The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-11-24

(From the Daily Messenger, Nov. 22.)
Only the second day OF the twelve
through which Wilmington's, great Ma
sonic Fair is to continue is completed
and already the degree of success at
tained is greater than the most san
guine expectations of nan of its
promoters. The success scored on
Monday evening exceeded all expecta-
tions from both social and financial
view points, and the results yesterday
and last night were a still greater and
most agreeable surprise.
The fair was reopened at 3 o'clock yes
terday and was thronged with visitor.
until II o'clock last night. The most
notable event of the day, of course,
was the dedication ceremonies. Then
following this there was an endless
round Of attractions and amusements,
notably the fortune l~tellers, the dane
ing, the supper service, the amusements
at the country store n other booths.
In fact there was fun galore through
out the afternoon and evening, and
a pleasing fact is that there were so
many people from out of toWr in at
tendance. They are here from man.
places in and out of the state, and
speak in the most complimentary terms
of the fair.
DEDICATORIAL CEREMONIES.
The dedication of the temple occurred
in the Commandery hall about 3:45
o'clock yesterday afternoon, and was
witnessed by quite an interested au-
dience. An especially large number Of
ladies attended the ceremony and were
especially interested spectators.
Prior to the ceremony there was a
session Of the Grand Lodge at st.
Johns Hall, on Market street, and
thereafter the Grand Lodge, the Ma
sons of Wilmington and quite a COM
pany of visiting brethren formed a
procession and marched to the Masonic
temple. The procession was headed by
a company of Master Masons, followed
by the officers of the Grand Lodge. AT
the temple the master masons tool po-
sitions on either side of the entrance
so that the members of the grand
lodge passed up first, headed by Grand
Tiler r. H. Bradley. The other officers
entered in the following order:
DR.. Richard J. Noble, most Worship
er i by Grand Stewards F. D. Jones
and J. H. Hardin (acting), who carried
symbolic rods.
DR.. J. E. Matthews, acting deputy
grand master bearing a pitcher of Oil.
Mr.. E. Norden, acting senior grand
warden, with a pitcher of wine.
Mr.. E. O. Toomer, acting junior grand
warden, bearing a pitcher of corn.
Mr.. B. r. Lacy, acting grand treas
Mr.. James c. Munds, grand secretary.
Rev. A. D. Mcclure, acting grand
chapain.
Mr.. w. D. Mcmillan, Jr., acting
grand lecturer.
Mr.: W. P. Toomer, acting senior
grand deaSon.
Mr.. M. S. Willard, junior grand dea-
con
Captain w. R. Kenan, acting grand
MI. w. B. Mickey, acting grand
bearer.
Mr.. w. F. Fallon, acting grand pus-
The procession of grand officers fol- |
by the Masonic brethren passed
through the main fair apartment into
the Commandery hall, where the did
service was held. The Masons
their respective positions accord
Ing ITO their rank. The following ode
was impressively sung:
Q1dSlCI supreme. dCCepl our praise, |
Still bless this consecrated band;
Parent Of light! illume our ways,
And guide us by thy sovereign hand. |
May Faith, Hope, Charity, divine.
Here hold their undivided reign;
and Harmony combine
To soothe our cares-to Danish pain. |
May pity dwell within each breast,
Relief attend the suffering poor;
by this, our Lodge, be blest.
Till worth, DISTRESSED, shall want no
more" |
TEMPLE PRESENTED FOR DEDI-
CATION.
At the conclusion of the ode the
master briefly announced the oc-
,asion of the assemblage and Iredell
Meares, Esq, in behalf Of the Masonic
Temple Corporation directors, stepped
and said:
Most Worshipful Grand Master:
1.-The Masonic fraternity Of Whining
on being animated with a desire to
promote the honor and interest of the
have erected a Masonic temple
or their convenience and accommoda-
ion. They desire that the~same shall
,e solemnly dedicated to Masonic pur-
agreeable to ancient form and
Mr.. Charles McMillen, the architect
Who designed and superintended the
of the temDle. then with an \