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

The Virginia (Nevada) Chronicle, of the
ninth instant, brings a long and interesting
account of notable Masonic event which
took place in that vicinity on the day pre-.
vious. Virginia Lodge No. 3 of Free and
Accepted Masons, having lost their regular
place of meeting by fire, determined to imi-
tate their ancient brethren, who were wont
to hold their meetings on the tops of high
hills or in low valleys, and to this end Sc
lected the top of Mount Davidson, when,
soon after the fire, meeting became neces-
sary. OF Mount Davidson the Chronicle
says:
1t is by actual measurement 1897 feet
above the level of the sea. The summit is
$500 feet west of the city, so that in a
straight line from B street, corner of Tay-
lor, to the foot of the hgstatf, it is not far
from three quarters of a mile But by the
travelled route the distance is long and
tedious.
When TIE multitude had assembled upon
the summit The scene was the grandest that
ever met Mason's eye Never" says the
Chronicle, ''since the morning stars sang
their lullaby over the Graded earth was
there more perfect representation of o
Masonic lodge room than the one in which
the members of Virginia No. 3 and their
visiting brethren held communion yester-
day. This existed not only in the Charter.
the Greater and the Lesser L'ghts, and the
number requisite to compose lodge, but it
was literally bounded by the extreme
points of the compass. Its dimensions from
east to west embraced every cline from
north to south. Its covering was no less
than the cloudy canopy; and it is only
where this ia wanting that the literal sup
ports, the three great pillars of Wisdom,
Strength and Beauty, are needed. But,
metaphorically, they were all there, for
where, in lodge room, was ever
seen such wisdom to cOntrive, strength
to support and beauty to adoru
Verify, it was a meeting in the
temple of Deity, and the wisdom, strength
and beauty, which are about his throne
were present in the symmetry. order and
grandeur of the primitive lodge room. 1t
was lodge, the dimensions OF which, like
the universal chain of friendship of the
order, included the entire human family
Upon the brow of the mountain, and little
south of the flagstaff, an altar of rough ash.
lars had been improvised, wherein rested
the three great lights of Masonry. Beside
them stood the representatives of the three
lesser lights. Rude chairs had also been
built of rough granite for the worshipful
master, senior and junior wardens, while
the deacons found ample accommodations
among the powders around. A large &c"
had been cut from sheet metal and nailed
to the flagstaff. The tyler was indeed in
trouble, for in such place how could the
lodge be duly tyled in accordance with
modern usagel But, under the direction of
the wOrshipful master, row of pickets,
designated by white badges on their left
arms, were stationed all around the sum-
nit They were near each other, 90 that
none could pass or repass without permis.
sion. In that way the approach Of cow
ems and eavesdrOppers was effectually
guarded against. On reacning the summit
the brethren busted themselves with dis
pensing and partaking of corn, wine and
oil. A bounteOus collation. had been pre-
pared by the lodge, and members were
mostly we'll provided with the means of
refreshment, n0urishment and Joy. These
were dispensed with q liberal hand. All
we're welcome, end partook with an appetite
sharpened by the labor of the. ascent and
the fresh air which swept the summit with
Q freedom known only to Wsshoe zephyrs.
The jewels worn by the officers Of the lodge
have just been subjected TO q fiery ordeal.
They were made Of Ophir bullion in the
year 1853, ct the order of the late Colonel
w. h. Howard, and by him presented to