Morning journal and courier., 1889-01-04
HIRAm,s BIC BANQUET.

HIRAm's BIG BANQUET. Grand Installation of 0mcers-A Pret- ty Scene in she Banquet EIaIl-About Fifteen Hundred Enjoy she Pleas. ure-Many Fair Guests-SpeecheS by ! Prominent Mason Memoirs of l Major Munson-O1d Hiram's His- tory.
 Old Hiram's lodge room presented happy spectacle last evening. It was filled with
 nearly 1,500 guests, the greater part of whom
 were the fair friends of the lodge. The
 large armory hall was gaily hung with deco
 rations of evergreens, whose long heavy ropes
 of foliage hung in graceful wreaths over the
 many long bouquet tables, which were loaded
 with tempting and delicious delicacies.
 Pretty gilt cages were intimately interspersed
 among the bright decorations, and the sweet
 little golden singers within kept up Q con- tinual hubbub of merrimsnt and song to
 greet the ears and delight the senses of Old
 Hiram's gay guests. Thomas full orchestra also disooursed sweet music from bower of decorations.
 ! The installation of officers was first ac- \ eomplished in the lodge room up stairs. The
 ceremonies were performed by Past Master ' New York city. The officers are: <! Isaac F. Graham, VIM. A. L. Preuss, s. V. D. F Wiser, J. w.
 Sssi15 2ss 4 Eiss Tssa Tsfs $ ss Sssis
 stsysnseP: amS SP:.s7, s & EdTin fInsh, J;si John A. Munson. Tyler After this reception and banquet was held
 in the armory. At 10 o'clock the speechmaking
 began. The toastmaster was Past Master
 Julius Twiss. Prof. W. R. Harper pre- nounced the invocation, ,and His Honor Mayor Henry F. Peck then responded to s'The City of New Haven" He was greeted with much applause. He spoke of the great advantages and beauties of the city and said their was probably no other city that had so much to make life enjoyable as ours. 'sThank Pros violence our lot is cast in such 8 beautiful city as New Haven."
 Rev. Dr. Chapman replied to Masonic Work" "Here is company of ladies'" said he, "who never approach the theme of Masonic work without carrying at least one hundred pounds of curiosity to the square inch. How can speak without losing my head and heart and giving the whole thing away. I asked 6 brother the other day if Old Hiram was still ont in the colda" "Yes,n said he, but Old Hiram don't freeze for a cent" All Masonic work is not confined to the lodge room. It is being the brother Of the brotherless and the friend of the friend. less. I am most happy in wishing Old
 
 The next speaker on the programme was Past Master J. D. Dewel1 of Hiram lodge. Ex-Mayor Lewis stated that it was impossi- ble for MT. Dewell to be present.
 The Hon. Henry G. Lewis was called upon. He said the history of the State and city could not be written without coming into these walls and studying old Hiram's history He spoke feelingly of the first grand master, the brave General Wooster. He said that Hiram was organized in 175O. He then gave brief synopsis of the military career of Major William Munson, who was admitted into Hiram in 1793, and was past master in 179O. He was born in 1746, two years be- fore Hiram was organized. He was in the retreat from Quebec in 1776; captain in Col. Hazen's regiment on July 15; in com mand of Dobbs' Ferry in 17s3 when Major John Andre was executed; was appointed major in the United States army in 17s3 by act of Congress; July 4, 1786, was made ! member of the Grand Military society of Cincinnati; in 1763 inspector of revenue of l all ports in the district of New Haven; he | died February 26, 1926. An old picture and | punch bowl of Major Munson's was shown | and ex-Mayor Lewis said these were to be | given to Hiram lodge at future date. They | are now the property of relative of Major Munson's who is 92 years old. Rev. Dr. J. E. Twitohell then answered to "The Fellowship of Masonry.i' He stated that he was not Mason, but was not op- pOSeO tO MhSOuIy Ou pEluclplo. ne salu ne had looked all around for the goat, but couldn't find it. "As to masonic fellowship, don't know much about it," said he. 'tBut do know that when I walked up here to- night with my wife in all the bliss of fellow ship suddenly found that another man had taken her aroL nd to another table. don't 5oubt but that there is lots of masonic fel- owsnip." He said he didn't know about l yriefs, but had met with many kinds. "I will give any of you 8 dozen now," Dr. Twitchell continued, Eff you will tell ne which is the masonic one." The human heart yearns for fellowship. If should object to anything about masonry, it is that ome place it above the Christian church. nan being brother is the grandest order of he world and would place it equal beside he Christian church.
 Hon. Herbert E. Benton, announced to Young Hiram" He said it was mistake o ask him to reply to young Hiram. "Old Hiram, though it may renew its Youth," aid he, "is old Hiram still" He said that he gathering present placed such power be- lind old Hiram that the weakest of it's mem ,ers need fear nothing for it's welfare. "We hould not forget that the most godlike duty | # Masonry was charity. Though you have ( Vronged me, brother, I bear you no malice. Id Hiram.
 Rev. MT. Meserve spoke in place of Rev. )r. Reed, who was withheld by the sudden lness of his aged mother. Hon. Lynde Harrison was not present and . }. Moves spoke in his place. The evenings pleasure was rounded up | bout 12 o'clock, and the happy gathering ispersed with many good wishes and good I yes.