The New Masonic Hall At Philadelphia.

eternal temple , whose builder is the Great Architect of the Universe . " On the 14 th of December , 1799 , our great Brother departed this life . On tho 26 th of December , 1799 , the Grand Lodge

was convened , to take part by invitation of Congress , in the procession to his memory . To the Grand Lodge , on that day , B . W . Grand Master Jonathan Bayard Smith made an appropriate address . In its course , he said , " the Masons of Pennsylvania deplore that then' Friend , their Brother , their

Father , is gone . In our achives are found flattering evidences of his reciprocated esteem and approbation of our Order , as relating more especially to those two chiefest concerns of man—religion and government . The public have seen him gracing and

dignifying our processions by his attendance . We have been made almoners and dispensers of his charitable beneficence . But , my brethren , this pleasing intercourse is suspended . * * * The Masons of

Pennsylvania have exulted that tho name of Washington stood enrolled on the list of brethren , and they will cherish the remembrance of his virtues and his services as a

rich legacy for their emulous example . " When the corner stone of our hall on Chestnut-street was laid , on the 21 st of November , 1853 , and when tho completed structure was dedicated , on tho 26 th of September , 1855 , it was confidently

anticipated that tho building would besulficicntly commodious to answer the purposes of tho craft for very many years . It was the largest hall which had ever been erected for

Masonic uses . Unfortunately for its permanent enjoyment by tho fraternity the first floor was devoted whoUy to store-rooms . Discomforts and inconveniences were ere long realised . The rooms provided for the Grand Lodge and her subordinates were insuffi .

cient in number and too straitened in size . At last the restleness and dissatisfaction engendered by these causes resulted in the adoption of a resolution on the . 4 th of

September , 1865 , for the appointment of' " a committee to take into consideration the propriety of purchasing a lot suitable 'for the erection of a hall commensurate with tho Avauts of the Fraternity . " On the 27 th

of December , 1866 , the committee , through their chairman , P . G . M . Henry M . Phillips , made their final report , recommending the pin-chase of this site . On the 4 th of February , 1867 , the purchase Avas reported

as completed . On . the 27 th of December , 1867 , the committee reported the adoption of apian , which Avas approved by the Grand Lodge , subject to such modifications in minor details and arrangements as might be necessary in construction .

On the 24 th of June , 1868 , in the presence of nearly ten thousand of our brethren , including many from other jurisdictions with the same gavel used by President Washington at the laying of the cornerstone of the Federal Capitol , our then R .

W . Grand Master , Brother Richard Vaux , laid the corner-stone of this Temple . Bro . P . G . M . Phillips having resigned his chairmanship of the Building Committee , you , B . W . Grand Master , were appointed in his

stead , and from that day of your appointment , all Avho have Avatched the progress of the Avork can bear testimony to your zeal and ability . You have been ably seconded by Brother Henry J . White , the chairman of the Sub-committee on Plans and

Estimates , and by your trusty co-workers , Brother Adams , Brittain , BroAvn , Kingston , Loudenslager and Slack , Avith the R . W . Deputy Grand Master and Senior and Junior Grand Wardens . The Superin tendents , first , Brother Bolt , and UOAV ,

Brother Bard , have justified their selection . Of tho Architect , Brother James H . Windrim , whose genius and skill have produced this masterpiece of art , Ave can Avrite , as Avas Avrittenin St . Paul's of Sir Christopher

Wren , the renoAvned architect of that stately fane , "Si monumentum quaeris cvrcumspice . "