The Portland daily press., 1875-06-03
NEW YORK.
The Masonic Dedication.
Arr immense Procession and sm.
posing Ceremonies.

Nav YORK June 2-To-day will take its
place in New York as the date or the largest,
most imposing and probably the most import
ant civic display yet witnessed IN this city. At
do vbreak il was evident that something of no
ordinary iptere st was on foot, In all directions
alone broadway and Fifth Avenue, and the
principal streets near hese leading thorough
fares. Il gs aud streamers were displayed and
everything gave signs of gala day. FIom
to 9 this morning Masons of every grade, wear
ing badges, were in the streets and congregating
towards the central point whence the procession
was TO be marshalled. Thousands of citizens
we're to be SEEM early wenIing their way to
noints on Fifth Avenue aud Broadway when
a GOOD View of the approaching procession
could be had AS the hour OF nine approached,
Fifth Avenue from 23d street to Washington
Square was thronged with well dressed citizens
who watched with interest the marShalling of
of the hosts The windows and doOrsteps were
crowded with ladies'. The 10Th divisions into
which the procession had been divided, took
up their places in admirable order and with
litary protnptitude, beginning with 18th
street and AUDITING on Fifth Avenue, the right
of each division resting in each case on the
avenue Nothing could be more perfect than
the sys EN- thus adopted and the manner in
which the various divisions fell into line, and
the utter absence of the slightest confusion
The PROCESSION was to start from Washington
Square and accordingly that was made the
objective point of thousand eager to see the
head of the column move. Both 10 the square
apd along the line the citizens who had assem-
bed to witness the pageant seemed to have
caught the admirable spirit of order and self
command which pergaded thu ranks of the
thousands of Masons ia the procession. The
utmost good feeling prevailed and everyone
seemed much pleased and as deeply impressed
with the scene. A platform gaily decorated
with flags had been erected in the centre of
Washington Square and from this the Grand
Lodge was to view the procession. Standing
on this platform the view up Fifth Avenue as
far as 23d street was very imposing. In the
centre of the magnificent avenue the process
sion was arranged in all the glory Of steedss,
swords, helmets and banners. At 922 O'Clock
precisely the d2sof the column began to
move.
At the head of the procession were the
Knights Templar, whose appearance excited
general admiration. They turned out in large
force and formed the most imposing part OF the
immense procession. G. L. Ehlers acted as
marshal of the Templars. Then followed in
regular succession the 18th division, the whole
line containing between 20 900 and $4,000 men.
Along Broadway every point from which
turned to account, people from the country
were there by tens of thousands and the whole
event seemed as much matter of national as
OF local interest.
The procession arrived at the Temple at 10
minutes to two. The passage was occupied by
the Grand Commandery on the right and the
dedication committee on the left. The total
number OF men in line was II ,404, The 7th
and 8th divisions were the Grand Commandery
in carriages. The platfrom on which the Grand
East is located is tastefully decorated, and in
front are two handsome floral columns, that on
the right representing the terrestrial globe des-
ignated "Boaz," and marked in blue violets
OBJ and that on the left representing the ce.
lestial globe, called ''Tachin, and marked ST"
Alongside the former column were three ash
lers worked in flowers
At the close of the procession when the
grand off GERS and members of the Grand Lodge
arrived at the temple, the Grand Master enter.
ed first followed by the present and past grand
quarters, the representatives of other Grand
Lodges and special guests of the Grand Lodge
and at once proceeded to places assigned them.
The remaining members of the Grand Lodge
were then admitted with a number of persons
who held tickets. After all had been seated
the Grand Chaplain offered prayer. The choir,
accompanied by band, then sang "Glory be to
God on High" The Grand Chaplain read I'd
Corinthians. chapter vi, after which the choir
sang TIE Deum in unison, written expressly
for the dedication.
After brief address from the architect and
builder the Grand Master formally received
the building, when the procession conducted by
the Grand Marshal started from the left of the
platform, passing down the aisle around by the
rear of tbs audience and back to the platform,
ascending on the east side. The Grand Chap
lain then Otfere the conservation prayer. The
Senior Grand Warden then presented the yes
sci of wine to the Grand Master, which he
sprihkled on the lodge saying. In the name of
the universal Father and in remembrance OF
His manifold blessings, hereby dedicate this
hall to virtue" After singing Psalm, the Dep
uty Junior Warden presented the vessel of oil,
which the Garnd Master poured on the lodge.
After the singing of another hymn, the orator
of the day, Past Grand Master John l.. Lawes
delivered an address. The Grand Master then
directed the Grand Marshal to make the proc.
lamation. r. w. G. M. Roome then proceed
ed 10 the south and said. I'm the presence of
the Supreme architect of the universe, whose
unnumbered blessings we humb'y acknowledge,
by order of the NJ. w. Edward e. Thorn, G.
M, of Masons, under the auspices of the Grand
Lodge of the most ancient and honorable fra
ternity of f aud A Masons of the State of New
York, and the brethren owing it fealy and al
legiance, L declare this new Masonic Hall dedi-
cafed." This was repeated in the west and
east, after which the grand honors were given.
The Grand Stewards were directed to cover the
lodge, and after a doxology the ceremonies
were concluded with the benediction.