Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-02-07
DISGUSTING EXHIBITION.
4 SO-CalIed "Exposure" of Masonry the
Cause Of RiOtOus Proceedings in Il
Churcil.-PUlice Interference to
Restore, (Drfser.


Churcil.-POliceI Interference to
Restore Order.
One OF the the most disgraceful exhbi-
tions ever witnessed in church was given
last night in the Chambers street Prcsby
terian church, Boston, when Rev. J. =.
Stoddard and d. p. Rathbun, of Iowa, I'M
dertook to expose Masonry. The object
of the exposures is to break up the order
by divulging the secrets. They say that
Masonry is organized intidelity, and in the
interest of religion they seek its overthrow.
Both the gentlemen claim to be Masons and
they announced their intention to hold
up the rites and ceremonies to ridicule.
The forms and Oaths necessary to taking
the first degree were illustrated by the
expOsers. They were assisted by eight or
ten persons, and all were attired in Ma
sonic regalia. The pulpit served as lodge
room, three large lighted candles being
arranged in row in 'front.' and the senior
and junior wardens, grand worshipful
master and other officers in the persons of
the clergymen and others being seated,
behind and ON the sides. The
g candidate, - an individual whose
skin had apparently not seen soap and
water for many days. was about an hour
and a-half i'll passing through the ordeal,
tlilu tIlC CClCuOIly uCSClOpCu
scene became disgraceful and many ladies
left, the remaining spectators also becoming
restless. The candidate while taking
the degree was dressed, according to the
"expOsers, in the customary manner,
but this was simply disgusting, as his only
garments were an old blue flannel under
shirt and white underdrawers, the left leg
of which was rolled up to the knee Over
his eyes was a green shade such as is
worn at night by the working force of
newspaper office. Here, barefootcd, with
one leg barred and only partially clad, the
candidate received his instructions from
the various grand worthy officers, and then
came the administration of the various
oaths. An immense crowd filled the
building, and during the performance of
the disgusting farce the widest confusion
prevailed. Hymn books were pelted at
the performers by people in the building,
while a large force of rOughs and street
loafers stood on the sidewalks and
threw snowballs into the building. Cap
tain Ford, of the Third precinct police,
fearing riot, tried to put stop to the
exhibition, but it kept on for half an hour,
while a storm of Kisses and indignant yells
greeted every word uttered by the speak
ers. Ex-Chief of Police Damrell made a
speech in which lie freely and forcibly de-
nounced the two reverend exposers, and
was loudly applauded, the spectators
cheering loudly att the several points made
He claimed to belong to the same denomi
nation as Mr.. Rathbun, and asserted that
the conference that would recognize him is
minister of Christ's gospel ought to bow
its head in shame. The police broke: up
the meeting about half past ten. 1t was
the intention of the two ministers to re-
main in town for week and continue their
exposures, but they have changed their
minds and will leave. The minister who
gave the use of his church for such pur-
poses is stOutly abused by all classes.