The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-02-19
OPEN LODGE
OF SORROW
In Memory of Members Who
Have Passed Away.
Mr.. DEWEY MADE ADDRESS
Reports Issued by Officers of
Grand Lodge.
Mr.. DEWEY MADE ADDRESS


Lodge of Kansas opened yesterday morn
ing at the Toler Auditorium, with all the
grand officers present save one. The lodge
was opened in form and some business
disposed of before noon.
In the afternoon the grand officers
opened a Lodge of Sorrow in memory of
those who have passed from active life
to the passive irresponsible state which
ends all mortal existence. The peculiar
decorations were tastefully arranged and
in accordance with the peculiar and beau
tiful ritualistic arrangement of the fra
ternity.
The memorial address of Grand Master
Thomas E Dewey was impressive and
scholarly and was delivered TO thor
oughly attentive audience. OF those who
ave PASSED from this life since last the
Grand Lodge met Mir Dewey mentioned
a number by name, with q brief encom-
ium upon each, but mentioned most es-
peciaIly A II. Ellis of. Belcit, who died
only a few weeks ago and who was
Grand Junior Warden of the Grand Lodge.
Mr. Dewey opened his remarks concern
ing Mr.. Ellis by saying that greatest
pleasure afforded him as Grand Master
as Grand Junior Deacon OF the Grand
Lodge. and the saddest duty which II
fell to his lot to perform during the year
was to bury him. Mr.. Dewey further
said Of him: THE honors so justly his
due have not been paid him. His greatest
ambition was to become Grand Master
OF the Masons Of Kansas. and il IS not
TO the credit OF the Grand Lodge that he
had not been elevated to the position of
which he was so justly worthy
The flowers used in the decorations
were shipped to Mrs. Ellis at Beloit last
night.
OF the Masons in Kansas, 361 have died
during the past year. and there remain
1850 in the state at the present time.
The committee on resolutions regarding
those who have passed away also pre-
scented their report and it will be placed
in the proceedings of the Grand Lodge
In the evening an eXemplitication of
the regular Masonic work was held By
the grand officers followed by the lee
ture given by Deputy Grand Master Bes-
tor G. Brown in very impressive man
ner.
The regular business will continue and
will probably be completed today. includ-
ing the election of the grand officers for
the ensuing year.
Thomas f. Dewey, Grand Master. and
other Grand Lodge officers made their
reports yesterday. The Grand Master
said in part:
Brethren: Gratitude is the first.
though it be the least, of earthly viz
tues, and little peace comes into the heart
that possesses it until some method of eX-
preston has been found and used. Be
cause ii is so slight virtue, the absence
of it becomes the greatest of vices. Scant
credit does man deserve for grateful
heart but h is ever DESTROYS so to act
and to express himself that others may
know that he has one. Wherever dur
ing the year your Grand Master has met
a considerable number of the craft in
formal way. il has been his pleasure so
to express himself. and now, as he returns
to you to give an account OF his leader
ship. his first desire-and greatest desire
Is TO make evident to you and to all reg
ular Masons IL Kansas the gratefulness
of his heart and his sincere appreciation
of the great honor accorded him at the
last communication of this N. w. Grand
Lodge.
The height and the depth and the glory
of being at the head of the craft can
be fully realized only by one who has
been there, and with such realization
comes the knowledge that of him who
hath been accorded much. much is ex-
pected. There used to live next door TO
me very olu man whose heaven was
IN his life and heart and whose death
was mere transition. He believed much
and loved much. thinking often of his
friends, seldom of his enemies. and every
day Of Christ. as Henry Van Dyke says
One summer evening he walked down to
the fence between US and said: Mr.
Dewey, there is only one thing that wor-
ries me- | believe so much more than
other men that l ought to be so much
better. ard am not" But he was. Since
attaining to this position that incident
has kept recurring TO my mind. and not
without result The expectations of the
craft are reasonable and just
The grstiicaton that comes with the
possession of great power is an exhilar-
ating thing. The exhilaration results
from the mere possession Of the power
and not from the exercise of it, However
men do not relinQuish their personal rights
one TO another without expectation that
the gathered strength SO obtained shall
he exercised for good and so to exercise
It ought to be the purpose Of every