The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-12-29

1sar.to- Virtue Lodge No 46, A. I. A. NJ
bs:r .t.5c;tv. dedicated their new Lodge room
q beautiful Wantz building, on the even
g - 81 Johns Day, Thursday last. Iht
* eaanmodious, and has been llanu
aXelv liite8Alp and carpeted and furnished
"a heated and lighted by Mr.. Wantz, forth'
Exclusive use of the order. Ample prepare
Fsion and ante rooms in the rear OF the lodg'
have been provided. There. is, perhaps no
a lodge in the state. outside OF baitinoI5s
with superior appointments and aceomp3taa
tons. About fifty brethren were 70 at.e'i
dance, though one hundred wy q =. l'ee'eu
f.ay, attending The lodge was opened N
Jna form. after which The dedication took
Mace according 10 fhe impressive ceremonial
Fiji - ,Lo erder. ciesing with the grand honors.
4 ttersne first procession around the Lodge
Tor sffgr of the Covenant the Junior Warden
,,fesented to the Worshipful Master the vessel
Of corn, saying ''W. NJ, the dedication OF
Masonic halls it has been of immemorial Gus
tom to pour corn upon the Lodge as an en-
blem Of nourishment. !, therefore, present
you this vessel of corn, to be employed by you
according to ancient usage"
The W. NJ, after striking thrice with his
mallet, poured the corn upon the Lodge,
saving: lin the name of the great Jehovah,
W WllOHl DC BOAOl thtiA SACi w oOASHAAi'J
dedicate this hall to FReemasonry.n
The grand honors were then given once,
and verse of an appropriate hymn sung,
after which there was a second procession
around the Lodge. The Senior Warden then
presented the vessel of wine to the W. NJ,
saying ''W. NJ, wine, the emblem of re-
freshment, having been used by our ancient
brethren In the dedication and conservation
Of their Lodges, | present you this vessel
Of wine, to be used on the present occasion
according to ancient Masonic FORM
The W. NJ. sprinkled the wine upon the
Lodge, saying: sin the name of the holy SITS.
John, do soemnly dedicate this hall to Vir-
tue" The grand honors were then given twice
and another verse sung. After third process
sion around the Lodge, the S. w. presented a
vessel of oil to the W. NJ, saying: wv. M,
| iresept you, to be used according to ancient
cPstoHl, this Vessel Of oil, an emblem of that
Joy which should animate every bosom on the
completion Of every important undertaking.
The oil was poured upon the Lodge by the
w. NJ, with the words: .'In the name of the
whole Fraternity, do solemnly dedicate this
hall to Universal Benevolenee. The grand
honors were then given three times, and an
other verse sung, the ceremony closing with
appropriate and solemn prayers and the dox-
ology. Following are the stanzas that were
sung to the tune al Dgte Street
Maker Supreme accept our praise,
Still help this consecrated band;
Father of Light illume our ways,
And guide us by thy sovereign hand.
"May faith Hare Charity, divine,
Here hold their undivided rsigni
Friendship and Harmony combine
To soothe our cares and Danish pain.
MAY pity dwell within each breast,
Relief attend the suffering poor;
Thousands by this our Lodge, be best,
Till woFth, distressed, shall want no more.
ITO Heavens High Architect all praise,
All praise, all gratitude be given,
Who designed the human soul to raise,
By mystic secrets sprung from Heaven"
Afer the dedication, Worshipful Master
Cunningham intradpeed to the Brethren pres
ent Rev. j. Stewart Smith, who made an
eloquent and impressive address which elicit
ed hearty applause. Prof Reese moved a
vote of thanks to the speaker which was unan-
imGusly adopted. The Lodge was then called
off from labor TO Fefreshment, and descending
to the banquet hall on the lower floor, large
table, in eruciform, was spread with every
substantial edible and every delicacy of the
season, and garnished with rich cakes and con-
feetions. Too much praise cannot be awarded
the committee to whom was entrusted the
preparation of the entertainment, which was
indeed superb The polite attentions of the
committee to their guests, lent an additional
zest to the feast. After the banquet the
Lodge was called on again at the sound of the
gavel, aud closed in due form. 1t was an oc-
casion of unalloyed fraternal enjoyment, one
that will long be remembered with pleasurabie
emotions Brethren were present from Ia
neytown, Uniontown, New Windsor, Uni on
Bridge, and other places, some from dis tant
States.