Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-20
Ritual Ceremonies Attend
Opening of Masonic Home.
MAS0NS ALONE PRESENT
George Washington's Gavel Calls
Assembly to Order.
GRAND LODGE IN REGALIA
Rev. j. 81. Nelms Makes Grafton.
Address by Matthew Trimble.
Resolutions of Thanks.

The solemn symbolic and mystical cere-
mony of dedicating the new Masonic
Temple. at the intersection OF New York
avenue. 18th and II streets northwest
took place last evening behind tiled doors,
and was conducted by Grand Master Au-
gustus B. Coolidge and the Grand Lodge
Of Free and Accepted Masons of the Dis
trict OF Columbia, In the presence Of an
immense audience of master Masons
There was no attempt at decoration
The clean white walls reflected the splen-
dor OF the electric lights. making the
temple look like an edifice of spotless
purity and beauty.
Plainly on the faces of all present was
depicted the happy satisfaction that. after
eleven and a half years of hard struggle
the realization had at last come of a COM
pleted temple, fitting monument to Ma
sonry, which has been earnestly needed
and wanted for a century. And yet
withal there were heard on all sides keen
expressions of regret that the one man
whose earnest and untiring labors had
contributed SO much to make possible the
occasion, Past Grand Master J. Henry
Small, jr., president of the Masonic Tenn
pie Association, should have been denied
the meeting which he had looked forward
to as the crowning glory of his life.
Promptly at the appointed hour the
Grand Lodge. preceding the grand master.
all in symbolic regalia, bearing the in
sigma of their respective officers. marched
upon the stage. In the center of the stage.
draped in white, was the mystic lodge,
with its symbolic lights and the three
vessels bearing the corn, wine and oil
that enters into the ceremony of dedica-
ton.
Invocation by Rabbi Simon.
Without preface or introduction DIR.
Abram Simon. rabbi of the Washington
Hebrew Congregation. advanced to the
front of the stage and delivered the in
vocation, which was in part follows:
"Joyously and reverently we invoke Thy
name, o our Father, and Thy blessing
upon this earnest gathering of grateful
and eXultant hearts.
Thou hast crowned the work of their
hands. Thou hast prospered the amb-
tious dreams of years of patient waiting.
hoping, sacrificing. Thou hast wreathed
their labor of love with the laurel of
splendid achievement.
We praise Thee from overfiowing souls
for this inspiring token of Thy grace. We
are proud that no physical mishap and no
moral blot have marked or marred the
splendor of its erection. 1t stands, a
monument, built of clean hands and pure
hearts.
I'VE feel, therefore. o God, that our
new temple is physically and spiritually
ready and worthy of Thy kiss OF conse-
Grating approval. AS We formally dedi-
cate it this evening may we be fully con-
scious that Thou pourest over it the hal
lowing oil of Thy benignity.
Grant that this community may be as
proud of this newest bulWark OF CIVIC
righteousness as We are.
BLESS these exercises we beseech Ihee,
And may the words of our lips and tne
meditations of our hearts be acceptable
in Thy sight, . Lord, our rock ana our
Redeemer.'
This was followed by a hymn sung by
selected Masonic octet, composed or
Messrs Kaiser, Holland, Rodrick. Tur-
pin Mcfarland Mosher and Blakeney'
under the direction of Walter Humphrey.
The anthem, Behold the King of Glory,
was chosen.
Vice President Matthew Trimble, in the
absence through illness of the president
j. Henry Small, jr., delivered an address.
Speech of MI. Trimble.
Mr. Trimble said:
NO one regrets more than l do the
unfort unate illness and absence of the
president of the Masonic Temple Asso-
citation, Notwithstanding that it gives me
the great honor of temporarily presiding
at this meeting.
Il say il without hesitation, mental res
ervation or secret EVASION of mind In me
whatever that to no brother is the sue
cess of this temple SO largely due as to
the executive and mastery management
of our most worshipful brother, j. Henry
Small, jr
His splendid business talents have been
unspdringly gwen 10 tnlS enterprise tor
many Years. Although tridlS and tTlbu-
lationS have crossed lis patn. ard some
times harsh criticisms from those unac-
uuainteu with the fact nave reached lis
ears never once has he Iaitered IN his
a mn ia nllh
glorious undertaking.
AS he looks upon the elimination of
his fondest hopes and expectations, /, in
spirit at least, and with heart over
flowing with frateinal love and affection,
place on his brow tonight the laurel
wreath of victory. And may God bless
him and give HIM many years of health
ana happiness
1T is with great pleasure that l well
come you here tonight and extend most
nearly congratulations 10 the Masonic
brethren of this jurisdiction.
We are here tonight for the special
purpose of witnessing the interesting and
solemn ceremonies of the dedication OF
this building for Masonic uses. 1t now
gives me exceeding great pleasure TO sur
render to you, most Worshipful grand
master. this Sayel of authority, used by
our illustrious brother, George Washing
ton at the laying of the corner stone or
our national Capitol with Masonic cere-
monies, September Is, 1898, and TO be
monies for which We are now assembled.
Washington Gavel Used.
The historic gavel, Sanctified by its as
sociation with the name of George Wash
ington, now in possession OF Potomac
Lodge, No. >, F. a. y. NJ, was presented
to Grand Master Coolidge !" Vice Presi-
dent Trimble. With it the entire assem-
blage was called to its feet.
The grand stewards then uncovered the
mystic lodge. The ceremony or deulca-
tion began, consisting of symbolic process,
sions and the presentation TO the sIalu
master of the corn wine and OH IN TURN
and his dedication apostropheS-
With the oil he announced:
I'm the name of the Great Jehovah 10
Whom be all honor and glory, 90 Sol
emnIy delicate this building 10 free-
masonry.
With the wine he said . ~.
I'm the name OF the holy Saints John
solamnlv dedicate this building 10 virtue
Ana with the oil he said:
I'm the name of the whole fraternity L
do so,emnly dedicate this building 10 uni
yersal benevolence.
Ratween the several dedication apoStro-
,nuSic u-as rlndared nv octet and