Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1911-11-19
ARTICLE FROM GRAPHIC or
TWENTY.ONE YEARS AGO RE-
VIEWS OBJECTS OF DONATION
THE HOME OF Y. M. G. A.
Merrill Institute Donated Tor Use OF
Yoang White People OF This City
The Ceremonies.
fFrom the Pine Pluff Graphic, May
30. 1900

81, 1S9O)
1.-The opening and dedcatory eXer-
cises of the Merrill Institute took
Mace last Tuesday night in the pres
ence OF one of the largest audiences
that has even been assembled in our
city
1t was an occasion looked forward
to with high anticipations, no doubt
by Mr.. Merrill the donor. and he
doubtless viewed with just pride the
approa ching time when he could say
to the people of Pine Bluff, Here Is
the building 1t Is your own-take II.
and may Providence guide you in the
proper use of it, We say looked fer
ward to with pride-a pride that none
but the good can know-a pride in
benevolence, a pride in charity, and
pride in the physical, mental, moral
and spiritual welfare of people for
whom his devotion, true friendship
and love is amply attes ed by his
most generous gift. And truly We may
say that the recipients of this inesim-
able gift have equally shown the
pride that they feel in the erection OF
such an institution in our midss. for
Though each strain'of music and ev-
cry speech ran vein of enthusiasm
which showed clearly that from their
hearts they all exclaimed with one
&C cord 1--WE thank you.
The advantages that are to be de-
rived from physical, mental and moral
culture cannot be estimated by man.
It il known In eternity, and those who
have faith in the ultimate elevation
OF mankind and who contribute the
labor of life, or the resources thereof
to this grand end, their faith and
their deeds will be accounted unto
them for righteousness. "A sound
mind in sound body is the sent-
rnent embodied In this institution,
and the splendid gymnasium elegant
auditorium, we'll selected library, all
under control and management of the
Y. NJ c. A, will secure these benefic-
ent results. And. it W. With thes"
objects in view that Mr.. Joseph Me-
rill on last Tuesday night formally
bestowed upon the people of our city
the superb building upon which he has
so cheerfully spent so much money,
time and thought. Joseph Merrill,
when dead, will still live, for charity
extendeth beyond the grave
Laying the Cornerstone.
The Merrill institute being eomplet-
ed in every particular except the
placing of the cornerstone, and last
Tuesday being the day appointed and
set apart for this purpose, the Board
of Trustees having requested the
Masonic fraternity to take charge of
the same, both lodges of the city as
sembled in their Edge room at 3:3o
p. M, by order. A little after O'Clock
they were formed in solemn process
sion by Grand Marshal Solomon Solm-
son. Arriving on the ground at 4:30,
they were met by the donor and the
Board ct Trustees, when the Hon w.
p. Hemingway, Judge of the Supreme
Court. after a short but very civ
quent and interesting speech, request
ed p, st Grand Master NJ. l.. Bell, Act
ing Grand Master, to lay the corner
stone in accordance with the cere-
moly of the Ancient and Honorable
institution of Masons Most Worship
full M. L. Bell then made an invoca-
ton, which was followed by prayer b.
Acting Grand Chaplain l. 0. Adams
The stone was then tried by Aetins
Deputy Grand Master A. B, Or &c,
Acting Senior Grand Warden John T
Marsh, and Acting Junior Grand War
den NJ T. Boyd, taey applying in ae'
cordance with ancient usage, the M
Elements of their office, and finding
the stone TO be square, level and
plumb, then each of these officers in
turn, scattered and poured upon the
etone the elements of conservation
corn, wine nd oil. Then the deposits
were made, and after an address or
charge to the assembly by the Grand
Master, and benedict on by -"
Grand Chaplain, the exercises were
closed, the stone was set in cement,
and the Mas MS returned 20 the lodge.
Evening Exercises.
Following is the program OF the
exercises Of the evening, every part
OF which was executed in most de-
ligh4ful manner:
1. Chorus" and True.
ADhengrin r.. Wagner
P. r. Chorus Society.
G. B. Brinkley.
,. Instrumental Trio Barber de
Seville" ................. Rossinni.