India.

Mr . Hornnisjee Nusserwanjee , which proving favourable , he ivas introduced in due and ancient form , and initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry . There being no further business before the lodge , it was closed in peace and harmony . The monthly meeting took place on the Sth July , Bro . J . J . Pope , "W . M ., in the chair . The minutes of the last regular meeting were read and confirmed . The ballot was then taken for Mr .

James Robertson , which proving favourable , he was introduced in due and ancient form , and initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry . There being no further business before the lodge , it was closed in peace and harmony .

ROY'AL ARCH . KURRACHEE . — Chapter Faith and Charity ( No . 72 ) . —This chapter heid an emergent meeting on the 20 th July , when the following companions were present : —M . E . Comps . J . Berrie , P . Z . ; G . Blander , II . ; W . Meiklejohn , , T . ; E . Comps . E . T . Martinnant , Scribe E . ; J . B . Tapp , Scribe N . ; E . Leggett , Prin

. Soj . ; E . F . de Rosetti and W . Pegler , Sojourners ; T . I ) . Fleming , Janitor : Visiting Comp ., W . A . Brunton . The following brethren were exalted : —Bros . D . MacNeil , John Robson , Rowland Fisher , G . F . Taverner , W . P . Prichard , T . W . Edward-. Comp . W . A . Brunton , of Keystone Chapter , Bombay , was admitted a joining member by a show of hands . The -chapter is in good working order , and the furniture and clothing complete .

Colonial.

COLONIAL .

BRITISH GUIANA . LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OP ST . PHILIP ' S CHURCH . Thursday , the 29 th Sept ., being the feast of St . Michael and All Angels , the ceremony of laying the corner-stone of St . Philip's new church , Werk-cn-Rust , Georgetown , took place in the presence of a very numerous and respectable assemblage . It may be necessary to mention , for the information of distant

readers , that the building of this new church had been rendered necessary not only from the rapid decay of the present church , erected of wood in 1845 as a temporary building until funds could be obtained for providing one more permanent , but also from its utter insufficiency of accommodation to the wants of the congregation . The exertions of the respected incumbent , the Rev . Richard L . Webber , M . A ., aud of his churchwardens , Messrs . Henry and

Oliver , having placed them in a position to warrant the commencement of the new church , a contract was entered into for the erection of a handsome Gothic structure 135 feet in length by 67 in width , with a tower and spire 130 feet in height . The building will accommodate a thousand persons , and the cost will exceed £ 8 , 000 . Considerable interest was added to the proceedings of the day by the intimation that the Masonic body of British Guiana would be present and assist at tl : e laying of the stone" with all

the ceremonial peculiar to the Craft , an event unprecedented in the annals of the colony , and which may probably be ascribed to the fact that Mr . George Henry Oliver , one of the wardens of St . Philip's , is an enthusiastic Mason as well as a zealous churchman . A commodious platform had been raised on the site of the intended church , and pleasantly shaded from the heat of the sun with the large leaves of the cocoa-nut treeLong before

. the hour ' fixed for the ceremony this was filled with ladies and gentlemen , amongst whom we recognised most of the principal inhabitants of the city . Around the stone and wherever a view of the proceedings could be obtained were large numbers of well-dressed persons . At one o ' clock the Governor drove up in an open carriage , attended by his private secretary and aides-decamp . His Excellency was dressed in the civil service uniform

befitting his rank , and appeared to be in capital health and spirits . In the next carriage was Mrs . Hincks , the Governor's wife , who had kindly consented to lay the stone . The Governor and his amiable lady had scarcely taken tiieir places on the platform when the strains of distant music announced the approach of the Masonic procession , whi . h marched from Bishop's College , preceded by the band of the Georgetown militia . On entering the ground the 132 nd Psalm was chanted .

On the procession reaching the platform , the ceremonial commenced with the chanting of the following sentences : — V . The Lord is in His holy temple -. R . Let all the earth keep silence before Him . V . Our help is in the name of the Lord : R . Who hath made heaven and earth . V . Behold , saith the Lord , I lay in Zion a chief corner-stone , elect , precious : R . Ancl he that believeth in Him shall not bo confounded . V . The stone which the builders refused :

R . Is become the head-stone of the corner . V . This is the Lord's doing : R . And it is marvellous in our eyes . V . Praise ye the Lord : R . The Lord's name be praised . Which was followed with the singing of the 84 th Psalm . This was followed by four appropriate prayers . The rev . incumbent then placed in a cavity of the lower stone

four newspapers of the day , with several coins of this year , and an illuminated record as well as a photograph of the building as it will appear when completed . The inscription on the illuminated record was as follows : — " In nomine Patris , et Filii , et Spiritus Sancti , hujusce Eeclesios , Sancto Phillippo dicatae , fundamenta posnit Martha Anna , Excellentissimi Franeisci Hincks , C . B ., Guiana ; Britannicse Prootoris culta eonjuxA . D . III . Kal . Oct . MDCCCLX 1 V ;

, Gulielmo Piercy Austin , D . D ., Episcopo ,- Ricardo Legg Webber , M . A ., Eccles . Prcepos ; Isaac Henry , Georgio Henrico Oliver , Gardiator . " He then presented a handsome silver trowel with an ivory handle , richly chased and bearing the following inscription" Presented to Mrs . Hincks , the wife of his Excellency Francis

Hincks , Esq ., C . B ., Governor of British Guiana , upon the occasion of her laying the corner-stone of St . Philip ' s new church , on ( he feast of St . Michael and All Angels , 1864 , " to Mrs . Hincks , with these words : — "Mrs . Hincks , in my own name , and in the names of the wardens of St . Philip ' s , and the building committee of the church , I beg leave to present to you this trowel . We trust that the future church will be of such a character , that the

reminiscences called up in after years by the sight of the trowel will give you pleasure in the thought that you assented to the application which we now make , that you would be pleased to lay the corner-stone . " With this trowel Mrs . Hincks proceeded to lay the mortar in a very artistic manner , and the stone , a cubic block of granite , was lowered by the contractor for the building , Mr . Manifold , from its flower-wreathed shears into its proper placewhile Mrs .

, Hincks repeated the following words : — " In the faith of Jesus Christ , we place the foundation-stone of this church , to be set apart for ever to the service of Almighty God , in the name of God the Father , God the Son , and God the Holy Ghost . Amen . " A hymn was then sung ,

beginning—Blessed City , Heaven by Salem . The Masonic ceremonial was then conducted as follows : — Ode . —Hail , universal Lord . Chaplain . —Almighty Father , and Supreme Ruler of the Universe , Thou that hath set Thy glory above the heavens , we invoke Thy benediction on the purpose for which we are this day assembled . We desire with all humility to acknowledge

that except the Lord build the house , their labour is but vain that build it . Grant , therefore , we beseech Thee , that the foundation stone of this structure being laid in Thy name , the superstruction to be raised thereon may prove a godly temple to Thy praise . And , finally , 0 Great Architect of the Universe , vouchsafe to us at all times ancl in all places such a measure of Thy holy spirit , that we may be builded up a spiritual house to Thy serviceso that alter our sojourn in this world we may

, ultimately ascend to the Grand Lodge above , and inherit the kingdom prepared for us from the foundation of the world . So mote it be . W . . Master . —Brethren , in ancient times , Freemasonry was operative as well as speculative . To the pious care ancl skill of our ancestors are we indebted for those stately edifices , which have elicited the admiration of all ages . And , although at

the present time we may be more speculative than operative , still the traditions of the Utter remain with us , and on occasions like the present are put in practice . W . Master . —Bro . J , Warden , the insignia of your office is the