The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1869-07-02
The Gath at Sulphur Springs.

Rhea Spring Lodge No. 30. and Rhea Spring
! Chapter No. :, celebrated the oath instant, st.
Johns Day, bya procession, dedication of their
new Hall, public speaking, public dinner. Sc.
Your space, know, will not admit of detail
cd report, and will therefore only give you u
few specific items of the proceedings.
DR.. John Alternately was deputized by the
Grand Master to open the Grand Lodge of the
State of Tennessee. and dedicate the new Ma
sonic Hall. completed at this place u few
mouths ago, the following constituting the of
fiCers to-wit:
DR.. John Alternately. Grand Master.
VIM. c. Peake, Deputy Grand Master.
II. Il. Sharp, Senior Grand Warden.
j. l.. Mcpherson, Junior Grand Warden.
j. j. Pyott, Grand Secretary.
J. ID. Collins. Grand Treasurer.
Rev. Mr.. Goforth, Grand Chaplain.
William Rose. Senior Grand Deacon.
William FouSt. Junior Grand Deacon.
w. ). Roddy, Grand Tyler.
The Grand Lodge was opened in the old Ma.
sonic Hall, ut o'clock, when the procession
was formed under the direction of the efficient
chief Marshal, Milo 5. Holloway, which, pre-
| coded by the Athens Brass Band, marched to
the new. Masonic Hall, where the dedicatory
ceremonies were performed in the presence Of
u large assembly of Masons and others.
AT The conclusion of the imposing dcdica-
tory ceremonies and rites by the Grand Lodge.
the procession reformed and marched to Il
| beautiful grove near the Spring, where Il stand
and seats had been prepared for the speaking.
| the stand was most beautifully and tasteiully
decorated and festooned with evergreens and
flowers by the young ladies. just before which
| the triumphal arch had been erected, with an
propriate Inscriptions DR.. Young Alternately,
representing the Blue Lodge, +. and A. NJ,
delivered the first address. The subject of
Masonry is not Il new one, every field having
been explored and their flowers some time
since culled but ! thought the Doctors ideas
were well chosen and in good taste: his lam
gungc was apt and elegant, and his delivery
was very good. | have heard heretofore many
Masonic addresses, but few better ones.
| second address was delivered by Rev. r..
Rose, representing the Chapter MasonS. He is
a.devotcd Mason. and delivered plain, prac-
teal and forcible argument in favor of the
mystic order At the close of Mr.. Roses ad-
dress, it was announced by the Marshal that
dinner would be served Immediately at the
spacious dining hall of Mr.. j. c. WATSON.
where large portion of the assembly repaired.
| have seen many public dinners, but must say
for the fair ladies of Rhen county that I never
saw one better prepared. or a table set with
more taste than theirs displayed on this occa-
sion. Everybody was fed who applied, the
very best of order was observed, not murmur
of impaticnce or discomfort was heard, and
every one went home satisfied that it was
| complete success. There being surplus of
provisions left for dinner. public supper was
given, after which number of Fancy Stacks
and other Cakes We're sold to the highest bid
der at auction; and ut ten o'clock the tables
were removed, when the music struck up, and
y select company of young folks, with eyes
flashing like the sunlight, "trippcd the light
fantastic toe. until the wee small hours of the
morning." ! must not forget to mention that
the Athens Brass Band was present, and by
discOursing sweet music added much to the in
tcrest Of the occasion.
| will close with the remark that the Hotel
| at the Springs. which has been thoroughly re-
paired and re-furnished, was opened for the re-
cpDtjOn of plIpSts the 9th. The tabln IL n v