Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-06-25
0bt . ailp Spy.
SATURDAY. JUNE as. 1859.
The Niasonic Celebration.

State, for the purpose Of celebrating the natal
day of one whom they claim member Of the
order, which dates its beginning far beyond tie
commencement of the Christian era.
The weather was delightful The sky was
cIoudess. The dust of the streets was laid by
the shower ofthe preceding night. and brisk
south-westerly breeze tempered the atmosphere
to that condition which everybody Acknowledges
10 be ''jusi right The special train from Bos-
ton brought large delegations from the eastern
section Of the State, and by the regular trains
upon the other roads came also the lodges, and
representatives of lodges, from the north, south,
and west.
AS the different delegations arrived, they were
escorted to the quarters assigned them by the Com
mittee Of Arrangements of the Worcester Morning
Star lodge, until nearly all the public Halls
Of the city were occupied with the brethren Of
the order Brinley Hall, which was especially
assigned to the ladies', was also thronged with
large company Of the fair sex, for whom refresh
ments were provided in abundance, through the
courtesy and politcness of the Lodge in this city.
Owing to some unavoidable delays. the various
lodges and encampments were unable 10 form
procession until twelve O'Clock, at which time
the different organizations proceeded to the Com
mon, escorted by bands Of music.
The procession was headed by the Grand Mar
shall, General Day, with his aids, John II. Mat
thews Esq, and Calvin E. Pratt Esq, on horse
back The Worcester Cornet Band followed,
succeeded by the escort, which was composed Of
three Encampmenis of Knights TempIars, the
Boston Encampment, the De MolIay Encamp-
ment, and the Worcesie, County Encampment,
under the command of Peter c. Jones Esq, of
Boston.
The knights Templars were dressed in black,
with black triangular hats. Their ensgnia con-
sisted of black sash and apron, with skull and
cross bones inscribed on the latter. They were
armed with cruciform swords, and looked very
imposing
The Pentucket Lodge, of Lowell. came next
in order, with a banner displayed. and was fol-
lowed by delegations from the Aurora and Mid
dlesex Lodges.
The East Boston Brass Band preceded the
Mount Tabor and Baalbec Lodges, which made
very fine appearance.
The Encampment, composed of delegates from
many different Lodges, came next, wearing red
sashes, and displaying red hammer. The mem
bers of the Morning Star Lodge, of Worcester,
wearing purple sashcs, and bearing purple ban
Rer, closed the procession.
The procession, as passed down Main street,
presented brilliant and imposing appearance
with the regalias and gorgeous symbols of the Or
der gittering IN the sun, music playing, and BAN
ners waving in the breeze Along the whole
line of march, the streets were literally ihrouged
with spectators, and the windows aud doors Of all
the buildings were crowded with women and
children, eagerly gazing at the novel pageant.
After some considerable marching and counter
marching, the procession proceeded to the City
Hall, receiving on lis way the ladies into its
ranks, at Brnley Hall, and opening to the right
and left, in order TO give them due precedence.
When the company assembled in the City Hall.
the Worcester Cornet Band played the "Marsel-
laise' hymn.
The Masonic Ode, mark where friends united
stand, was then sung, to the tune of"Scots wha
haze" This air seemed very appropriate when it
is recollected that st. Johns day, the oath Of
June, is the day which the Scots, under Bruce.
won the battle Of Bannockburn
Prayer was offered by the Rev. DIR. THOMPSON.
of Barre
Ode No. 28, of Masonic Melodies, commencing
with "We met in Love, we part in peace" was
sung to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne."
The grafton which occupied about one hour in
its delivery, was pronounced by ''Most Worship
full Brother" Phillips C. Tucker, of Vermont.
He said it had been custom from time imme-
mortal, amongst Free Masons, to celebrate the
traditionary birthday of St. John, the Baptist
On this day they met to interchange friendly and
brotherly sentiments and also to say something
of the formula and-history of Masonry, free from
the formalities of the lodge-room. At no period
in its history had the Masonic fraternity been 30
prosperous and SO owerful, as at the present
time. With few exceptions, it now extends to
all nations of the world and all the isles of the
sea.
The orator referred to the opposition with which
the Order had been met in this country few
years ago, the threats of forcible suppression
which had been uttered against it, and the politi-
cal persecution and prescription Of Masons. He
characterized those attacks as the consequences
of bigotry, and intolerant persecution; but he
said, they had been powerless against that old
and venerable order, which the world would not
consent TO lose
Mr. Tucker nextwe into an elaborate history
Of the Temple Of Solomon, the building OF which
was the origin Of the Order Cf Free Masons, Of
whom Solomon was the FIRST Grand Master
The Temple he said was erected to the one
God, and the unity Of God was the faith which
had descended to Free MasOns, and had been
preserved in one unbroken unity, since 1t had been
laid upon the altar Of the Temple by the first
Grand Master.
Masonry was a system Of teaching by symbols,
and The Temple contained almost all of those
symbols Il is system which promotes goodwill
among men, and which ncuIcatcs a hatred Of tyr