1907. ]
Appendix.
39
Mrs. Jeanette R. Newton, Worthy Grand Matron of the Grand Chapter O. E. S., delivered a ,short but eloquent address, and the Home was solemnly and forever consecrated to the benevolent uses for which it is ordained. The relief,' protection and support of aged, indigent and homeless Master Masons, their wives, widows and orphans, and of those near relatives of Master Masons who are' members of the Order of the Eastern Star.
The Grand Master closed the services with an eloquent and appropriate address, from which we copy the following: And of what sort of charity are we speaking? Not that fOl'm which is satisfied with the strict performance of a duty, but that broader spirit of love which knows no other boundary for its field of usefulness than the wants of our fellow creatures and our power to relieve them; not that sentiment that counts the'drops of the healing wine and oil that are poured into the wounds of affliction or takes note of the cost of relief l but that nobler and broader impulse of the sympathetic heart which finds Its highest and best expression in the performance of all those kindly acts which spring from a belief in the Brotherhood of man; which so administers to the needs of the unfortunate as to relieve the pll.ngs of adversity without leaving in their place any sense of dependence or humiliation; which sees' not a duty, but a privilege, in soothing the unhappy, in comforting the wretched, in binding up the wounds of the stricken in body and spirit, in feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and sheltering the homeless.
The sixth Special was held for the purpose of laying the路 corner路 stone of the new Synagogue to be erected by the Adas Israel congregation. THE ANNUAl, COMMUNICATION--GRAND MASTER'S ADDRESS.
The Committee on Jurisprudence characterizes this address as "busine.ss-like and in accord w'ith the characteristic methods of the' Grand Master." It is certainly a well-written document, and not devoid of eloquence. He says: Speaking of the year's work as a whole, I find that the Lodges are in splendid condition both numerically and financially; that peace and harmony prevail within our borders, and the prestige of our Institution has been maintained on the saIl).e high level as in the past. 'We arc at peace with al~ other Grand .JurIsdictions, and no sound of discord mars the harmony of our relations ~ith one another.
Speaking of "Our Fraternal Dead" he thus introduces the subject: In this season of rejoicing, when the songs of Noel are ringing throughout the Christian world, ringing out the glorious tidings of the birth of a Saviour, let us not forget our Brethren who have crossed the river, and are now safe within Heaven's gates, and silently and reverently call up their blessed memories, call up their kindly acts, their noble efforts in fiehalf of a larger. fellowship, a dearer 路Brotherhood. '1'0 every man upon this eart.h Deat.h cometh soon 01' late, .And how can man die bett.el' Than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, And the t~mples of his gods?
He pays eloquent and glowing tributes to the memories of Past Grand Masters Gibbs and Walker.