The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1904-01-15


Masonic hall, which has been to-day
so solemnly dedicatedt to Free Masonry,
but also in the erection of the magnt-
cent building on the corner formerly
occupied by the old-time tavern. Also
in the erection of this we'll appointed,
comfortable town hall in which we are
assembled. And | am informed that
the people of this pleasant village
are about to add to their comforts,
a lighting and water works plant.
AS citizen of this county, rejoice
with you in these evidences of your
material growth and advancement,
and 1 only wish that your future years
may be as prosperous as your latter
ones have been honorable.
| stated moment ago that | con-
graduated the people of this village
and vicinity upon the fact that there
is located in this village and commu-
nifty, Masonic fraternity. | did this
not out of idle thought, but meaning
every word, for any community is
fortunate TO have located within its
borders,an institution which teaches
love of home and country; which
teaches lessons of morality, sobriety
and virtue which teaches an observ
ance of and obedience to the laws and
institutions under which we live;
teaches the duty which we owe to our
Creator, our neighbor, our family and
our fellowmen, and any institution
ha he
called-Masons, Oddfellows, Wood
men. knights of Pythias or any one
of a score or more of names which
make up the list of secret societies
which have for their foundation prin-
ciples, the multiplication of human
enjoyment and the mitigating of
human suffering, is an ornament and
blessing to society and the community
in which it is located.
The question of good citizenship is
the burning need of the hour. What
the people want, what God Almighty
wants is men. Men who will be man
~ men in all places and under all con-
ditions and circumstances. Every in
stitution. therefore. which teaches
lessons and inculcates principles which
tend to make men better, tend to
elevate mankind, tend to develop
higher manhood, which also tend to
make better citizens, ought to be hailed
as benefactor and be sustained and
supported by the people of the locality
where it is located.
Masonry teaches all these and more,
and no man can be a Mason in the
true and highest sense of that term,
without becoming and being a better
man. My friends, the great danger
of this land of ours is from within
and not from without. Let a foreign
foe trample upon our rights or insult
the old flag, and we know no division
no North, no South, no East, no
West, but from the pine clad hills of
Maine to the shores of the Pacific,
from Manitoba to the Gulf, young
men and middle aged men rush to-
gether and stand shoulder to shoulder
in defense of the common country,
and for the perpetuity of the old flag.
Patriotism is not dead, as some
would have us think. 1t lies smould-
ering and slumbering in the breast of
the young American, and if ever call
ed forth which we pray God it may
never be it will shine with the spirit
of 70, II, '61 and the '90's. The
danger is from within. 1t is your duty
and mine as men and Masons and as
citizens of this great country, to see
to it that there is but one flag in this
country. There is ample room for one
and only one-the glorious stars and
stripes. That glorious old banner
which the sun greets with the first
beams of the morning at PASSPORT,
Maine, and kisses goodnight behind
the hills at the Golden Gate. Aye,
that flag which the light of Gods sun
never goes down upon III the domains
of the United States of America.
Sacred old banner Ingersoll said,
4 call it sacred because no man can
stand beneath its folds without be-
coming and misunderstanding free. -
w. ]. Barnard of Paw Paw was
called on. and although he had not
had even the short notice given Mr..
Titus, he gave witty and appro-
pirate talk.
Hon. G. G. Phillips of Bangor also
spoke very briefly.
Then came the Eastern Star. Mrs.
+. n. Wakeman of Paw Paw being
first called on as representative of
the grand chapter, and she acquit-
ted herself well indeed, with one of
the best talks of the evening.
Mrs. Geo. Atwood of South Haven
was then called, and made a talk full
of pat" ideas and sly, good-natured
thrusts at the Masons. She advanced
the true idea that members of the
Order of the Eastern Star can and do
accomplish much in the attraction of
new, desirable membership to Masonic
lodges.
The above program was interspersed
with music, vocal solos by Messrs.
Whitney and Henderson and whist
ling solo by Miss Barrows. A fine