New-York tribune., 1871-06-30
M1SONIC CELEBRATION
ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF UNION LODGE
OF NANTuCKET-INTEREsIING CEREMONIES.

ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF UNION LODGE
OF NANTUCKET-INTERESTING CEREMONIES
NANTUCKET, June 27.-The grand Masonic
celebration of st. Johns Day at this place has been one
OF the most interesting festivals held by the Masonic fra
terny OF New for many The germ Of the
affair was the proposed celebration the Union Lodge OF
Nantucket OF its hundredth anniversary IL having
ceved its charter the Grand Lodge Of scotland in
May 177i four years prior 20 the Of the Revolution.
At convention Of the Masonic bodies OF the 18th District
Tas iSn be 5s Mcy
Commandery Of Knights Tempar of Boston with Gil
mores Band). and Sutton Commandery of New Bedford
with the NewBedford Brass Band. signied their in
tenton TO join in the festivities. The aboyenamed Com
manderes arrived here last evening by steamer from
New Bedford The members Of the following bodies
rived this morning by steamer from Hyannis, viz:
Orient Royal Arch Chapter of Hyannis, Social Harmony
Lodge OF Wareham, Marion Lodge Of Falmouth, James
Otis Lodge Of Barnsabe, Fraternal Lodge OF Hyannis
Mariners Lodge of Cotu Howard Lodge Of South Var
mouth Paul Revere Lodge OF North Brdgewater, Pill
grim Lodge OF South Harwich and Adams Lodge of Well
feet Beside these, the Isle Of the Sea Royal Arch
Chapter OF Nantucket, fully represented in all the
exercises.
The visiting brethren numbered about 500 persons and,
with their lady friends and very large number OF per-
sons attracted by the pleasure of visit to this charming
little seagr se augmented the number Of visitors to
about 1900. Both the Ocean and Adams hotels
tended their hospitality TO the visitors. mammoth
tent erected North Beachs Broad, for the
purposes OF the celebration and last night the proceed
fngs were naugurated with the ceremony OF the Lodge
OF Sorrow in honor Of the members OF Union Lodge or
Nantucket who died during the past century and whose
names the records Lodge Lodges Of Sorrow
though frequently held In Europe are OF comparatively
of than ordinary interest to brethren Of the Ma
sonic ratsrnity The spacious tent was arranged as
ate embems OF mourning: catafalgue or rectangular
platform raised in the center OF the tent and this
nfinD cfaS LFnpn
the upper third patfom rose funeral altar, upon
which was an urn and over all canopy heavily draped
in mourning At the three sides OF the caaaque were
rows lighted candles and opposite were three thrones
draped mourning intended TO be occupied by the sew
6s 5 soe@n OF deaS and the Of the
body, deeply impressive. The dim lights casting
strains OF music, the solemn responses the slow and
silent procession around the caafalque the sprg OF
Se with its low and impressive tones oil Combined to
render the ceremony touchngly beautiful and grand
state Of NewYorE, presided and impaired to all the
ceremonies the weigh and dignity Of his high office
dinner O'Clock, at which nearly 1000 persons were
seated. Afterward procession was formed, with the
joseph 5 G. Cobb Cob Of Providence, was escorted to Tie
Methodist Church The oraop which occupied sRGGt
to the members Of the fraternity Following this, cen
By Ue choir The Festivities the day
closed with grand centennial ball In the mammoth
somely decorated with the national colors, and the
music furnished by detachment of Is pieces Of
Gimore's Band. Two hundred couples, and even q
greater number at times, were upon the floor, and
in the display, not only Of handsome toilets
but Of beautiful ladies, assemblages at even
our most fashionable seaside resorts could
is generally admitted by visitors that the Nantucket
ladies rank high their American sisters for their
charming personal attractions AL late hour this even
ing there every indication that the ball would close
barely time in the morning TO enable the visitors 10
reach the carly boat To the mainland. In reviewing the
OF the visit not only the members Of the Masonic
fraternity but their accompanying friends unanimously
agree that the trip has been most enjoyable.