Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-07-02

MASONIC CELEBRATION. Thursday last, St.
Johns Day, was appropriately celebrated by the
Masons of Staunton Lodge No. 3, and number
of visiting brethren from Richmond, Orange, Al
bemarle, Nelson, Allegheny, Bath and Rocking
ham. ~ - aei'' 'lF-
At9 A. NJ. an extra train arrived from the
east with large number of Masons (and num-
Der of other passengers who were received by the
Committee ST Reception of Staunton Lodge and
''Stonewall Band seated in neatly gotten up
band wagon, drawn by six milk-white horses,
tastefully decorated with blue, the appropriate
color of the fraternity.
About 10 A NJ. the procession, was formed
under the conduct of the Marshals, J G. Marquis
and E. NJ Gushing, in the following order
stonewall Band Knights Templar; staunton
Lodge; Visiting Brethren Visiting Lodges,
numbering over 300 and stretching in length a
distance of three squares.
The Knights Templar, in full regalia and car
rying black lances, slver-tipped, the black pen
nan on each emblazoned with q cross, added
quite feature to the procession by their hand
some appearance.
The Masons were clothed in white gloves and
aprons aud made most imposing procession.
The procession being formed moved to the D.
D. & Blind Institution, when it was temporarily
disbanded, to allow all, who could gain admis
sion into the densely crowded Chapel, to witness
the closing exercises of the Wesleyan Female In
sttutc.
At the conclusion of these exercises the process
sion reformed and moved to the Presbyterian
church where the services of the day took place.
as follows: l. Anthem by the Staunton Musical
Association 2. Prayer by Rev. Geo. G. Brooke;
3. Address by Past Master Randolph Finley J;
A. Music by the Association; 5. Installation of
officers by Past Master H. NJ Bell
The address Of Rev. Randolph Finley was
one of the finest Masonic addresses well have ever
had the pleasure of listening to- giving an insight
into some Of the objects of Masonry to the vast
throng assembled and replete with beautiful
flights Of eloquence. ~ *+t%
Past Master II. NJ, Bell delivered beautiful
address to the officers elect of Stanton Lodge
for the ensuing year and accompa MED the install
lat on of each officer with appropriate remarks
These ceremonies attracted the interested atten.
tion of all. ......-. ~,
The procession was again re formed at the con,
cluson of the exercises in the church, and moved
up Frederick street to Green, down Green to
Main and do WI Main to Augusta and New Court
House streets to the American and Virginia Ho
tells, where sumptuous dinners had been prepared
for the occasion. Each Hotel wed with the 9th
er in preparing the finest dinner and after an ex-
animation of both tables we were forced TO con-
cude that both were victors. We have never
seen finer dinners set and hat the amplest
justice was done them by the craft.
As the procession passed the Virginia Female
Institute, the young ladies saluted them with
waving hankerchiefs, which was calamity re-
turned by the Knights Templar who Immediately
came to present lance which ELECTED a more
animated expression on the part of the young la
dies, forming quite an event in the procession
After dinner, the Knights, members of Staun-
on Lodge and a number of visiting brethren re-
turned to the Lodge ROOM where they laid aside
their regalia, and proceeded to enjoy themselves
Tor tie remainder of the day by attending the
closing exercises of the D. D. & B. Institution,
and Virginia Female Institute and visiting the
Fair Room of ladies of the Methodist church.
Alto P. NJ. the visiting brethren from the east,
after mapy well wishes and heartfelt adieus, took
their departure, on t'eir extra train for their
homes
Thus ended one of the most successful, pleasant
an orderly reunions and celebrations we have
ever witnessed. May we see many more such.