The San Francisco call., 1904-09-04

four others, asking permission to form
a drill corps, to serve in connection
with the commandery in importing
Templar and military knowledge. The
knowledge gained through this instru-
mentality soon made itself felt, not
alone in the commandery work, but
also in the outside influence upon the
order. Under the able instruction Of
Sir Knight Sunni er the drill corps of
Golden Gate in a short time won tro-
phies for excellence. The corps is still
one OF the features of this command
cry. 1t is now under the captaincy OF
Sir knight Colonel William Edwards,
a very competent drillmaster. and it
is always ready to give good account
of its work.
The financial condition Of Golden
Gate is just what it might be expected
to be under the guidance of so many
able business men. After disposing Of
Golden Gate Hall the commandery
purchased a valuable lot in the West
ern Addition in contemplation of erect
ing thereon a temple. This project,
however, is for the present in abey-
ance until it may be finally determined
whether or not the several Masonic
bodies will unite in erecting a Masonic
Temple comporting with the character
and greatness of the city. The present
Masonic Temple is no longer suitable
to accommodate the growing needs Of
Masonry. 1t is hoped that by a union
Of the Masonic bodies, San Francisco
may, in the near future. have temple
superior to any in the land. 1t is GER
tain that Golden Gate will do its part
in this as she has in all things tend
ing 10 the interest of the order and Of
humanity.
The commandery is taking a very
active part in the preparations for the
entertainment of visitors 10 the ap-
preaching conclave and fully intends
won.
Not one-half the honor ever was
accorded to Zerubbabel of old
that is accorded by the belted
and booted knights of Golden
Gate 10 their Zerubbabel, the seventh
in an honored line. And. like Zerub-
babel of old, it seems his predestined
fate TO be a sharer. too. of exile. even
as his six predecessors of glorious
memory, for never has Zerubbabel
brought home yet to his asylum the
chaplets of laurel bestowed upon him
by worshipers at conclaves far afieId.
For it is a custom so old that the
memory Of man runneth not TO the
contrary that Zerubbabel must be left
behind when the returning cavalcades:
throw forth their beaUseants to the
Western breeze.
Thus it was that the reign of Zerub-
babel l over Golden Gate Commandery
terminated in st. Louis after the con-
clave of 1886; Zerubbabel II in Wash
ington in 1889; Zerubbabe1 III, Den
yer; Zerubbabel ", Boston; Ze-
rubbabel V, Pittsburg, and Zerub-
babel VI, in Louisville, and now it
is uD to Zerubbabel VII to maintain
the dignity and pomp of his exalted
station when in the grand parade he
heads the knightly host
Zerubbabel I, it is rumored, died of
broken heart. for he never smiled
again after his California friends left
him in the effete East. be moped and,
pined and touched not food, neither
would he drink, and died even so. His
beautiful black skin, stuffed, all that
is left of him save memory, now grace3
the banquet hall of the asylum. Ze-,
rubbabel II was the lion of the Wash,
ington conclave. An unfailing appe-'
tite for champagne and chocolate bon-i
bons nearly ended his reign, but hei
lived to become the especial pet of Mrs
JOIln "a AOSdus WHO expressed a WISH.
for him when the conclave was over
Her wish had but to be intimated to
the gallant California knights and his
bearship Straightway became domi-'
ciled within the Logan demesne, where
he passed his davs in righteousness
and cheer until. essaying one day to.
embrace a colored servant in the.
wholesouled, hearty manner of the
West, he absentmindedly cracked him
a rib or two in the servitor and was
sorrowfully dispatched TO the happy
hunting ground Of well meaning but
absent minded little bears. He hugged
not wisely, but too we'll. Fittingly
stuffed, in an upright position, he now
hands a silver card salver to visitors
at the Logan home. Zerubbabel ".
after the Boston conclave, became the
pet Of the Bay State Commandery Of
Brockton. With him as the nucleus, a,
zoo was formed there which is now the
pride Of the Brockton people so that
Zerubbabel " may in truth be said
to have builded second temple
And now cometh Zerubbabel VII,
who, tiny cub. fell prey in the wilds
of Siskiyou to Sir Knight A w. Mel
Kenzie, and who. a five months old
cub, viii occupy the place OF honor be-
fore the plumed ranks Of Golden Gate
In the grand parade OF September 8.
It is possible Zerubbabel may have
company, for ]. e. Doolittle Of Coopj
erstown, who has supplied the six pre-
vious Zerubbabels. has informed Gold
en- Gate that he has grizzly on hand
and It Is probable that two bears will
appear in the parade.