Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar00900
aa founders : —Bros . William Cook , Thomas West , H . G . Denbigh , George Bird , A . J . Cox , and George Wright . The Warrant having been obtained , Saturday last was fixed for the consecration , aud , as wo have said , the ceremony was witnessed by a goodly number of brethren residing in the Metropolitan District . Shortly after half-past three o ' clock the brethren assembled at the Thicket Hotel , on tho Anerley
road—tho comfortable and luxurious quarters of two or three other Lodges—and , having walked in procession to the Lodge-room the chair was taken by Bro . H . E . Frances P . P . S . G . D . of Surrey , who appointed as his Wardens pro tem Bros . F . J . Smith P . P . G . A . D . C . Norfolk , and A . N . Bethune . Amongst those also present we observed : —Bros . Robert Jackson P . M . 101 , C . T . Speight P . M . 27
Edward Whitehead 236 , S . R . Speight P . M . H 7 , S . Beattie 17 , Dr . Edward A . Basley 518 , T . Thexton 1572 , M . Hayman 1802 , J . M . Klenck 168 G , W . Malyon 1613 , A . J . Rogers 1356 , B . Neale 177 , Augustus F . Lay 1361 , J . G . Attwood 569 , H . J . Amphlett 1511 , John Lassam 742 , H . W . Lindsey 1269 , and tho following brethren from the neighbouring Upper Norwood Lodge 1586 : —C . Pugsley W . M .,
G . J . E . Marsh , J . A . Stock , F . Bullock , J . C . Lamer , and F . Stafford . The business of tho day having been opened in accordance with ancient formality , tho presiding Officer addressed the brethren on the nature of their meeting , and the brethren of the new Lodge having been arranged in order , Bro . Cook , as tho acting Secretary , read the Petition and Warrant , signed by the above-named founders
These having been approved of , the ceremony of constituting the Lodge was proceeded with in due form , Bro . Frances delivering an interesting and impressive oration , in the course of which he said : On such an occasion as the present it was only wise that they should devote a short period of their evening ' s ceremony to a review of the antiquity of our Order , and tho purposes of its constitution : to
our individual responsibilities as Masons , working under the supervision of the world's great Architect and amenable to Hia laws . It was a tradition amongst them that the origin of Freemasonry was with the building of the Temple at Jerusalem—a statement as difficult to assort with the onus of proof as to deny . The absolute origin of every human institution must of necessity be bnt obscurely defined .
The distant past was almost as removed from our ken as was the far-off future , and as the social wants grow with dawning intellect we could scarcely trace a commencement to , any known system of ethics or of religious polity . But , intimately connected as the ancient Jewish systems ware with our own—their forms and ceremonies but the prototypes of those we at present use—their very modes of
expression the life-blood of our language—it was not improbable that an Order with esoteric teaching should have been founded to commemorate what , in the time of Solomon , must have been regarded as a stupendous event . This society or order would bo carried to other climes on the dispersion of the people amongst whom it was nurtured ; it would take root in strange lands , grow , progress , and suifer
decadence , to be renewed in a succeeding age from record or tradition . It increased the difficulty of fixing with absolute certainty the origin of onr own Order , to find in widely severed paoples similar mysteries ; but it did not follow that our system was the copy of another becanse it had a resemblance to it . With the advance of civilisation iu all parts of the world , communities had been formed and institutions
established , differing in language but alike in design and tendency , the necessities of mankind being everywhere identical . Thoy might bo a continuation or an imitation of ancient Hebrew rites j wo could not prove either . But when they considered how much onr modes of civil and religious polity were indebted to that ancient people thoy could accept the Masonic tradition cum gram sal is . The Temple
whose building they commemorated to-night was described in the Book they always had present in their Lodges , with all the minuteness of a modern architect's specification ; but we must not judge of its magnificence from our modern standpoint . Among a primitive and nomadic people , from a plan revealed to David , was erected by King Solomon an edifice of , in those days , unparalleled magnificence . No
clang of hammers resounded in its construction ; in solemn silence and with deep reverence a house was built for the worship of the Most High—every stroke ahistory , every symbol ou its wallsa lesson . Modern Freemasonry was understood as a system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols . They were governed by their own laws , which were easily defined , and were rarely wilfully broken .
In their ranks and under the banner of the Order were to be found men of the highest learning , and the genius and talent of our country might be numbered amongst the brethren of the Craft . The royal prince and humble artisan were the extreme links of a fraternal chain that united men of every social position or religious denomination . The principles of Freemasonry were derived from the Volume of the
Sacred Law , which lay open before the Master of every Lodge , culling from its pages neither exclusive creed nor dogmatic teaching . Masons could hail as brethren men of all ranks , creeds , and climes ; BO that , provided a man believe in the Glorious Architect of Heaven and Earth , and practise moreli ' , he was worthy of being a Mason These principles taught us o r duty to God , allegiance to our
Sovereign , care for our neightoi s , respect for ourselves . There were amongst them some who saw nc ning in the Order but a facile means of sensuous enjoyment . But to thers and wiser , who are not necessarily averse to the charms of g od fellowship , a duty is understood and a responsibility admitted w ich could not be shelved . Our duty is , first the perfecting of our o n knowledge . Our
responsibilitythe conveyance of such knowh-d ; 3 to the minds of the less enlightened of our fellows . Tho ethics of ' reemasonry being essentially taught by a system of symbolism , eve : r implement used in our Lodges has its appropriate lesson , as was \ -ill and thoroughly explained in the beautiful language of the leot re . And no brother taking office in his Lod ge could be excused fori norance of the moral tenets attached
to the symbol ho wears . Fi m the sword of the Tyler to tho P ythagorean problem worn by oho P . M . —marvellous in its mathematical troth — nothing shoul : bo misunderstood , or lack due consideration by the wearer . ' 1 ue three degrees were but types aud symbols of the birth , culture , and destiny of man . In the first they had the conception of an idea— - . he birth or admittance of an initiate
Ar00901
—a being coming into tho world , in the darkness of ignorance , his steps guided by those who had obtained the light . By culture and education he obtained the rank of a skilled craftsman , and later on ho was taught that to tho earnest worshipper of the Divine Architect , the diligent student of nature , the fearless follower of truth , was given a knowledge that would enable him to face the principles symbolised by
the plumb , level , aud setting maul , and to acknowledge that death had no terror equal to the stain of falsehood or dishonour . Humanly speaking , brotherly love was tho highest principle taught by our Order . Life is too short for animosities ; too solemn a gift to bo wasted in promoting discords or cherishing hatreds ; and the practice of this virtue would always compel us to be mindful of the failings
and necessities of our brethren . In loving charity they shonld reprove their follies and suffer reproof themselves . In generous benevolence thoy should relievo their wants and assist tho noble Institutions connected with tho Order—be mindful of tho fatherless , th « aged , and tho afflicted . In conclusion , let it be the aim of the Lodgo now about to bo formed to to cultivate and
disseminate tho principle of brotherly love , that though our teaching is esoteric and the outer world could not penetrate its mysteries , yet it might at least know that it taught men to be more mindful of each other , to practise charity , to maintain harmony , aud to live in unity . At the close of the oration , which was listened to with profound attention , the anthem , " Behold how
good and joyful a thing it is " ( Psalm exxxiii . ) was chanted , and the first portion of the dedication prayer offered . After the sanctus and the invocation , tho Presiding Officer read 2 Chron . ii . 1 to IR , the Lodge Board was then uncovered , and the elements of consecration were carried round , amidst solemn music , this portion of the ceremony being most effectively rendered by Bro . D . Basley and tho
choir . The impressive rite having been duly and most perfectly carried out , with Bro . J . M . Klenck as Director of Ceremonies , tho second portion of the dedication prayer was read , and the Lodge was constituted in due form , the proceedings terminating with tho anthem , " I have surely built Thee an house to dwell in , " and the patriarchal benediction . Lodge having been resumed to the second
degree , Bro . Robert Jackson was duly installed as tho first Master of the Penge Lodgo , and after he had received the customary salutations of the brethren , he invested his Officers for tho year as follow : — Bros . Fredk . J . Smith I . P . M ., William Cook S . W . and Sec , Thomas West J . W ., H . G . Denbigh S . D ., Geo . Bird J . D ., A . J . Cox I . G ., Geo . Wright Treas . The W . M . then proposed a voto of thanks to
Bro . Fiances for his kindness in consecrating the Lodge , and for the excellent way in which he had conducted the ceremony ; and Bro . Frances briefly acknowledged the compliment which the brethren so readily and cordially paid him . Similar compliments were also paid to Bros . Basley , Stock and Marsh , for their valuable services in the musical renderings of tho day , and also to Bro .
Klenck for the way in which ho had officiated as Director of Ceremonies . At tho conclusion of business the brethren partook . pf a recherche banquet , provided in a stylo for which Bro . Lassam , of the Thicket Hotel , is famous . The tables wero decked with magnifi . cent flowers , ferns and fruits , presenting a most luxurious and picturesque aspect , and the repast was served to perfection . Dessert
having been partaken of , tho customary Loyal and Masonic toasts wero duly honoured , tho W . M . observing that as long as they had such rulers at the head of affairs there need be no fear for tho progress and prosperity of the Craft . Bro . Frances , in felicitous terms , proposed the Worshipful Master and prosperity to tho Penge Lodge , the toast being received with tho utmost acclamation .
From the zeal which Bro . Jackson had shown , and from the fact of his being present , although not in robust health , he was suro they had a Master who would do honour to their choice , and upon whom they would look back as upon one who had reflected credit on the Lodge . He trusted that the acquaintance he had made to-day with their W . M . might ripen into a friendship that should last for years .
He reminded them that tho prosperity of the Lodge was in their own hands to a very great extent . They had about them a very estimable set of men , and all they had to do was to be very careful as to whom they admitted into their midst . The greatest mistake fvas to take in anybody ; they did not want numbers , they wanted men with whom they could mingle with pleasure after the hurry
and bustle of business , such friends as they would delight to meet at their own table . He entreated them to be careful and discreet in this matter , and then the prosperity which they all hoped might attend the Lodge would be ensured . The W . M ., who was enthusiastically received , thanked the brethren for the cordiality with which the toast had been drunk , and said he felt the great importance of tho
office he held , and the responsibilities which attached to himself and officers j but what he could do to promote the prosperity of the Craft , and more particularly this Lodge , he should be only too happy to do , and he hoped to hand down the warrant to his successor pure and unsullied , lis officers were all good men , aud had it nofc been f r their enthnsia u this Lodge would not have been formed . H i'Af
certain they vo Id do their best for the Lodge , and tb » t th : ' i AV . ^ a would be attent . d with success . They were all unite ) a . u . ' harm . nious now , and io hoped that no goddcs a of d ; rcuiJ ' . \ - : kl enrow - ^ apple into their -ridst . Before conclu li ; . ^ - , lie p' -o ^ - >*¦ -- ¦ r . \ . j . , _ •t : i » f the Consecratii ; and Installing Master , who h \ .. l m tj * bla t mo been a compare ive stranger to the uieiuoeiv ci' \ . c > IIM- . li ^ t
finding there iv sa Lodge wanting > iij r ¦? .-. 'i't ^ noe , Bro . Fi-. mcJs ; <••,. j without hesitct : m , notwithstanding that Ms Yt „ ' i vnlv «; d SJI : ., r . ti \ o personal inconvenience to himself . They ali thanks > un- \ fc-this example of a tr 3 Masonic spirit thafc he had showu t (<^ m , v . ^ 'i \ . "imvi Bro . Frances m > jht come amongst them on many future occai . '¦ : ¦ ¦ •::. The toast was received with full honours , and Bro . Franks , iu
responding , btie iy acknowledged the kindness with which he hai been met by tht brethren to-day , and thanked those who had so kindly assisted in the r . nsical arrangements and tho direction of the ceremonies . The lealth of the Visitors followed , and the hearty welcome exten . ed to the brethren from other Lodges was acknowledged in suitable terms by Bros , F . 3 , Smith ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar00900
aa founders : —Bros . William Cook , Thomas West , H . G . Denbigh , George Bird , A . J . Cox , and George Wright . The Warrant having been obtained , Saturday last was fixed for the consecration , aud , as wo have said , the ceremony was witnessed by a goodly number of brethren residing in the Metropolitan District . Shortly after half-past three o ' clock the brethren assembled at the Thicket Hotel , on tho Anerley
road—tho comfortable and luxurious quarters of two or three other Lodges—and , having walked in procession to the Lodge-room the chair was taken by Bro . H . E . Frances P . P . S . G . D . of Surrey , who appointed as his Wardens pro tem Bros . F . J . Smith P . P . G . A . D . C . Norfolk , and A . N . Bethune . Amongst those also present we observed : —Bros . Robert Jackson P . M . 101 , C . T . Speight P . M . 27
Edward Whitehead 236 , S . R . Speight P . M . H 7 , S . Beattie 17 , Dr . Edward A . Basley 518 , T . Thexton 1572 , M . Hayman 1802 , J . M . Klenck 168 G , W . Malyon 1613 , A . J . Rogers 1356 , B . Neale 177 , Augustus F . Lay 1361 , J . G . Attwood 569 , H . J . Amphlett 1511 , John Lassam 742 , H . W . Lindsey 1269 , and tho following brethren from the neighbouring Upper Norwood Lodge 1586 : —C . Pugsley W . M .,
G . J . E . Marsh , J . A . Stock , F . Bullock , J . C . Lamer , and F . Stafford . The business of tho day having been opened in accordance with ancient formality , tho presiding Officer addressed the brethren on the nature of their meeting , and the brethren of the new Lodge having been arranged in order , Bro . Cook , as tho acting Secretary , read the Petition and Warrant , signed by the above-named founders
These having been approved of , the ceremony of constituting the Lodge was proceeded with in due form , Bro . Frances delivering an interesting and impressive oration , in the course of which he said : On such an occasion as the present it was only wise that they should devote a short period of their evening ' s ceremony to a review of the antiquity of our Order , and tho purposes of its constitution : to
our individual responsibilities as Masons , working under the supervision of the world's great Architect and amenable to Hia laws . It was a tradition amongst them that the origin of Freemasonry was with the building of the Temple at Jerusalem—a statement as difficult to assort with the onus of proof as to deny . The absolute origin of every human institution must of necessity be bnt obscurely defined .
The distant past was almost as removed from our ken as was the far-off future , and as the social wants grow with dawning intellect we could scarcely trace a commencement to , any known system of ethics or of religious polity . But , intimately connected as the ancient Jewish systems ware with our own—their forms and ceremonies but the prototypes of those we at present use—their very modes of
expression the life-blood of our language—it was not improbable that an Order with esoteric teaching should have been founded to commemorate what , in the time of Solomon , must have been regarded as a stupendous event . This society or order would bo carried to other climes on the dispersion of the people amongst whom it was nurtured ; it would take root in strange lands , grow , progress , and suifer
decadence , to be renewed in a succeeding age from record or tradition . It increased the difficulty of fixing with absolute certainty the origin of onr own Order , to find in widely severed paoples similar mysteries ; but it did not follow that our system was the copy of another becanse it had a resemblance to it . With the advance of civilisation iu all parts of the world , communities had been formed and institutions
established , differing in language but alike in design and tendency , the necessities of mankind being everywhere identical . Thoy might bo a continuation or an imitation of ancient Hebrew rites j wo could not prove either . But when they considered how much onr modes of civil and religious polity were indebted to that ancient people thoy could accept the Masonic tradition cum gram sal is . The Temple
whose building they commemorated to-night was described in the Book they always had present in their Lodges , with all the minuteness of a modern architect's specification ; but we must not judge of its magnificence from our modern standpoint . Among a primitive and nomadic people , from a plan revealed to David , was erected by King Solomon an edifice of , in those days , unparalleled magnificence . No
clang of hammers resounded in its construction ; in solemn silence and with deep reverence a house was built for the worship of the Most High—every stroke ahistory , every symbol ou its wallsa lesson . Modern Freemasonry was understood as a system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols . They were governed by their own laws , which were easily defined , and were rarely wilfully broken .
In their ranks and under the banner of the Order were to be found men of the highest learning , and the genius and talent of our country might be numbered amongst the brethren of the Craft . The royal prince and humble artisan were the extreme links of a fraternal chain that united men of every social position or religious denomination . The principles of Freemasonry were derived from the Volume of the
Sacred Law , which lay open before the Master of every Lodge , culling from its pages neither exclusive creed nor dogmatic teaching . Masons could hail as brethren men of all ranks , creeds , and climes ; BO that , provided a man believe in the Glorious Architect of Heaven and Earth , and practise moreli ' , he was worthy of being a Mason These principles taught us o r duty to God , allegiance to our
Sovereign , care for our neightoi s , respect for ourselves . There were amongst them some who saw nc ning in the Order but a facile means of sensuous enjoyment . But to thers and wiser , who are not necessarily averse to the charms of g od fellowship , a duty is understood and a responsibility admitted w ich could not be shelved . Our duty is , first the perfecting of our o n knowledge . Our
responsibilitythe conveyance of such knowh-d ; 3 to the minds of the less enlightened of our fellows . Tho ethics of ' reemasonry being essentially taught by a system of symbolism , eve : r implement used in our Lodges has its appropriate lesson , as was \ -ill and thoroughly explained in the beautiful language of the leot re . And no brother taking office in his Lod ge could be excused fori norance of the moral tenets attached
to the symbol ho wears . Fi m the sword of the Tyler to tho P ythagorean problem worn by oho P . M . —marvellous in its mathematical troth — nothing shoul : bo misunderstood , or lack due consideration by the wearer . ' 1 ue three degrees were but types aud symbols of the birth , culture , and destiny of man . In the first they had the conception of an idea— - . he birth or admittance of an initiate
Ar00901
—a being coming into tho world , in the darkness of ignorance , his steps guided by those who had obtained the light . By culture and education he obtained the rank of a skilled craftsman , and later on ho was taught that to tho earnest worshipper of the Divine Architect , the diligent student of nature , the fearless follower of truth , was given a knowledge that would enable him to face the principles symbolised by
the plumb , level , aud setting maul , and to acknowledge that death had no terror equal to the stain of falsehood or dishonour . Humanly speaking , brotherly love was tho highest principle taught by our Order . Life is too short for animosities ; too solemn a gift to bo wasted in promoting discords or cherishing hatreds ; and the practice of this virtue would always compel us to be mindful of the failings
and necessities of our brethren . In loving charity they shonld reprove their follies and suffer reproof themselves . In generous benevolence thoy should relievo their wants and assist tho noble Institutions connected with tho Order—be mindful of tho fatherless , th « aged , and tho afflicted . In conclusion , let it be the aim of the Lodgo now about to bo formed to to cultivate and
disseminate tho principle of brotherly love , that though our teaching is esoteric and the outer world could not penetrate its mysteries , yet it might at least know that it taught men to be more mindful of each other , to practise charity , to maintain harmony , aud to live in unity . At the close of the oration , which was listened to with profound attention , the anthem , " Behold how
good and joyful a thing it is " ( Psalm exxxiii . ) was chanted , and the first portion of the dedication prayer offered . After the sanctus and the invocation , tho Presiding Officer read 2 Chron . ii . 1 to IR , the Lodge Board was then uncovered , and the elements of consecration were carried round , amidst solemn music , this portion of the ceremony being most effectively rendered by Bro . D . Basley and tho
choir . The impressive rite having been duly and most perfectly carried out , with Bro . J . M . Klenck as Director of Ceremonies , tho second portion of the dedication prayer was read , and the Lodge was constituted in due form , the proceedings terminating with tho anthem , " I have surely built Thee an house to dwell in , " and the patriarchal benediction . Lodge having been resumed to the second
degree , Bro . Robert Jackson was duly installed as tho first Master of the Penge Lodgo , and after he had received the customary salutations of the brethren , he invested his Officers for tho year as follow : — Bros . Fredk . J . Smith I . P . M ., William Cook S . W . and Sec , Thomas West J . W ., H . G . Denbigh S . D ., Geo . Bird J . D ., A . J . Cox I . G ., Geo . Wright Treas . The W . M . then proposed a voto of thanks to
Bro . Fiances for his kindness in consecrating the Lodge , and for the excellent way in which he had conducted the ceremony ; and Bro . Frances briefly acknowledged the compliment which the brethren so readily and cordially paid him . Similar compliments were also paid to Bros . Basley , Stock and Marsh , for their valuable services in the musical renderings of tho day , and also to Bro .
Klenck for the way in which ho had officiated as Director of Ceremonies . At tho conclusion of business the brethren partook . pf a recherche banquet , provided in a stylo for which Bro . Lassam , of the Thicket Hotel , is famous . The tables wero decked with magnifi . cent flowers , ferns and fruits , presenting a most luxurious and picturesque aspect , and the repast was served to perfection . Dessert
having been partaken of , tho customary Loyal and Masonic toasts wero duly honoured , tho W . M . observing that as long as they had such rulers at the head of affairs there need be no fear for tho progress and prosperity of the Craft . Bro . Frances , in felicitous terms , proposed the Worshipful Master and prosperity to tho Penge Lodge , the toast being received with tho utmost acclamation .
From the zeal which Bro . Jackson had shown , and from the fact of his being present , although not in robust health , he was suro they had a Master who would do honour to their choice , and upon whom they would look back as upon one who had reflected credit on the Lodge . He trusted that the acquaintance he had made to-day with their W . M . might ripen into a friendship that should last for years .
He reminded them that tho prosperity of the Lodge was in their own hands to a very great extent . They had about them a very estimable set of men , and all they had to do was to be very careful as to whom they admitted into their midst . The greatest mistake fvas to take in anybody ; they did not want numbers , they wanted men with whom they could mingle with pleasure after the hurry
and bustle of business , such friends as they would delight to meet at their own table . He entreated them to be careful and discreet in this matter , and then the prosperity which they all hoped might attend the Lodge would be ensured . The W . M ., who was enthusiastically received , thanked the brethren for the cordiality with which the toast had been drunk , and said he felt the great importance of tho
office he held , and the responsibilities which attached to himself and officers j but what he could do to promote the prosperity of the Craft , and more particularly this Lodge , he should be only too happy to do , and he hoped to hand down the warrant to his successor pure and unsullied , lis officers were all good men , aud had it nofc been f r their enthnsia u this Lodge would not have been formed . H i'Af
certain they vo Id do their best for the Lodge , and tb » t th : ' i AV . ^ a would be attent . d with success . They were all unite ) a . u . ' harm . nious now , and io hoped that no goddcs a of d ; rcuiJ ' . \ - : kl enrow - ^ apple into their -ridst . Before conclu li ; . ^ - , lie p' -o ^ - >*¦ -- ¦ r . \ . j . , _ •t : i » f the Consecratii ; and Installing Master , who h \ .. l m tj * bla t mo been a compare ive stranger to the uieiuoeiv ci' \ . c > IIM- . li ^ t
finding there iv sa Lodge wanting > iij r ¦? .-. 'i't ^ noe , Bro . Fi-. mcJs ; <••,. j without hesitct : m , notwithstanding that Ms Yt „ ' i vnlv «; d SJI : ., r . ti \ o personal inconvenience to himself . They ali thanks > un- \ fc-this example of a tr 3 Masonic spirit thafc he had showu t (<^ m , v . ^ 'i \ . "imvi Bro . Frances m > jht come amongst them on many future occai . '¦ : ¦ ¦ •::. The toast was received with full honours , and Bro . Franks , iu
responding , btie iy acknowledged the kindness with which he hai been met by tht brethren to-day , and thanked those who had so kindly assisted in the r . nsical arrangements and tho direction of the ceremonies . The lealth of the Visitors followed , and the hearty welcome exten . ed to the brethren from other Lodges was acknowledged in suitable terms by Bros , F . 3 , Smith ,