Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1873-06-26

=
/. and rejoiced the hearts not only of tn,
J. large crowd at the celebration, bu
E gladdened the souls of thousands o
people who had been looking anC
praying anxiously for rain to come anc
vivify the parching earth, and quicker
the growing crops.
Shortly after twelve o'cloc!, the line
was formed, G. H. Umstead, Esq.
Chief Marshal, and headed by the st
Clairsville Cornet Band paraded the
principal streets.
I The following organizations were
represented in the procession:
CoMMANDERIEs.
Cyprus, GAINESVILLE, Ohio; Wheeling,
Steubenville, Hope.
CHAPTERS.
Bellaire, No. 1O7; Smithfield, No. 81;
Wheeling, No. 10; Barnesville, No. Go.
LODGES.
NeIson-Wheeling, No. 80; Bridge
port, No. 1S1; Hazen, No. 251; Fair
view, No. 446; Mt. Pleasant, No. 216;
Harrison, No. 2l9; Somerton, No. 354;
Moriah, No. 1O5; Bellaire, No. 267;
Clarington, No. :; Friendship, No.
SO; Flushing, No. 29S.
The procession presented fine ap-
pearance. The handsome uniform OF
the Knight Templars worn by at least
average good looking men, attracted
considerable attention. The remainder
of the line presented neat and credit
able appearance. After marching
through the streets tie procession re-
paired to the Fair Grounds, where, by
previous arrangements, grand basket
pic mic was to have taken place. Upon
arrival at the Grounds, and halting OF
the column, Eminent Commander,
Ross j. Alexander, spoke as follows:
Brethren, Companions and Sir
Kniglsts:-It is a pleasant duty assigned
me on this occasion and to see heie SO
many Masons, eXemplifying in their
daily lives the sublime tenets of our
Order-brotherly love, relief and
truth. Here, too, are many who, like
the three ancient grand masters, have
discovered and brought to light the
valuable secrets OF Royal Arch Mason
ry, " lille there are also present many
Knights Templars, whose especial
duty it is to care for the destitute wild
ow, the helpless orphan, and to prac-
tice the pIecepts of the Christian re-
iigion.
l desire to present to you an old
man, ana an old Mason, who has been
chosen to speak to you fitting words OF
welcome. He is attached to all these |
principles of Masonry-a distinguished
Mason, tire oldest Past Master living |
of Old Belmont Lodge, and the Past
High Priest of st. Clairsville Chapter. |
The honor and pleasure is mine, of in
Producing to you General James Weir.
In response to which Gen. Weir, an
old man, sixty years of whose life has
been spent in this county, his hair
with the frosts of seventy +
winters, his body trembling with age,
advanced upon the platform, and in ell
ouuent terms welcomed the assem-
blage thus:
Brothers:-I am directed by the Ma
sonic bodies of this place to welcome
the brethren from all jurisdictions, and
thank them for their presence to COM
the birthday of st. John, the
Baptist, who was the patron and friend
of the Order at the incoming of the
Christian era; and also to welcome all
romers, especially the ladies, for they |
have ever been a beautiful sunshine in
the pathway of Masons, to cheer them
to the grand destiny OF the
order.
In our States and Territories there ,
are this day assemble for the same
purpose some five hundred thousand 8
Of our brethren, and the hallowed {
names of the illustrious dead of the
Order are around them Smiling ap-
,roval" Washington, j. Q. Adams,
General Jackson, Lincoln, Clay, Lafay- t
,tte, Webster, Chief Justice Marshall, g
General Cass, Dewitt Clinton, ana
others. To-day there are conversations
If the Order for the same purpose in all
:ivilized nations. This day in all the a
Mates of Germany, you may see con- \
,ocations of the Order, and the Empe-
or William, their Grand Master, with
Prince Bismarck, and Others of their II
sitting side by side with the t
poorest of the Order.
And YOU may see Prince Albert,
Grand Master of Masons in England,
With other distinguished nOblemen, n
ningling as equals with the humblest v
If the Order. And you may witness o
he same to a very large extent in ?
France. Count Chambord, the Or +
cans and the Bourbon dynas.ies, +
rrochu. Thiers, Bazaine and others of o
he proud nobility, all in harmony k
ningling with their lowly brethren.
Before the Christian era, the Order
# times convened to commemOrate II
he faith and virtue of their early and u
friend, Abraham, who
las slept some thiFty-seven centuries i,
n his caye at Machpela before the .
,Iains of Mamre.
But little sprinkle of persecution !
crops out against Masonry, a
1ut that only strengthens and purifies II
he Order. .
Like the mnsk wind over the waters blowing !,
IL rufties the wave but sweetens it too" Il
The great trouble Is that the Masons ];
will not disclose the secrets of the or il
ier. The secrets of Masonry have not n
1een disclosed, and will not be made
known until the Gospel "be first pub
ishad among all nations;" not until 0
he leopard shall lie down with the kid;
lot until the heather shall walk forth r
nto the light, "a light to Tighten the
dentiies;" and not until the darkest
cast away their idols forever
md be brought to see show beautiful 7
upon the mountains are the feet of him
that bringeth good tidings, that pub q