Consecration Of The St. Michael Lodge, No. 2747.

Bro . Colonel George J . Parkyn presented the lodge with a handsome set of collars and jewels . The gold consecrating vessels were much admired by the brethren . Bro . Silas Rickeard , the W . M . designate , was abfy installed by the G . Sec , and the following officers appointed : Bros . Dr . Hardwick , S . W . ; Dr . Vigurs , J . W . ; Charles Webber , Treas . ; G . G . Bullmore , P . P . G . " ' * reas ., Sec . ; Charles J . Lakey , S . D . ; W . S . Parkyn , J . D . ; Frederick Rickard , I . G . ; Butler , D . C . ; and James and Strong , Stwds .

A number of candidates for initiation and joining members were proposed and seconded , amongst the latter being Bro . P . Colville Smith , S . G . Deacon England . At the conclusion of the ceremony , which went through without a hitch , the brethren retired to the Victoria Hall ( kindly lent for the occasion by Bro . Huxtable , and tastefully decorated by Mesdames Edyvean , Rickeard , and Hardwick ) for luncheon , vvhen the loyal and Masonic toasts were given .

The GRAND SECRETARY expressed his great pleasure at the reception given him , and at the splendid and successful inauguration of the new lodge , which he hoped to visit again at no distant date . Interesting speeches were made by Bros . STOCKER , P . G . Sec . Devon ; Capt . EARY , of Dominica Lodge ( who responded for the Grand Lodge of Ireland ); R . PEARCE COUCH , Mayor of Penzance , and others .

The members expressed their great indebtedness to Bro . Colonel G . Parkyn for his generosity and energy in establishing Lodge St . Michael under such brilliant auspices , and also to Bro . B . F . EdyveaiTfor the great interest he had taken in the matter , and for the admirable arrangements he had made for carrying out the ceremony , which must have entailed a good deal of hard work on his part . His great exertions made the success of the meeting .

Summer Outing Of The Clarence And Avondale Lodge, No. 2411.

SUMMER OUTING OF THE CLARENCE AND AVONDALE LODGE , No . 2411 .

The members of the above lodge , accompanied by their wives and friends , spent a most enjoyable day out on Thursday , the 22 nd ultimo . Although the weather was very threatening , it did not seriously interfere with the realisation of the programme , which was carried out in its entirety , to the complete satisfaction of everyone concerned .

A special first-class saloon train was provided by the Great Eastern Railway , in which the party were very comfortably—in fact , luxuriouslycarried to Harwich . During the run down the rain was steadily falling , and the outlook was most unpromising . The travellers apparently took little notice of it until detraining at Harwich , when the question had to be

faced—How are we to get to the hotel 7 The distance was nothing—only some five minutes' walk ; but there were no cabs , unfortunately , and , as the ladies were attired in anticipation of fine weather , it was piteous to notice their troubled looks and pretty pouts , as they surveyed the unruly elements , gathered up their skirts , and heroically prepared to face the inevitable short walk through the rain .

This was soon accomplished , and the hospitable host of the Great Eastern Hotel— " Mr . Becker" —soon made all comfortable , and they were soon busy negotiatinganicely-prepared and appetising luncheon , which made a visible improvement to the happiness of everyone . On rising from luncheon the delighted remark , " Oh ! it has ceased raining ! " was heard on all sides . The photographer was in waiting , and he succeeded in taking a very nice full plate picture of the whole party , outside the hotel and facing the jetty .

The next item on the programme was a trip by special steamer up the river to Ipswich and back , which , together with a short drive round the interesting old town , was thoroughly appreciated . So , also , was the abundant supply of strawberries and cream , ices , & c , provided by the caterers .

On arriving again at Harwich the party sat down to a banquet , which was excellently served , and to which everyone did full justice . There was very little time for speechmaking , and the toast list was a very short one , as the train was to start for home again at eight o ' clock , though every one was loth to leave so early .

A pleasant run back to town brought to a close one of the most enjoyable days ever remembered , and the success of which was due in no small measure to thc able and complete way in which the excursion and catering were carried out by the Great Eastern Railway Company . The Clarence and Avondale Lodge , not forgetting the ladies , wish to repeat the trip at the earliest opportunity .

Provincial Priory Of Dorset.

PROVINCIAL PRIORY OF DORSET .

The Prov . Prior , Sir Knight Sir R . N . Howard , J . P ., held his annual Prov . Priory at the Masonic Hall , Weymouth , under the banner of the All Souls' Preceptory , No . , 31 , on Wednesday , the 2 S : h ulc , the date being fixed to coincide with Coronation Djy , when an unusual number of Sir Knights answered to the summon .

All Souls' Preceptory having been opened , and the Prov . Prior announced , he , accompanied by the Sub-Prior , Sir Knight Rev . F . Mondey , and attended by his Prov . Sword and Banner Bearers , entered thc preceptory , and was received under an arch of steel , the business of Prov . Priory at once commenced , and some 26 Sir Knights answered to the roU call ; the

usual routine business was gone through , and the Treasurer , Sir Knight Rev . W . Moitimer-Heath , presented his statement of accounts , which had previously been audited , and which showed a substantial balance in hand . The accounts , as presented , were received and adopted , and the Treasurer was unanimously re-elected . A loyal and dutiful teleg am of congratulation was sent to her Most Gracious Majesty on the anniversary of the coronation .

Provincial Priory Of Dorset.

The Prov . Prior then proceeded to appoint his officers for the ensuing year as follows ; Sir Knight Zillwood Milledge ... ... Prov . Sub-Prior . ,, H . J . Groves ... ... ... Prov . Prelate . ,, C . H . Watts-Parkinson ... ... Prov . Chan . ,, J . A . Sherrard ... ... ... Prov . ist Constable . B . Morris ... ... ... Prov . 2 nd Constable . Mu ^ ... ... ... -.....

,, . ...... ~ . „ H . A . Huxtable ... ... ... Prov . Vice-Chan . „ Richard Cox ... ... ... Prov . Marshal . ,, E . L . W . Chave ... ... ... Prov . Almoner . ,, Rev . VV . Mortimer Heath ( re-elected ) ... Prov . Treasurer .

,, Sidney S . Milledge ( re-appointed ) ... Prov . Reg . ,, George Habgood ... ... Prov . Std . Br . Beau . D . H . Williams ... ... ... Prov . Std . Br . ' V . B . ,, J . H . Bowen ... ... ... Prov . Herald .

,, A . Graham ... ... ... Prov . Chamberlain . „ Rev . J . A . Miller , B . D . ... ... Prov . Prior ' s Ban . B . „ J . H . Devenish ... ... ... Prov . S . B . „ E . L . N . Pridmore , M . D . ... ... Prov . Capt . of Gd . Frater A . Harris ... ... ... ... Prov . Guard .

Feeling reference was made at the loss Masonry in general , and Knight Templary in particular , had sustained in the Province of Dorset by the death of Sir Knight Dr . G . Staines Webb , of Beaminster , who was one of , if not the oldest , Knight Templar in the district , and a letter of condolence was ordered to be sent to his family . The V . E . PROV . PRIOR then addressed the sir knights on the state of Knight Templary in the province , and expressed his satisfaction at the progress the Degree was making .

The alms were collected and fees of honour paid , and the preceptory was closed .

Carriages were in attendance , and at the invitation of the Prov . Prior , the Sir Knights drove to his residence Greenhill House , where , in accordance with his annual custom , a sumptuous repast was provided and thoroughly appreciated , it being , on this occasion , served in a tent on the lawn opposite the house and facing the splendid panorama of land and sea views . As the sun set , the breakwater at Portland , the men of war , yachts , and the white cliffs were silhouetted by its rays , lights and shades , being a thing of great beauty .

In accordance with Sir Richard's custom , numerous toasts were not allowed , but " The Queen " was given and received with loyal applause . The SUB PRIOR gave " Our Prov . Prior , " and Sir RICHARD responded , and said he hoped to meet his friends on many future occasions . The company separated after a most enjoyable day , and the meeting of 1800 will be a pleasant memory .

The Sacredness Of The Ballot

THE SACREDNESS OF THE BALLOT

When a gentleman is proposed as a candidate for Masonic privileges his proposer and seconder are very often on tenter hooks until the ballot has been sent round and proved clear , and then what an emancipation it seems to these brethren , who have perhaps known their candidate personally for a number of years , and can defy anyone to truthfully say anything about him which should debar him from becoming a Freemason . But how often

brethren feel their blood rise with shame at the stabbing of some upright man by a brother who has had an axe to grind for fancied injuries , and has taken this opportunity of paying off old scores . It is nothing but villainy which would lead a brother to commit such a dastardly trick , and so blast the character of a gentleman who very often is his superior in every respect . To the right thinking Mason duty to his lodge is

the first consideration , and he would as soon put his head under a train as put in a blackball against a gentleman withwhom he merely differed in politics , religion , or business . We have heard the remark : " I do not like the man , but I think he would make a good Mason all the same , and I would not think of trying to stop his admission . " Such sentiments are honourable and unselfish , and make us proud of being Masons ,

but the other should be scorned , and we should refuse such an one the right hand of fellowship . But if the candidate for Freemasonry is unworthy , and one who would not add lustre to the fraternity , then it is to the credit of a brother who prevents his admission and protects , not only his own lodge , but the Craft in general , from association with him . Where a Committee has been appointed and has made the most drastic

enquiries and reports favourably on the candidate , there can be very little room left for members of a lodge to resort to extreme measures , for it is their duty , knowing the committee to be formed for the express purpose of finding out all the candidate ' s shortcomings , not his good qualities ( for the tongue of good report has already been heard in his favour ) , to be manly and Masonic and inform the committee of inquiry if there should be

any objections to his admission , and to assist to the utmost of their power and ability in the investigations which are being made . If brethren will take these few suggestions to heart we' are sure the harmony of the lodges will be much improved , and the characters of good men and true saved from being tainted through mere prejudice . Several cases have occurred recently in which a dispute in a lodge has resulted in the blackballing of

candidates for the avowed intention of bursting the Iodge up . Such a procedure is despicable in the extreme . If the minority in a lodge is dissatisfied , its members can leave the lodge and join another ; otherwise they are morally bound to " cheerfully acquiesce in the voles and proceedings of a majority of the brethren , " and if those proceedings are unjust or illegal , they have recourse to the higher tribunals cf the Craft to set

them right . Nothing can justify the blackballing of an uptight and suitable candidate just as an act oi obstructiveness and revenge upon other members of a lodge . The man who proceeds to such extremes is as bad in heart as the murderer and slanderer , for a man ' s reputation is as dear to him as fife itself , and he who would injure the one would not refrain from taking the other also if he felt sure that his crime would not be discovered . A Worshipful Master possesses supreme power , and he would

be fully justified in excluding from his lodge any member whom he was sure entered the Iodge with any such set intention , for the peace and harmony of the lodge are under his safe keeping . If there be a dispute in a lodge it is much more Masonic to keep out of it , or leave the lodge altogether , than resent the actions of a majority , especially if that resentment has to be exemplified by a conspiracy to blackball men who , if peace and harmony prevailed , would be' only too welcome . — Masonry , of Melbourne .