The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-06-26
MASONIC CELEBRATIONS
From the Boston Courier June 25I
RECEPTION OF THE RICHMOND KNIGHTS TEMPLAl

RECEPTION OF THE RICHMOND KNIGHTS TEMPLARs AT
PROVIDENCE.
The Richmond Commandery of Knights Tenn
pars, No. 2, yesterday the guests of st. Johns
Encampment of Knights Templars, No. l, ofProvi-
dence. They arrived from Stonington, at nine
O'Clock, and were received at the railroad station
which had previously marched thither, accompanied
by the American Brass Band, and had stationed
themselves in the spacious Hall Immediately over
the station. As the train containing the Richmond
Templars entered the depot. squad of the Provi-
dence Marine Corps of Artillery, under command
of Sergeant Hardness, fired salute of thirtv-one
guns. Upon alighting from the cars the Virginia
Templars were escorted to the Hall by Committee
of the Providence Templars appointed for that pur-
pose :-Messrs. r. A. Denson, Geo. F. Wilson, Geo
H. Smith, and Lyman Knapp.
As the two bodies drew up in line, on opposite
sides of the hall, they presented commanding ap-
pearance. 1t would be difficult to find a hundred
men possessing greater apparent qualities of robust
manhood and mental vigor. In numbers the two
encampments were about equal, there being nearly
or quite fifty men in each. Their uniforms. re-
gaIia very similar, consisting OF black clothes
with aprons bearing the Deaths head and cross
bones and crossed swords, the wast-bclt having
Greek cross upon the front buckle and the shoulder
sash (of black velvet) being ornamented with
crosses, stars or rosettes, according to the rank
fancy of the wearer. Both encampments wore
black chapeauX with black ostrich feathers, the
officers of the Richmond lodge being distinguished
by also wearing white feather. All wore swords
and military gloves.
The members of the Providence encampment had
depending from their sashes small brazen daggers;
the other ornaments being of silver. The regalia
of the Richmond lodge was trimmed with silver
fringe, and in this respect somewhat handsomer
than that of their hosts. The banner borne by the
ST. Johns encampment was of black silk; upon one
side was golden star, radiating about silver
band, within which was globe of red, a golden
cross unfolding serpent, being painted upon the
latter. Beneath were the words-''IN Hoe SIGNo
NINcEs" On the reverse another star with
cross and serpent. At the end of the staff sill
yer Greek cross The banner of the Richmond Com
mandery bore a Roman with serpent hang
ing upon it, and the words 'IN Hoe SIGNO NINCES"
On the reverse "Richmond Commandery, X. I. No.
2, Virginia, Chartered 1922
Upon arriving in the railroad hall, the Grand
Commander and Sir Knights of the Richmond Com
mandcry were addressed by Mr.. Barker, G. C. of
the St Johns Encampment as follows:
,Sr hnights Of Richmond Com,mdndery No. ., of
hlchmond Ed.-lt becomes my pleasant duty on
behalf of Saint Johns Commandery No. l, of Prov
idence to extend to you hearty welcome to our
city: Your presence among us to-day the
sentiments of admiration with which we have al
ways contemplated the manlness, fidelity and high
standard of honor which characterized the Knights
OF ancient chivalry; and the sincere wish of every
heart is that the most signal prosperity may rest
upon that order which continues to an institu-
ton renowned for so many noble qualities Your
presence Is also source of much qualification to
us as members of the Masonic Brotherhood
Tor the instance it presents of the fraternal feeling
mat BINDS together our widely extended order
That this admirable harmony has withstOOd every
shock undisurbed, and uninterrupted by local
differences and sectional prejudices is distinction
upon which we, Masons, NAV well congratulate
ourselves - affording as it does, unmistakcable
proof OF the usefulness of the institution to which we
are attached. May not be permitted to add in the
language of one of Virginia's sons eyes! her
boundless heart throbbing with the generous emo
tlons OF Heaven-bOrn charity and brotherly love
oVerleaps and etiaces all geographical lines, all
creeds of religion all party behests in politics. all
unhalowed distinctions of wealth and official sta
ton, and throwing her consecrated ;pgs over the
ylrtuous and upright Mason, sends him forth to
ind and greet like mystic brother in every cline
of the civilized world" With all reliance upon
the enduring strength of this fraterna bond. we
regard it as great blessing this dav that it enables
us to welcome to the city Roger Williams so noble
band OF guests from the Ancient Dominion the
home of our beloved Washington, the father of his
country.
Sir Knights, as this is the first visit that we have
ever been honored with by our brethren from the
South, permit me again to welcome YOU not only
TO our city, but to our homes, hearts, and our
hospltalltles Let me venture to hope that your
visit may prove the occasion not only of present en-
loyment, but the theme pheasant recollection ever
hereafter.
Mr.. Gill; G. C. of the Richmond Commanderv re
sponded
Host Eminent Grand Commander:-Th very cour-
teous and knightly reception, on the part of your
encampment, is highly gratifying and COMPLIMENTS
ry to the members of the Richmond Commandery
AT distance of nearly six hundred miles from
nome, and among strangers, we find ourselves
warmly greeted and cordially entertained by breth.
rem to whom feel united by ties stronger than
those OF consanguinity, Illustrative of the fact that
the mystic influences of our order are universal and
that it matters not where the worthy brother NAV
wcnd his stcps,-North, South East or West or
from the rising to the setting sun omen arms warm
hearts, and lips breathing brotherly love and kind
ness, will be ready to receive, greet and welcome
him.
At your solicitation, Sir Knights of St. Johns
Encampment, we have most cheerfully consented to
larry win you few hours on our pilgrimage, and
we trust that they will be productive of mutuol
qualification and edication
The gentlemen Knights were then allowed to leave
thelr positions, and social hal-hour was passed
over collation. IN the ante-room. An immense
punch-boWl, presented to the Encampment in the
year $500, by VIM. F. Mcgee. contained a cool bev-
erage, highly conducive to internal comfort and
the supply was untailing. About ten o'clock, the
line OF procession was taken up, the Committee of
the De Moiay Encampment of Knights Templars.
OF Boston-Moses kimball. Charles +. Wood. John
;: Tyler, of Boston, and Linneus Wood and Ste
phen a. Trip, of New Bedford-having been
previously presented to the Richmond Command
cry.
The procession, formed by the American Brass
Band, the st. Johns Lodge, the committee of the
DeMoay Encampment, and the Richmond Com
mandery, marched from Exchange Place through
Dorrance, Westminster, South Main, Power. Bene-
fit, North Main, Broad, Summer, High, and West
Minister sUfeels, 10 Mason Hall. IN the Watcher
Block. At all points on the route, hundreds of
people, many of them ladies, were collected and
greeted the procession with approving demonstra-
tons AS the procession passed the High-Schoo
building, the Richmond Commandery presented
swords to the young ladies who appeared at the
doors and windows.
Several handsome bouquets received by Off
GERS of the two lodges when they stopped for
brief rest on Benefit street. When the procession
reached the Custom House. which Law on the route
Il nd ~ IF
Commander Barker, (who is Surveyor of the Port
OF Providence,) the St. Johns Encampment and
their guests went into the Custom House and par
took of refreshments.
The day was all that could be desired for the dis
play, setting aside the heat, which was so far mo-
derated by brisk blowing breeze to render the
march comparatively comfortable. The procession
was under the charge of Brig Gen. VIM. Greene
as marshall.
The hall was reached shortly after - o'clock
and the hour till | o'clock was spent in social con-
Nefsatlon and at the latter hour the doors of the
ulnIng-hall We're thrown open, and the Masons
WIN their guests, took their seats at the tables the
eaoies ana turntables upon which had been pro-
Vlded by Mr.. l.. H. Humphreys, of Providence an
eAceleht caterer, judging from his success in that
line yesterday. The Divine blessing was invoked
by the Rt. Rev. Bishop of Providence; and the din
ner was Immediately thereafter despatched in the
most satisfactory manner
At the close of the Banquet the whole assembly
united IN singing Aud Lang Syne, after which the
line OF march for the railroad station was taken IN
AT ten minutes past four, the for Boston, CON
tanning the Richmond Commandery. were started
amid the cheers of the brother masons and the null
tltude who had gathered at the station. ARRIVING
In Boston at six O'Clock, the Richmond TempIars
preceded by the Boston Committee marched across
the Common on their way to the American House
AS they entered the Common the Boston Light Ar
tlliery, Captain Minis, fired salute of one hundred
guns in honor of their arrival. Several thousand
spectators were gathered about the lines of the
tillery. u
Last evening the Richmond Templars took tea
at the American House, which is their Headquarters
provided by the De Moay Encampment and af-
forwards visited the Museum
The programme for their reception and etertan
ment to-day has been so fully stated heretofore, as
not to require repetition.
MASnNIr rEJ rDp ,rInN az, ,,n