Ritual, Secrecy and Civil Society Volume 1, Number 1, Spring 2013 | Page 59

Ritual , Secrecy , and Civil Society –– Volume 1 –– Number 1 –– Spring 2013
Interesting Masonic Ceremony : Baptism of Six Children
Albert Pike , of Arkansas New York Times : October 1 , 1865

Last evening , one of the most interesting , and , at the same time , novel ceremonies , connected with Free Masonry , was performed in Masonic Hall , Thirteenth-street , near Fourth-avenue , by the Thrice Potent Grand Master of the Scottish rite , ALBERT PIKE , late General in the rebel army , the Senior Warden being Gen . J . H . HOBART WARD , late of the union army . It consisted of the baptism of six children , ranging from six months to eight years of age , according to the Masonic ritual . This being the first time this ceremony was performed at the North a large number of Masons , with their wives , daughters , sons , and others , were present , so that the lodge-room was crowded . The ceremony took place in a Lodge of Perfection which was opened publicly . In the east on a platform were placed a font filled with oil , a vessel of consecrated oil , and a plate of salt . All being ready two lines were formed , consisting of a guard with drawn swords facing inwards and the officers and members of the Grand Lodge of Perfection entered in procession to the music of a grand march by the organ . After several alarms , the parents and children entered with the godfather and godmothers , the latter dressed in white ; the children who were unable to walk were carried on a cushion covered with blue silk , by the master of ceremonies ; after him came a brother carrying the lighted candles , black , white , and rose color in the form of a triangle , while the choir sang the chant " Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings , Thou hast perfected praise ." Then came the other children , two by two , then the fathers and mothers . The procession went three times round the lodge-room , the organ playing , and the chant still proceeding , while the Master and Wardens repeated certain sentences , the mystic sentence commencing " Suffer little children to come unto me ." After questions asked of the fathers and answered by them , the children were brought to the front and an impressive prayer offered up by Bro . WILSON SMALL , as Grand Chaplain . This was followed by a hymn , and the Master informed the godfathers and godmothers of their duty , while the Orator in the North , the Senior and Junior Wardens , admonished them and their parents to be true to themselves , to others , to their country , and to God . Another prayer was then offered , and the children were brought to the altar . Their names were : Harrison Small McClenachan , Harry Sheridan Lee , George Small Anderson , Zoo Virginia Gibson , Anna Theresa Gibson , and Charlotte May . The baptism was performed as follows : Placing the hand of the child in the font filled with perfumed water , the master said , " HARRISON SMALL MCCLENACHAN " ( naming each ) " I wash thee with the pure water . May God give thee , and maintain thee in that innocence and purity of heart , of which this cleansing is a symbol ." He next marked the Delta with the consecrated oil on the forehead of each child , being the symbol of the wisdom , might , and love of God , and blessed them according to the ritual . After a hymn was , sung , all the brethern knelt and made a solemn vow , which they confirmed by eating salt to protect the children through life .

A locket was then given to each girl , and a ring to each boy , with the assurance that if they were in distress or danger they had only to send the locket or ring , and they would be assisted . A jewel was also given ( the Delta ,) with Masonic emblems , to each child , who was also invested with an apron , and the Senior and Junior Wardens proclaimed the baptism along their columns , after which all clapped three times , and
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