The New York herald., 1870-02-27
TEE PROPOSED MASONIC TEMPLE.
Splendid Building to be Erec.ed Opposite
Booths Theatre-The Aim and Object
Of tbs Fratsrnity-A Home for
tho INDECENT to be Built.

The Masons, OF whom the outside world hear ana
see so little lately been bcstirring themselves
TO some purpose, aad bid fair. In the erection OF
their proposed hall, 70 produce an edince which will
be credit to themselves ana an ornament to the
metropolis. The site, which has been areaoy pur-
chased Is located on the southwest corner Of Twen-
ty.thlrd street and Sixth avenue, directly opposite
Booths theatre II embraces ninetycight feet eight
inches on the avenue and runs back lA feet on
1wentythird street. The cost OF this property was
$34oooo, the whole or which sum was paid by the
Masons upon the transfer OF the deed with the ex.
cepiton OF SS7,500 which amount has been since
cleared on The site is therefore the sole and unen
cumbefcd property OF the craft thus literally verify
ing their boast that 'no profane hand snonlo hold
one dollar OF claim against itn
IL was originally intended build the hall further
down town, ana with that view the Old church pro.
perty the corner OF Grand and Crosby streets was
purchased tor $4,000. The march OF improve
ment, however, and the exodus upward led TO
change OF location and the latter was subseq uenty
disposed ot Tor slo3Ooo thus realizing handsome
profit
property has been paid for In lull-a fact which
most crcditabie 70 THIS time hoIored community.
Yet they nave done even better than that. py the
lst OF june the time designated for lay ing the foun-
dation stone OF the new building, they VIII have
100000 IN cash TO commence operations with,
increasing sources. In addition 10 TINS sum
they at any time borrow $500. 900 or
more 10 push on the good WORK. The Grand Lodge
OF Freemasons, which holds its annual session IN
this city every June, IS composed or representatives
from the 700 lodges throughout the Al their
rnes forbid the craft being an incorporated body, t
was necessary that board OF trustees sloutd be
ated IN order 60 legally acquire ana hold real estate
This board consists q the nrat five officers OF the
Grand Lodge ana their SUCCESSORS, who are elected
by ballot from year to year. The trustees have been
accordingly regularly incorporated py act or the
Legislature, and though their personnel Is
constantly changing the same zeal and good
Judgment seems unlnterrup:ediy TO animate them.
Numerous designs for the building have been sub
mitted. but no selection has yet been mace. u II
called into requision, and such model OF strength
and beauty ADOPTED as Will place the new Masonic
Hall among the MODEST edinceB IN land. ltS cost
has been estimated At $40o. .000 but Gntl tho plans
tinue TO be mere guess work. And now appears the
best feature In the whole project Tue Iei incone
from letung the lodge roOmS-whicn VIII rea a ~
| least $4,000 per annum-is to be devoted 20 tno
support Of an asylum In some central part Of the
| State for destitute Masons. their wIdows and
orphans SUCH an Institution has been tong necde q
| by the craft. Not tnat they were anxious to
cast their poor upon the charity OF sLraagers--
fur from lI--but because Of their laying csiul
to so much benevolence those who knew not the
amount OF good they did In secret accustomed
10 aunt them with not having home for their aged
and lndgent, such as many other iess Numerous and
less wealthy associations nave long possessed. II
they have waited long they now assuredIy going
to make up for loSt time and that they may carry
out their humane undertaking with the same WIS.,
dom and success which nave so far claracterizeu
them must be the sincere Wish OF every benevolent
heart.
Tue following gentlemen compose the Board or
Trustees for the current year:-James Gibson, Grand
Master; Jonn Il. Antnon, Deputy Grand Master;
l. Judson. Junior Grand Warden James a. Austin,
N. D., Grand secretary.