-
Articles/Ads
Article PROVINCIAL. ← Page 9 of 19 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
church in this town were laid hythe above-named nobleman on thc 29 th day of January , 1823 . The lord bishop , striking the stone with the mallet three times , said , " Thus , and thus , and thus , do I lay the first stone of this church , and may Almighty God prosper cur undertaking . " J . H . Hill , Esq ., one of the hon . secretaries , then read the inscription engraved on a brass plate .
T . T . Dibb , Esq . the other hon . secretary , then exhibited a brass jar , hermetically sealed , containing all the coins of the present reign . These it was intended to deposit along with a copy of each of the last week ' s Leeds papers , a list of the subscribers to the * church building fund , and a Leeds Directory . In the centre of the foundation stone was a cavity , measuring fourteen inches hy nine , and about six inches deep . In that cavity a strong iron
box was soldered , and in that box was placed the inscription plate , the coins , and the documents above mentioned ; and some cement having been applied to the margin , the lid was screwed doivn anil fastened with molten lead . AAliilst this was going on the architect exhibited his plans and elevations of the intended edifice . The upper stone was then lowered upon the other , to which it was fastened by screw bolts , that were subsequently secured bmolten lead .
y Bro . Heselton then applied to the stone the square , the level , and the plumb-rule , which were handed to him by . the proper officers of the Masonic Order , and having ascertained its correctness , said , " May the great Architect of the Universe prosper this undertaking , and may the superstructure prove perfect in its parts , and honourable to those who may construct it . "
Bro . Heselton then observed that it had been usual on these occasions to make some observations on the uses of Masonry ; but at this time , and in consideration of the advanced hour of the day and the state of the weather , he should merely remark that the symbols of those instruments used by architects , ivhich he had just applied to the stone , were unknown to common observers , who merely saw in them the simple square , the level , and the plumb-rule . But Free and Accepted Masons
recognized them as emblems of certain moral principles and religious duties , which , if followed out as men ought to follow them , would render them valuable members of society . " The square was an emblem of morality , which taught them to square their lives and actions by the unerring laws of God ' s word , and to regulate their conduct according to the doctrine laid down by their Divine Creator , to preserve a lively faith in his holy gospel , and taught them to live in charity with all mankind .
The level was an emblem of equality , and reminded them that in the eyes of God all men were equal ; that He caused the sun to shine upon the poor man ' s cottage as well as the king ' s palace ; with Him there was no distinction , unless they so far forgot their duty as to neglect and disobey the Divine commands . The plumb-rule , signifying uprightness , reminded them to use justice and equity in all their dealings on earth , so that through the great mercy of Godand the mediation ofhis blessed
, Son . they might hope to obtain an entrance into the great Lodge above , not made with hands , eternal in the heavens . A Masonic hymn was then sung . The Bishop of Ripon then spoke as follows : " Mv Christian Brethren , we have j ust been engaged in a sacred undertaking , the object of which is the glory of God and the salvation of the souls of men ; and I
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
church in this town were laid hythe above-named nobleman on thc 29 th day of January , 1823 . The lord bishop , striking the stone with the mallet three times , said , " Thus , and thus , and thus , do I lay the first stone of this church , and may Almighty God prosper cur undertaking . " J . H . Hill , Esq ., one of the hon . secretaries , then read the inscription engraved on a brass plate .
T . T . Dibb , Esq . the other hon . secretary , then exhibited a brass jar , hermetically sealed , containing all the coins of the present reign . These it was intended to deposit along with a copy of each of the last week ' s Leeds papers , a list of the subscribers to the * church building fund , and a Leeds Directory . In the centre of the foundation stone was a cavity , measuring fourteen inches hy nine , and about six inches deep . In that cavity a strong iron
box was soldered , and in that box was placed the inscription plate , the coins , and the documents above mentioned ; and some cement having been applied to the margin , the lid was screwed doivn anil fastened with molten lead . AAliilst this was going on the architect exhibited his plans and elevations of the intended edifice . The upper stone was then lowered upon the other , to which it was fastened by screw bolts , that were subsequently secured bmolten lead .
y Bro . Heselton then applied to the stone the square , the level , and the plumb-rule , which were handed to him by . the proper officers of the Masonic Order , and having ascertained its correctness , said , " May the great Architect of the Universe prosper this undertaking , and may the superstructure prove perfect in its parts , and honourable to those who may construct it . "
Bro . Heselton then observed that it had been usual on these occasions to make some observations on the uses of Masonry ; but at this time , and in consideration of the advanced hour of the day and the state of the weather , he should merely remark that the symbols of those instruments used by architects , ivhich he had just applied to the stone , were unknown to common observers , who merely saw in them the simple square , the level , and the plumb-rule . But Free and Accepted Masons
recognized them as emblems of certain moral principles and religious duties , which , if followed out as men ought to follow them , would render them valuable members of society . " The square was an emblem of morality , which taught them to square their lives and actions by the unerring laws of God ' s word , and to regulate their conduct according to the doctrine laid down by their Divine Creator , to preserve a lively faith in his holy gospel , and taught them to live in charity with all mankind .
The level was an emblem of equality , and reminded them that in the eyes of God all men were equal ; that He caused the sun to shine upon the poor man ' s cottage as well as the king ' s palace ; with Him there was no distinction , unless they so far forgot their duty as to neglect and disobey the Divine commands . The plumb-rule , signifying uprightness , reminded them to use justice and equity in all their dealings on earth , so that through the great mercy of Godand the mediation ofhis blessed
, Son . they might hope to obtain an entrance into the great Lodge above , not made with hands , eternal in the heavens . A Masonic hymn was then sung . The Bishop of Ripon then spoke as follows : " Mv Christian Brethren , we have j ust been engaged in a sacred undertaking , the object of which is the glory of God and the salvation of the souls of men ; and I