Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Laying The Corner Stones Of The New Hall At Kirkburton.
LAYING THE CORNER STONES OF THE NEW HALL AT KIRKBURTON .
THE time-honoured institution of Freemasonry has ever been to the fore where the interests of the nation have been involved , and in the cause of charity and the social improvement of the people the mystic Craft has accomplished untold good . The circumstance which brought together so large a company of gentlemen on Saturday , the 8 th inst ., at Kirkburton was an exemplification of the
foregoing remarks , and was none the less laudable and gratifying than many an undertaking on a much larger scale . The ancient village of Kirkbnrton has long felt the want of some pnblic meeting place , and the new Masonic Hall which is being erected within the shadow of the venerable Parish Chnrch . and situated upon a site leased from
the Sheffield Hospital Trustees , on the north side of the Vicarage grounds , will fully meet the wants of all classes , for ifc is understood tbat the use of the hall will not be exclusively taken up by the Freemasons themselves , but tbat it will be available oa any occasion of public demonstration , & c . The ground taken up by the building at
some period within tho recollection of some of the older inhabitants has been filled iu over an arched cnlvert , throngh which runs the beck , making the site a very expensive one to build upon , although situated in one of the best positions in tho neighbourhood . The foundation work has had to be carried down in somo places to a depth
of 5 ft . below the beck , or 25 ft . below the main floor . This , however , has been utilised to form a workshop or stone shed , suitable for a mason , joiner , or similar trade , and the front portion as caretaker ' s living room , keeping cellar , storage for forms , & c , and heating apparatus . The ground ormain floor contains large hall ( 36 ft . by 21 ft . ) ,
with retiring room in rear , supper room , capable of being thrown as additional space into the main room ; lavatory and robing room , and on the upper floor two bedrooms , which are approached by separate staircases from basement , so as not to interfere with tbe large hall , & o . The building is carried out in an early half timbered style , as
being more suitable for the country , and of which there are still examples in the immediate locality . The works are being carried out under the supervision of Bro . Cocking W . M ., architect ; W . Moorhouee and Sons , masons , Kirkburton ; F . and H . Shaw , joiners , Kirkburton ; Brook and North , plumbers , Huddersfield ; W . E . Jowett , plasterer and slater , Huddersfield ; and J . Preston , painter , Huddersfield .
Abont 3 p . m . the W . M . and Officers of the Beaumont Lodge , No . 2035 , opened the Lodge at the Lodge room , George Inn , in the Three Degrees , and after a short interval formed in procession and proceeded to the new building , where there had already assembled a large gathering , representative of the district for miles round .
Having reached the site of the intended bnilding , the brethren opened out right aud left , and Bro . VV . Schofield P . M . P . P . G . P . ancl the Officers passed to the platform , after which the Lodge again closed in and followed . Soon after getting into position the W . M . ( Bro . Cocking ) asked the Past Grand Chaplain of England ( Bro . Rov .
T . C . Smyth , D . D . ) to offer prayer , after which the Secretary ( Bro . Drummond ) read the following report : — Some years ago it was suggested by a number of brethren , as well as by several gentlemen resident in the district who were wishful to become Masons , that it was very desirable that a Lodge should be
founded in Kirkburton , which was thought to be a convenient centre for the surrounding villages , if His Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales , the Grand Master of England , would be graciously pleased to grant a warrant for that purpose . A petition was accordingly duly presented to His Eoyal Highness in the latter part of the year 1883 ,
which H . R . H . was good enough to entertain , and a warrant was granted by him and dated the 15 th of February 1884 . It was decided that the Lodge should be called the Beaumont Lodge as a compliment to Henry F . Beaumont , Esq ., M . P ., of Whitley Beaumont , who , though not a Mason , so loyally entertained H . R . H . Prince
Leopold , Prov . Grand Master of Oxfordshire , on his visiting Huddersfield in October 1883 . The Lodge was consecrated by the Eight Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire , Bro . T . W . Tew , J . P ., on the 8 th of May 1884 , a day long to be remembered in Kirkburton , both by members of the Craft and by others who then had
the privilege of being present . A most excellent sermon was on that occasion preached by Bro . the Rev . J . F . Pearce P . M ., in the venerable Parish Chnrch of the village . There being no suitable room available wherein to transact the business of the Lodge the brethren had had to hold their meetings at an hotel up to the present time ,
and althongh the greatest kindness and courtesy had been extended to the brethren there , yet it was felt , with the increasing numbers of the Lodge , that the business of Freemasonry could not be conducted with that decorum which is so great an element in the Craft as it could on premises specially adopted for that purpose . Accordingly
several of the brethren of the Beaumont Lodge , most kindly assisted by brethren of other Lodges , magnanimously determined to form themselves into a company for the purpose of building the new hall , of which the corner stones were that day being laid . About £ 700 had been already subscribed in share capital , and it was hoped that
a yet larger sum would be raised in that way , as ifc was calculated that the cost of the undertaking would be £ 1200 before the work was fully completed . It was expected that the new building would be completed and ready for the use of the Lodge , as well as for local purposes , early in the ensuing year . The directors trust that the
Great Architect of the Universe would enable the workmen and contractors engaged on the work to proceed with and complete the same with all convenient speed and without accident to life or limb , and that when it is completed it will prove not only an ornament in this historic village , but will also promote the interest and pleasures
of its inhabitants , and at the same time forward the great cause of Freemasonry throughout tbe district . The W . M ., ou behalf of the Craft iu Kirkbnrton , asked Bro . W . Schofield to lay the main corner stone , at the same time presenting him with a silver trowel , supplied by Messrs . Fillans and Son , Market Walk , Huddersfield . The stone was then raised ; and the Secre-
Laying The Corner Stones Of The New Hall At Kirkburton.
tary read aloud the inscription upon the brass plate , which is as follows : — " This stono was laid by Bro . William Schofield P . M ., P . P . G . P ., September 8 th 1888 . " The Treasurer having deposited the phial into the cavity of the
stone , and the architect placed the plate in position , cement was put on tho upper face of the lower stone , and Bro . Schofield spread it with the trowel , after which tho upper stone was slowly lowered by three distinct stops . He then proved the just position of the stone by tho square , level , and plumb rule , which were successively handed
to him . Being satisfied in thoso particulars , the W . M . presented him with a mallet , with which he gave the stono three knocks , and declared the stone well and truly laid . The Past Grand Chaplain of England then stepped forward , and taking the cornucopia and the ewera ho strewed the corn , emblem of plenty , and poured the wine
and oil , emblems of cheerfulness and gladness , over the stone with the accustomed ceremonies . The architect presented the plans , which Bro . Schofield remarked he had examined , and returned them to Bro . Cooking , bidding him at the same time to proceed with the work without loss of time . The W . M ., on behalf of the Kirkbnrton
Masonic Hall Company , Limited , thanked Bro . Schofield for his services , and , in reply , that gentleman expressed his pleasure at seeing so large a number present , if only as spectators . His had also been an unmixed pleasure , as tho first Master of Beaumont Lodge , in having been asked to lay tho corner stone that day of the Masonio Hall ,
which he hoped would not only prove an ornament to the village , but a home for the Beaumont Lodge for years and years to come , and also that ifc would be of great use to the chnrch , parish , and district in other social ways . They had hoped to have had present with them the Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire , to perform fche
duty which he had so inadequately done . It had , however , fallen to his lot to perform this pleasing bufc not altogether onerous duty , for the hard work had been done by practical masons , and he was only a speculative one . The little part he had taken had given him great pleasure . He was glad to contribute his mite to what would be a
threat handmaid and help to Freemasonry ; where the rite of Freemasonry would be in its freest and fullest manner perpetuated . Those outside knew nothing of it until they joined their ranks . Bufc all in the village who wished to join the Lodge might have the opportunitv of doing so . They asked no one , but those wishing to
partake of the glorious principles of Freemasonry might do so if they came freely and voluntarily . They would always be pleased to admit them . Good and true men never made bad Freemasons , and a good Freemason could not be a bad man . He had additional pleasure in laying that stone , for he had beeu connected with the village
for over 50 years . His association bound him very close to the village . Fifty years ago he was a scholar in the school and a member of the Parish Church . He took his wife from the village . He was sorry to say he had buried some of his children in the churchyard , and when he came to his last moments his wish and desire was to be
laid by them in the churchyard of , not his native , but his adopted village . Bro . Cocking W . M . then laid the second stone , followed by Broj Rev . R . Collins J . W . P . G . C , Bro . William Fitton P . M . and Bro . Hargreaves S . W ., all of whom addressed suitable remarks to the
assemblage . This concluded the ceremony , and the brethren again formed in procession as before , and proceeded to the Parish Church , where a service was held , and a sermon preached by Bro . Rev . T . C . Smyth , D . D .
At the service the church was literally packed . The hymn , " All hail tho power of Jesu ' s namo , " was first sung , the Evening Service afterwards being said by Bro . Eev . R . Collins , M . A ., vicar , P . G . C . Bro . Rev . J . N . Lee , chaplain , read the first lesson , and Bro . Rev . T . M . Turnbull the second . The Magnificat and Nuno Dimmittia
( Dr . Smith , Dublin ) were very ably sung by the ladies and gentlemen who composed the choir . Boyce's anthem , " I have surely built Thee an house , " was also beautifully rendered , the vocalist amongst others being Miss Smyth , Miss England , and Bro . Riley , Mr . T . Haigh and Bro . B . Stocks . The hymn before the sermon was " * Christ is made
the sure foundation . " Bro . Joshua Marshall presided at the organ . Dr . Smyth selected his text from the sixth chapter of the first book of Kings , and the seventh verse : " And the house when it was in bnilding was built of stone , made ready before it was brought thither , so that there was neither hammer , nor axe , nor any tool of
iron heard in tho house while it was in building . " In the conrse of his remarks the rev . gentleman said the Temple of Solomon was the noblest structure ever made by human hands In its architectural design , the material employed , the labou bestowed , the excellence of the work , and the stateliness and
grandeur of the whole edifice , ifc surpassed the proudest of human devices . The massiveness of its structure , the magnificent arrangement ; of its porches , and its Holy and Mosfc Holy places , were worthy of the Great Being to whom it was dedicated . Leaving , however , the interesting points connected with this stupendous work ,
he asked them to turn their attention to the singular fact of which the sacred historian spoke in the words of his text . It was difficult , he said , for them to understand how a work so vast could possibly be erected in that silent manner , and the fact would be still more remarkable if they bore in mind the nature and dimensions of the
material used . They were hewn , carried and fitted for their places before they were brought to Mount Moriah with such nicety and skill that the smallest interstices were not perceptible between the stones . No tool was needed to adjust them and frame them in grand harmonious proportion . This gorgeous Temple was destroyed
by a Captain of the Great ; Nebuchadnezzar , and another was raised in the same spot , and met the same fate . The nation which worshipped within this sanctuary had been scattered also to the winds
of Heaven , but the structure furnished by this text was still remaining , and as the great portion of the congregation consisted of those who were not Freemasons he would teach them in a general way the spiritual meaning that might be drawn from the incident related .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Laying The Corner Stones Of The New Hall At Kirkburton.
LAYING THE CORNER STONES OF THE NEW HALL AT KIRKBURTON .
THE time-honoured institution of Freemasonry has ever been to the fore where the interests of the nation have been involved , and in the cause of charity and the social improvement of the people the mystic Craft has accomplished untold good . The circumstance which brought together so large a company of gentlemen on Saturday , the 8 th inst ., at Kirkburton was an exemplification of the
foregoing remarks , and was none the less laudable and gratifying than many an undertaking on a much larger scale . The ancient village of Kirkbnrton has long felt the want of some pnblic meeting place , and the new Masonic Hall which is being erected within the shadow of the venerable Parish Chnrch . and situated upon a site leased from
the Sheffield Hospital Trustees , on the north side of the Vicarage grounds , will fully meet the wants of all classes , for ifc is understood tbat the use of the hall will not be exclusively taken up by the Freemasons themselves , but tbat it will be available oa any occasion of public demonstration , & c . The ground taken up by the building at
some period within tho recollection of some of the older inhabitants has been filled iu over an arched cnlvert , throngh which runs the beck , making the site a very expensive one to build upon , although situated in one of the best positions in tho neighbourhood . The foundation work has had to be carried down in somo places to a depth
of 5 ft . below the beck , or 25 ft . below the main floor . This , however , has been utilised to form a workshop or stone shed , suitable for a mason , joiner , or similar trade , and the front portion as caretaker ' s living room , keeping cellar , storage for forms , & c , and heating apparatus . The ground ormain floor contains large hall ( 36 ft . by 21 ft . ) ,
with retiring room in rear , supper room , capable of being thrown as additional space into the main room ; lavatory and robing room , and on the upper floor two bedrooms , which are approached by separate staircases from basement , so as not to interfere with tbe large hall , & o . The building is carried out in an early half timbered style , as
being more suitable for the country , and of which there are still examples in the immediate locality . The works are being carried out under the supervision of Bro . Cocking W . M ., architect ; W . Moorhouee and Sons , masons , Kirkburton ; F . and H . Shaw , joiners , Kirkburton ; Brook and North , plumbers , Huddersfield ; W . E . Jowett , plasterer and slater , Huddersfield ; and J . Preston , painter , Huddersfield .
Abont 3 p . m . the W . M . and Officers of the Beaumont Lodge , No . 2035 , opened the Lodge at the Lodge room , George Inn , in the Three Degrees , and after a short interval formed in procession and proceeded to the new building , where there had already assembled a large gathering , representative of the district for miles round .
Having reached the site of the intended bnilding , the brethren opened out right aud left , and Bro . VV . Schofield P . M . P . P . G . P . ancl the Officers passed to the platform , after which the Lodge again closed in and followed . Soon after getting into position the W . M . ( Bro . Cocking ) asked the Past Grand Chaplain of England ( Bro . Rov .
T . C . Smyth , D . D . ) to offer prayer , after which the Secretary ( Bro . Drummond ) read the following report : — Some years ago it was suggested by a number of brethren , as well as by several gentlemen resident in the district who were wishful to become Masons , that it was very desirable that a Lodge should be
founded in Kirkburton , which was thought to be a convenient centre for the surrounding villages , if His Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales , the Grand Master of England , would be graciously pleased to grant a warrant for that purpose . A petition was accordingly duly presented to His Eoyal Highness in the latter part of the year 1883 ,
which H . R . H . was good enough to entertain , and a warrant was granted by him and dated the 15 th of February 1884 . It was decided that the Lodge should be called the Beaumont Lodge as a compliment to Henry F . Beaumont , Esq ., M . P ., of Whitley Beaumont , who , though not a Mason , so loyally entertained H . R . H . Prince
Leopold , Prov . Grand Master of Oxfordshire , on his visiting Huddersfield in October 1883 . The Lodge was consecrated by the Eight Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire , Bro . T . W . Tew , J . P ., on the 8 th of May 1884 , a day long to be remembered in Kirkburton , both by members of the Craft and by others who then had
the privilege of being present . A most excellent sermon was on that occasion preached by Bro . the Rev . J . F . Pearce P . M ., in the venerable Parish Chnrch of the village . There being no suitable room available wherein to transact the business of the Lodge the brethren had had to hold their meetings at an hotel up to the present time ,
and althongh the greatest kindness and courtesy had been extended to the brethren there , yet it was felt , with the increasing numbers of the Lodge , that the business of Freemasonry could not be conducted with that decorum which is so great an element in the Craft as it could on premises specially adopted for that purpose . Accordingly
several of the brethren of the Beaumont Lodge , most kindly assisted by brethren of other Lodges , magnanimously determined to form themselves into a company for the purpose of building the new hall , of which the corner stones were that day being laid . About £ 700 had been already subscribed in share capital , and it was hoped that
a yet larger sum would be raised in that way , as ifc was calculated that the cost of the undertaking would be £ 1200 before the work was fully completed . It was expected that the new building would be completed and ready for the use of the Lodge , as well as for local purposes , early in the ensuing year . The directors trust that the
Great Architect of the Universe would enable the workmen and contractors engaged on the work to proceed with and complete the same with all convenient speed and without accident to life or limb , and that when it is completed it will prove not only an ornament in this historic village , but will also promote the interest and pleasures
of its inhabitants , and at the same time forward the great cause of Freemasonry throughout tbe district . The W . M ., ou behalf of the Craft iu Kirkbnrton , asked Bro . W . Schofield to lay the main corner stone , at the same time presenting him with a silver trowel , supplied by Messrs . Fillans and Son , Market Walk , Huddersfield . The stone was then raised ; and the Secre-
Laying The Corner Stones Of The New Hall At Kirkburton.
tary read aloud the inscription upon the brass plate , which is as follows : — " This stono was laid by Bro . William Schofield P . M ., P . P . G . P ., September 8 th 1888 . " The Treasurer having deposited the phial into the cavity of the
stone , and the architect placed the plate in position , cement was put on tho upper face of the lower stone , and Bro . Schofield spread it with the trowel , after which tho upper stone was slowly lowered by three distinct stops . He then proved the just position of the stone by tho square , level , and plumb rule , which were successively handed
to him . Being satisfied in thoso particulars , the W . M . presented him with a mallet , with which he gave the stono three knocks , and declared the stone well and truly laid . The Past Grand Chaplain of England then stepped forward , and taking the cornucopia and the ewera ho strewed the corn , emblem of plenty , and poured the wine
and oil , emblems of cheerfulness and gladness , over the stone with the accustomed ceremonies . The architect presented the plans , which Bro . Schofield remarked he had examined , and returned them to Bro . Cooking , bidding him at the same time to proceed with the work without loss of time . The W . M ., on behalf of the Kirkbnrton
Masonic Hall Company , Limited , thanked Bro . Schofield for his services , and , in reply , that gentleman expressed his pleasure at seeing so large a number present , if only as spectators . His had also been an unmixed pleasure , as tho first Master of Beaumont Lodge , in having been asked to lay tho corner stone that day of the Masonio Hall ,
which he hoped would not only prove an ornament to the village , but a home for the Beaumont Lodge for years and years to come , and also that ifc would be of great use to the chnrch , parish , and district in other social ways . They had hoped to have had present with them the Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire , to perform fche
duty which he had so inadequately done . It had , however , fallen to his lot to perform this pleasing bufc not altogether onerous duty , for the hard work had been done by practical masons , and he was only a speculative one . The little part he had taken had given him great pleasure . He was glad to contribute his mite to what would be a
threat handmaid and help to Freemasonry ; where the rite of Freemasonry would be in its freest and fullest manner perpetuated . Those outside knew nothing of it until they joined their ranks . Bufc all in the village who wished to join the Lodge might have the opportunitv of doing so . They asked no one , but those wishing to
partake of the glorious principles of Freemasonry might do so if they came freely and voluntarily . They would always be pleased to admit them . Good and true men never made bad Freemasons , and a good Freemason could not be a bad man . He had additional pleasure in laying that stone , for he had beeu connected with the village
for over 50 years . His association bound him very close to the village . Fifty years ago he was a scholar in the school and a member of the Parish Church . He took his wife from the village . He was sorry to say he had buried some of his children in the churchyard , and when he came to his last moments his wish and desire was to be
laid by them in the churchyard of , not his native , but his adopted village . Bro . Cocking W . M . then laid the second stone , followed by Broj Rev . R . Collins J . W . P . G . C , Bro . William Fitton P . M . and Bro . Hargreaves S . W ., all of whom addressed suitable remarks to the
assemblage . This concluded the ceremony , and the brethren again formed in procession as before , and proceeded to the Parish Church , where a service was held , and a sermon preached by Bro . Rev . T . C . Smyth , D . D .
At the service the church was literally packed . The hymn , " All hail tho power of Jesu ' s namo , " was first sung , the Evening Service afterwards being said by Bro . Eev . R . Collins , M . A ., vicar , P . G . C . Bro . Rev . J . N . Lee , chaplain , read the first lesson , and Bro . Rev . T . M . Turnbull the second . The Magnificat and Nuno Dimmittia
( Dr . Smith , Dublin ) were very ably sung by the ladies and gentlemen who composed the choir . Boyce's anthem , " I have surely built Thee an house , " was also beautifully rendered , the vocalist amongst others being Miss Smyth , Miss England , and Bro . Riley , Mr . T . Haigh and Bro . B . Stocks . The hymn before the sermon was " * Christ is made
the sure foundation . " Bro . Joshua Marshall presided at the organ . Dr . Smyth selected his text from the sixth chapter of the first book of Kings , and the seventh verse : " And the house when it was in bnilding was built of stone , made ready before it was brought thither , so that there was neither hammer , nor axe , nor any tool of
iron heard in tho house while it was in building . " In the conrse of his remarks the rev . gentleman said the Temple of Solomon was the noblest structure ever made by human hands In its architectural design , the material employed , the labou bestowed , the excellence of the work , and the stateliness and
grandeur of the whole edifice , ifc surpassed the proudest of human devices . The massiveness of its structure , the magnificent arrangement ; of its porches , and its Holy and Mosfc Holy places , were worthy of the Great Being to whom it was dedicated . Leaving , however , the interesting points connected with this stupendous work ,
he asked them to turn their attention to the singular fact of which the sacred historian spoke in the words of his text . It was difficult , he said , for them to understand how a work so vast could possibly be erected in that silent manner , and the fact would be still more remarkable if they bore in mind the nature and dimensions of the
material used . They were hewn , carried and fitted for their places before they were brought to Mount Moriah with such nicety and skill that the smallest interstices were not perceptible between the stones . No tool was needed to adjust them and frame them in grand harmonious proportion . This gorgeous Temple was destroyed
by a Captain of the Great ; Nebuchadnezzar , and another was raised in the same spot , and met the same fate . The nation which worshipped within this sanctuary had been scattered also to the winds
of Heaven , but the structure furnished by this text was still remaining , and as the great portion of the congregation consisted of those who were not Freemasons he would teach them in a general way the spiritual meaning that might be drawn from the incident related .