Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-04-30


Odd FelloWs' Dedication and Celebration.
Tuesday last, the 9sth instant, Was Get apart BY
proclamation issued By J. L. Van Bokkelen, MOst
Worthy Grand Master OF the r. W. Grand Lodge Of
I. o. o. F. Of this State, e. day Of Thanksgiving
aud rejoicing, the being The FOrtieIh AnUIver.
aary Of the institution Of the Order in the United
States. The Dedication Of their new and elegant
Hall In this city, gave additional iuterest to their
celebration.
bright Sun and an unelOuded Sky shed luStTs
aud lent briancy to the imposing ceremOnies.-
Nature smiled ausPiciOuSIy, 10 harmony with the
charitable objects Of the Order. The day before wsS
cloudy and dsagreeAblc, threatening rain but BRIGHT
clear and beautiful rose the sun on Tuesday. The
weather was delightful, neither too warm nor cold,
and the streets free from dust or mud-n excellent
condition for marching. Long before the procession
was formed our streets were blocked up with mem.
bers from neighbOring Lodges and visitors all eager
to participate 10 or witness the ceremonies. Pre-.
cisely at 10 A. N. Zeta EncampmCnt and Franklin
Lodge, Of this place, having met In Masonic Hall,
formed 10 procession 10 front Of the Hall, and pre-
csded By the Brass Band Of the San Francisco Min
strels, marched up to the Hall Of Morning Star
Lodge, for the purpose Of witnessing the Dedication.
In addition to the Lodges just mentioned, there
were large delegations in attendance from Diamond
Springs LOdRe, No. o, Diamond Springs CoIoma
Lodge, No. 81, ColUma; MementO Lodge, No. 81,
Georgetown; Aurum Lodge, No. %, Mud Spnugs,
Silver Lake Lodge, No. ~, Grizzly Flat; and Polar
Star Lodge, No. Sc, Indian Diggings. The Hall
unable to gain admittance, and 10 fact there was
scarcely RON enough for the officers TO perform
their duties without Inconvenience. A larger, .
more charming assembage Of lAdies VIC have never
looked upon 10 PlAcervillc.
The Dedication ceremonies impressive and beau.
tiful-werc performed mOst admirably BY J. n. An.
dersOu, @. n. Jas N. Grantham, u. G. NJ; E. C.
Springs, q. W.; A. T. Taylor, q. c.; T. ElkuS,
@. H.; d. 8. COwhicks. n. g.. W. c. Salmon,
Wm Jones and L. u. Hopkins, Heralds; A. l..
Stuart, leader Of the choir.
The officers having entered and taken their seats,
the Herads seated in front Of the G. H., the n. G..
advanced and placed the keys Ofthe new Hall upon
tAe pedestal in front Of the @. N. saying:
"Orand Master, the work In which We have been en-
RAeed eeapeted and temple 10 At last ready
ysu shoad set apart Tor lite sacred uDes and dedicate
70 the PuSPsses 81 aad Charity according
70 III. 'oI:na Ei.es q %. Orders and We therefore de-
|
| The Grand Master replied:
Brethren. eoneratulate you On the completion Of
this BEAUTIFUL ediaee, which about dedicate
Ia those cardinal virtues Whieh should AdOEn and elevate
motS AAd watehwOFd Ofour beloved Order Beneath this
reef you to encourage another In the duties
bCnevOlense aud charity; before this altar the good
works Of Friendship, Love and Truth are ever to be
presented % the only acceptable SAeThee. Frum hence
as from perennial iountain, are to low the geutle
streams Of true Friendship, gladden. and make green
70 y
Vated those aOwerS that Love uneigned sha Oeatter
On the rugged pathway Of hte. under many bleeding
hearts, TO spring and yield lite hundred fold harvest
IL 10, therefore, not 20 much this temple made with
hands that should occupy attention At present.
the great principles that here be disseminated
hope and trust, brethren that united efforts with
the raising and adjoining Of still nobisr T:mpis
which shall BE- eOnseeTated By the approval Of the Su
PFeMs Grand MaetsF Of the Universe without the invO
ken."
The Grand Chaplain then, in . slightly tremulOus
but distinct and impressive tone, said:
Almighty God, the Maker Of an worlda! whom we
are taught In the abOanAing peEey Of the later dis
der name, Father We would humby draw near and beg
Thy blessing IN the work In which are engaged
D1s: . I%:' !" ~ % ThSS 1a: right y Thy
thOugh.s and deeds Thy greater glory and the gsOd Of
our fellow men. Amen"
Following the prayer, the Grand Master repeated
the 6rst aud each alternate verse Of the CXXlI
psalm, the Brethren responding with the second &C.
Al lite conclusion, the Lodge having been called up
The members united in singing the beautiful Ode
commencing, "Brethren Of our Friendly Order"
Upwards Of two hundred persons joined 10 the sing
ing yet not the slightest discord could be detected
By masters Ofmusic. Clear and liquid guShed forth
the exquisite melody echOiBg from ell parts Of the
large Hall, and lingering In ID after the song had
ceased 80 Il lOath to depart. when the last echo
had died away, the Hesalds presented themselves
before the g. H., who gave the first goblet Of pure
water, the second, vase Of fresh flowers, and the
third, cup 6lsd With wheat. They then took their
stations around the altar 10 the center Of the Lodge
room. on which was placed the Holy Bible and the
Charter Of the Lodge. In loud, clear tone the G.
n. thus addressed the brethren:
The brethren win be attentive while our Heralds
dedicate thia Hail. with solemn eeremOnieS to the prn-
eipes aud nseS Of our honorable Order heraIds you
will proceed in the performance Of your duties"
10 obedience to the order Of the Grand Master,
the First Herald said
ia the name Of Friendship as pure, refFeShinV, and
to he ps.s. this
uniting men % brethren, teaches them to sustain that
relation At FL times each 10 hS turn helping and helped
" .Secoad RsraId.-In the name Of Love, which, like
these aOweFs. tstrewing them,) nls the common air
vita nagraRee, and beantihes all which Il falls
dedicate this Han the practice Of that highest virtue
which 10 in tteefthe fulfilling Of the law teaching us
to visit the widow and the therleSS In their amction
90 free.
TAird Notwithstanding whsat.) In the name Of
Truth, wAieAs like sAe grain Gown broadcast on the
earth Syringe Up again 40 hundred fold, F future use
ana bessinRs dedicate this Hall to the practice Of that
ess ennoong vtEtAe which lice ut the foundation Of all
other VFtHes and which, devoid Of guile and hypocTiov
teaches us sineeEity and In an our eommn
nicaeou ana eaFResneSs In the inculcatiOn Of what
ever is good and true"
ANsr each Herald, the Grand Master and Grand
Chaplain respectively uttered appropriate admOui.
t'ons and prayers. peculiar 70 the Order, to which
the brethren responded, ESQ may Il be-" Again