The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-07-14

SCOTTISH RITE TEMPLE.
Exposition. The Importance of Masonry
and its direct bearing Oh the progress of
the world is recognized by the Commits
sioners, aud Masonic Day. will he one
Of the great events of the hundred
days. And to the elect II pilgrimage
to this temple at this time will he
pleasure never to be forgotten. 1t has
been claimed by many who have visited
Ill of the principal Masonic fanes That
this Scottish Rite Cathedral Mt Cincin-
natl, with It's 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 eX-
cluied, bear out the same air of oriental
splendor and pomp that one sees in the
more open courts and corridors, the claim
of pre-euincnce for 1t is 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. 1t was purchased
IT that society some three or more years
ago, and it's interior refittcd and embel-
lghed IN the most sumptuous manner.
The exterior Is OF stone, the claustral
architecture Is maintained, with minar-
ats and sp.rc, and over the central doors
in gilt ronaic letters, arched, one reads
SCOTTISH RITE, \ : A, CATHEDRAL.
To the right of the church, facing the
street, has been constructed wing,
which extends the whole length OF the
huilding, and serves as the main en-
trance and corridor; over this like the
historic injunction, ''i1uow thysalfn over
the ancient temple OF the Delphian
Oracle, is written IN no uncertain senti
ment: ''Procul, o Procul Este, Profani." :"
Bat let Ills enter. The door opens into a
long corridor, with brightly frescoed
walls and ceilings and handsome tile
flooring Light is admitted through
richly stained cathedral glass windows
reaching from the ceiling to the vain
soothing. This corridor connects with
the audience hall by four double doors.
There is also main exit from the hall
through the large front doors.
The great audience hall, under the
sombrous light that panctrates the
stained glass windows, like dim shadows
through banks of dense tinted fog is Il
marvellous study in interior art decora-
tiOn. Walking over the rich dark Grim
son moqlette carpet, the impression of
reverence and awe siczes upon one as he
gazes up and around; the hail. the gal
leres, the organ in the loft and tho stage,
gorgeous in its decorations, AID complete
In III its appoints, MAKE mp rAra syn
thesis OF those imposing sentiments,
holiness, melody and histrionism. The
ceiling Is prn, specimen of fresco art;
there are four groups of allagorical char
Gcters in the din f.rant corncrs, and one
elegantly wrought center piece. Ihes1
groups each have IL symbolic meaning,
representing the arts and the sciences,
ell culiuunting in religion and the de-
vlnc principle of faitn. The galleries
are comm odious extending around thraC
les to the stage. and have been hlglly
decorated in tints and gilt by the fresco
list. The stage is oae OF tho main fea
tures ur the Temple, Upon either sidC
are two tiers of privates boxes, upper
nlt! lower, surmounted by mosque-likt
roofs, us the summits of which are two
gi'ded double. headed eagles, with ex
tended pinions. The set AMI shifting
sceneries provided with all the accom-
pani,aents are sufficient to represent IN.
land sea, palace, temple or site whicl
may be required in the varied ceremon
les of masonry And the elaboration o
these scenes, the scenic artist has mad
~ unworthy effort.
The advantage, therefore, which thi
hall possesses for tho obseryances Of tn
several rites of the order can be under
TODD by the iniCiated aud both in re
,pect to convenience and economy o
space and time, il will be allowed tina
no better facilities could be discovered
In the reur of the hall and tranyersel
across the cathedral is another corrido
], ltling to the parlors the costume rooi
and the armoury and also to the iare
banquet hall, Below these are I'll
kitchen, the engine and boiler rooms, a
complete in every respect.
These make up the attractive portion
of the outer temple; but there is sill q
mn,h mors space To cover in the inne
temple, which Is shut to the profan'
There are underground passages, crypti
md mysterious chambers which II is fol
hidden 10 visit and much more so to dc
scribe. The pilgrims however to III
magnificent temple, who come with I'll
,pen sesame of the free and accepte
Mason win lind here hospitality, as we
as a frarernal greeting, when,
.F'pm the fpnr corners Of the eart
nny pue NJ Kiss lbs sarlnaf'