New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-01
CHARACTERISTIC AND USES OF THE NEW
TEMPLE


TEMPLE.
PROVISION FOR A PERMANENT ASYLUM FUND-TIs
NEW STRUCTURE MASSIVE AND OF ThE MOST
DURABLE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF THE IN
rERIOR-PECULAuTIEs OF TIE APARTMENTS
The Masonic Temple--or, as it is styled in
the act OF incorporation the Masonic Hawas erected
with the chief purpose Of providing a permanent fund
for the establishment and maintenance OF an asylum or
the support aged and deerepit Freemasons OF 'he
State OF Hew-York, and the widows aud orIhnns OF
Masons With that object the final aim, the building
at the northeast corner OF SixtbaVe' ana twenty,
rl-st vas constructed with view TO STABILITY ana en-
durance 1t is claimed that ediace in this city is
built with greater sotdity than the Masonic Temple
Ono of the stones used its construction weighs 1919
tons and many other large stones several tons in weight
were placed in the walls OF the first story lhese were
Put together after the manner OF King soornons Tenn
pie without the aid OF metal tools, the heavy blocks
being struck into their places with wooden
IaauIs AS the sRperstructure was destined 10
be 80 massive, the foundations had TO be
constructed with great When the cornerstone OF
the Temple was laid in 1870 these foundations were the
theme of adnirng comment from tue thVllsands VINO
eame together that occasion. The soldity Oh the
building when viewed from the south west taxes away III
sppearnce much hight, and 1t is only by compar-
ing it with the tl dwellings on Twenty -thdSt that any
fair idea OF lofty proportions can be reahei 1be
frnt ructed of granite, and ali the OUTSIDE hi
ncntation is plain and massive. The main entrance IL
on TSenty-thrdst and from this wide and handsome
flight OF marble steps leads TO the second story the sde
panels OF the being OF different coored marbles
aud the balustrade being also OF polished stone le
first story and basement are set apart ior DcSi-
ness purposes but all above the INST story ~
devoted TO the uses OF the Masonic fraternity with
the exception OF the Grand Lodge Room which,
when not required for the purposes Of the Grand Lodge
can be used as a lecture-rOom or for entertainments
This apartment which the right hand at the mead oi
the stairway capable OF seating over loJV peiSoIS'
and is very handsomely fitted up, having daS al the
eastern end for of the grand officers 10 nearly
s,rr &c very lofty and occupies whole width of the
building and its entire length along Twenty-thirdst
East of the entrance the left OF the stairway arc INC
offices OF the Grand Secretary and the private room OF inc
rcIsr nnrposer The hall1ay frescOed in Ionic stye
the Masonic surrounding the nam door 0. ne
sren1 I,dre Room and the State arms being over t
leading to the Grand secretary's offices Az tie si "
this hallway two elaborate gates, @ o T,s ~,
Masonic erublems These preNebt those WIZ ~ the
titled 70 enter from approaching the prtcihFts w ee
az, lie n,sr a.surs Outslde ga.es placed
marble tablets, with letters OF gold, showing "haI ND
n the thru story are three large lodge roons dcsg
mated according the style of architecture ~ when ahey
have l~,. o1gIneuted, the Tuscan, DOnc ana iOHie
The dais Master, IN each OF these rooms, u pace
at the entrance Of an inner temple; ad W.,
10 tine special features OF tue rooms as are to SS
fy cnnted 6y odgcs several OF which meet in each
OF them regular specified days ON ths STORY are arse
i sSs ssls g paror and the library the Grand Lode
several hundicds OF tnc rdi est 1n" "'
valnahle Masonic works, found On THIS moor. A.,
Tne Rooms ON tine fourth floor are more ATTRACTIVE h'n
fhose ON the moor beneath, the httDgs DenS OF nOs
slegant and elaborate character. Inc Coihthish 1h
Cntnosite rooms on this floor much adnlIod. mo
massive symmetry OF the Egyptian roOmLWI.ien 40 q
reIresen OF the interior Of aD Eky pt.h teine
with the Masters station aS the enti aiic % .e
frmples however, more striking as the he.agy clit
Of Tie pillars and pasters aud the peculiar III
press the attention OF the visitor ana MI a la ee pb
gently been constructed Two new lodge ROOMS ho &C.
down Ia the fret plan of the aIclec aud Known as 'o
Clinton and Livingston ROOMS. They were SCI apta. ~,
order 10 supply accommodation Tor srge nu i ~, ~
hodges who were unable otherwise To ma pace Va INC
s,.s. nd were cous ructed from what had been ~
Tended for one OF parors or waiting rooms VIII .no
eIusiyIy for Royal Arch hasohs Az tno III
already mentioned used by The lodges Oh Master h
sons Of which there nearly one buhdfcd mee1ns Ia
tie Temple. ,nssu l.. ,,o MA IN nj asse I'm.
hy Tor INC knights Tempiars OF the CITY OF new %
is consists of series u rooms occupying thc wnoe %
THIS floor with other apartments In the nansau oo
sparl as The arnOTy sc This floor s divided ih9 eo
room, bSnquela the cOuDclfiooni VI lie
Red Cross Knights, aud the various requisite
and chambers The principal room, which "a very rso,
Il fitted up Ina the Gothic style o architecture WIN so
each of Kn glIa dDd5cno anu clhDlehdtc.u 6d
nxtnrcs and Is richly carpeted. The bauquet,nan anu
Tie xaroua be reached IRON tb,s roo'
itont ma through the entrance doors Inc httnSs'
firt1re 40 are very elegant. and have been much al
,nia.d i,y the p1onfnent MasOns who Lave iad Inc
onssnrtrn,ity of lspectlng them.