Consecrations.

The W . M . then gave the toast of the Grand Officers present and past , coupling with it the name of Bro . Aldermau Sir Joseph C . Dimsdale P . G . T . Sir Joseph , in replying , said that no one could be present without being deeply impressed with the serious side of Masonry .

Masonry was established on religion , and by it our duty to God and our neighbour was taught . Benevolence and affection towards our fellow men were qualities on which it was based , and he trusted that the members of the Crouch Eud Lodge would do tneir utmost to promote those Christian virtues . In conclusion he wished the W . M . and the Lodge a happy future .

In submitting the Consecrating Officers , the W . M . proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Bro . Letchworth and those eminent Brethren who assisted him .

Bro . Letchworth , in the course of his reply , said there was no duty connected with Masonry so pleasant to him as that of opening a new Lodge . He firmly believed they had all the

elements of success . There was plenty of room for a Lodge at Crouch End and Highgate , and such an institution would bring together many who did not know one another and who would be glad of such an opportunity .

The toast of the evening , that of the Worshipful Master , was then proposed in felicitous terms by I . P . M . Bro . Beardmore , who said that it was through him that the W . M . first saw the light of Freemasonry . It was an interesting fact that Bro . Gerrish was Worshipful Master of one of the oldest and youngest Lodges in existence .

The Master said that no doubt there would be difficulties , and real work to be done . The future of the Lodge was promising . It commenced literally on the top of the hill . The accomodation provided promised to be everything that could be desired , and he thanked Bro . Wyatt for the liberal way in which

he . had studied the comfort of the Lodge . He had also to thank Bro . Ebblewhite for the jewel he had practically unearthed for their benefit in form of the crest of the Lodge . He was sure the Lodge . would desire to be represented at the Masonic Charities , and he would wish to act as a Steward for the Boys Institution next June .

In . proposing the Visitors , the W . M . stated he was unable to prpcure a complete list , but the numbers present amounted to between sixty and seventy . The more often they came to the Crouch End Lodge the more they would be welcome . Bro . Wynne P . G . W . of Victoria , in replying , spoke in an

interesting manner of Masonry as practiced in the Colonies . Bros . Cock and ex-Sheriff Hand also expressed their gratitude for the splendid entertainment that had been afforded them . The evening concluded with the toasts of the Officers , and that by the Tyler .

Great credit is due to the Secretary Bro . Turner , and others , for the indefatigable exertions made by them in order to promote the enjoyment of the Brethren , exertions crowned , it is unnecessary to say , with the greatest success .

The musical arrangements were in the hands of Bro . H . W . Schartau , the music in the Lodge and at the banquet being performed by the Schartau part singers , Bros . Schartau , John Bartlett , Appleby , and Bradford , in a highly satisfactorily

manner . The following Brethren constitute the Founders of the Lodge : —Bros . E . Stratfcon Gerrish , H . J . Abrahams , C . T . Eayner , Geo . Colville , A . C . Dove , N . J . Levy , H . Ogden Mellor ,

E . ( J . Turner P . M ., G . C . Dent P . M ., T . P . Cook , W . E . Bennett , G . E . Beardmore P . M ., E . A . Ebblewhite , E . B . Harris , W . W . Futcher , E . C . Kilsby P . M . P . P . G . D . C . Middlesex , Thos . Briggs , H . E . Lewis , W . E . C . Moore , C . J . Miller P . M . — " Hornsey Journal . "

Royal Rose Lodge.

ROYAL ROSE LODGE .

WE are told that " familiarity breeds contempt , " but we do not think anything approaching contempt exists in the minds of Freemasons in regard to the now familiar utterances of those in power , urging the necessity for exercising the greatest caution as to who are admitted to a participation in the secrets

of the Order , nor is there any contempt in regard to the well-worn theme that the authorities are very careful ere they allow the issue of a Warrant for the establishment of anew Lodge . These are recognised truths , which every member of our Order desires to see carried out with the most religious care , so much so ,

in fact , that there are many in our midst who are continually arguing that no new Lodges are needed now-a-days , more particularly in the metropolis and other large centres of activity where a considerable number already exist . We cannot do better in this connection than refer to the utterances of the Earl of

Lathom the Pro G . M . of England , himself the chief of one of the most impoitant Provinces of the Craft . He tells those under his rule that he has no particular desire to see the number of Lodges increased , but at the same time he recognises that real necessity

Royal Rose Lodge.

for a Lodge may arise in a new district , or the membership of older Lodges may get too numerous for comfortable working , or some other legitimate reason may exist for an extension . In all such cases he cousiders that the desire of Brethren for a new Warrant should be respected , and the prayer of their petition when sent in and found legitimate should be granted .

Had the Earl of Lathom been called upon to decide as to the necessity for a Warrant being granted in answer to the prayer of the petitioners for the Royal Rose Lodge—perhaps he

was so consulted—we can imagine him being well satisfied with the explanations put before him , as they doubtless could be put by the petitioners , on the evidences of ultimate success which were so manifest on the dav of consecration , when no less than

nineteen gentlemen were proposed for initiation into the Lodge , everyone of whom , besides being recommended as a good man and true , had the further qualification of having won distinction

in the task of serving their country and their Queen , in the Volunteer or regular forces . However it may be , the Warrant was granted by the Grand Master , and the new Lodge was launched under very favourable circumstances on Monday .

The Eoyal Rose Lodge started with one unusual and particular advantage , inasmuch as it met as it were at home , at the head-quarters , in Edward Street , Hampstead Road , of the 3 rd

Volunteer Battaliou " the Eoyal Fusiliers" ( City of London Eegiment ) , to which corps the Lodge is attached , and which possesses ample accommodation for its regular meetings , as well as for the festive board that may follow from time to time .

The Consecration was carried out by Brother Edward Letchworth Grand Secretary , who was assisted in the work of the day by Colonel Sir Eeginald Hanson , Barb ., L . L . D ., M . P ., P . G . W . as S . W ., Colonel L . G . Dundas J . G . D . as J . W ., the Eev . E . J . Simpson , M . A ., P . G . C , as Chaplain , Frank Richardson

P . G . D . as D . C , and Colonel F . Mead P . G . Sword Bearer as , I . G ., the efforts of these well known workers being most ably seconded by an efficient musical party , under the direction of Brother W . Wright P . P . G . O . Middlx ., who was supported . in his efforts by the Lyric Vocal Quartette ( Brothers Thomas Powell , Charles Strong , Etherington Smith and Horace Beynolds ) .

The work was admirably carried through in every particular , not the least impressive portion of the proceedings being the delivery of an Oration by the acting Chaplain , which , by special request of several of the Founders of , the Lodge , we reproduce here in extsenso . Brother Simpson said :

Very Worshipful Installing Master , Wardens , and Brethren —Let me at once offer my humble , but hearty ; congratulations and good wishes to the Founders and Brethren of the . Royal Rose Lodge on every account , but not least for that they are . raising another Masonic Temple in which the Great Architect will be

worshipped , His Sacred Law will be revered , and Brotherly Love be cultivated ; . and I will advisedly add that , in a world so ,: full of superstition and division on the one hand , and vice , and infidelity on the other , if the outer world knew the principles , the rites , and the objects of our noble Order as we know them ,

they would rejoice with us at every stone that was added to the glorious fabric—on the fore-front of which might be written in letters of gold , " Glory to God in the Highest , and on earth peace and good will unto men . " But the world does , not know us ^ hence the inquiring smiles of those who would fain know our

innocent secrets , and hence above all the blatant abuse . of ignorant and jealous superstition , fierce because it is now powerless to stifle the breath of Freedom , and furious because deprived of that temporal and tyranical power which once made men and nations tremble—but which we trust , for the world ' s sake and

its own , may never return . Hence , too , the ignorant jeers of those who credit us with spending all our money , on eating and drinking , regardless of what they ought to know , that we collect and expend some £ 50 , 000 a year on the education of the young , on the support of the widow and the orphan , and on soothing

the troubles and afflictions of old age . Now , I think I may say that our secrets , if proclaimed to all the world , would make that world no better nor , perhaps , much wiser than it is ; but our principles may and should , and of these we make no secret , and

have no hesitation in stating them plainly . Briefly they may be said to be four in number—four pillars from which spring in strength and beauty the numerous arches which span the roof of our Masonic Temple .

1 . That God is , and is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him . 2 . That we love our Brethren , being pitiful and courteous . 3 . That the soul of man is immortal . 4 . That there is a future state of being beyond the grave .

Under the first , we learn the Almighty power and abounding love of God , obedience to His laws , and reverence for His Name and His word . By the second , we are taught the duties we owe to

one another in every relation of life—the practice of justice , benevolence , patience , generosity , self-sacrifice , charity , loyalty to the Sovereign , and obedience to the laws . The third , founded on Eevelation and intuition , points to the true dignity of immortal