The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-20
THE SQUARE AND THE LINKS.
Scottish Rite Mas0ns and Grand Lodge
of MISUNDERSTANDING in Session.
The Rite COnfers Council and Chapter De-
grees in Rose CrOix- Much Miscellaneous
Business Transacted by 0dd-FeIlows.
AT THE SCOTTISH RITE.

.nent as Scottish Rite Masonry. it is extremely
difficult to make it ineligible and interesting
without speaking of matters which many of
those concerned think had much better be left
1nwritten. There is so much that is full of in
terest in the work Of the Rite yesterday, that it
is great temptation to go into fuller particulars
than is proper, in order to give to
each participant the honor which is
due for the general excellence of the
work. AS is we'll known, it is considered
by the public at large, and by Masons of all
other grades, great honor to be admitted to
the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and to be
known as a Mason of the 329. II is because of
this that public interest in the meetings of the
bodies is SO great
Yesterday afternoon the gentlemen composing
the class upon whom were conferred the degrees
of the Grand Lodge of Perfection were elected
by Saraiah Council Princes of Jerusalem, and
the 15o and l6' under the jurisdiction Of the
Council were conferred in the most complete
form, and with many new features, which
served TO heighten the effect DR.. G. E.
Wright who Is the grand mastered this body, has
devoted much attention to the details of the Ger
'emonies and has reason to congratulate himself
on the result John T. Brush and H. C.
Adams as senior and junior wardeus respect
lively Austin H. Brown. as deputy grand master
and H. H. Mc5affey, master of ceremonies, each
performed their portion of the work in i'm
pressive manner The Journal would like to
speak particularly of the character assumed by
John II. Holiday, of the News, if it was per-
mitted: but it must Suffice TO say that his man
ner and speeches can not be eXcelled in any
body of the Scottish Rite in this country. In
this branch of the Bite there is but little music,
comparatively, hut there was opportunity for
giving the following programme:
Chorus. BY the Rivers of Babylon"
Chorus ..........-...,." Go Thou Unto the King"
Chorus Welcome Truth
Quartette .....--.."Do Wake or Am | Dreaming
Chorus Observation-Disclosures" Welcome Zerubbabes
At the conclusion of the ceremonies in the
council the banquet was held Judge Byron
X. Elliott acted as nasteriof the feast yand in
trodueed Judge William e. Niback, who in the
name of the Rite extended a cordial welcome
to the visitors from this and other States. and
to the candidates he said, although the latch
string. of the door to this order was not as long
or as broad as that of our fathers, 1t was always
out for those who are entitled to enter. He also
alluded to the influence Of masonry in breaking
down the prelude es of the public which existed
not many years ago against all Sc
eret societies, and which have made the
order much more prosperous and popular, and
congratulated the Indiana bodies for their share
in bringing about this result in their special
field of action. Judge Niblack made some
humorous illusions to the many stairways in
the building. which were received with shouts
the candidates to the place over which floats
flag of truce, which shuts out the eontending
factions of the outside world
Bishop KnickeFbacker had been appointed to
respond to tine toast, The Symbols of Masonry"
but could not be present as he had intended,
and Il was passed. .-.r.
Past Grand Master Bruce Carr responded to
the toast, "The Grand Lodge of Indiana" He
said Masonry in this State was in a most flour
ishing condition. He was especially proud 10
call attention to the work done by the order in
answer to the call for relief Of sufferers by the
foods ON the Ohio river
In response to the sentiment. THE York
Rite" Past Grand Commander s. B. Sweet of
Fort Wayne, who was set down for speech,
said he was Only a poor devil Of
and consequently not loaded. But
he would like TO see all York Rite Masons in tine
Scottish Rite. There has been a steady increase
10 membership in the order of the Temple In
conclusion he paid tribute to the excellence of
the work he had Just witnessed
r. o. Hawkins spoke TO the toast. "The
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite He said
this order stands to-day the symbol of brotherly
love and charity, and IS constantly exercising
its influence for good. 1t commands
the respect and admiration of the world
The principles and truths taught within
its portals are as ancient as the order, but in its
ceremonies it has kept pace with the times, and
is doing all in its power to confer its degrees
and teach its lessons in the most complete man
ner To him who witnesses the work it be
COMES mort anu more impressive, ana brings
him nearer to his neghbor and his God. Let
us so live, concluded A1r. Hawkins, that our
lives may be a constant commentator of the
order and its principles
DR.. j. NJ Tomlinson was TO have responded to
the sentiment, "0ur Charter Members" but he
slipped away. Judge Elliott sent out and had
him brought back as the Great American Oh
iector.p and behalf of the originators of Scot
fish Rite Masonry in Indiana he thanked the
members for their kind remembrances.
l.. ID. Richardson. of Chicago responded for
''1he Visiting Brethren" He said he had at
tended number of meetings of the order at In
dianapelis, and had always enjoyed them These
gatherings were fruitful of much good, not only
to the members, but to the outside world. lie
closed with congratulations on the excellence of
the work.
Mr. H. A. Meyer, of KeDdaIlvlle spoke the
thanks of the class of candidates for the fplen-
did reception given them.
Judge Elliott then announced that he had re
ceived orders which he would disobey, and pro
posed the health of District Deputy N f. Ruckle
which received with great applause which
was renewed when Colonel Rl:ckle rose and
thanked the assembly for the kindness which
they had always shown him
Judge j. C. Suit, of Frankfort. and 4. J.
Charlton made short and humorous responses to
calls and were followed by Rev. Mr.. Boyd, of
Rockville. who, in the course of a short speech,
said that he belonged to very large and infiu
entiai communion, but that outside the church
that which afforded him the most pleasure was
his membership in the Scottish Rite When he
entered masonry ne IOunu hlfnSeif IN a familiar
field, and il he should ever worship the Creator
by ritual ne wanted none better than was
afforded by the ceremonies of this order
This concluded the banquet, and after q short
time sPentin social intercourse, work was resumed
in indianapolis Chapter Of Rose Croix. 172 and
1872. No except the initiated can form any
conception of the beauty and solemnity of the
work in this body. 1t is the especially religious
feature of the entire series of degrees and
affords vide field for the display of magnificent
effects and for fine music. Judge Elliott is mas
ter of the chapter. and, by the special aid of r.
0. Hawkins and George w. Sloan as senior and
Junior wardens, respectively, and Jacob W
Smith as master Of ceremonies, as well as that
Of many other members, the work was done in