[From Selections from Calcutta Gazettes) Vol. V.]

THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1822

ST. PETER'S CHURCH

St. Peter's Church, Fort William. - Order of Masonic Procession observed in laying the Foundation Stone of St. Peter's Church, on Wednesday, the 24th July, 1822.

The Lodges met at the house of the Town Major in Fort William at half past four, from whence they proceeded in the following order: -

Music

GRAND MARSHAL

Lodges in the following order, preceded by their Tylers and Banners, borne by a Junior Brother of the Lodge.

Lodge, Courage with Humanity.
Marine Lodge.
Humility with Fortitude.
True Friendship,
Industry and Perseverance.
Star in the East,
Superintendent of the Building with the Plan.
Provincial Grand Lodge.
Tyler.
Banner, carried by the three Brethren.
Inscription Plate, carried by a Brother.
Golden Mallet, carried by a Brother.
Three Silver Cups, with Wine, Oil and Corn, carried by a Brother.
Golden Compasses, carried by a Brother.
Golden Square, Level and Plumb,
carried by three Brethren.
Two Grand Stewards.
Grand Secretary. Grand Registrar.
Grand Treasurer.
Holy Bible, Square and Compasses, carried by a Brother.
Senior Grand Deacon. Junior Grand Deacon.
Senior Grand Warden. Junior Grand Warden Provincial Grand Master.
Deputy Provincial Grand Master.
Two Grand Stewards.
Grand Sword Bearer.

On reaching the entrance of the enclosure from the East; the Music following by the Lodges turned to the left, and proceeded round the site of the Church, and halted in the North-East angle of the Square, the Lodges halting and facing inwards, the Band taking its station in the corner of the Square, to the right of the provincial Grand Master's Chair which wag placed to the East of the site of the Building; the Provincial Grand Lodge completed the East side of the Square, the other three sides being occupied by the different Lodge in succession.

The Provincial Grand Master then took his seat at the Pedestal, supported by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, and Senior Deacon, on his right, and the Provincial Grand Wardens and other Grand Officers on his left, on which the Music ceased.

The Superintendent of the Building then presented the Plan of the Building to the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, who handed it up to the Provincial Grand Master. After being inspected, it was returned to the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, who was desired to lay the Cement, and fix the Inscription Plate.

The Deputy Provincial Grand Master then proceeded, supported by the Grand Stewards, to the East side of the Stone, when a prayer suitable to the occasion was offered.

The Phials containing the Coins were then placed in the niches by the Provincial Grand Treasurer.

The Deputy provincial Grand Master then read the Inscription.

The Plate being fixed in its place, and the Cement spread, the Provincial Grand Master, sup' ported by the Grand Wardens and other Officers, proceeded to the Stone; and ordered it to be lowered into its place, which was effected conformably to the rules of Masonry.

The Provincial Grand Wardens who stood on the West side of the Stone, then handed the Square, Level, and Plumb successively to the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, who presented them to the Provincial Grand Master, and, the Stone being tried by him, the implements were returned to the Deputy Provincial Grand Master.

The Grand Mallet was then handed to the Provincial Grand Master, who giving therewith three knocks on the Stone pronounced this Masonic Invocation: - "May the Grand Architect of the Universe grant a blessing on this stone which we have now laid, and by His Providence enable us to finish this and every other work undertaken for the benefit of mankind, and in honor of His holy name.'

The Band and Choristers then performed a piece of sacred Music.

HYMN

To thee, Great Architect divine,
To whom all Glory, Praise be given,
We dedicate this sacred shrine
With mystic secrets sprung from Heaven.

Vouchsafe to hear our feeble band,
And on our labors deign to smile.
That guided by thy fostering hand.
Success may crown the Builder's toil.

And ever hallowed may it prove
From jaITing strife and discord free
A. Temple, where fraternal love
May join in endless praise to thee.

Parent of light, devoutly low,
Before thine altar here we bend.
Glory to thee, as was, is now,
And shall be ever, without end.

The Silver Cups were then delivered to the Wardens, by them to the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, and by him to the Provincial Grand Master, who poured the Wine, Corn, and Oil, contained therein upon the stone, saying: -

"May the all Bounteous Author of Nature, bless this City with abundance of Corn, Wine and Oil,
and with all the necessaries, conveniences, and comforts of life; and may the same Almighty power preserve this building from decay to the latest Posterity."

A Salute was then fired accompanied by animated Music, announcing the completion of the work, at the close of which the Provincial Grand Master rose and delivered from his chair a suitable oration. After which the procession retired in the same order as it came, to the house of the Town Major preceded by the Band.

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