The Caucasian. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1874-1875, 1874-05-30

Laying OF tina Corner Stons Of the
New Episcopal Church.
This interesting ceremony, whice
owing to the higk wateIet the want
Of mail facilities &c., waspostponed
some weeks ago.. was performed on
Monday last, and was witnessed by
a. large concourse Of people from
town and country. The number OF
ladies present was an evidence Of
the interest taken in the matter.
At eleven o'clock A. NJ, the beau
tisul and impressive morning SER
vice OF the Episcopal. Church was
read in tho Exchange Hail. after
which the congregation moved in
procession, accompanying the Ma.
sonic fraternity, to the site of the
new church. Arrived there, . the
ladies took shelter from tho heat Of
the Sun in the unfinished building
and the Masons, under the leader
ship Of the Deputy Grand Master
Of the Grand Lodge, our esteemed
young friend, John M. Barrett Esq,
arranged themselves around the
Corner Stone, which was placed in
the South East corner of the build
ing, having chizeled out in its cen
ter recepticle for the box prepar.
ed to fit it. The masonic ceremo-
MES of the. occasion were thus
opened, as we understand is always
the case in Masonic meetings, by
the reading of a prayer by the
Chaplain of the Oliver Lodge, DR..
Henry st. John. This was follow.
ed by the saying Of the following
ode, which was impressively rem
dered:
Deep in the quarries of the stone,
Amid vast heaps OF other rock,
In darkness hid, to art unknown,
We found this rude aud shapeless block.
Now shaped by art, its roughness gone,
And fit this noble work to grade;
And lay it here, q corner stone,
Chosen and sure, in proper place.
Within this stone there lies conceal'd
What future ages may disclose,
The sacred truths to uS reveard,
BY Him who fell by ruthless foes.
On Him, this corner stone we build,
To Him, this edifice erect;
And still, until this works fulfill'd,
May heaven the workman's ways direct.
Then the present master of the
Lodge, than whom no more worthy
choice could have been made, our
amiable and courteous friend, Ed
Guard We'll ESQ.,, was handed the
emblem of his Office, the square,
aAd having measured the stone, he
reported that it was square, and
that the craftsmen had performed
their duty WE'LL" Like measure
ments and reports were made by
the Senior Warden, Mr.. w. o.
Dammon, with the rule and by the
Junior Warden, Mr.. Sol Hess, with
the plumb.
Then the cup of corn, emblem.
matte of "plenty " was poured on
the stone, followed by the cup of
wine, representative of "joy" and
by the cup Of oil, expressive of
" peace" Preceding the pouring
of the corn, wine and oil, the sealed
tin box, containing copy of the
bible prayer book and constitution
and bylaws of the st. James Epis-
copal Church, was exhibited and
it's contents explained to the audi
ence, after which it was placed in
the niche in the block of stone.
The Masonic ceremony was then
by the singing of the
following:
Now our social ]abors closing,
Homage of the heart we pay;
Each in confidence reposing,
Kindest thoughts that ne'er decay.
Let us each, in Times commotion,
Heavily light aud truth implore:
Thus we'll pass life's stormy ocean,
Landing Oh happier shore.
After which the Rev. A, n. Or.