Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Laying The Foundation Stone Of The Dumfries & Galloway New Royal Infirmary.
LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY NEW ROYAL INFIRMARY .
1 The Foundation Stone of this Charitable Institution was laid at Dumfries , on Thursday last week , with due Masonic honors , by the R . W . Prov . G . Master of the Province , Landerdale Mait ' aid , Esq . The occasion was marked by general rejoicings , every trade being represented
in the procession , and most of the shops being closed . The deputations from the various lodges weremetatthestationbythebandof the "Scottish Borders , " who played the " Entered Apprentice " to the Town Hall ; the p lace of Meeting . The Provincial Grand Lodge was opened at 12-30 ,
the f dlowing lodges being presented : Granite Union , Dalbeattie , No . 480 ; Neptune , Kilwinning , and Ardrossen , No . 442 ; Qnhytewollen , Lockerbie , No . 258 ; St . John ' s Thornhill , No . ' 252 ; St . Peter ' s , Mouswald , No . 234 ; Caledonian , Annan , No . 233 ; St . John ' s
Castle-Douglas , No . 189 ; St . Mungo ' s , Mauchline , No . 179 ; St . James ' s , Old Monkland , Coatbridge , No . 177 ; St . John ' s , Newabbey , No . 163 ; St . Stephen ' s Gatehouse , No . 161 ; O perative Dumfries , No . 140 ; St . Magdalane , Lochmaben , No
100 ; St . Andrew Annan , No . 79 ; St . Michael , Dumfries , No . 63 ; Thistle , Dumfries , No . 62 ; St . Cuthbert ' s , Kirkcudbri g ht , No . 41 ; The Provincial Grand Lodge of Dumfriesshire , : James Rae , P . G . Marshall ; Chat'le ? Saunders , P . G . Tyler .
The insignia were carried by operatives as follows : —The plumb , Joseph Irving ; nwllet , Thomas Dodds ; level , AVilliam Fergnsson ; square , Edward Milligan . Cornucopia of flowers , Thomas Watson ; cornucopia of corn , AVilliam Kirk ; vase with wine , AVilliam M'George ; vase
with oil , Alexander Hume ; trowel , Thomas Milligan ; box with coins , & c , David Dickson . Then came the following officials : It . 'A . Dickson , President of P . G . Steward ; A . M . M'lntosh , Vice-President of P . G . Steward ; J . A . Mitchell , P . G . [ nner Guard ; James Hiddick , Acting G . P .
Director of Ceremonies ; R . Hellon , P . G . Jeweller ; D . Mitchell , P . G . Bard ; J . G . Gooden , P . G . Director of Music ;—Brown ( Thornhill ) P . G . Bible Bearer ; Thomas Dykes , P . G . Senior Deacon ; James Halliday , P . G . Junior Deacon ; the Rev . Donald M-Leod , P . G Chaplain ; John
Jones , P . G . Clerk ; Robert Martin , P . G . Secretary ; John Starforth , Acting P . G . Architect ; James Sloan , P . G . Junior AVarden ; Henry Gordon , P . G . Senior AVarden ; AVilliam Martin , P . G . Treasurer ; J . Kinneir , Sword Bearer ; J . Lee Pike , Substitute P . G . Master ; J . Lindsay
Scott , Depute P . G . Master ; Lauderdale Maitland of Eccles , Provincial Grand Master of Dumfries Visitor : Bio . John Bowes , . P . JL , P . Z ., Past . Prov . G . Registrar , Cumberland and Westmorland , wlnse " purple" shone conspicious among the "green and gold" of the Scotch brethren .
After the opening of the Lodge , Bro . Riddick of the Thistle Lodge , Dumfries , said that the very p leasing duty had fallen upon him to present to the Acting Grand Master , Bro . Maitland , the silver trowel with which he was to lay the foundation-stone of the Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary . He
hoped their Right Worshipful . Master would be pleased to accept it iu the name ofthe brethren . Uro . Maitland , R . W . Prov . G . M . returned his sincere undgrateful thanks for the great kindness the brethren iu the district had displayed on this occasion . The lodge was then adjournal , and brethren were
marshalled in processional order and proceeded to Greyfriars' Church , where Divine service was conducted by the Provincial Grand Chaplain , Hro . the Rev . D . M'Leod , Montrose , formerly of Dunfries . Publi * admission was obtained hy ticket , and the lar"e and handsome church was speedily filled . On the
plat form with \ V . Bro . M'Leod , were the Rev . Messrs Weir , minister of Greyfriars '; ISryson , St Michael ' s ; Graham , N ' ewhavcn ; Underwood , " irongray ; AV ' allace , Trnquair ; and Dodds and Murdoch , Dumfries . Service was commenced by singing a part of the 9 ; ird Psalm , after which an appropriate and impressive prayer was offered , and the 103 rd Psalm , from ihe 8 th
verse , read as Scripture lesson . Tho congregation having again joined iu song-giving the first four verses of the lO . 'lrd Psalm . The llev . Bro . M'Li'oi ) proceeded to deliver an earnest ami hetirt-stiri ing address , characterised by vital Christian sentiment , clothed iu terse but graceful language , and finely adapted to the occasion . Looking arouud on this assembly , and coiMidc-. ii > - '
Laying The Foundation Stone Of The Dumfries & Galloway New Royal Infirmary.
the purpose for winch they had met , he could hardly help feeling the scene to be solemn and interesting in no ordinary degree—an assembly of Christian men and women , resting awhile from , their active duties , withdrawn for a little from the bustle of the world , to appeal by praise and prayer to Almighty God for a
blessing upon the truly great and good work which had been so heartily and nobly undertaken , and which he trusted it would be their privilege and joy to see soon and successfully completed . The occasion was indeed one which mig ht well excite the interest and call forth the gratitude of every right-hearted man
and woman among them . The rev . gentleman then proceeded to speak in generous language of the sufferings which the poorer classes of society are subject to , and asked who that had in any degree realised how much the sufferings of humanity had been and were
being daily lessened by means of our hospitals and asylums and infirmaries , but would hail with gladness such a day as this that witnessed the laying the foundation-stone of an institution among us , where the poor man might enjoy the same watchful care and skilful treatment which in the hour of sickness were
experienced by their wealthier brethren . The suflcring poor and sick wero a special legacy which the Lord had bequeathed to his own people to tend and to care for in every way . "The poor shall never cease out of the land . " He thanked God they never should , remembering what poverty did not only for
the poor but for us all . AVe knew that poverty often arose from idleness and intemperance , bnt it often came where there was honest industry and in spite of every honest effort to ward it off ; and he need not tell them how many a soul would have starved for eternity if it had not starved for time . He proceeded
to point out how poverty was the means of disciplining our hard and selfish hearts for the eternal charities of heaven , and how , in the absence of poverty , there would be wanting tlie very cluefest element in the carrying on of our education for eternity ; by learning to love the poor and do them good we were in the
way of being restored to the Divine image from which wc had fallen . In the voice of the poor the Christain recognised the voice of Christ . —in their misery he saw the misery of Christ ; and to him it was Christ who groaned upon the fevered couch of yonder fainting one—it was Christ who cried in the
despair of yonder hungry one , who was naked and sought to be clothed , sick and must be tended . He then alluded to the mental agony which is felt by the honest artizan whose house has been visited by disease , whose neat little parlour has been slowly but surely displenished to furnish necessaries for the sick ones .
and who sees himself , the support on which his household leans , at last sink under , and then lays himself down to despair—perhaps to die . The sick chamber was dark and cheerless , even where every comfort was available ; but in the homo of the poor how much more so was it . To those who know the anguish of
sickness , even where there was everything that wealth could provide to minister to the invalid , he appealed for sympathy and support on behalf of the poor . AVho , he asked , so callous to the voice of humanity as not to do all he could to secure that all which the skill of his fellow men could do to relieve his poor and
stricken brother ? Dared such a one call himself a man , much less a Christian , aud yet iu his churlish selfishness spare nothing , whether bis brother had a pillow in his sickness or no . I plead then ( he continued ) with you to-day for your sympathy and kindness and prayers in the matter of this Infirmary . I
plead with you for the suffering poor ; I plead with you in the light of the good it will do yourselves , every act of gi-neronsness disciplining yonr own souls for heaven , and making you more Christ-like and more God-like ; I plead with you , lastly , for Christ
himself , who sees in the suffering poor what he waa himself , and who regards what is done to tlieni as done unto himself . Yes ; let the charities of your lives be ever associated with the name and cause and glory of Christ ; and then no mis-placed confidence , no mistaken kindness will ever affect them . Their
memorial will be not on earth but in heaven , and their reward will be proclaimed when every other memorial will have perished like figures on the sea-sand when tho wave dashes over them—when the proudest gifts on earth unconnected with Christ and His people will I * -- for ever forgotten , they shall remain : and further ,
it will show that you are ashamed neither of Christ nor His cause , but reckon that cause the highest and sul-liinest thing on earth . Then it will be your noblest privilege to do anything that will either promote the cause of truth or help onward in their journey the pilgrims to a happier and better land , where the
inhabitants never says " I am siek , " and where there shall be no more suffering or pain , for there God himself will wipe every tear away from their eyes . A collection in aid of the Infirmary having been taken , the benediction was pronounced , at half-past one o ' clock .
At about a quarter to two o clock the procession wns again duly arranged by Iiro . James Mao , who ably officiated as Marshall , and the expected signal having been given , off * the marchers set by a well-devised circuitous route that made nearly the tour of the two burghs . Entering Irving Street , they passed consecu-
Laying The Foundation Stone Of The Dumfries & Galloway New Royal Infirmary.
tively into three leading thoroughfares •* George-street , Castle-street , and Buccleuck-street—the whole line b ^ ing thronged , and every ** coign of vantage ' - ' occupied by delighted spectators . Very imposing the civic army looked when crossing the New Bridge , and fortunately at this stage it could be seen with
advantage by crowds at a distance as well as by those nearer hand . Arrived at Maxwell-town , its main artery , Galloway-street , was passed through—next Glasgow-street , St David-street , Terregles-street , and then , retracing the route to the left bank of the Nith ,
Dumfries was again reached , and the mounted men and marchers were landed in Hi gh-street , whose p icturesque outline was filled up with a multitude of people waiting anxiously for the arrival of the procession at this important stage .
On arriving at the site of the new building , the procession opened up into a double line , and presented an avenue along which the Provincial Grand Master and his office-bearers passed to the stone . Here a commodious grand-stand was already comfottably occupied by ladies and gentlemen , and vast numbers
of people were grouping about the green , having obtained admission for a merely nominal consideration . In the immediate proximity to the stone a low platform had been erected , and formed , as it were , the nucleus ol the area which had been reserved for the members of the Provincial Lodge — the
grandstand being the eastern side ot the square . At thewestern line , a place had been set apart for the Magistrates , Town Councillors , and members of the Building Committee . On the Provincial Grand Master and his officers entering the enclosed area , the Architect ( Bro . J . Starforth ) walked up to the platform
on the East , after whom followed the Provincial Grand Chaplain , the Provincial Grand Jcwtller , Provincial Grand Deacons , Provincial (' rand Clerk , Provincial Grand Secretary , Provincial Grand Treasurer , Provincial Grand Wardens , and Substitute ; then the Provincial Grand Master and Depute Prov .
Grand Master , followed by the brethren attendant , including Bro . John Bowes—all giving way to the Provincial Grand Master when on the platform , and the Substitute taking the right of the Provincial Grand Master . A powerful choir , under the direction of Bros , James G . Gooden and James Riddick was
stationed opposite the grand-stand ; and the lodge having taken up position on the platform , and the-Provincial Grand jewels , the chalices of wine and oil , & c , having been placed on the Master ' s table , tho choir , accompanied by a harmonium , sang the Queen ' s Anthem . The P . G . Chaplain then offered up a solemn
and suitable prayer . At the request of the P . G . Master , the P . G . Treasurer , Secretary , and Clerk placed the metallic box containing coins , newspapers , & c , into the cavity ofthe stone—the box , wuich was of copper , being hermetically sealed with solder , and bearing this inscription : "This foundation-stone ot
the Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary was laid on the sixteenth day of September , one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine , and of the Masonic epoch live thousand eight hundred and severity-three , by the Provincial Grand Master of this district , Lauderdale "Maitland , Esq ., of Kcclcs , in presence of
the magistrates and a large concourse of spectators . Architect , John Starforth . " This was followed b y the choir chanting Psalm xxiv .: "The earth is the Lord's , " & c ., and while the notes of praise and vocal adoration were ascending , the stone was graduall y lowered into its resting place , by means of a crane ,
three distinct stops being made in its downward passage . The P . G . Master then walked from the platform to the east of the stone , with the Depute on his right hand , the Substitute Master and Provincial Grand Wardens going before him , to the west , having with them the level and the plumb .
The P . G . Master hero said— " R . W . Depute Prov . Grand Master , you will cause the various implements to be applied to the stone , that it may be laid in its bed according to the rule of Masonry . " The Depute Provincial Grand Alaster accordingly ordered the AVardens and Substitute Provincial
Grand Master to do their duly . The Depute Provincial Grand Master then said : Right AVorshipful Junior Provinc i al Gvawl Wimlen , what is the proper jewel of your oflice?—The plumb . Have j'ou applied the plumb to the seveial edges of the stone?—I have , R . W . D . P . G . M .
Right Worshipful Senior Provincial Grand Warden , what is the proper jewel of your office 1—The level . Have you applied the level to the top of the stone ? —I have , R . XV . Depute Provincial Grand Master . Right AVorshipful Substitute Provincial Grand Master , what is the proper jewel of your office?—The
square . Have you applied the square to those parts of tlio stone that are square?—I have R . W . D . P . G . M . The R . W . D . P . G . M . then said : M . W . Provincial-Grand Sir , the various implements have been applied to thc stone in accordance with ancient custom and
usage . The Provincial Grand Master thus expressed his satisfaction . Having , my R . W . brethren , full confidence in your skill in our royal art , it remains with me now to finish this our work . He then gavo tho
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Laying The Foundation Stone Of The Dumfries & Galloway New Royal Infirmary.
LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY NEW ROYAL INFIRMARY .
1 The Foundation Stone of this Charitable Institution was laid at Dumfries , on Thursday last week , with due Masonic honors , by the R . W . Prov . G . Master of the Province , Landerdale Mait ' aid , Esq . The occasion was marked by general rejoicings , every trade being represented
in the procession , and most of the shops being closed . The deputations from the various lodges weremetatthestationbythebandof the "Scottish Borders , " who played the " Entered Apprentice " to the Town Hall ; the p lace of Meeting . The Provincial Grand Lodge was opened at 12-30 ,
the f dlowing lodges being presented : Granite Union , Dalbeattie , No . 480 ; Neptune , Kilwinning , and Ardrossen , No . 442 ; Qnhytewollen , Lockerbie , No . 258 ; St . John ' s Thornhill , No . ' 252 ; St . Peter ' s , Mouswald , No . 234 ; Caledonian , Annan , No . 233 ; St . John ' s
Castle-Douglas , No . 189 ; St . Mungo ' s , Mauchline , No . 179 ; St . James ' s , Old Monkland , Coatbridge , No . 177 ; St . John ' s , Newabbey , No . 163 ; St . Stephen ' s Gatehouse , No . 161 ; O perative Dumfries , No . 140 ; St . Magdalane , Lochmaben , No
100 ; St . Andrew Annan , No . 79 ; St . Michael , Dumfries , No . 63 ; Thistle , Dumfries , No . 62 ; St . Cuthbert ' s , Kirkcudbri g ht , No . 41 ; The Provincial Grand Lodge of Dumfriesshire , : James Rae , P . G . Marshall ; Chat'le ? Saunders , P . G . Tyler .
The insignia were carried by operatives as follows : —The plumb , Joseph Irving ; nwllet , Thomas Dodds ; level , AVilliam Fergnsson ; square , Edward Milligan . Cornucopia of flowers , Thomas Watson ; cornucopia of corn , AVilliam Kirk ; vase with wine , AVilliam M'George ; vase
with oil , Alexander Hume ; trowel , Thomas Milligan ; box with coins , & c , David Dickson . Then came the following officials : It . 'A . Dickson , President of P . G . Steward ; A . M . M'lntosh , Vice-President of P . G . Steward ; J . A . Mitchell , P . G . [ nner Guard ; James Hiddick , Acting G . P .
Director of Ceremonies ; R . Hellon , P . G . Jeweller ; D . Mitchell , P . G . Bard ; J . G . Gooden , P . G . Director of Music ;—Brown ( Thornhill ) P . G . Bible Bearer ; Thomas Dykes , P . G . Senior Deacon ; James Halliday , P . G . Junior Deacon ; the Rev . Donald M-Leod , P . G Chaplain ; John
Jones , P . G . Clerk ; Robert Martin , P . G . Secretary ; John Starforth , Acting P . G . Architect ; James Sloan , P . G . Junior AVarden ; Henry Gordon , P . G . Senior AVarden ; AVilliam Martin , P . G . Treasurer ; J . Kinneir , Sword Bearer ; J . Lee Pike , Substitute P . G . Master ; J . Lindsay
Scott , Depute P . G . Master ; Lauderdale Maitland of Eccles , Provincial Grand Master of Dumfries Visitor : Bio . John Bowes , . P . JL , P . Z ., Past . Prov . G . Registrar , Cumberland and Westmorland , wlnse " purple" shone conspicious among the "green and gold" of the Scotch brethren .
After the opening of the Lodge , Bro . Riddick of the Thistle Lodge , Dumfries , said that the very p leasing duty had fallen upon him to present to the Acting Grand Master , Bro . Maitland , the silver trowel with which he was to lay the foundation-stone of the Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary . He
hoped their Right Worshipful . Master would be pleased to accept it iu the name ofthe brethren . Uro . Maitland , R . W . Prov . G . M . returned his sincere undgrateful thanks for the great kindness the brethren iu the district had displayed on this occasion . The lodge was then adjournal , and brethren were
marshalled in processional order and proceeded to Greyfriars' Church , where Divine service was conducted by the Provincial Grand Chaplain , Hro . the Rev . D . M'Leod , Montrose , formerly of Dunfries . Publi * admission was obtained hy ticket , and the lar"e and handsome church was speedily filled . On the
plat form with \ V . Bro . M'Leod , were the Rev . Messrs Weir , minister of Greyfriars '; ISryson , St Michael ' s ; Graham , N ' ewhavcn ; Underwood , " irongray ; AV ' allace , Trnquair ; and Dodds and Murdoch , Dumfries . Service was commenced by singing a part of the 9 ; ird Psalm , after which an appropriate and impressive prayer was offered , and the 103 rd Psalm , from ihe 8 th
verse , read as Scripture lesson . Tho congregation having again joined iu song-giving the first four verses of the lO . 'lrd Psalm . The llev . Bro . M'Li'oi ) proceeded to deliver an earnest ami hetirt-stiri ing address , characterised by vital Christian sentiment , clothed iu terse but graceful language , and finely adapted to the occasion . Looking arouud on this assembly , and coiMidc-. ii > - '
Laying The Foundation Stone Of The Dumfries & Galloway New Royal Infirmary.
the purpose for winch they had met , he could hardly help feeling the scene to be solemn and interesting in no ordinary degree—an assembly of Christian men and women , resting awhile from , their active duties , withdrawn for a little from the bustle of the world , to appeal by praise and prayer to Almighty God for a
blessing upon the truly great and good work which had been so heartily and nobly undertaken , and which he trusted it would be their privilege and joy to see soon and successfully completed . The occasion was indeed one which mig ht well excite the interest and call forth the gratitude of every right-hearted man
and woman among them . The rev . gentleman then proceeded to speak in generous language of the sufferings which the poorer classes of society are subject to , and asked who that had in any degree realised how much the sufferings of humanity had been and were
being daily lessened by means of our hospitals and asylums and infirmaries , but would hail with gladness such a day as this that witnessed the laying the foundation-stone of an institution among us , where the poor man might enjoy the same watchful care and skilful treatment which in the hour of sickness were
experienced by their wealthier brethren . The suflcring poor and sick wero a special legacy which the Lord had bequeathed to his own people to tend and to care for in every way . "The poor shall never cease out of the land . " He thanked God they never should , remembering what poverty did not only for
the poor but for us all . AVe knew that poverty often arose from idleness and intemperance , bnt it often came where there was honest industry and in spite of every honest effort to ward it off ; and he need not tell them how many a soul would have starved for eternity if it had not starved for time . He proceeded
to point out how poverty was the means of disciplining our hard and selfish hearts for the eternal charities of heaven , and how , in the absence of poverty , there would be wanting tlie very cluefest element in the carrying on of our education for eternity ; by learning to love the poor and do them good we were in the
way of being restored to the Divine image from which wc had fallen . In the voice of the poor the Christain recognised the voice of Christ . —in their misery he saw the misery of Christ ; and to him it was Christ who groaned upon the fevered couch of yonder fainting one—it was Christ who cried in the
despair of yonder hungry one , who was naked and sought to be clothed , sick and must be tended . He then alluded to the mental agony which is felt by the honest artizan whose house has been visited by disease , whose neat little parlour has been slowly but surely displenished to furnish necessaries for the sick ones .
and who sees himself , the support on which his household leans , at last sink under , and then lays himself down to despair—perhaps to die . The sick chamber was dark and cheerless , even where every comfort was available ; but in the homo of the poor how much more so was it . To those who know the anguish of
sickness , even where there was everything that wealth could provide to minister to the invalid , he appealed for sympathy and support on behalf of the poor . AVho , he asked , so callous to the voice of humanity as not to do all he could to secure that all which the skill of his fellow men could do to relieve his poor and
stricken brother ? Dared such a one call himself a man , much less a Christian , aud yet iu his churlish selfishness spare nothing , whether bis brother had a pillow in his sickness or no . I plead then ( he continued ) with you to-day for your sympathy and kindness and prayers in the matter of this Infirmary . I
plead with you for the suffering poor ; I plead with you in the light of the good it will do yourselves , every act of gi-neronsness disciplining yonr own souls for heaven , and making you more Christ-like and more God-like ; I plead with you , lastly , for Christ
himself , who sees in the suffering poor what he waa himself , and who regards what is done to tlieni as done unto himself . Yes ; let the charities of your lives be ever associated with the name and cause and glory of Christ ; and then no mis-placed confidence , no mistaken kindness will ever affect them . Their
memorial will be not on earth but in heaven , and their reward will be proclaimed when every other memorial will have perished like figures on the sea-sand when tho wave dashes over them—when the proudest gifts on earth unconnected with Christ and His people will I * -- for ever forgotten , they shall remain : and further ,
it will show that you are ashamed neither of Christ nor His cause , but reckon that cause the highest and sul-liinest thing on earth . Then it will be your noblest privilege to do anything that will either promote the cause of truth or help onward in their journey the pilgrims to a happier and better land , where the
inhabitants never says " I am siek , " and where there shall be no more suffering or pain , for there God himself will wipe every tear away from their eyes . A collection in aid of the Infirmary having been taken , the benediction was pronounced , at half-past one o ' clock .
At about a quarter to two o clock the procession wns again duly arranged by Iiro . James Mao , who ably officiated as Marshall , and the expected signal having been given , off * the marchers set by a well-devised circuitous route that made nearly the tour of the two burghs . Entering Irving Street , they passed consecu-
Laying The Foundation Stone Of The Dumfries & Galloway New Royal Infirmary.
tively into three leading thoroughfares •* George-street , Castle-street , and Buccleuck-street—the whole line b ^ ing thronged , and every ** coign of vantage ' - ' occupied by delighted spectators . Very imposing the civic army looked when crossing the New Bridge , and fortunately at this stage it could be seen with
advantage by crowds at a distance as well as by those nearer hand . Arrived at Maxwell-town , its main artery , Galloway-street , was passed through—next Glasgow-street , St David-street , Terregles-street , and then , retracing the route to the left bank of the Nith ,
Dumfries was again reached , and the mounted men and marchers were landed in Hi gh-street , whose p icturesque outline was filled up with a multitude of people waiting anxiously for the arrival of the procession at this important stage .
On arriving at the site of the new building , the procession opened up into a double line , and presented an avenue along which the Provincial Grand Master and his office-bearers passed to the stone . Here a commodious grand-stand was already comfottably occupied by ladies and gentlemen , and vast numbers
of people were grouping about the green , having obtained admission for a merely nominal consideration . In the immediate proximity to the stone a low platform had been erected , and formed , as it were , the nucleus ol the area which had been reserved for the members of the Provincial Lodge — the
grandstand being the eastern side ot the square . At thewestern line , a place had been set apart for the Magistrates , Town Councillors , and members of the Building Committee . On the Provincial Grand Master and his officers entering the enclosed area , the Architect ( Bro . J . Starforth ) walked up to the platform
on the East , after whom followed the Provincial Grand Chaplain , the Provincial Grand Jcwtller , Provincial Grand Deacons , Provincial (' rand Clerk , Provincial Grand Secretary , Provincial Grand Treasurer , Provincial Grand Wardens , and Substitute ; then the Provincial Grand Master and Depute Prov .
Grand Master , followed by the brethren attendant , including Bro . John Bowes—all giving way to the Provincial Grand Master when on the platform , and the Substitute taking the right of the Provincial Grand Master . A powerful choir , under the direction of Bros , James G . Gooden and James Riddick was
stationed opposite the grand-stand ; and the lodge having taken up position on the platform , and the-Provincial Grand jewels , the chalices of wine and oil , & c , having been placed on the Master ' s table , tho choir , accompanied by a harmonium , sang the Queen ' s Anthem . The P . G . Chaplain then offered up a solemn
and suitable prayer . At the request of the P . G . Master , the P . G . Treasurer , Secretary , and Clerk placed the metallic box containing coins , newspapers , & c , into the cavity ofthe stone—the box , wuich was of copper , being hermetically sealed with solder , and bearing this inscription : "This foundation-stone ot
the Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary was laid on the sixteenth day of September , one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine , and of the Masonic epoch live thousand eight hundred and severity-three , by the Provincial Grand Master of this district , Lauderdale "Maitland , Esq ., of Kcclcs , in presence of
the magistrates and a large concourse of spectators . Architect , John Starforth . " This was followed b y the choir chanting Psalm xxiv .: "The earth is the Lord's , " & c ., and while the notes of praise and vocal adoration were ascending , the stone was graduall y lowered into its resting place , by means of a crane ,
three distinct stops being made in its downward passage . The P . G . Master then walked from the platform to the east of the stone , with the Depute on his right hand , the Substitute Master and Provincial Grand Wardens going before him , to the west , having with them the level and the plumb .
The P . G . Master hero said— " R . W . Depute Prov . Grand Master , you will cause the various implements to be applied to the stone , that it may be laid in its bed according to the rule of Masonry . " The Depute Provincial Grand Alaster accordingly ordered the AVardens and Substitute Provincial
Grand Master to do their duly . The Depute Provincial Grand Master then said : Right AVorshipful Junior Provinc i al Gvawl Wimlen , what is the proper jewel of your oflice?—The plumb . Have j'ou applied the plumb to the seveial edges of the stone?—I have , R . W . D . P . G . M .
Right Worshipful Senior Provincial Grand Warden , what is the proper jewel of your office 1—The level . Have you applied the level to the top of the stone ? —I have , R . XV . Depute Provincial Grand Master . Right AVorshipful Substitute Provincial Grand Master , what is the proper jewel of your office?—The
square . Have you applied the square to those parts of tlio stone that are square?—I have R . W . D . P . G . M . The R . W . D . P . G . M . then said : M . W . Provincial-Grand Sir , the various implements have been applied to thc stone in accordance with ancient custom and
usage . The Provincial Grand Master thus expressed his satisfaction . Having , my R . W . brethren , full confidence in your skill in our royal art , it remains with me now to finish this our work . He then gavo tho