The weekly Anglo-African. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1859-1861, 1859-10-22
VISIT OF THE ST. GEORGES COM.
MANDRY OF PHILADELPHIA.

A large and respectable audience assem-
bled in Shiloh Church last Monday even
ming, in expectation of grand display
the occasion being the public reception O
the st. Georges Commandry of F. A NJ.
who are the guests of the Mount Calvary
Commandry of this city.
Shortly after o'clock the procession en-.
tered the Church, under command of Sir
John Brown, the visiting Commandry form.
ing but small portion of it. After sing
ing and prayer, Sir J. r. '. Thomas en-.
tertained the audience with some of-hand
witty remarks, taking for his text, "Bless-
ed is he that expects nothing, for he shall
not be disappointed" making very sue
cessful effort under adverse circumstances.
After he had concluded, Sir Nath1 L. Dur
ham, of the ST. Georges Commandry, was
next introduced, and said
II do not come to apologize for those
who are absent, but to demonstrate this one
fact, that lam here The knights of yore
went forth into the Holy Land to do battle
in behalf of the church, but we have buck
led on our armor in behalf of morality,
love, and protecting the widow,
maiden and orphan, and soothing the dis
tressed and dying"-and drawing the pol
ished steel from its scabbard, he invoked
the malediction of Heaven upon him who
shall prove recreant to this solemn obliga-
ton.
Sir J. R. Givens was the next speaker.
He alluded to the suferings of the craft in
ancient times, and eloquently urged upon
the craftsmen determination and vigilance
After he had concluded, the excellent
choir, under the able direction of Professor
Ezekiel H. Dias, favored the audience with
one of their choice selections the collec-
ton was taken up-the benediction pro-
nounced by Sir J. r. V. Thomas, and the
craft repaired to their camp ground, 1876
Spring street, (where sumptuous repast
was waiting to feast and rsposs prepara-
tory to the
GRAND BANQUET,
Which came off on the following eve
ming, at the Metropolitan Assembly
Rooms, 1873 Prince street. At haf-past
nine o'clock, the company began to pour
into the hall, and Notwithstanding the high
price of tickets, the sitting and dressing
rooms were, at 10t o'clock, crowded to their
utmost capacity with ladies, anxiously
awaiting the signal of the arrival of the il
lustrious body of Sir Knights. They
were not doomed to long suspense, for at
II o'clock precisely came the welcome sig
nal, and with it the more welcome knights
welcome as of yore, when going forth to
dOff their Knightly plumes only to the sub
DUNG influence of sweet maiden charms,
or to raise the strong arm in behalf of the
weak.
The procession of Sir knights entered
the room under command of the Grand
Marshal, Sir John Brown, followed by an
other of Master Masons, under the COM
mand of Marshal D. Dangerfeld. The
display of these bodies was truly grand
and imposing. The Knights, particularly,
with their rich, magnificent regalia and
cornered hats, from which bowed at every
step their graceful plumes, was sight that
did the very heart good; and in their e1er-
cises of marching, counter marching, &C.,
were displayed fine taste and excellent
discipline.
But while all this was going on, another
and richer treat was in process Of prepara-
ton Scarcely had we finished our excla-
nations of superlative delight, when an
other procession, the Daughters of Sama-
ria, entered the room, and after going
through their exercises, were individually
saluted by each Knight, and each one borne
off upon the arm of some gallant crusader,
we'll merited trophy of this distinguished
chivalry.
After parading, to the inexpressible de-
light of the company, for some minutes,
the cornet sounded, and fairy feet few to
the measures of Mr.. O'Fake's sweet, in
spring notes, causing many to "break the
discipline for this once"
A more brilliant company scarcely ever
assembled. The beauty and fashion of
the ladies were most bewildering, and their
happy smiles and extravaganza manifesto
tons of satisfaction told volumes for the
success of this long-to-be-remembered
feast.
The supper was unexceptionable-eve-
ry delicacy that could have been wished
for was lavishly spread before the guests,
who expressed their appreciation in terms
not to be mistaken.