The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-07-19
or the STANDARD
sIjJoHN's DAY IN CHATHAM.

ST/JoHN'S DAY IN. CHATHAM M
i MEseRs EDIToRs - Believing q short ac-
COUNT of the celebration of St. Johns Day
at Rock Rest Lodge, would prove interest
ing 10 your many Masonic readers, nave
concluded to trouble your columns with a
sh3rt article.
Rock Res. Lodge, No. 1G1, in Chatham,
started few years before the war, in a sec
tfon of country where Masonry was but little
Known Struggling forward, however,
through many difficulties and hreasting the
Far, they have at last planted their altar
Upon solid rock, and there is no rLodge
Than Rock Rest, 161. In the hands of true
hnd tried craftsmen, SO long as they are one,
success and prosperity will be theirs
II Having seen the clouds of war roll away,
they determined, on the festival of St. John
The Baptist, to lay their corner stone, and
seldom was so large a concourse of people seen
together, and more seldom do we see SO large
atgathering of the Fraternity. To the great
cIedit of the Marshals every thing was pro-
petly and judiciously arranged for so large a
gathering.
Nhe Lodge was opened in the church,
whidh was filled to OVERLOOKING, by Wor-
shipfAl Brother Justice, and procession form
ed Which moved to the Lodge building
where the solemn ceremonies of laying the
corner stone were performed by j. B. West,
P. NJ. These interesting exercises finished
the grove, where the Grafton was pronounced
by Mai. r. w. York The address was "ne
of great practical bearing upon the Fraterni-
ty and evinced sound Judgment, a thorough
knowledge of Masonry, with its practical
bearing in these troublesome times. Added
to this, that it was cuuched in chaste, beauti-
full and eloquent language, it was admired
by all who heard it. The orator drew with
a bold hand a strong picture of the reign of
violence from the time of the first murder to
the present Then portrayed Masonry ever
opposing violence by law of Love and Char
| ity. His description of Masonry's mission
during the late war, was pathetic and touch
ing, and L wish his description of Masonry's
mission and duty, at the present day, could be
| heard by every Mason in the South. 1t is
useless for me to say more, rs could not do
justice to the address, and 1 understand it
! will be published. that all may have an OPP
portunity of reading it,
| After the address, the audience were enter
tanned with few wel-timed remarks by
Gen. W. P. Taylor, of Pittsboro', one of the
most jealous as well as most distinguished
Masons in the State.
The procession then reformed and returned
to the church. Afterall were in, and crowded
and damned, we witnessed most interest
ing scene.
Our brother, John Manning, approached
| the altar and in short speech on the beau
ties of Masonry, which we only wish had
been longer, presented Maj. York, in behalf
Of the Lodge, beautiful silver cup, in
token of their appreciation of his worth,
zeal and devotion to the cause of Masonry
The Major though an old soldier, was evil
IDENTIFY taken 10y surprise, and considerably
embarrassed, as well he might be, by this
mark of esteem coming from those whom he
never had seen before, yet he replied in a
chaste and happy manner.
The Lodge was then closed, when the Fra
ternity repaired TO the grove to partake of
the sumptuous feast prepared by the Frater-
nifty of Rock Rest Lodge, No. 161. The oc
casion passed off with not one circumstance
to mar the joys and festivities of the day,
and the brotherhood will long and fondly
remember the laying of the corner stone of
Rock Rest Lodge and the festival of St.
John the Baptist. A MASON.