Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-01-03
TIE masohit Banqust at Waeha-
nFoAw ne.

On the evening Of December S0th,
Ocean Lodge A. F. Il A. NJ. gave a
sumptuous banquet to large mum
Der Of invited friends as we'll as to its
members. Great care had been
taken, both in plan and in prepare
ton, that it might be success. AT
its close the unanimous verdict was;
Success
A committee composed of Messrs.
A. J. McMath, w. L, Burton and
B. II. Gunter had been appointed to
provide the literary feature. Mr.. A.
II. G. Mears had been requested to
fill the physical form.
At 6p. m., the Masons, accompani-
ed by ladies, assembled in the Masonic
Hall. At about $50 they went en-
mass to the Hotel Wachapreague.
The building, q gem in architecture
that would have quickened the
heart throbs of an "Angelo" and
awakened the admiration OF a
Wren" was brilliantly Illuminated.
If the outer appearance was attrac-
tive, the inner possessed greater
charms. The dining room to this
hotel il the most attractive room Of
its kind between Philadelphia and
Old Point. On this occasion
it had been lastly adorned by ever
greens and beautifully festooned.
For these we were indebted to Mrs.
W. T. Fosque, Mrs. A. Il. 6. Mears'
Miss Emma Smith, the Misses
Doughty, Miss Hattie Mears and per
haps some others.
DR.. ]. W. Kellam, the Master OF
the Lodge, bright Mason and at
this time an officer in the Grand
Lodge of Virginia, was master of
ceremonies. Rev. w. r. Crowder
was made Chaplain for the evening.
at about p. m, when all were
quietly and comfortably seated
thanks were rendered to God and q
rich repast such as is seldom seen
was served. There were more than a
hundred persons at the tables. The
menu consisted of about all the good
things that you can think of, with a
few extras over. That they might be
sure to have all the delicacies OF the
season, Mr.. Mears, the busiest man
on the Peninsula, left his business
and killed the wild ducks for the oc~
casion himself. II that banquet was
a fair sample of his catering, com.
mend this scribe to him. There was
not only everything that could rea-
sonably be gotten, but it was delici
ously prepared and delightfully."- ser
we'd.
The eating over,it was announced,
that the Rev. G. L. Corbet had been
made Toast Master" for the occa-
sion. In assuming the duties, Mr.
Corbet gave an illustration both lu-
dicrous and humorous. Then he
gave a short discussion of Manhood
and Masonry. After that he announ'
ced that the first toast was Masonry
in general. The committee in looking
over the field for some one to respond
to this toast readily centered upon
Rev. W. j. Twilley, who was intro
duced to the audience by the "Toast
Mas ter" with appropriate remarks
The speaker was too we'll known to
this cultivated audience to need an
introduction; simple announcement
on any such occasion in this county
that he is to speak, is a guarantee
that his hearers will be more than
pleased. On this occasion he was al
his best. While his subject could not
call for any extended humorous re-
marks still, before entering upon q
discussion of his subject, he gave a
few humorous thrusts at tho brethren
and sisters. No synopsis of this well
prepared and equally we'll delivered
speech would be just to the speaker.
Suffice it to say, that he fully sus'
tanned his we'll earned reputation of
ready speaker, confirmed the judg
ment OF the committee in selecting
him, and impressed his hearers, who
were not Masons, that it was an
honor to be q member of this ancient
organization.
After the address of Mr.. TwilleY,
Mr.. Corbitt said: II propose now to
introduce one of the best informed
Masons in the State" Then faceti-
ously he added: HE knows all the
Masonry that know and presume
he knows a great deal more" Then
said he: II know OF no man that
knows more Masonry than DR.. Ray.
Rev. DR.. George Fl. Ray will please
respond to the toast: "The Masonic
Home"
DR.. Ray, after giving the audience
a few humorous sallies that caused
liberal laugh said: "There are three
features of Masonry that l wish to
note. The first is Intellectual. Ma
sonry, in itseIf,is liberal education.
1t trains and strengthens the men,
orV and makaa the man far more in
tellectual than he would be without
it. The second is the social feature.
This binding men together modifies
and DEVELOPS their social natures.
They find more in others that at
tracts them. The third is the unselfish
feature. No mans motive is sordid
in becoming Mason. In that res
pect it is founded on the principle
given by the Master and placed
un0O rocOrd nv that GRAND ApOatlA