Analysis Of The Returns.

contribution of £ 105 . Last year it entered an appearance ^ at all three Festivals—at the Girls' Centenary , when Bro . the Earl of Zetland and 16 other Stewards raised by their joint exertions £ 762 155 . ; at the

Benevolent Festival in February , when Bro . Col . R . G . Smith returned £ 31 ios . ; and at that of the Boys' School in June , when the same brother handed in £ 37 16 s ., the total for the year being £ 832 ios . In the five preceding years it distributed about /' 2660 among the three Charities .

Y ORKSHIRE ( WEST RIDING ) , though its total on Wednesday was below the average of recent years , must need a little relaxation after the extremely heavy drain on its resources in

1887 and 1888 , the amount raised in the former , including its two Perpetual Presentations to the Widows' Fund of the R . M . B . Institution , being X 3 S 00 , and that in the latter £ 3362 Ss ., of which £ 2702 8 s . was contributed at the Girls' Centenary . Therefore , in these two years alone it subscribed /' 7162 8 s ., and the present contribution of ^' 400 is all the more welcome .

Consecration Of The Blundellsands Lodge, No, 2289.

CONSECRATION OF THE BLUNDELLSANDS LODGE , No , 2289 .

A highly significant evidence of the progress of Freemasonry in the Province of West Lancashire was given on Friday , the 15 th ult ., by the consecration of the Blundellsands Lodge , 228 9 , which took place at the Alexandra Assembly Rooms , Blundellsands , near Liverpool , under the most promising and auspicious circumstances . Not only was there a large

gathering of the brethren , but a large muster of those who hold high offices in Craft Masonry gave an additional eclat to the opening of a lodge which promises to become one of the most popular and successful in this division . The brethren assembled in the new lodge room at three o ' clock . Amongst those present

were—Bros . W . Goodacre , Past G . Std . Br ., Prov . G . Sec . ; J . M . Shuttleworth , P . M ., P . S . G . W .: E . fcegar , P . M ., P . J . G . W . ; Rev . J . S . Gardner , M . A .. P . M ., P . G . Chap . ; T . H . W . Walker , P . M ., P . G . Treas . ; J . Slyman , P . M ., P . S . G . D . ; A . Cross , P . M ., P . S . G . D . ; ' J . D . Murray , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , acting D . C ; 1 . lurner , P . M ., P . G . Std . Br . ; R . Armitage , P . M ., P . A . G . Sec ; T . Adams , P . M ., P . G . Stwd . ; J . C . Robinson , P . M ., P . G . Stwd . ; C . Banister , P . M ., P . G . Std . Br . Eng . ; ] . P . McArthur , P . M , P . P . S . G . W . ; E . Pierpoint , P . VL , P . P . J . G . W . ; Dr . F . J . ' Bailey , P . M ., Past . Prov . Grand Deacon ; J . H . Barrow , P . M ., Past Prov . Grand Deacon ; VV . Envin , P . M ., P . P . Asst . G . Secretary ; D . M . F . Gaskin , P . M ., P . P . G . Treas . ; M . Newsome , P . P . S . G D . West Yorks ; J . Wells , P . M ., P . P . G . D . of C . ( Mayor of Bootle ); J . Shaw , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W . ; G . H . Brown , P . M . 537 , P . G . D . C . Cheshire ; Dr . | . Stopford Taylor , P . M . S 23 ; W . W . Jones , W . M . 7 SG ; J . Bark , VV M . 216 ; VV . Lord , P . M . 30 S ; J . T . Stowell , P . M . 1350 ; J . L . Shrapnellj P . M . 1 G 90 ; and Thos . Lowton , J . W . 2042 .

The founders are Bros . John Christie . E . Roberts , G . H . Taylor , E . G . B . Watts , E . Sherwood , P . M . 786 ; T . Gray , E . L . Lewis , G . B . Rod way , H . W . Gibbons , S . Stephenson , J . B . Light , VV . H . Fisher , Lieut .-Col . J , A . Sherwood , H . Cotterall , S . M . Freeman , G . F . Williams , J . Glover , VV H . Pellew , and W . S . Stephenson .

A Cratt lodge was opened by Bro . VV . Goodacre , P . G . Sec . ( in the absence of the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , D . G . M ., Prov . G . Master , through illness ) , assisted b y Bros . J . M . Shuttleworth , Prov . S . G . W ., as S . W . ; E . Segar , P . J . G . W ., as J . W . ; and J . D . Murray , P . P . G . D . C , acting as Secretary and D . C .

A letter having been read from the Earl of Lathom regretting his inability to be present , and wishing the lodge every success , the lodge was then opened up , and the brethren of the new lodge were arranged in order , when the petition and warrant were read by the acting Secretary . Bro . the Rev . J . S . GARDINER , M . A ., P . G . C , then delivered the following oration : —

It is an acknowledged truism that every generation of man is a labourer for that which succeeds it ; and it is especially true that all generations of Freemasons , as they traversed through the vale of life , felt it an impoitant part of their duty to hand down as a rich inheritance to those who might succeed them , new centres fur the dissemination and diffusion of their undying principles , those purest principles of piety and virtue , principles adapted to all times , to all races of civilised men : principles which have weathered

the storms of 3000 years—surviving all changes , themselves still unchanged . Hence , the heart of every true and faithful Mason ought to be filled with gratitude to the Great Architect of the Universe on the consecration of a new lodge—a new centre for the propagation of those glorious ameliorating principles , brotherly love , relief , and truth , upon which is founded one of the strongest and widest bonds of union on the face of the earth . Ours , indeed , is a glorious Order , tor it is founded in strength , erected in wisdom ,

adorned with beauty , lt is founded in strength because founded on the volume of the Sacred Law , the Word of the Lord , which endureth for ever—that unerring standard of truth and justice—that true source of solace and consolation in trial and sorrow — the revelation of the most lovely attributes of the Almighty . And at all times , therefore , when close tyled in opened lodge , when we carry our eyes from the Sacred Volume to the sacred symbolwe should feel

, God enclosed , God tilled , breathing a . spiritual , a Divine atmosphere , tending to make us grow more God like , making each of us the antitype of which every well-ordered lod ge is a type—a living temple of the Most High . Yes , that Sacred Volume is our foundation stone , and while it records manifold present blessings , and great and precious promises , it points out that shining light in the path of rectitude which shines more and more to the perfect day . That light is truth—our first principle— -truth , the mother of

virtue . There in our lodges she ever stands before us in garments white as snow , with looks serene , yet cheerful , pleasant , yet modest ; the very pledge of honesty , the bulwark ot honour , the true light of joy of every Masonic soul . And if truth lies at the foundation , wisdom has raised the superstructure of our Order . No one of a thoughtful wind who has studied Freemasonry even a little can have failed to observe the connection of our whole system , as well as the relative dependence of its parts ; the great ts

* s broug ht before us by our traditional histories , the significance of every ornament . j D < wge ever used in our lodges , for all these are striking emblems of important and essed truths , mutely , but not the less eloquently and effectively , teaching the ighcst duties of social life ; the deepest truths of the intellectual and to ^ th "l ^ v . ' ^ ' * ' moreover , give a call—solemn and impressiveho , £ " . est and noblest state of all—the life of immortality . Every ceremony , too ,

on vi S'lmcant it may appear when standing alone , is a star tvhicn sheds its lustre tion " 5 , ' . ence > an A truth , while the whole united form a bnghtand burning constellawill ' t ^ ° j ' ' R w'th one voice in Masonic ears , glory to God , peace on earth , good pillar *™ ^ ot on ' ' oll r ^ ' firmly established—well supported by the it is af St [ § tn ancl stability—built of good materials , wisely compacted together , but word * j . autifu " y adorned . Are not simple , steadfast trust in God , purity of thought , toon '(> an ? > sterling integrity of character , amiability of manners , staunch loyalty Masn ° i ! asbreU"en—aie not these the beautiful ornaments of a true and faithful best- ~ rh aracter ? Yes - But there is one more . The sweetest , the brightest , the soft ^ i lty ' Heavenborn Charity , pure and holy—Charity which refines , elevates ,

soothes Yh nature—which increases the joy of others in prosperity—decreases and almost h sorfow in adversity . Certainly , reviewing our piinciples , it would be of truth a 3 !? " Up 0 " ear" 1 were men ' s minds to rest in Providence , turn upon the poles entertwiifa "¦ " u Ve strai S nt on in the paih of Charity , for the golden beams ot truth , brethren ? T' the S ' lken corc 3 s of love ' draw mKn on to bc tellow wor , < ers with God - to Provide *?* ' ^ br "' hearted , 10 extricate the industrious from misfortune , downhill ;„ lip eace " < l shelter for the aged—brightening and smoothing their journey m the evening of their life ' s day-to help the fatherless children in the time of

Consecration Of The Blundellsands Lodge, No, 2289.

distress ; to cheer and comfort the widow in the darkest hour of human grief—these are the outcome of our Masonic principles , so that a true and faithful Mason's life is'one of faith , of love , of duty , of truth , which light up his path—cheqneie 1 though it may be—withheavenly hues . He is beckoned onwards by smiling hope until he is led safely through the valley of the dark shadow to shine as the stars for ever and ever .

¦ The first part of the consecration prayer having been off < -red by the P . G . C , the lodge was uncovered , and the corn , wine , and oil were carried according to ancient custom . The Deputy Acting P . G- Master then dedicated and constituted the lodge .

The lodge was then closed down , when Bro . J . D . Murray , D C , presented Bro . J . P . McArthur , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., W . M . designate , to the Installing Master , Bro . Goodacre , P . G . Sec , who performed the ceremony in a most impressive manner . The W . M . then proceeded to invest his officers as follows : Bros . John Christie , S . W . ; G . H . Taylor , J . W . ; E . Sherwood , P . M . 786 , Treas . j E . L . Lewes , Sec . ; E . Roberts , S . D . ; E . G . B . Watts , J . D . ; Thomas Gray , I . G . ; and H . VV . Gibbons and S . Stephenson , Stwds .

The charges to the different officers were delivered with marked effectiveness , and , before the principal business of the day had concluded , seven brethren were proposed as joining members and six gentlemen for initiation . As an evidence of the spirit which marks the opening of the lodge , it may be interesting to know that the whole of the handsome solid walnut chairs , pedestals , stool , ballot and charity boxes , silver square and compasses , salver , working tools in box , jewels , 8 cc , have bten presented by members of the lodge .

After , the conclusion of the consecration and installation ceremonies , over 60 brethren sat down to an excellent banquet , when the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed . The lodge was furnished bv Bro . George Kenning , London .

Masonic Facts, Not Fictions.

MASONIC FACTS , NOT FICTIONS .

By BRO . JNO . LANE . Bro . Sadler will pardon me if I preler to retain the above title to my communication , under which I will briefly reply to his strictures in the Freemason of February 23 rd . In doing this , I desire to state , at the outset , that I am not yet a convert to Bro . Sadler ' s theory . It may be that I am obtuse , or that my notion of "common sense" is crude , but I certainly look in vain in Bro . Sadler ' s communication for any evidence whatever in the shape of facts , that might induce me to c lange or modify my opinion .

I have no inclination to discuss the matter trom the standpoint or the opinions ot other writers , whether Modern or Ancient , but I felt it incumbent upon me to express my own views in reterence to this debateable suoject , and , I hold , that in the very nature of things , it cannot be taken lor granted that the Masons who constituted the " Ancient" Grand Lodge in 1751 could have so perfectly known the methods of working taught aiid

practised in the London lodges , unless they had acquired that knowledge as the result of actual membership . It is easy enough to assert , as Bro . Sadler does , that they obtained the knowledge of the peculiar and distinctive methods , wnich were so contrary to , or different from , those to which they had been elsewhere accustomed " by the simple process of visiting one or more of the lodges then working

in London , or by the still easier method ot Masonic intr-rcourse , " whatever that may mean . But to aigue in thi- , manner is simply to Ueg the w . ole question . It is assertion without a grain ol evidence , and conjecture without a particle of tact . And as I cordially agree with Bro . Sadler that " assertion is not evidence , and that mere conjecture cannot possibly establish

a fact , " I trust before Bro . Sadler condemns me and others tor opinions we conscientiously hold , he will , in all fairness , remember that he has nowhere supplied any evidence whatever as to the manner in which these Masons acquired the knowledge to which I have referred , and which ultimately led them to ori g inate a new Grand Lodge lor the purpose of accentuating certain peculiarities in their own methods of work .

Moreover , I do not see why Dermott ' s statement , deliberately recorded in the Original Records of the Ancient Grand Lodge , and ( presumablv ) read and confirmed as correct at the following meeting of that Body , shouid now , for tne purpose of substantiating another " theory , " be stigmatised as either " bunkum " or " brag . " I am bound to say Dermott ' s statement

appears to me to savour more of fact than of fiction ; and , until some rebutting evidence is lorthcoming , I must continue to give it ciedence ; at the same time , I cannot but regret that Bro . Sadler should question the Motives of the writers on this subject whose opinions and facts do not harmonise with his own " theory . "

That " many " of the Ancient Masons withdrew from lodges under the modern sanction , as stated by Dermott , I firmly believe , and the attempt to limit the number to five certainly fails , because , omitting those referred to by Bro . Sadler , there were no less than 74 other Masons who constituted the first six'" Ancient" lodges , on the 17 th July , 1751 , but whose claim to the distinction of being seceders Bro . Sadler quietl y ignores .

It is true that " Morgan ' s Register " does not say where they came irom , but we could scarcel y expect to find any entry ot that nature in respect to the "founders" of the " Ancient" Grand Lodge , At that period its members , officers , and organization were all new , and required development and perfecting , and it may also be fairly assumed that at the time G . Secretary Morgan wrote the mtmoers' names in his Ki-giswr . the

distinctive appellations " Modern and ' Ancient " had 1101 brcuim lamina * . 1 have no hesitation 111 avowing my conucuon thai very many u nit 74 members who constituted the 'Ancient" Orand Lou ^ c in 175 1 * tie seceders Irom the "Moderns , " and , wnile quite willing mat bro . . ~ > aoitr should take whatever benefit my opinion may afford him Mai sortie 01 them

were Irish Masons—a point I nave never disputed —I must ask lor some evidence in proof of his assertion tnat the originators 01 tne " Ancient " Grand Lodge acquired their knowledge of " Modern " ceremonies and working , without having been actual members of some " Modern " lodge or lodges .

If such evidence is not available , Bro . Sadler and I will , doubtless , agree to differ on this matter , with all proper respect , however , for each other ' s opinions . Torquay , February 25 th .

, BKRKELEY HOTEL ( late St . James ' s ) , 1 , Berkeley-street and 77 , Picca * dilly , London , W . First class accommodation for residents , with a Ke ^ taurant newlyattached for high class lunchrons and dinners , at fixed prices and h la carte . —C . DIETTE , Manager . — [ ADVT . ]