Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1886-09-30
THE z. T. CONCLAVE.
The Grand Escort Parade Pre-
vented by Heavy Rain.
Convocation of tho Grand Encampment at
st. Louis-AgreeabIe Exchange of
observation-disclosures Begun
The Standing Committees.

grand parade of the Knights Templar i'm
practicable. Many of the communicates
had already prepared to start when the
rain commenced to descend in a deluge,
and soaked to the skin those who failed
to break ranks and take refuge under
shelter.
After a brief consultation between
Commander-in-Ch Chief Parsons and his
aides, the parade was declared off,
and the members, wet, miserable
and disappointed, sought their quarters
to regain their spirits in dry clothing and
social amenities.
ENTERTAINMENT HALL.
Entertainment Hall at the Exposition
IS full OF the emblem stories peculiar to
Knight Templarism. From the stage set
ting to the Grand Encampment flag flying
over the entrance door there is nothing but
harmony of color and form. The hall ex-
cites the enthusiasm of every behOlder
when not flag is displayed. Its proper
tons are so true, arrangement for hear
ing and seeing so perfect, and the colo
ing of the walls so rich and Subdued,
that it calls for an exhaustion of the adj
lectiVe stock of every one who attempts
description. But the Triennal commit
tee have still further embellshed it, leav-
ing absolutely nothing more TO be de-
sired.
THE CONVOCATIoN.
The members of the Grand Encamp-
nent arrived at Entertainment Hall in
carriages, and walked into the building
as they aiighted, observing no particular
order i'm their entrance.
1t was 1880 p. m. when Sir Knight
John IL. Parson stepped to the front of
the platform and said that he wished to
Introduce to the assembled Sir Knights
a gentleman who, though not a Sir
Knight, had done as much as any Templar
to assist those preparing for the Conclave
now assembled. The gentleman was the
Hon. David X. Francis, mayor of the city
st. Louis. The mayor was received with
a prolonged applause that showed he was
not stranger, at least by reputation, to
many present. His honor made an APP
propriate and telling address of welcome
as follows.
GRAND MASTER AND SIR KNIGHTs-To me
as the official representative of the city and
the people, has been assigned the duty of ex-
tending to you a formal welcome Words in
adequately express our pleasure at your
ious longing. and now that the time has
come, our lips do but family convey the
WelcomeI thrice weIcomei [AppIanse. This
welcome has been in the hearts of our peo-
pile for %onths l. may say for year past
stantial manifestations of it. From every
", TndG nv, and mos. every "s TOP HtseGs
the Temple; even the skies weep Joy
at your coming. Prolonged applause
That emblem of the red cross carries US back
to near the beginning of the twelfth century.
3i5 years before the discovery of the New
World to the banks of the river Jordon; to
the gates of the Holy City to the time when
the brave and noble founder of the Order of
the Templars and his devoted band of nine
poor pilgrim. to defend destitute widows,
innocent maidens. helpless orphans and the
high mission, Verify, a good cause for man
to devote his time and energy to, and even
his life.
How faithfully the followers of Hugh de
Payen observed his teachings the perpetu-
fly OF the order has demonstrated. The
growth of its membership is strong evidence
shat truth and equity were in the foundation
upon which the mighty fabric was based.
How incredible would it have been to st.
hundred years after the birth of the order
thousands of it's sons would be assembled
then undiscovered LAND, advocatins the
principles he was FORMULATING. How it,
9ua have n sv the last n,S of
<alieviated his suffering if he could have
hooked down the vista of years and seen
being tortured, and the secrets
for which he was yielding up a noble life
the march of Centuries and long after his
prosecutors had been forgotten his name |
would be cherished and his virtues emu
The years which have witnessed this |
growth In your order have wrought many |
belonged to the chivalry; the Templars of
to day belong to the age of practicabilty:
war. to day peace reigns over the entire |
earth. The world has turned from shadow |
rance OF the Middle Ages to the light of |
nineteenth century civilization; from the |
age of force to the age of reason. Jap
plause.l
time has wrought the noble principles of the
Knights TempIar have retained their primi-
tive purity and power. and to-day the fol-
from him In manner habit education and |
aim OF life, still practice his beautiful pre-
to the Templars of to day that speak. To
you who, whilst preserving all that is good
and true in your order, have brought it to
originator ever dreamed of. To you, who
in this peaceful age. whilst attending to the
duties of workaday life, lind time to
study the teachings and practice the pre-
cepts of your founders.
CITY to- day. Eighteen years ago the first
grand escort of the Grand Encampment of
was held in this city The attendance and
enthusiasm then manifested surprised the
but at each trienniai recurrence of the grand
event the members have increased until to-
day it numbers a mighty army:
What is the significance of this? Why do |
the wheels of commerce stop in this busy
aget Is it to devise new methods to acceler- !
ate its onward progress? MOI But it's votaries
have for a time renowned their usual avo-
cations and convened together for the pur-
pose of renewing their VOWS of love, fidelity
and charity st. Louis Is proud to be the
scene of such an assembiage. The people
welcome You for the objects which bring you
together. But beyond this we welcome you
for yourselves. We recognize in you repre-
eentatives from all sections of the Union,
leaders of men in the communities in which
you live We see among you many whose
fame I'm their walks Is as broad as the land. |
we see in you men who are making the
history of the country, of the age-men
who are the brain and Drawn of the Nation.
st. Louis has taken many rapid strides for.
ward since your last convention here, and
we believe her progress in the future will be
among our most enterprising citizens many |
of your worthy brothers. They have per-
formed no unimportant part in our past and
upon them we greatly rely for our future. |
They have made hosptable preparati on for
your entertainment and join with US in bid
ding you welcome. In their name therefore, |
as well as in the name of all the people OF
the city, again tender you cordial greet
ing, welcome to our hearts and Our
homes
The city is in holiday attire, our festival
season Is upon us, and things and beings
say. welcomed
Long and loud applause followed the
remarks of his Honor, at the conclusion
OF which the venerable Deputy Grand
Master, General ChaS. Roome, arose and
said: |
In the name and in the behalf of the Grand
Temple of the United States, l sincerely
thank you for and accept this reception,
and assure you of our appreciation of the
glowing language you have used in Gescrib-
Ing our order. One would have supposed |
have You described our history and pur-
poses. We appreciate the assurances you