THE FREEMASONS IN LONDON.

Grey River Argus, Volume VIII, Issue 538, 29 June 1869, Page 4

THE FREEMASONS IN LONDON.

A great Masonic ceremony was performed on Wednesday, April 14, in tho new grand hall in Great Queen street, by the Most Worshipful the Grand Ma3ter of English Masons, the Earl of Zetland, in the presence of, perhaps, the largest and most distinguished body of the craft ever before assembled together. The ceremony was that of the dedication to the Order of Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons of England of the new grand hall and offices on the site of those which were pulled down some few years since. The new hall is in all respects a splendid building, and it presented a gorgeous sight when opened for the first time in " Grand Lodge." None except full Master Masons, in craft attire, were allowed to be present, and the Grand Master, when seated on his throne, was surrounded by upwards of a thousand officers of lodges from all parts of the United Kingdom. On the left of the Grand Master was the Earl of Dalhousie, K.T., G.C.8., Grand Master of Scotland, in whose honor the grand salute was given in ancient form. The Duke of Leinster, the Grand Master of Ireland, was represented by a nobleman, an officer in the Irish Grand Lodge. When the crowded lodge had been opened by the Grand Master, after a procession of the Grand Officers had been formed, the proceedings commenced with a prayer by the chaplain of the Grand Lodge. The addresses relative to the building were heard, and then a choir chanted selections from the chapters of Solomon's dedication of the Temple, "I have built Thee a house to dwell in," &c. The dedication in solemn form was then proceeded with, according to ancient rites, with corn, wine, and oil, and the Grand Master proclaimed the building to be dedicated to pure Ancient Masonry. The Grand Chaplain (the Rev. Robert J, Simpson) delivered an oration upon the Order, after which an anthem, "Hail ! immortal Lord," was chanted by the choir, and the Grand Lodge procession having re-formed, the distinguished column left the hall in the same order in which it had entered. Ihe brethren dined together in the evening, and ladies were permitted to be present in the galleries.