Masonic Stone-Laying.—Impressive Ceremony At Aldershot.

brethren opened out , facing inwards , the Provincial Grand Master advancing through the lane thus formed to the stone ; here he was received by the Committee and Warden , and took a position in the centre of the east side of the stone , supported by the Deputy Prov . Grand Master and Chaplains . The Provincial Grand Wardens took up a position on the

Avest , the three lodge Masters bearing the vessels of com , wine , and oil , being on the north side , and the officers with the mallet and troivel being on the south side . The brethren then assembled in ordered ranks around the stone , and Gen . Moncrielf" asked the Prov . G . Master to lay

the stone . Before complying he addressed the gathering as folloivs : — " Gen . Moncrieff , I have very great pleasure in complying with your request . Ladies , gentlemen , and brethren assembled to A'ieAV this ceremony , be it knoAvn to you that Ave , the

laAvful Masons , true and faithful to the IaAvs of our country , are engaged by solemn obligation to erect buildings to be serviceable to the brethren , and to fear God , . the Great

THE CEREMONY .

Architect of the Universe . We have among us concealed from the eyes of all men , secrets which may not be disclosed , and which no man has discovered ; but those secrets are lawful and honourable and not repugnant to the laws of God or man . They Avere entrusted to us in peace and honour by Masons in ancient times , and as they have been

faithfully transmitted to us , so Ave desire to convey them unimpaired to the latest posterity . Unless our Craft were good and honourable Ave could not have lasted so many centuries ; neither should Ave have numbered under the banners of our Order so many illustrious brethren ready to

further our IaAvs and promote our interests . We are assembled in the presence of you all to commence a building to the glory of the Most High , and as the first duty of Masons in any undertaking is to invoke the assistance of the Great Architect of the Universe , I will IIOAV call upon you all to join with the Provincial Grand Chaplain in an address to the Throne of Grace . "

After the prayers the committee presented the Prov . Grand Master with a beautiful silver trowel , which Avas graciously acknowledged , and with it he proceeded to lay the stone , after a glass tube containing newspapers and money had been deposited within the loAver stone , the upper stone being lowered with three distinct stops . The Master tried

the stone with the plumb rule , saying , " I declare this stone to be plumb , and that the Craftsmen haA'e prepared it true . " He tested it with the level , saying , " I declare this stone to be level , and that the Craftsmen have laboured skilfully . " He then tested it with the square , and said , " I declare this stone

to be plumb , level , and square , and I IIOAV declare it Avell and truly laid , and that the Craftsmen have worked well . " Then followed the pouring of corn , wine , and oil on the stone , a most impressive part of the ceremony . Scattering the corn on the stone , the Master said , " I scatter corn on this

stone , the emblem of plenty and abundance of God ' s best gifts . May the good seed sown here take root in the hearts of men and bear fruit a hundred-fold to their benefit and his

glory . " Pouring wine on the stone , he said , " I pour Avine on this stone , the symbol of strength and gladness . May those who work upon this building and those who shall meet within its Avails , ever perform their allotted task in the service of the Great Architect with cheerfulness and singleness of heart . " He then anointed the stone with oil , saying , " I

sprinkle this stone with oil , the emblem of peace and harmony . May Brotherly Love and GoodAvill ever prevail among those AVIIO meet within this building , until time shall be no more . " Then , addressing the assembled Masons , the Provincial Grand Master said , " Brethren , we are an ancient

fraternity , which , from time immemorial , has always been associated with all that is beautiful and serviceable in architecture , and for that reason you will have been glad to have assisted me , as I have been proud to work with you , in commencing a building which we trust will be of great service to this neighbourhood for many generations . And , brethren , whatever minor differences there may be among