Laying The First Stone Of A Masonic Temple At Hasskeui.

when Thou , Almighty overseer of our work , shalt be pleased to lay judgment to the line and righteousness to the plummet , we may be found wise master builders , discharging our duty with diligence and sobriety and with a wise liberality . We humbly pray Thee to grant us in Thy mercy what we now ask in

the name of Jesus Christ our Lord . Amen . " The prayer was followed by a hymn admirably sung by a body of the Hasskeui Institute schoolchildren , of both sexes , under the direction of Mr Stewart , master of the school . Bro . Frazer , Secretary of the Caledonian Lodge

then read a history of the establishment of the lodge and of the measures it had adopted for the erection of this Masonic Temple . Several coins and documents having been deposited in a cavity under the stone , the R . W . District Grand Master then proceeded to lay the stone according to Masonic

usage . The ceremony having been solemnly performed , W . Brother W . S . Henderson , Master of the Caledonian Lodge , presented to the R . W . Bro . Brown , as a souvenir of the service he had just rendered , a small but elegant silver trowel , one

side of which bore a very artistically engraved inscription to Mr . Brown , and the other , the names of the Masonic Temple Committee . The R . W . Bro . Brown then delivered the following address , which we print in cxtcnso in compliance with general request : —

Brethren , —We have assembled here to-day for the purpose of laying the foundation-stone of a Freemasons' lodge , to be erected for the use of the Caledonian Lodge , under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Scotland . To many of those now present this may seem to be only an ordinary

occurrence , inasmuch as so many other lodges have been constructed in other countries . It is , however , far from being a common occurrence . It is for the first time that , in this vast Ottoman Empire , a Masonic lodge has ever been erected ; and the event is , therefore , one of peculiar interest to us all as

Freemasons , not only here in Turkey but to our more distant brethren in every part of the world . Indeed , it forms an epoch in the history of Freemasonry , and , as such , is destined to be mentioned in all time to come , as one wherein our brethren of Scotland took the lead here in promoting the

welfare and prosperity of our beloved institution , by the erection of a lodge in what may be truthfully called the country or empire in which Freemasonry originated . For this reason all of my brethren now present will , I feel confident , join with me in applauding the zeal and the great efforts of our

Scottish brethren in this laudable undertaking . It will , hereafter , be stated by them with pride , that on the first day of July , 1871 , the Caledonian Lodge of Constantinople , or more properly of Hasskcui , laid the foundation-stone of the first lodge ever erected in the East . To those who arc not familiar with

the history and traditions of our Order , a lodge of Freemasons may seem to be only an ordinary edifice erected for the exhibition of certain rites and ceremonies of a mysterious character ; and this conviction will be more calculated to repel than to invite their sympathies and good wishes for its success

and prosperity . To them I would declare that this lodge is truly , I believe , destined to be only another new temple dedicated to the cultivation and the preservation of the highest principles of morality and virtue existing amongst mankind ; that it is dedicated to the Supreme Author of all divine

providences ; to the worship and adoration of Him whom wc call tiie Great Architect of the Universe , the Creator of all things ; that none other than a sincere believer in lhc actual existence of our divine Lord and Master will ever be permitted to enter it ; and that all disbelievers will be kept away from it .

I am also sure that it will aid in spreading , far and wide , a desire to contemplate and acquire a more intinate knowledge of the works of our divine Creator , even when taught in symbols an . l allegories ; and that the conventional and harmless signs and tokens of its brethren will only serve to

designate those who sympathise in the sublime principles of one Universil llenevoencc fro n those who do not . The Almighty and Omniscient Creator of this little world , and of all the other far more vast worlds by which it is surrounded , in the three thousandth year of man ' s existence , commanded one of His

futhful servants to erect a temple in the city of Jerusalem to be dedicated to the adoration of Himself . History and tradition inform in that thegrc . it Temple of Solomon was creeled on a spot peculiarly interesting to mankind . Every Masonic temple is a humble imitation of that great temple of God . It

represents the greater temple of the world , the great vault of the heavens an . l the surf ice of our globe , with reference also to the cardinal points ; all indicating that Freemasons thus fully reco . mise and hunvdy adore the Great Architect of the Universe

When we remember that there are so many thousands—I may even say millions—of Freemasons , of the very highest and lowest degrees of social h'fe , scattcicd over the world—showing how much our Institution is respected and esteemed—

many persons will very naturally ask what are the peculiar attractions which connect so many men together by what we call our " mystic tie , " what are the great principles which form its basis , and have continued through so many ages to sustain it in public estimation when so many others have , after

a brief period , ceased even to be remembered ? This query is easily answered . The great principle of Freemasonry is Humanity , and the welfare of mankind in every part of the world and in every position of life . To this must be added Benevolence and Philanthropy , with an ardent desire to unite all men

together as the children of one great divine Creator as so many brethren , irrespective of their religious faiths and their nationalities ; to lead them to divest themselves of their human prejudices ; to respect the religious sentiments of every one , to bear with and , if possible , to correct their frailties ; and to

elevate them above degrading and harmful passions of weak prejudices and the fancied superiorities of life ; to place all mankind upon one broad platform of Humanity and of a common origin ; to induce them to regard knowledge , intelligence , and virtuous conduct in each and every sphere of life , industry

and labour , as the mo : > t noble and elevating principles of man ; and , above all things , of a neverceasing conviction of a common individual responsibility for their moral arts to the Great Architect of the Universe . Perhaps some of the ladies present , who have honoured us to-day with their presence

and their sympathies , will ask how it is that , as Humanity and universal benevolence are the first principles of Freemasonry , why they are not likewise initiated into our Order . If there be indeed any , I may answer them and appeal to the whole world , to history and tradition , for a confirmation of

my declaration that the female heart needs no such institution . It is , naturally always actuated by the noblest sentiments of humanity and benevolence , and therefoie needs no " mystic tie" to develop it . How many memorable instances , ever fresh in our recollection , might be cited , wherein man , wayward

man , ambitious man , ambitious even in his thirst for knowledge , has , when reduced to the extreme depths of misery or misfortune , owed even his life to the natural benevolence of the female heart ? In fact , the ladies are all Freemasons by nature , and art or craft can add nothing to the divine gift so

largely bestowed upon them . The world has its snares and its attractions to often wayward man , which are unknown to those who adorn the dear place called home . There the mother , the wife , the sister , or the daughter , exercises each her natural feelings and benevolence within her own particular

sphcic . What the brother is within the lodge the sister is beyond it ; and thus each promotes the first ptinciples of our beloved institution , I sincerely and confidently believe that when Freemasonry is perfectly understood in this country , appreciated as it fully deserves to be , and acted upon with sincerity ,

it will become as highly esteemed and as popular as it is in all other parts of the world . Whatever may be the distinctions of official and social life , Freemasonry holds that all men are on the footing of one common brotherhood , united by the mystic tie of mutual interest . nnd mu ' . uil affection . It has

no design to extend any peculiar views of religion or politics . Any deviation from this rule is a serious error which degrades our Order . In both it fills a perfectly neutral position , though it strongly inculcates the principle that each brother should sincerely act up to those of his own faith and be devotedly

loyal to his sovereign , his country , and his government . What more liberal principle than this can be proclaimed to the world ? Within its own sphere it also calls for the strictest conformity to its own laws and regulations and obedience to its own authorities . 1 hope that this example of the

Caledonian lodge will soon be followed by other lodges in this country . The same fraternal feeling of unity which unites it with the admirable and excellent Leinstcr Lo Ige under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodie of Ireland , would soon promote the erection of other Masonic Temples both in Constantinople and throughout the East , so that , under the blessing

of Divine Providence , Freem isonry may extend its benign infl lenccs among the varied peoples of the Ottoman Empire and unite them together in one co . nmon fraternity . In conclusion , m . iy our mysteri s prove 10 be only those of nature and its Divine Creator . May this Caledonian Lodge become one more symbol of the great temple which surrounds

in wherever we be ; and its members fully appreciate the supreme truth that even the deepest recesses of our Masonic hearts are , here and everywhere , open to the all-seeing eye of the Great

Architect of the Universe . And may this new lodge , of which we have just laid the foundation-stone , the rough ashlar , be tne means of spreading , far and ne ir , the learning of Scotland ' s Dug ild Stewart and the tenderness of heart of Scotland's Hums .

A hymn having been sung by the school-children , the Kev . C . B . Gribble pronounced the apostolic benediction , and the brethren returned in procession ( but this time by the directest route ) to the Mechanic * ' Institute , wncre the District Grand

Lodge was closed in due form , Br . J ory playing the National Anthem , as at the opening of the lodge . Soon afterwards , commenced

THE BANQUET , an excellent cold collation , provided by Bro . Nunn conjointly with the proprietor of the establishment in which it was held , the British Club House . Nearly ninety brethren sat down , a number of whom , including all the officers of the D . G . Lodge

and the W . M . 's and Wardens of the private lodges , were invited , the rest paying half a lira each , which was by no means an immoderate charge , considering the quality of the repast , the efficient waiting , and the unstinted supply of champagne . Bro . W . S . Henderson , W . M . Caledonian Lodge

presided , and was supported by the R . W . D . G . M ., the D . D . G . M ., the W . M . Oriental Lodge , the P . D . D . G . M ., and other Masters , Past Masters , and officers of Grand Lodge . Bros . Spence and Scott , Wardens of the Caledonian , occupied the vicechairs .

The first toast was that given at all assemblies of British Masons , " The Queen and the Craft , " which was followed by the healths of the Sultan , the M . W . P . G . M . the Prince of Wales , the M . W . the Earl of Rosslyn , G . M . of Scotland , the M . W . the Marquis of Ripon , G . M . Of England , and "all

other Grand Masters and Grand Lodges throughout the world . " The Chairman said the next toast was one that every brother present , and more especially the members cf the Caledonian , would respond to most heartily , " Prosperity to the District Grand Lodge

of Turkey , with the health of its R . W . Master , Bro . John Porter Brown . " ( Loud cheers . ) Bro . Brown had most cheerfully consented to officiate on this occasion , and the presence of himself and officers had not only given eclat to the proceedings of the day but had afforded a stimulus and an

encouragement to the Caledonians in an undertaking which he ( the Chairman ) ventured to say would mark an era in the history of Freemasonry in Turkey . R . W . Bro . Brown , in acknowledging the compliment , said he had thoroughly enjoyed himself , and had felt both happy and proud in the part he had to fill .

V . W . Bro . Thompson , in replying to the next toast , "The Officers of the District Grand Lodge , " observed that he hoped the day would come when they would have to assist at the laying of the first stone of a Masonic temple in Pera , where there were so many lodges and so large a number of the

brethren . ( Hear , hear . ) W . Bro . Henderson , in returning thanks for "The W . M . and Officers of the Caledonian Lodge , " proposed by the R . W . Bro . Brown , said he considered it a great honour to preside over so large a company of distinguished members of the Craft , who were

not merely speculative Masons but might be considered , from the work in which they had taken part that afternoon , to be also operative Masons . If the great Temple of Solomon was built in Jerusalem , the humble imitation of it commenced to-day was situated in Jews' Town , Hasskcui . His lines as

a Master had fallen in pleasant places , for never had a Master of a lodge a more dutiful or assiduous body of officers and members , and neither he himself nor any single brother among them had a right to take special credit to himself for results which had been achieved by the hearty , earnest and

fraternal co-operation of all . ( Applause . ) Bro . D . Frazer , Secretary of Caledonian Lodge , after some humorous remarks , observed , with reference to the W . M . ' s allusion to the site of the Temple , that he was reminded of the circumstance of Joshua commanding the twelve men belonging

to the twelve tribes each one to take up a stone , and telling them that when their children in time to come asked of their fathers , " What mean ye by these stones ? " they should reply that they were as a memorial unto thr- children of Israel for ever . When he ( Uro . Frazer ) sa . v the crowd of spectators

of the proceedings that day who were descended from those tribes , it occurred to him that they were wondering what those stones meant , and if they asked let the Masons of Haskcui tell them that they were meant as a memorial 10 them and their children for ever . No one could tell what might be

developed out of the work commenced that day , but he believed it quite within the bounds of possibility that the time would arrive when a future generation in this land , enjoying manifold blessings yet in store for them , would exclaim , "God bless the Caledonians !"

W . Uro . J . Laffan Hanly , in responding for "The Oriental Lodge—the pioneer lodge of Turkey , " said he esteemed it a great enhancement of the honour he enjoyed as Master of the senior lodge in Turkey , that it should have fallen to his lot to represent it on

so interesting an occasion as the present . Though the Caledonians had been the subject of so much compliment that day , they could not suspect that it was llattcry . The praise could not but be thoroughly sincere , for it involved on the part of those who bcsio . vcd it a reproach to themselves—a tacit con-