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Article FREEMASONRY AND ARCHITECTUEE. ← Page 4 of 5 →
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Freemasonry And Architectuee.
distinction , and as matters go , it is not likely to be without advantage as well as honour . There is a greater energy in the Provincial Grand Lodges , and an officer holding this dignity will thereby come more immediately under the notice of political and other persons of considerable influence . The emoluments in some of the provinces are now nothing r but there is a
disposition to provide for the Provmcial Grand Lodges , and in the large towns , Masonic halls and temples for the various Lodges and Chapters , as likewise buildings for single Lodges . These buildings are likely to be placed under the direction of the Grand Superintendents ; and the new law of limited liability , the exertions of the Freemasons' Magazine , and . the desire of the members to avoid the use of buildings not belonging to them , and particularly of taverns and public-houses , and the earnest zeal of Masons of the present day , all conduce to a better provision of this kind being made .
The design of a Masonic hall or Lodge and its dependencies is attractive to the architect . Where means allow , he has to provide a grand hall , suitable not only for the mysteries of the Order , but which may be let out for public meetings . In the details of decoration he has available a great variety of ornaments arid symbols , which give a novelty of character , as in the hall in Great Queen Street . There is likewise much scope for the provincial officer in improving the arrangements and decorations of existing Lodges .
With the greater zeal and strictness of Masons there is a greater demand for the performance of the Masonic ceremonial on laying the foundation of a new building , or on its consecration , and in the arrangements the Grand Superintendent has an office of responsibility and position of dignity . Many great public buildings have this year been marked by such ceremonial , and many private buildings have been begun with like solemnity . The
Masonic Hall in Edinburgh , St . Mary ' s Church , Taunton , and the Greenock Theatre , assembled for such occasions large bodies of Freemasons , whereby dignity of a more impressive character was given to the celebration . There is evidently a growing desire on the part of architects , builders , and employers , as well those who are Freemasons as those who are not , to avail themselves of these time-honoured solemnities ; and it is part of the duty of the Grand Superintendent of Works to promote such a desire .
A strong appeal is being made to the architects to resume the practice of giving lectures on architecture in the Lodges , and with the nomination of more able Superintendents this is likely to be carried into effect . There have been in various countries very able lectures on architecture delivered in the Lodges , and many Freemasons have thereby been lead to obtain further instruction in the art . When we consider the large number of men of intellect , good standing , and influence enrolled in the Order , it may well be conceived that the result will be greatly to the benefit of architecture , by
promoting its study among those able to appreciate its merits and give employment to deserving professors . It has been by some architects erroneously considered that in the Lodges an exclusive preference is shown for illustrations of the Doric , Ionic , and Corinthian orders ; and hence those who practice in the mediaeval styles have considered they might be obliged to sacrifice their predilections to classic prescriptions . So far from this being the case , Freemasonry claims a distinctive share in medieval architecture ,
and the architecture of Palestine , of Egypt , and of other countries has met with the attention of many most learned Masons . Thus a new field of usefulness and distinction is opened to the architect , which is not likely to be without its influence on his pursuits . Much of this result will depend upon architects themselves ; for if they are apathetic it is hardly likely that the general body of members . will pursue the subject with the same devotionwhile therecan be no doubt that zeal and exertion will meet with honour
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry And Architectuee.
distinction , and as matters go , it is not likely to be without advantage as well as honour . There is a greater energy in the Provincial Grand Lodges , and an officer holding this dignity will thereby come more immediately under the notice of political and other persons of considerable influence . The emoluments in some of the provinces are now nothing r but there is a
disposition to provide for the Provmcial Grand Lodges , and in the large towns , Masonic halls and temples for the various Lodges and Chapters , as likewise buildings for single Lodges . These buildings are likely to be placed under the direction of the Grand Superintendents ; and the new law of limited liability , the exertions of the Freemasons' Magazine , and . the desire of the members to avoid the use of buildings not belonging to them , and particularly of taverns and public-houses , and the earnest zeal of Masons of the present day , all conduce to a better provision of this kind being made .
The design of a Masonic hall or Lodge and its dependencies is attractive to the architect . Where means allow , he has to provide a grand hall , suitable not only for the mysteries of the Order , but which may be let out for public meetings . In the details of decoration he has available a great variety of ornaments arid symbols , which give a novelty of character , as in the hall in Great Queen Street . There is likewise much scope for the provincial officer in improving the arrangements and decorations of existing Lodges .
With the greater zeal and strictness of Masons there is a greater demand for the performance of the Masonic ceremonial on laying the foundation of a new building , or on its consecration , and in the arrangements the Grand Superintendent has an office of responsibility and position of dignity . Many great public buildings have this year been marked by such ceremonial , and many private buildings have been begun with like solemnity . The
Masonic Hall in Edinburgh , St . Mary ' s Church , Taunton , and the Greenock Theatre , assembled for such occasions large bodies of Freemasons , whereby dignity of a more impressive character was given to the celebration . There is evidently a growing desire on the part of architects , builders , and employers , as well those who are Freemasons as those who are not , to avail themselves of these time-honoured solemnities ; and it is part of the duty of the Grand Superintendent of Works to promote such a desire .
A strong appeal is being made to the architects to resume the practice of giving lectures on architecture in the Lodges , and with the nomination of more able Superintendents this is likely to be carried into effect . There have been in various countries very able lectures on architecture delivered in the Lodges , and many Freemasons have thereby been lead to obtain further instruction in the art . When we consider the large number of men of intellect , good standing , and influence enrolled in the Order , it may well be conceived that the result will be greatly to the benefit of architecture , by
promoting its study among those able to appreciate its merits and give employment to deserving professors . It has been by some architects erroneously considered that in the Lodges an exclusive preference is shown for illustrations of the Doric , Ionic , and Corinthian orders ; and hence those who practice in the mediaeval styles have considered they might be obliged to sacrifice their predilections to classic prescriptions . So far from this being the case , Freemasonry claims a distinctive share in medieval architecture ,
and the architecture of Palestine , of Egypt , and of other countries has met with the attention of many most learned Masons . Thus a new field of usefulness and distinction is opened to the architect , which is not likely to be without its influence on his pursuits . Much of this result will depend upon architects themselves ; for if they are apathetic it is hardly likely that the general body of members . will pursue the subject with the same devotionwhile therecan be no doubt that zeal and exertion will meet with honour