Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/91

 1868.] The New Masonic Temple, Philadelphia. 71 prodigy than an exhibition of human art. Sparkling alone and undiminished above the seven hills, with their superb but crumbling remains of antiquity, it offered, I thought, a touching and truthful figure of that sublime and sim- ple faith, under whose irresistible influ- ence the Rome of the Caesars had become transformed into the Rome of St. Peter, and the pagan capital of a boundless empire been made the centre of unity for the persecuted advocates of an un- sullied religion. I was now nearing my abode for the night, and with a feeling of regret I turned once more to catch a parting view of that beautiful cross, ere its fires should fade from my view ; but there it still remained, pure, solitary, and radiant, like the meteor of Constantine, a glori- ous emblem of Christianity triumphing over the world. THE NEW MASONIC TEMPLE, PHILADELPHIA. AS the corner-stone of the new Ma- sonic Hall, at the northeast corner of Broad and Filbert streets — of a species of granite quarried near Port Deposit, Md., weighing nearly eleven tons, and containing in its cavity, Masonic papers, laws, coins, newspapers and other relics —was laid St. John's Day, June 24, 1868, A. D. — 5868 A. L. — with appropriate ceremonies, by M. W. Grand Master Richard Vaux, the Masonic solemnities being the most imposing ever witnessed in this city, a description of the contem- plated building may be interesting. " The Keystone," of June 21, 1868, furnishes the following points : The dimensions of the lot for the in- tended structure are 150 feet on Broad street and 250 feet on Filbert street. The building will recede from the property line twenty feet on Broad street and six feet from Filbert street. The exterior of the building upon each front will be of granite, and built in the Norman style of architecture, which is well adapted to the magnitude of the structure, and appropriate in its details for execution in the materials adopted for the exterior facings. The principal entrance and central figure of the Broad street front is em- blematic of the Order, and indicative of the steps in Masonry. First stage— The Egyptian porch, upon which stands thefigureof "Silence." Second — The " broken pediment," un- finished work, upon which is placed the figure of "Obedience." Third — By a completion and connection of the design in style and character, with the general building, representing the emblems of the craft in finished work, including "Faith, Hope and Charity," and above all " the All-seeing eye." Completing the Broad street front on each end are towers, of which the prin- cipal one on the northeast corner will be forty feet square at the base, ex- tending two hundred and twenty feet in height above the ground. The flank of the building will be re- lieved by massive buttresses, terminating in a string arch course, deeply recessed. The central feature of gablets and small tower will give additional accommoda- tion in connection with the entresol story at the eastern end of the building. There will be a large central entrance on Juniper street, and also a business entrance on Filbert street, leading to the offices of the R. W. Grand Secretary and R. W. Grand Treasurer. Beneath the whole building will be a large cellar, with every convenience, for the accom- modation of the heating apparatus. The building will consist of a first story, and the principal floor or second