Consecration Of The Evening Star Lodge, No. 1719.

of the Grand Officers . " To these Officers , he said , the Craft were indebted for their good government , and for the keeping together of the large body of Freemasons throughout the world who belonged to the Grand Lodge of England . This they did , assisted by the Grand Secretary of England , who was the life and soul of the whole of Ihe Grand Officers . The brethren appreciated the

labours of all the Grand Officers , whom they bore in their minds with that kindness and distinction that they deserved . He would call on Bro . Woodford to respond . Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , in reply , said I should upon the present occasion , in the presence of so many distinguished Present and Past Grand Officers , have felt

greater pleasure in listening than in speaking ; but as your W . M . has done me the honour to call upon me to return thanks in the name of my brother Grand Officers , I feel it my duty as a good Mason to obey the orders of my commanding officer . I ventured , in the short address which I delivered to you in lodgeto-day to pointout to you that which I conceived now was the great feature

of our Masonic struggle namely , the important point of toleration . Some of you may have read a few days ago that a very eminent statesman was interviewed by a considerable number of clergymen with relation to the present conflict going on in Germany ; and he made a very remarkable statement , a very truthful statement , and one which 1 think commends itself to the feelings of every

s ; ood Freemason . He said this in his terse and epigrammatic manner that " no human being in the world has a right to claim that he only is in possession of the truth . " ¦ Cheers . ) It never has been the case , it never can be the case in the world , and the struggle at present is that a cerlain number of persons profess that they are in possession of truth , and they excommunicate everybody else ( cheers ) .

I venture to think that the axiom which was proclaimed by that great statesman strikes the key-note of Freemasonry . We admit in our lodges , and we always will admit men of different opinions . We do not agree , perhaps to all they sav , or in all which they believe ; we only ask them to look to the Common Father of the Universe and to assist us in deeds of charity and good-will

to man . Beyond that we do not go , and beyond that we do not impose on them a belief ; and as long as Freemasonry stinels on chat ground , in England it will he secure , f-. nd so long will it be for the benefit of the brethren and the welfare of mankind . The reason I have alwa-s felt very strongly on the subject of toleration is this , that I was made a Mason myself in

Gibraltar in the Lodge of Friendship in 1842 , and when I saw the lig ht of Masonry the following sight presented itself to my view . Wc bad a very beautiful longe-room for the L-idge of Friendship , and when I saw the light I fojnd myself surrounded by Hebrews from Gibral ' ar , by Moors from Tnngiers , by Genoese from Genoa , by (" reeks from

Greece , by men e > f almost eve-ry nationality and creed under Heaven ; and there were a band ot brethren , all agreeing in the sjnie-feeling of kindness and love , in lodge , and the moment we went out of the lodge we went each our way , honestly holding our own religious opinions . In that view of Freemasonry 1 have lived ever since I have had the

honour of being a brother . At the present moment we have to contend with two difficulties , especially abroad . Thereis a tendency to press on one side Ultramontane views , condemning Freemasonry in tot " , and making us . bigoted , on the other the unbelieving view , the result of which is to take away horn us belief in God , and is weakening Freemasonry ; and I , therefore , thought it my

duty while addressing the Evening Star Lodge to call the attention of the brethren to the importance of the great duty of true toleration ( cheers ) . I hope 1 have not wearied you with the expression of my feelings loelay ; they are most sincere and they are generally known to my brethren . You see I am not a young man ; I have grey hairs in my head ; but the more I know of

Freemasonry the more I value its truth , and discern clearly how il binds together all nations , and all creeds ; and I am sure you will accept my words as conveying the truth as I feel it in my heart . Once more offeriing to you my acknowledgements for the kindness and patience with which you have listened to me I thank you most sincerely for the honour you have done us , as the Grand Officers ,

and I assure you that our hig hest ambition is to do goodj to our Order , and to retain the confidence of the brethren . ( Applause ) . Bro . John Hervey proposed "The Health of the W . M . " He said ' he had not had the advantage of being initiated at G ' t raltar , and hence he had not the recoil-ction to fall back upon that the excellent Giand Chaplain bad had , and

could not tell the brethren or expatiate in the eloquent language erf Bro . Woodford , on what took place at Gibraltar or the impressions which were patent to his , ( Gr ^ nd Chaplain ' s ) mind when he was initiated . He , must confine himself to the inner circle of England , andj he was on the present occasion that if the toast which he , had to propose did not meet with the feelings of the

Evening Star Lodge , at any rate it would meet with the feelings of the guests round the table , who would all respond to that toast , apart from the members of the Evening Star Lodge , with the greatest enthusiasm . By virtue of the position he bad occupied that day it devolved upon hini to give "The Health of ihe W . M . and success to the Lodge . " As he had said before , if that would not unite the feelings of the members of the Evening Star Lodge ,

at any rate it would those of the ' r guests , who would drink the toast with hearty good will and with the greatest co diality . It was now , as lie had said in the lodge , some 22 years since he had the p leasure of seeing his good friend on his left installed as Master of the Canonbury Lodge , and at that time he was invited to consecrate thej lodge . But he was a modest man at that period , an < J therefore suggested that a good friend of his , also a modest man but noti | uite so modest as he ( Bro . Hervey ) was , Bro .

Consecration Of The Evening Star Lodge, No. 1719.

Sir Daniel Gooch , would carry outtheceremony much better , consequently Sir D . Gooch took the office of Consecrating Master , and he ( Bro . Hervey ) had the honour of assisting him . Bro . Filer was first Master of the Canonbury Lodge ; he was now Treasurer to that lodge , and the Seniir Past Master . The brethren therefore might imagine what hc would be in the next twenty-two years ,, when the Evening

Star Lodge had risen somewhat in the hemisphere . He ( Bro . Hervey ) was digressing , but that was his awkward way of putting the toast . But be that as it might , hc was sure the brethren would all be gratified at finding their good old friend , Bro . Filer , in the chair of this lodge ; they would all feel that the duties of the lodge would be well carried out , that the lodge would be governed in a way

which would conduce to its success with the outer world , and with Freemasons ; everything would be conducted in that methodical manner , without which a Freemason ' s lodge must be a chaos . The brethren would all join with him in drinking success to the lodge , and they wouid all feel that it had a brother at its head who could and would do his duty . They all felt that he had done his duty

hitherto , and therefore they would not doubt what would be the case for the future . The W . M . ' , in reply , said , After the observations which had been made by Bro . Hervey , he has not left me the excuse which many young Masters would have of speaking of the diffidence with which he undertakes the office , and the fear he may have lest he should not carry it out

to the brethren ' s satisfaction . That is one of the favourite , I should have said , probably , if Bro . Hervey had not made the observations he has . But I must now say that 1 have not that excuse left me , because having been a Mason for now some thirty-five years , and passed through the chair of three lodges , there is no such excuse left me . I only require that which I know I possess to the fullest extent ,

the co » fidence and good fee-lings of the lodge , without which I defy any Master of a lodge to carry out the duties to the satisfaction of the brethren . Our brother has been kind enough to speak of me in very flattering terms , and to wish me good health . Now , it may appear s . mewhat curious to you that a man advanced in years as I am should be W . M . of a new lodge ; but to those who do rot

know anything of the circum itanccs I may just as well tell thern it is intended as a mark of respect to the members of this lodge , who are now all young Masons , that I should accept it . 1 have the same wishes with regard to my health as Bro . Hervey has expressed , but corplcd with the fear lest I may not be blessed with it for many years to come . If his good wishes are realised , b y the blessings of

God and by attentior to my health on my own part , I may have the pleasure , I hope , of presiding over you for my year oi office , and of . being with vou for some years . I beg to thank him for his kindness in pre . posing ray health , and I beg to thank you , brethren , for the hearty way in which you have received it . At this point the W . M ., greatly to the regret of the

brethren , was obliged to leave on account of ill-health . His place was for the remainder of the evening , occupied by Bro . Hervey . Bro . J . C . Parkinson , P . G . D ., in replying to the toast of "The Visitors , " proposer ! by Bro . Hervey , said : —Your visitors are deeply indebted to ynu for their reception fhis evening . and feel privileged in offering theircongratulations

upon the evidently successful establishment of the livening Star , and perhaps the longer their experience in Masonry the more deeply they may feel how important it is that a branch institution of this character should be launched successfully . and should have that support from various influential quarters which it is quite clear the Evening Star now possesses . We have been greatly gratified to-night

by the proceedings of the evening , and speaking for myself I must say that the speech delivered by the Grand Chaplain , coming , as it did , after a self-congratulation , at seeing the persons , first of your W . M ., an old and dear friend of mine , and secondly cf your S . W ., a brother member of my lodge , and a brother in whom I have always seen genius of great future usefulness , seeing that you

have secured such distinguished brethren , and so well known to myself , rcspectivcly as the W . M . and S . W . Coming upon that fact , the speech of your Grand Chap-Iain , who has acted to-nig ht in th : consecration , and who has given us so admirable a speech . I must say , his remarks upon toleration and upon what the essence of Freemasonry really is , came upon me with particular force

on the occasion of the establishment of a new lodge ; for really intolerance means , want of light ; either it is that people who have light have darkly kept it to themselves , or there is no light in the community . That they all hate each other , one or the other must be the moving cause of intolerance . Where there is a genial equable flow of light , it is quite clear to my mind that intolerance cannot

long " rear its malignant head . " Now , if I understand anything of the Evening Star Lodge , certainly its component parts , the individuals who compose it , have not themselves , any fundamental objection to diffusion of light , ( laughter ) ; and therefore I hope that the spirit of tolerance which had been so eloquently foreshadowed will attend ministrations of the Evening Star Lodge , and

that th . e light may be of the highest quality , ( laughter ) ; that there may be nothing in the mechanical appliances or in its organisation which may tend to impuiiry of quality ; that its illuminating power may in short , be of the highest quality , is the fervent faith of your visitors ; and w _ •shall in future years , if we are spared to look back at the establishment of the Evening Star Lodge , as

presenting in itself both symbolically , practically , and truthfull y , one more " main" of Masonic light giving forth the purest and the highest quality of truth , which is only another word for light , to all members , and all brethren who come under its rays . W . M ., f beg to thank you . Bro , Henry Greene , P . M ., proposed " The Health of Bro . Hervey , the Consecrating Officer , " He was sure hc

Consecration Of The Evening Star Lodge, No. 1719.

need not recall to the brethren ' s minds the extremel y inf .-esting ceremony which they had participated in that ever " ing . It was now some 20 years since he had the opnu ~ tunity of witnessing a similiar ceremony , and he must sa " that the first occasion must have a tendency to fix it Ver . deeply upon any man . No one could have listened to th

various proceedings which had taken place—at least h coulil imagine no one could have witnessed them without thinking he was taking part iu the performance cf the ceremony , which would leave upon his rvsind a most aaree able impresrion , and create in him a solemn respect for th Orefer to which he had the honour and gratification to belong . No one could have listened to that remarkable

address which proceeded f'ora his Rev . Bro . on his ri ght without feeling that he was listening to some deep ami solemn injunction , which was being laid upon him as to the importance of acknowledging as we English Masons did , the Supreme Being as the author of our existence , anil as the author of everything ' . hat concerned our welfare It was impossible but that we must contrast , and in a re !

markable degree , the order and regularity which pervade , ! the whole ot the ceremony that evening , with what he could imagine tv . as the disorder of our continental breth . ren meeting under similar circumstances . He , for one believed he spoke the sentiments of every one present though it was impossible to listen to those deep and solemn words which proceeded from the mouth of their Iriend , with .

cut believing that they were themselves joining in a very deep ceremony . They had on this occasion to express their great acknowledgments for the kind manner in which those dignitaries of our Order had come to assist at the ceremony , they had to thank the Gran d Secretary for the important part that he kindl y took , and the Grand Chaplain also , the brcihren

who occupied the respective chairs , and to Bro . Buss . He would be wanting indeed in proper respect to them if he did not ask the brethren to join him most heartily in expressing most cordial acknowledgments to them for what they had done that evening . * Uro . Hervey responded , and then proposed " The Treasurer ami Secretary , " and placed before the brethren

the e . ifhcult duties which the becretary hat ! to perforin in the getting uii of a new lexlge-. The brethren hai all to thank him fur the way in which he had carried out the duties of bis office , and fe > r the manner he had ( lemeanul himself towards- them . Bro . Magnus Ohren in replying apologised for the absence erf the Treasuier , Bro . James Glaisher , which was

caused by his having to go te » France alter the meeting of the British Association , and carry out some arrrangements which had been made some time ago . With res peet to himself 'Bro . Ohren ) when he was asked some time ago to take the . Secretaryship eif this lexlge it was a question willi him whether he should do so or not , as his professional engagements eiccupierl so much of his time , an d he was

already connected with several bulges . But the wish of the brethren who were founders of the lodge was very strong that he should join them , and he did so . He must say that Masonry with him was oi . e erf bis greatest pleasures . It was an old saying that " all work and no play made Jack a dull boy . " Now possibly they might know that his play was work iu Masonry . He loved

Masonry ; and it was a relief to him after his professional duties , to undertake the duties of Masonry ; and whatever lodge he was connected with and whatever duties he undertook he considered them duties , and he carried them out to the best of his ability . And it had been so with this lodge , and with other lodges with which hc was connected . The brethren knew what these lodges were ,

and that in them he performed his duties He should continue to do so with this lodge to the best ol his ability . This lodge was the lodge of light , the Evening Star Lodge , the Gas Lodge and the lodge of light . Many went by the old light . They were not going to introduce anything new , no electric light , but the old light , the olrl Masonic light , would guide them the same as the

old light would guide them in their professional duties , ami they would always find that the old light would cairy them through . Whatever might be said of the elect ™ li ght ( and there was no doubt it had its advantages in many cases , although it would never in his time or las children's time be introduced for public lighting ) , it was the old gas from cnal which would light the pu ' ilic streets well . In this lodge tkey would carry en the old Masonic

creed as long as they lived , that old creed which was laid down for them , and they would carry it out with the same amount of zest as they imported into their professional duties . Bro . John Hervey proposed " The Masonic Charities . He said he proposed this toast with great gratification hecause from the earliest period of his career in Masonr ) he was well associated with the Masonic Chaiities . "

success which attended them had continued for ma" ) years , and he hoped it would be contined for many years

to come . Bro . Binckes replied : The present year of grace had kef " the most successful that had ever been experienced by " >" charities , the very large sum of £ 40 , ooc had been collected , * the anniversary festivals of the three Institutiems . Looking f . rward to the future , he confidently hoped that thai sum would be exceeded in to it must be so , i % All ei VllllJ LtV llJUk

years come , .., w ... JH •... r . ur . m LI'KIL ) IV . ' _ , was ii matter of necessity , from the great increase >» number t > f brethren who came into the Order . No ° | could testify to this better than Bro . l ' trvc ; ' ^ and no one could testify to the great increase in the fUl'F ' given to the Institution than he could himself . He " ^ leave these facts to the brethren ' s consideration , to < le . ive . irri-au i , u _ i ; , iu vne uieurven b e ; on * iuci . ii . ' . " -r y .

them to heart as much as they cou / ef , and fteJw' ^ that the lodge that day consecrated , whose W . M . *' ^ „ shining light , and many e ) f xvhose rnenibus were s ""^ ,. lights , would shine with greater brilliancy than any lodge . Whatever might be the success and pros" ^ which might attend the lodge he was quite sure thef