most worshipful grand lodge - Louisiana State University

14 SPECIAL COMMUNICATION OF THE GRAND LODGEDeputy Grand Master in 1851, and in 1852 Grand Master (being thethird) of masons of the State of California. So after forty years, sinceLouisiana's representative in our then Grand Master, when he hung upthe corn at the ferry of Benicia at the Casquinez Straits, where theSacramento and San Joaquin rivers unite and pour their volume intothe Bay of San Francisco, I now have the pleasure of sending to hisMother Grand Lodge, near the mouth of that grand American river,the Mississippi, some of the fruits of that good work done over fortyyears ago.The Grand Lodge of Louisiana can now realize the meaning of thatbeautiful symbol of hanging the sheaf of wheat on the banks of theriver Jordan, near a water ford, which is the emblem of provident masoniccharity near the stream of life and the fulfillment of that divinecommand, " Cast thy bread upon the waters and it shall return unto youafter many days." So floating down the stream of time, some few grainsfound lodgment by the banks, and when the waters fell they took root,grew up, flourished and spread in every direction, and so I send toyou the evidences that Louisiana's work done on these " Golden Shores"so long ago was not done in vain.How strange it seems that we two comrades, veterans of the Mexicanwar, should as Masons be officially communicating with each other,you near the delta of the American Nile, and I in this Promised Land,like Caleb sending you the specimens of its fruits for your Grand Lodge,this land which we acquired by contest with Mexico, nearly half acentury ago. "For it is a goodly land whither thou goest. From thewilderness and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sunshall be your coast," was virtually said by your Grand Lodge when sheplaced a dispensation in the hands of the brethren who took their departurefor California in 1849.And so I send these wages for the craftsmen and the consecrationof your new temple, at New Orleans, as memorial from the MasonicVeterans' Association of the Pacific coast in general, and more especiallyfrom the brethren of California.See that the Corn is not wasted.Also that the Wine is well tasted,And the salad well basted with Oil,Then a blessing do askWhen completed the taskAnd the Craftsmen refreshed from their toil.Then pour it upon stone and on floorWhere your temple doth riseFrom the earth to the skiesWhile charity stands at the door.Then here's to the Grand Fane by your river.Where the great stream from its giverShall flow by the temple of God ;May it be the home of the Craftsmen for ages,Where all shall receive their full wagesAnd be equal on Liberty's sod.Sincerely and fraternally yours,EDWARD A. SHERMAN, 33 degree,Secretary of the Masonic Veteran's Association of the Pacific Coast.