Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1896-04-28
Masonic Dedication and Fair.

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Malta Lodge, No. 80, Ancient,
Free and Accepted Masons, dedica-
ted its new hall. on the third floor of
the Rouss nj emorial Building in this
place, Thursday evening, with APP
propriate ceremonies. In the abb
sence of j. NJ. Collins, grand master
of the State, Mr.. Gustav Brown was
appointed his proxy and had charge
of the ~dedicatory ceremonies. The
officers of the Grand Lodge present
and off a we're Grand Master
Gustav Brown, Deputy Grand Mas
ter b. d. Gibson, Senior Grand War
den w. NJ. Lenen, Junior Grand
Warden j. w. Russell, Grand Treas
urer George w. Thomas, Grand Sec
rotary S. Lee Phillips, Senior Grand
Deacon VIM. Kahn, Junior Grand
Deacon Charles f.. Reininger, Grand
Marshal C. N. Coleman, Grand Ora
tor James ii. Hopkins, Grand Chap
lain Rev. j. z. Stamp, Grand
|Pursuviant Albert Delhi, Principal
Architect julius G. Holmes, Grand
Stewards ". L.. Perry and j. NJ.
Shugart, Grand Tier j. w. Carney.
The emblem of the lodge was Car
ried by w. A. johnson and NJ. d.
Gibson, and the book of constitutions
by C. E. Graves,
The exercises began by the recep-
ltion of the Grand Lodge by Malta
Lodge, after which the grand master
assumed control and conducted the
dedication. While the grand master
was scattering the corn, wine and
oil over the emblem of the lodge, ap-
propriate Masonic music was rem
dered by a choir of ladies and gem
tlemen, accompanied by organ, and
the members of the Grand Lodge
marched in a circle around the en-
bIem. The grand chaplain delivered
prayers during the ceremonies. The
grand Marshal proclaimed the lodge
hall duly dedicated to Freemasonry.
Grandt Orator James H. Hopkins,
past grand master of the knights
Thmplar Of the United States, de-
livercd an able address for the
occasion. He gave ageneral outline
of Freemasonry, touching its con-
nection with society, its benefits, its
brotherly utilization, its heueficcnt in-
huences its charities and grand moral
achievements through all ages. His
Grafton Was interesting and greatly
enjoyed by the large assembly which
greeted him. Mr.. Hopkins was
formerly a member of Congress from
Pennsylvania. The ceremonies wcre
concluded with the be nediction by
the grand chaplain. Members of
lodges at Martinsburg, Winchester,
Va, Harper's Ferry, Shenandoah
Junction and Shepherdstown were
present.
The Ladies' Fair for the benefit
of Malta Lodge, held Wednesday,
Thursday and Friday, was well pa
tronized and quite a success. A
special train from Martinsburg Fri
day evening brought about eighty
members ofEquali ty andRobertWhite
Lodges of that place, accompanied
by a number of friends. There was
also q large attendance of members
from the lodges at Shepherdstown,
Harper's Ferry, Middleway and
Shenandoah junction. The visiting
DTeIuTeu were lCOul III bu0 lOhSC-
room by Grand Master Gustav Brown,
and in the Fair room by Rev. j. p.
Stump, Mr.. D. w. Shaffer, of Mar
tinsburg, responding in behalf of the
visitors.
District Deputy Grand Master w.
NJ. iemen and District Deputy
Grand Lecturer F. F. Keisecome, of
Martinsburg, assisted by Malta
Lodge and visiting brethren, con-
ferred several degrees in the lodge
upon candidates for Masonry.
Prizes were voted during the Fair
as follows:
Miss Julia Merchant, most popular single
lady, pyramid cake Mrs. VIM. Campbell,
most popular married lady, moquet rug; Mrs.
Foule, most popular school teacher, set Dick
EMS works; Wallace Gallaher, ugliest man,
silk umbrellas; w. q. Wilson. most popular
lawyer, handsome carving set; w. w T. j. Gal
laher, most popular editor, hat; G. NJ. Hough,
most popular Odd Fellow, gasoline stove;
Robert White Lodge, of Martinsburg. most
popular Masonic lodge, handsome gavel DR..
bride.
Mrs. j. W. Russell, president of the ladies'
committee, was presented with q beautiful
dinner castor.
Rev. j. p. Stump received the lap robe.
About $500 was netted for the
purpose of paying balance due on
hall.