The San Francisco call., 1904-09-04

Cdl1lOrlld COmmdQQe1y dCCOmpd-
MED Grand Master Lloyd as escort,
and again fully maintained her here
tofore we'll established reputation. Her
generous membership provided the
needed funds. and she returned bear
ing back laurels of distinction.
And now-with zeal and generosity
greater than ever before-California
Commandery is striving to do her
part in welcoming and entertain
ing the thousands of fraters and
friends who will visit San Francisco
and the State on the ides Of Septem-
ber. She is heartily joining her sister
communicates Of the State in earnest
effort to make the twenty-ninth Tri-
ennial Conclave outrival all heretofore
held in all the pomp and circumstance
of excellence.
Except the care exercised in the Sc
lection of her membership and the
character Of that membership, moth
ing has conduced more to her present
enviable status than the beneficent and
encouraging efforts of her excellent
drill CORPS. This sketch of her history
would be incomplete without refer
ence to the potent influence of this
chosen body of her members.
Immediately after the Triennial Con-
clave held in the city of Washington
X
T. Hurlbut, no doubt induced by his
natural aptitude and his knowledge of
the tactics, as we'll as by what he had
observed of the good effects of proper
drill exercises upon the character Of
the work in a commandery, conceived
the idea of selecting a suitable num-
Der of the younger and more active
members. With him thought is the
mother of action. He is characterized
by unbounded enthusiasm, strong de-
termination and a thorough under
standing of what is needed for sue
cess in this species of exercises. He
understands the men under his charge,
and how to treat, direct and instruct
them. With perSistency he drilled his
corps and the good results of the drill
were soon made manifest in the char
acter of the work in comforting the
orders in the commandery. We haz-
ard nothing in saying, without boast,
that it will be difficult to find any
commandery excelling California
Commandery in this important par
ticular. This excellence of work is
very greatly attributed to the perfec-
ton Of discipline in the drill corps
BY the time of the conclave held in
Denver, in 1892, the California Drill
Corps was prepared to enter the lists
in competitive drill. This il did, and
with plaudits won the first prize as a
mounted corps. The mounted corps en-
tered the list again in 1901 at the Louis
vile conclave and again won first prize
The commandery very generously, in
addition to the amount given for en-
tertainment at Louisville, appropriated
the sum of $4,000 to aid the drill corps
and trophy is placed to its credit.
With the present able corps Of Off
GERS, an excellent membership and the
stimulus of past successes, there is no
reason to doubt that this great COM
mo nd vii foir III
rank among the communicates of the
State and the nation hitherto held. All
those on her register are. as they should
be, fully imbued with the great import
ance of harmony, and appreciating the
lofty character of the principles and
teachings of TemplariSm they will con-
serve, preserve and add to the proud
record they have so fifty earned in the
past and so gloriously maintained.
OF all the brilliant events that have
been held under the auspices of Cali
fornia Commandery none brings a
greater thrill of pride to the COM
mandery members than the recolIec-
ton of the magnificent reception ac-
corded to the late President William
Mckinley, q member of Canton Com
mandery, Canton, Ohio, upon the oc-
casion of his memorable visit here in
May, 1901. The following descriptions
of that function are taken from the
report mdu6 10 the COuQmdQQeTT Dy
General w. H. L. Barnes, chairman Of
the executive committee.
Not less than $4,000 people crowded
the Pavilion. The lofty but dingy and
dusty rafters were swathed in the ma
tional colors; banners and flags
streamed and hung from every timber
to which one could be fastened, and as
the sunlight streamed through tha |
windows and fell in broad belts OF |
light upon the assemblage of brilliant
ly gowned women and quantity HABIT
ed men there was presented a scenei
which would not have dishonored the
coronation Of an emperor.
''Sir Knight Mckinley, as he walk
ed through the avenue of swords exc
tended from the eastern end of tha
Pavilion to the great stage at the west
exclaimed over and over again, How
beautiful The drill corps,
commanded by Sir Knight Hurlbut,
formed upon the floor the Templar
emblem of eternity-the ring-and
kneeling in unison, without comment,
chanted the prayer of the Lord. No
one who witnessed that scene and
those voices will ever forget either
Sir Knight Mckinley was deeply
moved. His eyes were suffused witt.
tears and his lips devoutly followed
the words addressed to Our Father
who art in heaven California Com
mandery No. has acquired a national
reputation and will be distinguished in
Masonic annals as the only Masonic
body which, solely as such, has ever
entertained the President of the Unit
ed States in his Masopio capacity
alone"