Smyrna times., 1871-04-26

4 GRAND MASONIC DEMONSTRATION IN
WILMINGTON. Luying Of a Corner Stone -
The Masonic order made a grand display in
Wilmington, on Thursday, on the occasion of
laying the corner stone of their New Temple
in that city. Lodges from all parts of the
State were in attendance, and u number of
members of the order from PENNSYLVANIA,
Maryland, Washington, &c Rain Threatened
to mar the pleasure of the occasion, but about
noon 1t cleared off, and at O'c.ock grand
procession WAS formed at the depot, with about
500 MasOnS i'll line and three bands of. music
The men III line were uniformly dressed in black
cloth and silk hats, and looked very well many
OF them were in full regalia but the majority
appeared with the aprons only There were
many pleasing incidents, while the procession
was on Its route. In Market street above
Eighth, hundreds of sweet little children lined
the curOstone, each with programme in hand,
greeting the column as it passed by. Again,
al the first Presbyterian church, the young la
dies Of the Wesleyan Female College arranged
themselves to get glimpse of the moving
scene. The windows aud balconies along Mar
ket and klng streets were thrOnged with la
dies, IN ther gayeSt holiday attire. Governor
POuder and Past Grand Master, Mayor Valen
tine, walked IN the rear of the Grand Lodge !;
the NJ. w. Grand NJ .Ster, Rev. j. Collins Nc
Cabe, Episcopal minister of Middletown, who
was the orator Of the day, followed in car
rlage. The procession reached the site of the
tcmplc about clock. About one hundred
and fifty children from the different Sunday
schools, occupied raised seats, and, under the
direction of Mr. II. +. Pickles, sung several
odes accompanied 10y Richie's Cornet Band.
This was one OF the most beautiful features of
the occasion. Fhe ceremony of laying the cor
ncr stone was then gone through with, and DIR.
Metal be r ad his grafton. Inthe conner stone
was placed copy of the Bible, copies of the
Wilmington papers, a number Of coins, from
penny to a silver dollar made the present
year, and various other articles. Then follow
ed the interesting ceremonies Of placing the
stone III position, the testing of the accuracy
OF the work and inlliy the pouring of the
Com, Wine, and Oil on the stone A grand
banquet was given to the Grand Lodge and
visiting dignltaries at the Indian Queen Hotel
in the evening, and richer bill of fare was
never seen in Wilmington-boned turkey,
spring chicken, braized ham, champagne and
mushroom sauce, green peas, satisfy, bananas
grapes, and all the cOmmOn dishes ever heard
ol. I"a>ts were responded to by Gov. Ponder,
Mayor Valentine, DIR. McCabe, u. g. Lobdell,
Jesse Sharp, Senator Watson, Of Milford, and
others
The building is TO be a grand affair and is
to have IA magnificent hall for public entertain
mentS, built on :he thcater style. 1t will be 7S
by 1874 feet, with parquette, circular gallery,
prOScemlum boxes and u staee 45 feet square
larger than Arch ST., theater. The building will
be OF brick, with anirOn front. This front will
have three stories anda Mansard root, and will
be OF compo>lte and ornate style of architect
lre, and be ornamented with three large stat
leS. The front OF the building will be even 81
feet.