Freemasonry In Constantinople.

faith , anel to test our confidence in Thy mercy . AA ' e address Thee as our Creator ; for Thou , 0 Lord , hast made the heavens , the earth tbe sea and all that is therein . Thy wisdom nnel vast designs in the structure of the universe and the Jaws by which all nature is regulated would have been unknown by us hut for Thy goodness in giving streams of light to our darkened intellect . Is is from Thee that we learn to adore tbe majesty of Thy government in the realm of material nature ;

it is from Thee that we learn the inner law of lovo to Thy creatures , which we Thy creatures are duly bound to obey . Thou bast bestowed on man the power to found , to raise and consolidate states , societies , and brotherhoods , for the welfare of our race ; we lament our failure ; we confess that the great law revealed from heaven—glory to God , peace on earth and goodwill to man—has been neglected , and that its observance is our duty .

To discharge this duty , we meet to consecrate to thee a building devoted to philanthropy , the love of God to man , and of man to man . Deign , then , Almighty Architect , framer of the world , and beneficient Creator , to bless our enterprise . Prosper Thou our handiwork . Enable us to complete it without accident or injury to the workmen , and , when the house shall be finished , be pleased to give wisdom to our deliberations , soberness to our judgementprudence to our measuresenergy to our

, , action , anel an untiring benevolence in helping the poor afflicted , BO that when Thou , Almighty Overseer of our work , shalt be pleased to lay judgement to the line ancl righteousness to tbe plummet , we may be found wise master builders , discharging our duty with diligence and sobriety , and with a wise liberality . We humbly pray Thee to grant us in Thy mercy what we now ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord . Amen .

I he prayer was followed by a hymn , admirably sung by a body of the Hasskeui Institute schoolchildren of both sexes , under the direction of Mr . Stewart , master of the school , and then Mr . Fraser , Secretary of the Caledonian Lodge , read a history of the establishment of the Lodge and of the

measures it had adopted for the erection of this Masonic Temple . This document , with some coins , and several copies of the " Levant Times " containing- records of Masonic and other events

connected with Hasskeui , including the issue of the same day , giving a report of the deputation to Lord Dalling and Bulwer , was placed in a sealed bottle , which was deposited in a cavity under the first stone . The R . W . D . G . M . then proceeded to lay the stone according to Masonic usage . Taking from his officers the plumb-line , square , and mallet he said : —

AA'ith this plumb-line , I test the stone , in order to ascertain that it is level ; with this square , 1 prove the workmanship of the stone ; and now hand them both to the architect , who is charged with the construction of the Temple . If the great Temple of Solomon was constructed without the sound being heard of tbe crafty labourers who were employed upon it , may this humble one be built with perfect harmony and may no harsh word be uttered bthose who labour it 1 With this

y upon mallet I make three knocks upon the stone , so artistically wrought , and now declare that ifc lias been tested by the proper implements and that I havefonnd it rj-aly tried and placed in its proper position by the craftsmen . I find it trusty anel well-laid and sound , as should ever be the basis of the Masonic edifice , erected in the heart of all true Masons . I , moreover , declare that it is fitly placed ns the corner-stone of tho Caledonian Lodge of Hasskeui !

The brethren carrying the corn , wine , and oil then approached and severally handed those emblems to the R . W . D . G . M ., who said : Brethren , I scatter this corn as a symbol of goodness aud mercy . May the blessings of Heaven be showered upon this undertaking ! May the brethren of the Caledonian Lodge ever

remember the poor and the needy , the unfortunate and the afflicted , and may their hearts be ever filled with thanksgiving and gratitude and praise to the Great Architect of the vast universe which surrounds us ! Brethren , I pour this wine upon this stone as a symbol of joy and gladness . May the blessings of the' Almighty be plenteously bestowed upon all of us this day , and in our own lawful enjoyments may we never cease to remember tho poor and the

unfortunate . Brethren , I likewise pour this oil upon the stone as a symbol of the noblest principles of our Order , charity ancl benevolence . May that charity which is the bond of goodness aver rule in onr hearts aud inspire us with the desire of doing good to others whenever it may be in our humble power ! May these three symbols serve to cement not only this foundation stone , but the entire Masonic Temple , and unite together in a fraternal unity the hearts of all of its members !

Lastly , addressing Bro . Walker , the architect , the R . W . D . G . M . said , "I have examined the plans of the edifice confided to your skill . I have much pleasure in now handing them to you for your guidance , feeling sure that you will do full justice to the work , particularly as I believe

you are not only theoretically , but practically a Mason , and that in your zeal you will emulate the architect of King Solomon . " W . Bro . W . S . Henderson , Master of the Caledonian Lodge , here presented to the R . W . Bro . Brownas a souvenir of the service he had

, just rendered , a small but elegant silver trowel ( the workmanship of M . Saury , silversmith and jeweller of Pera ) one side of which bore a very artistically engraved inscription to Bro . Brown and on the other the names of the Masonic Temple Building Committee . The R . W . Bro . Brown

then delivered an eloquent address , Avhich we shall take an early opportunity of giving in extenso . A hymn having been sung by the school children , the Rev . 0 . B . Gribble pronounced the apostolic benediction , and the brethren returned in processionbut this time by the directest routeto

, , the Mechanics' Institute , when the District Grand Lodge was closed in due form , Bro . Jory , Grand Organist , playing the National Anthem , as at the opening of the Lodge .

Soon afterwards , commenced the banquet—an excellent cold collation , provided by Bro . Nnnn , conjointly Avith the proprietor of the establishment in which it was held , the British Club House . Nearly 90 brethren sat down , a number of whom , including all the officers of the District Grand Lodge ,

were invited , the rest paying half a lira each , which was by no means an immoderate charge , considering the quality of the repast , the efficient waiting , and the unstinted supply of champagne . W . Bro . W . S . Henderson , W . M . of the Caledonian Lodge , presided , being supported by

the R . W . D . G . M ., the D . D . G . M ., the W . M . of the Oriental Lodge , P . D . D . G . M ., and other Masters , Past Masters , and officers of Grand Lodge . Bros . J . Spence and A . Scott , Wardens of the Caledonian , occupied the vice-chairs . The first toast was that g iven at all assemblies of British Masons , " the Queen and the Craft , "