The Frankfort roundabout., 1907-10-19
FRANKFORT. KENTUCKY, SATURDAY OCTOBER 49, 1907
OLCEST MASONIC n. IL.

EgSleston, at the reOpening of the
hall OF RichmondRandolph Lodge
No. 10. claimed to be the first hall
erected in America for Masonic use.
and which was nearly destroyed by
/ fire December II, 1906;
! To enjoy the high privilege of
meeting here, in this renowned and
venerable building, is boon to any
Mason whose heart still beats with
love for the oldest and most honor
abe OF human institutions. Truly
the place whereon we stand is holy
ground Think of it. This building
was the very first erected in all
America for Masonic use. Virginia
led in his as she has done in all
good works for three hundred years
and more
OF It's Masonic hall there are to-
day perhaps ten thousands success
sors. but not one predecessor. This
building was occupied for many years
by the Oldest of all existing Grand
Lodges in America. No Masonic his
torian pretends to dispute that Virgin
ia Masons were the first in all our
broad land to organize Grand Lodge.
oased solely on the will of the ma
jority o. the lodges. and as the success
sors oi 70 preceding grand body. To-
day that is the fixed rule the wide
world Over.
Great wars have ragged around this
hall; armies have tramped by its
doors; the roar of battle has been
heard in its close proximity; fires,
great and small, have threatend its
existence. but thanks to the Masons'
God, It still stands.
Within these walls have met, for
a hundred and twenty-odd years,
members of TIC only organiZaticr
known among men, civil, political or
religious which always has, and
which only can, rise above and lift
its votaries above the evil passions of
men.
Does any one dispute this hig
claim? | submit the proof
In the very middle of the most
dreadful and the most heroic of
wars, at time when the passions OF
men, women and children were
wrought up by contagious insanity
OF hatred, when north hated south,
father and son, brother and brother
were battling against each other to
the death; when the very sermons
and even prayers in churches, north
and south, were almost profane de-
of respective enemies.
Masonry alone stood calm, con-
serva1ive and unmoved from its
basic principle of love of God and
fellow men.
At this very time, under condition
o. public sentiment that only those of
a generation now passing away can
ever conceive, and which they can
now Only family remember. there was
issued in Charleston. S. c., the very
hot-bed of secession, a circular TO
the craft. The Grand Master, David
Ramsey a soldier who lost his own
life in battle the following year.
SAID to his brethren q quote from
memory, and only in par):
Brethren, remember that you are
pound by solemn VOWS, taken be-
fore Almighty God, to help, befriend
and relieve your brethren. all and
singular. wherever met, in darkness
or in light, armed or unarmed, friend
or seeing foe, in battle, in prison or
in escape. Remember that these ties
existed before wars were. and will
continue after they are forgotten.
As Masons. we should know not that
there is war"
Turn this picture around. This
somehow reached the State |
of Maine. What was the effect 1t ]
was ordered printed and hung on {
walls of every lodge room in
State.
But to come nearer home. V
after four long years of fearful
when hundreds of thousands
been slain in the struggle for
session of this devoted city, at
fell. Left defenseless To the h.
Swarminp with ghOulS who