An Irreparable Loss

     The world, our country, Masonry has lost a life, words frought [sic] with untold meaning. A ruffian has deprived of life one who well might have been our Grand Master. As in ancient operative times Hiram the builder designed well and beautifully, so in modern speculative times our brother, William McKinley, designed a spiritual temple of grand, lofty and exquisite proportions. Throughout his life he wrought, as a true Mason, each block of duty to the best of his ability, and his “mark” is upon all of his work. Manhood, statesmanship, Masonry, is ennobled by such a life, and the contrast is enhanced by the baseness and degradations of the wretch who struck the fatal blow. We strew the acacia of Faith and Hope upon our brother’s grave and in our humble ways endeavor to emulate the example of him whose memory we cherish in our hearts.