Connecticut western news., 1896-06-25
A F. & A. M. A
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
Of Cincinnatus Lodge of Great Bar
 ringtOn, Mass.

ringtOn, Mass.
 Never since it's incorporation in 1761, has Great Burlington witnessed more magnificent and imposing parade than that of yesterday, which with its attendant ceremon- ies commemorated the centennial of that constantly growing and highly prosperous fraternal organization, the Cincinnatus Lodge of Free and Accept ed Masons. The music of almost score of bands; the waving banners of the various lodges, the elegant uniforms of the Knights Templars. the glittering swords of the tylers, together with the numerous emblems of masonry as dis played by hundreds of the fraternity who have been initiated into the ancient mysteries of the order from the first to the thirty third degree, all combined to make up such scene of splendor as never before enjoyed by the citizens of Southern Berkshire.
 To be precisely correct from an historical standpoint, the Tooth anniversary of Cincin- natus Lodge should have been observed on December 9, 1895. as on that date their charter was granted by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. The charter bears the signature of Paul Revere of precious Revolutionary memory, and other great men of century ago. This document which has escaped the flames and floods of over hundred years, and has been sacredly preserved by the Lodge, was exhibited yesterday, and it is hardly necessary to say it was ln- spected with general interest by great number of Masons.
 But to return to the chief subject of the parade and the services which fol- lowed. It was precisely at 8:30 a. m., when the brethern ofCincinnatus Lodge assembled at their elegant now rooms in the third story of the Berkshire block on the corner of Main and Bridge streets. The Worshipful Master. Charles H. Booth, opened the meeting and during the next half hour the nec- essary business relating to the great oc- casion was transacted, At g o'clock the Lodge fled out of their rooms and marched to the railway station, where on arrival of the train from Pittsfield they met the officers of the GrandLodge and escorted them to the lodge room, where session of the Grand Lodge was held. In the ensuing hour the wis., iting lodges from both north and south arrived on their respective trains and marched to the town hall lawn.
 At II a. m. amid the strains of music the line of parade was formed in this order: Chief Marshal John A. Brewer; First Assistant Marshal Frank Fl. Briggs. Assistants A. s. Fassett, O. H. Bentley. W. P. Small, l.. 0. Raifstan- ger, R. Fl. Mcdonald, H. J. Mignerey, Fl. s. Chapin. Then came Gartland's s 10th Regiment Band, of Albany, and the Berkshire Commandery No. 9 Knights Templars of Pittsfeld. Follow ing marched these lodges each headed by band: Crescent of Pittsfeld, Grey lock of North Adams. Occidental of Stockbridge, Upton of Cheshire, Globe of Hinsdale, Huntington of Hunting ton, Berkshire of Adams, Lafayette of North Adams, Mystic of Pittsfeld, Wisdom of West Stockbridge, Evening Star of Lee, St. Peters of New Mil ford, Montgomery of Lakeville, Housa tonic of Canaan, Western Star of Nor folk, Cincinnatus of Great Burlington. Officers of the Grand Lodge and dis tinguished guests in carriages. The line of march was down Bridge street to River, to Church, to Main, up Main as far as Housatonic Hall. The column then countermarched down Main street to South street, up South to West avenue. then by South Main to Pope. west to Maple avenue, to Ma hawie. to Main, to the Fair grounds. then around the race track to the grand stand. At the command of the marshals the lines were opened and Tn reverse order the lodges proceeded to the seats reserved for them on the grand stand.
 At high noon, as the clocks in the tower of the village churches began to strike. the imposing services at the grand stand were opened with an invo- cation by Rev Louis Palmer D. D. of the Berkshire Lodge of Adams. Then came the singing of appropriate Ma sonic hymns. At the close of singing the great legal light of Western Massa- chusetts, the Honorable Herbert O.. Joyner of Great Darlington with his form erect and his white locks waving in the gentle breeze of June, arose in his place and delivered an eloquent ad- dress of welcome, such as has never been heard from the grand stand since the time that Governor Russell gave a great speech on different subject The address of welcome which was loudly applauded, was responded to by the Most Worshipful Grand Master Edwin B. Holmes of Boston. But after all the great flights of oratory, the most interesting part of the literary ex- ercises was the historical address by Isaac R. Prindle, secretary of Cincin- natus Lodge. In this address the his- torican, who has been Investigating for several years, presented many interest ing facts never before published but only the following brief outline can here be given:
 As previously stated the charter was granted Dec. 9, 1795, the lodge to be