Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1865-11-11
As Interesting Masonic Ceremony
Baptism of Six Children by Albert
Pike, of Arkansas.

Pike, of Arkansas.
One of tho most interesting, and Mt the
same time, novel ceremonies connected
with Free Masonry, was performed in Ma
sonic Hall, Thirteenth street, near Fourth
avenue, on Saturday evening. The cele-
hraut was Gen. Albert Pike, of Arkansas,
Grand Master of the Scottish rite. Gen.
J. II. Hobart Ward acted as Senior War
dco. It. consisted of the baptism of six
children, ranging from six months to eight
wears of age, according to the Masonic
ritual. This being the first time this ccre-
mony was performed ut the North, large
number of Masons, with their wives, daugh-
tcrs, sons, etc, wer present, so that the
lodge room was crowded. The ceremony
took place in Lodge of Perfection, which
was opened publicly. In the cast, on
platform, were placed font filled with OIL
n vessel of consecraed oil, and plate OF
salt. All being ready, two lines were
formed, consisting of a guard with drawn
swords, facing inward, and the officers ana
members of the Grand Lodge OF Perfection
entered in procession to the music oil
grand march by the organ.
After several alarms the parents and
children entered with the godinthcrs and
godmothers, the latter dressed in white;
the children who were unable to walk were
carried on cushion covered with blue silk
by the master of ceremonies; after him
came brother carrying the lighted cam
dies black, white and rose color, in the
form Of triangle, while the choir sang
the chant. ''Out Of the mouths of babes
and sucklings Thou hast perfected praise
Then came the other children, two by two,
then the fathers and mothers. The process
sion went three times round the lodge
room, the organ playing and the chant
still proceeding, while the Master aud War
dens repeated certain sentences, the mys-
tic sentence commencing "Sutier little chill
dren to come unto me" etc.
After questions asked of the fathers and
answered by them, the children were
brought to the font, and an impressive
prayer offered up by Brother Wilson Small,
as Grand Chaplain. This was followed by
n hymn, and the Master informed the god
fathers and godmothcrs of their duty,
while the Orator in the North the Senior
and junior Warden, admonished them and
their parents to be true to themselves, to
others, to their countymen, and to God.
Another prayer was then offered, and the
children were brought to the altar.-Their
names were Harrison Small McClenachan,
Harry ShcridOn Lee George Small Ander-
son, Zoe Virginia Gibson, Anna Theresa
Gibson, and Charlotte May.
The baptism was performed as follows:
Placing the hands Of the child in the font
filled with perfumed water, the Master
said: "Harrison Small McCleanachan,"
(naming each, ~ wash thee with the pure
water. May God give thee and maintain
thee in that innocence and purity of heart
of which this cleansing is q symbol" lie
next marked the Delta with the consccrat-
ed oil on the forehead of each child, being
the symbol of wisdom, might nnd love Of
God, and blessed them according to the ri
tual. After hymn was sung, all the
brethren knelt and made n solemn VOW,
which they confirmed by eating salt, opro-
tect the children through life.
A locket was then given to each girl and
ring to each boy, with the assurance that
if they were in distress or danger they had
only to send the locket or ring, and they
would be assisted. A jewel was also given,
Uhe Delta) with Masonic emblems, to each
child, who was also invested with an apron,
and the Senior and Junior, Wardens pro-
claimed the baptism along their columns;
after which all slapped three times, and,
strik ing the palm of the hand against the
left shoulder, cried "Hnzza!" three times.
The orator next delivered discourse, and
Wilson Small delivered an address on be-
half of the godfathers Two young ladies
were then selected to make n collection.
1t was announced that the money so OBJ
tained would be given to some needy broth
er whose name would not be publ ely
known, if there were any such known TO
brothers present, or it would be given to
the Grand Almoner, who. would send it to
distressed brother without the knowledge
of any one but the Master, and the brother
would not know where it came from.
The Grand Master then said: "The Ia
bors of the day nrc concluded; may they
be profitable to all. Go in peace; and may
our Father in Heaven bless and prosper us
in all our laudable undertakings. Amen"
The brethren then retired in procession,
in the same order as they entered, and the
lod oa vos closed N Y World