The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-06-25

ST. JOHNS DAT.-GotIQAyN WIS one
o! the greatest in the Masonic Calendar,
and the fraternity out at St. ClaiBville
made large preparations for its proper Oh.
servance. Cordial invitations had been
extended 10 the brethren Of sister lodges
in this city and Eastern OHIO, and delegA.
tons from a number Of them were present
The writer AyHlled himself OF the courtesy
Of mine host Of the Grant House, MessEs.
Lewis & Wood :msnsee, to visit the an
Gent capital OF Belmont county, and in
company with party Of ladies and gen
tlemen, guests Of the hotel named, took q
seat in one of three elegant carriages pro-
viied for their conveyance TO the propos'
ed demonstration. A drive OF twelve
miles at an early hour in the morning at
this season c! the year Is such q treat as
those who are late risSTS know nothing
Of, and we are sure II they would Try the
experiment o! curtAiling their slumbers
and breathe the pure, fresh Air AteaEly
dawn for q week, there would be les in
diligence in morning naps."
Two hours brought our party with
their well.flled baskets OF substAntiAls toF
the inner man, to the Fair Grounds near
the town ST. Clsirsville, and after making
proper disposition Of horses and vehicles,
they sought the grateful shade Of the
Grand old trees and passed the time until
lunch in reclining On the green sward be-
heath their branches Just before twelve
o'clock q shower drove the group into the
Floral Hall, when advantage was taken
Of the tables therein, 10 spread the viAnds
and dispose OF them. 1t is scarcely neces.
ssry 10 say that the fullest justice Was
done them. The drive had shArpened the
appetite TO the keenest possible edge,
and all the participants passed practical
eulogies on the caterer for the occasion,
by psrtaking Of his well.nigh inexhaust-
ible stores 10 the full extent Of their stow.
ing capacities.
Meanwhile people from the surround
ing towns and country came pouring into
the village by almost every known mode
0! conveyance. Among them were repre-.
senta,ives from Bellaire Chapter No. l07 /;
smithfeld, No. 81; Wheeling, No. 10;
GAINESVILLE, No. 60; also, from Nelson
Lodge No. 80; Hazen, No. PSI; Fair7iew,
No. 446; Mt Pleasant, O., No. 216; Ha1.
rison, No. 2l9; Somerton, No. S54; War.
rem, No. 1O5; Bellaire, No. 267; Claring.
ton, No. -; Bridgeport, No. PSI; Friend.
ship, No. So Flushing, No. 29s; also, OF
Knight Templars from Evansville,
Steubeuville and this city. The members
Of the Fraternity assembled in the large,
elegant Masonic Ball in the third siqEy Of
the public school house, and for an hour
or more were detained from forming in
line OF march by the passing showers.
Finally the procession moved out, and
after traversing some OF the principal
streets, reached the Fair Grounds. The
column was preceded by the St. Glars.
vile brass band; next came the Knights
in splendid Uniform. Following these
came the members OF lodges and chap
tiers. Led BY the Marshal Of the day, the
line marched TO a stand near the entrance,
and forming in circle about it, R. ]. Al.
exander, Esq, made the following intro
ductory remarks:
Brethren, C3mpdHi91S and Sir Rnishts-
II Is pleasant duty assigned me on this
occasion and 10 see here 50 many Aasons,
exenplifying IN their daily lives. the sub.
lime tenets Of our Order-hrotherly love,
relief and truth Here, too, are many
who, Ike the three ancient grand masters,
hsve discoveIed and brought to light the
valuable secrets Of Royal Arch Masonry,
while there are also present many Knights
Temp!ars. whose especial duty il Is 10
care for the destitute widow, the helpless
orphsn, and 10 practice the precepts Of the
christian religion.
desire 10 present 10 you an old man,
and an old Mason, who has been chosen |
to speak TO you fitting words Of welcome.
he Is attached to all these principles oil
distinguished Mason, the
Oldest Past Master living Of Old Belmont
Lodge, and the Past High Priest Of St
CIsirsvii!e Chapter. The honor and
pleasure is mine, Of introducing 10 you
General James Weir.
General Wier advanced TO the front and
delivered the
address OF WELCOME.
Brothers: ! am directed by the Masonic
bodies OF this place to welcome the breth.
rem from all jurisdictions, and thank them
for their presence 10 commemorate 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 10 welcome all comers, especially the
ladies, for they have ever been beautiful
sunshine in the pathway Of Masons, TO
cheer them onward 10 the grand destiny
Of the order.
In our States and Territories there are
this day assembled for the same purpose
some i've hundred thousand Of our breth-
rem, and the hAlloWed names Of the illus.
tIious dead OF the Order are around them
smiling spproval-Washington, J. Q.
Adams, General Jackson, Lincoln, Clay,
Lafayette, Webster, Chief Justice Mar
shall, Cas-, General Dewitt Clinton, and
others. To-day there are conversations Of
the Order for the same purpose 10 all
civilized nations. This day in all the
Ststes Of Germany, you may see convoca-
tons Of the Order, and the Emperor vii.
liam, their Grand Master, with Prince
Bismarck, and others Of their nobility, sit.
ting side by side with the poorest Of the
Order.
And you may see Prince Albert, Grand
Master Of Masons in England, with other
distinguished noblemeD, mingling as
equals with the humblest Of the Order.
Aud you may witness the same 10 very
large extent in France. Count Cham.
bard, the Orleans and the Bourbon dy.