The colored American., 1901-10-05

Sultng from cooler weather and from
the return to their homes of the many
brethren who have been out of the
city during the summer on business or
for recreation. This was especially
noticeable on Tuesday night last,
when Social Lodge, No. 1, conferred
the degree of Master Mason upon five
candidates. Such an OutpOuring of
the brethren has not been seen these
many months, and it must have been
fattering, indeed, to Brother Charles
Freeman, the WOrshipful Master of
this lodge, that the craft SignaliZed
their reawakened love for the work
this fall by selecting this meeting to
demonstrate it. And they were richly
repaid for coming. Such an eXempli
ication of the third degree is seldom
seen or heard even in this, the banner
jurisdiction.
In addition to many beautiful mu-
steal and spectacular effects, rarely
produced in any Jurisdiction, Brother
Freeman had a corps of assistants
who are among the most accomplished
AIasOnS in the District. Let us call
their names: Turner, Layton, Car
dOza, Henry, NaIle, TOmpkins, Her
bert, Cole, and Fletcher.
Where would Eureka or Prince Hall
be i'll a jewel contest with the fOrmid-
able battery just named arrayed
against them?
1t is difficult to give to each Of these
brethren his proper share of credit
for so magnificent a performance. 1t
must be remembered that almost
without exception they we're Masters
or Past Masters of lodges in this Dis
trict. Fresh, therefore, from high
achievements in their own immediate
Masonic families, each was thoroughly
at home in the branch of the work as
signed to him. Brother Freeman was
most effective. Social Lodge may we'll
be proud of him, and, as well, of
Brother Herbert, the Senior Deacon,
whose accuracy and fidelity to the let
ter Of the ritual were remarkable
Brother Nalle, the first instrument of
fatality, with his towering form and
easy Self-pOsSeSSiOn, was the perSOnifi-
cation Of ineXOrable fate Brother
CardOza, keen, bright, and ready, ac-
cented the dread summons, and easily
proved himself a trained athlete. It
is understood that as a result Of his
splendid work on the evening in ques-
ton he has received several ffattering
offers from master plumbers in the
District for the benefit of his valuable
services in their anticipated battles
with frozen water pipes and recaIci-
trant gas fixtures during the stress of
the expectant severe weather of the
coming winter. Brother Layton, in
exOrable fate itself, was, as usual. dig
ni1ed, graceful, and altogether admir-
able
Brother Cole, who acted as chap
lain, brought Veritable tears to the
eyes OF many Of those present, and
was highly compIimented, not only by
the local fraternity, but also by the
visiting brethren for the touching,
tender, and reverential performance
of his mOurnfuI duties. Brother Tur-
ner was superb He is perhaps with
out An equal within the Jurisdiction in
respect Of his familiarity with the
symbolism of this degree and in his
power to fix the attention of candi-
dates and impress upon their minds
the beatuies of our symbols and the
lessons they are intended to inculcate.
Unusually gifted, both in voice and
memory, Brother Turner, aided by
most beautiful illustrations, supplied
by stereopticon and canvas, kept his
hearers spellbOund for more than an
hour, and when he closed his lecture a
murmur OF regret was heard through
out the company.
It is a fact to be noted that Brother
Turner's memory is seldom or never
at fault and woe betide the bumptious
brother who, perhaps with the best
intention, seeks to DrOmDt him when