LYING FOUNDATION STONE OF ST. MICHAEL’S CHURCH, CLYDE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 779, 23 March 1877, Page 3

LYING FOUNDATION STONE OF ST. MICHAEL’S CHURCH, CLYDE.

—o— This ceremony was performed on Wednesday last the 21st March, 1877 by the Rev. John Dewe, Curate of the Parish, assisted by Vincent Pyke, R. P G.AV.AI. arid the Brethren of Lodge Dunstan, No. 470, S.C. The day, being beautifully lino, a largemmlior of visitors from the outlying districts were present, who, together with the residents of the immediate neighborhood formed a gathering in point of numbers equal to any we have seen for a long time at an out-door fete. Alany, however, whom we should have been pleased to see and welcome, were conspicuous by their absence —we note this in no spirit of uncharitanlcness or complaint, but rather with regret. The Programme of the proceedings was carried out most smoothly', not the semblance of a hitch occurring throughout, the whole was preceded with a procession, which started from the Town Hall, and was headed by the Clyde Brass Band, followed in order by the Alasonic Brethren, the populace bringing up the rear. On arriving at the Church (the old wooden one) and just as entering, the Choir, supported by Mr J. E. Stevenson the harmonium, burst forth with the Hymn, “ Onward Christian Soldiers.” This being concluded, the Rev. Air Hobbs, of Alount Ida, entered the pulpit, and offered up prayer, when Psalm 84 was chanted by tire full Choir. The Rev. Air Hobbs thou read a chapter from Scripture ; after which the Choir sang Hymn 320, “ The Church’s One Foundation. This concluded, the Alasonic Brethren left the Church in the same order as they entered, and proceeded to the north east end of the new building, where the stone was to be laid. The Rev. J. Dewe, Vincent Pyke, P.P.G.W.M., and the other officers appointed to take part in the ceiemony, having taken up their positions on the platform, the visitors—now numbering about 60 or 70—occupying another platform prepared for them, and other prominent positions. The Architect, Bro. MacG oovge, presented the plans of the building to Rev. Bro. Dewe, who upon receiving them offered up a short and appropriate prayer. The Secretary, Bro. George Facbe, then read the scrole as follows : In the Name of the Great Architect of the Universe. Amen. To all Masters of the Craft of Ancient, Free, and Accepted ■, Alasonry. U, jeting. Be it known, yon, and all of yon, that the Foundation Stone of this Church was laid outlie Twenty-first day ot March, in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand, Eight Hundred, and Seventy-seven ; and in the Year of Light, Five Thousand, Eight Hundred, and Eighty-one ; being the Fortieth Year of the Reign of Her Alost Gracious Majesty Alexandrina Victoria, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Queen, and ot the Colonies and Dependancies thereof, Empress of India, Defender of the Faith, by the Reverend and Worshipful Brother John Dewe, Curate of the Parish ot Saint Alichael’s, assisted by the Right Worshipful Past Provincial Grand Master of New Zealand Brother Vincent Pyke, and the Brethren of Lodge Dunstan, Number Four Hundred and Seventy, hailing under the Grand Lodge of Scotland. In witness whereof they the said Brethren, and Brethren being in Lodge assembled, have hereunto set their Hands and Seals, on the day and year above written. The scrole, together with a number of wins of the realm, and copies of the Dun®an Times and Cromwell Argus enclosed 'a a tin case were now placed in a reoepticle formed for it. The Band meanwhile playalow music the Stone is slowly lowered into position, when the Rev. Bro. Dewe, after applying the plural), level, and square, echred it to be “ Well formed, true, and trusty.” Bro. Vincent Pyke then probounces the following : May the Supremo Architect of the Universe bestow upon the people of this place * t * le necessaries of life. Alay he assist in e erection of this building, designed for , ls moa t service, and grant to us all a auffia ent supply of “The Corn of Nourishment.” [Corn then scattered thrice.] ®ro. A. D. Harvey advances, and says : May the all-bounteous Author of Nature “ess the people of this place with all the envunenoies of life. May He assist in the crupletion of this building, and protect th

workmen from accident and injury, and grant to us all an ample supply of the wine of refreshment. [Wine then poured on the stone thrice .] Bro. Geo. Faoho follows, saying : May the Grand Consoler of all men impart to the people of this place all the comforts of life. May He he pleased long to preserve this structure from decay ; and grant to us all an abundant supply of the oil of joy. [Oil then poured on the stone thrice.] The Rev. Bro. Dewe then advanced, and after striking the stone three times with the mall, and declaring it to bo “Well and truly laid,” offered up a short prayer. '1 he stone thus being laid the Masonic Brethren took position, and gave “ Public Grand Honors." Vincent Pyke, P.P.G., then gave the following oration Reverend Sir, and Brethren, The work which we haye this day assembled to perform, in accordance with our ancient usages, is one well worthy of our Craft. Freemasonry never shines so brightly as when she waits on Religion ; not as a rival, but as an ally; not as an equal, but as a servant. For Masonry is the handranid of Religion seated reverently at thefeet of her mistress, and esteeming it her choicest glory to be permitted to aid the work. Those who charge us with Atheism, know not what it is of which they speak, or knowingly, they say the thing which is not true. Thus they impale themselves on the horns of a dilemma. Either they are ignorant of our teachings and practises, and therefore are unable to judge of their nature and interest ; or, being acquainted therewith they wrongfully and unjustly accuse us of those things which do not attach to us, and which are hateful in the eyes of every true Mason, as in that of our accusers. It is true that we teach not any creed or dogma, because it is not our province to do so. We are humbly content to leave such teachings to the appointed ministers of the Most High. For why should we touch the sacred vessels of the Tabernacle ? But to love and reverence theeat Creator is one of the first levels of Freemasonry ; to act justly, to live uprightly, arid to do unto all men as wc would that they should do unto us—these are the primary lessons taught iu our Lodges. From time immemorial the assistance of our Craftsmen has especially been sought by the founders and builders of edifices devoted to the worship of the Deity. The so’etrm temples of the Orient, the Gothic fanes, and stately ministers, and heaven-di-rcctel spires of our fatherland and of Western Europe attest their skill and bear witness of their labors. In the new World our Brethren pursue the paths trodden by their fathers in the same direction ; and there, as in this yet newer World of ours the priests and dignitaries of the Church do not hesitate to clothe themselves with the badges of our Order, and to join with us in pi ms woiks such as we have this day un dertaken. May this fraternal connection never be destroyed, but may it be strengthened and cemented by time ! So shall generations yet unborn bless «s, and our memory shall be kept green for ever. To those around us who are here as spectators and follow worshippers, 1 would say a few words. Since the first influx of goldseekers in ISG2 to the present day, there has not been in this town any place of worship worthy of'the service we render to the Creator. For many years we have worshipped in yonder crumbling pile, which will soon I hope disappear and give place to the handsome building of wldch the foundation stone has this day been laid- But let us not utterly despise that old building. Within its walls some of you have been married, you have taken your little ones there to be christened, and there you have listened to the solemn services ofi’ered for your dead. For the sake of that old church I ask you one and all to do what lies in your power to build up this new Church on a sure and solid foundation. Let every one give of that which hath teen given to him according to his ability, remembering that the widow’s mite found greater favor in'the sight ot the Master, than the costly offerings of hj r richer neighbors. So shall the light of His countenance shine upon you, and peace shall dwell with you and yours. So he it ! Thecereroony closed with the Rev. Bro. Dewe delivering to Bro. MacGcorge, the architect, plans of the building, and with a suitable address entrusted him with the superintendence and direction of (be work. The Masonic Brethren then formed in order, and headed by the Band, marched hack 1o their Lodge Room in the Town Hall. The ceremony, whilst being novel, was impressive, and doubtless will long be remembered by many of the rising generation who were fortunate em.ugh to be present, (he very hand-nme regalia of the Masonic Brethren (dark blue, and gold and silver jewels) being particularly attractive to them. As at the opening, we again repeat that the whole affair was a great success, and let us hope the completion of the building will be as joyous as the laying of the foundation stone In aid of the Building Fund the offerings ot the people assembled, and placed by them on the stone, amounted to nearly 120. “ How did you learn that graceful attitude ?” said a gentleman to a fellow leaning iu a tipsy fashion against a post. “ I have been practising at a glass.” A pompous mayor once said to Professor Agassiz that ho had himself been deeply interested in natural science, but that the pressure ot business had prevented its pursuit. “ I became a banker, sir,” said ho ; “ and I am what I am.” The stylo of grandeur in which the words were uttered is indescribable. Agassiz immediately recited his own early history ; how his father had provided a place in a bank for him on bis leaving college, how he had begged first for one year more of study, then for another, and when a third was granted to him his fate was fixed. “ And, MrW.” said Agassiz, II if it had not been for that little firmness, I shnuhl to-day have been nothing but a hanker.” Somehow the mayor looked rather foolish.

CHURCH OF ENGLAND CONCERT. As announced by advertisement in our last issue a Concert was given in the Town Hall, Clyde, on Wednesday evening last, the 21st instant, in aid of the building funds of the new church. The evening being fine, and the programme a liberal one, the residents of the district mustered in strong force to give a helping hand in aid of so laudable an object, and were well satisfied with the musical and vocal entertainment provided for them.. We hardly know who to accord the most praise; for every event as it came off was so well done that in nearly every instance an encore was demanded, but wo tainly must mention the extraordinary able manner in which Mr Campbell played on the violin, the strains ot which music the audience appreciated by giving uproarious applause Mr and Mrs Slovens also deserve to be highly complimented for the very satisfactory manner in which they have brought out the talent of the district, the performances of the Choral Society being evidence to the fact that they have taken great pains and given a great deal of thentime in bringing the Concert to a successful issue. Miss Hastie, as usu-il, sang her best, and received well-merited applause. Mr Holland was loudly encored in his song “True to the Last.” The programme was opened by the Clyde Brass Band playing an overture, after wlrich the Clyde Choral Society (which mustered in strong force, numbering some 25) sang “ Awake rEuliau Lyre,” which piece was very well executed. Mr W. G. Rees next appeared, and sang “ Speak of a man as yon find him,” rnd was followed by Messrs Cambridge, Button and Stevens in a laighabla trio entitled “ Dame Durden,” which was encored. “ The murmur of the Shell,” saig by Miss Hastie, received a call, when she gave “ Bide awes.” The viobu solo by Mr Campbell, entitled “Ah die la Merle,” and accompanied on the piano byMr Hollands, followed, and was met with a hearty applause by Hie audience, to which ho gave -‘ Auld Robin Gray.” A duett by the Misses Hastie and Miller, “ Some one to love me,” was then niee'y rendered. Dr Button in the “Yeoman’s Wedding” (accompanied on the piano by Mrs Button) was encored, to which he responded bysingm; “Oh Sophia.” Mr Adams (who has a good baritone voice) rendered “ The old Church Bell in an excellent maimer. The first part was then brought to a close by the Choial Society singing “All among’the’Barley.” The second part commenced with an Overture by the Brass Band, when the Choral Society sang “ Hail to the Chief and was followed by Air M‘George in “ Tire Village Blacksmith to our minds tin's song ranked amongst the best of the evening. The song and Chorus, by Miss Hastie and Choral Scciety, was loudly applauded. Air Rees next gave “ Was’nb it a Pull Back,” a humorous song, which convulsed the audience, and as an encore he sang “ When a Alan is a little bit poorly.” Air Campbell, in “ The P.luo Bells of Scotland ” (a violin solo) excelled himself, and iu response gave a AValtz. “Beware,” a quartette by Aliases Hastie and Alillcr, and Alessrs Button and Stevens, was well received. “ True to the Last,” a song by Air Holland, demanded an encore. Aliss Hastio’s rendering of the song “ To the Woods,” was the gem of the evening in the vocal part of the programme ; as an encore she gave “ Alaraquita.” The Rev. J. Dewe, on behalf of himself and the Church Building Committee here returned thanks for the substantial appreciation of their endeavors which the present assembly had given them ; and ho was sure those present would join with him iu sincerely thanking the ladies and gentlemen, who had made tins Concert so great a success, for their services. In their name he would thank the Band and the performers, especially those who had come from a distance at personal inconvenience. The Choral Society brought the Concert to a close by singing “The Lark’s Song.” Airs Stevens accompanied moat of the performers, on the piano ; Air Stevens as conductor very ably acquitted himself. Dancing after the Concert commenced, and was kept up till two o’clock the following morning, and some were heard to say “ They always do things well at Clyde.” AVe would, in conclusion, say that the Rev. J. Dewe and Building Committee deserve the highest praise for their untiring efforts in getting together the sum required to pay for the New Church. TELEGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE. —o—(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.) Dunedin, Alarch 22. The result of the racing for the Dunedin Cup is .as follows Fishhook, 1; Hippocampus, 2 ; Fallacy, 3. Fifteen horses started. Time, 4min ssec. THE ALL-ENGLAND ELEVEN IN AIELBOURNE. —o— THE MATCH WITH THE COMBINED TEAM. [By Telegraph.] Alelbourne, Alarch 15th. The combined team of twelve Victorians and New South Wales cricketers went in first. Three of them are out for 40 runs ; Bannerman not out with 20. Alarch Ifilh. At noon the combined team had possession of the wickets, having obtained IG6 for six wickets down. Bannerman is still not out with 126. Evening. Ot the combined team seven wickets are down for 232. Bannerman is not out with 157. March 17th. The Combined Team concluded their innings for 245, Bannerman (not out), ICS. The Englishmen have nine wickets down for 170, Jupp making 63. Later. The Englishmen are all out for JOG. Of the Combined Team six arc out for 58: Horan, 20.

March 19. The Combined Eleven in their second innings made P>9. The Englishmen in their second innings have four wickets down for 22. March 20. The Combined Team have won by 45 runs.