The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1909-06-25

Inc JnlrCy-nlnLn dnnual SESSION VI
the State Grand Lodge Ancient Free
and Accepted Masons Of Tennessee
opened Sunday afternoon, when in the
presence of an audience of nearly
1000 persons Rev. Sampson Brooks,
pastor of st. Paul A. M. e. Church,
preached the annual sermon before
the delegates of the Grand Lodge,
Grand Commandery and the Order of
Eastern Star at st. Johns Church, on
Spruce street. DR.. Brooks insisted
that Masons, with the money they
had deposited in banks, should estab-
lish some industrial enterprises for
the employment of the young people
of the Negro race. He emphasized
industrial education as the physical
salvation of the Negro. 'Do not de-
spise Industrial education" he said
It is the labor question, the bread and
butter question, and means the turn
ing of thousand spindles for the en-
ployment of the youth of the race. We
need to find out what the people want
and produce it. No Negro invention
has ever been boycotted when it was
something the people wanted. Have
no policy that does not involve. good
principle and you will force thought
full men to place the real considera-
ton upon your ability"
Several hundred delegates from va
rious portions of the State, many
coming in special cars, were in Nash
vile this week attending the Grand
Lodge, which convened at the Odd
Fellows Hall on Fourth avenue
North. With the Masonic Grand
Lodge were meeting the auxiliary
bodies, the Grand Commandery
Knights Templar, and the woman's
department, the Order of the Eastern
Star.
The Grand Lodge convened in the
blue room with ritualistic ceremonies
at 10 o'clock, Grand Master ]. A
Henry, Chattanooga, presiding. After
the organization had been perfected
the Grand Master delivered his an
nual address before the organization
His address, among other things
showed that the endowment depart
ment was in good condition, having re-
lieved in the fifteen years since Its
establishment nearly 300 widows, at {
total expenditure of $4,000; $5,70C
was paid out for that purpose during
the past year and the department now
has balance of over $4,000.
Prof. Henry stated that he had Wis
tied during the year more than fifty
lodges and had been instrumental in
bringing an increase of twenty-five
lodges in the State, making the tota
number 234, with the membership
more than 1000. He paid tribute
to the work of the committees having
the affairs of the Widows and Or
phans' Home in charge and recon
mended the election of a Board o
Trustees of five members, two O.
whom should represent the Order o
Eastern Star.
The Widows and Orphans Home Il
a two-story brick structure, purchases
by the Negro Masons of Tennessee a
a cost of $4,000. The building is 10
Gated on a forty-acre plot of lant
suitable for garden and farming pull
poses. 1t was characterized by va
rious speakers during the day as
monument to the thought and industr,
of the Southern Negro.
The exercises began immediatel!
after the opening of the Grand Lodg
in the Odd Fellows Hall Tuesda
morning The delegates and member
OF local lodges went to the grounds Of
the Lebanon pike in body Here In
presive services were conducted b
Grand Master ]. A. Henry, of Chatta