The Portland daily press., 1869-08-04
Laying OF the Corner stenc of the I'd
Universaiist slhufch.

OHkFtfsatlst OUutcns
The laying of the corner stone of the I'd Uni
versalist Church took place yesterday after
noon, at the corner of Congress and India
streets, on the old Thomas lot. The exercises
commenced with the reading of the Scriptures,
followed by the singing of an original Hymn,
the words of which were read by Rev. Mr..
Smith ofNew York. AT the conclusion of the
hymn, which was sung by the Sabbath School
children, prayer was offered by Rev. N R.
Wright, of Lynn, Mass, followed by very
fine address by Rev. G. w. Quinby of Angus
ia, editor of the Gospel Banner, and which we
shall publish in to-morrow's edition. Rev.
Mr.. Gunnison read paper describing the con-
tents of the box to be placed under the corner
stone. The following is list of the contents:
Sketch of the Society; Copper plate. on which Is
engraved name of Society, date OF laying corner
stone by the Masonic Fraternity; Officers Of the So
and contractors copper plate, on which is engraved
the birth and death Of Hon. j. c. Churchill, one OF
the pillars OF Unversasm in this city; copy Of the
sermon preached at his funeral by Rev. i. NJ At
wood; copper plate, on which is engraved the name
OF L. l.. Sadler, pastor of the First Universalist
Church In Portland for Ave years. who died October,
1887, aged 81 years. statement Of faith and Bylaws
Of the First Universalist Church; minutes OF the
Univsrsalist General Convention OF the United
the first Universast preacher in Maine; minutes of
the Maine Universast Convention for 1867 and 1868
GRAFTON by DR.: E. II; Chaplin July A. 1854; semi-an-
nual report of Portland High School July 15 1863;
Christian Almanac for 1861; annual report Of the
several departments of the City Government for
1859; Municipal Register for 1885, picture OF the
house OCCUPYING the spot before the great fire and
owned by Elias Thomas; plan Of Portland 1858; view
of Portland; Portland Transcript containing an ac-
Ss Extra july j. 1885, r Da2
Press issned after the g eat fire Of 1856 first Eve
logue Of westbrook Seminary 1868; Maine Journal
OF Education, June, 1869; sketch OF Portland from
sunday Advertiser July 1s, 1869; copy Gospel Ban
81, 1853; Portland Daily Press Of Aug s, 1860; Daily
Argus, do; Sunday Advertiser of Aug. l. 1869; Daily
script, July 81, 1869; Christian Mirror, do papers
recently taken from the ball over the vane of the
High street Church, viz:-christian Mirror May p,
Intelligence, Aug 8, 1881; Daily Courier, do; East
ern Argus, July 20, 1881, and Portland Advertiser,
June 1881; cons-silyer one half pistareen, date
175 do quarter dollar, 1885, do ten cent piece 1922
new three and five cent pisces of 1866 And 1867; lot
of postal currency in circulation also variety
OF postage and revenue stamps lot of copper coin OF
various dates.
The corner stone was then laid with proper
Masonic ceremonies. The acting Grand Mas
ter of the order inquired of the Deputy Grand
Master, Josiah 81. Drummond, the badge of
his Office. He replied, the square; and then
applied the square to the stone and reported it
was square. The Senior Grand Warden, G.
NJ. Rice, then applied the level, and reported
favorably; after which the Junior Grand War
den, B. +. Andrews, then applied the plumb.
The above named officers then poured on the
stone lbations of corn, wine and oil; after
which the Grand Master returned the working
tools to the Grand Master Architect. The ex-
ercises closed with music by the Portland
Band, singing the Doxology, and Benediction
There were quite large number of persons
present, ,notwithstandin the threatening aspect
of the clouds; and the slight shower, just after
the commencement of the exercises, only drove
away few of the assembled crowd. A plat
form had been erected for the speakers, the
Grand Lodge, and invited guests; and small
table, covered with red damask, on which was
laid the Bible and vase of beautiful flowers
served as a reading desk. The st. Albanl
Commandery turned out in full regalia, tt
perform escort duty for the Grand Lodge, ac
companied by the Portland Band, and the ele
| CANT uniforms gave semi-mlitary aspect te
the proceedings. The whole affair passed of
very pleasantly, and we shall soon hope to SEE
another added to the long list of commodioui
and beautiful churches lately erected in this
city