The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1859-06-29


lliddlebury, June 18th, 1869.
Masonic Celebration of the Fes-
tival of St. hn the Baptist
Notwithstanding the unfavorable indi-
cations of the weather. on Friday last,
large number of the Masonic Fraternity,
aud outsiders were promptly on the ground
and by eleven o'clock, the time Of moving
the procession, our usually quiet village
presented an appearance not easily des-
eribed The Middlebury Light Guards,
with their neat and complete uniform and
pieces glistening with the highest polish,
lead by the old War Horse" their re.
spected Capt. Abbey, stirred up the masses
as nothing but martial music and military
display can. However, the Chief Marshal
of the day, DR.. W P. Russell, assisted by
Col. F. p. Fletcher, and Lieut.. Clay,
mounted. and Coz. Warren of Brandon,
and Col. Haseltine of Bristol, soon brought
their Masonic forces into line. The Light
Guards headed the procession. Union
Lodge No. 2, of Middle5ury, with its 1875
members headed the Masonic column.
Bristol, Vergennes, Brandon and Bird
port Lodges formed in line, in the order
named. Bridport Lodge displayed
beautiful banner mathematical of its name,
" Morning Sun" The Royai orch Ma
sons, in their rich regalia, were next in
the procession. Then came the RoVal
and Select MaS0nS. This body of
men composed of some Of the first
citizens Of Montpelier, thirty or more in
number, in the full rich dress OF that order
were much admired by all. The Bur-
lington Cornet Band were placed between
the Council members and the Knights
Templar. They appeared in their new
and beautiful uniform, which was only
equalled by their truly excellent musical
performance. knights 7emplar the
highest order Of Masons, represeted al
ways distinguished by their peculiar civic
and Military dress, were the next in order
They were out in goodly numbers. Bur-
lington encampment. its members magnif-
icently dressed, with the venerable Dr.
Webster its Commander and Grand Sec
rotary, ilolenbeck at there head, together
with Mount Calvary Eneampment, Dea.
Davenport Of Brandon, their acting Com.
mander at their head. The Master of
Union Lodge, Dea. Ira Clifford, j. Dewey
Esq. as Grand Sword Bearer and Sc H.
land Knight, John Gilmore, bearing
the Holy Book of the Law, formed the
next feature of the procession, The Or
ator of the Day, the Hon. Philip c.
Tucker, of Vergennes. The Chaplin, the
Rev. S, NJ. Merrill, Of Union Village. n.
Y, DR.. Adds Bernard and Capt. John
Stevenson of Montreal, in lsaacs best
turnout completed the train.
The column moved through the princi.
pal streets to the NJ. E. Church The capac.
ity of the house was only equal to seat the
Masons and few of the ladies in atten
dance from abroad. Hundreds of ouI
citizens would gladly have listened to the
exercises in the Church, could they have
done it without incoRmoding those more
Immediately interested.
The Orator was listened to with marked
attention. 1t was a composition of 0
high order, and exhibited much research
chiefly historical. The Chaplin faithfully
invoked divine blessing upon the audience
and upon the Masons in particular
The Choir, under the leadership of Mr.
Munroe, sang, as they always do. ex
tremely well.
After the close Of the exercises in thu
church, the procession reformed anC
marched to the Addison House, where
under a spacious tent, the Adams
Brothers had spread table capable o
seating five hundred persons, which wa
well filled, and many hundreds dined ii