Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
there were civilians and Masons jostling to be forward , and Grand Tilers and Grand Stewards , contesting the point of precedency with all and sundry . It is easy to find fault after cause is given ; but it strikes us that by a little foresig ht on the part of those upon whom the charge lay , a path might have been kept clear , and the unseemly confusion which we have noticed , prevented . After order had been somewhat restored , the Provincial Grand
Treasurer deposited a glass bottle , containing the coins of the Realm , in the cavity of the foundation stone ; and the Provincial Grand Secretary deposited another bottle , containing Dumfries Courier , Dumfries Times , and Dumfries Herald , last printed ; a list of subscribers to the church ; the names of the committee , an historical account , free . ; an extract from the history of the house of Seyton , by Sir Richard Maitland of Lethington , a MS . in the Advocates' Library ; and a scroll , bearing a Latin
inscription , and the English translation relative to St . Mary ' s Church . All the preparation having been made , the Grand Master , assisted by his substitute and the senior and junior wardens , proceeded to lay the stone in the usual form , and having done so delivered the usual invocation . The Rev . Brother Dunbar , Grand Chaplain , then dedicated the temple to Almighty God in a most eloquent and impressive prayer , in which he invoked the Divine Blessing on the work in which they had
been engaged . AVhile the Rev . Gentleman was thus engaged , we regret to say that the platform on which he stood , with the Grand Lodge , and a multitude who had there obtruded themselves , gave way with a fearful crash ; and for a minute or two the utmost confusion and alarm was excited , till it was understood that no one had sustained injury . Mr .
Dunbar then resumed and finished the prayer with the most admirable calmness and self-possession , and his appearance thus engaged was the first thing to assure those at a distance , who had heard the screams and commotion without being aware of the cause , that nothing serious had taken place . [ That no one was killed or cruelly maimed , is a matter of great thankfulness , for the chances were ten to one against the accident resulting so innoccuously . A very few minutes before it gave way , we
observed above a score of little fellows seated right beneath the platforms , whom the sergeant of police and others were whipping out rather severely ; but in this case timely severity proved their ultimate deliverance , otherwise they must have been crushed to death by the mass which bore down the platform . The insecure manner in which these were erected is reprehensible to the last degree . The one might be perfectly sufficient to the ladiesand the other the members of the Provincial
carry , Lodge ; but the parties should have considered that there is a mighty difference between a crowd out of doors , and an orderly assemblage anywhere else , and it is our opinion that it was extremely culpable to leave the p latforms with the most distant suspicion of insecurity attaching to them , however severely they might have been tried . T The work being completed as we have said , and three hearty cheers having been iven by the Brethren
g , The Grand Master ascended the platform , and spoke thus—Major Adair , and Gentlemen of the Committee of the New Church—Having performed the pleasing duty of laying the foundation stone of the Church about to be built under your directions , it only remains for me to congratulate you on the happy , and , but for the slig ht accident which has now occurred , the auspicious commencement of this truly laudable and pious undertaking . The occasions on which the Masonic Body
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
there were civilians and Masons jostling to be forward , and Grand Tilers and Grand Stewards , contesting the point of precedency with all and sundry . It is easy to find fault after cause is given ; but it strikes us that by a little foresig ht on the part of those upon whom the charge lay , a path might have been kept clear , and the unseemly confusion which we have noticed , prevented . After order had been somewhat restored , the Provincial Grand
Treasurer deposited a glass bottle , containing the coins of the Realm , in the cavity of the foundation stone ; and the Provincial Grand Secretary deposited another bottle , containing Dumfries Courier , Dumfries Times , and Dumfries Herald , last printed ; a list of subscribers to the church ; the names of the committee , an historical account , free . ; an extract from the history of the house of Seyton , by Sir Richard Maitland of Lethington , a MS . in the Advocates' Library ; and a scroll , bearing a Latin
inscription , and the English translation relative to St . Mary ' s Church . All the preparation having been made , the Grand Master , assisted by his substitute and the senior and junior wardens , proceeded to lay the stone in the usual form , and having done so delivered the usual invocation . The Rev . Brother Dunbar , Grand Chaplain , then dedicated the temple to Almighty God in a most eloquent and impressive prayer , in which he invoked the Divine Blessing on the work in which they had
been engaged . AVhile the Rev . Gentleman was thus engaged , we regret to say that the platform on which he stood , with the Grand Lodge , and a multitude who had there obtruded themselves , gave way with a fearful crash ; and for a minute or two the utmost confusion and alarm was excited , till it was understood that no one had sustained injury . Mr .
Dunbar then resumed and finished the prayer with the most admirable calmness and self-possession , and his appearance thus engaged was the first thing to assure those at a distance , who had heard the screams and commotion without being aware of the cause , that nothing serious had taken place . [ That no one was killed or cruelly maimed , is a matter of great thankfulness , for the chances were ten to one against the accident resulting so innoccuously . A very few minutes before it gave way , we
observed above a score of little fellows seated right beneath the platforms , whom the sergeant of police and others were whipping out rather severely ; but in this case timely severity proved their ultimate deliverance , otherwise they must have been crushed to death by the mass which bore down the platform . The insecure manner in which these were erected is reprehensible to the last degree . The one might be perfectly sufficient to the ladiesand the other the members of the Provincial
carry , Lodge ; but the parties should have considered that there is a mighty difference between a crowd out of doors , and an orderly assemblage anywhere else , and it is our opinion that it was extremely culpable to leave the p latforms with the most distant suspicion of insecurity attaching to them , however severely they might have been tried . T The work being completed as we have said , and three hearty cheers having been iven by the Brethren
g , The Grand Master ascended the platform , and spoke thus—Major Adair , and Gentlemen of the Committee of the New Church—Having performed the pleasing duty of laying the foundation stone of the Church about to be built under your directions , it only remains for me to congratulate you on the happy , and , but for the slig ht accident which has now occurred , the auspicious commencement of this truly laudable and pious undertaking . The occasions on which the Masonic Body