Freemasonry In China.

THE VOLUME OP THE S A CRIED LAW On a Cushion borno by Bro . F . G . Walsh . Steward , Bro . W . E . Stophonson . Steward , Bro . D . Patridgo . Tho Acting Prov . G . Chap ., Bro . Rov . | M . ! E _ auffman . Tho Acting D . Prov . GM . with Square , Bro . A . R . jTilby , P . M . 102 7 Tho Mallet , borno by Bro . B . Eames , D . D . GM .,

Mass . Constitution , U . S . A . Volunteers : Acting P . G . S . B ., Bro . J . McMillan . Tho Acting Prov . G . M ., W . Bro . C . E . Parkor , P . M . 501 , D . P . G . M . Acting Prov . G . S . Deacon , Bro . R . S . Gimdry , W . M . 1027 . Acting Prov . G . Steward , Bro . J . Jaquos .

Acting Prov . G . Steward , Bro . B . W . Fellowes . Acting Prov . G . Tyler , Bro . Jeffreys . Volunteers : Tho Consular Body . Officers of Army and Navy . Tho Trustees of Now Church . Tho Municipal Council . Commissioner of Customs . Cordon of Six Policomen .

The brethren then entered the church , where evening service was read and an appropriate sermon preached by the Rev . C . H . Butcher ; after which they proceeded to the spot where the foundation stone was suspended .

The Masonic anthem was played by the band after which the Prov . G . M . delivered this introduction : —¦

Men women , ancl children assembled here today to behold this ceremony , know all of you that we be lawful Masons , true to the laws of our country , and established of old ivith peace ancl honour , to do good to our brethren , to build

buildings and to fear God who is the Great Architect of all things . To-day we are met together , in the presence of you all , to lay the foundation stone of a building to be dedicated to the service aud worship of the Almighty Creator . Let us

therefore praise ancl magnify His holy name , who has been pleased to permit us to join in this undertaking , by singing an anthem to His honour . The brethren will unite in singing the 1 st anthem : —¦

Lord ! Thou hast boon our dwelling-place , Through years o £ old , aud ages , past ; And still Thy laws wo seek to trace , On Theo our trust wo humbly cast . Father of Light ! Builder Divine ! Behold our work , and make it Thino ! A prayer was then offered by the Prov . G . Chap .,

Bro . C . H . Butcher , M . A . H . B . M . ' s Consul then presented- a handsome silver trowel to the P . G . M ., requesting him to make use of it in laying the stone . The P . G . M . thanked the Consul in a few words for the present , saying that he hoped the use which would be made

of the trowel during the day , would be such as to meet with his approbation The P . G . M . then called upon the P . G . Assist . Sec . to read the inscription to be placed upon the stone , which was as follows : —

THE FOUNDATION STOKE of TRINITY CHURCH , SHANGHAI , Paid with Masonic coromony Under tho direction and superintendence of The D . P . G . M . of Freemasonry for China , E . G .,

On tho 21 th May , 1800 , Being the birthday of Hor Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria , H . B . M . ' s Consul . —Chas . A Winchester , Esq . C . E . Parker , Esq ,, D . P . G . M . Trustees . —Wm . G . Cuthbortson , Esq ., and Wm . Keswick , Esq .

Treasurer . —Hy . Dickinson , Esq . Architects . —G . G . Scott , Esq ., R . A ., and Wm . Kidnor , Esq . Builders . —Messrs . S . C . Famham & Co . Consular Chaplain . —Rev . O . H . Butcher , M . A .

The list of articles to be deposited in the stone was then read . List of Articles Deposited in the Stone . New Coins from the Hong Kong Mint . Copy of Inscription on Stone .

Bye-Laws of Royal Sussex Lodgo , 501 . Bye-Laws of Northern Lodge of China , 507 . Bj-o-Laws of Tuscan Lodge , 1027 . Bye-Laws of Ancient Landmark , Mass . Constitution , U . S . A . Byo-Laws of Cosmopolitan Lodge , S . C . 428 . Copy o £ "North China Herald" of 19 th May , 1806 .

Copy of ¦ ' North China Daily Nows " of 21 th May , 18 GG . Copy of "Shanghai Recorder" of 21 th May , 18 C 6 . Copy of "Friend of China" of 22 nd May , I 860 . Copy of " Hong List" for January , I 860 . List of Prov G . Officers of tho clay .

And these , with copy of the inscription , were deposited in the cavity by the P . G . Assist . Sec . and P . G . Treas ., after which the P . G . Supt , of Works was called upon to provide cement and workmen for the purpose of placing the stone .

The P . G . M . smoothed the cement with the trowel , after which the stone was lowered with three stops the band playing solemn music . The following dialogue then took place between the Acting P . G . M . and his officers : —

Prov . G . M . Bro . Grand Junior Warden . The plumb being the proper jewel of your office , I will thank you to apply it to the several edges of the stone and report to me whether or no they are correct .

G . J . W . Right Worshipful Sir , I have tested the stone with the plumb and find it truly and properly laid . Prov . G . M . Bro . Grand Senior Warden . The level being the proper jewel of your office , I will