The Newtown bee., 1904-05-27

ton, No. 19, became extinct, the char ter having been revoked in 1859, the charter, records and jewels remained in the hands of the last officers until 1860, when they were collected and handed to G. M. Ensign by w. Brother Narramore of King Hiram, No. F. In 1864 efforts were made to revive the lodge, but owing to feeling of ill will held by the grand secretary against the members of Washington lodge, probably on account of the manner in which the lodge closed it's affairs and distributed the funds, and salso the fact that he came to Monroe and de- handed the charter, jewels, etc., and could not get them, he opposed the reorganization of Washington lodge; and in consequence new charter name and number was given the breth- ren, viz., Monroe lodge, No. 93. The charter was granted May II and dated May "A, 1864-4O years ago tomorrow. There were l3 charter members, of whom only four survive and are with us to-day. The lodge was known as Monroe lodge, No. 93, until 1871, when by action of the Grand lodge, the char ter was surrendered to the Grand records and jewels of Washington 1OO&Oy NOs 1O3 "OlO 1OUulAOu UO OlO lodge, all of which are now in our pos session. Monroe lodge, and later as Washington lodge was quite prosper ous until 1892, when for five years there was no initiation and it was feared that our charter would have to be surrendered, but there were a few who could not bear to give up the Ship still clung to the old Lodge. Those dark days are now passed, and let us hope, never to return. As a contrast to that experience I would state that in the past two and one- half years there have been 20 initia- tions. Our old Lodge building, after 1O4 years of service, is now fast going to decay, but through the great heart edneSs of our late Brother George this new and splendid building to the service of Masonry. The first man of England was a Mason; our first Presi- dent was Mason; our present one is a. Mason, as was also the murdered Mo Kinley. Would such men as these, together with hosts of other promi- nent men all over the world, have re- tained their membership and their in- tereSt ina fraternity composed of such unprincipled raScals as has been rep resented? Perhaps some one may en- Quire as to what opinion George Grif- fin held in regard to the Fraternity. Let the enquirer look over this beau tiful building which is to-day dedica- ted to Masonry, and then let him pass around to the northeast corner and note the inscription on that enduring marble: Erected to the memory of George Griffin," land his question is answered. And let us hope, Breth- ren, that this Building which we to- day dedicate to the service of Masonry, it tshall endure.
 The next speaker was the associate grand chaplain, Rev Frederick D. BulkleY of Waterbury, favorite among Connecticut MaSons. He said it had been great pleasure for him to come to this ancient town, to breathe the oxygen on these hills and to meet so many Masons. He said he should be surprised if Masonry did not take a new start and have a new meaning as 1 the result of the exercises of this day. In the beginning of Masonry we were not speculative but operative MasonS. In ancient times the members of the craft had charge of building the great some ething better than temples l noblest work of God. He pointed out that Masonry stood for clean heart, clean lips and fair dealing among oul fellow men. If the men of this re-
 public need to learn anything it is that they be taught the principles o1 brotherhood. What means this strife between capital and labor? MT Bulk
 ley said he liked that definition giver by Andrew Carnagie of the three
 legged milking stool. One leg is capi
 tai, another labor and third business | ability. What geod is capital unless there be business ability or labor?
 would like to put another leg into the old milking stool-that of brotherly affection, and we need the three bound together and sustained by the other
 The speaker also pointed out thai
 Masonry stood for the protection ane
 purity of the American home. Wha1
 means so much disruption in the
 American home to-day? Is it moi
 largely because we are not as virtuou!
 men as we ought to be? l despise {
 man who is unclean in word or deed
 'We are kings and our wives anc daughters are queens in this republi,
 of Ours." And the speaker pointed
 out that virtue is just as binding upo1
 the man as it is upon the woman o
 the household. What we ali need t,
 be true men, is cleanneSS of heart anC
 cleanness of speech.
 Assistant Grand Chaplain Re
 George w. Davenport of Danbur ] made bright speech. He said he wa