Australia.

public appearance closed his connection with tho brethren residing in Beechworth . In consideration of Bro . Lissak' .- ; approaching departure , the brethren of thc Lodge expedited thc ceremony to pay him thc highest compliment in their power . Thc brethren met in Lodge early in the afternoon , aud having then adjourned , formed a procession , as follows : —Tyler , with drawn sword ; band of music ; brethren of the lodge ; the architect , with plans , Bro . Ambrose ; cornucopia , with corn , by a Master of : i Lodge , Bro . Burden ;

two ewers , with wine and oil , by Master Masons , Bros . Sinclair and Rochlitz ; and , ou either side , Stewards , with roils , Bros . Noble and Dunn ; Superintendent of AVorks , with copy of scroll , Bro . Turner ; Secretary ( Bro . Burbank ) with constitution on cushion ; Treasurer ( Bro . Monk ) with bottle and coins ; column of J . AV ., by a Master Mason , Bro . Banon ; thc J . W . ( Bro . F . Brown ) with plumb rule ; Banner , borne by Master Masons , Bros . Gilchcll and Telford ; and having a Master Mason on either side ; column of S . AV ., by a Master Mason , Bro . Shackcll ;

S . AV . ( Bro . G . AV . Henderson ) with level ; J . D . ( Bro . It . H . Murton ) with rod ; a Master Mason ( officiating as Chaplain ) with Bible , Bro . Young , having a Master Mason on either side ; a Master Mason with square , Bro . Wright ; a Master Mason with the Tvowcll , Bro . Dempster , M . D . ; P . M . with mallet , Bro . Grubcr ; I . G . ( Bro . Keel ' er ) with sword ; the AA . M ., Bro . A . if . Lissak , jun . ; the S . D . ( Bro . S . Jcreslow ) with rod ; Tyler , Bro . Finuigau ; Marshal , Bro . [' rater ; Band Master , Bro . Moss . in this order the procession moved through ChurchFordand Camp

, , streets , to the allotment in Loch-street , where the brethren formed a double line , through which the Master , the officers of thc Lodge , and the brethren assisting at the ceremony , proceeded to the stone , round which the } - all then formed a circle . The stone having been raised , thc baud playing a solemn air , a prayer was recited by Bro . Young . Bro . Turner read a copy of thc inscription , and Bro . Monk , the Treasurer , deposited iu the cavita bottle containing ies of the local journalsa

y cop , series of coins , and a list of subscribers to thc building . Thc usual cement was laid over the cavity , and to a similar strain of sacred music the stone Avas again lowered , in its place . Thc AVorshipful Master having proved its correctness with the plumb rule , level and square , which instruments were handed to him by thc respective officers whose badges they are , exclaimed , " I pronounce this stone to be well formed ,

true and trusty . " Corn , wine , and oil , were in succession presented to the AVorshipful Master , and by him poured upon tho stone , tho band playing a lively air . The operation having been completed , the AVorshipful Master pronounced the following prayer : — " May the all bounteous Author of Nature bless the inhabitants of this place , with i-ll thc necessary convcniencics and comforts of life , assist in the erection and completion of this building , protect the workmen against accident , and long preserve this structure from decay , and

grant to us all in needed supply , thc corn ot nourishment , the Avine of refreshment , and the oil of joy . So mote it be . " The band again played a low bars , and the AVorshipful Master having givcu three knocks on the stone with thc mallet , said , " Knock and ye ¦ shall enter , ask and ye shall receive , seek and yc shall , be satisfied . " The Architect , Bro . Ambrose , then received from the AVorshipful Master thc several tools which he had used , which were again returned to their proper bearers ; and , finally , a plan and section of thc building was

opened and exhibited , and then returned to the Architect . This concluded the formal part of thc proceedings . Thc AVorshipful Master having mounted thc platform , delivered the following oration : — "Since the earliest ages of man , after Adam was driven forth from the Garden of Eden , buildings have been erected for various purposes ; their first object was , no doubt , to protect the inhabitants of the earth from the inclemency of the seasons , the attacks and ravages of Avild beasts , aud the depredations of enemies . But as mankind increased iu number , so also did the necessity for sufficient indoor accommodation increase , aud about thc time of Noah we find that large cities were scattered over

thc then known earth ; AVC also find , shortly afterwards the Tower of Babel erected by a certain class of men , who said ' Let us build us a name lest wc bo scattered abroad . ' This is tho first instance of a building having been erected by a certain class or society of men ; but as the sciences and civilization spread themselves over the face of thc earth , men banded themselves together for specific objects , and erected superb and stately edifices dedicated to the promotion and propagation of their different views and pursuits . Solomon , King of Israel , erected for the

perpetuation of the worship of tho Almighty , in contradistinction to the different forms of paganism professed by the inhabitants of the countries by which his dominions were snrrouuded , a temple , which iu grandeur , magnificence , aud beauty , excelled every other building of that and all preceding ages ; and thc excellent wisdom of its design , and the beauty of its execution , even to this day stand out in bold prominence . AVe thus find , one thousand years before the Christian era , our Grand Master , King Solomon , erecting an edifice for the propagation of thc

truths of our Order—erecting a temple on the principles of Masonry . From that time it has been customary for Masons to follow in thc footsteps of their illustrious prototype , and to erect over the face of the earth superb edifices , as monuments of the successes of Masonry . AVe have then , this day , my brethren , been engaged in a truly great work , in laying thc foundation stone of another edifice dedicated to thc cause of Masonry ; of another monument of the advancement of civilization ; of another temple for the propagation of the truths of our Order . How wonderful it is to look back , with a searching eye , through the intricate windings of ancient and modern history , and trace the development of

our noble science ! How instructive to compare its steady advancement , side by side with thc rise and fall of so many other orders of antiquity and the middle ages ! How edifying to linger upon its beauties , and recall thc evidences of its having existed from lime immemorial . Thc question naturally arises , AVhy has Masonry outlived every other tradition of the ancient world , while cities have crumbled and great names have been forgotten ' ! AVhy , in this enlightened age , is it enabled to rear in all its pristine beauty , its mighty head , covered with the

hoary frost of ages , and in its proud strength , defy the attacks of time , so ruinous to everything emanating from mortal handiwork ? AA'hy , even now , do its solid foundations rest upon the whole of the known globe , and where man is to be found , there also a Mason finds a brother ' !¦ It is , my brethren , because Masonry comprises within itself the truths of holy writ . It is because it teaches us to look above thc vanities of this world , and prepare ourselves for the glories of the world hereafter . It is because it is the figurative representation of many grand principles ,

which arc nobly upheld , and which render it worthy to receive within its folds the truly great of every age . It is because it is thc embodiment of those great truths and moral precepts which form the bulwarks of society . It is because it casts its mantle , of charity over the whole human race , and within its fond , its tender , its merciful embrace , the distressed find relief ; the afflicted—consolation ; the poor—benevolence ; the widows and orphans—assistance . It is because it disseminates through its disciples the principles of moral truth and virtue , and the wish for extensive

researches into thc hidden mysteries of nature and science . How many competitors haA'e started in the race , while Masonry was pursuing its stcad j' and omvard course for the improvement of mankind . How many illegitimate offshoots from thc parent stem have sprung into maturity , and have as suddenly ceased to exist . Their name is legion , and the unsuccessful results of these conceptions prove that nothing can withstand tho withering hand of time , unless supported by the best , the noblestand the purest intentions . These orders were all founded from

, unworthy motives , and for objects of personal aggrandizement . They Avere not only secret but exclusive . They became , in the hands of designing and ambitious men , instruments for carrying into effect the most barbarous and revolting cruelties . They became instruments for crushing freedom , and independence of thought and action ; and after

they had filled the measure of their iniquities to overflowing , and when the mind of man suddenly burst the bonds of persecution aud ignorance , and with a mighty bound rose above the trammels of superstition and darkness , it was then that those societies met with that execration they so justly deserved , and fell , covering with ignomiuy and disgrace , all those who Avere in any way connected with them . But during these dark and troublesome times our noble science , following its bright path , was like the star in the East , the beacon for the truly great aud the free

among nations . It Avas free then as it is free HOAV—it taught then as it teaches now ; it was peaceful then as it is peaceful now . Superstition , bigotry , intolerance , irrcligion , and sophistry dared not profane its precincts then , as they dare not now . It hold out the open hand of friendship to the persecuted of every sect aud of every nation . It taught them that man to man was a brother . It inculcated the startling lesson of natural equality , and mutual dependence . And now , my brethren , in what were so lately the wilds of an unknown continent , it has placed

its giant stride , and in erecting this Masonic hall , we are adding another trophy to its many victories . Tho harmonizing and invigorating effects of Masonry are not confined to ourselves or our Lodges . Their spirit infuses itself in all our transactions and connections with the outer world . The many symbols which so forcibly illustrate tho truths and principles of our Order , must be , to the observant Mason , ever before him . Thc very implements Avhich I have this day employed , arc happy illustrations of this fact . The square , thc level , thc plumb rule . The square , in our art , teaches us morality . Morality , the firstborn of religion , thc keystone of thc greatness of nations . The level , equality , not Utopian

equality , not lied Republican equality , but equality in the eyes of our Creator . The plumb rule , uprightness , not alone uprightness in our actions , but uprightness in our thoughts aud intentions , so that not only must mankind believe us to be just , but the all seeing eye of the Almighty Architect in penetrating the innermost recesses of our soul , must find our thoughts and intentions in accordance with our Avords and ouv actions . And , my brethren , let your conduct throughout life ever be judged by thc principles of Avhich these tools are thc figurative

representatives . Let the electric chord of sympathy and feeling which unites us , cause us to open our ears to thc cry of distress , and our hearts to the voice of affliction . Let us demonstrate to the uninitiated world that our art teaches us not to consider rank , not to consider creed , not to consider colour , but to look into the inward man , aud find in him the image of our Creator . Let tho bonds of amity aud unity of which our science is allegorical , form between us and mankind generally an indissoluble , though invisible , tie of fellowship aud good will .

The Orator concluded with thc following prayer : — "Almighty and eternal God , by whose creative fiat all things first Avere ; Ave , thc frail creatures of thy Providence , humbly implore thee to extend thy right hand of gracioiisncss over this goodly land , and to cause it to overflow as thou didst the land of thc chosen people of old , with milk and honey . Plant the fear of thy will in the hearts of its inhabitants , that they may ever regard thee as thc dispenser of all good and the guardian against all evil . Prove through them to the nations of the earth , that peace , good government , political freedom , and pure religion , free from intolerance or superstition , walk hand in hand ; and wo beseech thee to exalt our