St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1873-10-10
Letter from Philadelphia.
PHILA., Oct. 9th, 1873.

10Th, with the Grand OlrnOl O1 might
TcmplarS stationed ut Phiia., and held
in the Academy of Music and llorticul-
tural Hall both buildings being con-
ncctcd hy Il covered bridge. The floor
of this was handsomely carpeted, while
the sides were completely covered with
the national colorS over which WAS
tastefully hung the flag of every state
in the Union. together with those of
: most of the foreign powers. At each
end of the bridge was il magnificent
cluster Of tropical foliage interviewer
with some of the beautiful blooming
/ plants of our more temperate region,
\ low rope bannister stretched the en-
tire length, thus dividing the entrance
and exit, and preventing the haste and
confusion that would otherwise have
been occasioned, III such an immense
concourse of people. Three thousand
tickets were issued, each ticket admit
! ting Il gentleman and two ladies con-
Sequently, the two buildings were well
filled. 1t is estimated that about nine
thousand persons were present.
In the Academy of Music, at SIS
2. NJ, commenced Il grand review of the
Knights, by the Il. +. Commander Sir
Grant WcidnIan, all the communicates
being we'll represented. Their excel
lent marching, beautiful uniform, man
| ly bearing and handsome banners, pre-
scented IL picture not easily forgotten.
The most handsome banners. and there
fore the most conspicuous, were the
ones belonging to the Philadelphia and
to the Mary Communicates. The Phil
adclphiaS being Il magnificent silk and
velvet one. richly embroidered with
the emblem of the cross and crown i'll
gold, with the motto BE thou faithful
unto death, and will give thee Il crown
of life :: and on the reverse. the red
cross and the motto of the order: I'm
hoe SigHO rjnccS." The one belonging to
the Mary, was of white satin, while i'll
the center is an oil painting (moSt beau
titully cNccutcd) of Christ, and at his
feet the knceling figure of Mary. while
upon the pure white satin, Zone above
and the other below the picturc) are
the words MARY Rohcno," the name of
/ the lady from whom the commamdery
| is named. ON the reverse, is the cross
with the motto I'm hoe SignO rinces.
! The helmet on the top of the banner
crowned with black and white plumc>,
and the gold trimmings and ta>scl,
greatly enrich the appearance of the
standard.
Next followed the Grand Exhibition
Drill of fifty Sir knights. comprising
toned at Philadelphia under the com
mand of Sir Edward Mason. Their
intelligent looks, fine figures. county
hearing. and expert drilling gained the
loudc>t applause as the figures of the
triangle, the passion cross. the patri-
archal cross. and the cross of Salem,
We're performed. Finally when the
Greek cross WAS formed. and the act of
shifting it performed, the applause was
deatrnng. While these performances
were being executed. similar ones were
accomplished in the Horticultural Hall.
10y the Knights of the 1t. Johns Com
mandCrN. After performing several
cvolutionS of the sword. their duties
were ended. and they scattered through
out the house. and the dancing began.
The high trillS and powdered hair of
the cNqui>itcly dressed ladies certainly
reminded one of the mode ofdrcsS worn
in olr great glandmothcr>' time. How
ever they looked very beautiful. and all
things went us merry as the marriage
bells.
Friday. the Doth. WAS marked as the
great Masonic parade. Members from
all sections of the country joining our
own numbers, Tiled the streets with
procession numbering from twelve to
fifteen thousand men, all clad in the
simple costume of American citizens
with the single exception of plain
lamhSkin apron, trimmed with blue, and
the blue ribbons with cmblcmatic Jew
els attached, which were worn 10y the
officers. Men of all stations filling the
ranks, it was plainly seen what power
gives force to the Masonic lodge. In |
telli%cnce and responsibility was read
on every face, as the line passed. show |
ing that education. the great fertilizer of |
the mind, was an all-powcltul element
of this increasing order. Passing
through the Temple and defeating the
building according to tchir own mystic
rious rules; including the giving up of
the tools 10y the architect, to the Grand
Master; the Sprinkling of corn. wine.
and oil the whole proceedings varied
with music, closed the cermony for that
day.
Monday, the Goth. the Royal Arch
Masons dedicated the Grand Chapter
room. The Grand officers of this and
other Jurisdictions. and the District
Deputy High Priests, were clad in full
rcgalia. At ) z. VI. the Grand officers
entered the Chapter room. the orchestra
playing il Grand March. After the
singing of an anthem. the Rev. John
Chambers. ID. d., of this city. offered
up Il prayer. which was followed by
another anthem, when the spIinkling
of corn, wine, and oil was again per
formed. the Grand Chaplain. Rev. \.