Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of Prince Edward Of Saxe-Weimar Lodge, No. 1903.
to-day . It is only fair that yon shonld know that tho Prince of Wales expressed a very strong wish that ono of tho familv should eomo here , and I was glad to como has his representative , and to represent at ' those Members of the Royal Family who aro Freemasons . A good many of tbe Roy-d Familv have been Freemasons , and some of them Grand Masters , but . wo all take tho docnest . interest in all that con .
cerns tho welfare and good-fellowship of the Craft . I most entirely agree with the sentiment oxprossed by our Worshipful Master in saying that we , among all others , fool that our great safeguard and great watchword is charity and good-fellowship , and if is in that sense that we , as the Grand Officers past and present , attended to-day . We see this in the new Lodge springing up , we wish to show tho interest wo
have in it , and we wish most sincerely for its happiness and prosperity . Sir H . Dntmmond Wolff , M . P ., gave the health of tho R . W . Prov . G . M . ( Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P . ) , and in doing so said they all know the labour and attention Bro . Beach applied to tho discharge of the functions of his Office . He was brought up in one of the best schools
of Masonry , the Apollo Lodge of Oxford , and thev had seen from the manner in which he had discharged his dnties that day how apt a pnpil he had been in the Craft . Ho certainly had never discharged a dnty with greater pleasure to himself than opening a now Lodge in Portsmouth with Lord Charles Beresford as its Master , and dedicated
to Princo Edward of Saxo-Weimar . Ho believed that the great extension of Masonry which was jnst now so noticeable was owing tothis , that so many who belonged to the great Services , of which they saw such distinguished representatives present , wero Masons . There wag no country in tho world which made such demands on the Services as
a scattered empire , and Great Britain must bo always asking her soldi ' prs and sailors to go abroad , to sacrifice friends and home . Then it was that they formed a family . Then it was that Masonry stopped in , providing them in foreign countries with a society , a family , and a home—and they were rejoiced in their lighter moments , during the tedium of an honourable and necessary exile . They welcomed tho
formation of this Lodge in Portsmouth , because it was characteristic of the town and charateristic of the Masonry of England , and if it had been graced by tho presence of a Member of the Roval Family and by so many distinguished Members of tho Craft , it was because loyalty to tho Craft inspired loyalty to the Crown , and because they knew that a good Mason must be a good subject .
Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., responded , and said that since he had held his present position of honour ho had opened three new Lodges in Portsmouth . He congratulated them on the manner in which Masonry was progressing in the Old Town of Portsmouth and in tho Province , and he believed it was flourishing in eqnal proportions in the country also . His sincere hop ? and wish was that , tho Lodge wonld
be an honour not only to the Province bnt to tho Craft in England . Bro . Montague Guest , P . G . M . of Dorset , gave tho health of tho R . W . Depnty P . G . M ., Bro . W . Hickman , and Officers of the P . G . Lodge present and past . He had not had tho hononr of the acquaintance of the Depnty Grand Master before that day , bnt he was convinced , from the admirable way in which the duties of the P . G . M . had
been performed , tbe Officers of the Province who wero present must be a fair representation of tho working of the Province . TTo considered that one of the most important parts of Freemasonry consisted in their visiting one another , and , as Prov . G . M . of an adjoining Province , he hoped he might have the pleasure and advantage of the presence of some of the Provincial Officers of this Province , not to show them how to do their work , but to compare one Province with another . The
advantage would be mutual , and he hoped that they in Dorset would show that they were not uuDrofioient in the working of the Province . He sincerely thanked the W . M . for giving him the opportunity of witnessing so interesting and admirably conducted a performance as he had witnessed that day . Captain T . H . Martin , R . N ., P . G . S . W ., briefly responded , in the absence of Bro . Hickman .
The Duke of Connaught , in proposing the health of the Worshipful Master , said : My Lords and Gentlemen , —Ono of the most pleasing dnties now devolves upon me , and it is one which , I may say , almost speaks for itself . I feel it reqnires but few words of mine to make you respond to the toast with the heartiest cordia'ity possible . It is the health of the Most Worshipful Master , Lord Charles Beresford
The applause which greets the mere mention of your Master ' s name shows me that I was not mistaken when I said that it was a toast that wonld be received with heartiness and cordiality . In the presence of people of whom you are speaking it is customary not to eulogise them too much , still I hope he will allow me to sav that I feel great pleasnre in proposing , this afternoon , his health . I
have had the pleasure of hisiacquaintancc for many years , and there are many present who know him , not only as a Mason , but in his professional capacity as an Officer in tho Navy . Gentlemen , as an Officer in the Army it affords me all the greater pleasure in proposing the health of an Officer in the sister Service—the Navy . Yon all know his career , and how he has risen from the lowest rank
to the rank he now holds , and tbe respect he is held in by all branches of the Navy , from the senior Officers down to the blue jackets and marines . I may say that the same good feeling , the same respect , and the same affection that is shown him in his own profession , will be shown him in the Craft . I am convinced that the Lodge Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar has a most excellent Master , and that he
will do everything to keep np all that is creditable to the Craft , and the Fellowship ; and I hope that under his Mastership tho Lodge which we inaugurate to-day will flourish and prosper , and when he comes to hand it over to his successor he may be able to look back upon his work with the greatest pleasnre , I ask you to drink the health of the W . M ., Lord Charles Beresford .
Lord Charles Beresford , who was received with great cheering , said : It is no hackneyed phrase to say I hardly know how to retnrn thanks to you , Yonr Royal Highness , after the more than kind thirm-s yon have said , and to yon , Gentlemen , for the extremely gratifving and flattering way in which you have received what His Royal HiglT ness said . He made one remark about my career in the Service . I think
Consecration Of Prince Edward Of Saxe-Weimar Lodge, No. 1903.
[ havo done what wo all do in the Navy—our duty , and the best we can to help a shipmate as long as wo can , and I hope that , as Masfcor of the Princo Edward Lodge , T may fnlfil my duty as I should . It is ¦ "oldorn a man has such hononr paid him as I have had paid mo tolav . I have been elected Master of tho Lodge ; there has been an i mmense , an entlm-i tstie gathering , not only of my own brothrou ,
because every Mason is a brother , but brethren forming a most distinguished company have come , down to see the Constitution of this Lodge , [ f , is a day ! shall never forget , and as far as I can I will dois His Royal Highness put it—my duty in the Lodge as the Master of it , just as I have endeavoured to do it iu tho Servioo to which I am proud to belong .
Admiral of tho Fleet Sir Harry Keppel proposed tho hoalth of the Visitors . Some of thorn talked about being old Masons of twenty vears' standing , but he was a Mason forty years ago , and ten years before that he was invited to Kensington Palace in order to bo initiated , but jnst as ho was starting he was ordered to Portsmouth to join his ship , and therefore was unable to attend . He coupled with tho
toast the name of H . S . H . Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar . He would tell them a story . During the Crimea he was on duty taking a sheep to his friend Colin Campbell , afterwards Lord Clive , who was in camp , and going up the hill ho met a ) 'onng soldier leading a goat with one hand nnd in the other carrying a buckot of water . He had his shirt-sleeves tucked np , though the snow was on the ground . The
soldier nodded to him . As ho considered this unnsnal familiarity , he asked his friend Campbell who ho was . " Don ' t you know ? " was tho reply , " Why , that is Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar . " Princo Edward of Saxo-Weimar , who was cordially received , responded , and narrated his personal connection with tho Lodgo . Throe or four months ago ho received a letter from a gontloman in the
Masonic body , and , who , ho believed , thonglit he ( His Serene Highness ) was a Mason . Ho was informed that a new Lodgo was about to be constituted , and that it was dosired that it might bo called after him . While feeling himself highly honoured , he replied that ho was sensible of the honour paid him , but called attention to the fact that he was not a Mason . He received a reply stating that although it
was a matter of regret that ho was not a Mason , it was still the wish of the Fonnders that the Lodge should be called after him . Ho felt exceedingly flattered at the recognition of him and tho desire to perpetuate his name in Portsmouth , and readily gave nis conseut . He mentioned this in order that strangers might know his connection with the Lodge . Referring to the incident mentioned by Sir H . Keppel
he said it was perfectly true . When he came back from the Crimea he dined with Lord Palmerston , and it was a cm-ions fact that he mentioned the same incident , though how he knew it ho could not tell . On behalf of tho town , speaking for the Mayor as well as for himself , he expressed the gratification felt at the visit of H . R . H . the Dnke of Connanght on this occasion .
Baron Henrv de Worms , M . P ., asked tho company to drink the healthof tho Founders of tho Lodge . Underordinarycircnmstances that toast was merely tho united expression of opinion and of appreciation of the services of ono or more gentlemen . But ou this occasion he thought that tho Fonnders themselves must havo experienced the liveliest satisfaction from tho manner in which their services had
b"on appreciated , and from tho additional fact that they had conferred a great benefit on the Craft generally by tho foundation of the n ^ w bodge . They knew that the brethren combined in them a spirit of lovally , and the inherent spirit of benevolence , good fellowship , aud charity . But there was one other point having a particular bearing at the present moment , and that was that whereas throughout tho
wor'd they heard of secret societies working only for the evil of the country in which thev existed , they might proudly turn to this country and associate with it the name of their secret society which did good by stealth and blushed to find it fame . Bro . H . W . Townsend T . P . M ., in responding , said that he might justly claim to be the Founder of the Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar
L-idire , and for that reason he was pleased to have the opportunity of thanking all those who had rendered such valuable assistance in bringing about in such a short time the large Masonic gathering which they had witnessed . Scarcely three months had passed since he anno-inced bis intention to mako application for a warrant for a new Lodge , and althongh he fait certain that he would be successful
he lit tie thought that his application wonla result in tho formation of a Lodge , honoured by the presence of so many brethren to witness the beautiful ciwemotiy of Constitution so ably performed by tho Provincial Grand Master , and in the presence of so many Officers holding high positions in the Craft . On behalf of the many brethren standing with him , ho expressed their gratitude to Prince Edward of
Saxe-Weimar for his very kind letter giving consent that the Lodge might bear his name , and his expression of hope that the Lodge would prosper ; secondly , to Bro . Lord Charles Beresford , who so kindlyconsented to accept tho office of first W . M ., thereby giving the Lodge an amonnt of prestige that it could not under other circumstances have obtained ; and , thirdly , to the Prov . Grand Master , for his very
cordial reception of Bro . Emanuel and himself on tho occasion of the constitution of the Chine Lodgo at Shanklin , before which ceremony he was pleased to allow them to present their petition , and to promise it his strongest recommendation . The Lodge being now started nnder such favourable circumstances it should be the earnest desire of each of tho Founders , and more especially the Officers of tho Lodge ,
to carry out their respective dnties in an efficient manner . When the Lodge reached its Centenary ho hoped those who might then be members would have no cause to regret its formation , but on the contrary be able to look back with pleasure on the records of the Lodge , and think kindly of those who took part in the proceedings of that day . Bro . W . W . Beach proposed the Worshipful Masters of the Lodges
in tho Province , and Bro . G . A . Mnrsell W . M . of the Medina Lodge , No . . ' ! * i , Isle , of Wight , hriefly responded . The Chairman gave tho Officers of the Lodgo , and Bro . T . Page , as Senior Warden , returned thanks , observing that tho Officers were determined to fully carry out their dnties . Tho company then separated .-- Portsmouth Times .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of Prince Edward Of Saxe-Weimar Lodge, No. 1903.
to-day . It is only fair that yon shonld know that tho Prince of Wales expressed a very strong wish that ono of tho familv should eomo here , and I was glad to como has his representative , and to represent at ' those Members of the Royal Family who aro Freemasons . A good many of tbe Roy-d Familv have been Freemasons , and some of them Grand Masters , but . wo all take tho docnest . interest in all that con .
cerns tho welfare and good-fellowship of the Craft . I most entirely agree with the sentiment oxprossed by our Worshipful Master in saying that we , among all others , fool that our great safeguard and great watchword is charity and good-fellowship , and if is in that sense that we , as the Grand Officers past and present , attended to-day . We see this in the new Lodge springing up , we wish to show tho interest wo
have in it , and we wish most sincerely for its happiness and prosperity . Sir H . Dntmmond Wolff , M . P ., gave the health of tho R . W . Prov . G . M . ( Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P . ) , and in doing so said they all know the labour and attention Bro . Beach applied to tho discharge of the functions of his Office . He was brought up in one of the best schools
of Masonry , the Apollo Lodge of Oxford , and thev had seen from the manner in which he had discharged his dnties that day how apt a pnpil he had been in the Craft . Ho certainly had never discharged a dnty with greater pleasure to himself than opening a now Lodge in Portsmouth with Lord Charles Beresford as its Master , and dedicated
to Princo Edward of Saxo-Weimar . Ho believed that the great extension of Masonry which was jnst now so noticeable was owing tothis , that so many who belonged to the great Services , of which they saw such distinguished representatives present , wero Masons . There wag no country in tho world which made such demands on the Services as
a scattered empire , and Great Britain must bo always asking her soldi ' prs and sailors to go abroad , to sacrifice friends and home . Then it was that they formed a family . Then it was that Masonry stopped in , providing them in foreign countries with a society , a family , and a home—and they were rejoiced in their lighter moments , during the tedium of an honourable and necessary exile . They welcomed tho
formation of this Lodge in Portsmouth , because it was characteristic of the town and charateristic of the Masonry of England , and if it had been graced by tho presence of a Member of the Roval Family and by so many distinguished Members of tho Craft , it was because loyalty to tho Craft inspired loyalty to the Crown , and because they knew that a good Mason must be a good subject .
Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., responded , and said that since he had held his present position of honour ho had opened three new Lodges in Portsmouth . He congratulated them on the manner in which Masonry was progressing in the Old Town of Portsmouth and in tho Province , and he believed it was flourishing in eqnal proportions in the country also . His sincere hop ? and wish was that , tho Lodge wonld
be an honour not only to the Province bnt to tho Craft in England . Bro . Montague Guest , P . G . M . of Dorset , gave tho health of tho R . W . Depnty P . G . M ., Bro . W . Hickman , and Officers of the P . G . Lodge present and past . He had not had tho hononr of the acquaintance of the Depnty Grand Master before that day , bnt he was convinced , from the admirable way in which the duties of the P . G . M . had
been performed , tbe Officers of the Province who wero present must be a fair representation of tho working of the Province . TTo considered that one of the most important parts of Freemasonry consisted in their visiting one another , and , as Prov . G . M . of an adjoining Province , he hoped he might have the pleasure and advantage of the presence of some of the Provincial Officers of this Province , not to show them how to do their work , but to compare one Province with another . The
advantage would be mutual , and he hoped that they in Dorset would show that they were not uuDrofioient in the working of the Province . He sincerely thanked the W . M . for giving him the opportunity of witnessing so interesting and admirably conducted a performance as he had witnessed that day . Captain T . H . Martin , R . N ., P . G . S . W ., briefly responded , in the absence of Bro . Hickman .
The Duke of Connaught , in proposing the health of the Worshipful Master , said : My Lords and Gentlemen , —Ono of the most pleasing dnties now devolves upon me , and it is one which , I may say , almost speaks for itself . I feel it reqnires but few words of mine to make you respond to the toast with the heartiest cordia'ity possible . It is the health of the Most Worshipful Master , Lord Charles Beresford
The applause which greets the mere mention of your Master ' s name shows me that I was not mistaken when I said that it was a toast that wonld be received with heartiness and cordiality . In the presence of people of whom you are speaking it is customary not to eulogise them too much , still I hope he will allow me to sav that I feel great pleasnre in proposing , this afternoon , his health . I
have had the pleasure of hisiacquaintancc for many years , and there are many present who know him , not only as a Mason , but in his professional capacity as an Officer in tho Navy . Gentlemen , as an Officer in the Army it affords me all the greater pleasure in proposing the health of an Officer in the sister Service—the Navy . Yon all know his career , and how he has risen from the lowest rank
to the rank he now holds , and tbe respect he is held in by all branches of the Navy , from the senior Officers down to the blue jackets and marines . I may say that the same good feeling , the same respect , and the same affection that is shown him in his own profession , will be shown him in the Craft . I am convinced that the Lodge Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar has a most excellent Master , and that he
will do everything to keep np all that is creditable to the Craft , and the Fellowship ; and I hope that under his Mastership tho Lodge which we inaugurate to-day will flourish and prosper , and when he comes to hand it over to his successor he may be able to look back upon his work with the greatest pleasnre , I ask you to drink the health of the W . M ., Lord Charles Beresford .
Lord Charles Beresford , who was received with great cheering , said : It is no hackneyed phrase to say I hardly know how to retnrn thanks to you , Yonr Royal Highness , after the more than kind thirm-s yon have said , and to yon , Gentlemen , for the extremely gratifving and flattering way in which you have received what His Royal HiglT ness said . He made one remark about my career in the Service . I think
Consecration Of Prince Edward Of Saxe-Weimar Lodge, No. 1903.
[ havo done what wo all do in the Navy—our duty , and the best we can to help a shipmate as long as wo can , and I hope that , as Masfcor of the Princo Edward Lodge , T may fnlfil my duty as I should . It is ¦ "oldorn a man has such hononr paid him as I have had paid mo tolav . I have been elected Master of tho Lodge ; there has been an i mmense , an entlm-i tstie gathering , not only of my own brothrou ,
because every Mason is a brother , but brethren forming a most distinguished company have come , down to see the Constitution of this Lodge , [ f , is a day ! shall never forget , and as far as I can I will dois His Royal Highness put it—my duty in the Lodge as the Master of it , just as I have endeavoured to do it iu tho Servioo to which I am proud to belong .
Admiral of tho Fleet Sir Harry Keppel proposed tho hoalth of the Visitors . Some of thorn talked about being old Masons of twenty vears' standing , but he was a Mason forty years ago , and ten years before that he was invited to Kensington Palace in order to bo initiated , but jnst as ho was starting he was ordered to Portsmouth to join his ship , and therefore was unable to attend . He coupled with tho
toast the name of H . S . H . Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar . He would tell them a story . During the Crimea he was on duty taking a sheep to his friend Colin Campbell , afterwards Lord Clive , who was in camp , and going up the hill ho met a ) 'onng soldier leading a goat with one hand nnd in the other carrying a buckot of water . He had his shirt-sleeves tucked np , though the snow was on the ground . The
soldier nodded to him . As ho considered this unnsnal familiarity , he asked his friend Campbell who ho was . " Don ' t you know ? " was tho reply , " Why , that is Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar . " Princo Edward of Saxo-Weimar , who was cordially received , responded , and narrated his personal connection with tho Lodgo . Throe or four months ago ho received a letter from a gontloman in the
Masonic body , and , who , ho believed , thonglit he ( His Serene Highness ) was a Mason . Ho was informed that a new Lodgo was about to be constituted , and that it was dosired that it might bo called after him . While feeling himself highly honoured , he replied that ho was sensible of the honour paid him , but called attention to the fact that he was not a Mason . He received a reply stating that although it
was a matter of regret that ho was not a Mason , it was still the wish of the Fonnders that the Lodge should be called after him . Ho felt exceedingly flattered at the recognition of him and tho desire to perpetuate his name in Portsmouth , and readily gave nis conseut . He mentioned this in order that strangers might know his connection with the Lodge . Referring to the incident mentioned by Sir H . Keppel
he said it was perfectly true . When he came back from the Crimea he dined with Lord Palmerston , and it was a cm-ions fact that he mentioned the same incident , though how he knew it ho could not tell . On behalf of tho town , speaking for the Mayor as well as for himself , he expressed the gratification felt at the visit of H . R . H . the Dnke of Connanght on this occasion .
Baron Henrv de Worms , M . P ., asked tho company to drink the healthof tho Founders of tho Lodge . Underordinarycircnmstances that toast was merely tho united expression of opinion and of appreciation of the services of ono or more gentlemen . But ou this occasion he thought that tho Fonnders themselves must havo experienced the liveliest satisfaction from tho manner in which their services had
b"on appreciated , and from tho additional fact that they had conferred a great benefit on the Craft generally by tho foundation of the n ^ w bodge . They knew that the brethren combined in them a spirit of lovally , and the inherent spirit of benevolence , good fellowship , aud charity . But there was one other point having a particular bearing at the present moment , and that was that whereas throughout tho
wor'd they heard of secret societies working only for the evil of the country in which thev existed , they might proudly turn to this country and associate with it the name of their secret society which did good by stealth and blushed to find it fame . Bro . H . W . Townsend T . P . M ., in responding , said that he might justly claim to be the Founder of the Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar
L-idire , and for that reason he was pleased to have the opportunity of thanking all those who had rendered such valuable assistance in bringing about in such a short time the large Masonic gathering which they had witnessed . Scarcely three months had passed since he anno-inced bis intention to mako application for a warrant for a new Lodge , and althongh he fait certain that he would be successful
he lit tie thought that his application wonla result in tho formation of a Lodge , honoured by the presence of so many brethren to witness the beautiful ciwemotiy of Constitution so ably performed by tho Provincial Grand Master , and in the presence of so many Officers holding high positions in the Craft . On behalf of the many brethren standing with him , ho expressed their gratitude to Prince Edward of
Saxe-Weimar for his very kind letter giving consent that the Lodge might bear his name , and his expression of hope that the Lodge would prosper ; secondly , to Bro . Lord Charles Beresford , who so kindlyconsented to accept tho office of first W . M ., thereby giving the Lodge an amonnt of prestige that it could not under other circumstances have obtained ; and , thirdly , to the Prov . Grand Master , for his very
cordial reception of Bro . Emanuel and himself on tho occasion of the constitution of the Chine Lodgo at Shanklin , before which ceremony he was pleased to allow them to present their petition , and to promise it his strongest recommendation . The Lodge being now started nnder such favourable circumstances it should be the earnest desire of each of tho Founders , and more especially the Officers of tho Lodge ,
to carry out their respective dnties in an efficient manner . When the Lodge reached its Centenary ho hoped those who might then be members would have no cause to regret its formation , but on the contrary be able to look back with pleasure on the records of the Lodge , and think kindly of those who took part in the proceedings of that day . Bro . W . W . Beach proposed the Worshipful Masters of the Lodges
in tho Province , and Bro . G . A . Mnrsell W . M . of the Medina Lodge , No . . ' ! * i , Isle , of Wight , hriefly responded . The Chairman gave tho Officers of the Lodgo , and Bro . T . Page , as Senior Warden , returned thanks , observing that tho Officers were determined to fully carry out their dnties . Tho company then separated .-- Portsmouth Times .