Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-06-27
INST. JOINS MEMORY
Marshall County Masons Celebrate.
st. Johns Day BY an Indoor
Gathering.
Storm Of the Early Morn Curtails
Attendance and Spells the
Picnic Plans.
Grand Prelate Coke, Of Knights TEN.
plar and Grand Secretary
Parvin Speak,

The rg-looked-for celebration OF ST.
Johns day by the Masons, which was
TO have been enjoyed today by an OUT
door picnic at the Soldiers Home, was
observed after fashion this afternoon,
but not as had been hoped and planned.
Thru no fault of any one did the disap-
5pointment come and had the storm OF
Tuesday evening delayed It's coming
but twenty-four hours the city would
undoubtedly have been thronged with
visitors today. About 1000 were ex-
pected to come from the reports which
had been sent in, 500 of the county peo-
pie having planned to come and fully
as many more from points in adjoining
counties. All arrangements had been
made for picnic dinner at Cottage
Grove Park and many was the house
wife who spent all day Tuesday in bak-
ing and brewing only to be denied the
privilege of enjoying it as she had ex-
pected.
The members OF the reception COM
mittees We're at the trains this morn
ing, albeit there were so few to receive,
and the band played inspiring music.
The guests We're escorted to the Ma
sonic hall and in the dining room con-
nected with 1T fine dinner was en-
joyed. The morning hours were devoted
to visiting and growing better ac-,
quainted and it was 2 o'clock this
afternoon when the exercises for the
days were begun,
a large audience had gathered when
Mr. John w. Wells, who has been
prominent in Masonic circles for years
and has held almost every Office In the
Hist, called the meeting to order and
presented Dr. F. w Parsons, of the
First Baptist church, who invoked the
divine blessing. A quartet composed
of Messrs. p. NJ. Adamson, George Ny
den, F. Aubrey Smith and Chester Du-
relie sang.
The principal speaker Of the day was
the Rev. j. C. w. Coke, of Washington,
grand preselate OF the knights Tenn
plar OF the United States. who Is we'll
known by all the Masons of the state
and who is well informed in the affairs
of the order and much in love with
them. Rev Coke is a very pleasing
speaker ana his address abounded in
l5wit and humor. He announced that he
would talk on some. commonplace
things which were the necessary things
of life and his remarks. which could
come only from one who takes a broad
View OF life and is always optimistic,
were of much help to his hearers.
Mr.. Theodore N. Parvin, Of Cedar
Rapids, who is one of the most unique
characters among the Masons OF the
state. was present and made a short
address. He was greeted with hearty
Applause for he is a venerable figure,
land altho he told reporter this morn
| ing that 1t was a mistake to call him
the oldest Mason in the state. beyond a
doubt he has held Office for a longer per-
I Tod than any other. For fifty-five years
he has been grand secretary and libra
| ian and the handsome library at Cedar
4 Rapids will be lasting monument to
his zeal and love Of masonry. Years
before most Of those present could. re-
member, or in SO, he was grand master.
| During his stay in the city, which will
Iconlinue for few days, he will be the
guest of his old friend, Col. G. G. Hor-
| ton.
After Mr.. Parvin's address a number
! of impromptu talks We're made by local
. member.an the days festivities which,
despite the bad weather, had been very
pleasant. came to close.
4 ---------.---------
There's No Friend Like an Old
Friend.
He will always help you in time OF
need 1t is the same with Chamber
i3Ia;n.c rnljc Cholera and nforrbc.o