Laying The Foundation Stone Of St. Agnes' Church, Moseley.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF ST . AGNES' CHURCH , MOSELEY .

Bro . Sir Edmund A . H . Leclunere , Bart ., M . P ., R . W . Prov . Grand Master Worcestershire , assisted by Bro . Col . John Machen , W . Deputy Prov . Grand Master Warwickshire , and the brethren of the Provincial Grand Lodges of Worcestershire and Warwickshire , laid the foundationstone of a new church in the district of Moseley , on

Wednesday , the 3 rd insl ., with full Masonic ceremonial . Notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the weather , there was a large attendance of brethren and the public . The brethren assembled about half-past eleven , in the National Schools , Moseley , where a Craft lodge in the Three Degrees was opened by the W . M . and officers of the Stability Lodge , No . 564 . Stourbridge . The R . W . Prov .

Grand Master and Prov . Grand Officers liaving entered the lodge , and being received with the customary honours , the Prov . Grand Lodge was opened in due form . The W . Deputy Prov . . Grand Master Warwickshire , Bro . Col . Machen , accompanied by his Provincial Grand Officers , then entered the lodge , and was saluted with the customary honours .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER in offering his fraternal greetings to thc D . Prov . G . M . and the Prov . Grand Lodge of Warwickshire , moved the following resolution , whicii was seconded by Bro . Buck , Prov . G . S . W ., and carried unanimously : " The members of the Prov . Grand Lodge of Worcestershire , offer a hearty welcome to the members of the Prov . Grand Lodge of Warwickshire , represented

to-day by the D . Prov . G . Master and other brethren of that province , and desire to express their cordial satisfaction at having an opportunity of working in unison with the Grand Lodge of Warwickshire upon so interesting an occasion . " Bro . Col . MACHEN , D . Prov . G . M . Warwickshire , replied in suitable terms , and hoped for similar

opportunities to promote the good feeling which he was sure already existed between thc two provinces . A letter was read from the D . Prov . G . Master Worcestershire , Bro . A . F . Godson , enclosing a handsome donation to the building fund , and expressing great regret that absence from England prevented his attendance that day . The muster roll having been called , and after the Prov .

Grand Master had explained some of thc arrangements for the day , a procession was formed and proceeded to Moseley Church , where a special service was held . The prayers and lessons were intoned by the vicar , the Rev . W . H . Colmore , and the Rev . H . J . Coachafer ; and an eloquent sermon ( for which we regret we cannot find room in our issue ) was preached by the Rev . VV . K . Ryiand Bedford .

rector of Sutton Coldfield , and Past G . Chap , of England , the rev . gentleman taking for his text Daniel ii ., 34 : " Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands . " At the conclusion of the service a procession was formed and proceeded to the site of the new church , headed by Mr . Beech , the organist of the temporary church , accompanied by the choir and the choir of St . Mary's , followed

by the members of the Masonic body . I he latter included the following members of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire : Bros . Sir Edmund A . H . Lechmere , Bart ., M . P ., Prov . G . M . ; J . R . Buck , 2 S 0 , Prov . G . S . W . ; R . Broomhall , 564 , Prov . G . J . W . ; Rev . C . Black , M . A ., 1204 , Prov . G . Chap . ; E . Turner , 252 , Prov . G . Reg . ; George Taylor , P . P . G . S . W ., 377 , . * *( 5 o , 1 S 74 , Prov . G . Sec ;

W . Barkley , 2 S 0 , Prov . G . S . D . ; A . Comber , 377 , Prov . G . D . of C ; A . Green , 49 S , Prov . G . A . D . of C . ; R . S . Blundell , 5 G 0 , Prov . G . Swd . Br . ; VV . Haynes , 1204 , Prov . G . Org . ; VV . C . Green , 377 , Prov . G . Purst . ; E . H . Metcalfe , 1204 , Prov . G . A . Purst . ; VV . Ottley and H . C . Wightman , 529 , Prov . G . Stewards ; J . Stanley and J . Smith , 2 S 0 , Prov . G . Tylers . There were also present

among the brethren from Worcestershire Bros . H . Wilson , P . P . G . P ., as Prov . G . Treas . ; F . H . Lingham , P . P . G . D ., as Prov . G . J . D . ; G . H . Williamson , P . P . G . Supt . of Works , as Prov . G . Supt . of Works ; J . Elgood and J . W . Chadwick , as Prov . G . Stewards ; J . Aston , J . Blundell , P . P . G . Reg . ; E . R . Hartley , P . P . G . D . ; G . K . Patten , P . P . G . Supt . of Works ; T . F . HiggsP . P . G . D .

, of C . ; C . Williams , P . P . G . R . ; and a large number of other brethren . Of the Prov . Grand Lodgeof Warwickshire we noticed Bros . Beech , Prov . G . Sec . ; R . H . Vertegans , P . M . ; J . T . Collins , P . M . ; J . Cuff , C . Lee , J . Rowlands , H . Myers , J . B . Martin , J . Green , VV . McEntee , P . P . G . S . W . ; T . H . Smith , P . P . G . S . W . ; Jas . Moffatt , P . G . R . ; I . Loxdale Warren , P . P . G . S . W . ; T . M .

Humphries , P . P . G . Supt . of Works Staffordshire ; Rev . J . Seddon , P . G . C . Staffordshire ; and many others . The local clergy present were the Revs . VV . H . Colmore , W . B . Benison , J . Williamson , C . A . Dickens , R . A . Deakin , VV . K . Smart , G . H . Sims , and H . J . Coachafer . The laity were represented by Messrs . T . C . S . Kynnersley , C . Williams , E . Bettridge , W . H . Davis , W . Dyke Wilkinson , T .

Hadley , F . Barlow , and others . On arriving at the site a hymn was sung , after which the Rev . H . J . C OACHAVER , P . M ., P . P . G . Chaplain , offered up prayer . The Rev . W . H . COLMORE , M . A ., the Chairman of the Building Committee , then addressed the Provincial Grand Master , saying : I am requested by the Committee 'hat has been formed for the erection of this new church ,

to ask you to be kind enough to lay the foundation stone ' it . It is with great respect that I make this request , seconded as I am on behalf of the Committee , and I now ask you to proceed to lay the stone . The PROV . GRAND MASTER then addressed the assembl y in the following terms * . Men and brethren here assembled to behold the ceremony , be it known unto you

l « at we , lawful Masons , true and faithful to the laws of our country , and engaged by solemn obligations to erect Handsome buildings to be serviceable to the brethren , and ™ fear God , the Great Architect of the Universe . We ^ ave amongst us , concealed from the eyes of all men , secrets which may not be revealed , and whicii no man has oiscovered ; but these secrets are lawful and honourable , and not repugnant to thc laws of God and man . They

vere entrusted in peace and honour to Masons of ancient 'mes , and having been faithfully transmitted to us , it is our jj'ty to convey them unimpared to the latest posterity . JT 5 9 Craft werc good , and our calling honourable , We ^ not navc 'asted for so many centuries , nor should r Pave had so many illustrious brothers in our Order a * -auy to promote our laws and further our interests . We assembled here to-day , in the presence of you ali , to

Laying The Foundation Stone Of St. Agnes' Church, Moseley.

erect a house to the worship , honour , and glory of the Most High , which we pray God may prosper as it seems good to Him ; and as the first duty of Masons , in any undertaking , is to invoke the blessing of the Great Architect of the Universe on their work , 1 call upon you to unite with our Provincial Grand Chaplain in an address to the Throne of Grace . The Rev . H . J . COACHAFER having offered up prayer ,

I he PROV . GRAND MASTER said , " I now declare it to be my will and pleasure that the cornerstone of thischurch be laid . " He then called upon the Prov . Grand Secretary to read the inscription upon the brass plate , whicii was placed over the cavity in the stone , in which were deposited copies of the Times , Daily Post , and Gazette , a list of the Prov . Grand Officers of the year , a programme of the day ' s proceedings , and a number of coins .

At this stage of thc proceedings , Mrs . C . WILLIAMS came forward , and presented to Sir Edmund Lechmere a silver trowel , bearing the following inscription : — " Presented by Mrs . C . Williams , of Moseley Lodge , to the Right Worshipful Bro . Sir Edmund A . H . Lechmere , Bart ., M . P ., Prov . Grand Master , on his laying the foundationstone of St . Agnes' Churcli , Moseley , October , 3 , 1 SS 3 . " She said she had great pleasure in presenting the trowel ,

and she hoped the church would be a great blessing to the neighbourhood . Sir EDMUND LECHMERE , on receiving the trowel , said he need scarcely remind Mrs . Williams how cordially he received the presentation which would prove a happy memento of the day's proceedings . The PROV . GRAND SECRETARY having adjusted the plate on the lower stone , and while the top stone was being

lowered , the Grand Master dexterously spread the cement . While this was going on , the local choir , under the direction of Mr . Beech , sang Dr . Clarke Winfield's anthem , " In Jewry is God known . " The J UNIOR WARDEN then presented the Grand Master with the plumb-rule , and the Grand Master having applied the same to the stone , said : ¦ " I find this stone to be plumb , and that the Craftsmen have prepared it true and trusty . "

The level was then handed to him by the Senior Warden , and after applying it to the stone , he said : " I find this stone to be level , and that the Craftsmen have laboured skilfully . " The square was then handed to himjby the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , and on applying it to thc stone , he said : " I find this stone to be plumb , level , and square , and that it has been truly prepared and truly laid , and that the

Craftsmen have worked well . " He then gave three blows with a mallet on the stcne . A PAST MASTER then presented a cornucopia filled with corn , and the Grand Master , scattering a portion over the stone , said ' I scatter corn on this stone as the emblem of plenty and abundance . May the blessings of morality and virtue flourish within this building and produce fruit a hundredfold . "

A MASTER MASON then presented an ewer of wine , which the Grand Master poured upon the stone , at the same time saying , " I pour wine upon this stone as the emblem of joy and gladness . " Oil was then handed to the Grand Master , who sprinkled it upon the stone , and said at the same time , " I sprinkle oil upon this stone as the emblem of peace and unanimity . " He added , " May prosperity , happiness , and goodwill ever

prevail amongst those who will minister within this house , to the glory of the Most High , until time shall be no more . " The PROV . GRAND SUPT . OE WORKS then handed the plans of the building to the Prov . Grand Master and also presented to him the architect . After having examined the plans , the Grand Master then returned to the architect , saying : " I now place in your hands the plans of this intended building , together with the necessary tools , not doubting your skill and ability as a Craftsman . I desire

that you will proceed without loss of time to the completion of the work , in conformity with the plans and designs now entrusted to you . " A number of ladies then came forward and deposited purses cf money upon the stone , after which a hymn was sung , and the benediction given . Before leaving the site the group round the stone was photographed , and also the whole scene and its surroundings .

The procession was then reformed , and the Masonic body returned to the National School , when the lodge was closed . The company afterwards assembled at the skating rink , Trafalgar-road , Moseley , where luncheon was provided by Mr . H . Nicholas . Sir Edmund E . H . Lechmere , Bart ., M . P ., presided , and there were also present most of those who had taken part in the previous proceedings of the day .

" The Health of the Queen " having been given from the chair and duly honoured , The CHAIRMAN proposed "The Prince and Princess of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family . " He said they , as members of the Masonic Craft , knew how hard the Prince of Wales worked . They knew that he was ready at all times to give his services whenever they were required , and the admirable manner in which he discharged

his public duties . Mr . KYNNERSLEY proposed "The Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese . " He said he had particular pleasure in doing so , because he thought there was hardly a parish in the diocese in which it would be more cordially received . There was no parish in the diocese in whicii there was a more healthy and sound Church feeling , and this was owing to the seed sown by thc late Rev . Dr . Hook . It had

flourished , too , under the late clergyman , and ten times more during the time of Mr . Colmore , and he was glad of paying that tribute to him , and he should have said more if he had not been present . In regard to their Bishop , he was one of the kindest and most benevolent men ; and there was hardly a clergyman in the district but would bear testimony to his kindness on all occasions . He had pleasure in coupling with the toast the name of the Rev . VV . K . R . Bedford , the preacher that day . The Rev . VV . K . R . BEDFORD thanked Mr . Kynnersley

for his kind expressions in reference to the clergy and bishop of the diocese . He felt sure that the bishop deserved all theeulogium that had been said . The Rev . VV . H . C OLMORE then rose to propose what he thought should be considered the toast of the evening , "The Health of Sir Edmund Lechmere , M . P ., Prov . Grand Master of Worcestershire and the Freemasons of the Province . " He said those who were not Freemasons always thought , and rightly too , that Freemasonry was surrounded by very great deep secrets ; and some of them , especially the ladies , were anxious to know what those

Laying The Foundation Stone Of St. Agnes' Church, Moseley.

secrets were . But in spite of all the care that Freemasons exercised , the secret had oozed out that Freemasons were banded and knit together by a solemn obligation to do all they possibly could for thc welfare of their friends . They all heartilly thanked Sir Edmund Lechmerc for taking part in the religious ceremony of thc day , and making it so very ornate , so very impressive , and so very imposing . The Freemasons had given an impetus to their work , and this they all full

y acknowleged . They could not look at thc brotherly love which existed amongst Freemasons , at the wonderful work of charity in which they werc engaged , without wishing them success . Hc most cordially wished them success , and trusted that I ' reemasonry would exist as long as time should last . He trusted also that they would continue to be guided by those two principles which had guided them in the pastthe principles of love to God and love to

man . The CHAIRMAN in responding said he thanked them most cordially for the compliment they had paid him , and Mr . Colmore for the flattering words he had uttered . He ( the chairman ) was afraid heshould disappoint some of the audience if he did not communicatesome of the secrets of the Order ; but he must tell them that these secrets were carefully guarded . It was true that on one occasion a ladwas

disy covered in the lodge room , and when she was discovered it was decided that she should be initiated a member , and she seemed to have no dread of the ordeal , but went through the ceremony , and became a true and hearty member of the Craft , and he believed that was the only instance on record of a lady becoming a Freemason . But , although he could not reveal the secrets of the Order , there were circumstances connected with Freemasonry which might be freely

discussed , and one of them was the historical connection of Masonry with some of the most interesting buildings in the country . Perhaps some of those present were hardly aware that in mediaeval times some of the great dignitaries of the time were either Masons or great patrons of Masonry . Kings and princes of ; the country had also been great patrons of Masons . Queen Elizabeth was one of the first sovereigns who had suspTcions

of the Masons , and , being extremely anxious , entrusted one of her councillors to find out and report their sccrets . He did not reveal their secrets , but he told her what they did , and she was so ' struck that she at once declared that she considered them men who cultivated friendship , brotherly love , and peace , and who did not meddle with affairs of Church or State . Charles I . was a great patron of Masonry , and his great architect , Inigo Jones , was a

Mason , as was also Sir Christopher Wren , in the reign of Charles II . But the work of the Masonic Body in modern times had been more of an educational and charitable character , such as the Masonic schools , accommodating 250 boys and 250 girls —( applause)—the institution for Aged Freemasons , which numbered 300 annuitants , receiving from £ 30 to £ 40 a year each . Locally Freemasonry had had a great influencehaving contributed largely to

, the restoration of Worcester and Gloucester Cathedrals , Tewkesbury Abbey and other sacred buildings . Their lodges , too , always opened and closed with prayer , and at every lodge the Bible was always open . They could not admit an unbeliever or an Atheist , and though thc privileges of the Legislature might at some day be open to Atheists , the lodges of the Freemasons never could . ( Hear , hear . ) The Freemasons of Worcestershire

were glad to be present that day , and congratulate Mr . Colmore on liaving so many willing hands to help him in the work that had been begun . He was gratified at seeing so many Masons present at the ceremony in spite of the inclemency of the weather , and also at being able to announce that the collections of the day amounted to £ 140 . ( Applause . ) They were acting , he was glad to see , on the principle adopted by Ihe church builders of old

, not to attempt too much at ; once , but to begin with the most sacred parts , leaving for future years , and perhaps for future generations , any extensions that might be desirable . ( Hear , hear . ) He trusted that not only the partial erection of the building would be carried out , but that before long the scheme would be carried out to its completion . ( Applause . ) It had given him great pleasure to be present , and he thanked them for inviting him to be

present . It was his hearty wish and prayer that God would prosper the work , and that the new church might be a blessing and comfort for future generations . ( Cheers . ) The CHAIRMAN then proposed "Colonel Machen , Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Warwickshire , and the Freemasons of that Province . " He regretted that Lord Leigh , the Provincial Grand Master of Warwickshire , was unable to be with them on that occasionbut they had had

, the pleasure of the presence of Col . Machen , who had , however , been compelled to leave by an early train . He should , therefore , call upon thc Provincial Grand Secretary of Warwickshire , Bro . George Beech , to respond . Bro . BEECH expressed thanks on behalf of Colonel Machen , who was reluctantly compelled to leave . He was sure that Lord Leigh regretted that he was unable to be

present . For himself , he could only say that he was glad to be able to be present and take part in so good a work ; and he might say that had it not been for the inclemency of the weather there would have been a much larger attendance . He could only hope that the work they had commenced would prosper , and that the seed they had sown that day would quickly germinate and bear good fruit .

Bro . CHARLES WILLIAMS proposed "The Visitors . " He said when it was recollected that during the past 13 months the Masonic Body had raised £ 47 , 000 for their three charities alone , no one could be surprised if he was anxious to see the brotherhood strengthened in that district

by the formation of a lodge in Moseley . He hoped that if a request was made , that the Worshipful Grand Master would grant it . Mr . J OSEPH ROWLANDS and Mr . J SIMCOX briefly responded . The Rev . A . J . Smith proposed "The Ladies , " which was responded to by J WILMOT , and the proceedings terminated .