-
Articles/Ads
Article PROVINCIAL. ← Page 13 of 16 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
assembled , to express to you our high gratification at being called forth to unite in an undertaking at once so laudable , so just , and so exemplary . Gentlemen , my labours on this occasion will be confined to the figurative or symbolical ; indeed , similar in every respect to those Masonic ceremonies which have uniformly attended the dedication of the various structures of eminence from time to time erected during the latter ages of the world ; for since sciencein ielding to the rapid
in-, y crease of mental illumination amongst civilized nations , has descended from her once secluded pedestal to become the playmate of the child , and the youth of to-day are wiser than the sages of old , the operative practice of Masonry has been gradually relinquished by the Craft , for speculative exercises in the principles of truth and virtue ; and the implements or tools I am about to use , namely , the square , the plumb , the level , ancl the malletare merely emblematical instrumentsharmonizing our
, , actions as men , and according to their several uses and applications in science and art . Thus the square teaches us to regulate our conduct through life ; the plumb admonishes us to walk uprightly in our several stations ; the level demonstrates that we are all descended from the same stock ; ancl the mallet instructs us to lop off excrescences , or , in other words , to correct irregularities , and to reduce man to his proper level .
Gentlemen , I have prefaced our ceremonies thus much , in order to give them a consistency in the eyes of that portion of our spectators uninitiated in the mysteries of Freemasonry ; and shall now proceed in the duties which have devolved upon mc .
The secretary of the Committee then read the inscription on vellum , which was placed by the only child of the deceased R . Lander ( an interesting little girl aged six years ) in the phial with the coins , and the chairman of the committee , Humphry AVilliams , Esq ., deposited the same in the cavity of the lower stone , when the Provincial Grand Secretary placed the inscription plate over the mouth of the cavity—the widow ancl a brother of the deceased R . Lander being on the right .
The cement was then placed on the upper face of the bottom stone , and the P . G . M ., chairman of the committee , and chief magistrate , adjusted the same with trowels handed to them for that purpose ; after which the upper stone was slowly lowered , amidst huzzas ancl the band p ' aying " Rule Britannia . "
The square , plumb , & c . were then applied , and the corn , wine , and oil scattered and poured over the stone , when the D . P . G . AV . pronounced an invocation , viz .: — " May the Almighty Architect of the Universe prosper this our dedication to worth ancl merit ; and may the bounteous hand of Heaven bless this ancient town with abundance of corn , wine , and oil ; and with all comfort , conveniences , and necessaries of life to the latest posterity . "
The P . G . Secretary Ellis then spoke as follows : — It is customary for the P . G . Secretary to give an address on occasions like the present , on the origin ancl progress of the ancient and honourable society . To those of a speculative turn of mind , who view the Order as that universal science ivhieh comprehends every other , it is unnecessary to say any thing either as it respects its antiquity or excellence—permit me , however , to point your attention to thc striking resemblance of our ceremonies as compared with those celebrated schools of secret knowledge ivhich existed in every part of the Gentile world
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
assembled , to express to you our high gratification at being called forth to unite in an undertaking at once so laudable , so just , and so exemplary . Gentlemen , my labours on this occasion will be confined to the figurative or symbolical ; indeed , similar in every respect to those Masonic ceremonies which have uniformly attended the dedication of the various structures of eminence from time to time erected during the latter ages of the world ; for since sciencein ielding to the rapid
in-, y crease of mental illumination amongst civilized nations , has descended from her once secluded pedestal to become the playmate of the child , and the youth of to-day are wiser than the sages of old , the operative practice of Masonry has been gradually relinquished by the Craft , for speculative exercises in the principles of truth and virtue ; and the implements or tools I am about to use , namely , the square , the plumb , the level , ancl the malletare merely emblematical instrumentsharmonizing our
, , actions as men , and according to their several uses and applications in science and art . Thus the square teaches us to regulate our conduct through life ; the plumb admonishes us to walk uprightly in our several stations ; the level demonstrates that we are all descended from the same stock ; ancl the mallet instructs us to lop off excrescences , or , in other words , to correct irregularities , and to reduce man to his proper level .
Gentlemen , I have prefaced our ceremonies thus much , in order to give them a consistency in the eyes of that portion of our spectators uninitiated in the mysteries of Freemasonry ; and shall now proceed in the duties which have devolved upon mc .
The secretary of the Committee then read the inscription on vellum , which was placed by the only child of the deceased R . Lander ( an interesting little girl aged six years ) in the phial with the coins , and the chairman of the committee , Humphry AVilliams , Esq ., deposited the same in the cavity of the lower stone , when the Provincial Grand Secretary placed the inscription plate over the mouth of the cavity—the widow ancl a brother of the deceased R . Lander being on the right .
The cement was then placed on the upper face of the bottom stone , and the P . G . M ., chairman of the committee , and chief magistrate , adjusted the same with trowels handed to them for that purpose ; after which the upper stone was slowly lowered , amidst huzzas ancl the band p ' aying " Rule Britannia . "
The square , plumb , & c . were then applied , and the corn , wine , and oil scattered and poured over the stone , when the D . P . G . AV . pronounced an invocation , viz .: — " May the Almighty Architect of the Universe prosper this our dedication to worth ancl merit ; and may the bounteous hand of Heaven bless this ancient town with abundance of corn , wine , and oil ; and with all comfort , conveniences , and necessaries of life to the latest posterity . "
The P . G . Secretary Ellis then spoke as follows : — It is customary for the P . G . Secretary to give an address on occasions like the present , on the origin ancl progress of the ancient and honourable society . To those of a speculative turn of mind , who view the Order as that universal science ivhieh comprehends every other , it is unnecessary to say any thing either as it respects its antiquity or excellence—permit me , however , to point your attention to thc striking resemblance of our ceremonies as compared with those celebrated schools of secret knowledge ivhich existed in every part of the Gentile world