Masonic Ceremony At Harrisburg, Pa. 1

also of the citizens of Harrisburg and visitors from all parts of the State , among the latter being judges of the Supreme and Superior Courts of Pennsylvania and other State officials . The Grand Officers who took part in the ceremony were B * os . William J , Kelly . M . W . G . M . ; Henry W . Williams , Deputy Grand Master ; George E . Wagner , S . G . W . ; Edgar A . Tennis , J . G . W . ; Thomas R . Patton , G . Treas . ; Walter Lyon , acting G . Sec . ; John A . Perry , Dep .

G . Sec ; Rev . John S . J . McConnell , D . D ., J . Gray Bolton , D . D ., and William B . Chalfant , and William S . Wray , as G . Chaplains ; George W . Kendrick , jun ., S . G . D . ; George D . Moore , J . G . D . ; Allan B . Rorke and Robert J . Linden , as G . Stewards ; William R . Frazier , G . Marshal ; G . J . Vandegrift , as Asst . G . Marshal ; J ohn Slingluff , as G . S . B . ; James M . Lamberton , as G . Purst . ; Samuel W . Wray , G . Tyler ; and Harry E . Hillier , as Asst . G . Tyler .

There were also present Bros . Samuel B . Dick , P . G . M . ; William L . Gorgas , Charles S . Vandegrift , Wilson I . Fleming , and John W . Farnsworth , D . D . G . Ms . Pennsylvania ; Josiah W . Ewan , G . M . New Jersey ; James S . Raebum , W . M ., Frederick W . Daw , S . W ., and Frank Thomas , P . M ., a Committee of Potomac Lodge , No . 5 , of Washington , D . C ,

delegated by the lodge to bring to the Grand Master of Pennsylvania the gavel used by Bro . George Washington in laying the corner-stone of the National Capitol , on September iSth , 1793 ; by Bro . Richard Vaux , Grand Master , in laying the corner-stone of the present Masonic Temple , Philadelphia , June 24 th , 1 S 68 ; and for the purpose of being used by Bro . Wjlliam J . Kelly , G . M ., on this occasion .

After the invocation by the Grand Chaplain , the GRAND MASTER delivered the following address : " Why should Masons lay the corner-stones of public buildings ? " Because our Fraternity is the oldest republic in the world . " When the nations lay bound hand and foot , soul and body , in the universal prison house of self-assumed authority , the Freemason , as his very name implies , was a member of a representative and responsible

government . " He aided in electing the Chief or Master of his immediate Lodge , and for . a limited time , so that the delegated authority , restricted in its exercise by law and usage , returned back to the hand that gave it , to be conveyed under like restrictions to another worthy member of the little community . " These tiny republics were further restrained by a higher power , which they themselves composed , by selecting delegates to a general assembly , denominated a Grand Lodge .

" That Grand Lodge , composed of the selected wisdom of all the lesser bodies within a country or State , made general laws for general use , framed a Constitution with respectful reference to the unwritten usages and customs of the Fraternity , whilst , under a like restraint , the inalienable rights of all Masons , and the constitution of their Grand Lodge , the subordinate or local lodges framed their own laws or regulations .

"This double representative republic , so like to that of the great nation and great State within whose territory and under whose protection and paternal laws we now live , is the oldest representative government in the world ; it has always enjoyed the freedom which is still its boast ; it has always elected its chiefs and rulers , and it has always made its own laws by means of representatives democratically elected .

" History points to the year A . M . 2992 , more than ten centuries before the Christian era , as th e period when Solomon began to build a Temple to be dedicated to the God of Israel . This marvellous work was the creation of men , specially instructed and skilled in wisdom , science and arts , which to all others were unknown .

" Selected from tribes and nations after they had acquired this esoteric knowledge , these men of Tyre , Sidonia , and neighbouring nationalises , undertook the work which Solomon required for the accomplishment of his purpose . " The site chosen was at Jerusalem and Mount Moriah .

"The associations , sacred and profane , which cluster around that hallowed eminence , are but the outer covering of fads , mysteries , and events which have made impressions on the human mind , and produced consequences on the soul of man fasting through time and outreaching into eternity .

' Nowhere in Christendom can there be found an educated intellect which has not been wrought up to its highest capacities by the record of the mighty works , stupendous mysteries , and miraculous events which consecrate Jerusalem .

The descendants of the chosen people who saw Moses , and heard the law and the prophets , look yet with faith to the time when the Holy City shall be the resting-place of the ark of their covenant . " The Christian bows his head in devout adoration as he contemplates the memories of Olivet .

" Even the heathen feel an inexpressible awe at the recital of the histories of the Ccsars and Centurions , who then ruled and reigned over Palestine . "Philosophers and scholars have exhausted centuries in a failure to e 5 »? L ' . "" y ^ uman reason , the unfaithfulness of the records and revelations which give sanction and sacredness to the scenes of Gethsemane and the Holy Sepulchre . . _! . A review the past , remote as well as recent , we are struck by the stability of Freemasonry . er

1 M ° ^ n " organisation has been so permanent . ... Men die , kingdoms pass away , even nations are lost , but Freemasonry , like the everlasting hills , remains . Why is this 1 it is because the cornerstone of our Fraternity is the first great light in Masonry- the Word of God .

' Without it , there would be no Freemasonry , and it is this which insures its perpetuity . - " Freemasonry is founded upon a rock . It is a beautiful system of * $ ' derive ? from the Holy Bible . « ^ *? * ' ver y w <* rds and perform the very deeds enjoined by it . ... / " ¦ sis why our Mystic Craft , which traces its origin by history and aaiiion to the remotest past , promises to continue to the remotest future . Its

„ corner-stone is God ' s Word . w j . , Its s P iritual temple is ' a house not made with hands , ' the ashlars of rh , . J he ever-living souls of ever-living men , and its capstone is Parity or Brotherl y love . of th 7 r u as 0 nry * n lts verv essence ' system of light , but if the source Preem B ' if Grand Architect of the Universe , should be stricken from chut * 01 * " ?' Crafl would lose its sun , about which all its symbolism 'u-ters , and enthrone darkness in place of light .

Masonic Ceremony At Harrisburg, Pa. 1

" It is not amiss here to state that George Washington , Past Master of Alexandria , No . 22 , while serving a second term as President of the United States , on September 18 , 1793 and Acting Grand Master , clothed in the insignia and jewel of that office , performed the ceremony of laying the corner-stone of the Capitol at Washington , in the presence of one of the grandest Masonic gatherings that had ever perhaps been assembled in this

country up to that date , thus attesting to the world his appreciation of Masonry , his faith in its teachings , and the importance of having the cornerstone of the Capitol of this nation ' tested , ' 'tried , ' and laid by the proper officers of the Grand Lodge of Masons in accordance with ancient usages and solemn rites- " The ceremony having been completed , addresses were delivered by Bros . Daniel H . Hastings , the Governor of the State , and Alex . McClure , the Orator of the day , and the proceedings then terminated .

Opening Of A New Masonic Hall At Blyth.

OPENING OF A NEW MASONIC HALL AT BLYTH .

On Thursday , the 18 th ult ., an interesting ceremony was performed at Blyth . when the new Freemasons' Hall was fo ' rmerly opened by members of the Blagdon Lodge , No . 659 . There was a large number of provincial officers and brethren from all parts of the district present at the dedication . The hall has been erected in Beaconsfield'street—a now very important and central thoroughfare in the town of Blyth—on the site of ground kindly given by Bro . Sir M . W . Ridley , Bart ., M . P ., Prov . Grand Master of Northumberland . The site has about 42 feet

frontage , and is 86 feet deep , and the building has been specially constructed tor the convenience of the Blagdon Lodge . This lodge was consecrated about 43 years ago , the warrant bearing the signatures of the Earl of Zetland , M . W . G . M ., " and Baron Yarborough , D . G . M ., and for many years held its regular meetings at the Ridley Arms Hotel until about 12 years ago , when the lodge was removed to the Mechanics' Institute of the town . Several attempts have been made to obtain premises specially suited for Masonic purposes .

and m the year 1888 Bro . Edward Forster , the then Worshipful Master , moved that an effort be made to build a Masonic Hall in Blyth . A strong Committee was appointed , and the scheme was pushed forward with much enthusiasm . Afterwards an eligible site was placed at the disposal of the Committee . As the hall was to be built by subscription , an effort was made to raise funds by a bazaar and other ways . In order to carry the scheme forward a sub-building Committee was appointed , consisting of Bros . E . Foster , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . ; J . Tweedy ,

P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ; Jas . Carmichael , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . ; R . T . Guthrie , P . M ., D . C . ; and John Whitfield , W . M . ; whose efforts have been so energetically carried out that the hall ultimately became an accomplished fact . The building is a most imposing structure , the frontage being very artistically designed with two Masonic emblems , and is built of red pressed bricks with stone facings . The large bay windows have camber arches and are ornamented in terra cotta . The passage and hall are beautifully tiled . On the basement there are two rooms

on each side of a heavily-panelled entrance door , with smoke and club rooms in the rear . The lodge-room is upstairs , and is most commodious , with two ante-rooms on the west side . There is also a caretaker ' s house attached to the hall . The premises are heated by hot water pipes , whilst for the ventilating of the building Boyle's patent ventilators have been fixed . Bro . John Whitfield is Chairman and

Treasurer of the Building Fund , and Bro . John Tweedy has ably carried out the secretarial duties since the project was reinstated in 1890 , when the scheme had very poor prospects . The position of Secretary is an honorary one . The hall , which will cost upwards of „ iooo , will prove a very useful institution at Blyth , and great credit is due to the Building Committee for the completion of the scheme in such a satisfactory manner .

A Distinction With A Difference.

A DISTINCTION WITH A DIFFERENCE .

This phrase is applicable to Freemasonry as expressed in different countries at the present time . Freemasonry in Great Britain and its Dependencies is conservative in its character and holds itself altogether aloof from participation in matters of Church and State . The organisations which bear the Masonic name do not attempt to exert any influence of a political nature , nor to promote parly or sectarian measures , ln the United Stales the same

rule holds good . There can be no discussion of political questions or 01 religious doctrines in the lodge room . Brethren do as tney choose wh 11 they cometo act in party politics or in support of churcnes and creeds . But it is not so in some of the countries of Continental Europe . In France the Masonic organisation counts as an important factor in political movements . Members of a lodge , meeting in secret , discuss party measures

and then decide to throw their united strength in favour of a certain policy , and for or against certain men who are candidates for official station . Social questions and the reforms of the day are considered by brethren when thev meet within tyled doors , and if they decide to advocate a measure the whole strength of the organisation is brought to its support . One lodge is in touch with another to such an extent in France that the Fraternity is likely t >» act

together in promoting a measure of social or political reform . Perhaps such effective combination of strength may sometimes tend to the best results . As a rule , the Masons of France are intelligent and patriotic men , and oftener than otherwise they plan and act in such a manner as to promote the public welfare ; but all the same there is an element of danger in their alliances and exercise of power when the objects are as here stated .

It is a matter of profound rejoicing that English Freemasonry , as expressed in all lands where the English language is spoken , declares itself so positively against any interference with matters which belong to the domain of party politics , and leaves to its members , acting individually , to exercise the duties of citizenship in accordance with what may be the personal thought and judgment of each brother . The Institution as

suchthe lodge as such—formulates no platform , pronounces itself neither in favour of or against political candidates and measures , but holds itself apart from all such disturbing issues . Maintaining such a position , Freemasonry has a legitimate influence to exist and a worthy service to render . It fulfils a beneficent mission in bringing men together to walk and work as brethren . It teaches reverence

and faith toward God , and inculcates practical sympathy and helpfulness as between man and his fellow man . Keeping itself altogether apart irom entangling alliances , Freemasonry goes forward in an illumined way which promises the best results for truth and for humanity . —Freemason ' s Repository .