Evening star., 1907-10-27
Review of half Century.

thes. that have spanned from 1857 to the
present day.
1T was just one year prior to the cele-
brated debates between Lincoln and
Douglas, which brought about the cleo
ton of the great martyr President The
civil war. the emancipation of the slaves
the reunificaton of the states and the
subsequent happiness and unriValed pros
perty enjoyed by the American people.
A comparative small power. they had but
little to say in the worlds affairs, we
have since become recognized as one of
the important links in the great interna-
tional chain of human endeaVor. and to-
day we are counted in the first class,
and our Presidents bring peace between
nations and our moral instinct brings hap
piness to Cuba and eliminates from our
shores, the last veStiSe of Spanish rule.
In the domain Of science and invention
no period of the worlds history has seen
greater strides. The oceans have been
belted with electricity and wireless teleg-
raphy has brought human thought to our
door The telephone and the gramo-
phone are no longer spoken of in the
thousand and one nights but have be-
come dominant and vitalizing realiza-
tionS.
Progress and Education.
THE second empire of france crumbled
away and the new republic, constituted
on American principles, has shown the
world that progress and education have
DESTROYED fanaticism and autocracy. Ger
many, for centuries disintegrated and dis
cordant, has been united into one nation
of homogeneous, intelligent and educated
people, conServatOr for the world S
peace Our navy, which had practically
disappeared from all the seas, Is now
sailing in every direction. bringing to the
oppressed the message of liberty-loving
people. and spreading the handicraft of
American industry in all directions In
short humanity has progressed ana
shown a tendency for betterment ana
helpfulness, and, therefore, 1t is not
strange but natural that the great world
ganization, the Masonic fraternity,
should have kept pace with this stupsn-
dous forward step.
While still holding on to the basic
principles that have constituted the bull
wark of the order; while still conserva-
tive nevertheless we have caught the
spirit of the age and are trying to keep
pace with the wonderful strides that are
being made along all the lines for when
the order has been the symbol ana the
example. No institution conceived by
man has ever contributed more to recon-
Cling differences and bringing into closer
touch all the divergent interests OF hu-
manity than the Masonic fraternity
There is nothing in its CONSTRUCTION. IN iIs
teachings and in it's exemplification that
dtsturbs the thought or belief of any in
dtvidual: on the contrary, 1t is the means
| of reconciliation and assimilation. II
cements-it is constructive instead of de
structive 1t Is upbuilding and teaches
man love of his fellow man. An organ
| ization so virle must live and continue its
useful work. to the end Of destroying
prejudice and ignorance. and make the
| whole world a temple of beauty, wisdom
| and peace.
Living Up to Traditions.
Il have in the fifty years of my Ma
sonic life, In an humble way, aimed to live
up to all the traditions and teachings OF
| our great organization. and whether at
home or abroad have given evidence OF
my fealty to the teachings. and my most
devoted example to it's exemplification.
My intercourse with my fellow members
In this city and in other localities has
| always been of the most pleasant, cour-
teour and considerate character, and 1t is
| to me the source of the deepest and keen
| est qualification to know that this feeling
Of mine for you is heartily and sincerely
reciprocated by you.
| with whom I have been affiliated ever
| since my residence IN this city, + return
my heartfelt thanks and profound ac-
knOWle dgment for this manifestation OF
| their good will. In the hope that this
| splendid lodge may continue to grow not
only numerically but intellectually and