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’

Se a: JOUN S. BROWN, Secr’y, *

_ Bridgewater, Rockingham County, Va.,
- FEBRUARY 10TH, 1866.

*

- Burcka Lodge, No. 195, Fe. As. Mo.

To the Brethren of the Fraternity, Greeting :

Let us congratulate ourselves, brethren, on the re-establishment of fraternal relations in our country
whore eivil strife has so long weakened those ties, which from the foundation of our beloved institution,.
were intended to unite us as a comnron band of brethers, “among whom no contention or sirife should ever

arise, except that noble contention or emulation of who can best work or best agree.” Been

alf cf our noble institution. We wish to erecta suitable Tem-
The room we now occupy is not our property, and we are
paying for it a rent which is a serious driin upon eur resources. Nor is it probable that we can lease it
again, on any condition whatever, after the expiration of our present term. Of ourselves we are not able.
to erect a building suitable to accommodate our membership. ' The war has left upon us a heavy tax in
the support of our Widows and and Orphans; the failure of thé Confederate currency has left us without
funds of any deseription ; our lands have been laid waste by the alternate occupancy of both armies ; our
houses, barns, and fencing destroyed, so that our members, who were in Wealthy circumstances before the
war, are how so reduced as to be without the moans of paying even those taxes which they are obliged to

pay to the Government.

We appeal to you, beloved brethren, in beh
ple in which to hold vur communications.

°
ch money could be had, renders it burdensome

The scarcity of funds, and in fact of everything for whi
hich the contingent expenses of the institu-

for all, and impossible for. many, to pay the regular levies w
tion require.

It becomes necessary, then, to appeal. te the brethren of other Lodges for assistance in this impor-
jant wotk, hoping to receive from them whateyer contributions they may feel able to give, assur-
ing them that whatever they may contribute will be received with gratitude, in token of which their names
will be enrolled in the archives of this Lodge, as patrons and benefactors worthy of imitation by our-

selves and posterity.

put of anything that can be used in the building, or any ar-

We ask contributions not only of money,
taken by the workmen in payment for

tidle of merchandise which could be.converted into money or
their work. Anything will be thankfully received.

“We hope, brethren, our appeal will not be anheeeded, but that it may find a response in the heart of
every Mason to whom it ‘may be presented. Reilect upon it,—and while you are conivibuting a Stone
for an earthly Temple, may it add for you a Stoné in the Spiritual Temple, “that House not made with
hands.” ~ as : : =

“May the blessings of th

aiwral and social virtue cement and unite us! :
Fraternally, ,
: . FF. M. ERVINE, Chairman,

e Supreme Architect rest upop us, may brotherly love prevail, and every

aiamaanbidlnl,

s : ‘REV. R. N. POOLE, Treas’r,
Se Sk ——— : REV. WM. H. DINKEL,
Se DR. GEORGE H. DINGES,
Nee oy JOHN NISEWANDER,
Loe ; Committee.