The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-03-13
MASONIC BANQUET.
The Occasion a Notable One In the
History of the Local
Lodge.
AlARGf CROWD GRANDLY ENTERTAINED
The Menu an Elaborate One-The Speeches
Highly KuIogistic of the Fraternity.
The Evening Pleasantly and Probably
Spent.

Oakland Lodge No. 1872, Ancient,
Free and Accepted Masons, rendered
banquet on Thursday night of last
week at the Glades Hotel at which
one hundred and twenty-five ladies
and gentlemen were present, invita-
tions having been issued to that num-
Der by the members of the local lodge.
The guests were welcomed by the
reception committee appointed by the
lodge composed of Past Masters J. M.
Jarboe, S. T. Jones and f. H. Bart
lett.
AT nine O'Clock supper was an
nounced and the large dining hall
was soon filed with the members of
the lodge and their guests. The ia
bles were most beautifully arranged,
large round ones extending down the
two sides of the room and oblong
ones taking up the centre. Very ell
aborate floral pieces decorated each
table and the walls and ceiling of the
hall were profusely decorated with
flags and bunting.
The menu consisted ofroast turkey,
oysters, cold ham, salads, hot rolls,
ice cream, cake, coffee, etc.
After the guests had enjoyed the
repast Past Master E. H. Bartlett,
POSTMASTER, arose and addressed the
assembled company. In bis well
chosen words he dwelt upon the an
tiquity of Freemasonry, its teachings,
and the vast difference between this
institution and others of a secret ma
ture. He admonished the ladies pres
ent that it would be impossible for
any of them to be made Masons, as
no one except he be man, free born,
of good report and properly vouched
for could be admitted to the secrets
of the ancient institution. He closed
his remarks by saying that every
Mason ought to be christian and
would be if he followed closely its
teachings and tenets.
Past Master Gilmor S. Hamill fol-
lowed DR.. Bartlett with few remarks
of universal nature concerning secret
organizations in general and Masonry
in particular, paying especial atten-
tion to the safeguards thrown around
womanhood by the principles and
practice of the Masonic fraternity.
he said that the institution was the
handmaiden of religion, that its
teachings were founded upon the
Holy Writ and spoke of the many
rulers and notable men of this and
past ages who were members and sup
porters of the institution, naming
among them several of the English
Kings, Lafayette. Washington, Nc
Kinley, Roosevelt and others.
Past Master j. NJ. Jarboe gave some
interesting personal anecdotes rela-
tive to Nasonry, among them being
the far thath was made a Mason in
| the r ne room he now occupies as
sleeping apartment. Masonry, he
said, was introduced into Jerusalem
| 1910 B. c., at the time of the building
of King Solomon's Temple in which
5000 men were engaged, King Solo
mon being the first Most Excellent
Grand Master of the institution Ac-
cording to history during the time
consumed in the erection of this most
magnificent pile not a word of con-
tention was INDUCED in among the
great army of workmen nor was the
sound of a hammer heard at its
building.
Rev. VIM. H. Osmomd made a few
remarks in general, commencing the
institution for the great good it has
accomplished and for its teachings.
Past Master E. J. M. Button, of An
napolis Lodge No. 49, then spoke as
follows, his remarks being the only
ones we could secure in full:
Masonry gives us universal
haven of rest where the strongest OPP
ponents may join hands in love and
friendship. 1t gathers together the
best of every nation and opinion. 1t
is not confined to the kings of Europe.
1t is not restricted to the dignitaries
in church and state in this great re-
public.
We see knocking at the door of
Free Masonry men from all walks of
life; from the most distinguished pro-
fessional men to the humblest artisan.
1t welcomes in its ranks the farmer
| from his pillow, the mechanic from his
bench, and as our principles inculcate
they are all received upon the level,
thus pract ically illustrating the beau
ties of our Institution. They are i'm
pressed wi the fact that as men of
! cultivat I appreciate the sub