The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-12-31
A SPLENDID
OBSERVANCE
Of the Time Honored St.
Johns Night Was Held
in Barre
AND BALL
ATTENDED BY 300
Operative Lodge No $50 of
Aberdeen Was the Host
of Occasion

1t has come and gone for another
year-but the memory of it will be
lasting. The 30th annual celebration
of st. Johns night, an event on the
calendar of Free and Accepted Masons,
that above all others is looked forward
to, was carried off with great success
in Clan Gordon hall last evening un
der the direction of Operative lodge,
No. $50, of Aberdeen, Scotland. From
the initial gathering held in firemen's
hall 80 years ago 1.-TWO celebrations
were omitted during the war; when
26 men met TO honor the mother lodge
until this years meeting the attend
ance has materially increased and the
record was reached last night with 800
seated around the banquet tables.
James Glass, president of Operative
lodge, opened the festivities by giving
cordial welcome and introducing as
the toastmaster of the evening, George
Troup Mr.. Troup was in his usual
happy mood and things moved with
precision and smoothness under his di
rection Seated with the toastmaster
and president of the Scottish Masons
were G. !. Seager, W. NJ, and F. j.
Martin, s. W., Of Granite lodge, No.
35, together with their wives. In his
opening remarks, Toastmaster Troup
revived old times and recalled old
faces and then called for toasts to the
president and craft, the grand lodge Of
Scotland and the grand lodge of Yer
mont. After these toasts had been
given in rousng manner. Mrs. w.
NJ. Holden favored the audience with
nicely rendered vocal solo, "Annie
Laurie" She had to respond.
F. J. Martin, in paying tribute to
the Sons of Scotland, offered toast
to Operative lodge to be responded to
by J. R. Coutts, an honorary member
of this branch George Mitchell touched
upon the friendly ties that existed he
tween Operative lodge and Granite
lodge, expressing the hope that moth
ing might arise to mar these attach
ments. His toast to Granite lodge was
answered by G. J. Seager. Mr.. Seager
expressed his gratitude for the occa-
sion and made plea for the continu-
ance of the ties and also gave invita-
tion to Operative Masons to attend
the meetings and gatherings of their
''stepmother."
One of the most impressive parts of
the evenings entertainment came when
George n. Tilden called upon the com
pany to stand and with bowed heads
as a silent toast, paid tribute to the
departed craftsmen. Another vocal
soiow as introduced at this juncture,
George c. Stewart singing in fine voice,
two selections.
This concluded the post-prandial ex-
ercises and large corps of young Ia
dies ushered on banquet OF large
proportions that was 'tit for king
And as during the entire evening ev-
eryone entered heartily into the oc-
casion and Justice was done to one
of the fastest and best prepared
menus.
The floor was then cleared and dane
ing, preceded by the usual grand march
and circle, followed with music that
kept the feet a-going, being furnished
by Landi's orchestra. A variety of
dances to suit everybody continued for
the rest of the night and well into
the morning with intermittent humor-
Gus Scotch songs by Jonathan Stew
art, George Troup and Miss Isabella
McHardy.
"For It's always fair weather, when
good fellows get together" was never
more forcibly realized than last night.
The fellowship that intermingled dur
ing the celebration and the spirit Of
brotherhood exhibited was just an out
pouring of the fraternal ideals TO Re
found throughout the world among
Masonic bodies. The event was both
the greatest and surely the most sue
eessful in all points in the annals OF
the local lodges and can be attributed
only to the endless work and attention
of the committee. To them should 60
the credit for shouIdering the affair
and seeing it through to splendid
finish.
The following members of Operative
lodge. together with their wives, con-
stituted the committee: James Glass,
president; Andrew Mitchell, John
Mnirv. Hugh Christie, William Deans,
George Mcleod. Joe Barnett, James
Kidd. William Thorn, Joe Smith. John
Ducuid. Colin Robb, William Clubb.
Alfred Milne. secretary and Mrs. Mel
lie Bianchi. Mrs. Mary Angus and MIS-.
James Fraser.
The hall was attractively decorated
for the occasion. Appreciation is eN-
tended 10 all those who contributed
TO the event. including the accom-
panists, Miss Marguerite Roberts aud
Mrs. J. V. Laing. as well as the young
ladies who served