Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-05-11
MASONIC BAPTISM.

MASONIC BAPTISM.
A Remarkable CeremOny-CO nsecra-
ton to Virtue and Truth-The Wards
Of the Lodge. 90 ~
From the Washington Star, April 80.
The first public Masonic baptism of chill
dren which has ever taken place in the
District was performed last night in the
| Chapter chamber Masonic Temple, in the
presence of q large number of Mascns, their
wives and daughters. The children were
an infant son of DIR. Joseph w. Maxim, 32d
| degree, and son of Mr.. E.. B. McGrotty,
18th degree, who were baptized in Mithras
Lodge of Perfection, Ancient Scottish Rite,
which is the CoDsistory of this Masonic
jurisdiction. The rite was performed by
Thrice IllustriOus P. G. NJ. Albert Pike,
assisted by iIlustrious j. 0. Sinclair, S. G.
W.; 1liustrious L. II. Pike, j. G. W.;
G. w. Bennett, Grand Orator; w. M.
Ireland, Master of Ceremonies; B. f.
Hedrich, Senior Deacon; G.. Z. Nutze,
Junior Deacon; Rev. Mr.. Harris,
Chaplain; II. J. Martin, Secretary, and
L. Stoddard, Tyler. The ceremony of Ma
sonic baptism has always been celebrated
in the ancient and accepted Scottish Order.
1t has been censured by many as an
irreverent imitation of the Christian rite
of baptism; but well-iRSormed Masons
know that publication by washing was used
in all the mysteries thousands of wears
before our era. After the assembly had
been seated Grand Master Pike gave
short history of the ceremony, SAYING that
it taught neither hatred, intolerance,
or revenge. After voluntary on the or
gan by Brother Servoss, a rap was heard at
the door, and information given that two
children, with their parents, desired adj
mission, the parents praying that
their children might be baptized,
when the Master directed the Mas
ter of Ceremonies and Ihis aids to
bring the children, their parents and spon-
sors into the Lodge. Soon after the
Master of Ceremonies returned, followed
by one of his assistants bearing a candle
stick with three lighted candles-one white,
one black, and one performing triangle.
Following were two assistants, one carry
ing the Child of DR.. Marin, Robert Brice |
Nairn, upon a cushion covered with light
blue silk, the other leading the child of Mr.. |
MacGrotty, Edwin Albert MaeGrotty; and |
behind these came the parents of the chill |
dren, and the sponsors. The sponsors for |
the son of DR.. Marin were DR.. J. B. Gibbs, |
22d degree, and Caroline E. Davis; for |
Master MacGrotty, Jerome G. Davis, 32d |
degree, and Mrs. NJ. Walker. After the |
third circuit of the room the procession |
halted, and the cand,estick was placed be- |
fore the alter, and the children returned to |
their mothers, who, with the spon- !
sors, took seats in the center of |
the room. The Masonic choir then
sang "My sould doth magnify the Lord"
After an Grafton by the Master, in which |
he explained the duties and responsibilities |
which the Lodge was about to assume in
comforting the rite, he then asked the /
fathers: care you willing that we should |
accept these duties ?" An affirmative re-
Spouse being given, the Master called upon /
the Chaplain to invoke the favor and assist
ance of God, which was done, the brethren
all kneeling. The choir then sang the ode,
''Rejoice, rejoice, fond mothers" The spon-
sors then took seats near their parents,
when the Master addressed them in rela-
ton to the duties they were taking upon
themselves. After an invocation TO the
Deity and music, the children, parents and
sponsors were then conducted forward to
the Altar, on which water, oil and salt were
placed. The Master then called the Lodge
IL
few words addressed to the group, lighted
the incense on the altar. After chant
by the choir, the Master took the children
severally in his arms, dipped their left hands
in a basin of perfumed water, and said:
'By this symbol / devote thee Tin
each case) to the service of virtue
and truth. May our Father who is in
heaven keep thee innocent and pure of
heart all the days ofthy life" During this
ceremony the choir sang an appropriate
ode. The Master then took the vessel of
perfumed oil, nipped the little finger of
his right hand therein, and marked it
with delta on the forehead of each
child, saying: 81 set upon thy fore
head the symbol of wisdom, power and
love of God. May He protect and guide
thee in right courses all the days of thy
lite," the choir singing meanwhile the
chant, BLESSED are the undefiled in the
way" The Master then replaced the YES
sci on the altar, and, stretching out his
hands towards the children, invoked a
blessing upon them. The children and
those in charge of them were conducted to
their Seats and the choir sang an appropri-
ate ode. The g9d-mothers then placed them
at the altar of obligation; the brethren
present formed in a circle around |
them, each with his left hand on his heart
and his right hand raised toward Heaven;
all then kneeled and repeated after the
Master the solemn vow to protect the chill
dren from all danger and temptation until
their arrival at maturity. After rising,
the Master repeated the Arab VOW, which
sanctifies the enemy with whom he has
tasted salt, and placinga portion of the salt
on his tongue said: "With this salt | seal |
my VOW" The kersel was then passed to
each brother, who in turn repeated the VOW. |
The children were then invested with lamb
skin aprons, and each was presented with
Masonic jewel, the Master saying: "In
the name and under the auspices of the
Supreme Council, / do proclaim these
children consecrated to the service of truth
and virtue by Masonic baptism, and
amounting after the ancient custom of Ma
sonry, to be wards of the Mithras Lodge of
Perfection This was repeated in turn by
the venerable Grand and Senior Wardens.
After more music, the Orator delivered a
brief lecture, afterwhich two young ladies,
in conformity with law of the Scottish
rite, passed among the assemblage and re-
ceived contributions from all who chose to.
give, the same so collected to be given by
the Grand Almoner 10 the most needy per-
son or persons known to him, the source
from which it comes, in pursuance ofinvio-
liable custom, not to be known. A closing 7
chaunt concluded the ceremonies.
TIME VINDICATES AN INNOCENT
MAN.
The Jacksonville Journal relates the fol-
lowing singular occurrence, showing how
sometimes innocent parties suffer from IN
Just accusations: