The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1888-07-13

Exposition The Importance Of Masonry
and its direct bearing on the progress Of
the world is recognized by the Commits
sioners, and Masonic Day" will be one
Of the great events Of the hundred
days And to the elect q pilgrimage
to this. temple At this time will he a
pleasure never TO he forgotten. II has
been claimed by many who have visited
all Of the principal Masonic fanes that
this Scottish Rite Cathedral at Cincin-
nau, with it, richly decorated audience
room, luxurious parlors, commodious
banquet halls and its various sacred
chambers, Is unexcelled throughout the
world. And IL the inner precincts, from
which the .'vulgus profanum" are cx-
Guided, bear out the same mir of oriental
splendor and pomp that one sees in the
more open courts and corridors, the claim
Of pre-eminence for it l. well taken
This remarkable edifice is situated
upon broadway, between Fourth and
Fifth streets and was formerly occupied
by the First Presbyterian Society, as
their church building. II was purchased
Of that society some three or more years
ago, and its interior refitted and embel-
lished in the most sumptuous manner.
The exterior il Of stone, the claustral
architecture is maintained, with minar-
cts and spirs, and over the central doors
In gilt romaic letters, arched. one reads
SCOTTISH BITE, Al: 4, CATHEDRAL
To the right Of the church, facing the
street, has been constructed wing,
which extends the whole length Of the
building. and serves as the main en-
trance and corridor; over this like the
historic injunction, know thyself" over
the ancient temple of the Dclphian
Oracle, is written ip no uncertain scnti-
ment: sProcul. o Procul Este, Profapf"
But let us enter. The door opens into
long corridor, with brightly frescoed
walls and ceilings and handsome tile
fooring Light IL admitted through
richly stained cathedral glass windows
reaching from the ceiling to the vain
scotting. This corridor connects with
the audience hall by four double doors.
There Is also q main exit from the hall
through the large front doors.
The great audience hall, under the
sorlbrous HIGHT that penetrates tho
stained glass windows, like dim shadows
through banks Of dsnse tinted fog, 70
marvellous study IN interior art decora-
ton. Walking over the rich dark crfm-
son moquette carpet, the impression Of
reverence and awe dezcs upon one as he
CAGES up and around; the hall, the gal
lerics. the organ In the loft and the stage,
GORGEOUS in its decorations, and complete
in all its appoints, make up q rare syn
thesis Of those imposing sentiments,
holiness, melody and histrionism. The
ceiling "a prime specimen Of frescc art;
there are four groups Of sllegcrical char
acters in the different corners, and one
elegantly wrought center piece. These
groups each have : symbolic meaning,
representing the arts and the sciences,
all eliminating in religion and the de-
vine principle Of faith The galleries
are commodious, extending around three
sides TO the stage, and have besn highly
decorated In tjnts and gilt By the frsaco-
ist. The stage q one Of the main fear
lures Of the Temple. Upon either side
are two tiers Of privates boxes uppsr
and lower, surmounted By mosqus-Hks
roofs, a. the sumnits Of which sre swo
eilded double-headsd eagles, with e.
tended pinions. The set and sAif0ng
sceneries provided with al TIE accom-
paniments arc sufieient 70 represent any
hpd, ~, pslacs tswplo or nM Hniee