The San Francisco call., 1910-12-19
MASONS HONOR
DEAD CHIEFTAIN
Scottish Rite Bodies Unite in
Holding Memorial Services
for Pierce
Touching EuIogies Delivered on
Life of the Late Inspector
General

Memorial services for the late vii
liam Frank Pierce. sovereign grand in
spector general Of the Ancient and Ac-
cepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry
were held last night at the Albert Pike
memorial temple in Geary street. The
services were under the auspices OF
the Sen Francisco. Oakland and cali
fornia bodies Of the order. The temple
was crowded with members Of the
order and friends and relatives of the
man whose memory was honored
Flowers and greens banked the plat
form, making a beautiful effect
The services began with an organ
prelude. which was followed by an
anthem by a choir.
Fred J. H Rickon, chairman of the
evening. delivered the opening address.
lie said.
We are assembled here this evening
fer the purpose Of paying a tribute TO
the memory Of one who a few short
weeks ago was here with us, sharing
our hopes and disappointments, our
JOYS and sorrOws: a familiar figure in
the streets Of our city and in the gath
erings Of our fraternity, and who is
now gone.
MANY LOST a FRIEND
He was a good man, a good citizen.
a good husband, a good father and a
good friend. His home life was an ideal
one and he was devoted TO and adored
by his family. None knew him but to
love him. none named him but to praise.
He, was a charitable man in the highest
and noblest sense, and many a poor
widow and fatherless orphan is today
iamenung the loss OF their best friend
He did good wherever he found the op-
portunity, but his charities were rarely
known TO any one but God and the re-
cipieDL and there are very few who
know or have any idea OF the number
py whom his name will be remembered
and revered as that Of the best friend
they had AS a businessman he was
very successful and his integrity was
beyond question His advice was sought
and valued by all his associates.
EXEMPLAR IN MASONRY
But IL was as q member Of our
fraternity that he was best known
He had devoted years of his life TO its
upbuilding, and he was looked upon
throughout the masonic world as one
OF It's greatest authorities and exem-
Dlars- He had been honored by his
brethren with every Office in their gift,
and at the time Of his death was
grand master Of the grand lodge F. &
A IL OF California, grand generalissi-
mo Of the grand encampment of
Knights Templar Of the United States.
sovereign grand inspector general of
the A. & A S R. for California. Ari-
zona and the Philippine islands and
grand chancellor Of the supreme coun-
ell Of the order.
Under his guiding hand our rite
grew and prospered as it had never
done before and he frequently spoke
with pride Of the wonderful advance il
had made in his jurisdiction.
Many Of US here this evening re-
member that other evening when. from
The place where L now stand, he ad-
dressed the gathering assembled in this
room on the occasion Of the dedica-
ton Of this the first temple erected in
California 10 the purposes Of the A &
A. :. r. OF F. II. and the words Of
encoura cement then spoken have al
ways inspired US TO greater effort for
the upbuilding Of that great order to
which II Is our privilege to belong
1T is for the purpose Of paving a
tribute and showing our respect and
love for the memory Of this man, this
brother, this citizen, this Mason, that
we have asked you TO be present with
as this evening.
LIFE WAS IDEAL
Lift Thine Eyes and "Grieve Not
the Holy Spirit" were other anthems
given by the choir, and P. +. Fergu-
son said PRAYER. This was followed
by J. r. Rucksteu, who delivered the
eulogy. He spoke sympatheticaIy of
the life Of Pierce and referred TO his
home and business life as ideal.
T. H Morgan delivered a prayer and
p j. Ferguson pronounced the bene-
oiction- Bernat Jaulus rendered a Sc
lection on the violin.
William F. Pierce died October 3. He
was born IN Ripley. y Y. in 1855. and
came 10 this state in 1877. locating in
Oakland, where with his father and
brother. c. D. Pierce, he engaged in
business.