Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-09-17
Masons never received the second

Der of Masons never received the SECOND
and third degrees.
We are one hundred years old, but
that is only day in Masonry. Tit
principles and usages of the order have
been handed down through the ages
Charity and brotherly love, the corner
stones of Masonry, have been known and
practiced from time immemorial.
The history of this lodge for one hun
dred years is finished, but we believe the
past has been an honorable one, and We
believe the record in all respects Is com
mendable. But whether it be good OF
i'll it cannot be altered.
"The moving finger writes; and having writ.
Moves on; nor all your piety or wit
May aught avail to change single line.
Nor all your tears blot out one word Of It."
But the future depends upon us and
those who shall come after US. See to II
that we set an example that shall be full
of good deeds, that shall be filed with the
great principles of Masonry, that shall
be an example of good citizenship. Do
these things, my brethren, and Oxford
Lodge shall exist and be as enduring as
the granite hills of old Oxford County.
Stephen Berry, the veteran secretary
of the Grand Lodge of Maine, and the
only representative of the Grand Lodge
present, was then introduced and spoke
very entertainingly for few minutes.
He devoted some time to speaking of
Masonic principles and congratulating
the lodge upon the occasion, and more
to "reminiscences of Norway, in which
town he lived as small boy and which
he had not since visited.
The guests then retired to the gallery,
while the younger members cleared away
the remains of the feast-a task which
was so expeditiously done that in just
fifteen minutes from the time of leaving
the tables, they were cleared away, the
floor brushed up, the seats arranged for
the accommodation of the audience, and
the party once more seated in the floor
of the hall in readiness for the next
feature.
This part of the programme, occupy
ing about an hour and half, was given
by the Lotus Male Quartette of Lewis
ton, and Miss Maud Andrews of Augusta,
reader, and it was in every respect fine
entertainment. The selections were
varied in character, and every number
called out the enthusiastic encore which
it merited.
The floor was then cleared for dancing,
and an informal order, made up largely
of the old standard square dances, was
enjoyed by old and young alike, until
just before the midnight hour, when
the seats were again placed and the au-
dience was seated for the last act on the
programme.
1t had been promised the people that
this should be something worth staying
for, and the event fulfilled the promise.
AS the clock in the tower above struck
the hour, Worshipful Master Farris arose
and said that at the beginning of the
new century we should again call to
mind the foundation principle of Mason
ry, and he called upon Past Master Clar-
ence NJ. Smith to present it.
Mr.. Smith in response gave an illustra-
ton of the power of true Masonic BROTH
erly love in such way as only he can do
it. Exceedingly beautiful in its Ian
guage and impressive in its delivery, it
was a revelation to those who had never
before heard him on such an occasion,
and to all it was treat.
"Auld Lang Syne," sung by the au-
dience, closed the programme, and all
went home in the early hours of Oxford
Lodges second century, with memories
of the occasion which will long endure.