The Van Buren press., 1872-06-11
The Mystic Tie.
Masonic Baptism Of Childre" IN Wash
ington.
from the Washington Star


The first public Masonic baptism of
children which has ever taken place IN
the district was performed on the even
ing of the 30th Of April, in the chapter
chamber, Masonic temple, in the presence
| of large number of Masons, their wives
and daughters. The children were an
infant son of DR.. Joseph W. Nairn, thlr'
ty-sccond degree, and son Of Mr. +. b.
MacGrotty, eighteenth degree, who were
baptised in Mithras Lodge Of Perfection,
ancient Scottish rite, which is the con
sistory Of this Masonic jurisdiction, The
rite was performed by Thrice Illustrious
p. G. NJ Albert Pike, assisted by Illus
trous j. o. Sinclair, S. G.. W lllnstri-
Gus l. H. Pike, j. G. W.; {. w. Ben
net, grand orator; w. NJ. Ireland, mas
ter of ceremonies b. F. Llendrick, SEN
ior deacon; c. r. Nutzc, junior deacon !;
Rev Mr. Harris, chaplin; II, }. Markin,
secretary, and l. Stoddard, tler. The
ceremony Of Masonic baptism has al
ways been celebrated in the ancient and
accepted scottish order, 1t has been
censured by many as an irrevslent imta-
ton of the Christian rite Of baptism; put
well informed Masous know that purllI-
cation by washing was used in all the
mysteries thousands Of years before our
era After the assembly had been seat 'd
Grand Master Pike gave short history
Of the ceremony, stating that it taught
neither hatred intolerance nor revenge
After voluntary on the organ by Broth
er Servess, rap was heard at the door,
and information given that two children,
with their parents, desired admission, tho
parents praying that their children might
be baptized, when tho master directed
the master OF ceremonies and his aids to
bring the children, their parents and
sponsors into the lodge. Soon after the
master of ceremonies returned, followed
BY one Of his assistants bearing q can
dlestick with three lighted candles-onr
white, one black and one rsd-forming
triangle Following were two assis-
tants one carrying the child Of DR.. Nairn,
Robert Bruce Noirn, upon cushion Gov
cred with light blue silk, tue other lead.
ing the child Of Mr.. MacGrotty and be.
hind these came the parents of the chill
dren and the sponsors. The sponsors
for the son OF Dr. Nairn, Robert Bruce
Nairn were DR.. J. b. Gibbs. 32d degree,
and Caroline T.. Davis; for Master Mac
Grotty, Jerome G. Davis, 32d degree, and
Mrs. NJ. Walker. After the third circuit
of the room, the procession halted, ani
the candlesticks were placed before the
altar and the children r0tuine to their
mothers, who, with their sponsors, took
seats in the center Of the room. The
Masonic choir then sang My soul 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 confcrrlng
the rite, he then asked the fathers care
you willing that we should accept these
duties p An affirmative response being
given, the master called upon the chap
lain TO invoke the favor and assistance
of God, which was done, the brethren all
kneelng The choir then sang the ode.
" Rejoice, rejoice, fond mothers. " The
sponsors then took seats near their pa
rent. when the master addressed them iii
relation TO the duties they were taking
upon themselves After an invocation
to the Deity and music, tho children. par
ents and sponsors we're then conducted
forward to the altar, on which water. oil
and salt were placed The master then
called the lodge up, descended from his
throne, and, after few words addressed
to the group, lighted the incense on the
altar. After a chant by the choir, the
master took the children severally IN his
arms. dirpsd their left hands in basin !