Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1866-06-28
Local Department.
Masonic Procession.

Masonic Procession.
The festival of ST. john the Baptist falling upon
Sunday, Saturday the 23d of June was observed
by Hunter LODGE at Edinburg, instead of the 24th
We had the pleasure of being present and par
ticipatng in the proceedings, and will endeavor
to give iefsynopsis of what took place for the
benefit Of the order generally.
After attending to business matters in the Lodge,
the fraternity, including visiting brethren from
other Lodges, proceeded to the German Reformed
Church, where the procession formed, at 10
o'clock under Tie direction of H. f. Riddeberger,
Of Hunter Lodge, chief marshal, assisted by N.
Fountain, of Cassia and Charles keyser of I.afay-
cite Lodge. Portions of the Strasburg and Wood
stock bands marched IN 'front.' discoursing most ex-
ccent and seul-stiiiing music, appropriate to the
occasion.
After marching through the main streets, the
procession proceeded to the beautiful grove few
hundred yards southwest of town, where the most
ample preparations had been made for the accom-
a3nodauon OF the fFatcrnIty CTtfzen5 gem
orally.
a Several hundred ladies and gentlemen. from cv-
cry part of the county, and some from adjoining
counties. had preceded the procession and were
awaiting its arrival.
1ilc eclhICGs III Tue grove were introduced Dy
prayer by Rev. J. P. HYDE chaplain of Cassla
Lodge. The P. W. NJ. of Hunter Lodge, r. Mill
or, then installed the Off elected for TIE
ing year, assisted by the w. NJ. of Cassia Lodge,
). Haas, follows.
j. w. Windle, ". NJ;
Jno. S. Hutchinson, S. W;
j. c. Bragonier, J. w;
c. Conner. T.;
IL. Ii. Riddlebcrger See.
.Jno. Il. Miller. S. D.;
Samuel Vance, j. D.:
L. W. Grove, 5. and 7.
p ". VI. KILLER then introduced Rev. J. T.
HYDE 10 the audience, VIII delivered an address OF
about an hours duration, with replcte interesting
masonic history, happy and forciblc illustration,
and sound and logical reasoning. Indeed for the
cdifcation Of the eager and attentive assembage,
the speaker diyuged many of those beautiful and
instructive ''secrets.' so-caed, that haye adorned
the institution OF Masonry in all ages of the world
His cogent reasons why the ladies were not ad-
lnittcd as working members of Masonic Lodges
peculiarly felicitous and must have given
satisfaction all present But as it is probable this
address will be LAID before the public in a more
tangible form, we shall not attempt to discuss its
merits at length here.
After music by the band, r. c. Bragonier, ESQ.,.
was introduced by 2. w. NJ. Miller, and deliver
cd a most chaste and eloquent address, in which
the principles and tencts of the institution of Ma
sonry were discussed in most lucid and satisfac-
terry manner. When we consider that the speak
ar is a young Mason. and has had but limited
means for obtaining information upon so vast and
sublime theme, this address was highly credta
Bile to the Young orator Indeed, it would have
r/rciiectcd honor upon more experienced heads.
The singingo that most beautiful and inspiring
production, "I5ulns' Adieu,' By several Of the
brethren. concluded the ceremonies in the grove
The procession again formed and returned
10 town. to the hotel of brother b. F. Murray.
where the fraternity, numbering considerably oy-
or one hundred, and large number of gentlemen
ard ladies' partook Of a most sumptGous dinner
Our energetic landlord seems to have made the
fwhoic boundless continent tributary to him on
this occasion: for his ample tables literally groan-
ed beneath their choice viands. The garnercd
wealth Tthe land, the most choice contents of the
storehousc, the bountiiul productions of the field
and the most tempting delicaces of the garden
these were all brought in reGuistion to add to the
lnagHiffccncc of the rich repast Indeed, time
would fail 10 enumcrate all the good things that
graced the festive board.
For awhile. at least, Speculative Masonry
was laid aside, and all devoted themselves to the
pleasant and refreshing labor so necessary for the
recuperation of the exhausted energies of the out
ward man. And right heartily was this work per
formed. Whole columns Of meats and vegetables
and pyramids of cakes disappeared before the
working tools Of these Cooperative Masons" like
snow before tie melting RAYS Of the SUM- Fair
hands were busy, in the meantime, in the CON
slant preparation of such things as were needed,
and the walters, among whom we noticed our old
friends, Ben Hamilton and Bob Newman, were
assiduous iii their attention to the guests
After dinner, the craft were summoned to the
Ref Church for the purpose Of taking such action
as is customary-the adoption of resolutions of
thanks, the appointment of committees to wait up
the orators. &c.
In addition to the brethren belonging to Wood
STOCK and Edinburg Lodges, there was a good at
tendance from Luray and New Mal kct, and few
transient members of distant Lodges.
The entire proceedings of the day passed off
pleasantly and agreeabIy to all parties. May we
all long fre to enjoy such "happy greetings. IF
the political world i; awry and in chaotic disorGe"
the brethren of the 'mysc tie are going through
the process of Reconstruction in manner that
should put to shame the less pliabe material Oft
Observation-Disclosures so-called, whose frutlcss Ia
bors cast dark shadow over the Gland we love-