The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-06-17
F'ORTSMIOJ n EMS

foundation stone and see IL it is well
ana duly laid, and report to me-
W orshipful Master-Nost Worshipfuq
Grand Master, we have examined the
toundatton stone, and find it true and
trusty. and duly laid. May this frater-
nal undertaking he prosecuted by the
craftsmen to completion according to
The grand plan. and In Peace, Love and
Harmony.
The Grand Master then said: ."rhis
cornerstone has been duly tested by
the ancient implements Of F'reema sonry.
testify that the craftsmen have skill
fully and faithfully performed their
duty, and declare this CONVERSIONS IL
be well formed. true, trusty and arcu-
rately laid according to the principles
OF our art"
The Grand Master spread mortar
freely over the sides and top Of the stone
and said:
THE ceremonies Of conservation will
now proceed"
Grand Master-Brother Worshipful
MASTER, you Will descend and pour upon
the stone the Corn Of No,,rishment.
Inc Worshipful Master came forward
on the stone, said:
Ihls corn distribute as q symbol
or Goodness and Plenty May the bless
1ngs Of bountcous Heaven be showered
upon us and upon all like patriotic UNI
dertakings, and inspire the hearts Of the
people with virtue, wisdom and graft
tude." Amen.
Response mote 1t be.
Hymn-Tune, Hebron was sung by
the choir.
When once Of old In Israel
Our early brethren wrought with toll.
Jehovah's blessings on them fell
In showers Of Corn and Wine and OIL
The Grand Master then said: Brother
Senior Warden, you will descend and
pour upon the stone the Wine Of Re-
freShment.
The Grand Senior Warden then came
forward with the vessel Of Wine and
pouring it upon the stone, said:
Ihis Wine pour as u smybol of JOY
and GladneSs. May the Great Ruler OF
the Universe bless and prosper our Ma
| tional. State and City Governments;
preserve the union Of States, and. may
Freemasonry be @ bond OF friendship
and brotherly love that shall endure
| through all time" Amen.
Response--So mote it be-
SECOND STANzA.
When there a shrine to Him alone
They built. with worship sin to foil
On threshold and on cornerstone
They youred out Corn and Wine and
Oil
Grand Master-Brother Junior Ward
| en-, you Will descend and pour upon the
stone the Oil Of joy and gladness.
| The Junior Warden comes forward
with a vessel OF oil. and pouring it
| upon the stone, says:
This oil 1 pour as a symbol OF peace
| and harmony May their blessings abide
with us continually; may brotherly love
prevail, and every moral and social vir-
tue unite and cement u.s." Amen.
ResponSe-So mote 1t be.
THIRD sTANzA.
And we have come, fratcrnal bands.
| fnHr nd YrtIn
TO honor Him by votlve hands,
With streams Of corn and wine and
oil.
| The Grand Master advanced In front.
1 Of all. and extending his hands made
the following invocation:
May the All-Bounteous Author or
| Nature bless the inhabitants Of this
place with an abundance Of the ncces-
| saries. conveniences. and comforts Of
| life; assist In the erection and compile
ton of this Castle Hall: protect the
Workmen against every accident, and
long preserve the structure from decay;
and grant to us all the supply OF corn
| and nourishment. the wine Of refresh
| ment, and the oil Of joy and gladness."
Amen.
| Response-So mote it be.
| Grand aster-Having full confidence
In their skill In the royal art of all who
l nave uSSiSleO us III the nOnOTeQ duty
assigned to the Grand Lodge of An
| Gent Free and Accepted Masons of the
| State Of Virginia, 1t remains with me
to finish the work.
| Gle descends with the Senior Deacon
| on his right and the Junior Deacon
| on his left and gives three distinctive
| knocks on the stone. They then return
| to their stations)
| The Grand Master then says:
| Brethren, assist me in giving tho
grand honors."
The grand honors are given and tho
| grand master says:
| know all we who hear me, we are as
| senrbled in the broad light Of day, and
| proclaim ourselves Free and Accepted
Masons, true to the laws OF our coun-
try. protesting to fear God and to CON
| fer benefits on mankind. We have Sc
| crets. concealed from the eyes OF the
| world; secrets that have never been
| round out but secrets that are lawful
| ana honorable. and not reDugnant to
the laws Of God or man They were
| entrusted In peace and honor to Masons
of ancient times and have been safely
and faithfully transmitted to us. and II
is our duty to convey them unmpaired
to the latest posterity The tenets of
our profession are Brotherly Love. Re
| lief and Truth. We inculcate the four
| cardinal misunderstanding Fort1-
| tude, Prudence, and Justice. If we had
not Dracticed those tenets and inc,1l
Gated those virtues, our Institution
would not have descended to us
| through generation after generation