The Washington times., 1894-07-25
LAID WHILE THE RAIN FELL
Cornerstone Ceremony Solemnized by
the MasOnS.
NEW HALL OF NAVAL LODGE, no. 4
Trowel Used by George Washington on the
Capitol Again Employed = Building Is
Handsomely situated-Thirty-fou Lodges
and Four Communicates Present.

When the brethren OF the NJ. W. grand lodge
Of F. and A. NJ and their confreres Of tho
Knights Templar order congregated yester
day afternoon at Masonic Temple, corner of
Ninth and streets northwest, to arrange for
the laying of the cornerstone OF the new hall
OF Naval Lodge, No. 4, now in course OF con-
struction, on Pennsylvania avenue south
east, they congratulated each other upon the
monies should have taken place on Monday
evening, but were postponed on account OF
the heavy rainfall.
The early afternoon OF yesterday was
bright and CHEEKY, and there was at o'clock
but slight indication that the experience OF
the day before would be repeated. But fate
was against them. The tradition which
teaches that Masonic apron is never caught
out In the rain was once more voted failure.
The procession had covered scarcely half
the distance from the temple on Ninth street
to the southeast destination when Jupiter
Pluvius again emptied his water casks, and
for as much as half an hour the rain Ge-
scended copiously. The gay plumes and
rich regalia of the Sir Knights. as well as the
''lambskin or white leathern apron OF the
Master Mason were thoroughly saturated,
and the brethren presented rather sorry
plight when they reached the scene But
there was cheerfulness and good humor
prevalent, and the inclemency of the weather
proved to be no bar to the successful execu-
tion OF the programme.
CALLED FROM LABOR.
The most worthy grand lodge was called
from labor, or in common parlance. lodge bus
iness closed, at $50 p. H., but it was quite an
hour before the head Of the procession reached
Fourth strset southeast. De Molay Com
mandery. a mounted organization. was in
front. and next to them the Marine Band.
Following successfully were three other COM
manderies and long line OF the fraternity,
representing thirty-four lodges. The route Of
the procession was as near direct line as the
brethren could make it. 1t went from Masonic
Temple down Tenth street to Pennsylvania
avenue to the Peace Monument. and by First
street to Pennsylvania avenue southeast, TO
Fourth street
Reaching the designated corner. the process
sion halted and opened ranks. Grand Master
Merrill and his associates. with as many more
OF the brethren as could crowd into the space
set apart for the ceremonies, passed between
the lines under the triumphal arch, and
thence to the northeast corner OF the building.
where the cornerstone lay ready for the ma
nipulation OF the plumb, square, and level.
The grand lodge was officered as follows:
Henry S. Merrill, NJ. W. grand master; ID. @.
Dixon, r. w. ID. grand master: John A. Sam
pie, r. W. senior grand warden; NJ. Trimble,
X. ". junior grand warden; W. r. Singleton,
r. W. grand secretary; Thomas L. Young, II.
W. grand treasurer; Joseph Homacher. grand
lecturer; c. b. Smith, grand chaplain; Sam
uel c. Palmer, grand marshal; ]. II. Small,
senior grand deacon; George E. Carson, jun
e. 4 i
want; Malcom Seaton. senior grand steward;
John n. Berckhead, grand tyler.
WHILE THE RAIN WAS FALLING.
The ceremonies began while the rain was
still falling, the Marine Band leading of. The
music was as soulful as the surroundings
were disspiriting. the selection being ma
tional Columbia" by Coates. Prayer was
offered by Grand Chaplain Smith, the case
containing the articles for deposit was
dropped into its place, and the huge stone,
weighing l,500 pounds, was by aid OF block
and tackle swung into position. The proper
implements were applied, the stone found TO
be ''well formed, true, and square," and the
corn, wine. and oil, representing nourish-
ment, refreshment, and gladness, were
brought into requisition. Grand Master Mer-
rill then used the trowel and added the NOR
tar. the brethren gave the grand honors by
three times three. and the work was COM
plete.
Mounting the platform Grand Master Mer-
rill spoke briefly of the progressive spirit
manifested by the brethren of Naval Lodge,
No. 4, and congratulated them upon the fact
that they would so soon be provided with
comfortable and elegrnt quarters. He then
introduced Past Grand Master l.. c. William
son, who delivered a brief but eloquent ad-
dress, reviewing the history of Naval Lodge,
NJ fba apt rnrr
ism, thrift and progressive spirit of the breth-
rem of the northeast.
The cornerstone is made vf Hummelstown
brownstone. 1t is an exact cube, "a inches to
the side. 1t bears the inscription, Laid July
23, 1894, by Henry S. Merrill, NJ. W. grand
master. Washington Naval Lodge, No. Al.
Organized May IA, 1905; reorganized as Naval
Lodge, No. 4, January 10, 1Sl1.''
An interesting incident is that the same
trowel that was used by Gen. Washington in
laying the cornerstone Of the Capitol was
employed yesterday evening by Grand Master
Merrill. The trowel is the property Of Poto-
mac Lodge, No. 5. of Georgetown. 1t is
always kept in the vault of the Bank Of Com
merce, and is never taken out except by per-
mission OF the lodge expressed by vote.
The building is handsomely situated on
prominent corner. and when completed will
be an imposing, beautiful structure. The
main hall will have a clear floor space of
43x30 feet, in addition to the space for the
seats for the members and visitors, these be-
ing arranged on three raised platforms
on each side, each platform having seating
space two feet six inches in depth.
No other Masonic Hall in the city has a
capacity egualing this The banquet room
is also superior, and the lodge will, in addi-
tion, be provided with ample ante-rooms and
closet space. The building will have 'front.'
age of eighty-flve feet on Pennsylvania ave-
nue. and extends like distance on Fourth
street. 1t will be five stories high, not count
ing the basement.
CONTENTS IN THE CORNERSTONE.
Following is list Of the articles deposited
in the stone, viz: A copy of the proceedings
Of District Grand Lodge; copy of constitu-
ton and bylaws of G.. L., date 1920; Masonic
calendar, dated 1894; copy Of report and ex-
tract of proceedings OF G. L. of the District
from December II, 1910. to January, 1875
copy of bylaws of Union Lodge, No. 6, date
1926; bylaws of Naval Lodge, No. 4.
dated 1873 and 1894, respectively;
Masonic diploma, issued August II, 1850. to
bers OF Naval Lodge. No. 4, from organiza-
nomination so cents, and Chinese coin do
mated by Charles Bruni; one aluminium medal
from Worlds Fair, donated by Edwin ID.
Jones; an aluminium medal, Columbian Expo
sition, donated by Thomas P. Jacobs; coins OF
United States mintuge-S1 in silver, 80 cents,
25 cents, 10 cents, and 1 cent. respectively,
donated by Charles A. Stockett certificates OF
Naval Lodge Indebtedness, amounting to
,t.n-~ SpSr~