New Masonic Hall At Wakefield.

position , cement was laid upon the face of the stono by Mr . Fawcett , the builder , which the W . D . P . G . M . proceeded to spread with the trowel , which was surrounded with a white handkerchief . The cement having been spread , tho stone was lowered with threo distinct stops nt each of which the choir sang ono verse of tho Masonic hymn , " Round the spot . " |} ro . Franco P . M . 1019 now presented

Bro . Tow with tho plumb rnle , with which he proceeded to prove the position of the stone by applying it to tho four comers . Having done so , ho said , I havo applied tho plumb rule to the four corners of this stone in tho usual Masonic manner , and I find thoy aro perfect ancl uptight , and have therefore fixed the stone on its proper basis . Bro . Naylor P . M . lot then presented tho level , which , after applying

to the stone , Bro . Tow returned , saying that he used it on the stone as tho symbol of uprightness , and found it to bo level in all its parts . Bro . Tew then received tho square from tho hands of Bro . W . Glover P . M . 495 . Having proved the position of tho stono thereby , he returned it , saying : Brethren , I havo now applied the square to this stone , ancl find it rectangular in all its parts . Bro . J . Scott W . M .

154 next presented tho mallet , with which Bro . Tew gave threo taps upon tho stone , declaring it to be just , perfect , and regular . Tho cornucopia containing the corn was then handed by Bro . Hartley , and the corn having been cast over tho stone , Bro . Tow said : Brethren , I have scattered corn upon this stono as the symbol of abundance and prosperity , and also as a symbol of the resurrection . May those who

shall hereafter meet within the walls of this edifice disseminate amongst mankind the genial influence of Masonic wisdom , goodness , ancl truth . Bro . John Scott next presented the ewer of wine , which Bro . Tew poured over the stone , remarking : I havo now poured wine over this stono as a symbol of cheerfnlness and joy to all mankind . He next received from the hands of Bro . Thornton tho ewer of oil ,

which he proceeded to pour on the stono as a symbol of peace , concord , and harmony . Tho stono was then sprinkled with salt , presented hy Bro . Hart , Bro . Tow observing : I havo sprinkled salt upon this stono as the symbol of wisdom and of learning . Salt is emblematical of consecration , of hospitality , fidelity , eternity , nnd immortality . Bro . Pearson Prov . G . C . then offered prayer , after which the

stono was incensed by the acolyte , Bro . Tow observing that it was emblematical of the charity of their Masonic institutions . Bro . W . Watson , tho architect , presented the plans of the building . Bro . Tew : Bro . Architect , you have placed in my hands tho plans of the intended building ancl also tho working tools of the Master Mason . I beg to request that without loss of time you proceed to tho

completion of this building , and thafc yon inform tho Provincial Grand Master and his Deputy when it is completed , that we may tako such further measures as may be deemed requisite for the devotion of the building to the purposes of Freemasonry . Tho Deputy Provincial Grancl Master then ascended tho stone and addressed the brethren as follows : —As the construction of an edifice for the

purposes of Freemasonry marks an epoch in the annals of the daft in tho West Riding at Wakefield , I will now nsk your indulgence to make a few observations ou tho circumstances which havo brought about this demonstration to-day in Zetland-street . As tho Deputy Provincial Graud Master of West Yorkshire , it would havo been my duty , had Sir H . Edwards been present , to have asked him to lay

tho foundation stono of this new Masonic Hall at Wakefield . Our Provincial Grand Master most deeply regrets his inability to bo present at this interesting ceremonial •which , I feel , must lose somo of its prestige and interest in your eyes by reason of tho absence of his personal presence . The previous occasion on which ho was present at a ceremonial of this kind was when he accepted tho

invitation of our lato Brother J . C . D . Charlesworth , and assisted him to lay the foundation stone of tho Clayton Hospital and Dispensary , in 1876 . Most deeply do we deplore the death of onr lato brother , who was a member of the Wakefield Lodge , No . 495 , but wo feel grateful to Providence , that his valuable life was spared to seo the completion and tho opening of that benevolent Institution in which he took so

lively an interest , ancl of which he was the president . Tho Freemasons of the Lodges and Chapters at Wakefield have indeed conferred a compliment upon me , ancl one which my family greatly appreciate in asking me , in the place of Sir Henry Edwards , to lay the foundation stone of this new Masonic Hall . This work , which we inaugurate to-day will , we believe , tend to promote tho advocacy

and development of Masonic principles in this town and nei ghbourhood . Being to-day operative as Avell as speculative Freemasons , we have laid the chief stone of this new Masonic Temple to Freemasonry at tho North-East corner of the building , on which a noble superstructure will be raised , perfect in its parts and honourable to its builders . Tho three Lodges , Unanimity , Wakefield , and Sincerity ,

are to be congratulated on the agreement of views which has brought aboufc this unity of action , and for which Freemasonry is ever remarkable , by which they have agreed to work together within the walls of one edifice in peace , love , and concord , thus resulting in the initiation of a now Masonic Hall worthy of the Craft in Wakefield , as well as an architectural ornament of Zetland-street . Could the

Freemasons of Locige Unanimity of 170 ( 5 bo present here to-day , they would have rejoiced to see this day , and be glad . The noblest memorial wo can erect to their memories is this new •> lasonic Hall , illustrating , as it does , tho increase of tho lod ges in this town , the growth of Masonic principles , and the commercial prosperity of "Merrio Wakefield" which thoy all had at

, heart so much to devclope . On tho excellency of Freemasonry I used not here dilate . Suffice ifc to say that its " foundation-stone is Benevolence , whilst Charity is its cope-stone . Its three pillars are Wisdom , Strength , and Purity , " symbolical of "Faith , Hope , and Mercy , " a , nd thafc Charity which , like its sister Mercy , blesses : him thafc givCS as well as him thafc receives . Frceniasonrv is the

handmaid of religion , it is the friend of tho Church , and in its relations with the State , a staunch . supporter of Constitutional principles , Avhilst within its portals arc sedulously cultivated the seven libera ! arts and sciences . But tho other day " the Freemasons laid Iho foundation-stone of a Freemasonry Institution at Pontefract . On the 16 th April , under tho presidency of H . E . H . the Provincial Grand

New Masonic Hall At Wakefield.

Master of Oxfordshire . £ 13 , 500 was subscribed in Freemasons' Hall towards this year ' s maintenance of our orphan Masonic girls ; on the Sth inst ., L' 785 was awarded from tho Fund of Benevolence towards the poor and distressed Freemasons , and on tho 20 th of this month our Royal Grand Master the I ' ritice of Wales laid the foundation-stones of a new Cathedral at Truro , for a now Bishopric , for

which we havo to thank the late Government . These wo may take as evidence of tho growth of Masonic principles in England . I seo no limits to tho usefulness and tho influence of Freemasonry . I believe that it will continue to prosper in this as well as in other countries so long as tho brethren realise aud adorn thoso principles which Freemasonry upholds , and thoso vital truths which

Freemasonry proclaims , and that with a consistent unfolding of our teach , ing , I can seo no horizon , humanly speaking , to tho progress and perpetuation of our ancient and honourable Fraternity , except that end which timo alone must fix to all institutions earthly and transitory . May the Great Architect of the Universe prosper tho work wo havo undertaken ; may no accident happen to workmen

engaged in construction , under tho skilful architect , and may AVO hero all bo permitted to rejoice in its completion and dedication to Freemasonry . Under these circumstances , the Provincial Grand Master of this Province has permitted us to assemble round this spot to lay with Masonio ceremonial the foundation-stone of tho new Masonic Hall for tho advancement and welfare of tho brethren who shall

enter within its symbolic enclosures , that they may promote tho faithful development of tho genuine and unchangeable principles of our useful aud benevolent Institution . The Worshipful Masters of Wakefield will , I know , make this Lodge a temple symbolic of that immaterial and beatific temple not made with hands , eternal in tho heavens , and , thongh this building must one day sneenmb to

time , and like tho walls of the old Rectory honso , crumble into ruin , yet may ifc in tho interim increase the knowledge of the wonderful works of the Almighty Creator , aud tho happiness ot tho brethren who assemble and who are initiated within its walls . Bro . Thornton W . M . 1019 said it fell to his lot to return thanks to Bro . Tow for his kind attendance nnd services there that day .

Tho old building had justly been described as having passed away , but long would it bo remembered by the brethren of Wakefield , ancl tho many visitors who had sat within its walls . Ho endorsed tho remarks Bro . Tew had mado with reference to tho unity existing amongst tho Wakefield Masons , and he rejoiced to know that there was a prospect of having a Masonic Hall . On behalf of

the Wakefield Lodges he tendered most respectfully hearty and sincere thanks . Bro . Tew , in responding , said it had been a great pleasure to him to be present , ancl ho would report to tho Prov . Grand Master the satisfactory circumstances attending the ceremony , and tho trouble tbo Wakefield brethren had taken in organising it . The choir having sung tho hymn , " Hail , Masonry Divine , " and tho National

Anthem , tho procession was re-formed , and returned to tho Music Saloon , where fcho Lodge was closed . A luncheon , to which a large number sat down , ancl which was of a strictly private nature , was held at tho Bull Hotel afc four for tho members of the Craft . Luncheon was provided , at Bro . Tow ' s expense , in tho Eoyal Hotel for the members of the choir and non-Masonic friends , Bro . Quartorman P . J . W . P . S . W . 910 , Secretary to Bro . Tew , presiding .

The annual Meeting of tho Provincial Grand Lodge of Berkshire and Buckinghamshire will he held afc tho Wesleyan School Rooms , Maidenhead , on Monday , the 14 th instant . Special Railway arrangements have been made , and return

tickets at single fares will be issued from London , Windsor , Reading , Oxford , Newbury , Abingdon , SAvindon , Faringdon , Aylesbury , Wycombe , and MarloAV Road ; and at all Stations on the London , Wokingham , and Reading Railway between Waterloo Bridge and Bracknell .

It appears from a circular wo havo received that , in tho event of a Collector being appointed for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , Bro . Charles Henry Webb , who has been a Mason for several years , and has taken an actiA * o part in promoting the interests of our Charitable

Institutions , Avill offer himself as a candidate . Bro . Webb was in the employ of Messrs . Cubitt and Co . for many years , hut those gentlemen having relinquished the branch in

which he was engaged , he is HOAV seeking a new appointment . Bro . Webb considers that his business knowledge and experience are a sufficient qualification for the position he is anxious to obtain .

The ceremony of Installation Avas most ably rendered by Bro . J . h . Mather P . G . D . C . lied ? , on Monday , 31 st May , at the Kingsland Lodge of Instruction , which holds its weekly meetings at tho Canonbnry Tavern , Canonbnry

Square , Islington , JN \ , every Monday evening afc 8 . 30 . A . large number of brethren assembled , and all thoroughly appreciated the talent of the presiding Officer . This Lodge works ceremonies only , the last Monday in e : ich month is appropriated to thafc of Installation .