The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-08-10
Dedication of the Masonic Hall at Honea
Path

U6Qlcatl0n or tn6 masonic nall al nOIlod
Path.
On Thursday last, 3rd of August, the spacious
Masonic Hall at Honea Path, used by Centre
Lodge, No. 81, A. F. NJ, was formally dedica-
ted to the purposes for which it was erected.
The various Lodges in this County were large
ly represented, and many brethren from Abbe-
vile and Laurens were participants in the GER
emonies of the occasion. These united with
the members of Centre Lodge to consecrate
their beautiful Hall to the benefcent designs
of this ancient and honorable order. There
was also very largo attendance of ladies and
gentlemen, and it was regretted that the I'M
mensc concourse of the uninitiatcd could not
be invited to witness the ceremonies in the
Hall; but the craft filed the room, and it was
not practicable to extend general invitation.
Otherwise, the dedication services might have
been witnessed by the public generally.
The procession was formed at the Methodist
Church, under the direction Of Bros. F. W. r.
Nance and James L. Mccullough, the Marshals
of the Day. It was marched to the Hall,
where the ranks were opened and the acting
Grand Oficos passed through-the brethren
being uncovered On entering the building,
the Grand officers assumed their respective po-
sitions, and the brethren ranged themselves
around the room, with the LODGE placed In
the centre. After the necessary arrangements
were concluded, the craft was directed to- pre-
serve order, and the ceremonies began. W..
Bro. Thos. A. Hudgens, the Master Of Centre
Lodge, made known the desire of the brethren
that the Hall should be solemnly dedicated to
Masonic purposes, agreeably to ancient form
and usage. Bro. Samuel H. Langston, the
Architect of the building, then surrendered the
implements committed to his care when the
foundation of the fabric was laid, in accord
ance with Masonic custom. The acting Grand
Master, r.. W.. Bro. James A. Hoyt-assisted
by R.. W.. Bro. James Mccullough, acting as
Deputy Grand Master, w. Bros. j. B. Clark
and L. Pratt as Senior and Junior Grand War
dens, and Rev. Thos. Dawson as Grand Chap
lain-then proceeded to dedicate tho Hall in
solemn form to FREEMAsoNRY, VIRTUE and
UNIVERSAL BENEvoLENcE.
When the impressive ceremonies were ended
the procession reformed as in the first instance,
and was conducted to the new Baptist Church,
which was densely filled with ladies and gen.
tlemen before the procession arrived. Enough
seats were reserved to accommodate the frater-
nifty, and when quiet was attained, Bro.
Hudgens extended cordial welcome to breth-
ren and friends, on behalf of Centre Lodge.
Prayer was then offered by Rev. Bro. Dawson.
The Orator of the Day, Bro. j. G. G. Feath-
erston, was introduced to the assemblage,' and
for nearly thrce-quartcrs of an hour entertain
ed his hearers most acceptably. he showed
the antiquity and moral character of Free
masonry, and answered numerous objections
raised by outsiders to the institution its feature
of secrecy, &c. 1t was an able and earnest
effort, and delivered with decided effect and
animation.
This closed the public exercises, and the
large crowd was dismissed for refreshments,
which had been abundantly supplied by the
good people of that neighborhood. An hour
or more was spent in the adjacent grove, where
tables fairly groaned with the richest yiands
and most tempting array of good things. We
cannot recall any similar occasion where bet
ter order was preserved throughout the day, or
there was more general enjoyment of tho day.
1t reflects unusual credit upon the community
of Honea Path and their invited guests. The
entire programme was admirably planned, and
the committee Of arrangements deserve the
thanks Of all present for their assiduous atten-
ton and polite entertainment. 1t was estima-
ted that between twelve and fifteen hundred
persons were upon the ground.