For several weeks our friends of the mystic tie have been preparing for the ceremonies accompanying the laying of the corner stone of the court house, and as was announced some time since in the Record. Thursday, July 15, was designated as the time.

The day was beautiful, all that could be desired, and at an early hour the streets presented a scene of activity which has not been witnessed in Butler for many a day. Men, women and children from all parts of the county were present to witness the imposing ceremonies. At one o'clock the Grand Lodge A.F. and A.M. of the State of Missouri was opened at the hall of Butler Lodge, No. 254, by Deputy Grand Master, N. M. Givan, Esq., of Harrisonville, with the following officers:

G. M. Houston, D.G.M., F. V. Holloway, S.G.W., O. D. Austin, J.G.W., J. Cal Litteral, Grand Chaplain, J. W. Hannah, Grand Marshal, V. B. Vandyke, G.S., William Page and James Rayburn, G.S., Henry McReynolds, S.G.D., G. W. Wilson J.G.D., S. H. Geisel, Grand Tyler.

The crowd upon the street had been steadily increasing, and about the hour the procession was expected to move the square was alive with people. After some delay in making preliminary arrangements, the procession was formed in the hall, in accordance with the order published last week, and proceeded once around the square to the northeast corner of the foundation of the court house where the stone was to be laid. The Butler Band then played a lively air after which the ceremonies began and everything was progressing finely, when just as the stone was being raised one of the stay rods to the derrick which had been erected for the purpose of lowering the stone to its place gave way and it fell to the ground. For a few moments the crowd was very much excited, as fears were entertained that one or more persons were killed, or at least seriously injured, as it fell in the thickest of the crowd. Almost immediately the fears were allayed, as only two persons had been hurt and neither seriously. The ceremonies were resumed and the stone laid in "due and ancient form," after which D.G.M., N. M. Givan, delivered an interesting address. The stone was of the finest limestone and upon the under side was cut the following inscription: "J. D. Vincil, G.M., A.D., 1869. A.L. 5869." On the eastern side was engraved "July 1869." The box which was placed under it was made of copper, and before it was deposited was sealed air tight. It contained the following articles, which were donated by different persons:

1. Book of the Constitution of Missouri by A.F. & A.M.
2. The Freemason.
3. One silver half dollar.
4. One two-cent copper coin.
5. Three copper one-cent coins.
6. One one-cent coin.
7. Two nickel five-cent coins.
8. One half franc coin.
9. One ten-cent silver coin.
10. One twenty- five-cent fractional currency.
11. One German thaler, silver coin.
12. One ten-cent coin.
13. One copy Bates County Record.
14. One roll of names of members of Butler Lodge, No. 254.
15. One copper plate containing present date of charter and names of officers of Butler Lodge, No. 254, and year of Masonry.

Among the concluding ceremonies might be mentioned the singing of a chant by Mr. and Mrs. Allison, Mr. and Mrs. Sprague and Miss Stoble. Dr. Pyle, who had been expected to participate in the singing, was prevented by the accident above named.

We have assembled to-day to celebrate, with appropriate ceremony, the commencement of an enterprise that will stand as a monument to the liberality of an industrious and intelligent people for years to come -- one of which the citizens of Bates County may well be proud. In voting their means so liberally for the erection of this temple of justice they have displayed a high appreciation of the rights of their fellow men and a care for the property of the public. While this enterprise so generously begun does not appear to the world at large as one of any considerable moment yet to the people of the county of Bates it is one of no ordinary importance, it is at home in their midst, will be frequented by them, and will stand for many returning years as a fair index of their own character. It may be truthfully said that the general appearance of a country determines to a great extent the characteristics of communities and individuals. A country beautiful in scenery produces in the minds of its inhabitants better conceptions of the beautiful and true than does one not in the least attractive. A rich and fertile country has a very great tendency to make its habitants active and energetic and such a community will always be composed of men of intelligence, good judgment and public enterprise. A country that contains the natural elements of wealth with beauty in appearance, will almost universally combine intelligence with good morals and liberality in its people. We have all perhaps observed that a rich, productive soil has always drawn to it an active, energetic class of immigration, while the drones in society seem almost by instinct to plant themselves in a country barren of advantages -- one in which it is barely possible to live where they can quietly enjoy supreme contentment in having no care beyond that of eating and sleeping; no accumulating property to multiply cares and vexations; no surplus products to haul to market; no high taxes to pay; no school houses, churches or court houses to build; in short nothing to disturb the even tenor of life. It may be asserted without fear of successful contradiction that a country that produces but scantily will always have inferior public buildings of any character.

On the other hand, a county with all the advantages of soil and climate, and consequently inhabited by energetic and intelligent men, will always be adorned with convenient, commodious and tasteful public edifices. The latter are almost the natural result of the former, and hence the public buildings of any community may always be regarded as a correct index of the character of the people of that community. If this be true, it would not appear remarkable that this community manifests an unusual interest in the erection of a public building to be dedicated to the administration of justice that is to reflect in its designs and construction the character of the people who erect it. The old fogy, if you have any in your midst, doubtless urges that it is the height of extravagance to squander $25,000 or $30,000 in the building of a court house, where one-third of that amount would construct a building that would answer the same purpose, one that would furnish a large court room and the necessary offices, a plain old-fashioned building. He does not believe in your new-fangled notions about the style of architecture. He never heard of oider in architecture or style of building where he came from, and can not understand why you pay an architect $500 for a plan and specifications, when you could just as well build your court house like the one in his old country. "Why," he says, "these architects are fellows that want to make their living without work," and he don't believe in keeping them in indolence by paying them such prices, just for drawing the picture of a house -- a thing that anybody can do. He believes in making them go to work and earn a living like he has to do. This is a fair sample of the opinions held by a certain class in all communities, though I am very glad to be able to state that in this western country that class is exceedingly diminutive and is continually growing beautifully less. Surely, they are very- greatly in the minority in your county.

You have been recently shorn of your wealth and improvements by the stern ravages of war, leaving your fields desolate, your dwellings leveled to the ground, your chimneys standing as so many monuments to the devastating elements that brought ruin to your homes and firesides. Yet the beauty of your undulating prairies remains, the richness of your soil has not been taken from you, and these of themselves almost form a perfect mould of your character, and have inspired you with enterprise and liberality. Your enterprise has replaced your improvements. You have risen Phoenix-like from the ruins of war, and what was three years ago almost a barren waste is now rich with golden harvest. Where there grew the wild prairie flower, now the honest husbandman gathers the rich reward of his daily toil. Three years have almost revolutionized nature in this western country. With the ravages of the past almost in your view, which of themselves could produce naught but discouragement, but with the bright hope of a prosperous future before you, you have of your own free will and accord, and of the generosity of your own natures, voted your own means for the erection of a temple of justice -- magnificent in its proportions, tasteful in its design, a fit place for the administration of justice and the execution of law. One which in its architecture will harmonize with the design of the Grand Architect of the universe, as displayed in the country which surrounds it. We to-day celebrate the inauguration of this enterprise, which we all hope will soon reach completion through the energy of its builders. It will stand for years, but not for centuries. The ruthless hand of time will level it together with the earthly, to the great mother of us all, and future generations will behold instead of this structure, one that will far surpass it. As society advances in ability, its wealth is more liberally bestowed on public charities and public enterprises. Nor can it be expected that any community possessed of ordinary advantages can remain stationary. It will improve. As it advances in wealth, honorably acquired, it will advance in intelligence, refinement and morality. With this improvement the liberal arts and sciences receive more attention, and these will always be observed in the character of public edifices. Their continued improvement is a reliable indication of the progress of society. In our day and age of the world, progress and improvement are being made surprisingly rapid. We are daily surprised at what is being accomplished. What seems to-day to be an impossibility is to-morrow an accomplished fact.

This has been true since the dark days of the Middle Age, and is true as well in government as individual enterprise. Little did King George of England dream that from the feeble settlement, persecuted and despised Puritans, in the wilds of America, would arise, in so short a time, a nation capable of coping with his own mighty empire in arts and arms. Little did we, in our early days, dream that the great oceans which lie on either side of us would to-day be bound together with bands of iron, and the commerce of nations transported across the barren plains and deserts of the "Far West." Little did we then hope to ever be able to converse by means of electricity with those of the Old World. Yet all this and much more has been accomplished, and we still are on the forward march. We have almost reached that point where we cannot be surprised at the accomplishment of any enterprise. What then seemed impossibilities have been accomplished, and what now seems to be impossibilities will yet be accomplished. What has been attained within the past three years in the improvement of our own Western country has so far exceeded our expectations that we know not how to calculate for the future. We cannot venture a prophecy as to what this country will be two years hence. We know not what public edifice will then adorn these beautiful prairies. We have just placed the first stone in the northeast corner of this combined temple of justice and charity with the ceremonies of that ancient and honorable order of Free Masons.

The appropriateness of this is seen from the fact established by history, that Freemasonry, as it now exists, had its origin in operative masonry. Its first organization was known as a College of Builders! They were composed of practical workmen in operative masonry, and other artisans. They adopted ceremonies of initiation and signs of recognition, and after the day's labor was done, assembled in their lodges for consultation in their work. They studied architecture as a science, and developed and improved it. They were regarded as public benefactors, and their organizations were encouraged and protected by the government. The history of these organizations dates back to the reign of Numa Pompillus, who was the first Roman governor who encouraged and protected them. The importance of encouraging the study and development of architecture was soon discovered by other nations, and the organization known as the College of Builders soon became co-extensive with civilization itself. It was encouraged and fostered as an aid to good government by the rulers of that age. Improvement in architecture among the artisans of a nation was an indication of the progress of its people in morality and good citizenship.

These colleges were highly favored by the government. To them was committed the building of all public edifices, temples and public monuments. Besides they had a judiciary of their own, and were made free from all contribution to the city or state, not the least of their privileges was that of making laws for their government, and thus in establishing their own judiciary they became independent of other tribunals from which they received the name of Free Masons, which distinguished the members of these corporations from other workers in wood and stone, who composed no part of these bodies, and which has been transmitted as the name of its offspring, which teaches the principles of speculative Masonry. While our ancient brethren wrought in operative Masonry, yet the object of their organization was more to design than operate.

By operative Masonry we allude to the proper application of the useful rules of architecture, whence a structure derives figure, strength and beauty, and from which will result a due proportion and just correspondence in all its parts. The structure but gives expression to the design. The workman but executes the design of the master builders. The order of Free Masonry, originally both operative and speculative in design and latterly speculative in practice serves as the connecting link between thought and expression. Hence the appropriateness of calling upon Free Masons to lay the corner stone of any public edifice not connected with Masonry. The more is it appropriate on this occasion for the fraternity to participate in these ceremonies, as a portion of the building now commenced is to be used in perpetuating the principles of speculative Masonry, which when completed will be dedicated with solemn ceremony to Free Masonry, virtue and universal benevolence. The building will stand as a combined temple of justice and charity, beautifully blended as well in its outward expression as in its influence upon society. While the mission of operative Masonry, is as it was anciently to design and erect temporal buildings that must yield to the all devouring power of time and crumble with the return of seasons, that of speculative Masonry is far more noble and sublime; it is to design and erect a moral structure that will survive the work of time, and the ruin of worlds; it is to prepare blocks for that spiritual building of God -- "that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens," -- the one physical and the other spiritual; the one is for time and its constant mutation, the other is for the ceaseless ages of a vast eternity; the one is for the admiration of man, the other is for the approbation of the Grand Architect of the Universe. By speculative Masonry we learn to subdue the passions, act upon the square, keep a tongue of good report maintain secrecy and practice charity. It is so far interwoven with religion as to lay us under obligation to pay that rational homage to the Diety, which at once constitutes our duty and our happiness. It leads the contemplative to view with reverence and admiration the glorious works of creation and inspires him with the most exalted ideas of the perfection of his Divine Creator. It teaches brotherly love, relief and truth. Its cardinal virtues are, temperance, fortitude, prudence, and justice. No human organization ever built on a more permanent foundation or had for its mission a more worthy object. To relieve the necessities of the destitute and distressed is the common duty of all men, but the Free Mason is so peculiarly impressed with this duty that it cannot escape his memory.

To contribute to the wants of the unfortunate, the widow and the orphan is a duty incumbent on all and will be recognized by all who are prompted by impulses of generosity and humanity; but the true Mason feels an additional obligation that binds him not only to protect but to contribute to the wants of the distressed everywhere but more especially to those of a distressed worthy brother, his widow or orphans. If Masonry had no other mission than this alone it would draw to its sacred retreat the best men of all countries. No duty in life can be so gratifying to the feelings of a truly generous man as the relief of the worthy distressed. Observation has taught us of its necessity and experience has taught us of its gratifying results. We are all to a greater or less degree creatures of circumstance -- prosperous to-day, tomorrow creatures of want -- children of misfortune left to the cold charities of an unfriendly world. In these destitute circumstances how much we appreciate the kindness of a true friend. We have almost to realize, the circumstances of want to be able to appreciate the value of true liberality. What language can express the heartfelt gratitude of a widowed mother who, in the care of fatherless children with no means for their support and education when the distress and anxiety of mind for the future of her little ones is removed by the generosity of the faithful brethren of their father, who provided for her a competent livelihood and her children a liberal education. The feelings of the heart under these circumstances must be felt to be realized. But relief is not the only tenet in a Free Mason's profession. He must be true as well as generous; true to himself his fellow man and his God. Truth is a divine attribute and the foundation of every virtue. To be good and true is the first lesson we are taught in Masonry.

To be good Masons we must be true men, and if we are true men and true Masons our influence upon society will be favorable. All exert an influence, and the importance of exerting that influence in a direction that will make society better, will be appreciated by those who are interested in the welfare of society, and will commend the cultivation of this virtue to the better judgment of all. While we are taught relief and truth we are also taught the value of brotherly love. We are frequently criticised for the tenacity with which we seem to cling to each other, and are sometimes charged with being prompted by mercenary motives, motives of worldly gain, that we combine with each other for the purpose of making each other more prosperous in our business avocations. While an individual brother may unworthily be prompted by such motives, yet such is not the spirit of true Masonry, and he who is prompted by selfish motives alone cannot become a true Mason. Why we so voluntarily cultivate to so great an extent this virtue of brotherly love cannot be fully understood by the outside world, yet we are all familiar with the fact that Masons almost involuntarily form a peculiar attachment for each other that is not so readily formed for those who are not members of the order. When fully understood it does not appear so mysterious. It is a tie of brotherhood that should unite all men, but the common ties of humanity do not seem so binding. Perhaps it may be explained in the fact that Masons seldom quarrel -- at least fallings out among Masons are not so frequent as among those who are strangers to our mystic brotherhood. Harmony and charity, after all, are the great secrets of our unity. R.W. Thomas E. Garrett, grand lecturer for the state of Missouri, very beautifully illustrates the true spirit of Masonic brotherhood by relating the following incident which came under his personal observation:

Two men had been fast friends. In an evil hour they quarreled, and from violent words they came to daggers' points, but used no daggers. They did not speak, and had not spoken for years. Mutual friends had tried the art of reconciliation in vain. They were avowed enemies for life. The whole difficulty was purely personal, and the honor of neither was impeached either by the origin of the quarrel or subsequent circumstances. Probably they were equally to blame; possibly not. No matter. One of them became a Mason after the estrangement, and it happened the other remained ignorant of the fact. One evening he, too, was admitted into a lodge. Almost the first voice he heard, and certainly the first face he saw, was that of his enemy, who presided over the ceremonies of initiation, and was obliged according to usage, to address him by the title of "brother." This was a most peculiar situation and a severe ordeal for both. After the lodge had closed the apprentice sought the master and without any preliminaries, the following colloquy ensued, commenced by the newly-made Mason: "Are you a member of this lodge." "I am." "Were you present when I was elected." "I was." "May I ask if you voted?" "I did." "Now tell me how many it requires to reject in a ballot for admission." The master answered "one." There was nothing more to say. The initiate extended his hand, which was warmly grasped by the other, and uttered with thrilling, accents, deep emotions mellowing his voice: "Friend! Brother! You have taught me a lesson I shall never forget." This is a little ray of Masonic light. No language is so eloquent as the silent throbbing of a heart full of joyful tears. While this kind of cement is used in our moral edifice, should it not be enduring. Who can wonder that it is so strong?

Brethren of Butler Lodge, No. 254, you have begun a noble work, not alone in the building of this temple of charity and benevolence, but in wielding an influence on this community that will be felt years to come. This temple will be a place of interest to you -- you will visit its ground floor, its middle chamber, and its sanctum sanctorum, with increased zeal as you grow in the knowledge of the mysteries here taught. Within the walls of this outward temple you will erect a temple more lasting than brass or iron. One that will not be composed of stone and mortar, but of thoughts, sentiments and ideas, united by the cement of brotherly love and affection -- that cement which unites you into one sacred band or society of friends and brothers, among whom no contention should ever exist, but that noble contention, or rather emulation of who can best work and best agree. As the work on this outer temple must receive the approval of its master builder, so may your work in its inner temple receive our Grand Master's approbation. May the lessons here learned teach you to so live that when the gavel of our Grand Master above shall call you from labor on earth, you may be found to be fit stones for that spiritual Grand Lodge above, where the Supreme Grand Architect of the universe presides -- where you may spend a ceaseless eternity in the everlasting refreshments of the Paradise of God, is the sincere prayer of your friend and brother.

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