Omaha daily bee., 1915-10-19
MASONS DE DICATE
COSTLY TEMPLE
Two Million-D Dollar Home Of the
Scottish Rite Branch Of the
Southern Jurisdiction.
rHoUsANDs AT CEREMONIES

WASHINGTON. Oct. ls-The new
y, 10000 Masonic temple. headquarters of
the supreme council of Scottish Rite
Freemasonry for the southern Jurisdiction
Of the United States. which also 10 called
the Mother Council of the World. was
dedicated here today with elaborate cere-
monies and In the presence OF q large as
gemblage of distinguished Masons from
many parts Of the country.
The stately structure fashioned after the
famous mausoleum erected for King
Mausolus by Queen Artemisia at Halicar-
nassus-one OF the seven wonders OF the
ancient worlds unique among the many
magnificent buildings In the national cap
ttal. II has been under construction since
1911 when ground was broken. II stands
on Sixteenth street about one milo from
the White House on the capitals finest
boulevard and In q section OF the city
where many Of the nations most cele-
bratsd public men have lived during their
public service In Washington.
Viewed from the exterior. on a plateau
above symbolic flights of steps. the
structure presents q plain base. above
which rises lofty pyramidai entablature
supported by thirty-three massive coll
unns.
scnaethanw Of the BuiIdsnE.
The approach to the main portal Ii by
four flights OF steps. Two colossal
sphinxes. symbolic OF divine wisdom and
power. are et the entrance. On the plinths
OF these figures are inscriptions m Phoe-
nicinn and IN Egyptian hierogiyphics. Just
before the great door. let into the pave
mont. are two flaming swords. and be-
tween them the inscription. The Temple
Of the Supreme Council Of the Thirty
third Degree Of the Ancient and Accepted
Scottish Rite OF Freemasonry for the
Southern Jurisdiction Of the United states
Erected to God and Dedicated to the Serv-
Ice Of Humanity. Salve Frateri'' Carved
into the frleSe over the great door Ia
''FrreemaSonry Builds Its Temples In the
Hearts OF Men and Among the Nations."
A PLAGUE on the great door bears an
oblong square with q rayed triangle In
its center and with the figures 49, In the
center
Through the great door the atrium. a
large hail. thanked on either side by four
massive fluted pillars Of polished green
granite. Is reached. A doorway on the
left leads TO the apartments OF the SOW
ereign grand commander. another on the
right to those Of the secretary general.
Both apartments arc panelled from floor
to ceiling with Russian walnut. In the
center OF the atrium 10 q great marble
table and on either side between the pill
lars four marble seats. On the walls be-
hind the pillars are piacques bearing sym
bolio designs.
Isis and Neptune.
Directly opposite the great door Is the
grand staircase guarded on either side
by ths seated figures OF Iss and Nep-
thys. Doors to the right and left OF the
staircase lead TO the library ana TO the
supreme council executive chamber. At
the head OF the staircase. on the first
landing. At the back OF the ellipss. two
other flights. ourving to the right ana TO
the left. lead to the door OF the temple,
In front OF which Ii the marble seat Of
the grand tiler. inscribed ''know Thyself."
The temple 10 lofty room In cube form
each dimension measuring seventy-fivs
feet surmounted by . dome supporting a
skyiisht 100 feet from the level OF the
floor. In the temple are three great arched
windows. one on either side and one OPP
posits the door over the Grand East. Each
window u divided by two pillars OF poll
lzhed green granite. with the lower part
screened by q traeery OF bronEed seFpents.
Extending around the room h a frisze Of
black marble. bearing the inscription.
From the Outer Darkness OF Ignorance.
Through the Shadows OF Our Earth Life.
Winds the Beautiful Path OF Initiation
Unto the Divine Light OF the Holy Altar"
At each OF the four corners Is a PLAGUE
bearing an emblem OF two patterns. the