1891 Laying the Foundation Stone

From the Minutes of the Provincial Grand Lodge - 12th September 1891

(This building became known as Maryfield Hospital in Mains Loan – it is now demolished)

The R.W.P.G. Master, Brother James Berry occupied the chair and opened the Lodge.

There was a very large attendance of office bearers and members of the Provincial Grand Lodge including Lord Glamis.

The R.W.P.G. Master brought under the notice of Provincial Grand Lodge in feeling terms, the death of the late Dean of Brechin Brother James Crabb, who, for so long a period had acted as Provincial Grand Chaplain. He moved that a letter of sympathy should be transmitted to the family of the deceased, and in doing so he mentioned how attentive and devoted the late Dean had always been to his Masonic duties and the high respect in which he was held by the Lodge. The motion was unanimously adopted and the Secretary was instructed to forward to the family of the late Dean an extract from the P.G. minutes.

The R.W.P.G. Master explained that the P.G. Lodge had been called together that day for the purpose of receiving with all due honour Brother Colonel Sir Archibald C. Campbell of Blythswood, Bart. M.P., Grand Master Mason of Scotland and other office bearers of Grand Lodge and to assist them in laying the foundation stone of the sick Hospital for the City of Dundee. The Grand Lodge was received in due form and at request of R.W.P.G. Master accepted of the emblem of office and took the chair.

The proceedings of the day are fully detailed in the following report in the Dundee Advertiser

Dundee Sick Hospital

Laying of Foundation Stone

Imposing Ceremonial

The foundation stone of the Hospital for sick poor at the East Poorhouse, Dundee, was laid with Masonic Honours on Saturday afternoon, and the function was one of the most successful, which has ever taken place in Dundee.
Better weather conditions for a public display could not have been wished. The sky was unclouded, the sun shone with great brilliance, and a cooling westerly breeze prevailed.

From an early hour in the forenoon it was quite observable in the City that some extra event was to happen. The morning trains brought a large number of visitors, conspicuous among whom were members of Masonic Lodges throughout the country, wearing in many cases their regalia. The streets during the forenoon were thronged with strangers, and previous to the demonstration many of them visited the various places of interest in the City.

Meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge

A meeting was thereafter held of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Forfarshire. Brother Berry the Provincial Grand Master, presided and all the other office-bearers, including Brother Lord Glamis were present. The Provincial Grand Master moved that a letter of sympathy should be transmitted to the family of the late Dean of Brechin, Grand Chaplain, No one, the Provincial Grand Master said, had been more attentive and devoted to his duties than the late Dean, who had served five Grand Masters as Chaplain. The motion was at once unanimously adopted and the Secretary was instructed to prepare and forward a minute.

The deputation from Grand Lodge had in the meantime assembled in the adjoining room and on the arrival of the Grand Master they proceeded to the meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge where they were received with the usual Masonic honours.

On the most worshipful Grand Master taking his place on the dais the Provincial Grand Master handed him the emblem of authority, and requested him to wield the same during his visit.

The Grand Master, in accepting it, said, he doubted not, that when he returned it at the close of that day’s proceedings it would return to the hands of one who was worthy to be entrusted with it. The Provincial Grand Master had during his period of office done his duty admirably, and he was assured that when the mallet was returned to him he would discharge his duties to the satisfaction of all brethren. (Applause)

The Brethren were then marshalled for the procession.

The Procession

Shortly before two o’clock those who were to take part in the procession outside the Masonic fraternity began to assemble at the Esplanade. The arrangements for the day were so accurately drawn out by the committee in charge, that there was no difficulty for those wishing to fall into the procession. Mr. Dewar, Chief Constable, the Marshal, was on the ground very early in the day and when the various bodies arrived they were arranged in order without the least confusion.

A number of the public witnessed the proceedings, but it was a very good natured crowd. Several of the more witty present had to pass their little jokes, which were received with laughter or the reverse, according to the estimation in which the civic and military dignitaries were held. The bodies arranged in processional order on the Esplanade were – 1st City Rifles and Band under the command of Colonel Rankin; The Lord Provost and Magistrates (each wearing the insignia of office) and members of the Town Council; the members of the Parochial Board, in carriages; the boys of the Industrial School, with their Band; the members of the Nine Trades, in carriages; the Contractors for the Building, in carriages; and the Highland Volunteers under the command of Colonel Smith.

The Masons, who had in the afternoon been attending the proceedings in connection with the presentation to Lady Strathmore, appeared on Shore Terrace, and were marshalled under Mr. William McFarland, Mr. Fred. G. Kemp, and Sergeant Dickie, Montrose. In the Terrace was a great crowd of people, who witnessed the marshalling with great interest. The regalia of the different Lodges gave a very fine appearance to the procession when it was formed into line. Several of the Brethren, besides the ordinary “clothing” wore sashes, and the office bearers also carried rods, swords, and jewels, which betoken the office they held.

The Lodges were drawn up according to Masonic order, the youngest Lodge going first,

Those who were to march in the procession left their prospective rendezvous a few minutes before three o’clock. At that hour they met opposite the West Station. At this point a very large crowd of spectators had congregated, and cheers were raised as the volunteers and civic bodies came into view. The Masons fell in after the Dundee Highland Volunteers had passed, and the procession then marched off. in the following order: -

Marshal – Mr. D. Dewar
Detachment of Police
1st City Rifles
Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Members of Town Council
Chairman and members of Dundee Parochial Board
Industrial School Boys and Band
The Nine Trades
The Three Trades
The Contractors for the Hospital
3rd V.B.R. H.
Masons

The route was by way of Whitehall Street, High Street, Murraygate, Cowgate, King Street, Princes Street, Albert Street, and Forfar Road to Clepington Road. All along the route the people lined the streets on each side, and at some points the crowds were very dense, people standing at several places seven deep. This was particularly the case in High Street, were the people flocked in thousands anxious to get a glimpse of the show. Splendid music was supplied by the Band, and the “ march past” was greatly enjoyed by the onlookers. Excellent order was maintained. There were, of course, several individuals who did their best to create a disturbance, but these were quickly dealt with by the Police, and were put out of the way in a very unceremonious manner.

The Laying of the Stone

On arriving near the hospital the brethren leading the Masonic portion of the procession opened out to the right and left, leaving room for the Grand Master Mason, The Provincial Grand Master and other office-bearers and Lodges, who according to seniority, passed up the centre. On arrival at the platform the Provincial Grand Architect first walked up to the East of the stone which was about to be laid, and then the Provincial Grand Chaplain; and after these came the other Provincial Grand Officers. Thereafter the Grand Master and the Grand Master Depute came to the platform, and the Provincial Grand Master took his place on the right of the Grand Master, and followed by these were Provincial Grand Lodges, and the deputations from daughter Lodges.

The Grand Jewels and other emblems to be used in the ceremonial were laid on the Grand Master’s table, and then the proceedings were opened by a band under the leadership of Brother Burrows, Provincial Grand Director of Music, singing the 100th Psalm, and Brother the Reverend William Smith, Provincial Grand Chaplain, offered up prayer.

After the religious service the Provincial Grand Master stepped forward and requested the Grand Master to lay the stone. To this the reply was given that the Grand Master had great pleasure in acceding to the request, which had been forwarded to him in name of Grand Lodge to lay the memorial stone of this building. The Grand Master then called upon the Provincial Grand Secretary and Provincial Grand Treasurer to place the coins & etc in the cavities of the stone. This was at once done, the current coins and copies of the Dundee Advertiser and other daily and weekly newspapers being deposited in the stone.

The Provincial Grand Architect then brought forward workmen to place the stone in position, and Mr. Alexander presented to the Grand Master a beautiful silver trowel, to be used in the work and retained as a memento thereof. The choir sang “Hail O Masonry” and while the hymn was sung was lowered according to Masonic form.

The Junior Grand Warden then applied the plumb, the senior Grand Warden applied the level, and the Substitute Grand Warden (Master?) followed with the square. These officers reported that this had been done, and the Grand Master finished the work by giving three knocks on the stone and saying “May the Almighty Architect of the Universe look down with benignity upon our present undertaking and crown the edifice, of which we have now laid the foundation stone, with great success.” Thereafter the choir sang “Hail Universal Lord,” and a cornucopia and Vases being meantime handed to the Grand Master, he threw corn on the stone, and then poured wine and oil thereon, and said: - “Praise be to the Lord immortal and eternal, who formed the heavens, laid the foundation of the earth and extended the waters beyond it – who supports the pillars of nations and maintains in order the harmony and surrounding worlds. We implore Thine aid, and may the continued blessings of an all-bounteous Providence be the lot of these our native shores; and may the Almighty Ruler of events deign to direct the hand of our Gracious Sovereign, so that she may pour down blessing upon her people; and may that people, living under sage laws, in a free government, ever feel grateful for the blessings they enjoy.

The choir then sang “To Heaven’s High Architect,” and at the close of this the Grand Officers returned to their platform.

The Masonic procession then returned in reverse order to the City Assembly rooms.