Freemasonry In China.

and luxury , virtue being the only true dividing line ; ancl the Plumb Rule as an emblem of rectitude , reminding- ns to act justly and equitably in all our dealings . In like manner the other symbols before you have each their meaning , the whole forming a chain of poetry and morality which is a charm of our Institution . I will not

detain you further , but having now fairly tested this foundation stone , ancl poured upon it the symbols of peace , plenty , and goodwill , I have the honour to inform you that it has been faithfully laid according to our ancient and established rites ; and

while thanking you in the name of the brethren for the honour conferred upon the Fraternity in selecting them for the performance of this duty , permit me also to express the hope that the proceedings commenced so auspiciously may continue

successfully , and your new church soon become an ornament and a blessing to the settlement . H . B . M . ' s Consul read the following address in reply : " The Right Worshipful Deputy Provincial

Grand Master having reported the Masonic ceremony to be duly finished , it becomes my duty to announce to you that the foundation stone of Trinity Church is now laid . On no more auspicious day could so important an act have been performed

than on this the anniversary of the birth of our most Gracious Queen . It is indeed fitting that the present members of the English community , the legislative successors of former generations who lived here under the shadow of the British

protection , should take occasion to combine the remembrance of this interesting ceremony with a fete , the return of which is welcomed by Englishmen all over the globe with feelings of delight .

And first , gentlemen , let me return my thanks to the Right AVorshipful Deputy Provincial Grand Master ancl the other brethren , for the care and labour which they have bestowed in arranging the details of the proceedings . It is a fact which must

be known to the students of Masonic history , that many of the great Christian temples reared in the Middle Ages in France , the Low Countries , and England , were not the production of single architects , but the work of companies of Masons bound

together by ties more or less similar to those which are recognised by the theoretic Masons of the present day , and that they have left engraved on solid blocks of Masonry , interspersed throughout these vast Gothic edifices , the symbols of the timehonoured Craft . There appeared therefore to the trustees a peculiar fitness , in this distant land , in

their calling for the assistance of the Masonic brethren on this solemn and interesting occasion . Next , I desire to offer our thanks to my worthy colleagues the Consul Generals for France and the United States , and the rest of the consular body ,

for having favoured us with their attendance . Neither on this occasion should I omit to refer to the concern manifested by the Taotai , of whose presence a sudden summons to Soochow has deprived us , nor to recognise the hearty goodwill

with which the native magistrates have responded to our invitation . Our obligations ought to be expressed to the senior naval officer ancl men of H . M . squadron , and to the commandants , officers , and volunteers foot and mounted , whose escort

has dignified our procession . To our other guests , ancl especially to the ladies who have graced the ceremony by their presence , we specially desire to tender our most sincere thanks . You are aware that the spacious area on which

we now stand was presented to the community almost as a gift by Mr . Thomas Chay Beale , an influential merchant , who died here several years

ago . The first church on it was the design of Mr . George Strachan , architect , and was completed in the year 1847 . The first clergyman appointed to its cure was Mr . John Lewder , who arrived in the beginning of 1848 , ancl was unfortunately

drowned , September 24 th , 1849 . His successor , the Rev . John Hobson , was appointed in 1850 . In July of that year the roof of the church fell in one Sunday morning a short time prior to the hour of service . The restoration of the church

occupied about a year , and service was resumed in the building in August , 1851 . In 1862 , this ( which may be called the second

church ) was taken down , the tower ancl roof being declared unsafe . In the same year , the community had the misfortune to lose its Chaplain , the late worthy and Rev . John Hobson . The temporary church in which we now worship

was opened for service at Christmas 1862 , and the present respected incumbent was placed amongst us , May 9 th , 1864 . Neither ought we , in recalling the benefactions made to this society to pass over the presentation of the organ by Mr . J . Skinner ,

long time a resident merchant in Shanghai . The edifice of which we have this day laid the foundation stone may therefore be considered as the fourth place of worship erected in connection with the Church of England , and the Establishment provided