While the band was playing the patriotic air, "America," the stone was slowly lowered within a few inches of its destined place and then held in suspension while the choir sang "Faith, Hope and Charity," after which followed the ceremony of proving the work.
The grand marshal presented to the grand master a plumb, a level and a square, which he distributed to his fellow craftsmen, each of whom applied his instrument to the corner stone and announced in his time that the work was plumb, level and square.
The grand master then proclaimed that the stone had been tested by the proper implements of masonry and he declared it to be well formed, true and trusty, and correctly laid according to the rules of the craft. He then spread the mortar and while the band played a solemn air, the stone was lowered to its final resting place.
The deputy grand master then advanced with a vessel filled with corn, which the grand master poured on the stone as an emblem of plenty. The senior grand warden presented a vessel filled with wine, which the grand master emptied on the stone as an emblem of joy and gladness. The junior grand warden then came forward with a vessel of oil, which the grand master took, saying, "I pour oil as an emblem of peace."
The grand master then, with extended hands, made the following invocation:
"May the all-bounteous Author of Nature bless the inhabitants of this place with an abundance of the necessaries, conveniences and comforts of life; assist in the erection and completion of this building, protect the workmen against every accident, long preserve the structure from decay, and grant to us all a supply of the corn of nourishment, the wine of refreshment and the oil of joy. Amen."
The grand marshal then presented J. H.Decker, as the architect of the building, to whom was returned the square, level and plumb and plans of the building. Then followed music, after which the grand master proclaimed in the name of the grand lodge of Ohio the cornerstone to be laid according to the ancient customs.
After a few remarks by the grand master and by Deputy Grand Master Levi C. Goodale, the benediction was pronounced by Rev. J. W. Dillon, of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the vast crowd dispersed.