106 MASONIC HONORS PAID TO GENS. QUITMAN AND SHIELDS.

would take this occasion to state, in connection with the remarks already made by our distinguished visitors, in relation to the happy influence of Masonry dur ing the present war, that the Order was first planted in Mexico, during his admin istration of the Grand Lodge as Grand Master in 1826, when Brother Poinse our Minister to Mexico, obtained from the Grand Lodge of South Carolina, War rants of Constitution for the establishment of Lodges in that republic, the whol correspondence on which subject, he said would be found on the records of th Grand Lodge.

After these interesting ceremonies, the Grand Lodge moved in procession, ac companied by their guests, to the Banquetting Hall, where viands, fruits, wine. and other refreshments, were amply provided. The room was tastefully decora ted with banners and the emblems of the Masonic Order, in its various degrees, from the simple white pennons on which were inscribed " Wisdom, Strength and Beauty," to the gorgeous banners of the Red Cross Knight and the sable colors of the Knight Templar. The Grand Master presided, assisted by the other officers of the Grand Lodge. On the right and left of the Grand Master were seated the distinguished guests.

After the company had done justice to the repast spread before them, the following toasts were read:

1. By M. W. G. M. C. M. Furman: Masonry-A glorious institution, ancient as the temple, extensive as the world, grasping in its wide embrace men of every nation, and summoning to its altars the disciples of every faith.

2. By R. W. D. G. M. A. E. Miller: Brother and Major General Quitman— Whilst civic and military honors are bestowed on the gallant soldier, we here pay homage to the illustrious Grand Master of a sister jurisdiction.

3. By M. W. P. G. M. J. C. Norris: Brother and Brigadier General Shields— Endeared to our affections not only as the brave defender of our country, but as the chosen leader of our Brethren of Palmetto Lodge.

4. By V. W. S. G. W. J. S. Burges: His Excellency Gov. Johnson-As a Judge, we admire him for his integrity-as our Chief Magistrate, we respect him for his efficiency-but as a Mason, we love him for the zeal and skill with which he once presided over the Craft.

5. By V. W. J. G. W. Z. B. Oakes: Brother and Adjutant Gen. Cantey-The corner stone which he laid as an Entered Apprentice, was "true and trusty." In his after life he has erected upon it a moral and Masonic edifice that does honor to himself and credit to the Fraternity.

6. By W. G. T. J. H. Honour: The memory of our Brethren who have fallen on the field of battle-The fragrance of a good report, like the sprig of acacia, blooms at the head of their graves.

By W. G. S. A. G. Mackey: Palmetto Travelling Lodge, attached to the South Carolina Regiment of Volunteers-We know that our Brethren, though far away, have put their trust in God-their faith is well founded. They have followed their leader and have feared no danger.

After the first toast had been greeted with the usual Grand Honors by three times three, Bro. Sloman sung the following song, in which he was joined by the whole of the Brethren, the guests included, with all the enthusiasm that this song always inspires among the Craft.

Come let us prepare,
We Brothers that are
A: sembled on merry occasion;
Let's be happy and sing

For life is a spring,

To a Free and an Accepted Mason.

At 10 o'clock the distinguished guests retired, receiving as they passed down the line of the tables, the Fraternal grips of farewell from the Brethren.

Several other sentiments were given in the course of the evening, copies of which the writer was unable to obtain. Soon after the departure of the guests the rest of the Brethren retired, after having enjoyed a scene not witnessed by the Masonic Fraternity in this city, since the visit of their illustrious Brother, Gen. La Fayette, and which will long be remembered as an era in their Masonic history.

DEDICATION OF A NEW MASONIC HALL IN MANCHESTER, N. H.

Manchester, N. H., Dec. 30, 1847. C. W. MOORE, Esq.-Dear Sir and Brother :-It may not be uninteresting to you to know that our beloved Institution is “looking up" in this State, as well as in our sister States throughout the Union. The Brethren in this place, members of Lafayette Lodge, having recently fitted up a Masonic Hall for their convenience and accommodation, thought best that it should be dedicated Masonic purposes. In accordance with this wish, the M. W. Grand Master, John Christie, Esq., convened the M. W. Grand Lodge of the State, at Manchester, Dec. 23d, and opened a Grand Lodge in ample form.

The hall having met the approbation of the Grand Lodge, they proceeded to dedicate the same to the purposes of Freemasonry, agreeably to ancient

form. The services being confined to the Craft, were purely Masonic, and of a highly interesting character. Nearly one hundred Brethren were present.

After the Dedication, which took place in the afternoon, the Brethren, with the Grand Lodge, adjourned to the Manchester House, where they partook of a bountiful and well served supper, prepared by our worthy Br. Shepard ; after which, at 8 o'clock, the Brethren, with their ladies, and other invited friends, re-assembled at the Hall. The audience being seated, the M. W. Grand Lodge was announced, and entered the hall in full regalia,-repaired to the East and took seats provided for them according to rank. (And here, by the way, I would remark, that, like the M. W. G. Lodge of your State, the G. Lodge is composed mostly of the fathers of our Institution,-men full of years,―men who have borne the burden and heat of the day, -men who have stood by the Institution through evil as well as through good report, and many of whom will soon rest from their labors.) An ode on Charity was then sung by a select Choir; after which we listened to an address delivered by Br. S. COBB, from your city. It was a sound, practical illustration of the principles of our Order, and was highly satisfactory to all present. The whole services throughout, were of a character to reflect credit upon the Institution, and would bear a comparison with like performances in the most palmy days of Masonry; and I have no doubt will result in lasting benefit to the Craft.

Our Lodge is doing well, and the prospects are that it will rise in Strength and Beauty. We have also received a Dispensation for a Chapter, called Mount Horeb. We have not as yet commenced work; but we have some six applications now on file. Your humble servant is H. Priest of the Chapter, and also Master of the Lodge. Much remains to be done in this State, to recover Masonry from the long slumber of years, and froin the effects of the malignant slanders of her enemies. But "Truth is mighty and will prevail." Yours, fraternally, DANIEL BALCH.

MASONIC ANECDOTES.

Ar the Banquet held at Newport, Eng., on the 30th June last, on the occasion of the installation of the Prov. Grand Master for Monmouthshire, Bro. BUSHELL, D. P. G. M., of Bristol, being called up by a toast to his health, said—

"In returning thanks, he could not indulge in such language as his heart desired, but they would allow him to address a few words to the Provincial Grand Officers installed that day. Brethren, he continued, you have undertaken the most serious and important duties. It is not the mere dress of a Mason-it is not the mere ornaments that adorn your person, that constitutes Masonry; but there are practical principles taught in your Lodges, which must be carried out in the common duties of active life. As an illustration of those principles, I will tell you an incident which occurred in 1813. During the late war, letters of marque were granted to merchants, by which they were allowed to seize on property belonging to the enemy. It happened that a vessel, in sailing from the Mediterranean to Bristol, was seized by a French privateer. The captains of both vessels were Masons. The result was most satisfactory. The captain of the privateer released the vessel, the cargo of which was valued at 8000, and bade his Brother go his way, and reach, if he could, his native shore in safety. That Brother arrived safely at Bristol, and, at the first opportunity, he repaired to the Grand

Lodge, and there, in the presence of the Brethren assembled, he stated the facts I have just told to you. And more-he produced a written agreement into which he had entered with the captain of the privateer. And these were the conditions: He gave up the vessel and cargo on condition that the master of the prize, on his return to Bristol, should endeavor to communicate with the Grand Lodge of England, and obtain the release of three Frenchmen. The Grand Lodge took a course suggested to them by his late Royal Highness, the Duke of Sussex. The Frenchmen were discovered, and they, with two others, left the British shores free men. (Cheers.) This, Brethren, is what I call Masonry.

But, again, let me come to a more recent example; one with which, probably, some of you are acquainted. There lived in the county of Essex, a clergyman named Hewlett. He died of malaria. His troubles had been of no common kind. His wife died of cousumption, about three months previously, and nine orphan children were left without a shilling in the world to provide for them. There was a Lodge in Rochfore, Essex: they met, took the case into consideration, and, before they separated, nine Brethren agreed each to take a child to his home. (Loud cheering.) Now, Brethren, this is what I mean by practical duties of Masonry. (Cheers.) If I were to preach to you for an hour; if I were attempting to urge any considerations whatever, I could not impress your minds better than by the recital of these two naked facts. I say, then, the Provincial Grand Lodge has duties to perform."

TRAIT OF MASONIC GENEROSITY.-Smith states, in his book entitled "Use and Abuse of Masonry," published in 1785, "there are several Lodges at Prague under the direction of Scotland, or at least they call themselves Scotch. The first which I became acquainted with is that of 1749. A Scotch officer, in the service of Prussia, was made prisoner at the battle of Lutzen. As this officer was recognised as a Mason, he had permission to go out of prison, and dine daily with the best society of Prague. Three months after, an exchange of prisoners was inade, the Scotch officer was included in the list, and as the Brothers of Prague knew he was deprived, from want of money, of the means of travelling comfortably, they begged him to accept a purse from them which contained sixty ducats. This circumstance," adds Smith, was communicated to me by the officer himself."

THE ORDER OF ABELITES.-There existed in Germany, about the middle of the last century, a secret society, who took the name of "Order of Abelites." The public were acquainted with their existence by a book published at Leipzig, in 1746, and which the author (a member of the Order,) had dedicated to Prince Gustavus, of Sweden; "that the Abelites opened a Lodge at Griefswald, in the commencement of the year 1745; that they borrowed their name from Abel, the second son of Adam, whom Jesus himself has called "the Just;" and that their works tend constantly to preserve to their actions the character of justice and that of right." The Abelites were not Freemasons, but they had signs, ceremonies, symbols and devices, which they kept secret. It is not known how long this Order existed. There was anciently an Order in Africa called Abelites, the members of which would not marry, because Abel had no wife.

AN ABSURD NOTION.-There was an article in a Paris Journal, of February, 1816, as follows:-"The little bonnets of black silk which the French armies in Spain had adopted, and the use of which has been preserved by the Spanish troops, were prohibited by King Ferdinand, who was persuaded that these bounets were an emblem of Freemasonry!"

GRAND MASONIC BALL.

MASONIC BALLS have been, at least of late years, in this country, of rare occurrence. In Europe they are more common, and are usually brilliant achievements. Our Brethren in the adjacent British Provinces are also au fait in the management of them, and they generally afford their ladies an opportunity once a year at least, to participate in this way, in their social enjoyments.

Not unfrequently they are made occasions, particularly in Europe, of increasing the funds of some charitable institution, or of contributing to some other object of Masonic philanthropy. But, as before remarked, in this country they have not been very extensively encouraged,-not one having occurred, we believe, in this vicinity, for the last twenty years, except that which took place at Washington Hall, in Charlestown, on Tuesday evening, the 11th January, ultimo. And this was a splendid affair, alike honorable to the good taste and liberality of all who were engaged in its origination and management.

There were about two hundred ladies present, and one hundred Brethren,-embracing those of every degree of Masonry, from the first to the thirtythird. They were all appropriately, and many of them richly and beautifully decorated, with the badges and jewels of the various orders they represented, and presented a scene of attractive novelty and beauty, such as, probably, was never before witnessed in this country. We are certain it cannot be surpassed, if equalled, at the present time.

The banquetting hall was richly decorated with the flags of the various nations where Masonry is tolerated and encouraged; and among these the banners of the Lodges, Chapters, and other Masonic bodies, were tastefully interspersed. The ball room was also decorated with the banners of various Masonic orders.

The dancing commenced at about eight o'clock, and continued until eleven, when a grand procession was formed, and the party repaired to the banquetting hall, where supper had been served up in a style of sur passing excellence. We have seldom seen tables spread in better taste, or more abundantly supplied. This part of the entertainment was altogether worthy of the high reputation of the respected Brother under whose supervision it had been arranged.*

After supper, the company returned to the ball room, where the dancing was continued until about two o'clock, when all repaired to their homes; and, so far as we could hear or judge, all were highly pleased with the enjoyments of the evening.

Among the Brethren present, were many of the oldest members of the

W. Br. Francis L. Raymond, of King Solomon's Lodge.