Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-07

that time Las twice suffered "a total loss of It's
equipments. pardphernaiia and furniture by
tirc-February Z, 1866. and July 26, 1S72-but
neither disaster retarded its work or was per-
mitted to even interrupt the regularity OF its
conclaves. It will doubtless be permanently
CHARTERED by next year In the new Masonic
temple about to be erected i'll Joliet, the plans
of which have been perfected and adopted.
Joliet, No. 4, participated in the ceremonies Of
laying the corner stones of the Douglas monu-
ment, Chicago. in 1866. and of the government
building. Chicago. III 1922 attended as body
the triennial conclaves at st. Louis in 1868 and
Chicago in 1880.
The office of eminent commander has been
held by men who have been distinguished in
Masonry in Illinois, follows 1858 to 1860 by
Nelson ID. Elwood, deceased; 1861, 1868 and
1865 by William s. Brooks, who has served in
both branches of the state legislature and is
now president of the viii county national
bank; 1862 by Edmund Wilcox; 1864 by George
II. MacGre2or. now deceased; 1866, 1867, 1868
and 1869 by Charles f.. Munger. deceased, who
was grand commander OF Illinois in 1863; 1870
by Rev. Charles A. Gilbert. deceased. who was
grand prelate of Illinois in 1867; 1871 by Samuel
G. Stearns; 1872, 1878 and 1874 by Richard p.
Denker. now deceased; 1875, 1876, 1882 and
1888 by James G.. Elwood, who was NJ. E. II. =.
of Joliet chapter and grand commander Of Hi
nois in 1888; 1877 and 1873 by John 5. Miller,
now deceased; 1879 and 1880 by William Dou-
gall. who wasin command at the triennial con-
csve at Chicago in 1880; 1891 by David e..
Wills. who has also been W. N. of Metteson
lodge and NJ. E. II. p. of Joliet chapter; 1854
and 1885 by William q. Wilcox, who was also
w. NJ. Of Matteson lodge; 1886 and 1887 by
Chenery Puffer, who was three times each W.
NJ. of Matteson lodge and ID. L. IL. p. Of Joliet
chaper.
The present eminent commander, John B.
Fithian, also three times worshipful mas
ter of Malteson lodge, during which time he
organized and perfected its working team,
which has achieved more than a local reputa-
ton aud has been honored by and accepted an
invitation to exemplify the work in Alexandria
Washington lodge, No. % Cyirginia), during
Its presence at the conc.ave.
The uniform worn by this commandery is in
accordance with that prescribed by the Grand
commandery OF Illinois. Its banner is dis
tinctiye, OF the usual shape. with its name,
number and location embroidered thereon
around its coat OF arms, which is synboiical OF
its identity, and may be described, .withous us
ing the technical terms pertaining to heraldry,
IN simpiihed torfn: 1t consists Of Ete-shaped
shield over red Templar cross, ire shield be.
half black and the upper half silver, with red
passion cross emblazoned on the center, tins
displaying prominently the TenpIar coiors and
emblem OF the faith. The upper half is
| charged with the cross OF the Grand encaynp-
ment of the United States in gold, fixing the
supreme jurisdiction to which the command
cry owes allegiance; the lower half is charged
with the cross OF the Grand commandery Of
illinois In silver, indicating the immediate
grand jurisdiction of the cLmmandery; and,
finally, q martlet il charged on the passion
| cross, showing that this commandery Ia num-
| bered T. The crest has for its base ribbons of
black and white twisted together, surmounted
| by mailed arm, the hand holding Q battle ak.
The whole rests upon crossed lances, from the