Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-01
CORNER STONE LAID
CEREMONY AT SITE OF MOUNT
PLEASANT CHURCH.
methodists and Masons Participate in
Exercises-Fraternity Does the
Practical Work.

The laying of the corner stone of tba
Methodist Episcopal Church at 18th street
ana Columbia road took place Saturday
afternoon at 40 O'Clock, the exercises be-
Ing conducted Jointly by the church authori-
Ties ana the local Grand Lodge of Masons.
before the program was begun It was dis
covered that the stone was not exactly true
ana workman had to be sent for 10 repa
dy the defect, so that the Masonic officer.
whose duty 1t was to examine the work
might answer truly that it was true we'll
formed and trusty'
While the name Of the new church has
not yet been decided upon, the members OF
the congregation being divided as to the Sc
lection of "St. Paurs" and Mount Pleas
ant, the program for the exercises was
printed with the latter appellation. conn
mittee appointed TO settle the matter has
not yet reported. but both sides are conf
oI d. .iiIt their name Will be the one chosen
fev; Joseph Dawson. Phi. D., pastor Of
the church. opened the exercises with a
Drief statement OF the purposes of the meet
ing. After Rev r. NJ. Moore had led in
prayer, responsive reading from the Book
or Psalms was conducted by Rev r. l.,
wright. s. r. Murray then read the Scrip
ture lesson. following which a collection
was taken.
The Masons then began their service with
a prayer by Grand Chaplain Daniel w
Spiilinger. who earnestly impiored a bless
ing on both building and members. The
Masons rose and surrounded the corner
stone at the conclusion of the prayer. and al
the grand secretary called them out Grand
treasurer William A. Sample deposited one
by one In the case Of the stone, the Bible
the hymn book, the Discipline the church
year book. the Christian Advocate" the
Baltimore Methodist" the roll of church
membership. copies OF each of the Wash
lngton daily papers. the Sunday School
Journal for Teachers" program OF cere-
monies of the day. with names OF pastor
and officers of the church. and the consti-
tuition OF the Grand Lodge. the proceedings
of the Grand Lodge 1903, and the Masonic
calender of 1904.
1t was just after the case had been sealed
that the delay over the position of the
stone came. The services were Interrupted
briefly while the workman squared on
the stone.
Proving the Stone.
The architect of the building Clarence q.
Harding. then presented the grand master
with the golden square, level and plumb,
who in turn presented them to the deputy
grand master, the senior grand warden and
the junior grand warden with Instructions
to "apply the implement of your office to
that portion of the stone that needs to be
proven" 1t was finally decided that the
craftsmen had Skillfully and faithfully per-
formed their duty" and then came the
christening of the stone according to the
Masonic ritual. First, corn was scattered
over its face. Symbolfcal of prosperity;
then came wine. To represent purity. ana
lastly, oil. an emblem of joy. As each
libation was poured over the stone the Ma
sonic choir. composed of Messrs. Hum
phreys. Turpin. Kaiser and Mcfarland.
sang short, appropriate hymns
When the Masons had resumed their seats
on the platform James A. Wetmore. head
master Mason of the District delivered
brief address. saying. in part:
The statement appears recently to have
been made that the Grand Lodge would not
lay the corner stone. because the church
was so small. Whoever originated that
statement was neither well informed as To
our customs and purposes, nor competent
nor authorized to speak for the Grand
Lodge. for we could no more base A refusal
to perform this duty on such a ground and
still call ourselves Free Masons than you
could withhold the sweets of salvation from
one of the least of Cod creatures, because
he was poor and stu expect recognition as
Christians. But aside from the interest
which we take in the successful outcome OF
your undertaking. we have laid this corner
stone as willingly have those of the
larger and more pretentious churches and
magnificent public buildings. and We know
no distinction, for in the language or our
ancient ritual: BE II known unto you that
we be lawful Masons true and faithful 10
the laws of our country. and engaged by
solemn obligation to aid in the erection OF
public buildings by placing In position the
chief corner stone.