St. Landry democrat., 1884-01-19

made the occasion of a grand gala day
for the citizens of both town and coun-
try. The Rev. j. P. Schofield, the ener-
getic and efficient pastor of the Baptist
congregation, having invited and re-
ouested the Master of Humble Cottage
Lodge No. 10 of f. & A. Masons to lay
the corner stone of his new Church Ma
sonically, received a hearty response in
the affirmative: and, the better to do
the work according to ancient custom,
the r. w. Grand Master of the State
was notified and requested to be present
to perform this ceremony. The r. w.
Grand Master James l.. Lobdell who
loves Humble Cottage as his alma
mater, the better to signify bis friendly
and fraternal consent left his comforta-
BILE home and fireside for Opelousas and
brought with him brothers Duncan and
Hamburger, the former of Alexandria
and R. w. Chaplain of the Grand
Lodge, and the latter of New Orleans,
and also member of the Grand Lodge
Of Louisiana. A committee of Humble
Cottage Lodge met these distinguished
brethren at the R. R., depot and escort
ed them to Lacombe's hotel where friend
Austin proved himself at home to his
friends.
The r. w. Grand Master filed the
stations Of the absent members of the
Grand body by deputation and opened
the Grand Lodge at this place for the
purposes Of laying the corner stone as
before stated. Judge G.. w. Hudspeth,
grand Marshal called the Grand Lodge
into procession and proceeding from
the. hall of Humble Cottage were met
by the Opelousas fire brigade and the
Hook s. Ladder Company in full dress
uniform. These companies were al
ready in time and had at their head the
amateur brass band of Opelousas which
on the approach of the Grand Lodge
did its level best to call down the angels
by the. sweet expression of its trusty
instruments. Formed into line the pro-
cession marched directly to the situs &C.
ctesiG presenting as it passed the grand
est and most imposing spectacles ever
witnessed in Opelousas. The ceremony
OF conservation was performed by the
nj. w. Grand Master assisted by his
proper celebrants. This scene brought
the thoughtful spectator back, far back
to tile younger days of this worlds his
tory when corn, wine and oil were prop
eriy appreciated, and had their respec-
tive values among the Masonic craft.
There was no orator of the day. The
Grand Master, however. requested Rev.
brother HI. G. Duncan, Grand Chaplain
to make few remarks when that Rev.
brother without the least preparation
delivered an eloquent address aud in d
most happy manner showed the au-
dience that the work of laying corner
stone Masonically was a very ancient
ceremony which teaches very modern
and a very salutary lesson. If it were
not for that miserable adage "gerba
enniss0 Uolent" we might hope to give
the public the benefit OF it by publica-
ton. The conservation ended with a
benediction by the R. w. Chaplain.
he procession sFFfase reformed by the
Grand Marshal and returned to the Ma
sonic hall where the band in its haEpiest
strains recognized the entrance of the
Grand Lodge into the hall. Every one
admired the gallant and gentlemanly
department of the fire brigade and hook
and ladder company in their different
departments. These companies all
composed of the best and Wealthiest
gentlemen of this community, and they
are on all festive occasions the very
soul of society. They have the thanks
of the Grand Lodge and of Humble
Cottage Lodge for the many expressions
Of courtesy and friendship exhibited by
them during the march. After the adj
iournment of the Grand Lodge first
class lunch amounting almost to ban
quet was INDUCED in until the grand
officers were reminded Of the approach
of the North bound train. The gallant
and kind boys of the Opelousas brass
band again fell into line and escorted
these gentlemen and their brothers of
Humble Cottage to the depot where the
grand pairing serenade closed the work
of the day.
"a
The weather has been horrible this