The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-11-11
MASONIC CEREMONIES ARE
ATTENDED BY LARGE NUMBER

Although snow fell heavily yester-
day afternoon a large number OF Ma
sons as well as many others witness
cd the laying of the cornerstone of
the new Masonic building by G. Roscoe
Swift. Most worshipful Grand Master
OF the Grand Lodge of Michigan.
The parade formed in front of the
present lodge rooms and headed by
the grand marshal the various lodges
and Communicates paraded the streets
of the village. and countermarching
the visiting officers were led through
the lines directly 10 the cornerstone.
The ceremony was one of the most inn
posing ever seen in the laying OF
cornerstone in Houghton. All the Wis
iting grand officers assisted in their
respected capacities.
The grand treasurer placed the cop
per receptacle, Theoretically sealed. i'm
the cavity of the cornerstone. The
box contained a number of Masonic
articles current coins of all denomin-
atoms of the United States, the daily
newspapers of the copper country and
numerous photographs of the village
of HoughtOn and the surroundings OF
the temple. After the stone had been
tried and found level, plumb and
square. and the corn. wine and oil
poured over the top, il was sealed and
after the execution of a number of
o. nd hnnnrG no alnca1
and John A. Doelle delivered the ora
tion of the day which was, in part
as follows:
The occasion which calls us to-
gether is one of the utmost Importance
to the copper country and to the VIII
lage of Houghton. 1t is fitting that the
cornerstone of this edifice should be
laid square. We would that the
sky above us were a canopy for this
solemn and impressive ceremony. We
have, however, within our organiza-
ton such teachings as will illumine
any darkness.
Masonry has stood for centuries
practically unchanged in form and not
varying in its teachings. These teach
ings are not secret. The only secret
i'm Masonry is the ability TO demon
state that one is a member of the
order. BY allegory, symbol and cere-
mony the great elemental moral vir-
tues are faith. hope, charity, brotherly
love and hospitality. Faith in the
great architect of the universe, hope
i'm salvation and to be in charity with
all men.
Masonry has never brought suffer-
ing to any one, never withheld the
helping hand from those in need. and
never has increased a load of sorrow
by Withholding it's sympathy. The
ever-present inquiry of every lodge is.
does any one know of a worthy broth
er in need of assistance As we search
for the reasons of the growth of our
order we need but go to the essence
of christianity to find it, 1t reminds
me of the story of the stranger who
had fallen among thieves. The self
righteous priest when he saw him
passed by on the other side lest his
sympathy be aroused. The Levite also
came and looked upon him. but passed
on. Then came the samaritan. When
he saw him he went TO him. bound up
his wounds, cared for him and provid-
ed for his immediate wants. The
crown which time has placed upon the
samaritan is the crown which rests
upon the brow of every worthy Ma
son. If Masons live up TO their obliga-
tions the practical virtues will always
be uppermost
"The fatherhood OF God the brother
hood of man are the great teachings
of the order. The effectiveness of this
teaching regarding the brotherhood of
man is best illustrated by an incident
during the Civil war. In this terrible
conflict when the north was pitted
against the south. when brother even
rose up against brother, when hatred
swept like an epidemic across the
country. then indeed all bonds uniting
man would seem to be dissolved
Church obligations were forgotten.
Discussions rent that institution so
that the breach is not healed 20 this
day"