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upon your time of a more private nature , we feel that you have conferred upon us a most distinguished honour in coining here to-day to lay the memorial stone of a building that is to be dedicated to the worship of Almighty God . AVe trust that the building now in progress , when thus dedicated , will be a great blessing to the neighbourhood , and that vour lordship ' s associations with

its erection may be to your lordship a pleasing reminiscence to the latest day of your life . I have now the pleasure to present you with this trowel . The upper stone was then raised and the lower one adjusted , and after the Old Hundedth Psalm had been sung , the P . G . Chaplain ( the Rev . T . Flynn ) offered up prayers . Bro . H . Smith , P . G . Chap ., then read the

inscription , which is incised on the west front of the upper stone , so as to be " read of all men" when the church is opened , and it is to be hoped will not share the fate which , as we have above noted , has befallen the records of earlier benefactors of Thornton . The inscription is as follows : — '' This memorial stone was laid with Masonic honours

on the 26 th of October , 1870 , by the Right Hon . George Frederick Samuel , third Earl de Grey and second Earl of Ripon , Viscount Goderich , Baron Grantham , and a baronet , Lord President of Her Majesty ' s Council , Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter , Most AVorshipful Grand Master of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England , and Provincial Grand Master of AA est

Yorkshire . " The stone was then duly laid with the Masonic ritual , during the playing of " Rule Britannia , " and besides the ancient mallet above described , a new mallet made by Messrs . John Ingham and Sons , shuttle makers , was used , and will be stored amongst the treasures of the local lodge . The emblematic corn , wine , and oil having been

poured upon the stone , another prayer was offered up , and The Earl DE GREY and RIPON then advanced and said : —Ladies and Gentlemen , I trust that you will now permit me—this stone having been duly laid—to address to you a few words of congratulation upon the ceremony of to day . It does , indeed , appear to me a matter of deep

congratulation that we should upon this occasion have been permitted to lay the first stone of this church , which I trust will rise from these walls a beautiful edifice dedicated to the highest of earthly purposes—the worship of the Almighty God . ( Applause . ) And if I felt before I came here to-day that we ofthe Masonic Craft had done well to consent to take our share in the ceremonies of

this morning , upon the general ground that it was a sacred duty to aid in the erection of such a building as this , I am the more convinced of the necessity of this church since I have passed that building which , up to this time , has served you for the purpose of a church in this neighbourhood ; for I am bound to say that anything in its external appearance , at all events , less like what a

church ought to be , it has seldom been my misfortune to see . ( Laughter . ) I should scarcely have ventured to speak so plainly upon the subject of that ancient monument if it had not been that , by the munificence of those who have contributed to this great work , we are now permitted to hope that at no distant day the discredit will be removed from this neighbourhood , and that you will have

among you a beautiful church , symbolising in its outward beauty the loveliness of those services and of those sacred truths which will be preached , I trust , to many generations within these walls . ( Cheers . ) The Right Rev . Bishop RYAN , D . D ., vicar of Bradford , then delivered a short address , desiring , he said , to follow in the noble Earl's strain of thankfulness and

congratulation . A work like that carried on in a right spirit , was one on which the light of God Almighty ' s countenance shone with exceeding brightness . Referring to the interesting records in the Bible of the erection of the former and the latter temple , and of the so great willingness to give to the latter that the people had to be restrained from giving , he expressed a hope that , if there were no need

for restraint , yet there would be such liberality in contributing towards the erection of the present building that the Building Committee would soon be relieved of any anxiety . Our Lord had given us His holy example in constant attendance at the temple and in the synagogues , while His apostles told us not to omit the gathering of ourselves together . He could not speak in favourable

terms of the edifice this building was to replace . Still , in 1612—258 years ago— its foundation-stone had been laid be the same brotherhood , which was so well represented and so worthily headed that day —( applause)—and the people of Thornton seemed to have taken great interest in the building , having repaired or rebuilt portions of it in 1664 , 1720 , 1761 , 1793 , and he found it

stated that the church had been repaired and beautified in 1818 . ( Laughter . ) A Latin poet had spoken of a beauty that seemed not to have departed in death ; but in this case the beauty seemed to have utterly departed . ( Laughter . ) It was interesting to see two of the monuments respecting clergymen who had been working there . In one it was said that his life was divided into three

parts : the first to religion , thc second to his people , the third to himself , and the whole to God . Of another it is recorded that he exemplified his own motto , " Impendc ct expende . " And he could not entertain a better wish , and very good wishes rose towards them that day , than that there might be ministers in that edifice who would so divide their lives , and would be so ready to " spend and be spent" in the service of their Master . ( Applause . )

The ceremony then closed , but a sudden and severe hailstorm deprived the retiring procession of the beauty which had impressed all observers but a short time before . By thc kindness of AV . Foster , Esq ., however , 'buses had been procured , which had brought up the brethren from Bradford in the forenoon , and enabled them to return in comfort through a most inclement afternoon . Tea was provided in the National Schoolroom at which there were several "sittings down , " thc number being

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nearly 300 ; and a public meeting was held in the evening , the school-room being densely crowded . Mr . John Margerison occupied the chair , and the Revs . J . Ellis , of AVilsden , and G . Robinson , of Allerton , addressed the meeting , the proceedings being enlivened by the Thornton Glee and Madrigal Union ; aided by Miss Rushworth and Messrs . Butterfield , Hobson , and Robertshaw ( pianist ) .

BANQUET . At four o'clock there was a brilliant and successful banquet in St . George's Hall ( the hall being decorated by Mr . Haley ) , and the catering most abundantly and excellently supplied by Mr . Crowther , of the New Irm . The Black Dyke Band played during the banquet , and the glees , songs , ' & c , were under the superintendence of Bro .

Atkinson , Mus . Bac . Cantab , P . G . M ., Organist ; Jeremiah Rhodes , and several ofthe musical brethren assisting . About 345 sat down , mostly members of the Craft , but including the Building Committee and a few of the friends of the church . Towards the close of the banquet , the stalls were graced by about 300 ladies , for whom dessert and refreshments were provided in the saloon .

Earl de Grey presided . On his left were Bro . J . C . Oddy , AV . M . of Harmony Lodge , Bradford ; M . Dawson , Esq ., the Mayor of Bradford ; ihe Rev . Dr . Ryan , Canon Burfield , Canon Mitton , the Rev . R . H . Heap , vicar of Thornton ; Col . Sellick , the American Consul ; Jno . Foster , jun ., Esq . ; Captain AA' oodhall , Scarbro' ; and Bro . Oldroyd , P . G . Treasurer .

On the right , Bro . P . AV . Foster , P . P . S . AV . ( in place ofthe AV . P . D . G . P . Master Bentley Shaw , who was absent through illness ) ; P . G . C . Flynn , P . M . Unna , Mr . M . Rhodes , Capt . Salmond , Bro . F . Binckes , Secretary of the Masonic Boys' School , London ; P . G . S . Bro . Henry

Smith , Theo . Peel , Chairman of the Building Committee , & c . At the other ends of the long table sat the other AV . M . ' s of the Bradford lodges—viz ., J . D . Sugden , D . Leeson , AV . Hodgson , and AV . AVroe . Canon Barfield offered a Masonic form of grace before and after dinner .

The Noble CHAIRMAN then proposed the toast of "The Queen" in loyal terms , which was followed by that of " The Prince of AVales and the rest ofthe Royal Family ;" his lordship bearing testimony to the Masonic activity of his Royal Highness , and referring to the approaching marriage of the Princess Louise , to whom he was sure they would all wish every blessing .

In proposing the " Army and Navy , " he said our first feeling must be one of thankfulness that they had not been called upon to engage in the dreadful struggles which was now revealing to us all the horrors of war . Long might we be spared from such a calamity ! At the same time , we had many lessons to learn from the contest to perfect our military organisation . He was happy to

believe that we had just cause for satisfaction in the present condition of our forces . Still there were changes to be made ; but he hoped no change would impair the incomparable spirit which had always animated our army and navy , and the reserve forces of our militia , yeomanry , and volunteers . Bro . Capt . ROBINSON , P . G . S ., responded .

Bro . FREEMAN , of Huddersfield ( in the absence of Bro . Bentley Shaw ) , proposed " The health of the Most AVorshipful the Grand Master , " and observed that seven years had elapsed since the noble Earl was elected P . G . M . of AVest Yorkshire , and from their experience of him if that had to be done again it would only be done more heartily than before . He was the very personification of

a Mason , both in his public acts and in his private life ; and Masons should never forget to be guided by the noble principle of universal beneficence and charity , which lay at the foundation of their Order . ( Cheers . ) The Noble CHAIRMAN ( whose rising was the signal for long-continued cheers ) most heartily thanked them for their kind reception . That was the first occasion upon

which , since his election to fill the throne of the Craft , he had been amongst , and addressed them . He could assure them that when he consented to take upon himself the important duties of that most honourable position , he did not do so without much hesitation as to his power of properly filling that important office , because from the public position which he was called lo fill , it would

necessarily follow that his public duties would prevent him attending as he should wish , to the duties of their Grand Master . But he felt that he should ill fulfill his position , if he did not lay it down as a rule , that it was his first duty to let his public duties to the country come before all considerations of a less extensive character . ( Hear , hear . ) Upon that occasion when they were graced with

the presence of so many ladies , and others , who did not belong to the Masonic body , he must abstain from touching upon topics relating to tlie Craft ; but he might say , alike to the brethren and to those who were not numbered in their ranks—that it had been his endeavour to impress upon them , upon every fitting occasion , that their ancient Masonry was not an affair of embroidered aprons and

public dinners —( cheers)—it was something deeper and higher which they ought to get out of it—because the principles of Masonry—if he mistook them not—were principles of a sound morality . ( Cheers . ) Iffheydidnot show forth in tlieir daily life the benefits which they derived from the study of their principles , they were not true to their principles . " By their fruits shall ye shall know

them . If they did not bring forth good fruit , the world would misrepresent , not themselves only , but the body to which they belonged . ( Cheers . ) His lorship stated his satisfaction in knowing that amongst other claims Masons had not been forgetful of those of charity , as was shown

by thc thousands of pounds which had been given for benevolent purposes . He believed they had that day been acting strickly in accordance with Mason principles when they took part in the interesting ceremony , which they performed that morning at Thornton . There were peculiar circumstances connected with the church at Thornton ,

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which had a special claim for consideration upon the Craft , and it was obvious that it impossible to take part on all similar occasions in every part of the province . He felt he should not be doing as he wished if he did not consent that the memorial stone at Thornton church should be laid by Freemasons , when he heard from Bishop Ryan that the first stone of the old church at Thornton

was laid centuries ago by the same ancient body of Freemasons . There was no greater , no worthier work , as it seemed to him , in which men could be engaged , than in raising a fitting building for the sacred worship of God . ( Loud cheers . ) The EARL next proposed the toast of " Right \ Vorshiful the Deputy Grand Master of England , " Earl of

Carvarvon , whom he regretted to say was unable to be present . The next toast on the list , put down for J . Rand , Esq ., was was absent , was proposed by the Chairman , namely , the " Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese . " He said it would be very unmasonic indeed , if upon the

occasion of laying the foundation-stone of what would ere long be a beautiful church , they did not give expression to the claims which the bishop and clergy had upon their respect and affection , especially when they remembered that there were so many clergymen in the ranks of the Craft .

The Right Rev . BISHOP RYAN , in responding , said that day had afforded an encouraging instance in which the laity in some of the highest ranks , and in some of the lowest , can be brought to operate in the work of the Church . He was not a . Mason , and therefore had no secrets to divulge —( laughter)—but he had had a great deal to do with their outword manifestations . AVhen he

went to the Mauritius , he found that the whole body of Freemasons had been excommunicated , and he so much respected them that he gave them the use of his cathedral . From that circumstance a kindly feeling sprang up between himself and the Masons , which had increased the more he had known of them ; and whenever any one suffered from viscissitudes ol fortune he had only to go to

a French settler , whom he named , who was a Mason , and he had only to mention the case to one of the lodges , when charity was forthcoming ; and so , as the Frenchman say—being relieved on that side he was free to act in another direction . ( Loud cheers . ) The Noble CHAIRMAN said he could not entrust the toast of Bro . Shaw , the AV . D . P . G . M . of AVest Yorkshire into other hands , as he had often said that were Bro .

Shaw absent from any of their festive gatherings he could say of of him what he could not to him . Unfortunately he was now absent , and in that absence he must say that by his unwearied work Bro . Bentley Shaw had won for himself a large place in the hearts and affections of every Mason —( cheers)—and he ( the chairman ) did not knowhow he could manage to conduct the affairs of that great province were it not for the valuable aid he received from Bro . B . Shaw .

Bro . the Rev . Canon BURFIELD responded for Bro . Shaw . Bishop Ryan , he said , could only speak to them of the outside of Masonry , but he had the greater privilege of being a Mason , and could assure the Bishop that although appearances are often deceptive , yet in that particular case the inside life quite bore out the outside appearance . Yet if the Bishop was a little curious as to the inside

working of Masonry , there was plenty of opportunities of satisfying that curiosity —( loud cheers and laughter)—and he might go a little further , and say that if on some future occasion their worthy vicar would avail himself of those opportunities , he would find that Masonry was transacted not only with a due regard to goodwill towards men , but with a due regard to that most high God for whose glory

hnd praise they had met together that day . The Rev . Canon MITTON proposed the toast of the Building Committee , and referring to the work which was being done by the Church in church-building and restoration , and in education , said there were no signs of decay , especially when they found that during the last three years there had been raised in the diocese L 350 , 000 for Church

purposes alone . The Rev . — HEAP , vicar of Thornton , who responded to the toast of the Building Committee , said he regretted the absence ( through an unavoidable engagement in anothercountyjof Mr . Powell , who was to have responded , and who was so large a donor to the Building Fund . He was exceedingly grateful for the honour which had been done them that day by the Freemasons . The building of

the church had been delayed for a considerable time for want of a proper site , until John Foster , Esq ., of Hornby Castle , came forward and kindly gave the present beautiful site . ( Applause . ) Bro . NEIL , of Bradford , proposed " The Mayor and Corporation of Bradford , " to which Bro . which Bro . M . DAWSON ( the Mayor ) responded . Bro . UNA proposed " The town and trade of Bradford . "

rhe CHAIRMAN ( Bro . AV . Foster , of the firm of J . Foster and Sons , Qucensbury ) responded , observing that he was , and had been from a boy , most intimately connected with the town and trade of Bradford , and always felt a great interest in its welfare . It was most gratifying to him to find that the town had progressed so well , and he could assure them that the principles of Masonry had

had much to do in securing that progress . Bro . BINCKES , of London , proposed " The AVorshi pful Masters of the Bradford Lodges , " to which Bro . J . C ODDY , AV . M . ofthe Harmony , responded . Bro . H . SMITH proposed thc toast of "The Masonic Charities , " which was responded to by Bros . T . HILL and BINCKES .

The toast of " The Ladies " was given by Bro . T HEO , PEEL , J . P ., and responded to by Bro . G . RICHARDSON , S . AA ' .

ISH CHOTZEB . —Hewers of stone in the Tynan quarries , preparatory of King Solomon ' s Temple .