1863 Foundation Stone of the Morgan Hospital

30th July 1863

From the Minute Book of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Forfarshire

At Dundee the 30th day of July 1863.

On which day the foundation stone of an educational institution to be called the Morgan Hospital (the funds for the erection and endowment of which were bequeathed by the late John Morgan a native of Dundee). By the Right Honourable Fox, Earl of Dalhousie, Baron Panmure &c, Lord Lieutenant of Forfarshire and Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, assisted by the Provincial Grand Lodge and deputations of Lodges in the neighbourhood.

The various Lodges in Dundee having assembled in their own places of meeting proceeded to the general rendezvous at the High School where they were joined by numerous deputations from sister Lodges in Forfar, Perth and Fife shires. The whole of the Lodges were then marshalled in proper order of seniority.

The Provincial Lodge of Forfarshire was opened in the Royal Hotel at 11.30 a.m. by the R.W.P.G.M., R.W.M. Geeie of this Lodge acting as R.W.P.G. Depute Master, Past Master Dickson of the Ancient Lodge as R.W.P.G. Substitute Master and Past Masters Kay and Cuthbert of this Lodge as P.G. Wardens, it was adjourned at noon and proceeded to join the Lodges assembled at the High School when the procession moved off in the following order.

 

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Forfarshire
The Rt Hon Fox, Earl of Dalhousie, K.T. P.G. Master

The route selected was by Panmure Street, King Street, Princes Street, and Albert Street to the site of the hospital where the brethren opened up and allowed the P.G. Lodge to pass through their ranks followed by each Lodge in seniority; the P.G. Lodge accompanied by the Magistrates proceeded to the raised space where the stone was to be laid, in front of this seats were provided for about 400 spectators and they were mostly occupied by ladies. The whole of the preparations having been completed, the band played ‘God Save the Queen’
The Rev Andrew Taylor of the South Church then gave out to be sung the 100th Psalm and afterwards offered up a most impressive prayer.

The R.W.P.G. Master then directed the Treasurer and Secretary to deposit in the cavity left for that purpose the case containing the coins and records, this having been done the stone was lowered and placed in its proper position the Dundee Band playing a piece of sacred music (Alma P.M.)
The Plumb, Level and Square were then applied to the stone by the proper office bearers, the R.W.P.G. Master gave the usual three raps and declared the stone laid with true Masonic honours.
The announcement was hailed with loud cheers, the band playing the Mason’s anthem. The P.G. Master then emptied the vessels containing the Corn, Wine and Oil.

He then mounted the stone and in an eloquent address announced the completion of the work , congratulated the citizens on this addition to the charitable institutions of the town and and thanked the Lodges for their attendance , he then called for three cheers for the Queen, which were heartily given.
The procession then returned in reverse order breaking up at the High Street each Lodge returning to its own Lodge rooms. The Provincial Lodge being regularly closed in the Royal Hotel.

The day was fine although the weather for some time previously had been very unpromising.
Lord Dalhousie presided over a public banquet in the Corn Exchange in the afternoon at which some four hundred gentlemen were present.
Signed – John Geekie, Jun.

In those days the consecration vessels had to be borrowed from the Grand Lodge of Scotland. This involved the Grand Tyler travelling up by train to Dundee with the silverware. He also had to be paid for all expenses and accommodation. This can be seen from the P.G. Minutes: -
The meeting went over the claims made in reference to the late occasion and instructed the Treasurer to make the following payments.

For this event the Lodges had a levy of £2 placed upon each of them to cover the costs

©Transcribed by Iain D. McIntosh, 2014