The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-11-28
MANCHESTER AND VICINITY.
Dedication of Odd-Fellows, Hall

dedication OF Odd.FeIlOWS' Hall.
IMPOSING NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. VISIT
ORS-THE BANQUET.
Henderson Lodge, No. 105, I. o. OF,
publicly dedicated the new Odd-Fellows'
| Hall, in the Heider building, last night,
with all the imposing and interesting rites
and ceremonies Of the ancient order. De-
spite the threatening aspect Of the weather
and the rain, which commenced soon after
| 7 O'Clock, the hall was well filed with the
members of the order and their lady friends
and other invited guests.
The ceremonies were delayed some time
to await the arrival of the Petersburg
brethren. a....
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS.
Among those present were. Past Grand
Masters Mann gilbert, of Hampton; j. B.
Blanks and z. B. Branch, OF Petersburg; !;
and a. r. Courtney, OF Richmond
John w. Ferguson, Grand Treasurer; T.
Wiley Davis, Grand Secretary; Past Grands
H. LaAasson, OF Petersburg; William Fos-
ter ana Thomas W. Bass, OF Stuart Lodge !;
David Beattie, Noble Grand, and William
Lodge; Past Grand Samuel e. Woodfn, OF
Jackson Lodge; Past Grand Sentinel Joseph
3. Vaden; Past Grands Wells, Crow, kir-
by, Shotwell, Of Henderson Lodge; Will
liam n. Barrett and A. Barrett, OF Cooper
Lodge, Of Midlothian.
THE CEREMONIES OF DEDICATION.
! 1t was S:45 z. ". before the exercises be-
gan, with Past Grand Master E. B. Branch
in the chair, supported by Iyanhoe Harris
as X. s. and j. w. Moody as l.. S. Past
Grand Master Richard Fletcher, OF Rich
mond, acted as Deputy Grand Master.
| Pust Grand MasIer Branch briefly eX-
planned the object for which the lodge and
guests had been assembled, and the cere-
monies began with prayer by Acting
Grand Chaplain George c. Vanderslce and
singing the opening ode.
Past Grand Master J. b. Blanks, acting
as Grand Marshal, propounded the usual
questions to the Grand Master, and the
work Of dedication was ordered to pro-
ceed.
The hall having been formally delivered
to the Grand Master by Acting Grand
Herald G.. S. Wells, representing the Build
ing Committee, the tender was accepted by
Grand Master Branch in fitting and appro-
pirate language OF the Manual.
The ceremonies then regularly proceed
, ed, the Grand Master being assisted by the
following acting officers: Past Grand Mas
I ter 4. K. Courtney, Herald Of the North
Ira I. Holt, Of Petersburg, Herald Of the
South; Grand Secretary II. Wiley Davis,
Herald OF the East, and Past Grand Thomas
w. Bass, Herald Of the West.
The ceremony OF the sprinkling Of the
water. the lighting OF the fire on the altar,
the scattering OF wheat and the strewing Of
the flowers. as required by the.usages OF the
order, were then gone through with and
highly enjoyed by all present, to many OF
whom the exercises were entirely new.
The exercises concluded with the bene-
diction by the chaplain.
The dedication services being over BRIEF
addresses were delivered by Grand Secre-
| tary Davis, Past Grand Masters Courtney,
Branch, Blanks, and Culbert, Grand Trea-
surer Ferguson, Vice.Grand Fandersllce,
DR.. A. Monteiro, and others.
IN SECRET SESSION.
After the audience was dismissed the
lodge held its regular weekly meeting. OF
course all the initiated had to take their
| leave. After brief session the members
Of the lodge, with their invited guests, re-
paired to the banquet-room. The tables
were spread on the first floor Of the build
ing, on which the hall is situated.
THE PEAsT OF REASON AND THE FLOW OF SOUL.
Here, under the supervision of the fol-
| lowing committee: Coleman Wells, Henry
II. Wrenn, James Belcher, r. D. Pond,
Emmett Davis, E. G. Tinsley, and Pleasant
| Womack, most excellent supper had been
prepared.
Ample justice was done the feast, and
there were happy remarks by most Of the
visiting brethren. At late hour the party
dispersed, after a pleasant evening, with the
best wishes for the old, reliable Lodge, and
for the cause OF Odd-Fellowship generally.
THE NEW HALL.
A full description of the new hall was
published in the Dispatch few weeks
since. Last night it presented beautiful
appearance, and the Lodge was congrattl-
| lated on the success which had attended
their efforts to have the largest and one of
the finest halls in the State.
| The wood and brick-work was done un-
der the supervision OF George It. Blanton,
the plastering by - Crew, the painting
by George Longworth, the carpetng and
upholstcring by Phillips & Jennings, and
the lamps Shanks Il Barrett, and the en-
tire work reflects credit upon all concerned.
William Heider, the owner OF the new hall,
is an industrious and respected blacksmith.
who lives and does business on Hull
street near the Petersburg railroad. He
deserves credit for the erection OF a build
ing that is an ornament to the city. He is
one OF that class of men that neither flood
nor fire can discourage. Would that Man.
chester had many such.
The dedication of Odd-Fellows' Hall is
quite an event in our history, and is a sign
OF the onward march to prosperity that
Manchester has OF late years taken, and in
which course it is her intention to remain.
The Baptist Social Meeting.-The social
meeting of the congregation OF the Man
chester Baptist church will take place to-