Laying The Foundation Of A New Masonic Hall In Halifax, Nova Scotia.

All being in readiness for the ceremonies , thc Grand Marshal , ' Bro . Charles J . Macdonald , " proclaimed silence ! The brethren sang the " Old Hundred , " the two bands accompanying them in this and in thc subsequent singing . ' The Deputy Grand Master , Allan 11 . Croyve , then

addressed the Most Worshipful Grand Master , Col . J . Wimburn Laurie , as folloyvs : Most Worshipful Grand Master , — 'The Grand Lodge of Ancient , Free , and Accepted Masons of No via Scotia , having decided to erect on this site a neyv Hall for Masonic purposes , and having requested you to lay the comer stone , it becomes my duty to inform you that

the necessary arrangements are completed , and that the brethren arc noyv assembled for the purpose of yvitnessing the impressive ceremonies . I have much pleasure therefore in presenting to you Bro . Samuel M . Brookfield , contractor of the yvork , under whose superintendence thc stone has been prepared . Bro . Brookfield then said :

Most Worshipful Grand Master , —The Building Committee having awarded mc the contract for the erection of this new edifice , and having assigned to mc the duty of preparing the corner stone , and making arrangements for its being laid , I have much pleasure in reporting that labour completed . lt is noyv ready , Most Worshipfnl Sir , to be made the foundation stone of this new 1 lull .

ADDRESS ISY THE GRAND MASTER . Grand Master Laurie said : Men and brethren here assembled to behold thc ceremony : —Be it known unto you , that yve be layvful Masons , true anil faithful to the layvs of our country , and engaged by solemn obligations to erect handsome buildings to be serviceable to the brethren , and to fear God ,

thc Great Architect of the Universe . We have among us , concealed from the eyes of all men , secrets yvhich may not be revealed , and yvhich no man has discovered ; but these secrets are layvful and honourable , and not repugnant to the layvs of God or man . They were entrusted , in peace and honour , to the Masons of ancient times , and havinjf been faithfully transmitted to us , it is our duty

to convey them unimpaired to the latest posterity . Unless our Craft were good and our calling honourable , yve should not have lasted for so many centuries , nor should yve have had so many illustrious brothers in our Order ready to promote our layvs and further our interests . Wc are assembled here to-day in the presence of you all , to build a house for Masonry , which yve pray God may prosper if it seem good to him , that it may become a building for good

men and good deeds , and promote harmony and brotherly love throughout the yvorld till time shall be no more . As the first duty of Masons , iu any undertaking , is to invoke the blessing of the Great Architect upon their work , we will unite with our Grand Chaplain in an address to the Throne of Grace , after he shall have read a lesson from the I Ioly Scriptures . Bro . Rev . Henry IVyor Almon , of Windsor , one cf the Grand Chaplains , read the following

LESSON . " Where yvas ' t thou yvhen I laid the foundation of the earth ? Declare , if thou hast understanding ? " Who hath laid the measures thereof , if thou knoyvest ? or who hath stretched the line upon it ? " Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened ? or yvho laid the Comer Stone thereof ?

" When thc morning stars sang together , and all the Sons of God shouted for joy . " Job xxxviii ., 4-7 . " 'That our daughters may be as Corner Stones polished after the . similitude of a palace . "—Ps . cxliv ., 12 . " Therefore , thus sailh the Lord God—Behold , I lay in Zion for a foundation Stone , a tried Stone , a precious Corner Stone , a sure foundation ; lie that belicveth shall

not make haste . Judgment also yvill 1 lay to thc line , and righteousness to the plummet . "—Isa . xxviii . 16-17 ., " What is this , then , that is written , the stone yvhich the builders rejected the same is become thc head of thc corner . "—Luke xx ., 17 . Bro . Rev . A . W . Nicholson , one of the Grand Chaplains , offered the folloyving

PRAYER . Almighty God , Supreme Architect and Ruler of the Universe , we yvould come reverently into Thy presence and devoutly implore Thy blessing upon the service of this hour , and upon the undertaking in yvhich our brethren of this city are noyv engaged . While yve thank Thcc for the prosperity yvhich has attended them in the past , yve ask that 'Thy continued favour may be upon them in the

future . Bless those who direct and thc workmen who shall construct this edifice , that yvhen completed it may fully illustrate the wisdom , strength , and beauty of the Spiritual Temple not made yvith hands . Within its walls may the Divine principle " on earth , peace , good yvill toyvard men , " be ever inculcated antl

enjoyed ; may all the proper work of our institutions that may be done in it be such ; as Thy yvisdom may approve and Thy goodness prosper . And finally , graciousl y be pleased , O ! thou Sovereign Architect of the Universe , to bless the Craft , yvheresoevcr dispersed , and make them true and faithful to thee , their

neighbours , and to themselves ; and when the time of our labour is drayving near to an end , and the pillar of our strength is declining to the ground , graciously enable us to pass through "the valley ofthe shadow of death , " supported by Thy rod and Thy staff , to those mansions beyond the skies , where love , and peace , and joy for ever reign before 'Thy throne .

I he brethren then , yvith lhe Grand Chaplain , repeated the Lord's Prayer , after yvhich they sang the following hymn , yvhich vva-i first read b y Bro . Rev . George Dodwell , one of the Grand Chaplains ;

Laying The Foundation Of A New Masonic Hall In Halifax, Nova Scotia.

HYMN . O , Lord of Hosts , whose glory fills 'The bounds of thc eternal hills , And yet vouchsafes in Christiaiulantls , To dwell in Temples made yvith hands .

Grant that all yve , yvho here to-day Rejoicing this foundation lay , May be in very deed 'Thine oyvn , Built on the precious cornerstone . The heads that guide endue yvith skill , 'The hands that work preserve from ill , That yve , yvho these foundations lay , May raise the topstone in its day .

Thc Grand Master then addressed the Grand Secretary t Brother Grand Secretary , —You yvill noyv read the Scroll to be deposited in the Foundation Stone . The Grand Secretary , Bro . Benjamin Curren , D . C . L ., enumerated the articles to be placed under the Comer Stone . Grand Master Laurie , addressing the Grand Treasurer ,

said : — I now direct you , Bro . Grand Treasurer , to tleposit the glass vessel containing those articles in thc place prepared for its reception . The ( acting ) Grand Treasurer , Bro . J . Taylor Wood , proceeded to place the various articles in tlie glass vessel , yvhich yvas then put into a tin case , sealed with solder , and deposited in the cavity in the foundation .

While this yvas being done the band plaved " Auld Lang Syne . " The cavity yvas covered yvith a brass plate , bearing the folloyving inscription : — " This Corner Stone of Freemasons' Hall yvas laid on the 31 st of August , A . D . 1 S 75 , . AL , 5875 , yvith Masonic ceremonies , by M . W . Bro . John Wimburn Laurie , Grand Master of . the Grand Lodge of A . F .

and A . Masons of Nova Scotia . " Grand Master Laurie said : — Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master , —It is my will and pleasure that thc corner stone of the neyv Hall is noyv laid . You yvill announce the same to the R . W . Senior Grand Warden , that he may announce it to thc R . W . Junior Grand Warden , with directions then lo proclaim

the same to the brethren , that all present may govern themselves accordingly . Deputy Grand Master Croyve said : — Right Worshipful Senior Grand Warden , —It is the Most Worshipful Grand Master ' s yvill and p leasure that the corner stoue of thc neyv hall be now laid . You yvill announce the same to the Right Worshipful Junior Grand Warden ,

yvith directions then to proclaim the same to the brethren , that they may govern themselves accordingly . 'The Senior Grand Warden , Bro . Rev . Richard Avery , of Aylesford , said : — Rig ht Worshipful Junior Grand Warden , —It is thc Most Worshipful Grand Master's yvill and pleasure that the corner stone of the new hall be now laid . You yvill

proclaim the same lo thc brethren , that all present may govern themselves accordingly . 'The Junior Grand Grand Warden , Bro . J . F . McDonald , M . D ., of Hopeyvell , said : — Brethren , take notice , it is the Most Worshipful Grand Master ' s yvill and pleasure that the corner stone of the neyv Hall be noyv laid on this site ; you yvill , therefore , govern yourselves accordingly .

'The Grand Master said : — Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master , —You yvill see that the Craftsmen have yvell and truly prepared the corner stone to be laid by mc . The Deputy Grand Master said : Brother Right Worshipful Junior Grand Warden , —You yvill noyv see that the Craftsmen have prepared the stone and that it i . s true and trusty . Test it yvith the plumb , and report to mc if you arc satisfied yvith thc yvork of the

Craftsmen . The Junior Grand Warden then proceeded to the stone , tested it , and reported as folloyvs : — Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master , —I find the stone plumb , and tbe Craftsmen have prepared thc corner stone true and trusty . The Deputy Grand Master said :

Brother Right Worshipful Senior Grand Warden , —You yvill noyv examine and satisfy yourself that thc Craftsmen have yvorked yvell . Try the stone yvith the level and report to mc the result of your examination . 'The Senior Grand Warden then proceeded lo the stone antl tried it yvith the level , and reported : RightWorshipful Deputy Grand Master , —I find the corner

stone level , and that the Craftsmen have yvorked yvell . The Deputy Grand Master then proceeded to the stone and tested it yvith thc square , and , returning to his station , reported : Most Worshipful Grand Master , —I find the coiner stone of this Freemasons' Hall tried , true , trusty , plumb , level and square , and that the Grand Officers have approved of

the yvork , and have found it well and duly prepared , and that the Craftsmen have yvorked well . The Grand Master then addressed the Deputy Grand Master , Senior Grand Warden , and Junior Grand Warden Right Worshipful Brothers , —You yvill proceed to the stone yvhile the labourers and bearers arc laying it in its proper position at the north-east angle of the foundation ; you yvill try it yvith the plumb , level and square , and report

to us if it is yvell and truly prepared . The three officers proceeded to the stone , and having returned , the Deputy Grand Master said : — Most Worshipful Grand Master , —The corner stone is placed due east and yvest , and is noyv ready to be laid . Bro . William A . IIcsson then presented Bro . W . Henry Hart , Vice-Chairman of the Committee appointed to arrange for the erection of thc building , who said : —

Laying The Foundation Of A New Masonic Hall In Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Most Worshipful Grand Master , —On behalf of th Committee appointed by the Grand Lodge to arran ge f 0 P the erection of the neyv hall , I have very great pleasure in presenting you yvith this trowel , to assist in completing- t )) c yvork so auspiciously begun . The troyvcl yvas a very handsome one of silver , bearing thc folloyving incription : — " Presented by the Grand Lodo ?

of A . F . & A . Masons of Nova Scotia to Colonel J . Winlburn Laurie , Most Worshipful Grand Master , on the occasion of the laying of the Corner Stone of Freemasons ' Hall , Halifax , August 31 st , A . D . 1875 , A . L . 5875 . " Grand Master Laurie thanked Bro . Hart for the trowel and said it yvould be kept as a valuable memento of this important occasion .

The Senior and Junior Deacons then proceeded to the stone with the troyvel and gavel . 'The Grand Master , preceded by the Grand Director of Ceremonies and Grand Sword Bearer , and accompanier ] by the Deputy Grand Master , the Senior and Junior Grand Wardens , proceeded to the stone—the Grand Master at the cast , the Deputy on his right , Senior Warden at the yvest ,

Junior Warden at the south . The Grand Master took lhe troyvel from the Junior Grand Deacon , and spread thc cement . The stone yvas then loyvered with three gradual motions . At each one the bands played a part of the National Anthem , and thc Masons gave the Public Grand Honours . 'The stone is of granite , yvith a polished front bearing this inscription : —

" r REEMASONS' . HALL . This Corner Stone yvas laid with Masonic ceremonies , Aug . ^ 1 st , An . 187 s ; , A . L . 5875 , by Col . J . Wimburn Laurie " , M . W . G . M . STIRLING and Dr-yvAR , Architects . SAMUEL M . BROOKFIELD , Builder . G . A . SANFORD , Sculptor .

The Grand Master took the gavel from thc Senior Grand Deacon , struck the stone three times , and said : — Well made—yvell proved—truly laid—true and trust y , and may this undertaking be conducted and completed b y the Craftsmen according to the Grand Plan , in peace harmony , and brotherly love . The Grand Master and officers then returned to their

stations , and the Grand Master announced : — I , J . Wimburn Laurie , Grand Master of Masons of Nova Scotia , declare this corner stone to be plumb , level , and square , and so duly laid according to the ancient usages , customs , and landmarks of Freemasonry , and may the Great Architect of the Universe bless thc work here begun and make it memorable to the latest generation .

The bands played several lively airs . The Grand Steyvards , yvith corn , wine , and oi ) , proceeded to the stone , and the other Grand Officers followed . Thc first Steyvard , presenting to the Deputy Grand Master the cornucopia , he dropped the corn on the stone and said : — May plenty be shoyvered doyvn upon the people of this city and province , and may the labours of the Craft be

refreshed by the Great Giver of every good and perfect gift . The second Steward then presented the yvine to thc Senior Grand Warden , yvho poured it on the stone and said : — May the health of thc Craftsmen employed in erecting this hall be preserved to them , and may the Supreme Architect bless and prosper their labours . 'The third Steyvard then presented the oil to the Junior

Grand Warden , yvho poured it on the stone and said : May the Supreme Ruler of the world vouchsafe unity , peace , and prosperity to the people of Nova Scotia , and to the nations of thc earth ; preserve and protect the fraternity of Freemasons ; make the virtues of the Craft a lesson to the yvorld , and the labours of the Craftsmen easy and their burthens light .

Grand Chaplain Rev . H . P . Almon said : May corn , wine , and oil , and all the necessities of life abound among men throughout the yvorld ; may thc blessings of Almighty God be upon this undertaking , ami may the structure here to be erected stand for ages in strength and beauty , a lasting monument of the Masonic zeal , enterprise , and liberality of its founders , and of the

moral precepts and beneficent influence of the ancient and honourable institution . The District Deputy Grand Master , Bro . A . H . Woodill , M . D ., then presented the Architect , Bro . David Stirling , saying : Most Worshipful Grand Master , —Alloyv mc to present to you , Bro . David Stirling , chosen to be the architect of the

new hall . He has his Craftsmen ready for the work , and desires you to give him thc designs from the trestle boards and thc tools of the yvorkmen . The Grand Master then handed the architect the plans anil tools , square , level , and plumb , and said : To you , Brother Architect , are confined the implements of operative Masonry , with the fullest confidence that by

your skill and taste a fabric yvill here arise which shall add new lustre to thc City of Halifax and our honoured Fraternity . May it be blessed yvith wisdom in the plan , strength in the execution , and beauty in the adornment ; and may the Sun of Righteousness enlighten the Craftsmen who build , the brethren yvho give , and the institution under whose care this structure shall arise .

I he proclamation was then made for the first time . The proclamation yvas then made for thc second time , in the West , by Bro . Colonel J . W . Poyntz , of Windsor , and for the third time in the South by Bro . James Hudson , of Albion Mines . At each proclamation thc " Grand Honours" yvere given and a trumpet sounded , and at of

the last the bands played " God bless the Prince Wales . " A collection was taken up , according to custom , < or the benefit of the yvorkmen engaged in the building . Grand Master Laurie then made a brief speech , alluding to some of the illustrious men who had honoured Masonry , and who felt that they had received honour in being pet-