Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1888-07-06
SCOTTISH RITE TEMPLE

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 a pilgrimage
to this temple at this time will be a
| pleasure never to be forgotten. 1t has
been claimed by many who have visited
all Of the principal Masonic flames that
| this Scottish Rite Cathedral at Cncin-
| natl, with its richly decorated audience
| room, luxurious parlors, commodious
| banquet halls and its various sacred
chambers, is uneXcelled throughout the
world. And if the inner precincts, from
which the "vulgus profanum" are eX-
cluded bear ont the same air of oriental
| splendor and pomp that one sees in the
more open courts and corridors, the claim
of pre-eminence for it is well taken.
This remarkable edilice 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
of that society some three or more years
ago, and its interior reiltted and embel-
| lished in the most sumptuous manner.
The exterior is of stone, the claustral
architecture is maintained, with minar-
cts and spire, and over the central doors
in gilt romaic letters, archcd, 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
building, and serves as the main en-
trance and Corridor; over this like the
historic injunction, "know thyselfn over
the ancient temple OF the Delphian
Oracle, is written in no uncertain senti-
ment: "Procul, o Procul Este, Profani. ~
But let us enter The door opens into
long corridor, with brightly frcscood
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 penetratcs the
stained glass windows, like dim shadows
through banks Of dense tintod fog, is n
marvellous study in interior art decora-
ton Walking over the rich dark Grim
son moquettc carpet, the impression Of
reverence and awe siczcs upon one as he
gazes up and around; the hail. the gal
lcrics, the organ In the loft and the stage,
gorgeous in its decorations, and complete
in all its appoints, make up rare syn
thesis Of those imposing sentiments,
holiness, melody and histrionism, The
ceiling is prime specimen OF frcsco art;
there are four groups Of allcgorical char
octers in the different corners, and one
elegantly wrought center piece. These
groups each have u 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 been highly
decorated in tints and gilt by the fresco-
ist. The stage Is one Of the main fea-
lures of the Temple Upon either side
are two tiers Of privates boxes, upper
and lower, surmounted by mosque like
roofs as the SUBMITS Of which are two