The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1914-04-10
REPORT OF +. X. McSHANE
OF GRAND LODGE SESSION

"orshiPful Master f.. II. McShon NJ
who attended the recent session of tn
Grand Lodge of Masons at Meridian
made the following report to Green
wood Lodge No. 1876, Masons, at tn,
meeting held Monday evening, Apri
9th, which is published at the request o
the members of the Lodge: .
AS representative of Greenwood
Lodge 1875 to the Grand Lodge Of F. q
A. NJ. of Mississippi, held in Meridian
Tuesday and Wednesday, February II
IS, while much interested in its pro.
cecdings and the interesting ceremony
Of the corner stone laying, Of the Scot
fish Rite Cathedral by the Grand
Lodge officers, the visit to the Widows
and Orphans Home made the greatest
impression on me. In my judgment the
Widows & Orphans Home ia the bright,
est spot on the escutchcon of
Free Masonry in Mississippi, though
Free Masonry needs no commentator
at mine, or any mans hand for the
good work it has done and will con.
tinue to do in the world 3 work. If the
institution of Free Masonry had no
other good reason to exist in Mississip.
pi than the Widows & Orphans Home
at Meridian, that of itself would be
ample, because the service being per
formed there, is not only n credit to
the fraternity Of Free Masonry, but is
also q credit to the whole State, .
! will not attempt to give the his,
tory of the home, suffice it to say, that
after many years of effort on the part
of the Grand Lodge, sufficient funds
were finally accumulated to acquire the
land and build the home on same. Like
all important undertakings, it com
menced in n modest way with only q
few inmates, but, as time passed it
has increased and expanded its useful
ness, so that at the present time, there
are about one hundred and twenty to
care for in both n material and spirit.
ual way. / was particularly impressed
by the fact that the children Of the
home are not uniformed, but are
clothed as other children who are liv'
ing at home with their parents, in the
same way they are sent to the public
school daily, which is wise on Brother
Martins part, as each child thereby
retains his or her individuality and they
need not feel that they are objects Of
charity, which otherwise they might
be made to feel. 1t would be impossi
bic to speak too highly Of the wonder
full manner in which the home is man
aged by it's capable, kind and courteous
Superintendent Brother J.. J. Martin
whom all of the children love as 0
wise and Thoughtful guardian. On ad
journment of the Grand Lodge, thu
members thereof by an especial invita-
| ton OF the Trustees and Superintend
ent, visited the Home in a body, I
string Of street ears were placed con
veniently at the service Of the Crane
Lodge members which took them t.
within a quarter Of a mile Of the HON.
and on arrival they were shown througl
| the Home and over the premises gen
orally, where everything was found t.
be in frst.class condition. A prett,
custom adopted by the Superintendent
requires each visitor to register. Afte
| the tour Of inspection was over tn
visitors were entertained by the chill
dren with singing and impromptu theat
ricals, and later wer, served with de-
licious refreshments, prepared by tn
| older girls Of the Home, who also as
sumed the role Of walters to thei
guests. The Home itself and Its SUI
~roundings are all that could be desired
the location il picturesque AID health
full, the ample grounds (some 20 acres
about the Home furnishes plenty o
room for all purposes, and no sickness
should ever invade the Home for van
Of Fairgrounds and fresh air. Tn
Masons of Mississippi have cause t
be proud Of their Widows 4 Orphan
Home at Meridian, and the good wor
it il doing for the unfortunate an
helpless snes Of deceased Masoas, i
furnishing them with the means
make good and useful mes and wome
Of themselves.
In closing / wish to eongratula'
Brother Martin and his able corps
Assistants on the noble work they a
doing and to wish for them, that an a
wise Providence may strengthen the
hands and lengthen their lives, tn
they may be enabled to continue the
=, labors in their chosen field.