Idaho semi-weekly world. (Idaho City, Boise County, Idaho Territory) 1867-1868, 1867-06-26
rHr masonic CELEBRATIoN.

~
The celebration of St John the Baptist's
day, by the Masonic Fraternity, in this city, on
last Monday, the oath instant, was most ap-
propriate, interesting and impressive affair."
During Che morning large delegations of the
Brethren of the Mystic Tie came in from all
about the Basin--from Centerville, Pioneer
CITY. Placergille, and from points outside-by
pinkhanl's stages, on horseback and on foot,
all animated by the high zeal, characteristic of
the Fraternity. to join in doing homer to and in
suitably commemorating the anniversary which
80 prominently marks the history of Masonry
Punctual to the published order of exercises.
at o'clock the brethren marched in process
sion from their large Hall on Wall street, pre-
ceded by the Cosmopolitan Brass Band, which
played appropriate marches in fine style. The
line moved ON to Main street, down that to
Commercial, and through that street to the
Court House, in which the public indoor exer
cises were held The Court room had been
prepared for the occasion 1t was handsomely
decorated, and about the walls were placed
the symbols, the ensignia and charts OF the
FRATERNITY. Good care had been taken to pro-
vide ample room in front and at the sides OF
the platform for ladies, and the benches thus
appropriated were filed with the fair, who
came prettily and attractively attired, to wit
ness and to hear all that was to be performed.
The whole of the middle tier of benches was
filed by the brethren, the space between the
front benches and the orators stand was occu-
pied by the choir of ladies and gentlemen, the
band had place near by, and the side benches
and lobby and the entrance to the Court room
were crowded with citizens generally. The
stand was handsomely fitted up and adorned
with Masonic emblems. 1t was occupied by
P E. Edmondson, w. M. of Idaho Lodge,
Hon. J. r. Mcbride, orator of the day, and c.
S. Kingsley, Chaplain of the Lodge. The ex-
ercises opened with prayer by the Chaplain,
which was impressive and appropriate; next
came music and singing by the choir, and then
followed the Address by Chief Justice Nc
Bride This was certainly one of the ablest,
most comprehensive, and entertaing produc-
tons we. ever had the pleasure of listening to-
on the subject of Masonry. 1t contained sew
eral really finished and beautiful tropes and
metaphors, was happily interspersed with I'M
pressive anecdotal proofs of the noble charities
and universally of the Fraternity, and it was
occasionally tinted and eniivened by t0uchiags
of humor and strokes of ALPHABETICALLY in
that portion where the speaker explained why
women were not admitted into the fraternity. |
BUT above all these beauties and embellish- !
ments, the Address was especially excellent
and worthy, because of the sterling, able, great
common sense reasoning and solid information
It contained, and it must have been singularly
acceptable treat to the brethren for the mas
terly defence and noble championship of Ma
sorry which its author very modestly, unosten-
tatiously, yet very effectively presented
At the conclusion Of the Address the choir
again sang to the melodeon accompaniment,
IN fine manner, then the Benediction was pro-
nounced by the Chaplain, the band struck up
an appropriate air, the Worshipful Master
struck hiR gayeI to announce the preparation
to again form in procession, and his summons
being responded to, the members formed and
marched two abreast, from the hall, through
the streets by the route which they had moved
to the Court House, to their own Hall, where
they closed the exercises of the day,
In the evening the Masonic Ball came off in
the Court House, the room having been cleared
for the purpose. 1t was, as we predicted it
would be, a splendid, joyous, happy affair. The
room was filled, yet, there was no crush, no
impeachment to the merry innocent pastime all
had gone to there enjoy. The music was ex-
cellent. the order of dancing well appointed,
and everything went off harmoniously, gaily,
charmingly, The beauty and wit OF Idaho
were there. Excellent suppers were provided
ri Louis Redon's, at Poujade's, at the San
Francisco, and at other restaurants The ball
was kept up till the "wee sma' hours ayont
the twal,'' and it closed upon goodly set Of
joyous folks whose day of entertainment and
night of merry pastine will be long remember
ed in connection with the celebration OF st.
Johns day by the Masons of Idaho City wei
have but to add that the day and evening, IN
point Of weather, were the brightest, most
susnmerlke and altogether propitious OF the
season. Heaven smiled upon the celebraats !