Masons of Mont Co - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

A Large Crowd Attends an Interesting Ceremony at the Masonic Temple Site.

Quite a large crowd of people assembled Tuesday afternoon at the site of the Masonic temple to witness the ceremonies incident to the laying of the first brick. A stand had been erected for the singers and speakers and all things had been placed in readiness for the ceremony. The first thing on the programme was the singing of ''Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow." This was followed by the invocation by Rev. G. W. Stafford, the oldest Mason in the county, he having been initiated in 1.8-14, at Thorntown, by Major Hazelrigg. Major L. A. Foote, the oldest member of Montgomery lodge, and who has been a Mason for nearly fifty three years, then spoke as follows: "BRETHREN, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:—In my long Masonic career I have been honored on many occasions, but none has given me, more pleasure than the honor this day conferred upon mo. as the oldest Mason in Montgomery ledge No. 50, to lay the first stone of the Masonic temple here to be erected. "1 have been a master Mason fifty two and one-half years, and a member of this lodge twenty-six years. I have assisted or been present at the confer ring of all the degrees of Masonry in this state. I have officiated or assisted in the ceremonies of instituting and constituting lodges, chapters, councils and a commandery. I have officiated or assisted in the ceremonies of laying corner stones for a school house, church, and five court houses in Clinton, Tippecanoe, Benton, Marion and Montgomery counties and I also had the honor of laying the corner stone of the grand lodge building at Indianapolis. "In all previous ceremonies I have had some guide, either oral or written, but this not being strictly a Masonic ceremony I have a duty to perform which has no precedent in my experience. "Heretofore I have been assisted by Masons, skilled craftsmen of lawful age, but on this occasion I have for assistants two of non-age. Their presence and assistance, however, is to me a personal pleasure and highly appreciated. The one who will present the trowel is Russell Detchon White, age two and one-half years, son of brother William M. White, worshipful master of our lodge the other, who will present the first stone and square, is Albert Watson Goltra, age six years, son of brother William W. Goltra, grand son of brother Charles Goltra, and great grandson of a brother but a few days since laid to rest. Benjamin N Wasson. "I hope the services of this day may long be remembered by my young assistants, and that they may live to emulate their fathers and their relatives in their love for Masonry, and in long and useful lives enjoy the pleasures and benefits of the temple here to be erected. "The laying of the first stone in the northeast corner has a peculiar significance which need not be commented upon by me at this time. The stones hereafter laid on this one will be under the supervision of our brethren, Ben S. Myers and Nathaniel R. Swan, who are both speculative and operative Masons, understanding the use of the plumb, square and level therefore it will be good work and square work. "I hope to be spared to see the completion and dedication of this temple which I am sure will be an ornament be the city and an honor to the craft and that no unforseen circumstance may arise to delay the work that no accident may befall any employed in its erection bub that all, in whatever respect connected with this great undertaking, may enjoy the wages of plenty, health and peace."

Upon the conclusion of Major Foote's address he laid the first brick, the brick and trowel being handed him by Russell Detchon White, the two year old son of Worshipful Master W. M. White. The brick laid, it was squared, the square being handed the Major by Master Albert Wasson Goltra, aged six years, whose father, grandfather and great grandfather are members of Montgomery lodge. When the brick was laid an octette composed of Messers G. W. Hughes, F. L. Snyder, C. W. Robinson, W. G. Messier, ,T. 10. Foulkes, F. M. Davis, D. M. Peck and W. M. White, all members of Montgomery lodge, sang, after which Judge West delivered the following address:

This is the proudest and happiest moment in the Masonic life of every member of the different Masonic organization* in the city. For long, long years we have treasured the hone that we might live to witness the erection of a Masonic temple in this place. The temple when completed will be a structure of beauty, a credit to the city, a home of which we will all be proud, and one that I know we will all enjoy. The laying of the first stone of a Masonic temple is an event sacred to every Mason: it represents the beginning of a Masonic life: and as these ceremonies are taking place let us recall the lessons of morality, and the instructions we have received for the building of a temple of character. "In Masonic teachings there is an intimate relation to the building of an edifice and the building of the life of an individual. "Architecture has reached such a state of perfection that the plans and designs of a building are all drawn and completed before the first stone is laid the sundry materials of which an edifice is to be composed are all prepared before they are placed in position but when the building is constructed they fit with such exact nicety that they form a beautiful, perfect and complete whole. Nature's materials, rude and imperfect when first taken, are by the hand of the workmen polished and cemented together so as to make an union of strength and beauty. Architecture in the beginning could only construct rude and imperfect huts, but by a gradual advancement it has changed these to palaces and mansions, structures that are the wonder and admiration of the age. "Masonry likens unto these structures the life of an Individual. Animal or savage life in an individual has little of the beauties or usefulness to commend itself to society. But in man the material has been furnished and the plans have been laid down by the Supreme Architect of the universe whereby he can polish his life end make his acts such as to be an adornment in the world, and a stay and help to society. "Nature presents a world of beauty and symmetry. The universe is one grand, perfected plan for man's use and his happiness. Step by step as we advance the beauty and symmetry of the plans that have been laid down are unfolded to us, each step advances us from the imperfect toward the perfect.

What a misfit is man unless he has so conducted his life as to harmonize with these surroundings. "In these ceremonies we have had a striking lesson In the teachings of our order. Youth and old age standing side by side, laying the first stone and spreading the cement which will finally unite the building into one common mass or whole—a temple of life commenced, another almost completed. As this building will grow from its rude and imperfect state, supplied from day to day by materials that have been prepared, polished and made perfect by the hand of the workmen, so as to fit with exactness according to the plans and designs, until it forms a perfect, complete and beautiful temple, so may youth grow according to the plans and designs that have been laid down by the Supreme Architect of the universe. Youth has all its building before it, the different materials are to be prepared if it will but listen to old age, I dare say, that the instructions will be from those who have lived to view the temple of life completed, that at such a time the greatest satisfaction that can come to man is the reflection of a well spent life and the hope of a glorious immortality, "You may admire the beautiful structures that are builded by the hand of man, it is indeed a matter of astonishment the perfection which they have reached, they stand as a monument of beauty in the expression of man and the ingenuity of the age, but these will not compare to a pure and noble life. Nearly everything that is builded by man succumbs to the laws of nature and is destroyed by the lapse of time, but a pure and noble life once erected in a community will stand through all eternity as a model of beauty and usefulness. In such a life, 'The earthen vase contains precious odors and it will lose none of its fragrance though the clay be broken and shattered.' So speaketh the Masonic lessons."

Upon the conclusion of Judge West's remarks the octette sang again and the ceremony was concluded with the benediction by Rev. A. W. Runyan.