The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-04-25
MASONIC.
Conservation Of the New Cemetery.
IMPOSING CEREMONIES

An impressive spectacle was yesterday present
ed in the streets of New Orleans and one which
those who participated in it will never look back
upon but with pride and satisfaction. Hundreds
OF men, representing every sphere and calling In
hfe yet bound by that mysterious tie which gives
to Masonry its efficacy and strength, marched
together TO the conservation Of last resting place.
where in all probability most of them, with those
near and dear TO them, will lie down TO sleep the
sleep that knows no breaking. The patriarch
Abraham before his death had bought from the
sons of Heth. the Scripture tells as, a burial
place 10 the Cave of Machpelah, IN the field OF
Ephron. and in that spot, chosen by himself, his
remains after death were laid TO rest. And this
choice of tomb, this selection and conservation
of some spot where all of one family or brother
hood may sleep in death together, has become
customary, being handed down to Us from those
most ancient days, the history Of which is trans
mitted TO us only through Biblical lore. Acting in
accordance with this principle, the Grand Lodge
of The State OF Louisiana purchased. IN 1865,
tract of land located on the Metairie Ridge, at the
junction of Benville street with the GENTLY road,
and yesterday that spot was dedicated TO the uses
of burialplsee for those who in>shis life meet
upon the level, act by the plumb and part upon
the square.
The dsy was an auspicous one for the occasion,
and at an early hour the members of the order
began TO assemble at the Grand Lodge Hall, on
st. Charles street, while, in anticipation OF the
pageant, an immense number Of spectators had
assembled along the line of march as published 10
the morning papers. At nine O'Clock the Grand
Lodge was opened by Grand Master w. K. Swa-
sey. and an hour afterwards the procession was
formed in the street below by the Grand Marshal,
]. W. Homan, p. NJ. of Quitman Lodge, assisted
by Chief Aid John Anderson. p. NJ. OF Mount
MoIiah Lodge, and Brothers John r. Puryis, of
Mount MOriah Lodge; j.. II. Degrange, OF Dud-
ley Lodge; A. lE. Dick, Of George Washington
Lodge and o. Lauye. of Perfect Union Lodge.
A mounted escort of Knights Templar, under
command of sir j. P. Hornor. Very Eminent
Deputy Commander, headed the procession in full
regslia, with drawn swords and their banner
floating above them as proudly as 1t ever did over
the valiant Crusaders. Then came Jaegers brass
band the performances OF which, throughout the
exercises of the day, deserve a higher comp
ment than we can pay them here. The fatigue
and WEAKNESS incidental to a long march under a
hot sun were almost entirely forgotten by those
whose footsteps kept time in measured cadence
TO the music before them. The band was followed
by Tyler Brother Peter Nessin, with drawn
sword, and by stewards bearing blue rods, after
which came in regular order, by degrees, the
members of blue lodges, clad in white gloves and
aprons. They we're followed by deacons with
blue rods, by the secretaries and treasurers Of
various lodges and by the past wardens Of lodges.
Next 10 line came the officers and members Of
the Grand Chapter and subordinate bodies, led by
Grend Captain Of the Host d. E. Scruggs, and
marshaled by Aid j. Fl. Degrange.
The officers and members of the Grand Council
and subordinate bodies followed, and were in turn
succeeded by the Grand Consistory, 32d, Of the
A. A.. Scottish Rite for the State OF Louisiana.
and several subordinate bodies under its jurisdic-
ton, under Grand Marshal E. SalOmol, 33d. st.
Andrew Chapter of Rose CToix No. headed the
Consistory, and made very creditable display In
the new regslia Of the degree (lSth.) Los Ami
eos Del Orden Council OF Kadosh, 30th, No. Z.
assisted by Sir Knights from other Councils under
charge of Samuel A. Brown, 32d, formed an Escort
to the Grand COnsistory. This Council made a
fine appearance in the dress of the order.
At the head Of this column was the banner OF
a Oh - 49, lfoar
feeding her young. the words Faith, Hope and
Charity" and also the words, above the pelican,
"LuL e TenebTiS," all embroidered in gold on
white satin. Next followed two banners of the
SOth degree, borne by the K. X. H.; the first one
OF white silk, friDged with gold, above the words
"DietI le Veln,n and below the words 'OrdO db
ChdO," in the center Teutonic cross with the
No. so in the middle of the cross; the second
banner of black silk with silver fringe. and the
words Vincere ant MOri, :" and double headed
esgle, with wings open and holding a sword ia its
claws. Lastly, the banner of the Grand Consist
Try, the staff surmounted by an eagle with 8
streamer 10 its beak, with the words "Spes Med
IN Dec est" and on the banner, surrounding the
ensiguia of the degree, the words "Dteu Le VelH'
and q Vincere AIT Mori."
Grand Tyler Z. Qunt, with drawn sword, fol
lowed the Consistory, and headed the Grsut
Lodge. After him came successfully the Stew
ards with white rods, the members of the Crane
Lodge; the Architect Bro. l.. Z. Reynolds, will
| his implements; the representatives Of othe
| Grand Lodges, including the Grand Lodge of Ire
| land Grand Secretary James NJ. Bachelor Grant
Treasurer s. NJ. Todd; the District Deputy Grant
| Masters; the Oldest Master OF the Grand Lodge
the venerable S. S. selleck, bearing the Ho.
| B BILE, square and compass, and supported by tw'
| Stewards with white rods. The Past Master
| followed with lights, and were followed success
| sively by Grand Chaplain G. s. Hedges, Pas
Grand Wsrdens, Past Deputy Grand Masters
Past Grand Masters; Bro. j. Q. A. Fellowes
| orator for the occasions Junior Grand Wardei
| VIM. McDuif, with silver vessel with oil; Senio
Grand Warden j. G. Gordy, with silver vesse
| with wine, and Deputy Grand Master Z. Barnett
with golden vessel with oil and last of all, fol
| lowed by two Deacons with white rods. AM
| Grand Sword Bearer Henry Bezon, came Gran
Master W. r. Swasey.
In this order the procession moved up 81
| Charles street to Julia, and thence by Julia, Cam
| and Canal streets, through crowds of spectator
who crowded the way on either side, to the corne
| of Claiborne, where long train OF cars was
waiting to to convey the brethren to the juncti0
| of Canal street and GENTLY road. On arriyin
there, line was again formed, and in due time th
head of the line halted at the gate, upon the arc
| Of which might be read the inscription, " Masoni
| Cemetery" Ranks were opened and heads III
| covered as the grand master, and successvel
| after him each of the other officers and bOdle
| came I'D from the rear and passed through th
| opened ranks to the interior of the grounds. 3
| this msBeuver the procession entered ia an orje
exactly the reverse OF that in which 1t n.
| marched.
An oblong square was formed about the pla
| form, upon which the ceremony of laying th
corner stone of the tomb of Louisiana Relic
| Lodge No. was TO be performed. The cOrns
stone Of white marble was suspended from
small derrick directly over the spot where it wa
to be deposited, brick foundation having pr,
viously been laid for its reception. The stOn
bore upon one side the Inscription: "Erecte
by the Grand Lodge F. and A. NJ. H. r. Swasey
| grand master. Cemetery commttee-J. Q.
| Fellows, VIM. McDGf, r. |. Bruce" And upo
another side: Tomb of Louisiana Relief Lodgj
No. l, F. and A. NJ. A L. 5S6S. Fl. Hamburger
| WMn
| Grand Master Swasey having called upOn-th
assembled brethren for their assistance in III
solemn duty before them, the ode commencin
with the verse
Oh God Of all before Thy throne
Thy supplants bow with holy fear;
Those Thou All pleased TO cad Thine
Invoke Thy sacred presence here
was sung to the fine old sacred air Hamburg, a
cOmpanied by the band.
The prayer of st. Chrysostom was then ofere