Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-07-29
LAYING A CORNER STONE.

The ceremony of lay ing the corner stone Of
the new Presbyterian Church, at Charlestown,
was performed BY the Order Of Free and Ac-
tepted Masons, on the 18th inst. The stone
was laid BY u. p HUNTER, r. W. D. G. NJ,
Of Virgins. This ceremony was followed by
an Anthem by the ChOr-Prayer by the Rev.
Mr. Martin--An 0de-An Grafton by Bro.
B. B. French. NJ. W. Grand Master Of the
District Of Columbia--An Ode-Benedic-
ton.
The "Cecilian Brass Band, Of this place,
added no little to the exercises of the day, by
performing many fine and appropriate airs.
At a convocation, held after these procee-
dings, the following were among the resolu-
tons adopted:
! Resolued, That thanks be tsndered to
Worsbipful Deputy Grand Master Il. p.
| HUNTER, d. d. G. NJ. LEWIS Fry, of this
Masonic District, aud all visiting Brothers
for their cordial participation and aid in all
the Masonic ceremonies of laying the Corner
Stone.
RESOLVED. That Bro, C. j. FAuLKSER's
Letter to this Lodge. stating his inability to
attend the ceremonies of the 18th, be pub
lished.
Mr. Faulkner's letter reads as follows:
RIcHMoSD, July 5, 1851
Brethren: had the honor this evening of
receiving your kind communication of yester-
day, inviting me to be present on the 18th
day of this mouth at the laying of the cor
ner stone Of the Presbyterian Church in
Charlestown, and to participate With you in
the Masonic solerss..:ies of that occasion ]
feel justly proud to think. that although alb
sent from you, you bave not forgotten me,
and that l still occupy some space, however
limited, in your kind recollections. 1t would,
indeed, give me pleasure to be with you--to
refresh my feelings once more at the pure
fountain of Masonic Love-to join you in do
ing honor to one of the noblcst institutions
that ever administered to the relief of suffer-
ing humanity to hear from the eloquent
and distinguished Brother, who is to be with
you on that day, an calculation Of those
principles which, with me, can never grow
stale by repetition. But | am here public
servant, resting under solemn engagement
never to abandon my post for one hour where
my absence might cause the slightest detri-
meut to the opinions or interests of the gen.
er1us constituency which sent me here. The
state of some of the most important questions,
now before the Convention, and the condi-
ton in which they are likely to continue for
week or more, render it impossi Bile for me
to be absent with safety for a single hour.
can, therefore, my Brethren be with you
only in Imagination. And | shall think of
you often on that day and glory in the reHec-
tion that ] am an humble member of your no
BILE and time -honored craft. May Your asso-
citation upon that interesting occasion be free
from every annoyance which can mar your
happiness or disturb your harmony. and may
you find in every assemblage of the fraternity,
fresh and additional inducements to cultivate
those virtues which are the pride and orna-
ment of our Institution.
/ beg to be afectionately remembered to
every brother Mason who may be with you
on that day.
And to you brethren of the Committee, |
return my thanks for the very courteous and
friendly terms in which you have extended
this invitation to me.
Fraternally yours,
CHAS. j. FAULKNER.