Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-07-16
Masonic Celebration.

Evergreen Lodge, NO. 1853, "A.
& A NJ celebrated the completion
of their fine new hall at Berlin in an
appropriate Nmanner on Thursday last.
Delegations from a number of adjacent
lodges i'll VirAniaand Maryland were
present, and these, with many visiting
friends of the order, made up quite
large assemblage. The exercises in
the forenoon were held III the open
air, on the lawn fronting the residence
of Mrs. Shovel, where suitable car
peted platform, draped with the ma
tional bunting, and an abundance of
seats had been erected beneath the
luxuriant foliage OF the trees. At half
part 10 o'clock the Wasons formed a
line in front of the hall, and, preceded
by the Berlin Brass Band, marched to
the grove, where, when all had been
comfortably seated, prayer was offered
by Rev. G. w. Wilcox. Col. l. L.
Erickson then, in his happiest style,
in behalf of the order welcomed the
visitors and dwelt briefly upon the
object of the meeting. His address
was an excellent one, and at its close
he introduced the Rev. G.. III Ray,
of Virginia, who took for his theme
the +" Wisdom of Masonry Mr.. Rays
speech was decidedly heavy one and
much longer than the occasion de-
manded; the reverend gentleman
seemed determined not to yield the
floor until he had touched upon every
subject known or unknown TO Masons.
His facial expressions and posturing,
attudinal movements were amusing,
and were watched with quizzical in
terest. He was followed by Rev. G..
w. Wilcox, in an interesting and in
structive essay upon the 4" Strength of
Masonry AS is usual with this gen.
tleman. his address was a plain, COM
prehensive one, and his remarks were
well received. Mr.. Charles Ii. Glib
son, of Easton, next read 4 short but
very eloquent address upon the
+" Beauty of Masonry" in which he
handled his subject with mastery skill
and pleasing effect. At its close he
was presented by some of the young
ladies present with a magnificent bas-
ket of flowers After the addresses
came the benediction, and the Masons
were then taken in charge and hand
somely by the resident brethren of the
town, at their respective homes, while
the visitors who were not " bound by
the Mystic Tie " found &" good cheer !"
for the inner man at Mrs. Adair's hotel,
where ample preparations had been
made for the occasion. During the
afternoon excursion trains conveyed
the visitors and members of the lodge
to Ocean City, where Col. Selby, the
kind hearted proprietor of Congress
Hall, welcomed them to the freedom
of his house. In the evening the hotel
was brilliantly illuminated, and to the
inspiring strains of Harry Cooks or
chestra dancing was INDUCED in until
midnight At the same time, while
the immense DINING room was COM
Portable crowded with dancers, the ele-
CANT parlor of the house was filled
with an audience assembled TO listen
to a select humorous entertainment
given by Prof. Ford, the celebrated
elocutionnist. During the evening re-
freshments of excellent quality were
served to all the invited guests, and at
the close of the festivities Col. Drick-
son, in neat little speech, thanked
the proprietor for his exceeding kind
ness to his brethren and the visitors
present. The celebration was q most
enjoyable one to all present and reflect
ed much credit upon the chairman of
the committee on arrangements, DIR. f.
J. Dirickson, who had charge of the
details While the bars at the hotels
seemed to be well patronized, there
was nc disorder, not an intoxicated
person being seen, and there was moth
ing to mar the pleasure of the evening.
The down train on the Worcester Rail
road, which left Ocean City at Ia
O'Clock, brought down about two hun
dred persons, at least one-third of
whom were from this place.
|