The Washington times., 1902-06-29
GRAND COMMANDER TALKS.

retiring head OF District 1emplarS, 10
the grand commandery issued from the
press last week. He said:
sir knights: Another year has pass
ID. and by permission of our Heavenly
rather we are again assembled for the
purpose of reviewing and considering
he official acts of the officers and the
rroceedings of the subordinates of this
Grand body for the year just closed. Let
US dear fraters. devoutly and humbly
seek the guidance of him who doeth all
things well, in order that our labors may
not be IN vain.
our communicates are all in pros
nerous condition. Our total member
ship is now 1876, showing a net gain for
The year of seventy
In the midst of our prosperity we
are caused this year, as every year, to
lcok from the bright present to the dim
future The grim reaper has cut
swath in our ranks, and twenty-four
valiant knights have passed to their re-
ward. This Is the least number, how
ever. We have lost by death in any one
wear since the formation of our grand
Commandery.
The most prominent figure of the
twenty-four is that of our eminent grand
treasurer, Sir knight Edward H. Cham
berlin. who died at Phoenix, AriZ. Per-
haps the severest loss the Masonic fra
ternity of the District of Columbia has
sustained within recent years is that
caused by the death of our Brother
Chamberlin. And we'll may they mourn
his loss. for he had for more than
third of century devoted large share
of his time and talents. which were OF
no mediocre character, to the promotion
of the interests OF the Masonic bodies of
which he was a member. and his coun-
sci and advice were frequently sought
and freely given. Would that l could
deliver such eulogy upon his charac-
ter as it deserves. but l will leave that
TO one far more able to do the subject
justice.
On the afternoon of the 9th of Septem-
Der the nation was shocked by intelli-
gence of the assassination of our beloved
President and frater. William Mckinley
part of the obsequies in connection
with his funeral took place in Washing
ton, and our arrangements for partlclpa-
tion therein had to be made within
few hours. We were accorded the right
of the civic division, Immediately in the
rear of the carriages which followed the
hearse The grand officers were mounted
and the Communicates were out in strong
force. Notwithstanding the meager no.
tice and threatening weather, and !
heard it said that no part of the process
sion excelled us in appearance.
The triennial conclave of the grand
encampment, held in Louisville, KY,
was the most important Tenplar event
of the wear. The grand council officers
and Past Grand Commanders Thomas,
Galliher. and Dingman, of this grand
commandery. were in close attendance
during all the sessions, from the open-
ing until the final adjournment. l am
proud to allude to the honors that were
conferred on our Jurisdiction. r. z.
Sir knight Frank H. Thomas was elect
ed to the Office of V. E. grand junior
warden; your grand commander was ap-
pointed chairman of the committee On
unfinished business. P. E. Sir knight
Harrison Dingman, one of the committee
on time and place of next meeting. and
Sir Knight Walter B. Pettus was one OF
the staff of the grand marshal in the pa
rade. We were also honored by having
our grand and constituent Communicates
compose the eleventh grand division in
the parade and review, with your grand
commander as chief marshal and f. E.
Sir Knight William T. Galliher as chief
of staff
Your grand commander and several
Oh Ine OtDeT gTGuu OIuCerS were Ine
guests of Columbia Commandery during
the pilgrimage, having accepted a very
courteous offer from that commandery
to act as our escort to Louisville. There
was an immense concourse of people at
the station TO see US off, among them
Sir Knight w. S. Schley, rear admiral
United States Navy.
In the parade and review, the elev-
cnth division Cours) acquitted Itself
robly Distinguished Templars who |
were on the reviewing stand said we
We're not excelled by any other division, |
except in numbers. The staff of the |
chief marshal, mounted on steeds such |
as can be found only in the Blue Grass
State, rode like knights of old. Wash |
ingtop Commandery, preceded by |
Haley's Band; Columbia, by the Ma
rine Band; Orient, by a band from |
Medina, Ohio. and DeMolay, mounted al
so on Blue Grass steeds, were the ad- |
mired of all admirers. Our commander |
les were lavish in their hospitality dur !
ing the stay in Louisville.
The drill corps of Columbia Comman- |
derry. which took part in the competitive |
drill, failed to bring away a prize, to |
the regret of us all, although they put |
up fine drill and were exceedingly pop |
ular. Our headquarters at the Gait /
House, while not as pretentious as many |
of the others, were frequently visited |
by a number of the most distinguished |
fraters of the grand encampment. Our
eminent grand captain-g general, the |
genial Kelley, who was in charge, took |
care that no one went away dissatisfied. |
As an aftermath. 1t was suggested, |
shortly after our return that it would |
be appropriate for the members of our
grand commandeTy to call upon v E.
Sir Knight Frank H. Thomas and ten
der him our congratulations upon his
election TO Office in the grand e1camp-
ment, Sir Knight William A Haley |
having. rendered the services of his ex-
cellent band for the occasion. We found
the sir knight at home, and. assisted
by his good wife and number of ladies',
he dispensed hospitality with a lavish
hand. To say that a most delightful
evening was spent but poorly describes
it. Even those who, mounted on Ken
lucky steeds, had so recently partici-
pated in the long ride in Louisville. for
got their condition for the time and took
part in the dance.
The beautiful custom of Christmas OBJ
servance, so appropriate for members
Of our Christian Order, and which 1t is
my belief was. inaugurated here in
Washington by Columbia Commandery,
through E. Sir Knight Myron NJ. Park
er. many years ago, l am pleased TO say
becomes more generally observed each
year by the members OF our Command
cries.
Near the close of his report my i'm
mediate predecessor in office alluded to
The receipt OF a prospectus OF a pro-
TT.