New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-02-12
THE MASONIC BAPTISM.

The solemn and interesting ceremony OF Masonic
baptism, performed last night upon q number Of
children at Odd Fellows Hall, by LIE Foyer Macon-
nque No. a., F. and A. NJ, on the occasion OF the
twentieth anniversary Of that Lodge, witnessed
by Of the most dense assembages Of people that
ever crowded into that hall The Masonic fraternity
present In full force, clad n full regala, &C.
cording to their different divisions the ladies' were
present in overwhelming NUMBER and with the in
vited citizens who were not Masons, densey packed
every available part of the hall and the gallery.
The hall arranged after the fashion OF lodge
room there being large canopy at the head Of the
ball, for the Worshipful Master; canopies at the
sides, for the other officers band OF music and
chorus Of singers on stage at the foot Of the hall
tables with candelabras and the eblems of the order
disposed in odgerooms; and l front Of the stage,
at the head, large baptismal altar, with steps
cending on all sides, and enclosed by railing On
the altar was stand bearing an open Bible, and at
Its sides large urn and large censer, with which
to administer baptism by water and FIRE. The effect
Of the whole was very imposing.
The seating of the multitude and general manage
ment Of the occasion was done BY number of Ma
sons under the direction of the Grand Marshal Alex
ander Boulet. The different Lodges entered one at
time music being given in the intervals, and ranged
themselves around the altar and on the stage to the
right and left Of the Worshipfal Masters throne.
When all was arranged preparatory to the ceremony,
the aspect of the hall was perfectly gorgeous
The Worshipful Master of Foyer Maconnique, Jo.
seph Santipi addressed the assembly to begin with,
in French and English explaining the nature Of OBJ
jects of Masonry, and the nature Of the ceremony
about to be performed
After that, some sixteen boys, the eldest about
twelve years old, and the youngest infant all clad
in white and wearing red scars, were escorted upon
the altar. attended by their parents and godfathers
and godmothers, who took seats around, inside the
railing. An invocation chorus, from Mozarts Mys.
teres of Isis,' was sung by the choir. The Rev. G.
s. Hedges, Grand Chaplain Of the N. W. Grand
Lodge, offered up prayer the multitude standing.
prayer was next sung by the choir; the poetry com
posed for the occasion by Luton p Canonge, and se
to an air Of Rossini. Luton is title given to
child or protege Of the Masonic Order.l After tha
came the baptism.
The ceremony was performed by the Worshipfu
Master. The boys were led up, and their left hand
dipped in the water Of the urn feeling explana
tory address being made. to them at the time. Th
censer of fame WAS then swung over them !; an
having received publication by water and by fire. th
solemn part Of the ceremony was ended. The W. n
next hung on the neck Of each child blue ribbo
and medal, kissing them, and making remark
adapted to their comprehension. We regret that th
lateness of the hour should forbid our giving NOR
particular report of this impressive spectacle whic
was witnessed with SO much interest and nantes
feeling by the thousands of people present.
The remainder Of the ceremony consisted of pre-
sentation Of rings to the mothers Of the children ant
white gloves to their 'godmothers a recitation o
poetry in English and French, by Luton Ed. Fehren
BACH an address by the W. M. to the godfatbers
confirmation Of the Lutons and music by the orches
ira and choir. After that, the godmothers Of th
children and the masters Of the ceremony raised
collection for the benefit of the Masonic widows an
orphans and the last thing in the programme wa
the GRAFTON Of the day, delivered by Mr. J. NJ Herman
! dez.
1t was late when all was finished but the Grove
remained to the end. interested and pleased wit
every part of the imposing and unusual ceremony.