Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-07-18
MANY PEOPLE SWARM TO SITE.
HONOR A. n. BELDING. GRAND
LODGE HAD CHARGE.


all parts of the country, numbering
many thousands, thronged to the
site of the new Belding Memorial Lii
brary Thursday afternoon to do just
honor to Alvah n. Belding, donor of
the magnificent building. 1t was the
day of the cornerstone laying by the
Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted
Masons of the State of Michigan.
Five of the lodge officers were here
to help in the ceremonies of the day.
The occasion was made impressive by
the attendance of the lonia soldiers,
the commandery, blue lodges from
all the surrounding cities as well as
Belding and the local /. O. o. F. and
other fraternal and civic bodies. The
day was ideal and the whole program
moved without hitch.
1t was grand sight to see the par
ade grounds filled with the different
divisions which were to participate
in the parade. The city band in
uniform was closely allied with Com
.pany "E" in khaki colored uniform.
Contrasted with the soldiers were the
members of the local Red Cross,
dressed in white and wearing white
turbans. The Campfire Girls, next in
line, were dressed in their regulation
outfits and afforded a marked con-
trast to the |. o. o. f. and Command
cry uniforms of the men next to
them. The five hundred Masons,
members of Belding and surround
ing lodges, made a striking appear
ance, all clothed in the customary
aprons.
The line of march was through an
elegantly decorated course from the
parade grounds along Hanover
street to Washington. west to Pearl,
north to Main and then along Main
TO the site of the building. The
members Of the different divisions
marched four abreast and formed
line of march five blocks long. They
were followed by the members of the
Grand Lodge seated in A. N. Beld-
ing's automobile and driven by Mr..
Warren. The Grand Lodge alighted
at Bridge street and marched to the
library site between the ranks of the
several orders who had acted as es-
corts to their respective supenors Of
the day. The Grand Lodge was inn
mediately followed by the Belding
Masonic lodge members and they IN
turn by the orders who proceeded
themin the parade, until all were as
sembled around the library building
Thousands Of people lined the streets
along the course of the march and
the ground surrounding the incom-
pleted building.
The program is the main proceed
ed informally. Early in the event
A. N. Belding was introduced to the
audience by Grand Master Louis II.
Fead. Mr. Belding addressed the
crowd briefly. expressing greatest
satisfaction of the honor extended
him and thanking the people most
deeply for their expressions OF ap-
probation. Fred n. Belding was al
so introduced to the audience and ex-
pressed words of appreciation.
Grand Master Fead next took the
program in charge and together with
his subordinate officers proceeded
with the beautiful Masonic ceremony
so appropriate to the laying of the
cornerstones for such buildings. The
audience was intent from start to
finish. The men, all with we'll
trained voices, spoke in tones easily
audible to everyone. Assisting Mr..
Fead was Lou b. Winsor of Reed
City. Chas. B. Eddy Of Hart, Rev.
VIM. II. Gallagher of Caro-, Frank o.
Gilbert of Bay City, Chas. Durand of
Flint and Paul Mason Of Reed City.
After the customary stone laying
ceremony H. j. Leonard very ably
introduced Grand Master Fead to the
audience Mr. eFad, with an ease
and grace only acquired after long
and careful training, gave notable
Grafton in which he urged the adj
vancement Of all people in education,
moral and spiritual lines. He ex-
tolled the life of all true Masons and
made an appeal to all members Of
the fraternity to live a life above rel
proach as taught in the lessons of the
order. Many and commendable were
the expressions of approval of Mr..
Fead's address.
The singing of the afternoon was
in charge Of George Wagner. A
piano had been provided by the Mil
Ter e. Harris Furniture company, for
use in thep- rQgram. The walls. on
either side Of the corner in which the
stone was laid, were decorated with
flowers and ferns. The huge flag, re-
Gently made by the children Of the
domestic science department Of the
school, was used as a background for
the scene and the stage was further
adorned with large potted plants.
The success Of the day was largely
due to the untiring efforts of G. f.
Smith, Henry J. Leonard, Chas. NJ.
Wise, Guy Weter and to Fred Rod
. gers, master Of the local lodge and
J his subordinate officers. The mem
DefS OF the TeCepIlOn COluilllItee Hldue
everyone feel at home during the day
and CAREFUL ywatched every train
automobile to extend a welcome to all
visitors. The members of the com
mittee besides the men above men
toned were: Vern r. Brown, ]. b
Cook, J. NJ. Langston, J. s. Donovan
Earl Wilson. r. H. Hall, ID. ID. Skel-
lenger and l.. L. Underwood.
The event was easily the best civic
spectacle every portrayed in Belding
|, 1t was an event worthy of the occa-
sion for which it was held and ar
honor Justly due Mr.. Belding for his
philanthropic gift to the city. The
day will long be remembered by ev'