounting tbiC "
allied position l promised to discharge
its various duties to the best of my
humble ability, and when at the end
of this grand convocation l shall hand
the gavel of authority to the compan-
ion who shall be elected by you to
succeed me, L will do so with the
proud consciousness of having kept
my promise. as 1 have endeavored to
be faithful to the trust reposed in me
and yield to no man in the love l bear
this institution.
IF any of my actions have not been
in accordance with your judgment I
but ask you to bear in mind that 'to
err is human, to forgive, divine;' that
perfect holiness belongeth only unto
the Lord, while | am but human, very,
very human.
Now with heart full of love for
all my companions of this grand juris-
NiNAAON anu eiAl prayer W the
great / am that we may all work
in harmony for the general good of all,
so that in our characters as Royal
Arch Masons we may all let cur light
so shine before men that they may see
our good works and glorify our Fa-
Their which is in heaven this my re-
port as your grand high priest is re-
specially submitted.
OF the late Thomas Ballantyne of
Savannah, Mr.. Colding said:
He had that deep sense of honor
and sincerity that animates those who
would scorn to commit a dishonorable
act and whose conduct is such as to
command the love and respect Of all
with whom they came in contact Hon
esty and fair dealing were a part of
his nature. and he scorned anything
mean, small or underhanded His char
ity knew no bounds, and his own big
heart beating in tenderest sympathy
for the suffering and sorrowful, often
converted the home of misery and want
into one of plenty, and changed the
wall of anguish into a song of thanks
giving.
II saw his pale face as he lay in
his casket, and, later, as l witnessed
the clods of the valley being thrown
upon him, p thought of the farewell
to Hamlet. Goodnight, sweet prince;
may flights of angels guard thee to thy
rest , f"