The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-07-31
LAYING CORNER
STONE Of CHURCH
Exercises Inaugurating Edi-
flee in Mt. Pleasant.
A METHODIST CONGREGATION
Grand Lodge of Masons Participates in
the ExerciSes-Name of Body
Not Chosen.

The cornerstone Of the Methodist
Episcopal Church at Fifteenth Street
and Columbia Road was laid yesterday
at 4;SO o'clock. An examination of the
stone Immediately before the ceremo-
MES. disclosed the fact that 1t was not
exactly true
A workman was sent for, who came
and put the stone in such condition
that the three Masonic officers whose
duty it was to measure the stone and
report Us condition could truly answer
that IL was True. we'll formed and
trusty."
Programs Of the exercises were dis
tributed among the people present upon
the cover of which was printed The
Mount Pleasant Methodist Episcopal
Church" 1t seemed, however. that tie
name was undecided. the congregation
being apparently evenly divided into
Mount Pleasant" and st. Paul fac
tions. A committee has been appointed
10 settle the matter and each side is
confident OF winning. though the Mount
Peasants have Disconnected their OPP
ponents by stealing march on them
with the programs.
Church and MasOns.
The exercises We're conducted jointly
by the church authorities and the local
Grand Lodge Of Masons. The Rev.
Joseph Dawson, Fh. D., pastor of the
church. opened the exercises with a
brief statement Of the purposes Of the
meeting. The Rev. r. NJ. Moore then
offered a prayer. after whicha responsive
reading of the One Hundred and Thirty
second Psalm was led by the Rev. F.
l. Wright
S r Murray read the lesson. I Cor.
iii:9-20 and collection was taken.
The Masons opened their services with
q prayer by Grand Chaplain Daniel W.
Spillinger, in which he earnestly i'm
plored blessing on both the building and
its members. The MasOns then rose and
surrounded the cornerstone, and as
Grand Secretary a. NJ Johnston called
them out, Grand Treasurer William A.
Sample deposited one by Cne In the
case of the cornerstone, the Bible. the
hymn book the Discipline, the church
yearbook, the Christian Advocate,
the Baltimore Methodist" the roll Of
church membership copies OF each OF
the Washington daily papers, the sun
School Journal for Teachers program
OF ceremonies of the day, with names OF
pastor and officers OF the church, and
the constitution Of the Grand Lodge,
the proceedings Of the Grand Lodge
1893. and the Masonic calender Of 1904.
Squaring the Stone.
The case was sealed and then came
the above mentioned delay while the
workman squared on the stone.
Clarence G. Harding. the architect CT
the building, then presented the grand
master with the golden square. level,
and plumb, who IN turn presented them
10 the deputy grand master. the senior
grand warden, and the Junior grand
warden with instructions 10 apply
the implement of your Office 10 that
portion of the stone that needs 70 be
proven" IL was finally decided that
the craftsmen had skillfully and faith
fully performed their duty and then
came the christening OF the stone &C
cording 70 the Masonic ritual.
First. corn was scattered over its face,
symbolical of prosperity; then came
wine, 10 represent purity, and lastly,
oil. as an emblem OF JOY, As each hba-
ton was poured over the stone the Ma
sonic choir. composed Of Messrs. Hum
phreys, Turpin, Kaiser, and Mcfarland.
sang short appropriate hymns. all Of
which made the scene very impressive.
Speech of Master.
The Masons then resumed their seats
on the platform. and James A Wetmore,
the head master Mason Of the District
said in part:
The statement appears recently 20
=
would not lay the cornerstone, because
the church was so small Whoever
originated that statement was neither
well Informed as 10 our customs and
purposes. nor competent nor authorized
10 speak for the grand lodge. for VIC
could no more base a refusal 10 per
form this duty on such ground and
still call ourselves Free MasOns than
you could withhold the sweets Of saliva
ton from one Of the least Of God s
creatures. because he was poor, and still
expect recognition as Christians.
"But aside from the interest which we
take Fl the successful outcome Of your
undertaking. we have laid this cor
nerstOne as willingly as We have those
OF the larger and more pretcnSius
churches and magnificent public build
ings, and We know 40 distinction, Tor
IN the language Of our ancient ritual
BE IL known unto you that we be Lawful
Masons, true and faithful TO the laws
Of our country, and engaged By solemn
obligation 10 aid IN the erection OF
public buildings by placing in position
the chief cornerstone.