Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cumberland And Westmoreland
something for the charities . He hoped that some brother yvould bring the matter before Provincial Grand Lodge at their next meeting . It was no good keeping their money lying idle , when it might be used for charitable purposes . ( Hear , hear . ) He coupled the toast with the name of Bro . Holme , who acknowledged the
compliment . Bro . M'Kelvie next proposed "The W . M . and Past Masters of Skiddaw Lodge , " and in doing so expressed his gratification at the handsome way in which they had been received . This was the second time he had been at
Cockermouth on a similar occasion , and he was sure that the brethren from other lodges yvould express their thanks most heartily to the Cockermouth brethren for their kind reception . He coupled with the toast the name of Bro . W . Taylor , W . M . of Skiddaw Lodge . The toast was
drunk with much warmth . Bro . Lamonby , P . M . and Secretary , responded , in the unexplained absence of Bro . Taylor , saying he did not knoyv whether it was the innate modesty of the brothel , or terror for yvhat was looking him in the face on the toast list ; but at all events , he was non est , without any explanation . He remarked it was twelve years since
Provincial Grand Lodge was at Cockermouth , yvhen he ( Bro . Lamonby ) was a very young Mason , some three months old , and when his mother , Skiddayv , yvas but sixteen or seventeen months old . ( Laughter . ) Since then Masonry had increased to a wonderful extent in Cumberland and Westmoreland , the lodges having almost doubled , and he hoped that when the time came round
for the Provincial Grand Lodge to again visit Cockermouth the increase would be still further marked . He thanked the members of the different lodges for coming to Cockermouth in such large numbers that day , and that fact was ample compensation for any little hospitality the brethren of Skiddaw Lodge had extended to their visitors . ( Applause . )
Bro . Talbot then proposed " The Worshipful Masters of Lodges in the Province , " coupled with [ the name of Bro . Paitson , W . M . Lodge 119 , Whitehaven , who briefly acknowledged the compliment . Bro . R . Robinson , P . M . Skiddaw , then gave " The Visiting Brethren , " in a very long speech , scarcely a yvord of which was audille . He coupled it with the name of Bro . Ockenden , Lodges 1512 and 16 5 6 , Hampton ,
Middlesex . Bro . Ockenden , in reply , expressed the gratification it had afforded him to be present . Whether it was the excellent working in their Provincial Grand Lodge , the fine procession , the admirable sermen he had listened to , or the capital banquet placed before him that day , he had enjoyed himself beyond measure , and hoped to be present on such
another auspicious occasion . ( Applause ) . The Chairman , in proposing tbe last toast on the list , " To all Poor and Distressed Masons , " expressed the pleasure it had given him to be present in Cockermouth . He had been amongst CockeriMouth brethren previously , and therefore took much interest in their prosperity . He was glad to
knoyv they had built themselves a neyv lodge room , and whenever they opened it he should be most happy to visit them . ( Applause . ) Refering to the procession , they could not but inwardly feel a pang as they passed by the beautiful statue of their departed brother , Lord Mayo , who was a Mason , every inch of him , so far as kindliness of heart and uprightness of character went . ( Hear , hear . ) Then ,
again , much of the success of the day ' s proceedings had been due to the chaiming yveather , and he thought the Cockermouth brethren must have consulted and got round the clerk of the yveather . ( Laughter . ) He hoped they all had enjoyed the excellent banquet they had partaken of ; but amidst all this happiness he enjoined them to remember their
poor and distressed brethren , and they should never forget that as Masons they were called upon to relieve them , according to the proportion of how good God had been to them in the dispensation of his privileges and blessings . The toast was drunk in silence , and the proceedings were brought to a close at a little before six o ' clock . Bro . Frears , of Whitehaven , P . P . Grand Organist ,
presided at the pianoforte , and the following glees and part song ? yvere sung by several of the Cockermouth and Carlisle brethren : — " God bless the Prince of Wales" ( Masonic version ); " Hail mysterious , glorious Science , " " Oh , who yvould not a Mason be . '" " Three Cheers , Brothers all , for the Craft we adore , " " Brothers all , of every Nation , " & c , the last three being from Bro . E . P . Philpot's ( M . D . ) , new work .
Consecration Of The New Buxton Lodge, No. 1688.
CONSECRATION OF THE NEW BUXTON LODGE , No . 1688 .
On Wednesday , the 12 th September , 1877 , the R . W . D . P . G . M ., Bro . H . C . Okeover , P . G . J . W ., England , consecrated the Buxton Lodge , No . 1688 . Bro . Darwin , P . P . G . W . Derbyshire , installed the W . M ., and the officers were duly appointed , viz .: —Bros . F . K . Dickson , M . D .,
W . M . ; W . Skinner , M . D ., S . W . ; W . C Moore , J . W . ; A . A . Bagshawe , M . A ., Chap ., and I . P . M . ; R . R . Duke , P . M ., S . D . and Treas . ; F . Turner , J . D . ; J . Taylor , P . M ., Sec ; W . Smith , P . M ., Org . and I . G . Several P . G . Officers most kindly attendee ! the lodge and an oration yvas delivered by the Rev . J . F , N . Eyre , LL . D ., P . G . Chap .
After the consecration a very agreeable banquet was given by thc brethren of the lodge at the Palace Hotel , Buxton , where the lodge is held on the last Monday in the month . The first meeting of the lodge was held last Monday , when £ (> was contributed by the brethren to the Indian Relief Fund .
Consecration Of The New Finsbury Park Lodge, No. 1695.
CONSECRATION OF THE NEW FINSBURY PARK LODGE , NO . 1695 .
On the 27 th of last month the Neyv Finsbury Park Lodge yvas consecrated by Bro . John Hervey , Grand Secretary , at the Finsbury Park Tavern . In the performance of the ceremony he had the assistance of Bro . H . G . Buss , Assistant Grand Secretary , yvho acted as D . C , Bro .
Thomas Cubitt , Past Grand Pursuivant , as S . W ., Bro . Dickinson as J . W ., Bro . Davis as I . G ., and Bro . Berry as Secretary . The other brethren who took an active part in the ceremonies of the day were the musical brethren , Bros . Ashton , Meen , and Hubbard , under the direction ol the English Glee Union , who rendered the chants and anthems in beautiful style . These brethren also rendered
very effective aid after the banquet , yvhich followed , by singing some delightful glees and solos . There yvas no Chaplain present at the consecration , and consequently the whole of that ceremony was performed by Bro . Hervey . After the lodge had been opened Bro . Hervey , in addressing the brethren at the time the oration is usually delivered , said that it was the misfortune of the brethren that they
had no Chaplain present to speak to them on the nature and principles of Masonry . That nature and those principles yvere however yvell known to most of the brethren , and they appeared also to be well known to the outer world , inasmuch as no neyv lodge yvas now opened without there being a flood of candidates for initiation therein . Whether this was an unmixed benefit was to his mind a
question . Whether they also got the best men for initiates was also a question , and , as yvas generally his wont at consecrations , he would impress upon the brethren of this lodge the duty of being extremely careful in respect to those gentlemen they introduced . It was not only for the benefit of the Order he said this but for that of the lodge , because if they once got , to use a familiar phrase , " a
bUck sheep" into the lodge it was very difficult to get rid of him . He might not be absolutely a bad man , but hc might make himself so disagreeable to all his fellows that the lodge might be spoilt as far as its comfort went , and they might find yvhen it was too late that he just kept within the pale of the Constitutions and so could not be ejected . To pass for the moment from this subject to that
of the increase in the Order , he would give the brethren now a few statistics which hc submitted at a consecration some few months ago at yvhich he thought many of the brethren noyv before him were not present . In 1812 the number of lodges under yvhat was then termed " The Prince ' s side , " on account ofthe Grand Lodge being under the Grand Mastership of the then Prince of Wales , was
640 . Yet yvhen in 1815 , "The Atholl side , " as it was then termed , on account of thc other Grand Lodge being ruled by the Duke of Atholl , the two yvere joined , they could only muster 647 lodges between them , certain lodges on both sides having been struck out . The money receipts in 1811 yvere £ 917 to thc Fund of Benevolence , and £ 1550 to the Fund of General Purposes . In 1832 the numbers
were again closed up , and there then appeared to be 86 5 lodges , or an increase of 218 ; but as the neyv numbering began with 594 it appeared that there yvere 33 lodges eleducted since 1814 . The receipts in 1832 yvere , Benevolence £ 1189 , and General Purposes £ 2209 . He yvould call attention to the Fund of Benevolence at the present time . It was not noyv unusual for the Lodge of Benevolence to
vote away - £ 600 or £ 700 in a night ; and therefore he yvas afraid that if they had no more funds than they had in the old times he had alluded to the grants must be much smaller than they were noyv . In 18 O 3 the numbers were again closed up , and the number of lodges wos 1267 , or an increase of 673 in 31 years . Canada had in the meantime declared itself independent . The receipts of the
Fund of Benevolence were £ 3081 , or nearly four times what they yvere in 1812 . The present year began with a numerical list of 16 G 2 lodges . 106 3 was the first number this year , and the last one yvas 1725 , or an increase in 9 months of 6 3 lodges ; deducting Neyv Brunswick , Nova Scotia , and other places yvhich had established Grand Lodges of their oyvn , and some others that had fallen out ,
to the number of above 120 , that would still leave a gross total of 1601 English lodges . The funds had proportionately increased . In the face of these facts he thought the brethren would agree yvith him that they should be careful hoyv they increased the lodges , because , although it was a present increase in funds , some day or other as the lodges increased the claims upon the funds must
increase . They sayv this every C months , when the applicants for the benefits of the Masonic Schools became greater in number to an . amazing extent . Where there were formerly 20 or 30 applicants , ( io or 70 were noyv to be found . At the forthcoming election of the Boys' School he thought there were 70 . This was another reason why he thought they should be careful , and he said so because
he be . ieveel a good many men came into Masonry simply yvith the idea that they could get some good out of it . Circumstances yvhich had arisen of recent years had caused Masons to give away large sums of money , and people had derived from that fact the idea that Freemasonry was very wealthy . From this they concluded that if they became Masons and fell into distress they could get their
children educated , and come themselves on the Fund of Benevolence for assistance . Such being the state of Masonry derived from statistics , he would now say a yvord to the officers of the lodge . He would recommend them to be attentive to their duties , punctual in time , and efficient in ritual , able and willing to support the Master in
the work which he had to perform . It was at all times very desirable that the work ot the lodge should be well performed , for there was nothing more humiliating to an officer than not to know his work . He hoped that the officers who yvere to be appointed that evening would so make themselves masters of their work that the Master himself should never be at a loss for a good man . and it
Consecration Of The New Finsbury Park Lodge, No. 1695.
yvould be yvell indeed if , from some accidental circum stance , a senior officer was absent , the next in rotation could take his place . Bro . Hervey , after expressing his regret again that a Chaplain was not present , adverted to the blackballing of candidates , and repeated the cautious he had so constantly adelresscd to lodges on this subject yvhich have appeared several times in the columns of the
Freemason . Unfortunately , he said , these matters came before Grand Secretary officially , and it was difficult to knoyv how to deal with them . He knew one London lodge , a very flourishing one , where two or three members joined together , and blackballed every candidate , and the lodge yvas nearly broken up in consequence . He said that he looked upon it as a most yvicked and uncharitable
thing so to act , to stab a man behind his back—a eligible man who the blackballed would say they yvould admit if he had come under the ordinary circumstances , but because they had a difference with some one respecting the affairs of the lodge they vented their feelings on a catidj . date . Bro . Hervey having apologised for detaining the brethren so long then proceeded with and concluded the
ceremony o : consecration . When the lodge had been formally consecrated and dedicated , Bro . Hervey installed Bro . W . T . Purkess as W . M . The following brethren were appointed officers : , Bros . J . H . Stacey , S . W . ; T . Press , J . W . ; Davis , Treas . ; Berry , Sec ; Dunn , S . D . ; Crampton , J . D . ; A . Haynam I . G ., pro tem ; and Verry , Tyler .
A long list of names was proposed for initiation and joining , and Bros . Hervey and Buss were elected honorary members of the lodge . Bro . Hervey having acknowleged thej compliment , lodge was closed , and the brethren partook of banquet . The toasts yvere proposed in due course . " The Queen and the Craft , " " Thc M . W . G . M , " " The Pro Grand
Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand O . ficers , " having been disposed of , Bro . Hervey replied for the-Grand Officers , and then proposed "The Health ofthe W . M ., and Success to thc Neyv Finsbury Park Lodge . " This was , he said , the first appearance of Bro . Purkess in the Master ' s chair , and as far as his performance had that day gone it proved that
the brethren had shown a wise discretion in recommending him to thc Grand Master for that office . It was an honour to fill that post , for it showed how much the brother so recommended was appreciated by the brethren , the full trust they had in him , that he yvould perform his duties yvell , and their confidence that in putting their neyv barque under his control they would not regret the choice they
had made . He wished success to the Neyv Finsbury Park Lodge , and he yvished the W . M . Jsucceas for his year of office . The W . M . responded , and said he was not prepared for this toast , although he found it on the list . He had not been prepared for being spoken of in such glowing terms as Bro . Hervey had used . He had overlooked
many of his faults , among them being that he was rather backyvard as a Mason . But for all that he would do his best to pciform his duties as Master of the lodge , and he yvould endeavour to keep it , as its founders originally intended it should be—a select lodge . They were not going in for numbers ; and they would endeavour to have a lodge of about forty members . When they arrived at
that number , they expected to be such a fine lodge that the brethren yvould scarcely be able to look at them . ( Laughter . ) When his year of office was over he hoped the brethren would be of opinion that he had done his duty properly . The W . M . then proposed " The Health of the Consecrating Officers , " a toast yvhich he said he should never
have the opportunity of proposing again . Bro . Hervey replied in very few yvords , thanking the brethren most cordially for their kind reception , and informing them that if what he had done had gratified the brethren , that was a great gratification to him . Bro . Suss also replied . The brethren had exercised a wise discretion in selecting Bro . Purkess as W . M ., a
brother whom he had knoyvn sometime , more particularly the last year or two . He was sure Bro . Purkess yvould keep the lodge in good order . It gave him ( Bro . Buss ) great pleasure to be present . Masonry was making rapid strides , but not so much in the north as in the south of London . Therefore he yv ? s very happy to hear of the starting of this new lodge , and he hoped it would not be
thc last , or the least successful . There were many inconveniences to be encountered by lodges meeting in the outskirts of London , but he was quite sure at the house where this lodge was located yvould be found every convenience the brethren could desire . Bro . Legg replied tor " The Officers , " and expressed the high gratification he felt at witnessing the W . M . placed
in the chair , without having passed through the preliminary chairs . Having been many years in Masonry the W . M . had saved himself a great ileal of trouble by being the first Master of a ledge without having had the office's of Junior and Senior Warden conferred on him . The meeting had been most enjoyable , and he hoped he should have the opportunity of again joining the brethren at such a
sociable gathering . , Bro . Davis ( Treasurer ) replied for " The Officers , " all 01 whom through him thanked the W . M . most cordially lot having expressed in proposing the toast the confidence ne felt in their ability to assist him with efficiency in the discharge of his duties . The W . M . would not be
disappointed with them , and they would not be disappo"'" - with the W . M . . Bro . James Terry replied for "The Charities , ano repeated many of the excellent remarks he made at in consecration of All Saints Lodge , reported in the freem "' 0 ' last week . He concluded by informing the brethren tna the W . M . had authorised him to use his name as a Stewar for the . Benevolent Institution . . , The evening was shortly afterwards broug ht to a cios .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cumberland And Westmoreland
something for the charities . He hoped that some brother yvould bring the matter before Provincial Grand Lodge at their next meeting . It was no good keeping their money lying idle , when it might be used for charitable purposes . ( Hear , hear . ) He coupled the toast with the name of Bro . Holme , who acknowledged the
compliment . Bro . M'Kelvie next proposed "The W . M . and Past Masters of Skiddaw Lodge , " and in doing so expressed his gratification at the handsome way in which they had been received . This was the second time he had been at
Cockermouth on a similar occasion , and he was sure that the brethren from other lodges yvould express their thanks most heartily to the Cockermouth brethren for their kind reception . He coupled with the toast the name of Bro . W . Taylor , W . M . of Skiddaw Lodge . The toast was
drunk with much warmth . Bro . Lamonby , P . M . and Secretary , responded , in the unexplained absence of Bro . Taylor , saying he did not knoyv whether it was the innate modesty of the brothel , or terror for yvhat was looking him in the face on the toast list ; but at all events , he was non est , without any explanation . He remarked it was twelve years since
Provincial Grand Lodge was at Cockermouth , yvhen he ( Bro . Lamonby ) was a very young Mason , some three months old , and when his mother , Skiddayv , yvas but sixteen or seventeen months old . ( Laughter . ) Since then Masonry had increased to a wonderful extent in Cumberland and Westmoreland , the lodges having almost doubled , and he hoped that when the time came round
for the Provincial Grand Lodge to again visit Cockermouth the increase would be still further marked . He thanked the members of the different lodges for coming to Cockermouth in such large numbers that day , and that fact was ample compensation for any little hospitality the brethren of Skiddaw Lodge had extended to their visitors . ( Applause . )
Bro . Talbot then proposed " The Worshipful Masters of Lodges in the Province , " coupled with [ the name of Bro . Paitson , W . M . Lodge 119 , Whitehaven , who briefly acknowledged the compliment . Bro . R . Robinson , P . M . Skiddaw , then gave " The Visiting Brethren , " in a very long speech , scarcely a yvord of which was audille . He coupled it with the name of Bro . Ockenden , Lodges 1512 and 16 5 6 , Hampton ,
Middlesex . Bro . Ockenden , in reply , expressed the gratification it had afforded him to be present . Whether it was the excellent working in their Provincial Grand Lodge , the fine procession , the admirable sermen he had listened to , or the capital banquet placed before him that day , he had enjoyed himself beyond measure , and hoped to be present on such
another auspicious occasion . ( Applause ) . The Chairman , in proposing tbe last toast on the list , " To all Poor and Distressed Masons , " expressed the pleasure it had given him to be present in Cockermouth . He had been amongst CockeriMouth brethren previously , and therefore took much interest in their prosperity . He was glad to
knoyv they had built themselves a neyv lodge room , and whenever they opened it he should be most happy to visit them . ( Applause . ) Refering to the procession , they could not but inwardly feel a pang as they passed by the beautiful statue of their departed brother , Lord Mayo , who was a Mason , every inch of him , so far as kindliness of heart and uprightness of character went . ( Hear , hear . ) Then ,
again , much of the success of the day ' s proceedings had been due to the chaiming yveather , and he thought the Cockermouth brethren must have consulted and got round the clerk of the yveather . ( Laughter . ) He hoped they all had enjoyed the excellent banquet they had partaken of ; but amidst all this happiness he enjoined them to remember their
poor and distressed brethren , and they should never forget that as Masons they were called upon to relieve them , according to the proportion of how good God had been to them in the dispensation of his privileges and blessings . The toast was drunk in silence , and the proceedings were brought to a close at a little before six o ' clock . Bro . Frears , of Whitehaven , P . P . Grand Organist ,
presided at the pianoforte , and the following glees and part song ? yvere sung by several of the Cockermouth and Carlisle brethren : — " God bless the Prince of Wales" ( Masonic version ); " Hail mysterious , glorious Science , " " Oh , who yvould not a Mason be . '" " Three Cheers , Brothers all , for the Craft we adore , " " Brothers all , of every Nation , " & c , the last three being from Bro . E . P . Philpot's ( M . D . ) , new work .
Consecration Of The New Buxton Lodge, No. 1688.
CONSECRATION OF THE NEW BUXTON LODGE , No . 1688 .
On Wednesday , the 12 th September , 1877 , the R . W . D . P . G . M ., Bro . H . C . Okeover , P . G . J . W ., England , consecrated the Buxton Lodge , No . 1688 . Bro . Darwin , P . P . G . W . Derbyshire , installed the W . M ., and the officers were duly appointed , viz .: —Bros . F . K . Dickson , M . D .,
W . M . ; W . Skinner , M . D ., S . W . ; W . C Moore , J . W . ; A . A . Bagshawe , M . A ., Chap ., and I . P . M . ; R . R . Duke , P . M ., S . D . and Treas . ; F . Turner , J . D . ; J . Taylor , P . M ., Sec ; W . Smith , P . M ., Org . and I . G . Several P . G . Officers most kindly attendee ! the lodge and an oration yvas delivered by the Rev . J . F , N . Eyre , LL . D ., P . G . Chap .
After the consecration a very agreeable banquet was given by thc brethren of the lodge at the Palace Hotel , Buxton , where the lodge is held on the last Monday in the month . The first meeting of the lodge was held last Monday , when £ (> was contributed by the brethren to the Indian Relief Fund .
Consecration Of The New Finsbury Park Lodge, No. 1695.
CONSECRATION OF THE NEW FINSBURY PARK LODGE , NO . 1695 .
On the 27 th of last month the Neyv Finsbury Park Lodge yvas consecrated by Bro . John Hervey , Grand Secretary , at the Finsbury Park Tavern . In the performance of the ceremony he had the assistance of Bro . H . G . Buss , Assistant Grand Secretary , yvho acted as D . C , Bro .
Thomas Cubitt , Past Grand Pursuivant , as S . W ., Bro . Dickinson as J . W ., Bro . Davis as I . G ., and Bro . Berry as Secretary . The other brethren who took an active part in the ceremonies of the day were the musical brethren , Bros . Ashton , Meen , and Hubbard , under the direction ol the English Glee Union , who rendered the chants and anthems in beautiful style . These brethren also rendered
very effective aid after the banquet , yvhich followed , by singing some delightful glees and solos . There yvas no Chaplain present at the consecration , and consequently the whole of that ceremony was performed by Bro . Hervey . After the lodge had been opened Bro . Hervey , in addressing the brethren at the time the oration is usually delivered , said that it was the misfortune of the brethren that they
had no Chaplain present to speak to them on the nature and principles of Masonry . That nature and those principles yvere however yvell known to most of the brethren , and they appeared also to be well known to the outer world , inasmuch as no neyv lodge yvas now opened without there being a flood of candidates for initiation therein . Whether this was an unmixed benefit was to his mind a
question . Whether they also got the best men for initiates was also a question , and , as yvas generally his wont at consecrations , he would impress upon the brethren of this lodge the duty of being extremely careful in respect to those gentlemen they introduced . It was not only for the benefit of the Order he said this but for that of the lodge , because if they once got , to use a familiar phrase , " a
bUck sheep" into the lodge it was very difficult to get rid of him . He might not be absolutely a bad man , but hc might make himself so disagreeable to all his fellows that the lodge might be spoilt as far as its comfort went , and they might find yvhen it was too late that he just kept within the pale of the Constitutions and so could not be ejected . To pass for the moment from this subject to that
of the increase in the Order , he would give the brethren now a few statistics which hc submitted at a consecration some few months ago at yvhich he thought many of the brethren noyv before him were not present . In 1812 the number of lodges under yvhat was then termed " The Prince ' s side , " on account ofthe Grand Lodge being under the Grand Mastership of the then Prince of Wales , was
640 . Yet yvhen in 1815 , "The Atholl side , " as it was then termed , on account of thc other Grand Lodge being ruled by the Duke of Atholl , the two yvere joined , they could only muster 647 lodges between them , certain lodges on both sides having been struck out . The money receipts in 1811 yvere £ 917 to thc Fund of Benevolence , and £ 1550 to the Fund of General Purposes . In 1832 the numbers
were again closed up , and there then appeared to be 86 5 lodges , or an increase of 218 ; but as the neyv numbering began with 594 it appeared that there yvere 33 lodges eleducted since 1814 . The receipts in 1832 yvere , Benevolence £ 1189 , and General Purposes £ 2209 . He yvould call attention to the Fund of Benevolence at the present time . It was not noyv unusual for the Lodge of Benevolence to
vote away - £ 600 or £ 700 in a night ; and therefore he yvas afraid that if they had no more funds than they had in the old times he had alluded to the grants must be much smaller than they were noyv . In 18 O 3 the numbers were again closed up , and the number of lodges wos 1267 , or an increase of 673 in 31 years . Canada had in the meantime declared itself independent . The receipts of the
Fund of Benevolence were £ 3081 , or nearly four times what they yvere in 1812 . The present year began with a numerical list of 16 G 2 lodges . 106 3 was the first number this year , and the last one yvas 1725 , or an increase in 9 months of 6 3 lodges ; deducting Neyv Brunswick , Nova Scotia , and other places yvhich had established Grand Lodges of their oyvn , and some others that had fallen out ,
to the number of above 120 , that would still leave a gross total of 1601 English lodges . The funds had proportionately increased . In the face of these facts he thought the brethren would agree yvith him that they should be careful hoyv they increased the lodges , because , although it was a present increase in funds , some day or other as the lodges increased the claims upon the funds must
increase . They sayv this every C months , when the applicants for the benefits of the Masonic Schools became greater in number to an . amazing extent . Where there were formerly 20 or 30 applicants , ( io or 70 were noyv to be found . At the forthcoming election of the Boys' School he thought there were 70 . This was another reason why he thought they should be careful , and he said so because
he be . ieveel a good many men came into Masonry simply yvith the idea that they could get some good out of it . Circumstances yvhich had arisen of recent years had caused Masons to give away large sums of money , and people had derived from that fact the idea that Freemasonry was very wealthy . From this they concluded that if they became Masons and fell into distress they could get their
children educated , and come themselves on the Fund of Benevolence for assistance . Such being the state of Masonry derived from statistics , he would now say a yvord to the officers of the lodge . He would recommend them to be attentive to their duties , punctual in time , and efficient in ritual , able and willing to support the Master in
the work which he had to perform . It was at all times very desirable that the work ot the lodge should be well performed , for there was nothing more humiliating to an officer than not to know his work . He hoped that the officers who yvere to be appointed that evening would so make themselves masters of their work that the Master himself should never be at a loss for a good man . and it
Consecration Of The New Finsbury Park Lodge, No. 1695.
yvould be yvell indeed if , from some accidental circum stance , a senior officer was absent , the next in rotation could take his place . Bro . Hervey , after expressing his regret again that a Chaplain was not present , adverted to the blackballing of candidates , and repeated the cautious he had so constantly adelresscd to lodges on this subject yvhich have appeared several times in the columns of the
Freemason . Unfortunately , he said , these matters came before Grand Secretary officially , and it was difficult to knoyv how to deal with them . He knew one London lodge , a very flourishing one , where two or three members joined together , and blackballed every candidate , and the lodge yvas nearly broken up in consequence . He said that he looked upon it as a most yvicked and uncharitable
thing so to act , to stab a man behind his back—a eligible man who the blackballed would say they yvould admit if he had come under the ordinary circumstances , but because they had a difference with some one respecting the affairs of the lodge they vented their feelings on a catidj . date . Bro . Hervey having apologised for detaining the brethren so long then proceeded with and concluded the
ceremony o : consecration . When the lodge had been formally consecrated and dedicated , Bro . Hervey installed Bro . W . T . Purkess as W . M . The following brethren were appointed officers : , Bros . J . H . Stacey , S . W . ; T . Press , J . W . ; Davis , Treas . ; Berry , Sec ; Dunn , S . D . ; Crampton , J . D . ; A . Haynam I . G ., pro tem ; and Verry , Tyler .
A long list of names was proposed for initiation and joining , and Bros . Hervey and Buss were elected honorary members of the lodge . Bro . Hervey having acknowleged thej compliment , lodge was closed , and the brethren partook of banquet . The toasts yvere proposed in due course . " The Queen and the Craft , " " Thc M . W . G . M , " " The Pro Grand
Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand O . ficers , " having been disposed of , Bro . Hervey replied for the-Grand Officers , and then proposed "The Health ofthe W . M ., and Success to thc Neyv Finsbury Park Lodge . " This was , he said , the first appearance of Bro . Purkess in the Master ' s chair , and as far as his performance had that day gone it proved that
the brethren had shown a wise discretion in recommending him to thc Grand Master for that office . It was an honour to fill that post , for it showed how much the brother so recommended was appreciated by the brethren , the full trust they had in him , that he yvould perform his duties yvell , and their confidence that in putting their neyv barque under his control they would not regret the choice they
had made . He wished success to the Neyv Finsbury Park Lodge , and he yvished the W . M . Jsucceas for his year of office . The W . M . responded , and said he was not prepared for this toast , although he found it on the list . He had not been prepared for being spoken of in such glowing terms as Bro . Hervey had used . He had overlooked
many of his faults , among them being that he was rather backyvard as a Mason . But for all that he would do his best to pciform his duties as Master of the lodge , and he yvould endeavour to keep it , as its founders originally intended it should be—a select lodge . They were not going in for numbers ; and they would endeavour to have a lodge of about forty members . When they arrived at
that number , they expected to be such a fine lodge that the brethren yvould scarcely be able to look at them . ( Laughter . ) When his year of office was over he hoped the brethren would be of opinion that he had done his duty properly . The W . M . then proposed " The Health of the Consecrating Officers , " a toast yvhich he said he should never
have the opportunity of proposing again . Bro . Hervey replied in very few yvords , thanking the brethren most cordially for their kind reception , and informing them that if what he had done had gratified the brethren , that was a great gratification to him . Bro . Suss also replied . The brethren had exercised a wise discretion in selecting Bro . Purkess as W . M ., a
brother whom he had knoyvn sometime , more particularly the last year or two . He was sure Bro . Purkess yvould keep the lodge in good order . It gave him ( Bro . Buss ) great pleasure to be present . Masonry was making rapid strides , but not so much in the north as in the south of London . Therefore he yv ? s very happy to hear of the starting of this new lodge , and he hoped it would not be
thc last , or the least successful . There were many inconveniences to be encountered by lodges meeting in the outskirts of London , but he was quite sure at the house where this lodge was located yvould be found every convenience the brethren could desire . Bro . Legg replied tor " The Officers , " and expressed the high gratification he felt at witnessing the W . M . placed
in the chair , without having passed through the preliminary chairs . Having been many years in Masonry the W . M . had saved himself a great ileal of trouble by being the first Master of a ledge without having had the office's of Junior and Senior Warden conferred on him . The meeting had been most enjoyable , and he hoped he should have the opportunity of again joining the brethren at such a
sociable gathering . , Bro . Davis ( Treasurer ) replied for " The Officers , " all 01 whom through him thanked the W . M . most cordially lot having expressed in proposing the toast the confidence ne felt in their ability to assist him with efficiency in the discharge of his duties . The W . M . would not be
disappointed with them , and they would not be disappo"'" - with the W . M . . Bro . James Terry replied for "The Charities , ano repeated many of the excellent remarks he made at in consecration of All Saints Lodge , reported in the freem "' 0 ' last week . He concluded by informing the brethren tna the W . M . had authorised him to use his name as a Stewar for the . Benevolent Institution . . , The evening was shortly afterwards broug ht to a cios .