New Hall At Lurgan.

the foundation-stone of the Masonic Hall , Lurgan , County-Armagh , on the gth August 1899 : and was presented to him by Bro . G . W . Ferguson P . M . P . G . R . C . " The Deputy Grand Master accepted the tool with great

pleasure , and said he was very glad to have that opportunity of taking part with his Brethren in the Province of Armagh in a solemn rite and one which , he believed , would tend greatly to the promotion of the principles of Masonry , as well as to the spread of Masonic principles amongst them .

The builder presented the D . G . M . with a mallet fashioned in satinwood and walnut , with a heavy silver mount bearing the inscription— "This maul was used by Sir T . C .

Meredith , LL . D ., the Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master of Ireland , on laying the foundation-stone of the Lurgan Masonic Hall , gth August 18 99 . Bro . T . M'Millan , builder . " This was also graciously received .

Underneath the foundation-stone a cavity was formed , and' in it were placed by the Secretary several current coins of the British realm ; also , a parchment roll , bearing the names of the members of the Lodges for whom the building is being erected , together with those of the architect and

builder , and that of the Brother who laid the foundationstone , and the date of deposit ; the roll being placed inside a bottle or jar , which was hermetically sealed . The stone , which had been suspended beneath a tripod , was then lowered into its place with three brief distinct pauses , and

the D . G . M . proceeded to spread the corn , saturated with the wine and oil , over the stone . He then struck the stone three times with the maul , and the public honours of Freemasonry were given . Having returned to the architect the implements of his ofiice , the D . G . M . addressed the assemblage in the

prescribed terms , and the Masonic Anthem , "Hail , Masonry Divine , " was sung to the strains of the National Anthem . The Bishop of Down delivered the closing benediction ; again was heard the ancient response , " So mote it be , " and the procession returned to the Lodge room , where the Provincial

Grand Lodge was " called on , " and subsequently closed , in accordance with ancient form—in Peace , Love , and Harmony . Luncheon was subsequently served in the Town Hall ,

the assembly room having been elaborately decorated . The chair was occupied by Bro . S . Jackson D . P . M . Armagh . At the close of the repast the Queen and the Craft was proposed from the chair , and loyally honoured .

The succeeding toast , also proposed by the Chairman , was that of the M . W . the Grand Master of Ireland , and all Grand Masters in Fraternal communication with the Grand Lodge of Ireland . Bro . Sir James Meredith , who was warmly received on

rising to respond , said that often as it had fallen to his lot to return thanks to the Brethren for that toast , the oftener it occurred , the oftener he felt how very close their Order brought them one to the other . His Grace , who had been for several years their Grand Master , had taken an interest in

the Craft which he believed was equalled only by the interest taken in it by the Grand Master ot England . But two short years ago it was his privilege , as their Deputy Grand Master , to take part in an assembly in the Albert Hall , London , when H . R . H . the Prince of Wales presided over a gathering of

Masons such as he supposed it would never again fall to his lot to attend . There were close upon 8 , 000 men collected in that Hall , and every man amongst them was a Brother of the Craft . Upon that occasion H . R . H ., in speaking to a

resolution which had been proposed by the Duke of Connaught , said that he did not think that her Majesty had in any part of her dominions a more trusted and tried body of men than the members of the Masonic Order . He felt as

an Irishman that they in that country could claim their part in that tribute to Masonry throughout the world . It had over and over again recurred to his mind what a great tie Masonry was amongst them , and how many lessons there were that every one of them could learn if they would only

attend carefully to that which was taught in their Lodges . They had that day been taking part in a ceremony which he hoped would mark its occurrence upon the future of Masonry in the Province of Armagh , and specially in reference to the town of Lurgan . It was a pleasant thing to think that when

those who were old amongst them had been gathered to their fathers there was a race of young men springing up who were imbued with the principles of Freemasonry , and who would hold that it was their duty to continue to live according to the principles which the Order had impressed upon them . It had

been to him an exceptionally pleasing thing to be able to be present that day to take part in the proceedings . It had been still more gratifying to see the splendid array of members of the Order who had assembled , and to whom thanks were due for having , at a later period of the day , entertained their

New Hall At Lurgan.

visitors so handsomely . The Deputy Grand Master proceeded to thank Bro . Hamilton for his assistance in the revision of the Book of Constitutions . Continuing , he said he was sure every Brother present would sincerly hope that the good work

that had been commenced might go on and prosper , and that they had all missed that day the presence of the Provincial Grand Master Lord Templetown . In conclusion , he proposed the health of the Chairman .

The Chairman briefly responded , and proposed the health of the Prov . Grand Lodges of Antrim and Down . Bro . R . J . Hilton P . D . G . M . Antrim , in response , said they rejoiced that the ceremony had been performed by one loved and respected in the -Province he represented . Many

favours had been conferred upon him in connection with Masonry , and he was glad to find that appreciation of his worth was not confined to the Brethren of his own Order , as his Sovereign and the ruler of the country had seen right to mark the appreciation of the great services he had

rendered by conferring upon him a very honourable title . He thought that was the first public opportunity of congratulating Sir James Creed Meredith upon his well merited honours . He could only add that he joined with the Deputy Grand Master in his admiration for that glorious

Order . They knew that it had proved a wonderful benefit to all countries in which it was allowed to live and thrive , and more particularly to Ireland . Political and religious differences were so great there that Masonry provided the

only home where men of all views might meet together as Brothers . He wished the members of the Order in Lurgan all prosperity . He trusted and hoped that their new home would lead to an increase of their members , and that the Order generally might be benefited .

Bro . W . J . Chetwode Crawley , LL . D ., G . Sec , who also replied , suggested that Brother Glendinning should transcribe portions of the ancient minute-books in his charge , so that they might be fittingly preserved in the muniments of the Grand Lodge of Ireland .

Bro . Keating Clay , J . P ., G . T . proposed the health of those who had extended their hospitality to the Visitors . Bro . James Malcolm , D . L ., P . P . G . W ., in reply , said Masonry had increased a good deal in Lurgan , and the presence of the D . G . M . and Grand Officers would give it a further impetus . — " Belfast News Letter . "

Ad00502

( No Tickets Required ) , QUEEN VI 0 T 0 R 1 A STREET , E . O ., Opposite St . Paul ' s Station ( L . C . & D . Sly . ) . PRICE BOOK ( 1 , 000 pages ) , illustrated , free on application . FREE DELIVERY IN SUBURBS by our oWn Vans . Liberal terms for Country Orders . FOR FUJ _ L DETAILS SEE PRICE BOOK .