Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-06-04


Excelsior, No. "a, Mill Creek;
Equality, No. 1876, Martinsburg.
Moorefeld, No. 1872, Moorefeld.
Old Dominion, No. =, Newtown:
Baltimore city and Maryland Lodges
Penn'nia and Ohio were also represented
Members OF Royal Arch Chapters
Hiram Lodge, No. q, Winchester:
KNIGHT TEMPLARs.
Monumental Commandery, No. 5, Bait
Baltimore do. No. 2, ="
Maryland, do. No. l,
Marching by way of Loudoun, Braddock
and Piccadilla streets, they arrived at the site
of the Temple, where large crowd OF peo-
pie were already waiting to witness the cere-
monies. The choir, under the leadership of
Mr.. Jacob Snyder, occupied stand in front
The singing was most excellent and reflected
great credit on those participating.
Accompanying the Knight Templars from
Baltimore was a band from Front street thea
ire, which discoursed some sweet music
Prot. Blondell's band from Martinsburg. was
also present and enlivened the occasion by its
sweetest strains.
There was large concourse of people in
town, the fine day favoring a good turn out
Oorder being restored, the w. Master, said:
Brother Senior Warden, Hiram Lodge, No
81, being now assembled for the purpose of
laying the corner. stone of the New Masonic
Temple here to be erected, it is my order that
this Lodge now proceed to the performance
of that important ceremony. This my will
and pleasure you will communicate to the Ju-
Nor Warden, and he to the brethren present,
that all having due notice may govern them
selves accordingly.
The senior and junior wardens having pro-
clnimed the will OF the worshipful master, the
choir sang a hymn. After prayer by the
Chaplain, the worshipful said: Bro. Deputy
Master, you will read the inscription on the
cornerstone and a list of the contents of box
After compliance with this order, the wor-
shipful master said There being no obiec-
ton, 1 now order you. brother treasurer, to
deposit the box with its contents in the place
prepared for its reception.
After which the choir sang a hymn.
The pricipal architect then presented the
working tools to the worshipful master, who
handed the square to past master the level
to the senior warden, and the plumb to the
junior warden.
The worshipful master and officiating Off
GERS then descended from the platform and
arranged themselves as follOws-The master
standing at the east of the stone. senior war
den at the west, and junior warden at the
south. The worshipful master then spread
the cement, after which he directed the Chief
Marshal to order the Craftsmen to lower the
stone During the lowering of the stone,
which was slow y proceeded with, solemn mu-
sic was introduced; and after tie music the
Public Grand Honors were given
The square, level and plumb were applied
to the stone. The Most Worshipful Master
then said: '.I4et the elements Of Consecra-
ton now be presented" after which the LIST
Past Master came forward with the vessel of
corn and scattered it on the stone. saving
" l scatter this corn as an emblem Of plenty /;
may the blessings Of bounteOus heaven be
shOwered upon us and upon all like patriotic
undertakings, and inspire the hearts of the
people with virtue, wisdom and gratitude"
Then came the I'd Past Master with the
vessel OF wine, and pouring it upon the stone:
" [ pour this wine an emblem of Joy and
gladness. May the great Ruler of the Uni
verse bless and prosper our National, State
and City Governments, preserve the union of
the States, and may it be a bond OF friend
ship and brOtherly love that shall endure
through all time"
The Sd Past Master then came forward with
4 vessel of oil, which he poured upon the
stone, and said g pour this oil as an en-
bIem Of peace. May its blessings abide with
us continually, and may the Grand Master of
heaven and earth shelter and protect the
widow and orphan, shield and defend them
from trials and vicissitudes of the world, and
so bestOw his mercy upon the bereaved, the
afflicted, and the sOrrOwing, that they may
know sorrowing and trouble no more" The
w. NJ. then made the following invocation
May the all-bounteous Author of Nature
bless the inhabitants of this place with an
abundance of the necessaries, conyeniences,
and comforts of life assist in the erection
and completion of this building; protect the
workmen against every accident; long pre-
serve the structure from decay, and grant us
all Il supply of the corn of nOurishment, the
wine of refreshnent, and the oil of Joy Amen
The wOrshipful master struck the stone
three times with the gavel and the public
grand honors were given.
The worshipful master then delivered over
to the architect the implements of architee-
ture, saying:
Worthy Sir-Having thus. as Worshipful
Master of Masons, laid the foundation stone
of this structure, now deliver these imple-
ments of your profession into your hands.
entrustiDg you with the superintendent and
direction of the work having full confidence
in your skill and capacity to conduct the same.
The procession reforming it marched up
Loudoun to Cork, and then to Market street
Church. On arriving at the church. PRAYER
was offered by the Chaplain, Rev. JAMES i.
AvIRETT, and the choir sang the beautiful
hymn, The Earth is the Lords and the
fullness thereof" and the Hon WILLIAM n.
TRAvERs of Charlestown, delivered an eIo-
quent address, which was we'll received By
the large audience in attendance.
The benediction was then pronounced by
Rev. Mr.. WARD, when the choir sang
Let Masonry from pole to PoIs
SeF sacred law expand,