The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer

Special Telegrams to the Intelligencer,
CAMERON, W. VA., June 25.—The Masonic celebration of the anniversary of St. John the Baptist was a great success. A most sumptuous repast was served on the first floor of the new M. E. church, where good cheer and good edibles were dispensed in a way that made all to feel that life was worth the living. After dinner a short recess was improved in getting acquainted and in pleasant conversations. Having adjourned to the main auditorium of the new church building on account of the threatening aspect of the weather, instead of repairing to the grove just east of town as was laid down in the programme, the audience, consisting of most of the members and their families, with a fair sprinkling of outsiders, was called to order by the worshipful master at 2 p. m.
Music by the choir was followed by an earnest prayer by Rev. C. W. Upton, then music by the choir, after which Rev. Riker, of the Fourth street M. E. church, Wheeling, was introduced and made a speech that for force and eloquence could not be excelled. He spoke of the antiquity of the organization and its relation to other fraternities, and said that "a young man who spent an evening in a Masonic lodge would not hear an impure word." He said that a man who wore a white apron should be a manly man, above vulgarity, profanity and all vices, and that a master Mason should be a master citizen, and that patriotism belonged to Masonry as much as any other principle, and spoke very enthusiastically of the American flags displayed. Womanhood owed a deal to the organization.
No finer address was ever delivered in this town and the attention given to the speaker from start to finish was a fine tribute to the powerful eloquence of the speaker.
Rev. Upton, of the M. E. church, was introduced and among his bright remarks acknowledged that he had made a mistake by not becoming a Mason. His remarks were heartily applauded.
Rev. Montgomery was introduced and excused himself by saying that if there were no blackballs he expected before his hairs were gray to become a Mason.
Mr. M. Eichenauer, of Wheeling, was the next speaker, his subject being the duty of Masons, and he explained the brotherhood of the fraternity and the benefits to be derived from belonging to the order, and was listened to with marked attention.
The music was under the direction of that master musician, Prof. S. W. Loller, and was a fine accompaniment to the other part of a fine programme.
Lunch was served at 4:30.