New Masonic Temple, St. John's, New Brunswick.

NEW MASONIC TEMPLE , ST . JOHN'S , NEW BRUNSWICK .

SOME fow months since we drew attention to a Masonic Fair which the brethren of St . John ' s , New Brunswick , contemplated , for the purpose of raising funds to enable them to build a Masonic Temple , to replace that destroyed by tho fire of 1877 , when the greater part of the City was laid in ruins . We now have pleasure in recording the success which has attended their efforts . Articles for sale were

received from numerous friends , while others made it their duty to provide comfort and enjoyment for those who attended the Fair . The latter body must have had no light task , for we read in the official publication issued in connection with the Fair that as many as three thousand

persons were present at various timo . The ladies and others moro intimately associated in the labour of the undertaking having consented , it was decided to continue the Fair for a second week , and at the conclusion of that time an evening Promenade Concert was arranged , as a compliment to the ladies who contributed so much to the success of the

undertaking . At the timo of closing the Fair the Committee found themselves still in possession of a number of articles , and they decided to remove them to a store , in order that , as far as possible , they should be disposed of in the ordinary way of business . It is proposed to continue the sale in this

way until Christmas , when an auction will bo held of the articles then remaining , and the whole matter cleared off . Wo hope when this shall have been effected the brethren will

find themselves in possession of a sum worthy of the cause for which they have worked , and that for many years thcil Masonic Temple may stand , a record of what can be accomplished by hearty co-operation and united effort .

A few details of the building—which , from a drawing in THE VOICE OF "MASONRY we imagine , when finished will be an elegant structure—may not bo uninteresting to our readers , as they may serve to show the outlay necessary for such an undertaking , and may induce some of our

brethren to undertake tho providing of homes for the Craft in the mother country . The cost is set down at 80 , 000 dols ., the plot of ground on which the building is situated has a frontage of 100 feet , with a depth of 200 feet . The adjoining plot is occupied by Trinity Church , which , standing about

100 feet back from tho street line , allows an uninterrupted view of the side of the Masonic building , and affords in many ways advantages which could not otherwise have arisen . The ground floor is divided into five stores running from front to rear , three of which have warerooms

over , the other portion of the second floor being set apart for Masonic business . The third floor comprises a hall 14 by 34 feet , at the further end of which is the entrance to the Blue Locige or main room of tbe building ; this room , which is

o' 4 ft . long , 33 wide , and 30 high , has the usual ante rooms attached , and is to be finished in first-class manner . On the opposite side of the hall is a room ( 30 g ft . by 42 ft . )—to be used by the Knights Templars—which has two large armouries attached . On the next floor accommodation is

provided for Royal Arch Chapters , aud a banquet hall , 33 | ft . by 22 | ft ., takes the remainder of the space . Every improvement that can add to the comfort of the building is to be introduced , and we think when finished the brethren of St . John ' s will possess as handsome and spacious a Temple as they can reasonably desire .

As we have before announced , the sale of fancy articles continues until Christmas , so that , should any of our friends wish to assist their Transatlantic brethren in their laud-

New Masonic Temple, St. John's, New Brunswick.

able desire , ample opportunity is still open to them . Any contributions sent to Bro . J . W . Bone , care of Messrs . Faudel , Phillips and Co ., Newgate-street , London , or to Bro . E . R . Kimpton , 3 Summer-row , Birmingham , will bo faithfully applied for the benefit of the desired object .

Grand Lodge Of Massachusetts.

GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS .

rg iHE last official abstract of proceedings of this grand A body comprises particulars of a Special Communication held at Salem , on Thursday the 24 th of June , and of the regular Quarterly Communication of September , which was held in the city of Boston on the 10 th of that month . At the first named there were present Charles Alfred Welch

Grand Master , Abraham H . Rowland jun . Deputy Grand Master , and numerous Present and Past Grand Officers . The special objects for which the meeting was held were the celebrating - the Feast Day of St . John the Baptist , and more especially for the commemoration

of the Centennial Anniversary of the institution of Essex Lodge , and of the introduction of Masonry into Salem . Grand Lodgo was opened at' 11 . If ) . At twelve o ' clock a procession was formed in Washington-square , and

proceeded , under escort of the Winslow Lewis and Nowbnryport Commanderies of Knights Templar , to the Hall of the Essex Lodge , where the Grand Master and other Grand Officers were received and escorted to the TJniversalist

Church . Here appropriateservices were performed , the Rev . Bros . E . C . Bolles , Fielder Israel , and Bartlett acting as Chaplains . An oration , having reference to the formation of Essex Lodge , and tho establishment of Masonry in Salem , was delivered by Bro . Tracy P . Chcevcr , Recording

Grand Secretary . At the close of the services in the church , the procession reformed , and the brethren marched to tho banquet-hall , where a sumptuous entertainment had been provided by the entertaining brethren . Among the guests during this part of the day was the Mayor of

the city , Henry K . Oliver . The customary toasts were given ; the Grand Master took the opportunity of addressing the large assemblage on the peculiar significance of the day , and expressed tho hope that those who would

celebrate the next centennial of freemasonry m Salem might be as happy as those engaged in that of' 1879 . At the conclusion of the banquet , the Grand Officers were again escorted to the Lodge hall , and in due course Grand Lodo-e was closed .

Afc the Quarterly Communication of . 10 th September , the Grand Master again presided . On this occasion he was supported by the Grand Officers of the year , numerous D . D . G . Masters , Past Grancl Masters , Past Officers , and representatives from ninety-one of the Lodges under his

jurisdiction . The records of the last regular Communication ancl of the special one held afc Salem were duly confirmed , after which the bye-laws of various Lodges were presented for approval . A communication from the Grand Lodge of New South Wales , requesting further

consideration of the subject of their recognition , was referred to a committee , as was also a petition for a new Lodge at South Westport . The reports of committees which had been appointed by Grand Lodge on various subjects were

brought forward and accepted . Satisfaction was expressed at the action taken by the Lodges throughout the jurisdiction in regard to the discharge of the debt of the Grand Lodge , ancl the Grand Master also congratulated the brethren upon the success of the movement which had