Middletown transcript., 1868-08-01
CEREMONIES
LAYING THE CORNERSTONE
THE TOWN HALL,

1IAH ~ w ~ AA<AAA<t
Monday, July 9th, was the day set
apart for the ceremonies of laying the
Cornerstone of the Town Hall, of Mid
dletown, Del. The ceremonies were con-
Quoted (under the auspices of Union Lodge
No. s, A. f. A. nj. of Middletown) by the
M. w. Grand Lodge of Delaware.
The day was inauspicious, rain continu-
ing to fall throughout the morning. Not
withstanding the unfavorable state of the
weather there was large number of the
Fraternity present; among them the NJ.
w. Grand Lodge of Delaware, and St.
Johns Commandery of Knights Templar.
from Wilmington, attended by Ritchie's
Band; Washington Lodge, No. 1, and
Lafayette Lodge No. IL, also of Whining
ton. Delegations were present from St.
Johns Lodge, No. 2, of New Castle;
jackson Lodge No. 10, of Delaware City;
Harmony Lodge, No. II, of Smyrna;
Lodge, No. 90, of Millington, Md. and
Cecil Lodge, of Chesapeake City, Md.
Union Lodge, No. s, Of Middletown, Del.
was present in force, attended by the
Odessa Cornet Band.
r.. T.. Lockwood, of Union Lodge, No.
s, Chief Marshall, Thomas E. Hurn, and
Thomas W. Buckle, Assistants. The line
was formed at 2 o'clock, P. M. and the
procession moved down Main street to
Catherine, countermarched to Broad, up
Broad to Lake, down Lake to Wood, down
Wood to Main, and thence to the Hall.
Arrived at the Hall, the Grand Lodge
proceeded to open in public form. Past
Master j. NJ. Cox, of Union Lodge No. 5
of Middletown, President of the Board of
Directors, on behalf Of the Board, then
arose and invited the NJ w. Grand Mas
ter to deposit the Corners Stone in its pro-
per place in due Masonic form.
The NJ. w. Grand Master then pro-
ceeded to lay the Cornerstone, observing
the following order of ceremonies on the
occasion:
MUSIC BY THE BAND.
OPENING.
NJ W. Grand Mnster.-Right Worship
full Senior Grand Warden The Grand
Lodge having been assembled for the pur-
pose of laying the Cornerstone of this
Hall here to be erected, it is my order
the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge be now
opened for the performance of that impor-
tant ceremony. This my will and plea
sure you will communicate to the Right
Worshipful Junior Grand Warden, and
he to the Brethren present, that all hav-
ing due notice may govern themselves ac-
cordingly.
Senior Grand Warclen-Right Wor-
shipful Junior Grand Warden 1t is the
order of the Most Worshipful Grand
Master Of the Grand Lodge of the State
ofDelaware, that this Cornerstone be now
laid with Masonic honors. This his will
and pleasure you will proclaim to all
present, that the occasion may be OBJ
served with due order and solemnity.
Junior Grand Warden.-Brethren and
all who are present, take notice, that the
Most Worshipful Grand Master will now
deposit this Foundation-Stone in Masonic
form. You will observe the order and
decorum becoming the important and
solemn ceremonies in which we are about
TO engage.
HYNM.-TUNE " DoRT."
Father of love and might,
Send forth thy holy light
On us to shine;
Be thou our Sovereign Lord,
And may thy Holy Word
Be to us shield and sword,
Master Divine.
Bound in one Brotherhood,
Owning one common blood,
Children of thine;
Fill us with kindliness,
Prompt to relieve distress,
Wearing thy true impress,
Master Divine.
With joyful hands, to-day.
This Corner Stone we lay
With Corn and Wine;
But do thou build up one,
WEonght in the living stone
OF our true hearts alone,
Master Divine.
Then when this house shall fall,
Fair front and sculptured wall,
In long decline;
May the True Temple grace
Thy heavenly dwelling-place,
With every stone in place,
Master Divine.
Savior Omnipotent,
Crown Thou our good intent
With grace of Thine;
Protect this house we rear;
And when Thou shalt appear
Save us who gather here,