MASomervilleMemorial
SOMERVILLE SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' MEMORIAL
From New England Craftsman, Vol. III, No. 10, July 1908, Page 379:
Soldiers' Monument Somerville, Massachusetts
Most Worshipful J. Albert Blake, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts assisted by other officers laid the corner stone of a soldiers monument in Somerville, Saturday. May 30th.
The officers of the Grand Lodge arrived in Somerville in special cars and were received at the Masonic headquarters in Gilman Square by the officers of Soley, John Abbot and King Solomon's Lodges of Masons, the three Somerville Masonic organizations.
Shortly before 2 o'clock the line of march was formed with the officers of the grand lodge in front and proceeded to the large tent under which the ceremonies took place. The program opened with the singing of an ode, written for the occasion, by one hundred school children. Praye was offered by Rev. Brother Frederick W. Hamilton, letters of regret from Gov. Guild and Lieut. Gov. Draper and several others were read. Mayor Charles A. Grimmons, who is a member of the Masonic bodies of Somerville, read a historical address in which he said in part:
"We meet today to lay the corner stone of a monument, which, with others erected for like purpose, will commemorate and perpetuate in memory probably the grandest mental and physical services which are to be found in all history.
"Before our time monuments have been erected, in the early ages to deities and later to individuals, and now grateful communities offer their tributes to masses of individuals to commemorate a service based on valor, patriotism and sacrifice. C )ur lawmakers have recognized the value of such services, and have legalized the expenditure of public funds for their commemoration and their perpetuation in bronze and stone that their sacred memory may be conserved to this and the generations to come.
"Our city, with the pride and memory of the town's magnificent contribution to the cause of the union, has ever had in mind the permanent recognition which we advance today. I am led to believe that our Somerville cemetery contains the first monument erected to those who died in the service of the civil war. (hir monument which we begin today is to all. living or dead, who served in the mighty conflict. It is a matter of great pride, congratulation and satisfaction that we have so many of the living with us today to participate in this service, which material commits us to a memorial that for centuries will commemorate their services and gallant deeds."
The response was by the Grand Master Most Worshipful John Albert Blake. who accepted Mayor Grimmons' invitation to lay the cornerstone, and called upon the Grand Chaplain, Rev. Dr. E. A. Horton, to offer prayer. The Harvard male quartet, wearing their Masonic aprons, sang a hymn, after which the Grand Treasurer, Charles H. Ramsay, read the list of the contents of the box to be placed within the stone.
An address was delivered by Rev. E. A. Horton after which by invitation of the Grand Master, Arthur Cummings, Albert C. Ashton and William Oliver, Worshipful Masters of Soley, John Abbot and King; Solomon lodges, respectively, Thomas Murphy, commander of Willard C. Kinsley post, G. A. R., and Mayor Grimmons gathered about the cornerstone. The jewels were applied to the stone, the square, the level and the plumb, and the report was made to the Grand Master that the craftsmen had well and truly done their work.
William H. L. Odell, Deputy Grand Master, offered the libation of corn; William M. Belcher, Senior Grand Warden, poured the libation of wine, and Oliver A. Roberts, the Junior Grand Warden, offered the libation of oil to the stone, a response in each instance being sung by the quartet. This was followed by the formal lowering of the stone into place after the Grand Master and each of those gathered about the stone had placed a trowel of mortar in the bed made for the stone. Rev. Dr. Horton offered the invocation. The grand master then formally tendered the trowel to Mayor Grimmons, who accepted it with words of thanks and in turn presented it to Commander Murphy of Willard C. Kinsley Post.
Grand Marshal Melvin M. Johnson proclaimed the work well done and the audience joined in singing America. The program was brought to a close by a benediction pronounced by Chaplain Horton.
