Saddleworth.

SADDLEWORTH .

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OP CHRIST CHUHCH , F 1 UEZLAND . Within a recent period , a district or parisli has been carved out of the parish of Saddleworth , in Yorkshire , and of Mottram , in Cheshire , to be called the districtor parish of Friezland ; and for this parish a new church , dedicated to the Redeemer of Mankind , and to bear his name , is now in course of construct inn , tlie laying of tlie foundation stone of which , on Monday , the 4 th inst ., by the Lord Bishop of Manchester , was an event of no common interest , and from an early hour the inhabitants of the romantic and picturesque parish of Suddleworth were preparing to be present at the ceremony . The Prov . Grand Lo : fge of West Vorfcslitre was specially summoned to assist at the ceremonial , under the presidency of Bro Charles Lee , D . P . G . M . They assembled with hearty good will , and in goodly numbers , to do honour and respect to the virtue and masonic zeal of their beloved brother , J . H . Whitehead

, Esq ., one of the founders of the church . Immediately following the Freemasons , were the Oddfellows , Foresters , and Druids , all gathering in large numbers , and by their order , regularity , and respectable appearance , contributing much to the gaiety and splendour of the scene . At eleven o ' clock , the procession was marshalled in a chele on the grounds at Southside . The procession numbered 820 persons , exclusive of four bands of music , and the line extended to nearly a mile in length . Three times three hearty cheers were given , the bands struck up the masonic anthem , " When order in this land commenced , " and the procession moved onward . On arriving at the site of the church , the procession opened out at the porch , toallow the bishop , archbishop , clergy , and the rest of the party to walk to their position at the foundation stone . The Freemasons filed off to the north door , and opening right and left , formed an avenue , and inverting the order of procession , entered upon the church ground . A prayer was offered up by the Rev . Mr . Green , who has been lately presented to the of the

incumbency living . After this , the Bishop of Manchester laid the foundation stone in the usual form , using for the purpose a silver trowel presented to him by the founders , and bearing the following inscription : — " Presented to James Prince , first Bishop of Manchester , on occasion of his laying the foundation stone of Christ Church , Friezland , June 4 , 1849 . " His lordship delivered a most solemn and impressive address to the people assembled , after which a hymn was sung . According to ancient custom , the Freemasons then stood forth to perform their part of the ceremony . The second stone being properly prepared , the Rev . Dr . Senior , P . G . C , offered up an appropriate prayer . After the invocation of the divine blessing , the Deputy Prov . Grand Master directed the Prov . Junior and Senior Grand Wardens respectively to test the stone with the plumb and level , and the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , having tried it by the square , turned to the Lord Bishop of Manchester , and said—My Lord and Right Reverend Sir , I pronounce this stone to be properly laid , to the rules of architecture

according , and although we may not be skilled in the masonic art like unto our brethren the operative masons , who were employed , and were , perhaps , first incorporated into a . society , at the building of the temple at Jerusalem , by our Grand Master Solomon ; yet , let it not be deemed a vain and idle ceremony that we have applied the plumb , the level , and the square to this stone , for everyone of these implements conveys to the Mason's mind amoral lesson , and is a symbol which reminds him of his duties . The plumb teaches us to walk uprightly with one another , to deal justly and fairly with our neighbour , and to do unto all men as we would that they should do unto us- The level furnishes us with a lesson of humility , and teaches us not to think too highly of ourselves , but to bear ourselves with meekness and modesty , well knowing , that however high the dignity of our rank , or however superior may be our intellectual attainments , in the grave , whither we are all hastening , there we shall all be found on a level . The square is an emblem which bids , us square our Jife , walk , and conversation by the unerring laws of God , and thus fit ourselves for that mansion in the heavens where the Great Architect of the Universe presides , whose all-seeing eye can behold

no iniquity with approbation . Behold this stone , it was taken from the quarry in a rough and unhewn state ; now mark its form and fair proportions , adjusted by the chisel ot the skilful operative ; here , then , also we draw a comparison . The stone from the quarry represents unto us man in his natural state , uncouth , uncultivated ; but when the chisel of education is applied , the rough part becomes smooth , and man , by instruction , becomes fitted to take his place in society as an useful and honourable member . There ( pointing towards them ) are the schools , erected by these benevolent gentlemen , for the instruction of the children in the district ; but , something else is needed—something else required . Religious instruction is wanted ; and here—the stone is laid—here—here the temple shall be raised to the glory of God—here shall man be prepared to fit him for a place in the temple , not built with hands , but eternalin the heavens ; and here shall prayer , praise , and thanksgiving be offered up to Almighty God , and may He of his infinite mercy grant his blessing upon the founders , upon the and the

people , upon undertaking . " Then descending from the stone , and the mall being handed to him , he struck the stone three times , saying— " Thus—thus—thus , iu the name of the Most High , I lay this stone of Christ ' s Church . O ! prosper thou our work ; prosper this our handy work . " -- The Rev . Dr . Senior , P . G . C , thenadvanced with the cornucopia , and said— " This corn , the natural emblem of plenty , the masonic symbol of the Living Bread that came down from heaven , aud of the body that was given for man to feed upon in his heart with thankfulness , I scatter in the humble hope that the Most High will bless the inhabitants of this districtwith abundance of corn , and oil , and wine —with all the necessaries , the conveniencies . and comforts of life ; and that the heavenly seed hereafter to be sown in Christ's Church , may spring up and bear fruit to the glory of God and the salvation of man . " The Rev . R . Doughty , P . G . C , then poured the wine and oil , accompanying the same with beautifullapposite and masonic remarks" * Praise God from whom by the

y . " was sung assembled multitude , and afterwards the bishop pronounced the blessing . The different Orders repaired to their respective lodges to dine , and the bishops , donors , clergy , gentry . and the Freemasons , to partake of a superb luncheon that was provided in the schools erected by Messrs . Whitehead . The room was beautifully deenratedfor the occasion with flags , banners , the royal standard , and festoons of evergreens . The viands provided were of the choicest kind . Mr . R . R . Whitehead occupied the chair , and was supported on tiie right by the Bishop of Manchester , and on the left by the Rev . Dr . Rushton . Archdeacon of Manchester . The vice-chair was occupied by J . H . Whitehead , Esq ., supported on the right by C . Lee , Esq ., D . P . G . M ., Rev . Dr . Senior , P G . C , J . Peace , Esq ., P . J . G . W-, W . Dixon , Esq ., P . G . R ., & c After the repast was concluded , the chairman gaye " The Queen , " and other loyal toasts , also the health of the Bishop of Manchester , welcoming his them . His lordshireturned thanks in a spech of some lengthand

appearance among p , proposed the health of the founders of the church and schools , to which the chairman responded . The Rev . J . Maxfield proposed ** The Right Hon . the Earl of Mexborough , P . G . M ., Charles Lee , Esq ., D . P . G . M ., the Grand Officers and Brethren of the ancient and loyal Order of Freemasons of West Yorkshire , " adding , amid the loud applause of the meeting , that he felt peculiar pleasure in proposing " the Freemasons , " as he was so nearly allied to them , being an Odd Fellow , or rather Hod Fellow , as the name ought to be—a fellow-labourer in the good work of brotherly love , relief , and truth . Bro . C Lee , D . P . G . M ., responded to this toast in a most able address , and concluded by saying— " Before I sit down , I have a pleasing duty to perform , and glad 1 am to observe that our assembly is graced and honoured by the presence ot" the ladies . For , ladies , what could we do without you ? Poor and desolate indeed would be our condition without you ; but your presence animates us anewyour smiles give fresh vi to our heartsand encouraging countenance cheers us

, gour , your onward in our course through life . From whom do all our choicest pleasures flow ? Who binds us all to one another , In silken bonds of sister , brother , Of husband , children , father , mother , But woman ? Then , gentlemen and brethren , with heart and soul , I propose ' The Ladies , God bless thcin . "