The Philadelphia Masonic Temple.

around the ball , and are fac-similes of those in the principal temples on the Nile . Each of the walls of the hall is divided by columns , which stand clear of it , into five sections , all of which

are enriched with panel decorations , consisting of variegated borders . The Master is well provided for in this hall , as his throne or chair is of the richest and most imposing description .

His pedestal , contrary to the conventional Masonic rule , is placed at the right of the throne , thus giving him an unobstructed view of his

brethren . It is flanked on either side by two mysterious looking Sphynxes , who gaze with a solemn air of authority upon the surroundings . This hall has a seating capacity for 2-50

persons . " Wandering around among the labyrinthian passages of this huge pile of mortar a curiously carved door , with symbolic decorations , is met in

the north-east corner of the principal floor . Once thrown open the interior of the Norman Hall is visible . This is a large apartment , richly wainscotted , and is furnished with quaint

and substantial styles of furniture . It is well ventilated , and has accommodation for over one hundred persons . " Not a great distance from this is the Ionic

Hall . Its style is pure , graceful and elegant , but unelaboriite . Its natural ventilation is perfect , by its exposure on two sides by numerous windows to the open air . Its furniture is

composed exclusively of wcod , and the beauty of the room is further enhanced by twenty odd marble columns , carved and plain , which extend around its walls . It is seventy-five feet long by

fifty feet wide , and is thirty feet high . " Next in dimensions and beauty of design is thc banqueting hall , on thc north side of the structure . This hall is 1 -jo feet in length , bv

50 feet in breadth , and will seat comfortably upwards of five hundred persons . It will be used during the dedicatory ceremonies , and is now buing rapidly overhauled . The sixteen unique

columns that stretch through it in pairs give it a grand aspect , and when its heavily carved tables groan beneath the bountiful repast that will be spread for the distinguished guests , and its

immense chandeliers are illumined , it will show off to greater advantage . The cuisine department of this hall is located in the basement beneath , and for size and appointments will compare

favourably with the largest hotels in the country . " Next in point of interest to the body Masonic as well as the stranger , is thc Grand Lodge Hall . Every feature of this large chamber is of interest ,

from its massive columns down to the heavily tiled floor of marble . Its architectural style throughout is purel y Corinthian , the

distinguishing feature of which is the deep antl polished capital , together with a larger cornice than is observed in the other orders . Its dimensions

are in in keeping with the purposes for which it was designed , its length being 107 feet , height 50 feet , and width 5- feet , The ventilation antl light are admirable . The furniture will be rich

antl will consist of walnut and cedar chairs , divans , & c , covered with blue velvet . The facades of the east and west of the chamber are

decorated with ornaments representing vessels of corn , wine and oil , and over the grand east , Standing out in bold relief , is the inevitable

The Philadelphia Masonic Temple.

square and compass . Over the grand south and grand west is the sun at high noon and shedding his parting rays at eventide . " Another and beautiful feature of the Temple

is the Asyleni of Commanderies , whicli is located at the east end of the principal floor . It is of the Gothic style of architecture , and is , without a doubt , one of the handsomest

apartments in the Temple . It is reached by two stairways , which lead to a vestibule , when ; are placed fountains , which will flow ice water in its season . The Gothic Hall , the Red Cross or

Council Chamber , the central main hall , northwest hall , regalia room , oriental hall , and the Grand Lodge library , are splendidly arranged apartments , both as regards size , fitting up and

their styles of architecture . They will soon be thrown open to the public , and then will remain closed until the grand event , ( the dedication ) rolls round .

"On the evening of September 25 th there will be a grand Templar tourney in thc Temple , and the Grand Lodge banquet will come off on the 26 th . "

Laying The Foundation Stone Of St. Marks Church, South Shields.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF ST . MARKS CHURCH , SOUTH SHIELDS .

On Monday , 18 th September , the interesting ceremony of laying thc corner stone of a new church in the recently constituted district of St Mark ' s , South Shields , took place in presence of a large concourse of people , and the fact that permission had been obtained from the Ri ght

Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , Bro . John Fawcett , to lay the stone with complete Masonic ceremony , invested the event with more than ordinary interest and importance . The district of St . Mark ' s was constituted b y the Ecclesiastical Commissioners in February

last , previous to which time the large and powerful neighbourhood embracing Green Street , St . Cuthbert Street , and the many thickly inhabited thoroughfares situated to the South of them , were included in the district of Holy Trinity .

The present incumbent , the Rev . D . W . Evans , took charge of the district in 1868 , at which time the congregation worshipped in a small upper room above two cottages in Cambridge-street , where mission services had been commenced a short while previously . Mr .

Evans soon made himself acquainted with the district , and finding an extensive field of some 3 , 000 people in which to labour , he resolved upon increasing his opportunities of ministering to the spiritual welfare of the district by providing a more accessible and comfortable place in which to hold service .

After considerable exertions , he was enable to erect an elegant iron church on same vacant ground near Victoria Street ; and subsequently he added to the church a comfortable little infant school .

The school accommodation in the nei ghbourhood was defective , and in order to utilise the available erections for educational purposes , the church was also used as a day school during the week . The success which had thus far rewarded the

Rev . Mr . Evan s untiring zeal induced him to promote the scheme of having erected a substantial church suitable in all respects to the requirements of that part of the borough . The movement met wilh a hearty response , the Rev . R . Green generously offered a suitable site , close to the iron church , valued at / . '¦ joo , and

the Ecclesiastical Commissioners also contributed liberally . The plans of the proposed church were prepared by Messrs . Robert Clark and Son , Nottingham , who designed lhe cdiliee to accommodate 500 people , the building being in the early decorated slylr * of architecture . The tola ! cost of the en clion is estimated at £ 4 , 000 ,

Laying The Foundation Stone Of St. Marks Church, South Shields.

towards which £ 3 , 000 has been already raised . The contract for thc building has been entrusted to Mr . Edmund Suddards , builder , South Shields . The Rev . D . Evans , being a member of the mystic brotherhood , solicited to have the stone of his ncw church laid according to the rites and

customs of the ancient Order , and to this request the Rig ht Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , Bro . John Fawcett , gave a willing consent , and called a special meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham , to be held in the Mechanics' Hall , South Shields , in order to enable the brethren of the province to lay thestone in due Masonic formula .

When it was known that the ceremony was likely to be of so imposing a nature , no small amount of interest was manifested by the people of the district , nnd great anxiety was felt

respecting the chances of the day proving favourable or otherwise . Fortunately , however , thc weather was , in spite of the strong wind that blew from the north-west , on the whole exceedingly favourable .

The Provincial Grand Lodge assembled in the Mechanic ' s Hall , Ocean Road , at one o ' clock , the chair being occupied by R . W . Bro . Sir Hedworth Williamson , Bart ., M . P ., D . P . G . M .,

who was appointed Acting Provincial Grand Master , in the absence of Bro . John Fawcett , Esq ., R . W . P . G . M .. who was fulfilling a prior engagement with Lord De Tabley , R . W . P . G . M . of Cheshire .

The lodge having been opened 111 due form , the ollicers and brethren formed themselves into procession , and marched up King Street , across the Market Square , antl round by the Station Bank , to the site ofthe new church . The entire route of the procession was lined

with spectators , and many of the tradespeople , in honour of thc occasion , added to the effect by displaying flags , banners , and bunting from their premises , and at two or three more prominent points in the route streamers of bunting were stretched across the street .

At the neigbourhood of the stone , and within the spacious enclosure , there were immense numbers of people gathered . Within the enclosed space there would not be less than 2 , 000 ladies and gentlemen ; but though the crowds were so great , perfect order was maintained ,

a posse ofthe borough force , under Mr . Superintendent Richardson , assisting in preventing the people from crowding too near the stone . Among the clergy and the general public at the stone were : —Rev . D . Evans , R . Green , G . E . Sharland , W . Ede , II . Morton , E . L . Butcher ,

T . N . Roberts , P . II . Moor , Dr . Hoopdell , John Coulson , M . Graham , J . J . Taylor , A . A . Philpotts , A . Dyce , W . Bulmer , J . Cator , J , Baltic , W . B . Hotilde . y , W . Bennet , Edwin Jones , H . O . Sterland , John King , Charles Green , Henry Bishop , W . Wilson , H . S . Hicks , G . E .

Greak , J . Bee , J . Hooper , J . J . Day , 1 . Featherstone , James Sttnter , and the Mayor and Mayoress ( Mr . Aid . and Mrs . T . Glover ) , xMr . J . M . Moor ( Town Clerk ) , and Mrs . Moor , George Elliott , Esq ., M . P . 'Mr . J . White . On arriving at

the enclosure within which the imposing and interesting ceremony was to be performed , thc brethren ofthe Mystic Craft opened to the right : ind left , making an avenue up which the acting Provincial Grantl Master passetl , preceded by the P . G . Sword Bearer and the other Provincial Grand

Ollicers . The Provincial Grand Master having taken up his proper position beside the corner stone to be laid with such ceremonial , the proceedings proper were inaugurated by St . Mark ' s choir singing the " Oltl Hundred " in a very impressive manner . Bro . Rev . Robert

Green -than stepped forward and presented the trowel—which was of richly chased silver , and mounted in a fine ivory handle—to the Right Worshipful Bro . Sir Hedworth Williamson , Bart ., M . P . In doing so , the Rev . Brother saitl lie had to thank Sir Hedworth Williamson and the brethren of the ancient Craft for their

presence . 'I'he trowel bore the following inscription : — " ' - ' resented to Sir Hedworth Williamson , Bart ., M . P . on the occasion of his laying the foundation-stone of St . Mark ' s Church , South Shields , Sepr . t'A , 1873 , " The tipper and lower stones having Ix .-n previously prepared , the upper one was raised , and the Provincial Grand