The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-12-14
TIE d OF SORROW.
An Interesting and Impressive Ceremo-
NAL.

THE LODGE OF
An Interesting and Impressive Ceremo-
NAL.
The high estimation In which Masonry ID
held by the Charleston public was strikingly
manifested last evening, when q dense crown
of ladies' and gentlemen thronged the Grana
Lodge room of the Masonic Temple, tor Inc
purpose of witnessing the solemn ceremonies
of the Lodge OF Sorrow. Every yea ana
available inch of standing room was occupied
and each avenue of approach to the room was
closely packed for many feet outside OIL
the doors. The room was brilliantly illumi'
mated by q large circular burner, sus-
pended from the centre of the ceiling,
which shot forth a hundred Jets OF flame
from Its radiant circumference. There were
also three two-llghr brackets, with cut
glass globes, against the west wall, over tne
n,attorm. which stands on that side OF Inc
room. The gas fixtures were the handi"ork
of Mr.. P. l.. Guillemln, and the manner ID
which they illumlned the room was a Striking
testimonial to that gentleman's good Juog-
ment and workmanship. The chairs IN Inc
room were arranged 30 as to form an open
souare In the centre of the floor. In the MID
die of this square stood the catafalque, a struc-
urs composed of two distinct parts. The first
or main part was a pyramid of steps about
four feet high. The steps we're drapedin black
and the top step was covered with velvet OF
the same colcr. The second part Of the cata-
fsloue consisted OF q black canopy, supported
above the steps by pillars, one at each angle
and draped In black and white. the canopy
terminated In an urn-ahaped ornament OF
pllded material, down the sides OF "hlcn
drooped a long white fringe. The heads OF
the pillars, which supported the canopy, ter
minated In similar ornaments, which we're
friuged in like manner. The curtains Of the
canopy were fringed with white, and caught
nm in graceful folds with white rosettes. The
ton OF the canopy was lined on the inside
With white. The drapery was arranged
by Mr.. W. J. Trim, and the result was
highly creditable to him. Beside each Of 1.-THE
pillars stood q small pedestal draped IN black.
Upon each pedestal stood three black candles
burning together In a white candlestiok.
Upon the top step of the pyramid stood a mag
niacentcofin felony, richly mounted with
white metal Of elaborate workmanship. Upon
the centre of the coffin was q black velvet
cushion, and upon the cushion stood an urn
OF white porcelain. Around the sides OF the
steps upon which the coffin rested were eleven
small shields Of bright metal, each bearing
in black letters the name Of one OF the
deceased Masons In whose memory the
Lodge wa held. At each corner of
the cataialque sat o Mason In regalia,
holding o wand In bis hand. Between
the catafalque and the platform before noticed
stood an altar OF white marble; upon the altar
was an open Bible, and upon the open page
rested the emblems Of Masonry, the Square
and the Compass. Three; pedestals occupying
respectively the middle and either end of the
were draped in black and had a mar
row strip of white crossing the black on the
side next the audience. The middle pedestal
bore two black candles burning In white can
dlesticks.
The platform was occupied by Grand Master
8. Bruins, Deputy Grand Master J. B. Ker.
shaw, members of Union KilwinniDg Lodge, |
and the masters of other Lodges, while the
row of chairs which surrounded the square
was devoted to the remaining members OF the
Lodge.
At seven o'clock precisely the ceremonies
were begun by the masters and wardens OF
Union KtIwInnIng Lodge, In accordance with
the Masonic ritual. A prayer by the chap
lain, Rev. P. J.. shand, and a hymn By the
choir came next. Then followed an address
py' the worshipful master, upon the uncer-
tainty of life and the lesson OF the occasion.
Another hymn by the choir, and an appro.
pirate passage of Scripture were followed by
an interval of profound silence, when thetapers
we're extInguished and the lights dimmed.
After a prayer had been offered By the chap
the officers of the lodge LETT their seats, and
marched several times around the catafalque,
their footsteps falling with solemn cadence
o the almost death-like stiffness. After
or three pauses, during which the master
and wardens deposited wreaths and flowers
upon the coffin, the procession drew up 10
line before the altar facing the catafalque.
In this position each member of 1t bowed
with the rest three times, repeating, In deep
low tones, Farewell farewell! ! farewell !"
The officers then returned to their seats, and
after a passage of Scripture bad been read by
the chaplain, the lights were raised, the
tapers relit, and the ceremonies proceeded
IN accordance with the programme already
published.
VALUABLE WORKS OF ART.