Evening star., 1907-10-27
SIMON WOLF HONORED
TRIBUTES OF ASSOCIATES
Worth as a Member of Order and
Citizen Set Forth.
BIG ASSEMBLAGE AT TEMPLE

Review of Significant Events of the
Last Half Century-Many
Notable Events.
Nj Simon Wolf was honored last even
ing by the Masonic fraternity of the Dis
trirt Of Columbia, the occasion being the
fiftieth anniversary OF his membership in
the order The large gathering at the
Masonic Temple included many prominent
Mas rs. the Grand Lodge Of the District
being represented by Grand Master Fran
lis J. Woodman and other officers of that
hoiy.
An elaborate program had been ar
ranged for the occasion. including re-
marks by Speakers who told of the high
cst Gem in which. Mr.. Wolf is held by his
Masonic friends and az the manner In
which h" has cXemplit"d the t-U"tS of
Masonry in his life. His worth as
Mason and as "A citizen. as shown in his
lahors for all suffering humanity was
brought forth in a str.Hins manner and
out bursts of app oval frequently inter-
rupt-d the speakers
Receives Personal Congratulations
The pleasure of the occasion was in
creased by the rendition Of several musi-
cal numbers. During the evening Mr
Wolf received many personal congratu-
lat;ous on having attained his golden an
nivrrsary as a Mason
The celebration was under the auspices
of Lafayette Lodge, No. 19, and was held
in the large hall of the Temple. The
gathering included many masters and
past masters of other lodges, officers of
the Grand Lodge of the District of Co
lumbia and members of nearly every
lodge in this jurisdiction. Mr Hart Nom
sen, master Of Lafayette Lodge, presided,
the principal address being by Mr.. Thorn
as +. Morgan. The latter's remarks held
the attention of the gathering. the splen-
did tribute he paid to the guest being
frequently interrupted by applause. He
spoke of the varied public services of
Mr.. Wolf and dwelt on his readiness to
enlist In every good work for the benefit
Of suffering humanity. His eminenCe as
a lawyer, his rare judgment as a business
man, his public service in the diplomatic
corps and his devotion to Masonry during
half century were all touched upon.
Tribute by Grand Master.
Grand Master Woodman added his trib-
ute of praise to what had been id. and
In behalf of the grand lodge expressed
the appreciation felt by all members of
the order for the services of Mr.. Wolf. as
a man, a Mason and a citizen.
Mr. Wolf was presented with a map of
Jerusalem as 1t existed a the time of
Herod, as memento Of the occasion. A
large number of letters from prominent
Masons of the District were read, ex-
pressing the esteem in which they held
the guest of the evening.
Mr. Wolf responded. expressing his ap-
probation of the honor bestowed on him
and reviewing the significant events of
the half century during which he has
been a member of the Masonic order. He
referred to his entrance into Masonry in
his membership in Lafayette Lodge since
January 1865.
Review of Half Century.
Fifty years have gone into history
since saw the light of Free Masonry"
said Mr. Wolf. I'm the life of nation
1t is comparatively trif1ng, in that Of an
individual it practically comprises ex-
istence l know of no period in history
that has seen so many notable events as
those 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 reunification of the states and the
subsequent happiness and unrivaled pros
perity 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 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 vestige of Spanish rule.
III 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 crumhled
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 a conservator for the worlds
peace. Our navy, which had practically
disappeared from all the seas, Is now
sailing IN every bi4ilSllS ~ tiic
oppressed the message of a liberty-loving
people. and spreading the handicraft OF
American industry in all directions. In
short, humanity has progressed and
shown a tendency for betterment and
helpfulness, and, therefore it is not
strange but natural that the great world
organization, 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 which
the order has been the symbol and 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 its
teachings and in its exemplif1cation that
dtsturbs the thought or belief of any in
dividual on the contrary. 1t is the means
of reconciliation and assimilation. 1t
cements-it is constructive instead of de
structive. 1t is upbuilding and teaches
l,J S,lIo An,