Grand Masonic Gathering At Bagshot.

GRAND MASONIC GATHERING AT BAGSHOT .

AMIDST a considerable amount of pleasurable interest ancl excitement , the foundation-stone of the new church of Sfc . Anne ' s , Bagshot , was laid on Monday afternoon by the R . W . Brother His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught , K . G ., Past Grand Warden of England , in the presence of a vast concourse of spectators . Tho weather , when onco clear of the fog which hung over London nearly the whole day , was delightfully bright ancl Spring-like ; and , tempted by

the brilliancy of out-door appearances , the occasion was made tho most of by the brethren of tho Prov . Grand Lodgo of Surrey , to add " pomp and circumstance" to an event which proved to be more than of local interest . From all parts of the county , and by train from London , visitors came into the secluded town , the streets of whioh bore an aspect of unwonted animation during the afternoon . Leaving

Waterloo at a little after mid-day , the City contingent mustered well , and picked up accessions to their strength at the intermediate stations of Clapham Junction , Surbiton , Weybridge , Woking , Brookwood and Frimley , arriving at Bagshot shortly after two o ' clock . The sun shone with the fervency of July , albeit there was a fresh breeze astir , which modulated the otherwise oppressive heat into a

refreshing temperature ; bufc the roads were unpleasantly dusty , and the brethren arrived at their trysting place—the Mechanics' Institute— " like a lot of millers . " As the crowd of visitors , with whom mingled several brethren in uniform , from the military Lodges at Aldershot , Farnham and elsewhere arrived , the inhabitants flocked to the doors and windows of their houses in pleased surprise at so great

influx of . friends from all the country round . Admirable preparations had been made for the ceremonial , thongh the dimensions of the hall were not anything like adequate to the accommodation of so numerous and distinguished a gathering . As something must be said upon the main object of the assembly , we may state that the old church , which was built in the year 1820 , had fallen into a state of dilapidation , and

the estimated cost of placing it in proper repair was found to be so great that ifc was very wisely decided to take steps for the erection of a perfectly new edifice , sufficient for the requirements of the parishoners , and in which Divine worship might be carried on "decently and in order . " Accordingly , the respected Vicar , the Rev . F . A . P . Lory , issued au appeal for help , to which a generous

response was made , the ladies of the district with their friends arranging a bazaar of useful and fancy goods , whioh realised £ 1 , 630 . To this Her Most Gracious Majesty added £ 100 , the Duke and Duchess of Connaught £ 300 , the Commissioners of Woods and Forests ( from whom the site for the new building was secured ) £ 400 , Mr . H . P . Leschalles 100 . guineas , Mrs . Michael Waterer ( for bells ) £ 400 , and other

amounts , reaching to a total of £ 1 , 500 . With this aid the Vicar was enabled to invite designs , those of Mr . Henry A . Cheers , architect , of London and Bagshot , being accepted , and the contract was entrusted to Mr . Joseph Higgs , builder , of Dorset-sqnare , London . The building , which will form an ornament to the locality , will be of the early English style of architecture , to consist of a nave , transepts , north

and south aisles , and a chancel , with a tower at the west end , surmounted by a spire , 120 feet in height , and will accommodate 450 adults . The building will be of brick , faced externally with Bath stone , whilst the interior will be plastered , with open roof of pitched pine , the seats being of the newest design in open stained wood , and the floor tesselated . The estimated cost , with boundary walls and

neat iron palisading , is £ 5 , 000 , towards which nearly £ 3 , 000 has been raised , irrespective of the amount collected on Monday . Immediately on their arrival , the brethren repaired to the Institute , and clothed , when Provincial Grand Lodge was opened in form by the R . Wor . Bro . General Studholme Brownrigg , C . B ., Provincial Grand Master ; Bros . Rev . C . W . Arnold P . G . C . Deputy Pvov . Grand Master , Chas .

Greenwood P . G . S . B . Senior Warden , W . C . Beaumont P . G . S . W . acting as Junior Warden , Rev . Richard Milner 1616 Chaplain , Sir Patrick Colquhoun Pasfc Grand Registrar as Registrar , George Price Treasurer , Charles Greenwood jun . Worshipful Master 410 Provincial Grand Secretary , J . B . Boucher 1872 S . D ., W . Yonldon 1638 J . D ., A . E . Taylor 1851 Supt . of Works , H . E . Frances D . of C , J . H .

Askham 1564 Assist . D . of C , Compton 1929 Organist , Geo . Westall 1714 Sword Bearer , W . J . Kemp 1362 Pursuivant , F . A . Manning 1861 Standard Bearer , and C . T . Speight Tyler . Amongst the Grand Officers and brethren were Bros . Shadwell H . Gierke Grand Secretary , Captain N . G . Philips P . G . D ., Rev . H . P . Bent Past Grand Chaplain , Magnus Ohren Past Grand Assist . D . of C , H . Botting

1395 P . P . G . S .,. R . Eve P . G . S . W . Hants and Isle of Wight , J . N . Boor P . P . G . S . B . and Secretary 370 , G . N . Mdoney P . P . G . S . W ., George Payne I . P . M . 1534 P . G . S ., 0 . H . Woodward P . G . J . D ., G . W . Lister S . W . 410 , H . Summers W . M . Royal Albert , G . Godson P . M . 69 , S . Bradley P . M . 414 , F . G . Cook W . M . 1971 , S . J . Pulley P . M . 1714 , J . L . Hickley S . W . 1046 , W . A . Laver P . M . 1362 , 3 . Mew I . P . M . 1362 ,

W . W . Ridley 1101 , J . Collins 1101 , W . J . James 1101 , S . G . Dundas W . M . 370 , J . W . Squire 3 , J . G . Horsey I . P . M . 1892 , George Turner W . M . 1395 , J . Hardy 1395 , A . W . Callis 1395 , Andrew Rogers 1564 , S . P . Coaker 1564 , A . H . Bowers 1638 , W . Lane W . M . 1638 , David VV . Cable 1638 , E . W . Cox 463 , J . Wright P . M . 1046 , G . Mesher 1564 , R . Tozer 1714 , G . W . Parker P . M . 215 , James Edwards 1892 , F . Carter 1892 , J . M . Norman 1638 , W . Pile W . M 1892 , T . Adams VV . M .,

a . a . Jtidge 1347 , J . T . liock J . W . 13-3 * 7 , A . a . Asner S . D . 1395 , R . Bunce Secretary 1714 , J . W . Lendrim Past Prov . Grand Pursuivant , H . Sadler G . Tyler , & c . Prov . Grand Locige having been opened , prayer was said by the Rev . J . M . Milner , Provincial Grand Chaplain , and after a few simple formalities , a procession was form cd , accompanied by the silken banners of several of the local Lodges , the brethren marching two a-breast , in the direction of the site of the

proposed new church , which is situated on an eminence , known as Mill Hill , overlooking a magnificent stretch of country . The following was the order of procession : — Two Tylers with drawn swords . Visiting brethren . Lodges according to their numbers , Juniors walking first . Provincial Grand Officers of other Provinces .

f A Cornucopia with corn , carried by " \ Prov . Grand \ a Master of a Lodge . f Prov . Grand Steward . 1 Two Vessels with Wine and Oil , f Steward . C carried by Masters of Lodges . ) Past Prov . Grand Pursuivants . Prov . Grand Pursuivant . Prov . Grand Organist .

Trowel , carried by a Pasfc Master . Mallefcfc , carried by a Pasfc Master . Past Prov . Grand Sword Bearers . Assistant Prov . Grand Director of Ceremonies . Prov . Grand Director of Ceremonies . Past Prov . Grand Superintendent of Works . Prov . Grand Superintendent of Works .

Pasfc Prov . Grand Deacons . Prov . Grand Secretary , with the Book of Constitutions . Past Prov . Grand Registrars . Prov . Grand Registrar . Prov . Grand Treasurer . Pasfc Prov . Grand Chaplains . Past Prov . Grand Wardens .

The Corinthian Light , carried by a Master of a Lodge . The Column of the Prov . Junior Grand Warden , carried by a Master

of a Lodge . The Prov . Junior Grand Warden , with a Plumb Rule . Prov . Grand f Banner of Prov . Grand \ Prov . Grand Steward . ( Lodge . j Steward . The Doric Light , carried by a Master of a Lodge . The Column of a Prov . Senior Grand Warden , carried by the Master

of a Lodge . The Prov . Senior Grand Warden , with the Level . The Prov . Junior Grand Deacon . Prov . Grand ( The Prov . Grand Chaplain , bearing ) Prov . Grand Steward . \ the Sacred Law on a Cushion . } Steward .

Past and Present Officers of the Grand Lodge of England . The Deputy Prov . Grand Master , with the Square . The Ionic Light , carried by a Master of a Lodge . The Prov . Grand Sword Bearer . H . R . H . the DUKE OP CONNAUGHT , K . G ., Past Grand Warden .

The Right Worshipful Prov . Grand Master . The Senior Prov . Grand Deacon . Two Prov . Grand Stewards . Prov . Grand Tyler .

The clergy and choir , in their surplices , had met at the vicarage , and included His Grace the Lord Bishop of Winchester ( who with Mrs . Harold Browne and the Rev . Robert Browne , his lordship ' s Chaplain , had been the guest of their Royal Highnesses , afc Bagshot Park ) , the Rev . F . M . Middleton Rural Dean and Vicar of York Town , the Vicar the Rev . F . A . P . Lory , and his Curate

the Rev . E . M . Salmon , the Bishop of Ballarat , the Revs . J . M . Freshfiekl , Vicar of Windlesham ; R . Flint , Vicar of Sunningdale ; Newton Spencer , Vicar of Emly and Rural Dean ; W . Basset , Rector of Frimley ; A . Kinch , Rector of FarUborough ; VV . Snthey Curate of Farnborongh ; O . B . Fendall , of Windlesham , and others . The Bishop of the Diocese took his seat at ihe table in front

of the stone , the clergy and choir occupying the platform in rear , whilst the brethren were ranged around , in accordance with rank , the Provincial Grand Officers being in the centre . The Duke and Duchess on their arrival were received with respectful salutations , which they graciously acknowledged , and her Royal Highness was escorted to her seat by General Brownrigg , who sat between her and her Royal

husband , on the left of the Bishop . Accompanying the Royal party were Colonel Sir H . Elphinstone and Lady Elphinstone , General Sir D . Lysons and Lady Lysons j the infant Princess Margaret , Mr . Miles , Treasurer of the building fund ; Colonel Lempriere , R . E . ; General Smythe , C . B ., and a large gathering of the resident gentry of the district . When the assemblage was seated , the scene within the half .

raised walls of the building was exceedingly picturesque , tbe sun shining brightly over all , and with beams as fervent as on an ordinary July day . The necessary preliminaries having been arranged , the opening sentences of the service were said by the Bishop , the responses being given by the Rev . E . M . Salmon . Then followed Psalm lxxxiv . — " O how amiable" —by the choir , ably led by Mr . G . P . More , who presided

ably at the harmonium , the lesson for the day ( Ezra in . 10 , 11 ) being read by the Rural Dean , the Rev . F . M . Middleton . Prayers were then offered for a blessing on the work undertaken , and the preservation of all those who were engaged in it ; after which Psalm cxxvii . — " Except the Lord build the house "—was sung . The Prov . Grand Master then advanced to the stone , and addressing His Royal

Highness , said : Knowing the deep interest which you and Her Royal Highness take in tho laying of the foundation stone , and the building of the edifice which we have come here to complete , I beg , on my part , and on behalf of the Freemasons of Surrey , that you will do us the honour of performing the ceremony of laying this stono , with the test of the plumb , the level , and the square . We trust that you will find it well

and truly laid , lor which purpose I have the honour to place this trowel in your hands . He then handed to the Duke a magnificent silver trowel , suitably inscribed in commemoration of the event . The R . W . Bro . his Royal Highness fche Duke of Connaught , K . G ., P . G . W ., iu reply , said : My Lord Bishop and Brethren , —Be it known unto yon that we be lawful Masons , true and honourable to

the laws of our country . Although not ourselves Operative Masons , yet we have , from time immemorial , been associated with the erection of buildings , to be raised for the benefit of mankind , the adornment of the world , and the glory of the Great Architect ; of tho Universe . We have amongst us , unseen from the eyes of all men , secrets that

may not be revealed , and which no man has discovered ; but these secrets are lawful and honourable , and not repugnant to the laws of either God or man . They were entrusted to the Masons of ancient clays , and they havo been faithfully transmitted to us ; and ifc is our duty to convey them unimpaired to our latest posterity . Unless our Order had been honourable , and our calling just , ifc would nofc have