The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-01-10
GRAND MASONIC FESTIVAL

GRAND MASONIC FESTIVAL
This affair came off at the Fuller House on
Wednesday evening, as per announcement.
1t was gotten up by the members of the
Fraternity residing in St. Paul, under direc-
ton Of committees from the three Lodges, as
compliment to the Grand Lodge Of the Ter
ritory. which is now in session here.
At halfpast nine o'clock the spacious din
ing hall of the Fuller was thrown open, and
besides the distinguished guests, were seat
cd about one hundred of the craft. The
tables were loaded with the choicest yiands
and deiicacies of the season. The Divine
blessing was invoked by the Grand Chaplain,
Rev. j. Penman, when the brethren and
guests spent about az hour in discussing the
good things which the worthy brother, Sir
Knight Long had prepared for them.
After the cloth was removed and the room
cleared Of the attendants, the regular toasts
were announced as follows:
/. The Grand Lodge
Responded to by the Grand Master, A. T..
C. Pierson, who had the highest hopes for
the future usefulness of the r. W. Grand
Lodge of Minnesota. Young though it was,
it would compare favorably with the Grand
Lodges oil other Jurisdictions. In proper
ton to the number Of its members there
was no other Grand Lodge that contained so
many members who were so thoroughly
posted in knowledge Of the order and
principles of Masonry. He spoke of the be-
nefts OF belonging to the fraternity. Since
lis sojourn in this place he had often waited
upon brothers for the purpose of obtaining
relief to some distressed or necessitous bro
Their, AMI never had he waited in vain The
hand of 2 brother was always open.
His address was short but earnest and was
we'll received.
.. To the memory OF Washington, whose Masonic
virtues were exceeded only b. mis- love of country
Responded to by Brother NJ. S. Wilkinson.
who said thatto speak Of his memory and
virtues TO an American audience was always
embarrassing. 1t was not as a warrior. or
as statesman, or as a patriot that he was
to speak of him tonight, but of his masonic
virtues. The great leading trait of his char
acter. which was developed in his youth, was
truth. Father. cannot tell lie it was
that cut down that tree with my little hatch
et.' This great element was in after life
strengthened by the sweet waters which he
drank from the fountain of Masonry. "To
be good and true was the first great lesson
taught him in the Lodge and which he had
ever observed. BY careful study Of his
character it would seem that it was made uI
prudence and justice. In whatever situation
he was placed he kept his eye steadily fixed
upon the plamJ line, and'all his actions were
squared By the square of virtue. Washington
was a hero. but not such an one as Alexander
Or Napoleon-he was Christian hero.
Such was his masonic character, and God
grant, concluded the speaker, that we as
Maso2s may cherish his memory, and live a;
worthy members Of that order which hi:
great character so highly adorned.
5. May the Brethren of glorious craft he dis
tingused in the world by their regular lives thar
their gloves and aprons.
Responded to by Rev. Bro. EA. Hodgden
How little did the world understand the
symbols which were the insignia of our craft
They could not realise how near we ap
preached the great am when we were as
sembled in our lodge-rooms. Solomon, the
two Johns, and Washington are claimed al
bright and shining lights of masonry. Ma
sorry was conservative element, and res
trained men when the people were inflamed
1t was the elder brother of Christianity
and came down to us to US through the darl
ages side by side with it.
The speaker would not claim every Masol
as Washington, but his memory was helt
more sacred in the hearts of Masons than in
those of any other class of society.
= To him who the male in knocking of those su
perhuous passions that in any degrade the maj
the Mason.
This toast was responded to in the mos
happy manner by Rev. J. Penman, but tim
will not permit us to give any portion of hi
remarks.
g. May every Brother who is lawfully and regularl
enterednto Society which both ancient and honor
able, be duly instructed in the true morals thereof
This was responded to by Past Gran
Master A. E. Ames in his usual felicitou
manner.