New-York tribune., 1896-11-01
DEDICATING A NEW TEMPLE.
THE MAsoNs OWN THE CITY OF ALBANY
FOR ONE DAY AND SPLENDID TEN


FOR ONE DAY AND A SPLENDID TEN
PIE FOR ALI. TINES
Monday. October 26, 1896. will be a memorable day
In tho history Of Albany Masonry, for on that day
magnificent structure devoted entirely to the
fraternity was solemnly dedicated to it's use by
NJ W. James Ten Eyck Past Grand Master, and
henceforth the brethren Of Albany point with
pride to this building. which. like Masonry itself
stands for God. country and universal brother
hood
Early in the morning trains arrived from ell d.
rectons bearing brethren from the surrounding
country. who were anxious to participate in this
great event. At the head Of them all NJ w. John
Stewart. Grand Master; r. W. William J. Melon
aid. Grand Treasurer; r. W. Edward NJ. L. Ehlers.
Grand Secretary: Past Grand Master Jesse B.
Anthony. Benjamin Flagler and James Ten Eyck
many of the staff officers of the Grand Lodge and
the District Deputies of the Fifth. Seventh.
Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth. Seven teenth. Twen-
ty-frst. Twenty seventh. as we'll as the Chief Com
mission OF Appeal r. W. s. Nelson Sawyer and
Charles w. Mead. The Grand Chapter repre-
sonted by Grand High Priest Stivers. Deputy Grand
High Priest John Webb. jr. Philip NJ Mast jr..
Grand King; X. f. Herman. II. Russ. John W.
Palmer. Alfred a. Guthrie. MCGOWAN. Hall and
Muchsam. The Grand Commandery in the person OF
Sirs James S. Manning. G. ]. W.. and John +.
Shaner Grand Recorder; Arthur Macarthur and
Charles II. Armitage. parade through the
streets of the capital city brought out thousands OF
its people to look at the Grand Lodge officers and
the many brethren who celebrated this proud day.
Ii estimated that fully 5000 Masons were in
line.
The dedcatory services were held In Of the
large rooms and conducted by NJ W. James
Ten Eyck. with II. w. Charles W. Mead as his
deputy and the Rev George r. Hite as Grand
Chaplain The ancient. simple. yet impressive Ma
sonic ceremony performed In due and ancient
FORM and the Grand Marshal. r. w. Henry B.
Pruser. proclaimed the Masonic Temple of Albany
duly dedicated and devoted to the use OF the fra
ternty NJ w. John Stewart made 4 brief address.
congratulating the brethren of Albany upon having
Accomplished this great undertaking.
"One hundred and thirty years ago. In the sixth
year of the reign Of the Sovereign Lord George tho
Third Of Great Britain. France and Ireland, King
Defender OF the Faith or on the seventeenth Gay
OF October. in the year OF Christ seventeen hun
dred and sixty-six. DR.. Samuel Stringer the second
Master OF Masters Lodge. took the first step
toward the erection of this great temple of Free
masonry.
"Dr SrinSer was a noted surgeon In his day.
skilled In the divine art OF healing: he was dis
tinguished citizen. filed with civic pride for tho
welfare Of his city and State; he was Jealous
FREQ Mason. whose benefcent heart treasured the
grand and abiding tenets of craft he began the
glorious work which to-day has reached fitting
ard magnificent consummation.
"On that October day. more than century and
a quarter ago. Dr. Stringer received from the city
Of Albany a deed to the land which IN part this
purchase was no doubt intended for the utilities
of the craft Of his time. The inspiration OF
future grander. more commod!ous and useful build
ing did possess his heart until two years later
Masters Lodge became reality and force in the
civic and fratornal life OF the city and Or. Sirnser
rs foremost leader. benefac:or and friend.
The first temple devoted exclusively to Masonic
purposes in the United States vas erected on this
very site. and It's walls rose there came TO
Samuel Stringer the vision ~ ? nobler more pre-
tentious and eranGer building in tho coming cent
ury; q prophets dream. the realization OF which
came this day.
That he might more surely realize his noble
plans Dr. Siringer associated with himself inhu-
ential and distinguished citizens of his day One
vas William Gamble. the nrst Master OF Masters
Lodge and the rector OF the English Church. now
St. Peters. Others were jeremiah Van Rensselaer,
ali that is best in the intellectual. social and COM
ercia life Of ne he city Of ASay 81 f1is b Tas n,ta n
states was scarcely hope in ihe hearts Of these
first mein5ers Of this lodge for before the Consti.
President was Masters Lodge ot Albany.
by the most "nsrsh .np and G TTsa
masonry. the members Of Masters Lodge. led by
I1s Jan sn M Es S aed Of
and Todern craft Masonry In Albany into ono
win what zeal VIA; nnselfshncss what sacri-
fee the constituent elements OF the craf' IN Al
tcrs Lodge. and with what result. ~ Of common
knowledge 10 all and Is the result OF todayS cce-
In the evening Masters Lodge held the first reg,-
lar communication IN the new building. and con-
ierrd s ,sier .ne 9rd IN e a WIN w Jo5n eDa and
tho Grand Lodge officers visited the lodge and
were most cordially received by the Master and
Bro Ten EycK for his unseish devotion 10 this
schemef he was the originator. the agator and
tho founder Of thc underiaking and this glorious
rangernen;s OF every detail Of the parade. o. the
dedication and the entire programme IS due 10 his
Cns wi and
;hfs his pct scheme And the brethren OF Albany
all deserve their full measure OF praise for the
bountiful and uns,inted hospitality extended 70 the
The new building is on the northwes, corner OF
Lodfe-st. and Maiden Lane. II n forr-story, Are
OF architecture ana admirably expressing the nature
Of its uses. The exterior Is executed In Westerly
granite and conveys an Impression Of dignity ana
structure. The building covers the lot. and IS
III feet by "a feet. the entrance being in the centre
Of the long side OH Maiden Lane. The heavy gran
tie arched main entrance is emphasized by tho
massive symbolic columns OF carved and polished
granite which guard it on either side
rich marble staircase. rising opposite the entrance
and leading to the lodgerooms above. Al the right
of the bah and fronting Oh Lodge-st. are three
connecting rooms, the centre one being the recep-
:icn-roon. Tnc front room will be used as n
library and the northeast room az a cardroom and
smoking-room. At the left OF tho hall are TWO
large rooms. one for the comTnandery armory ana
the other bllliard-room. and at the left OF the
entrance is a smaller room for board meetings: a
generous courtroom and shaft for a future elevator
also provided on this first floor.
The officers Of the Masonic Hall Association, or
president. Alfred A. Guthrie: secretary William E.
Fitch: treasurer. William H. Weaver
IN THE SECOND DISTRICT.
The west room OF the Masonic Temple. Grand
and Havemeyer sts.. Brooklyn. L. D.. was pretty