L. H. Pike, J. G. W.; C. W. Bennett, Grand Orator;

W. M. Ireland, Master of Ceremonies; B. F. Hedrich, Senior Deacon ; C. T. Xutze, Junior Deacon ; Rev. Mr. Harris, Chaplain; H. J. Martin, Sec- retary; and L. Stoddard, Tiler. The ceremony of Masonic baptism has always been celebrated in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Order. • It has been cen- sured by many as an irreverent imitation of the Chris- tian rite of baptism; but well-informed ^lasons know that purification by washing was used in all the mysteries thousands of years before our era. After the assembly had been seated. Grand Master Pike gave a short history of the ceremony, saying that it taught neither hatred, intolerance, nor revenge. After a voluntary on the or- gan by Bro. Servoss, a rap was heard at the door, and information given that two children, with their parents, desired admission, the parents praying that their chil- dren might be baptized, when the Master directed the Master of Ceremonies and his aids to bring the children, their parents and sponsors into the Lodge. Soon after, the Master of Ceremonies returned, followed by one of his assistants, bearing a candlestick with three lighted candles, one white, one black, and one red, forming a triangle. Following, were two assistants, one carrying
the child of Dr. Nairn, Eobert Brice Nairn, upon a cushion covered with light blue silk, the other leading the child of Mr. MacGrotty, Edwin Albert MacGrotty; and behind these came the parents of the children and the sponsors. The sponsors for the son of Dr. Nairn were Dr. J. B. Gibbs, 32d degree, and Caroline E. Davis; for Master MacGrotty, Jerome C. Davis. 32 degree, and Mrs. ^I. Walker. After the third circuit of the room, the procession luilted and the candlestick was placed be- fore the altar, and the children returned to their moth- ers, who, with the sponsors, took their seats in the center of the room. The Masonic choir then sang "My Soul Doth Magnify the Lord." After an oration by the Mas- ter, in which he explained the duties and responsibili- ties which the Lodge was about to assume in conferring the rite, he then asked the fathers: "Are you willing that we slioiild accept tliese duties?" An affirmative re- sponse being given, the blaster called upon the Chaplain to invoke the favor and assistance of God, w^hich was done, the brethren all kneeling. The choir then sang the ode, "Rejoice, Eejoice, Fond Mothers." The spon- sors then took seats near the parents, when the ^Master addressed them in relation to tlie duties they were tak- ing upon themselves. After an invocation to the Deity, and music, the cliildren, parents and sponsors were then conducted forward to tlie altar, on which water, oil and salt were placed. The Master then called the Lodge up, descended from his throne, and, after a few words addressed to the group, lighted the incense on the altar. After a cliant by the choir, the ^faster took the children severally in his arms, dipped their left hands in a basin of perfumed water, and said : "By this symbol I devote
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thee (in each case) to the service of virtue and truth. May our Father who is in Heaven keep thee innocent and pure in heart all the days of thy life.-' During this ceremony the choir sang an appropriate ode. The Mas- ter then took the vessel of perfumed oil, dipped the little finger of his right hand therein, and ^narked with it a delta on the forehead of each child, saying : "I set upon thy forehead the symbol of wisdom, power, and love of God. May He protect and guide thee in right courses all the days of thy life ;■ ' the choir singing, meanwhile, the chant, "Blessed are the undefiled in the way." The Master then replaced the vessel on the altar, and stretch- ing out his hands toward the children, invoked a blessing upon them. The children and those in charge of them were conducted to their seats, and the choir sang an ap- propriate ode. The god-mothers then placed them at the altar of obligation; the brethren present formed a circle around them, each with his left hand on his heart and his right hand raised toward Heaven; all then kneeled and repeated, after the Master, the solemn vow to protect the children from all danger and temptation until their arrival at maturity. After rising, the Mas- ter, taking the vessel of salt in his hand, repeated the Arab vow which sanctifies the enemy with whom he has tasted salt, and placing a portion of the salt on his tongue, said : "With this salt I seal my vow." The ker- sel was then passed to each brother, who in turn re- peated the vow. The children were then invested with lamb-skin aprons, and each was presented with a Masonic jewel, the Master saying: "In the name and under the auspices of the Supreme Council, I do proclaim these children consecrated to the service of truth and
virtue by Masonic baptism and anointing, after the ancient custom of ^[asonry, to be wards of the Mithras J>odge of Perfection." This was repeated in turn by the Venerable Grand and Senior Wardens. After more music, the orator delivered a brief lecture, after which two .young ladies, in conformity with a law of the Scot- tish l^ite, passed among the assemblage and received con- tributions from all wlio chose to give, the same, so collected, to be given by the Grand Almoner to the most needy person or persons known to liim, the source from which it comes, in pursuance of inviolable custom, not to be made known. A closing chant concluded the ceremonies.