Delaware gazette and state journal., 1899-10-26
maDn A MASON OF scHbEr.
The Admiral Initiated into the nyateros
OF the Order.

4
The Admiral Initiated Into the nyater'os
OF the Order.
Baltimore Sun Special.
Washington, Oct. %. "A demon
stration uneaualed in the Masonic
annals Of Washington took place last
night at Masonic Temple, when
Admiral Schley was made member
OF the Blue Lodge. IT is very SELDOM,
and only by special dispensation, tnat
candidate is permitted to take me
three degrees which lead him 70 the
Blue Lodge In one evening". some
times, however, when soldiers or
sailors are about to 60 to distant lands
they arc put through the initiation
exercises In one night, and as Admirai
Schley is about to leave to take COM
mand Of the South Atlantic squadron
the rule was waived in his favor and
he was made full l-hedged Mason.
BENJAMIN Is. French Lodge, No. 10,
+. A. A. M, had the honor OF con-
ferring tho degree upon the Admiral,
but the members were assisted by q
large number OF guests, so that over
!, 900 persons witnessed the ceremonies.
Beniamin B. French Lodge attended in
body and the Grand Lodge and Lodge
No. 10, Of Richmond, Va, were also in
attendance. Individual Masons from
Maryland, Virginia, Now York and
elsewhere, In addition to the repre-
septatives of the local lodges, made up
an assemblage which was far too great
to Kermit the ceremonies taking place
in the lodge room. SO they were held
ip the main hall Of the building,
which had been elaborately decorated
for the occasion.
The platform was covered with plants
and vines, while behind the master s
chair was beautiful floral u, OF
mystic meaning. studded with minute
incandescent lights. Behind the throne
was a United States flag draped as an
oriflanime. The altar was draped with
handsome silk flag and the mystic
triangular lights were surrounded with
potted plants. The elaborate ritual of
the Masons had been condensed in
order to accomplish the initiation in
one evening, the necessary dispensation
having been granted by Grand Master
j. Henry Small, Jr., of the District OF
Columbia.
f. st. Clair Thompson, Senior
warden; James I. Gibbs, junior
warden, and Alexander Grant, worship
full master, assisted by Grand Master
Small, presided. At the conclusion OF
the ceremonies the applause, which
had been restrained by the rules Of the
order, broke forth. 1t was 10 minutes
before the demonstration subsidized
sufficiently for the Admiral to respond
to the calls for speech. In few
earnest and graceful words he expressed
his admiration for the order of which
he had just been made member and
told how he had been impressed by the
solemn and beautiful ritual. At the
conclusion. Of his speech there was
more applause and the members present
filed by to give him cordial hand
shake and fraterna greeting The
cheering continued as he left the
odge room and did not cease until he
had driven away in his carriage.
Admiral .Schley will be presented
with magnificent loving cup and
dinner service made from the coins
found on the Spanish warship Cristobal
Colon. The presentation will take place
at the home of Charles N. Ffoulke, OF
Washington. Mr.. Ffouke, Former
Postmaster General Gary and Mr.. T..
Edward Hambleton, OF Baltimore, were
some time ago appointed committee
to invite subscriptions from certain OF
Admiral Schley's friends, and Mr.
Ffoulke has notified the Admiral that
tile $1,000 which was required has
already been subscribed and that n
number Of other subscriptions will be
received. All above the amount stated
will be expended in additional decora-
tions to the dinner set and the loving
cup. The illustrations will be drawn
from the episodes in the life of the
Admiral The service and cup will be
presented on November 18th in the
presence OF the subscribers.