Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-06-26
81. JOHNS DAY.
Dea,ca,,o. Of the Masonic Temple.
Address OF q. y. w. James u. Ricbardso


Address OF q. n. w. James %. Richardson
Yesterday morning, with its lowering clouds
and falling rain, looked inauspicous for the as
sembling of a large concourse of Masonic wish
tors to participate in the dedication ceremonies.
But notwithstanding the unfavoroble weather,
a large number were present, representing
nearly score of Lodges, Chapters, etc. At
the appointed hour, q +. NJ, the procession was
formed under the direction of Marshals j. NJ.
Thornburgh and james b. Pickens,
after the order always observed in Masonic pro-
ccssons, viz Master Masons Royal Arch Ma
sons knights Templar, all followed by the
Grand Officers. Preceded by the Mechanics
Cornet Band the procession moved down
Clinch street and thence in the order published
in the CHRONICLE of Sunday morning.
Arriving at the Temple, the exercises were
opened with singing Before Jehovah's Awful
! Throne &c, to the tune of "Old Hundred - fol-
lowed by the Invocation by Rev. B. Ford, pas
tor of the First NJ L. Church. The audience then
united in singing Master Supreme! Accept
our praise &c, to Duke Street
Next came the interesting dedication cere-
monies peculiar to the fraternity, conducted by
Acting Grand Master, John W. Paxton, assist
ed by w III. Lillard rs Deputy Grand Master
l.. ii. ROgan, as Grand Senior Warden, III. NJ.
Aiken, Grand Junior Warden, James Rodgers,
Grand Secretary, j. A. Mabry, Grand Treasur-
! err James Cotton and Henry Davis, Grand
| Sword Bearers, James ID Almond, Grand Tier,
! VIM. Aiken. John II. Morgan and Joseph III.
| Sheppard, Lights, Rev. f. f. Lyon, Grand
| Chaplain, A. c. Bruce, Grand Architect, and
brothers Robert Ncstal John Mccoy and +, j..
McCroskey. The ceremonies were performed in
an impressive nanner,and seemed to be
regarded with interest by The large number of
| visitors present. The music which was inter-
! sperscd throughout the ceremonies was led by
! Fred ii. Page as organst and by Mr. and Mrs.
I've Ntplrg md t n a
/ city.
At the close Of the dedication ceremonies and
after music by the Cornet band, Brother James
| ID. Richardson, the orator of the day was intro
duced with graceful little speech by Nat 5.
| Woodward, w NJ, of Masters Lodge No. 2l4,
who delivered an interesting and eloquent address
occupying about thirty -fve minutes time, which
was listened to with marked attention. He dwelt
| upon the grand achievements of Masonry in all
| ages of the world, and upon the conquests in
behalf of the grand principles of the Order.
Its mission is high and divine. 1t has relieved
| the sufierings Of the human race. bad espcc-
tally of those of its own househould for many
centuries in the past and will continue so to do
in all time to come. Love, Charity and Benev-
olence are principles cherished and cultivated
in the fraternity, and such principles give it n
foundation rs lasting as the eternal hills.
The speaker answered many of the objections
to Masonry, showing that none of them are
well founded. The objection sometimes urged
that women cannot become members of the
Order he answered by saying that women are
Masons by nature. Wherever suffering or dis
tressed humanity is TO be relieved, woman is
there, and needs no human obligations to teach
her her duty. As we'll teach the brook how TO
murmur MS it glides over the pebbles, or the
; stars how to shine from the armament of heaV-
en-, ms to teach woman how to relieve the suffer
l ing The speaker was grandly eloquent on thi:
D subject and elected hearty applause. Although
he delivered this address on short notice, We
a have heard it highly spoken of by those who
heard it, and it seemed to be entirely satisfactory
! to the brethren
] After music by the band, the benediction wa
pronounced by Rev. w. L. Lloyd, and tn,
large audience dispersed. A large number o
the ladies Of Knoxville and surrounding coun
4 try honored the occasion with their presence
. We have heard the audience within the hall es
: timated at five hundred persons, and there wert
! a great many who failed to obtain seats, or L
: gain an entrance Many went away sadly dis
3 | appointed. Taking the weather into considera
3 ton, the entire programme was certainly de
: cided success.
In the evening, notwithstanding the rain was
still falling, n large number of persons as
semblcd at the Hall to participate in and wit
! ness the installation ceremonies. Before thesl
!. ceremonies commenced, ?. G, NJ. John w
: Paxton delivered brief but effect rec
: sonry, "A subject to which he has .giyeI
n much attention ms almost any man in thu
. State. His remarks were well received at the
| close of which he proceeded to install the officers
!, first of Masters Lodge, No. pa the names o
whom we have heretofore published, and after
wards of Pearl Chapter, No. ~. whose names
@ have likewise been published in the CHROME
: | Gle.
The large audience remained patiently TO thu
close, witnessing the interesting ceremonies at
tending the installation. And so closed the exer
cises of day that will long be remembered by
= the fraternity. Knoxville Masons feel prouC
/ over the completion of so elegant n hall, AM
l. they have a right to be- 1t is a hall of whcl
4 they may feel proud for years to come. 1t ]
q now one of the finest halls in the State, and i
: has but few equals in the South.