The national Republican., 1866-11-21


The line passed over the following route From
Holiday to Baltimore; to ;Eutaw; to Monumsnt
via north side Of Mount Vernon Place, passing
around the Monument; south side Of Mount Ver-
non Place to Park to franklin to Charles to the
site Of the Temple, where the procession halted and
The ceremonies of laying the corner -ttons were
now begun, and the occasion was one Of great
solemnity, and caused adsep impression to be made
upon the minds Of those unacquaintsd with the
mysteries Of the Masonic Order. .....l
The order Of ceremonies were as follows Music
by the band, upon the conclusion Of which the N.
W. Grand Master stated in eloquent terms the OBJ.
ject Of the assemblage He Afterwards Issued his
orders which were communicated by the Senior
Grand Warden to the Junior Grand Warden, who
In turn announced the same to the brethren. A
hymn composed for the occasion by Rev. Andrew
Longacre, was then sung to the music Of "Amsri.
Ca" After which an impressive prayer was offered
up by Rev, Brother John McCrow, Grand Chap
lain. Upohths conclusion Of the prayer the Grand
Treasurer possessed himself Of the small metallic
box to be placed In the ornerstone, and read the
inscription and list Of the contents Of the box.
Tho Grand Master having ordered tho box to bs
deposited, . hymn composed for the occasion by
Brants Mayer. Esq, was sung to the tune Of "Old
Hundred" The ceremonies Of depositipg the box
was then proceeded with. during which the Psalm.
10, Praise 70 the Lord. was given, followed by .
prayer by the Grand Chaplain. After further esrs-
monies and music by the band, an oration was dc.
livered by Bro. John ii. B. Latrobe. The chorus,
"alory be to God on High" was sung, concluding
| tho ceremonies. ....
At the conclusion Of the ceremonies the line was
reformed, passing down Charles street to Lexington
street, thence to St. Paul to Masonic Hall, whore
they were dismissed.
At the site Of the New Temple, on Charles street,
extensive preparations had been made for the &C.
commodation Of an immense assemblage but large
as the arrangements had been made 1t was found
that double the space could have been used. One
platform contained 200 ladies. On the south
side Of the building another large platform was
occupied by tho principal officers and those having
In charge the ceremonies proper, the President Of
the United States, Governor Swami and other dis
tinguishsd gentlemen.
Every window, sidewalk and street. marking the
route Of the procession, were packed with citiEeni
and strangers eagsr to view the imposing display.
messed within the limits Of our city by the oldest
inhabitant. To estimate the number Of persons
who obtained q view Of the New Temple at the
time Of laying the cornerstone could not be esti.
mated, but the most experienced judges place It a
not less than fifteen thousand.
Outside the masonic rites, the most interesting
feature Of the occasion was the singing by choil
Of a hundred and fifty voices. under the direction
Of DIR. Robt. J. Kerr. The singing was Of the mos,
exquisite character and reflected great credit upon
| Professor Kerr.
The Grand Marshal was Gen. James M. Andsr
son, with the following assistant marshals Lloyd
b. Parks, W. Crichton, Richard W. Tyson, Sam.
uel ]. Smith, Walter DulAny John M Miller,
Richard II. Conway. George A. Hanson, W. D.
Jones.
An apron worked by the members Of the family
Of Gen. Lafayette, presented TO Gen. Washington
and worn by him, was presented to the Grand Lodge
| by Mr.. Entor, Worshipful Master Of Mount Nebc
Lodge, Of shsphsrdstown, West Virginia, and wal
to-day worn by Grand Master John Coates.
Mr.. Joshua I. Cohsn also presented to the Grand
Lodge q rare coin Of the date Of 1797, to bs do.
| posted In the cornerstone.