The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-08-16
CHELSEA
Cornerstone of New Masonic Building
Laid with Much Ceremony.


this town, since it was on that day that
the cornerstone was laid for the new
Masonic temple in the presence Of a
large throng of people, at least 100 OF
whom were members of the Masonic fra
ternity. The ceremony took place at
40 D. M The cornerstone, which is
Ia by 20 inches, was made from dark
granite by John Anderson of South Roy
ALTON and contributed by him. On the
stone are cut the square and compasses
and the letters and figures A. D. 1919,
which are gold-leafed by John B. Gokey
and the polished surface set off by gold
leafed insignia and inscription makes
this marker conspicuous for long dis
lance.
Most worshipful grand master of the
grand lodge of Vermont, Edward Il.
Wells of Lyndonville, was assisted by
various other grand lodge officers from
other sections of the state, at the close
of the immediate exercises of laying
the stone he made brief address to the
assembled brethren and was followed by
Hon Hale K Darling, who read the fol-
lowing address from Charles |. Hood of
Lowell Mass, who was invited to de-
liver an address but who was unable to
be present:
"To the Worshipful Master, Wardens and
Brethren of George Washington lodge,
No 81. A. +. and A. NJ, of Chelsea, VT.
"Worshipful Master and Brethren: No
duty or privilege that has come befores
me in many years has appealed to me so
strongly as has your invitation to be
present and participate in the ceremo-
,sf. h. 10 &c tba
stone of the new Masonic building in my
native town of Chelsea As | have
thought it over, have at times felt in
clined to disregard all warnings and
admontions and absolutely promise to
be present with you to take part in what
/ am sure would be most delightful
occasion. But regard for my health, con
sideration for my family, my business
and my friends, and due heed to the adj
vice of my physicians, will probably pre-
vent my taking active part in the pro-
gram.
Therefore, l will try to condense into
this letter q few of the things | would
like to say to my fellow townsmen and
brethren upon this occasion
''Sinee that day in 1861 when | left
this old town in the enthusiasm of youth
and yet with aching heart to make my
own way in the world, my love for Chel-
sea has never faltered. Fifty-eight years
of very active life, crowded oftentimes
with almost overwhelming cares, in the
busiest manufacturing city in the world
and one of the best-haye not in the
least dampencd the ardor of my affec
tion but rather have intensified it. |
have several times at your Old Home
week celebrations and upon other oeca-
sions testified to this and have told you
with what genuine pleasure, experienced
nowhere else in the world | have Jour
neyed up that lovely valley to enjoy its
beauties and to renew acquaintance with
the scenes of my youth, and with many
dear personal friends, now, alas, rapidly
passing on.
Many times, even when / have been
in other scenes and lands, have felt in
expressibly proud of my native town and
of my native state. No hills like her
hills, no valleys like her valleys and no
people like her people, the world around.
! have been pleased to hear of the in
cerasing prosperity of our farmers, and
their greater interest in better dairy and
other products have noted with much
pleasure the improvements locally, the
Indications Of town pride and of civic
spirit in the recent formation of the
Chelsea Board, of Trade, the improve
ment of roads, the better public schools
and other buildings. And now | con-
graduate the town and the Masonic fra
ternity upon the proposed new Masonic
building, the cornerstone of which is to
be laid this day.
81 am proud of the fact that ! am a
Mason I may say that | have found
many good and true friends within the
folds of the Masonic fraternity. | was
raised in George Washington lodge on
the 4th day of April, 1870. have also
taken special satisfaction in thinking
that the name of my mother lodge was
George Washington, that name which is
intimately blended with whatever be-
longs most essentially to the prosperity
the liberty, the free institutions and re-
nown of our country. In our great Ma
sonic temple in Boston, there is beau
tiful portrait in oil of George Washing
ton in the regalia of a Master Mason,
and as master of the lodge in Alexandria,
Va. 1t is well known that many of the
sgners of the Declaration of Indepen-
dence and many generals of the Reyolu-
tionary war were Masons, some of them
masters of lodges.
1T is not for me to pass any extended
encomium upon Masonry Its romark-
able growth is due solely to its intrinsic
worth. 1t invites good men, whether
rich or poor in this worlds goods, only
asking that all be high minded, patriotic,
honorable and moral 1t teaches that
every man should make his word az
good as his bond Masonry is not
church. it is not the superior nor the
equal of the church. The church admits
to membership any who profess to de-
sire to live better life regardless of
their former careers. The lodge selects
its material with caution If an appi-
cant's record is bad he must bide his
time in patience until correct living has
made him fitting companion. Nasons
should be men of industry, propriety
integrity, good morals and charitable
tendencies quick to reprove and check
wrong and quick to forgive The red flag
of anarchy has never been raised in a
Masonic lodge. Bolshevism and socialism
are as foreign to the spirit of a Masonic
lodge as rebellion. Patriotism, broad
minded charity and everything that in
culcates the idea of brotherhood of man
and the fatherhood of God are the ele-
ments which have contributed most to
the growth of the order
'WorshipfuI master and brethren,
these are few of the rambling thoughts
that come to MY mind as | mediate on
your ceremony of Aug. O. And | ask
that as this building progresses from