The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-12-31
OBSERVED OLD FESTIVAL.
st. John Night Celebrated by Large
Number of People.

The festival of st. John, one of the
earliest patrons of Masonry, was cele-
brated in brilliant assemblage in the
Clan Gordon hall in the Bolster build
ing last evening, when the members of
the Operative lodge. No. so, +. and A.
NJ, gathered to the number of about
400 The hall was attractively decorat-
ed in color scheme appropriate to the
occasion, with festoons and streamers OF
motley colors against a background OF
the stars and stripes, intertwined with
the Union jack and the rampant lion of
Scotland. The platform and orchestra
box were most becomingly decorated.
Hugh Christie, w. y. Cato, p. w.
Mutch, w. e., and William Hurry, A.
W., of Granite lodge, and their ladies'.
About 8 o'clock President Christie called
the assembly to order and at that hour
there were but few seats vacant through
out the hall The attendants were seat
ed at four long lines of tables prepared
for the banquet. President Christie ex-
tended a hearty welcome and after a
few Introductory remarks introduced w.
+. Cato as toastmaster of the evening s
exercises. Mr.. Cato assumed the re-
sponsibilities of toastmaster in a very
acceptable manner and kept his audience
in mirthful mood with his Jokes. He
called for toast, "To the President
and the Craft" which was responded
to with a will by the large gathering.
Then followed toast, "To the
Grand Lodge of Scotland" to which am
pie justice was given by the assembly.
This was followed by toast, ITO the
Grand Lodge of Vermont" John Wyllie,
ID. ID. G. NJ, responded in an admira Bile
manner to this toast, citing the aims
and the achievements of the fraternity
of the f. and A. NJ.
The nature of the program digressed
somewhat at this iuncture, and Mrs.
Gilbert Wood rendered with pleasing eff
fectiveness, angus Mcdonald" VIII
liam Hurry of Granite lodge, tracing
the work of Free Masonry back until
the 18th century. proposed the toast
to Operative lodge, No. $50, OF Aberdeen,
by George Nelson, F. NJ, of Operative
lodge. He gave a brief history of the
lodge from the time its charter was
granted in the 18th century to the pres.
ent day. He also brought to light the
meeting places of the lodge in the ear
lier years and then showed the wonder
full development until the present day,
when they own temples throughout the
world He also told of the good which
had been accomplished by the members
in that time and of the friendly spirit
which existed among all the members
of the craft, wheresoever dispersed.
John G. Wyllie brought the company
to its feet with the rendering of island
of Dreams" Alex Ross of Operative
lodge, in fitting manner, proposed a
toast to Granite lodge, No. 35, of Barre,
to which p. w. Mutch, W. NJ, of Gran
ite lodge, responded. He told of the
work which had been accomplished in
Barre and invited all members of the
craft while making the city their rest
ing place to avail themselves of the hos
pitality afforded by the Granite lodge,
No. 35 r. w. Muteh then rendered
"Joiner" pleasing vocal selection.
This solo concluded the exercises, but
the toastmaster spied George Troupe in
the hall and requested few remarks
from him, who was one of the original
ings back "a years ago. Mr. Troupe re-
sponded fittingly and gave a few hui
morous "reminiscences of the early days
of the lodge. +. j. Martin spoke of the
pleasures which he has gained by being
present at such jovial gatherings, and
George Tilden proposed toast in mem
ory of the departed brothers, whom he
had known in former years. The toast
was drunk in silence.
The ladies' committee, who had the
supper in charge, announced the tables
in readiness and Immediately proceeded
to serve the bountiful repast. When
the supper was concluded the floor was
cleared for dancing. The Barre opera
house orchestra, under the leadership OF
Edwin Bruce, furnished music for the
dancing, which continued until an early
hour this morning.