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Article CONSECRATION AWAY FROM HOME. Page 1 of 1 Article OUR EARTHEST NORTH. Page 1 of 1
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Consecration Away From Home.
CONSECRATION AWAY FROM HOME .
A PRACTICE has lately sprung up , and appears **•likely to extend , of consecrating new suburban Lodges at some central habitation , instead of at the regular place of meeting ; and we feel'it is not out of place to offer a word of protest , in the hope that the
custom may be checked , if not wholly stopped , as we think it will be detrimental to the Lodges and Brethren particularly concerned if it is allowed to become a recognised feature in English Freemasonry .
It appears to us to be a direct admission of weakness on the part of the Founders of a Lodge if they are obliged to seek accommodation for their Consecration away from the district in which they
intend to hold their regular meetings , as we are of opinion it is quite as necessary to show that there is a suitable home for a proposed new Lodge as it is to demonstrate that it is necessary or desirable to establish
one in an outlying district . We know it is at times difficult to do this under present day conditions , when a good banquet is so often considered to be of far greater importance than comfortable Lodge
accommodation , but the authorities of the Craft should at least set an example in this direction , by acting in such a way as to demonstrate the fact that they
regard facility for the proper working of a new Lodge as of even greater moment than convenience for the necessary refreshment which follows Masonic labour .
In very many cases the Consecration ceremony of a Lodge is looked back upon in after years by those who took part in it , and the glories of that occasion are cited as a stimulus to energetic action in the future .
We have heard Brethren speak of the splendid work done on the day of their Lodge being started , and not a few Worshipful Masters-elect set themselves the task of trying to eclipse the glories of that conspicuous
occasion , when the time comes round for them to be installed in the chair of King Solomon . But such sentiments would be shorn of much of their interest should it become the custom to consecrate Lodges
" abroad , " for the pomp and display possible at central quarters would be so different to the quiet comfort and homeliness of the suburban resort , as to render any emulative comparisons really out of character . We cannot believe the Grand Officers or others who take a leading part in the work of Consecration
desire this departure from old established custom , just to suit their own convenience , and as we said at the
outset it will be a misfortune if considerations of a showy banquet are to outweigh what should be the first consideration with the Founders of a new Lodgeto have it Consecrated in their own quarters , with their own furniture and belongings ; sentiment and first impressions go for much , and it certainly cannot be
any pleasing reminiscence to have to call to mind the fact that a Lodge was started on alien soil , particularly if , as we fear would often- prove the case , the reason for the excursion was a more attractive repast at the close of the day ' s proceedings-
Our Earthest North.
OUR EARTHEST NORTH .
WE have received some interesting particulars of Masonic work by the . . brethren of St . David Lodge , No . 3 Q 3 , which enjoys the distinction of being the most northern Lodge held under the Grand Lodge ot England , the meeting place being Berwick on Tweed , on the very border of Scotland .
The Charter of the Lodge dates from 1829 , and the Lodge has in consequence the long list of seventy-one Past Masters , thirty of whom are still living . At the installation meeting on St . John ' s Day , 27 th December last , twenty of these Brethren were present , a fact which testifies in the most
forcible manner to the interest they yet display in the work of their Lodge , and of the Craft generally . The Lodge possesses its own Masonic Hall , built in 1872
at a cost of £ 2 , 000 , and is entirely free from debt , two years ago a pipe orsran was added in the Lodge room , at a cost of £ 200 , and having a most efficient Organist—one who is at the same time an enthusiastic Mason—the musical
nortions of the ceremonies are exceptionally well rendered . Naturally the members of the Lodge are very proud of it , and they consider themselves second to none in the advantages they enjoy . We can well understand this sense of satisfaction on their part , and wholly dismiss any -idea of our
informant " crowing "—as he imagines we may consider him doing—in his recital of the fact , ft is a great pity there are not many other Brethren in our midst " able and willing to , " crow" to such good purpose ; it would certainly be far better if more of our Lodges followed the example of our
north country Brethren and had something better to boast of in years to come than mere piles of receipted hotel bills . Meetings of the Lodge are held on the first Tuesday of each month throughout . the year , and the occasion of the gathering on the 7 th inst . was specially marked by a visitation
from the Provincial ; Grand Lodge of Northumberland , fn the unavoidable absence of Sir" Matthew White Ridley Provincial Grand Master the deputation consisted of Bro . Alderman W . H . Holmes G . D . Eng . Dep . Prov . G . M ., who
was accompanied by a goodly number of Provincial Officers . During the evening two large portraits of very prominent i .-asons in Northumberland were presented to the Lodge , viz .: our late Bros . E . Davis , for many years Prov . G . D . C , and B . J . Thompson , Prov . G . Sec . for a long time .
The Deputy Prov . G . M . spoke in very high terms of those two Brethren , both as Masons and private gentlemen , and advised the younger Brethren to emulate their career . After the meeting the Brethren adjourned to the banquet hall , and enjoyed the Berwick salmon , & c , purveyed by Bro . W . S . Dods and a very enjoyable evening was spent .
The health of the W . M . Bro . R . Marshall , who is very popular , was proposed by the Deputy Prov . G . M . and received in an enthusiastic manner by the Brethren present . On Wednesday evening there was a regular Convocation of the Berwick on Tweed Chapter , which was also marked
by a visit from the Provincial Grand Officers . There was an exaltation , and the meeting proved a most enjoyable one . The Chapter was presided over by the First Principal Compz W : F . O'Connell , who gave . the degree in an admirable manner , and also explained the mystical lecture in a way that met with the approval of the Provincial Officers .
After the meeting the Companions adjourned to the outer hall , where a sumptuous repast was partaken of , purveyed by Comp . Martin .
The Provincial Grand H ., in responding to the toast of the Prov . G . Chapter , paid a high trib'ate of praise to the Companions for the proficiency they had shown in their work , and spoke in glowing terms of the quarters occupied b y the Chapter , and everything pertaining to it
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Away From Home.
CONSECRATION AWAY FROM HOME .
A PRACTICE has lately sprung up , and appears **•likely to extend , of consecrating new suburban Lodges at some central habitation , instead of at the regular place of meeting ; and we feel'it is not out of place to offer a word of protest , in the hope that the
custom may be checked , if not wholly stopped , as we think it will be detrimental to the Lodges and Brethren particularly concerned if it is allowed to become a recognised feature in English Freemasonry .
It appears to us to be a direct admission of weakness on the part of the Founders of a Lodge if they are obliged to seek accommodation for their Consecration away from the district in which they
intend to hold their regular meetings , as we are of opinion it is quite as necessary to show that there is a suitable home for a proposed new Lodge as it is to demonstrate that it is necessary or desirable to establish
one in an outlying district . We know it is at times difficult to do this under present day conditions , when a good banquet is so often considered to be of far greater importance than comfortable Lodge
accommodation , but the authorities of the Craft should at least set an example in this direction , by acting in such a way as to demonstrate the fact that they
regard facility for the proper working of a new Lodge as of even greater moment than convenience for the necessary refreshment which follows Masonic labour .
In very many cases the Consecration ceremony of a Lodge is looked back upon in after years by those who took part in it , and the glories of that occasion are cited as a stimulus to energetic action in the future .
We have heard Brethren speak of the splendid work done on the day of their Lodge being started , and not a few Worshipful Masters-elect set themselves the task of trying to eclipse the glories of that conspicuous
occasion , when the time comes round for them to be installed in the chair of King Solomon . But such sentiments would be shorn of much of their interest should it become the custom to consecrate Lodges
" abroad , " for the pomp and display possible at central quarters would be so different to the quiet comfort and homeliness of the suburban resort , as to render any emulative comparisons really out of character . We cannot believe the Grand Officers or others who take a leading part in the work of Consecration
desire this departure from old established custom , just to suit their own convenience , and as we said at the
outset it will be a misfortune if considerations of a showy banquet are to outweigh what should be the first consideration with the Founders of a new Lodgeto have it Consecrated in their own quarters , with their own furniture and belongings ; sentiment and first impressions go for much , and it certainly cannot be
any pleasing reminiscence to have to call to mind the fact that a Lodge was started on alien soil , particularly if , as we fear would often- prove the case , the reason for the excursion was a more attractive repast at the close of the day ' s proceedings-
Our Earthest North.
OUR EARTHEST NORTH .
WE have received some interesting particulars of Masonic work by the . . brethren of St . David Lodge , No . 3 Q 3 , which enjoys the distinction of being the most northern Lodge held under the Grand Lodge ot England , the meeting place being Berwick on Tweed , on the very border of Scotland .
The Charter of the Lodge dates from 1829 , and the Lodge has in consequence the long list of seventy-one Past Masters , thirty of whom are still living . At the installation meeting on St . John ' s Day , 27 th December last , twenty of these Brethren were present , a fact which testifies in the most
forcible manner to the interest they yet display in the work of their Lodge , and of the Craft generally . The Lodge possesses its own Masonic Hall , built in 1872
at a cost of £ 2 , 000 , and is entirely free from debt , two years ago a pipe orsran was added in the Lodge room , at a cost of £ 200 , and having a most efficient Organist—one who is at the same time an enthusiastic Mason—the musical
nortions of the ceremonies are exceptionally well rendered . Naturally the members of the Lodge are very proud of it , and they consider themselves second to none in the advantages they enjoy . We can well understand this sense of satisfaction on their part , and wholly dismiss any -idea of our
informant " crowing "—as he imagines we may consider him doing—in his recital of the fact , ft is a great pity there are not many other Brethren in our midst " able and willing to , " crow" to such good purpose ; it would certainly be far better if more of our Lodges followed the example of our
north country Brethren and had something better to boast of in years to come than mere piles of receipted hotel bills . Meetings of the Lodge are held on the first Tuesday of each month throughout . the year , and the occasion of the gathering on the 7 th inst . was specially marked by a visitation
from the Provincial ; Grand Lodge of Northumberland , fn the unavoidable absence of Sir" Matthew White Ridley Provincial Grand Master the deputation consisted of Bro . Alderman W . H . Holmes G . D . Eng . Dep . Prov . G . M ., who
was accompanied by a goodly number of Provincial Officers . During the evening two large portraits of very prominent i .-asons in Northumberland were presented to the Lodge , viz .: our late Bros . E . Davis , for many years Prov . G . D . C , and B . J . Thompson , Prov . G . Sec . for a long time .
The Deputy Prov . G . M . spoke in very high terms of those two Brethren , both as Masons and private gentlemen , and advised the younger Brethren to emulate their career . After the meeting the Brethren adjourned to the banquet hall , and enjoyed the Berwick salmon , & c , purveyed by Bro . W . S . Dods and a very enjoyable evening was spent .
The health of the W . M . Bro . R . Marshall , who is very popular , was proposed by the Deputy Prov . G . M . and received in an enthusiastic manner by the Brethren present . On Wednesday evening there was a regular Convocation of the Berwick on Tweed Chapter , which was also marked
by a visit from the Provincial Grand Officers . There was an exaltation , and the meeting proved a most enjoyable one . The Chapter was presided over by the First Principal Compz W : F . O'Connell , who gave . the degree in an admirable manner , and also explained the mystical lecture in a way that met with the approval of the Provincial Officers .
After the meeting the Companions adjourned to the outer hall , where a sumptuous repast was partaken of , purveyed by Comp . Martin .
The Provincial Grand H ., in responding to the toast of the Prov . G . Chapter , paid a high trib'ate of praise to the Companions for the proficiency they had shown in their work , and spoke in glowing terms of the quarters occupied b y the Chapter , and everything pertaining to it