REPORTS OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE. 683 



thy Providence may be reared up in tby name, and redound to thy glory. May the 

 building here to be erected as a depository of the curious works of art and nature, 

 and emblems of national distinction, be more than sufficient for this worthy and hon- 

 orable purpose. May it become a monument of usefulness to us as -a nation, and a 

 matter of admiration to the nations of the world. In the deposit of national sym- 

 bols, may it be a central point of peace and friendship for the kingdoms and gover- 

 nments of the earth. And may the nations which shall be represented in its halls find 

 themselves in union, firmly leagued for the encouragement of national prosperity, 

 the promotion of art and intelligence, and the increase of human happiness. May it 

 be as a central sun of science, about which systems may revolve, and from which 

 light and knowledge may be reflected throughout every clime and kingdom of the 

 globe. And, in the accomplishment of these great and important results, may the 

 blessings of the nations follow the memory of the projector, and America become 

 the almoner of a bounty whose benefits shall not cease to flow until time shall be no 

 more. 



" In all our civil and domestic relations may we remember our religious duties, 

 and contribute of our means and services and characters to the increase of thy 

 Church, and the advancement of thy glory ; that we may be a people truly serving 

 thee, honoring thy name in our walks and works of righteousness, and in the pos- 

 session of happiness under thy smiles and favor. 



" Let thy priests, O Lord, be clothed with righteousness, and thy saints rejoice in 

 goodness. (2 Chron. vi, 41.) Let thy way be known in all the earth, thy saving 

 health among all nations. 



" Grant that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by thy gover- 

 nance, that thy Church may joyfully serve thee in all godly quietness ; that thy 

 people may walk in the ways of truth and peace, and at last be numbered with thy 

 saints in glory everlasting. 



" Hearken, O Lord God, we beseech thee, to the prayers and supplications which 

 we have now presented before thee. And let it be thy good pleasure to grant us our 

 requests, which we offer in the name and through the merits of thy son Jesus, and 

 our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory : world 

 without end. Amen. 



" There was then deposited in a cavity in the corner-stone a leaden box, containing 

 the following articles, viz : 



" The gold and silver coins of the United States ; report of the Committee on 

 Organization ; Constitution of the United States ; the New Testament ; Declaration 

 of Independence ; Congressional Directory for 1847 ; Bulletins of the National Insti- 

 tute ; report of the first National Fair at Washington ; report of the United States 

 agent appointed to receive the legacy of James Smithson ; medal portrait of James 

 Smithson ; reports of the Commissioner of Patents ; journal of the proceedings of 

 the Board of Kegents, 1846 ; with the previously described engraved plate. 



"The address of the Chancellor of the Institution on laying the corner-stone; 

 astronomical observations made at the National Observatory ; a copy of the Directory 

 of the city ; the city newspapers of the day. 



" There was also deposited in the same cavity, by the Free Masons, a leaden casket 

 containing the following articles, viz : 



" An elegant copy of the Holy Bible, presented by the Eev. Charles A. Davis, on 

 behalf of the Bible Society of Washington ; a stereotype page of Bancroft's History 

 of the United States ; Constitution of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia ; 

 an impression of its seal in metal ; a copy of its proceedings for 1846 ; a silver plate, 

 inscribed with the names of the Grand and Subordinate Lodges of the District. 



" The Grand Master then applied the square, level, and plumb, and pronounced 

 the stone properly squared, duly laid, true and ti-usty. 



" He then proceeded to place upon the stone the corn, wine, and oil, preceding this 

 ceremony by an appropriate explanation of their symbolic meaning, concluding his 

 remarks by the following quotation from the venerable Harris : ' Wherefore, 

 brethren, do you carry corn, wine, and oil in your procession, but to remind you 

 that, in the pilgrimage of human life, you are to impart a portion of your bread to 

 feed the hungry, to send a cup of your wine to cheer the sorrowful, and pour the 

 healing oil of your consolation into the wounds which sickness hath made in the 

 bodies of affliction rent in the hearts of your fellow-travellers.' 



"Upon pouring the corn upon the stone, the Grand Master said: 'I do this, 

 expressing a hope that the hearts of those who are charged with carrying into effect 

 the intentions of the generous donor whose legacy has established the Smithsonian 

 Institution, maybe strengthened in the performance of all their duties.' In pouring 



