The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-07-15
THE CORNER STONE
The Christian Church Be-
gun at Sanford.
Masonic Ceremonies Attend the Lay
ina of the Stone. The Christian
Sunday School Convention
i'm Session.
in Session..
Especial to News and observero

Especial to News and observer
Sanford, NJ c., July 14.-The tenth
annual session of the Eastern North
Carolina Christian Sunday Schooi
Convention met here yesterday and
the house was crowded. many having
to be turned away for the lack OF
room.
The president, Rev. M. w. Butler,
of Raleigh. called the convention to
order Opening exercises were con-
Quoted by Rev. w. G. Wicker. of Elon
College.
Organization was completed as fol-
lows: President, Rev. M. w. Butler,
Raleigh; first vice-president, Prof. w.
G. Wicker, Elon College; second vice
president, Prof. S. M. Smith. Raleigh;
assistant secretary, II. T. Banks,
Raleigh.
Mr.. j. d. Gunter, of Sanford Chris
tian church, delivered an appropriate
address of welcome. The response on
behalf of the convention was made by
Rev. w. T. Walters. of Henderson. He
was followed by Rev. Erspin Paft, of
JoneSbOrO, who responded in behai1
of the Masons present. The exercises
were then turned over to the Masons,
who were to lay the corner stone or
the Sanford Christian church. Judge
Francis ID. Winston, acting grand
master of the order, took charge of
the service. He delivered a mastery
address from which we quote:
There is nothing in Masonic teach
ing or practice, at variance with the
teaching or practice of the Christian
religion. No man can be Mason
who does not believe in the existence,
power and goodness of Almighty God.
The light of masonry cannot illumin-
ate the heart that has not been first
4 49,
Masonry has been most active in
those ages when the true worship OF
God prevailed. Then MaSons built
stately structures dedicated to Jeho-
yah. In SuperStitiouS ages Masonry
has been dim and shadoWry. The
builders erected affairs to false gods
and we have the temple of Dagon and
the shrine of BacchuS.
Masonry is the religion of itruth.
the religion of humanity, the religion
of quiet and kind acts. 1t has
not the hostility of statecraft and
priesthood, bat a knowledge of it's pur-
poses has made friends of both"
1.-The cardinal principles of heart
Masonry has become the inheritance
of society. To help the helpless, to
raise up the fallen, to minister to the
afflicted, to give to all human beings
an equal chance in life, to instruct
the ignorant, and especially to train
up the children and provide for wild
ows and orphans-theSe are the car
dinal teachings and daily warnings OF
our order" : - -
AT the conclusion of his speech the
corner stone of the Sanford Christian
church was laid with the beautiful
and impressive Masonic ceremony.
There were nearly one hundred Ma
sons in attendance. A delightful din
ner was served on the grounds to the
delegates and visitors.
Afternoon Session.
The first thing on the program was
an address by Prof. w. C. Wicker, OF
Elon College. His theme was, Christ
the Corner Stone.
Prof. Wicker spoke with force and
eloquence and held the undivided at
tention of the audience. At the end
of his speech a collection was taken
for the church, which resulted in a
nice sum.
A round table on Sunday School
problems was then conducted by Prof
s. M. Smith.
At the night session Rev. J. l.. Fost-
er addressed the convention in re-
gard to the orphanage, which the
forceful and pleasing manner o.;
speaking made a good impression on
his hearers.
Following this was another round
table on knotty problems. conducted
by Prof. S. NJ. Smith.
The crowds have been large at all
the sessions and the interest good.
Sanford is entertaining the convention
royalty.