Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Laying The Memorial Stone Of The Surrey Masonic Hall.
fourpenny piece , a threepenny piece , a penny , . halfpenny , and farthing , all of the current year ' s coinage . The casket was sealed and placed in a cavity under the stone by Bro . Clark , the architect , who also handed to Colonel Burdett , the silver trowel with which tlie ceremony of
laying was to be performed . Bro . Oliver , the builder , presented Col . Burdett , with the heavy maul , Bro . John Hervey handed thc square . Bro . J . C . Parkinson , the level , and Bro . J . T . Moss , the plumb rule . Col . Burdett , adjusted the stone after finding it to be fair work and square
work , and such as was ordered to be received for the building , and then adjusted it , declaring it to be well and truly laid , well squared , level , and perpendicular and a " perfect stone . " The band during this portion of the ceremony continued to play the music appointed as above mentioned When the stone had been laid with these
formalities . Colonel Burdett , turning to the company , said he trusted that the stone just laid might be a memorial of a happy day , and also of happy future prospects . He would now return the square to the Past Master , which he had been
permitted to use for ascertaining the correctness of the material laid , and which he had found to be true . The level he would return to the Grand Senior Warden , and the plumb rule to ' the Grand Junior Warden . In conclusion he must congratulate the brethren on the very successful
issue of the day s proceedings thus far . ( Cheers . ) Each of these ollicers having received the above working tools , Bro James Stevens came forward , and addressing Colonel Burdett , said , Most
Worshipful Grand Master , I now present you with a drawing of the building which we hope to see raised on the basis which you have so cordiall y and kindly done us the honour to lay to-day . We trust , Sir , that the proceedings of this day may make a very lively
impression not only on those who attend them , but on other members of our Craft , and lead them to do all they can to render the building thus commenced a credit io the Craft , a useful building for the neighbourhood , and an honour to all concerned in its construction . We have
adopted—I am speaking now , brethren , to yon especially—one of those principles of our Craft ' s teaching , without which we cannot be Masons at heart , I mean the principles of "faith . " We have had a very great many difficulties to contend with ir . regard to the formation of this
Surrey Masonic Hall ; and I tell you this i . s the third attempt that has been made to build such a place during the last eight or ten years . From laxity on the part of some , and , perhaps , bad management on the part of others , the former undertakings have fallen through bnt we have
trusted very much lo the energy of a few brethren to bring matters now to the present issue , not waiting to come before you till the hall i . s built , but coming before you at once , and relying on that faith without whicli the great metropolitan church of St . Paul ' s would not have been carried
out by Sir Christopher Wren , who acted as a Mason should , and never rested till the building was completed . We feel very deeply indebted to you for the honour conferred upon us by your presence on this occasion . On behalf of the directors I beg to express the great pleasure' we
have in seeing with you here the Grand Secretary , and the most hi ghly respected Deputy Provincial Grand Master from your province . Both for myself and the other directors I beg to thank them and all the others who have kindly assisted by their presence . But
allow me to make one other remark before I sit down about the matter for which we have assembled . Wc trust , sir , at no distant date that it may be our proud privilege to receive you and all others who are now on the premises , on which we are standing , in a finished building to perform the ceremonies of our Order with
that decorum together with that pleasure and agreeableness to ourselves in which we know they can be done in suitable buildings . Again thanking you for your attendance to-day , and trusting that the brethren who are not yet shareholders of the Company may give the matter consideration , and join us in carrying out what we feel assured will be profitable pecunia-
Laying The Memorial Stone Of The Surrey Masonic Hall.
rily to themselves , and of benefit to the Order , I beg to make to you a present of the drawing I mentioned at the beginning of my address , and 1 trust you will have much pleasure in looking on it in the future , as you have pleasure in being-- here to-day . ( Cheers . )
Colonel Burdett' —Bro . Stevens , I receive the picture with very much pleasure , and shall always look on it with lively satisfaction . Bro . J . C . Parkinson—Colonel Burdett , and brethren , there is one other duty T think we should perform , and which , I believe , we should
perform with pleasure , and that is to thank the ladies who are present for their kindness in coming here . The brother who has just spoken alluded to the virtue of " faith , " which he says has been largely invoked by the brethren more immediatel y interested in this
undertaking . I here is another virtue which we associate with " faith , " and which the beautiful faces before mc are highly calculated to inspire in the minds of our younger brethren , that of hope . I am quite sure the bachelor Masons who are present must be inspired by the presence of such
bright and beautiful faces before them , and feel hope that at no distant day they may bring their wives and daughters to a similar ceremony . Bro . Hervey has asked me thank you for him as well as for myself for your kind remembrance of us . It has given me great pleasure to be present aud
witness the general tone of harmony which prevails . I am quite sure the provincial Grand Master , whose Deputy I have the honour to be , will look on this ceremony as one ol" the bright spots in his life . Sir John Bennett : —Wc do not forget that this
is no ordinary occasion . We have had , as we have been told , previous attempts at construction of a Masonic Hail for Surrey , and failures ; 1 rather like attempts and failures . We ai * : all the stiller , we are all the better for them , for we are about
at last to succeed . We are met as Masons at a time of day unfortunately when many of our brother Masons who would have been here are so occupied with the affairs of every-day life that they cannot come . We do not forget that Masons will have here , " a local habitation , "
and a home . We oo not forget the great purposes of Freemasonry . We know its antiquity , we know its great traditions . Our oldest authentic history , that of the Hebrews , is one in which wc find great traditions concerning our Craft , and strange to say , the learning of some
of our most able critics of late , possibly throngh the exposition of the Talmud itself , is likely to bring forward confirmation of it to which we as Freemasons attach due importance . The world ' s history has led up to the present condition of human civilisation . Every chapter
has been a step higher and hi gher to those very objects which are the cardinal points of the Craft of Masonry , and we are prepared to say this tradition confirms out declaration that through every chapter of the wot Id ' s history for centuries there is little doubt that Freemasonry has played
no insignificant a part . In these days of libertyat least here in England—in these days , we hardly know what it had to do in former ages . Sometimes it held its meetings in secret ; but always having within its own circle some of its bri ghtest and best men , thoroughly in earnest , because
they knew the danger under which tliey acted , who kept alive the lamp of faith , of hope , of charity , of the highest human importance , and all those great princi ples and elements ou which we stand as free men in the present time . We have been reminded to-dav that we are honoured
by the presence of the fair sex , the very fair sex . What women ' s rights may come to in the future we can hardly tell , but we must build the foundation before we have the superstructure ; and certainl y looking at tlie fact of their position in early days , and at the useful and high position
which they occupy now , ami that they are as intelligent beings taking part in this ceremony , we say that Masonry has had something to do with it ; and whether direcily or indirectly we hardly know to what extent they are indebted to
the honourable Craft of Masonry for tlie blessings they enjoy . On their behalf I thank you for the compliment you have paid them and on behalf of th" brethren . Provincial Grand Master , I have to thank you for the distinguished
Laying The Memorial Stone Of The Surrey Masonic Hall.
honour yon have conferred upon us by coming here and performing the ceremony of laying the memorial-stone of this building . ( Hear , hear . ) Colonel Burdett—Brethren , I feci very much gratified at being here , and I thank you very much for the kind manner in which you have
received my endeavours to be of any little service to you . It is not to me that the arrangements which have been made to-day are due . I have had a great deal of credit which I feel I do not deserve ; yet if , at any moment , I can do anything to assist the brethren at large ,
I am happy to do it , and I feel both gratified and pleased , as well as honoured , by taking part in this day ' s proceedings . Thc company , including the ladies , then repaired to the luncheon tent , which was fitted up beneath one of the railway arches with great
taste . Striped canvas was placed overhead , and the walls were hung with red ami green cloth , producing an agreeable effect to the ej * e , and being sufficiently cool and ventilated to be very pleasant to visitors who would have to sit for a lengthened period . Colonel Burdett , of course
occupied the chair , having Mrs . Burdett on his left , and Bro . J . Stevens on his ri ght . Bro . Hervey , Grand Secretary , Bros . Parkinson , E . Clark , J . Beard , Sir John Bennett , J . T . Moss , C . A . Cottebrune , George Kenning , P . A
Nairne , Dr . Pinder Browne , Middlemas , Vockins , Bridges , Larlham , Hastie , Batch , and Forbes , were among the brethren who assisted . At the conclusion of the elegant repast which was spread ,
The Chairman proposed " The Health of the Queen , " which having been honoured , he proposed "The Marquess of Ripon , M . W . G . M ., the Earl of Carnarvon , D . G . M ., and the Grand Oflicers , Past and Present , " and in doing so expressed his great pleasure at seeing so many
present , from his own province of Middlesex , from Surrey , Essex , and even from Scotland , Many as they were , he should have been pleased to see a still greater number . Me called upon Bro . Parkinson to respond . Bro . Parkinson said that he had presumed
that he would havo to return thanks for the Grand Officers of the year but he could not conceive that because he held that position he was to return thanks for the Marquess of Ripon . Profoundly grateful as the Grand Officers were of course to the Grand Master for the hi gh
distinction conferred on them , their satisfaction was materially heightened by the manifestations of generoi'S approval which , on all occasions , greeted their appointments . ( Hear , hear . ) They were full y conscious that it was from no superior merit of their otvn , that they had attained their
present position , but rather from circumstances having enabl-rl them to render services which any Mason would be glad to perform , which many Masons had performed , but which , in the Grand Officers' case , had had the good fortune to come to the Grand Master ' s knowledge , and
to be stamped with his approbation . No one knew belter than the Grand Officer addressing them , that among the Grand Master ' s Masonic subjects there were hundreds and thousands of members who would make unexceptionable Grand Officers , who were excluded from the
position only by the inexorable law of numbers , and who would , if called upon , he felt salisfied , willingly undertake the position even with the oratorical responsibilities which he himself found so heavy . He would only say that on behalf of the large and influential body of
Grand Officers of England , for whom he had been asked to respond , they earnestly trusted they would be enabled to perform their duties , and when the time came for putting oil their armour , they must be thought wo'thy to join that band of whom it might be said , in thc
choice and significant language of Holy Writ , " They have done what they could . " ( Cheers . ) The Chairman said , although he had spoken several times before , he found ho had another toast to propose , which he felt would come home to every one . present . They had all been much
gratified with the proceedings that had taken place that day , and he must say that he had been as much gratified as they with the proceedings and the arrangements . So gratified was he , that he felt they would be deficient in the performance of their dntv if they
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Laying The Memorial Stone Of The Surrey Masonic Hall.
fourpenny piece , a threepenny piece , a penny , . halfpenny , and farthing , all of the current year ' s coinage . The casket was sealed and placed in a cavity under the stone by Bro . Clark , the architect , who also handed to Colonel Burdett , the silver trowel with which tlie ceremony of
laying was to be performed . Bro . Oliver , the builder , presented Col . Burdett , with the heavy maul , Bro . John Hervey handed thc square . Bro . J . C . Parkinson , the level , and Bro . J . T . Moss , the plumb rule . Col . Burdett , adjusted the stone after finding it to be fair work and square
work , and such as was ordered to be received for the building , and then adjusted it , declaring it to be well and truly laid , well squared , level , and perpendicular and a " perfect stone . " The band during this portion of the ceremony continued to play the music appointed as above mentioned When the stone had been laid with these
formalities . Colonel Burdett , turning to the company , said he trusted that the stone just laid might be a memorial of a happy day , and also of happy future prospects . He would now return the square to the Past Master , which he had been
permitted to use for ascertaining the correctness of the material laid , and which he had found to be true . The level he would return to the Grand Senior Warden , and the plumb rule to ' the Grand Junior Warden . In conclusion he must congratulate the brethren on the very successful
issue of the day s proceedings thus far . ( Cheers . ) Each of these ollicers having received the above working tools , Bro James Stevens came forward , and addressing Colonel Burdett , said , Most
Worshipful Grand Master , I now present you with a drawing of the building which we hope to see raised on the basis which you have so cordiall y and kindly done us the honour to lay to-day . We trust , Sir , that the proceedings of this day may make a very lively
impression not only on those who attend them , but on other members of our Craft , and lead them to do all they can to render the building thus commenced a credit io the Craft , a useful building for the neighbourhood , and an honour to all concerned in its construction . We have
adopted—I am speaking now , brethren , to yon especially—one of those principles of our Craft ' s teaching , without which we cannot be Masons at heart , I mean the principles of "faith . " We have had a very great many difficulties to contend with ir . regard to the formation of this
Surrey Masonic Hall ; and I tell you this i . s the third attempt that has been made to build such a place during the last eight or ten years . From laxity on the part of some , and , perhaps , bad management on the part of others , the former undertakings have fallen through bnt we have
trusted very much lo the energy of a few brethren to bring matters now to the present issue , not waiting to come before you till the hall i . s built , but coming before you at once , and relying on that faith without whicli the great metropolitan church of St . Paul ' s would not have been carried
out by Sir Christopher Wren , who acted as a Mason should , and never rested till the building was completed . We feel very deeply indebted to you for the honour conferred upon us by your presence on this occasion . On behalf of the directors I beg to express the great pleasure' we
have in seeing with you here the Grand Secretary , and the most hi ghly respected Deputy Provincial Grand Master from your province . Both for myself and the other directors I beg to thank them and all the others who have kindly assisted by their presence . But
allow me to make one other remark before I sit down about the matter for which we have assembled . Wc trust , sir , at no distant date that it may be our proud privilege to receive you and all others who are now on the premises , on which we are standing , in a finished building to perform the ceremonies of our Order with
that decorum together with that pleasure and agreeableness to ourselves in which we know they can be done in suitable buildings . Again thanking you for your attendance to-day , and trusting that the brethren who are not yet shareholders of the Company may give the matter consideration , and join us in carrying out what we feel assured will be profitable pecunia-
Laying The Memorial Stone Of The Surrey Masonic Hall.
rily to themselves , and of benefit to the Order , I beg to make to you a present of the drawing I mentioned at the beginning of my address , and 1 trust you will have much pleasure in looking on it in the future , as you have pleasure in being-- here to-day . ( Cheers . )
Colonel Burdett' —Bro . Stevens , I receive the picture with very much pleasure , and shall always look on it with lively satisfaction . Bro . J . C . Parkinson—Colonel Burdett , and brethren , there is one other duty T think we should perform , and which , I believe , we should
perform with pleasure , and that is to thank the ladies who are present for their kindness in coming here . The brother who has just spoken alluded to the virtue of " faith , " which he says has been largely invoked by the brethren more immediatel y interested in this
undertaking . I here is another virtue which we associate with " faith , " and which the beautiful faces before mc are highly calculated to inspire in the minds of our younger brethren , that of hope . I am quite sure the bachelor Masons who are present must be inspired by the presence of such
bright and beautiful faces before them , and feel hope that at no distant day they may bring their wives and daughters to a similar ceremony . Bro . Hervey has asked me thank you for him as well as for myself for your kind remembrance of us . It has given me great pleasure to be present aud
witness the general tone of harmony which prevails . I am quite sure the provincial Grand Master , whose Deputy I have the honour to be , will look on this ceremony as one ol" the bright spots in his life . Sir John Bennett : —Wc do not forget that this
is no ordinary occasion . We have had , as we have been told , previous attempts at construction of a Masonic Hail for Surrey , and failures ; 1 rather like attempts and failures . We ai * : all the stiller , we are all the better for them , for we are about
at last to succeed . We are met as Masons at a time of day unfortunately when many of our brother Masons who would have been here are so occupied with the affairs of every-day life that they cannot come . We do not forget that Masons will have here , " a local habitation , "
and a home . We oo not forget the great purposes of Freemasonry . We know its antiquity , we know its great traditions . Our oldest authentic history , that of the Hebrews , is one in which wc find great traditions concerning our Craft , and strange to say , the learning of some
of our most able critics of late , possibly throngh the exposition of the Talmud itself , is likely to bring forward confirmation of it to which we as Freemasons attach due importance . The world ' s history has led up to the present condition of human civilisation . Every chapter
has been a step higher and hi gher to those very objects which are the cardinal points of the Craft of Masonry , and we are prepared to say this tradition confirms out declaration that through every chapter of the wot Id ' s history for centuries there is little doubt that Freemasonry has played
no insignificant a part . In these days of libertyat least here in England—in these days , we hardly know what it had to do in former ages . Sometimes it held its meetings in secret ; but always having within its own circle some of its bri ghtest and best men , thoroughly in earnest , because
they knew the danger under which tliey acted , who kept alive the lamp of faith , of hope , of charity , of the highest human importance , and all those great princi ples and elements ou which we stand as free men in the present time . We have been reminded to-dav that we are honoured
by the presence of the fair sex , the very fair sex . What women ' s rights may come to in the future we can hardly tell , but we must build the foundation before we have the superstructure ; and certainl y looking at tlie fact of their position in early days , and at the useful and high position
which they occupy now , ami that they are as intelligent beings taking part in this ceremony , we say that Masonry has had something to do with it ; and whether direcily or indirectly we hardly know to what extent they are indebted to
the honourable Craft of Masonry for tlie blessings they enjoy . On their behalf I thank you for the compliment you have paid them and on behalf of th" brethren . Provincial Grand Master , I have to thank you for the distinguished
Laying The Memorial Stone Of The Surrey Masonic Hall.
honour yon have conferred upon us by coming here and performing the ceremony of laying the memorial-stone of this building . ( Hear , hear . ) Colonel Burdett—Brethren , I feci very much gratified at being here , and I thank you very much for the kind manner in which you have
received my endeavours to be of any little service to you . It is not to me that the arrangements which have been made to-day are due . I have had a great deal of credit which I feel I do not deserve ; yet if , at any moment , I can do anything to assist the brethren at large ,
I am happy to do it , and I feel both gratified and pleased , as well as honoured , by taking part in this day ' s proceedings . Thc company , including the ladies , then repaired to the luncheon tent , which was fitted up beneath one of the railway arches with great
taste . Striped canvas was placed overhead , and the walls were hung with red ami green cloth , producing an agreeable effect to the ej * e , and being sufficiently cool and ventilated to be very pleasant to visitors who would have to sit for a lengthened period . Colonel Burdett , of course
occupied the chair , having Mrs . Burdett on his left , and Bro . J . Stevens on his ri ght . Bro . Hervey , Grand Secretary , Bros . Parkinson , E . Clark , J . Beard , Sir John Bennett , J . T . Moss , C . A . Cottebrune , George Kenning , P . A
Nairne , Dr . Pinder Browne , Middlemas , Vockins , Bridges , Larlham , Hastie , Batch , and Forbes , were among the brethren who assisted . At the conclusion of the elegant repast which was spread ,
The Chairman proposed " The Health of the Queen , " which having been honoured , he proposed "The Marquess of Ripon , M . W . G . M ., the Earl of Carnarvon , D . G . M ., and the Grand Oflicers , Past and Present , " and in doing so expressed his great pleasure at seeing so many
present , from his own province of Middlesex , from Surrey , Essex , and even from Scotland , Many as they were , he should have been pleased to see a still greater number . Me called upon Bro . Parkinson to respond . Bro . Parkinson said that he had presumed
that he would havo to return thanks for the Grand Officers of the year but he could not conceive that because he held that position he was to return thanks for the Marquess of Ripon . Profoundly grateful as the Grand Officers were of course to the Grand Master for the hi gh
distinction conferred on them , their satisfaction was materially heightened by the manifestations of generoi'S approval which , on all occasions , greeted their appointments . ( Hear , hear . ) They were full y conscious that it was from no superior merit of their otvn , that they had attained their
present position , but rather from circumstances having enabl-rl them to render services which any Mason would be glad to perform , which many Masons had performed , but which , in the Grand Officers' case , had had the good fortune to come to the Grand Master ' s knowledge , and
to be stamped with his approbation . No one knew belter than the Grand Officer addressing them , that among the Grand Master ' s Masonic subjects there were hundreds and thousands of members who would make unexceptionable Grand Officers , who were excluded from the
position only by the inexorable law of numbers , and who would , if called upon , he felt salisfied , willingly undertake the position even with the oratorical responsibilities which he himself found so heavy . He would only say that on behalf of the large and influential body of
Grand Officers of England , for whom he had been asked to respond , they earnestly trusted they would be enabled to perform their duties , and when the time came for putting oil their armour , they must be thought wo'thy to join that band of whom it might be said , in thc
choice and significant language of Holy Writ , " They have done what they could . " ( Cheers . ) The Chairman said , although he had spoken several times before , he found ho had another toast to propose , which he felt would come home to every one . present . They had all been much
gratified with the proceedings that had taken place that day , and he must say that he had been as much gratified as they with the proceedings and the arrangements . So gratified was he , that he felt they would be deficient in the performance of their dntv if they