MASONIC.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 563, 10 March 1870, Page 2

MASONIC.

The ceremony of laying the foundation or north-east corner stone of the new hal!, in Manchester street, for the St. Augustine Lodge, 609, was performed yesterday by the R. W. Brother William Donald, D.G.M., in presence of a large and influential assemblage of the Craft. The day was beautifully fine, and the arrangements appropriate to the ceremonial were carried out in a manner which reflects infinite credit upon those who were entrusted with their direction, and notably Brother J. C. Angus, D. G. Director of Ceremonies. The public were admitted to the ground by ticket, and accommodated with seats which were specially erected for the occasion. The attendance of visitors was very large, including a very considerable number of the fairer sex.

The new hall, when completed, will measure sixty feet by thirty (outside measurement). Erected on a stone foundation, it will hare a wooden front, and eidewalls and roof of corrugated iron. The hall will contain the requisite anterooms, and will be lathed and plastered throughout. Brother S.C7. Farr is the architect, and Mr Bryant the contractor. The amount of the contract, including extras, is £685.

The Brethren were summoned to be in attendance at the Canterbury Masonic Hall precisely at noon, but in consequence of the members of the Unanimity Lodge having missed the appointed train, the R.W.D.G.Mv delayed the commencement of proceedings until half-past one, at which hour the lodge was opened in due form by the head of the craft in the Canterbury District end the officers of the District Grand Lodge. R. W. I3ro. I<\ W. Thiel, D.G.S.W. acted as Deputy D.G.M., and the officers assisting were Bro. vi\K. Mitchell, acting D.G.S.W.; W. Bro. J.T. Rouse, acting D.G.J.W.; V.W. Bro. Cyrus Ha vie, D.G. Registrar ; V.W. Bro. W. Mills, D.G. Treasurer; V.W. Bro. A. F. N. Blakis-

ton, D. G. Secretary; W. Bro. J. E. Graham, D.G.S.D. ; W. Bro. J. Baylee, D.G.J.D. ; W. Bro. J. C. Angus, D.G.D.C.; W. Bro. P. L. Nielsen, D.G. Sword Bearer, W. Bro. E. P. Willcocks, D.G. Pursuivant ; Stewards : Bros. Fletcher, Booth, James Smith (acting), Parnham, Savage (acting), and C. Harden. The procession started from the Canterbury Masonic Hall shortly before 2 p.m , in the following order :— Tylers of Southern Cross and Unanimity Lodges, with drawn swords. Visiting Brethren. Brethren of the Canterbury and Southern Cross Lodges. . Brethren of the Unanimity Lodge. Brethren of the St. Augustine Lodge. Architect (Bro. S. C. Farr) with plans., A Cornucopia with corn, borne by Bro. Powell, W. M. Southern Cross Lodge. Ewer, with wine, borne by Bro. Powell. Ewer, with oi!, borne by Bro. J. Paton. D.G. Pursuivant, Bro. E. S. Willcocks. D.G.D.C. Bro. J. C. Angus. D.G. See. (Bro. A. F. N. Blakiton), with hook of, Constitutions, on a cushion. D.G. Registrar, with his bag (Bro. C. Davie). D. G. Treisurer (Bro. W. Mills), bearing a phial containing the coin to be deposited in the stone. The Corinthian Light. The column of the D.G.J.W. The acting D.G.J.W. (Bro. J. T. Bouse), with the plumb rule. f Banner of the 1 D.G. Steward < District > D.G. Steward ( Grand Lodge. J The Doric Light. The column of the D.G.S.W. The acting D.G.S.W. (Bro. W. R. Mitchell), with the level. The D.G.J.D., Bro. J. Baylee. Bro. J. A. Bird, Acting D.G. Chaplain bearing the Sacred Law on a cushion. Theß. W. Deputy D.G.M. (Bro. F. W. Thiel), with square and mallet. The lonic Light. (The Standard) D.G. Steward < of the V D.G. Steward ( R.W.D.G.M. j D.G. Swordbearer, Bro. P. L. Nielsen. The R.W. Bro. W. Donald, D.G.M. D.G.S.D., Bro. J. E. Graham. Two D.G. Stewards. Acting D.G. Tyler, Bro. Smith. When the procession reached the site of the new hall, Brother J. W. Gram, who acted as D.G. Organist, played from Mozart's 1 6th Mass, No. 10. The Brethren (all of whom wore crape on the left arm as a mark of condolence with the R.W. D.G.M., on his recent bereavement) formed themselves in a circle around the spot where the stone was to b laid, the R.W.D.G.M. and the officers of the District Grand Lodge occupying the centre. The blesoing of Heaven having been invoked on the proceedings by the U.W.D.G.M.-— Brother G. H. Wilson, W.M. St. Augustine Lodge, stepped forward and delivered the following address : — " Right Worshipful Sir, —I, with nay brother Wardens, on behalf of the Brethren of the Sc. Augustine Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, have to request that you, Right Worshipful Sir, will lay this foundation stone of their new hall, according to our most ancient custom, and may the All-seeing eye 0.T.G.A.0.T.Q. watch over it during its erection, so that no accident may occur. To you, Right Worshipful Sir, who are not only the chief head of the craft, but also the Father of Masonry in Canterbury, I need not recount the progress it has made ; but I trust when this ball is completed it will be a further evidence of that progress, and that it will be the means of bringing numbers to light, teaching them to frame their lives according to the laws laid down for our guidance in God's Holy Word. Freemasonry is the most perfect and sublime institution ever formed for promoting the happiness of individuals, or for increasing the general good of the community. Jts fundamental principles are those grand bulwarks of society— univereal benevolence and brotherly love. It holds out, in its precepts, those captivating pictures of virtue, which stimulate the Brotherhood to deeds of greatness, and offers to its professors dignity and respect. It expands the ideas, enlarges the benevolent feelings of the heart, and renders man the friend of all bis species. It teaches us those awful truths, on which futurity is founded, and points to those happy means by which we may obtain the rewards of virtue. Indeed — •' There's naught but what's good To be understood By a Free and an Accepted Mason*" Bro. Farr . banded the plans to the R.W.D.G.M., which were examined by him and returned. Bro. J. E. Graham then read the contents of the parchment, beautifully engrossed, which were to the effect that the stone was laid with maßonic ceremony by theR.W.D.G.M. on the 9th day of March, A.D. 1870— A.L. 5870. It also mentioned the names of the office bearers of the St. Augustine Lodge, the names of the architect and contractor, and the object for which the building was intended. Bro. W. Mills then placed the document, together with the newspapers of the day, and all the coins of the realm now in circulation, in a bottle, which was sealed and deposited in the cavity prepared for its reception. The R.W.D.G.M. having been handed a silver trowel, spread the cement over tke spot where the stone was to rest. The sto»t was then lowered, Bro. Dram playing the National Anthem. The R.W.D.G.M. was then handed a plumb rule, and declared the stone to be plumb, exhorting the Brethren always to follow in life that uprightness of character which would ensure them not only the approval of earth but of Heaven. He then declared the stone to be laid level. Let this, he said, remind them of the equality of all; let them remember that everyone

was the son of Adam, a brother in the dust. He then declared the atone to be duly square, and exhorted the Brethren to endeavour! through life so to square their conduct that Heaven or earth, or their own consciences should not reprove them. He then threw corn on the stone in token of abundance ; wine, in token of i»y, and oil as an emblem of peace. The R.W.D.G.M. then said that as the stone was duly laid, let them invoke a blessing that the work just commenced would be completed without an accident. He saw around him many who were no doubt anxious to hear something about their glorious institution. He would not enter into the subject at any length on this occasion, but would content himself by letting a spark of the light of masonry unto them. He had often heard the question asked — What is masonry ? and had always returned an answer when asked by a lady. Masonry took its rise from the earliest times, when man, fearing the fury of the elements, found it necessary to put himself under a cover. Thus science took its rise, and through the rarioue phases which civilisation had taken, masonry had always gone side by side with it, and in advance of it. It had been asserted that to be a Mason was to be an unbeliever in the Holy Scriptures. This was the very reverse of fact, for no initiate could be admitted if he did not believe in God. This he trusted would be an answer to those who accused Masons of Atheism. The first thing required on the part of a new initiate was a firm belief in the Supreme Being. He was told on going into a lodge that he wns never to forget the allegiance which he owed to his ' Sovereign and to his native land, and freemasonry taught him further that everyone was entitled to solace and aid when in danger. It was not without a strong feeling of duty that he ventured out on this occasion. It was with considerable hesitation that he ventured to promise the W. M. of the St. Augustine Lodge that he would be there to conduct the present ceremony. Bis costume was a sufficient explanation of what he meant. Besides this, he was not in the best of health, and was at present suffering from a severe headache. He regretted not being able to express all those Masonic feelings which he entertained, and which he would have expressed if his health had permitted him. In conclusion, he trusted that the building about to be raised would be perfect in all its parts, and a credit to the builder, and that the members of the St. Augustine Lodge and their successors would endeavour to build up that mystic temple which was the honour and best end of masonry. A collection was then made amongst the brethren, and the money placed on the stone by the D.G. Treasurer, for the workmen employed at the building. The other selection played by Bro. Oram was the" Gloria in Excelsis." Thecereinony concluded, the procession re-formed, and the Brethren marched down to the new Music Hall, Cathedral square, where a capital repast awaited them. The chair was' taken by Bro. G. H. Wilson, W.M., supported on his right by the R.W.D.G.M., and on his left by R.W. Bro F. W. Thiel, Acting Deputy D.G.M. The vice-chairs were filled by Bros W. R Mitchell and J. T. Rouse. Having part.tken I amply of the good things provided by the stewards of the St. Augustine Lodge, the cloth waß removed. " The Queen and Craft" was the first toast proposed. The Chairman then proposed the health of the R.W.D.G.M., who in return proposed the health of the W.M. of the St. Augustine Lodge. Amongst the other toasts proposed were the D.G. Officers, the Visiting Lodges, the Officers and Members of the St. Augustine Lodge, &c, &c. There were about 135 brethren present, and the proceedings terminated shortly after .4 o'clock,