New Masonic Hallat Sunderland.

NEW MASONIC HALLAT SUNDERLAND .

FOUND ViTON * STONE PHOCEEDINGS . The following account of these interesting proceedings is taken from thc Sunderland Times of July G This afternoon the foundation stone of a now Masonic llall was laid in Sunderland with all the imposing attendant ceremony when the Masonic Craft

participate in thoso proceedings . Jt reemasonry , as most of our readers aro aware , has taken strong root in Sunderland , where there are four lodges in existence . The oldest of these , according to what is believed to be reliable data , is the St . John ' s , the time of its origin being doubtful . This was followed by thc

Phcenix , established in 1755 , the Sea Captains ( now the Palatine ) , established in 1757 , and the Williamson , established in 1803 . Other Lodges appear to have been culled into existence , but have since , died out , and the masonic records point to a lodge in Monkwearmouth in 1774 , called " The Lodge of Harmony . "

The St . John ' s Lodge , however , claims to be the senior lodge in Sunderland , and to have existed one hundred and fifteen years . The members of St . John ' s Lodge have long desired a hall of their own in which to hold their craft and other meetings . For the last seven or eight years

the lodge was held at the Queen's Hotel , and previous to that in the Phoenix Hall , Queen-street , belonging to the Phoenix lodge . Endeavours were made in various directions to obtain sites , one of these was on the west side of John-street , near the Park , another in the upper part of Villiers-street ; sketch p lans were

prepared , but for unforeseen reasons all these fell through . Ultimately , the present site in Park-terrace , facing the new Park , on the east , was procured , and a more suitable one could not have been had . This terrace promises to be one of the best street lines we will have in Sunderland , and has the great advantage

of fronting tho new Park , into which it will have an uninterrupted view . Park-terrace will contain several public buildings . At the north end will be the large Victoria Hall , at the south end the Trinity Presbyterian Church , now in progress , with thc Masonic Hall a little to the north of the chapel . The hall

will be erected by a number of members of the craft , who have formed themselves into the " Sunderland Masonic Hall Company , Limited , " with shares of £ 1 each , upwards of one thousand of which are already taken . The proceeds of a ball and other entertainments arc invested in shares for the lodge , and held

in the name of the Worshipful Master and his officers for the time being . The total estimated cost of the building is little over . £ 1 , 500 . The plans of the front elevation show a white brick building , with stone dressings , stone strings and cornices , in harmony with the remainder of the buildings in the row . It

projects beyond the line " of adjoining houses some three or four feet , though not in a manner to detract from the appearance of thc other properties , and will not project so far as the chapel at the south end . The front will be pedimented with three tiers of three light windows . Above the second ,

or ground floor window , is a projecting balcony opening out from the club room on the upper storey . The principal entrance is at thc side , recessed about two feet back from the front . Ascending by a flight of seven steps , there is an Ionic portico , with columns on each side , and from the portico three steps lead to the

entrance hall . Above the portico is a staircase window , and above that a small dormer window , not of any utility at present , but without which it appears no Masonic lodge is complete . From the entrance hall is a descent by a ( li ght of steps to the basement floor , in which ia situate a kitchen 245 ft . by 13 f ft ., and

13 ft . in height , in which will be a large cooking apparatus , capable of providing for 150 people . Immediatel y behind the kitchen is the refreshment room for the use of the brethren , 23 ft . by 42 ft ., and 17 ft . in hei ght . Here the Masonic dinners , for which the Craft is famed , will be held , and this room can be

let for the purpose of the meetings of Free Gardeners , Foresters , Oddfellows , and other kindred societies . It will hold , comfortably , 150 people . The east-end is semi-circular in shape , the eastern wall ofthe building being carried up in that form throughout . On the basement floor will be the wine cellars , & c . On the

ground floor , in the front of the building , is a waitingroom ofthe same size as , and immediately above , the kitchen , and 12 ft . in height ; this will be sub-divided on lodge nights for Masonic purposes . Two double doors one on each side of the fire-place , open from this waiting-room to the lodge-room immediately behind .

The dimensions of this room are 25 ft . bv 42 ft ., ¦ with a height of 21 feet . It will be ornamented with Corinthian pilasters and full Corinthian columns . At the east end will be a raised semicircular dais , ascended hy three steps , and ranged round the semicircle will be placed seven chairs in the form of stalls , for the W . M .,

P . M . ' s , & c . These chairs will bo handsomely executed in oak in the Doric style , and abovethe Master ' s Chair will be the proper Masonic emblems . Round the sides of the room will be stuffed seats , and the remainder of the scats will be chairs . Thc room will be lighted with gas , and ventilated by the patent ventilating sun lights , and it will not be used for any

New Masonic Hallat Sunderland.

other than M ; isonic purposes . Above the waitingroom is the club-room , of the same dimensions as the one beneath , and this will be the only apartment on the storey of the Hall . The whole building will be extremely neat and attractive . It has been designed by Mr . John Tillman , architect , and will be carried oufc by Messrs . T . and A . Cooke , contractors for

masonry ; Mr . Thomas Armstrong , for joiners' and carpenters' work ; Mr . Thus . Atkinson , for plumbers ' and smiths ' work ; Mr . Dauber , for slating ; and Mr . Thos . Godfordson , tor painting . The proceedings in connection with the foundation ceremony commenced at two o'clock , when the brethren connected with tho four lodges in the town—The St .

John ' s , Phcenix , Palatine , and Williamson—assembled at the new rooma afc the Palatine Hotel , attired in full Masonic Craft Costume , where a lodge was opened in the E . A . degree , the necessary instructions and directions were given , and the lodge adjourned , A procession was then formed as follows : — Police .

Union Jack borne by an Operative Mason . Two Operative Masons . Tyler with Sword . Brethren not Members ofthe Province , two and two . Brethren of Lodges in the Province according to seniority or numbers , juniors walking first . „ . , ( Lodgo Banner boiiie by the / ( ,, „„ , Steward . *> Junior KA . < Steward .

Brethren of the St . John ' s Lodge , two and two . Builder and Architect with Plans . ( Cornucopia with Corn home by P . M , " J Steward . < Ewer with Wine borne by P . M . > - Steward ( Ewer with Oil borne by P . M . ) Director of Ceremonies . Secretary with Constitutions . Secretary with Plate with Inscription , and Treasurer

with Phial and Coins . The Corinthian Light , borne by P . M . Junior Warden with the Plumb Line . Thc Doric Light borne by P . M . Senior Warden with the Level . The Perfect Ashler by a Master Mason . Steward , f The Chaplain bearing the Sacred 1 d 1 Law ou a Cushion . /

Thc Ionic Light borne hy P . M . n I The Worshipful Master , ) „„„„„„ Deacon , j Bro . S . J . Wade . { Dcaooa ' Sword Bearer , I . G . Ofiicers of Proviucial Grand Lodge past and present ,

in Provincial Clothing , according to rank . Leaving the Palatine Hotel , it proceeded up Toward-road to the site , when an avenue was formed through which passed the officers and brethren . The ceremony of laying the stone was performed by the W . M . of St . John ' s ( Bro . S . J . Wade ) , and this official having taken his position , the vessels of com ,

wine , and oil , were deposited in a pedestal placed for their reception , and an anthem was sung by a choir , containing Messrs . Ferry , Winham , Giesecke , and others , accompanied by a harmonium , during which the upper stone was raised and the lower one adjusted . Prayer was afterwards oifered up by the P . G . Chaplain ( Rev . Mr . Bulnian , of Durham ) . A bottle

containing the Sunderland limes una . one or two other local papers , an official programme of the day , a scroll inscribed with a list of the directors , and information about the building , current coins of the realm , and a " Masonic Report , " was placed in the cavity of the lower stone by the Treasurer , and over this the Secretary placed a plate , on which was the engraved

inscription : — " Foundation stone laid by S . J . Wade , W . M ., St . John ' s Lodge , ( No . 80 ) , Cth January , 1869 . J . Tillman , architect . " The cement having been spread on the upper face of the lower stone , the W . M . adjusted the same with a trowel handed him by Mr . M . . Douglass , the senior P . M . of the lodge , and the lower stone was slowly lowered , with three distinct

stops , while the choir sang the anthem , " Come let us prepare . " The true position ofthe stone having been ascertained by the W . M ., and proved satisfactory , he strewed it with the corn , and poured over it the oil and wine from the vessels which were handed to him , with the accustomed ceremonies . Prayer having been

oiiered up , the W . M . inspected thc . plans of the building , and handed them back to the architect together with the tools used in proving the position of the stone , and desired him to proceed with the completion of the work without loss of time . He then addressed the assembly as follows : —

Ladies and Gentlemen , —You aro gathered here today to witness the laying of the corner-stone of this our Masonic HaU , and this is a fitting opportunity for me to say that we , as Masons , aro true to the laws of our country , and profess to fear God , who is the great Architect of all things . It is ours to practice universal benevolence to all mankind . It is true that wc have amongst us secrets which may not be revealed ,

yet these secrets are lawtul and right . A \ e have now existed for many centuries , and in every age , in this and other countries , the most illustrious names arc to be found amongst us . Our Order is founded in truth , it has been the theme of good men of all ages , of all countries — heathen , Jew , and Christian ; and whilst thrones and empires have fallen , wo have endured in strength , in wisdom , and in beauty , unshaken by time or thc assaults

New Masonic Hallat Sunderland.

of hate and wrath . Ours is a princi ple which has no object but the happiness of mankind , and no limit bufc the extreme of creation . And now , to-day , we have assembled here to build an house for Masonry , or in other words , for God and His truth , and may here in after days be found the cheerful assembly chequering

like spots brig ht and green the desert of li ( _ titne , and in thewords of one of our old worthies I would , say , " May it become a house for great and worthy men to practise beneficient actions in , and to promote harmony and brotherly love till time shall be no more . "

An oration was afterwards delivered by the Chaplain . A collection was made for thc workmen , and the National Anthem , brought the ceremonial to an end . The procession reformed aud returned to the Palatine Hotel , where the lodge was closed in the usual form . A banquet was afterwards held at the Queen ' s Hotel .

Reviews.

Reviews .

« " A Concise Account of St . John ' s Gate , Clerkenwell , " with illustrations , b y JOHN WILSON , London : Geo . Chalfert , Langham Chambers , Portland-place . Sixpence . Amost interesting ( although mnch abbreviated )

book to the antiquarian , the scholar , and members ofthe Knightly Orders of Masonry . The antiquity which , belongs to this beautifully resuscitated relic of a bygone age , renders an authentic account of its interesting features extremely valuable . Mr . Wilson has , in his exceedingl y

neat and well got-up little book , gathered into a focus all that is positively known of St . John ' s Gate , past and present . The book will be read with much interest by those of an antiquarian turn of mind . In this railway age , the remnants of the past being swept ruthlessly away ,

the more reason exists for the preservation of such as by the mere accident of 2 > osition at present remain untouched . The Priory of St . John of Jerusalem , around which ao many memories gather , has long disappeared , but its gateway still remains , and the student of the past will , we

think , be g lad to have within a small compass , as here presented , all that is known in reference to it and the once magnificent buildings to which it was formerly the entrance . Several charters in connection with the Priory , with translations , are given , not the least important

or interesting being extracts from one given by Philip and Mary , granting to the prior aud brethren " the whole of our wood and woodland , called Grete St . John ' s-wood , lying and about the park of Maribone , in our County of Aliddlesex , " upon a portion of which ancient appanage

the St . Marylcbone Almshouses now stand . Not merel y is St . John ' s Gate remarkable for its connection with " the once powerful knights , the heroic defenders of . Rhodes , and tho bulwark of Christendom , " but its literary associations with Dr . Johnson and the " Gentleman ' s Magazine , "

cannot fail to make it always interesting . The illustrations are also remarkably pleasing . For those who desire a moro extended account , an enlarged edition , with a descri p tion of the Knights Hospitallers , will shortl y be published , neatly bound , for 2 s . 6 d .

IHE warrant of the Star Lodge , 12 o 7 , has been granted . It will next month be consecrated at tho Marquis of Granby Tavern , New Cross-road , New Cross . Bros . J . Smith , P . G . P ., W . M . designate ; E . Palmer ( 33 ) , S . W . ; C . J . Hogg ( W . M . 58 ) , J . W . ; F . Walters ( W . M . 871 ) , Sec . It is expected Bro . John Savage , P . G . D ., will consecrate it .

Buo . SA . MUK _ GKORGK COOK ( J . D . 871 ) , died on Monday , Juno 28 th , at his residence , 6 . Old Woolwichroad , East Greenwich . He was initiated in the Royal Oak Lodge , January 31 st . 18 GG , passed February 28 th , 18 G 6 , and raised April 27 th , 180 ( 1 . He served the several offices of the lodge up to Junior Deacon , and

he was a subscriber to thc Male and Female Annuity Fund . He was generally beloved by all who knew him . TKMPKRAXCK CHAITIUI , 169 . —The regular convocation of this Chapter , was held on Tuesday , July 6 th , at thc "White Swan Tavern , 217 , High Street , Deptford . Comps . U . Brown , P . Z ., as M . E . Z . ; F . Walters , P . Z . S . N . as II . ; II . G . Buss , P . Z . as

J ., opened the Chapter . The minutes were read and confirmed . Apologies were received for non-attendance of principals and candidates . The Chapter was closed . Present besides those named , Comps . W . Simmons , P . Z . ; J . T . Tibbals , P . Z ., S . E . ; J . Lightfoot , P . S . ; J . Woodlands , 1 st Asst . ; J . Payne , 2 nd Asst ., Record , Pulley . Truslow , Bartlett , and others . Visitors , Comps . ' II . G . Buss ( P . Z ., 177 ) , J . Griffin ( 206 ) , R . Williams ( P . S ., 1031 .