Laying The Foundation Stone Of St. Marks Church, South Shields.

Chaplain ( Bro . Rev . C . D . Trotter , P . M . ) , delivered up an appropriate prayer , on the conclusion of which Bro . W . H . Crookes , P . G . Secretary , read the following inscription on the

brass plate which was deposited in the stone : — " St . Mark's Church , South Shields . To the eternal glory of God , the Great Architect of the Universe , and in the faith of Jesus Christ , the corner stone of the above Church was laid

-with the formalities of Craft Masonry , by Bro . Sir Hedworth Williamson , Bart ,, M . P ., D . P . G . M ., on the iSth day Sept ., A . L . 5873 , A . D . 1873 , and 37 th year of the reign of Queen Victoria . Charles Baring , D . D ., Bishop of Durham ; Rev . David Evans , lirst incumbent ; Rev . Robert

Green , donor of site ; Robert Clark and Son , Nottingham , architects ; Edmund Suddards , South Shields , builder . " This was followed by the Provincial Grand Master commanding Bro . G . | W . White , P . M . 240 , acting P . G . Treasurer , to deposit the phial , containing various coinj ,

and also copies of that morning ' s daily papers , & c ., in the cavity of the lower stone , over which the plate above mentioned was placed . These formalities having bsen duly performed , the two stones were then duly adjusted and cemented together , the band the while performing withgreat

solemnity " To Thee , O Lord . " The acting Provincial Grand Master having , according to the formula of the Order , proved the stone properly adjusted by the plumb rule , level , and square , he declared the stone duly laid . The ancient ceremony of pouring corn , wine , and oil over

the stone was then duly performed by Bro . Sir Hedworth Williamson , who said as hc did so " I strew this stone with corn , I strew this stone with wine , I strew this stone with oil . ' The Provincial Grand Chaplain offered up another prayer , at the close of which the acting Provincial

Grand Master inspected and approved of the plans of the new building , and formally handed them to the architect for his guidance . The elaborate and highly interesting ceremonial having been thus duly and most satisfactorily performed ,

Sir Hedworth Williamson , Bart ., M . P ., mounted the stone amid great cheering , and said : If even ( custom did not require him to offer a few remarks upon the successful conclusion of that very interesting ceremony , common courtesy would require him to thank the

numerous assembly for their attendance there that day . He was sure that he echoed the sentiments of all the brethren who had assisted him during the ceremony , and also the wishes of the public generally , when he hoped that the beginning ceremony in connection with the

erection of St Mark s Church was out an omen of its future career . The object of thc church was to alleviate the spiritual want there was in that increasing district—a want that must be felt in all increasing labouring papulations , such as were found in populous manufacturing towns

like South Shields ; and it must be gratifying to all present , as it had been to himself , to be present to assist Bro . Rev . D . Evans , the first incumbent of the district , in so noble and good a work ; but when that work i . s allied to one through their Fraternity an additional feeling of gratification was felt . As all the brethren of the

Craft were aware , in their Order they allowed of no difference or distinction as regards religious opinions . Within their lodges no such difference existed , but all thoughts aud such causes of discoid were banished , and it would be well if the different Christian sects in England would take a lesson from the humble brethren of

the Masonic Craft . 'I'he erection ol the churrh was to relieve a want now being felt in Shields , and in no way could the principle of Masonry be carried out in a better or nobler way than in inaugurating a building to be devoted to the worship of the Great Architect of the Universe ,

whom all , whether brother Masons or not , are bound to reverence and adore , and before whose presence they all must soon appear . The R . W . P . G . Master concluded by calling upon the brethren to exercise one great princip le ol lhe order—vi */ .., ch *> . tUy * by their contributions to the hnildincr fund . A enlli e . tinii was I ' leil taken at

the stone , amounting to / . ' , ' , 8 , alter which the brethren re-formed in procession , and marched back to the Mechanics' Hal , " ere the Provincial Graud Lodge was closed «' u due form .

Laying The Foundation Stone Of St. Marks Church, South Shields.

In the afternoon a public banquet was held at the Golden Lion Hotel ( Mr . Burtchby ' s ) , King street , South Shields , where upwards of 200 ladies and gentlemen sat down to a sumptuous repast . The chair was occupied by Sir Hedworth Williamson , Bart ., M . P ., who was supported on

the right by Mr . George Elliot , M . P ., Mrs . Evans , Mr . M . Palmer , Mr . Aid . Glover , the Mayor of South Shields , & c . ; and on the left by the Rev . Robert Green , Mr . J . C . Stevenson , M . P ., Mrs . Bennet , Miss Bennet , Mr . A . Clint

Liverpool , Mr . Wm . Anderson , f . P ., Mr . John Green , Dr . Robson , kc . Among others present were the clergy and brethren who were present at the laying of the foundation-stone . The Chairman gave "The Oueen and the Prince and Princess of Wales and the rest ofthe

Royal Family . " Mr . F . A . Clint next gave " The Bishop and Clergy of all Denominations , " and in doing so paid a well-deserved compliment to the perseverance and zealous labours of the Rev . D . Evans , to whose energy it was due that they had

laid the foundation-stone of St . Mark ' s that day . The Rev . Robert Green , who was cordially received , responded . The Chairman proposed " The Army , Navy , and the Volunteers , " and in doing so said that

it was customary to say that the army had done its duty in thc past , ancl would do so in the future ; but during the past few days a small war had sprung up which he was afraid would tax the energies and the patience of their gallant soldiers , and a war in which the gallant soldiers could get little or no glory . Yet the war , though

small , would have to be carried out , because no insult to the British flag could be allowed to pass unnoticed . They would all hope that the war would be short and successful , and he was sure that the brave men had the sympathies of all Englishmen in the trials they would have to endure in the pestilential climate they had gone to .

Lieut . Col . Palmer , in rising to respond , was warmly received . He said that he had for some years made navy vessels a peculiar study , and whenever he had an opportunity he visited vessels of war to whichever navy they belonged , and he could certainly say that the British navy

was not only second to none , but was superior to any . ( Hear , hear , and applause . ) With respect to the war in which they had embarked , he could say that in spite of the very unhealthy climate the soldiers hatl to encounter , the oflicers and men were volunteering to go and

defend the honour of the British flag —( hear , hear , and applause )—and determined that the flag should come out triumphantly . After referring to the increasing efficiency of the volunteers , the gallant Colonel again thanked

the company for the honour they had done him . Mr . Wallis , briefly and in complimentary terms , proposed " The Health of the Rev . D . Evans , incumbent of St . Mark ' s , " which was received with applause .

The Rev . D Evans responded in suitable terms , and thanked the people for thc support chey had given him , and thanked his Masonic brethren for their presence and assistance . Mr . W . Anderson proposed " The County and Botough Members . "

Mr . G . Elliot , ilf . P ., w / io was warmly cheered , after thanking the company for his enthusiastic reception , said lhat though he was too late to join in the Masonic procession , he had taken the opportunity to visit the vicinity where it was intended to erect the xery handsome

church , and lie was so convinced of tlie great necessity for such a work being curie 1 out that he felt greatl y impelled to say to Mr . Evans , " You may add f . 100 to my subscription . " ( Applause . ) He thought that Mr . Evans ' s great s \ ccet / s was due in no small measure to the fact that he had . combined the education of

the voting wilh his other work . ( Applause . "" i lie hoped thai within iiivlrc months the noble church would be completed . One ihing he felt convinced , it would not be stopped for want of money . If more were wanted , their friends need not hesitate to appeal again to him . ( Applause . ) Having referred to the arduous duties of a member of the 1 louse of Commons , he said he

Laying The Foundation Stone Of St. Marks Church, South Shields.

always tried to do his duty to his consituents . ( Applause . ) Major J . C . Stevenson , M . P ., who was loudly applauded , briefly responded , and paid a high compliment to the zealousness and industry of the Rev . Mr . Evans , and mentioned the pleasure he had in assisting the rev . gentleman in his negotiations with the Ecclesiastical

Commissioners . Several other toasts followed , and in the evening a grand concert was held in the Mechanics' Hall , South Shields , where there was a numerous company , the chair being occupied by Mr . J . C . Stevenson , M . P . The choirs of St . Mark ' s and the principal members of the choir of Durham Cathedral took part in the concert .

Historical Notes On Scotch Lodges.—No. I.

HISTORICAL NOTES ON SCOTCH LODGES . —No . I .

BY D . MURRAY LYON . GLASGOW KILWINNING , No . 4 . ( Continuedfrom page 6 z <) . ) In accordance with a custom inaugurated by Mother Kilwinning towards the end of the 17 th century , and followed iu after years by other

lodges , Glasgow Kilwinning began at a very early stage of its existence to grant commissions to make Masons . Thc following is a copy of a letter of authority to work in Edinburgh : — "Dearly beloved brother , —Your letter to us of the 30 th of last Aprile , praying for a power to

receive and admit Masons and members of Glasgow Kilwinning , being read at our monthly meeting of May , it was unanimously resolved to comply with your request . In consequence of which resolution you are vested with power , priviledge , and authority from us , as we doe hereby give you full power , priviledge , and authority

to receive and admitt all such of a worthy and honest character as shall apply to you to be received and admitted members of Glasgow Kilwinning ; and this we authorise you to doe , though at a distance from our lodge . Provided always and wt this restriction that no brother or brethren shall be admitted or received under

the name of Glasgow Kilwinning till he or Ihey shall pay the sum of twenty seven shillings and six pence sterling , as the ordinnr and usual charge stipulated and appointed by our rules and regulations as the expense to be paid by every brother who shall be admitted . At same

time , you are required pointedly and exactly to make remittance of such sums of money as you shall receive for the admission of a member or members , and that per first post or other opportunity after such admission or admissions , and you are at the same time to send the name

and designation of ev ' ry new brother , with the date of his admission , so as he may be inrolled in our books . As we are well convinced of your ability's , we think it noways necessary to putt you in mind of charges and instructions to be given the young intrants . Wee therefore only add

that we wish you , as a dear brother , all spritual and temporal blessings in Chryst Jesus our Lord . Amen . These presents , retaining a power at onr pleasure to revoke and repeal them , are given at our Lodge of Glasgow Kilwinning , and sign'd and seal'd with our seals , the 23 rd of July , in the year of onr Lord , 1741 , and of

Masonry . 5741 . Sic . Subr ,, George Murdoch , Glasgow Kilwinning , William ( "lark , S . W . ; Jno . Hamilton , p J . W . To our worthy and well beloved brother John dimming . " Jn 1817 a memlier residing in Hamburg reported that with the assistance of some German Masons he had entered two Scotchmen to

Glasgow Kilwinning . The lodge indorsed the act , and instructed tlie brother to be careful to remit the entry-money of any future intrant he should admit . [ Notes on No . 4 will be concluded in the next ofthe present . series of papers . ]

SKO . MH . M . —The ( inly guaranteed cure tor Toothache . —This cxtraordinaly applic ilion , marvellous in ils cllccts , gives immediate relict , \ -itlu , at iiijiiiiu . u the loath , and tonus a temporal *'* . ^ oppine . is . lid .-, post hee is . -, d . 'Ihc I ' niuu IE I Horn I' . wre . ' lor clelvnSini ; and impro-an ; the teeth , impart .-a natural redness lo the )* ums * , and gives hrihi . atH * - to the enamel . I'liec Is . Od . -fhe RoVAI . UKN llU'K'i ., prepared tvom a recipe as used hy her Majesty , e , i * cs the teeth a pearl-like whitcnes :., and imparls a delicious traerauce to the breath . Krice is . ( id . .- ' old bv all chemists and perfumers , and hy tlie proprietors , . MKSSI ' . S . ILUIKIKI ., the old-established Demists , 52 , l . nil ;; ,: ie-bil' and jo , llaiky-j !! cct , l ' ai-eiidi-Ii-sou-ire , London .