The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1859-03-02
interesting Masonic Ceremony.

Lodge eFoyer Maconnique No a" The most inter
estng feature of the ceremony the solemn act Of
Masonic baptism and adoption Of several children Of
| Masons into the body Of the lodge. xaa
Numerous invitations had been sent out, and the
uninitated part Of the community eagerly seized this
opportunity to penetrate some OF the mysteries of the
order The ladies particularly anxious to learn
something of that wonderful body whose secrets their
husbands and brothers keep with so much discretion
battling all the ingenuity of feminine wit. Atan early
hour every seat in the hall reserved for the ladies was
filled, and their male companions crowded every pas
sage nook or recess. We heard it remarked By seve-
raj bystanders that they had never seen such large
assemblage in the hall; there certainly never was %
more brilliant one
Notwithstanding the crowded state of the saloon,
the greatest order preyailed the Grand Marshal of the
day, Bro. Alexander Bouet, assisted by twenty depu-
ties in full regalia introduced the visitors and made
every one as comfortable as could be expected The
saloon was tastefully decorated with the different
Masonic banners and devices, and the arrangements
were perfect. ..s
The long rows of seats were divided in the centre
Of the saloon by wide passage, leading to circular
platform, where the baptsmal ceremony was to take
| place. On each side, against the wall was small
triangular table, sunounted by dais, where the two
Wardeps seated, the Senior to the left and the
Junior to the right Beyond the baptismal platform
larger one, in the centre of which erected
the throne Of the Worshipful Master of the Lodge.
He was surrounded by the officers of the Grand Lodge
and those of his own Lodge, distinguished guests,
members of the Order &c. s
AT seven O'Clock precisely the doors were closed,
and at signal the Worshipful Master. Joseph Sanni.
took his seat assisted by the Senior and Junior War
| dens, brother J. M. F Fondard and F. Gueble, and
the other officers of Foyer Maconnque. The various
Masonic corps then made their entrance in the follow
ing order each announced by music performed by on
] excellent band: First the Lodge Foyer Maconnique
No A. followed by the sister Lodges; next the knights
r.. r., the Royal Arch Masons, and the Royal and
Select Masters; the Knights Templars; knights hG.
dosch; members of the Grand Consstory OF the Sub
Fl. Of the r.. s. sod; the Ill. brethren Of the 33d
degree and the officers and members Of the Grand
Lodge. The M. W.. Grand Master Ill. Bro. Amos
Adams, was then introduced and received with all
! Masonic honors.
The Worsh.. NJ. Joseph Santn after welcoming
the Grand Master, addressed the audience, first in
French and then in English
! The speaker modestly remarked, that he felt how
great was the task he had undertaken to perform that
task made still more difficult, when he considered
what select and enlightened audience he had.to ad-
dress; but this occasion it of the great truths
of the Masonic creed he had to speak, it to give
an insight into the tenents and principles Of that
order, often suspected abused and illuminated, be
cause its purposes were not understood. As Mason
it sacred duty he had to perform, and that con-
| sideTation of itself gave him courage
| He spoke feehngly of the Masonic brotherhood,
struggling to do good under the vail of their mystic
signs, and 1naligned BY that very world for whose
benefit thev str0ye Man was not created to lead a
of riches personal advantages guided solely by the
rules of sefshness. o!thrown earth by the hand
of God, his own marvellous organization teaches hlm
4 that his more holy mission to accomplish Other
feelings were inmate in his heart affection for his el-
the desire of doing good love of peace
and harmony. God had given man reason, and Ma
sonry had as one of its objects the cultivation OF that
reason to arrive ut the knowledge Of what IS good
Just and perfect At the voice OF Masonry quaIrels
Stop the barriers that separate nations give way the
fury of war appeased intolerance ceases differences
of faith longer persecutedi and man holds our
the hand of friendship and the helping hand Of ehari
tv to his fellow man all parts Of the globe, without
distinction of country, manners, opinions or sects
Free Masonry is, IN word, practical school OF var,
tue, and by virtue alone society exist. linbued
with sense of humanity far superior to that OF the
votaries Of Ignorance and sensuaty, the Mason lVes
for Others sacrificing his personal material wants tc
the generous promptings of his heart. de does moi
hesitate to risk his life to obey the dictates OF friend
ship or of humanity, because the yeaTnings of has
soul are ever yelling sympathies with the suferings
of his fellow beings. Masonry does not devote Itself
to trivial matters the world has been taught to be-
ieve it does not conspre against society as calumnY
has asserted. Masons have more worthy and noble
obiect-he cultivation Of the powers OF reasop and
the heart, philanthropy, practical morality, the cen
tral point that unites all men, who are both yIrtuous
! and intelligent, free and benevolent.
1t would be impossible here do full justice to the
eloquent discourse of Mr. Santini All we can say Is
that we listened both speeches with much interest
and that he delineated with great cleaess force and
expression, the most beautiful traits Of the great Ma
sonic creed.
After the applause solicited by the Wor. Masters
eloquent words had subdued the children intro
duced escorted by their parents, godtahers and god
mothers, and accompanied by the harmonious sounds
Of Mozarts invocation chorus from the Mysteries OF
! Isis"
The Grand Chaplain, the Rev c. S. Hedges, offered
Il PRAYER the language of which so touching that
most Of the assistance doubtless joined him IN then
hearts.
A hymn in French was sung by the choir. The
words are by our young townsman, P. Canonge, and
were we'll adapted to Rossns melody.
After this came the imposing ceremony OF Masonic
baptism. A loud knocking was heard at the door
and on the W.. Masters inquiry as to its cause, the
Senior Warden replied: The sons of several OF oul
brethren have lost their way in the world; bad pas
sons encrcle them and threaten to drag them into the
depths Of error, where so many of the uninitatec
have perished Some Of our brethren, guided by th'
Genius of Truth have led them to the gates OF the
the Temple and ask protection for themF The W.
NJ" Brother Junior Warden, what means must WI
adopt to aid these childrenT j.. W.'.-We must ad
nit them to the Temple with those who accompany
them. May they find here protector in each OF u
and safety from the terrible dangers that assal them
Let us point out to them Life guided by humanity
Let the veil that their eye be rent asundef! Le
their lips learn to speak only words Of atfecton Le
their bodies be purified! Let the spirit of Strength
Virtue and Fraernity inspire them, and Masonic baP
tism open for them the way TO happiness
The children, called Lowtons in Masonic language
were brought forward and the master opened the eere
money with short address. Wequote the following
forcible words owe must not be content, my bfethse
with their simple adoption among us. Our institu
ton tends emnently to civilization, and must 6estoF
on its children all the resources Of education AM
whilst surrounding them here with the care and ten
derness required by their age we must incessantt
teach them the rules of obedience, labor, order an
4 iustice we must teach them to become men, usetu
10 themselves and useful to others. Let them learn
an early age that they cannot reach that position ex
cept through useful labor which will place the1
above want and persevering labor which will CIV
fbemestrength to overcome the numerous evil chance
of life" .,-a. -,
We regret that we cannot reproduce at length tn
question to the godathes to the children the nstruc
tions in which they are taught the Golden Rule, an
are told of the three qualities indispensable to form
! Mason-Faith, perseverance and dIsnterested yea
fbe touching address to the mothers Of the ehidrer
who were each presented with Masonic ring, syn
I bol Of their alliance with the Order, and a token
the protection every good Mason is bound to extend
:, them in case of need or danger
After the ceremony of baptism was over. the goc
mothers, accompanied by the Masters Of Ceremony
made collection in favor Of the widows and orphan
: of Masons--the choir singing beautiful hymn ent
tied LA Charite composed for the occasion by Br
s G. Curto.
II Tho ceremonies closed with brilliant Grafton