Norwich bulletin., 1909-03-16
BIG GATHERING OF MAsoNS
 HELD AT NEW LONDON.
Reception to Grand Commander and
 Banquet-Mayor Lippitt Speaker.

Knights Templar. members of the Grand commandery of Connecticut, as- sembled in New London Monday aft ernoon as guests of Palestine com mandery, in attendance at a reception in the evening in the Masonic temple to the grand commander and his asso- ciate officers, followed by a banquet at the Croeker house. Today the sgd annual conclave will be held there. It | is II years since the grand command cry last met in New London.
 The introductory feature of the two days programme was a special con- clave of Palestine commandery Monday evening. The sir knights of Palestine assembled at the asylum, Starr and Green streets, at [ o'clock in full Tenn plar uniform. The purpose of the con- clave was to receive the right eminent grand commander and his associate of ficers, with the representative of the most eminent grand master of the grand encampment of the United States. These were received with full Templar honors. At the conclusion of the exercises the sir knights of Pales- tine commandery escorted the guests to the Crocker house.
 The march was made with PaIes- tine commandery in fatigue uniform under Sir Knight William F. Trough ton eminent commander. The parade was headed by the Eleventh United States band of Fort H. G. Wright. The line of march was through Starr to Washington, to Huntington. to State and down State street to the hotel. There was much redfire and a big turn out
 The only grand encampment officer present was Sir Knight H. Wales Lines, very eminent grand treasurer of the grand encampment of the United States who is Meriden man. The guests of honor at the banquet were Rev. James Wilson Bixler, D. D. pas- tor of Second Congregational church; Rev. Alfred Poole Grint, Ph.D.. rector of St. James church, and Rev. J. Ro- meyn Danforth, pastor of the First Church of Christ. These guests are not Knights Templars. but are An cient, Free and Accepted Masons.
 Following the banquet the following postprandial programme was carried out:
 Welcoms-sir Knight William B. Withey. past grand commander. toast, master.
 Response-sir Knight H. Wales Lines. representing. Sir Knight Henry w. Rugg, most eminent grand master of Knights Templar of the grand en- Sampment of the United States.
 Response-Sir Knight George M. Long, right eminent grand command CT of Knights Templar of Connecticut
 Brotherhood-The Rev. Alfred Poole Grint Ph.D.
 The Heroic Element in Christian Faith-Sir Knight Samuel J. Bryant, past grand commander, of New Haven.
 The Spirit Within the Wheels-Rev James Wilson Bixler. D. D.
 The Modern Knight Tefnplar-Sir Knight Hadlai A. Hull
 4 Revery-Sir Knight Walter A. Towne, past commander.
 The Templar Spirit and Obligation , Sir Knight Costello Lippitt, past grand | commander, of Norwich.
 The Knighthood of the Future-Rev | J. Romeyn Danforth.
 Music-Eleventh U. S. band, Fort H. c. Wright.
 There were about 25O in attendance. those present from this city including | Charles L. Hubbard, James L. Hub | bard. A s. Comstock, Charles Billings | Chapman, F. Allen Bidwell, Costello | Lippitt, D. F. Fuller, C. W. Gale 1. N. | Clifford. & A. Gilbert, F. w. Lester, D. | M. Lester, Justin Holden.
 The annual conclave of the grand | commandery will open at o'clock this | morning in the asylum Of Palestine commandery. Election of officers will | take place during the morning.
 The present officers of the grand 1 commandery are the following:
 Right Eminent Grand Commander George Nj. Long of New London
 Deputy Grand Communication s. Woodford of Waterbury.
 Generalissimo-Eugene A. Hall of Meriden.
 Captain General-'wesley A. Pearne of Middletown.
 Senior Warden-Charles L. Hub bard of Norwich.
 Junior Warden-Arthur D. Chaffee of Willimantic.
 Treasurer-Costello Lippitt of Nor wich.
 Recorder-Ell c. Birdseye of Meri- den.
 Preiats-Franl1 M Scott of Dan- bury.
 Standard Bearer = George H. N Johnson of New Haven.
 Sword Bearer-Albert W. Mattoon of New Haven.
 Warder-Milton Elwood Of Norwolk
 Captain of the Guard-Wflliam A Prayer of Hartford.
 Inspector - Thomas ". Morgan of Hartford.
 According to custom. a past eminent commander of Palestine commanderv will be named to take the first step in the progression of offices through t6e grand commandery.