Plateau gazette and east Tennessee news. (Rugby, Tenn.) 1883-1884, 1884-03-13
THE TREEMAsoNs.
CONSIDERATION OF RUGBY LODGE.

sufficient to whet the appetite as to
what was within the Order; claiming,
according to some of the more anti
luarian brethren, an existence from the
lays of Enoch.
Rugby Lodge. No. 5lS, +. and A..
Masons, had reached the time when it
was desirable it should be consecrated
md dedicated to its peculiar work.
The officers, too, for the ensuing year..
required installing. 10 obtain these
desirable ends, the able services Of
Major G. c. Conner, of Chattanooga,
P.G.M. Of the Order in Tennessee, and
Messrs. j. H. Van. Deman, II. l.. Stout,
c. Fl. Dyer, NJ Grant, and Geo. W.
Ochs, Of Chattanooga, members of the
Grand Lodge, were obtained. These
gentlemen arrived in Rugby, Saturday
and were cordially received
Ivy the local brethren, and others from
SUI bright, Scdgemoor, etc quite a
number would have come in from VA
rious parts of Fent' ess County, but
were prevented by the flooded condition
of the creeks. Assembled at Commits
say Hall, the regular meeting place Of
The Lodge, u procession was formed at
3 pm. land headed by the Rugby Cornet
Band, marched in due Masonic order,
aud with the appropriate emblems, to
Christ Church, where such services, us
could be performed in public, would b,
celebrated. These services, with an
address that was announced, drew to-
yether good audience, which occupied
the sides Of the room, the center being
devoted to the brethren and the cere-
nonials. The following were the as.
sig,ments by P.G.M. Common: NJ. Grant.
Deputy Grand Masters j. H. VanDeman
Grand Marshal; 7. +. Stout, S,niol
Grand Warden; Geo. W. Ochs, Juniol
Grand Warden; g. L. Dyer, Crane
Pursuiyant. Mr.. G. H. Blackjack ably
presided at the organ.
Rcvereltly depositing upon the altar
the symbolism" of the Rugby Lodge
and arranging around it the symbol,
corn, and oil and wine, and lighted
candles, the services commenced with
singing, and Il prayer by the chaplain
Bro. J. H. Blackjack. Upon the solemn
uucovering of the Lodge, the Past
Grand Master, G. G. Conuor, said, "Thi.
symbolism is emblematic of what g
true Masonic Lodge should be. 1t il
i'll outward appearance Il representation
of the Ark of the Covenant, that VIII.
lodged in the sanctum sanctorum o
the Temple of Solomon. This is /;
humble imitation Of that Ark, and it,
coior, o. shet p~sfts saso rastNvFc S Ipfe
Mason" Brethren Craft, Stout ant
Ochs then presented the p.G.M. witt
the corn and oil and wine, and thu
Lodge was declared dedicated to God.
service, and fully completed and com
pctent to act with all the rights an,
privileges of Freemasoury.
The following officers were then dull,
installed, P.G.M. Conner eloquent,
and rmpressively addressing each upon
his respective duties: r. Walton, WIN.
5. H. Giles, S.W.; JOS. H. Blackjack
J.W.; Otis Brown, Treas; Z. Onder
donk, Sec; e. p Kemp, SD; l.. Ii
DorehilI, J.D.; and &. W. Berry, Tyler
The Lodge was then announced "a
duly made. A recess of five minute
followed.
The next ceremonial was the sym
bollcal dedication of the Hall. Com
mencing with the hymn How bleSse'
the sacred tie that binds" and mos
impressive prayer, the dedication wa
proceeded with according to ancien
form and usage" the officers of til
Grand Lodge standing around the sym
bolism upon the altar, and presenting
to the P,G.M., in due order, the COR
of nourshment, the wine of refresh
ment, and the oil of joy and gladness
In very great Stiffness, and with in
tense reverence, these symbols wer
respectively pou ed upon the Lod gt
The vessels upon the altar were the
solelnnly covered with white cloth, t
the slow and impressive notes of tn
organ. At the conclusion of the invc
catory prayer, the Past Grand Maste
declared the Lodge to be consecratec
the officers Installed, and the Hall dec
icated to the use of the craft.
Major Conner next gave highly il
teresting and eloquent address, only
mere outline of which our space pc
mits of presenting to- our readers. Il
said 81 presume it is expected by tt
: profane, as we are in the habit OF st
ling the outside world, that | shou
say something at this time. | can on
5 say few words. What do we mea
by our insignial To us it has a signi
5 cation that teaches much, and us q
: outcome wherever there are Mason
flowers blossom. Now the reason wi
we do not admit ladies is not becau
we have secrets they cannot keep, b.
because our work is such as is n
5 adapted to ladies' hands, any more thu
!, politics are. We are compelled to wol
, IN secret, but when we do so we VOL
:, for those at home, and assume our hal