The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1867-12-28
MASONIC.

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The dedication of the Masonic Tenn
pie yesterday, marked an important
epoch in the history of the ancient and
honored craft in Montana. Not we hope
the climax of its power. honors and use
fulness, but proud and gratifying eff
fort to establish in these mountains the
worlds great fraternal institution, cul-
minating after earnest ,laborious faithful
exertion through difficulties and dark
hours of tribulation in the achievement
of perfect success, in harmony, strength,
prosperity, the possession OF spotless
record and a Temple dedicated to the
great founders and Protector of the or
der, an honor to Montana, a credit to
those who have borne the heat and bur
then of the day, and an enduring materi-
al evidence of the zeal, energy and lib
erality of the craft. Heretofore the
Temple was local possession, thing
of our city, but yesterday, dedicated in
the name of God and the members of
an Order confined to no country, creed
or cline, it becomes a universal sanctu-
airy for all Masons. The Temple
was dedicated by the Grand Lodge of
Montana in due and ancient form, in the
presence of the order and large audi
ence of citizens who assembled to wit
ness the ceremonies, Rev. Bishop Tut
tie officiating as Chaplain. Upon the
ark resting upon the altar was scattered
the corn and poured the oil and wine,
the public honors given. and the Grand
Master declared the Temple duly dedi-
Gated. Chief Justice Hez. l.. Hosmer,
orator of the day, then delivered the
address, and while we regret being un-
able to present it to our readers, it is
with pleasure we assert that in compre-
hensiveness. eloquence of dictioD, and
felicity of thought, we have never heard
a superior exposition of the principles,
or clearer argument for the necessity
of perpetuating and cherishing with its
kindred institutions. the Church and
Law. the great order of Masonry. On
the conclusion of the address, Col. San
ders by order of Grand Master LeandeI
w. FrAry, presented to Col. j. j. Hull,
Past Grand Master; on behalf Of the
Masoas OF Montana a magnificent jewel
of his Office. The presentation address
was not less gratifying to the recipient
than the Jewel il accompanied, and was
responded to in an eloquent scknowl-
edgement, modulated by an emotion
that found answering chords in every
Masonic heart. The Temple thus hap
PLY dedicated, has been but a few
months in progress. To Mr.. ]. r.
Boyce Sr., the fraternity are indebted
for the conception of the idea and to his
unremitting exertions, in great meas
ure, for its early completion. The build
ing is of granite, S0x2S feet, and AS feet
high in front, faced with cut stone and
an ornament to any city. The founda-
ton walls are feet in thickness, gradu-
ally decreasing with the succession
stories to fire wall of 20 inches. The
Lodge Room is 5Sx26 feet and IA feet
high, plastered with cement as smooth
and polished as marble, made from
powdered white sandstone, brought 20
miles for this purpose; finely furnished,
lighted, carpeted, and to be canopied in
the east, west and south with scarlet,
purple and blue. The estimated cost of
the furniture necessary, in addition to
that now in the Lodge, is $4,000. There
are two committee and one ante-room,
of convenient size, and the new Hall also
opens into the old. Messrs Harrison &
Countryman took the contract for the
erection of the building for 500, 900. and
some 5000 additional, have already
been expended. The building reflects
the highest credit upon the builders,
mechanics and artizans employed in its
erection. The following are the numbers
of active members belonging to Virgin
la Blue Lodges, Virginia No. l., 75i
Montana No. Q. 40; Chapter 80; Council 35
Commsndery 80. Besides these there are
a large number of Masons here who still
retain connection with their respective
Lodges in the States, and the City prob
ably contains as large a number of good
Masons in proportion to population, as
any city on the Continent.
The government has established