Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The Eleanor Cross Lodge, No. 1764.
CONSECRATION OF THE ELEANOR CROSS LODGE , No . 1764 .
ON Tuesday last tho Freemasons of the Province of Northants and Hunts assembled in great force at the Masonic Hall , Abington-strcet , Northampton , for the purpose of consecrating the Eleanor Cross Lodgo and investing brethren to act as Officers for the ousning year . Tho Warrant for this Lodge , which was granted by Grand Lodge during the last quarter , was issued ou tho petition of tho following brethren : —M . A . Bourne P . M ., T . Whitehouse W . M .,
F . Gadsby S . W ., Hamilton W . Parker J . W ., Geo . Ellard I . G ., Henry Brown , S . J . W . Sanders Asst . Chap ., H . J . Atkins , H . Hill and H . Spoor , all of 360 , S . Wathcn Wigg aud E . Morris of 1391 , J . Linnett ( Sir Watkin Lodge , Mold , 1477 ) , and C . H . Frank 538 . It will thus be seen that the new Lodgo starts under most favourable auspices , enjoying as it does tho support of the principal members of
tho Pomfret Lodge , No . 360 , which is the only other Lodgo in the town . Indeed , wo understand that the members of 360 are unanimous in wishing success and prosperity to the new Lodge . Punctually at 12 o ' clock the Lodge was openod , under the direction of Bro . James Terry , who was the Officer appointed to perform the ceremony of consecration , he being supported by Bro . Butler Wilkins , Deputy
Prov . Grand Master , who acted as Installing Master . Tho usual preliminary business having been most satisfactorily disposed of , Bro . S . Wathen Wigg , the Chaplain elect , delivered the following oration ; the whole of those present paying our respected brother the greatest attention , and at the conclusion expressing their appreciation of his address : —
" Right Worshipful Master , Worshipful Sirs , Brethren m the North , East , South and West , —At the erection of all stately and superb edifices it is customary to lay a foundation stono , and to speak some words of admonition and encouragement . We , who are speculative rather than practical Masons , are met here to-day , in the name of the G . A . O . T . U ., and in the presence of these worshipful brethren , to lay
the foundation stone of a new Lodge , and ifc has fallen to my lot , by the courtesy of the Consecrating Officer , and tho will of the brethren , to speak those words which are customary on such occasions—to strike , albeit with a trembling finger , the key-note which shall swell into glorious harmonies in all the fntnre of the Lodge . Ifc must be evident to you that I cannot approach such a task , so grave in its
responsibilities , in the presence of such learned and reverend brethren , young and inexperienced as I am , without considerable hesitation ; but as obedience is one of the first Masonic obligations , I feel that while iu the path of duty I shall receive that kind consideration which a brother may always expect . I do not propose to-day to discuss the past history of Masonry ; that is a subject which has tasked the
abilities of many of our most eminent brethren , aud is utterly beyond my limited knowledge . I prefer to speak of what Masonry is , rather than of what it was ; and iu doing so our thoughts naturally cluster around one word , which forms , if I mistake not , the very centre and life of our Order . I need not tell you that it is that word which meets us at the door of the Lodge , abides constantly with
us during its solemn sessions , goes with us as we retire to the outer world : a word which never forsakes us at any moment of our existence , and is at the last whispered in faltering accents over our open grave—the simple , but all expressive word "Brother ;" the foundation , copestone , and cement of onr Order . How of tan men have tried to realise its true meaning , the page of history
records , and with like fidelity it records also repeated failure . A century ago that sacred word was inscribed in flaming letters above the gnillotino in the streets of Paris , when the blood of the noble , the pious , the pure was shed like water in tho sacred name of fraternity . The Middle Ages saw the same attempt in tho monasteries and brother , hoods with which this and other countries abounded , but it took not
long for men to discover that the sacred name of brother might be borne by men who possessed none of the brotherly spirit . Once , indeed , men thought that the dawn of the day of universal brotherhood had arrived , at that time when , moved by a new and divine impulse , men sold all they possessed , and threw the proceeds into one general fund , and had all things in common ; and so true for a time
was this brotherhood that it forced from an astonished heathen world the exclamation , "See how those Christians love one another !" Bnt now , alas ! those words are never repeated , except in tones of ineffable sadness b y friends , or in the bitterest irony by enemies . But to-day our ancient Order presents to the world a united brotherhood , which has not only stood the test of centuries , but of different
races , varied nationalities , widely sundered countries , aud of divers creeds . A brotherhood which is based ou the common Fatherhood of the Meat High . The charge sometimes made , that Masonry is auti-Christian , is utterly false—while every Lodge is consecrated in the name of God—every meeting begun and ended with appeals to His holy name , while that sacred volume is never closed during our
ssssion , we can afford to treat such a charge as a misapprehension of the ignorant , or a siauder of the malicious . And ill am reminded that every Freemason , as such , lii ; s under the ban of the Bishop ol Rome , 1 answer , first , that tho Bishop of Rome has no jurisdiction , either iu things civil or ecclesiastical , in the realm of England ; and 1 venture further to add that we are as likely to prosper under his curse
as under his blessing ; lor we , as English Freemasons , cannot forget ttiatsomeof the proudest names in our history have shared that ban , and that some of the noblest pages in the annals of onr country were written while we lay under the Papal interdict . Freemasonry is not nieligion ; hhe leaves that great and solemn question to bo settled between a man and his God : all she demands of her sons is that
they shall adore the Almighty Father—shall love the universal broiherbood—shall visit the widow and the fatherless in their affliction , and keep themselves unspotted from tho sins and vices of the world . And her doors aro onl y ciosecl against tho atheist aud the libertine . The Grand Lod ge of England has recently nobly vindicated this principle hy refusing to acknowledge as brethren those who have impiously , and in detiance of all Masonic tradition dared to remove the
Consecration Of The Eleanor Cross Lodge, No. 1764.
namo of the G . A . O . T . U . from their Ritual ; by that act thoy cut themselves off from the universal brothorhood , and from that moment they ceased to be Free and Accepted Masons : thoy went out from ns because they wero not of ns . Our trno safety and strength lies in obedience to the precopts taught us in that Sacred Volume , and by bending in awo and reverence at the name of its Author—by
imploring His aid in all onr lawful undertakings , aud by looking up to Him in every emergency for comfort and support . To us , the officers and brethren of the new Lodge , is committed to-day a solemn charge , in our keeping is placed in all its integrity tho honour of our fraternity , and we must use all diligence to seo to ifc that we in like manner transmit it unimpaired to thoso who shall como after ns , and if we
would preserve and beautify our ancient and illustrious Order we must not be satisfied with tho mero outward trappings of tho craft . Wearing an apron does not mako a man a Mason , or oven tho correct knowledge of our working tools and ritual ; these arc but the emblems of thoso grand principles which constitnto truo Freemasonry . A man must be made a Mason in a certain placo which we know of
before ever he enters tho door of the Lodgo . And if ho bo not a Mason in this true sense , no matter what position ho may hold , what distinction he may attain to , he has yet to learn tho vital principles of our Order . And thus , my brethren , you will roadily realise how important it will bo for us to keep unworthy men without tho door of that Lodge which will bo to-day for the first time closed-tyled . Wo
know who aro fit and proper persons to be mado brethren , and it is afc our peril that we admit any others . Wo aro not called upon to mako a great number of Masons , but wo are called upon to seo to it that every man we introduce into our ancient and honourable Order is worthy of that high distinction . And it is our duty also , by our conduct both within and without the Lodge , to impress men favourably
with Masonry ; to behave within tho Lodge in such a manner that those admitted to our fellowship may see our ritnal performed with spirit and precision . Much more depends than we are apt to think on the impressions an initiate receives when for the first time he beholds a just , perfect , and regular Lodgo . If ho sees a careless and negligent behaviour , if tho ceremonies are performed
in a slovenly manner , if the harmony of the craftsmen one to another , or if the obedieuce to the Master fails in the smallest point , he his apt to undervalue the great privileges to which he has been admitted . It is one of the boasts of our Order that within the Lodge all brethren are equal , but a Mason is always most careful both within and without the Lodge to respect those dis .
tinctions which society on the one hand , and Masonic law on tho other , has imposed . It will be the most earnest effort of the Eleanor Cross Lodge to cultivate that spirit of true brotherhood which con - sists not in the name , but in deed—a brotherhood which is not limited to the confines of our Lodge , but is extended to every Mason dispersed over the face of the earth and sea ; and especially will it be onr aim
to work in harmony and brotherly love with that ancient Lodge already in existence in this town , and as one candle lighted at another does not diminish the light from which ifc is taken , but leaves ifc in unimpaired brightness , while adding its own share to the general illumination , so we trust that the Lodge consecrated to-day will not diminish the brightness of the ancient light , but rather aid it in the
execution of that duty which for so many years it has performed alone . . . . And when we leave the Lodge , let us not fold up our Masonic principles with our aprons , bnt carry them with us into our every-day life . We cannot do better than imitate the example of our ancient brethren , the evidences of whose skill remain with us to the present day in those stately cathedrals which adorn and beautify
our land . Examine them ; and in every perfectly-finished arch , every quaint capital , every bit of carven satire , you will discern evidences of the life and freedom of the workmen . You will find no mechanical slave labour , no details carelessly finished , no part , because it was nnseen or inconspicuous , left bare and rough ; but every niche , every gable , every bit of tracery , show that the soul of the
craftsman was in his work ; there was principle in the touch of his chisel , honour in the stroke of his gavel , self-sacrifice in the nice adjustment of his compass . And shall we , brethren , to whom the Great Architect has committed the erection of a far more superb and majestic edifice , fall behind our ancient brethren in the quality of our work ? The spiritual temple which day by day we are erecting
may well tax onr utmost energies , and as we labour we must afford to each other that aid and encouragement of which we all stand in need . And let ns be careful , like our ancient brethren , to perform each part of our work with care and exactness , not doing well and carefully that part which our fellow-craftsman and the world at large can see and appreciate , and leaving rough and unfinished that side which
meets only the eye of the Great Architect Let brotherly love , relief , and truth ever be the principles which animate us , aud to them let us add that spirit of self-sacrifice , without which no great work can ever be accomplished . When we call to mind the noble lady whose illnstrions name we have ventured to assume as the distinguishing mark of onr Lodge , who , as tradition has it , afc the risk of
her own hie , extracted the deadly poison from the arm of her husband , may the devoted spirit which animated her also inspire ns , so that wo may bo ready to face even death itself in the path of duty and honour , until at last the stately temple shall arise in all its grandeur and majesty , and , our work being done , the Great Master shall summon us from labour to an endless refreshment in that region bright ,
" Where wisdom , strength , and beauty , rear A temple of eternal light . " Tho formula ) of the ceremony is doubtless known to our readers , we therefore content onrselves by remarking that Bro . Terry was in excellent form , and was enabled , through the perfect co-operation
of tho Officers , to make the ceremony ono of the most impressive ivo remember having witnessed . Bro . Terry now placed the gavel n the hands of Bro . Butler Wilkins , Deputy Grand Master of tho Province , and introduced the W . M . designate , Bro . M . A . Boemo P . P . G . D . C ., & o . A board of installed Rasters was then opened ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The Eleanor Cross Lodge, No. 1764.
CONSECRATION OF THE ELEANOR CROSS LODGE , No . 1764 .
ON Tuesday last tho Freemasons of the Province of Northants and Hunts assembled in great force at the Masonic Hall , Abington-strcet , Northampton , for the purpose of consecrating the Eleanor Cross Lodgo and investing brethren to act as Officers for the ousning year . Tho Warrant for this Lodge , which was granted by Grand Lodge during the last quarter , was issued ou tho petition of tho following brethren : —M . A . Bourne P . M ., T . Whitehouse W . M .,
F . Gadsby S . W ., Hamilton W . Parker J . W ., Geo . Ellard I . G ., Henry Brown , S . J . W . Sanders Asst . Chap ., H . J . Atkins , H . Hill and H . Spoor , all of 360 , S . Wathcn Wigg aud E . Morris of 1391 , J . Linnett ( Sir Watkin Lodge , Mold , 1477 ) , and C . H . Frank 538 . It will thus be seen that the new Lodgo starts under most favourable auspices , enjoying as it does tho support of the principal members of
tho Pomfret Lodge , No . 360 , which is the only other Lodgo in the town . Indeed , wo understand that the members of 360 are unanimous in wishing success and prosperity to the new Lodge . Punctually at 12 o ' clock the Lodge was openod , under the direction of Bro . James Terry , who was the Officer appointed to perform the ceremony of consecration , he being supported by Bro . Butler Wilkins , Deputy
Prov . Grand Master , who acted as Installing Master . Tho usual preliminary business having been most satisfactorily disposed of , Bro . S . Wathen Wigg , the Chaplain elect , delivered the following oration ; the whole of those present paying our respected brother the greatest attention , and at the conclusion expressing their appreciation of his address : —
" Right Worshipful Master , Worshipful Sirs , Brethren m the North , East , South and West , —At the erection of all stately and superb edifices it is customary to lay a foundation stono , and to speak some words of admonition and encouragement . We , who are speculative rather than practical Masons , are met here to-day , in the name of the G . A . O . T . U ., and in the presence of these worshipful brethren , to lay
the foundation stone of a new Lodge , and ifc has fallen to my lot , by the courtesy of the Consecrating Officer , and tho will of the brethren , to speak those words which are customary on such occasions—to strike , albeit with a trembling finger , the key-note which shall swell into glorious harmonies in all the fntnre of the Lodge . Ifc must be evident to you that I cannot approach such a task , so grave in its
responsibilities , in the presence of such learned and reverend brethren , young and inexperienced as I am , without considerable hesitation ; but as obedience is one of the first Masonic obligations , I feel that while iu the path of duty I shall receive that kind consideration which a brother may always expect . I do not propose to-day to discuss the past history of Masonry ; that is a subject which has tasked the
abilities of many of our most eminent brethren , aud is utterly beyond my limited knowledge . I prefer to speak of what Masonry is , rather than of what it was ; and iu doing so our thoughts naturally cluster around one word , which forms , if I mistake not , the very centre and life of our Order . I need not tell you that it is that word which meets us at the door of the Lodge , abides constantly with
us during its solemn sessions , goes with us as we retire to the outer world : a word which never forsakes us at any moment of our existence , and is at the last whispered in faltering accents over our open grave—the simple , but all expressive word "Brother ;" the foundation , copestone , and cement of onr Order . How of tan men have tried to realise its true meaning , the page of history
records , and with like fidelity it records also repeated failure . A century ago that sacred word was inscribed in flaming letters above the gnillotino in the streets of Paris , when the blood of the noble , the pious , the pure was shed like water in tho sacred name of fraternity . The Middle Ages saw the same attempt in tho monasteries and brother , hoods with which this and other countries abounded , but it took not
long for men to discover that the sacred name of brother might be borne by men who possessed none of the brotherly spirit . Once , indeed , men thought that the dawn of the day of universal brotherhood had arrived , at that time when , moved by a new and divine impulse , men sold all they possessed , and threw the proceeds into one general fund , and had all things in common ; and so true for a time
was this brotherhood that it forced from an astonished heathen world the exclamation , "See how those Christians love one another !" Bnt now , alas ! those words are never repeated , except in tones of ineffable sadness b y friends , or in the bitterest irony by enemies . But to-day our ancient Order presents to the world a united brotherhood , which has not only stood the test of centuries , but of different
races , varied nationalities , widely sundered countries , aud of divers creeds . A brotherhood which is based ou the common Fatherhood of the Meat High . The charge sometimes made , that Masonry is auti-Christian , is utterly false—while every Lodge is consecrated in the name of God—every meeting begun and ended with appeals to His holy name , while that sacred volume is never closed during our
ssssion , we can afford to treat such a charge as a misapprehension of the ignorant , or a siauder of the malicious . And ill am reminded that every Freemason , as such , lii ; s under the ban of the Bishop ol Rome , 1 answer , first , that tho Bishop of Rome has no jurisdiction , either iu things civil or ecclesiastical , in the realm of England ; and 1 venture further to add that we are as likely to prosper under his curse
as under his blessing ; lor we , as English Freemasons , cannot forget ttiatsomeof the proudest names in our history have shared that ban , and that some of the noblest pages in the annals of onr country were written while we lay under the Papal interdict . Freemasonry is not nieligion ; hhe leaves that great and solemn question to bo settled between a man and his God : all she demands of her sons is that
they shall adore the Almighty Father—shall love the universal broiherbood—shall visit the widow and the fatherless in their affliction , and keep themselves unspotted from tho sins and vices of the world . And her doors aro onl y ciosecl against tho atheist aud the libertine . The Grand Lod ge of England has recently nobly vindicated this principle hy refusing to acknowledge as brethren those who have impiously , and in detiance of all Masonic tradition dared to remove the
Consecration Of The Eleanor Cross Lodge, No. 1764.
namo of the G . A . O . T . U . from their Ritual ; by that act thoy cut themselves off from the universal brothorhood , and from that moment they ceased to be Free and Accepted Masons : thoy went out from ns because they wero not of ns . Our trno safety and strength lies in obedience to the precopts taught us in that Sacred Volume , and by bending in awo and reverence at the name of its Author—by
imploring His aid in all onr lawful undertakings , aud by looking up to Him in every emergency for comfort and support . To us , the officers and brethren of the new Lodge , is committed to-day a solemn charge , in our keeping is placed in all its integrity tho honour of our fraternity , and we must use all diligence to seo to ifc that we in like manner transmit it unimpaired to thoso who shall como after ns , and if we
would preserve and beautify our ancient and illustrious Order we must not be satisfied with tho mero outward trappings of tho craft . Wearing an apron does not mako a man a Mason , or oven tho correct knowledge of our working tools and ritual ; these arc but the emblems of thoso grand principles which constitnto truo Freemasonry . A man must be made a Mason in a certain placo which we know of
before ever he enters tho door of the Lodgo . And if ho bo not a Mason in this true sense , no matter what position ho may hold , what distinction he may attain to , he has yet to learn tho vital principles of our Order . And thus , my brethren , you will roadily realise how important it will bo for us to keep unworthy men without tho door of that Lodge which will bo to-day for the first time closed-tyled . Wo
know who aro fit and proper persons to be mado brethren , and it is afc our peril that we admit any others . Wo aro not called upon to mako a great number of Masons , but wo are called upon to seo to it that every man we introduce into our ancient and honourable Order is worthy of that high distinction . And it is our duty also , by our conduct both within and without the Lodge , to impress men favourably
with Masonry ; to behave within tho Lodge in such a manner that those admitted to our fellowship may see our ritnal performed with spirit and precision . Much more depends than we are apt to think on the impressions an initiate receives when for the first time he beholds a just , perfect , and regular Lodgo . If ho sees a careless and negligent behaviour , if tho ceremonies are performed
in a slovenly manner , if the harmony of the craftsmen one to another , or if the obedieuce to the Master fails in the smallest point , he his apt to undervalue the great privileges to which he has been admitted . It is one of the boasts of our Order that within the Lodge all brethren are equal , but a Mason is always most careful both within and without the Lodge to respect those dis .
tinctions which society on the one hand , and Masonic law on tho other , has imposed . It will be the most earnest effort of the Eleanor Cross Lodge to cultivate that spirit of true brotherhood which con - sists not in the name , but in deed—a brotherhood which is not limited to the confines of our Lodge , but is extended to every Mason dispersed over the face of the earth and sea ; and especially will it be onr aim
to work in harmony and brotherly love with that ancient Lodge already in existence in this town , and as one candle lighted at another does not diminish the light from which ifc is taken , but leaves ifc in unimpaired brightness , while adding its own share to the general illumination , so we trust that the Lodge consecrated to-day will not diminish the brightness of the ancient light , but rather aid it in the
execution of that duty which for so many years it has performed alone . . . . And when we leave the Lodge , let us not fold up our Masonic principles with our aprons , bnt carry them with us into our every-day life . We cannot do better than imitate the example of our ancient brethren , the evidences of whose skill remain with us to the present day in those stately cathedrals which adorn and beautify
our land . Examine them ; and in every perfectly-finished arch , every quaint capital , every bit of carven satire , you will discern evidences of the life and freedom of the workmen . You will find no mechanical slave labour , no details carelessly finished , no part , because it was nnseen or inconspicuous , left bare and rough ; but every niche , every gable , every bit of tracery , show that the soul of the
craftsman was in his work ; there was principle in the touch of his chisel , honour in the stroke of his gavel , self-sacrifice in the nice adjustment of his compass . And shall we , brethren , to whom the Great Architect has committed the erection of a far more superb and majestic edifice , fall behind our ancient brethren in the quality of our work ? The spiritual temple which day by day we are erecting
may well tax onr utmost energies , and as we labour we must afford to each other that aid and encouragement of which we all stand in need . And let ns be careful , like our ancient brethren , to perform each part of our work with care and exactness , not doing well and carefully that part which our fellow-craftsman and the world at large can see and appreciate , and leaving rough and unfinished that side which
meets only the eye of the Great Architect Let brotherly love , relief , and truth ever be the principles which animate us , aud to them let us add that spirit of self-sacrifice , without which no great work can ever be accomplished . When we call to mind the noble lady whose illnstrions name we have ventured to assume as the distinguishing mark of onr Lodge , who , as tradition has it , afc the risk of
her own hie , extracted the deadly poison from the arm of her husband , may the devoted spirit which animated her also inspire ns , so that wo may bo ready to face even death itself in the path of duty and honour , until at last the stately temple shall arise in all its grandeur and majesty , and , our work being done , the Great Master shall summon us from labour to an endless refreshment in that region bright ,
" Where wisdom , strength , and beauty , rear A temple of eternal light . " Tho formula ) of the ceremony is doubtless known to our readers , we therefore content onrselves by remarking that Bro . Terry was in excellent form , and was enabled , through the perfect co-operation
of tho Officers , to make the ceremony ono of the most impressive ivo remember having witnessed . Bro . Terry now placed the gavel n the hands of Bro . Butler Wilkins , Deputy Grand Master of tho Province , and introduced the W . M . designate , Bro . M . A . Boemo P . P . G . D . C ., & o . A board of installed Rasters was then opened ,