The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-07-15
Masonic.

On Friday of last week the Sir Kaighss of o.
tawa Commandery to the number Of thirty -four
visited Aurora Commsudery and had q most
enjoyable time.
The Sir Knights left Ottawa ON the three
o'clock r. N. train on the Fox River Valley R.
r., and after riding over some forty miles of a.
beautiful country as we ever saw, arrived at
Aurora at six o'clock, where We were received
in true knightly style by some fifty members of
Aurora Commsndery, under the direction of Sir
kt.Capt. General Hall and escorted through the
principal streets of their beautiful city to their
asylum, where we were received and welcomed
by their knightly and courtly commander, E.
Sir 1t. Bartlett, and entertained for half hour
or so with generous lunch. At eight o'clock
in the evening, after the arrival of the Elpin
Commandsry, Aurora Commandery was opened
in form, and they then conferred upon four can.
didates she illustrious order of Knights OF the
Red Cross. The Commandery was then closed,
and the Sir knights present, to the number of
one hundred and.ffty repaired to the basement
OF the Universalist church, where was spread
most sumptuous banquet. Grace was said by
the Rev. Sir Kt. w. w. Estab.ook, after which
the Sir Knights were seated, and for n half hour
or so disposed of the good things to eat and
drink with right good will. Then commenced
the Feast OF reason and flow of SOUL" and for
the next two hours the Sir knights were enter.
tanned with brilliant speeches, sparkling wit and
choice music. We have attended many re.un.
ions like this, and have rarely ever before heard
90 many good things said, but the speech OF the
Rev. E. Sir Kt Forester was the most brilliant
effort We have ever had the pleasure to listen to.
No language can do it justice. 1t was a rare
combination of the highest eoquence and poetry;
each word sp.rkled like dew drop, each sen.
tsnce was string OF pearls and the whole
speech crown of gold surmouuted with dis.
mouds.
The banquet closed with music aud bene.
dic,on. somewhere amoug the small hours, and
the visiting Sir knights repaired to the different
hotels, where comfortable quarters had been
kindly prepared for them
The mex. morning at nine o'clock We were all
again on board the train. and at twelve O'Clock
arrived home safe and sound.
The Sir Knights OF Ottawa we're one and all
more than pleased with their visit with the
manner of their reception and entertain ment.
and with verifying they saw aud heard They
had no idea, before their visit, that Aurora had
80 many magnificent public buildings and pri.
vate residences. An air Of elegance and refine.
ment appears to pervade the whole city Every.
things looks substantial and prosperous. Tho
churches and public school buildings would DO
q credit to = city of one hundred thousand in
habitants, aud We were particularly gr.tified to
learn that cheap schools md lo,o priced teachers
are not ,oontel IN aurora.
In such city and with such people Templsr
Masonry will always flourish, and so long a.
Aurora Commandery No. % is presided ever BY
such courteous gentlemen Is E. Sir 1t. Bartlett
for their Commander, aud Cir 1t. Hall for their
Capt. General, their drill work will be perfect,
as we found them, and with such eminent Sir
Kts. a. Col. Barnes DR.. Buck, Rev. DR.. Forres.
ter, and hosts Of others to make their speeches
and assist in the entertainments, the Ottawa
Kuights are of tho opinion that Aurora Com.
mandery will have few equals aud no supsriors.