MASONIC

CEREMONIES.

HUGH MCCURDY, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Michigan, being in his place, was addressed by the Governor, as follows:

SIR-It seems most fitting that your ancient and honorable fraternity should be invited to perform the ceremony of laying the corner-stone of the new Capitol of the State of Michigan, and I now invite you to do this, with the usual forms of Masonry.

The Grand Master then responded as follows:

By invitation of the Governor of Michigan, and of the committee in charge, I am here in behalf the Fraternity of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Michigan, and on the part of the Grand Lodge of the State, to perform, with them, the interesting ceremony of laying this corner-stone. Free Masons were originally a company of builders, whose monuments of matchless skill now adorn the world and challenge the admiration of the earth,—masterly models for modern imitation,-which had existed ever since symmetry began and harmony displayed her charms. They were associated not only for the promotion of architectural science, but for the maintenance of that high order of integrity, which is the dictate of divine law. And, although the hand of time has brought our operative labors to a close, yet there is a peculiar fitness in calling upon the Ancient Fraternity to shape and lay the corner-stone of this contemplated structure, to be erected at the bidding of a young but gener

ous commonwealth, and which shall rival in magnitude and grandeur, many an Eastern temple, that told its silent story to whispering winds, four thousand years ago. Though empires of the old world have risen, flourished, and fallen; dynasties have come and gone, and ages upon ages have rolled away,— yet this fraternity, true to its history and work, and stronger and higher than ever, stands here in the meridian splendor of the nineteenth century, to perform its grand and solemn ceremony, taught by the fraternity that dates its dawn early enough to have had the wise King of Israel for a building master. It may have outlived the circumstances of its origin, and the necessities which called it into existence may have long since passed away, no longer to constitute a distinctive feature of the fraternity; but the hand of time has not been laid upon its grand living principle of charity, which stands to-day, and will forever remain the crowned queen among the virtues, until time shall cease. It may have no more monuments of stone to rear, yet never since the days of Hiram, King of Tyre, did it have a nobler mission than it this day performs.

Springing from the science of light, its shining rays illuminate the world, and shed an effulgent brilliance from every ceremony. Its principles having the sanction of the Great Jehovah, and laying their foundation deep in the truths of His revealed word, still inspire its work to-day. Moses dedicated the Tabernacle in the wilderness, and Solomon the Temple at Jerusalem. Our ancient brethren of Israel, also, dedicated their cities, and walls, and gates, and monuments, and buildings.

The inspired Prophet sang never so sweetly as when he

chanted," Behold I lay in Zion, a tried stone,-a precious corner-stone, a sure foundation." To commence the building, therefore, on a "sure foundation,"-a tried stone, a precious corner-stone, is an injunction from the Great Master of the Universe, and has more to commend it to our observance than the mere antiquity of the custom. In no view, then, is the application of the plumb, level, and square to the chosen corner-stone, an idle ceremony. It must be a perfect square strong and durable, well-formed, true and trusty,—and in these requirements, as well as in the implements we use, every Mason and citizen may see the symbols of that noble manhood, which stands on the plane of equality, and regulates its conduct by the Plumb Line of Rectitude, the Square of Virtue, and the Trowel of Brotherly Love.

On the corner-stone, when it is well and truly laid, are poured the significant elements of corn, wine, and oil,-the emblems of Plenty, Refreshment, and Consolation.

May the blessings, symbolized by these elements, descend upon all who are engaged in the work of erecting this building, to be set apart for the use of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Departments of this State; and may the work prosper to a speedy and happy completion, and remain for centuries, a monument to the zeal, intelligence, and liberality of a great commonwealth, and to its devotion to the rights of men, and the honor of God. We are taught as we cross the Masonic threshold, or before we engage in any great and important undertaking, to invoke the aid and blessing of Deity. Our Right Worshipful Grand Chaplain will, therefore, approach the Throne of Grace, and ask the blessing of the Almighty God upon this great work.

Grand Chaplain, ETHAN RAY CLARKE, of New Haven, Macomb county, then offered the following

PRAYER.

O, Thou eternal Jehovah, Grand Architect of the universe, grant Thy blessing upon this State, in all its diversity of interests. Endear to the hearts of this people this Capitol, from the laying of this corner-stone to its completion, and ever afterwards. May that wisdom that covered the top of Mount Sinai, when Thou gavest the law to Thy servant Moses, the leader of ancient Israel, rest upon this Capitol. May this State continue to be, as it has been in the past, a prominent star in the nation's field of blue, even until the end of time, when Gabriel shall blow his trump, and swear that time shall be no longer. Grant this our prayer, for Thy great name's sake. AMEN.

The Grand Master then said:

"Brethren, in accordance with ancient Masonic usage, we will now lay the corner-stone of this great fabric."

The corner-stone was then elevated, and let down to its place, by three motions,-each of which was saluted by artillery and the public grand honors.

The Grand Master said:

"If the Building Commissioners have prepared any articles to be deposited in this stone, they will now present them and a list thereof."

Upon which, the Secretary of the State Building Commissioners presented to the Grand Master, a massive copper box, inclosing a glass casket, hermetically sealed, containing historical documents and memorials, with a list of the same.

By direction of the Grand Master, the Grand Treasurer, aided by the Grand Stewards, received the box and placed it in the corner-stone.

The Grand Secretary then read a list of the contents of the box, placed in the corner-stone, as follows:

1. History of Michigan, enrolled upon parchment.

2. Declaration of Independence, enrolled upon parchment. 3. Ordinance of Congress admitting Michigan into the Union, enrolled upon parchment.

4. Pamphlet containing the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Michigan.

5. Copy of Act providing for the erection of the Capitol. 6. Copy of instructions to architects submitting designs for the Capitol.

7. Copy of specifications for erection of Capitol.

S. Annual Reports of the State Building Commissioners, for the years 1871, 1872, and 1873.

9. Copy of Estimate and Voucher No. 13, for September, 1873, showing cost of construction of Capitol to date. 10. Copy of sheet of ledger balances for September 24, 1873, showing payments of each class, for construction, to date.

11. Copies of all blanks used in the office of the State Building Commissioners.

12. Copy of Joint Resolution providing for laying the corner

stone.

13. Copy of invitation to corner-stone ceremonies.

14. Package containing deposits in corner-stone of the Territorial Capitol, erected in Detroit in 1823.

15. The Holy Bible.