Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of Prince Edward Of Saxe-Weimar Lodge, No. 1903.
CONSECRATION OF PRINCE EDWARD OF SAXE-WEIMAR LODGE , No . 1903 .
THERE was a very large gathering of Freemasons on Wednesday , 25 th May , to welcome His Royal Highness the Dnke «> f Connaught , who , as a Past Officer of the Grand Lodge of England , had accepted an invitation to bo present at Portsmouth . His Roval Hig hness was received by General H . S . H . Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimav , K . C . B ., commanding the Southern military district , who
was accompanied by Lord Albert Seymour and Capt . the Hon . C . G . Byng , A . D . C . ' s , Bro . Lord Charles Beresford , and Bros . H . W . Townseud , T . Pago , A . L . Emanuel , H . Threadingham , and Sam . Knight , as representatives of the new Lodge . On reaching the Officers' house on the Grand Parade , Portsmouth , tho Duke was received by the R . W . the Provincial Grand Master of Hampshire
and tho Isle of Wight , Bro . W . W . Bramston Beach , M . P . ) , the Y . W . the Deputy Provincial Grand Master ( Bro . W . Hickman ) , and a number of the Provincial Officers present and past . The Lecture Hall , Penny Street , had been fitted up as a Lodge , and the decorations here , and also at the headquarters of tho Artillery Volunteers ( lent for the occasion by Colonel Lanyon Owen )
were tasteful and appropriate . Many of the decorations , including some thousands of yards of red , white , blue and green bunting , with which both halls were covered , were kindly lent by Bro . J . P . Knight , the general manager of the London , Brighton and South Coast Railway Company , who sent a telegram during the day to state that he was detained in London by a meeting of the Direotors , otherwise
he would have been present at the proceedings . Among the visitors were Bros . Lord Tenterden P . G . M . of Essex ; Montague Guest , M . P ., P . G . M . for Dorset ; Lieut . Col . H . Somerville Barney P . G . D . of England ; Rev . Charles J . Martyn P . G . C . of England and D . P . G . M . of Suffolk ; Rev . C . W . Arnold P . G . C . of England and D . P . G . M . for Surrey ; Robert Grev P . G . D . of England ;
J . W . Case P . G . D . of England ; S . Rawson P . D . G . M . for China ; Sir Henry Drummond Wolff , M . P ., G . C . M . G . ; Baron Henry de Worms , M . P . ; Admiral of the Fleet Sir Harry Keppel , M . P . ; Colonel Bray , A . A . G ., & o . The Provincial Grand Officers in attendance were : —Bros . Captain T . H . M . Martin , R . N ., S . G . W . ; H . F . Brouncker J . G . W . ; Rev . A . G .
Barker G . C . ; Rev . A . A . Hnadley G . C . ; T . Lamb G . Re ° -. ; Mark E . Frost G . Treas . ; C . J . Miller G . Sec ; A . L . Emannel J . G . D ., Tasker G . Supt . of Works ; R . Barnes G . D . C . ; Bowyer A . G . D . C ; Qoartermnster G . Donglas G . Sword Bearer ; Hnrle G . Purs . ; J . G . Jones G . Org . ; A . H . Joliffe , J . J . Pulley , H . C . Liddell , and J . Parkinson , G . Stewards ; Biggs and EXPII G . Tvlers .
At noon there was a procession from the Officers' bouse into the Lodge , and the Duke of Connaught , on making his appearance , was received with great enthusiasm by the Brethren ; Bro Jones P . G . O ., who presided at the harmonium , playing Bro . Winterbottom ' s March , " Hail to onr Prince , " the cheering being renewed as His Royal Highness accompanied tho Provincial Grand Master to tho dais .
The interesting and impressive ceremony was at once proceeded with according to the ancient ritual , to which fnll justice was done by the Prov . G . M ., the Wardens' chairs being occupied pro tern bv Bros . Captain T . H . Martin , R . N ., Prov . G . S . W ., and Bro . H . F . Bronn-ker , Prov . G . J . W . After the prescrihed preliminaries had been completed , the D . G . M . addressed the G . M ., proffering a request that
he would constitute the new Lodge . The Provincial Grand Master said it was with great pleasure that he acceded to the request which had been made on the part of the Brethren of the new Lodge , and he was glad it was to be launchpd under such favourable circnmstances . The large attendance of Brethren showed the very great interest which was taken , not only in the welfare of the Craft bnt in the
prosperity of this particular Lodge . And it was , indeed , an interesting event in Freemasonry when they called into existence a new Lodge , to promulgate those principles which wero the very germs of their Order . Directing their attention for a few moments to the purpose for which thev had met , and the object they had in view , he said the study of Freemasonry was no donbt a great work .
It carried their minds back to a very remote period , to the constitution of their Order . They must look for its Origin to the East , the birthplace of the arts and sciences , the very cradle of the hnman race . And it was worthy of remark that in whatever country the lamp of knowledge had burnt most brightly , there Masonry had existed and had bpen preservpd , because it was
intimately associated with the study of geometry , and the varions arts and sciences which had contributed to the elevation and instruction of the human race . It found a home in Greece , amongst her ancient philosophers ; it was taken to Egypt , where it flourished to a very great extent ; and after having existed on throngh the middle ages and produced many splendid monuments of architecture ,
it at last was carried into England and other parts of the Continent of Europe . How did it come there ? Ancient legends told them it was transmitted by a man named Peter Gower , and this caused some difficulty , becanse no one could understand who Peter Gower was . But after some investigation it was found that Peter Gower was no one else bnt Pythagoras ; and thongh at first sight it did not
seem that there was mnch connection between the names , when they reflected that it came throngh tho F-ench , who made Pythagoras into Peter Gower , it no longer seemod quite a marvel . In England the first great working Maaon was good Prineo Edwyn , the king ' s brother , who studied geometry , and procured a Charter for the propagation of Masonry and the establishments of Lodges , and from that day to this Masonry had exist-d , and had more or less
thrived and flourished . Sometimes it had met with disconragement , but it was worthy of remark that whenever discouragement was attempted to be thrown upon it , it had risen superior to snch efforts . And what had caused it to flourish and exist at the present lime in unexampled prosperity ? Adherence to tbe principles on which it was originally founded . Masons had never swerved from their first allegiance , from thu . so grand principles which formed the stability of
Consecration Of Prince Edward Of Saxe-Weimar Lodge, No. 1903.
their Order , and contributed to render it such a permanent mstitutiou ; and so loug as they held fast to their traditions , so long as they coutiimtul to act in conformity with tho lessons they had received , and to those grand and sublime principles of the Craft , so long as they strove to do jnstice , practised charity , acted with prudence , aud maintained harmony and brotherly love , so long
would Masonry flourish in the world , a grand institution , powerful for good , and tend to be of tho greatest benefit to the human race . The Brethren of tho new Lodgo would havo a mission to perform in endeavouring to extend those principles to the host of their ability . He believed that many of those who would be brought first to see the light of Freemasonrv iu that Lodge , would be called upon to go to
other portions of tho globe , and have an opportunity of transmitting the lessons which they received here to Masons there . Might they ever have it in their minds to show that the lessons which they had received in the Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar Lodge wore in conformity with the purity of the Craft , and calculated to oxtend its benefits to every portion of tho earth .
Tho P . G . Chaplains ( Bros , the Rev . A . G . Barker and A . A , Hendloy ) officiated in turn , the oration being delivered by Bro . Barker , as follows : — Kight Worahipfnl Provincial Grand Master and Brethren , It is only one short year since I was duly installed and appointed as Chap , lain of the Province , and yet this is tho third new Lodgo at the
opening of which I have been called upon to officiate . Can any words of mine speak so eloquently as this one fact , ou tho uses of Masonry ? No ! This fact tells ns in a manner none can gainsay , or contradict , that Masonry , like a mighty solemn wave , rolling for centuries from the East , gathers into its great heart ever greater and gioater numbers of tho highest , and most intellectual , the most Philanthropic in
onr land . And I cannot look around upon this assembly to-day without feeling that we have as a Fraternity in no whit degenerated from the times when eastern kings , princes , and sages enrolled themselves into one great brotherhood for the advancement of the good of mankind , and the building up of the great spiri tual temple of temperance , jnstice and truth . Since last I addressed your Right Worshipful G .
Master and this Province on this subject , I have visited the home and cradle of our Order—Egypt , Syria , and Asia Minor ; and often as I stood among their wondrous temples , the Grand rhythm of the Prophet Ezekiel's words ( as he , too , stood in vision in the midst of the great typical temple of Jerusalem ) echoed in my ears , " Behold the glorv of the God of Israel came from the way of the East . " And many
direct traces of our Craft did I notice . Upon the sculptured walls of the Egyptian temples stood conspicuous many of onr most sacred typical figures and allegorical emhlems , and I proudly , reflected that amongst much in that piotnre-writing that spoke of cruelty , lust , and intemperance , none have been consecrated to tho use of our society but those having a moral tendency and seeming to inculcate the
practice of virtue . The pnasants of the Lebanon , at the present day , all unknowing perhaps of its deep meaning , weave their embroideries into designs of compass and triangle , and the double triangles ou the ruined mosques show that Masonry once had an ennobling influence ovon on the wild heart of early Islamism . And another Masonic lesson was tanght me by the mighty ruins of Baalbeck . Just above
the foundations of a Cyclopian wall lies a course of gigantic stones , three in number , each measuring (> 4 ft . long , 13 high , and 13 wideweighing , I am told , 300 tons . One looks at tho enormous blocks , which have lain there , unmoved by earthqaake , unscathed by storms , for countless centuries , and one asks , Where among the Masons of to-day should we find the patience , the passionate determination to overcome all difficulties which must havo animated tho craftsmen of
the old , old days , in their resolution to hew and move these stony mountains ? Yet , surely , we to-day have mountains of labour as hard to climb , nnhewn stones of passion and evil custom , requiring years of toil to frame before they can be made fit for the building of the Temple of God . Yet , it must be done ; for God requires this at every man ' s hand , to bring something to the building of His House ,
according to his power . But they sometimes failed . These giants of old failed , as we fail at times to-day ; and as their finished work is bnt ns an example , so must their failure be unto us a warning . In this cise the failure and the success are close together , for not half a mile away in the quarry lies a stone hewn into shape and ready for the wall , larger by some feet than those which I have already spoken
of . Why does not it . too , adorn the Temple ? Did disunion creep in among the workmen ? Did sloth lay her heavy hand upon them ? Did giant despair hold them in his grasp ? We know not ; we only know thnt the mighty mass lies useless among the sand , instead of adding a further glory to the Temple wall . But this we know full well , that disunion , sloth , and despair to-day mar many a fair promise of work
to be done for the Temple , and so we must up and fight them , for so only shall we truly keep in view the three great tenets of our society —brotherhood , active work , and hopefnl charity ; and so only will the squared blocks of individual virtnes bo raised with tho great spiritual temple , instead of lying a confused heap of stones in the quarry , half smothered with the sand of time . The choir , under the direction of
Bro . J . Winterbottom , rendered the musical portion of the service with marked effect . On the R . W . Prov . G . M . announcing that the Lodge had been duly constituted , the bells of the parish church rang out a merry peal for an hour . Lord Charles Beresford , who is a P . M . of tho Metham Lodge , D . wonport , was installed by the P . G . M ., amid rounds of hearty cheers from the brethren . Tho P . G . M . romirked
that it had been very gratifying to him to attend ami see the great interest which was taken in the future prosperity of the Lodge , nnd hf » conld only congratulate the members on the anspices nnrler which the Lodge was founded , and on the great probability of success under the able Master whom he had
hud the pleasure of placing in the chair that day . The Officers were appointed as follows : —Bros . H . W . Townscnd I . P . M ., T . Page S . W ., Lt . Saokville H . Carden , R . N ., J . W ., H . Threadingham Treasnrer , A . L . Emanuel Hon . Secretary , Rev . P . H . Good Chaplain , Lieut . F . S . Knowles , R . N .. S . D ., Martyr J . D ., Winter-bottom Organist , Lind D . C ., Mcl . eod , R . E ., I . U ., H . Long and S . Knight Stewards ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of Prince Edward Of Saxe-Weimar Lodge, No. 1903.
CONSECRATION OF PRINCE EDWARD OF SAXE-WEIMAR LODGE , No . 1903 .
THERE was a very large gathering of Freemasons on Wednesday , 25 th May , to welcome His Royal Highness the Dnke «> f Connaught , who , as a Past Officer of the Grand Lodge of England , had accepted an invitation to bo present at Portsmouth . His Roval Hig hness was received by General H . S . H . Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimav , K . C . B ., commanding the Southern military district , who
was accompanied by Lord Albert Seymour and Capt . the Hon . C . G . Byng , A . D . C . ' s , Bro . Lord Charles Beresford , and Bros . H . W . Townseud , T . Pago , A . L . Emanuel , H . Threadingham , and Sam . Knight , as representatives of the new Lodge . On reaching the Officers' house on the Grand Parade , Portsmouth , tho Duke was received by the R . W . the Provincial Grand Master of Hampshire
and tho Isle of Wight , Bro . W . W . Bramston Beach , M . P . ) , the Y . W . the Deputy Provincial Grand Master ( Bro . W . Hickman ) , and a number of the Provincial Officers present and past . The Lecture Hall , Penny Street , had been fitted up as a Lodge , and the decorations here , and also at the headquarters of tho Artillery Volunteers ( lent for the occasion by Colonel Lanyon Owen )
were tasteful and appropriate . Many of the decorations , including some thousands of yards of red , white , blue and green bunting , with which both halls were covered , were kindly lent by Bro . J . P . Knight , the general manager of the London , Brighton and South Coast Railway Company , who sent a telegram during the day to state that he was detained in London by a meeting of the Direotors , otherwise
he would have been present at the proceedings . Among the visitors were Bros . Lord Tenterden P . G . M . of Essex ; Montague Guest , M . P ., P . G . M . for Dorset ; Lieut . Col . H . Somerville Barney P . G . D . of England ; Rev . Charles J . Martyn P . G . C . of England and D . P . G . M . of Suffolk ; Rev . C . W . Arnold P . G . C . of England and D . P . G . M . for Surrey ; Robert Grev P . G . D . of England ;
J . W . Case P . G . D . of England ; S . Rawson P . D . G . M . for China ; Sir Henry Drummond Wolff , M . P ., G . C . M . G . ; Baron Henry de Worms , M . P . ; Admiral of the Fleet Sir Harry Keppel , M . P . ; Colonel Bray , A . A . G ., & o . The Provincial Grand Officers in attendance were : —Bros . Captain T . H . M . Martin , R . N ., S . G . W . ; H . F . Brouncker J . G . W . ; Rev . A . G .
Barker G . C . ; Rev . A . A . Hnadley G . C . ; T . Lamb G . Re ° -. ; Mark E . Frost G . Treas . ; C . J . Miller G . Sec ; A . L . Emannel J . G . D ., Tasker G . Supt . of Works ; R . Barnes G . D . C . ; Bowyer A . G . D . C ; Qoartermnster G . Donglas G . Sword Bearer ; Hnrle G . Purs . ; J . G . Jones G . Org . ; A . H . Joliffe , J . J . Pulley , H . C . Liddell , and J . Parkinson , G . Stewards ; Biggs and EXPII G . Tvlers .
At noon there was a procession from the Officers' bouse into the Lodge , and the Duke of Connaught , on making his appearance , was received with great enthusiasm by the Brethren ; Bro Jones P . G . O ., who presided at the harmonium , playing Bro . Winterbottom ' s March , " Hail to onr Prince , " the cheering being renewed as His Royal Highness accompanied tho Provincial Grand Master to tho dais .
The interesting and impressive ceremony was at once proceeded with according to the ancient ritual , to which fnll justice was done by the Prov . G . M ., the Wardens' chairs being occupied pro tern bv Bros . Captain T . H . Martin , R . N ., Prov . G . S . W ., and Bro . H . F . Bronn-ker , Prov . G . J . W . After the prescrihed preliminaries had been completed , the D . G . M . addressed the G . M ., proffering a request that
he would constitute the new Lodge . The Provincial Grand Master said it was with great pleasure that he acceded to the request which had been made on the part of the Brethren of the new Lodge , and he was glad it was to be launchpd under such favourable circnmstances . The large attendance of Brethren showed the very great interest which was taken , not only in the welfare of the Craft bnt in the
prosperity of this particular Lodge . And it was , indeed , an interesting event in Freemasonry when they called into existence a new Lodge , to promulgate those principles which wero the very germs of their Order . Directing their attention for a few moments to the purpose for which thev had met , and the object they had in view , he said the study of Freemasonry was no donbt a great work .
It carried their minds back to a very remote period , to the constitution of their Order . They must look for its Origin to the East , the birthplace of the arts and sciences , the very cradle of the hnman race . And it was worthy of remark that in whatever country the lamp of knowledge had burnt most brightly , there Masonry had existed and had bpen preservpd , because it was
intimately associated with the study of geometry , and the varions arts and sciences which had contributed to the elevation and instruction of the human race . It found a home in Greece , amongst her ancient philosophers ; it was taken to Egypt , where it flourished to a very great extent ; and after having existed on throngh the middle ages and produced many splendid monuments of architecture ,
it at last was carried into England and other parts of the Continent of Europe . How did it come there ? Ancient legends told them it was transmitted by a man named Peter Gower , and this caused some difficulty , becanse no one could understand who Peter Gower was . But after some investigation it was found that Peter Gower was no one else bnt Pythagoras ; and thongh at first sight it did not
seem that there was mnch connection between the names , when they reflected that it came throngh tho F-ench , who made Pythagoras into Peter Gower , it no longer seemod quite a marvel . In England the first great working Maaon was good Prineo Edwyn , the king ' s brother , who studied geometry , and procured a Charter for the propagation of Masonry and the establishments of Lodges , and from that day to this Masonry had exist-d , and had more or less
thrived and flourished . Sometimes it had met with disconragement , but it was worthy of remark that whenever discouragement was attempted to be thrown upon it , it had risen superior to snch efforts . And what had caused it to flourish and exist at the present lime in unexampled prosperity ? Adherence to tbe principles on which it was originally founded . Masons had never swerved from their first allegiance , from thu . so grand principles which formed the stability of
Consecration Of Prince Edward Of Saxe-Weimar Lodge, No. 1903.
their Order , and contributed to render it such a permanent mstitutiou ; and so loug as they held fast to their traditions , so long as they coutiimtul to act in conformity with tho lessons they had received , and to those grand and sublime principles of the Craft , so long as they strove to do jnstice , practised charity , acted with prudence , aud maintained harmony and brotherly love , so long
would Masonry flourish in the world , a grand institution , powerful for good , and tend to be of tho greatest benefit to the human race . The Brethren of tho new Lodgo would havo a mission to perform in endeavouring to extend those principles to the host of their ability . He believed that many of those who would be brought first to see the light of Freemasonrv iu that Lodge , would be called upon to go to
other portions of tho globe , and have an opportunity of transmitting the lessons which they received here to Masons there . Might they ever have it in their minds to show that the lessons which they had received in the Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar Lodge wore in conformity with the purity of the Craft , and calculated to oxtend its benefits to every portion of tho earth .
Tho P . G . Chaplains ( Bros , the Rev . A . G . Barker and A . A , Hendloy ) officiated in turn , the oration being delivered by Bro . Barker , as follows : — Kight Worahipfnl Provincial Grand Master and Brethren , It is only one short year since I was duly installed and appointed as Chap , lain of the Province , and yet this is tho third new Lodgo at the
opening of which I have been called upon to officiate . Can any words of mine speak so eloquently as this one fact , ou tho uses of Masonry ? No ! This fact tells ns in a manner none can gainsay , or contradict , that Masonry , like a mighty solemn wave , rolling for centuries from the East , gathers into its great heart ever greater and gioater numbers of tho highest , and most intellectual , the most Philanthropic in
onr land . And I cannot look around upon this assembly to-day without feeling that we have as a Fraternity in no whit degenerated from the times when eastern kings , princes , and sages enrolled themselves into one great brotherhood for the advancement of the good of mankind , and the building up of the great spiri tual temple of temperance , jnstice and truth . Since last I addressed your Right Worshipful G .
Master and this Province on this subject , I have visited the home and cradle of our Order—Egypt , Syria , and Asia Minor ; and often as I stood among their wondrous temples , the Grand rhythm of the Prophet Ezekiel's words ( as he , too , stood in vision in the midst of the great typical temple of Jerusalem ) echoed in my ears , " Behold the glorv of the God of Israel came from the way of the East . " And many
direct traces of our Craft did I notice . Upon the sculptured walls of the Egyptian temples stood conspicuous many of onr most sacred typical figures and allegorical emhlems , and I proudly , reflected that amongst much in that piotnre-writing that spoke of cruelty , lust , and intemperance , none have been consecrated to tho use of our society but those having a moral tendency and seeming to inculcate the
practice of virtue . The pnasants of the Lebanon , at the present day , all unknowing perhaps of its deep meaning , weave their embroideries into designs of compass and triangle , and the double triangles ou the ruined mosques show that Masonry once had an ennobling influence ovon on the wild heart of early Islamism . And another Masonic lesson was tanght me by the mighty ruins of Baalbeck . Just above
the foundations of a Cyclopian wall lies a course of gigantic stones , three in number , each measuring (> 4 ft . long , 13 high , and 13 wideweighing , I am told , 300 tons . One looks at tho enormous blocks , which have lain there , unmoved by earthqaake , unscathed by storms , for countless centuries , and one asks , Where among the Masons of to-day should we find the patience , the passionate determination to overcome all difficulties which must havo animated tho craftsmen of
the old , old days , in their resolution to hew and move these stony mountains ? Yet , surely , we to-day have mountains of labour as hard to climb , nnhewn stones of passion and evil custom , requiring years of toil to frame before they can be made fit for the building of the Temple of God . Yet , it must be done ; for God requires this at every man ' s hand , to bring something to the building of His House ,
according to his power . But they sometimes failed . These giants of old failed , as we fail at times to-day ; and as their finished work is bnt ns an example , so must their failure be unto us a warning . In this cise the failure and the success are close together , for not half a mile away in the quarry lies a stone hewn into shape and ready for the wall , larger by some feet than those which I have already spoken
of . Why does not it . too , adorn the Temple ? Did disunion creep in among the workmen ? Did sloth lay her heavy hand upon them ? Did giant despair hold them in his grasp ? We know not ; we only know thnt the mighty mass lies useless among the sand , instead of adding a further glory to the Temple wall . But this we know full well , that disunion , sloth , and despair to-day mar many a fair promise of work
to be done for the Temple , and so we must up and fight them , for so only shall we truly keep in view the three great tenets of our society —brotherhood , active work , and hopefnl charity ; and so only will the squared blocks of individual virtnes bo raised with tho great spiritual temple , instead of lying a confused heap of stones in the quarry , half smothered with the sand of time . The choir , under the direction of
Bro . J . Winterbottom , rendered the musical portion of the service with marked effect . On the R . W . Prov . G . M . announcing that the Lodge had been duly constituted , the bells of the parish church rang out a merry peal for an hour . Lord Charles Beresford , who is a P . M . of tho Metham Lodge , D . wonport , was installed by the P . G . M ., amid rounds of hearty cheers from the brethren . Tho P . G . M . romirked
that it had been very gratifying to him to attend ami see the great interest which was taken in the future prosperity of the Lodge , nnd hf » conld only congratulate the members on the anspices nnrler which the Lodge was founded , and on the great probability of success under the able Master whom he had
hud the pleasure of placing in the chair that day . The Officers were appointed as follows : —Bros . H . W . Townscnd I . P . M ., T . Page S . W ., Lt . Saokville H . Carden , R . N ., J . W ., H . Threadingham Treasnrer , A . L . Emanuel Hon . Secretary , Rev . P . H . Good Chaplain , Lieut . F . S . Knowles , R . N .. S . D ., Martyr J . D ., Winter-bottom Organist , Lind D . C ., Mcl . eod , R . E ., I . U ., H . Long and S . Knight Stewards ,