Consecration Of The Paxton Lodge (No. 1686).

CONSECRATION OF THE PAXTON COJN LODGE ( No . 1686 ) .

The Paxton Lodge ( 1686 ) was consecrated last Satur-, ' . fternoon , at the Crystal Palace , Sydenham . The r secratinff Officer was the Worshipful Bro . H . E . Frances , v ° M Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon . Surrey . Bro . u " 7 nces assisted by the Very Worshipful Bro . the trances * w n ^_ . r * J * - M—i „ : „ ... 1— ~~>~ A - Past Grand Chaplainwho acted

— „ " o T Simpson , , as rif Win ' for the occasion . The Senior Warden ' s chair as allotted to the Worshipful Bro . Magnus Ohren , p t provincial Junior Grand Deacon , and the Junior Warden ' s chair to Bro . W . J . Foster , J . W . I 9 , Bro . F . Tavlor , P . M . 933 , acted as Director of Ceremonies . The 1 t of brethren who were present at the consecration of the

wire comprised the following—J . M . Klenck , F . W . Goddard , C . H . Benham , F . J . Sawyer , W . H . Boswell , ¦ a K Woodhams , H . E . Francis , F . J . Lancaster , P . M . ? , „ , ' . F . Taylor , P . M . 933 ! W . J . Foster , J . W . 19 ; A . M Bethune , 139 ? ; Rev - R - J- Simpson , P . G . C . ; R . Brooker , S . D . 1269 ; H . Massey , 619 ( Freemason ) ; Theo . Distini 73 i J- Large , 771 ; Magnus Ohren , P . M . 33 ; G .

, W . Dodd , 171 ; W . Morgan , 1385 ; N . J . F . Basnett , W M H 39 > H . Wood , P . M . 126 9 ; J . W . Lassam , W . S . " 42 ! and G . T . Carter , P . M . 145 . Bro . C . S . Jekyll , PM . 13191 P resiaea at the harmonium , arid with Bros . G . T . Carter , P . M . 145 ; Theodore Distin , 173 ; and J . Large , J , rendered the musical portion of the service . Bro . Frances , after opening lodge in the Three Degrees ,

in a few words explained to the brethren the object of the gathering , and then proceeded with the initial formalities , as far as the delivery of the oration . The oration was delivered by the Rev . R . J . Simpson , P . G . C , who said : W . M ., Wardens and Brethren , —I have accepted your very kind request to be present here today , and I thank you for the honour that you have done

me in permitting me to officiate upon an occasion on which , looking at the situation of the lodge , many of its members being familiar faces to me , some for many years , Ife . la peculiar interest in being present , and I greatly regret that I cannot remain till the conclusion of the day ' s proceedings , owing to a matter which I have mentioned to your W . M . designate . Brethren , I do not at all wonder that the

lodge which meets in this place , and under the shadow of this magnificent building , should have been called by the name of one who was personally known to many amongst yourselves , and to myself amongst the number , and whose name has been , and will for ever be , associated with this great building . I think that name will supply a keynote to my humble remarks to day . Paxton was

essentially a self-made man . He was the architect of his own fortune , and was one of those men who have illustrated the theory of self-help in a very remarkable way . He has made his mark upon the generation in which he lived ; he has done a work , a great work , and passed to his rest ; and in doing that work I am sure my brethren who knew him will confirm my word when I

say that he not only did it with all the zeal and energy of a character that was bent upon doing whatever he took in hand with all his might , bat that honours never spoiled him ; he was the same man till his death—the same conscientious , unobtrusive , kind , amiable character that he was when he was the gardener of Chatsworth . Brethren , I shall not dilate further upon this particular

subject ; but rather would I take from it this fact , that though we may not all be born to such honours as he attained to ; though we may not have the great work to do which gave a signal illustration to his name , we are every one of us , under God , self-made men ; in other words , we are each gifted with power , under God's Providence , to make ourselves that which we ought to be ,

highminded , truthful , temperate , industrious , and noble , — minded men , doing a certain duty in this life before passing on to another . And our admirable and beautiful system supplies us by illustration with the implements by which we , as architects of our own fortunes , may work . We are told that the twenty-four inch gauge points out to us the many great duties we have as Masons , more

especially our duties to God , our neighbour , and ourselves . A part of our time is to be dedicated to that exercise which naturally suggests that we are men wbo have a religion , and look to a Supp me God and to a life to come . But it tells us too that there is a time for labour , and we are born to labour—that we must not

expect God to do everything for us while we sit with folded hands ; but that we are bound to do our duty in that state of life to which he has been pleased to call us with assiduity and zeal . In that labour we have no uninstruchve implements by which to work . The chisel reminds us of that education which is one of the first labours of

man ; and I venture here to record what I heard an ex-Lord Chancellor say who is now living : " I think that the education which my father gave me has been under God th e means which has led me to this high position j and I am more thankful for that than if he had left me th' ° ?' ' " ^ ^ ' brethren , * am very much inclined to 'nink that the man who is architect cf his own fortunes , and

who has earned his own way to his position , what-• " " may be , is more likely to use well those gifts of God ln the shape of wealth than the man who has inherited them rc-m others . I have known many eloquent illustrations of Ms in my short experience . But not only may the labour a nh 'i be em P loyed > but you know , brethren , that " nave labours in other directions . We have labours to 1 M * - * " v / iijt * uin \ . wu » j 9 . »» c nave muuuja iu

ue undertaken in our ordinary duties in life . We have tienH l " connec , ion with our families , with those ourTn 4 Up ° ; and we have work t 0 do in reIation t 0 to li , w-men which teaches us at once that we are not labo ourselves alone but for others . But we must hon ^ i "I \ he sc l uare > wc m "st labour like men who must that , here is an A » -see'ng eye , and who w ^ T ° ourselves in His presence as those win have to give an account . If we act upon that

Consecration Of The Paxton Lodge (No. 1686).

golden rule— to do to others as we would that they should do unto us "—which is probably one of the best moral definitions of the square , I believe we shall not find ourselves far from either happiness here or in the future . And with it we must have the plumb rule , justness and uprightness of life . Without that men cannot get on ; and not a day passes that the records of

our public papers do not show that the absence of that justness and uprightness of life is bringing many and many a man gifted by God both with a good heart as well as with good wealth , to poverty and ruin . With the skirret indicating the line of rectitude , and that perseverance with which we should go on with the line , however long , that God gives us , teaching us the

boundnes within which we should work , our labour , I say , in such a case and with such instruments , may be brought to a successful issue . But we are not only to have labour , but refreshment . Ay , brethren , a good and gracious God watches and smiles upon us , and does not wish us to be morose , to be mournful , to be sad . True religion , you and I know is the most blessed and cheerful

thing in the world ; and therefore it is that refreshment in the shape of innocent pleasure has been given us by a good God ; and unhappy is he who preaches any other doctrine . But we must use the compass — keep within compass . There , again , another implement teaches us our duty , and every one of us pretty well know what the meaning of that term is with the many engagements we have , both from within and from without . But

we are to serve a brother in distress ; there is a time for that . And here , brethren , I need not point out to you how admirabl y ^ our Order supplies us with the exercise of this virtue . Not only in our noble charities , but also in the walks of life , in our own lodges , in the various ways , in fact , in which we meet with our fellow men , there is always an opportunity of showing how we can serve a

brother in distress ; for depend upon it there are few years in our life that we have not an opportunity of meeting with brethren who need our help—I do not say pecuniary aid ; but [ there are many ways—a kind word , a kind act , a kind recommendation , a thousand ways in which we may assist our brethren in distress , in a world which is , alas I too full of fluctuation and misery . Depend upon it , the

brother who thus has the satisfaction of helping another is not without his reward , even in the consciousness of having done his duty . And , brethren , lastly , there are the gavel and the pencil—the gavel tells us that in addition to the volume of the Sacred Law there is the light of conscience , which is a reflection of God ' s image in the soul , teaching us how to use every implement with which

God has gifted us . This conscience that often " makes cowards of us all " is one of the grandest guides under a good Providence to lead us to the Grand Lodge above . And let us not forget the pencil that is recording in the great book that which the workmen do . If we bear that in mind , brethren , depend upon it many a word of unkindness , many a word perhaps of worse description ,

would be strangled upon the lips ; many and many an act of either bitterness or hastiness would be at once dropped ; nay , many a thought would be excluded from the heart and mind if we remembered that that pencil is recording that which is contrary to the Divine Law , and on the other hand recording what we do that is " well pleasing " to Him and storing for us that reward which

shall fade not away . I doubt not , brethren , that this lodge , formed under these auspices , formed also of Masons who will , no doubt , give a tone to its futurewilt go on and prosper—a tone of noble and lofty sentiment , a tone suggestive of dutiful work , and a tone of that charitable and gentlemanly kind which tends to foster those amenities of life which soften our

intercourse with human kind , and teach us not only how to live ourselves , but afford an example to others . I say with such a tone and such a prospect I doubt not , W . M ., that the Paxton Lodge will not only endure , but flourish , from generation to generation . ( Cheers . ) At the conclusion of this oration Bro . Frances proceeded with the consecration , and formally dedicated the lodge

to Freemasonry . He then installed Bro . J . M . Klenck P . M ., 1339 , as Master of the lodge . The brethren invested as officers of the lodge were Bros . F . W . Goddard , S . W . ; C . H . Benham , J . W . ; Charles Hammerton , P . M . 1330 , Treasurer ; H . E . Frances , Secretary ; F . G . Sawyer , S . D . ; W . H . Boswell , J . D . ; R . D . Woodhams , I . G . ; and Radford , Tyler .

The S . W . proposed , and the J . W . seconded , the election of Bro . the Rev . R . J . Simpson as an honorary member of the lodge ; and the motion having been unanimously adopted , the rev . brother said he had already trespassed so long on the brethren ' s attention that he would be very ungrateful indeed if he did not content himself with merely saying he appreciated the very high compliment they had

paid him by electing him an honorary member . He hoped he would have opportunities afforded him by relaxation from his duties elsewhere , of attending the meetings of the lodge . The W . M . then invested Bro . Simpson as Chaplain of the lodge , and on the motion of the S . D ., seconded by the J . D ., Bro . James Coward , Past Grand Organist , was

appointed Organist of the lodge . Bro . Frances read a list of brethren from whom he had received letters of apology for inability to attend the consecration of the lodge . The names of these brethren were Alderman Hadley , Dr . Stirling , Sir John Bennett , Col . Burdett , General Brownrigg , John Hervey , F . Binckes , R . W . Little , James Terry , J . E . Saunders , and Somers , the

W . M . and S . W . of the Anerley Lodge , who recommended the prayer of the petition for the Paxton Lodge , and Lord Holmesdale , Prov . G . M . for Kent . Tie Anerley Lodge was represented by Bro . Bethune , the Sec . Bros . Grantham , R . Dodd , and N . J . F . Basnett , were proposed as joining members ; and Messrs . H . Reeve , J . Smith , J Partridge , and R . Pratt were proposed as initiates .

Consecration Of The Paxton Lodge (No. 1686).

The W . M . said he had much pleasure in presenting the lodge with his banner . He trusted he might live to see a large array of banners in the lodge , and that in future he might , as in other lodges with which he was connected , have the pleasure of observing on the left of the W . M . many banners in succession . He happened to be one of the founders of a banner lodge , and the members of that

lodge saw year after year a banner reared for the newly installed Master . They had , moreover , the pleasure of knowing that not one of those Masters had been taken away from them by death , which was a most singular instance of the good providence of the Great Architect of the Universe in that particular lodge . He hoped that the brethren who succeeded him ( the W . M . ) in the chair of the

Paxton Lodge might also be able to congratulate some other lodge , if it was their good fortune to be present at the consecration of a banner lodge , on the same state of circumstances , and to announce publicly a similar fact to that which he had just stated . On the motion of Bro . Frances , seconded by Bro . F . J . Sawyer , a vote of thanks was unanimously accorded to

the W . M . for his handsome present . The Rev . R . J . Simpson said that this was the first consecration which he had attended where he had not found his chief , the Consecrating Officer , elected an honorary member of the lodge with himself . While , in some respects , he regretted to hold that exalted position alone , he congratulated the lodge on having one of its own

members not only willing but able , and not only able but very effectively , and with thorough zeal , to carry out the consecration ceremony . Very often it had to be done by a brother imported from some other lodge ; but in the present case there was native talent that could be pressed into the service . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . Sawyer said it was quite an oversight , and he

would now propose Bro . Frances as an honorary member , Lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to banquet . This was served in most splendid style by Bro . Sawyer , everything in the menu being of the finest quality , and the tables being decorated in great taste with flowers and choice summer fruits . With splendid midsummer weather there was a clear view from the saloon of the lovely

Kentish scenery which is visible from the Crystal Palace , and the soft , heavenly breezes blowing across it through the open windows rendered the room most comforting and refreshing to the brethren during the whole time they partook of refreshment after labour . The experience of the brethren led them to remark that the Crystal Palace was highly favourable for the holding of lodges and lodge

banquets ; and , certainly , taking the item of banquets alone , their verdict was unquestionable , for a repast more complete could not have been set before them . When banquet had been disposed of , grace , " For these and all Thy mercies , " was sung by the musical brethren , and the W . M . forthwith proposed the toasts which fell to him to give . The preliminary toasts of " The Queen and

the Craft , " 'The M . W . G . M ., " "TheM . W . Pro G . M ., " " The Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , " having been duly proposed and honoured , the W . M . proposed " The Provincial Grand Officers , " which had been placed on the list in consequence of the invitations issued to the Provincial Grand Masters of Kent , Surrey , and Middlesex . The W . M . said that these brethren had

not been able to be present on account of other engagements , but he hoped that in fulfilling those engagements they had enjoyed themselves as much as they would have done if they had been present at this lodge . The brethren of this lodge had made up their minds to enjoy themselves , and he thought they had done so . He coupled with the toast the name of Bro . Magnus Ohren , P . Prov .

Junioi Grand Warden for Surrey . Bro . Magnus Ohren , in reply , said that with respect to the Grand Masters of Surrey and Middlesex , he could speak of their work with much confidence , as he had witnessed it for many years . He was not so fortunate with the province of Kent , because the rule which prevailed in Middlesex and Surrey of every member of a lodge in

those provinces having a notice to attend their Provincial Grand Lodge did not hold in Kent ; and , therefore , though he was , and had been for many years , a member of a Kentish lodge , he had never received a notice to be present at the Provincial Grand Lodge of Kent . He presumed , therefore , that all members of the Kentish lodges had not the same privilege of being present at the Provincial

Grand Lodge of Kent as the members of Surrey and Middlesex lodges had of being present in the Grand Lodges of those provinces . He thought it was a good plan to adopt to allow all members of provincial lodges to be present in the Provincial Grand Lodges , in order that they might see the way in which work should be done . As Grand Officers , brethren had to attend and take part in the

duties of Provincial Grand Lodge , and to learn their duties they should be able to see ul what they consisted , ln proposing the toast to which he ( Bro . ' Ohren ) was responding the W . M . had said he hoped the three Provincial G . M . ' s who were not able to be present were enjoying themselves as much as the brethren who were present . He was sure that nothing would have given the Provincial

G . M . ' s of Middlesex and Surrey greater pleasure than to be present at this meeting , to have seen the excellent working that had taken place at the ceremony of consecration and installation , for both these Provincial G . M . ' s were working Masons , and delighted in good working . The brethren had heard to-day from the Rev . Bro . Simpson that after labour they were entitled to refreshment . That

refreshment had been placed before them in a very magnificent manner , and those brethren could not have helped enjoying themselves if they had been present . Bro . Frances proposed " The Health of the W . M . " He had always found W . M . 's spoken of in the highest terms . It reminded him of the question of the little girl who asked where the bad people were buried , because , looking at t tombstones , every one was well spoken of . With regar