The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-05-15

The Grand Master received the tool:
and descending to the foundation ap
piled the plumb, tho square and the
level in their proper positions. He ther
returned to the stand, and said:
have tried ard proved this stone by
plumb, square and level, and pronounce
it to be well formed, true and trusty.
The Deputy Grand Master then pre-
sented the Grand Master with horn o
wheat, (called by the ancients corn,) say
ing:
Most Worshipful, I present you witt
the corn of nourishment.
The Grand Master took the horn anG
scattered its contents upon the stone
He was then presented with the silver
cup of wine by the Senior Grand War.
den, who said:
Most Worshipful, I present you with
the wine of refreshment.
The Grand Master received the cup and
poured the wine upon the stone. The
Junior Grand Warden then presented
him with the cup of oil, saying:
Most Worshipful, I present you with
the oil of joy.
The Grand Master took the cup and
likewise poured it's contents upon the
stone, and then made the following in
vocation:
May the all-bounteous Author of Ma
ture bless the inhabitants Of this place
with all the necessaries, conveniences
and comforts of life; assist in the cree.
ton and completion of this building
protect the workmen against every acci-
dent; long preserve this structure from
decay; and grant to us all a supply of the
corn of fnourishment, the wine of refresh
ment, and the oil of joy. So mote it be,
Amen.
The Grand Master then struck the
stone three times with his hiram, and
the members of the fraternity, at the
command of the Grand Marshal, gave
the public grand honors of Masonry by
three times three.
The various implements Of architecture
were then returned to the principal arch
itect by the Grand Master, who said:
Worthy Sir, having thus, as Grand
Master Of Masons, laid the foundation
stone of this structure, now deliver
these implements of your profession
into your hands, intrusting you with the
superintendence and direction OF the
work, having full confidence in your
skill and capacity to conduct the same.
The choir then sung the anthem,
Beautiful are Thy Towers" after which
the Grand Master addressed the assem-
bly, as follows:
Men and brethren here assembled, be
it known unto you that we be lawful
Masons, true and faithful to the laws OF
our country, and engaged, by solemn
obligations, to erect magnificent build
ings to be serviceable TO the brethren,
and to fear God, the Great Architect OF
the Universe. We have among us, con-
cealed from the eyes Of men, secrets
which cannot be divulged, and which
have never been found out, but these
secrets are lawful and honorable, and
not repugnant to the laws of God or
man. They were intrusted, in peace and
honor, to the Masons of ancient times,
and having been faithfully transmitted
to US, it is our duty to convey them un-
impaired to the latest posterity. Unless
our craft were good and our calling hon
orable we should not have lasted for so
many centuries, nor should we have
been honored with the patronage of so
many illustrious men in all ages, who
have ever shown themselves ready to
promote our interest and defend us from
all adversaries. We are assembled here
to-day, in the face of you all, to build q
house, which we pray God may deserve
to prosper, by becoming place Of con-
course for good men and promoting har-
mony and brotherly love throughout the
world, till time shall be no more.
To this the Masons responded:
So mote it be. Amen.
According to ancient usage, volunta-
ry collection was then made by the
Grand Steward among the members OF
the fraternity for the needy workmen,
amounting to eight or nine dollars, which
was placed upon the stone. While the
collection was being made, the choir
sung the beautiful anthem, "How beau
tiful in Zion"
At the conclusion Of this anthem the
Grand Master, stepping to the front of
the stand, and commanding silence by
three raps with his hiram, said:
now have the pleasure of introducing
to the assemblage Rev. DR.. Frierson,
who will favor us with short address.
DR.. Frierson then arose, and, with his
usual dignity and eloquence, said:
The proposition to erect a new Church
had been entertained by this congrega-
ton several different times, both before
and after the war, but at no time had it
been found expedient to push forward
the enterprise. In May, 1878, the Session
Of this Church called q meeting of the
congregation to consider that subject
again, and at that meeting the PROPOSE
ton that it was now expedient for the
Presbyterian Church Of Anderson to
enter upon that enterprise was unani-
mously voted, and committee of sub
scriptions, consisting of D. e. Frierson,
w. S. Ligon and p. X. McCully, was ap-
pointed. In few weeks afterwards that
committee reported to called meeting
of the congregation that subscription
of $4,000 had been obtained. Upon that
information it was determined to erect
an edifice of brick, with basement and
superior chamber, with sitting capacity
of 400 to 450, and committee of plans
was organized, consisting of Gen. w. w.
Humphreys and others, who were IN
structed to open a correspondence with
various architects for plans and speciti-
cations. That correspondence resulted
eventually in the selection Of q plan sub
mitted by Architect Russell, Of Charles
ton, and finally adopted by the congre-
cation, being an edifice Of brick, AZ by
SO feet, with basement and upper sanctu-
ary, having sitting capacity of 400 to
45O, with front porch and columns, corner
rooms and steeple of ample height. AT
that meeting building committee was
organized, consisting Of General w. w.
Humphreys, George T. Tolly, Benz. +.
Wbitner and DIR. NJ. L. Sharpe, who have
entered into contract with Jeptha F. Will
son, of Anderson, for the brick work
and John Kaufman, of Walhalla, for the
wood work Three weeks ago the ground
on this spot was broken, the foundations
have been laid and we are here to-day tc
lay the corner stone.
have three articles, my friends. which