Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-06-24

ITS origin and Observances.
- III les
Masonic Festivities.

This Is st. Johns Day. 1t is observed
as the nativity of John the Baptist, and,
considering the transactions on which
Christianity is founded, il is not wonderful
that it should be regarded as among the
most popular of religious festivals It en-
joys the greater distinction that it as con-
sidered Midsummer Day, and has, there
fore, inherited q number of observances.
The observanees connected with the nativ-
ity Of st. John originally commenced on
the evening previous, called usually the
eve or vigil of the festival. On that even
ing the people were accustomed to go into
the woods, and break branches of trees.
which they brought to their homes, and
placed over their doors amid great demon
STATIONS of Joy, making good the Scripture
prophecy that they should rejoice in the
birth of John the Baptist In Oxford there
was speciality, in the observance, of a
curious nature Within the first court of
the Magdalen College from stone pulpit
at one corner a sermon was always
| preached on st. Johns Day; at the same
time the court was erlbowered with green
boughs, that the preaching might resemble
| that of the Baptist in the Wilderness. To-
wards night bonfres were kindled, around
| which the people danced with frantic Joy,
the men and boys leaping through it in
| their demonstrations. Until late period
this practice was kept up in Ireland. In
| the middle ages watches were kept through
| Midsummer's Night, and people paraded
| the streets embellished with flowers and
| jewels. Kings and Queens were present
on these occasions, it being recorded that
| both King Henry tho Eighth and Queen
| Katharine made it o specially to witness
| the same. There were many fanciful no
| tons and superstitions connected with
| st. Johns Day some of them of a very
| grotesque character.
According to Wades history, the Eve Of
| st. John is great day among the Masons
of Scotland. What happens with them. at
| Melrose may be considered as fair exam
pie of the whole. Immediately after the
election of Office bearers fer the year ensu-
ing, the brethren walk in procession three
times around the cross, and afterward dine
together under the presidency of the new.
NEGLECTED Grand Master. About six in the
evening the line, two abreast, each bearing
torches decorated with their peculiar en-
blems and insignia, headed by the her.
\ aldic banners of the lodge, the procession
| follows the same route three times around
the cross and then proceeds to the Abbey
On these occasions the crowded streets
| present q scene Of the most animated de-
| scription. The joyous strains of music
| the waving torches, and incessant showers
| of fireworks make the scene carnival.
| But at this time the memorable Abbey is
| the chief pointof attraction and resort, and
| as the mystic torch-bearers tread their way
through the Wondering aisles and around
its massive pillars, the outlines Of its COR
geous ruins, become singularly illuminated
| and brought into bold and striking relief.
The whole extent of the Abbey is, with
| measured step and slow, gone three times
round. But when near the finale, the
whole Masonic body gather to the chance1,
and forming one grand semi-circle round
| it, where the heart of King Robert Bruce
lies deposited near the high altar, and the
band strikes up the patriotic air "Scots
wha haze wi Wallace bled, the effect is
o7erpoweripg. Midst showers of rockets
and the glare of the blue lights the scene
closes, the whole reminding one of some
popular saturnalia held In a monkish town
during the middle ages. Though there is
attached to it no such pompous display as
the above, ST. Johns Day is generally
observed by the BIasons in this country,
and its observance held in high esteem and
veneration.
1t viii be generally observed in most Of
the towns and cities of the State. At Mem
phis they have grand displayin st. James
Park; in this city there will be picnic and
excursion on the steamer Umpire, by
Claiborne Lodge; from Chattanooga the
Masons will go down the road on an ex-
cursion; at Tullahoms there will be cele-
bration and procession, Mr.. Terry CahaL
of this city, being the orator of the occa-
sion. Mr. John Frizzell goes to HuRting-
don to deliver Masonic address in that
city. Throughout the State the anniver-
sary viii be generally commsmorated by
the Masons, and in a manner worthy its
origin, its antiquity and its history.