The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-12-28
LOCAL MATTERS.
Sc. yomy THE EVANGELIST.
MASONIC CELEBRATION OF THE FESTIVAL

Sc. yOHN THE EVANGELIST.
MASONIC CELEBRATION OF THE FESTIVAL.
The Masonic display yesterday in honor of
the festival of ST John the Evangelist, an
eminent Christian patron in Masonry, was
eminentiy creditable to the ancient and ho-
nolabe fraternity, which comprises in its
membership so many of our best citizens.
Ihe exercises were participated in by men,
oers from all the Lodges and many transient
brethren, but the presiding Lodge was No.
10. Dr.. e. ". P. Brock master, which is the
oldest in the city. A large detachment of
Richmond Commandery, No. 9, Of Knights
Telnplar, acted as an escort, and attracted
the attention and applause which this body
always does when it appears in public. The
number Of Masons uniting with the Blue
Lodge in the parade was about two hundred
and fifty, and great many more were pre-
sent at the exercises in st. Alban's Hall.
The line of march lay along Broad street to
Governor, down Governor to Main, up Main
to Fifth, up Filth to Franklin, up Franklin
to Second. down Second to Main, and down
claim to the hail. Smiths band furnished
tho music. Arrived at the hall the brethren
were ushcrcd into the lodge-room, where
were conducted ceremonies Of mystic na-
turc appropriate to the day. The principal
fSa.,lIc was an excellent and scasonablc adj
dress bv Colonel Robert +. Withers, Grand
Master, which was replete with information
and interesting suggestions, and was heard
with marked attention. Here, at Washing
ton Hail, and also in the bnqaet-room, the
fine choir of No. 53 led in appropriate Ma
sonic mllslc.
at about ! O'Clock the signal was given for
sln,ncr and the large hall under the lodge
room Ueudcrcd for tho purpose by Professor
CARR was soon crowded to overilowing with
M"s1,s seeking refreshments. An elegant
collation. was spread upon four tables III
ZotciIe's best style, and was served by an cti-
cieut corps Of walters. After the usual time
spent in the discussion of cdibles, the follow
in. regular toasts were read, and responded
TO ;,S stated:
!. To tie Memory Of that Eminent Patron
Of luaSonry Join the Evangelist. If we iIn;-
tita his example it is impossible we can ma
tcrially err.
I.csponlcdt TO by Right W Worshipful Beverly
r. Wexford, District Deputy Grand Master.
.. The Grand Lodge Of Virginia. Her
,ast illlstrious, her present prosperous, Ecr
future brilliant. Upon her wise counscls and
maternal care her children can always with
confidence rely.
Responded TO by Most Worshipful Robert
L. WiChcrs, Grand Master.
9. oar i'uSG Grund Masters. 4 galaxy of
which The whole State may well ',e proud.
Responded TO by Colonel Il. L. Owens,
Past Grand Master.
4. orr Subordinate Lodges. Responded
TO as follows: No. 8, d. W. Bolannon; No.
10, George Z. Pace; No. II, II. ID. Dantorth:
No. 10, J. J. White; No. 3G. Colonel
Thomas J. Evans: No. 30, Colonel peyton
Wise; Ne. ii. j. a. Lynham No. 53, viii
liam Loyeusteiu ; No. 1870, Major \. Il. Court
ncy Anlity, U. D., Colonel Albert Ordway.
). 10 lcyGl orch Masonry. Responded
to by J. Thompson Brown, Of Logc Fran
,cais, 10. 533.
6. 70 he knights Teu7plGr aad APPEND
Gnf Orders. Responded to by Sir Knight J.
l.. Burrows, u. ID.
:. The lNasous Of Virginia : One gave us
orr bill Of rights; may Our present chief
magistrate maintain the rights Of our bills.
Responded to by Colonel Owens, who, by
request OF Governor Walker, apologized for
the Governors absence.
8. Ogr UIrcs, Daughters, and S,rceGearts.
Responded to by General Bradley I. john
son, OF Metropolitan Lodge, No. II.
~. OhJ CEcI uCiC UHA y IittI utCu Di CIttf
r. IForshipful Join Dore. Like shadows
cast by the summers sun going down in the
west, 50 may the evening OF his day be length
aned.
Responded to by Rev. John Z. Edwards,
ID, of Richmond Randolph Lodge. No. -.
We regret that tue latenc$s Of the hour at
which we write precludes Il more detailed
notice Of these festivities, or even Il review OF
the speeches, which were in an unusual dc
gree appropriate, we'll conceived, and truly
Masonic. That the fraternity III Richmond
lacks not foH good speakers was fully attested,
and that there can be a social reunion on such
an occasion without intcmperance in eating
or drinking was also again established.
After the close of DR.. Edwards's speech,
III which, amid great applause, he paid high
tribute 10 the subject Of his sentiment, the
whole company joined i'll singing "Auld
Lang Sync' under the leadership of the
choir, and then the lodge was duly closed
and the festivities terminated.