Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-25
THE CORNER STONE LAID
Of the New Masonic Temple Of Naval
Lodge.
Large Gathering of the Fraternity
and Citi.ens-Impressivo Ceremon-
les. Which the Rain Did Not Stop.

1t rained and stormed last evening. but
that did not interfere materially with the
impressive ceremonies attending the laying
of the corner stone of the beautiful edifice
that will hencefor,h b. the dornicile of the
members Of Naval Lodge, No. 4, f. a. A.
NJ. This building is at the corner of 4th
street and Pennsylvania avenue east, and
was fully described in TIE Star of Saturday.
Last evenings ceremonies were of a most
interesting character. The rain, naturally
affected the attendance. but did not other
wise interfere with the proceedings. There
was considerable uncertainty as to the hour
when they would begin. Most of the people
interested assembled about $50, and at that
time 1t vas estimated. sthat there were
nearly 1900 pecple-men, women and chill
electromagnetic IN. the Vicinity The
weather. while warm. was fair. with no in
dications Of the storm that was about TO
burst upon them. As a matter OF fact how
ever. 1t had been arranged by those in
charge that the ceremonies should not begin
until $50 O'Clock, and tt'was fully half an
hour beyond that time before the different
Masonic organizations that We're to- 'tSke
part put In an appearance. 1t was about
that time that the skies. became overcast
and. sharp. heavy 'fSh Of rain follow ed
driving most Of the crowd away and damaS.
Ing the beautiful regalIa Of the KnisAts
Templar and Maeons. Luckily however. II
d oi not last very long and gradually the
thirds the original number. -',1 1l4s q
Masons Who. Participated.
The uniformed Masons who participated in
the ceremonies numbered nearly 2 600. They
assembled ct Masonic Temple. and, headed
by the Marine Band. marched up Capitol
Hill to the future home OF Naval Lodge
De Molay Commandery. Knights Templar,
the only mounted commandery in the Dts
trict. headed the line The rain came down
In steady drizzie. and their beautiful re-
gala suffered severely, but they did not
falter. and took the places assigned them
With excellent grace. 1t was then nearly Z
O'Clock, end the storm having spent its
force the program Of the occasion was be-
gun AMI carried out faithfully, notwith-
standing the lowering clouds and the fact
that the shades Of night were falling fast
The exercises opened with the playing of
Coates National Columbia by the Marine
Band worthy Grand Chaplain c. Il. Smith
offered an appropriate prayer. after which
case containing the articles for deposit
was dropped into place. and the huge
brown stone.which is to be the corner piece
OF the building, was gracefully swung into
position. The usual tests W ie applied and
the stone was found to be well formed,
true and square,. and the corn, wine and
and gladness, were brought into requisition
III. w. Grand Master Henry ID. Merrill used
the trowel and added the mortar and the
brethren gave the usual honors of the or
der.
The Corner Stone.
The corner stone is made of Hummelstown
brown stone. 1t Is an exact cube. % inches
to the side. 1t bears the Inscription, Laid
July %, 1894, by Henry s. Merrill, NJ. w.
nd ata
No. 4. Organized May IA, 1905; reorgan-
lied as Naval Lodge. No. 4, January 10,
ISL"
The trowel used by Grand Master Merrill
Is the same one used by President Wash
lngton In laying the corner stone of the
Capitol 1t Is the property of Potomac
Lodge, No. 3. of Georgetown and when not
In use Is sacredly guarded in the vault of
the Bank Of Commerce of that city During
the ceremonies of laying the stone appro-
pirate odes were rendered by choir COM
posed OF the following brethren: w. D. Nc
garland. T. C. Gill. VIM. II. Daniel. s. A
Sawtelle Henry Eberbach. Jno. F. Black
mar, 1. L. Johnson. n. Fl. Boswell
The beautiful anthem "Old Hundred, was
well rendered by the Marine Band, after
which Past Grand Master L. c. William
son delivered the grafton of the day The
lateness Of the hour caused him to shorten
his address. He complimented Naval Lodge
very highly as one of the most progressive
as well as conservative In the District II
mad right to be proud OF It's history, as
1t stood a noble example in every respect TO
sister lodges. The spe lker gave an inter-
esting historical sketch of the lodge and
predicted that 1t would accomplish ereat
Band then played Meachum's popular
American Patrol" Grand Chaplain &. n
Smith pronounced the beneiictioa, and the
ceremonies ccme TO an end.
List Of Articles Deposited.
Following is list of the articles deposit
ed in the stone. viz: A copy of the pro-
ceedings of District Grand Lodge: cow of
constitution and bylaws of G.. L.. date
1870: Masonic calendar, GATED 1894: copv of
report and extract of proceedings of G.. l..
of the District from December IL. $50 to
January, 1913: copy of bylaws of Union
Lodge. No 6, date 1876; bylaws of Naval
Ledge No. 1. dated 1873 and 1894, respec-
lively; Masonic diploma. issued August II,
1850. to the late p. G. NJ. Peyton Page;
list Of members of Naval Lodge, No. {,
from organization to present date; Column
bian coins, denomination 80 cents, and
Chinese coin, donated by Charles Bruni:
one aluminium medal from worlds fair
donated by Edwin ID. Jones; an aluminium
medal, Columbian exposition. donated by
Thomas P. Jacobs; coins of United States
mlntaSe-s1 III silver. 80 cents. % cents, 10
cents and cent, respectively, donated by
Charles A. Stockett; certificates of Naval
luueDleuneSS, amounting TO No.
Cancelled by individual members; historical
copper tablet. containing lodge data and
the following names: W. ]. Palmer, archi-
tect of the building; Contractors William
Iost Bro; building committee, A. c.
Brust, chairman; Charles A. Stockett, vice
chairman; Adam Gaddis. F. NJ. Boteier
Edwin ID. Jones. T. r. Otterback, Charles
F. Smith and William F. Mcclure super
tntendcnt of construction; piece Of stone
from Solomon's temple. donated by Thomas
Fenable; business card of G. c. Esher
contractor, who made and set the corner
stone.
Personally Conducted Tour to Niagara
Falls via II. and O.. $40,
Via Watkins Glen and Geneva. Royal blue
line express. with through Pullman sleep
ing cars attached will leave Il. and o. sta