1873 Memorial

Memorial of our Esteemed Bro. R.E.B. Baylor

Our Beloved Bro. Baylor died at his residence near Gay Hill on the 30th day of Dec. A.L. 5873, and it is proper that this Lodge, of which he was a member and to which he gave his name, should spread upon its record, a Memorial of that event.  

An upright man, a just Judge, a faithful workman of the craft, a Christian gentleman; he has, at a ripe age, and crowned with the honor of a well spent life, entered that Lodge, not made with hands, where where we are assured he will receive that commendation from the Grand Master, which is due to the craftsman who presents good and true work.

His memory will ever be cherished by the members of this Lodge, who were his neighbors and friends and will incite them and those who succeed them, to emulate him in his good works.

Therefore, be it Resolved, that the Secretary spread upon the minutes of this Lodge this token of our regard for our departed Brother, and that the Lodge Room be draped in mourning for the present Masonic Year, as an expression of our grief.

Resolved that whereas the Supreme Grand Master of the Universe has seen fit to call from labor here on earth our venerable and well beloved Brother to the celestial Lodge above; that we as Brethren, deplore his loss to our fraternity--yet, we would meekly bow in submission to the will of our Heavenly Master, knowing surely that our loss is his eternal gain; having the fullest assurance that our Brother passed from this stage of existence with a well grounded hope and faith of immortality beyond the grave; knowing that our  Brother had given to us the full assurance of his faith and hope in the strength and power of the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” to raise him up again unto eternal life.

Resolved that we as Masons and brethren strive to imitate to the best of our ability the well spent life of our venerable Brother, especially his virtues, his charity, his brotherly love, Relief, and Truth, and Friendship, to all mankind.

Resolved that we, as brethren of the Mystic tie, will ever hold most sacred to the memory of our beloved brother, that we will ever treasure up in our hearts, the many noble virtues and widely diffused charities and benevolences practiced by our Brother, who for 35 years, spent in the State of Texas gave well nigh his all, in support of suffering humanity; and to the  advancement of a higher order of education to the young and rising generation. He himself never claiming or accepting, any remuneration for his services, and thereby endearing his memory to his many friends and brethren and widely esteemed acquaintances.