Consecration Of The City Of Westminster Lodge, No. 1563.

of time . And I would ask what nobler exercise of the mental faculties can be found than a calm and earnest pursuit of Masonic knowledge , thus gleaning and gatherin " " , as it * were , in out" onward path those rich treasures of wisdom which it unfolds to our view ? But it is not merely to the intellectual pleasure to bc derived from the study cf Freemasonry that I would desire to direct your

attention . Our institution possesses other and more practical claims upon our sympathy and support . Freemasonry is founded upon principles that are an honour and an ornament to human nature . It bids us hasten to the rescue of the young and helpless from the snares of poverty , ignorance and vice . It calls upon us to ameliorate the sad condition of those who in the decline of life require our

assistance , consolation , and support . And I am proud to add , that English Freemasons have ever been highly distinguished , not merely for their zeal in promoting the welfare of our venerable Order , but for their large hearted benevolence and diffusive charity . The very best answer that can be given to the cavils and the sneers of the unenlightened world is to point to those excellent , those

honourable institutions that have been raised for the culture , and nurture of the young , and the shelter of the old . I believe nearly a century has now passed away since the Masonic Girls' School was founded ; and who shall venture to estimate the vast amount of good it has achieved ? The Boy's School was established some ten years later ' , and the crowning act of our charitable undertakings was

effected by the erection of a suitable building for those who , having borne the heat and burden of the day , and standing as it were on the very threshold of the Grand Lodge above , desire to end their days in peace and tranquillity . ( Hear hear . ) My brethren , it is our duty to prove to the world that Freemasonry 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 pure and lofty , its designs admirable and praiseworthy ; and the best and the clearest and most logical way of convincing the scorner or the sceptic is by a steady and consistent practice of the beautiful precepts of our Order . Freemasonry will then

not only present to the mind of the philosopher and the student a regularly-organised system of knowledge , unfolded in ritual and ceremonies known only to the initiated j but it would appear to mankind in general as a beneficent and beautiful institution , teaching and inculcating morality and visibly bearing the glorious fruits of charity and good will . May then the lodge which we inaugurate this day

proye a conspicuous example of all those virtues that adorn and beautify the Masonic character ; may it convey to distant posterity those grand , those august lessons that have been handed down from our forefathers ; may it ever be the shrine of intellect and the temple of thought , the home of peace and the abode of joy , established , as I humbly hope it has been , by the hands of true , faithful ,

and devoted Masons ; and resting : upon the . firm pillar ? of intelligence , may it remain as an imperishable memorial of its founders , growing year by year in happiness and prosperity , and shining brighter and still brighter in the glorious firmament of Masonic fame . ( Applause . ) After this oration , which was listened to with deep attention , the consecration ceremony was completed , and Bro . B . H .

Swallow was installed as Master of the lodge . Bro . Cottebrune was invested as I . P . M ., and the following brethren were appointed : —Bros , the Rev . P . M . Holden , S . W . ; E . White , J . W . ; C . A . Cottebrune , Treas . ( unanimously elected ) ; Scott , Sec . ; Phillips , S . D . ; Turner , J . D . ; Parsons , I . G . ; Potter , Tyler ; Shand , D . C . ; and Hutchinson , W . S . The addresses having been delivered Bro . Scott read a long

list of brethren desiring to join the lodge , and of gentlemen wishing to be initiated . Col . Burdett was elected an honorary member , on the motion of the W . M ., seconded by the S . W . The same compliment was also bestowed on Bros . Little and Cottebrune , and a vote of thanks to Bro . Little for consecrating the lodge and installing the W . M . was also adopted . This concluded the formalities of the day in open lodge , and the

W . M . with the usual assistance closed down , and afterwards presided at a choice banquet . The Masonic toasts followed , and Colonel Burdett replied for " The Grand Officers , " and expresscd . the pleasure he had experienced in being present at the consecration of a lodge which held out such promise of becoming distinguished . He then referred to the great progress made by the Order of late years . Going back

only as far as five years , when he was at the consecration of a lodge numbered 1293 , in the time that had elapsed since that event another 250 lodges had been added to the roll . That showed how Masonry was spreading throughout the ^ world , andwas creditable in every way to the Order . Masonry stood in a higher position now than it ever did , and from the high aims it had in view it was fully entitled to that

position . The W . M ., in the course of proposing "The Consecrating Officer , Bro . Little , " made reference to the presence of Bro . Morrison , from America , and said he did not look on Americans as foreigners . He drew the brethren's attention to the occurrence of an event to an English brother when in America , who was there stricken down by illness . Bro . Morrison took him to his

home , and gave him not merely the right hand of fellowship , but the consolation and encouragement which a man in the circumstances of the sick man most required . Bro . Hill , who was the sick brother , was for months in Bro . Morrison's house , and when the latter brother came to this country his services were recognised in the Highgate Lodge and the Domatic Chapter by making him an honorary memberThe these

. more great facts were known in connection with Freemasonry , the more wc should see Freemasonry increase . ( Cheers . ) In reply to Bro . Little , who proposed "The W . M ., " Bro . Swallow said that although it was nine months since the lodge was first started its promoters were quite satisfied with its success . He felt sure it would prosper . He was supported by good officers , he ^ new he would have many initiates , and he should suit

Consecration Of The City Of Westminster Lodge, No. 1563.

their convenience by calling as many emergencies as possible . He hoped the lodge would be able to send the first W . M . as a Steward with a good sum for the charities . ( Hear , hear ) . Bro . Morrison ( Michigan ) replied as a " visitor . " It afforded him a great deal of pleasure , he said , to respond and to acknowledge the kind courtesy extended to himself and the other visitors . That time the

evening before he was ignorant of the fact that he should enjoy the pleasure of seeing a Jlasonic lodge consecrated by his respected Bro . Little , much less that be should seea lodge start with such prosperity before it . He had seen lodges consecrated before , and the ceremony performed with some ability , sometimes in places were there were less than half a dozen huts in the wide woods . When he came

to think of Masonry 111 new tribes and countries , and under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of England , and then came to the mother country , the home and cradle of Freemasonry , and witnessed such a consecration as he had that night , he could not but feel proud that he had been enabled to see , to his mind , one of the greatest contrasts there could be in the fraternity . But he was happy to say that

Freemasonry in his own country was very successful . A town had a lodge where there were less than 200 inhabitants at the time , and now that the same town ' s population had increased to 30 , 000 it had five Masonic lodges , and two of them owned a hall creditable lo any lodge outside the City of London . He then passed a high eulogium on the Masonjc Institutions of London , and said that the Masons

in London were favoured beyond most other Freemasons of the world in having such institutions . He certainly had had no comprehension of the extent and working of those charities , and he was proud to see that they were all extending their benefits . Before he visited England he thought the Masons of America were more benefited in their necessity than others ; but he would frankly admit that lie was deceived in that respect . There was no place he knew of

where chanty was so well bestowed as in the City of London . He would go back to America and tell his brethren with pride of what he . had seen . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . Boyd , P . G . P ., P . M . 145 , also replied . Bro . Cottebrune replied for " D . C , " and wished prosperity to the lodge . The officers responded to the toast drunk in their honour , and the brethren shortly afterwards retired . The musical brethren enlivened the proceedings with some capital singing .

Metropolitan Masonic Meetings.

METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS .

For the Week ending Friday , Novemoer 12 , 1875 .

SATURDAY , NOVEMBER 6 . General Committee , Boys' School , at 4 . Lodge 142 , St . Thomas ' s , City Terminus I Io ., Cannon-st . Manchester Lodge of Instruction ( 179 ) , Yorkshire Grey , 11 , London-st ., F'itzroy-sq ., at 8 ; Bro . H . Ash , Prec .

Lily Lodge of Instruction ( 8 » o ) , Greyhound , Richmond . Star Lodge of Instruction ( 1275 ) , Marquis of Granby , New Cross-road , at 7 ; Bros . Macdonald and Griffin , Preceptors . Sinai Chapter of Instruction , Union Tavern , Air-street , Regent-street , at 8 .

MONDAY , NOVEMBER 8 . Lodge 29 , St . Albans , Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street 11 59 , Royal Naval , Freemasons' Hall . 11 90 . St . John ' s , Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street . „ 136 , Good Report , City Terminus Ho ., Cannon-st . „ 193 , Confidence , Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street . „ 222 , St . Andrew ' s , London Tav ., Bishopsgate-st „ 1366 , Highgate , Gatehouse Hotel , Hiphgatc .

Chap . 22 , Mount Sion , Guildhall Tavern , Gresham-st . „ 720 , Panmure , Horns Tavern , Kennington . „ 1319 , Asaph , Freemasons'Hall . Red Cross Conclave 2 , Plantagenet , Caledonian Hotel Prince Leopold Lodge of Instruction ( 1445 ) , Lor ( i Stanley Tavern , Sandringham-road , Kiagsland , at 7 j Bro . T . Austin , Preceptor . Strong Man Lodge of Instruction ( 45 ) , Crown Tavern ,

Clerkenwell Green , at 8 ; Bro . Beckett , Preceptor . Sincerity Lodge of Instruction ( 174 ) , Railway Tavern , Fenchurch-street Station , at 7 . Camden Lodge of Instruction ( 704 ) , Stanhope Arms , Upper James-street , Oval Road , Camden Town , at 8 ; Bro . T . A . Adams , Preceptcr . Eastern Star Lodge of Instruction ( 95 ) , Royal Hotel ,

Mileend-road , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . E . Gottheil , Preceptor . British Oak Lodge of Instruction ( 813 ) , Bank of Friendshi p Tavern , Mile-end , at 7 for 8 . Sr . James ' s Union Lodge of Instruction ( 180 ) , Union Tavern , Air-st ., Regent-st ., at 8 ; Bro . J . R . Stacey , Preceptor . Wellington Lodge of Instruction ( 548 ) , White Swan

Deptford , at 8 ; Bros . Shaw and Griffin , Preceptors . West Kent Lodge of Improvement ( 1297 ) , St . Saviour ' s College , Stansted-road , Forest-hill , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . H . VV Lindus , Preceptor . Perfect Ashlar Lodge of Instruction ( 1178 ) , Victoria Tavern , Lower-road , Rotherhithe , at 8 ; Bro . C . W .

Kent , Preceptor . Sydney Lodge of Instruction ( 829 ) , White Hart Hotel , Church-road , Upper Norwood , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . II . E . Francis , Preceptor , Metropolitan Mark Lod ge of Instruction , Coach and Horses Hotel , 313 , Strand , at 8 .

TUESDAY , NOVEMBER 9 . Lodge 9 6 , Burlington , Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-st . „ 166 , Union , London Tavern , Bishopsgate-street . „ 180 , St . James ' s Union , Freemasons' Hall . „ 194 , St . Paul ' s , City Terminus Hotel , Cannon-st . „ 198 , Percy , Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-street . „ 211 , St . Michael , Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street , „ 228 , United Strength , Old Jerusalem , St . John ' s Gate , Clerkenwell ,

Metropolitan Masonic Meetings.

Lodge 235 , Nine Muses , Long ' s Hotel , Bond-street , W . „ 433 , Salisbury , Freemasons' Hall . > , 54 K > Wellington , White Swan Tavern , DeptEonl . „ 917 , Cosmopolitan , Terminus Hotel , Cannon-st . > , 9 . i . i , Doric , Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street . Rose Croix Chapter . Oxford andCambridgc , 33 , Golden-sq . Yarborough Lodge of Instruction ( 554 ) , Green Dragon ,

Stepney , at 8 ; Bro . Barnes , P . M ., Preceptor . Domatic Lodge of Instruction , Surrey Masonic Hall , Camberwell New-road , at 8 ; Bro . Larlham , Precep . Faith Lodgeof Instruction ( 141 ) , 2 , Westminster Chambers . Victoria-st . ( opposite Westminster Palace Hotel ) , at S ; Bro . C . A . Cottebrune , Preceptor . Prince Frederick William Lodge of Instruction ( 755 ) ,

Lord's Hotol , Lord ' s Cricket Ground , St . John ' s Wood , at 8 Bro . F . G . Baker , Preceptor . Dalhousie Lodge of Instruction ( 860 ) , King Edward , Triangle , Hackney , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . Crawley , Preceptor . Prosperity Lodge of Instruction ( 65 ) , Gladstone Tavern , Rishopsgate-st . Within , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . J . L , Mather , P . M . 65 and 1227 , Preceptor .

St . Marylebone Lodge of Instruction ( 1305 ) , British Stores Tavern , New-street , St . John ' s Wool , at S ; Bro . T A . Adams , Preceptor . Constitutional Lodge of Instruction ( 55 ) , Wheatsheaf Hotel , Hand-court , Holborn , at 7 ; Bro . John Bingemann , W . M . 33 , Preceptor . Percy Lodge of Instruction , Grapes Tavern , Little Windmill-street , W .

Israel Lodge of Instruction , Rising Sun Tavern , Globe-road , tl 7-30-Royal Arthur Lodge of Instruction ( No . 13 G 0 ) , Prince's Head , York-road , Battersea , at 8 ; iiro . G . King , P . M ., Preceptor . Metropolitan Chapter of Improvement ( 975 ) , Jamaica Coffee House , St . Michael ' s Alley , Cornhiil , at 6 . 30 ; Comp . J . Brett , Preceptor .

WEDNESDAY , NOVEMBER 10 . Gen . Com . Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution See Advt . Lodge 3 , Fidelity , London Tavern , Bishopsgate-st . ,, . ) , Albion , Regent ' s Masonic Hall , Regent-street . „ 11 , Enoch , Freemasons' Hall . „ 13 , Union Waterloo , M . H ., William-st ., Woolwich „ 15 , Kent , Freemasons' Hall .

„ 87 , Vitruvian , White Hart , College-st ., Lambeth . , 1 ( 47 i Justice , White Swan , High-street , Deptford . „ 238 . Pilgrim , Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-street . „ 749 , Belgrave . Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street . „ 7 81 , Merchant Navy , Silver Tavern , Limehouse . „ 820 , Lily of Richmond , Greyhound , Richmond . „ 1017 , Montefiore , Freemasons' Hall . „ 130 ( 1 , St . Johu of Wapping , Gun Tavern , Wapping .

„ 1503 , Francis Burdett , Albany I lotel , Twickenham . Chap . 13 ( 10 , Hervey , Freemasons'Hall . „ 3305 , St . Marylebone , British Stores , New-street , St . John ' s Wood . Mount Lebanon Lodge of Instruction ( 73 ) , Windsor Castle Tavern , Southwark-bridge-road , at 8 ; Bro . Noke , P . M ., Preceptor . Pythagorean Lodge of Instruction ( 79 ) , Prince of Orange

, Greenwich , at 8 ; Bro . J . Robt . Nash , Preceptor . New Concord Lodge of Instruction , Rosemary Branch Tavern , Hoxton , at 8 . Royal Union Lodge of Instruction , Horse ar . d Groom , Winsley-st ., Oxford-st ., at 8 ; Bro . T . A . Adams , Prec . Confidence Lodge of Instruction , White Hart Tavern , Abchurch . lane , at 7 . 30 .

Peckham Lodgeof Instruction , Maismore Arms , Park-road , Peckham , at 8 ; Bro . David Rose , Preceptor . Stanhope Lodge of Instruction , Thicket Hotel , Anerley , at 7 . 30 p . m . ; Bro . H . VV . Lindus , Preceptor . Finsbury Park Lodge of Instruction ( 1288 ) , Finsbury Vatk Tavern , Seven Sisters ' -road , N ., at 8 ; Bro . P . Dickinson , Preceptor .

Soutliwark Lodge of Instruction ( 879 ) , Southwark Park Tavern , Southwark Park . Duke of Connaught Lodgeof Instruction ( 1524 ) , Havelock Tavern , Albion-road . Dalston , E . United Strength Lodge of Instruction ( 228 ) , the Grafton Arms , Prince of Wales ' s-road , K . » . utisl \ -town , at 8 ; Bro . J . N . Frost , Preceptor . Mount Edgcumbe Lodge of Instruction ( 1446 ) , in .

Jermyn-Street , St James ' s , at 8 ; Bro . Mander , Preceptor . THURSDAY , NOVEMBER 11 . Lodge 91 , Regularity , Freemasons' Hall . „ 20 ( 1 , Friendship , Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-st . „ 263 , Bank of England , Albion Tav ., Aldersgate-st . „ 534 , Polish National , Freemasons' Hall . „ 6 57 , Canonbury , Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-st .

„ 860 , Dalhousie , Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-st . „ 879 , Southwark , Park Tavern , Southwark Park . „ 107 ( 1 , Capper , Marine Hotel , Victoria Docks . „ 12 S 8 , Finsbury-park , Fii . sbury-parkTav ., Holloway . „ 1321 , Emblematic , Tulse Hill Hotel , Tulse Hill . 1 , > 457 , Bagshaw , Bald-Faced Stag , Buckhurst Hill . „ 1471 , Islington , Cock Tavern , Highbury .

„ 1558 , Duke of Connaught , Surrey Masonic Hall . Chap . 73 , Mount Lebanon , Brid . Hou . Ho ., London-brid . „ 140 , St . George's , Trafalgar Hotel , Greenwich . „ 334 , Yarborough , Green Dragon , Stepney . K . T . Precep . 45 , Temple Cressing , Bridge House Hotel . „ „ 11 7 , New Temple , The Inner Temple . Rose Croix Chapter 8 , St . George ' s , 33 , Golden-square .

Egyptian Lodge of Instruction ( 27 ) , Hercules Tavern , Leadenhall-st ., at 7 . 30 ; J . Crawley , Preceptor . Fidelity Lodge of Instruction ( 3 ) , Yorkshire Grey , Londonst ., W ., at 8 ; Bro . T . k . Adams , Preceptor . Finsbury Lodge of Instruction , Jolly Anglers' Tavern , Bath . street , City-road ; Bro . Stean , Preceptor . United Mariners' Lodge of Instruction , T . iree Ciancs ,

Mile-end-road , at 8 ; Bro . T . J . Barnes , Preceptor . Whittington Lodge of Instruction ( 862 ) , Crown Tavern , Holborn , at 8 ; Bro , U . Alexander , P . M . 188 , Preceptor ,