USA > Illinois > The rise and progress of Freemasonry in Illinois, 1783-1952 > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35
These then are the great underlying principles, the central idea out of which the institution of Masonry has grown, which have preserved it intact, and made it a gigantic moral lever whose elevating and benc- ficent influence has been felt wherever civilization has given it a fulcrum.
It has come down to us from out of the dark womb of the dim, receding past, crowned with the benedictions of the widows and orphans of buried centuries. It has witnessed the rise and fall of dynasties, na- tions, and peoples, and yet is to-day apparently in the full vigor of lusty youth!
Whether it shall continue to exist, an aid and a solace to man in ages yet to come, is to be answered by Masons themselves. Already proved to be secure against all assaults from without, its principles eternal, it can only fall into decadence when its individual constituents shall have become hopelessly corrupt.
Brethren, the future of Masonry is in our hands. Let us see to it that by no unfaithfulness of ours it is placed in jeopardy. I have alluded to the time scarce forty years since, when, close reefed, Masonry was beating up - holding her own, thank God! - against the storm of ad- versity. Now she has again struck the trade wind of prosperity, and with full canvas holds steadily on, wafted by favoring gales. Let us take heed: lest the sense of security lull the watch on deck into listless- ness, and ere we are aware of it, the eyelone burst upon us.
"Remember now thy Creator while the evil days come not." Now, while all is peace, while the popularity of the Institution is attracting so many to our fold let us double the watch lest the evil days come again.
So long as the great cardinal principles - the landmarks of Ma- sonry - are faithfully observed, the Institution is secure. It is these that have determined its form and development, and given it its stability, preserving it substantially unchanged through the sweep of centuries.
To-day we lay the foundation for a mighty superstructure that we trust is to endure for ages. So these great fundamental principles which we hold sacred, are the broad, deep, immovable foundations on which the superstructure of our Order rests. Nay, more! They are at the same time its Supreme Law, which is above all constitutions and regulations, and against which the united voice of all the Grand Lodges of earth would be but an empty sound. And as against the massive pillars of this monument of engineering skill the waves of this great river shall not prevail, so against the landmarks of Masonry - in the future as in the past - the tide of passion and prejudice shall beat in vain. True, its flood has sometimes obscured them with its blinding spray, but its ebb has again revealed them, standing out clearer for the storm that has
208
Freemasonry in Illinois
washed them free from their moss-grown coverings of error, and swept from their firm-set bases the burying sands of Time.
They are inscribed now, as in the beginning, with God's holy name; fitly symbolize his immutable Truth and Love; and, as they are the common legacy of us all, remind us ever of that equality of all Masons which, next to Charity, is the crowning glory of our Order.
Let us then, my Brothers, ever cherish these great principles as the brightest jewels in the crown of our Alma Mater, remembering ever, that in all our intercourse with each other and with our fellow men, we are to be guided by the plumb-line of Justice, and, that as we meet upon the level, so we should part upon the square.
The procession was then re-formed, and after marching through the principal streets repaired to the Lodge Room, where the Sir Knights adjourned to the Tremont House to partake of a grand banquet.
We regret our limited space this morning is inadequate for a full description of one of not only the most impressive ceremonies of this undertaking, but of importance to the Masonic fraternity. Without an accident and with universal kindly feeling the day passed.
State House Cornerstone BY HARMON G. REYNOLDS
At an early hour the city was full. The Grand Lodge convened and opened at the State House, the Templars at Elwood Hall, and the Craft in general at the Masonic Hall. Chicago Commandery was re- ceived and entertained by Elwood Commandery, and the Ellsworth Zouaves of Chicago by the Springfield Zouaves, at their respective halls.
At twelve o'clock the procession began to form, consisting of the Grand Lodge about four hundred strong, and the Grand Chapter under the charge of Wiley M. Egan, Grand Marshal.
The escort duty was performed by Chicago and Elwood Com- manderies, with delegations from several others. Their beautiful cos- tumes elicited universal admiration, and they were full two hundred in number. The Master Masons formed with Springfield Lodge No. 4, in the usual dress, and were estimated at over one thousand. General Cook had charge of the Masonic Fraternity, while Captain John S. Bradford, in beautiful uniform, commanded the line as Chief Marshal. Having arrived at the stand, the Grand Marshal proclaimed silence, the Grand Master briefly addressed the audience, prayer was offered by the Grand Chaplain, and the band discoursed good music. The Grand Treasurer announced that he had made a deposit in the stone, and the list of articles was read by the Grand Secretary.
209
Cornerstones
The Grand Master then announced that it was his will and pleasure that the cornerstone be now laid, which was proclaimed to the Masons.
The Grand Master then said:
R.W. Bro. Deputy Grand Master, Senior and Junior Grand War- dens, you will proceed with me to the stone and assist in laying the stone.
They descended, the Grand Sword Bearer and Grand Marshal pre- ceeding; following them, the Deputy Grand Master, Senior and Junior Grand Wardens, then the Grand Master, followed by the Grand Senior and Junior Deacons. The Deputy Grand Master bore the square, the Senior Grand Warden the level, the Junior Grand Warden the plumb, the Senior Grand Deacon the trowel, and the Junior Grand Deacon the gavel.
The Grand Master then spread the cement, and the stone was low- ered to its bed.
The cornerstone is an immense block from the Hamilton quarries, eight feet long, four feet wide, and three feet thick, very handsomely dressed, and bearing the following inscription:
Erected under an Act of the General Assembly. approved February 25, 1867.
Commissioners.
Jacob Bunn, President, John W. Smith,
James C. Robinson,
James H. Beveridge,
Phillip Wadsworth,
William L. Hambleton,
William L. Vandeveer, J. C. Webber, Secretary,
John C. Cochrane, Architect and Superintendent,
William D. Clarke, Assistant Superintendent.
State Officers.
Richard J. Oglesby, Governor,
William Bross, Lieutenant Governor,
Sharon Tyndale, Secretary of State,
Orlin H. Miner, Auditor,
George W. Smith, Treasurer,
Robert G. Ingersoll, Attorney General,
Newton Bateman, Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Laid by the Masonic Fraternity, A.D. 1868, A.L. 5868. Jerome R. Gorin, M.W. G.M.
The time of lowering the stone was divided into three parts, repre-
210
Freemasonry in Illinois
senting the three degrees of Masonry; the first announced by one gun from the artillery, second by two guns, the third by three guns; the band meanwhile playing "Auld Lang Syne."
The stone having reached its proper position, it was, by order of the Grand Master, tried with the plumb, the level and the square, and the Grand Master then said:
This corner-stone has been tested by the proper instruments of Masonry; I find that the craftsmen have skillfully and faithfully per- formed their duty; therefore, I pronounce this, the corner-stone of the new State House, tried, true and trusty, plumb, level and square, and as such it is approved; the craftsmen have faithfully performed the duties assigned to them.
Then, the officers resuming their proper positions, the Grand Master proclaimed as follows:
I, Jerome R. Gorin, Grand Master of Masons of the State of Illinois, declare this stone plumb, level and square, and being so, duly laid ac- cording to the ancient usages, customs and landmarks of Freemasonry; and may the Grand Architect of Heaven and Earth bless the work here begun, and make it memorable to the last generations.
After music, the Grand Master then proceeded, according to the ancient usages of Masonry, to pour the vessels of corn, wine and oil, emblems each respectively of plenty, refreshment and joy, upon the stone, and concluded by saying:
May the All-bounteous Author of Nature, the Supreme and ever Living God, bless the inhabitants of this place with all the necessaries, comforts, and conveniences of life, assist in the erection and completion of this building, protect the workmen against every accident, and long preserve from decay the structure which will here arise. And may He grant to us, in needful supply, the corn of nourishment, the wine of refreshment, and the oil of joy.
The Grand Master then presented Mr. J. C. Cochrane, the architect, and W. D. Clarke, the superintendent of the work, with the designs upon the trestle-board and the tools of the workmen.
The Grand Marshal then faced the audience and said:
Take notice that M.W. Bro. Jerome R. Gorin, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, has this day, at this place, laid the corner-stone of the new State House. Wisdom, Strength, Beauty and Fraternity.
The procession then proceeded to the Springfield skating rink, corner of Walnut and Market streets, where a magnificent banquet had been arranged by Messrs. Leland.
211
Cornerstones
Chicago Custom House and Post Office Cornerstone Laid June 24, 1874
BY GEORGE W. WARVELLE
Soon after ten o'clock the Federal, State, County and Municipal officers, the employees of the custom house and postal departments of the Government, Military, Masonic Fraternity and other civic organi- zations, moved through several of the principal thoroughfares to the place of rendezvous at the northeast corner of Dearborn and Adams Streets; but it was not until one o'clock that the ceremonies com- menced. The display was one of the finest ever witnessed in Chicago and for an occasion of this kind probably the largest in point of num- bers that has ever occurred. The anti-Masonic element were out in force and large placards, borne aloft on poles and containing expres- sions derogatory to the fraternity, were carried after the procession.
When the Masonic portion of the procession finally reached the building the officers of the Grand Lodge who were to actively parti- cipate in the ceremonies took their stations around the stone. Grand Master Hawley and Deputy Grand Master Lounsbury in the East, Senior Grand Warden Robbins in the West, and Junior Grand War- den De Lancey in the South.
The cornerstone itself was a simple-looking affair. It weighed a little over five tons, and a couple of iron shafts were placed in the upper surface, to allow the hooks of the derrick to grapple with the immense weight and lift it into position. The engineer, in order to accomplish this task, put on a pressure of sixty pounds of steam, which raised the mass like a feather. Previous to its elevation three tall candles were laid upon it, and Mr. Edgar Sanders strewed it with a wealth of beautiful flowers, so that it looked like a conquerer crowned with the laurels of victory and the roses of love. Beyond this there was nothing of the romantic in the appearance of the now historic boulder.
The principal architect, J. C. Rankin, Esq., stepped toward Grand Master Hawley and said:
Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Illinois, in behalf of the National Treasury Department and in the name of the President of the United States of America, I now request you to lay the corner- stone of the building to be crected on this spot in accordance with the formalities of your ancient and honorable institution.
212
Freemasonry in Illinois
The Grand Master replied:
From time immemorial it has been the custom of the Fraternity of Freemasons, when invited to do so, to lay with ancient ceremonies the cornerstones of buildings crected for the worship of God, for public charity, or for the purpose of administering justice and free govern- ment. By invitation of the United States authorities, I am here on behalf of the Free and Accepted Masons, and on the part of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, to lay with ancient ceremonies this stone, and thereby to attest our patriotism and our respect for the National Government. We will accordingly proceed in conformity with one of the cardinal virtues of our order, which teaches that in all our works, great or small, begun and finished, we should seek the aid and favor of Almighty God. It is our first duty, then, to invoke the blessing of the Great Architect of the Universe upon the work in which we are about to engage. I therefore command the utmost silence, and call upon all to unite with our Grand Chaplain in an address to the Throne of grace.
The Grand Chaplain, Rev. J. E. Forrester, offered an appropriate prayer.
The Apollo Musical Club then chanted an invocation composed for the occasion. The Grand Master then called upon the Grand Treas- urer to deposit certain articles within the cavity in the stone as mem- orials of the period at which it was erected, so that, if the lapse of ages, the fury of the elements or the slow but certain ravages of time, should lay bare the foundation, an enduring record might be found by succeeding generations, to bear testimony to the energy, industry and culture of the time. The Grand Master then called upon the Grand Secretary to read the list of the contents of the casket.
The contents consisted of:
1 - A memorial plate of pure native copper, inscribed with the names of the principal United States, State and municipal officers present, or who had signified their intention to be present on the occasion. A parchment roll, inscribed with the names of the principal officers of the organizations taking part in the ceremonies.
2 - Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States, Acts of Congress making appropriations for the purchase of the site and the erection of the building.
3 - Constitution of the State of Illinois, map of the State of Illinois, list of the State Officers, engraving of the new State House.
4 - List of county officers.
4 - Picture of the proposed building.
6 - Proceedings, for 1873, of Grand Lodge of Masons, Grand Chap- ter of Masons, Illinois; Grand Council of Masons, Illinois; Grand Com- mandery of Masons, Illinois; General Grand Chapter of Masons, U.S .; General Grand Encampment of Masons, U.S .; Supreme Council.
7 - Proceedings of the Grand Lodge and Encampment of Odd Fel- lows; Grand Lodge of Knights of Pythias.
213
Cornerstones
8 - Directory of Chicago; account of first post office in Chicago; map of Chicago, 1874; map of Chicago 1820; proceedings of the Board of Public Works, Education, Police, Parks, Board of Trade, Relief Com- mittee, Comptroller's report.
9 - Copy of the programme, and all papers connected with laying the corner-stone; daily papers of Chicago; list of organizations attend- ing ceremonies. Copies United States Bonds, all denominations unsigned; United States Treasury Notes, all denominations unsigned; United States gold, silver and copper coinage.
The Grand Master then took the trowel and spread the cement which covered the box. The Grand Master, addressing Judge Blodgett:
On behalf of the Free and Accepted Masons of Illinois, I invite your honor, as one of the Judges of the United States Courts, to assist in these ceremonies by spreading a portion of the cement.
The stone was then lowered while the Apollo Musical Club sang another original ode composed for the occasion. When the stone was in place the grand honors were given, amid a salvo of artillery.
After the Wardens had tested the stone with their implements the consecration ceremony followed in the usual form.
The working tools were then returned to the architect who, in turn, presented the trowel to the Grand Master; the square to the Deputy Grand Master; the level to the Senior Grand Warden and the plumb to the Junior Grand Warden, as mementoes of the occasion.
The Grand Master then delivered an appropriate oration, the Grand Marshal proclaimed the stone duly laid according to old customs, three guns were fired; the Apollo Club sang America, and the bene- diction by the Grand Chaplain closed the ceremony.
Grand Master James A. Hawley in company with Deputy Grand Master and Grand Wardens laid the cornerstone on June 24, 1874. His report reads (Pto. 1874, page 18) :
It was an occasion of universal interest, not only to the Craft of this and adjoining States, but also to the public at large, especially to the citizens of Chicago, which was made manifest by their presence in numbers unsurpassed by any similar event of our time. In view of the national character of the building, the magnitude, and completeness of the arrangements on the part of the United States officials, as well as the Craft of this city, I may be pardoned for adverting to the event some- what more fully than is customary in an official report. Especially is this proper, since the opportunity was seized upon by the enemies of Free- masonry, and to a great extent, by the press of this city, to misrepre- sent the action and intentions of the Masonie Fraternity, thereby creat- ing in the minds of those outside the Institution, an unwarranted preju- dice towards a society that never seeks, in any manner, to foist its
214
Freemasonry in Illinois
ancient and universally respected ceremonies before the public, unless especially invited to do so; but, nothwithstanding this well-known characteristic of our society, the misrepresentations were carried to such an extent that many, even of the Craft, were led to believe that the dignity and honor of our ancient Institution had been, or would be, compromised by yielding to the importunities of a few fanatical bigots who may be well-informed on other subjects, but whose ignorance and misconception of the design and claims of Freemasonry is entitled to pity; yet in the face of this, they have the effrontery to assume the roll of the three men of Hooley street, and represent themselves as "we, the people," by anticipating the occasion by a year to display their venom, by forwarding to the authorities at Washington remonstrances against the Masons being permitted to perform these ceremonies. Notwithstand- ing this action, the National Government, through its proper officers, without any solicitation on the part of the Masonic Fraternity, formally invited the Grand Master of Masons in this State to lay the corner-stone of this national edifice, thereby recognizing the antiquity of our Masonic Institution, perpetuating the customs pertaining thereto, and acknowledg- ing the appropriateness of its ceremonies.
This invitation was accepted in the same courteous spirit in which it was given, and I desire to bear testimony to the fact that the Masonic Fraternity, throughout the entire affair, were treated with the utmost con- sideration and respect by the representatives of the National Govern- ment, and that they did not, at any time or in any manner, interfere with or seek to make any change in the ceremonies of the occasion as prepared by M.W. Bro. Cregier, who represented the Grand Master in arranging the same. Neither was this program thus prepared changed in any particular, except so far as to invite that distinguished gentleman and jurist, Hon. Henry W. Blodgett, Judge of the United States Supreme Court, to represent the National Government, and take such part in the ceremonies as the Grand Master assigned, and originally intended should have been performed by the President of the United States.
Masonic Fraternity Temple
An emergent communication of the Grand Lodge was convened on November 6, 1890, in the asylum of Apollo Commandery No. 1, for the purpose of laying the cornerstone of the Masonic Fraternity Temple, State and Randolph Streets, Chicago. The Grand Lodge was opened at High Twelve.
The Grand Marshal, with the assistance of his Aids, formed the procession, headed by a platoon of fifty policemen.
First came the Templars to the number of 600 commanded by George M. Moulton and Staff. Then came 37 lodges numbering 2,277. Following them were visitors and the Grand Lodge Officers. There were 24 bands in the procession. The grand total was 3,724.
215
Cornerstones
As the head of the column reached the Temple site, the Knights Templar formed a hollow square through which the Grand Lodge Officers passed to their places on the platform. There was also in the procession the youngest Entered Apprentice in Illinois, John C. Smith, Jr. He was initiated at an early hour on the morning of the day of laying the cornerstone.
Brother John C. Smith, Past Grand Master, Grand Master of Cere- monies, on behalf of the Officers and Trustees of the Temple Associa- tion, requested the Grand Master, John M. Pearson, to place the cornerstone in position in accordance with the customs of the Ancient Craft. The Grand Master then said:
It has ever been the custom, on occasions like the present, to deposit within the cavity in the stone, placed in the north-east corner of the edifice, certain memorials of the period at which it was erected; so that in the lapse of ages, if the fury of the elements, or the slow but certain ravages of time should lay bare the foundations, an enduring record may be found by succeeding generations to bear testimony to the energy, industry and culture of our time.
The deposit in the stone was very large, containing copies of the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, 1889, 1890; Proceedings of the Grand Chapter of Illinois, 1890; Proceedings of the Grand Council, 1890; Proceedings of the Grand Commandery, 1890; Medal souvenir of the Masonic Temple; silver and nickel coins, 5 cents up to one dollar; Proceedings of the Council of Deliberation of Illinois, 1890; City of Chicago Reports, Board of Public Works, Chief of Police, Finance, Etc .; Semi-centennial Medal of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, 1889; city newspapers; Masonic Veterans' Proceedings, 1888-89; Ma- sonic Veteran Invitations, 18SS-89; Masonic Veteran Badge, 1890; Menu Mystic Tie Club Banquet, Roster, etc .; Medinah Temple Mystic Shrine; Proceedings of the Grand Lodge, I.O.O.F. Illinois; Proceed- ings of Grand Encampment of Illinois, I.O.O.F .; Chicago Times, Sun- day morning November 6, 1890; Copy of By-laws and Roster of members of (59) Lodges, four chapters R.A.M., one Council R. & S. M., eight Commanderies and one Consistory.
The Grand Master then directed the Grand Treasurer to deposit the casket in the cavity beneath the stone
and may the Great Architect of the Universe, in His wisdom, grant that ages on ages shall pass away ere it again be seen of men.
Little did the Grand Master and those associated with him know
216
Freemasonry in Illinois
of the tremendous changes that would take place in Chicago during succeeding years, changes that made it necessary to tear down the immense building to make way for different financial arrangements.
However, the ceremony continued by the architect of the building handing the Grand Master the working tools who presented them to the proper Grand Officers to be applied by them to the stone.
The Grand Master then spread a portion of the cement. The stone was slowly lowered one-third of the distance, when the stone was stopped and the Grand Honors given. The stone was again lowered as before, when it was stopped and the Grand Honors given twice. The stone was then lowered for the third time. When it was in place the Grand Honors were given thrice. There was appropriate music while the stone was being lowered.
The working tools, the square, level and plumb, were then applied to the stone. The Grand Master then struck the stone three times with his gavel and said:
This corner-stone has been tested by the proper implements of Masonry, and I find that the craftsmen have skillfully and faithfully done their duty; and I do declare the stone to be well formed and trusty, truly laid, and correctly proved according to the rules of our Ancient Craft. May the building be conducted and completed amid the blessings of Plenty, Health and Peace.
The Grand Master then consecrated the stone with corn, wine and oil; then, extending his hand, pronounced the invocation:
May Corn, Wine and Oil, and all the necessaries of life, abound among men throughout the world. May the blessings of Almighty God be upon this undertaking. May he protect the workmen from every accident. May the structure here to be erected be planned with Wis- dom, supported by Strength and adorned with Beauty, and may it be preserved to the latest ages, a monument to the energy and liberality of its founders.
The working tools were then returned to the architect, the usual proclamation made that the ancient custom had been carried out in full. Brother DeWitt C. Cregier was then introduced as Grand Orator and delivered a short address appropriate to the occasion. After the close of the ceremonies the Grand Lodge returned to the Asylum of Apollo Commandery where the Grand Lodge was closed in ample form.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.