The Penn's Grove record., 1907-08-23
fifsl baptist GftfeB corner stone
Laid With flasonie Ceremony

OhuiCil I0Hn 3 OIONO was ioAN i"So 80
urdap afternoon with imposing Masonic
ceremony. The State officials and Penn's
Grove Lodge No. 1852 Free and Accepted
Masons marched from their lodge room in
the RECORD building to the new church
Oh State Street to the music furnished by
the Viola Council Cornet Band. A plat
form had been erected i'll front OF the
church on which the officials stood.
Josiah Evan, grand master mason
of Mt. Holly, had charge ofthe ceremony
and read the ritual, which began by sing
ing "Praise God from Whom all blessing
flow" and prayer by Rev. ]. W. Gamble.
Pastor Harry S. Kidd announced that
the following articles would be placed in
the corner stone.
l. The History, Constitution and Govern
ant of the church.
2. The names OF the contributors to the
church building fund.
3. The names of the officers OF the Grand
Lodge, +. & A. M. of the State OF New
Jersey, and the PENIS Grove Lodge +.
IA. M. who conducted the ceremonies
OF the corner stone.
4. The name of Edward III. Green Camp,
No. 80, Sons of Veterans, contributors
OF a Soldiers and Sailors Memorial
Window.
3. The name of the Ladies' Aid Society
OF the Baptist church, under whose
efforts the church building fund was
started, and who are the largest single
contributors to the fund.
6. The name of the New Jersey Baptist
Convention, the official body OF the
baptist churches of the state, and the
inspiration and support of this church.
Z. The name OF the First Baptist church
OF Cambridge Springs Penna., contrib
utors of a handsome double manual
reed organ.
s. A copy OF the New Testament carried
by the Pastors father during the civil
war and found ON his body after the
battle Of the Wilderness; a copy OF the
Declaration of Independence. and a
copy of the Constitution of the United
States, all wrapped in the national
emblem.
8. Photographs OF all the churches of the
Borough; Methodist, Catholic; Baptist.
10. Photographs OF the Contractor for the
building, and his workmen, including
the masons and laborers.
ii. Photographs OF the pastor and deacons
and trustees OF the church.
II. The name Of Snelbaker Brothers,
Marble Workers, Woodbury. N. j.,
Contributors OF the Corner Stone.
13. A copy OF the Penn's Grove Record,
August 10th, 1907.
Mr.. Evan said that some ask why
the Masons should lay a corner
stone Of religious society. He said they
were an old organization like the ancient
guilds and similar to the organized work.
ing men Of, to-day Tor the benefit OF crafts
men who erected buildings for social,
benevolent and religious advancement.
Rev. James Mercer Davis OF Vincen-
town, the orator OF the occasion, said that
morality, good order and public welfare
go hand in hand. The fundamentum OF
morality was love and love was from God.
Back OF all labor was love. The Church
OF Jesus Christ was built OH brotherly
love. The Church was for the building up
vi characJer-by sacrifices IN a-graBd work.
Mr.. Bowdish, the State Chaplain, said
that next to being a Methodist he was
proud he was a mason. Masonry instills
principles and a good mason took the
word of God for his guide.
Rev. /. S. Mundick, OF Quinton, gave a
few words of encouragement and pro-
nounced a blessing Oh the enterprise, after
stating that Christ was the chief corner
stoue OH which to build.
Rev. J.W. Gamble spoke briefly stating
he was glad to be in good company. He
said when he joined Masonry he was old
enough to know whether it was a good
thing. There are people who are baptists
and nothing else can be made out OF them.
Five hundred persons of this town could
be gathered into the Baptist Church with
out affecting the standing of the other
churches. He believed i'll helping a good
thing along.
A fortunate failure to have cement for
the sealing Of the tin box III the corner
stone allowed time for a subscription to
be taken. About 500 was received.
The contributors signed a printed slip
with the amount of contribution, which
was placed in the corner stone.
After this the Masonic OF
seeing whether the stone was square,
plumb and level, corn, wine and Oil were
poured upon it. The top was covered
with cement and ii was lifted into place.
Grand Master Josiah Evan. OF Mt.
Holly was master OF ceremony. He was
assisted by Deputy Grand Master E.
Wilbur Collins, of Camden, and Sr.
Grand Warden Benz. F. Ro-ay of Bridge
ton.
Delegations OF Masons were presnt from
Salem and Woodstowu.