The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-09-06
{, THE New Masonic AND F1sEMEN,s

and then. the progress Of our city is
marked by an episode worthy of re-
cord-an event which indicates not
only physical growth and commercial
enterprise, bnt a spirit OF vitality
among our institutions. Few per-
sons who wandered up and down our
desolate streets eighteen months ago,
could fail, on returning after an
absence, to be astonished by the pre-
sent aspect of the business portion
of our city. In nearly every instance,
the new edifce which has taken the
place of the old is superior to it in
strength and beauty, and is IN orna-
ment to its locality. We might point,
as illustrations, to the Palmetto Fire
Engine Compauy's new house, the
new Jail, (now i'll progress,) the
massive block on Main street, owned
by Major Thomas Davis and the
Messrs. Gregg; Greenficld's, Be
dell's, Hopes, Walkers, Palmer's,
Henry Davis, and other edifices of
alike elegant and substantial charac-
ter.
The want Of better accommodate
tions having long been felt by the
Masons, and by the Independent
Fire Company of our city, they, too,
determined to erect, in central
locality, such n building as would
subserve the various purposes Of
their respective organizations. Alot
was accordingly secured, on the site
of the old jail-on Washington street,
near Main; plans were prepared by
Mr.. G.. T. Berg; the contract for
construction awarded to Mr.. George
Davis; the ground opened, and n por-
tion of the walls put up.
In accordance with previons no.
tice, yesterday was set apart by the
Masons and Independents for the of
fetal laying of the orner-stone, and
the ceremonies incident to the inau-
guration of the building. Alto o'clock,
the Masons of the several lodges of
the city assembled at Odd Fellows
Hall, where they were joined by the
Independent Fire Engine Company,
and the Mayor and Aldermen. Here
procession was formed by Grand
Marshal W. d. Peck, which, preceded
by band of music. marched to the
place of ceremony. The Acting
Grand Master, W. I. Walter, the
grand officers, the Mayor and Alder
men, and the officers of the Inde-
pendent Fire Company, now occu-
pied the platform, the remainder of
the brethren forming a line around
the same.
Order being commanded, prayer
was offered by the Grand Chaplain,
F. w. Papc; after which, the follow
ing ode was sung by the Masonic
choir:
Let there be light" til Almighty,
spoke;
Refulgent streams from chaos broke,
To illume the rising earth!
Well pleas'd the great Jehovah Stood !;
The power Supreme pronounced it
good,
And gave the planets birth.
In choral numbers Masons join,
TO bless and praise this light divine.
Parent of light, accept our praise,
Who sheddst on us thy brightest rays,
The light that fills the mind;
BY choice selected, 10! we stand,
BY friendship join'd social band,
That love, that aid mankind.
The widows tear, the orphans cry,
All wants our ready hands supply,
AS far as power is given;
The naked clothe, the pris'ner free,
These are thy works, sweet Charity,
Reveald to us from heaven.
The Grand Treasurer then placed
the vessel containing the coin, medals,
etc, in its proper place. This was
followed by solemn music by the
band. The architect then presented
the working tools" to the Grand
Master, (the plumb, squareand level y
whom tbo 1ottar 1acoorl;,o. f,.o,,. ~, -