Omaha daily bee., 1894-03-25
ECHOES FROM THE ANTE ROOM
Beautiful Ceremony of Distinguishing the
Lights at Masonic Hall.
RECALLING THE MARTYRDoM OF CHRIST
New Mutual Insurance Society Instituted
Coming Entertainment OF the Elks-
Among the Red Men Good
Templars' Social.

Free Masons' hall was the scene Of a very
impressive ritualistic ceremony Maunday
Thursday evening, being that Of "Extin-
gushing the Lights and feast obligatory,
which the brethren Of the Rose Croix cele-
brate on the evening preceding Good Friday.
This ceremony is intended primarily to
commemorate the events OF the eve OF the
martyrdOm Of Christ, and II adds to this
commemorative most impressive lessons on
the fatal mistakes which follow popular ig-
norance, on the evils which result from
placing in the hands of fallible men des-
potic power and the wicked consequences Of
religious bigotry and intolerance.
The great painting of Christ Befop PLATE
by Muncaczy is its symbolic expression. II
is intended as a lesson for men Of all creeds,
OF all lands and for all time. against evils
which exist today. as they did in the days
of Christ,
The venerable wise master of Semper
Fidelis chapter Of the Red Cross presided
over the body and impressively taught the
lessons which are so beautiful a part of the
=. work arranged for the ceremony Of extin-
gushing the lights. quite a hundred
knights were present to assist In the eXer-
cises, work beginning at $50 p. m.
Following the ceremony which calls the
brethren together once a year in solemn
conclave, the feast obligatory" as 1t is
called, was nell IN tne banquet TOOTH VI lhb
temple. Wise Master Cleburn (33d degree)
presided. At his right sat Inspector General
Richard Carrel Jordan (33d degree), and on
his left was Past Grand Master r. w. Fur
mas. POSTMASTER Louis NJ. Rheem sat at
the foot Of the table facing the wise master,
and after the senior and junior deacons had
announced the toasts in their respective
valleys, proceeded to introduce the speakers
OF the evening. Sir l.. w. Reem is a de-
lightful POSTMASTER, full of expedient and
ready at all times to say a bright thing in
conjunction with his subject.
The following toasts were given:
The President of the United States, Sir
Edward II. Dufiie.
The Supreme Council of the Ancient and
Accepted Scottish Rite for the Southern
Jurisdiction of the United States, Sir Henry
The Grand Commander, Sir John ].
Mcneil.
The Grand Lodge of Nebraska, Sir Brad
The Grand Masters of Masons of the
State of Nebraska. Sir Robert w. Furnas.
The Memory of the Brethren of the Rose
Croiz Whose Labors Here Below Have
Ceased During the Masonic Year, Sir
Champion S. Chase.
Rites and Degrees over the Surface of the
Earth, Honors and Laurels TO the Worthy
Health to the Sick G9mrort to the Neeny
Sir Stephen Wright Butler.
Our Inspector General, Sir Robert Carrel
Jordan $3.50 degree), Sir Daniel Fl. Wheeler.
Our Deputy Inspector General for Ne
braska, Sir William Cleburne (33d degree),
His Health and the Health of His Wife,
Sir Edgar c.. Snyder.
The banquet was impresively observed in
commemorative of that last supper which
Christ attended previous to his betrayal on
the following day. There was little at
tempt at an elaborate menu. although the
viands were excellent in every way, the
tables being p%rettily decorated with red
roses and smilaX.
Among the eminent Masons from out OF
town there were present Robert w. Furnas,
Brownville; Il. Il. Warren, Nebraska City;
Brad Slaughter, Fullerton; Or. j. III. Lacey
md Mr. Ienlngs OF Council Bluffs.