The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-11-09
HIRAM LODGE BANQUET.


Speeches by Prominent OfHcers-One
of the Grandest Masonic Celebrations
| Ever Held In Connecticut.
Probably the largest and most enthu-
siastic banquet ever held in New Ha-
ven was that of Old Hiram lodge last
night on the occasion of the one hum
bred and tiftieth anniversary of that
famous old Masonic body. There We're
at least six hundred Masons from many
states that attended the celebration and
| rarely before has there been such an
| immense gathering of prominent men
in Connecticut as that gathered around
the FESTIVE boards in Old Union arm
DRY last night,
The armory was transformed from
bare, uncheerful place to a beautiful
banquet hall, decorated with scores of
flags and hundreds of yards of red and
white bunting Seven tables, extending
the entire length of the armory, We're
| lined on both sides with members of
| the order, and a cheerful gathering 1t
| was The banquet consisted of every
| thing that was good, and there was an
| abundance for the great crowd. Each
table was set off with five large palms
and made an imposing sight. AT the
/ ,Aft a nlh a which the
specially invited guests were seated,
was hung the electrical display that
shone SO magnificently at the Hyperion
Wednesday evening 1t bore the words,
"Old Hiram, 1750-1900,' in big letters,
and was a beautiful work AS the
members We're just about to seat them
selves the piece was lighted. This was
the signal for a great outburst OF ap-
plause that lasted several minutes,
Previous to the banquet the third de-
gree was worked on James II. Mac
Iauchlan The meeting and initiation
were held in the Blue room, which was
literally packed with Masons. The de-
gree work was finished about 11:15
o'clock, and at that time the six hun
bred men present proceeded in double
file to the banquet hall The great body
was headed by Worshipful Master
Charles Bonney, the officers of Old Ill
ram and the past masters and grand
masters of the state. After the men
were seated the chorus of twenty voices.
under the direction Of DR.. Daniel a.
Jones. rendered a selection that called
forth great applause.
Seated at the head of the center table
| 1o, sIp.
new. At his left was Hon. Lynde Haf-
rison, and on his right sat John ..
Rowland, of Wallingford, the grand
master of Masons of Connecticut. Ihe
| officers of Old Hiram occupied seats on
one side of the table, and opposite them
were seated the past masters and grand
masters of the state.
II would be almost impossible to give
the names of half the prominent men
present, so there will be no attempt TO
tell of those present. 1t Will sutnce TO
saw that the gathering of Masons was
most representative.
The banquet lasted about forty-iiVe
minutes and at exactly midnight Wo.
Sinful Master Bonney raped Tor 81
! Ience. Mr.. Bonney spoke briefly ana
| referred to the magnificence of the oc-
| casion. He said that the members OF
| Ola Hiram would always hold in nina
tha one hundred and fiftleth celebra-
+ior He said that it was the greatest
Gathering Of Masons ever held in New
Haven. and after few more Felhai MS
he called upon Hon. Lynde Harrison
and announced that he would act as
postmaster of the banquet.
Judge Harrison told few greatly ap-
nreciated stories and the first speaker
he called upon was Grand Master ROW
land Mr. Rowland told three or tour
GOOD stories and then referred to the
work that was being done in the Mason
10 home in Walingford, of which he is
the head. His talk was very interest
ing and he was heartily applauded at
the conclusion. The next speaker was
| Grand Secretary Barlow. Mr.. Barlow
ia one of the oldest officers of the state
and is one of the best known Masons
in the state. Mr.. Barlow remarks were
very Inspiring and aroused those pres
emit to a great state of enthusiasm The
sneaker concluded his speech with a
beautiful poem entitled I'm Friendly
Sort of Way" and was applauded most
heartily when he finished.
The next speaker on the toast list
was the chaplain of the Grand lodge,
Rev. DR.. Countryman. The chaplain S
| speech contained some bright stories
and was full Of interesting remarks
concerning the grand work of the Ma
sonic order.
| Judge Harrison then called on one of
the Boston visitors. Mr.. Work, who re-
sponded with brief, but strong adj
| dress. Mr.. Work dwelt particularly on
the pleasure of his visit, and said it
was the grandest gathering of Masons
| that he had ever attended.
| Senator Porter OF Holland was asked
| to speak and he did so with great vim.
| Senator Porter's toast was a strong one,
| and he spoke of the grand achievements
of Old Hiram since it's foundation, $50
| years ago. He said 1t was an example
| for all other lodges to follow. He con-
sidered Old Hiram the father and moth
er of all lodges and hoped that the
growth and influence would continue to
grow as it has in the past
The next speaker introduced by Judge
Harrison was Rev. David Levy of Tenn
| pie M!shkan Israel. Rev. Mr.. Levy's
| toast was mastery one, and was one