All design and Graphic Work
Copyright:©Mastermason.com 1998
Web Design by:
Carl A. Davenport
Music:
The Thrill Is Gone
by B.B.King
Our Server is: Mastermason.com,
And yours should be too |
Join Freemasonry's Oldest And Most
Respected WebGuild
We're a lot more than just a fancy logo on your homepage
|
We really had a fine old-fashioned gathering
of the Craft in this city, on St. John's day,
27th of December last. Our Lodges in this
city elect their officers in November or
December, and usually all meet together to be
installed. This year it was concluded to have
it public, and invite the friends and
families of the members.
Bro. Bartlett, President of the Commercial
College, who has leased the public Hall and
adjacent rooms of the masonic buildings,
kindly tendered the use of the large and
beautiful Hall for the occasion. We will
remark, in passing, that this Hall, for
public meetings, lectures, concerts, &c. has
certainly no superior in the city. It has
been most tastefully and beautifully fitted
up, and handsomely adorned. At one end is a
spacious platform, and at the other a place
for an orchestra. It is also easy of access,
both from Third and Walnut streets. No room
in the city is better adapted for public use,
and on the evening of the 27th, was filled to
its utmost capacity with a happy throng of
brethren and
"Mason's wives and Masons' bairns."
The seats were all handsomely arranged, and
every thing put in complete order for the
occasion, by our active and efficient Tyler,
Bro. Covert. A semi-circle of seats,
sufficient to accommodate all the officers of
the several Lodges, was arranged in front of
the platform. Within this semi-circle was
another for the officers of the two Chapters.
The fine choir attached to Union Chapel, who
have on several former occasions come to our
assistance, kindly consented to furnish music
for the Installation. They were arranged on
the platform, with an elegant Melodeon kindly
loaned for the evening by Murch & White, the
great Piano dealers on Fourth street. There
were also on the platform, Comp. Jacob Graff,
P. G. H. P. of the Grand Chapter of Ohio, and
W. B. Dodds, Esq. the present Grand Master of
the Grand Lodge of Ohio. Our old friend Bro.
Young, acted as Chaplain, the venerable Bro.
William Burke, who had been selected as
Chaplain, being too feeble to attend. He is
now eighty-six years old, and perhaps the
oldest minister in the West. We also noticed
on the stand, the venerable Col. John
Johnston, about eighty years of age. He is
perhaps the oldest Mason in the West, having
been initiated in 1795. He was Secretary of a
Lodge in Philadelphia at the time of the
death of General Washington, and marched in
procession with his Lodge at the funeral
services. This aged veteran is now an active
member of McMillan Lodge, No. 141, and when
in the city is rarely absent from its stated
meetings. Col. Copelen, of this city, an old
and faithful brother, and perhaps one or two
others, also had seats assigned them on the
stand.
The ceremonies were commenced by the choir
singing that beautiful and appropriate hymn,
beginning with
'Unto Thee, great God! belong
Mystic Rites and sacred song."
A prayer was then offered by the Chaplain,
after which the Mark Master's Song was sung.
Comp. Graff, as P.G.H. Priest, next proceeded
to instal the officers elect of the two
Chapters, Comp. Dodds acting as Deputy. To
those who have seen Bro. Graff officiate, we
need not say he acquitted himself WELL - he
never does otherwise.
After the Chapters were installed, it was
announced that a song had been written by
Mrs. Dufour, of Washington City, appropriate
to the occasion of this family gathering, and
that two young ladies of the choir had, at
the earnest solicitation of a friend,
consented to sing it. We give the song in
full, and our readers will agree with us that
it does equal honor to the head and heart of
the amiable and talented authoress. Nothing
could be more appropriate for an occasion of
this kind, when all the Craft had come home
and gathered around the hearthstone of "the
old Lodge," to ask a parent's blessing and
exchange fraternal greetings. The song is
denominated
THE OLD ROOFTREE.
We have gathered once more 'neath the roof-
tree,
So dear to our earlier years ;
We are sitting around the old hearth-stone,
Where first mingled sunshine and tears.
The wind as of yore, too, is wailing,
Through boughs of the old linden tree,
That waves near the lonely bay window
Which looks on the wild moaning sea.
The form of our dear aged father,
Reclines in the same ancient chair,
Round which we, at evening and morning,
Bowed humbly to ask Heaven's care.
The same gentle smile, too, is beaming,
From the depths of a loved mother's eye;
No shadow of years yet has darkened
The sun of the old homestead sky.
We have gathered once more 'neath the roof-
tree,
The sisters and brothers of yore;
We've wander'd o'er earth and the ocean,
But home we have gathered once more.
Our dear household chain is unbroken,
Nor severed one link of its love
We cherish the fond hope - together
To wear it unbroken above.
The young ladies acquitted themselves
handsomely in the execution of their task,
and when they sat down were enthusiastically
cheered by the immense audience that filled
the Hall.
The next in order was the installation of the
officers of the several Lodges, which was
performed by our M. W. Grand Master, W. B.
Dodds, Esq in his accustomed excellent and
impressive manner, Bro. Jacob Graff serving
as Deputy for the occasion.
After the installation, the choir favored us
with that beautiful masonic ode, written by
Mrs. Bolton some years since, and published
in a former number of the Review,
"Brothers rejoice ! for our task is
completed," &c.
The music of this piece is of a superior
character, and the choir gave it in their
best style. The Benediction was then
pronounced by the Chaplain, and the audience
dismissed.
During the evening it was proposed to take up
a collection for the poor of the city, which
was promptly responded to ; and furthermore,
a committee was appointed to wait on the
brethren of the city and solicit a " new
year's gift" for this praise-worthy object.
We have no doubt that a fine collection has
been made, and that many a destitute family
will be made happy with the thank-offerings
presented on that occasion.
After the services were over, the masonic
apartments of the building were thrown open,
and the brethren and sisters took a pleasant
stroll through them, much to their
satisfaction. Altogether, it was one of the
most pleasant re-unions we have witnessed for
a long while, Every one seemed to be happy ;
warm and friendly greetings were exchanged,
and the cords of fraternal affection were
drawn more closely than ever. So passed the
27th in Cincinnati.
I highly venerate the Masonic Institution, under the
fullest persuasion
that, when its principles are acknowledged and its laws
and precepts
obeyed, it comes nearest to the Christian religion, in its
moral effects
and influence, of any institution with which I am
acquainted.
- REV. FRED. DALCHO.
|
This website does not speak for
the Grand Lodge of Illinois or Freemasonry
|
