The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1913-06-26

In observance of St. Johns Day,
last Tuesday DeMolay Commandery,
No. TO- Knights Templar entertained
Trinity Commandery No. I, X. T. of
Augusta and ST. Omer Commandery,
No y, X. T. of Waterville. The
weather was fine and the town with
its business places, public buildings.
and private residences handsomely
trimmed seemed a most suitable place
for the stately ceremonies of these
dignified Knights of Templar Masonry.
With the arrival of special train
at nine o'clock a. m. came about two
hundred visiting members accompani-
ed by the Waterville and Augusta
bands. The visitors were met at the
train by the host commandery and the
lines for the parade were soon formed
in Railroad Square. The Command
cries then passed in review down Wa
ter street, in and out of Coburh Park
and thence back up Water street.
Seldom if ever in Skowhegan has
there been more dignified parade
than that which these plummed and
sworded Knights composed The
host commandery was in the lead with
Skowhegan Military Band as its es-
cort. Next came Trinity Command
cry and then st. Omer Commandery
with their respective bands. Closely
following the last mentioned division
of Knights Templar were several au-
tomobiles. OF these the first contain
ed DR.. Frederick C. Thayer of Wat
erville, Grand Sword Bearer of the
Grand Encampment of Knights Tenn
plar of the United States. Others
who rode with him were Charles
Jones of Augusta, Grand Commander
OF the Grand Commandery of Maine;
DR.. J. F. Hill of Waterville, Grand
Junior Warden of the Grand Com
mandery of Maine; George w. Cover,
Esq, of Skowhegan, past Grand Com
mander of the Grand Commandery of
Maine and Col. w. R. G.. Estes, Past
Grand Generalissimo of the Grand
Commandery of Maine. In the long
array of cars that followed were the
aged or indisposed members.
On the parade up Water street. halt
was made at the residence of Walter
+. Ordway and here the Eminent
Commander Alonzo P. Merrill of De
Moay Commandery said:
Eminent Sirs: Sir knights of Trim
lty OF Augusta and Sir Knights of ST
Olller OF Waterville, | greet you.
1t is my privilege, Sir Knights as
Eminent Commander of DeMolay Com
mandery, to welcome you to this hos
pltable town on the banks of the Ken
nebec. Some of you come from the
CITY where our Capitol stands, and
where our laws are made. Others OF
you come from the city where stlnd
our halls of learning. Skowhegan
has ne halls of legislature, no college
1t is not even a city-but is posses
ses an individuality of its own.
Our town is pleased to welcome into
Its midst men who hold high ideals,
men who march under the symbol of
The Cross, the greatest symbol under
which men have lived and endured.
II Is altogether fitting and proper that
the Sir Knights of the upper Kenne-
bee Valley unite n honor of st.
Johns Day. A true understanding of
the truths taught us by the precepts
OF Templar Masonry can be promoted
IN no better way, than by our conduct
IN the ordinary walks of life.
The real purpose of this fraternal
meeting is to become better acquaint-
ed, in order to maintain by personal
example, the high standard of unsulli-
ed honor, unwearied zeal in broth
ers cause and universal benevolence.
While the pleasure of life is not to
ne missed, we must remember that
lnstitutions-like men-are tested in
every day life, by their usefulness and
character. If we seek to have our
order respected, we must see that our
swords are drawn only in righteous
cause, and that their glittering blades
remain unsullied.
We trust that the cordial and friend
~ relations that have existed among
tne Sir Knights of Trinity. st. Omer
ana DeMolay may long continue, and
strengthen as the years go by.
IN welcoming you, Sir knights,
welcome more than Knights Templar
i welcome men holding those ideals
mat shall work out for the good of all,
IN community, State and Nation"