New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-06-09
MASONIC.
.r.p CORNERSTONE CELEBRATION.

THE CORNERSTONE GElEDi'AiAN-'
FIFTEEN THOUSAND MAsoNs IN rRoCL S,i'',,
IMPOSING CEREMONIES-PRAfER, 4NNo'A-
TIoS AND ANTHEMS-THE REV. L. 5. POR-
TER's GRAFTON.
While the birds were yet singing IN inc
marks Yesterday morning. hundreds OF new ana happy
faces appeared on the broad avenues OF our CITY, By
lv black silk hats and snow white aprons seen
on every corner from Delmonicos To foruethst many
visits were paid 10 the accepted corner ana inc
brefhren from Philadelphia enthusiastic over the
irrespective Temple The In an almost condesS
sy everybody roced that the fog and rain OF he
previous evening had disappeared Horselntn WIN
shining hats and gitterng spurs rode hther and tmner
on financing steeds BY little twist Of the imagination
one could easily fancy himself walking through the
streets OF an ancient city on the eve OF soihe
great festival. BY and by there c"inc
small army Of musicians. with innumerable INSTRUMENTS
Of brass and after the threats OF the pieces hau u
cleared strains of delicious music foated OUT on 'e
pornine mir The little matn airs brought scores OF
,aideps 70 the marble easements and reused all OF the
slunberers from their beds In the nGghbOrhoOd ol INC
parks invisible clouds OF the most dehcae perfume were
waited ND and down the crowded avenues. NO one
could ask for a day which to lay cornerstone
AT Delmonicos parOrs the chief officers were ously
engaged in completing the arrangements for the day
At s:45 O'Clock every was IN ms place according 10
tile programme publish in yesterdays TRIBUNE, ready 10
receive marching orders In every direction as 1ar a.
tie eye could reach were OF anxious people At
then the vast procession began 10 move The men
marched twelve abreast in excellent order. On either
side of the avenue the walks packed with people,
while in the windows perched the inmates OF the
dwellings.
At Madison-square the procession fled right and
marched up Madison-ave. When opposite the Union
league Clubhouse and Dr. Adams's church, the mem
beers Of the Grand Lodge Of the state took position ON
the sidewalk and the main body saluted them in passing
by removing their hats. The crowd became enormous
and in all directions could only dense mass OF
human beings No teams excepting the United States
mail-wagons were allowed 10 pass. The police we're
unusually strict and this the only cause OF com
plant. The procession vast that nearly so
minutes were occupied in passing given point.
At Forty-second-st. the line Of march was down Fifth
ave At the monument in MadisOnsquare the Marshals
in advance ordered a halt. The line extended BACK
distance Of nearly two miles The order to "Open ranks
was gwen and while the Masons fell back on either side
swift rode and down the lines To clear the
center of the street The Grand Lodge then marched
through he center Of the procession and reviewed the
hosts 10 was estimated that there were fully 1900 free
and Acc pied in procession wearing the uniform
of the dav About o'clock the order 10 march was
again given and the multitude moved toward the stand
where the ceremonies about TO be performed
The spacious site Of the temple, directly north OF
Booths Theater was covered with plank floor on
level with the ground by $50 feet in SIZE and strong
enough 10 hold drove of elephants" The outer corner
portion was raised about foot while the inner corner
Enclosed by a board rail, served as "lodge-room Upon
side rooted platform co by Is feet and about
two feet high was provided for the 200 singers and
musicians Of ST. Cecile and Mozart Lodges and similar
platform feet long, erected on the east side for
the Grand Officers and the guests. The Grand Masters
chair duly placed Sin the east and the Senior and
Junior Grand Wardens' chairs occupied their regular
positions in the south and west, upon small square plat
forms.
The cornerstone was Of light Concord granite, 68
inches long, 40 inches widc and % inches thick, and
weighed five The cavity in the center to re-
ccive the box 10 by Y by inches The capstone
weighed about three tuns, and % inches long, l6
inches thick and Of the width the under stone
which rested on a massive foundation Of masonry and
concrete % feet deep the stone, the south side
was placed the which laid in 1876 under
the old Broadway Masonic Hall near Pearlst, and which
is scarcely one fourth Is large the new stone.
At early hour yesterday morning strong body OF
police under Capt Burden Of the Twenty nnth Precinct
took possession Of ground and formed Gordon which
DO could pass without authority As the forenoon
slipped away the sidewalks began to fill with curious
spectators. windows and balconies were crowded with
intent gazcrs and few adventurous spirits sta
toned themselves the adjoining roofs The weather
was perfect june and the Summer sun poured
down it, Temorseless rays with scarce the
chance rchef Of cooling cloud w me h,s 1a al.is
ants and the restless reporters were hIst 70 maze C f
lodge and few other privileged Masons, who were ex
from the grand parade AT ll3 o'clock the Ocers
accompanied by the guests of the day and headed by
Grand Master James Gibson, marched upon the ground
amid inspiring strains OF music and seated themselves
the east platform. The space directly in 'front.' was
kept clear but the various lodges marched IN double ME
INTO the space aud the entire area was com
pact of white-dproned and white-gloved MasonS
In han hour all things in readiness, and at hgh
noon the Grand Master commanded and announced
that Grand Chaplain X L. scho0nnaker ~oui QUIZ oIier
prayer The vast audience listened in silence to the rev
erent words:
Almighty humhy before Thy throne aud recognize
TsSt to for the pesGaaOa Of the
q oq s' NOV over S geh engaged in Il Nav no ont
during erection and grant that may go forward under ~
lad loud halehs unto Thee. All which we ask in Thy great
Those standing near fervently responded $50 mote it
be- and the ceremonies were then continued as loo"s'
wor, and Music BY Bro Harrison aT of St Cee Lodge No $685.
ssns ~ ST. Cs Lodge No 5S8 w Bro u L. Do"""g Aa''ei
b H w. We y n Sa's 70 is hS Stone o4''''
Her Tcspi: An l. found
BY the Mystic are bound
On The Id. the med lana and iaoTp,
Meet a. brother,
BOuAd By tee sacred grown.
Herr for sges may i stand
hse a beacon light to to giyei -,
Here Masonic TTpA shall i've;
Here our Jerels shall - stored
Peace and Love-Masonle gems,
TTuths more bright than ssdsms
Heavea Grand Ma.ier, fu Of love
labor : shall call
To the Lodge prepared above,
Round our Great Commanders throne
Ard degrees Of bliss attain,
Higher than Earth are known,
Tho Deputy Grand Master, addressing the Grand Mas
u WorshipfI. The Trustees OF the Masonic Hall and
Asylum Fund after many years Of labor, have AT last
arrived that part Of the undertaking when they are
plan as requires Hall should be built in the City OF
New York In discharge OF their trust they have pnr
chased the ground wherein now stand ana under
resolution of the Grand Lodge, adopted at the annual