The Airlie Memorial.

The Airlie Memorial .

I ^ HE movement to erect a memorial on the lands of Airlie to a noble son of the ancient and illustrious Ogelvy family , who gave his life on the battle fields of South Africa for his Queen and country , witnessed its culminating stage at the laying of the foundation-stone of the structure last month by the Masonic body of which the late Earl was a

member . The gathering was representative of all parts of the county and all classes of the community , and rarely has a Masonic ceremony of so impressive a character been witnessed as that enacted at the laying of the foundation of the noble pile in course of construction to the memory of William David Stanley Ogelvy , the ninth Earl of Airlie .

THE LATE HRO . THE EARL OF AIRLIE . At the base of the hill , the brethren arrayed in the regalia of the Craft , and numbering between 200 and 300 , marshalled in processional order—the place of honour being conferred

on Lodge Airlie , Kirriemuir . Preceded by a trio of stalwart pipers , the procession set out at a slow pace for the summit . Having reached within 200 yards or so of the building , the brethren halted , and opening to right and left , allowed the members of the Provincial Grand Lodge to pass up the

centre . Again forming two deep , the brethren , now led by the Provincial Grand Lodge , slowly and solemnly approached the monument . On reaching the platform at the memorial , the National Anthem was played by the band , after which the Hon . C . M .

Ramsay , Provincial Grand Afaster-Depute , in the absence through illness of the Provincial Grand Master , proceeded with the ceremony of laying the stone . The Rev . Bro . Paisley , Brechin , Provincial Grand Chaplain , then offered up prayer , in which he referred to Lord Airlie ' s fidelity to duty

and his heroism in the presence of danger . That memorial , as it recalled Lord Airlie ' s love of faithful service , might be the means of strengthening the hearts of both young and old , with more fervent loyalty and devoted patriotism , with a growing and strengthening sense of duty to God , and of widening and deepening charity one to another . Prayer was followed by the singing of a hymn by a specially

organised choir . Thereafter the youthful Envl of Airlie presented the Provincial Grand Master-Depute with a mallet , which bore on one side the coat of arms of the House of Airlie , and on the other side a silver shield with the following inscription : — " Presented to the Honourable Charles Maule Ramsay

on the occasion of laying the memorial stone of monument erected on Tullo' Hill , Cortachy , to the memory of the late Lieutenant-Colonel the Right Hon . David , ninth Earl of Airlie . —31 st August , 1901 . " The stone was duly laid according to the prescribed rites ,

and the impressive ceremony was concluded by the contents of the cornucopia being thrown upon the stone and wine and oil poured upon it . All through the ceremony was of a most impressive character . The Provincial Grand Master-Depute delivered an address ,

in which he spoke of the high character and sterling qualities of the man whose memory they desired to honour , and expressed his belief that the memorial would always be looked on with respect and veneration by all who regarded the late Earl as one who had deserved well of his country , as he had served it nobly .

THE . MEMORIAL . In replying later to a vote of thanks , the Hon . C . M . Ramsay said that the enthusiasm of the late Earl of Airlie as a Freemason was very great , and it was highly gratifying

on that occasion to see such a gathering of the Masonic Fraternity doing honour to the memory of one so devoted to the Craft . The proceedings terminated with the singing of the National Anthem .