The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1913-08-20
JUDGE HuTcHINsoN's ADDRESS.

Denison August 18th, at the Laying
Of the Corner Stone Of the New
Federal Building.
Most Worshipful Grand Master, Mas
ons and Fellow Citizens:
The symbolism of the corner stone
presents a most instructing lesson.
You have just witnessed the beautiful
ceremony performed by the most wor-
shipful, the Grand Lodge of Iowa.
The laying Of the corner stone of this
government building, the gift of this
generous nation to the beautiful little
city of Denison for the use, comfort
and pleasure of its people. The plan
is of the most modern architecture,
the best skilled labor is employed in
its construction, the finest possible
material is being used, neither time
nor money will be spared to make it
both useful and beautiful. It will be
a building when completed in which
the people of this little city can take
a just pride. 1t will be your building,
so to speak, the gift of the govern
ment.
The corner stone is the most import
ant stone in the whole building. 1t is
the principal stone. 1t is important,
therefore, that it be a perfect stone.
We are working today in speculative
Masonry. The difference between
speculative and operative Masonry is
this: Operative has to do with the
construction of material building,
while speculative occupies itself in
the erection of q spiritual building, a
hohse not made with hands, eternal
in the heavens.
AS Masons We believe in the teach
ings of the Holy Bible. All our holy
precepts and symbols are taken from
the Bible. One of the most wonder
full verses in the Holy Bible is the
10th verse of the 2Sth chapter of
Isaiah. Listen to the words spoken
by the great prophet seven hundred
years before the Christian era,
Therefore, thus saith the Lord God,
Behold, lay in Zion for foundation
stone, precious corner stone, a
sure foundation!'
The corner stone which has been
laid has been raised from the quar-
ries, has been washed, cleaned and
tested 1t has stood the test of the
pick and hammer. The architect tells
us it is perfect stone, sure foun-
dation upon which to build. And it is
fitted, therefore, and laid by the most
worshipful Grand Master of the Grand
Lodge of Iowa with ancient Masonic
ceremonies by the application of corn,
wine and oil, emblematical of the
corn of nourishment, the wine of re-
freshment and the oil of joy. 1t is
perfect stone, sure foundation. No
part of it is defective. no hidden, un-
seen or covered up defects will be
found in it. 1t has been examined by
the architect and pronounced fit for
the builders use. 1t is therefore put
in place by your Grand Master in the
name of the Grand Architect of the
universe by the use of the plumb,
square and level.
The solemn ceremonies just per-
formed are intended to teach the craft
namely: The building of a spiritual
temple for ourselves. If we are here
as Masons today out of idle curiosity
or if we take part in the solemn cere
monies for the show of it, or to parade
our Masonry before the public. it is
better, far better, for us if We were
not here. What we have done here to-
day is done in the name of God, and
the work is intended to teach us that
the human structure has corner
stone also, which is taken from the
quarries of truth and love.
We can all build beautiful temples
if We will follow the plans given by
the Grand Architect of the universe.
The corner stone just laid is per-
feet stone-our corner stone must be
a perfect love. Hence the question:
Where are we getting the stones for
our temple? Are we getting them
from the quarries of hate? the quar-
ries of selishness? quarries of in
quarries of profanity?
quarries of wickedness or from the |
quarries of disobedience? If so, our
temple will not stand for eternity but I,
must surely crumble and fall away. |
Where are we getting the stones for |
our temple? l answer if we follow the |
teachings of Masonry we are getting |
them from the quarries of love, quar-
ries of hope, quarries of tenderness,
quarries of temperance, quarries of
quarries of truth, quarries
of self-denial, quarries of character
and quarries of forgiveness. What
l answer the cement of
brotherly love and affection. AS it is
built the stones must be strong
enough to stand the blow of Gods S