The New Masonic Hall At Philadelphia.

and numbers . Tho procession would have been a notable one had it been only onetenth as long as it Avas , merely on account of tho men of Avhom it Avas composed . They Avere men Avho aro usually not seen outside of their counting-houses and offices and

manufaeturies—men accustomed to be leaders , but Avho on this occasion Avere proud to be followers , in a Masonic procession . Such Avas the material of tho Avhole line , out of Avliieh every lodge was composedbo in

No diseriniinatiou ^ eould made favour of the appearance of any distinct lodge . There Avas a unity of character and standing apparent , Avhieh is rarely if over seen in any other than a Masonic procession . Tho dedication ceremonies seem to have been very impressive , and tho scene in that stately

hall , called the Corinthian Hall , 105 feet long , 51 feet Avido , and 50 feet high , and Avhich seats 400 brethren , must have been striking , and not to be forgotten by those Avho Avitnossed them . Without going into too lengthy details , AVO think the folloAving

accountfromtho " Keystone , " Avhich AVC have received through tho fraternal courtesy of tho editor , Brother Clifford MacColla , Avhich may interest our readers . The Grand Master took tho Oriental Chair ,

and tho Grand Officers their respective stations and places . Grand Lodge was now opened in ample form . Prayer by Rev . Brother J . J . Mellyar , Grand Chaplain . Vocal music .

rsALji cxxvu ., 1 . "Except the Lord build the house , they labor in vain that build it . " The chairman of the sub-committee on plans , estimates and materials , of the Building Committee , Brother Henry J . White

then advanced Avith the Architect , in front of the station of the Grand Master , and addressed him as folloAvs : E . AV . GRAND MASTER : " let me present to you Brother James H . AVindrim , who has completed the

labors confided to his caro , and now desires to surrender the implements entrusted to him when the Corner-stone was laid , and to return the designs furnished him from the tressol-board , and which he has faithfully carried out to the entire satisfaction of the Building Committee . " The Archileot then addressed the Grand

Master as folloAvs : E . W . GRAND MASTER : " Thanking you for the honor conferred when I was chosen to be Architect of this New Masonic Temple , I have respectfully to inform you , that tho work is now completed , and to return to you the implements entrusted to me when tho Corner-stone was laid , and to express tho hope that tho designs upon the tressel-board which have been furnished to mo from time to time , will he found to have been faithfully carried out . "

The Grand Master then addressed the Architect as folloAvs : BROTHER JAMES II . AYIXDBIJI : " Let me congratulate you , 1113 ' brother , upon tho successful completion of your arduous labors , and to assure you of the entire approval of the Grand Master of the

manner in which you have executed the important trust confided to you ; and to thank you , in the name and on behalf of the R . AV . Grand lodge of Pennsylvania , and tlie Craft throughout this jurisdiction , for the skill , industry and fidelity which you have displayed during tho entire progress of the erection of this noble Temple . " Vocal music .

PSALM CXXKIII , "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unit y ! " It is like tho precious ointment upon the head , that ran down upon tlie beard , even Aaron's beard ; that went down to the skirts of his garments . " As tlie dew of Hermon , and as the dew that

descended upon the mountains of Zion : for there the Lord commanded the blessing , even life for evermore . " The R . W . Grand Master , Bro . Samuel C . Perkins , then delivered a stirring Masonic Address , in Avhich he Avelcomod tho

distinguished Brethren from other jurisdictions , to our dedication services , and invited all to participate as members of the great Masonic famil y Avhich is co-extensive with tho Avorld , knoAvnng no lines of separation .

He also spoke in eloquent terms of the great cause Avhieh gathered so many brethren t o gether—tho Dedication of the Temple ; and compared it Avith the greater dedication of our Grand Master , King Solomon ' s Temple ,