most worshipful grand lodge - Louisiana State University

18 SPECIAL COMMUNICATION OF THE GKAND LODGEtory, and, in the ages gone, dying, such a man was translated to aseat with the gods. In our day, his name is translated directlyto the hearts of the people, wherein he lives, an example worthyof imitation.As of old, the Masons of Louisiana have come up to dedicatetheir temple. The building has been long in course of construction.Trials and serious obstacles have interfered with the workthese many years. We had the promise of it years ago beforeany one of you, within the sound of my voice, was born.People have their periods of adversity and prosperity. Thepeople of Louisiana have experienced their full share of theformer, and barely their modicum of the latter. The lessons ofadversity, however so valuable, affecfc business, society, publicand private life. In such times no one escapes. The Masonicfraternity came under its all pervading influence. Up to 1873the lodges prospered, and numbered on their rolls 7780 members.Then gathered the clouds of adversity. Misfortunes came, headswere bowed, many went to their long homes. For fourteen yearsthere was an annual decrease in the number of the members ; andin 1888 we were reduced to 3601. But the deep of the valley wasreached.The poet tells us :" Sweet are the uses of adversity,Which, like the toad, ugly and veuomous,Wears yet a precious jewel in its head."If the people during these fourteen years were apparentlyless devotional, omitted to gather into the lodges, it was from nofailure or lack of inherent force in the teachings of Masonry. Itsteachings and usefulness were as grand during that period aswhen they first came to light up the heart of man.The clouds that hung around and overshadowed the lodges in thisjurisdiction, in 1888 began to break and scatter. The days brightenedas the clouds rolled away. The lodges again began to refill;the members of the order awakened from their lethargy ; prayerswere said, and songs of rejoicing were again heard within the