Morning journal and courier., 1889-07-11
AT THE HYPERION.

Oration-Music by the Mendelssohn
Quartette - A Great Audience OF
Masons.
The Hyperion quickly filled on the arrival
of the procession from the banquet hall at
the armory. Previous to this time two stall
wart policemen denied admittance to all who
applied, even though they were Masonic
symbols. The Grand officers and invited
guests first entered the theater, the comman-
deries followed and those of the lodges who
could followed.
They found the theater attractively adorn-
ed. The fronts of the boxes were concealed
by the large national flags. Masonic emblems
and banners adorned the walls and the
scenery, the front of the lower gallery was
covered with heavy blue material trimmed
with gold fringe, and the upper gallery with
red. It was mammoth audience that filled
the theater, all Masons; an intelligent, inter-
esting audience, but not as pleasing as the
audiences that ordinarily fills the theater,
for the bright faces and gay dresses OF the
ladies were not there to relieve the scene, al
though the jewels and insignia worn by the
members Of the fraternity were something OF
substitute.
1t was twenty-five minutes after three
when NJ. w. Grand Master John II. Swart-
won't let his gavel fall, and the entire assem-
bly, arose to sing the centennial ode, which
the COURIER published q few days ago.
Colts band of Hartford was stationed in the
gallery and led the singing. Every head
was uncovered except that of Grand Master
Swartwout, who gracefully wore polished
tile of the latest fashion. On the stage were
the grand officers and invited guests.
An eloquent prayer was offered by the
grand chaplain, Rev. Beverley E. Warner,
before the big audience again seated itself.
The Mondelssohn quartette of Boston, which
occupied the lower left hand boxes, respond
ed in tones 80 full OF melody that every lis
toner was enchanted.
The p. w. Grand secretary, Joseph K.
Wheeler, delivered the historical address.
One hundred years ago, said he, little band
of Free Masons, representing the best ele-
ment In the community, assembled at the
"Old Doolittle Tavern" in this city, then
standing on the corner of Elm and College
streets, where the Theological buildings are
now located, and there organized the Grand
lodge of Connecticut. In few jurisdictions
Grand lodges had already been organized,
and Connecticut had only delayed, expecting
and even desiring, that a supreme grand
lodge for the United States might be estab-
lished, with Washington as grand master.
The lodges convened in this city on the 9th
of July, 1889, adopted a constitution, regu-
lations and ordinances, and elected officers,
which we have since regarded as the begin
ming of our century, the centennial of which
we are this day celebrating. Pierrepont Ed
wards of Hiram of New Haven was the first
grand master.
About 1926 the anti-Masonic agitation
broke out and the order, which had been
making steady progress in Connecticut, rap
idly declined. The lodges became impover-
ished and Grand lodge regulations were
fruitless. The situation became 80 disastrous
that appeals were prepared and submitted to
the people, and in 1881 no roll of repre-
sentatives was recorded because they were 80
few.
After 1916 improvements became marked,
and In 1850 the lodges became exceedingly
prosperous again.
During the years of the civil war hundreds
were annually added to our numbers and at
the close of this decade ending with 1870, we
find 100 lodges and the total membership
II, 072, a gain of 1918 in ten years. There
are now in the State Ill lodges with a MEM
bership of 10000, and no discord In the
order. The gentleman's references to the
return of old Hiram to the fold were received
with great applause.
The Mendelssohn quartette was forced to
respond to an encore by the tumultuous ap-
plause which greeted its efforts. John T.
Pettee, prelate of st. Elmo commsndery No.
of Meriden, read the Centennial poem,
which was enthusiastically received. A few
stanzas follow;
Roll back this century's tide of years.
Aud what upon Its morn appearsf
A band of Masons from each town
Which had q blue lodge of Its own,
Each bringing In his hand stone
To lay the broad foundations down,
On which our first grand lodge should rise
Majestic meath our native skies.
But widely. different was the sight,
Which, riding in by morning light
or sailing in on yonder bay,
They saw, hundred years to-day.
New Haven then was but a town,
With scarce five thousand OF its own;
Its aged elms were saplings then,
Growing In woods OF Meriden;
Its lovely green. unfenced and bare,
"A graveyard and q market square.
with tower and turrst to the skies,
Stand where one humble college stood.
Then built Of brick brick though first Of wood.
10 rouse to work, or call to prayer;
Three teachers then, with rod and rue,
Sumced TO keep the public school,
While one small room, nor that their own,
Held oil the Masons OF the town.
The orator of the day was Rev. J. N. Rich
ardson Of Stamford. He spoke on Masonry
and Its Objects In part he said:
Masonry is not the mere youth of hun
bred years. 1t is another Methuselah with
great spans in it's hoary history. The Ma.
sonic brotherhood comes up out of the past
like some GENT with garments woven on the
loom of mysterious senealogy. Neverthe
less, Masonry possesses heart that throbs,
and brain that thinks. Although much OF
Q mythical nature surrounds the earlier days
of the institution, there are distinct foot
prints on the sands of time. Freemasonry
was not an accident. The very character Of
the Institution forbids the idea of a sponta
neous production.
This grand Masonic superstructure is an
evolution of ages, but it's spirit life has all
ways existed. In the early dawn of civilian
ton the principles of fraternal government
among men began their work in society. The
Idea Of universal brotherhood which is the
heart and luns of our fraternity is of divine
origin. Our fathers saw the real aim of fra.
ternity and so opened Its doors to all men