Notes On The " United Orders Of The Temple And Hospital"

tram , in his interesting work , " The Great Sahara , " had stated that he found Freemasonry existing amongst the Arabs ; but that though their signs were almost identical with ours , the words were different . I wondered at this until

I came across the accompanying extract the other day , To us who believe in the antiquity of our degrees , it is significant . I refer your

readers to thc Jewish Chronicle , June 14 th , 1872 In an article entitled , " Is Darwinism Anti-Bib lical , " the following passage occurs : —

" The resemblance of the modern Arabic to Hebrew is so striking , that there can scarcely be a doubt that both are derived from the same parent language ; yet the utmost confusion would

result from an attempt to g ive to Hebrew words in the Bible the exact meaning now attached to the corresponding words- —• words absolutely identical in sound and etymology in modern Arabic . "

Admitting that the Arabs of to-day possess our Freemasonry of the time of Solomon , we can readily understand that though they have handed down the signs as they received them ,

and as they were communicated to the Crusaders who joined the Syriac fraternities , yet , as the language has changed , the meaning of the words has changed also . This we know to be the case in our own language . ( To be continued . )

Laying The Foundation Stone Of A New Masonic Hall At Liskeard.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF A NEW MASONIC HALL AT LISKEARD .

The brethren of St . Martin ' s Lodge ( 510 ) , Liskeard , who at present meet for the transaction of their business at the London Inn , in that town , some time since determined that they would erect at their own cost , aided by the subscriptions

of brethren and friends from other jilaces , a new Masonic Hall , and a piece of land suitable for the jiurpose liaving been obtained , the necessary arrangements were rapidly made , and recently the foundation stone of the new hall was laid

by Bro . Reginald Rogers , D . P . G . M . of Cornwall , in the presence of a large number of Masonic brethren , and of hundreds of spectators . The work of construction has been entrusted to Bro . Thomas Lang , of Liskeard , and the stonecutting to Mr . James Nicholls : the building

will cost about . £ 850 , will consist of a large Masonic Hall , ancl offices , and is tube completed in about six months from the jiresent time . It will be erected on a capital site cm the Parade , almost immediately ojiposite the Hotel . At four o ' clock in the afternoon the

brethren assembled at the London Inn , and headed by the band of the Liskeard Volunteers , they marched to the site , a distance of about a hundred yards only . Amongst those present were Bros . Lorenzo Metham , D . Prov . G . M . of Devon , and P . G . Deacon of

England ; Reginald Rogers , D . Prov . G . M . ol Cornwall ; Ross , I ' . Prov . G . Chaplain of Cornwall ; Christopher Childs , P . Prov . G . S . W . ; Ough , P . Prov . J . W . , - Rich , P . M . 330 , Prov . G . J . W . ; E . Aitken Davies , Prov . G . Supt . of Works , Devon ; Hele , Mus . Bac , J . W . 333 ,

P . Prov . G . O . ; G . Kerswill . P . Prov . G . J . W . ; J ' B . Kerswill , P . G . S . ; J . Grossman , J . W . 970 ; G . Hate , S . W . 557 ; O . Colmer , 406 , St . Austell ; and the following members of St . Martin ' s Lodge : —Bros . K . A . Courtney , W . M . j White , S . W . Gerry , J . W . ; R . Coath ,

Treasurer ; Bottcrell , S . D . ; J . George ; J . D . ; Nancarrow , l . G . ; Penwarden , Ty ler ; | . Skin , l ' . M . ; W . Skin , P . M . ; G . Welsh , P . M . ! W . Richards , P . M . ; R . Hooper , P . M . ; R . Clogg , Beaglehole , Ham , and others . Arriving at their destination , the brethren at once formed round the stone , and the interesting

Laying The Foundation Stone Of A New Masonic Hall At Liskeard.

proceedings were commenced by a prayer from P . P . G . C . Ross . The stone was then lowered into its jilace , corn , wine , and oil , having been thrown upon it by one of the officiating brethren —as a symbol of prosperityand abundance . Following this came the usual brief address , which

was read by the D . P . G . M ., who , with a small silver trowel , had already passed it slightly over the mortar , and declared the stone to be jiroperly adjusted by jilumb , level , and square , which were delivered in succession b y the officers to whom they belonged , and the address concluded , the

architect placed himself in front of the D . P . G . M ., " who whispered something which all Masons know , " and thereupon the architect produced the jilan of the building . This was duly exhibited and examined , and various formal questions

were then ( put to , and answered by the W . M . of St . Martin ' s Lodge , relative to the object and purposes of the new Masonic Hall . One or two other formalities were gone through , after which the D . P . G . M . of Devon read from an official

book some remarks on the custom ot putting corn , wine , and oil , on the foundation stone , and having performed this task . Bro . Metham delivered the following oration : —Right Worshipful Sir and Brethren , —It gives mc great pleasure to be jiresent on this auspicious

occasion , in compliance with the invitation of the brethren of St . Martin ' s Lodge , and I esteem it a compliment to the Province of Devon to be so invited . They are your brethren , neighbours , and friends , and therefore , equally with myself , take an interest in whatever interests you . And

so with the Grand Lodge itself , as a vcry humble member , I can assure you that nothing that concerns the well-being of the Craft is indifferent to them . For they must consider it . a favourable omen that the members of a Lodge are so impressed with the importance of Freemasonry

that they come forward , and by their individual efforts , erect in its honour a suitable temple , and notably when they do so to clear themselves from the imputation that they are actuated by convivial rather than by purely Masonic feeling . To do this is a liroof that brethren

are prepared to make a sacrifice not onl y of time and money , but of old association . But , Right Worshipful Sir , before proceeding further , let me take this opportunity of conveying to your Province , through you , an expression of sincere condolence from your brethren of Devonshire on the occasion of your late great—I was going

to add , irreparable loss . Your P . G . Master , Bro . Smith , was our frequent visitor , ancl was wel , known to many of us individually . He was in my estimation , a good specimen of the true Englishman , for no man had a greater horror of wrong , or a stronger determination to resist it . He used the talents which the Great

Architect ot the Universe had given him , of tune , money , and intellect , for the good of his fellow creatures . He converted the physical waste into a jimductive and beautiful garden , and the moral waste , created by over-crowed dwellings , filth , and ignorance , which was rapidly deteriorating

the population of the Scilly Islands into a race only to be equalled in degradation , physical and moral , by the Swiss Cretins ; he converted , by firmness ar . d sound legislation , into an equally jirodtictivc garden of cleanliness , decency , manliness , and intelligence . He was far-seeing , for

he was the first in all England to apply the principlc of compulsory education to his tenants , ancl the consequence is that nowhere is to be found a more intelligent , thriving , and contented race of people than that whicii now inhabits the Scilly Islands , It may gratify you to inform

you that at our P . G . meeting on Thursday last a unanimous resolution of condolence with your Province on their great loss was cordially carried Oue of your own ( irand Officers was jiresent , and will tell you how sincerely this was expressed . Returning to the subject of our meeting today , 1 would venture to beg my brethren of St .

Martin ' s Lodge to consider well the importance of the task they have undertaken . Better would it be for them to turn buck , although they have put their hands thc plough so far , than to persevere in a light or unbecoming spirit . I entreat them to reflect that a Temple , however gorgeous , is in itself no proof of genuine Masonry ; it is but the ark in which Masonrv is to be

Laying The Foundation Stone Of A New Masonic Hall At Liskeard.

enshrined . I entreat them to remember that the solemnity of our most sublime ceremonies is onl y of value , so far as the moral principles they inculcate are practised within and without the lodge . I entreat them always to keep before their eyes and impressed in their deepest memory

that "Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth , " cordially adopted and faithfully applied , are the bri ghtest and mostfitting jewels and most enduring furniture of a Freemason ' s lodge . Again , I entreat the brethren of St . Martin ' s Lodge to reflect that by the ceremony of to-day , by coming

as it were out of the shade into the broad light of day , they have challenged the regard of all their fellow townsmen , and that they must be prepared to know that every word and action will be more strictly scrutinised than when fhey remained in comparative obscurity . And what

steps ought to be taken to meet this most justifiable and wholesome examination ? If this temple be indeed erected to true Masonry , you , brethren , of St . Martin ' s Lodge , must take the greatest care that none are permitted to enter its portals but men who can carry themselves

erect among tlieir fellows , and who are able to prove that they have done no dishonourable action which would disentitle them to take their jilace among "just and upright men . " You must take care that you admit none whose domestic conduct will not bear the strictest scrutiny ,

whose life is not temperate , ancl whose disposition is not averse to quarrel ; for one litigious spirit would spoil thc harmony whicii should at all times be the leading characteristic of a Freemason ' s lodge . Make sure that no candidate seeks initiation without sufficient thought or

consideration , for the presence of such induces a listless indifferent tone in the lodge at those moments when it is most desirable that an attentive , earnest interest should pervade the members . Rigidly exclude every one who appears , after due enquiry , to be seeking admission forthe

purpose of retrieving a ruined fortune ; such men have for years been the great bane of Masonry . Nor is it right that any , on whom even undeserved misfortune has fallen , so that they cannot pay their just debts , should continue in active communion with the Order . Masonry is a luxury

which all who enjoy should be able to jiay for with their own means , leaving something which can be spared for the necessities of others , without doing injury to themselves or their connections . He who cannot satisfy the just demands of his creditors should not be allowed to spend either

time or money in the lodge , or on Masonic objects , both time and money are due to his creditors , are needed by his family , and should be diligentl y applied to retrieving his embarrassed affairs . But when that end is accomjilished , and to which all true Masons should lend their best aid , then

might the brother take his old accustomed place , welcomed with all the respect due to the integrity and jierseverance which had waged a successful battle with misfortune . One word more , brethren , and I have finished . Let this foundation stone be to you as an altar , around whicii to

renew your mutual p ledge , with a solemn resolution to observe it under all circumstances , change , temptation , and trial , and to jiractise charity , that great watchword of our order . In every relation of life towards each other , towards your relatives , towards your friends ancl

neighbours , and towards strangers of every language , creed , and colour , practice always charity ; not only the charity of alms-giving , enjoined on us , as that is by our obligation , ancl blessed by the command and practice of thc

Great Architect of the Universe himself , but that more precious charity which thinketh no evil and speakelh no evil . Do this , ancl not only shall the world see how dearl y Masons love each other and their fellow man , but you will indeed be livinir that true Masonic life whicii is but

darkly shadowed forth by thc emblems , secrets , working tools , lectures , and temples of our Order , beautiful as they are ; and which are as nothing when compared with the bright warm reality of Masonrv fulfilled —( applause ) .

This concluded the ceremony at the stone , and the brethren then returned to the London Inn , where a substantial dinner was provided for them . Various toasts were proposed , and a p leasant evening was spent ,