New Masonic Hall, Halifax.

in its natural cradle , there was an emblem of the mind of man in its primitive condition , when it was rough and unpolished as this very stone . Education and social intercourse , whereby every one may add grace and dignity to the faithful discharge o ? the duties of domestic and public life , has so chang ? d the condition of

mankind that mental progress and culture may be very fitly represented by the present fonu and condition of this stone ; which , having by the skill of the operative mason become wrought and remodelled , is now rendered fit for the structure which it is intended to erect upon this spot . The rude mass has lost its incongruous features , and is now a perfect form—square , and of a

true die . It is in strict accordance with the line and rule of the speculative mason , and from this moment becomes an important and interesting feature of the temple we are now but inaugurating . The stone , I allude to , has become the chief cornerstone of the temple to be erected here , and it has now been laid in due

form and with becoming solemnity , long may it remain to point the lesson I have so inadequately indicated ! In one sense it may be said that our work is now done , bufc there still remains for one and all a sphere of duty in which our love for the Craft may be exercised with profit to ourselves , and by which the permanent interests of our institution may be most materially

promoted . Under the protecting influence and blessing of the Great Architect of the Universe , the temple , whose chief stone is now laid , will in all human probability become the central point of attraction to the Masonic community in this district for many years to come . May the solemn rites and ceremonies to be celebrated within its walls , ever exercise their ennobling influence

upon the minds and personal character of every member of our order , and become the chief instrument in promulgating the genuine principles and tenets of our noble institution to ages yet unborn ! Bro . the Rev . A . G . Bleasdale next offered up prayer . The choir then sung the following verses : —

Great Architect of earth and heaven , By time nor space confined , Enlarge our love to comprehend Our brethren all mankind . With faith our guide and humble hope . Warm charity and love , May all at last be roused to share Thy perfect light above .

Bro . Franklin again stepped forward and , addressing Sir Henry Edwards , said—I have now , on behalf of all the brethren here assembled , to return you our warmest thanks for so admirably discharging the duty of laying the north-east corner-stone of this building . This day , sir , will be memorable in the annals of the Craft in this province , since it will imprint for ever

an indelible stamp on their proceedings , and will serve as a mark of the devotedness and sincerity of purpose of those brethren , who guided by the principles I stated to you in my former address , have b } their united action endeavoured to extricate the Craft from the undignified position in which it has hitherto been placed in this important town . They will henceforth be enabled to

celebrate their selemn mysteries and hold their high festivals in a building in all respects worthy of both , and of the great and noble objects which it is the aim and desire of all good Masons to carry out—the promotion of progress in all that is good , of insbruction , of charity , so that it may be

said—Here , midst the ruins of thousands of years , Unhurt , unchanged , Freemasonry appears . Before I conclude I would take this the only opportunity I shall have of expressing in the name of all the brethren present our grateful and heartfelt thanks to " our sisters " who have graced the proceedings by their attendance .

The ladies , it is almost , indeed quite , unnecessary to say , are at all times and on all occasions foremost in the cause of charity , the virtue which , in the course of these proceedings been so feelingly adverted to , and which I need hardly say is one of the grand leading principles of our aucient

Order—For Masonry , though hid from prying eyes , In the broad world admits of no disguise . Three cheers were given for the ladies , and Sir Henry Edwards made a humourous address in reply . Bro . the Eev . J . Hope also addressed the assembly and said " Behold how good and pleasant a thing it is for brethren to dwell together ill unity ! " Who does not

feel the force and beauty of these royal words ? Who , iu this jarring and conflicting world , does not long for more harmony and peace ? We answer fearlessly and confidently , " No true Mason ! " It is one of the chief glories—it is one of the great boasts of our ancient Order—that the promotion of unity and agreement is the constant care of every Freemason . When brethren are .

united in one mind , thence discord and dissension flee , away . But what are the means , let us ask , by which we . hope and endeavour to promote this noble end ? What are the principles which are to guide us in the cultivation of unity and peace ? We answer again that we find them in the volume of the Sacred Law . There we do discover the source and mainspring of Masonic life . We

are not ashamed or afraid to confess that our rules are founded on the Inspired Word of the Great architect of " Universe and that the Divine Law is our own law . In proof and evidence of this fact , my brethren , have we not borne that sacred volume in our public procession this day , and does it nofc lie open before me ab this present time ? Surely it does . To it do we look for the principles which

are to guide us in the promotion of that glorious unity and concord for which all good men yearn . In that holy volume ifc is written " Love as brethren ; be pitiful ; ba courteous . " So says Freemasonry . In that volume we are told , " My son , fear thou the Lord and the King , and meddle not with them that are given to change . " " Honour

all men ; love the brotherhood ; fear God ; honour the King . " So says Freemasonry . In the sacred law it is commanded , " Bear ye one another ' s burdens—to do good and to distribute forget not . Blessed be the man that provideth for the sick and needy . " So , too , does Freemasonry . The Word of God declares , " Though 1 speak with the tongue of men and of angels and have

not charity , I am nothing . " " Charity suffereth long and is kind- —charity envieth not—rejoiceth not in iniquity —bub rejoiceth in fche truth . " So in like manner does Freemasonry . And if there be any other Divine precept connected with social and moral order , which we love to uphold , it is briefly comprehended in that saying ,, viz ., "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself . " Such

are the principles—such the virtues—which we find embodied in our ancient Order , and not only embodied , but also carried into practice , so far as we can hope to see them in this present imperfect sbate . All are brethren , in Freemasonry . We recognise no distinctions save those which are involved in the primeval law of order The priest and the people ; the prince and the peasant .

the rich and the poor ; the bold aud the timid ; are all ' united among us by the common bond of fraternal love . Just as in the glorious art of music we hear discordant , notes blended together in one harmonious whole—so , too , in the mysterious art of Masonry do we behold men . of conflicting interests and temperaments combined in . one loving and united brotherhood . Did we say the

" mysterious art of Freemasonry ? " Yes , of a truth we did . We are free to confess that we have our mysteries . We lay claim to secrets of great worth aud antiquity . Upon these it is obvious we cannot enter at the present , much though some of this audience might possibly desireit . Our fair sisters will grant us their generous indulgence in this respect . We are delighted by their-