MASONIC.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 865, 3 April 1877, Page 3

MASONIC.

THE NEW HALL OF THE CANTERBURY LODGE, 1048, E.C.

The foundation-stone of the new Canterbury Masonic Hall was laid yesterday by the R.W. District G.M. Brother W. Donald, assisted by the Deputy District G-.M. Brother 11. Thomson, and the Grand Lodge officers. The building is to be erected on the site of the old hall, and will be alike an ornament to the city and a credit to the craft. We have already given a description of the building as proposed to be built. The brethren met at the St. Augustine Hall at 2 p.m., and after the opening of the Grand Lodge a procession was formed in the following order; —■ Two Tylers, with drawn swords. Brethren, not Members of the Canterbury Lodges, two and two. Brethren, Officers, and W.M. of the Junior Lodge of the District (Robert Burns, S.C.) Brethren, Officers, and W.M. of the Canterbury Kilwinning Lodge, S.C. Visiting Brethren of St. John’s Lodge, E.C., Timaru. Brethren, Officers, and W.M. of the Southern Cross Lodge, E.C., Kaiapoi. Brethren, Officers, and W.M. of St. Augustine Lodge, E.C., Christchurch. Brethren, Officers, and W.M. of the Lodge of Unanimity, E.C., Lyttelton. Brethren, Officers, and W.M. of the Canterbury Lodge, E.C., Christchurch. Two Grand Stewards, with wands of office. Architect with plans. Cornucopia of corn, borne by Bro P.M. Alport. Ewer of wine, borne by Bro P.M. McLcllan. Ewer of oil, borne by Bro P.M. King. Grand Pursuivant, with sword of office. Grand Organist, Bro Comcrford. Grand Superintendent of Works. Grand Secretary, Brq G. Turner. Grand Treasurer, Bro, Baylce. The Corinthian Light, borne by Bro P.M. Booth. The Doric Light, borne by the Junior Grand Warden, Bro J. L. Fleming. Banner of the Grand Lodge, borne by Bro P.M. Smith. The lonic Light, borne by the Senior Grand Warden, Bro Deamcr. Tim Junior Grand Deacons, The Grand Chaplain, Bro the Rev Dc Berdt Hovell, bearing the Sacred Law. Deputy Dist. G.M. Bro 11. Thomson, bearing the Square. Bro P.M. Thiel, bearing the Mallet. Grand Sword Bearer, Bro Briggs. The R.W. Dist. G.M. Bro W. Donald. Grand Steward, Bro S. P. Craig. Grand Tyler, Bro Stephens. Upon arrival at the site of the new hall the procession halted, and the brethren, opening right and left, allowed the Grand Master and his officers to proceed through, taking up a position round the stone, the brethren filing after in inverted order. The ceremony commenced by the choir and brethren singing the Old Hundredth Psalm, the Grand Organist accompanying upon the harmonium, After a short interval tl;o stone

was raised and the Grand Chaplain (Bro Rev Do Bcrdt Hovell) offered the following prayer —

May tiro Almighty Architect of the Universe, who has disposed all things in order according to the excellence of His will, who made the heavens for His majesty, the sun and the stars for His glory and our comfort, and the earth as a place for our obedience to His laws, look down upon us Masons now endeavoring to build a house according to the rules of Charity by the bond of love. May this house, when duly consecrated and dedicated, be a habitation for worthy men meeting together for good ; may their secret assemblies be convened legally, proceed honorably, and end in Charity. May all Masons that enter under the shadow of its roof remember that the secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him. May the work done here prosper; may the heart of all workmen be comforted; may no strife, brawling or unseemly words be heard within its walls; may the Master love the Brethren and the Brethren honor and obey the Master; may our going out and our coming in be blessed for evermore; may our baskets bo filled with plentcousncss, and the voice of joy and thanksgiving abound ; may there be no mourning nor sorrow of heart; and may the wayfaring Mason find a comfort in his journey to bis home when ho passeth by the gates of this house. —Amen.

The W.M. of the Canterbury Lodge (Bro G. Tombs) then presented the R.W. District G.M. with the trowel, which was of silver, with carved ivory handle, and bearing a suitable inscription. The trowel, which was manufactured by Bro M. Sandstcin, was a very handsome one, and reflected very great credit, on his taste and workmanship. The Grand Master having spread the mortar, a vial containing documents and coins was placed in the cavity, and the stone was lowered, (he choir singing a Masonic ode. The Dist rict Grand Junior Warden, being requested by the G.M., tried the stone by the plumb rule, and said—“ I have tried the stone and find it to be properly adjusted.” The District Grand Senior Warden then tried the stone with the level, and replied that the stone was well founded. The D. Dist. G.M. then tried the stone with the square, and replied that he found it true. The architect then delivered the mallet to the District G.M., who said, “ Having full confidence in your skill in the royal art, it only remains that I should finish the work. [Here the Grand Master struck the stone thrice.] I declare this stone well and truly laid, perfect and trustworthy. May the undertaking be conducted and completed according to the grand plan, in Peace, Harmony, and Brotherly Love.”

Bro Alport then advanced with the Cornucopia of Corn, and the G.M., strewing the corn cn the stone said, “ I strew corn on this stone as a symbol of abundance.”

Bro McLellan then presented the wane, and the Grand Master poured it on the stone, saying, “ I pour wine on this stone, as a symbol of refreshment.” Bro King next presented the oil, and the G.M., pouring this also on the stone, said, “ I pour oil on this stone as an emblem of joy.” The Superintendent of Works then presented the plans of the building to the G.M., who having approved of them, handed the same to the architect for his guidance. The Grand Chaplain then offered the following prayer : —• Grant, O Thou .Most High! that the chief corner-stone of this our building may be holiness to the Lord; and whenever we assemble here for the purposes of Masonry, may we be guided by the rules and precepts contained in Thy Holy Tracing Board; and may they lead us through all the devious scenes of this chequered state, of existence, to a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Thus will Freemasonry be made subservient to the practice of our religious duties, and help us forward towards that Grand Lodge above, where wo hope to meet our Christian and Masonic Brethren in perfect happiness when the scenes of this world shall bo closed, and the Pass Word of Fidelity, Fidelity, Fidelity ! shall for (lie last time be pronounced over our graves. Amen,

The G-.M. then proceeded to address those present upon the occasion which had caused their presence that day, and afterwards spoke more particularly to the brethren, congratulating them upon the erection of a new lodge. The brethren then returned in procession as before, to the St. Augustine Hall, where the lodge was closed. A luncheon was afterwards hold in the old Canterbury Hall, which was largely attended. Tlie usual Masonic toasts, including the healths of the Hist. G. M. and'the W. M. of the Canterbury lodge, Bro. Tombs, were given and drank heartily, after which the brethren dispersed. The procession was arranged and marshalled by Bro. P. M. Mitchell, Grand Director of Ceremonies.