Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1905-02-02
X. OF P. ROLL CALL
Held at Castle Hall Was "A Brilliant
Anair-Largc Number Present and
Fine Time Enjoyed by All.

lowing the regular meeting at which
nearly every member was in attend
ance undera penalty of one days trip
on the Pere Marquette, which all oi
them seemed TO dread, a bountifu
supper was spread at which 100 sat
down, the menu consisting of Prime
Roast Beef an jus, mashed potatoes,
pic kles, celery, cheese, bread and
butter, and coffee, to which all pres.
ent did ample justice.
Following the delicious spread,
Toastmaster |. l.. Hubbell. In his own
inimitable way, after few prelim-
mary remarks concerning the object
of the meeting, announced that there
was another feast of good things
awaiting the members and that the
first number on the evenings pro-
gram would be a selection of instru-
mental music by Sir Knight Will
Reed.
Mr.. Reed responded with a finely
rendered musical production which
met the approval of the audience so
far that in order to escape the round
of applause that followed, ha was
compelled TO respond to the encore.
the second selection being also warm
ly applauded.
Uncle Billy Wilson was slated to
respond to the toast Our Charter
Members" but inasmuch as the door
keeper had allowed him to escape,
the toastmaster asked George Moul-
ton to respond IN Billy's stead, which
he die in manner both pleasing and
entertaining TO the assemblage. He
spoke of the.early days of Fortuna
Lodge and the members who were in
strumental in bringing about the
primitive organization and said that
the charter members had builded
better than they had hoped when
they first opened to the fraternity
loving citizens the Pythian lodge of
the city of Belding. His remarks
were well received by all present.
Looking Backward formed bas-
is for a beautiful 4, s,ess b. Il /
Leonard in which he recalled hany
of the bright meetings as well as
some of the dark hours of the early
meetings of the order. His address
was well seasoned with poetical Sc
lections particularly applicable to
the occasion and he resumed his seat
with warm feeling in the hearts of
all present for himself and the order
whose past he had reviewed.
Following the address of Mr. Leon
ard, the chairman announced a selec-
tion by the Belding Male Quartette.
These gentlemen sang in pleasing
manner the song, GAS merrily on we
Bound, the rendition of which was
met with such a round of applause
it was necessary for them to sing the
old time melody, "Who Built the
Ark"
Sumner Wilson took a glimpse in
to the future and sailed into the
realms of prophecy as to what might
yet be expected of Fortuna Lodge,
Among other thoughts expressed be
said he saw large and massive tenn
pie bearing across its spacious door
the words Fortuna Lodge, No. l20, X. !
+. reared in one of the most con.
spicious portions of the city, MEM
bership OF about 5000 congregated TO.
gether in the massive assembly room,
all of them doing that which lay in |
their power TO carry out the three |
cardinal graces of the order Friend |
ship, Charity and Benovelence, his |
address struckaa cord of approval i'm |
the hearts of all present and was |
warmly applauded.
"The Absent Members" was the |
text assigned to w. A. Wilder, and |
Will was there with the goods. He |
had looked up all of the absent ones
and told where they were located and |
what they were doing in distant fields
in which their various lots were cast.
Referring to Brother Alfred Locke
who has been very i'll, he said he had
called Mr.. Locke's home up by phone
in the afternoon and learned with
pleasure that he was doing fine and
sent his greetings to the members of
Fortuna lodge on this festive night.
He was also greeted with applause.
Grand Chancellor Will NJ. Hamp-
ton was next introduced in a quaint
way by the toastmaster who said
that he would respond to the toast
"Pythianism in Michigan" After
taking a full or two out of the toast.
master, Mr.. Hampton took up his sub.
ject with a vim that showed at the
iirst glance that his every thought
and deed was directly in sympathy
with the order which he was pleased
TO represent. His address was a
beautiful one interspersed with poet.
ical selections that were brilliantly
quoted and held the attention of the
audience in every syllable. A hearty
round of applause followed his peror-
alton.
Frederick Andrews Bush, A. b.
Hull and George Stout were called on
and responded pleasantly, all of them
greeted with bountiful applause. |
And after a number of stories had |
been told all went TO their homes
happy in the thought that they had /
been la attendance.