Michigan Masons

It was a day full of impressive scènes and ceremonies, at Detroit, which included a parade of the Masonic bodies of Detroit with a large I number from the state an excellent drill squad from fSt. Bernard Commandery of Chicago. A half dozen splendid bands gave mspiration to the scène, although the weather was so cold it nearly froze the notes in the leaders' horns. Chief Marshal W. S. Creen and staff, led the parade and were followed by j the first división which consisted of Detroit Commandery No. 1; l)e Molai j Commandery No. 5. of Grand Rapids; i Damascus Commandery No. 4„', Detroit; [ Windsor (Ont.) l'receptory: St. Bernard Commandery, Chicago; Ann Arbor Commandery No. 13, and I'ontiac Commandery No. 2. These bodies made a beautiful picture as they moved along, masses of solid black surmouuted with white-plumed black chapea us. The evolutions of the commanderies were particularly admired. The second división consisted entirely of thirty-second degree Masons of the Michigan Sovereign Consisiory of the Ancient Accepted SeoUish Rite, marshalled by Hon. Wm. C. Maybury, the illustrious commander-in-chief. The third división was the largest, consisting of the blue lodges, CJeo. J. Jack. marshal. The lodges represented were Zion No. 1; Detroit No. 2; Union No. 3; Ashlar No. 91; Oriental No. 240; Kilwinnning No. 297; Palestine No. 357. Schiller No. 263; Corinthian No. 241, all of Detroit and Mt Clemens No. tí; Myrtle No. 89, of Belleville; Wyandotte No. 170. and the Great Western and Windsor lodges of Windsor, Ont. The fourth división was composed of the grand lodge of the state of Michigan. The representatives marched in line and in all numbered 384. all from outside of the city. L. E. Wood, of Pokagon, was grand marshal. After the representatives came the grand otfieers in carriages, arnong them ing Grand Master Hugh MeCurdy, oí the grand encampment, Knights Templar, and deputy for Michigan of thirt.y-third degree Masons. and (rand Commander Pomeroy, of Saginaw, of the grand commandery of Michigan. The streets alone the line of march were filled with interested spectators, but when the various bodies had arrived at the site of the new temple the crowd was so dense the participants in the ceremonies could hardly reach their positions. Upon the arrival of the ofticers of the grand lodge O. R. lialdwin, on behalf of the Masonic Temple association, presented them with the copper box and contents to . be placed in the corner-stone. It was duly and formally accepted. The gavel of Grand Master V. H. Phillips then feil, and Grand Marshal Lucien 10. Wood commanded silence. (rand ('hapiain A. A. Knappen invoked the divine blessing on the work to be undertaken, the fraternity responding: "So mote it be." Then followed the impressive ceremonies used by this ancient body in laying a corner-stone. Grand Master Phillips called for the working tools of the grand architect. A square, a level and a plumb were presented and handed to Deputy Grand Master Bowring. Senior Grand Warden Cartón and Junior Grand Warden Winsor, respectively, and each was separately ordered to teil the moral and Masonic uses of the jewel given him. Each then tested the stone and reported it true. A copper box containing Masonic records, papers, etc was placed in the hollow of the stone and the grand master, attended by the senior and junior deacons, placed some .xiortar upon the stono and smoothed it with u tro wel. Then he struck the stone thrce timos with his gavel and pronounced the stone to be well-formed, truo :md trusty and currectly laid accorcing to thu rules of this ancient j craft. This was the signal for the libetation of the 000 pigeons which were to carry the news of the day's event to rarious cities. The grand master next poured from vestís of corn, wine and oil - emblematic of plenty, joy and peace- while he delivered an in%-ocation tothe (rand Master of heaven and earth for blessing-s. The tools were returned to the architect and the ceremonies ended with a bendiction by the grand chaplain. Some Splendid Speechen. The huge Auditorium building was filled in the to hear the speeches on different phases of Masonry. There was good inusic before the introduction of the speakers and also sandwiched in between, but the speeches were the best features. M. H. Chamberlain, president of the Masonic Temple association, presided and iirst introduced Eider F. A. Jilades, of Detroit. Chief Justice McGrath, of the Michigun supreme court, spoke upon "The Corner Stone," referring to the foundation truths and principies of Masonry. "Masonry - lts l'rogress." - particularly as to Detroit and Michigan - was the topic discussed by lïugh McCurdy, most eminent grand master of the grand encampment of the United States of America. Other speakers were Rev. Ralph Macduft' on the influence of Masonry; Geo. V. Moore, its benefits; Wm.C. Maybury, its beauties; A. J. Sawj-er, "Women in Masonry." Flvn Narrowl; Egcaped Cremation. Wm. Foalé and fatnily were burned out of their home at Flint and had to make their escape in-theirnightclothes with the thermometer 10 below zero. Five persons were in the house, including two little girls, one of whom walked 6Ü rods to a neighbor's house in bare teet All had their hair singed by the llames and were more or less injured in jumping from the second story windows. Mr. Foale inhaled smoke to such an extent that it is feared he may not reco-ver. Losa $5,000. An awful accident which resulted in death occurred at the home of Rev. Charles Kirchner at Muskegon. A washerwoman was engaged in scrubbing the floor when she left the room to go out doors. In her absence the four-year-old daughter of the minister walked into the room where a large tobáceo pail of acalding water was sitting on the floor. In some way the little one sat down into the pail. She was unable to get out and remained there until the woman came in. She was taken out unconscious with the flesh burned off to the bones. Medical aid was of no avail and the little oae died in awful agony.