Annual Communication Of The Grand Lodge Of New York.

Graud Master : The Grand Treasurer will place in the corner-stone the articles prepared for the purpose . The leaden chest prepared for the reception of the articles to be so placed under the corner-stone was then brought forward , and the various coins , & c , deposited therein . The Grand Master and principal Grand Officers then

proceeded to the corner-stone , bearing the leaden chest , which was placed in the hands of artists to be sealed . This process occupied just fifteen minutes , after which the corner-stone was raised from its place , the leaden chest deposited in the cavity , and over it was placed a copper plate , bearing appropriate inscriptions on both sides . Then the builder of the Temple , Bro . John T . Conover ,

of Holland Lodge , No . S , brought forward the cement and spread it plentifully upon the nether stone , Grand Master Gibson finishing the work with a few strokes of his trowel—not using on this occasion the silver instrument presented for that purpose , hut a new steel trowel provided by Bro . Conover . The stone was then lowered into its place , St . Cecil Lodge meanwhile singing an anthem : —

Words by Bro . A . Pike ; Music by Bro . W . K . Bassford , Sung by St . Cecile Lodge , No . 56 S . " In God we trust , " was sweetly sung By every Morning Star on High ; " In God we trust , " right gladly rung From sons of God , in loved reply ; When from old Chaos systems rolled

rrom Darkness , Light 111 rosy youth , And Faith , enwrapped in clouds of gold , Taught men to know Masonic Truth . "In God we trust , " the builders said , And Faith built up the Temple wall ; In Hope our Corner-stone is laid—Let Faith hold up our lofty Hall 1 May all be done by Saitare and Plumb ,

The walls be budded true and strong ; And may we altogether come To Sing the Dedication Song . Here may we with Fidelity Our sacred covenants fulfil ;

Here Faith and Hope our Sovereign be , And Truth inspire the earner ! will ; Here Loving kindness always reign , And Toleration , born of Love . Oh ! may we not have lived in vain ,

W hen summoned to the Lodge above . The Grand Master then returned to the Grantl Fast , and , addressing Deputy Grand Master Anthon , saitl : Grand Master : R . W . Deputy Grand Master—What is the proper jewel of your office ? The Deputy Grand Master replied , "The Square . " G . M . —What docs it teach ?

D . G . M . —To square our actions by the square of virtue , and to prove our work . G . M . —Apply the jewel of your office to the foundation stone and make report . D . G . M . —Most Worshi pful , I find the stone to be square , and that the Craftsmen have performed their duty .

G . M . —R . W . Senior Grand Warden , what is ( he jewel of your office , and what its uses anil lessons ? S . G . W . — -The Level . It leaches us the equality ofthe brethren , and is used to lay horizontals . G . M . —A pply your jewel to the foimdation-.-ionc , and make report . S . G . W . —Most Worshipful , I find the slone to be

level , and that the Craftsmen have performed their duty . G . M . —R . W . Junior Grand Warden , what is the jewel of your office , and what are its uses and lessons ? J . . W . —The Plumb . It is used 10 creel perpendiculars , antl teaches us to walk uprightly , in the fear of God . G . M . —Apply your jewei to the foundation-stone , and

make report . J . G . W . : Most Worshi pful , I find that the stone is p lumb . The craftsmen have performed their duty . An overture was then performed by the 7 it-t Regiment band , after which Grantl Marshal Frederick W . Herring , by the direction ofthe Grantl Master , made ihe following

proclamation from the West , the South , and the East , repealing it at each place : "In the name of the Most Worshipful James Gibson , Grand Master of . Masons in the Stale of New York , I do declare this sti . > be plumb , level , and square ; to be well formed , true , and trusty , and duly laid according to ihe ancient customs , usages , and forms of our Craft . "

Another anthem was then sung by Si . Cecile Lodge . Air— " God Save the nucen . ' ' Ere this vast world was made , Or its foundations laid , Our Art begun ; Cherub ami cherubim , Seraph and seraphim , Joined in one glorious hymn Before ihe Throne .

God their Grand . Master was , Fixed their unerring laws By His decree . Faith , Hope , anil Charily , Friendship and Unity , Truth , Love , and Secrecy , All laws divine .

Oh ! may our constant theme To Heaven ' s great King Supreme Be grateful Love . May we , where ' er we meet , Chant hallelujahs sweet , And with glati hearts repeat Jehovah ' s praise .

Annual Communication Of The Grand Lodge Of New York.

The Grand Stewards then bore to the stone the elements of consecration , and H 12 Deputy Grand Master , Senior and Junior Grand Wardens , proceeded to consecrate it . The former scattered some corn on the stone , saying : " May the blessings ofthe Supreme Architect be upon the people of this State , and the Craft be nourished with the corn of peace . "

A vessel of wine was presented to the Senior Grand Warden , who , pouring a small portion on the stone , said " May the health of the Crafstmen employed in erecting this edifice he preserved , and may the Giver of all good keep them from accident , and bless and prosper their labours . " The vessel of oil was presented to the Junior Grand

Warden , who , pouring a small quantity on the stone , said : " May the Creator and Ruler of the world vouchsafe His blessing upon our Craft , wherever dispersed ; bless our country , preserve our Union , give peace and prosperity to the people of New York , and to all the nations of the earth . " After music by the orchestra of Mozart Lodge , the

Deputy Grand Master presented the architect . The Grand Master handed the architect the plumb , level , ami square , antl a plan of the work , and directed him to proceed with his labours . The Grand Master then addressed the Craft as follows " Men ami Brethren , we are assembled here to-day as regular Masons , bound by solemn engagements to be

good citizens , faithful to the brethren , and to fear God . We have commenced the building of a house , which we pray may be a place of concourse for zealous Craftsmen in ages to come ; that by it harmony and unity may be promoted among the brethren , and the fame and usefulness of our ancient and honourable institution promoted . The Grand Marshal will now make proclamation of the

completion of our ceremony . " The Grand Marshal then made proclamation from the West , South and East , as before , in the following terms "Know ye that the Most Worshipful James Gibson , Grantl Master of Masons in the State of New York , has this dayat this place laid the corner-stone ofthe Masonic Temple , in accordance with the forms and ceremonies of our ancient

Craft . " The Grand Master then directed that the assemblage should close up around the Grand East in order that all might hear the oration . Rev . Dr . Elbert S . Porter , pastor of the First Reformed Church , then delivered the following oration : "Brothers , long desire is this day gratified . The august ceremonies we have just witnessed

reward past hopes and quicken new expectations . On these foundations shall rise in massive beauty that structure within whose ample courts the great work of operative , moral Masonry shall be carried on from generation lo generation . It is with just antl honourable pride that we celebrate the promise of this corner-stone . Through years of generous and patient labour preparations have

been made to secure the advent of this hour , wherein ihe Masonic fraternity of the Empire Slate plan ' s in this imperial city of the great Republic that fruitful stone whose successive harvests of beneficence shall be multiplied long after our hands shall have been folded in death . Well may we rejoice and give thanks that wc have been permitted to behold this goodly work auspiciously begun !

Well may all who find their happiness in the service of mankind share in our joy . Brothers , as an orthodox minister of the blessed Gospel , I desire lo lake permission from this occasion to say a few things touching the character and objects of our venerable and world-wide fraternity . I shall speak only of what I know , and testify only of what I have seen , in the workings of our

beneficent institution . . \ . -soiiry is neither political , sectarian , nor national . It is not subject to any party in the Slate , to any denomination in the church , nor to any civil community ; and yet it is both patriotic and religions , and dedicated to I lie interests of political freedom . The centre of Masonic unity is faiih in God , the Father an 1 Preserver ol" mankind . Its chief manual is the Holy Bible ; ils

symbolism through all degrees is intended U > leach self-1 c . lr . 1 int as essential to personal edification , lis constitution and laws organise charity , and compel the cultivation of brotherly love . Nor tloes this fraternity confine its care to ils own members . For the widow and the orphan il husbands its resources , while to the poor and needy it imparls systematic relief . I am not here

to defend Masonry . Yet We cannot forget that it has been wantonly assailed . For ( he most part , however , ils enemies are its eulogists . It has to-day the honour of leafing the anathema of the proclaimed enctuyof pap tlaf intelligence and civil liherty . That the priest ofthe Komati Vatican should be at enmity with our venerable fraternity is most naturalfor in every

, lotlge of Masons there is an open Bible , and all the duties of Masonry are enforced by les ., ons from ils sacred pages . In the impending controversy through which our country is to pass , ii may be taken for certain that a declaration will wring along ihe Ma-onic ranks , " We won ' t give up the Bible . " Were Masonry to abandon that Book divine , its lodges would be closed , its work cease , and as an

organisation it would perish from the earth . Certain Protestants , also , fin lint ; imperfections in ihe lives of Masons , have hastily pronounced against the Brotherhood . But the logic of prejudice sooner or later commits suicide , and honours itself most in ihe moment of its death . The preju lice raise ! against oar fraternity has fed itself cliielly , limn-ver , from a mistaken notion concerning the char . i' -ttr nf its mysteries . This prejudice is

fist disappearing ; for all may know th-t nothing lakes place behind the veil of Masonry inconsistent with die pnbli-hel and _ widely-circulated declarations of ihe institution . Its signs of discovery and recognition are indeed its own . Yet these are no more than a humane alphabet , by which the words of lutinanediity are quicklycotiiposed . So that , in truth , beyond the technical matters required for its preservation , Masonry , as an institution , shines in the open day , and demands that it shall be known by its

Annual Communication Of The Grand Lodge Of New York.

fruits . Our fraternity does not claim to be a church , nor in any way the rival or opponent of the Church of truth and love . Its membership is intermixed with all religious communions , and thus forms an alliance which mollifies sectarian animosities in the interest of human brotherhood . Masonry is fraternity for mutual help , guardianship , and improvement . It prosecutes its work with malice towards

none , and with charity towards all . It respects the religious conscience , the social altitude , and the personal immortality of each one of its vast membership , and by a simple ritual aims to realize on the earth a brotherhood without caste and a humanity without cant . For the advancement of this sublime object this temple shall rise . But grander than it , more resplendent than its walls ,

more capacious than its courts , let the spirit of our generous fraternity ascend to behold the pathway of ils sublime procession as it advances under its banners , inscribed with the motto , " Friendship , Love , and Peace . " This vast concourse , when it shall have sung its final anthems , will separate to meet no more on earth for ever . Let it

be our case so to conquer mortality that we may join the throng of the immortals in the Temple not made with hands , eternal in the heavens . Another anthem was then sung , the bands , choir , and ' craft joining in the performance . Words by Bro . A . J . II . Duganne : music— "Old

Hundred . Master Supreme ! to Thee this day , Our corner-stone with praise we lay ; And , resting on thy word fuIfiH'd , To Thee , O Lord 1 our House we build .

Nor build we here with strength alone Of carven wood or sculptured slone ; But , squarely hewed and broadly plann'd , Our lives we raise like ashlars grand . By Thee , O Lord 1 our work design'd , The widow ' s son his help shall find ; An-d we shall frame for trembling youth The winding stairs that lead to Truth .

In Faith we toil , in Hope we climb , To Charity—our Arch sublime ; And evermore the keystone sec , O Master ! Lord ! in Thee , in Thee ! The benediction was then pronounced , and the assemblage dismissed . Among the guests present were Richard Vaux , of

Philadelphia , Past Grand Master of Pennsylvania ; vVinslow Lewis , of Boston , Past Grand Master of Massachusetts ; Robert Rusling , Grand Master of New Jersey ; and twenty or more others of Masonic dignity antl fame . But the most interesting person on the platform was the venerable Daniel G . Taylor , of New York , said to be the ohlest Mason in the United States . Heisnowin his eightysecond year , and received his Masonic initiation in

Philadelphia fully sixty years ago . In the afternoon , after the crowd had dispersed , the committee visited the ground lo make sure lhat all was right , ami fottn ! , to their surprise , in ihe hands of the pjlice the sum of . ^ ioo , beside several ladies' gold finger rings , all of which had been cast upon the stone by strangers as free-will offerings to the Hall and Asylum Fund .

In the evening , at the Academy of Music , a benefit in aid ofthe Masonic Hall and Asylum Fund was given under the auspices of Raymond Lodge , No . 664 . Mozart Lotlge , the members of which came from Philadelphia 10 lake part iu the ceremonies of laying the corner-stone of the grantl Masonic Temple , and in particular to contribute to the musical entertainment of

tac brethren , were 111 the evening entertained at dinner by St . Nicholas Lodge , under [ he auspices of K . W . Bro . Jerome Back , District Deputy Grand Master . Tables were lttid for over 300 guests in the grand dining-hall of the Astor House , ami Messrs . Stetsons provided ' an unexceptional menu .

J Tie brethren "f vaux Lodge of Philadelphia , under the escort of Manhattan Lodge , whose guests ihey were , repaired lo the Metropolitan Hotel , where . 1 grand banquet awaited them . Keystone Lodge , No . 233 , entertained St . Alban ' s Lo lge , No . OS of Newark , N . f ., at the Revere House .

The Grand Lodge resumed its labours al 9 a . m . on Thursday . After the minutes hail been read , a number of reports from various committees were received antl other business transacted , and the G . L . was called off at 2 p . m . At the opening of the afternoon session a standing committee was appointed by the Grantl Master ( one from

each of the twenty-four districts ) for the purpose of witnessing the exemplification of the standard work . This was done in accordance with an amendment to the Constitution recently adopted . Other questions Were discussed , an 1 the hoar appointed for the special order , 3 p . m ., having arrived—namely for the annual election of officers—the Grantl Lotlge proceeded will ) that business . Grantl

Master Gibson resigned his scat to the M . W . Bro . John J . Crane , and ihe following nominations were made : M . W . James M . Gibson , by R . W . William Sinclair . R . W . John II . Anthon , by M . W . | oseph I ) . Kvans R . W . Robert Macoy , bv R . W . Charles W . Willets . The nomination uf R . W . Bro . Anthon was seconded

by R . W . Bro . James W . Iluested , who in ihe course of his remarks reminded ihe brethren lhat it was upon the motion of Bro . Amhon the present site was selected , and through his endeavours the corner-stone was laid . The nomination of M . W . Bro . Gibson was also seconded ,

ami R . W . Bro . Macoy declined the nomination , thus leaving but two candidates in the field . The election was an exciting emc . The number of votes cast was 2370 , and resulted in the election of the R . W . Bro . John Amhon as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York for the ensuing year . Great applause followed the