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who desire to attend to their eternal welfare , he said , "The circumstances of this place in ivhich AVC are here assembled , render it necessary that I should make some special obseiwations , in order that those general remarks ivhich have been already made should apply to the great work in which we are this day engaged . AVe are this day going to lay the foundation stone of a very large and very costly church—of a church which is absolutely required , in of the number of persons ivho resort here at certain

consequence seasons of the year , but whicli would not be required , in all probability , for the permanent inhabitants . The very existence of this place may he said to depend upon the influx of strangers ivho resort here for the sake of health and refreshment from their ordinary and excessive labour . There are probably no people in the world who go through so much labour of mind as the upper and middle classes of England—none who subject themselves and their families

to greater confinement , and that often in toivns where their own health and that of their families is more exposed to the danger of suffering seriously from the circumstances in ivhich they are placed ; and the consequence is , thafc in summer the families of such persons , and they themselves , resort to watering places such as Rhyl . And the church accommodation , Avhich would be adequate to the numbers who reside here permanently , is by no means sufficient for all those

who are assembled here at this season of the year , and at a later period . The first step , then , to remedy this evil , is to build another church , and the practical question ivhich arose before those n ho are interested especially in tin ' s matter , is , bow can ive venture to undertake so great a work for whicli the funds have not yet been collected . That ivas the question that was before them , and what they had done was this : —that certain liberal persons , trusting in

the liberality of the public , have guaranteed a sum sufficient for the first portion of the building , ivhich AVC are going noiv to undertake . I have no doubt in my own mind that the public will raise the guarantee , and that those who have made it will be ultimately free from every responsibility . But the question , my friends , rests with you and the strangers who are here assembled . It is for you , and persons circumstanced as you are , to carry out this work . This great matter cannot be carried out ivifchout exertion , Avithout liberal contributions on the part of those AA-IIO are in the habit of visiting Rhyl . There are tivo great cities of wealth

and business from Ai-hich most of our visitors come , and we shall never succeed in raising all the money required for this church , excepting the people of Manchester and Liverpool exert themselves in our [ favour . It is to he hoped that such persons who are so largely blessed ivith worldly Avealth ivill sanctify their property by devoting a due share of their superfluity to such a case as this . But I need observe that extensive works are carried out in England rather hy the numerous contributions of those AVIIO are not

themselves wealthy than by the splendid gifts of those who more greatly abound . And in this case , if every person coming to Bhyl seeking for health would give their contributions according to that means Ave should be sure to have enough to finish all that which we have planned . My friends , that which I especially ask for is—first , for the Lord's blessing upon our work , and then that He ivill put it into your hearts to give each of you as much as you can . Meeting together as AA-O do to-dayfor social leasure in

, p God ' s house , and ivith a vieiv of doing honour to God , is a great blessing , and greater privilege to the Christian than tho men of this world will generally believe . Such a meeting is a foretaste of that joy which shall fall to the lot ofthe chosen servants of Christ . If we look up to heaven , if we look to the state to which all of us are approaching , it is not easy to say what shall bo out- occupation in our future state of blessing . AVe shall nofc then pray , for ive

shall have nothing to pray for . God ivill have granted all that we can desire . AVe shall not confess our sins , for our sins ivill then have been pardoned through Jesus Christ . AA e may confidently hope that we shall meet our Christian friends in that state . I say this day—our meeting on such a day as this—is a foretaste of the joy which shall be ours hereafter . AVe have no doubt all of us meet many Christian friends here to-day , and God grant that we

have met with cordial feelings and with pure trust in God , and desire to do good to all men ; that ive have each of us offered up sincere prayers , and joined in thanksgivings to God ; and that we may even noiv feel ourselves to bo in the presence of God , through the influence of His Holy Spirit upon our hearts , which shall lift Tip the same to God and make us think of the blessed state ivhere we shall meet again never to part . A collection ivas made in aid of the funds of the church , ivhich amounted to £ 3 S Gs . 11 .

LAYING OF THE STO > E . The Divine Service being concluded , the procession reformed , and proceeded to the ground , which was gail y decorated with flags , & c . There was a concourse of spectators assembled , amongst ivhom were a large number of ladies , ivho took great interest in the proceedings , anxious to witness the imposing ceremony of laving the

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the stone with Alasonic formalities . Prayer having been offered up by the Lord Bishop , a hymn ivas sung while the stone AA-as sloAA-ly raised from its resting place . At the completion of the hymn Mr . J . Churton and Mr . It . J . Sisson advanced to Mr . Ron-ley , for the purpose of presenting a handsome silver trowel and a mahogany mallet . In doing so , Air . CntiRTOS said—Madam , I am requested by a great number of subscribers to present you with this trowel , in gratitude to you and

your brother ( W . Shipley Conwy , Esq . ) for the deep interest thafc you have taken in furthering the object which AVO have met here to celebrate to-day . ( Hear , hear . ) I need nofc enlarge upon the importance of this occasion . The want of church accommodation has long been felt at Rhyl , and the timo has now arrived for laying this foundation stone ( applause ) . I may just hope that you and many others present may be spared to see the result of this work . I trust that you and your brother ivill long continue to

give your support to it , and thafc all tho good that may be hoped for to-day may be derived from it . ( Cheers . ) The trowel was of very handsome workmanship , and bore the folloiving inscription , neatly engraved on tho front : — "Presented to the Hon . Mrs . Ron-ley , on the occasion of laying the chief corner stone of the church of St . Thomas , Rhyl . " Mrs . ROWLEY then spread the mortar , and the stone AvasloAvered

into its final place , amid the cheers of those assembled . Enclosed in the stone ivas a bottle , in wliich were some coins , a local paper , and a programme of the proceeding's of the day . In front of the stone was placed a large brass plate , which had inscribed on it , in old English , — " This chief and corner stone of the Church of St . Thomas ivas placed here , to the glory of God , by the Hon . Mrs . Rowley of Boddrhyddan , assisted with Masonic formalities by Sir AVatkin AVynnBart ., M . P . Prov . G . M . on Whit-Monday 20 th Alay 1861 . "

, , , , , Thomas Yonder Short , D . D ., Bishop . Hugh Morgan , M . A ., Incumbent . Joseph Lloyd , 7 ,- ,, . . Joseph Jones , ) Churchwardens . John Churton , 7 Members of the Robert James Sisson , ) Committee . George Gilbert Scott , R . A ., architect .

J . and W . Beanland , builders . The stone having been properly placed , Mrs . Rowley gave it three taps with the mallet Sir AVatkin poured the oil and wine over it , and the Alasonic instruments wore placed upon it , when Mrs Rowley said—I lay this stone in the name of the Father , and of the Son , and of the Holy Ghost , to the glory of the holy , eternal , and undivided Trinity . Amen . Sir AA atkin then declared the stone to be duly laid in accordance with the Masonic formalities ; after which ,

Ihe Rev . Bro . the PI-OA ' . G . CHAPLAIN - ( the Rev . John Morgan , of Llandudno ) , read the Alasonic prayer for the event : — "Almighty and eternal God , Supreme Governor and Architect ofthe Universe , AA-ho hy Thine unerring wisdom did ' st sketch out the heaven , making all things after an excellent order , and whose blessed Son Jesus Christ is the chief corner stone of the church , elect , precious , in whom the whole building fitly joined together , is perfected and sanctifiedvouchsafe Thblessingwo beseech Theeon the work

, y , , begun in Thy name this day . Grant that tho work thus begun in accordance with the usages of our ancient fraternity , may be carried on and completed with a single eye to Thy glory , and to the good of souls—so that by Thy grace it may prove a blessing to all around , to the rich anil to ' the poor , to the old and to the young . Grant that from ivithin these walls many sons and daughters may be gathered to Thee—and here , ivhen Thy ministers

shall dispense Thy Holy mysteries , and preach Thy word , may tho wicked be convert-d , the careless reclaimed , the ivcilk strengthened , the hungry fed , and the sorroivful comforted . And finally , AVC beseech Thee to grant that all AVIIO are here assembled may be so taught of Thee , as to build up the spiritual temple of their souls in the beauty of holiness , day by day , till the top-stone is added to it amid much shouting— ' Grace , grace , unto it ; ' and they bo

summoned to take their place in tlie great temple above , where no sound of labour shall be heard , but where all shall be rest , peace , and quietness for ever and ever . AVe ask this in the name and for the sake of Jesus dirisfc , to whom with Thee , O Father , and Thee , 0 Holy Ghost , he honour and glory , ivorld Avithout end . Amen . " The Rev . AVILLIAM HICKS OWEX , M . A ., at Sir AVatkin ' s request , addressed the audience in AVelsh . The much esteemed gentleman

, standing under the tripod ivhich had lowered the stoned delii'ered an eloquent oration , in wliich ho appealed most forcibl y to the hearts of his auditory . The Benediction was pronounced hy the Bishop , and the assemblage withdreiv .

THE MASONIC BAXQVET , ivhich was supplied by Mrs . Roberts , of the Royal Hotel ( widow of the late Bro . J . Roberts ) , Avas of the most recherche description . The bauquetiivg-room Avas elegantl y decorated for the occasion , and