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THE UNIVERSITY
OF ILLINOIS
LIBRARY
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FIFTY-SIXTH GRAND ANNUAL C0MMIJNICATI05!. HELD AT
CHICAGO, OCTOBER 1, 2, AND 3, 1895.
PROCEEDINGS
OF
THE GRAND LODGE
OP THE STATE OP ILLINOIS,
Free and Accepted Masons.
M.W. OVEN SCOTT, Grand Master
R.W. J. H. C. DILL, Grand Secretary
BLOOM INGTON, ILL.:
PANTAGRAPH PRINTING AND STATIONERY CO.
1895.
5-
OFFICEIRS
OF THE
Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois
1895-96.
M. W. OWEN SCOTT Grand Master Bloomington.
R.W. Edward Cook Bepidy Grand Master. . . . Chicago.
R.W. Chas. F. Hitchcock Senior Grand Warden Peoria.
R.W. Geo. M. Moulton Junior Grand Warden. . . .Chicago.
R W Wiley M. Egan Grand Treasurer Chicago.
R.W. J. H. C. DILL Grand Secretai-y Bloomington.
M W Jerome R. Gorin Grand CImplain Decatur.
R.W. A. E. STEVENSON Grand Orator Bloomington.
W. G. H. B. TOLLE Deputy Grand Secretary. .Mattoon.
W. Pleas. T. Chapman Grand Pursuivant Vienna.
W. W. O. Butler Grand Marshal La Harpe.
w'. WALTER Watson Orand Standard Bearer... Mt. Vernon.
W. CICERO J. LiNDLEY Grand Sword Bearer Greenville.
W E. C. Pace Senior Grand Deacon Ashley.
W.' c' E.* ALLEN Junior Gi'and Deacon Galesburg.
W. JOHN LINGO Grand Steward Peoria.
W. W. W. Bruce Grand Steward Casey.
WWW. Watson • • Grand Steward Barry.
w'. A. M. BORING Grand Steward Carlinville.
BRO. Robert R. Stevens Grand Tyler Chicago.
PROCEIEIDINGS
OR TH E
M. W. Grand Lodge of Illinois
FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS,
At Its Fifty-Sixth Grand Annual Communication.
In compliance with the provisions of the Constitution and By-
laws of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted
Masons, the Fifty-sixth Annual Grand Communication was held at
Central Music Hall, in the City of Chicago, commencing on Tuesday,
the 1st day of Obtober, A. D. 1895, A. L. 5895, at 10 o'clock a. m.
GEAND OrnOEKS PRESENT.
M.W. Leroy a. Goddard Grand Master.
R. W. Owen Scott Deputy Grand Master.
R. W. Edward Cook Senior Grand Warden.
R.W. Charles F. Hitchcock Junior Grand Warden.
R. W. Wiley M. Egan Grand Treasurer.
R.W. J. H. C. Dill Grand ISecretai-y.
R. W. Rev. H. W. Thomas, D.D Grand Chaplain.
R.W. John C. Black Grand Orator.
W. G. H. B. TOLLE Deputy Grand Secretary.
W. Pleas. T. Chapman Grand Pursuivant.
W. William Hartzell Grand Marshal.
W. Walter Watson Grand Standard Bearer.
W. Cicero J. Lindley Grand Sword Bearer.
W. George M. Moulton Senior Grand Deacon.
W. Andrew J. Benson Junior Grand Deacon.
W. Henry C. Mitchell Grand Steward.
W. Wm. H. Johnson Grand Steward.
W. A. M. Boring Grand Steward.
W. Harry C. Purdy Grand Steward.
Bro. Robert R. Stevens Grand Tyler.
'Xii:i73
Proceedings of the [Oct. 1,
The M.W. Grand Master proceeded to open the M.W. Grand Lodge
of Illinois in Ample Form with
PRAYER BY THE GRAND CHAPLAIN.
Almight}' Father, righteousness and judgment are the habitations
of Thy throne; mere}' and truth go before Thy face. Help us, Thy
children, to hallow Thy name; help us to build the temple of right,
eousness, of justice on the earth. We are glad that it has been said
unto us again, let us come into the house of the Lord: glad that our
feet stand again within Thy holy temples: may our hearts be the
Temple of Truth, the Temple of Justice, of Mercy.
We give thanks unto Thee, that Thy providence, Thj' great love
and tender care have been over us. We give thanks that we have
been preserved in life and health; we give thanks that Thou hast
been with our brother who has traveled abroad. We give thanks that
many are running to and fro in our day, and knowledge is being in-
creased. We give thanks that the great principles for which our
Order stands, are coming to be understood, and finding more and more
acceptance among the nations of the earth.
Almighty Father, we give thanks that Thy presence is over Thy
children: that the earth has brought forth an abundant harvest. We
give thanks for the increase of power among men. We give thanks
for the growth of wisdom, and we pray Thy blessings upon us in this
Annual Meeting. May Th}- spirit rest upon our brother under whose
leading, guidance, and administration the 3'ear has been so full of
prosperity. Maj' Thy blessing be upon all the Representatives gath-
ered here, and upon the lodges and homes from which they come.
Keep those who are left behind; Almighty Father, may Thy blessing
be upon our city, upon our state, and upon our nation; upon all who
lead and teach, upon all our civil administrators, upon all the agencies
working for the good of societ}-. Maj- Thy blessings in like measure
be upon the nations of the earth, upon kings and all in authority.
May thy blessing be upon the lands that dwell in darkness, and the
peoples who are struggling for the rights of men.
Hear us, O Father, we pray in Thy name.
The Grand Secretary announced that the Committee on Credentials
had informed him that a constitutional number of lodges were repre-
sented, and asked for the committee further time to complete their
report, which was granted.
1895.] Grand Lodge of Illinois. 5
PRESENTATION-of Symbols of Consecration.
M.W. Bro. John C. Smith.
M. W. Grand Master: Believing that the schoolhouse which dots
the land of every part of the globe where liberty is the rule, and
oppression the exception, and learning that this Grand Lodge, its
Grand Master and the brethren have been invited to lay the corner-
stone of an educational institution, to be known as the Illinois Normal
School, at De Kalb, this day;
Learning that this occasion is to be honored by the presence of
the Grand Master and the brethren, believing it to be fitting, as in an-
cient times, that all great public institutions should have their cor-
ner-stones laid by the Masonic Craft, and desiring that this shall be a
memorable occasion, such as has not occurred in this jurisdiction, if in
the United States, I desire to present to you for this occasion corn,
wine, and oil, from the cradle of religious liberty, Jerusalem, which I
have brought with me from the land of the Bible, on this my return
from a pilgrimage around the earth.
Printed copies of the proceedings of the last annual communica-
tion being in the hands of the brethren, reading of the same was dis-
pensed with.
COMMITTEES.
The Grand Secretary read the following list of committees ap-
pointed by the Grand Master:
JURISPRUDENCE.
DeWitt C. Cregier, J. A. Hawley, Danl. M. Browning, John C. Smith,
John M. Pearson.
APPEALS AND GRIEVANCES.
Monroe C. Crawford, Jos. E. Dyas, W. S. Cantrell, Geo. W. Hill, Eugene
L. Stoker.
CHARTERED LODGES.
L. L. Munn, J. R. Gorin, John H. Mitchell, W. F. Beck, Walter A.
Stevens.
LODGES U. D.
Charles H. Patton, A. G. Jackson, Thos. W. Hall, L. J. Forth, G. M.
Haynes.
Proceedings of the [Oct. 1,
CORRESPONDENCE.
Joseph Robbins.
MILEAGE AND PER DIEM.
John A. Ladd, W. B. Wright, Ed. L. Wahl.
FINANCE.
E. C. Pace, Gil. W. Barnard, John H. Witbeck.
TO EXAMINE VISITORS.
W. B. Grimes, A. B. Ashley, Jos. E. Evans, J. W. Rose, J. R. Ennis.
CREDENTIALS.
J. I. McClintock, P. W. Barclay, Saml. W. Waddle.
PETITIONS.
C. M. Forman, T. M. Grossman, A. W. Blakesley.
OBITUARIES.
Geo. W. Warvelle, Paul E. Harney, Fred Morrison.
GRAND MASTER'S ADDRESS.
W. E. Ginther, H. C. Cleaveland, P. M. Johnston.
RAILROADS.
Wm. Jenkins, C. H. Morrell.
1895.] Grand Lodge of Illinois.
GEAND MASTER'S ADDRESS.
Brethren of the Grand Lodge:
"We have come together today in the interests of Freemasonry in
general and of the fiftj'-two thousand Freemasons of the great and
growing commonwealth of Illinois in particular. To be a representa-
tive in such a gathering as this is a distinction of which anj^ man
should be proud. There is inspiration in the honest look and the sincere
hand-shake of true Masons; and this inspiration is kindled into en-
thusiasm when we assemble here a thousand strong in this beautiful
hall in the busy, throbbing center of the greatest and most magnifi-
cent city of the age.
Illinois people are active and enterprising, and Illinois Masons are
ever energetic and progressive, the trend of their ambition being
"who best can work and best agree.'' True, this is as it should be, a
noble contention, but it involves much labor on the part of the Grand
Master to keep in touch with the Craft, an amount scarcely conceiv-
able by one who has not undertaken the task. This labor, however,
is relieved of all burden by the fraternal love and good fellowship
that is encountered on every hand.
In our deliberations let us strive to promote the highest good of
our beloved institution. This can only be done by continually keep-
ing before us the sacredness and importance of our mission and fos-
tering in our hearts the cardinal principles on which we build.
The pleasure that we experience in assembling at this annual
communication will not cause us to overlook the fact that, since we
last assembled, some, whose presence has added so much enjoyment
to previous sessions of this Grand Lodge, have been claimed by Death.
As we exchange greetings today we are unable to repress a sigh now
and then
"For the touch of a vanished hand,
And the sound of a voice that is still."
The last sad rites have been performed by friends and brothers; a
last look, a tear, and all that we can do now for them is to cherish
their memory and emulate whatever was worthy and noble in their
lives.
SAMUEL S. FRIEDLY,
Deputy Grand Lecturer, died in Chicago April 2, 1895. He was born
October 2, 1845. He was Past Master of Covenant Lodge, and a com-
mittee from that Lodge accompanied his remains to its last resting
Proceedings of the [Oct. 1,
place in Findlay, Ohio. It is worthy of special mention that Bro. W.
A. Lear, W.M., of Findlay (Ohio) Lodge No. 22, and 122 other mem-
bers of a total membership of 150, were present at the funeral of Bro.
Friedl}', and though the weather was very stormy, seventy-three of
these brothers went with the remains to the cemetery, quite a dis-
tance away.
WILLIAM J. ELWELL,
An earnest Mason, and a noble, warm-hearted man, departed this life
May 5, 1895, at Mattoon, Illinois. He was born April 8, 1839. Bro.
El well was District Deputy Grand Master for a number of years and
also Deputy Grand Lecturer. By his request he was buried with the
ceremonies of Masonrj'.
MILO D. CHAMBERLIN,
One of the most faithful and best known Masons in Illinois, died at
Freeport May 9, 1895. He was born August 23, 1829. I believe the
first school held in Illinois to teach the present standard work was
conducted by Bro. Chamberlin. He was commissioned a member of
the Board of Examiners successivel}' for about twenty-five years. We
will ever remember dear Bro. Chamberlin, his quiet, gentlemanly
bearing, and his well-known honorable, upright character.
AUGUSTUS N. LODGE
Died in Marion, Illinois, May 15, 1895. He was born January 27, 1831.
He was made a Mason nearly forty 3'ears ago and served many years
as Worshipful Master of Fellowship Lodge No. 89 and, as such officer,
conferred the degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry on your speaker.
Bro. Lodge was District Deputy Grand Master under the administra-
tion of Grand Master Harmon G. Reynolds. In a letter to me, not
long previous to his death, he wrote: "One year I served as Worship-
ful Master of the Lodge. High Priest of the Chapter, and Thrice Illus-
trious Master of the Council and never missed a meeting of either. I
do not regret anj^ moment of time or expenditure of money in further-
ance of the principles taught by Masonry."
From other jurisdictions I have been informed of the death of the
following distinguished Craftsmen:
William Fleming Black, Ireland, Provincial Grand Treasurer for
more than twentj'-five years and our representative near the Grand
Lodge of Ireland, died in March, 1894. . For some cause this notice did
not reach me until after our last annual communication.
John Milton Chivington, Colorado, first Grand Master, died Octo-
ber 4, 1894.
Joseph Kellogg Wheeler, Connecticut, Grand Secretary for twenty-
seven years, died October 10, 1894.
1895.] Grand Lodge of Illinois. 9
Robert Lee Scannell, Utah, Deputy Grand Master, died October
13, 1894.
J. Aug'ustus Dix, New Jersey, our Representative near that juris-
diction. Grand Master Durand in his letter October 26, 1894, inform-
ing me of his death, said: "A good man has gone to his reward."
Mark R. Leavenworth, Connecticut, Senior Grand Warden, died
November 1, 1894.
Charles Brown, Ohio, Grand Treasurer for fifteen years, died No-
vember 6, 1894.
John Frizzell, Tennessee, Past Grand Master and for twenty-seven
years Grand Secretarj^ died November 30, 1894.
Stephen Fowler Chadwick, Oregon, Grand Secretary, and Past
Grand Master, died January 15, 1895.
Sir Robert William Duff, Grand Master United Grand Lodge of
New South Wales, died March 15, ]895.
Harvey E. Huston, New Mexico, died in Chicago, 111., May 4, 1895.
Bro. Huston was well known to the Masons of Illinois. He was one of
our most faithful Craftsmen and a Deputy Grand Lecturer for many
years before leaving this state. On account of his failing health he
located in Albuquerque and, at time of his death, was our Representa"
tive near Grand Lodge of New Mexico. He was buried near Monti-
cello, 111. Deputy Grand Master Owen Scott officiated at the funeral.
Charles Moore Godfrey, Ohio, Past Deputy Grand Master, died
May 8, 1895.
William B. Isaacs, Virginia, Grand Secretary, died June 9, 1895.
Richard Owen Hickman, Montana, Past Grand Master, died in
Presbyterian Hospital, Chicago, July 20, 1895. I visited him several
times at the hospital, as did other brothers of Chicago. Patiently
and without murmuring he bore his suffering, which was constant and
severe. He had many friends and deserved them, because he was a
good man.
Eli S. Parker, Past Grand Orator of this Grand Lodge, died
August 30, 1895, at the age of 75 years. His home was in New York.
I am not informed of his place of Masonic membership at time of
writing this report. Those of us who were present at our fiftieth an-
niversary will remember Bro. Parker with feelings of sincere attach-
ment.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
The several matters before the Grand Lodge in 1894, that were
referred as indicated in published proceedings, have been disposed of
as here reported.
10 Proceedings of the [Oct. 1,
Having- completed all the details of securing; this Grand Lodge as
to Policy No. 99588 of Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company
for $5,000 on life of Archibald A. Glenn, on November 24, 1894, I
directed Grand Treasurer Wiley M. Egan to transmit Policy No. 99587
to Ella Glenn Shields. That all interests should be carefully guarded,
I emploj-ed R.W. Bro. Geo. W. Warvelle to act as counsel, and an
abstract of all that was done in the premises is filed with the Grand
Treasurer.
Waubansia Lodge No. 160, notified me that on December 14, 1894,
P. H. McClellan was tried as directed, and the accused was expelled
from the Fraternity. The fees ($55.00) collected for conferring the
degrees on him are deposited with the Grand Master, and Waubansia
Lodge again asks the Grand Lodge to make a disposition of the same.
Of the controversy between Bluff Cit3' Lodge No. 71, of Iowa, and
Rock River Lodge No. 612, of Illinois, I am pleased to report an equit-
able adjustment to the satisfaction of all concerned.
An additional document has been received from Colorado in re-
gard to memorial observance of the death of W. Bro. George Wash-
ington.
LODGES CONSTITUTED.
Charters of the following lodges, which were granted at our last
annual session, were delivered and the lodges were duly constituted:
Magic City Lodge No. 832, Harvej', Cook county.
Dean Lodge No. 833, Ava, Jackson count}-.
Toledo Lodge No. 834, Toledo, Cumberland count}'.
Triple Lodge No. 835, Venice, Madison count}'.
Windsor Park Lodge No. 836, Windsor Park, Cook county.
Hindsboro Lodge No. 837, Hindsboro, Douglas county.
LODGES U. D.
Five dispensations have been granted to form lodges as given below.
As application will be made for a charter for each of these lodges,
the surroundings and workings will be carefully reviewed by the reg-
ular committee, hence it is not required that space be taken to argue
why I signed the dispensations:
To nineteen brethren at Seaton, Mercer county, to form Charity
Lodge U.D., with Bro. W. F. Spence as Worshipful Master, Bro. T. C.
Shearer as Senior Warden, and Bro. Joshua Cabeen as Junior War-
den.
To nineteen brethren at Berwyn, Cook county, to form Berwyn
Lodge U.D., with Bro. Chas. E. Piper as Worshipful Master, Bro. Geo.
1895.] Grand Lodge of Illinois. 11
R. Frankland as Senior Warden, and Bro. Chas. W. Morris as Junior
Warden.
To twelve brethren at Alto Pass, Union county, to form Alto Pass
Lodge U.D., with Bro. Jacob F. Blessing- as Worshipful Master, Bro.
Willis Cauble as Senior Warden, and Bro. Holly R. Bucking-ham as
Junior Warden.
To forty brethren at Woodlawn Park, Cook county, to form Wood-
lawn Park Lodg-e U.D., with Bro. William J. Lafferty as W^orshipful
Master, Bro. George W. Bigg's as Senior Warden, and Bro. James F.
Pershing as Junior Warden.
To twenty-five brethren at West Pullman, Cook count}-, to form
Fides Lodge U.D., with Bro. Gregory H. Hovnanian as Worshipful
Master, Bro. Charles F. Loeber as Senior Warden, and Bro. Charles
D. Rounds as Junior Warden.
For reasons which I deemed lawful and proper from the papers
submitted, I declined to issue dispensations for new lodges at Cable,
Mercer county; Cissna Park, Iroquois county, and London Mills, Ful-
ton county.
CHARTERS DESTROYED.
The original charters having been destroyed by fire, duplicate
charters were furnished without fee to the following lodges:
Irving Lodge No. 455, Irving, Montgomery county.
Dawson Lodge No. 556, Dawson, Sangamon county.
Martin Lodge No. 491, East Dubuque, Jo Daviess county.
Ramsey Lodge No. 405, Ramse}^, Fayette county.
Other lodges were reported as suffering losses by fire, but suc-
ceeded in saving their charters.
MASONIC SCHOOLS.
During the year five schools for instruction in the standard work
were held as designated in my circular. It was my pleasure to be
present at each, and I can bear testimony that earnest interest was
shown and the work was faithfully done.
Of the twenty schools held the last four years, the registration
book shows a total attendance of 5,141 Masons, representing 1,221
lodges, or an average each year of 1,285, representing 285 lodges. The
brethren attend with a desire to learn the work and are strengthened
in every way in Masonic virtues. The expense of these schools is nom-
inal, scarcely two cents each for the membership at large. The ben-
efits, however, cannot be limited to those present, for through them
thousands of others are reached, and everj^ Mason in Illinois can be and
12 Proceedings of the [Oct. 1,
ought to be benefited. The success of Masonry with us comes largely
from these schools, and as we grow and prosper other jurisdictions
find encouragement and are strengthened. It should not be over-
looked that at these gatherings many Worshipful Masters being pres-
ent, the Grand Master finds opportunity to dispense to them Masonic
light on questions of jurisprudence and to advise and encourage them
in their endeavors to rule and govern their Lodges successfully.
DEPUTY GRAND LECTURERS.
During the year sixty Deputy Grand Lecturers were commissioned.
The list will be published with this report.
To correct an erroneous impression that appears to prevail to
some extent it may be welltosuggestthatwhilethese commissionsare
issued at the pleasure of the Grand Master, yet no such appointment
has been made by me, nor by my predecessors that I am informed of,
except on evidence of a certificate signed by all the members of the
Board of Examiners that the applicant has passed a perfect examin-
ation in every detail as to his proficiency; that is, that he can open
and close a lodge on all the degrees and can confer each degree cor-
rectly and in full as to every detail without the assistance of a moni-
tor: not only that he can make a complete rehearsal from memory of
all the ceremonies here mentioned, but that he can ask and answer
correctly every question pertaining to the three degrees and demon-
strate his ability to teach the work.
There is no such print authorized in Illinois Masonry known as a
"cipher code" nor any other work pretending to give assistance in ac-
quiring a knowledge of the esoteric work.
MASONIC HALLS DEDICATED.
At Marseilles, November 8, I dedicated an elegant new hall for
the use of Marseilles Lodge No. 417. There was a large attendance
of brethren and their families and it was an occasion of special inter-
est. R.W. Wm. L. Milligan, D.D.G.M., was present and assisted.
November 20, W.Bro. Joseph M. Grout as my proxy dedicated a
new hall for Chatham Lodge No. 523. Bro. Grout reported a good
attendance and a successful occasion.
December 27, I dedicated new hall for Ravenswood Lodge No. 777.
This hall is beautifully furnished. It is in a new three-story brick
building which is an ornament to this suburb. Bros. D. C. Cregier, W.
K. Forsyth, D. J. Avery, J. H. Dixon, Harry McCall, C. S. Gurney, W.
I. Davenny, W. I. Marshall and R. R. Stevens went with me (weather
fifteen below) and assisted in the work.
January 5, M.W. John R. Thomas, P.G.M., as my proxy, dedicated
a commodious new hall for Red Bud Lodge No. -427. Bros. James
1895.] Grand Lodge of Illinois. 13
Douglas, D.D.G.M., and AA^m. Hartzell, Grand Marshal, were present
and assisted Bro. Thomas.
February 14, a new hall for Pawnee Lodge No. 675 was dedicated
to Freemasonry by W.Bro. Joseph M. Grout as my proxy.
February 8, as my proxy W.Bro. W. F. Beck performed the usual
ceremonies dedicatino- new hall for Edward Dobbins Lodge No. 164 at
Lawrenceville. Bro. Beck was well pleased with the courtesies shown
him.
March 13, the new and beautiful hall of LaHarpe Lodge No. 195
was dedicated by M. W. Bro. Joseph Bobbins as my proxy, in the pres-
ence of about 500 Masons and many other people. Bro. Bobbins deliv-
ered an instructive address.
June 27 last, I dedicated to the uses and purposes of Freemasonry
a new hall at the corner of North Clark street and Belmont avenue,
in Chicago, for Wright's Grove Lodge No. 779. A number of brothers
prominent in Masonic work were present and assisted. R.W. Edward
Cook, S.G.W., W. A. J. Benson, J.G.D., and Bro. R. R. Stevens, Grand
Tyler, filled their respective places. M.W. D. C. Cregier as Grand
Orator delivered a pleasing address.
At Tolono, Champaign county, I dedicated new hall for Tolono
Lodge No.- 391, on August 21 last. This was an occasion of unusual in-
terest. R.W. Bros. OwenScott, Edward Cook, and J. H. C. Dill were
present. We were also assisted by five Deputy Grand Lecturers and
many other visiting brethren.
CORNER-STONES.
November 10, assisted by Bros. P. G. Gardner, A. B. Ashley, Chas.
E. Piper, L. J. Amsden, and others, I placed in position the corner-
stone of new town hall to be erected in the beautiful village of River-
side, Cook county. Music was furnished by about one hundred school
children, and Hon. Frank Reed delivered an oration of much interest.
May 9, I laid corner-stone of Vermillion County Hospital, to be
erected at Danville. There was a large procession, composed of vari-
ous societies and citizens. Many Masons from surrounding country
in Illinois and Indiana were present. Bro. E. R. E. Kimbrough deliv-
ered an entertaining address.
June 4, as my proxy, R.W. Owen Scott, D.G.M., laid corner-stone
of First Baptist Church at Olney. He was assisted by 102 Master
Masons, and twenty-six Knights Templar acted as special escort. A
large gathering of people were interested in the ceremonies, which
were made impressive by Bro. Scott.
On June 18 last, as my proxy, R.W. Bro. Charles F. Hitchcock,
J.G.W., laid corner-stone of new Masonic Temple to be erected in
14 Proceedings of the [Oct. 1,
Areola. Douglas count\'. Bro. Hitchcock reported the usual large
attendance and successful occasion, and made special mention of the
eloquent oration by our present Deputy Grand Master.
The society of the Christian Church at Riverton, in Sangamon
county, having completed their arrangements for the erection of a
new building for church purposes, the corner-stone was placed and
duly tested with the proper implements on August 8 last, by W. Bro.