Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-06-15

Senior Grand Warden-s'The stone
level; the craftsmen have done their duty.
Grand Mastef-''Brother Junior Gran,
Warden, what is the jewel of your Office 2
Junior Grand Warden-"The plumb.
! Grand Mastef-"What does it teach?''
Junior Grand Warden-"To walk ND
rightly before God and man, and by it ",
prove our work."
Grand Master-''Apply your jewel tt
this corner stone, and make report
| Junior Grand Warden-"The stone il
plumb ;the craftsmen have done their duty.
The senior and junior deacons, bearin,
the trowel and gavel then approached tht
stone. The Grand Master, Horace H
Burbank, preceded by the Grand Marshal
Winfield S. Choate, advanced to the stone
spread the mortar upon it struck three
blows with the mallet, and returning
to his place said: II, Horace r.
Burbank, Grand Master of Masons Of
the State of Maine, declare this stone to be
plumb, level and square, to be well formed
true and trusty, and duly laid. Let the ele.
ments of conservation be presented to the
proper officers.
Grand Stewards H. A. Jersey and
c. W. Crosby then proceeded to the
stone, followed by the Deputy Grand
Master. Senior Grand Warden and Junior
Grand Warden, bearing the corn, wine and
oil. Hhe Deputy Grand Master then scat
tered the corn saying: "May the blessings
of the Great Architect of the universe res,
upon the people of this State, and the
corn of nourishment abound in our land.
The Senior Grand Warden, poured the
wine saying: "May the Great Architect of
the Universe watch over and preserve the
workmen upon this building, and bless them
and our land with the heavenly wine of
refreshment and peace" The Junior Grand
Warden then poured the oil, saying: "May
the Great Architect of the Universe bless
our land with union, harmony and love-
the Gil which maketh men to be of joyful
c0untenance.
Grand Master-"May the all bounteous
author of nature, the Supreme and ever
living God, bless the inhabitants of this
place with all the necessaries, comforts and
conveniences of life-assist in the erection
AMI completion of this building-protect
the workmen against every accident, and
long preserve from decay the structure
which will here arise. And may he grant
to us in needful supply, the corn of nourish.
ment, the wine of refreshment, and the oil
of joy.
Response-''So mote it be-"
The public grand honors were then given.
The Grand Marshal presented the archi.
tect, saying: II present to you the
architect of this building. He is
ready, with craftsmen, for the work, and
asks the tools for his task" The Grand
Master then gave him asquare, level, plumb
and plane, saying:
"Labor on this task, and be blessed with
wisdom in the plan, strength in the execu-
ton, beauty in the adornment; and when
complete, may wisdom be still within its
walls to enlighten, strength to encourage
and sustain our rulers, and the beauty of
holiness to adorn all their works.
/. The Grand Marshal then made the follow
ing proclamation sin the name of the Most
Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Ac-
cep.ed Masons of the State of Maine
proclaim that the corner stone of
the Masonic temple of Augusta has this
day been found square, level and plumb,
true and trusty, and laid according to the
old customs by the Grand Master of Ma
sons" ST.
After the laying of the corner stone the
National Home band rendered; ="In These
Sacred Halls" selection arranged by
Prof. B. w. Theme, and then followed the
benediction by Grand Chaplain Pepper.
At the completion of the services at the
library foundation Z. procession reformed
and marched to Water .treet, where the
laying of tn cornerstone of the Masonic
temple took place.
Howard Owen, Esq, in behalf of the
Masonic bodies of Augusta, said that in the
presence of the largest gathering that had
met at Augusta for 40 years, he had the
pleasure of presenting to the Grand Worthy
Master Horace H. Burbank this corner
stone for the proper services. He related
in brief terms the rapidity with which the
Masonic bodies raised, in less than week,
the magnificent sum of $4,000 for the
building of the temple, and closed with a
reminder of the beauties of Masonry.
In accepting the corner stone Grand Mas
ter Burbank said that for..ages it had been
the custom of the grand officers to under
take the work Of laying coraer stones at the
request Of local brethren, and following the
custom he accepted the tax of laying the
corner stone in due form and with proper
ceremonies. j..
The services of laying the corner stone
then took place and were the same as at the
library foundation, with slight variation
on account of this being Masonic stone.
Grand Chaplain Rev. E. f. Newbert Of
fered prayer and then came selection from
the National Home Band, after which,
Acting Grand Treasurer A. M. Weather
bee deposited the box and then Acting
Grand Secretary c. &. Hunt read the list of
its contents as follows:
The following is the list of articles de-
posted in the corner stone of the Masonic
temple, Augusta, June IA, 1894:
History of Bethlehem Lodge, No. 1876.
History of Augusta Lodge No. al, to June H.
1894.
Role of membership of Bethlehem Lodge to June
IA, 1894.
Role of membership of Augusta Lodge to june
IA. 1891.
Chapter to June II, 1894. 49,"
Roll of membership of Trinity Commandry TO
Tn