The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1870-07-02
TERMS or ADVERTISING.
Transient advertisements. so Gents psE
square for each insertion. The space of eight
ines, IN this type, constitutes square
STANDING ADVERTISEMENTS

Let lis hear the conclusion Of the
whole matter We have witnessed the
origin of Masonry in the night of time,
and amid the almost universal reign Of
error. We have seen it in the flusl,
of its beauty, and tie pride Of
its strength, during that golden age
of art, literature and science, which
has immortalized the memories Of
Greece and Rome We have watched
its three great lights family cleaning
through the mists of Ignorance and su-
perstition which hung likeapall over the
dark ages; and we see it today
crowned with the blessings of peace
swaying the sceptre Of unity-and
throned in the seat of plenty. We
know that it inculcates the purest NOR
ality, the loftiest patriotism and the
truest charity. In one sentence we
proudly claim that it transcends all 9TH
er human institutions in antiquity, I'm,
iversality, purity and usefulness. And
yet, brethren, let us not forget that
all this is but vain and empty boast,
unless we learn to appreciate the moral
lessons which Masonry teaches, and en-
deavor to practice them in our daily
lives.
Brethren of Humble Cottage lodge,
you have met to-day for the purpose of
commemorating your first celebration,
fifty years ago, of the Festival of our
distinguished patron, St. John the Bapt-
ist. The first record in the venerable
volume of the Minutes of your lodge,
written in neat, secretary hand, ana
in the French language, tells us that
" Several travelling Masons, hailing
either under the jurisdiction of the Grand
Lodge of Louisiana, or from foreign
Orients,-having recognized each other
as children of the Royal Art, agreed to
meet as family assembly. len 1amiNe)
in order 10 celebrate the Festival of St.
John the Baptist. And for this pur-
pose, in the year of the true light $500,
on the 24th day of the 4th Masonic
month, (June) at the East of St. Landry,
at the residence Of one of them, at high
twelve, the following brothers were
present ID. R. D. Desessarts, (Royal
Arch. &C., from Perfect Union lodge,
New Orleans, La; Celestin Lavergnp,
(Rose Croix) from Polar Star lodge. n
O. La; Francois Media, (Master Mason)
from the same lodge Charles Francois
Genin, master Mason) from L'Amenite
de Philadelphia; Auguste Larochette,
(Rose Croix) from Alexandria lodge,
Italy Raymond Darros, (Masser Ma
sony from Perfect Reunion at the East
of the Holy Ghost, France Jean Fran
chebois, Master Mason) from Concorde
lodge, N. O. La; Charles Joseph Lebas,
(Fellow Craft from the Temple of Vir-
tues and Arts, France; and Joseph An
tome Pecoud, Entered Apprentice from
the East of Belley, France. The fol-
lowing (absent) brethren sent in their
concurrence with the proposed celebra~
ton Bros. VIM. G. Knox, Alex. J. l..
Louallier, DR.. Moses Littell and Theo-
dore Moynier.
After complying with the general
Masonic statutes, and carefully tying,
and the most scrupulous and satisfactory
examination, the work of this Festival
was opened in a perfect lodge in the
First degree, with all ceremonies and
formalities required, under the temporal
ry presidency Of the illustrious brother
Desessarts, acting as Worshipful Master,
Celestin Lavergne, as Senior Warden,
and Raymond Darros, as Junior Warden.
By direction of the acting W. NJ. the
Secretary read two Masonic communica-
tions, lyrical and prose. from (absent)
brother Regnier, in commemoration of
the day we celebrate. While thus en-
gagged the brethren received petition
from profane, asking light, but it was
decided that no action could be taken
thereon, beyond appointing committee
of examination, (which was done) until
the brethren had been legally constitu-
ted as lodge. Thereupon it was de-
cided that request to that effect be
made of the most Illustrious Grand
Lodge of the State, and that the Wor-
shipfal lodge Perfect Union, No. l. .(of
New Orleans) be respectfully requested
10 recommend the petition to the Grand
Lodge and that the distinctive title and
number of our lodge be given US by the
recommending lodge.
Brothers Media, Darros and Franche.
oois, were appointed a committee to
sisit the sick and the afflicted. The
Door box was passed, and produced the
sum of three dollars and twelve and a
lalf cents. The Festival ceremonies
we're closed by dinner, and the Secre-
ary's minutes of this first " family meet
ng." rsunion de familie, were signed by
Ill the brethren present.
At the next family meeting, July
sth, A. d. 1S20-A. l.. $500, the same
brethren elected, as the desired principal
,ffcers Of their proposed lodge, Celes-
in Lavergne for W. M. Auguste La
'oehette for s. W., and Theodore Moy-
her for J.W. At the third meeting,
roisisme ssance, July 10Th, 1920, a
was appointed to select
nitable lodge room, and one was accor-
|ingly procured, ON Main st., square
,elow the present lodge hall. At the
ifsh family meeting, August 26th, 1920.
he brethren selected the following sub
'rdinate officers of their proposed lodge;
Raymond Darros, Secretary /; f. Media,
Treasurer; 6 L. Louallier, SD; G.
:. Genin. }. D IN. Rallip, inside Tyler;
ganuel Galban, steward, and outside
Tyler.
At the sixth Family meeting, Sept,
9Th, 1920, the long hoped for Charter
t the lodge, together with other i'm
,ortant Masonic documents, etc, was