Ireland.

The procession proceeded to and marched three times round the site of the building , then forming a hollow square , inside which the Grand Officers , Provincial Grand Officers , and office-bearers of the procession took up their station . The streets were crowded as the brethren made their short journey from the home of the present to that of the future , and in Windsor

Avenue there was another large assemblage , among Aihom ladies were numerously included . The day was gloriously fine , and even when regarded from the spectacular point of view alone , the ceremony was imposing and picturesque . Its beautiful symbolis n and the dignified language of its ritual were admired by those who \ iewed the event with mental eye , and the ceremony met with respectful recognition at all hands .

The ode " Genius of Masonry ! Descend " was announced by the PROV . G . CHAP . Armagh , and sung by the brethren , under the conductorship of Bro . W . J . Allen , S . D . 151 , to the air of the " Old Hundredth . " Prayer having been offered by Bro . the Rev . BENJAMIN GIHSON , G . C G . L . I ., the brethren made the response— " Glory to God on high , on earth

peace , goodwill towards men . So mote it be . The Architect then presented the Deputy Grand Master with the square , level , and plumb rule , which were applied in turn , with the customary allusion to their significance of virtue , equality , and rectitude of conduct . 1

The J . G . Warden next presented to the Dep . G . Master the vessel containing wheat , and the grain was sprinkled over the stone as an emblem of plenty . «¦ - Wine , the emblem of joy and gladness , was similarly presented by the S . G . Warden , and oil , the emblem of peace , by the Dep . Prov . G . M . Bro . the Right Rev . Dr . WELLAND , G . C , G . L . I ., then offered up the

invocation . The Architect at this stage presented to the Dep . G . M . a handsome trowel of solid silver , with ivory handle , and bearing the inscription : " This trowel was used by the Right Worshipful Bro . Sir James Creed Meredith , LL . D ., D . G . M . of Ireland , on the occasion of his laying the foundationstone of the Masonic Hall , Lurgan , County Armagh , on the 9 th August ,

1 S 99 ; and was presented to him by Br . G . W . Ferguson , P . M ., P . G . R . C . " The DEPUTY GRAND MASTER accepted the tool with great pleasure , and said he was very glad to have that opportunity of taking part with his brethren in the Province of Armagh in a solemn rite and one which , he believed , would tend greatly to the promotion of Masonry , as well as to the spread of Masonic principles amongst them .

The builder presented the R . W . Brother with a mallet fashioned in satin wood and walnut , with a heavy silver mount bearing the inscription : ( i This maul was used bySirJ . C . Meredith , LL . D ., the Right Worshipful D . Grand Master of Ireland , on laying the foundation stone of the Lurgan Masonic Hall , 9 th August , 18 99 . Br . T . McM'llan , builder . " This was also graciously received .

Underneath the foundation stone a cavity was formed , and in it were placed by the Secretary a hermetically-sealed leaden casket , containing a parchment scroll , bearing the names of the members of the lodges for whom the building is being erected , together with those of the trustees ( Bros . Jas . Malcolm , D . L . , * Thomas Faloon , and J . A . Thompson ) , the architect and builder , and that of the brother who laid the foundation

stone , and the date of the deposit ; copies of the current issues of the Irish Times , Belfast Nevis-Letter , Northern Whig , and Lurgan Mail , and several representative current coins of the realm . The stone , which had been suspended beneath a tripod , was then lowered into its place with three brief distinct pauses , and the D . G . M . proceeded to spread the corn , saturated with the wine and oil , over the stone . He then struck the stone three times with the maul , and the public honours of Freemasonry were

given . Having returned to the architect the implements of his office , the D . G . M . addressed the assemblage in the prescribed terms , and the Masonic anthem , " Hail , Masonry Divine , " was sung to the strains of the National Anthem . The Bishop of the United Diocese delivered the closing benediction , again was heard the ancient response , "So mote it be , " and the procession returned to the Iodge room , where the Provincial . Grand Lodge was " called ' on , " and subsequently closed , in accordance with ancient form— " in Peace , Love , and Harmonry . "

A photograph of the group had in the meantime been secured by Bro . Albert E . Jones , of Portadown . Luncheon was subsequently served in the Town Hall , the assembly room having been elaborately decorated with choice plants from the conservatories of Bro . James Malcolm , D . L . The chair was occupied bv Bro . Sydney Jackson , D . P . G . M ., Armagh . After the repast , which was served in excellent style by Bro . J . Thompson , Belfast , " The Queen and the Craft " was proposed from the chair , and loyally honoured .

The succeeding toast , also proposed by the CHAIRMAN , was that of "The M . W . the Grand Master of Ireland and all Grand Masters in fraternal communication with the Grand Lodge of Ireland . " Bro . Sir J AMES MEREDITH , who was warmly received on rising to lespond , said that often as it had fallen to his lot to return thanks to the brethren for that toast lhe oftener it occurred the oftener he felt how very

close their Order brought them one to the other . His Grace the Duke of Abercorn , who had been for several years their Grand Master , had taken an interest in the Craft , which , he believed , was equalled only by the interest taken in it by the Grand Master of England . ( " Hear , hear , " and applause . ) But two short years ago it was his privilege , as their Dip . G . Master , to lake part in an assembly in the Albert Hall , London , when H . R . H . the 1

rince of Wales presided over a gathering of Masons such as he supposed it would never again fall to his ( Bro . Meredith ' s ) lot to attend . There were close upon Sooo men collected in that hall , and every man amongst them was a brother of the Craft . Upon that occasion , his Royal Highness , in speaking to a resolution which had bcen proposed by the Duke of Connaught said that he did not think her Majesty had in part of her ¦•*•»lit fUl

, any J . . * -- — - - - -. — •... ujv ^>^ » -J V V- ww » uominions a more trusted and tried body of men than the members of the Masonic Order . ( Applause . ) He felt as an Irishman that they in this country could claim their part in that tribute to Masonry throughout the world . It had over and over again recurred to his mind what a great tie Masonry was amongst them , and how many lessons there were that every one of them could learn if they would attend carefully to that which vvas ta

"Sht in their lodges . They h id that day been taking part in a cere nony which he hoped would mark its occurrence upon the future of Masonry iu tne Province cf Armagh , and specially in the town of Lurg . m . It was a Pleasant thing to think that when those who were old amongst them had been gathered to their fathers there was a race of young men springing up who were imbued with the principles of Freemasonry , and who would hold that

Ireland.

it was their duty to continue to live according to . the principles which the Order had impressed upon them . It had been to him an exceptionally pleasant thing to be able to be present that day to take part in the proceedings . It had been still more gratifying to see the splendid array of members of the Order who had assembled , and to whom thanks were due for having , at" a later period of the day , entertain 2 d their visitors so

handsomely . ( Applause . ) The Dep . G . M . proceeded to thank Bro . Hamilton for his assistance in the revision of the Book of Constitutions . Continuing , he said he was sure every brother present would sincerely hope that the good work that had been commenced might go on and prosper , and that they had all missed that day the presence of the Provincial Grand Master , Lord Templetosvn . ( Hear , hear , and applause . ) In conclusion , he proposed " The Health of the Chairman . "

The CHAIRMAN briefly responded , and proposed " The Health of the R . W . representatives of the Provincial Grand Lodges of Antrim and Down . "

Bro . R . J . HILTON , D . P . G . M . Antrim , in response , said they rejoiced that the ceremony had been performed by one loved and respected in the province he ( the speaker ) represented . ( Hear , hear . ) Many favours had been conferred upon him in connection with Masonry , and he was glad to find that that appreciation of his worth was not confined to the brethren of his own Order , as his Sovereign and the ruler of this country had seen right

to mark their appreciation of the great services he had rendered by conferring upon him a very honourable title . He thought that was the first public opportunity of congratulating Sir James Creed Meredith upon his well-merited honours . He could only add that he joined with the Deputy Grand Master in his admiration for their glorious Order . They knew that it had proved a wonderful benefit to all countries in which it was allowed

to live and thrive , and more particularly to Ireland . Political and religious differences were so great there that Masonry provided the only home where men of all views might meet together as brothers . Hi wished the numbers of the Order in Lurgan all prosperity . He trusted and hoped that their new home would lead to an increase of their members , and that the Ocd . c generally might be benefited . ( Applause . )

Bro . W . J . CHETWODE CRAWLEY , LL . D ., G . S ., G . L . I ., who also replied , in the course of his remarks referred to the antiquity of the Lodge No . 134 , Lurgan , and suggested that Bro . Glendinning , whose interest in such matters was well known , should transcribe portions of the ancient minute books in his charge so that they might be fittingly preserved in the muniments of the Grand Lodge of Ireland . ( Applause . )

Bro . KEATING CLAY , J . P ., G . T ., proposed the health of those who had extended their hospitality to the visiting brethren . Bro . J AMES MALCOLM , D . L ., P . P . S . G . W ., in reply , referred in appreciative terms to the signal honour conferred that day upon Lurgan Masonry by the presence of the R . W . the D . G . M ., and other distinguished members of the Grand Lodge of Ireland . Lurgan Masons would regard

the proceedings of lhat day as a good augury for the future of the Craft in the district . He agreed with the D . G . M . that the more closely the laws of the Order were observed , the more strictly its principles adhered to , the more were ils members benefited . ( A pplause . ) He believed that the ceremony they had taken part in that day would lead not only to an increase

of their numbers but also to an increase of the spirit of Masonry among them . Lurgan Masons were deeply grateful to the officers of the Grand Lodge , who were no doubt present at considerable personal inconvenience , and the hospitality offered to them was but a slight expression of that gratitude and appreciation . ( Applause . ) The singing of the National Anthem terminated the procee dings .

Masonic Service In Portadown.

MASONIC SERVICE IN PORTADOWN .

A Masonic service was held in Portadown Parish Church , on the 6 th instant , in aid of the Century Fund of the Masonic Orphan Boys' School . There was a large attendance of the members of the Craft , many of those present being from Armagh , Lurgan , Tandragee , and Gilford . The brethren assembled in Church Street Schoolhouse at three o ' clock , and half an hour afterwards marched in procession to the parish church , wearing their regalia .

An eloquent sermon was preached by the Rev . Dr . O'Loughlin , rector of Lurgan , who selected as his text I . Cor . xiii ., 13 , " And now abideth faith , hope , and charity , these three ; but the greatest of these is charity . " The offertory , which amounted to a considerable sum , was then taken up , the following brethren acting as collectors : Bros . H . D . McMaster , J . P ., Gilford ;

Dr . Tay lor , J . P ., Tandragee ; T . D . Gibson , R . M ,, Portadown ; Hugh Wallace , Dr . Rowlett , Thomas Johnston , John Young , M . A ., James Fordyce , and Robert Anderson . The local Masons afterwards entertained the visiting brethren to tea in the new Masonic Hall . '

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Duko of Edinburgh Lodge , No . 1182-The members of the above lodge celebrated their annujl festival of St . John in connection with the yearly installation at thc Masonic Hall , Hope-street , Liverpool , where there was an attendance of about 130 brethren . The chair was occupied by Bro . Robert Wright , the retiring VV . M ., who concluded an excellent year's service by impressively installing Bro . haac Grace , jun ., as his successor in the chiir , the presentation of the W . Master elect being made by Bros . J . Williinv , P . M ., and W . Rawsthorre , P . M . Amongst the prominent visitors were Bros . W . Good icr .-, P . G . S . B .,

Prov . G . Sec ; T . Vernon , P . P . G . D . of C . ; Hy . Isaac , P . P A . G . D . of C . ; II . B . Sweetman , P . P . G D . -. J . R . Bottomley , P . P . G . O . of C . ; W . W . Webster , P . G . P . ; John Worthy , P . A G . D . of C . Cheshire ; T . J . Jarman , P . P . G . D . of C . j C . Burchall , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; K . R . Latham , P . P . G . Treas . ; W . M'Lachlan , P . P . G . Supt . of Wks .,-R . Rawlinson , PS . G . D ; C . H . liirker , P . P . G . O . Cheshire ; P . Armstrong , P . P . S . G . D . ; W . Savage , P . P . G . Treas . ; E . R . Russell , PA . G . D . of C . Cheshire ; J . Hughes , P . M . 1675 j C . H . Eaton , P . M . 1547 ; G . Watson , W . M . 1547 ; N . Chiistensen , P . M . 1303 ; G . V . Finger , W . M . 1502 ; R . Brown , VV . M . 241 ; J . Gibson , P . M . 1004 ; and J . Clayton , I . P . M . 2714 .

Thc ollicers appointed were Bros . Robert Wright , I . P . M . ; Divid Robertson , S . W . ; Richard Johnson , J . VV . ; William Rawsthorne , M . P ., Treas . ; Walter Allium , Sic . ; John Stirkey , S . l ) . ; John C . Bowman , J . D . ; Thomas W . Outhwaite , l . G . ; Hemy G . Grace , Joseph Clarke , John Houston , Fredrick M'Clune , and Kdwaid Sephton , Stv .-ds . ; Charles Aspinall , Org . ; and David Livthii-i , P . M ., D . of C . In the course of the evening , after a well-supplied banqnet by U .-. > . J . Casey , an attrartiv . * - imi-iical programme was provided hvBros . I " . 0 * ens , T . Birlow , C . Burns , T . Wright , I * . Fairhurst , C . A < pinall , and the Minster Vocal Quartette . The I . P . M ., Hro , R . Wright , was the recipient of an artistic Pait Mister ' s ie vel , in recognition ot his active and valuable work ia connection with the la lee .