The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1904-01-15
LAWRENCE MASONIC HALL.
The Dedication Last Week IA Memorable
Masonic Event.

evening was an event worthy of more
than the passing notice we were able
10 give it in our last issue.
The hall itself is. an ornament to
any town, large or small, and is adj
mirably adapted TO the uses of the
fraternity. The dedication of new
hall is not so common an event as TO
fail to be important in the affairs of
the fraternity, and consequently lodges
from all over the county were invited
TO attend, and the wives of the Masons
were likewise asked to the ceremony,
and the invited guests responded to
the invitation more than 800 strong.
The dedication was set for o'clock
in the afternoon, and most of the
cordially received, and devoted their
time to inspecting the new quarters,
a brief description not being out of or
der. After going up the stairs and
into the ante room, one is first struck
BY the roomy corridor running the
full length of the building and along
side and in front of the hall proper,
which is thus cut off entirely from
the street. This corridor answers adj
uirably for a coat room. On the
south of the corridor are a fine recep-
tion room, beautifully furnished, and
four property closets-one for each of
the branches of the order using the hall,
the blue lodge, chapter, council and
Eastern Star. Adjoining the ante
room is a convenient preparation room,
and in the rear of these is commo-
Sious dining room and nicely appoint
ed kitchen.
The hall proper is roomy and at
tractive one, of the proper oblong
shape, with high arched ceiling. fres-
coed in appropriate Masonic style,
with a balcony at each end, materially
increasing its capacity. The furni-
ture is of the best
The dediCatOry ceremony was con-
Quoted by Grand Master II. w. Brough-
ton of Paw Paw, assisted by Grand
Secretary Lou B. Winsor of Reed City
as deputy grand master, Past Grand
Master Lucien f.. Wood Of Niles as
grand senior warden. Grand Senior
Deacon Chas. +. Sweet of Dowagiac
as grand junior warden, Grand Tyler
James +. McGregor of Detroit as grand
marshal, Rev w. G. Mccarthy Of
Lawton as grand chaplain, +. f
Parks of Paw Paw as grand treas
urer, Judge b. +. Heckert of Paw Paw
as grand secretary, q. y. Cross of
Lawrence as grand lecturer. J. +.
Barrows of Lawrence as grand senior
deacon, Fred Merriman of Hartford
as grand junior deacon, f. 5. Briggs
of Paw Paw as grand tyler, John
Hathaway and Mitchell Hognire of
Bangor and a. NJ Brown of Breeds
vile bearing the elements.
The hall was duly inspected, found
square, plumb and level, and formally
dedicated to Masonry with the beauti-
full and impressive Masonic ceremony.
There was an added interest because
twas probably the last public function
Of our fellow townsman, h. w. Brough-
ton, as grand master, which exalted
position he has adorned, never disap-
pointing the fraternity in the exalted
honor it has bestowed on him.
After the conclusion of the cere-
uony, short, informal addresses that
were much enjoyed were made by
Grand Secretary Winsor and Grand
Senior Deacon Sweet.
At five o'clock, an elaborate banquet
was perfectly served in the town hall,
proving once again that the Lawrence
Hasons and their ladies are unexcelled
in the art of hospitality.
After the banquet tables had been
removed, the hall was seated and an
enjoyable evening program, admra-
bly, presided over by G.. A. Cross,
made fitting finale to an enjoyable
occasion.
The program opened with a fine
piano duet.
Grand Master Broughton made an
appropriate opening address.
Judge b. f. Heckert gave some
interesting Masonic teachings, as
CLEANED from the ancient records
Of English lodges, and none could
have heard what he said without a
better understanding and more ex-
Guy J. Wicksall of South Haven
told why he became a Mason DIR. Will
liams OF Bangor, DIR. Runyan of South
Haven and l.. II. Titus of Paw Paw
were called on for short addresses, all
of which were appropriate and well
received.
Mr.. Titus said in part:
Mr.. Chairman, Brothers and Sisters
and Fellow Citizens:
The speakers who have preceded me
have prefaced their remarks. Nearly
all books contain a preface. do not
want to be an exception, so / will pre-
face what little l shall have TO say
with a story.
A business man, contrary to his
custom, attended a social function
His hostess, desiring to entertain him
and place him at his ease, endeavored
20 engage him in conversation, and
said, 'Is your wife entertaining this