The San Francisco call., 1895-10-14
.FREEMASON'S S CELEBRATE.
Twenty = Fifth Anniversary of
the Scottish Rite in
California.
Eighty Old Members Observe the
Occasion in Banquet at
Masonic Temple.

The twenty-fifth anniversary of the or
ganization in California of the Scottish
Rite, or Thirty-third Degree, of Freema-
sonry, was celebrated at the Masonic Tenn
pie in this City Saturday night by grand
banquet. Covers were laid for eighty. all
of whom were thirty-second degree Me-
sons, and some of whom had attained to
the highest possible degree. that given by
the Grand ConsistOry, whose silver ami
versary in this State was being observed.
There are four stages to Freemasonry.
The Lodge of Perfection gives the first
degrees, the Rose Croix gives the next
higher, the Knights OF Rotash administer
the succeeding degrees up to the thirty
third, and the Grand Consistory gives that
supreme degree.
In California there are now abont It's
Blue lodges, or ordinary Masonic lodges,
the first one having been instituted in
1S49; and there are two Grand Consistories,
one in this City and one in Los Angeles
The first Grand Consistory on the Pacific
Coast was constituted in this City on Oc-
tober II, 1870, and was organized by
Ebenezer II. Shaw, thirty third degree
Mason and sovereign grand inspector-gen-
eral for the State of California, assisted by
Thomas II. Caswell active member of the
Supreme Council of the Southern Jurisdic-
ton of the United States, and Isaac S.
Titus, honorary inspector-general, both of
whom were thirty-third degree men.
Since its organization the Grand Con-
slstory has held fifty sessions under the
following presiding officers: William T.
Reynolds, John NJ. Browne, William A.
Davies, Charles F. Brown, David Mcclure,
Theodore II. Goodman, Stephen Wing,
William S. Moses, w. Frank Pierce, James
B. Merritt, Charles l.. Patton. Henry S.
Cline.
Preceding the banonet the Temple Quar-
tet. consisting Of Messrs. Ogilyie, Mayer,
BastciI and Fleming, sang 1.-The Soldiers
Farewell and Lovely Night" Colonel
Ralph de Clairmont delivered an address.
During the banquet the following mu-
sical programme was rendered under the
direction OF Samuel ID. Mayer: Song,
For All Eternity" byJ. F. Fleming, with
violin obligato by A. H. Kayton; song,
Across the Stream" by J. r. Ogilvie;
violin solo, "Cavatina," by A. H. Kayton;
song, ''If the Waters Could Speak as They
Flow" by j. G.. Baston.
Charles l.. Patton oficiated as toast
master and called for the following toasts:
''Grand Master OF the Grand Consistory," re-
sponded to by Henry s Cline.
The Grief Magistrate OF the United States"
by DR.. l. f. Stone.
''The Supreme Council A and A. S r. bv
Harry j. Lask, grand preceptor.
"Grand ConsistOry OF California" (" by William
S. Moses, past grand master.
''Grand Lodge and Grand Master OF Nasous
OF California, by J. II. Goodman
"Grand Chapter and Other Masonic Bodies of
California" by Charles Dalton.
TO the Memory OF the Brethren of the De-
grees Whose Labors Have Ceased During the
Present Year, by the Rev. A McAIlisteT, W.
S. W.
"To All Masons and Masonic Bodies of All
Rites and Degrees over the Surface of the
Earth" by 8. w. Rosenstock
"Honors and Laurels to the Worthy, Health
to the Sick, Comfort to the Needy and Suceor
to the Oppressed Everywhere" by E. w.
Walshe.
In every respect the banquet was great
success and continued until l o'clock sun
day morning. Most OF those in attendance
were residents of this City though several
came from different parts of the State and
from other sections of the country.
Lace ficbus become more and more elab-
crate and beautiful. They are an improve
ment upon those that old engravings show
to nave been worn in colonial DAYS