The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-30
ST. JOHNS DAY.

Masonic Celebration 1T Nantuckot-Tmpres.
sive Ceremonies Of the "Ledge Of sorrow'-
Tho Din7sr, Oraslou aud she Grand Ceu-
tenuial Ball.
NANTUCKET, June 81, 1871.
To-day the Veteran Union Lodge Of Nantucket
celebrated ST. Johns Day, in connection with the
Masonic fraternity OF the entire Cape Cod district OF
the Old Bay State, DE Moay Commandery OF Knights
Templars OF Boston, Sutton Commandery OF New
bedford and Robert do Payn Commandery OF Mel
rose. The special incentive TO the above named
lodges to join In the celebration ut this place was
that the Nantucket Lodge had made preparations
for holding 'lodgc OF sorrown IN honor OF the
memory of their departed brethren WAC have
passed away during tho century the organIza-
ton OF the lodge III May, iii, on charter granted
by tho Grand Lodge OF Scotland.
Yesterday anu to-day the visiting hrethr0o from
Cape Cod arrived on the steamer Island Home from
Byannis, ana included representatives from the
following named lodges, &c.:-Orent Royal Arch
Chapter; Social Harmony Lodge, OF wareham;
Marine Lodge, OF Falmouth; James Otis Lodge, OF
Barstablc Mariners Lodge, OF Cotuit Port; Frater-
nal Lodge, OF Hyannis; Adams Lodge, Of Wellneet;
iaui Revere Lodge, OF North Dndgewater, and Phi.
campment OF boston. accompanied by Gllmoro's
band, aad the New Bedford commandery, with
another band, arrived here last evening on the
steamer MonohauseIf. from New Bedford. and were
received with the customary hon0rs and escorted to
brethren were accompanied by their ladies, while
hundreds OF strangers wore also attracted here by
enjoyment Of the delicious ocean breezcs which at
AL times sweep across this little "sea grit isle."
Fail arrangements had been made for tue accommo-
dalton OF the visitors and hundreds OF the citizens
extended their hospitality on the occasion.
The proceedings OF the celebration were inau-
gur1ted last evening with the holding OF the lodge
OF SORROW in mammoth tent, located on the edge
OF the town. and which was converted into dodge
room and appropriately furnished. Lodges OF Sor-
row are OF very rare occurrence In this country,
though more frequent IN Europe, where Masonic
bodies trace their Individual existence back through
centuries. Tnls sacred memorial service Is marked
10y all that IL beautiful and typical In tho Masonic
ritual aud with Dr. f. C. Ever Grand CHAPLAIN OF the
Stale OF New f0rf q Nantucgetcr by brth), pre-
siding tho ceremonies were more than usually I'm
pfessive. In The centre oil The tent was raised
rectangular platform tcatafaquc,, on which rested
two smaller Platforms representing three steps.
Upon inneral altar rising from the upper plat
black cloth, trimmed with white, and over the
canooy was an arch Of evergreens, with the words,
the three sides OF the structure aud opposite each
was a throne draped IN black for the respective
officers detailed description OF the truly beauti-
full and solemn ceremonies would occupy too much
space; suffice 1t TO say that the low sad strains OF
music. the dim andt htful lights, the solemn
around the catafalque, the laying OF wreaths OF
wnite flowers. emtematic OF immortality, the
the darkness, and, finally, the clos
Ing exercises, indicative OF rejoicing that
tally through the saving blood OF the Ianb-alto.
getner constitute one OF the most touching and
effective OF ceremonies. The vocal music was rem
dered III nne style by selected choir OF the best
female voices in Nantucket.
Tue proceedings today commenced with a pro-
cessiOn OF the visiting bodies and the Nantucket
lodges through the principal streets TO the tent,
where, Mt one O'Clock, bountiiul dinner, wanting
In none Of the luxures Of the season. spread for
an assembage OF over one thousand persons. Affer
the dinner tho brethren again formed In line and
marched TO tho Methodist church on Centre street,
where, Ut tour Il. NJ, an Grafton was delivered by
MIR. Joseph 5. G. Cobb, OF Providence II. l., after
which very fne centennial ODE written for this
occasion 10y DR.. Arthur Il. Jencks Of Nantucket,
was sung by O quartet choir.
The closing event OF the day was the grand cen.
tennia ball, the success OF when insured by the
care of the committee OF arrange ments and which
fully clualed the famous alumni balls given every
third year, and which arc famed throughout all New
England. The music was furnished by twenty-five
pieces OF GilmOle's band. The decorations Of the
ballroom were In excellent taStc-evergrecn5, the
national colors, &c. The assembiage embraced fully
1000 persons ana 6tte OF Nantucket society, which,
Oh here the ocean us H. still lays claim TO 10
inferiorlty III fashion or STYLE was represented by
majority OF the wcalthlcst citizcas, with their
charming wives and aauxa crs. IL IL meet 10 Use
the word "charning,r Tor the beauty Of the Nam
tucge ladies h conceded ~ alt who nave visited the
island. The toilets were ~ In guo1 TASTE. and
the handsome uniform Of tae Knights fempiars
added TO the general atiractgcncss or the scene.
Considered as n whole thc ecieD ati0n has been
very pleasant one ami Que or more than ordinary
interest members u the MASONIC fraternity.