Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-18
CORNER STONE IS SET
Impressive Ceremony Held by
Scottish Rite MaSons.,
PRECEDED BY A PARADE
Grand Master j. Claude KEEPER Off,
ciates at Solemn Exercises.
CORN. WINE AND OIL ARE USED
Rabbi Simon Delivers Address-New
Temple Will Be Beautiful
Structure.
PRECEDED BY A PARADE
CORN, WINE AND OIL ARE USED

From all parts of the United States
and Canada. and even from far-away
Porto Rico, Scottish Rite Masons assem-
bled here today to assist in the cere-
monies of laying the corner stone of what
will be the costliest and most beautiful
Masonic temple in the world.
This afternoon the cornerstone was
laid with solemn Masonic rites by Grand
Master J. Claude KEEPER and the officers
of the Grand Lodge, F. A. A. NJ, of the
District of Columbia
A parade of the Masons. by blue
lodges and Knights Templar Command
cries. preceded the ceremony, which
Grand Master KEEPER in his appeal to
the local lodges described as an occa-
sion of great Importance in the annals
Of the fraternity.
Ground Broken May 81.
The work of construction was given to
Norcross Brothers Company The break
ing of the ground took place with SIM
pie ceremony. attended only by Sovereign
Grand Commander Richa rdson, Secretary
General Stirling Kerr. jr., and Dr. Fran
els j. Woodman tiler of the Supreme
Council, with Rev. William Tayloe Sny-
der, rector of the Church of the Incarna-
tion, and William LeweIlyn Boyden.
librarian to the Supreme Council, in at
tendance. May 81 last.
The new structure, which IS being
erected at the southeast corner of 10Th
and streets northwest, is the consum-
nation of a desire that has long been up
permost in the hearts of the Supreme
Council of the Rite for the Southern
Jurisdiction Of the United States, the old
est and for that reason termed 1.-The
Mother Supreme Council of the World"
Ihe project was placed in the hands of
Sovereign Grand Commander James DAN
lei Richardson, and more than a million
and quarter dollars was placed at his
disposal Many eminent architects were
consulted. and numerous plans submitted
oy them were carefully scanned and con-
sldered. and to John Russell Pope of New
york was finally awarded the duty of en-
bodying in architectural form the ideal
that has long been in the minds and
hearts Of the rites
= At the stand. the order of exercises this
afternoon was characterized by simplicity.
the actual ceremony of laying the corner
stone being performed by Grand Master
Keeper, assisted by the officers of the
Grand Lodge, F. A. A. NJ, of the Dis
trlct OF Columbia according to ancient
Masonic usage.
After the Invocation by Rev. William
Iayloe Snyder. rector of the Church of
the incarnation. the Festival TIE Deum.
by Dudley Buck. was sung by the Scot
tsh Rlte Cholr OF st. Louis. Mo-. under
c. H. ~ -
Sovereign Grand Commander James D.
R1chardson of the Supreme Council de-
hvered breif opening address At it's
conclusion John Russell Pope of New
York. the architect of the new temple. de.
nvered to the Grand Lodge. through
Grand Master KEEPER, the Masonic i'm
piements to test and lay the stone
Assemblage Sings Ode.
With corn. wine and OIL and according
to the Masonic ritual. Grand Master
KEEPER, assisted by the Grand Lodge Off
GERS. then conducted the mystic ceremony
of his craft. At the proper time in this
ceremony the entire assembly. led by the
Scottish Rite Choir. sang the original ode.
Inc Cornerstone" composed by j. NJ
Neale. az follows:
Lord OF Hosts whose glory nIIs
L ne bounds of the eternal hills
AND yet youchssfes in all thy lands
10 dwell In temples made with hands,
Grant that all We who here TO-DAY
Rejoicing this foundation lay
May be In very deed Thine own
bullt on the precious Corner Stone
Endue the creatures with Thy grace
That shall adorn Thy dwelling place:
ne beauty OF the oak and pine
nc gold and silver make them Thine
LIE LIE heads that guide enduc with skill:
The, hsnds ,.a t tnat % WORK preserve from i'll;
May raise the top stone In its day
President Tart was to have delivered an
ADDRESS at this point. his acceptance OF
the invitation having been conditioned
upon his being in Washington at the
time. Instead Rabbi Abram simon Of
spoke The President this morning teie-
graphed that all Masons in the executive
department who desired might be ex-
cused TO take part in the ceremonies
Pride and progress mark the dis
unctive character of this historic sery-
Ice. Dr. Simon said. Ours is a pride as
reVerent as II is deserved, as warm with
the JOY of accomplishment as it is aglow
with the flame of enhanced responsibility.
We. no less than the immortal Shake
speare. find sermons in stones This
ceremony is pledge of earnestness a
plea for devotion and a cali of the
brother
Advance of Masonry.
Another stone is now added 10 our
stately pile of Masonic achievement He
who runs may see. admire and be thrilled
The advance of Masonry must be marked
by the convo rson of each new corner stone
into a stepping stone of upward progress.
Every corner stone is prophetic of the
perduring keystone In the arch of the
coming brotherhood.
Masonry is entering on it's architec-
tural stage. America is dotted with hand
some monuments OF the builders arr and
our crafts symbolism. Here Masonry
Will have its most eloquent tongue Here
the orient and the occident will look into