The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1867-08-31
lofal A(Jairs.

Order, this interesting ceremony was wit.
messed by comparatively few spectators.
The members of the Elkton Lodge and the
officers in charge, assembled at the new hall
about 8 o'clock Pm. The ceremony was
opened by the GIN, who announced the
object of the meeting and whose remarks
were followed by prayer by the &C. The
record deposited in the stone, with the list
of articles accompanying it, was next read
by the G.S. The stone, which was about 1G
inches square by inches deep, had cavity
in it about II by inches wide and inches
deep, into which was fitted a tin box-in this
box the record and other articles were de-
posted. This box, after the reading of the
record was concluded, was received by the
G.M., and deposited in the cavity in the
stone. The stone, by the rules of the Order,
should be placed in the N. +. corner of the
building, but the custom was in this instance
departed from, and the ceremonial stone
placed in the Northwest angle. The G.
NJ. pouring libation of water on the
stone, pronounced the following words =
% In Friendship lay this stone, earnestly
praying that while ii retains its place among
its fellows in the firm wall, the brethren who
assemble here may be as firmly bound to-
together in the bonds of Friendship, cordial
and sincere" Strcwing flowers on the stone,
he said: In Love lay this stone, earn
estly praying that as it underlies and sup
ports the cdiiice, so may love lie at the bot
tom of our hearts, and support the whole
superstructure of our lives Strcwinp
wheat, he continued: {" In Truth | lay this
stone, earnestly praying that unblemished
Truth and Honor may ever reign here su.
prcme, and govern all that is here said and
done" lie then gave the stone three taps
with the gavel, repeating: {" In the name of
Bcnevolcnce and Charity lay this stone
And may God in his mercy grant that it may
never be removed, so long as Benevolcnce
and Charity are dear to the hearts of mcn!"
The architect next delivered a trowel of
mortar to the en-, who, spreading it on
the corner stone, fixed corresponding
stone thereon, pronouncing at the same time
the following: Gas this cement binds TO.
gether the stones of the wall, so may the
stones Of brotherly affection bind us to-
gother all the days of our lives here below :;
and so may the cement of the Divine Love,
in our Father own good time, unite us as
living stones in the Temple above, the house
not made with hands, eternal in the heav-
ensn" This concluded the ceremony, when
,In 1 Il. Al.
clamat;on: " By direction of the M.W.G.
NJ, declare this cornerstone duly laid ac.
cordng to regular and ancient form and
the building that is to rise upon it devoted
to the principles and work of Odd,Fellow.
ship A prayer was then offered by the
&C. The GIN. pronounced the solemn
ceremonies concluded, followed by bene-
diction by the &C.
In addition to the record, which is brief
history Of the Elkton Lodge, and hall now
IN course Of construction, (but which is too
long for our limited space the following
documents, &c., were deposited in the stone:
A pamphlet copy of the proceedings of last
sessian Of the Grand Lodge of the United
States; pamphlet copy ofthe proceedings
OF the Grand Lodge Of Maryland copies of
the daily papers Of the cities of Philadel.
phia and Baltimore Of that days date cop
les OF the last issues of the county papers.
Hhtg and Democrat; list of the present
officers Of the Lodge; list of the visiting
brethren of the Lodge present on the occa.
sion; specimens Of the National currency.
and other coins Of the day, &c. The stone
and box were covered with cement. and y
slate laid over them and pressed down till
firmly imbedded in the cement, making the
box alright and the solid brick wall bull,
round and over all.
Our Town BAILlrF has given the street
cutters thorough cleansing, and prepared
them to receive the winter rains. md in
some measure relieve the streets from the
abundance OF mud which usually covers
them at that season, almost knee deem
Church street is in want of attention. The
residents thereof complain that they have to
pay town tax, and yet their street, which
is in bad condition, is having nothing done
to it. The drain from the jail pump needs
attention badly. If left in the condition
which it now is and has been all summer.
the side walk in front of it, which is con-
santly Hooded, will be covered with sheet
OF ice in the freezing weather, for persons
to fall and break their necks or limbs on,
for which the town may be compelled to
loot a bill of damages for it is wilful, cul.
pablo neglect, that allows it to remain in
the condition it now is.
A MARROW EscApE.-On Monday night
last, Jas. Black Groome, Esq, had his car
rage backed off the east abutment of Gil.
pins bridge, over Big Elk, mile from town.
Mr.. Groome and a young lady were in the
carriage, and made q very narrow escape
from serious, if not fatal, injury. Fortu.
nately, they escaped with some Bruises
When ascending the abutment, the horse
took fright at the noise made by wagon
which was leaving the bridge and descending
the abutment at the time Mr.. Groome drove
on to it.
AT this same spot, during the recent high
ireshet, two vehicles went over the side of
the abutment, resulting in the drowning of
one of the horses, and an almost miraculous