The Washington herald., 1907-06-09

citation ~ ,he District Of Columbia chartered urIr-
srt ~ Ca1grrss ATrl IS. ts9s and c.mr.=si rf
representatives annually tr-fri from tbe Masonic
b.ii-s ot tHis Jurisdiction directs me. as .'s r.-.-
dent 90 act as master r, ceremonies ~ 'he having
Of The corner stone rf ibis '-nr.. and tp announce
tle 0lls- ri exercises deemed proper na tais aeeA-
sion.
Nothing rrrH Do ad mv brethren. 90 impress
upon Hs frs dignity AND importance ~ this great
event In Tire history H' Masonry lu f." District.
Tho .am.'f uhsu completed. uiT SPEAK frr lferif-a
moro fitting monument t1 trr industry and progress
sFe1es rf tle -fIrr could NIT have been conceived
We hare here fHs result ~ years r' striving -t NM
selfish d.'at..1. and oi conscientious Application 70
I o splendid duty
Tie movement 20 erect rs,r temple had i.s origin
in tlr profound conviction NJ Na7Ts Throughout
tHa Jurisdiction that +rfr should pH--e-s home
more .u Faarr- with large aud ever increasing '--
fpuItv and with The influence rrrr'si HF t.a T-.n-
cGl-- RI rHe o.lrr
Project Launched fn $500.
a. far back as lso 10 was fsrt tat tr.s t.mp-a
should be- lr"t and from 'frr time ,1 r7 Ce7.n
day our ua-ess toward 's goal 0. 0rr 7mr -1n
has been marked bg difficulties met and overcome
enthusiasm ga- ar- r. hesitation and doubt. ami
the conviction that go grand q project should r1m-
ma1I orr most faithful suifsra-s
Tie spirit evin~e1 be those who have cHsrsH.z
.fi r7je work uil bs perrrtg1'li ty tls ua-uIf.
cent structure which viii testify 90 succeeding --a-
c-sfior- 20 an erteg7rr. characterized lE urisl.r-
energy and answering rctitnfe. 90 srro our broth
frs and 70 eyaIt the principle af Masonry and ru-
h8rca ITS influence
Most wrrzHrrful grand master and brethren the
fraternity T h.1H-ai 0H this occasion Hr trr pres
CHca oF the President ~ the Jr.t1I States Brother
Theodore Roosevelt hv oaT District Cnwmt=s.HHa.s.
and many other distinguished men and brethren
from this and sister jurisdictions. some n whom wIL
address ms later
And now most vorzhirfI sir. without further pref
scr I viii proved 10 discharge the duties assigned
20 me. and 30 the name and 01 behalf " the Ms.
sonic Temple Association 7 surrender '0 raI most
w7rshiU.ul grand master this gsvr oi authority for
ihs purplse Il laying the corner stone.
Ceremony IL Impressive.
Then came the ceremony Of laying the
corner stone. L was most beautiful and
impressive.
Behind the big stone gathered the grand
master and his acolytes, and the ritual
for the occasion was solemnly performed. /
With the Masonic implements. the square. /
the level, and the plumb, the stone was
tested and found TO be iu order, where
upon the grand master said:
This corner stone has been tested by
the proper implements of operative Ma !
sonry. and ! find that the craftsmen have
skiufully and faithfully performed their
duty. I therefore declare this stone 10 be |
well formed true. and trusty. and cor
rectly laid according 10 the rules of our
most ancient craft. May the all-b0un-
teeas Author Of Nature assist in the cree
t.On and completion Of this building pro-
tectiug the workmen from every accident, /
and may lie long preserve this structure
from decay
Then the WaTdens came. three Of them
with silver cups containing corn. oil, and
wine.
Gifts Scattered ON stone.
These three gifts were scattered over
the stone by the grand master. saying:
'I pour out this oil, an emblem Of joy. /
MAY health, prosperity, and peace, SYM /
bolized by corn. wine. and oil, plenteously |
abound throughout the length and breadth /
Of this fair land May the Great Ruler |
Of the Universe bless and consecrate the /
edifce which shall rise on this foundation /
stone and in due time may # be solemnly /
dedicated to His worship.
amen. So mote Il be-
It had been intended here to listen to /
the address Of Past Grand Master |
Matthew Trimble. but President Roose-
welt was anxious to get away TO another
engagement. and he spoke first. He was
received with loud acclaims and cheers.
and he spoke clearly and rapidly without
any recourse TO notes.
The Presidents Speech.
President Roosevelt said:
Most W0rshrful Grand Master. Brethren. and
Friends; Il is a privilege and a pleasure 70 take
part to-day I'm the dedication a. the new temple. !
| am sure ell If us must appreciate the courtesy
of those brethren Of other lodges which has rem
dcred i possible 20 use on this occasion the Bible
upon which the great first citizen q this republic,
Washington. took the cath when he was made
Mason. and tho implements which he used
Mason in laying the corner stone a the Capitol in
this Capital City Il the nation. Surely there is no
place, no other city in the Union. where there
should be as fine a Masonic temple as here IN |
Washington for il is In a sense A national temple
where Masons from every jurisdiction gather
7 have nut word 10 say 70 yOu and that word
must always he Appropriate in any Masonic meet
ing where the name q Washington is mentioned |
| ask Of each Mason. Of each member, Of each
brother that he shall remember ever that there is
upon him p peculiar obligation to show himself in
every respect good citizen; fer after all the vcv
in which he can best do his duty by the ancient
order 20 which he belongs IS by rejecting credit
upon that order by the way in which he performs
his duty as a citizen of the United States.
Let me also point Clt that IL is well not % wait
Tor times # unusual crisis before y0u become good
citizen. We are all Of us aware Of the temptation
to think what splendid ana heroic part would