The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-08-20
THRONG PRESENT FOR DEDICATION OF NEGRO TEMPLE White Citizens Tender Congratulations On
 Great Project

Birmingham's imposing new negro masonic temple was formally dedicated last night by the officers of the Ala bama state grand lodge at A. F. and A. M., colored in the presence of a crowd which taxed the capacity of the build ing and hundreds were unable to gain admission.
 !, The dedication of the seven-story structure which cost $500,000 and is the largest construction enterprise ever carried out in the state entirely by negroes, was conducted by the negro grand master, Walter Thomas Woods, of Birmingham. and addresses of congratulate on behalf of white citizens of Birmingham were made by R. I. Ingalls,, president of the Bir- mineham Chamber of Commerce, and w. T. White, attorney.
 It was asserted by one of the speak CTS that eleven years ago the negro grand lodge was $100,000 in debt and that today it has over $500,000 on the other side of the ledger. It was also stated that 5000 members have been ad- mitted during the past year. Many white citizens of Birmingham attended the dedication.
 Grand Lodge Opens
 The Forty-seventh session of the Ala bama state grand lodge, A. F. and A. NJ, colored, was called to order at 9 o'clock Tuesday morning by Grand Master Walter Thomas Woods. The devotional exercises were conducted by Rev. c. W. Mitchell, grand chaplain. Dr. James A. Bray. educational secre- of the c. NJ. E. church, and Rev. R. B. Owens of Memphis and grand chaplain of the Tennessee grand lodge, A. F. and "A. NJ, were introduced to the order. When Secretary P. D. Davis began calling the roll of the 950 local lodges every seat in the vast auditorium of the temple and the gal leries was occupied.
 The grand master appointed commit tees on bylaws, obituary, appeals and grievances; jurisprudence, temperance, works and lectures and resolutions.
 Referring to the growth of the Order during the year, Grand Master Woods stated that more than 500 had joined the Order during the year. In the course of his address the grand master paid very touching tribute to the life and services of the late CatsOn Nathaniel McDaniels, grand secretary, WlO uleQ uurlHS Ine year.
 ?, Woods Given Ovation
 When State Grand Master Walter Thomas Woods entered the auditorium Tuesday morning he was surprised by an4ovation extended to him exceeding any perhaps ever received by members or his race since the days of Booker T. Washington. The unprecedented sue tary of the c. NJ. E. church, and Rev. zE eli O leader the order for il years was the cause of the ovation. When Woods was elected grand master, the grand lodge, it is said. was S1OO,000 in debt. Since then aIl claims have been settled and the order is now half million dollars to the good, according to the statement by Grand Secretary D. D. Davis.
 Delivering his annual address Grand Master Woods spoke three hours de- ;cIaring among other things, Never has any race reached such high state oF civilization as ours in so short lime. and much of this, my DrethEeh' bas been brought about by our vener. ahla ancient and honorable society or fresmaeonry that forms one vast cham of brotherhood of all races, all natlon- "l;ties which encircles the globe; whose nower has been felt for good agalnsI isyvlessness. disorder and crime. IL was +hsse countless thousands ot master Wasons who have been. working QuieIiy in the ouarries who have brought apoL' tbe swift and mighty changes through out the world today.
 Day Of Competition
 "We are living in progressNe ,ss,' ass' an age of competition and fierce sIrue- 1A TUa are living in an age when men s E coIIed upon to meet the issues af W l;fo s1nareiy and deal with them on oL oL.in ine .Sr;ts We are living in day of tsst when man must be an efr- s;.nt deliyerer. or less noisy talKer. T1he day of the haranguer IS past 1hls is the day of men who do things gnu ,.srrn~ent A constituency. Thls IS che dov when the test is being appLeu ,r;tb all it's force and directness to hoth individuals and races, ana the rece that is not able to stand the test -orst he counted as a back number ana sventually lose place in the grand marcn os civilization. Our race IS passing through a crucial period In us history ;n 9bis. country; surrounded by grueii- ;r. onnosition, encOmpassed by eompeu- t;cn that is fierce and unrelentlng; the ,,Jc+;m of ignorance and crime. The question is being asked, What about the negro? Will he survive this great fest. the great struggle which IS on in these United StatesT The answer comes. It will depend upon how well tbe negro is prepared to cope with me difficulties he is bound to encounter ss he masses through this life Our hovs and girls must be educated, they must be trained to do the world s WorA' They must feel their responsibility for the welfare and betterment Of their race" -.
 White Citizens Present
 Long before 8 o'clock, the time ap- nointed for the dedicatory exercises, every seat in the auditorium and gal leries was filled and many had to be turned away for the want even Of standing room. Many white people oc- cupied front seats. Grand Secretary p. ID. Davis, master of ceremonies, pre- sented Oscar W, Adams, editor Of the Birmingham Reporter, who spoke in behalf of the negro citizens of Bir- mingham and referred in eloquent words to the Temple of Solomon. 'Birming- ham is the biggest city in the world and has the best white people on the globe" said Adams, which elicited great applause. ''The majority of the whites of Birmingham are good white people, and the majority of the negroes ot Birmingham are some of the best ne- Rroes in the country" continued Adams. "Call upon the white people of Blr- mingham for what you want and l as sure you they will respond" A solo by Aaron Thrift delighted the audi