The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-06-08
MASONIC.

monster Masonic demonstration which is taking
place in that city to-day, in honor of the laying
of the cornerstone of the new temple of the
Order. We take the following from the
Tribune:-
This Sth of June, 1870, will stand for many
coming year red-letter day in the Masonic
calendar of the Empire State for upon this aus
picious and memorable Wednesday, in the heart
of the great metropolis, and in the presence of
a mighty convocation of assembled lodges, will
be laid, with gladly-solemn ceremonies, the
chief cornerstone of cloud-kissing temple,
generous in purpose, monumental in architec
ture, and fifty typical OF the virtue, truth, and
wisdom which have been fashioned into the
institution which men call Masonry.
In 1S42 Brother Greenfield Pote, man well
advanced In years, and dependent upon the
labor of his hands for the support of his family,
cast upon the altar of Masonry one dollar, as
the first contribution to the Hall and Asylum
Fund. That single precious mite, by careful in
vestment, and the offerings of brethren, has
grown with the lapse of years to half million
dollars.
Two years ago the present central and admi-
rable site, upon the northeast corner of Sixth
avenue and Twenty-third street, opposite
Booths Theatre, was bought for $340, 900,
every cent of which is now paid, leaving the
land without lease, mortgage, or incumbrance,
sure Masonic heritage for all time to come.
There are fully $50 lodges in the Metropolitan
District which is limited by ten-mile radius
from the City Hall, but there is not at present a
single veritable Masonic Hall in New York city.
The building so-called, on Thirteenth street, is
not owned, and is but partly occupied, by the
fraternity.
The ground measures 141 feet on Twenty. third
street. and 9S feet inches on the avenue, and
the temple will cover the entire area. The mate
rial is to be dark and light Concord or Quincy
granite. The building will be divided into five
stories, each distinctly marked on the exterior.
Upon Twenty-third street the main feature will
be the central pavilion, ornamented with
columns and pilasters, and surmounted by
,1ord foatc or fhah
| and rising 155 feet above the pavement to the
| top of its cresting. Curtains" to be adorned
| with emblematc statues, will connect the centre
pavilion with corner pavilons, 26 feet square at
| the base, rising 95 feet to the top of the main
| cornice, and capped by Mansard roof
The avenue front harmonizes with the
Twenty-third street front, and consists of cor
ner pavilions, with recessed Curtain be-
tween, enriched by pilasters. The first story
will be principally devoted to stores, three large
| ones on the street and four on the avenue. The
main entrance on the southwest curtain" will
| be ornamented and made prominent by Doric
| portico. In the front of this will stand two
| Masonic columns 20 feet high, and these with
| the anegoric statues and the arms of the Grand
| Lodge on the fifth story, will form the only in
sigma of Masonry on the temples exterior. The
| main entrance leads directly by flight of
| broad steps, to large corridor in the second
story, 20 feet wide by &C long and 80 high.
| From this immediate access is obtained, on
| the east side, to the Grand Lodge-room "a by 80
feet, and on the other side to the parlors and
| offices of the Grand Lodge officers, and to the
freproof archive-room and other apartments.
! The grand hall is arranged to comfortably seat
the Grand Lodge of the State, which numbers
| about 1900 members, and has, besides, gallery
across the west end, which will accommodate
| $50 more and will be specially convenient for
| Masters throne will be in a recess at the east
end, with convenient retiring and accommoda-
ton rooms on either side. The main
is at % the % north " end nd of Of Rp'' the entrance trance
corridor The landing on the third story 81
feet inches high, gives access at once to a re-
ception hall, 20 by 6S, opening on the east side
to three Tylers' rooms connected by convenient
ante-rooms with three Blue Lodge rooms, each
62 feet long. West of the reception room is a
large banquet hall, with stewards rooms ad-
joining. In the fourth story, which is 81 feet
high, and arranged precisely like the third there
will be two Blue Lodge rooms, and one Royal
Arch Chapter room, arranged with new and
ingenious conveniences. The fifth story will be
wholly devoted to the use of the Knights Tenn
plar, and the Commandery Hall will probably
be in all respects the finest ever constructed.
The building will be heated by steam, thoroughly
and scientifically ventilated, and of the
most fre-proof construction, and will, of
course, be amply supplied with all the
conveniences of frst-class modern houses An
elevator, placed conveniently to the main stair
way, and to the private stairway on Sixth
avenue, will traverse the building from the
ground to the fifth story, and, in case of need,
it may be entirely cleared of its occupants in
five minutes. The architect, Napoleon LIE Brun,
has planned the structure with the utmost care
and with commendable TASTE and it is not easy
to see how it could be improved. Its cost is
estimated at $450,000 and one-third of this sum
is already in the hands of the trustees. 1t is
hoped that Masonic zeal and generosity will
compass its completion within two years. Some
just idea of its sky-pointing majesty may be
gathered from the fact that its massive central
dome will tower 45 feet above the topmost point
of Booths magnificent theatre, directly opposite.
At least $1,000 Master Masons, in dark
clothing, high black hats, white linen aprons,
and white gloves. will form at 80 A. NJ. in ten
divisions, upon the streets between Thirteenth
and Twenty third west of Fifth avenue and al
o'clock precisely wi march twelve deep, with
ten bands of music, in review before the Grand
Lodge, up Madison and Fifth avenues to Forty.
sixth street, and down Sixth and Fifth avenue.
to Twenty-third street. Upon the arrival of the
procession at or about IL O'clock the corner
, stone will be laid by James Gibson, Crane
Master of Masons in the State of New York
The Grafton will then be delivered by the Rev
Elbridge s. Porter, prominent WILLIAMSBURG
minister of the Reformed Church.
: Fully $50 lodges, averaging l06 members each
? | have pledged themselves TO parade, and severa
l. of the oldest city lodges, which have not takeI
: part in public PROCESSION for many years, viii
march to morrow. St. Johns Lodge, No l. th
: pioneer lodge of the State, will carry the Bib
a that was used when George Washington receives
{ his Masonic initiation. Nearly all the Metropo
e ! Titan lodges will appear, besides three lodge
from ladelphiaELodge No. 2, Vaux Lodge
No 1893, and Mozart Lodge No 436
Reception of the PhIIadeIph LODGES.
Q The members of Vaux Lodge, No. 1893, an,
Mozart Lodge. No. 436, numbering about 30
| persons, arrived at the foot of Cortland street
q on A sDecial train from PHILADELPHIA. last even