Dedication Of A Masonic Hall In 1777.

VIII . At the end of the third procession the Master to be proclaimed , the music to perform a grand piece till the members forming the procession take their places . IX . The lodge then to be placed before the chair , ancl the three li ghts , and three pitchers containing com , wine , and oil , to be placed thereon ; tho

bible , compasses , square , and Book of Constitutions , to bo placed on the pedestal . X . The foundation stone anthem then to bo sung , ancl an exordium on Masonry to be given by Brother John Huntley , concluding with an intimation of the Architect ' s desire to return the implements entrusted to his care at laying the foundation stone . XI . Then the grand anthem to be sung .

XII . The oration to be given by the Rev . Brother Dr . Scott . XIII . The first part of the grand ode . XIV . The procession to be resumed , marching round the Hall three times , preceded by the Tylers carrying the lodge as at entrance , during which the music plays a grand piece . XV . The second part of the grand ode . XVI . The blessing pronounced b y the Chaplain .

We next give the MS . account of the proceedings : — The ceremonies at the dedication of the New ° Masonic Hall , Thursday , October 16 th , 1777 , were of a very imposing and solemn nature . The lodge opened at ten o ' clock , for the several Masons only , and the room was dedicated by the officers walking thrice round the room ' whilst the solemnities were going on , aud the organ playing a very slow piece of music . On their

completing the first round the Master declared the hall dedicated to Masonry . At the end of the second procession he declared it dedicated to " Virtue ; " and at the end of the third to " Universal Benevolence . " The members were then alio wed . to leave for the purpose of introducing tho ladies , who were admitted by ticket , precisely at a quarter before twelve o ' clock , and when the lodge was resumed there was another solemn procession of the whole of the brethren

, after which the Master was proclaimed , and a grand piece of music was performed on the organ . The several brothers having taken their seats , ancl the lights , pitchers , compasses , square , book of constitutions , bible , etc ., being regularly placed , the foundation stone anthem was sung , after which an exordium on Masonry was delivered b y brother John Huntley . The grand anthem , set to music by Mr . Fisher , was then sung : and after thfs tho

Reverend Brother Dr . Scott delivered the foregoing oration . After this the first part of the grand ode was sung by the choir from Durham , assisted by several others ; on its completion , the lodge again formed ancl marched in solemn order round the hall three times , the music playing during the whole time . After this the second part of the grand ode was performed , aud the dedition concluded b y the chaplain pronouncing the blessing . Copies of the odes and anthems

were printed for distribution , those printed for the members having the resolutions of the committee ( appointed to regulate the ceremonies at the dedication ) as agreed to at Brother Hume ' s , in " the Close , September 22 nd , 1777 , printed on the back . At a meeting of the lodge , held November 6 th , 1777 , it was resolved , That the thanks of the society be given to Dr . Scott for his excellent oration delivered at the dedication of the hall , ancl that he be requested to publish the same at the expense of the society , which lie consenting to , it -was immediately after printed .

ORATION . Right Worshipful Grand Master , and ye , my much esteemed Brethren , — The Appearance of so numerous and respectable an Audience , ancl the infeeqnency of the Occasion upon which it is assembled , induce me , before our Ceremony commences , to say something of our Art itself . A Task the more