The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-06-18 00:00:00

Lord F. Egerton, who appeared in excellent health and
spirits; two young ladies, his daughters; his lady's re-
spected mother (wheeled to the ground in a small hand.
machine); several clergymen in their canonicles, including
Mr. Blackburn, !lector of Prestwich, Mr. Rigg, of Ellen-
brook, Mr. Grindleston, of Deane, and others; Mr. C.
Kendall; Mr. H. R. Worrall, of Workden moor; and a
number of the gentry of the neighbourhood and from
distant places, including many ladies.
About half-past twelve o'clock George Egerton, Esq.,
the young heir, came up from the village with another
procession of gentlemen. The 100th Psalm was sung by
the whole assemblage. A prayer was then offered up by
the Rev. Mr. Rieg. Gold and silver coins of the present
day, and medals struck for the immediate occasion, were
then deposited in the aperture under the stone. All
being ready for the performance of the ceremony, and a
plate, bearing the inscription " A.D. 1844 (in Roman
letters), Lord F. Egerton," being placed over the coins,
&c.,—
The Rev. Mr. MARSDEN, Vicar of Eccles, stepped for-
ward to the young gentleman who was mainly to officiate,
and, on presenting him with a small silver trowel, said in
effect, that he had great pleasure ,n placing in his hand
that trowel, with which he was that day to place the foun-
dation stone of the sacred edifice there to be erected, and
which would stand as another example of the munificence
of his noble father in promoting the spiritual education
and welfare of those around him,—and which it was left
to him (Mr. Egerton) that day to complete.
GEORGE EGERTON, Esq., (who appeared somewhat
bashful) said he had great pleasure in receiving the trowel
with which he was to deposit the first stone, and (as we
understood him) would be most happy to promote the ob-
jects in view, of which he much approved. (Loud cheers.)
The stone was then lowered, and the young gentleman
went through the usual ceremony of adjusting it by the
square and plummet, and was enthusiastically cheered.
The Rev. Mr. BLACKBURN then addressed the assemblage
with great feeling and effect, congratulating them on the
happy occasion of the commencement of an edifice to be
dedicated to the glory of God, and in' which, according
to the holy Scriptures, would be taught the doctrines of
Christ and him crucified. He made a beautiful allusion
to St. Paul, who visited a fine country, but was depressed
in mind, ,for there an altar was erected to the unknown
God. It was delightful to contemplate the scene around
them. The canal brought them traffic, the fields yielded
them verdure, even the bowels of the earth their valuable
stores ; but all was as nothing to the creation of a temple
amongst them to the only true God; and after alluding to
the lilies of the field, which the- glory of Solomon could
not equal, he congratulated them most sincerely in having
met together on so interesting an occasion—the celebra-
.tion of the majority of Mr. George Egerton, and on the fact
that the first public act of his life was to perform the
ceremony of that day. That gentleman had, he might
inform them; given himself up to the service of his
Queen and country, and at some inconvenience had tra.
veiled fifty miles that "morning to be present amongst
them. He also congratulated them on the circumstance that
that younggentlernan should lay the first stone, as hedoubted
not he would in after life be its warm supporter. It was
good that the Church should be brought to their own
doors, that they might there dedicate their children to
the Trinity in baptism ; that they might there in riper
years be confirmed ; that they might there avail them-
selves of the rites of matrimony ; that they might there
find a solace amidst the cares of the world, a consolation
in sickness, and finally a resting place for their earthly
remains. He trusted that the objects of the founders of
the structure—hat souls might be brought to God—
would be blessed, and concluded by a fervent aspiration
that it would please God long to spare Lord Egerton,
and that when he closed his earthly career he might find
acceptance in a house not made with bands.
The assemblage was then briefly addressed by Mr.
Monst.Ey, who, after alluding to the perishable nature of
all below, and to spiritual food that would there be dis-
pensed, to last for eternal life, expressed a hope that the
new edifice would be found to be highly beneficial in that
populous neighbourhood. The warmest thanks, he added,
of the community were due to the contributors to, and
promoters of, this good work.
The National Anthem was thenlung by the children of
the schools, followed by loud cheers for the young lord
and Lord Francis Egerton, the National Anthem by the
band, &c.
The church is, we were informed, to be in the " de-
corated" old English style that came after that which had,
for a long time, prevailed up to about the year 1275. It
will be built with good stone, and will form a fine object
to the eye of the passenger on the Manchester railway, in
addition to Lord Egerton's New Hall, 'which is on the
same hill, about a quarter of a mile to the westward. Be.
tweed the two, in a field near the nevi mansion, four heavy
pieces of brass artillery were stationed, and continued to
firefeus-de-joie throughout the day—rousing the echoes
in the woods and hollows formany miles 'round. The east
number of:flags floating from the several halls, buildings,,
trees, and eminences, far and'near, together with the ver-
dure of the whole elevated tract Of country, spangled with
groups of holiday saunterers, rendered the scene exceed-
ingly gay and interesting. There wanted but a tourna-
ment at the baronial-looking hall to bring us back to the
days of chivalry and romance.