New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-03-28
An Interesting Masonic Incident.


An Interesting Masonic Incident
Hudson, Michigan, correspondent
the Chicago MterO Ocean furnishes the TO
lowing interesting narration to that pape
Last week the Rev. Mr.. Shanafelt wa
summoned to Philadelphia to attend tn
funeral OF mis- brother, at the time of hi
death pastor OF d Baptist church of tina
city. The announcement of his death recall
an incident OF the recent monetary panic
In the year 1873 Mr.. Shanafelt, Of Phia
delphia, visited Europe with a party o
knights Templar. After visiting the place
of greatest interest the party broke up. bti
Mr.. Shanatelt continued his journey, witt
a few others. to the Holy Land. AT Jerusa
lem he expressed desire to cross the or
dan and proceed through the forests an,
over the mountains OF Lebanon to Bey
rout. None of the party would &C
company him on such perilous Jour
ney, but he determined to make the triy
| with native guide as his companion. The
| journey was attended with many Gitiicul
| ties. 1t was necessarily tedious, and for TIT
| last few days they were on short rations
They came in sight OF BeyrOut in the eary
| part of the day, and as their eyes rested or
the city they promised themselves a good
dinner that day, to make amends for tht
enforced abstemiousness of the preceding
days. AS they entered they saw shiI
riding at anchor in the harbor, and Mr.
Shanafelt was pleased to find the means at
hand for his speedy departure for Paris
where tho greater part OF his effects bad
been left, aud where he expected to find
letters from home. At the hotel, when din.
ner was announced. Mr.. Shanafelt found
himself seated at table, with an Enslis!,
gentleman opposite. The Euglishman re.
marked:
You are an American"
''Ies," replied Mr.. Sbanafelt, II have
been in Palestine and the wilderness for
several weeks, and only arrived at Beyrout
this morning, and do not know what has
been going on in the outside world for a
considerable time
"You have not heard then of the panic
in your country" said the Englishinan
mo, have not pray what about it,
"Why," resumed the Englishman. "a
great banker has failed and carried down
many business houses with him: there is a
general suspension of business, and bread
riots have occurred in all the great cities. !"
Nv hat is the bankers name ?" asked Mr.
Shanafeit.
The Englishman could not remember but
after thinking a while said: SIT is the
banker who negotiated the government
bonds
''Not Jay Cooked" exclaimed Mr.. Shana-
felt.
81 believe that is the name," said the
Englishman.
Although Mr.. Shanafelt had gone TO the
table with a ravenous appetite and had not
tasted morsel of food, his appetite was
suddenly gone; his letters of credit were
signed by Jay Cooke g. Co.; he was more
than 1000 miles from home, with only two
dollars worth OF the small coin Of that
country in his pockets. He arose from the
table, and wandering down principal
street, came to a banking house. He
stepped i'll and handed his letters of credit
to the clerk IN charge. The man looked at
them moment and then shook his head
Neither could understand the language of
the other, but that ominous shake of the
head and the accompanying look of COM
miseration told Mr.. Shanafelt that he was
a destitute stranger in a foreign land He
applied to the American consul, told his
story, obtained sympathy, but no money
or other material aid. He recollected that
there was an American mission and
college in the city, and that he had
made the acquaintance of one of the
missionary professors in Palestine. Thither
he went. but they too could give only pity;
they had no money to spare. He returned
to his hotel, and made his situation a special
subject OF prayer. He was soon upon the
streets again, walking along with downcast
eyes, So great was his distress that he had
no courage to look up. While thus walking
his eyes caught sight of a Maltese cross
pendant from his watch Chain. The thought
occurred to him that there must be Masons
here: it it IS ever proper to make use of the
order it is proper now. Returning to the
hotel he asked for q guide to take him to
some OF the most prominent business men
of the city. Entering the store of one of
.hese he requested private interview. It
Was granted, and a few moments suticed to
satisfy him that the merchant was Mason,
and he made that appeal which he had |
been taught would be Of avail under such |
circumstances. The merchant looked at
iim in seeming establishment for few |
moments and then said
state your wants. |
Ehe tale was soon told, and when ended |
he merchant swung back the door Of his |
private vault and, laying out some bags OF |
on, said:
81 would willingly give you enough for |
our needs, but there is another man in the |
ity who wants to give you half'
Mr.. Shanafelt replied that he did not know
b person IN the city, and he had already ap-
lied to and been refused by the only coun-
ryman OF his in the city. The merchant |
ave him note and guide to another mer.
liant OF the city. Here, for obvious reasons
was not necessary to adopt the same course
70 had pursued at the former place; but
nXlOus to assure his new friend that he
vas no Impostor, he showed him the diplo-
las of the various Masonic bodies in which
g claimed membership. The last he
moved him was certificate of st. Johns
of Philadelphia naming him
8 its prelate. The merchant examined it
ttentlvely for few moments, walked the !
lnn0rpnftv rQof |
LIST coming to him, threw his;arms around
lr. Shanatelt's neck and burst into tears.
.tter his excitement had somewhat abated
9 explained:
II was born in the United States and
we'd IN Philadelphia, and while there be-
anne member Of st. Johns Commandery.
came to Europe, and after wandering
round for time, settled here and com.
fenced business: Twas prospered, and at
ress OF the natives. Although in my more
ian thirty years residence here / have
let many Americans, you are the first
emDer OF st. Johns Commandery l have
zen, ana the circumstance awakened many |
emocles OF past association
Opening his safe he laid out bag after bag |
coin, until Mr.. Shanafelt told him to
op; his munlfcence was already more |
ian equal bis needs. as the other merchant
sisted on giving half of all he should
led. But. said the merchant, you are
ing home through Europe and will see
any things you will want to buy, and he
essed money upon him much in excess of ,
actual needs. That evening the two ,
erchants brought several of the brethren !,
Mr; Shanafeit's room at the hotel, and
USED banquet to be served in his honor. i,
hey assembled again the next morning s
ID escorted him to the ship and took leave +
nsiderate kindness, had been provided {
tn everything necessary for his comfort I
d well stored with the delicious fruits of | (
at country.