Victoria Lodge.

Freemasonry . These symbols are no mere empty forms , but have a secret and solemn meaning . The corn that is scattered on the ground is the symbol of plenty , for which we humbly pray , not that we may use it for our own benefit , ease , and comfort , but for the welfare of

mankind and pur Brethren ' s good . May the Great Architect ! of the Universe , who causet | i the corn to grow in the fruitful furrows of the field , scatter His gracious gifts of plenty on those who assemble here , and sow the seeds of knowledge and science which shall bear fruit in that future life whither our steps are

wendmg . Wine thafc maketh glad the heart of man is an emblem of joy and cheerfulness , and . oil betokens peace , harmony , and love , and tells us of that unity of hearts which is one of the chief characteristics of Masonry . Bitterness and wrath , and anger and clamour may rage in the world outside the door , amongst

whose who know not our mysterious secrets , but here peace reigns with plenty crowned . Nor must we forget our salt , which preserves from decay , and symbolises the quickening hope that the friendships formed within our Lodge may ever exist , whole , hearty , and entire , that our vows may ever remain fresh and

vigorous in our minds , and tbat our lives may season and improve all those with whom we are brought in contact , and who know not the principles which guide our conduct and practice . And as the clouds of incense ascend , on high , as in the great Temple of Solomon , we are reminded of our prayers that ascend to the listening ear of the Great Architect , and brine

down blessings from the high and holy place , without which all our labours would be in vain , and our strivings after virtue and knowledge useless . It is this incense which gives the meaning to all our rites and ceremonies , and enfolds , as with an atmosphere , this new world , framed by wisdom , supported by strength , adorned with beauty , and consecrated to-night to the service of the Great Architect ; of the Universe .

Brethren , your Lodge , new-born to-day , has an ancient and honoured lineage , one whose lustre time has not diminished , and whose vitality age has not impaired . Indeed at no time has our ancient Order shown more vigorous life and activity than during the closing years of the nineteenth century . Its origin is vested

in the mists of bygone ages . We are accustomed to persuade ourselves thafc within the portals of King Solomon ' s Temple at Jerusalem , Masonry sprang into being . Perhaps it is older still , and we may look for its origin in tho shadowing realms of ancient Egypt and Assyria , and recognize in our first parents the builders of the pyramids and the carvers of the Sphinx . We

know not ; but this we do know that the principles which guide us to-day are the same that governed the minds and swayed the conduct of the paternities of old , which , in our dark days and dangerous times , preserved the light of wisdom and knowledge , and placed the love of humanity as the guiding principle of their system .

History tells us of the old guilds and Brotherhoods that existed in Greece and Rome , of the " collegia opificum , " or colleges of workmen , existing in all countries under the sway of the Boman Empire ; they had their own property , their meeting house , their president and governing body ; the richer members

helped their poorer Brethren ; and on certain days the whole company visited the common sepulchre in which the Brethren were buried , and decked with violets or roses the tombs of fcheir departed Brethren . It was the Fraternities , the guilds of Craftsmen and merchants and priests and soldiers that carried

men through the chaos that followed fche wreck of the Roman civilization . To them we owe our freedom , our municipal governments , our rights of citizenship , and that which gave to them the chieftest glory , the principle of Brotherhood and mutual trust , has been bequeathed to modern Masonry to be preserved by us as a precious heritage , and handed down inviolate to our

successors . Nor is the message which our Order preaches unnecessary iu the present age . As it dethrones selfishness from our hearts , so does it strike at the roots of that materialism and atheistic dogmatism which cast a baneful shadow over the lives of many , depriving them of the hope of eternal life , and of ever receiving , when called away from our labours here , the wages promised to those who work diligently in God's holy temple .

Masonry is religion , for religion is the bond of union between man and his Creator , and Masonry tightens that bond ; it appeals from the visible to the invisible ; ifc purines the heart ; and quickens the affections , and leads many a man to follow a godly , righteous , and sober life , who might otherwise yield

himself a prey to his passions or sink under the dominion of the devastating doctrines of materialism and infidelity . Masonry teaches us to raise our eyes from earth to Heaven , to look onward and upwards ; and to strive for something higher and nobler than that which the standard of the world sets before us .

To walk humbly in the sight of God , to do justice , love , mercy , are the certain characteristics of a real Free and Accepted Mason , which qualifications it is humbly hoped he will possess to the end of time , making thafc golden precept the standard rule of his actions , which engages " to do unto all men as he would

Victoria Lodge.

they should do unto him . " Brethren , ye have fashioned this new house surely and well . It is composed , not of material stones wrought by the hand of the Craftsman , bufc of living stones fashioned by the finger of the Almighty , and made meet for His service . Ye are the stones of this Spiritual House , found worthy

of a place in the walls of this holy temple , some exalted on high having suffered the keen edge of the chisel in the process of being perfected for a position of rank and dignity , while others occupy a lower place , though ultimately perhaps destined to become a head corner stone . But each one has a place ; each one is part of this edifice ; and of that position of honour and dignity , we

doubt not but that ye will prove yourselves worthy , so that fche world around , the uninitiated , by observing your conduct ; , outside the doors of the Lodge , may know the excellencies of Masonry by the bright examples of its professors . And by labour alone can this happy result be attained . When we gaze afc the beautiful carved work in the Chapel of your Castle we know that

Many a blow of biting sculpture Polished well those stones elect . So in our spiritual temple the lively stones best fitted for honour and usefulness are those which by the pains of hard study in acquiring knowledge and science , by the patient cutting off of excrescences , and careful shaping by the hard chisel of suffering ,

are most suited for the Master ' s services in that glorious building which he is now rearing , a holy temple meet for His habitation . Brethren , I trust that in this Lodge , as often as ye enter it , ye will ever find true happiness which will grow as the years speed on , and find its completion and full realization in that life eternal , where true love for ever rules , for God is love .

The impressive ceremony of consecration haying been brought to a conclusion , Bro . Edward Prince was duly installed as the first W . M . of the Lodge , and received the warm congratulations of the Deputy Prov . G . M . and other Brethren . The Lodge Officers for the coming year were then appointed and

invested as follow : —Bro .. A . Foyer acting I . P . M ., John F . Wolff S . W ., John Baynes J . W ., E . A . Broquet Treasurer , W . A . Cocks Secretary , VV . H . Reed S . D ., Ernest Marshall J . D ., H . W . Nicholson D . C , T " . W . Turner" A . D . C , A . A . Hardy J . G ., W . T . Harvey Steward , " W . H . Hardy and Edward J . . Reed Assistant Stewards .

The W . M ., who was cordially thanked for the handsome silken banner which he presented to the Lodge , was chosen as the Lodge representative on the Provincial Charity Committee , and a Committee having been appointed fco frame the bye-laws !

Bros . Morland , Keyser , Slaughter , Ditchfield , Martin , Page , Lott , and Margrett were unanimously elected as honorary members of the Lodge , in recognition of their able services in the consecration ceremony .

The Senior Deacon ( Bro . W . H . Reed ) presented to the Lodge a charity box ( broken column ) , and was warmly thanked . At the conclusion of the proceedings in the hall , an adjournment was made to the White Hart Hotel , where an excellent

banquet was served , and the evening spent most agreeably . The Brethren who assisted in the musical portions of the consecration ceremony were joined at ; the festive gathering by Madame Alice Sampson , Madame Constance Martin , and Mr . Frank Peskett , and afc both their performances were highly appreciated .

Owing to the lateness of the proceedings , a number of the mosfc distinguished Brethren were compelled to quit the banqueting room before the speaking commenced , and the honouring of the various toasts devolved mainly on the local

Brethren . Nevertheless , tbe post-prandial programme proved enjoyable and successful , and the health of the newly-installed Worshipful Master , proposed by Past Master John Ball , of Staines , was drank with a special amount of enthusiasm .

The W . M . assured the Brethren that he highly valued the great honour they had conferred upon him by choosing him to fill the position of first Worshipful Master of the Victoria Lodge , which he should endeavour to make a channel for the exercise of true Masonic Charity .

The health of the Deputy P . G . M . and Consecrating Officer , with which was associated the health of the Assisting Consecrating Officers , and the Provincial Grand Officers , present and past , was heartily drank , and Bro . Powell , of Wokingham , made a fitting response .

The W . M . expressed the great pleasure he had felt in welcoming representatives of ten out of fifteen Lodges in the Province , besides many old and esteemed friends from other Provinces , and he proposed the health of the Visitors , for whom Bros . Moore ( Somerset ) , Mercer ( Royal Union ) , Skinner ( Eton ) , Fendick ( Ascot ) , and Cosburn ( Newbury ) responded , the latter

facetiously remarking upon the good fortune thafc had attended the inauguration of the Victoria Lodge , for what , he asked , could possibly be more appropriate than that this Lodge , named after their beloved Sovereign , should be presided over by a Prince , while the Brethren of the sister Lodge—the Etonian—were fortunate in having their Lodge affairs directed by a King ? The gathering broke up about midnight . — " Windsor Express , "