Page:Oration Delivered on the Centennial Day of Washington's Initiation into Masonry (1852).djvu/3



Agreeable to previous notice of the Committee of Arrangements, for the District Celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of Initiation into the mysteries of Free Masonry, the Brethren of the 7th Masonic District, of Mo., assembled at the Methodist Church, in the City of Weston, Thursday, November 4, 1852, where the Procession formed—the City Brass Band in attendance—and marched to the Presbyterian Church, D. P. Wallingford, Esq., R. W. D. D. G. M., presiding, (no Lodge appearing as such, owing to the long continued rains and extremely bad roads,) where B. W. Grover, Esq., M. W. G., Master of Masons, for the State of Missouri, was received in form, and presided during the ceremonies and dinner.

The ceremonies commenced with—

1st — Prayer, by Bro. Rev. J. B. Wright, Chaplain.

2nd — Music, by the Weston City Brass Band.

3rd — 148th Psalm, sung by the Church Choir, led by the Pastor, Rev. F. Starr—Bro. Harriett: presiding at the Melodian.

4th — Oration, by Bro. Leander KerrKer [sic]; Chaplain U. S. A.

We have not assembled here, to-day, to commemorate some mighty event, that stands out prominent and illustrious in the annals of time—that constitutes a new era or epoch in itself, and which has imparted another and a better character to the world, another and a better spirit to men and nations; developing itself in manners more simple, in morals more pure, in laws more just and wise, and in government more permanent.

We have not met to celebrate the rise of an empire; or to mourn over its untimely fall, or to refresh, by the demonstration of a public memorial, the time-honored laurels of a hero and a conqueror and snatch them from the dark waters of oblivion.

But we have come hither as brothers bound together by ties as sacred as truth, and as honored as they are ancient. We have