Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-02-15

MEETING OF TIE FIFIH DISTRICT.

On Wednesday last, the Fifth Masonic
District (Chittenden county, met at the
hall of Washington Lodge in this city. and
the occasion was one long to be remembered
by all who attended. Among the visiting
brethren were Most Worshipful Grand
Master Ii. II. Smith. Right Worshipful
Grand Lecturer 4 A Hall. Right Worship
full Grand Secretary Henry Clark, Right
Worshiptul Assistant Grand Secretary m
II. Root, and Grand District Deputy ii. Nj.
Phelps, and several representatives from
Friendship. Webster. Burlington, l,le of
Patm0s, Columbian, Patriot. Englesby,
Seneca. Champlain, Siseo. Tecumseh,
Mad River, Franklin, Centre and Phoenix
Lodges
In the afternoon the first degree was
worked by Burlington Lodge NJ. 100,
WOrshipful Master Phelps presiding in the
East after which the lodge was called from
labor to rcf:eshment. Worshipiul Master
Greenleaf and the officers of Webster
Lodge then took their respective stations,
the lodge was again called to labor. and
the second degree was worked At the
close, few mild criticisms were made
by the Grand Officers present, but SD
much were their criticisms interviewer with
compliments to the officers and members
that it was hard to believe that they in-
tended to criticise at ali.
In the evening, the spacious and elegant
rooms of the Lodge were packed. and work
on the third degree was given by Washing
ton Lodge. Worshiptul Master Wingate
presiding IN the East. At both
the afternoon and evening meetings
the Grand Officers were duly re-
evening, Prof Wood presided at the organ
and we never have heard him do better, or
attended meeting when the music seemed
to add so much in assisting in the giving of
this degree. The criticisms were similar to
those of the afternoon, which none hearing
could help from framing into words of
praise. Before closing, Grand Master Smith,
Grand District Deputy Phelps, Grand Sec
rotary Clark and Grand Lecturer Hall made
instructive and interesting remarks, which
were listened to with eagerness by all.
At the close, Worshipful Master Wingate,
in behalf of Wilmington Lodge. invited all
present to the Van Ness House, where it was
found that Messrs. Barber and Ferguson
had spread collation. fit for kings. Al
though the brethren had, literally speak
ing, been called from labor to reireshment
most-and. We Lay say all-seemed to
labor with zeal that seemed to be stead
fast. After supper, WOrshipful Master
Tborp, of Friendship Lodge, said that though
he understood this to be AN informal gath
ering, he begged to be allowed to give the
following toast washington Lodge No.
3: her generous hOspitalitles. nav they
never grow less" This was happily respond
ed to by Grand Master Smith, who. at the
close OF his remarks, called upon Grand
Secretary Clark for a sDrg. The Grand
Sscretlry begged to be excused from that,
but gave the brethren one OF his pleasing
addresses. After this, interesting speeches
were made by Grand Deputy Phelps,
Grand Secretary Hall, Wnrshipfnl Master
W.ingate, Grand Master Bowman, Bros,
Briusmaid Bigwood, Newell. Peck. Hos
ford, Whitaker. Miller, Read, Ssnior
Warden Drew, Lieutenant Cummings and
others. Worshiptul Master Thorp offered the
following toast tn our host, Bro. Barber:
"Our host, the Gre nd Steward Of the Grand
Lodge of Vermont and its associates -
after which Bro. Barber responded, also
Grand Secretary Clark. At the close. the
Mast WOrshipiul Grand Master asked all
to join in singing, which they did most
heartily.
This closed the day, which will be re-
me mbered by all who ATTENDED the meet
ting Of the Fifth Masonic District (Chit-
tenden County, /, and of which had We space,
We would be pleased to give more extend
ed account. We trust that this will prove
only one ct the many pleasant meetings to
be held in this District.