The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-26
MASONRY CHECK
TO MATER|AL|S|M
Judge Duke Delivers Address al
Meeting of ..4..- say Asso-
citation In Richmond.
OFFICERS ARE ELECTED I e
Annual Session Last Night One
OF Most Interesting Ever
Held at Temple.

The annual meeting Of the Past Mas.
tiers Association of Richmond, usually
held at this season OF the year. Ia re-.
gnrded by the men who have presided
In the east ms tho most interesting
event In the Masonic calendar. an
opinion generously reiterated by tina
gathering at the Masonic Temple last
night. An address by Past Grand
Master r. r.. w. Duke. OF Charlotten.
ville. was one Of the features OF tn,
evening. which also included a SUNNI
ftuous banquet.
The association was called to orde,
by President Frank r. sutton a few
minutes after 8 o'clock, and at tho
sound OF tho Eavel ninety past. masters
took their seats. Tho presidents adj
dress and report were BRIEF. He an
nounced the deaths OF four members
OF the association during the past
Henry Gunst. Everett Waddcy and
f. II. Gilbert.
Offfcers Elected.
The business that came before tho
| association was soon dispatched, ami
the following of1icers for tho ensuina
year were elected:
| President, Worshipful David
Crockett RIchardson.
vicc-rreaidcnt, worshipful sol.
Cntchina.
Secretary, Wor.hipful John -.
Welsh.
scrgeant : mt Arms, ,vorsh,pfu1
John y. Epp..
President Sutton introduced tho
speaker OF the evening. Hon. r. II. w.
Duke. OF charlottesville, past grand
master OF the Grand Lodge OF Masona
IN Virginia. Judge Dukes address was
not lengthy but II was eloquent and
well calculated TO create enthusiasm
among tho Maso w no heard It. Speak
Ing briefly and In mild condemnation
OF the materialistic tendencies OF tho
| age. he declared that Freemasonry.
which worships an ideal, stands as
bnlwark against the encroac hments OF
materialsm.
thousands OF years ago. which sets
lorth tho sacrifice made by ono who
put integrity above matcrfalism and
all things else. is kept in the memoir,
i OF Masons. and tho lessons It teaches
are Impressed upon the hearts OF men
OF the craft. Freema sonry will serye
mis- land and prevent commerciaIism
from ever prevailing over common hon
4 esty. and sordid wealth from trampfina
In the dust tho rights OF the common,
people. Speaking of the work to bc
accomplished by Freemasonry. Judge
Duke became prophetic and painted a
charming word picture OF the perfect
man chat is In time to he tho result
OF moral evolution and development.
In the work OF which moral develop
ment Freemasonry is taking a part
second only to that OF the church &
I. Banquet Served.
The newly elected officers were duly
Installed and President Richardson, In
n WI nj ~ 4 n
speech. The meeting was closed In
!. ample form and the line was formed
7 for the march to the banquet hall.
q The hall and the tables were hand
somely decorated, and there were now-
4 crs in profusion on the long tables.
crocuscs and roses predominating The
button-hole bouquets were of lilies OF
tho valley and forget-me-no,s. with tri-
lpe silver horseshoe pendants The menu
Twas discussed" at length The ..1ay-
OUT was by the veteran Masonic ca
terer. Uncle Billy" krouse. and to say
that Uncle Billy" was at his best Is
to say that the tables and the menu
were perfect.
After the menu had been disposed OF
der, and on the demand of the presid-
Ing. officer the following gentlemen
, made lively talks: DR.. Frank C. Reade.
district deputy grandmother; L. z.
+ Norris. ]. Aston Cabell and Leon
J. Strauss.
The festivities were concluded at
: 1880 o'clock.
!. Among the out-of-towns past mas tiers
. who were honored guests We're j. B.
. Fisher, OF Midlothian Lodge. Chester
I field; Andrew Jamison. OF Roman
i Eagfe Lodge, Danyille; w. D. Blanks
i OF. Petersburg; Augustine Royal1. OF
Manchester; Ben Owens, OF "Possum"
Lodge, OF Manchester and others.
[.