Scotland.

such agencies is destructive rather than constructive , casting down rather than building up . If tbe facts of history have any weight , if the statements of Scripture have any meaning , they show that the mightiest instrument in dissipating moral and intellectual darkness , in elevating man individually and sicially , in promoting his highest welfare here and hereafter , is the gospel of the grace of God . Whatever constitutes to the preservati n and diffusion of its precious truths is helful to

p man ' s moral and social progress . Therefore , may this house , ¦ ivhen in God ' s good providence completed , serve this important end , and continue to be a centre from which hope-elevating influences shall radiate all around , to the honour of God , our Saviour , and the good of the ivhole community . As a church , w « have a glorious ancestry ; but AVO cannot live on the past . Though comparativelfeeblewe have our own place and work ;

y , let us do it with our uiialit , waiting in faith the time when the severed portions of the Old Kirk of Scotland shall unite to form one glorious Church , steadfast in the faith , and abounding in the fruits of righteousness . The rev . gentleman , who was listened to with' great interest , concluded amidst applause , and the proceedings on the site [ terminated .

After their return to the rendezvous the Prov . G . Lodge was ¦ closed , and the brethren dined together at the Castle Inn , the Prov . G . JI . in the chair , and the JIaster of New Cumnock St . John , croupier ; and in the evening the Prov . G . JI . was escorted to the station in tbe same order , and ivith the same ceremony that had been observed in the morning . The re-appearance in the JIasonie ranks of the long dormant

but recently resuscitated Lodge St . JIarnock was hailed with unmistakable manifestations of fraternal congratulations , and numerous were the pledges given to Bro . Shaw for attendance at the centenary celebration in November of the famed lodge over which he so gracefully presides .

"LAVING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE NEW EDINBURGH POORHOUSE AT CRAIGLOCKHART . The foundation stone of the new City Poorhouse was laid on the 4 th inst ., with due JIasonie ceremony by the M . W . the Grand JIaster JIason of Scotland , J . Why ' te-Melville , of Bennoshy and Strathkinness , who was numerously supported on the occasion by the office-bearers and members of the Grand Lod

ge and daughter lodges of the country . The site is the sounh-east portion of tho estate of Craiglockhart , which is distant from Edinburgh about two miles and a half , in a south-ivestern direction ; and the buildings will cover , with their enclosed airing courts , an area of sixteen acres . "Thirty-six acres of tbe estate are to be entirely devoted to poor"house purposes , and of this space some portion will be reserved

for cultivation by such of the inmates as are fitted for agricultural work . Two quarries have been opened on the estate for ¦ the erection of the premises , and about two miles of new roads will be made in connection with the poorhouse , the principal approach being from the Jlorningside direction . Altogether , the establishment will afford accommodation for 1 , 150 inmates , and the work at present contracted for , including about £ 2 , 000 for roads , will cost £ 37 . 000 . The 1 st of Anril . 1809 . is tbe

time by which the establishment must he completed for occupation . The architects , whose plans have given great satisfaction to the board , are Messrs . George Beattie and Sons ; and in addition to the contractors named on AVednesday , Bro . William Porteons is contractor for the asphalting . Jlr . John Crai g is the clerk of the works . A finer site than that at Craiglockhart could scarcely have been selected ; for , while within easy distance of the townit has all the advantages of

country-, seclusion and salubrity . Tho buildings aro to bo placed ou tho ridgo of a gentle elevation , Avhich " affords every facility for thorough drainago : and as an abundant supply of water can bo drawn from tho hill-side , a reservoir is to be formed capaplo of holding 300 , 000 gallons , which will bo distributed by moans of a pump over tho whole promises . Tho beautiful \ io-w obtained from the sito was seen to groat advantage . All Avho attended

tho ceremony woro loud iu their admiration of the excellent situation . Tho day ivas bright and clear , and all tho more pleasant from tho refreshing inihioncos oi the previous day ' s rain ; and tho prospect presented under snob circumstances , whether looking towards the pastoral slopes of tho Pent-lands , to tho shimmering waters of tho Forth , or over tho southern portion of tho city to Arthur ' s Seat , is ono which any builder might bo proud to command . Tho proceedings in connection with tho laying of the

fonndation-stono occupied ovor three hours . Bro . C . S . Law officiated ' as G . Dir . of Cers . Tho G . Office-bearers , members of tho Grand Lodgo , and tho JIasters aud Wardens of tho daughter lodges , assembled at noon , in tho Freemasons' Hall , Goorgo-stroOt , Edinburgh , whore tho Grand Lodgo was opened iu ample form . There woro present : —Bros . William JIann , acting S . G . W . ; William Hay . acting J . W . ; W . Laurie , G . Sec . ; A . J . Stewart , G . Clerk ; Roi-. ' V . G . Faithful ! Chap . ; D . BrycoG . A . ; W . JI . Bryce

, , , G . Treas . ; D . Robertson , Jun ., Grand Bible Bearer ; and C . L . Paton , G . Steward . There woro also present : —Bros . Henry Inglis , of Torsonco , Prov . G . JI . of Peebles aud Selkirk shiros , and Lauderdale JIaitland , Prov . G . JI . of Dumfriesshire . After tho adjournment of tho Grand Lodgo , tho members , under tho direction of tho G . Dir . of Cers ., proceeded to tho wost mid of Bruntsfield Links , whore tho daughter lodges had boon previously

arranged according to thoir seniority on tho Grand Lodgo roll , Bros . John Coghill aud John Laurio officiating as Grand Marshals . Tho route taken from tho Freemasons' Hall was hy Goorgostroot , South Charlotto-stroot , and Lothian-road . Tho Grand Lodgo fell into tho roar of tho procession , ivhieh at once proceeded by way of Jlorchiston Castlo to Craiglockhart . Tho bands of tho 14 th ( King ' s ) Hussars and tho Jlidlothiai ; Coast Artillery Volunteers accompanied tho procession , and thoro ivas also a party of

pipers . A largo number of people assembled on tho Links to ivitnoss the spectacle , which was a very showy ono , tho brethren all wearing thoir proper clothing and jewels , and many of tho lodges carrying their banners . Thoro woro deputations from fifty-four lodges . Careful preparations had boon made at tho sito for tho performance of tho ceremony . Tho foundation stono is in tho

north-oast corner of tho administrative block , under tho groat tower . A space was enclosed around it , and galleries woro erected on either side—ono for tho Grand Lodgo , and tho other for tho managers of tho Board . As tho procession noarod Craiglockhart , Jlr . Curror , chairman of tho Board , and a largo number of tho managers lvont out to moot it . Tho junior lodgo having arrived at tho ontranco to tho sitohaltedand opouod to tho riht and

, , g loft , tho whole lodges in tho roar folloiving the like example , so as to allow tho Grand Lodgo to pass through tho ranks to tho platform , attondod by tho JIasters and Wardens of each lodge present . Tho lodges following according to seniority , arranged themselves in ranks three deep , forming a circle round tho stone . Tho G . JIastor stood in tho front of tho main platform , tho chairman of tho Board occupying tho sanio position on tho opposite

sido . Prayer was offered up by the Grand Chaplain , the Rev . V . G . Faithful ] . Then the National Anthem was performed by the band of tJae hussars ; and the Grand Treasurer , Secretary , and Clerk were instructed to place the coins , etc ., in the cavity of the stone . The cavity was afterwards covered by an ornamental iron nlate , having on one side , in raised letters , the

monogram"Edinburgh City Poorhouse , " and the date " 4 th July , 1867 , " and on the other side , in sunk letters , the architect ' s name . The letters were gilt , and the body of the plate bronzed . As the stone was being lowered , the air "Scots wha hae" was played by the band , and while the mortar ivas being spread , the Mason's anthem . The stone was laid with all due ceremony , the Grand Master finishing the work by giving the stone three knocks ivith the gilded malletand saying— " Jlay the Almight

, y Architect of the Universe look down with benignity upon our present undertaking , and crown the edifice , of which we have now laid the foundation , with every success . " Cheers and music followed , and then addresses . The G . JIaster said : Mr . Chairman , and Gentlemen of the City of Edinburgh Parochial Board , —It has given me very great leasure to have acceeded to your request to lay the foundation

p stone this day of your new Metropolitan Poorhouse , with all due JIasonie ceremony . I understand that for a considerable period a new poorhouse has been urgently required in the district of Edinburgh , for although the old building was ample at the time when it ivas erected , in the middle of the last century , pauperism has of late years increased with such rapid strides that I am told it is quite inadequate for the purposes required . I trust ,

therefore , that the building of ivhieh we have this day laid the foundation stone will prove a source , when completed , of large comfort to many of that poor unfortunate class who are so entirely depending for support , as was expressed by the Grand Caphiin in his very eloquent prayer on charity . At the same time , I am gratified to think that you will be able to get from the able-bodied pauper that amount of labour he is bound to contribute . In the now poorhouse there will be abundant