Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-05-19
ASCENSION DAY
Celebrated at Calvary and Cumberland
Churches Last Night.
The Knights TempIar and Their Friends
Have a Large Turnout

Yesterday being Ascension day, the Knights
Templar celebrated it becomiugly. The day
has unique interest when the impressive
ceremonies OF the knights go along with its
general commemor alton. No day Is so full
of christian meaning as this that marks the
event of Christ's rising from the dead and
going home. To the Knights it is always an
interesting occasion, and to them belongs the
honor of keeping it green as it should be.
ST. ELMO CoMMANDERY,
in honor of the ascension, convened at the
asylum of ST. Elmo Commandery No. Is,
Knights Templar, at PM, and marched In
order to the Cumberland Presbyterian church
and took the places assigned them. At their
entrance the service began with march
played upon the splendid organ. The church
was ornamented in honor of the event, and
in the center of the organ was the name of
the commandery, "St. Elmo" The chorus
numbered thirty-two voices, under the direc-
ton of Nc. Oh. PHI. Winkler, the orgsnist of
the occasion. The service progressed as fol-
lows:
The choir Gang grand chorus, and the
prelate, the Rev. Fl. A. Jones, read prayer,
the Knights kneeling the while. Then he
recited the psalms for Ascension Day. The
chorus sang "Praise the Lord, We Nations"
with unanimity and strength. The prelate
and Knights repeated the Lords Prayer,
kneeling, and were followed by the choir
singing "Gloria Patri" beautifully. After
little interval the grand "Gloria in
E1celsis" and the "Te Deum Laudamus"
were finely sung. The Apostles Greed
was read by the prelate, followed
by more music. DIR. Jones then
delivered short and beautiful address on
the significance of Ascension day. The
ascension of Christ he considered one of the
landmarks that no christian could ever
neglect 1t was the chief bulwark of the
II 81 4
shorn of his hope. This was the strain in
which he spoke, and the large audience were
deeply interested in what he said. After
music the congregation Joined IN tbs singing
of stately "Old Hundred" and the benedIc-
ton was pronounced, thus finishing the
service.
MEMPHIS CoMMANDERY NO. 4
observed Ascension day in quiet, appro-
pirate and satisfactory manner, combining
religious worship and social pleasures.
About Sis o'clock the commandery, with
thirty-three Sir Knights in line, unheralded
by music, marched into Calvary church,
where large number of their friends had
assembled. There was no printed programme,
the object being TO go through the regular
Ascension-day service, with superb music
by the choir. Mr.. Levy was at the organ,
and Messrs. kirkland and Gage AID Mrs
Lamb and Miss Mcclellan had been selected
to do the singing. Both the vocal and in
strumental music was splendidIy rendered.
The Rev. Mr.. Pickett, of Holly Springs, was
in the pulpit, and the Rev. George White,
the venerable prelaie of the order, who has
preached to his brother Masons on many a
similar occasion, delivered short sermon at
the end of the regular service. He was
happy to meet the Sir Knights again, es-
pecislly in that sacred edi6ce, recently 30
extensively improved, and for which the Sir
Knights had contributed so literally. He
referred to the events of the ascension, and
spoke of it as the grandest of Jesus
Christ's triumphs in person during his mission
on earth. The reference to the departed Sir
Knights, in whose honor one of the memorial
windows was erected, was forcible and affect |
ing. These dead brothers were men who |
never shrank from their duty. He had seen
the ministering to the sick and supplying the
wants of the needy-in many trying posi- |
tons. They were men of whom their sur |
viving brothers were proud. DR.. White de- |
livered, usual, very able sermon, but we |
have not the space for an extended synopsis |
The religious services being over the au-
dience dispersed, leaving only the Knights |
and their invited guests, most OF whom were |
ladies' These guests formed in line, while |
the commandery divided into piatoons, one |
taking the lead, the other bringing up the |
rear in the Procession's march to the Ma |
sonic Temple, where a splendid repast had |
been prepared. The table contained all that |
could be expected on such an occasion. The |
ladies were all seated, and the gentlemen |
went to work to supply their wants. The |
festivities were kept up till a late hour; and |
we venture the assertion that no one went |
avay disappointed The beautiful rooms OF |
the different lodges were thrown open, and |
were greatly admired.