The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-05-29
uoisspondence Of the Dispatch
phD'oAii iioS oF THE MASONIC TEMPLE,
IN DANvrLrE. VA

tong period, the occasion had been Iooked so-,..a
to with much joyful hope BY the peonle - -.
vicinity, and 1t was therefore with many
OF regret that they saw the mornioa brest ....s
dark and threatening clouds. 1t was in fac, :.
damper to the spirits of the cit zens of D.nv;,,.
generally. Nevertheless, large concour,e of
Strangers came, to participate in or witness the c..
tivities OF the occasion. From the neigbborina
couaties came not men only, but many of the
orghteyed daughters OF Virginia, to grace by their
presence, and encourage by their smiles the crown
ing effort oil the Masonic Fraternity in DanviIle
The spacious lodge-room of the Temple was
thrown open In the morning, and quite a laree
numper OF privileged persons, for the mostp f.
oieI were invited to take seats therein The Masons
OF homan Eagle Lodge, with their visiting hretb.
rem, formed in procession at Odd Fellows' Hail I'D
headed by the Mechanics Brass Band of Danv;lia H
marched up Main street and entered the Temn1a,
at u O'CLOCK The officers took their respective
chairs and the members seated themselves aronnS
the spacious Hall in an inner circle. leaving tb.
spectators outside, and the centre OF the room ear
Tor the performance OF the ceremonies
Alter music by the band, Rev. Dr. Dame, WORTHY
Master OF Roman Eagle Lodge arose and remark
ed that he had invited Grand Master JORDAN. Of
North Carolina, who was present, to conduct the
exercises of dedication, but he had declined, and
he would surrender the performance of that duty
to wellknown brother of the Order, Rev Dr.
JAMES D. McCABE. DR.. McCABE then called upon
the Secretary to announce the order of procession
Thiswas done, and the Grand Marshal Dr. ArK1N-
son, was ordered to form the procession in conform
ity with Masonic usages. A sufficient number of
Past Masters having presented themselves upon
The door, they were arranged by the Marshal and a
Masonic ode was sung
Rev. s. 8. BRYANT, Chaplin of Roman Eagle
Lodge, then arose, and delivered the opening ad-
dress. 1t was an extemporaneous effort, brief
pointed and eloquent. The speaker reverted to the
causes for which Masonry was founded-the band
ing OF men together to do good to the suffering to
alleviate sorrow, and administer relief for the
to which man was subjected. He greeted, with
much warmth, the brethren who had come up to-
day TO prove to the world the sincerity of their
pledge. He bid them go to their work like men-be
sought God to give them the heart to carry out
their purpose honestly, and earnestly desired that
the Order might find grace in the sight of the peo-
pie. He invoked the divine blessing upon their be-
nevolent purposes-and though the world might
not see all the working of their principles, they
might let the world see that their action was per-
feet. Go out, said he, and act as Masons should
act, never soil the badge or jewel which you wear
and as long as time endures may the blessing of
God be upon you.
After the singing of an ode, DR.. DAME Gn the
name ofthe achictect who was absent) approach.
ed in front Of the Masters chair, and fulfilled the
customary duty of acknowledging the honor con-
ferred upon him, and returned the implements
which had been entrusted to his care. Dr. MCCABE
thanked the architect for having fulfilled his trust
n a manner so satisfactory, and hoped that the
Temple might long remain "a lasting monument
to the liberality of its founders.
Mr.. G. B. TALIAFERRo (Senior Warden,) then
announced the desire of the Fraternity that the
Hall be dedicated to the purposes of Masonry; and
the Grand Marshal was ordered to form the process.
sion, that the Hall might be dedicated according to
the ancient usages of the institution. Three raps
with the gave were given, all the Masons arose,
and the procession Past Masters, bearing lighted
candles vessels containing corn, oil and wine and
other emblems, proceeded around the Hall until
they reached the space in front OF the Masters
chair and stood facing the altar in the centre of the
room. DR.. McCABE, as master of ceremonies, then
approached the altar, and said-"In the name of
the Great Jehovah do solemnly consecrate this
house to Masonry"-and poured corn at the foot of
the altar. The brethren Immediately made mystic
signs by the clapping of hands, which of course
were not understood by the uninitiated. The pro.
cession then marched around as before and again
DR.. MCCABE approached, and pouring down oil,
sald-"ln the name OF the holy SITS. John do So
lemnly dedicate this hall TO virtue The same ce-
remonies were repeated when the master of cere-
monies concluded the imposing rite by pouring
wine, and proclaimiDg in loud voice-"In the
name of the whole Fraternity | do solenlnly dedi.
cate this Lodge to universal benevoence"
Rev. Mr.. BRYANT then approached, and in strain
ofdeep fervor invoked the blessing OF the Most
High upon the work that had been performed--and
there was not heart but inwardly responded, $50
mote it be-"
DR.. McCABE here announced that the ceremo
nies of the day would be concluded at the Baptist
Church
The members of the Masonic Fraternity then left
the Hall, and marched in procession to the church.
driZZling rain which falling at the time was
by no means agreeable. yetit did not in the least
disarrange the perfect order Of the march. There
were some two hundred Masons in the procession,
all arrayed in beautiful regalia. The stirring
strains of the band added much to the interest of
the occasion.
On arriving at the Church we found large
number OF ladies assembled, occupying the seats not
reserved for the Fraternity, while every eligible
place in the galleries was occupied by the other
sex.
After the Masons had seated themselves, the band
entertained the assembly with of their perfor
nhnces. Athalt past one O'Clock, Rev. DIR. McCABE
arose, and for an hour entertained US with one of
the most powerful and eloquent addresses it has
ever been our fortune to hear. He commenced by
allusion to the enduring character OF Masonry
unshaken through all the wars and desOation OF the
world; to its sublime and beautiful destiny; men
may cherish social dissension--governnlents, en-
perors, kings and queens may light the fires of dis
cord-the outward portion OF the Temple may be
rent-but Masonry remains the same. Truth and
virtue survive while they live masonry lives. Out
ward forms may change, but the inner Temple re-
mains as ever. The speaker then alluded to the
propriety Of public CONSIDERATIONS, for the world
might by those ceremonies the great and cardi-
nal principles of the order. Upon this point the
reverend gentleman spoke with great force, and
enchsined the attention of every listener by his
beautiful illustrations. 1
He proceeded to prove the origin of Masonry
its great notwithstanding it through the mighty
convulsions which made monarchs trembie and
overthrew thrones to the more civilized days when
men thought and spoke as their conseiences
prompted. He alluded to the introduction OF the
Order into this country and the foundation of the
first Lodge in the city OF Boston; to the prejudice
chsprapg up and threatened its overthrow; to
the futile exertions of it's enemies, who had at last
abandonedthe seige, while the Fraternity yet lives
and is exerting vrtuous influence the hearts
OF men. azf
We do not attempt to give the sublime language
Of the orator. Especially was he successful In his
direct appeal TO his brother Masons to uphold in
truth and sincerity the principles which they pro-
fessed. Would that every Mason in the land could
have heard those thrilling words, and Witnessed
the impassioLed. fervent manner of the speaker
No heart, however obdurate could have been clos
ed against the soitening, chaefening influence OF
this portion of the address At times the utterance
was low and gentle, like the soft breathings of
sweet mnsic-swelIing anon with the impressive
nature ofthe subject like the mad rushing Of many
waters. making an impression upon the mind which
time cannot obliterate.
Perhaps, however, the most entertaining portion
OF the address was the alluson 10 the highest degree
OF Masonry-fhe Knights Templar. The speaker
referred In beautiful the uichf OF Oh