The New York herald., 1868-06-25
of one Of the most agreeable Masonic gatherings ever
convened IN the country.

of one OF the m0st agreeable Masonic gatherings ever
convened IN the country.
The Laying Of the Corner. Stone or the New
Masonic Temple as Philadelphia.
PHILADELPHIA, June "A, 1865.
The ceremonies to-day attending the laying OF the
corner stone of the projected Masonic temple TO lie
erected on Broad street, Arch, were conducted
In most imposing and impressive manner As Is
usual with Masons In ceremonies OF this kind,
the programme carried out In the strictest
OF the word. All was uniform and the order OF the
marshals in each and every instance was law to all
the members and strictly obeyed by them.
The procession started about nine O'Clock in the
morning and was slightly interfered with by driz-
zlng rain which commenced falling; but soon the
bright rays Of the sun were hailed with delight by
every member and at almost funeral pace the societies
proceeded the route, which comprised Chestnut,
Arch and Broad streets. All the members were
dressed In dark clothes, each wearing black hat
and white apron. The procession comprised twenty
divisions, and included members OF the fraternity
from all parts OF the country, and numbered from
eight to tel ten thousand persons; Large numbers Of
many OF the ladies offered bouquets to their friends
who were In the procession; but as this nterfered
order and the flowers had to be passed to the little
children who were fortunate enough to be gathered
on the sidewalk.
The procession did not reach the site of the new
temple until two O'Clock this afternoon in conse-
quence of the rain and other Interruptions. The
usual Masonic ceremonies were then proceeded with
Right worthy Grand Chaplain, Rev. William Stod-
dards, d. d., made the opening prayer and Rev.
Architect Of heaven and earth" fhe R. W. Grand
Master Richard Vaux then directed the R. W. Grand
Treasurer Peter Williamson, to place the articles,
The Grand Stewards then proceeded to the stone
with corn wine and OIL and the usual ceremonies
Master, holding the cornucopia dropped the corn on
the stone and said:-"May plenty be showered down
on the people Of this ancient Commonwealth and
may the abors Of the craft be refreshed by Great
The Steward then presented the wine to the R. W.
Senior Grand Warden, who poured It on the stone
and said MAY the health OF the craftsmen en-
plOyed In erecting this temple be preserved to them
and and may the Supreme Architect bless and prosper
The Steward then presented the Oil to the R. M.
Junior Grand Master, who dropped Oil on the stone
and said, "May the Supreme Ruler OF the world
vouchsafe unity, peace and prosperity to the people
Of Pennsylvania and to the nations Of the earth
preserve and protect the fraternity Of Free Masons
make the virtues of the craft lesson to the
world, and the labors OF the craftsmen easy and
their burdens light"
The officers then returned to their places after
which the following music, arranged by Brother
CanningtOn, was sung-
Come Come VIII isy siis: ": SfSs & p,ssIsas Worth
Whate'ef without Thy aid is wrought,
's%pf p%sas 2s%sd s:::i s:::ias ss:sss Sought
And hold the faith in unity,
Thy precious gifts of charity.
The Chairman of the Building Committee then took
the architect, James H. Windrm, by the hand and
presented him to the Grand Master The latter placed
the plans and tools in the hands Of the architect and
entrusted him with the work.
The Grand Marshal then proclaimed, "silence,
silence, silence. Brethren, take notice that the r.
W. Grand Master, Brother Richard VauX, Grand
Master Of the Grand Lodge Of Pennsylvania and
Masonic jurisdiction thereuntO belonging, has this
day, at this place. laid the corner stone OF the new
Masonic temple. wisdom, strength, fraternity"
an eloquent and interesting grafton, and the pro-
ceeings closed with the benedctiOn by the chaplain.
This evening, at eight O'Clock the members Of the
craft to the number OF thousand honOred the Occa
sion with a banquet at the Academy OF Music.