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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Day With The Craft.
A DAY WITH THE CRAFT .
LAYING THE CORNER STONE OP ST . GEORGE'S CHURCH , WESTPORT , BROCKVILLE .
TUESDAY , tho 28 th October , was indeed a red letter day in tho history of the thriving little village of Westport , the occasion beiug the presence of the Masonio Fraternity , and the laying by the Craft of the corner stone of St . George's ohnroh . The Grand Master M . VV . Bro . J . Ross Robertson reached Brock - ville by the early train on the Grand Trunk , and at 9 * 15 , accompanied
by E . W . Bro . Col . Jackson D . D . G . M . of the Fourteenth Distriot , H . J . Wilkinson P . D . D . G . M . of the Fifteenth Distriot , and a large number of brethren and ladies , were conveyed to Westport by the Brookville and Westport railway . At the Elgin atation the visitors were met by R . W * . Bro . Dargavel the D . D . G . M . of Fifteenth Distriot , and at Newboro by R . W . Bro . Dr . Preston P . D . D . G . M . and the local
Craft , in Simpson Lodge . At Westport the citizens had turned out en masse , and preceded by the Newboro band , were escorted to Dier ' s Hall where an ample dinner was provided . ^ The ohnrch to be built at WeBtport has about twenty-five families , who are determined to have a comfortable and attractive structure .
Heretofore they have worshipped in the town hall , the service being conducted by the Rev . F . B . Moore , Ompha , who will have under his care the new parish . At 1 30 the Grand Lodge was opened in the Presbyterian church , which had been kindly opened for the occasion through the courtesy of the Rev . Mr . Roas and his trustees .
The Grand Lodge called off and proceeded in procession to the ohnroh foundation , and tho proceedings opened by a prayer by the Rev . Geo . Bouafield , after whioh he read an address of welcome signed by the churchwardens Messrs . T . G . Buller and A . 0 . Johnston . The address expressed the pleasure that the congregation had in welcoming the Grand Master and the Fraternity , and pointing out
that the principles of Masonry are essentially those which underlie the constitution of the Anglican church . The address was followed by tbe presentation of a silver trowel to the Grand Master , who in reply said that it afforded him pleasure to be present with the Craft , to add to the solemn scene to be performed in the erection of another structure , which will testify to the earnestness of the people in
matters of religion and their fidelity to the faith handed down from generation to generation . The Craft ceremonies were then proceeded with , the stone being duly tested by the square , level , and plumb rule , and consecrated with corn , wine and oil as emblems of plenty , cheerfulness and consolation , and deolared well and truly laid by the Grand Master .
M . W . Bro . Robertson , stepping to the front of the raised platform , amid cheers from the assemblage , spoke as follows : — Ladies and Gentlemen of Westport , —The Masonic Fraternity within its circle is oalled upon to exemplify the impressive ceremonies of the Craft in that portion of its work which may be viewed by the outer world .
These ceremonies convey to us great truths ; teach U 3 important lessons , | whioh ought to so impress the minds of brethren that , both at home and abroad in the Lodge room or as they struggle in the ranks of business life , they may remember the words spoken , knowing that the principles we endeavour to inculcate are those whioh help to clothe the young Mason with all the attributes of perfect manhood .
While it is pleasant to know and to feel that we are thus trying to act on a high level with the best thoughts of mankind , we are glad that those without the purview of our altars , recognize the good work that we are engaged in , by inviting ns to take part in ceremonies similar to that which we have performed to-day . What greater testimony does a Fraternity require of the soundness
of principles and tenets on whioh our institution is built , than the requests to take part in the ceremonies conneoted with the cause of religion and education . This week—as it is to-day , to lay the foundation stone of a temple to be reared to the worship , of the Great Architect of the Universe , the Divino Being , the Infinite Spirit , without belief in whom the future would be a mist ; and at another time , as last week , to place in position a corner stone of an
edifice where the hope of our favoured country , the boys and girls , who in a few years will take our plaoes in the business of every day life , in the forum , in the pulpit , or as mothers of tho future , are gathering that knowledge which will strengthen the mind , tone the morals and confirm the belief in all that is written within the Holy Book that for centuries haa been read to us by our mothers , and lies ever open on the altar of all Masons hailing from the noble ancestry of British fathers .
It was , therefore , with gratification that I acceded to the request made by the incumbent of this parish through our R . W . Brother Dargavel , the esteemed District Deputy Graud Master of £ he Fifteenth Masonic District , to add the dignity of our Craft ceremonies to the intrinsic solemnity of this occasion . On behalf of Grand Lodge , its Officers and members , and for
myself as Grand Master , I can assure yon we are delighted to have the opportunity of taki ' Dg part in what must be an important event in the religious life of this section of country—a district , let mo inform you , that should be sweet to the memory of our Craft , for , but a few miles from here , some of our first altars were reared in the early days of thia century , when the sturdy pioneers , many of whom were Craftsmen , hewed into squares the monarchs of the forest and built
the primitive log cabins , that have given way to the comfortable home with its modern improvements , and guided the plough through the stump-dotted fields , to bo hidden at harvest time with the golden grain that is tho staple production of this garden of the world , our native province . When I look at the faces of many before mo , anxious , I have no doubt , to know the secrets of the Mason ' s Art , I feel that it would be
A Day With The Craft.
an injustice if I did not satisfy their curiosity and tell them why we , as Masons , relegata to ourselves the duty of to-day ' s ceremonial . The corner stone i 3 the most important part of the structure , and those of you who have either of your own free will and aooord , or at the suggestion—please mark the word—of your school teachers , delved into tho fathoms of aucieut history , will remember that at the
rebuilding of the capitol at . Rome , other impressive oeramcuiu .- > , acoompanied by solemn prayer , the magistrates , the priests , senators and citizens , amid general demonstrations of joy dragged the ponder , ous load , the corner stone , to its destined spot . In anoient times , as to-day , corner stones were always laid with impressive ceremonies . The stone , whioh must be square , speaks to us as an emblem of
morality . In its solid contents it must be a oube whioh , to us , is a Bymbol of truth . Its position is important , and exemplifies to us the progress of Masonry from darkness to light , from ignoranoe to knowledge , for it is laid in the north-east corner , between the north thn place of darkness , and the east the place of light , and to the Freemason this signifies and is typical of the corner stone of
immortality . We use the square , the level and the plumb rule as fitting emblems of our calling . The square teaches morality , the level equality , and the plumb rule justness and uprightness of life and action . From the gavel we learn that perseverance is necessary to establish perfection , so that the mind may be enlightened and the soul rendered pure .
The corn , wine and oil are , as yon may have observed , also symbolical , as emblems of plenty , oheerfulness and happiness , for with bread we feed the hungry , with wine we oheer the sorrowful and with oil we pour consolation on those sickened in body or sorrowed in heart . Reverend Sir , our Masonic ancestors reared the greatest temples of
your faitb , and , while in England , as I gazed on the massive and imposing Minster at York , the noble front of Lincoln ' s mighty cathedral , or the turretted roof of grand old Peterborough , and knew that the hands of the operative Masons of long ago had placed these stones in position , I indeed felt that the speculative Masonry of to-day might , with all its energies , enable each individual Mason to
become a stone of that living temple , in which shines a light to pilot the Craftsmen who worship at our altars through the rooks and breakers , which mark tbe ocean of unbelief , in safety to that haven of quiet waters where the signals of Faitb , Hope and Charity are for ever flying . Masonry , rightly understood , is the ally of the ohnroh , the friend
of the school-house . It is the glory of English-speaking Masons that it has always stood like granite against the assaults of unbelief and that in a orisis of Craft history , when at least one great jurisdiction , I refer to France , was oarried away by a flood of agnosticism , tbe British Craft formed a gigantio square around our first great landmark and declared that without belief in the cardinal truth that
there was a Supreme Being , that He had revealed His will to man and that He would punish vice and reward virtue the entire fabric of Masonry wonld crumble to dust . As a benevolent institution we do not claim to be in the foreground , and it is well on an occasion of this kind I should define the position of the Craft with regard to its general charity . It is true that we
have accumulated funds with whioh we endeavour to brighten the lives of our widowed ones , but while other associations of men are leagued in brotherhood for mutual aid , the material beneficence of Masonry is always an act of grace , not the fulfilment of a legal or moral obligation . Far be it from me to institute comparisons that would minimize the incalculable amount of good that the leading
benevolent and friendly societies have accomplished for Englishspeaking humanity . Masonry stands alone and must be judged by its own laws . Our endeavour is to do good by stealth , and I am thankful to state that all over this jurisdiction , in tbe great cities aud around the little hamlets where our Craft fires burn , we have through
the goodness of the twenty thousand Craftsmen of this Province been enabled to send streaks of sunshine into many a saddened home , with comfort for the widowed heart and cheer for the orphan child . I thank you heartily for your kindly presence here to-day , and trust that you may carry away pleasant recollections of the Craft
. The proceedings concluded with an energetic address by the Rev Mr . Goodman , of Bell's Corner , and an appeal for funds , whioh was liberally responded to . . Later on , the Graud Master , in response to the kind words of the W . M ., said : —
" It is a pleasure for me at all times to meet my brethren of the Craft , bnt on occasions like the present , the interest is intensified byi the generons and heart }' welcome that has not only been extended me in this Lodge-room this evening , but also by tbe cordial greeting of the many brethren who were present at the ceremonies of the after , noon . It is gratifying indeed tome to find my efforts during the time
I have hold office in Grand Lodge have been appreciated , and do not care to flatter the brethren when I say that I am delighted with the representative gathering of to-day , and the success with which the , entire ceremonies were crowned . The people , as you might see , were delighted , that is if applause is an indication of their feelings , and the Craft certainly did their share to make the event one long to be
remembered in this old Masonic district . The courtesy and fra . ternity of Masons is the same the worid over , aud believe me , brethren , when I look at the faces of the Craft at our great gatherings , wlien I feel tho hearty welcome of the brethren as I meet them in their Craft homes , in their own Lodge-rooms , my heart warms for a membership that stands to-day respected and looked up to by tho good people of every section of the country . I find an inspiring
welcome everywhere , and it is indeed my sincere desire that onr great cause may go on to further prosperity—that we may practise the principles npon which the Institution is founded , bnt that while v / e may strengthen our fold in numbers we shall be careful to exercise 'due care , that all who seek our communion are up to the standard . While it is a good thing to be strong numerically—we must remember that we must not fall into the grave error of making
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Day With The Craft.
A DAY WITH THE CRAFT .
LAYING THE CORNER STONE OP ST . GEORGE'S CHURCH , WESTPORT , BROCKVILLE .
TUESDAY , tho 28 th October , was indeed a red letter day in tho history of the thriving little village of Westport , the occasion beiug the presence of the Masonio Fraternity , and the laying by the Craft of the corner stone of St . George's ohnroh . The Grand Master M . VV . Bro . J . Ross Robertson reached Brock - ville by the early train on the Grand Trunk , and at 9 * 15 , accompanied
by E . W . Bro . Col . Jackson D . D . G . M . of the Fourteenth Distriot , H . J . Wilkinson P . D . D . G . M . of the Fifteenth Distriot , and a large number of brethren and ladies , were conveyed to Westport by the Brookville and Westport railway . At the Elgin atation the visitors were met by R . W * . Bro . Dargavel the D . D . G . M . of Fifteenth Distriot , and at Newboro by R . W . Bro . Dr . Preston P . D . D . G . M . and the local
Craft , in Simpson Lodge . At Westport the citizens had turned out en masse , and preceded by the Newboro band , were escorted to Dier ' s Hall where an ample dinner was provided . ^ The ohnrch to be built at WeBtport has about twenty-five families , who are determined to have a comfortable and attractive structure .
Heretofore they have worshipped in the town hall , the service being conducted by the Rev . F . B . Moore , Ompha , who will have under his care the new parish . At 1 30 the Grand Lodge was opened in the Presbyterian church , which had been kindly opened for the occasion through the courtesy of the Rev . Mr . Roas and his trustees .
The Grand Lodge called off and proceeded in procession to the ohnroh foundation , and tho proceedings opened by a prayer by the Rev . Geo . Bouafield , after whioh he read an address of welcome signed by the churchwardens Messrs . T . G . Buller and A . 0 . Johnston . The address expressed the pleasure that the congregation had in welcoming the Grand Master and the Fraternity , and pointing out
that the principles of Masonry are essentially those which underlie the constitution of the Anglican church . The address was followed by tbe presentation of a silver trowel to the Grand Master , who in reply said that it afforded him pleasure to be present with the Craft , to add to the solemn scene to be performed in the erection of another structure , which will testify to the earnestness of the people in
matters of religion and their fidelity to the faith handed down from generation to generation . The Craft ceremonies were then proceeded with , the stone being duly tested by the square , level , and plumb rule , and consecrated with corn , wine and oil as emblems of plenty , cheerfulness and consolation , and deolared well and truly laid by the Grand Master .
M . W . Bro . Robertson , stepping to the front of the raised platform , amid cheers from the assemblage , spoke as follows : — Ladies and Gentlemen of Westport , —The Masonic Fraternity within its circle is oalled upon to exemplify the impressive ceremonies of the Craft in that portion of its work which may be viewed by the outer world .
These ceremonies convey to us great truths ; teach U 3 important lessons , | whioh ought to so impress the minds of brethren that , both at home and abroad in the Lodge room or as they struggle in the ranks of business life , they may remember the words spoken , knowing that the principles we endeavour to inculcate are those whioh help to clothe the young Mason with all the attributes of perfect manhood .
While it is pleasant to know and to feel that we are thus trying to act on a high level with the best thoughts of mankind , we are glad that those without the purview of our altars , recognize the good work that we are engaged in , by inviting ns to take part in ceremonies similar to that which we have performed to-day . What greater testimony does a Fraternity require of the soundness
of principles and tenets on whioh our institution is built , than the requests to take part in the ceremonies conneoted with the cause of religion and education . This week—as it is to-day , to lay the foundation stone of a temple to be reared to the worship , of the Great Architect of the Universe , the Divino Being , the Infinite Spirit , without belief in whom the future would be a mist ; and at another time , as last week , to place in position a corner stone of an
edifice where the hope of our favoured country , the boys and girls , who in a few years will take our plaoes in the business of every day life , in the forum , in the pulpit , or as mothers of tho future , are gathering that knowledge which will strengthen the mind , tone the morals and confirm the belief in all that is written within the Holy Book that for centuries haa been read to us by our mothers , and lies ever open on the altar of all Masons hailing from the noble ancestry of British fathers .
It was , therefore , with gratification that I acceded to the request made by the incumbent of this parish through our R . W . Brother Dargavel , the esteemed District Deputy Graud Master of £ he Fifteenth Masonic District , to add the dignity of our Craft ceremonies to the intrinsic solemnity of this occasion . On behalf of Grand Lodge , its Officers and members , and for
myself as Grand Master , I can assure yon we are delighted to have the opportunity of taki ' Dg part in what must be an important event in the religious life of this section of country—a district , let mo inform you , that should be sweet to the memory of our Craft , for , but a few miles from here , some of our first altars were reared in the early days of thia century , when the sturdy pioneers , many of whom were Craftsmen , hewed into squares the monarchs of the forest and built
the primitive log cabins , that have given way to the comfortable home with its modern improvements , and guided the plough through the stump-dotted fields , to bo hidden at harvest time with the golden grain that is tho staple production of this garden of the world , our native province . When I look at the faces of many before mo , anxious , I have no doubt , to know the secrets of the Mason ' s Art , I feel that it would be
A Day With The Craft.
an injustice if I did not satisfy their curiosity and tell them why we , as Masons , relegata to ourselves the duty of to-day ' s ceremonial . The corner stone i 3 the most important part of the structure , and those of you who have either of your own free will and aooord , or at the suggestion—please mark the word—of your school teachers , delved into tho fathoms of aucieut history , will remember that at the
rebuilding of the capitol at . Rome , other impressive oeramcuiu .- > , acoompanied by solemn prayer , the magistrates , the priests , senators and citizens , amid general demonstrations of joy dragged the ponder , ous load , the corner stone , to its destined spot . In anoient times , as to-day , corner stones were always laid with impressive ceremonies . The stone , whioh must be square , speaks to us as an emblem of
morality . In its solid contents it must be a oube whioh , to us , is a Bymbol of truth . Its position is important , and exemplifies to us the progress of Masonry from darkness to light , from ignoranoe to knowledge , for it is laid in the north-east corner , between the north thn place of darkness , and the east the place of light , and to the Freemason this signifies and is typical of the corner stone of
immortality . We use the square , the level and the plumb rule as fitting emblems of our calling . The square teaches morality , the level equality , and the plumb rule justness and uprightness of life and action . From the gavel we learn that perseverance is necessary to establish perfection , so that the mind may be enlightened and the soul rendered pure .
The corn , wine and oil are , as yon may have observed , also symbolical , as emblems of plenty , oheerfulness and happiness , for with bread we feed the hungry , with wine we oheer the sorrowful and with oil we pour consolation on those sickened in body or sorrowed in heart . Reverend Sir , our Masonic ancestors reared the greatest temples of
your faitb , and , while in England , as I gazed on the massive and imposing Minster at York , the noble front of Lincoln ' s mighty cathedral , or the turretted roof of grand old Peterborough , and knew that the hands of the operative Masons of long ago had placed these stones in position , I indeed felt that the speculative Masonry of to-day might , with all its energies , enable each individual Mason to
become a stone of that living temple , in which shines a light to pilot the Craftsmen who worship at our altars through the rooks and breakers , which mark tbe ocean of unbelief , in safety to that haven of quiet waters where the signals of Faitb , Hope and Charity are for ever flying . Masonry , rightly understood , is the ally of the ohnroh , the friend
of the school-house . It is the glory of English-speaking Masons that it has always stood like granite against the assaults of unbelief and that in a orisis of Craft history , when at least one great jurisdiction , I refer to France , was oarried away by a flood of agnosticism , tbe British Craft formed a gigantio square around our first great landmark and declared that without belief in the cardinal truth that
there was a Supreme Being , that He had revealed His will to man and that He would punish vice and reward virtue the entire fabric of Masonry wonld crumble to dust . As a benevolent institution we do not claim to be in the foreground , and it is well on an occasion of this kind I should define the position of the Craft with regard to its general charity . It is true that we
have accumulated funds with whioh we endeavour to brighten the lives of our widowed ones , but while other associations of men are leagued in brotherhood for mutual aid , the material beneficence of Masonry is always an act of grace , not the fulfilment of a legal or moral obligation . Far be it from me to institute comparisons that would minimize the incalculable amount of good that the leading
benevolent and friendly societies have accomplished for Englishspeaking humanity . Masonry stands alone and must be judged by its own laws . Our endeavour is to do good by stealth , and I am thankful to state that all over this jurisdiction , in tbe great cities aud around the little hamlets where our Craft fires burn , we have through
the goodness of the twenty thousand Craftsmen of this Province been enabled to send streaks of sunshine into many a saddened home , with comfort for the widowed heart and cheer for the orphan child . I thank you heartily for your kindly presence here to-day , and trust that you may carry away pleasant recollections of the Craft
. The proceedings concluded with an energetic address by the Rev Mr . Goodman , of Bell's Corner , and an appeal for funds , whioh was liberally responded to . . Later on , the Graud Master , in response to the kind words of the W . M ., said : —
" It is a pleasure for me at all times to meet my brethren of the Craft , bnt on occasions like the present , the interest is intensified byi the generons and heart }' welcome that has not only been extended me in this Lodge-room this evening , but also by tbe cordial greeting of the many brethren who were present at the ceremonies of the after , noon . It is gratifying indeed tome to find my efforts during the time
I have hold office in Grand Lodge have been appreciated , and do not care to flatter the brethren when I say that I am delighted with the representative gathering of to-day , and the success with which the , entire ceremonies were crowned . The people , as you might see , were delighted , that is if applause is an indication of their feelings , and the Craft certainly did their share to make the event one long to be
remembered in this old Masonic district . The courtesy and fra . ternity of Masons is the same the worid over , aud believe me , brethren , when I look at the faces of the Craft at our great gatherings , wlien I feel tho hearty welcome of the brethren as I meet them in their Craft homes , in their own Lodge-rooms , my heart warms for a membership that stands to-day respected and looked up to by tho good people of every section of the country . I find an inspiring
welcome everywhere , and it is indeed my sincere desire that onr great cause may go on to further prosperity—that we may practise the principles npon which the Institution is founded , bnt that while v / e may strengthen our fold in numbers we shall be careful to exercise 'due care , that all who seek our communion are up to the standard . While it is a good thing to be strong numerically—we must remember that we must not fall into the grave error of making