Middletown transcript., 1868-08-01
The list of the articles deposited in the
box was then read as follows:

l
the Stockholders and officers of the Com
pany; map of Middletown, and busi-
ness directory of the town; copy of the
first issue Of the Middletown Transcript,
and copy of each of the Wilmington pa
pers; list of the members of Union
Lodge, No. 5, A. f. A. M. of Middle
town, and list of the officers of the M. W.
Grand Lodge of Delaware; various coins
of the United States; an English Farthing
of 1855, found in the old brick building
which formerly stood upon the site of the
Town Hall; paper money-Continenta
Confederate, and United States,
Grand Master.-There being no OBJ
lection, now order you, Brother Grand
Treasurer, to deposit the Box with its
contents. in the place prepared for its
reception.
The principal Architect then presents
the Working Tools to the Grand Master,
who directs the Grand Marshal to present
them to the Deputy Grand Master, and
Senior and Junior Grand Wardens.
HYMN .-TUNE Old HUNDRED"
The Rock-Great Builder of the World
On which this Buildings base we lay,
By Thee was made of iron strength,
And radiant white as glorious day.
Our Jepels, too, were formed by Thee,
The Square, the Level, and the Plumb /:
These, the Foundation, laws of Life,
From Thy own Word eternal come!
Thou freely gavest the things, with which
To build in Soul, to build with Hand,
And thus, this Cornerstone we lay,
AS long as Freedom stands, to stand!
The Grand Master, the Deputy Grand
Master, Grand Wardens andPast Grand
Masters then descend from the platform,
the Grand Master taking the Trowel, the
Deputy Grand Master the Square, and the
Senior Grand Warden the Level, and the
Junior Grand Warden the Plumb the
Grand Master and Past Grand Masters
standing at the East of the Stone, his
Deputy on his right, the Senior Grand
Warden at the West, and the Junior Grand
Warden at the South side of the Stone.
The Grand Master then spreads the ce-
ment; after which, he directs the Grand
Marshal to order the Craftsmen to lower
the Stone. This is done by three motions,
viz z:-1st, by lowering few inches and
stopping, when the public Grand Honors
are given; I'd, again lowering a few in
ches, and giving Grand Houors; Sd, let
ting the Stone down to its place, and
giving the Grand Honors, as before. The
Square, Level and Plumb, are then ap-
piled to the Stone by the proper Officers.
Grand Mster.-Right Worshipful Dep
uty Grand Master: What is the proper
Jewel of your office?
Deputy Grand Mdsfer.-The Square.
Grand Master. Have you applied the
Square to those parts of the Stone that
should be square? ft
Deputy Grand Master.-I have, Most
Worshipful Grand Master, and the Crafts
men have done their duty.
Grand Mu'ter.-Right Worshipful Se-
nior Grand Warden: What isthe proper
Jewel of your Office?
Senior GRIND Warden.-TheLevel
Grand Moster.-Have you applied the
Level to the Stone?
Senior Grand Warden.-I have, Most
Worshipful Grand Master, and the Crafts
men have done their duty.
Grand Master.-Right Worshipful Ju-
nior Grand Warden What isthe proper
Jewel of your office?
Junior Grand Wdrden-The Plumb.
Grand Master.-Have you applied the
Plumb to the several edges of the Stone
Junior Grand Wardem.-I have, Most
Worshipful Grand Master, and the Crafts
men have done their duty.
Grand Master.-Having full confidence
in your skill in the Royal Art, it re-
mains with me now to finish the work.
The Grand Master then gives three
knocks upon the Stone, saying s.
Know all of you who hear me. We
proclaim ourselves free andlawful Masons,
true to the laws of our country, profess
sing to fear God and confer benefits on
mankind. We practice universal benefi-
cence towards all. We have secrets con-
cealed from the eyes of men which may
not be revealed to any but Masons, and
which no cowan has yet discovered; they
are however, lawful and honorable. I'm
less our .Craftwas good and our calling
honest, these secrets would not have ex-
istedfor SO many generations, nor should
we have had SO } many illustrious per-
sonages as Brethren of our Order, always
ready to sanction our proceedings and
contribute to our welfare. We ave as
sembled in the broad face of open day,
under the canopy of Heaven, to lay the
Corner Stone of this Hall.
PsALM........-..........efPr Praise.
PRAYER RY Rev, JoHN Parton, D. D.
The Deputy Grand Master then receives
from the Grand Marshal the Cornucopia
containing Corn, and spreads the corn
upon the Stone, saying
g May the health of the Workmen en-
ployed in this undertaking be preserved
to them, and may the Supreme Grand
Architect bless aud prosper their labors."
When once of old, in Israel,