Consecration Of The Gordon Lodge, No. 2149.

fair graces . Others presumed the labours of Masons wero tufting , absurd mysteries , or profane mummeries , whereas there wns no snbject existing within the range and grasp of tho human intellect into which tho science of Freemasonry did not enter in the pursnitof wisdom and knowledge . Some ridiculed the secrets of Freemasons ,

declaring them io be either hurtful to society or wrong m themselves , whereas those secrets wero bonds of their mutual fidelity , by which they obliged themselves "to trace wisdom and follow virtue . " Time was when the members of tho Craft were denounced as dangerous , and every man of eminence known to bo a Mason waa

called upon to renounce his connection with tho societies . But in the face of all opposition the Fraternity was calm , and the sun of Masonry had dispersed the clouds which darkened her sky so long . Withont territorial possessions , without any other coercing ; power than that of morality and virtue , Freemasonry had survived the

wreck of mighty empires , and resisted the destroying hand of time . No other institution conld be compared with it . Every other society sank into insignificance when placed by the side of Masonry , Christianity alone excepted . Like Gray ' s virtuous peasant , Freema . sonry kept the noiseless tenour of its way , and rejoiced in the

unsullied happiness of doing good . Why did Freemasonry first begin to exist , and why had the institnfion been thus preserved ? Masons' work began with the creation . To understand the measures of weight and light and sound—to unravel , sieze upon , and comprehend those unchanging laws by which the earth , the snn , the

moon , the planets were sustained in space—to follow np the changes of seasons , and in every step of the investigation , as the intellect climbed from lofty truths to truths still more lofty , to pause in profound admiration , to feel the Creator close to the creature , and to adore—this was tlie first aim of Masonry , this its task , ever fresh , never ended—a science teemino" with new results and ad dins' incen .

tive after incentive to praise and glorify the Great Architect of the Universe . Freemasonry had been preserved because it instructed its members to worship their Almighty Maker , to honour and obey the sovereign of their country , to be peaceful in their stations , diligent in their callings , honest in their dealings , respectful towards

their superiors , gentle and condescending to their inferiors , merciful towards their enemies , kind and obliging in all the dnties of their common life . Such was tho institution which God had preserved to the world , unlimited in its numbers , and scattered over every land and kingdom . The work of tho Fraternity to-day was to be true to

tbe original character of the Order ; to continue to follow tho God of Nature through all the wonderful variety of His works ; and to keep the silence and observe the sacred rules imposed upon the Craft by Solomon . It might be said by some scoffer , if Masonry be such a pure and ennobling science , shonld not all Masons be wise and

good and temperate and self-denying , fall of piety and good works ? The answer was tbat the fitness of any system was not to be tried and condemned because of unwoithiness in some . If any men had been led by an impatient curiosity , without higher motive to place unhallowed feet on the tesselated pavement , if any had turned the

hallowed purposes of Mosonry into mero convivial meetings , if any had been content with merely acquiring superficial acquaintance with the Craft , let not the system itself bo charged with their perversions , their sins or their folly ; an unworthy brother would perhaps have been a worse man if ho had not been a Mason . He concluded

with an exhortation to the brethren to use all the passing hours of this life in works of charity towards their fellow-men and in piety towards God . The Chaplain then read the lst to the lGth verses of the 2 nd Chapter of 2 Chronicles . The Lodgo board having been uncovered , the P . G . M ., the D . P . G . M ., and the P . G . Wardens

porambulated the Lodge , and at the appointed times scattered the emblems of plenty , of joy and happiness , and of unity . During the greater part of the proceedings music of a solemn and impressive character was introduced , the P . G . O . ( Bro . Mountford ) presiding at the harmonium . After the consecration ceremony tho P . G . M . vacated

the chair , and the W . M . designate was installed in a very able manner by Bro . J . L . Harnshaw . After the business of tho Lodge , abnnt 60 of tbe brethren adjourned to the Saracen ' s Head Hotel , where an excellent banquet was provided by Mr . and Mrs . Ifassall . The W . M . presided , aud at the conclusion of the dinner he proposed tho loyal

toasts and the health of Earl Carnarvon ( Pro G . M . ) , tho Earl of Lathom ( D . G JL ) , and other Officers of Grand Lodge . Bro . Foster Gongh appropriately responded . Bro . Hamshaw , in eulogistic terms , proposed the health of the P . G . M ., which was drunk with great cordiality . Col . Tndor , in responding , acknowledged the heartiness

with which he had always been welcomed in North Staffordshire . He spoke of his desire to discharge the duties of his office faithfull y and impartially , observing thai " , with the vfiy Lest intentions , it was sometimes difficult—not to say impossible— to o-ivo satisfaction to all . In all ihat Jio did ho endeavoured io ( In th-O , which would bo to too

advantage of Freemasonry . He ( Col . Tudor ) then proposed tlio health of the W . M . anci .-access to the Gordon Lodge , expressing himself gratified with everything ho had wen in rebttim to the Lodgo that day , and his torn belief that iho Lodge wonld prosper . Tho toast was well received . Bro . Bromley acknowled ' . -ert tho foa * t

He disclaimed any desire , on the part , of too to ¦¦ IBUT . I of the Gordon Lodge to damage tho Menturia , v , ho a- iniereKt he . still had at , heart . But , ho lull ; . ' believed thore iva j amp !/ r / oin for both Lo . 1 " •¦¦ . :. , and that both would prosper . He onje a ^ d the too ?; - of too Moinria

Lodge , coupling with it the name oi' Bro . \ \\ jf _ ;/; , ) ce u . ; ic , , . ponded , remarking that , he believed tV * /[ , ¦ :, ; ; i , O v , oa , l ! eonf-inuo to maintain the high position it had he ' d ( ' v hid ? . o ceotnrv . Ho trmted that each Lodge would have a largo n-eesnon of n )» mix » -s

for he was sure there v . ois room for both . Bio . the lU ; v . F . Liovd proposer ) tbe health of Bro . If- 'mshaw , io .-toll'oa- ; Ma .-ter , who spoke of the impressivenea's of the Masonic ceremoni es , ; mc" g ; ll '(] all his

Masonic knowledge had been gained at tho Menrnria . Lodges , Bro Charlesworth proposed the health of Bro . Foster OOIJ . < - " - ) , -, rid tho other Officers of the P . G . Lodge , present and past , for whom Bros . Croydon and L / oyd responded . Bro . Palrrn r proposed The Visitors and the toast waa acknowledged by Bros . F , J , Milner . J , Webber-

Consecration Of The Gordon Lodge, No. 2149.

ley , and T . K . Pedley . Bro . Jackson presented the toast of tho Officers of the Gordon Lodge , on whose behalf Bro . J . W . Jones returned thanks . The health of the P . G . Chaplain , with thanks to him for his splendid oration at tho consecration , was proposed by the W . M ., and acknowledged by Bro . the Eev . F . Lloyd . Bro . T .

Taylor proposed tho Masonio Charities . He remarked that in round figures the Masons of the country subscribed £ 50 , 000 a year for their three central charitable institutions . In addition , there were many valuable local institutions , including tho Staffordshire Masonic Charitable Association , tho advantages of which he pointed

out . Bro . F . Darry , whoso namo was coupled with the _ toast , observed that a grand work was being done by Staffordshire in sapport oftho Charities , and foremost in contributing to that result was

the Menturia . The Tyler ' s toast concluded the list . Tho speeches , which were brief , were interspersed with some excellent vocal mnsic by the Silverdale Glee party , and the evening was spenl very pleasantly . —Staffordshire Advertiser .

Reviews.

REVIEWS .

All Books intended for Review should be addressed , to the Editor of The Freemason ' s Chronicle , Belvidere "Works , Hermes Hill , Pentonville , London , JN * . Holiday Haunts in E « st Anglia . Stratford : Benjamin Perry , Great Eastern Company ' s Works .

HERE , in the form of a neat little sixpenny handbook , we have presen ted to us a selection of articles which have appeared in the public Press on the holiday resorts in Norfolk , Suffolk , and Essex , embellished with engravings of the most favourite resorts in each of the three counties named . We prefer this means of disseminating

information respecting " holiday haunts " to the stereotyped " guide books" which are to be found in almost every little watering place or sequestered nook which can boast of a local scribe . In such oases the "guide" is invariably an advertising puff , in order to attract visitors , who fail , on arrival there , to realise the glowing descriptions

of the author ; but from the pens of disinterested correspondents , writing to the newspapers , there is a far better opportunity of judging of the character of the localities that are indicated , and of the best , mean ? , of utilising one's time most profitably ancl enjoyably . This little brochure comes very opportunely just at this season , when

Paterfamilias is arranging to send " the wife and the dear girls away on their animal trip ; and to thoso who are revelling in agreeable anticipations of that sort , wo cordially commend the work before ns . It is not our province to recount tho experience of these correspondents of our contemporaries , which are reproduced , "bv

permission , in tho pages of tho handbook ; suffice to say , if the pleasant explorations of our confreres aro read , they will prove an inducement to many to wend their way to the bracing ancl breezy Eastern Counties where , both at the seaside and inland there are attractions

as varied as they are numerous . The articles are capitally written , in a chatty vein , and will serve up as matter on which to feast the imagination—or recollection—by those who are either unable to visit theso favoured haunts , or who , maybe , have been there in the course of their summer peregrinations on holiday bent .

The New Oxley (Canada) Ranche Company, Limited.

THE NEW OXLEY ( CANADA ) RANCHE COMPANY , LIMITED .

THE prospectus of this Company , which appears on another page , has just been issued , and from it our readers will perceive that ilis intended to raise a capital of £ 120 , 000 in 10 , 000 shares of £ 12 each , the object being to purchase and carry on tho business of the Oxley Puinche , in Alberta Province , N . W . T ., Canada . The ranch . e was established 1 ' onr years ago , and ifc will strike

intending investors that , with such names as the Earl of Lathom D . G . M . / Mr . A . Staveley Hill , Q . C . M . P ., aud Mr . George Baird as the largest shareholders ancl directors , acting in conjunction with ot ! < . r gentlemen eminent in tho commercial world , the undertaking is of a most solid and substantial character . Tho largest number of

shares ( 3 , 333 ) allowed by fche rule ft of the Stock Exchange will be allotted , with iG 9 10 s per share , credited as paid up , to tho vendors , in part payment of the purchase money . The directors and thoir friends havo applied for 1 , 700 shares , and they will bo allotted in full , nt par . Tbe balance of 4 , 9 ( 17 shares ara now offered for

subscription at par . Wo are informed that np to tho present time the bn- 'iness oftho ranche , which is 300 , 003 ncra in exfc-mt , has been highly successful and lucrative , tho herd having been carefull y improved in "rode hy the admixture of young bulls of tho highest oloss , sooe . ' ally i . oiparte ; from England . Tho conditions under

which the land is held und or lease from the C . uiadiii Government ore exceedingly favivirohlo , aod the profits , both i . i cattle and horses , havo been decidedly good . Tho ranche is on h r fho most

pracri-al e : ;; ior ' enooii ivioaagoiticfit , and , taking a , comprehensive oalo / loi ' on cf i h" prosoeei ,, y issued , wo shonld say fche m > vemrmt ? 3 oio which some' ho oorefiiMy weighed by thoso who f , rj ca tin ' ; bout thtm fore iofo . . ii ' . ' ! profitable investment .

f ! oro , oWAY ' I ' rr , r , 5 A . OO Ot :.-Tiri { vf . — 'fraveher ^ too anil from di . stam . climes v .-ouil do well to hear iu initi . l that theso e'lati-ro's ami Uio filtered diet and aiirroiurlio < :, a ol' their li"os entail innrii : * ol 1 r ' d-ca i . ) health . Occasions are aoro to n"iso ia v .-hieh they v / ill need a , reuuiy sneh ao those ronou-ned Pills ; md Oiiitiiieiir . and no tr > vulW oy land or SOT , should ever tail t . o have a simply at , hand . Thoa he may ready ho said to have a . physician always afc his call for lhe various emereciieio . ^ , f travel . CJhilh and fevers should bo erompthe treated , and too orinled . 'Ihveecms should he curot ' u'Iy studied at tho commencement ol * any illness , for Ftolloway ' s remedies can be safely used in all climates .