Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-12-27

An Interesting Occasion Enjoyed by the
Members of ST. Joints Chapter, II. A..
M, Last Friday Night.

an interesting Occasion Enjoyed by the
Members of st. JOINTS Chapter, II. A.
M, Last Friday Night.
The annual meeting of st. Johns
Chapter, X. A. NJ, last Friday evening"
was attended by about 300 people and
accompanied by delightful feytivities.
Officers Us follows were elected for the
ensuing year: High Priest, Elias IL. John
son; King Roscoe f. I}aylis, Scribe,
William Il. Watson; Secretary, William
Marshall; Treasurer, ]. Jackson peirce.
Past High Priest Harry Galbraith was
an elegant gold jewel. She presentation
speech was made by Bishop Coleman
A banquet followed shc address. The
banquet room was superbly decorated
with the national co!ofs electric lights
and Chinese lanterns. The ceiling was
adorned with streamers aud the walls with
festoons, and ut the head Of the room was
the words "St. Johns formed by incan-
descent lights encased in white shades
Harry Galbraith, H. w. Lowe, William H.
Watson and Roscoe +. Baylis constituted
the committee on decorations. The menu
was us follows:
Oysters on the Hal shell.
Roast Turkey, with Cranberry Sauce.
Fried Oysters
Chicken Salad. Lobster salad
Celery.
Cold Ham.
Nuts. Fruit
Coffee. Ton,
Ice Cream. Fancy cakes.
Cigars
Several addresses were made during the
banquet. Bishop Coleman spoke substan-
TALLY as follows concerning the recent de.
cree of the Pope concerning secret sUcetles:
Perhaps some persons might deem us
very brave even atdacious in meeting
around festive board under the Circum-
stances of the day. For 1t is currently re-
ported that there has been received here
as elsewhere, copy of II certain document
from Rome which puts us atrcsh under
the ecclesiastical ban.
| say it puts us afresh under such ban
not that we are expressly named, so far rs
| am informed, i'll the document to which
| have ventured to allude but other smi.
lar organizations are thus named / be-
lleve: now we are not named, only be-
cause-as suppose-we have been already
sufficiently specified before. However
we are willing to be Joined to this same
company and to take our full share of
whatever may attach to such condemna-
tion
trust shall not be tempted To speak in
any other than respectful manner of this
pronunciainentU. AS proceeding from Il
brother bishop-for without intending TO
enter the domain OF theological contro-
versy, may say, IN passing, that am just
the Bishop OF Rome--it is entitled to my
most respectful consideration.
But Tor one am py no means disturbed
or alarmed at this fresh dcliveranCe Of uili-
ciul censure. 1t is difficult, indeed, to
understand how upon any reasonable
grounds it could be issued. II certainly
must proceed from ignorance OF the real
Character ami purposes of such 0rganZa-
tions. am sorry for our own orders
sake, that the Bishop OF Rome is not
member OF 1t. | um sure he would bring
to it Il great deal that would benefit IL
for however so much one must differ
from him i'll some important particulars,
one cannot fail to recognize the obligations
under which the Christian world has been
placed by his life and labors.
Aud am sorry for his own sake that he
does not belong to a fraternity Of which
we account it privilege and will still
and always say an honor, to be members
However, he has seen lit to place us
under his ban, and on next Lords Day,
when we shall be in our various houses Of
worship, there may be issuing from other
houses of worship i'll and near this very
place, severe denunciations of societies
whose truly religious principles would
seem TO secure them from such censure.
So fur rs our own order is concerned, we
are content to abide by its halluwed and
approved tenets, and opposing, il VIC must,
these principle to the force--not ut any
time to be underrated, however so little
esleemed-of ignorance and prejudice, 10
90 on quietly, charitably, and yet | would
fain hope, diligently in maintaining the
holy truths entrusted to us, trusting that
by our consistency of conduct, by Gods
grace, we may overcome even our bitterest
foes.
subsequently there was music under the
direction of William ]. Parry, the chapters
musical director.