The Washington times., 1895-02-12
MYSTIC PORTALS OPENED
Naval Lodge Halls the Tempo
rary Home of the Fairies.
THEIR FESTIVITIES BEGUN
Brilliant Scene Presented at the New Ma
sonic Temple in Southeast Warrington
Grand Lodge Officers Fresent-Addresses
by Grand Master Dixon and Commissioner
Ross Booths Presided Over by Ladies.

The beautiful Masonic Temple, with its nu-
merous attractive features within and with
out. which was but recently completed at the
corner OF Fourth street and Pennsylvania
avenue southeast, presented last night, from
basement TO Top story. the pleasing aspect OF
a Veritable fairyiand.
The occasion was the opening OF the fair
given by Naval Lodge, No. 4, F. and A. NJ,
10 which organization the structure belongs,
and from the main entrance on the avenue
front. where the elaboratelY-Wrousht stone
columns serve as the supports OF an overhead
balcony. through each OF the spacious halls,
upon each floor. and in every corridor. niche,
and alcoye there we're superior attractions re-
hected as from The touch OF n magic wand,
while upon every side the visitor was re-
minded OF the Gayety in store.
1here were eNquisiiely eontriyed booths
that were supefbly adorned in richest Of
tints. and these were presided over 10y maid
ems fayre' upon whose efforts 10 Iiease so
much depended the incoming OF the shekels,
and there were numerous mysterious Portals
behind which secrets were sold, as one would
buy rs supply OF cigarettes, at a stipulated
sum per pacSage; fancy articles. as well rs
The more Usefal. on sale az the counters and
last TO be stated, though not least in consider
Rlion. refreshments were TO be had for the
asking.
PAYING AN EQCIyALEST.
Two OF the floors were things OF beauty. so
picturesque3y tasteful were the structural de-
signs and so IN harmony were they with the
adornments. The first OF these TO be noticed
was The lodge ICON proper. Which is Of the
-g-.1.s
feet wide. Gfty-iwo feet long. and twenty
seven icet high. In TIRE trad .tionai East is
All immense Egyptian portal. which reaches
nearly 10 the ceiling; ia the West, a smaller
portal OF same architectural design. while
above il. recessed ia the wall. is aa cffec-
lively designed gallery. in which the orches-
trid ad djuBc,s VIII be hereafter domici!cd. and
from which the orat0ry was permitted to es-
caue at the opening ceremonies last night
Ii may lie stated here that the booths in
this hall were OF the Egyptian order in con-
sttuetioa and ali the Oriental eolors were
blended in perfect harmony in the deeora-
tiCns.
The other hall referred to- the lower one.
IS finished ia what was described TO be Indo-
Gtecian style. and its surroundings were like
wise made 10 harmonic with the or,ier or
architecture the whole in design and execu-
tiOn literally ''reiecting great credit upon the
skin OF the artiilcer. Mr. w. J. Palmer. upon
WHOSE EAOAAGEl5 EtSAGA INC ifDlSlBlttNN uDA
only FOR the construction of the great Ma
soaic edilce but for the arrangement of the
temporary interior decorations that dazZied
the eye last evening
UTON EACH FLOOR.
There were present. TO formally open the
festivities, representatives, OF the grand lodge,
as follows: D. G. Dixon. G. NJ; George W.
Baird, ID. G. ~; Matthew Trimble, s. G. W;
Samuel C. Palmer, J. G. W; Z. B. Smith. e.
C., an Harry Stamford, J. D.; also George
II. Walker, Z. G. ii. T., Of the grand
chapter.
The proceedings were olensd ty the intro
duction or Grand Master Dixon. who was
presented from the balcony above noted bY
George {. OF er chairman OF the entertain
ment CONN tee. and who said he did not in
tend TO make a protracted speech. but he
would not do justice 10 his feelings did he not.
in behalf OF the grand lodge, speak in the
highest praise OF Naval Lodge for lis mani
festation OF zeal and energy in the successful
erection Of so handsome a building, with Its
many and varied conveniences, and to wish
them great prosperity in their artistically
beautiful Masonic home. He then in turn
introduced the Hon. John W. Ross. District
Commissioner. who made the speech OF the
evening.
Mr Ross spoke with regret OF his having
been unable TO be present at the laying of the
cornerstone and expressed his pleasure at
being able TO attend upon the present occa-
sion. He SAID be was astonished at thes scene
before him. and congratulated the members
OF Naval Lodge aud the Masons of the Dis
trlct upon the wonderful results OF their in
duslry and enterprise. There are 5000 Ma
sons in the District. he said, and if the indi-
viduHl lodges are unRble financially 10 build
a home. Of which this is an example then
they should unite and erect a temple worthy
OF
THIS CAPITAL CITY.
He referred to the advancement made in
East Washington, TO the presence of tie
Capitol building in its midst, and the new
Library binding, also 10 the prospective
building for The Supreme Court and added
that he hoped the time would be when the
grand avenue would be lined with magnii-
cent structures such as that build by Naval
Lodge With a compliment 10 the fair bands
thai had wrought such wonders in The scene
before him The Commissioner closed
Grand Master Dixon then pressed The
button and formally set the machine in
motion, whereupon the busy throng surged
TO ana fro in the crowded rooms-fcr there
were many Yisito-s-and the buying and
selling began.
one special feature osthe evening was some
fancy dancing by Prof. Percy Leach, with in
strumental accompaniment by Miss Laura
Eichelberger.
Every lodge. chapter. ccmmandery. aud
other Masonic body IN the District has booth
dedicated to it, and from among them the
purchaser can obtain anything from cigar
TO Il sack OF -four. aad if desired. lie or she
can be indicted into the mysteries of the
thirty-fourth Masonic degree.
The extra attractions this evening will be
recitatiYe and musical
II may be said in brief that the fair OPEN
ing was n grand success.
The proceeds of the fair are 10 furnish and
decorate the temple.