Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1896-12-14
MASONIC TEMPLE CURlOS.
Many Rare Relics Carefully Preserved In
New York.


| Many Rare Relics Carefully Preserved In
New York.
| Few people are aware that, hidden
| away in carefully guarded rooms OF an
imposing structure at Sixth avenue and
Twenty third street, New York city,
are preserved rare relics of bygone ages,
works of art and priceless curi0s. These
rareties are to be found in the Masonic
temple, where strangers are seldom per-
mitted to enter.
The temple itself is one of the most
interesting objects of interest in New
York. The massive bronze pillars at the
entrance excite curiosity. The mysterl-
Gus figures at the foot and the marble
statue of s'Silence't at the head of the
grand staircase may cause an inquiry
to be made. The richly emblazoned coat
of arms of the Masonic fraternity over
the grand lodge room door cannot fail
to attract attention, and other features
on the same floor will certainly lead the
inquisitive to ask what it all means
But these are about all that the stranger
is likely to see. On the floor above the
grand lodge room are the library, read
ing room and museum of the Masonic
fraternity.
In the library of the Masonic temple
are books and records that have no du-
plicate i'll this country. One is three
volume folio work, bound in vellum,
printed in Latin with large type, in the
year 1904. This gives description of
King Solomon's temple and has several
finely executed engravings, maps, de-
t,i4
ing the customs of the ancient Jews. The
work was gotten up for and dedicated
to Philip II of Spain by distinguished
member of the Society of Jesus. A
"black letter Bible of about the same
date is in the library. Tt is supposed to
be copy of the famous Brooches BIZ
ble,' but the pages which should have
proved this are absent. With this excep-
tion the work is perfect and has many
curious charts.
An old English work, giving the his
tory of the Masonic society, or Society
of Builders, from the time of William
the Conqueror to the date of publication
about the beginning Of the last Gen.
tury-is curiosity. 1t gives the names
of all the grand masters for nearly 1000
years. A number of works, published
during the exciting times of the anti
Masonic crusade, are also in the library.
Both sides of the struggle are therein
related. These books were preserved by
Masons during that eventful period, and
now, when the principal actors have
passed away, become objects OF histor-
ical curiosity. Masonic magazines,
works of distinguished Masonic authors
to 10
brary one of the most valuable for refer
ence to be found anywhere III the Unit
ed States.
The greatest interest, however, Gen.
tiers in the museum Of Masonic curiosi-
ties and antiquities. In this collection
can be found the gold trowel used by
Benjamin Franklin while master of
the lodge i'll Pennsy lvania, preserved by
Franklin lodge of New York state and
presented by that body to the museum.
A model of the obelisk, made under the
direction of the late Commander Cor
ringe, has been deposited in the museum
by Anglo-Saxon lodge of Brooklyn, to
which he was attached as q member.
Three candlesticks used by Ancient
chapter, No. 1, of Royal Arch Masons
during the last century are curiosities.
A past grand masters jewN presented
to the grand lodge of New York by the
grand lodge of New Jersey in 1882, re-
calls the early period of Masonry in this
country. The jewels and records of
Rainbow lodge of New York state, sto-
len by British soldiery during the war
of 1912 to 1914 and preserved by lodge
in Montreal, to which place they had
been taken, is found COMMUNICATED
here by past masters jewel on which
the whole history of The affair is en-
graved. Coins and Masonic medals of
great antiquity are preserved. One,
commemorating the creation of son of
King George III as grand master of Ma
sons in America and England, struck
before the Revolution, is of great inter
est to American Masons. Detroit Free
Press.