The morning times., 1897-02-26
LAYING The CORNER STONE
Masonic Ceremonies at the North
Carolina Avenue Nj. P. Church.
The Deputy Grand Master Had the
GaveI Used by Washington on
the Capitol's Corner Stone.

the Capitol's Corner Stone.
Ibe corner stone of the beautiful gran
lite church building, now being erected by
the officiary and congregation of the
North Carolina Avenue Methodist 7 Pro-
testant Church on North Carolina avenue,
at the intersection OF E and Eighth streets
northeast, was placed, in position yester
day afternoon with impressive Masonic
rites, conducted by Grand Master Matthew
Trimhle and the officers Of the grand
lodge of the District
Members and friends of the congregation
crowded about the platform on the north
east corner OF the structure during the OK
ercises, while others occupied chairs upon
temporar: flooring laid over the Iafters
for the occasion. Upon the platform were
Grand Master Trimble and his associates
OF the Grand Lodge; Rev B. b. James, and
Revs. 6. Q. Bacchus, OF the First Methodist
Protestant Church; II E. Nelson of Mount
Tabor; S. j. Smith, Of Central; Dr.. w. S.
Hammond, Of Congress Street, and DR., Dan
ieI Wilson.
The exercises opened with congregational
singing, which was followed by an invo-
cation offered by Rev G. @ Baechus.
In the absence of Rev. Dr.. Tagg, the
dedioatory address was delivered by Rev.
Daniel Wilson, ID. D., former pastor OF
the church. He eloquentiy eulogiZcd The
purpose and scope of the Christian Church,
from the time when the forests Were Gods
first temples, until men gathered together
and built temples III which TO worship
Jehovah
He congratulated the congregation upon
| their determination 10 erect more suita-
bic place Of worship. Today" he said,
lit is proposed to dedicate by the laying
OF this stone, a building that is to Iise
as temple fit for-the indwelling of the
Holy Ghost There is no nobler work
for man than to give OF his substance
TO erect temples 10 God, and especially
in this land; for what other has been
so blessed in the agencies and influences
of Christianity?"
The speaker urged hborality on the part
OF his hearers. for the carrying on To Il
successful! completion the new enterprise.
Rev. DR.. Hammond or Congress Street
Church, followed in an earnest appeal for
funds. which met with a hearty response,
and the treasurer announced at the con-
clusion of the exercises that SO, ,752 had
| been subscribed. With the Masonic rites
| atteniing the placing OF the stone in po-
| sition. the dedicatory ceremonies con-
| GUIDED.
The corn, wine, and oil We're placed upon
the stone by Deputy Grand Master S C.
| Palmer, Acting Senior Grand Warden j.
| s Whitmore, and Junior Grand Warden
| William Il. HeIdersoh a. the service was
| read by the grand master. after the plumb,
| level. AM square had tested the worthiness
! OF the stone To occupy It's exalted position.
| The gave! used in the ceremony was the
| same as that which Washington used IN
! Ia wing the corner stone OF the Capitol.
| This relic is now the treasured posse ssion
| OF Potomac Lodge, No. 8. OF Georgetown.
| II is intTuSted TO the care OF Past Grand
| Masters W. S. Waddy, Frank Thomas.
| and Isaac Birch OF Potomac Lodge and is
! rarely used by the grand lodge Its hast
/ duty was to close tile ceremonies attending
| the corner stone LAYING OF the American
! University.
I The copper box, which according to
| custom. IS placed in corner stones, was
| filled by the grand master with an assert
| menu OF articles. including a copy of the
! Bible, the Tribute OF Praise" hymnal a
| Discipline Of the NJ p Church. lists OF
| the church and Sunday school officers.
! and copies of official church literature:
the minutes of the Maryland Annual Con
| ference OF the Methodist Protestant Church.
| the proceedings Of the grand lodge of
| Masons Of the District Of Columbia, q
Masonic calendar. copies OF the local news
papers history OF the church, badges of
| the Christian Endeayor Society, the Acorn
| Circle and the Chestnut Circle young peo-
| pies societies of the church, and, finally,
eighteen pennies. dropped in by as many
pupils OF the Sunday school, for good
| luck.
The building is Of granite. and will be
/ two stories in height. surmounted on the
| northwest corner by lofty ornamental
| tower, with a Conical roof of tiles. On
| the first floor will be the Sunday school
| rooms. lecture room, class rooms, etc,
separated by marble partitions. The upper
| story will be devoted exclusively to the
| auditorium. Every modern device in
| church fitting will be INTRODUCED to make
/ the building a model of convenience and
| comfort Rapid progress has already been
| made i'll the construction Of the walls. hut
| no definite date Of occupancy can yet be
| fixed. 1t is probable, however, that the
| congregation will worship i'll the new
| church early in the fall.