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given you as to its authenticity (although enemies to us and
our claims), kept on its work for good from year to year.
Gaul was followed by James H. Howe in 1834, and he by the
re-election of that man and brother of sterling qualities, John
T. Hilton : none knew him but to love him, and his acts will
ever be kept green in the hearts of all of us. It was during
his administration that the attempt was made by the whites,
— prompted, as we have understood, by the malice of the so-
called Masons of South Carolina, — to obtain possession of
our charter ; but he, believing it was for the purpose of de¬
stroying it, clung to it, never allowing them under any pretext
to see or handle it, so that by him it was safely transmitted
to us as you have seen. He loved his race, and it led him to
do all and every thing to perpetuate among his people a pure
and unsullied system of Freemasonry He led an upright and
blameless life as a man and a Mason, thus being a shining-
example to all , in every good cause an honored member and
worker ; identified as a member to the day of his death with
the original anti-slavery society, where were wont to assemble
Garrison, Loring, Jackson, Phillips, and other philanthropists
who were engaged in the war against slavery. John T Hilton,
none thought of him but to praise : he, by unanimous consent,
held the office of Most Worshipful Grand Master from 1836
to 1847 From Hilton to Kendall; who in the midst of the
flames and smoke, at the risk of life, saved for us and coming
generations the records and the old charter which we cele¬
brate to-day. You cannot but revere him ; for that act per¬
mits us to exhibit it to you here to-day, and to correct by
the records saved some of the legendary tales heretofore made.
That honorable position has been filled creditably by various
ones from that time forward ; but, in the midst of them all,
praise sufficient cannot be given to one who has been spared
to celebrate this day with us. He has been the life of the
Masonic Order. When enemies assailed, there to the rescue ;
when friends enlisted in the cause, there to give his valuable
aid : what Prince Hall was to the Masons of his day, Lewis
Hayden has been to us all, and more. It is due to him and
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