Prov. Grand Lodge Of Staffordshire.

chair was taken by Bro . Pievoy P . G . S . W . Before leaving the Prov . G . Master expressed himself delighted with the heartiness with which he had been received , and proposed the health of tho Queen , which was dnly honoured . The usual Masonic toasts followed , tho speakers being Bros . Piercy , Warren , Bromley , Cartwrisht , Hales , John Webberlov , and Marks , the latter of whom responded for the

Visitors . Bro . T . Taylor proposed the Masonic Charities , remarking that he was glad to know that they were so munificently supported by the brethren . After referring to the value of tho Masonio Schools , he said when he went tip as a Steward to tho Benevolent Institution he took with him £ 152 10 s , which not only made him Vice-President but brought 16 more votes to the Staffordshire list . Bro . Derry

responded j he said he had had an intimate acquaintance with tho Charities for a great number of years , and he was able to speak in terms of tho highest commendation as to the way in which they were managed . From the knowledge which ho had gained he was as strong an advocate of the Charities as he was when first he became a Freemason . He found that in round nnmbers the expenses of

management did not average more than 10 per cent , of the income of tho Charities . Having spoken of tho Old Peoples' Institution , and of the excellence of tho education and training whioh the Girls and Boys received , Bro . Derry said he was going with Bros . Tooth and Bayley to represent the brethren of the Province at tho next Boys' Festival . It was said that this was an expensive establishment .

Each boy in this Institution costs £ 43 per annum for educatton , clothing , board and lodging . When he left the School he was fitted for any position in life that an Englishmen conld occupy . If they got value for theiv money tbe price was not too dear . If they could place children of good natural parts upon the lines where they could gain a respectable livelihood and reflect in future life credit upon the

Institution , they conld not do a nobler thing than to aid the orphan . The fnture generals , admirals , and judges were to be found amongst the young of the present day , and tbe Freemasons , he was glad to say , were enabling OTphans to rise to dignified positions . The Free , masons were in the position of foster-parents to these children ; they were a wealthy Fraternity taking the position of the poor parents

the boys had lost . He hoped they would give freely and lovingly , and God would bless them for so doing . Bro . Tooth , who was also called npon to respond , said that he should b 9 able to take over £ 90 with him , and he trusted that he and the other two Stewards would take with them nearly £ 300 . Bro . the Rev . \ V . F . Drnry , in eulogistic terms , proposed the health of the Stewards , and complimented

the Mentnria Lodge upon possessing men of such business capacity . Bro . W . Hampton responded . Bro . T . Taylor in complimentary terms proposed the health of the Prov . D . G . C ., and Bro . Fowke having responded , the proceedings were shortly aftorwards brought to a close . The speeches were interspersed with some admirable singing by the Silverdale Glee party . Other vocal music was supplied , Bro . F . Mountford presiding at the pianoforte .

Consecration Of The Lodge Of King Solomon, No. 2029.

CONSECRATION OF THE LODGE OF KING SOLOMON , No . 2029 .

WE last week referred to the growing tendency in modern times to create Class Lodges , or rather Lodges having restrictions attached to their membership , which restrictions we urge go far to destroy the timehonoured idea as to the Universality of Freemasonry . Among these we mentioned so-called Temperauce Lodges .

In the first place , the title Temperance , as applied at the present time to total abstainers , is not only misleading , but actually incorrect ; their teaching is total abstinence from all alcoholic drink , and not temperance in its use .

For this reason we cannot endorse tbe spirit which attempts to identify these views with Freemasonry , which , as is well known , is free to all . Further , we cannot believe that any good can accrue to Freemasonry from its association in so marked a manner with the

Teetotalers ; on the contrary , we believe it is fully intended that the Craft , of which we are so prond , is to be used as a medium , as an additional means for diffusing the ideas of the Teetotalers throughout the country . This might be necessary , and might be of service to us

all , were Freemasons as a bod y intemperate ; but we challenge the most determined apostle of the Teetofal movement to prove that they are . One of the principle teachings of Freemasonry is Temperance , and we think that any departure from it , officially enforced

by any of our Lodges , is in direct opposition to the true spirit of the Order , and that if snch a view once becomes recognised in small or unimportant matters , there will be nothing to prevent its being enforced in others of weight and vital importance . If a Lodge is allowed to officially

dictate what views its members shall have on any one particular subject , why should they not also have the decision of others—of religion , of polities , and indeed oj

everything which so far has been kept wholly distinct fvotr Freemasonry ? and if once that is permitted , tbe verj foundation of our system will be disturbed . We canuoi understand the need for such Lodges as the Lodge of Kins

Consecration Of The Lodge Of King Solomon, No. 2029.

Solomon , which starts as a Lodge conducted on Temper , ance principles , and in which all alcoholic or intoxicant h ' qnor is forbidden . The first " principle" it is quite unnecessary to refer to , as all Masonic Lodges must not onl y bo started , bnt—in order to retain their right to the title-

must continue as Temperance Lodges , in the general acceptation of the term , while the prohibition of all alcoholic or intoxicant liquors is , as we have already expressed it , entirely opposed to the teachings of the Order , which enjoins freedom of opinion and Temperance on all its

followers . We can but notice that the actual " founders " of this Lodge are limited to the proverbial seven—to the seven whose signatures must be affixed to the petition before it can be entertained by tho authorities , and in doing

FO express it as our opinion that when a Lodge is proposed which is to upset existing ideas , or to bring the practice of Freemasonry within confined and unusual limits , that the actual founders should appear to be more numerous than the Constitutions of the Order render

compulsory . It may be said that subsequent events have ' proved that many more are ready to come forward , as soou as the Lodgo is started , but these cannot be said to have taken any part in its foundation , or to be in any way answerable for the peculiar principles on which it is

started , and which , from the fact of its already numbering non-abstainers amongst its members has clearly shown itself to be quite out of place as a strictly class Lodge . We can but think that the desire for office , which at the present time is somewhat difficult to obtain , except through

influence—which , in this instance , perhaps , has been sought for by working on the eccentricities of prominent Teetotallers —is at the bottom of the " need " for this " Temperance " Lodge . All we can hope is , that in its working it may . not be found to be so utterly opposed to the principle of Masonic toleration as first appearances seem to warrant .

The Lodge was consecrated on Saturday , the 31 st ult ., afc the Masonio Hall , 33 Golden Square , London , by Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Secretary , assisted by Bros . F . A . Philbriok , Q . O ., Grand Registrar as S . W ., John Messent P . G . Sw . B . as J . W ., Eev . A . F . A . Woodford , M . A ., P . G . Chaplain as Chaplain , Frank

Richardson P . G . D . as D . of C , Magnus Ohren P . G . A . D . C . as I . G ., and W . Ganz P . G . Organist as Organist . In addition , to these brethren there was a strong array of other dignities of the Order and it may truly be said that the Lodge waa brought into being under most auspicions surroundings . The routine of the

ceremony of consecration is by this time well known to our readers . The first item in it wherein variety of treatment is possible is in the Oration , which on this occasion was delivered by the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford . Addressing the consecrating Officer he referred to the frequency of late in which thoy had taken part in

similar proceedings , and to the difficulty , which increased afc each succeeding consecration , of saying something of interest . Groat energy and activity had recently been displayed in increasing tho number of Lodges , and all that could bo advanced in praise of Freemasonrv had been nrgod by distinguished orators in

the past , who had left littlo for their successors to dwoll upon . If , therefore , what ho said appeared somewhat , commonplace , he hoped tho assembled brethren wonld accept tho will for tho deed . By their presence tint day they showed their interest in that "Masonio fellowship which , resisting tho levelling influenco for years , seemed

to gathev fresh life and vigour as tho ages came and wont , and which to him appeared to be more active now than at any part of its prolonged existenop . In this divided and disjointed period , when party shibboleths and sectarian animosities wero very many and prevalent in the world withont , Freemasonry offered a shelter , a resting place ,

a point of contact , a centre of unity and peace for very many . It was thus he was able to explain the fact—for fact it was—that they managed to gather together within their Lodges men of different conntries , sects , and opinions , and to unite in happy sympathies and harmonious works of charity persons of tho most widely-opposed

opinions and of different orders and ranks in society . They asked no questions , and imposed no tests . They did not even inquire into one another ' s specific creeds . In invoking a blessing on their proceeding ^ I hoy had no warrant , as they had no desire , to iuterfere with personal views . In this wise and neutral position they

declined to express any opinion whatever ou religions theory and other matters which would lead to endless controversy . Frepmasoury had other charms ; like many of the ancient oracles it had moro than one meaning for the patient seeker . From whatever aide we approach it , wo may gain

instruction , improvement , counsel , and edification . It encourages sympathy , and warms friendship ; it advocates fraternal interest and prudent hospitality ; it warns us against secret conspiracies a . nd illegal associations , bids ns obey the laws of onr own country , and respect those of others . It teaches tho sanctity of private judgment ,

and tho inviolability of universal tolera'ion . We can afford to pass by attacks , from whatever quarter they may come , as being unworthy of notice . Revering God , and honouring all men , the English Grand Lodge would continue its useful and beneficent work at home and

abroad , a witness to the great and unchanging principles of English Freemasonry . All hoped the Lidgo they were about consecrating that day had a happy career before it , and that it mig ht prove a source of vital energy and enduring concord to all who ranged themselves under its banner .