Connecticut western news., 1915-07-01
MASONIC SERMON
Large Attendance at Methodist Church
 to Hear Bro. Travis.

to Hear Bro. Travis.
 About 40 members of Housatouic Lodge, F. and A. M, and 15 members of Esther Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, in body. attended service in the Methodist church Sunday evening and listened to a special sermon by Rev. l.. E. Travis, appropriate to St. John s Day.
 The members of the two orders met at the lodge room at o'clock and put on their aprons and jewels, and marched to the church. Rev. MT. Travis, who is a Mason, marched with the Worshipful Master. Seats had been reserved for the orders in the body of the church, and the entire auditor ium was crowded with other interested listeners. The choir was exceptionally ,ffective and the congregational sing ing robust and spirited.
 MT. Travis took for his text the words, 'I am instructed. Philippians, -:12, and said in part: Brethren of Huusatonic Lodge No 6I, of F. and A. M. and sisters of Esther Chapter Order of Eastern Star, No. 72: it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to this church this evening. I am glad that the day has come-I rejoice to be liv- ing in it-when the greatest philan- thropic orders, most benign govern ments, in the most advanced civiliza- tiols S and all organizations for the up lift aud help of suffering humanity feel flat they honor and elevate themselves by showing special regard for the hristian church, the greatest institu- tion known to men; an institution destined to spread it's influence until it covers the continents of the earth and the islands of the seas.
 This our order. hoary with antiquity, whose lodges are erected to God, and dedicated to the memory of men who, in their lifetime were in closest touch with the Saviour of men, rightly comes to the house of God, to pay irs tribute If honor to Him in whom we live and move and have our being. This is trut wisdom and shows a high estimate oi those principles of our Holy Religion which are the only letters patent o1 true nobility. Many of the principles of this bible, by symbol, speech and charitable deed, are used again and again by us Masons. to stimulate to noble deeds, to teach men to subdut their native passions and live in harmony with the requirements of eternal righteousness Our order by precept and example teaches that of the things among men and dear to men, character alone is great.
 Joined hand to hand with us Masons is the order of Eastern Star, who have emblazoned conspicuously on their ban- ner, I've have seen His star iu the east and have come to worship Him." and who take as the models for the develop ment of their womanly character that company of elect women in God s word, Ada, Ruth, Esther, Martha and Electra, women conspicuous for service and self denial and the complication of all that is highest and holiest ill the sphere of woman.
 May we who take for cur models the highest and holiest that ever trod the foot-stooi, seek to follow the great Mas ter who was inf1exible in His fidelity to the great trust. till we shall receive 1 the kind messenger sent from the Su- preme Grand Master to translate | z from this imperfect to that all perfect, glorious, celestial Lodge above, where the Supreme Architect of the universe presides.
 And now may He whose we are, and whom we serve, in whom we live, move and have our being, add His blessing. So mote it be.-Amen.