Columbia gazette., 1853-12-31
ST. JOHNS DAY, IN COLUMBIA
THE CELEBRATION.

THE CELk8RATIONs
On Tuesday, The 9th, the brethren
Of the mystic tie, celebrated, in Colum-
bia, the Anniversary Of the Nativity Of
St. John the Evangelist, the beloved
disciple of our Saviour and the Patron
Saint of the Ancient and Honorable
Fraternity of Free and Accepted Ma
sons. The day will long be remember
ed by the citizens of Columbia, and those
who had the good fortune to witness
the display, and will fill another niche
in that temple of masonic fame, which is
now the wonder and. admiration of the
whole world.
The day was lovely, and not cloud
intercepted the warm and brilliant rays
Of old Sol as he pursued his way through
the azure blue of the clear, bright heav-
ems. Everything was auspicious for the
occasion.
THE PROCESSION.
Columbia Lodge, No %, assembled
at their Hall, at 10 o'clock, A. NJ,
where the procession was formed by Au-
gustus Campbell, Marshal of the day,
and proceeded, headed by the Colum-
bia Brass Band, to CD. Browns House
on Fulton Street, where they received
Tnolumne Ledge, No. s, of Sonora,
and escorted them to their Lodge Room.
AT IL O'Clock, the procession was re-
formed, and marched down Broadway,
over the East Bridge, along the main
road, south of the town, and again en-
tered Columbia by the West Bridge, at
the foot of Main Street. As they wound
around the hill, south of the town, the
display was indeed magnificent. The
long line of members arrayed in their
beautiful and varied regalia, the embla-
zoned emblems and symbols of the Or
der, the banners of blue and gold waving
in the breeze, and the martial and soul
stirring notes of the band echoing a.
mong the tall dark mountains in the
distance, was indeed enchanting, and
the scene could not be surpassed by the
most brilliant imagination.
After marching through the principal
streets, the procession proceeded to the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
where tho ceremonies and exercises OF
the day were performed.
THE INSTALLATION.
The exercises in the Church, COM
menced with voluntary by the Band,
followed by an appropriate prayer to the
Ruler Of the Universe, by the Chaplain
of Columbia Lodge, Rev. j. C. Pen
dergrass. The interesting ceremony Of
the installation of the officers of Colum-
bia Lodge, was then performed, by the
Most Worshipful Grand Master of the
State, Charles NJ Radcliff, which was
witnessed by a large number of our citi-
scns, not connected with the Order.
The following is list of the gentle
men installed, as
Officers Of the Lodge-T J Oxley,
W NJ; j A jackson, S w; TC Bos.
well, j w; j Beckendorn, Sec'y; AL
va Farnsworth, Treas; F r Sponsler,
s D; + W H Aaron, ] D; Geo Will
son, T; A Campbell, Marshal; j C
Pendergrast, Chaplain: Samuel Arnold
and Isaac Levy, Stewards.
THE GRAFTON.
After the installation ceremonies we're
over, the Rev. NJ. Evans, was intro
duced, as Orator of the day, and deliv-
cred most, beautiful and eloquent ad-
dress. It was said by many to be the
most brilliant effort, of the kind, they
had ever heard. Those however. who
were not present, can have the pleasure of
reading the address, as by request of
the Columbia Lodge, Mr.. Evans has
furnished copy for publication, and it
will soon appear, as it is already in the
hands of the printer.
The exercises concluded with music.
and the Benediction.
THE COLLATION..
The procession was again rs-formed
Gnd marched to the American Hotel,