Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1868-02-21
Masonic Levee.

|
ladies partook of an excellent oyster
supper, which was. not only served in
good style but relished accordingly
With one or two exceptions every gen
tleman present was member of King
Solomon's Lodge, including some from
Saxtons River and Grafton. 1t was in
tended as home affair for social inter-
course and proved gratifying and
pleasant success. The blessing was in
voked by Rev. W. H. Wight, and after
the inner man had been fully refreshed,
remarks were made by several gentlemen
who were severally called upon.
Mr.. w. III. johnson, who as w. NJ,
presided at the head of the table, an
nounced the order of the evening, and
remarked upon the pleasures and hospi-
tally of the occasion. He also spoke of
the trying ordeals through which the
fraternity had passed and as instances of
the high character of those who had
been members Of this ancient order, men
toned the fact that all the Generals of
the American Army during the Revolu-
ton were Masons except one, and that
one was Benedict Arnold, the traitor.
OF the fifty-six signers of the Declare
ton Of Independence fifty were Masons.
[Applause.] He closed by expressing
the regret which all felt at the absence
of Henry Clark, Esq, of Rutland, and
L. f. Ward, Esq, of Westminster, both
of whom it had been hoped would have
been present. Letters were read from
both expressing their regret and explain
ing the cause of their absence. Mr.. Ward
closed his with the following arithmetical
sentiment which was received with APP
plause:
The Ladies present at the Leuee-May
they add virtue to their beauty-subtract
envy from their success-multiply good
accomplishments by sweetness of temper
divide their time among the Masonic
| fraternity with sociability and economy
and reduce scandal to its lowest denom-
\
nation.
w. S. Myers was called upon and
spoke with much earnestness and feeling.
In the throes and commissions of the
world, and amid the ruins of time, the
Masonic order had lived through them
all and maintained its integrity. Among
all nations its salutary influence had been
felt. 1t had helped liberty everywhere.
There was no ecclesiastical tyranny in it,
but its sympathies were with the whole
family of man. He continued farther in
this earnest manner, closing with the
prayer that shining charity should
adorn all its actions"
Rev. Mr.. Wight was the next speaker.
He was comparatively a new member of
the order, and never before called upon
to make a speech ON such an occasion,
and feared he would be as awkward as
Oliver Ditson was reported once to have
been. Mr.. Ditson was in the habit of
closing his business letters with "yours
truly, Oliver Ditson." At a social gath
ering he was called upon to invoke the
Divine Blessing, thing he had never
done before in his life. He did so, but
closed it with the inevitable yours tru-
ly, Oliver Ditson!" Great laughter. ]
Mr.. Wight spoke farther of the princi-
pies of the fraternity. He liked it be-
cause without protesting to be religious
institution, it always recognized the AL
mighty God! As for opposition it did
it good. Solomon's Temple was built in
seven years. Opposition destroyed it and
it was then rebuilt in four years. Oppo-
sition helped it along
III. H. Stone was next called but said
he would decline in favor of others.
c. B. Eddy expressed his appreciation
of Masonry because he believed it tended
to make men better.
S. G. Fleming spoke humorously. HI
would not lecture Masons on that occa
sion as they generally got enough of thai
when they went home from their Lodge
meetings, especially if it was little late
l[Laughter.l They had all rode the goat
and sat on the gridiron together at theil
Lodge meetings, [laughter] and at thi
time needed no conference among them
selves. This was Masonic Sociable il
which were included their families ant
hoped they would have more simila
occasions.
G. l.. Hubbard of Saxtons River, wa
called for but said he was one of tn
youngest members and would not occup,
their time.
E. S. Sabin, Jr. of Grafton, briefly re
sponded. saying he had no speech t
make, but was glad to meet them on S
pleasant an occasion.
DIR. Whitman was called for, an
though present most of the evening, haI
pened to have been called away just a
that moment. The exercises at the ia
bles were closed by rising and singin