The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1907-03-18

Bright was the day aid warm the
weather when on Sunday afternoon,
at three O'Clock, the cornerstone of
the elegant new Roswell Baptist
church at the corner of Fifth street
and Pennsylvania avenue, was laid
with appropriate exercises and cere-
monial. Fully two thousand people
were there assembled, either on the
church grounds or in the surrounding
streets. on every side massed into
one large concourse. The rites were
in charge of the Masonic fraternity
and the lodge was there IN force.
the Knights Templar being in full
uniform, a score in number.
On a platform arranged for that
purpose the Philharmonic band
was stationed and struck up an ov-
erture while the Masons and others
officiating took their places near
about Rev. H. F. Vermillion, the
pastor of the church, called for an
opening prayer from Rev. George r.
Varney, of Almagordo, Corresponding
Secretary of the New Mexico Baptist
.@--ention. After prayer, E. A. Ca
hoon, Past Grand Master, of the Ma
sons of New Mexico. took charge of
the ceremonies, acting as Grand Mas
ter under special dispensation. He
stated the purpose of the gathering
and explained that it was meet and
proper that the Masonic fraternity
be called upon to lay the cornerstone
of a church, for this lodge is based
upon laws that do not conflict with
the laws of God or the laws of men.
He said that it was one of the vows
of Masonry to erect beautiful and
good buildings and explained other
basic principles of the order that
showed that the lodge was in perfect
good order in performing the act of
the day.
After a selection by the band,
Grand Chaplain c. C. Hill, was ask
ed to invoke divine blessing. He
prayed for tine successful erection of
the building, for the safety of the
workmen in its construction and for
the future greatness of the work TO
be accomplished within its walls.
Then under direction of the Grand
Master, Grand Treasurer Frank Div
ers, deposited the archives in the re-
ceptacles in the stone, the orchestra
playing while the stone was lowered
to fill it's final resting place.
The architect, ]. NJ. Nelson, was
the asked to present the tools for
the laying of the stone, whereupon
the Deputy GRAND Master. Robert
Kellahin was asked to bring the jew
el of his office. He did so, and it
was the square. He squared the
stone and found it perfect. explaining
its significance in Masonry.
The Senior Grand Warden produc-
ed the jewel of his Office. the level.
and as he tried the stone and found
IL to be level, explained its mystic
meaning in Masonry.
The Juior Grand Warden James
Hamilton, produced the plumb, the
culiar meaning as he proved that the
stone had been set plumb.
Then the Deputy Grand Warden,
Mr. Kellahil, poured the corn of plen
ty on the stone, the Senior Grand
Warden. Mr. Jaffa poured on the
wine of refresAment and the Junior
Grand Warden, Mr.. Hamilton, pour
ed ON the oil of peace and happi-
ness.
with these ceremonies the Grand
Master Mr.. Cahoon, offered prayer
for the people building the church,
for the workmen accomplishing the
real work and for the strength and
beauty of the building. This was
followed by the mysterious clapping
OF hands and stamping of feet by the
Masonic fraternity. after which the
Grand Master presented 10 the Dullu-
er s. p. Denning. the Instruments
with which the work is to be COM
pleted-
This was followed by a short ad-
dress by the Grand Master, Mr.. Ca
hoon, who spoke further of the emo
bling principles of Masonry and con-
ciuded by introducing Rev. H F. Yer
million, the speaker of the day, whose
address is given in full below
The audience was dismissed with
prayer by the Grand Chaplain Mr.
Hill, and a selection by the band
The Address.
Ladies' and Gentleme1:I had ex-
pected until three days ago that an
other would take upoa himself the
honor of representing our Baptist
people upon this occasion. but il has
fallen to my lot to do so. However
great my natural incapacity and how
ever unseasoaed my language by
reason OF hasty preparation. I beg
You TO indulge me for a few minutes
that 4 may speak 10 you concerning
the import of what has been done
here this afternoon
some OF Jon are curious to know
what the articles are waich have
been deposited In this corner stone
We have placed here: A copy OF the 4
Rihle; "A copy OF the Articles or faith