Consecration Of The St. Clair Lodge, No. 2074.

Bro . St . Clair asked the brethren to drink with great enthusiasm to this toast in rcmembrace of the return from Ireland that day . Bro . Sylvester—Solo , " God bless the Prince of Wales . " " The Healths of the V . W . the Pro . G . M ., the Earl of Carnarvon , the R . W . the Deputy G . M ., the Earl of Lathom , and Officers of Grand Lodge , " were was also duly honoured .

Bro . J . BRICKWOOD , P . M ., S . W ., in proposing the next toast , said he felt it an honour in having it entrusted in his hands , and he would do his best with it . They had that day seen the Prov . Grand Master , Bro . W . W . B . Beach , do the work of consecration , and they had already congratulated him , for he was a most ardent Mason , and gave no opportunity to the Deputy Prov . Grand Master to show them how he could also do the work . He had nothing to do , but if he had the chance , there was no doubt but he

would do it equally as well . The other Provincial Officers they knew more about , and they felt proud in having so many representatives from Portsmouth in Prov . Grand Lodge , who , with the other officers , were always ready to perform their respective duties when required . He concluded by asking the brethren to drink with Masonic honours to " The Healths of the R . W . the Prov . Grand Master , Bro . W . W . B . Beach ; the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . J . E . Le Feuvre ; and Officers of Prov . Grand Lodge , Present and Past . "

Bro . J . E . LE FEUVRE , D . P . G . M ., in responding , acknowledged , in the name of the Prov . Grand Master , the kind words spoken by the Senior Warden . He regretted very much the enforced absence of the Prov . Grand Master that evening . He was at another place which required him urgently . The Senior Warden had properly remarked that he had nothing to do . Upon his appointment as Deputy Prov . Grand Master , he received a

warrant authorising him to do all the duties of the Prov . Grand Master when the Prov . Grand Master was absent . ( Laughter . ) He would not say unfortunately , but the Prov . Grand Master never was absent . He had little chance of showing what he could do . He , however , felt proud to act under the Prov . Grand Master , for there was no better man or Mason than Bro . Beach . ( Applause . ) There had always been a kindly feeling existing between

the ruler and those who were ruled . The circumstances of the founding of the St . Clair Lodge was a happy inspiration , so that they should receive the support of every lodge in the immediate nei g hbourhood , ft was a happy idea , and showed that if some had a doubt of the necessity for a new lodge , thelarge majority were of opinion that a new lodge should be constituted . The

founders could not have fixed on abetter W . M . or officers . He felt sure the lodge would prove a success , and hoped he would again have the pleasure of visiting them with the Prov . Grand Master ( and would still have nothing to do ) , and enjoy their hospitality . He thanked them for the very kind way they always received him .

Bro . J . E . LE FEUVRE proposed the next toast , and , on rising , said he imagined the brethren were tired of hearing him . ( " No , no . " ) He had great pleasure in proposing the next important toast—( loud applause)—the brethren had anticipated him ; well , it was that of their W . M . ( Applause and cheers . ) The task would not have fallen to him had their chief been present . Bro . St . Clair had had the honour of being placed in the chair of

a lodge after his own name , and he wished him every prosperity . Lodges in the province were on the increase , and gave their Prov . Grand Secretary plenty of work , who never went to bed—at least , so the Prov . Grand Secretary had informed him — until after midnight , after answering all his Masonic correspondence . Well , he looked happy on it . ( Laughter . ) In referring again to the new lodge , Bro . Le Feuvre impressed upon the brethren

not to over exert themselves to increase their numbers . ( Hear , hear . ) Look to quality and not to quantity . ( Hear , hear . ) He felt sure of receiving the assent of all present when he stated that there were still grounds to take more care about those who were introduced into the Order . ( Hear , hear . ) If a man was not good before being introduced into Masonry , he was sure he would not be afterwards . Conversions like that were rarely found . The conversion should be sought after before being brought into a lodge . He felt

he was occupying the brethren ' s time —( " no , no " )—and he would conclude . He again wished the lodge every success , which he felt sure would ensue , as there were already 28 petitioners and about 20 proposed that afternoon , and after electing them—and he had no doubt but that they would be—it was almost sufficiently strong for them to remain at that number . It afforded him the greatest possible pleasure in proposing " The Health of the W . M ., Bro . St . Clair . "

Chorus— " He ' s a jolly good fellow . " Bro . G . Sylvester sang the patriotic song " Too Late . " Bro . W . H . C . ST . CLAIR , P . M ., W . M ., who had an enthusiastic reception , said he could not find words equal to his feelings for the noble way his health had been proposed and received . Two or three years ago , when he was installed W . M . of the Phoenix Lodge , he said it was the proudest

day of his life ; well , that day was another . He took it as a compliment and a honour and felt gratified in having the lodge named after him . He felt it very much indeed . When asked to become its first W . M . he was " taken aback . " He had no idea that such were the thoughts of the brethren . He had been away nearly all the timesince then , and beyond writing two or three letters the founders had done everything ; he had done but little .

He hoped that the G . A . O . T . U . would spare him , and he would support the lod ge to his utmost . He did not deserve one tenth part of the applause that he had received , as he had not done much , but he hoped to do more in the future . Nothing but his service duties or sickness would ever keep him away from the lodge , and he would do his utmost for its welfare , and when he

was taken to the Grand Lodge above he hoped that his name would be kept green , so that in future years when Masons met they should enquire who Bro . St . Clair was , and the reply be given " He was a jolly good fellow and a Mason . " ( Applause . ) He hoped that next year , or whenever it pleased the Grand One above to take him he will have done his duty . ( Loud and continuous applause . )

Bro . KENDALL , Prov . G . Chap . Cornwall , said he felt it a great honour , ¦ is a visitor , in having to propose the next toast , that of "The Masonic Lharities . " He was not going to preach a sermon , but dilate briefly upon the great principle of Freemasonry—Charity . What was the secret of the

great spread of Freemasonry' ! Some say because the Prince of Wales is ¦ it the head . Well , that had done some good . It showed to the outside world that we had no secret plots , but were all loyal citizens , and more than l'iat they were all Freemasons who led active lives . Another thing , Freemasonry touches all ; it is charitable . People often say " What are we to

Consecration Of The St. Clair Lodge, No. 2074.

get by becoming Freemasons ? " His reply was " What are we going to do ? " Masons taught to others how to do and what to do , and to exercise that virtue which characterises Freemasonry , namely , Charity . ( Applause . ) The charity box was passed round , and the sum of £ 3 was collected . Bro . A . R . Jones sang " Ehrcn on the Rhine . "

Bro . ST . CLAIR proposed the toast of "The W . M . 's of Neighbouring Lodges , " and expressed his indebtedness to the W . M . ' s for their hospitality during the time he was W . M . of the Phcenix Lodge . He thanked them heartily for their support and attendance that evening . He hoped they would often meet , and that brotherl y love , relief , and truth would be their watch-word . He asked those present to drink the toast with enthusiasm . Bro . MILLS , W . M . 1776 , sang a solo .

Bro . GIEVE , W . M . 309 , responded , and remarked he was the youngest Master present ,- and Bro . GUNNELL , VV . M . 342 , observed he was the oldest Master present . Bros . Loades , W . M . 487 ; Dempsey , W . M . 903 : E . Nayler , W . M . 92 S ; J . Johns , P . M ., acting W . M . 142 S ; Mills , VV . M . 1776 ; Senior , J . W . 1705 ; and H . Long , W . M . elect 1903 , also responded .

Bro . P . H . EMANUEL contributed a comic song , "An awful little scrub . "

Bro . C . O . BIRCH , J . W ., proposed "The Health of the Visitors , " to whom he offered a hearty welcome . Bro . ARLIDGE , W . M . 163 S , sang "A tale of woe . " Bros . G . H . De Fraine , 487 ; Arlidge , 163 S ; Parkhouse , 1 S 34 ; and Simon Hyne , 1205 , responded .

Bro . SYLVESTER sang "The old arm chair" in such a manner as to elicit a well deserved encore , when he gave another equally as well sung , entitled " The Bugler . " Bro . J . E . LE FEUVRE proposed " The Founders of the Lodge , " and spoke of the energies displayed by Bro . Dart , who was always promoting

the true interests of Masonry , and had proved himself most active and energetic . Bro . Brickwood , he was sure , would make a good second in command , and Bro . Birch was well deserving of what he had . To those brethren and Bro . Cox the brethren were indebted for having rendered great services in establishing the lodge . ( Cheers . )

Bro . DART , I . P . M ., responded . He said that seven years ago he remarked , " Please God , I will found a lodge during my lifetime . " He had done so , and felt as proud of the St . Clair Lodge as he was of Bro . St . Clair . ( Applause . ) When he consulted Bros . Birch and Cox about the founding of a new lodge , they readily acquiesced . Well , he had got the support of every lodge but one , and that the Emulation Lodge . The lodge

being thus far advanced their W . M . was unfortunately ordered away , and hence the delay in consecration . He thanked those who had come that day and had supported them . Bro . BIRCH , J . W ., also responded , and said for what little he had done he had been amply repaid . Bros . BRICKWOOD , S . W ., and ARNOLD , Secretary , also responded .

" The Healths of the Officers " concluded the toast list , and the company broke up at about 10 . 30 o ' clock . It should be mentioned that amongst the presents to the lodge the W . M . gave fourteen collars and silver jewels , four pairs of gauntlets , and the Third Degree sheet . The lodge was furnished by Bro . George Kenning .

Public Installations.

PUBLIC INSTALLATIONS .

THE Philadelphia Keystone of the 21 st Marchrepeats its arguments against public installations in an article written for the especial enlightenment of the Louisville ** Masonic Home Journal . " It points out that these installations " are opposed to the very genius of Freemasonry , in that they expose to the public what was intended by the Institution to be limited to initiates . " It considers its former reason for their having been adopted in some

jurisdictions is very probable , namely , that such a public parade of the ceremony " ministers to the vanity of brethren , in that it enables them to appear in Masonic regalia in the lodge room before a mixed throng of brethren and profanes , and to reveal to many in this throng what they had never seen or heard before ; " and it emphasises these arguments and suggestions by remarking that the custom of private installation " has never been

contravened under the Grand Lodge of England , the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania , and other Grand Lodges in America . " As regards the allegation of the said " Masonic Home Journal , " that if Dr . MACKEY ' eleventh and twenty-third landmarks "forbid public installations , " they as " emphatically forbid all public demonstrations of a lodge ; for burial and corner-stone laying are work , and the lodge is open and at work in public , " our Philadelphia contemporary very pertinently

remarks that " no landmark applies to what may be styled Masonic out-door work , which must be in public , such as the burying of the Masonic dead , and the laying of a corner-stone . Freemasonry never attempts the impossible , but it does forbid the exposing of in-door lodge ceremonies , be they installation , initiation , or any other fioorwook of the lodge , to the vision and hearing of the profane . " To a further argument of the " Home Journal " that public installations , as " Masonic Shows , " are " much more desirable than the theatre or circus . "

the Keystone says with great good sense : "As a ' show we would much prefer to see BOOTH in ' Hamlet' or BARNUM ' S or FOREPAUGH ' S circus to a ' public installation ' of lodge officers . Surely Freemasonry will not stoop to compete with the theatre or circus in this matter . Our Fraternity is a secret Society , limited by its genius to initiates . The public - do not crave admission to our lodge rooms , at an installation of lodge officers , and why

should we crave their attendance'' Remember , if they are with us , Freemasons are solely responsible for it . Call the reason vanity , bidding for members by publicity , advertising Masonry , or what you will , the practice itself is wrong from beginning to end ; unjustified by the landmarks ; unjustified by sound reason , and only excused on the plea

that it has been done and may be done again . ' We imagine our readers will fully endorse the Keystone views , and will , no doubt , join with us in expressing a hope that all true Masons in America and elsewhere will use their utmost efforts to prevent the continuance of so un-Masonic a practice as that of public installation .