Provincial Grand Lodge Of Herts.

¦ husiastically received , " The Health of the Deputy Prov . G . Master , Bro . John Sedgwick , and the rest of the Prov . G . Officers , " was proposed by Bro . Nivett , and duly honoured ; ftcr which the Chaplain , Bro . Finch . proposed " The Health a { t jie vV . M . ' s of the several Lodges in the Province of H rts , " and Bro . Willson responded . Various other toasts ¦ dud ' ing " The Visiting Brethren , " " The Masonic Institutions , " "The W . M . of the Gladsmuir Lodge , " and "The dulhonored and to

Ladies , " were y responded . During thc intervals between the speeches , some excellent music , vocal and instrumental , vvas contributed by Bros . Seymour Smith , G . T . Carter and Lester . The musical arrangements were entrusted to the care of Bro . Seymour Smith , and were very ably carried out . The weather throughout the day was everything that could be desired , and every one present had reason to be thoroughly satisfied with the success of the meeting of the Prov . G . Lodge of Herts for 1877 .

Consecration Of The Rothesay Lodge, No. 1687.

CONSECRATION OF THE ROTHESAY LODGE , No . 1687 .

On the evening of Friday , the 27 th ult ., a new London Lodge was consecrated at the Inns of Court Hotel by Bro . l * . Wentworth Little , Deputy Provincial Grand Master for Middlesex . The new lodge is called the Rothesay Lodge , Duke of

Rothesay being one of the titles of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . The ceremony was performed in a most convenient and suitable room on the ground floor of the hotel , and althoug h the room was full of brethren , no inconvenience vvas felt from vitiation of the atmosphere during the two hours that the ceremony lasted .

Bro . Little had on his right Col . Burdett , Provincial Grand Master for Middlesex , and on his left the Rev . P . M . Holtien , who acted as Chaplain . Bros . James Lewis Thomas was S . W . ; C . A . Cottebrune , J . W . ; H . G . Buss , D . C ; W . C . Parsons , Sec ; and C . S . Scott , I . G . Among the other brethren present , in the ranks of whom were numerous Present and Past Grand Officers of

Middlesex were Bros . E . Moody , E . S . Scott , H . Massey ( Fretmason ); H . C . Levander , Keys , A . Barfield , G . Bubb , H . Reed , E . H . Thi . llay , C . Burrell , West , W . M . 1328 , G . Reg . Surrey ; Green , Scott , P . M . 822 ; B . H . Swallow , P . M . tf ! i and 1362 ; Brignall , P . Prov . G . Reg . Durham ; F . Walters , and C . B . Payne , G . T . After the lodge had been opened Bro . Little addressed a

few words to the brethren , stating the pleasure he had in coming to consecrate the lodge , and regretting that bis deficiency in power of speaking prevented him articulating so strong ' y and forcibly as he could wish . He was , however , assisted by Bro . Holden , who would supply anything that might be wanted . The usual ceremonies having been performed :

Bro . Rev . P . M . Holden delivered the oration , and said , Provincial Grand Master for Middlesex , Deputy Grand Master , Officers and brethren . The occasion on which we are met together to-day is , I conceive , interesting not only to ourselves as Masons personally and individually , but to the whole Craft at large , inasmuch as it denotes the continued prosperity of our venerable Order , which like the

famous Indian tree , thc banana tree , ^ perpetually renews itself in scions as vigorous and flourishing as their parent stem . To myself it 'is a source of peculiar pleasure and gratitude , to have been invited to assist you , Deputy Prov . Grand Master , at so interesting and important a ceremonial as Ihe consecration of a new lodge , the Rothesay Lodge , more especially as I feel convinced

and have good reasons to know that its founders are brethren eminently qualified to fulfil the duties of the high offices to which they have been appointed by the Grand Master in the warrant of constitution . Having , doubtless , already " won golden opinion , " for their zeal in the cause of Freemasonry , they are now laudably anxious to devote their time , talents , and ability to the still further

advancement and development of so noble , so interesting , and so very ancient a science . What had been said by a learned and well known writer of literary men may I think equally v-ell be applied to the members of our enlightened Craft — " they are a perpetual priesthood , stand from generation to generation , the dispensers and living types of God ' s everlasting wisdom . " And I rejoice to know

and think that so many excellent , worthy , distinguished , and talented men are to be found in the ranks of cur fraternity . To their enfranchised minds Freemasonry unveils a universe of thought . To them it is a keen de"ght to trace anil to interpret those grand and solemn truths which were but dimly shadowed forth in the mystic rites of the ancient worlel . Looking back through the mists of

a _ es they behold in the white-robed Icenians a kindred race , and are familiar with the symbolic teachings of the great philosophers of old , | . the obscurity and darkness of occult ceremonies they ' ' . . faint gleams of the true light in which we now cjoice . In every land they find traces and tokens innu .

"" "able , graven by the hands of skilful Masons , upon the alls of ruined fanes and temples . They establish the wi . _" . ° 0 ur ° rder with the Dicnysian artificers of old , »_ the disci ples of Pythagoras , with the College of Arects at Rome , and with the various operative associate " - of the middle ages . They demonstrate clearly that grand ethics of Freemasonry were known and tauuht

who . Ve . y Wisest sa S es of Greece i whose names and civil ! 7 are stiU honoured a " revered by the whole Per . cr i T ' They •* rove that our 0 rdcr ' th (* ugh often falter 1 •S"d ° ften revi , ed > has never yet failed or even mi . ht ; . " sublime career , though meanwhile the eomoellt i f em P ' and 'he proudest kingdoms have becn or to th , tr ° . uccumb t 0 'he destroying hand of conquest ask «„« „ . fin S ers of time and d < , ca y- And I wouU ¦ vnat nobler exercise of the intellectual faculties can

Consecration Of The Rothesay Lodge, No. 1687.

possibly be found than a calm and earnest pursuit of Masonic knowledge , thus gleaning and gathering on our onward way the vast treasures of wisdom which it reveals to our view ? But , brethren , it is not merely to the intellectual pleasure to be derived from the study of Freemasonry that I would desire to direct your attention . Our Order possesses other and more practical claims upon

your sympathy and support . It is founded upon principles thatare at once an honour and an ornament to human nature . It bids us hasten to the rescue of the young and helpless from the pitfalls of ignorance , poverty , and even vice . It calls upon every one of us to ameliorate the sad condition of those who , in the decline of life , from some circumstance or other , require our consolation and

assistance . And I am proud indeed to add that English Freemasons have ever been distinguished not merely for their zeal in promoting the welfare of the Order , but for their large-hearted benevolence and diffusive charity . The very best answer that can be given to the cavils , and the scorns , and the tUsparaging remarks of the unenlightened world is to point to those splendid establishments which have been

raised for the nurture of the young and the shelter of the old . Nearly 100 years have now passed away since the Masonic Girls' School was founded ; and who would venture to estimate the vast amount of good that it has achieved . The Masonic Boys' School was established some ten years later ; and the crowning of our charitable undertakings was effected by the erection of a suitable retreat

for those who , having " borne the heat and burden of the day , " and standing , as it were , on the threshold of the Grand Lodge above , desire to end their lives and peace in tranquillity . Brethren , it is our duty to prove that Masonry is something more than a name , something infinitely better and higher than a mere excuse for social gatherings , be those social gatherings never so pleasant . It is

our solemn duty to prove to the world that its principles are high and lofty , its designs grand and praiseworthy ; and the clearest and most logical way to convince the sceptic or scorner is by a steady , consistent , and unwavering practice of the benevolent precepts and principles of the Order . Freemasonry will then present , not only to the mind of the philosopher , an organised system of

knowledge , unfolded in beautiful ceremonies known only to the initiated , but to mankind in general it will appear as a beneficent and benevolent institution , teaching . inculcating , and enforcing the very purest principles of morality , and visibly bearing the fruits of charity and goodwill . May this lodge then which we are met to consecrate and inaugurate to-day , the Rothesay Lodge , prove a

conspicuous example of all those virtues which adorn the mystic character ; may it convey to distant posterity the august lessons which have been handed down to us from our forefathers ; may it be the shrine of intellect and tbe temple of thought ; the abode of peace and the home of joy ; founded by the hands of true , faithful , and devoted Masons , and supported by the firm pillars of intelligence

and truth . May it ever remain as an imperishable memorial of its founders , growing year by year in prosperity and happiness , and shining brighter and still brighter in the glorious firmament of Masonic fame . I have now , worshipful sir , arrived at what is not , to me , at least , by any means the least pleasing part of my duty ; and that is to thank you , sir , and you , Col . Burdett , and brethren all , for the very kind and patient manner in which vou

have been pleased to listen to the remarks I have made ; and I cannot better p ; rhaps conclude than by wishing , with all my heart , and I do so most sincerely , that the grand principles upon which our Order is built and established , namely , brotherly love , relief , and truth , may ever be present with us in our hearts , and shine conspicuously in the whole of our conduct through life , so that when we are summoned away from this earthly scene our names may be enrolled as members of that glorious

brotherhood who . loving their fellow men . are loved of God ; even as we learn from that well-known little poem , how Abou Ben Haden , ( may his tribe increase ) , Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace , And saw within the moonlight in his room , Making it rich , and like a lily in bloom ,

An angel , writing in a book of gold . Exceeaing peace had made Ben Haden bold j And to the presence in his room he said , " What writest thou . '" The vision bowed its head , And with a look made of all sweet accord , Answered , " The names of those who love the Lord . " And is mine one ? " said Abou ; " Nay , not so , "

Replied the angel . Abou spoke more low ; But cheerily still hc said , " I pray thee , then , Write me as one that loves his fellow men . " The angel wrote and vanished . The next night He came again with a great glowing light , And showed the names of those that God had blessed , And lo I Ben Haden ' s name led all the rest .

Bro Holden at the conclusion ot this address , resumed his seat amidst the loud applause of the brethren . The ceremony of consecration of the lodge was afterwards proceeded with , and when it was completed Bro . Little installed Bro . Louis Beck , S . D . 1331 ) , as Worshipful Master in the presence of a Board of 21 Installed Masters . Bro . B . Swallow was invested by the W . M . acting as

I . P . M . When the brethren below the degree of Installed Master were admitted , and the salutes given , the following brethren received the collars of the offices attached to their respective names : —Frank Kirk , 1328 , S . W . ; John Hancock , 1563 , J . W . ; B . H . Swallow , Treasurer ; Wm . C . Parsons , Secretary ; J . B . Docker , S . D . ; Bro . Crossland ,

J . D . j Bro . Outhwaite , I . G . ; and Bro . Potter , Tyler . The addresses were delivered by the Rev . P . M . Holden , after which the W . M . proposed and the J . W . seconded the names of five gentlemen as initiates , and of three brethren as joining members . Subsequently , Bros . Col . Burdett , R . W . Little , the Rev . P . M . Holden , and H . G . Buss , were elected as honorary members of the lodge on

Consecration Of The Rothesay Lodge, No. 1687.

the motion of the W . M ., seconded by the S . W , Also on the motion of the : W . M ., seconded by the S . W ., a vote of thanks vvas passed to Bro . Little for consecrating the lodge ; and Bro . Little having acknowledged the compliment , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to a sumptuous banquet . The usual toasts followed .

Col . Burdett in replying for the Grand Officers said that all the Grand Officers were glad to find that the performance of their duties was appreciated by the brethren at large . It was a great pride to the Craft that at the present time they had the Prince of Wales for Grand Master , the Duke of Connaught for Grand Senior Warden , and Prince Leopold for Grand Junior Warden : while thc Pro Grand

Master ' s office was held by Lord Carnarvon and that of Dep . G . M . by Lord Skelmersdale . He believed that at no former time had these offices been so eminently filled , and at no time could such distinction be exceeded . The Grand Officers felt very proud of the progress that Masonry had made . Very probably the number of the lodges cons . crated this year' woulel exceed the number consecrated last year ;

but he might observe that what was wanted was not so much an increase in the number of brethren admitted , but in their quality . Speaking of his own province , Middlesex , he believed they had had a much higher class of men introduced during the last year than ever they had had before . Although that province was but a young province , only six or seven years old , it had a large number of

lodges , ancl a great body of brethren moving in the higher class of society . From what they had seen that day it must be noted that great progress was being made in Masonry throughout the whole of the kingdom ; and one particular feature must have been observable , that all the work that had been done was executed in an admirable manner . This was an evidence of a progress in the

knowledge of the science of Freemasonry . The banner of the lodge , on which were the arms of the Duke of Rothesay , and the motto " Avito viret honore , " vvas here raised , and Bro . Little rose to propose " The Health of the W . M ., " and said they had that moment hoisted the banner of the lodge , a banner which he hoped would be the brethren ' s

guiding star for many ages yet to come . On the present occasion they hailed it as an omen of hope , and as a prognostication that the lodge would achieve great success . It vvas his pleasure and privilege to propose " The Health of thc W . M ., " and he was sure that the brethren wouhi wish him all success , and all the support that he could desire , from the cordial feelings they

had towards him . He could not say , as many of the brethren coultl , lhat he had enjayed the friendship of Bro . Beck for a lony time ; but he could say from what he did know of him that he was a Mason at heart , tllat he had not entered Masonry merely to put himself forwaid and make himself a Master . He had , in fact , made himself a master of the art of Freemasonry , and he would

bring this lodge to all the prosperity and success the brethren wished . After a few other complimentary remarks Bro . Little proposed "The Health of the W . M ., and Prosperity to the Rothesay Lodge . " The W . M ., in reply , saitl that it would not be for want of exerting himself if the lodge failed . He had had the honour of being placed in the chair , and he should not

have sought that honour if he had not intended doing his best . He then proposed "The Health of Bro . Little , D . P . G . M . Middlesex , and Consecrating Officer . " Bro . Little said that strictly thc officers of provinces were not entitled to receive any honour outside the limits of their provinces ; nevertheless lie appreciated the compliment , which had never been paid him more gracefully

than it had that night . It had given him a great deal of satisfaction to be present at this meeting . He had not come up from the country specially for it , but for almost a week ' s meeting—for the Audit Committee of the Girls ' Institution , for the Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex , for another meeting on Thurselay , and for this meeting If the Great _ . r _ hitect gave him health nothing would

afford him greater pleasure than to assist in the onward work of the Craft . Col . Burdett proposed " The Founders . " Bro . Kirk responded . Bro . Brignall , P . Prov . Grand Registrar Durham , responded . He had hail experience of Masonry for over forty years , and it had given him much pleasure to see its

prosperity , especially lately . For the courtesy of the lodge in inviting him he begged to return his hearty acknowledgements . Being in London on business , and sojourning at the Inns of Court Hotel , he stepped into the lodge to see the consecration . The circumstances were quite accidental ; but the brethren with hearty Masonic feeling had invited him to stay ; he had done so ; and he had very

much enjoyed himself . He was very proud to be present . and he hoped that every successive Master would leave the chair to his successor as pure and unsullied as he received it . Bro . H . C . Levander also responded , and trusted that the Rothesay Lodge would flourish for many years . If the brethren were careful whom they admitted it could not but succeed .

Bro . F . Walters also replied . He had known Bro . L . Beck many years , and he hael found him a sincere Mason , working hard to do his duty . He knew he would carry out his duties in a praiseworthy manner , and that he would set a laudable example to the other brethren . Bro . the Rev . P . M . Holelen proposed "Thc Masonic Charities , " and advocated the claims of all those

Institutions to the liberality of the Craft . 11 _ looked upon charity as the grand prophylactic virtue of the Order , the power that preserveel it from corruption , that would prevent peaple saying that Masons were nothing better than a body of revellers , who never bestowed a thought upon their poorer brethren . For himself , he wished that the charities might flourish and increase more and more . Bro . Levander replied , and said-that without charity no