The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1874-02-05

i
time, and from the same Del
of causes - did other incorporated crafts,
bot variety of circumstances combined Il
give it an impo, lance and influence far BE-
yond the ret.
The history of Free Masonry has beer
overlaid with fiction and absurd;ty; partly
from an exsgerats d estimate Of its import.
ance in the development of architecture, and
partly from . wish to connect medieval Ma.
sonry With the institution that passes under
the same name in the present day.
Modern Tor 90 called speculstive) Free
Masonry is an innocent mysti6cation, uncon.
nected either With the building craft or with
architecture ~ many suppose. 1t ia OF Brit
ish origin and dates from the seventeenth
century. According 10 the peculiar phrase.
ology of the Masonic brethren it is founded
in the "praciice of moral and social virtue:"
its distinguishing characteristic is charity in
it. most extended sense; brotherly love, re-
lief and truth are inculcated BY its precepts.
1t, real founders were Elias Aehmole and
some of his literary friends. who amused
themselves BY devising q set of symbols
formed, in part, from the Knights Templars,
between whom and the old craft of Masons,
an intimate relation was said to have existed
These symbols which have been since adop-
ted a. the Distinguishing badge Of broth
erhood of "Free and accepted Masons" in.
clude the sun, the moon, tae compasses.
square and triangle. A number of so-called
degrees or grade of Masonry with fantastic
names we're established and conferred on the
members. The three principal grades are
Apprentice, Fellow craft, and Master Mason;
there being peculiar ceremonies at the max
ing of each; and it is only on attaining The
degree of Master Mason that Brother en-
joys the full benefits and privileges Of the
craft.
Want OF space forbids our making any ex.
tended mention of the gradual rise and spread
of modern Masonry, but We presame most Of
our readers are cognizlnt of the fact that tie
order has spread till firm footbold has
been obtained in every civilized nation ofthe
earth. Its reputation is world vide and its
universal.
MASONRY IN LEAvENwORTH.
The frtt lodge of Masons in this city was
chartered July IA. 1856. and vas designated
q Leavenworth Lodge No. 2 It now has enc
hundred and thirty-6vs members enrolled.
Next on the List comes King Solomon
Lodge, No. 10. chartered October IL, 1858.
and now claiming membership Of 20.
Leavenworth Royal Arch Chapter, No. 2.
worked under dispensation from 1857 till
1865, when its charter was issued on the Oh
of September Of that year. 1t has LOG menu
berp.
Leavenworh Commandey, No. l.,
Kniehts' Templar, vas chartered on the 9Th
of September, 1865. and has II members.
The above mentioned lodges are the pro-
prietors of the new Masonic Temple recently
built, and rent the use of the elegant rooms
to the following subordinate or smaller
lodges:
Cavalry Lodge, No. 50, chartered October
16, 1866. Present number Of members. 81.
Hiram Lodge, Nov. 6s, chartered Ocio-
Der 2lst, 1868. humber Of members, IS.
Leavenwonh Council, No. l, Royal and
Select Masters, chartered 1865. Present
number of members, 1901
These different lodges, feeling the neeessi-
ty of proper placs in which to hold their
meetings, instructed the architects to draw
plans for rooms which would not only &C.
all the lodges in the city. but
provide for the extensive membership Of the
future.
THE NEW MASONIC TEMPLE
is situated in the third story Of the massive
and elegant stone building recently erected
OF Fourth street BY the Missouri Valley Life
Insurance Company. and occupies the whole
third floor, Of that substantial edi6ce. Pass
ing from the rotunda on the second floor BY
q broad and commodious stairway the large
entry above ID reached from which radiate
passages in every direction. Directly in front
Of the stairway and facing Fourth street 10
the Library and reception room. This apart
ment il Is 81 feet and most elegantly furn-
i-hed. A handsome brussels carpet With rich
heavy border covers the floor. Bookcases
are fixed to the northern and eastern walk.
Long tables and luxurious and comfortable
chairs are found in abundance, and every
thing that can be desired for the comfort and
amusements of the Masons and their friends
has been provided REGARDLESS Of expense.
This room 10 common to both sides Of the
building, and has easy communication with
both of the great halls, which We shall des-
cribe further on.
Leading directly from the reception room
toward the south is q long narrow apart.
ment 1882. covered with bright colored
large figured carpet, and designated - the
"Tyler's ROOM" The wallis of this room
were plainly but neatly frescoed, and are
covered With hooks on which clothing may
b hung. From this apartment two door
opens into
TIE Blue LEDGE ROOM.
This i one Of the large halk above refer.
red to, and for beauty Of design and excel.
lence Of finish it casnot be supposed vest Of
The Mississippi river-St. Louis not exoep-
led. The 6rst thing that strikes the eye Of
The visitor On entesshg the room = the ficA
and beautiful fresooipss o. the vallA
Abeut nix iacAo from TIE Top
= painted in bold relief Q fss
bordering. which, viii it pesdaats,
sss@ 70 swing IN airy sosAhs,sn. In Tie
90 b sesa IL riains na. rsplssdeas IN Ill
II nus.iag slosy; and i ~ ~. IL das-
dig die si.h below The Assisua and ss.ds
- ~ ihinnesines 10 grsst sAe appsoacA-
ing twilight Directly II IL cesazs of ths
e,ilisg. a.d Aa.ksd b to rovs of naQif-
ct aad eoely eight-liehs eha.dslises, : .
bsa.Gi1hl paisai,g a "JaeoSis Dssan." IL
vssk - svianGly bsa doas y nna~
49, -