The morning call., 1894-02-19

arrive fully half an hour before the adver-
tised time had but little chance to gaze
upon the placid features of him they came
to honor. the first grand master of Masons
in California.
The body, placed in a casket profusely
strewn with floral gifts, lay in the center
OF the large hall. On either side sat, &C
cording to custom, the relatives of the de-
ceased. prominent among whom were no
tced his two daughters, one of whom is
the wife of Colonel Chandler. The widow
was not present. Representatives gathered
around from all the neighboring lodges of
the Masonic order, number Of past grand
masters being present, as also members of
Masonic Veterans Association. the Past
Masters Association. California Lodge
No. and the Associated Veterans of the
Mexican War.
The pall-bearers were: From the Past
Grand Masters-N. Green Curtis, William
G. Belcher, Alva II. COnkln, William A.
Davies. NJ. NJ. Estee. Hiram \. Rucker,
5. G. benson from the Masonic Veterans
Association-L. a. Booth, Washington
Aver; from the Past Masters Associa-
tion-Albert f. Knorp. James Patterson;
from California Lodge No. 1-Gustavus l..
Spear, Edward Peabody; from the Asso-
ciated Veterans of the Mexican War
Captain William l.. Duncan, Wellington
&. Burnett; from the Society of Pioneers
G. e. n. Russ.
When the cortege had passed, in the i'm
pressive Masonic ceremony was opened
by Henry 5. Orme OF Los Angeles, grand
master OF the Grand Lodge. State of Cali
fornia.
Those who have never participated in
Masonic funeral service can have but little
idea OF the grand solemnity of the pro-
ceedings. throughout the ritual apprO-
PIRATE selections were given by the Ma
sonic Quartet, presided over by Samuel ID.
Mayer, grand organist of the lodge.
the Weary Goodnight, | am Going
Home" The Lords PRAYER" 'Shall We
Meet Beyond the River?" and Nearer,
Ny God, 10 Thee, /" were given at intervals.
Another Interesting part of the Masonic
service is the exercise of the arms, known
as public grand nonors," which was gone
through twice during the service. The
PRAYERS were read by Rev. A. Il. Perkins
Of Oakland. grand chaplain Of the lodge.
The funeral Grafton was delivered by
Past Mase r General w. u. l.. Barnes
In the strikingly clear tones so peculiar to
him the orator paid his oral tribute to
dead comrade. He told how that when
| or January l, 1900, Colonel Stevenson first
saw the light of day. the whole population
of this vast continent numbered but
5000, 900 souls. This man lived to wit
ness the constantly growing population
65, coo, co.,"
The dead mans early life was dwelt
upon, from the time when as very young
man he sat in the house of Congress as
private secretary to Vice-Presdent Temp
kins. who, when he was Governor of New
York State. had seen and admired the lad
and taken him under his wing. 81 see"
| said the speaker. that splendid young
face before me now that in its age showed
SO many characteristics of the courage and
power that belonged to him. can see the
| light OF love and patriotism in that face,
the lace OF man who all his life long was
lover OF his country and held within his
heart the splendid spirit of the pioneer"
The orator told how that in those days
railroads were unknown, and letter was
long in reaching its destination. Steven
son had lived to see $4,000 miles of rail-
road and 10000 miles of telegraph wire in
these United States. He landed here from
voyage round the Horn In 1S47, in
country foreign to laws such as he became
foremost In establishing.
wealth was not his. He died I'M
enriched by the soil that light have been
bis. But he has left behind him heri-
tage more precious than the gold which he
might have amsssed by years of toll and
industry, or If. like Cesar, be had left bis
wealth TO build gardens for the people.
The debt will never be paid.
''ShaIl we meet him? Yes, i feel so. l
Ieel lnag we snail meet MIN IN Lnab great
republic above, where God has made all
men equal before him."
At the conclusion of the service all
friends of the dead veteran were invited
to join in the procession round the casket.
There, for brief moment or two stood
many a veteran soldier gazing with eyes
dimmed upon the calm still features of the
old soldier as he lay, clad in full uniform,
his arms folded across his breast, sleeping
his last sleep. with the toll and turmoil of
this busy world left behind him forever.
The street outside Masonic Temple was
lined with carriages waiting 10 follow the
remains to Laurel Hill Cemetery. A
misty, drilling rain fell mercilessly upon
the heads Of the thrOng, and vet of all that
vast concourse by far the greater part fol-