The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-04
A MONSTER MASONIC TEMPLE.
A Quaker City Enterprise and Its
Peculiarities.
Grand Preparation for In Dedicatlon-Menl-
bsrs Of the mystic Tie" from All
Parts Of the World.

PHILADELPHIA. August 8, 1878.
The Masonic brotherhood Of the Quaker City are
making extraordinary preparations for the dedica
ton OF their magnificent temple in Broad street
Invitations have been extended to every lodge
throughout the country, and many delegates are
expected from France, Germany and England.
The jubilee attending its completion will com.
mence on the Goth of september and will be kept
up until the evening Of the 9th. The dedicatory
ceremonies will be conducted by the Grand Master
OF the State Pennsylvania assisted by the masters
and subordinates OF other lodges and Is estimated
that lOo 900 members of the mystic tie will partici-
pate IN the Festivities. The temple Is now IN an
advanced state OF completion, and from its i'm
mense size and imposing style OF architecture Is
one OF the most conspicuous public buildings in
the city, Much has been said by New Workers and
Bostonians in praise Of their respective Masonic
temples, but 1t is now generally conceded that the
Philadelphia structure lar surpasses both as re.
spects size, cost and beauty 1t viii make two OF
that at Boston, and Is third larger than the
temple In Sixth avenue and Twenty.third
street. 1t is OF such immense size and is
filled with SO many lodge, chapter and CON-
mandery rooms that TO those unnitiated it Is
almost a labyrinth. AS 1t has never been fully de-
scribed running sketch may not be amiss. as 1t
gives evidence that the Masons throughout the
country are on the high road to prosperity, and
as brotherhood are marching on In irrepressible
phalanxes to success. 1t is composed entirely or
finely dressed granite OF whtish lead cOOred
tint, Is $50 feet in length Is $50 feet wide and Is
three lofty stories IN height. The grounds upon
which 1t Is butt, in Broad street, Market, to-
gether with the structure, cost the MasOns up
wards OF twelve hundred thousand dollars. The
architecture of the building Is combination Of the
nIE
pleasing to the eye It's
THREE UNIQUE TOWERS
reaching heavenward, can be seen from the four
quarters OF the compass, and are as conspicuous
landmarks to the Philadelphians Us the HERALD
building is to those Of the Long Island and Jersey
shores The inner masonry alone involved the
consumption of 100000 bricks and the num-
Der OF cubic feet of granite in the outer walls If
known, would probably seem to the reader fabu.
l0us. The main entrance, on Broad street. is OF
the Venetian style Of architecture, and resembles
perfectly the doorway to ST. Marks, at Venice.
Once inside, the magnitude ana beauty OF the
editice becomes apparent. Broad and massive
stairways, richly carved pillars and heavy and Pc
culiarly shaped doors and cornices OF the Norman
and Gothic pattern with carved Masonic cabalistiC
signs in each, afford to the uninitiated unlimited
sources Of wonder and conjecture
from end to end and $50 Iee ct IA length. The floors
OF this hall and OF all the halls and passages on
both this and the principal moor above are laid
with black and white marble tiles, patterns, with
borders, ana there Is continuous wainsc0ting,
four feet in height, OF the finest Lisbon marble.
highly polished, to the various halls
Two magnificent stairways lead to the Grand
Lodge and Grand Chapter rooms, lodge halls and
the asylum OF the Commandery. The Grand Secre-
tary and Grand Treasurers, and the Grand Lodge
Library and numerous other offices are situated
on the right and southern side Of the main hall
sa Of Of tas NJ Of
of Pennsylvania is encountered. They are three
in number. and consist OF reception ., private
deliberately fitted up and would charm Solomon
himself could he but once have an opportunity of
surveying the architects and masons' handi
work. Among the numerous apartments none at
tract more attention than
THE EGYPTIAN HALL.
II 10 marvel of massive grandeur and solldity,
with twelve eiephantine columns extending
the principal temples Oh the Nile. Each of the walls
OF the hall Is divided by columns, which
are Enriched with panel al con-
sistng Of varegated borders The master Is well
provided for IN this hail. as his throne or chair Is
OF the richest ana most imposing description. His
pedestal, contrary to the conventional Masonic
rule, Is placed at the right OF the throne, thus Civ.
ing him an unobstructed view of his brethren. 1t
is ianKed on either side by two mysterious looking
Sphynxes, who gaze with solemn air OF authority
upon the surroundings. This hall has seating
capacity tor $50 persons. Wandering around among
the labyrinthian passages OF TINS huge pile OF NOR
tar curiousy carved door, with symbolic decora
tlOnS is III northeast OF Clle
pal floor. Once thrown open the interior OF the
NORMAN HALL
Is visible. This Is large apartment, richly VAIN
scotted, and Is furnished with quaint and substan.
tial styles of furniture. 1t is wei ventilated, and
has accommodations for over one hundred
persons n not great distance rom TINS Is the
but unelaborate. It's natural ventilation IL perfect,
by It's exposure on two sides by numerous windows
to the open air, Its furniture is composed eXclu-
sively OF wood and the beauty OF the room is fur
tBer entranced by twenty odd marble columns,
carved and PLAIN, which extend around It's walls.
thirty feet high Next In dimensions and beauty of
design is the Banqueting Hal, on the north
side the structure This hall Is $50 feet III length
by so feet in BREADTH and will seat comfortably up
wards OF five hundred persons. 1t will be used
during the dedicat0ry ceremonies, and is now being
rapidly Overhaued. The sixteen unique columns
that stretch through it in pairs give 1t grand
aspect, and when Its heavily carved tables groan
beneath the bountiiul repast that will be spread Tor
the distinguished guests, ana its immense chande-
hers are illumined 1t VIII show OF TO greater adj
vantage: rhe cuisine department. OF this ball Is
located in the basement beneath, and for size and
appointments viii compare favOrably with the
largest hotels IN the country.
Next In point of interest to the body Masonic as
well as the stranger, Is the Grand Lodge Hall.
Every feature Of this large chamber is OF interest,
from It's massive columns down to the heavily tiled
floor Of marble Its architectural style throughout
purely COrinthian the Distinguishing feature OF
which is the deep and polished capital, together
with larger cornce than is observed in the other
orders. Its dimensions ere In keeping with the
purposes for which it was designed. It's length
being l07 feet, heghth 80 ieet and width 81 feet.
The ventilation and light are admirable The furDi
ture WILL be rich and will consist Of walnut
and cedar chairs, divans, Sc., covered with
blue velvet: The facades Of the east and west OF
the chamber are decorated with ornaments repre-
senting vessels OF corn wine and OIL and over the
grand east, standing out in bold relief is the in:
evitabie square and compass. over the grand
south and grand west Is the sun at high noon and
shedding his parting rays at eventide.
ASYLUM OF COMMANDMENTS.
Another and beautiful feature OF the Temple Is
the Asylum o! the COmman deries which Is located
at the east end OF the principal noor. II is OF the
Gothic style OF Architecture, and 10, without
doubt, one OF the handsomest apartments in the
Tempe. 1t Is reached by two stairways, which
lead TO a vestibule where are placed fountains,
which will fow Ice water In its season.
The Gothic Hall, the Red Cross or Council Cham
Der, the Central Main Hall, Northwest Hall, Regalia
Room, oriental Hail and the Grand Lodge Library,
each OF which, II mention in detail, would MI 9
column Of the HERALD. are splenditly arranged
apartments, both as regards size, lifting up ana
their STYLES OF architecture They will soon be
thrown open to the public, and then will remain
closed until the grand event (the dedication
40 10 rOuu1. the evening or SeDtemDer 20