New York Masons Celebrate New Provincial Grand Master, 1753
“At a Grand Lodge of the Ancient and Worshipful Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, a Commission from the Honourable John Proby, Baron of Carysfort, in the Kingdom of Ireland, Grand Master of England, appointing George Harrison, Esq.; to be Provincial Grand Master, was solemnly published, we hear, to the universal Satisfaction of all the Brethern present. After which, it being the Festival of St. John the Evangelist, the Brethern went in Procession, to attend Devine Service at Trinity Church.
The Order in which they proceeded, was as follows. First walked the Sword Bearer, carrying a drawn Sword; then four Stewards, with white Maces; followed by the Treasurer and Secretary, who bore each a crimson Damask Cushion, on which lay a gilt Bible, and the Book of Constitutions; after these the Grand Warden, and Wardens: Then came the Grand Master himself, bearing a Trunchion, and other Badges of Office, followed by the Rest of the Brother hood, according to their respective Ranks, Masters, Fellow-Crafts, and Prentices, to about the Number of Fifty; all cloathed with their Jewels, Aprons, white Gloves, and Stockings.
The whole Ceremony was concluded with the utmost Decorum, under a Discharge of Guns from some Vessels in the Harbour, and made a genteel Appearance. We hear, they afterwards confer’d a generous Donation of Fifteen Pounds from the Public Stock of the Society, to be expended in Cloathing the poor Children, belonging to our Charity School; and made a handsome private Contribution for the Relief of indigent Prisoners.
In the Evening, by the particular Request of the Brethern, a Comedy called, The Conscious Lovers, was presented at the Theatre in Nassau Street, to a very crouded Audience. Several Pieces of vocal Musick, in Praise of the Fraternity, was performed, between the Acts. An Epilogue, suitable to the Occasion, was pronounced by Mrs. Hallam, with all the Graces of Gesture, and Propriety of Elocution; and met with a universal and loud Applause.
Quare. Whether the Performance of publick and private Acts of Beneficence, such as feeding the Hungry, and cloathing the Naked, be most correspondent to the Genius of Christianity; or to the Institutions of the Prince of Darkness?”
New York Mercury, 31 December 1753.
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