Atlanta Daily World

The laying of the cornerstone of the Masonic Temple, now under construction at corner of Auburn and Hilliard Street of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Georgia was held with complete ritualistic ceremonies Sunday afternoon, 2:30 o'clock, when Bishop J. S. Flipper senior bishop of the A.M.E. Church and a high ranking Mason delivered the main address in which he lauded the virtues and history of the ancient fraternity in glowing oratory which contained nothing irrelevant to the subject.

Next to the bishop's address, perhaps two other features may be regarded as highlights of the occasion: (1) the symbolic laying of the corner foundation stone, and (2) the raising of nearly $3,000 in checks and cash, besides a few hundred in pledges by lodges, Gate City No. 42: W. C. Thomas, No. 112 St. James, No. 4: Plymouth Rock No. 86: H. R. Butler, No. 23, including $19 contributed by the workers employed on the Masonic Temple and friends.

Bishop Flipper Said:

Bishop Flipper said that no one could tell when the Masonic fraternity began. He told how even when kings and rulers ordered the people not to join or participate in the Order, it flourished just as usual, often in secret. It was destined to be perpetuated.

The speaker further traced the different steps or degrees, of the Masons, from the first three, youth, age and manhood: through the next five steps, like the five senses to the remaining seven steps, more familiarly known to the Brothers of the craft.

He showed that Masonry touches every part of man, and declared that every Mason should be a Christian at heart and in his living. Without one break in his fine flow of speech, the high churchman and equally high degreed Mason was very convincing and impressive when he told how in ancient times it was the custom to lay four cornerstones in the erection of a building, including one chief cornerstone, laid in the northeast corner. Here Bishop Flipper made it clear what the prophet Isaiah meant, which he partly quoted when he wrote: Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation:......" No infidel, atheist or any man who didn't believe in God can ever become a Mason, he stated.

Articles Deposited

Most Worshipful Grandmaster John Wesley Dobbs presided, conducted various ceremonies, and simplified the service as it moved along from 2:30 to 4:30, with an audience of about 200 or more people who were standing in the street, facing the building from Hilliard Street.

John C. Coley, Grand Marshall, Dr. J. W. Madison Right Worshipful Deputy Grandmaster, Dr. Thomas H. Slater, Right Worshipful Grand Treasurer, and W. B. Glass, Right Worshipful Grand Secretary, and other Masons were main participants in the laying of the corner stone ritual.

A copper looking receptacle containing many relics, documents and the like, according to custom was slipped into the smooth engraved stone, preceding its deposit in the corner of the building. Included in the list of articles, read by Secretary Glass, were two letters exchanged between Prince Hall Lodge and Grandmaster Dobbs, containing the request to erect the building, and the Grand Master's reply giving consent: two clippings from the Atlanta Daily World of stories concerning the Order: one clipping from the Atlanta Journal; a copy of the History of Masons in Georgia, by the late Dr. H. R. Butler; Grand Lodge minutes of 1926; copy of issue of Savannah Tribune; a small Holy Bible and an envelope containing five, ten, 25 and 50-cent pieces and other coins. In case the building is destroyed years and years hence, those living can

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Prince Hall

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find out the records, customs, and other things that are prevalent at the time the corner stone was laid, explained Grandmaster Dobbs.

Bishop W. A. Fountain and Dr. Thomas H. Butler delivered brief addresses, commending, advising and instructing particularly the members of the Order.

Nearly $3,000 Raised

Nearly $3,000 was raised by the various lodges of the city, contributions from Sisters of the Eastern Star and friends. Plymouth Rock Lodge, No. 86, turned in a check for $1,000 and more than $40 in cash. H. R. Butler Lodge, No. 23, also gave a check for $1,000 and about $40 in cash, plus pledges. St. James Lodge, No. 4, presented to the Order a check for $600. and over $20 in cash; and lodges W. C. Thomas, No. 112 and Gate City, No. 42, gave checks amounting to $25 and $12, respectively, besides some twenty odd dollars cash. An envelope containing $44, of which $25 was contributed by C. C. Hart, another Mason, and the remaining $19 donated by the employees who are working on the new Masonic structure, was announced by Grand Master Dobbs.

Many Masons from out of town were present including C. L. Cooper, Macon; Dr. J. W. Powell, Millen, Ga.; Brothers Nelson, Rome; and Samuels, Savannah. Dr. Atkinson Griffin; Hill of Americus. Ross Howard, white, associated with Charles C. Hopsood, also white, architect, was present to the audience.

The Masonic Temple, now under construction, will comprise three stories. On the first floor will be the Murdaugh Brothers Funeral Home: the second floor will house professional offices, and the Masons will maintain a lodge and club rooms, modernly equipped, for the pleasure of members only.

The structure faces Auburn Ave., corner of Hilliard Street, and the lodge's property extends on Hilliard to Old Wheat Street. Other stories will be added to the structure in the future, as well as extending its length, the Most Worshipful Grandmaster stated.