Consecration Of The St. Margaret's Lodge, No. 1872.

CONSECRATION OF THE ST . MARGARET'S LODGE , No . 1872 .

THE Right AVorshipful the Provincial Grand Master for Surrey , General J . Studholme Brownrigg , C . B ., assisted by the principal of his Officers , consecrated this Lodgo on Saturday , 9 th October , at tho St . Mark ' s School-room , Surbiton . Tho whole of tho proceedings passed off in a manner calculated to afford tho greatest satisfaction to those who had taken a part in tho foundation and launch of the now Lodge . General Brownrigg occupied the chair during the

consecration ceremonj ' , and was supported by Bros . Ecv . C . AV . Arnold , M . A ., P . G . Chap . Dep . G . M . of tho Province , Samuel G . Kircholfer 1714 Prov . S . G . W ., George K . Paxon 416 Prov . J . G . W ., Rev . F . J . Foakes-Jackson , M . A ., 1616 Prov . G . Chap ., Charles Greenwood 410 Prov . G . See ., H . E . Frances 1556 Prov . G . D . of C , & o . & o . Tho regnlar business of consecration having been proceeded with , and tho

brethren constituted into a regular Lodge , the Prov . G . Chaplain was called npon to deliver the address on the nature and principles of Freemasonry customary on such occasions . In answer to the call Bro . Foakes-Jackson proceeded as follows : — " Masonry is something more than an interesting relic of the past . It is a living power , possessing all the dignity of hoary age ; it has still the fresh vigour

of youth . We can look upon its honourable past without feeling regret for its departed glories . Indeed , the study of the annals of Freemasonry only inspires ns with confident hopes of its futnre greatness . The present ceremony revives in us both memories of tho past and hopes for tho future . The solemn rites remind us of the antiquity of our Order , whilst the very fact that we are solemnly

consecrating a new Lodge in honour of tho Most High makes us look forward to the time when Masonry shall be even more widely extended , and its principles more firmly upheld than they now are . I forbear entering into the history of onr Order ; doubtless there are many older and more experienced Masons present who are more versed in this subject than I , Let us consider the object for which

we are working as Masons , regarding the glories of the past as chiefly valuable in inciting ns to future exertions . Masonry is truly a living power , and the greatest proof of this appears to be its great adaptability to the requirements of every time and circumstance . Its history is one of change and development . In early times our brethren were undoubtedly operative Masons , gradually the Craft

became a system of morality . The implements with which our antient brethren wrought have become symbols of moral forces . The columns they erected and the arches they constructed are now considered by ns as sermons in stones on the social duties of mankind . But , changed as the Masonic system is , it remains ever the same , because it rests on the foundation of the

same great principles— brotherly love , relief , and truth . As long as these form the basis on which all Masons work , there may be changes , but still our Order will endure and flourish . AVhat then is the object of a society of men united b y this bond of brotherhood , pledged to assist one another- ? Sworn to uphold the Truth ? AVhat end have they in view ? One of the noblest , one of the most desired

—the Unity of Mankind . It is owing to the neglect of the great principles of our Order that we see throughout the world division , war , arid hatred , instead of unity , peace , and love . Unity has been the ideal of the civilised world . To secure it mankind has willingly made great sacrifices of personal and intellectual freedom , yet there seems something in the natural constitution of the human mind so averse to

Unity , so prone to dissension , that discord and strife has ever broken out when an ideally united society has seemed nearest its realization . I allude to the two attempts to uuite the civilized world in past times . One was an endeavour to make the world as one by the supremacy of one strong physical force ; the other to subdue the world by a great moral power . Tbo first was the Roman Empire . It

was the grand outcome of ancient Greek and Roman civilization . It was so majestic that even after it was really dissolved the greatest men wero awed by the shadow of its name . Even when Europe was most hopelessly divided among petty princes , it was in theory united under the sway of a German king , who had assumed the title of the Roman Cmsars , a title which was only abandoned seventy-four years

ago . Throughout the Middle Ages , tbe noblest longed for the restoration of this great Unity of Empire . The ideal of perfection of government in tho thoughts of no less a man than Dante was an Universal monarchy . But a student of history will tell us that the very time in which tho world was really united under this Empire was a season of universal depravity . Nothing seems to have tended

more to corrupt mankind than the long peace which the dominion of the Ctnsars secured . The virtues of patriotism , courage and domestic affection disappeared , and were replaced by selfishness , cowardice , cruelty , andlnst . The great reason in my mind for this general depravity was the absence of personal responsibility ; no one had any direct influence on the welfare of the society in which he

lived , and the result was that the practice of those virtues needed for the honour and preservation of a State were entirely neglected-. Political unity did not elevate the mind or conduce to the happiness of mankind . The second attempt was to subdue the world under one supreme moral power . This was made b y the mediaeval Popes . Though divided into numberless political governments , the

whole of Europe obeyed the voice of the man who was universally regarded as the representative of the Most Hi gh npon earth . Go where you would , from the ice ' -bound fields of Norway to the fertile slopes of Sicily , there was one religion . All men were bound together by the ties of a common faith . Political nnity had failed to benefit mankind , but surely this catholicity of religion would secure the true welfare of all . Yet no political

tyranny has been found so nnsupportable as the religious domination of the Papacy . I may say , nothing has degraded the human intellect more . The ignorance , the cruelty , and tho misery of the Middle Ages cannot fail to show us that an absolute unity of thought is not only opposed to all progress towards true happiness , but is the greatest cause of mental degradation in the human race . The great Revolution , in which Europe shook off the yoke it had borne

Consecration Of The St. Margaret's Lodge, No. 1872.

so long , was infinitely beneficial , not only to tho religion of thoso who separated from the Roman church , bnt to tho Christianity of those who remained within its pale . Absolute political anti-religious unity has beeu attempted , but the very attempt has proved thoy aro not desirable . Hardly two faces in the world are exactly alike . It is said that the very leaves on tho trees differ from ono another .

Can we expect that every man will think tho same as we do F Can we expect to force tho whole world to agree with ns ? Then you may say , in seeking unity , Masonry is striving to attain an end grand enough iu theory , but impossible and even undesirable in practice . But we seek a truer unity . I would ask yon whether tho ideas of unity wo have just considered aro not false ones , and rest

on no sure foundation . For men were united by force : the Union was that of slaves under a common master , not of freemen held together b y a common bond . Tho true foundation of unity is tho same as that of tho Masonic system-Brotherly Love , Relief , Truth . Unity , established on these principles , must bo the object of all Masons . To them our Order owes its success . Look at the

diversities of religious and political ideas among- our brethren . How could they bo at peace were it not for the true brotherly love existing between them ? Masons may differ in race , language , and habits , but they all agree that they belong to one common brotherhood ; they are nnited by a chain which can hardly be seen , but which is beyond human power to break , so great is tho strength or

brotherly love . Ono whoso namo all reverence said , ' It is moro blessed to give than to receive . ' AVe are bound by a tie oven stronger than gratitude to those whom wo have helped . As Masons , if we relieve the needy in thoir affliction , if we seek tho solace of onr own distress , by extending relief and consolation to our fellow men , we shall be drawn to them by a strong feeling of love ; and by

the practice of relief , the great active principle of Masonry , increase the unity of our race . And , lastly , we must strive for Truth , ancl we must welcome aud help every one who is seeking that great blessing . We may doubt whether his way is the right way ; wo may consider the means he uses inferior to ours ; bnt if wo can honestly in our own hearts acknowledge that snch an one is reall y

engaged in this noble pursuit , let us throw petty differences aside , and extend to him the hand of brotherhood , ready to give him our help , love , and sympathy . If all true men nnited in this manner , the Mason ' s task would be accomplished , and his hopes realized . But when will that bo ? Perhaps never on earth . Bnt is that any reason we should not strive to attain it ? No ; for it is by

noble aims on earth that we hope to approach higher things ; and with the universal confession of all Masons that thero is a life beyond tho grave , we dare not say ' it is no use aimin „ high , for we confine our hopes to earth . ' Wo know n " bnt that our failures hero may be crowned by success hereafter . " At the conclusion of the oration the brethren signified their

appreciation of the speaker ' s efforts in a most enthusiastic manner . Tho ceremonial portion of the day ' s proceedings was then proceeded with , and the Lodge having been resumed to the second degree , the Dep ! Prov . G . M . ( Bro . Arnold ) assumed the cha ' r , and proceeded to instal the first AV . M . of the Lodge—Bro . Rov . R . Favvssett AVard P . M . —who in turn appointed ancl invested tho Officers for tho year ' : —Bro . J . B .

Boucher P . M . S . W ., Col . W . A . M . Barnard P . M ., W . J . Clayton ( elected ) Treas ., and Tovvnley Sec . Bros . Gibbs and Alderson were also appointed to office . The Visitors present dnring the day were numerous , ancl among their number was the R . AV . the Prov . G . M . for Middlesex Sir Francis Burdett . The brethren afterwards partook of banquet , when tho usual toasts were honoured . AVe understand that this Lod" -e will

meet ten times during the year , on only one of which it is proposed to hold a banquet , the founders being desirous of promoting the interest of _ Freemasonry without the , to some , questionable advantage of the addition to the three established degrees of the knife and fork element . AVe wish them success , and trust it may be our privilege to record , from time to time , the advance of St . Margaret ' s Lodge / now one of the youngest on the register of the Grand Lodge of England .

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I ^ o ^ - ^ isri ^ ra-. I "MESSRS . JAY'S experienced Assistants travel to any part of B the kingdom , free of expense to purchasers They take with I them dresses ami millinery , besides materials , all ' marked in 1 plain figures , and at the same price as if purchased at tho I Warehouse in Regent Street . Funerals at stated charges . I JAY ' , I THE JLOXDON f . E . VKKAL tfOURXINO WAHE . I ¦ HOUSE . Hcgcnt Street , W . B

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FREEMAN'S CHLORODYNE . The Original nuil only true . J 4 ? Wft * t « t \ "DUNDREDS of Medical Practitioners testify to lalf "' ' ¦* - > 4 - * " *¦ its """ 'vellons efficacy in immediately refievinn- and 'Mil 4 WAM ? ™ P ' y curing Coughs , Colds , Asthma , Bronchitis , Neuralir ^{ i 5 fe ^ tjl sm . Spasms , folic , Whooping Cough , and all Nerve Pains . BMW \ LJZ . " ft acts *' ke a cbarm in Diarrheal , and is the onlyspocr'fie in FffiZZs iit ^ - Cholera and Dysentery . It rapidly relieves pain , ' from what-I tRADE MAR * * - eve : ' C ! luse ' soothes and strengthens the system under exhausting diseases , and gives quiet and refreshing sleep . Lord Chancellor Selborne , Lord Justice James . Lint Justice Hellish decided in favour of FR FIRMAN'S ORIGINAL CHLORODYNE , and against Brown and Davenport , compelling them to pay nil costs iu tho suits . Sea Times of July 21 th , 1 S 73 . Bottles Is lid , 2 s Oil , -Is Oil , Us , anil 20 s . Sold by all Chemists . TESTIMONIALS . —Head Quarter Staff , Cabul , May 31 st , 1 SS 0 . "Mr . R . Freeman Dear Sir , —It is with mti h pleasure I am able to state that your Ohlorodyne has ' been of special service to me in all'iviating the wearisome " spasms of Asthma , which is hero existent in an aggravated form . Hairy of my patients now come and beg me to give them that medicine which always relieves them , and which I need hardly say is your Clilorodync . Yours faithfully , GitARLKs W . OWEN- , L . R . C . P . Lon ., ll . R . C . S . Kng ., tire Divisional Elead Quarter Staff and Civil Surgeon , Cabul . Tho Time * , August I 3 ili , 187 " . From our own . Oovvespomlent witb the Russian ¦ Army . Okouni , July 2 . "> th , 1877 . Tue want of sanitary arrangements in tho Russian Camp was dreadful , and had wo remained there a few weeks longer dysentery and typhoid fever would havo played more havoc in our ranks than the bombs of the Turks . I myself acquired an unenviable reputation as a doctor , owing to my being provided with a small bottle of CHL , OB , OI ) YNE , with which I effected miraculous cures .