Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1915-10-18

SCOTTISH RITE
temple DEDICATED
New Two Million Masonic Structure
Dedicated In Washington Win
Elaborate Ceremonies.

We1auttous 0SN To- tuc u0" 49,
100000 Masonic Temple. headquarters
Of the Supreme Council Of Scottish
Rite Freemasonry for the Southern
Jurisdiction OF the United States.
which also Is called the Mother coun-
ell Of the World. was dedicated here
today with elaborate ceremonies and
In the presence Of large assemblage
Of distinguished Masons from many
parts Of the country.
The stately structure. fashioned at
ter the famous mausoleum erected
for King Mausolus by Queen Artemi.
sia at Halicarnassus--one Of the sew
en- wonders Of the worlds unique
among the many magnificent build
ings In the National capital. II has
been under construction since 1911.
when ground was broken. II stands
en- Sixteenth street. about one mile
from the White House. on the capt.
tails finest boulevard and In section
of the city where many OF the Ma
TONS most celebrated public men
have lived during their public service
In Washington.
Viewed from the exterior. on pla.
teau above symbolic flights Of steps.
the structure presenta plain base.
above which rises lofty pyramidal
entablature supported by thirty.three
massive columns.
The approach TO the main portal Ia
by four flights Of steps. Two colossal
sphinxes, symbolic OF divine wisdom
and power. are at the entrance. On
the plinths OF these figures are In
scriptions in Phonecian and In Egyp-
tian hierogliphics. Just before the
great door. let into the pavement. are
two flaming swords. and between
them the inscription. The Temple OF
the Supreme Council OF the Thirty
third Degree OF the Ancient and Ac-
cepted Scottish Rite Of Freemasonry
for the Southern Jurisdiction Of the
United States. Erected to God and
Dedicated to the Service OF Humanity.
salve Frater." Carved into the friexe
over the great door Is "Freemasonry
Builds Its Temple In the Hearts Of
Men and Among the Nations" A
PLAGUE on the great door bears an
oblong square with a rayed triangle
In its center and with the figures %"
In the center.
Through the great door the Atrium.
q large hall. fianked ON either side
by four massive fiuted pillars Of pol
ished green granite. is reached. A
doorway on the left leads TO the
apartments OF the sovereign grand
commander. another on the right to
those Of the secretary, general. Both
apartments are paneled from floor TO
ceiling with Russian walnut. In the
center OF the Atrium Is a great mar
BILE table and on either side between
the pillars four marble seats. On the
walls behind the pillars are placques
bearing symbolic designs.
Directly opposite the great door Is
the grand staircase guarded on either
side by the seated figures Of Isis and
Nepthys. Doors to the right and left
OF the staircase lead to the library
and to the supreme council executive
chamber. At the head OF the stair
case. on the first landing. at the back
OF the ellipse. two other flights. curv-
ing to the right and to the left. lead
to the door Of the temple. In front
Of which Il the marble seat OF the
grand tiler. inscribed Know Thy.
SELF"
The temple In lofty room In tube
form. each dimension measuring sew
enty-flve feet. surmounted by dome
supporting a skylight 100 feet above
the level OF the floor. In the temple
are three great arched windows. one
on either side and one opposite the
door over the Grand East. Each win
dow IL divided by two windows OF
polished green granite, with the lower
part screened by tracery OF bronxed
serpents. Extending around the room
il q rieze Of black marble. bearing
the inscription. Prom the Outer
Darkness Of Ignorance. Through the
Shadows Of Our Earth Life. Winds
the Beautiful Path Of Initiation into
the Divine Light Of the Holy Altar"
At each OF the four corners Is q
PLAGUE bearing an emblem Of two
patterns. the square and compasses
and the sIx-pointed star In circle.
The apex Of the dome Is ornamented
by four double-headed eagles. one on
each side. with the tablets Of the Ten
Commandments between. High over
the main doorway Is the organ loft.
In the center Of the temple stands
the great altar. solid block Of black
xn.~hlo v.fnod With whtto with four