Australia.

ganised themselves in procession . The cortege left Bracken's Hall at twelve o ' clock , and reached the scene of operation shortly after , ivhich was tastefully adorned with lings . The Freemasons then uncovered , and Bro . Harris explained in a few words the nature of the ceremony to be performed . Bro . Bruce then read the subjoined inscription . Bro . Brown then handed in the urn , containing one farthing , one halfpenny , one penny , one penny-halfpenny silver piece , ono

threepenny silver piece , one fourpenny silver piece , one sixpenny piece , one shilling , one two-shilling piece , one half-crown , one crown-piece , one half-sovereign , one sovereign , copy of the Wa-Jcatip Mail , ancl the following inscription , engrossed on parchment , as previously read by Bro . Bruce : — " The corner-stone of this building , erected for the advancement of pure ancl ancient Freemasonry , was laid this 15 th clay of July 1 SG 3 in the year of Freemasonry 5 SG 3 by Brother

, , , Reuben Harris , P . M . 697 , Past Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies in Victoria ; assisted by Bro . IV . N . Morton , Senior AVarden ; Bro . W . II . Bletcher , Junior Warden ; Bro . L . Broad , Bro . I . II . Moses , Bro . T . II . Brown , Bro . AVilliam AA eaver , Bro . Thomas Crofts , Bro . James Harvey , Bro . T . Arndt , Bro . S . A . AA'oods , Bro . P . Christenson , Bro . G . Budd . " Builders—Thomas Paterson and AA m . Ford . " The urn was duly closed and sealed with the official seal ,

then placed in the cavity of the stone prepared for its reception . As the stone was being slowly lowered Bro . Broad invoked the blessing of the Deity in the following words : — " Great Architect of the Universe , without whose protecting poiver all our undertakings are as nought , ive beseech thee to favour with thine approval this work iu ivhich we are engaged for the advancement of thy honour and glory . AVe would pray

for thy blessing not only for the Order to which ive belong , but for all dwellers in this district and the inhabitants of this world at large . Grant that prosperity may shine on this the laud of our adoption , and that all men may acknowledge thee the Great Ruler and Architect of the world .

" So mote it be . " The level was then handed by Bro . Bletcher ; the square by Bro . Morton . Bro . Weaver next handed the corn , as representng Plenty ; Bro . Wood the wine , which was poured upon the tone , as representing Fruitfulness ; Bro . Christenson the oil , which was also poured upon the stone , as representing Peace . The Master now declared the stone " well ancl truly laid , " ancl delivered the following address : —

" Brethren , —From time immemorial it has been tho custom of our ancient brethren , when they were operative as well as symbolical Masons , to lay the corner-stone of the building they were engaged on with peculiar ceremonies . This custom we dill retain , and are often called upon , in various countries , to lay the foundation stones of magnificent structures . AVe meet to-day to engage in a similar undertaking , but under peculiar difficultiesowing to the remoteness of the district . I will not

, dilate upon the antiquity of our Order and its principles . I am sure they are well known to you all ; and I am pleased to say that it reflects credit on our Order , and shows we are true ancl sincere Masons , met for the propagation of the pure tenets ancl principles of Freemasonry . This will be the first stone building in the district , ancl I trust the foundation now laid will

be perfect in all its parts and honourable to the founders . To those present , who are not initiated into our mysteries , a question is often asked—What are Freemasons , and what good do they do ? I may inform them , in a few words , that our principles are faith , hope , and charity , brotherly love , relief , and truth , —faith in the Great Architect of the Universe ; hope in salvation ; and to be in charity with all men . Even the implements used in this ceremony convey to the Mason a moral lesson .

In support of what I have already remarked , I will read you one of our ancient charges : — "' A Mason is obliged , by his tenure , to obey the moral law ; and if he rightly understand the art , he will never be a stupid atheist nor an irreligious libertine . He , of all men , should best understand that God seeth not as man seeth ; for man looketh at the outward appearance , but God looketh to the heart .

A Mason is , therefore , particularly bound never to act against the dictates of his conscience . Let a man's religion or mode of worship be what it may , he is not excluded from tho Order , provided he believe in the glorious Architect of heaven and earth , and practise the sacred duties of morality . Masons unite with the virtuous of every persuasion in the linn and pleasing bond of fraternal love ; thoy are taught to view the errors of mankind with compassion , ancl to strive , by the purity

of their own conduct , to demonstrate the superior excellence of the faith they may profess . Thus , Masonry is the centre of union between good men and true , and the happy means of conciliating friendship amongst those who must otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance . ' " The Masonic ceremony being r . oiv concluded , Bro . R . Harris proposed three cheers for our Sovereign Lady the Queen , which was lustilresponded toCheers for the Prince ancl Princess

y . of AA ales ; next , three cheers were given for the three Grand Masters—the Earl of Zetland , the Duke of Athol , ancl the Duke of Leinster . Three cheers were then proposed for Robert Reuben Harris , P . M . Money was then deposited on the stone , for the purpose of regaling the workmen employed on the building .

The Masons then returned in the same order to Bracken's Hotel , where a light collation a la fourchelle was served . And thus ended one of tbe most important ceremonies and pleasant days ever experienced in Queenstown .

SANDRIDGE . LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OE A PRESBYTERIAN Crttrncir . The Building Committee of tho Presbyterian Church , Sandridge , having invited the Sandridge Marino Lodge to perforin the Masonic ceremony of laying a foundation stone of tho church proposed to be erected by the Presbyterians of Sandridgeand

, tho Sandridge Marino Lodge having accepted the invitation , an emergency meeting was held at the Masonic Hall , Sandridge , for that purpose , on the 11 th August . The lodge was opened at three o'clock , by Bro . H . D . Boresford , W . M . Tho AV . MASTER informed his brethren that he had called the emergency lodge assembled for tlie purpose of performing the

Masonic ceremony of laying the foundation stone of a church about to bo erected by the Presbyterians of Sandridge , ancl expressed his thanks to the brethren for their attendance at so short a notice . He then requested Bro . Taaffe , P . M ., to form the procession , and to act as director of ceremonies . Bro . Emson undertook the duties of Marshal , ancl a procession was formed . On arrival at the site of the new church , the procession opened

right and left , and permitted Sandridge Marine Lodge to take up their proper position near the stone . The AV . MASTER having placed his officers , said that Masons never undertook any work without first invoking a blessing from Heaven on their proceedings , and in the absence of the Masonic Chaplain , called on Bro . Taall ' e , P . M ., to offer up Masonic Prayer . " Wo would not presume , Great Architect of the Universe , to undertake this or any other work without seeking thy blessing

and thy protection . We know that if thou build not the house they labour in vain who build it . We therefore beseech thee to let thy blessing rest on this and on all our other lawful undertakings , and let thy Fatherly care watch over ancl protect us . " The brethren answered— "So mote it be . " The AV . MASTER having received a trowel from the committee of the church , spread tho mortar under the stone , and caused a bottle , containing a scroll , on which wero written the names of

the church committee and the name of the architect , also a copy of the daily Argus and Masonic Journal , together with all coins in use from a half-farthing to a sovereign , to be placed in a cavity prepared for it , and the stone was lowered into its place , the choir of the Presbyterian Church singing a psalm . At the request of the AV . M ., Bro . Taall ' e , P . M ., desired the various officers to perform their respective duties . The J . AA . having tested the stone with the jewel of his oflicethe AA . M .

, demanded the J . AV . what was the jewel of your office ? who replied the "plumb . " Have you applied the plumb tothe stone about to be laid ? " "I have , worshipful sir , and pronounce it to bo upright . " The S . AV . having been asked what was the jewel of his office , answered " tho level ; " and having applied it to the corner-stone , pronounced it to be level . Bro . AA ' itiTEiiANP . M . having applied tho square to the

, , stone , pronounced it to be square , and informed the W . M ., who said , — "Brethren , having confidence in your skill in our royal art , it only remains for me to pronounce this foundation-stone of the Presbyterian Church , Sandridge , to be duly laid . Tbe Past Masters carrying the corn , wine , ancl oil , then handed them to the AV . M ., who poured them on the stone ,