The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-28
CITY INTELLIGENCE


FINE MASONIC CEREMONIAL few days
since we noticed the death of william II. Adams,
Esq who for a long time had been the Grand secre.
tary of the e. and Lodge and Gland Chapter OF Free
masons Of the State of Pennsylvania. BeiRg IN uch
distinguished for his cmlnence IN the Order and his
devotion to lis interests. was determined TO hold
in his memory u Lodge of sorrow" The members
OF WASHINGTON Lodge, and OF Jerusalem Royal Arch
Chapter with both of when organizations Mr.
Aoans was connected, atler delberation selected
yesterday afternoon as the time at which the Lodge
should be he d, and the ceremonial was conducted
conjoinuy by the officers oi botn bodies.
A Lodge Of sorrow" j" which is customary thing
upon the Oeath OF an eminent. Mason in the Old
nv oild, has been seldom held III America, and of
very occurrence IN Philadelphia AT 1t the Dig
nitaries of the Order Iogetner with all the COM
panions Of The deceased unite in teatifying TO his
virtues ameDtng his loss and urging each other to
profit BY MS rood example. All the pomp OF cere-
mOnlal for which the Order 10 70 celebrated Is em-
ployed IN making the services solemn and impress
sive and music, both vocal and instrumental, adds
The Lodge was held Yesterday afternoon, in the
Grand Lodge room at the Masonic Hal, IN Chestnut
street, Philadelphia, and was conducted bv William
j. Kelly WOrshipful Mater of Washington Lodge.
hundreds Masons were present, among them
many Of our most eminent ahd lnnuentlal citlzens
The instrumental mus consisting of an orchestra
forty pieces was under the direction OF Professors
Cunnington and Ritter, and the vocal music under
the direction o Professor AulOn Taylor. OF course
but Masons were pre- ent and all who took
lart were connected with the order.
AFTER opening the LOdge in le form, William b.
Reed, Past Master of Washington Lodge offered a
OF resolutions commemorative OF the virtues of
VIII lam III. Adams, ana expressing deep sorrow at
his loss. They were seconded by Henry j. White,
OF Jerusalem Royal Arch Chapter, and were
adopted. The Master o. the odge then began the
ceremonies by requesting the Chaplain, Rev Robert
A. Patiison, to offer up plaver After The PRAYER
there was IN Islc ana then le ectons of Scriptures
were read
For fully half an hour the Masonic ceremonies
continued, solemn music interspersing che exhorta-
uons of the officers one after another the great
lights of Masonry were exiting uished IN testimony
to the sorrow all ielt for the dead Toe members
present then formed IN procession to pay the last
Masonic honors at the tomb OF the deceased This
tomb, reared in the Lodge-room, was beautifully
decorated with natural flowers The scene, as tue
hundreds present performed the last sad hOnors-
dirge, was impre siveY grand. When the ceremony
eliminated and each Mason laid the evergreen
upon the tomb of the dead, many dropped tear, so
deeply were they affected.
Then followed the exhor atoms to profit by the
good examp OF the deceased, and anthems swelled
IN glory to God for His goodneos. AS the ceremony
proceeded the lights were re-ht, to show that the
mourning was ended, and after al was over, the
Chaplain announced "Ihe will of God IS accom-
pshed. b essed be he name OF the Lord"
An interesting eulogy upon the deceased was then
pronounced by samuel G. Perkins, Esq, the Grand
high Priest OF the Grand Chapter OF Pennsylvania
alter which the large assemblage dispersed, muct
affected by the ceremony through which they haC
passed The great excellence of the music botl
vocal and instrumental, added very much to the In
terest Oh the occasion.