Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-06-21

0Iouu IsdpiuSs WQeIe ne eu&dReu III
the manufacture of wood pulp, which
proved a successful venture. The
home life Of our Brother was ideal. |
No man loved family or home better |
or was more solicitious for their COM
fort. An evening spent with his !
family was to him pleasure, OF
which he never tired. Children were
to him source OF delight. He would
join in their games, entertain them
with stories, or listen to their troubles
with paternal interest. Woe to any
one who wronged a little child, when
our Brother knew of it he felt
indignant, was quick in his defense OF
the weak and helpless, the trans
gresSOr was made to feel his cruelty
and sin.
Charity was vital part of his con-
duct-it was not mere aims giving,
but that deeper, richer. charity, which
is noble sympathy for the weakness
and sufferings of others. To relieve
the distressed was one OF his chief
joys, ever striving to keep his bene-
factions from the eyes Of the world.
The love OF humanity was SO strong
that it mattered not what had been
the past OF those who sought his aid.
That they were in trouble was enough
to open his great heart to help their
woes, nor was anyone ever disap-
pointed, II worthy of receiving
assistance. The extent OF our
Brothers charity will never be known
to man, for to him the condolences
thus given were ever sacred. How
many lives were blessed and
frightened by his generosities are
known only to him who said, Let
not thy left hand know what thy
right hand doeth.' A broad liberal
mind, lofty ideals and faith in God,
made our Brother a lover OF all good
ness wherever found. OF religion he
he always spoke with profound
reverence. Though a man Of wide
views, yet he believed the great
brotherhood of man was faith large
enough for every one. To be inspired
with a love for al that is just and
holy, was to him the noblest creed;
that the petty chickering's of sect
found no place in his makeup, is
evidenced by his liberal support of
all churches, With a faith that
never wavered he kept striving for
the betterment of his fellowmen,
realizing the flight Of time, and that
tomorrow might be too late. To
hear the name OF God profaned or the
voice of the sceptfc and scoffer
ridiculing his great work filled our
Brothers heart with sadness. In an
intimate acquaintance of nearly a
score of years. duration with our
Brother, / cannot recall a single act
Of his that could dim the lustre of his
piety. Our Brothers example brings
profoundly before US, the fact that
Truth, Honor and Fidelity are funda-
mental to a pure undefiled character.
Although he has gone from our midst,
his spirit is:still with us, calling us to
be up and deinR,l working for the
betterment OF mankind striving SO
to live, that when at last our work
here is finished, we may die with the
blessed assurance that for some one
we have lightened the burden of life.
If We learn this lesson of our Brothers
life, and practice it in and out of the
lodge, we shall exalt our order and
make its greatest power for good felt
in the community where we live.
Presentation.
And now, most worShipful Grand
Master and Brethren, there is no time
more fitting or appropriate than the
present for the performance of the
pleasant duty that has been entrusted
to me. We have in our Grand Secre-
tary's Office portraits Of many noble
brethren, who have contributed their
time and talents to the furtherance
of Masonic principles. Their work has
been SO thoroughly good that we cam
not forget it, their names are indelibly
written on our. memery, their char
acters shine with .lustre that time
can never diminish or destroy. To
these Spioneers of Masonry we owe
much, each has given his time and.
energy, that We, of a younger genera
tion might be benefited.
Let the portrait of each Brother be
a constant reminder that Fidelity and
Honor be our watchword, striving for
that which is better, higher, nobler.
On behalf of the widow and family of
our deceased Brother, I now have the
pleasure of presenting a portrait of
our late past Grand Secretary, Brother
George Gilmore HoskinsOn to this
Grand Lodge, that it may adorn the
walls Of the Office which he loved so
we'll and to which he brought honor
and distinction,
May his kindly face and the memory
of his pure, unselfish life inspire us. to
be better, do better and push forward
with zeal and earnestness the noble
work of our grand fraternity.
PROGRAM FOR
FOURTH OF JULY