The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-02-19

Grand Master. In the installation service
every new Grand Master is told that tbs
very consciousness of the possession of
great power will ever make a generous
mind cautious and gentle in its EXERCISE
that 1T is not by the strong arm or the
iron will that obedience and order, the
chief requisites of good government, are
secured, but by holding the key to the
hearts of men,. Ny brethren, there is
only one way to get hold of the key TO
the hearts of men and that is by coming
in touch with them. For that purpose
every possible sacrifice of health and
strength and time and business has been
made. and by il the key TO so many hearts
has been found that the memory of this
year will be the sweetest and most con-
soiing in the after days when all ones
joys are of the imagination. After all.
there was no real sacrifice. For all that
was forgone something greater than n
recompense was returned.
las a final word, let me say again. that
there ought to be something in or about
every Mason to distinguish him from the
rest of the understanding more than
the charm on his chain, or the ring on his
finger. How does il behoove US to be
Masons if We are only as other men are?
The mere possession of secrets that other
men have not is only the means to an
end-a very little thing of itself with
out tinge of virtue about il. To be sure
secrecy begets confidence and confidence
begets love (Which is the reason for our
secrecy. but what does our love beget?
What must all genuine love beget? Every
manse heart has quickened its beating
at the touch of q friend or in the wor
ship of God. knows the influence that
comes with love 1t is the impulse To
serve and to sacrifice. 1t is the final test,
and the man whose life does not meas
ure up to il is of no use to his God, to
his country or to Masonry. But such
men among the craft are few. However.
regardless Of our present attachments and
projections. there is more in Masonry than
we have learned, and every brother here
today ought to return home with a firm
determination to measure higher up on
the standard of self-sacrifice. Il will
make for him a new heaven and a new
earth. And now
May the blessing of God rest upon us
and ali regular Masons May brotherly
love prevail and every moral and social
virtue cement us. Amen"
The reports show an increa sed member
ship and that all of the institutions are
in a fourishing condition of the order.
Among the noted men who are attend
ing the Grand Lodge of the Masons is
W
man who was the real Laurie" in Louise
NJ Alcott's Little Women, book
which almost every boy and girl has read.
or. at least. should read. Several years
go he published In an eastern magazine
some Of the letters he had received from
Miss Alcott and the publication of the
letters greatly increased the circulation
of the paper. Many people who had read
of .Joe's Boy wanted to know moro
leo 4
OF Laurie. This month an article is
printed in an English magazine which
gives much more OF the inside history
OF the great woman writer.
All of the letters | sent To the eastern
magazine were not printed. said Mr.
Whitman. AS there was a copyright is
sued on all the manuscripts of Miss Al
colt and the letters according to a legal
decision. came under this law. However.
they cannot prevent the publication in
English magazines of my personal ex-
periences with Miss Alcott and opinions
Of the letters she wrote TO me. so | have
written them.
Did Miss Alcott really love boys so
much p was asked.
Yes. she thought 4 great deal of all
her boys. ! was much younger than Miss
Alcott. but Tor years after I came west
] received letters from her and l believe
vice and contained. besides news of the
family, many words of good, wholesome
advice. She never forgot her boys and
kept posted concerning their doings and
thoughts. l was we'll acquainted with the
family and so all OF them were interest
ing 10 me
The article published this month is in
the Girl : Realm MIR. Whitman remarked
that many of the letters he had sent 10
sf,,
DenCiied" that they did not seem Ike
the same letters They Will prohab bly, all
be published later
There was discussion Tor some months
SIS to who Was the original Laurie" but
when Mr.. Whitman showed his letters
this question was closed. He says that in
Little Women some Of the characters
are drawn from imagination but that n
the main they are true 10 life.
DR. w + Kuhn oe Kansas City was
here yesterday 10 tell the Mascns some
thing about the work He is the deputy
grand master Of Missouri and is tie best
0oSted Mason IN that state. He formerly
lived in e Dorado and the only change
that can be noticed in him is that ne
wears Plug hat
The oldest Maso- attending the Grand
Lodge is T. T Carr Of I-savenworth. who
: really he founder OF the Grand Lodge
81 this state Re IS Grand Prior 81 the
supreme Council ~ the United State
and WIS Grand Secretary &C the Nasons
~ Kansas from fSS3 10 $50 he Is =
years ole. bur no one wonld take him
to be more than g. tie Is hale and hea-ty
and has the step Of a man half his ag.
II. F. Mason. associate justice Of the
CONTINUED on Eighth Page)