Grand Lodge of New York - Masonic Lodge Histories Lodge Nos ...

SANGER LODGE, NO. 129. F.&A.M., 1867.
The Temple was formally dedicated by M.'. W.'. ELBERT CRANDALL, Grand Master, on November 5, 1903, the occasion attracted
a large gathering. The dedication services took place in the afternoon followed by a banquet in the evening, which terminated in a
sensational and startling manner. In a moment, where joy and gladness reigned, the grim messenger drew the veil of sorrow and
sadness over the festivities, and brought the meeting to an abrupt close.
R.'.W.’. CHARLES M. WICKWIRE says concerning this event:
"The responses to the toasts were of unusual eloquence and seriousness, especially that of Bro. DR. JAMES W. MILNE of
Cortlandville Lodge, No. 470. His topic was the "Mission of Masonry." The eloquence he displayed and the impressive manner in
which he treated the subject held the close attention of the vast assemblage, and when he concluded the applause was hearty and
long continued. The Oriental Lodge Quartette of Utica then rendered Tennyson's beautiful hymn "Crossing the Bar," set to new
music, which so impressed Bro. MILNE that he expressed his appreciation to the Quartette.
M.’ .W.'. JOHN W. VROOMAN then responded to the final toast. "Goodnight," and said: " I trust our final good-night will he met with
an eternal good-morning by our Supreme Grand Master when we meet him face to face," and quoted the words of the hymn just
sung:
"Twilight and evening bell, and after that the dark.
And may there he no sadness of farewell when I embark,
For though from out the bourne of time and space,
The flood shall bear me far,
I hope to meet my pilot face to face,
When I have crossed the bar.”
As he repeated the last words, Br. MILNE fell back into the arms of his brethren—dead.
His soul passed the outer bar and he, "met his pilot face to face."
Amid the impressive silence caused by this tragedy the assembled guests, at the call of the Grand Master arose, and the Grand
Chaplain, R.'. W.'. JOHN LAUBENHEIMER, offered a prayer so impressive that it will never he forgotten by any present.
There was not a dry eye in the room. The next day the body of Br. MILNE was conveyed to the train to he taken to his home at
Cortland under the escort of nearly every member of Sanger Lodge, and as the funeral procession passed through the streets the
"Memorial Bell " in the tower, for the first time it ever sounded for one not a member of Sanger Lodge, tolled out the number fiftythree,
representing the age of one who but yesterday passed away within the home of Sanger Lodge."
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