The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1892-04-22
city one po.r, hungry and thirsty soul and

city one po.r, hungry and thirsty soul and
he was welcomed MS brother.
/ The Chapter was then called from labor
to refreshment and adjourned TO the ban
quet Hall, where, after an appropriate
address from the handsome, accomplished
and dignifed Master, the solemn ccremo-
ny extinguisbing the lights on the seven
branch candestick was held and thc chap
ter reduced to darkness which must exist
until the period has elapsed when they
can he rclightcd, which is on Easter mora
The Sovereign Princes were then seated
at the table, which was beautifully deco
rated and arranged in the form of the en-
blcm of the Order, the Passion Gross, and
then began feast Of reason and flow Of
soul. Good fellowship prevailed and cv-
erybcdy was bccomingly and dccorously
happy.
| The Most Wise and Perfect Master pro-
posed toast to "Our Supreme Council
and Sovereign Grand Consistory," and in
his happitst manner called upon and in
PRODUCED Illustricus John P. Steiner, 30
Acting Sovereign Grand Inspector Gen.
eral and Deputy Sovereign Grand Com
mander, to respond, which lie did in
| lengthy speech which elected unstinted
applause.
| The next toast proposed was est An
drew Consstory," to which eIIlustrious
| Albert Parlett, 33 :, it's COMMANDMENTS
Chief, responded in short but happy
speech, filed with words Of cheer and en-
courag cement. 1t was evident when the
toast, "Our Mother, the Symbolic Lodge"
was proposed, that the interest Of the even
ing was centered in the response by
| Ilustrious /. T. Johnson, 33 and when
lie arose and the frost Of his tour score
! years was visible in his flowing white
| locks pafriarchal beard, he was greeted
| by long and continuous storms ofapplausc.
| The distinguished company dwelt cngerly
| udon his every word and gesture and
drank in with great relish the sublime
| and beautiful thoughts evolved from his
6fty-six years experience as II Mason.
| He spoke at length. and with al the fire
and ardor of half Il ccnIury ago. He re-
cited his lfe's work in the cause, and hay
ing made more than 800 Nasons in Bris
! fol. a record that is utterly without
known precedent. The statement was re-
ccivcd amid thundcrs of applause. His
interest in the Masonic Institution seems
| not to have akencd in least, but On the
contrary has gained strength. He stands
! TODAY the 'noblc-t monument i'll the Ma
sonic history Of orr city and all the dis
tinruished honors Of the order rest upon
his devoted head The applause of the
evening was secured by his noble address
1t was expected tina! III. George W.
Wright, 32o, responded in speech OF
| short duration but lasting interest. which
was received with liberal applause. I'LL.
| William G. Sheen. 81, responded to ''l'he
Order of the Temple" in speech chaste
and beautiful He interested his auditors
hv reciting the origin Of the American
system OF knights Tcmplar Masonry,
| which was first established in America by
warrants and charters granted by the
Sovereign Grand Consistory of which
Jnscpl, Ccrnnu was the head This i'm
n0rtant fact was in the nature Of II rcvc-
aton TO most Of his hearers, as it estah-
fishes an immovahlc fact which rests with
| great weight upon tho question Of the
| Legitimacy Of our supreme council, which
has been so yi.ulcntly assailed by rival
| factions. :,
! The toast to sour Departed Brethren"
! was offered standing and in solemn ST.
| lcnce. When the llustrious Master Naf
introduced the next toast, "Our First Poet
Laureate, Robert Burns, of killikrankie
Lodge. which still meets among the bon
mic blue hills Of Scotland" he made the
best and happirst effort of his life, and
when he called upon the brethren to re-
spond with sAuld Lang Syne" they Joined
hands in circlessand led by Prof Aiken's
comet, made the rafiers ring with the
| melody of that maichess air.
The company then adjourned to "l04. .
where. after some further expressions OF
rellowhin and great good will, they sepa-
rated to their homes. ali feeling that they
! were better men and Masons for having
been there. and more deeply devoted TO
the objects and purposes Oft the Mystic in
stitution.
1t should he source Of eminent salts
faction to the fraternity that the liberal
and progressive spirit of American citi-
zenship has thus inamgnrated new era
lin its history, and that narrow minded
sectarianism has no place or power within
! it's councils. We hope that this is the
{ 6rst of series of such events.
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