Grand Corner-Stone Ceremony At Bolton.

( Applause . ) He trusted there would be a happy combination of beauty and utility , and he meant that in the highest sense . They ought to be especially grateful in these days for every means of promoting God ' s kingdom , and he most fervently thanked God for that earnest of a new church . He hoped and prayed that St . Augustine ' s Church , Tonge Moor , might prove a great blessing to all the people m that neighbourhood . He wished the curate-in-charge , the Kev .

F . E . Thomas , every happiness and success . The rev . gentleman then announced that the bottle which he had pleasure in handing to the Treasurer contained copies o ) the three local weekly papers , the Church Guardian , the Freemason , a small plan of the church , the sketch published in the Architect , a history of the movement , and a few copper coins . Miss C . Hardcastle of Firwood , then handed the trowel to Bro . Colonel le Gendre N . Starkie

requesting him to formally lay the stone . Ihe trowel was silver-gilt , bearing the crest of Colonel Starkie and Masonic emblems , with a suitable inscription . Col . Starkie then briefly addressed the assembly . He said he desired it to be known that they were lawful Masons , true and honourable to the laws of their country . Although not themselves operative Masons , yet they had 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 the Universe . They had amongst them , unseen from the eyes of men , secrets that might not be unveiled , and which no man had discovered . Those secrets were lawful and honourable , and neither repugnant to the laws of God nor the laws of men . They were entrusted to the Masons of ancient days , and they had been

faithfully transferred to them , and it was their duty to convey them unimpaired to their latest posterity . Unless their Order had been honourable and their calling just it would not have lasted all those centuries , nor would they have had so many illustrious brethren in their Order ready to promote their laws and further their interests . They were assembled there that day to assist in the erection of a church for the worship of the Most High . He prayed

God that He might prosper it as it seemed good to Him . It was the duty of all Masons when engaged in any undertaking to invoke the blessing of the great Architect of thc Universe , and he therefore asked them to join their Chaplain in prayer . The Chaplain then offered prayer , after which the Masonic Ode " Prosper the Art" was sung by the surpliced choir .

ihe bottle was then inserted in the cavity by the Prov . Grand Treasurer , and the Prov . Grand Secretary placed on the top of it a brass plate bearing the following inscription : — " This corner-stone was laid vvih Masonic formalities by Lieut .-Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie , Prov . Grand Master of East Lancashire , gth June , A . L . 5 SS 3 , A . D . 1 SS 3 . " The Prov . Grand Master then laid the cement with a handsome silver gilt trowel , bearing the following inscription : — "

Presented to Lieut .-Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie , R . W . Prov . Grand Master of East Lancashire , on the occasion of his laying the corner-stone of St . Augustine's Church , Tonge Moor , gth June , 1 SS 3 , "—which had been presented to him by Miss C . Hardcastle . The stone was then lowered and tested with the plummet , level , and square , by the Prov . Grand Officers and duly declared to be " properly formed and shaped . " This portion of the ceremony was

exceedingly curious and interesting , and though the heat was very great and the crush tremendous the crowd watched every movement with avidity . FRANK HARDCASTLE , Esq ., who held in his hand a handsome mallet formed of bog oak and bearing a similar inscription to the trowel on a circular plate of silver gilt , then addressed Bro . Col . Starkie , sayirg : Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , we have witnessed the solemn

and imposing ceremony with which you have laid this stone with feelingsof very great interest and gratitude . But though this stone is fashioned with all the skill your noble Craft can boast of ; though you have joined it to its fellows with cement which will hold it in its p lace in an unyeildinggnp ; though you are about to bless it with corn , with wine , and with oil , yet it still remains for you , sir , to test this stone whether it be a sound one . As with this stone , so it is with

man . What avails it though he be chiselled in beauty's form , though he be joined to wife or brethren with the cement of affec : ion , though he be anointed with the oil of opulence , though he be filled with the wine and the corn of plenty , what avails it all , 1 say , if he himself be a castaway ? It is , therefore , for the purpose of testing this stone that I now hand you this mallet , and in doing so , I would remind vou , sir . that we are told it is made of boa' oak . duir from

the foundation of this church some four or five feet below the surface of the spot where we now stand . Geologists tell us that for peat to form to such a depth as that would take something like 2000 years . This carries the mind back to the dim vista of the past . Perchance this very oak flourished on this spot where we now stand at the time when our Saviour preached and taught by the shore of the Sea of Galilee or the banks of the Jordan . As He died , so

this oak died . As He was buried , so this oak was buried As He rose again , so this oak rises again to perform its little part in the erection of'this monument to the honour and glory , the height and majesty , of its great Co-temporary . Take , then , this mallet , sir , and test the stone that it be an honest one . _ When the cheers hailing Mr . Hardcastle ' s address had died away , the Prov . Grand Master administered three raps

to the stone , saying as he did so— " In the name of the Father , in the name of the Son , and in the name of the Holy Ghost I lay this stone , and may the Almighty Architect of the Universe look down with benignity upon our present undertaking , and crown the edifice of which we have now laid the corner-stone with every success and blessing . " Then came the following brief prayer : * ' May the Almighty Architect and Ruler of the Universe shower down His

choicest blessings upon the inhabitants of this district , and grant them a full supply of the corn of nourishment , the wine of refreshment , and the oil of joy . " The Prov . Grand Supt . of Works , Bro . G . Ferguson , having handrd the plans of the building to the Prov . Grand Master , and the latter having returned them to the architect , the stone was blessed with cornwith wineand with

, , oil , c . ntaintd in silver cups , during which the Chaplain re-Eeati r i the followln K appropriate words : " There shall be a handful of corn in the . arth upon the topof the mountains ; the fruit thereof shall shake like 1 . ebanon ; and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth . " "And for a drink offering thou shalt offer the third part of an bin of wine tor a sweet savour unto the Lar 4 . " " And thou shalt

Grand Corner-Stone Ceremony At Bolton.

make it an oil of holy ointment , an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary : it shall be an holy annointing oil . And thou shalt annoint thc tabernacle of the congregation therewith and the ark of thc testimony . " An appropriate anthem was then sung and a prayer offered by the Kev . Canon Powell . After the hymn commencing "Ths CWctfs one Foundation" had been sung the " Te Deum " was joined in by all present , and the benediction

having been pronounced , the National Anthem ( Masonic version ) was sung , and the proceedings terminated , the immense concourse of spectators slowly filing away . Ihe brethren proceeded back to the Infant School , where they were briefly thanked for their attendance by the PROV . GRAND MASibK , who said he had always thought well of the spirit ot Freemasonry existing in Bolton ; but from what hehadseen that day he was convinced thatsuch a spirit could not be equalled nor surpassed by any town in England . It

was indeed extremely creditable to the Masonry of the town that so many 01 its representatives had turned out to take part in such a laudable work , and he heartily thanked them for what they had done . The Prov . Grand Master then left the room through an avenue formed by the brethren . A cold collation was afterwards partaken of . 1 he children wpre marched to a field lent by Mr . Fletcher , of Tonge , where they were bountifully regaled , and the elder scholars and teachers afterwards partook of tea in the schoolroom .

Presentation To A Liverpool Musical Brother.

PRESENTATION TO A LIVERPOOL MUSICAL BROTHER .

On Friday afternoon , at the Philharmonic Hall , Bro . J . J . Monk , Organist of the Liverpool Dramatic Lodge , No . 1609 , was the recipient of a well merited , altogetner unexpected , and highly anistic testimonial . Bro . Monk has for many years been prominently and honourably identified

with the cultivation of musical art in this city and district , having pursued a most successful system of musical tuition which has benefited many promising and talented pupils , and in connection with the examinations held under the banner of the Trinity College , London , he has lor years fulHilledthedut . esof Honoraiy Local Secretary withso much tact , zeal , and admirable discretion as to render Liverpool by

far the best centre of the well-known college in tne country . The active and successful labours ot Bro . Monk as a professor of musical art were recognised on this occasion by a great number of ladies , former and present pupils , who were anxious to show their appreciation of artistic labour , whicli in their cases had been crowned with so much success . Quite unknown to Iiro . Monk , the ; e ladies had

quietly organised a subscription for a testimonial to their instructor , and this took the shape of an exceedingly anistic illuminated address bearing warm testimony of admiration for the talent and many excellent qualities of the recipient . The Trinity College examinations had been proceeding for several days at the Philharmonic Hall under the aole superiniendance of Bro .

Professor Humphrey J . Stark , Mus . Doc . Oxon ., one of the P . Ms , of Trinity College Lodge , assisted by Bro . Monk , and the ladies charged with the organisation of the testimonial seized this opportunity of making the presentation . Un this occasion it was clearly demonstrated that ladies can keep a secret , as the testimonial was really a pleasant suipiise to Bro . Monk . 'The subscribers included

the nainss ot about 40 ladies , and fully halt of that number assembled on Friday afternoon in one ot the rooms of the Philharmonic Hall . The chair was taken by Major R . E . Stewart , who spoke in high terms of Bro . . Mo « k ' s great ability as a professor of music . Bro . HUMPHREY J . STARK , who made the presentation on behalf ot the ladies , said it afforded him the greatest

pleasuie to be the means of conveying to Mr . Monk the Very artistic address which had been subscribed for b y his past and present pupils in token of their appreciation of his services in the cultivation of musical art . He ( Bro . Stark ) had had many opportunities of observing the manner in which Mr . Monk had performed the services as Honorary Local Secretary of Tr . nity College in that city , and he could

say with all sincerity that there was no centre in England which was more successfully worked than that over which Mr . Monk had control . ( Hear , hear . ) Indeed , the centre was so well conducted that all the local secretaries thought it uieless to endeavour to compete with Liverpool , thanks to

the indefatigable exertions of Mr . Monk . His former and present pupils had also benefited by his practical labours , and the address was an evidence of the sincere esteem and admiration they felt lor their old master . He trusted that Mr . Monk would be long spared to I 00 K upon the address as an evidence of esteem in view of faithfully performed

work . Bro . Professor Stark then read and presented the address , Which conveyed the subscribers' appreciation of Bro . Monk ' s earnest and untiring efforts towards the improvement of musical art in the city , expressing a hope that he might be long spared to labour as successfully as he had done in the past . The address , the work of Mr . T . Eyres ,

Liverpool , was an elaborate specimen of the art of illuminating , remarkable for its originality of design and harmonious colouring . It displays original water colour drawings in the top corner of two figures representing " Music , " in the lower right hand corner of other symbolical figures also illustrative of music and dancing , together with a happily conceived drawing of " Orpheus making glad the

hearts of the beasts and birds by the power of music . " These , together with a beautiful coloured drawing of the city arms , make the highly finished address unusually attractive . Bio . MONK acknowledged the presentation in an exceedingly feeling speech , in the course of which he staled that the gift was altogether unexpected . He was therefore

taken quite aback , and could not find words to express his thanks for the very splendid gilt , whicli would be treasured uy linn so long as he lived . He could assure thein it would be an incentive to him to strive even more earnestly in the cause of music in the future than he had done in the past . 'The CHAIRMAN again expressed his appreciation of Bro . Monk ' s labours , and

B . o . J . B . MCKI-NZIE , in proposing a vote of thanks to Major Stewart for presiding , said that during a lonii series of j ears in connection with another profession , he had had frequent opportunities of witnessing the excellent results of Bro . Monk's musical work , which had borne very much valuable fruit . He had been most indefatigable in his exertions as Honorary Local Secretary of Trinity College , London , and it was larnely owing to his influence and self-

Presentation To A Liverpool Musical Brother.

sacrificing efforts that Liverpool now had the privilege of occupying the position of the premier centre of the college . Major STEWART acknowledged the compliment , and the pleasant proceedings terminated .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Cratt JStagonrg . SUNDERLAND . —Palatine Lodge ( No . 97 ) . — Ihc regular meetingof this lodge was held on Thursday evening , the 14 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Park-terrace . Ihe lodge was opened punctually at 7 o ' clock by the VV . M ., Bro . C . McNamara , who was supported by the following oflicers : Bros . C . G . Watson , acting as I . P . M . ; I . I . Clay , P . M ., D . of C . ; J . C . Moor , S . W . ; J . R . Pattison , J . VV . ; R . Singleton , Sec . ; I . Hewson , actinc as S . D .:

C . M . Wake . J . D . ; J . J . Nasbet , I . G . There were present several members and thc following visitors : Bros . Dr . Potts , P . M . ; M . Frampton , P . M ., and Hcnter , 94 ; R . Kinmond , P . M . ; J . Elwen , P . M . So ; J . Eggleston , P . M . ; Hewson , J . W . ; Crisp , S . ; Simpson , I . G . 949 ; J . Sedcole , J . W . tug ; Sims , Weston , and Thompson , 1342 . After the minutes of the last meeting had been confirmed

, there being only one candidate to be passed to the Second Degree , the W . M . announced that in consequence of the time on hand he would proceed to give the candidate the lecture on the first tracing board , which was done with all its illustrations . Afterwards Bro . G . C . Watson , P . M ., passed the candidate , Bro . Clifford , to the Degree of F . C . ; after which the VV . M . gave Bros . Clifford , E . Watson , and VV . Birch , who had been raised

at the previous meeting :, the full lecture on the second tracing board . Some interesting discussion then took place respecting the forthcoming picnic to be held at Studley Royal on the 5 th prox ., and then the lodge was closed according to ancient custom . The brethren retired to the banqueting room , and there remembering their poor and afflicted brethren , £ 2 was voted to an aged Freemason who was in needy circumstances . Altogether an enjoyable evening was spent .

SOUTH SHIELDS . —St . Hilda ' s Lodge ( No . 240 ) . —On Alonday night the usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held in the Freemasons' Hall , Fowler-street , when there was a goodly attendance of brethren . The lodge was opened in due form by Bro . J . H . Thompson , VV . M ., assisted by the following brethren : Bros . G . S . Shotton , I . P . M . ; J . T . Wilson , P . M ., acting S . W . ; G . Robson , J . W . ; John Hinde , P . M ., Treas . ; I . S .

Wilson , P . M ., Sec ; VV . T . Clarke , acting S . D . ; A . E . Cowling , J . D . ; T . G . Mabane , P . M ., P . P . G . J . D ., D . of C , acting I . G . ; and others . The minutes of the previous lodge having been read and confirmed , the ballot was taken for Mr . John Emmerson , who was declared unanimously elected , and was , along with Mr . David Dadswell , duly initiated into Masonry by the W . M .. assisted by Bros . Thos . Coulson , P . M ., P . P . G . J . D ., and Shotton

G . S . , I . P . M ., who delivered the charge in a very effective manner . Bro . Geo . Robson , J . W ., gave the woiking tools . Bros . Matthew Todd and John Bobbing were afterwards passed to the Degree of Fellow Cralt by Bro . J . Roddam , P . M ., P . P . G . P . Bro . John Hinde , P . M ., & c , explained the working tools with considerable expression . On the motion of Bro . J . Roddam , P . M ., & c , and Bro . Thos . Coulson , P . M ., & c , the sum of £ 5 was voted

to the funds of the Ingham Infirmary and Dispensary and £ 1 is . to the Indigent Sick Society . The VV . M ., Bro . J . H . Thompson , was next appointed as representative of the lodge on the Charity Committee for the Province of Durham . 'The Worshipful Master then rose and addressed the brethren . He was sure they would join with him in an expression of pleasure at seeing present that night Bro .

1 . H . Haggitt , an old member and recent officer of St . Hilda's Lodge , who , as most of the brethren were aware , had about two years ago to leave this country in search of health . Bro . Haggitt had been sojourning in Texas , and as they could all bear witness he had come among them again much restored to health . He congratulated Bro . Haggitt upon the beneficial change in his health , and while giving him a hearty fraternal greeting on his

temporary return , expressed the hope that the improvement in his health would be enjoyed for many years . Bro . Haggitt suitably responded , and expressed the great pleasure he had in once more joining his brethren , and in finding that his mother lodge continued to increase and prosper , and worked in all ihe old harmony . On all sides he had been ' received most fraternally . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to refreshment and a pleasant evening was spent .

CROYDON—Frederick Lodge of Unity ( No . 452 ) - —The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , 105 , High-street , on Tuesday last , when the lodge was opened by Bro . J . C . F . VV . Rogers , W . M ., and some formal business , including the confirmation of the minutes of the last meeting and the reading of the report ol a special Committee , was proceeded with ; after which the following resolution was moved , seconded , and carried

"that the Committee's report be received and adopted and that the bye-laws as altered be referred to the R . W . the Prov . G . M . for his approval . " The ceremony of installation was performed by Bro . H . E . Frances , P . P . G . S . D ., and Secretary of the lodge . The W . M . elect was Bro . Charles M . Ohren , son of Bro . Magnus Ohren , P . G . A . D . C , the Treasurer of the lodge , who being duly presented was addressed by the Installing Master , and having thereafter given his assent to the ancient charges was , in

the presence of a Board of Installed Masters , installed by Bro . Frances into the chair of K . S ., land afterwards duly proclaimed and saluted in the Three Degrees . Bro . Frances concluded the ceremony with the customary orations to the Master , the Wardens , and the lay brethren . The oflicers appointed or elected and inves'ed for the ensuing year were : Bros . W . G . Batchelor , S . W . j David Sugg , " J . W . ; Magnus Ohren , P . G . Assist . D . C , Treas . ; H . li . Frances , P . P . G . S . D ., Sec ; C G . Scott , S . D . ; W . Geo . Hunter , J . D . j D . R . Wise , I . G . ; C . T . Speight ,