New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-09-26

| the lodge. Their cost was $500. They we're
| saved from the destruction which laid waste
the Masonic Hall in the early summer, but
the fire of laat Friday morning found them
! in the ball of the Odd Fellows where the
lodge met after being burned ont They
dug out OF the ashes nearly perfect but a
single one being messing. Some of those
recovered have had portions melted away,
but there is enough left to show the original
design and to carry the identity on do Wn to
future generations.
The ceremonies of the day were of the
usual order in form, but probably never in
the history of the order have they been 40
! impressive. The grand master in the course
OF HIS remarks gave accounts of some pre-
liminary meetings which had been he'll on
the coast on the top of hills. He spoke OF
one near Magtown, where the brethren had
come together in that way to raise money
ana provisions for suffering immigrants,
and over which he had the honor to pre-.
side. He also mentioned simila ar gather
ing In Eureka in 1851, and at Auburn, Cali
lorna. He also gave an account of another
preliminary meeting III Id in that way when
the first three degrees ever conferred in the
lodge were conferred on hill. But none
OF these were gatherings like the present,
and he thanked the brethren that he had
been called upon to preside over their
deliberations. After the close of the re-
gular order of business c. L. De Long made
an address in which he sketched the sur
roundngs within which they had erected
their altar. Beneath them was the wealth
OF Ophr, and around them the tumult of
trade. The earth seemed cursed and rem.
dered an unfit dwelling place for man, but
1t was to be redeemed through the inrelli-
gence of man, and each one had part to
perform in the work. The speaker then
told how in Japan he had assisted in weld.
ing the link in masonry which made the
chain complete around the world. Up to
that time there had been one land where
the order was not known. Now there was
none. Masonry belted the globe The
lights of the altar had been lighted. and
now there were six 10 iges in the empire,
and The order was rapidly spreading.
When the exercises were closed q regular
scamper commenced down the mountain
Most came down by Taylor ravine, some by
Bullion ravine, and not few enjoyed the
beautiful ride over the 0phir grade. Very
few mishaps were experienced in going up
and down the mountain. Occasionally
bottle OF water would come in contact with
a stone and the contents be lost, and wrecks
of Incorporated lunches were not uufre-
gently encountered on the way down. But
no serious acciuenL UUcurreu. anu ali suolAuu
happy in the event and contented with the
result Those who participated have rare
experience which will yield them lifelong
satisfaction. The gathering on the top Of
Mount Davidson was not without its char
acteristics. One most corspicuously dis
played was that OF relic gathering. Before
the altar-which had been rudely inpro.
vised-had been consecrated, these seekers
for heepsakes OF the occasion commenced
regular onslaught upon the stones compos
ing it. and vast quantities were poeketAd
and carried off. All seemed to consider it
rare occurrence, such as never was known
in this country, if in the world.