Laying The Foundation-Stone Of Millbrook New Church.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION-STONE OF MILLBROOK NEW CHURCH .

The foundation-stone of the new church at Millbrook was on tbe 21 st inst . laid * by R . W . Bro . the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , D . G . M . England , P . G . M . Cornwall , with full Masonic rites , but it is much to be regretted that the effect of the ceremony was somewhat marred by the heavy rain which fell during the whole proceedings . Notwithstanding the weather , the brethren from

a . 11 parts of the county turned up in large numbers to support their noble and revered P . G . M ., and , with a « oodly sprinkling of members from the Three Towns , there were quite 300 in the procession . There was also a fairly large attendance of the public , who watched with great interest the ceremony , which was carried out by the Earl ' with that solemnity and efficiency which has been the distinguishing , feature of his Masonic career .

The town was nicely decorated with triumphal arches , Hags , & c , and the W . M . and brethren of the Meridian Lodge , No . 893 , of Millbrook , heartily cooperated with the vicar , the Rev . H . VV . Millett . The combined choirs of Millbrook and Maker , under the direction of Mr . Northcott , sang the hymns and Psalms in a creditable manner . The church is to be

dedicated to All Saints , and thc clergy present , in addition to those named , were the Archdeacon of Bodmin ( the Ven . H . II . Du Boulay ) , the Revs . Canon Hullah , IL W . Millett , H . N . Wheeler , F . C . Cardew , W . C . Evans , F . J . Behenna , Ridley , Pearce , and E ,

Read . The Prov . Grand Lodge was opened in Meridian Lodge . The R . W . Bro . the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , the P . G . M ., was supported by Bro . E . D . Anderton , P . P . S . G . W ., and a large number of Provincial Grand Officers and brethren from different parts of the

province . The procession was formed on the square in the following order : The combined choirs of Millbrook and Maker , the clergy , band of H . M . S . Impregnable , sword bearers , visiting brethren , lodges juniors ( first ) , the P . J . G . W . carrying a plumb rule , the P . S . G . W . with level , P . G . Steward with the bible , the D . P . G . M .

with square , a provincial brother with the mallett , Bro . Dr . Worth with a vessel of corn , Bro . Doney with a flagon of wine , and Bro . W . J . Watts , 496 , with a vessel of oil , and in the rear thc P . G . M . preceded by the P . G . Sword Bearer , and followed by the P . G . Deacons and the P . G . Tyler with drawn sword . They proceeded by way of New-street to the vicarage , where the

brethren opened out for the P . G . M . and officers to pass through . On arriving al thc site a special service was held , the Ven . the Archdeacon of Bodmin officiating . Prayers having been offered , the 84 th Psalm was chanted , after which the P . G , Chaplain read the third chapter of Ezra . Special prayers were said by the

Archdeacon and the P . G . Chaplain , the vicar ( thc Rev , H . W . Millett ) , asked in the name of thc parishioners , the P . G . M . to lay the foundation-stone with Masonic rites . The P . G . M ., having intimated his pleasure of complying with thc request , said : Mr . Archdeacon , men , brethren , and friends assembled here to witness this

ceremony , be it known unto you that we be lawful Masons , true and faithful to the laws of our country . Although not ourselves operative Masons , we have from time immemorial been associated with the erection of buildings , to be raised for thc benefit of mankind , the adornment of , the world , and the glory of the Great Architect of the Universe . We have among us

secrets concealed from those who are not Masons , but they are lawful and honourable , and not opposed to the laws either of God or man . They were entrusted to us by our predecessors , and , having been faithfully transmitted to us , it is our duty to convey them inviolate to our posterity . We are assembled here to-day , in the presence of you all , and in the sight of the Most

High , to erect a house to be devoted to Mis worship Md praise , and we pray that God may bless that work as it seemeth best to Him ; and as it is the first duty ° f Masons in any undertaking to invoke the blessing ° f the Great Architect of thc Universe upon their work , I , on behalf of the Fraternity , call upon you all lo join with us and with our Prov . G . Chaplain in an iildress to the Throne of Grace .

The P . G . CIIAI ' I . AI . N * then delivered an .-appropriate prayer , and the Prov . G . M . having desired that the corner-stone of the church be laid in the customary manner , the P . G . Treasurer placed the usual box in the c'ivity under the stone , and The PROV . GRAND MASTER said it contained a copy ° f the form of service the Standard newspaper , and

'he following statement : " The chief corner-stone of [ his parish church was laid in the name of the Holy h the Right Honourable William Henry , Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , Deputy Grand Master of England and Provincial Grand Master of Cornwall , with "'• ¦¦ sonic ceremony , in the presence , and vvith the prayers of , thc Venerable Henry Houssemaync Du

' onlay , Archdeacon of Bodmin , the Clergy of the "Cuiery of East , the Masonic Brethren , and the inhabif'lnts of Millbrook , on the twenty-first day of September , 1 , 1 the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred atl * i ninety three . "

, ri ro . C . R . HINE then presented the P . G . M with a .- "' dsome silver trowel bearing the following inscription ; " The Right Hon . the Earl of Mount EdgcumUe ^ n the occasion of his laying the foundation-stone of "hllbrook Church , September 21 st , iSyj . Prom Hine 'id Odgcrs , architects . "

Laying The Foundation-Stone Of Millbrook New Church.

Thc PROV . GRAND MASTKR then laid the foundationstone , which simply bore the inscription " A . D . 1893 , " and having proved the same by the plumb rule , said : 1 find this stone to be plumb , and that the craftsmen have prepared it true and trusty . The P . G . M . proved the stone by the level , and said : I lind the stone to be level , and the craftsmen have laboured skilfully ; and

finally proved it by the square , and said : I find this stone to be plumb , level , and square , and I declare it to be truly laid , and that the craftsmen have worked well . The ARCHDEACON delivered an invocation , and the P . G . M . scattered corn , saying I scatter corn upon this stone as the emblem of plenty and abundance of God ' s

best gifts ; may the good seed of His word , sown here in the hearts of men , take root and bring forth fruit a hundredfold to their benefit and His glory . Having poured wine , he said : 1 pour out wine upon this stone , the symbol of strength and gladness ; may those who work upon this building , and those who shall hereafter meet within its walls , ever perform their allotted part

in the service of the Great Architect with cheerfulness and singleness of heart . The P . G . M . then threw oil on the stone , and said * . I sprinkle this stone witb oil , thc emblem of peace and harmony ; may goodwill and brotherly love ever prevail among those who shall worship in this house to the glory of the Most High until time shall be no more .

The architect handed to the P . G . M . the plans , and his LORDSHIP , having approved of the same , said : I now place in your hands the plans of this intended building , together with the necessary tools , not doubting your skill and ability as a craftsman , and I desire that you will proceed without loss of time to the completion of the work , in conformity with the plans and

designs now entrusted to you . The ARCHDEACON offered up prayer , and the singing of the hymn " All people that on earth do dwell , " followed by the Benediction , brought a most interesting and impressive ceremony to a close . The brethren returned in inverted order to the lodge , except that the officers and brethren of the Meridian Lodge preceded the P . G . M .

Subsequently the brethren proceeded by the steamer Eleanor from Millbrook to Cremyll , and , at the invitation of the P . G . M ., partook of luncheon at the Orangery . Bro . J . Barnes , of the Cremyll Arms , was thc caterer , and gave satisfaction . About 260 sat down . The P . G . M . presided , and the loyal toasts having been

given , Bro . E . D . ANDERTON * proposed "The Health of the P . G . M ., " and said they were indebted to the earl for his generous hospitality , and in allowing them to view his beautiful gardens and grounds . The toast was drunk with great enthusiasm .

lhe PROV . GRAND MASTER , who was cordially received , thanked the brethren for attending in such large numbers . As Masons they ought to take an interest in the laying of the first stone of any public building , and whatever their opinions or differences might be , the laying of the first stone of a new parish church was one of considerable interest . He took a

great interest in Meridian Lodge , and he thought it would be a good opportunity of bringing the lodge forward by holding a Provincial Grand Lodge meeting there that day . He trusted that , although the weather had been so inclement , no one would suffer any illeffects therefrom . He reminded them that it depended entirely upon subscriptions whether they werc to build

the tower of the church up to the eaves of the roof or not . He was indebted to Bro . Chirgwin , thc P . G . Secretary , for the great assistance he had rendered in completing thc arrangements for that day . He then submitted " The Health of the Visitors , " referring to

the presence of Bros . Captain Strode-Lowe and Dr . Lemon , who had done a great deal for the Craft . Bro . Captain STRODE -L OWE , in response , said he trusted that the friendship and brotherly love which had always existed between the brethren of the provinces of Devon and Cornwall would ever continue .

lhe PROV . GRAND MASTER said he was going to propose " The Health of the Architect , " but Bro . HINE asked that the church should be completed lirst . The brethren then strolled through the grounds , and on leaving gave hearty cheers for the Prov . Grand Master .

Devon Masonic Educational Fund.

DEVON MASONIC EDUCATIONAL FUND .

A meeting of thc Education and General Purposes Committee of the Devon Masonic Educational Fund , of which the Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Viscount Ebrington , is President , was held on the 25 th inst . at the Freemasons' Hall , Princes-square , Plymouth , to receive the repor : of the Finance Committee and to

decide on the number of candidates to be elected on the fund at the October meeting . Bro . S . Jew , P . P . G . T ., presided , and other members present were Bros . J . R . Lord , P . P . G . T ., Perm . P . G . D . C , Treasurer of the Fund ; J . 13 . Gover , P . P . A . G . D . C , P . P . G . S ., Sec ; the Rev . Dr . Lemon , Prov . G . Chap ., P . P . J . G . W . ; R . G . Bird , P . P . G . T . ; W . A . Gregory , Prov . G . T . ; W . Allsford , P . M . 202 ; J .

Leonard , P . M . 202 ; C . Mutten , P . M . 1550 ; W . Sweet , P . M . 1212 ; J . H . Blackell , P . M . 1099 ; and W . H . Dillon , Asst . Sec . The HON . TREAS . reported that the Institution was in an excellent financial position , the funds showing an increase of about . £ 100 compared with the previous year . There are at present 18 children on the Fund , and in view of the satisfactory state of the finances it was

Devon Masonic Educational Fund.

unanimously resolved that two more should be elected in October , making a total of 20 . This is the largest number ever on the Fund at one time , and their maintenance on the Fund involves an expenditure of ^ 300

a year . The next meeting of subscribers , at which two additional candidates are to be elected , will be held at Exeter , probably in the last week of October . It has been left to the Secretary and Treasurer to fix on a convenient day .

An Australian Compliment To Bro. Edward Terry.

AN AUSTRALIAN COMPLIMENT TO BRO . EDWARD TERRY .

A dinner to Bro . Edward' Terry , Past G . Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of England , was given by the members of the Masonic Club , Melbourne , on the 13 th ult . In the absence of the President , Bro . Sir William

Clarke , Bart ., M . W . G . M . Victoria , who , through sudden indisposition , was unable to attend , the chair was taken by Bro . Dr . J . Willmott , P . M . 752 , Past Grand Deacon ( E . C . ) . The vice-chair was occupied Bro . W . HORDERN , W . M . no ( V . C ) . In a bappy speech tbe CHAIRMAN expatiated on the

zealous work performed by Bro . Terry in the cause of Masonic Charity , his efforts in this direction receiving meet reward in his elevation , by election , to the office of Grand Treasurer . Bro . TERRY replied appropriately , citing many instances of the good work done by the Masonic body

in the cause of Charity throughout the world . At two meetings in London no less than , £ 120 , 000 was subscribed to Institutions providing for the maintenance of distressed Masons , their wives , and children . The dinner was enlivened with instrumental and vocal music by several brethren , and the guest of the evening contributed some dramatic sketches .

The Previous Question.

THE PREVIOUS QUESTION .

It will be remembered that at the Quarterly Communication in June last , when the question of the Cambrian Lodge of New South Wales was under discussion , the acting G . J . Warden , Bro . the Rev . J . R . Simpson , moved the " Previous Question , " a custom well-known in " another place , " but unfamiliar to

Grand Lodge . Our correspondent , " Lex Scripta , " sends us the following on the subject : I cannot find any allusion to such a motion in thc Grand Lodge proceedings for the last 20 years , ancl I should be glad if any of your readers can inform me whether there is any case on record ? I greatly doubt it . Perhaps some of your readers may be glad of the

following questions * Previous Question . —It is out of order in Masonry to resort to this method of quashing a debate . — " Mackenzie's Royal Masonic Cyclopaedia , " page 574 . " Rules of Debate , 24 . —No motion for the ' previous question' can be entertained . " — " Paton ' s Freemasoury and its Jurisprudence , " page 236 .

" A call for the previous question will not be permitted . "— " Lockwood ' s Masonic Law and Practice , " page 53 . "Previous Question . —A Parliamentary motion intended to suppress debate . It is utterly unknown in the Parliamentary Law of Masonry , and it would be always out of order to move it in a Masonic body . "—

"Mackey ' s Encyclopedia of Freemasonry , " page 601 . " Now , there are various modes of closing a debate , all of which are defined and regulated by Parliamentary law . One of these is by a call for the previous question . Although there is no pointed law on the subject , yet the spirit of comity and courtesy , which prevails in the Institution , the authority of the best

Masonic jurists , and the general usage of the Fraternity , have concurred in the decision that the previous question cannot be moved in a Masonic lodge . All the provisions , therefore , of the Parliamentary law which refer to the subject of the previous question are inapplicable in Masonry , and need not be studied by the Master of a lodge . " — " Mackey ' s Masonic

Parliamentary Law , " page 19 . " Debates in a Masonic lodge must be conducted according to the fraternal principles of the Institution . In the language of Dr . Oliver , ' the strictest courtesy shall be observed during a debate in a Mason ' s lodge on questions which elicit a difference of opinion , and any gross violation of decorum and good order is sure

to be met by an admonition from the chair . ' lt must always be remembered that the object of a Masonic discussion is to elicit truth , and not simply to secure victory . Hence those means of suppressing due enquiry , which are so common in popular assemblies , are to be avoided ; therefore it is that the motion for the previous question so frequently resoi ted to by

Parliamentary strategists as a means of stifling debate and silencing the voice of the minority , is never admitted in a Masonic lodge . The discourtesy which such a motion exhibits on the part of the majority , and its evident object to prevent inquiry , make it entirely antagonistic to the benignant principles of the Masonic Institution . I have never , in my own experienc , known the motion for ' the previous question ' to be

made in any Masonic body , and I suppose that the incompetency of such a motion has never been doubted . Bro . Benjamin B . French , who , from his long experience as Clerk of the United States House of Representatives , had become an expert in the science of Parliamentary law , and who was equally skilful in Masonic practices , said that ' Freemasonry knows no previous question , ' and no Masonic body should ever tolerate it" lib . * pp . jj . so ,.