Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-04-09
TRINITYS DAY.
Large ConcIave of Local Sir
Knights and Guests.
inspection and installation by Grand
Commander Thayer.
Impressive Work Followed by Banquet
and Speeches. NY

No. Z, X. T., and visiting Sir knights
to total number of over $50. filled the
asylum in Masonic Temple, Friday af-
ternoon and evening. The occasion of
the special conclave was the official
inspection in the afternoon, with work
in the Orders of the Temple and Malta
and the installation of officers in the
evening. The inspecting and installing
officer was Right Eminent Frederick c.
Thayer of Waterville, grand comman-
der of the Grand COmmandery of
Maine. and with him were many prom
inent men from all parts of the State
who are high in Templar Masonry.
No fewer than seven Communicates
were represented by the visitors. There
were nine past commanders of Trinity
present. Garlely, Judge A0stin d.
Knight of lIallowell, S. w. Lar Of Au-
gusta, Charles X. Tilden of i!ullowell,
and Treby Johnson. F. w. PHI; d, j.
Z. Badger, James f. Kingsley, NJ. S.
Campbell and W. S. Boothby of Au-
gusta The work of the Temple degree,
as we'll as that of the opening, was most
beautifully and impressively done, win
ming the highest praise from the in
specting officers and the visitors. It
was a fitting close to the successful
year which Trinity has enjoyed under
Eminent Commander Charles w. Jones.
During the year Is candidates have
been knighted, and the total member
ship is now 1868.
After the work sumptuous banquet
was enjoyed in the upper hall, and this
was followed by some very eloquent
and entertaining after dinner speeches.
Commander Jones presided as toast
master. and the speakers We're Fred
erick c. Thayer of Waterville, grand
commander of the Grand Commandery
of Maine; E. D. Eastman of Portland,
deputy grand commander of the CT. a
Commandery of Maine; c. J. WadleiSh
OF Bangor. past commander of st.
Johns Commandery; Judge ]. L. Lar
rabee of Gardiner. for As years Il
Knight Templar, and one of the Grand
COmmandery officers who signed Trim
ity's charter in 1865: Rev. c. A. Hay
den of Augusta: +. w. Plaisted of Au-
gusta, past grand commander of the
Grand Commandery of Maine; and
Judge Austin D. knight of HalIowell.
the second commander of Trinity. Fol-
lowing is the full text of the splendid
address of Grand Commander Thayer.
Eminent Sir and Sir Knights of Trinity
Commandery. grateful to you for the va
rtouS manifestations of courtesy and
knightly regard, which You have ever ac-
corded me. am glad of this opportunity
to express how much / appreciate all you
have done for my pleasure and advance
meHt. l am glad of this occasion. too.
because it gives me the well-timed chance
citation to your much beloved fra frate app the
Right Eminent Sir Frederick w. Pais-
ted. past grand Commanded of the Grand
timely assistance, for his unvary ~ cour-
tesy. his continuing loyalty and true
friendship.
It is also an opportune moment to re-
call something of the life and character
of one whose life has recently gone
out from us. a life full of cncoura cement
to those who had the pleasure of an init
full of loneliness. and one which to the
advantage of all may well be cmulated by
those who are left behind.
Eminent Sir Winfield Scott Choate was
a most lovahlc knight. n courteous gentle
man, . fat - friend. able. consistent.
temper - 81. ach, true, always looking
for the besr in nan. condoning his faults
and eXcusi1 e his frailtes. whose govern
ing principle may well be expressed in
the sentiment:
Don't look for the faults as you go
through life.
And even when you find them
1t is wise and kind to be somewhat blind
And look for the virtues behind them.
Is 1t possible that such a life goes out
into darkness. and that it is the end?
God forbid!
AS we stand face to face with that most
familiar, and yet most unfamiliar of hu-
ing ourselves the question: Does it mean
extinction, do we echo the sentiment of
the old Persian poet. when in exquisite,
hut In infinitely mournful strains he dis
courses upon the destiny of man?
One thing Is certain. the rest is lies.
The flower that once is blow forever dies"
We have all testified in the most sol
emn and impressive manner to our belief
in the immortality of the soud; and as 1
have witnessed the beautiful and solemn
ceremony ] invariably ask myself the
question:: DO we believe it? And have
we any irst and rational ground upon
which to hlse such testimony This is
Questiou which comes hon 10 every
thoughtful and considerate human being.
question which l must flfuiliv admit
would have been few years aGu ,nswer-
ed in the negative by very Ia =, major
ity of the thoughtful. scientific. cultured
men of the whole world.
With the decline in authority of the ira
ditioral theology of the olden day. the
mind of man was left open to the force
full attack of his senses, the evidences of
appearances seemed to be almost unan-
develop hand In hand. each natures and
decays with the other. the dependence of
the one upon the Other appears TO De I'M
questioned An injury to the great nerve
center produces an entire change in the
mental and moral life Of the individual
whose brain has thus suffered. and is it
strange that this argument has led men
to the conclusion that when the brain
has returned to its ultimate principles
the inner consciousness will cease with its
destruction. and that death ends all?
BY a more extended observation, how
ever, the premises on which these argu-
ments are based are found to be unsub-
stantial. the appearances themselves have
not been properly construed. and our rea-
son for hope in future existence is
discovered to have a scientific and mate
rial foundation curiously enough through
the same means and methods by which
It had been denied.
Modern science has demonstrated the
continuity of force beyond all question,
and however much material may change,
nothing Is lost. Complex bodies are de-
veloped. and upon their dissolution each
of their component parts return 70 their
ultimate principle with never - atom
lost. MessEF :
Heat becomes motion, motion becomes
electricity. electricity becomes light,
>changed-.yes. but NOT lost.
1t Is scientifically true that neither ma
terial nor force is ever destroyed; that
death is only a disintegration of forms
Now is 1t reasonable I'd suppose that the
highest type of Aforce as vet known in