The Ceremony

The ceremony began with a formal procession of the officers and dignitaries through the spectators to the site of the cornerstone. At the site there was a table on which are placed the crucial items to the ceremony. This includes, the Holy Writings, the Book of Constitutions, the Golden Vessel of Corn, the Silver Vessel containing Wine and Oil, the Great Lights, the Five Orders of Architecture and the Working Tools. The Free and Accepted Masons prepared the laying of the cornerstone itself, “as it has been the custom…since the time immemorial to assemble for the purpose of laying the foundation stones of public buildings.” The cornerstone itself consisted of an upper and a lower stone, the smaller of the two inscribed with the date or erection, and the name of the benefactor, John G. Taylor. The smaller stone was lowered to rest upon the larger, and was cemented into place by the Grand Master, who declared the “foundation stone to be well formed, true and trusty.” Once the cornerstone was in place, the sanction of the building began. The Masonic Officers readied the vessels for the blessing, the vessel of corn was placed on the cornerstone, which promised plenty for the future, the vessel of wine was poured on the stone, which promised joy and gladness, and lastly the vessel of oil was poured on the stone, which promised peace. The Grand Chaplin closed the ceremony with a prayer: “May the walls of this Home be strength, and all it’s officers peace, may the children who enter its porches find therein, repose, refreshment, peace.”

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