New Britain herald., 1928-04-30

"The laying of cornerstone in your new temple should be and is an occasion of rejoicing in New Britain. It is another step toward the con- pletion of the work that has been going on for so many years. Long before many of the younger men had begun their active interest in mason ry a building that would be a credit to your order was in the minds of those who went before you. From year to year the plan progressed. Eventually the land desired was pur- chased. Then the structure which was to serve your fraternal purposes shaped itself on paper and finally ground was broken and the actual construction began. Today. with suitable exercises. you have laid the cornerstone which means that your new temple is we'll on its way 10 completion.
 The city of New Britain has watched your progress in this work with a feeling of satisfaction. 1t is good omen when busy men lay aside their cares and business wor- ries to unite in a fraternal group. No man who is true 10 his fraternal order can help but be a good citizen, Government is founded on the same basic principles as is yours. A de- sire to progress, an aim for the more beautiful things and helping hand extended to your fellow man those are the principles of fraternal- ism. No government could hope to more closely approach the ideals of our founders than one in which these things are uppermost.
 'The City of New Britain needs organizations such as yours. From your ranks have been recruited many of the men whose interest in public affairs, whose business judgment and whose skill in industry have placed the city in the high position it now occupies. We must continue on. and we can do so only with united effort and sustained interest.
 II feel not only the Masons, but also the entire city are to be con- graduated upon your fine building. May your work go on without inter- rupuon. and may your building sur pass in it's grandeur and in its bene- fits the fondest hopes of Masonry.
 Solos were sung by August L.. Klein with Theron w. Hart at the piano.
 William J. Rawlings. who by a coincidence. was observing his 18th birthday anniversary at the same time, said that now that the temple is assured. cooperation among the craft is needed to prove to New Britain that the Masons of the city are what they profess to be.
 Grand Master Walker spoke of the growth of Masonry and the fact that new Masonic temples are being built all over the state. He spoke of the need for strong fraternal sympathies among all men, and quoted former grand master, who said "The man ] do not love is the man l do not know"
 Tt will cost you more to live in Sou1 o"H iViiC eiihu Sou oIO {'os iHo in rent, but you will get great deal more satisfaction out of it." he said. Rev. Samuel A. Fiske. former as sociate chaplain for the fifth Masonic district, reminded the men that the first Masonic meeting in this section was held in Berlin. where Harmony lodge was organized and that a bed room Tn a private house in Berlin still bears Masonic symbols on its walls.
 He said many Of the leading men in Masonry in New Britain come from Berlin, which he called "The mother town
 He enjoined the members to build the inner temple of their souls as strong and permanent as the ideals of Masonry, and not as Ezekiel said When they build wall they daub it over with untempered mortar" Don't build your walls of just plain mud" he said.
 He referred to the Masonic methods of selecting new members and added "Winnow and select members as carefully as you may. but let there be no autocracy in the selection. Let us help to spread brotherhood wherever we can. We ought to build with the mortar of