The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-23
ST. JOHNS DAY H0NORED
A BEAUTIFUL AND IMPRESSIVE ME-
MORTAL SERVICE.
Observance of the Anniversary by the
Scottish Rite Bodies of the City
The Addresses.

No commemorative service, in all proba-
bIlity. was ever held by the Masonic fra
ternity OF indianapolis of a character more
beautiful and impressive than the annual
observance OF St. Johns day yesterday
afternoon by the Ancient Accepted Scottish
Rite of the Valley OF Indianapolis and af-
hliated Masonic bodies. The service was
conducted in the temple at 3 o'clock and
there were not less than eight hundred
Masons in attendance.
The addresses were made by the Rev.
Lewis Brown, of st. PauI's. and by the
Rev. James d. Stanley. of Christ Church.
That Of the former was an exalted interpre-
tation OF the higher motives of Masonry;
an eloquent exposition of Masonic theology.
In diction all the more powerful because
of it's extreme simplicity. Mr.. Brown told
OF the religious creed of Masonry-the
tenacious clinging to the cross of Christ.
DIR. Stanley preached or The Lessons of
St. John the Baptist's Day."
The scene was brilliant and stately. At
9 o'clock the professional passed from the
ante-room or the temple to the great lodge
room. Habited in their Rose Croix regalia,
of black with red crosses, the members of
the Scottish Rite choir led the way. The
officers of the Ancient Accepted Scottish
Rite of the Valley of Indianapolis, in Ordi-
nary attire, came next Following these
were the officers OF Raper Commandery and
of the Grand Commandery, Knights Temp
lar. I'm 1ull regalia. and after them. the
officiating ministers.
In solemn silence the service was begun
by the reading OF the sentence from the
scriptures: THE Lord is IN His holy
temple; let all the earth keep silence be-
fore Him." Next in the order came the
general confession. followed by the reading
of the Sixtieth and Sixty-first Psalms, re-
sponsively. Afterward the gospel of the
day was read: Luke /. $3.50. The setting of
the stage of the temple was appropriate. 1t
represented a cathedral showing the high
altar. When I'm the order of exercises the
hymn. Rock OF Ages" was sung. the light
darkened. the stage scene suddenly shifted
and. as the light came on again, the Masons
looked upon the city Of Jerusalem and
Calvary with its three crosses.
REV. LEWIS BROWNS ADDRESS.
Mr.. Brown then addressed the members
of the fraternity. The service this after
noon answers completely the question as
20 a Mason being a religious man. If there
is one thing that the Mason is not it is an
irrellgious mar. BY every lesson and every
charge given 10 him he places his faith
firmly upon the principles of the Christian
belief. His idea of fealty is very simple
lie clings tenaciously TO the Cross of
Christ. so beautifully depicted upon this
stage, and will not taxi any narrow view
of its efficacy. To him all men are brothers.
NOI III a vi o Il I'd ana Daln. out I'll
the more to receive from him every posi-
bic helpfulness. To him deeds make clear
the reality of creeds. He has no idea of a
symbol embodied in words alone. Charity
Is the agent that moves him TO do his best
work
I'm the brother at his side, he sees per-
sonified the Christ who walke amid the
poverty of Palestine. He knows Christ as
his brother and believes such brotherhood
Is destined TO eternal life. He clings TO the
Bible "a presenting lessons OF increasing
worth He desires no new gospel. What
has nodded the faith of the world is good
enough for him. He realizes that men do
not need a new gospel. but a better form
OF the old gospel. His hope is based upon
the compassion of the worlds Redeemer.
Believing firmly in the divinity of Christ.
he raises his sword on high as I'm this sol
emn service I'm token of his full surrender
20 its blessed tenets.
These walls. to such a man, represent
antiquity holding 10 the best that has come
down from God. AS he meets upon a day
like this his brethren and his companions
OF every form OF Masonry he thanks God
and takes courage for the width OF such
humanity, conquering amid the evils of
time. This place thus. TO him. is holy
ground and also the assured gate 10
heaven"
DR.. Stanley's address was marked bv in
spired thought and from the life of 81
John he drew lessons of abiding value
The singing OF the Scottish Rite choir
added UNNECESSARILY TO the beauty of the
service. Rock OF Ages" Il VIII BE Glad +"
Jesus Savior OF Ny Soul Some Sweet
Day. and the "Recessional' were all rem
dered by the choir.
The Rev. Joshua Stansheld, OF the Me-
ridian-street NJ. Z. Church. was 10 have
spoken on Our Departed Brothers," but he
did not appear.