Consecration Of The White Rose Of York Lodge, No. 2491, At Sheffield.

G . W . Dewhurst , 270 S ; G . Dickinson , 139 ; J . Bassett , 29 G ; Miurice J . Djdworth , 1239 ; A . M . Coates , 11 So ; V . G . S . Deardon , P . M . 22 G 3 ; Robert C Honey , 2263 ; W . J . Parkin , P . M . 29 G ; Lewis Howarth , 20 * 19 ; Albert Howe , 2263 ; Henry W Paw - . on , P . M . 29 G , P . P . S . G . D . ; G . Slater , W . M . 2355 ; A . J . Forsdyke , 1239 ; R . R . Neill , 296 ; G . Senior , 1239 ; E . J . Firkin , 296 ; and Ernest G . Reus ? , P . M . 139 , 226 S .

The impressive character of the ceremony vvas increased by the addition of music , vvhich vvas exquisitely rendered by Bros . George May , Laurence Fryer , and R . de Lacy , of St . Paul ' s Cathedral , assisted by Bro . Harry Stubbs , of the Chapel Royal , Windsor . The efforts of these talented brethren met with full appreciation , and both in the lodge room and after dinner vvere often called into requisition . Bro . Tliomts W . Hanforth ,

Mus . Bnc ., was accompanist and acquitted himself with his accustomed ability . The Sheffield brethren and their visitors are greatly indebted to Bro . John Hunt for this rich treat , and in fact everything that could possibly be done to contribute to the satisfaction and the comfort of those present and the general success of the whole undertaking vvas most cheerfully and heartily undertaken by the first VV . M . of the White Rose of York Lodge and his coadjutors .

During the ceremony the Prov . Grand Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . J DUNBAR , gave the oration . It vvas styled an " Oration on the Nature and Principles of the Order , " and was as follows :

Brethren , —We are met here to-day to establish a new lodge , to form a new Masonic centre , and this may perhaps bs regarded as a not inopportune moment to examine for a brief period the nature and principles of the great Institution of which vve are all members , and the influence of vvhich vve seek to extend . Freemasonry is defined for us in these words : " A peculiar system of morality , veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols . " It is an institution whose origin is lost

in the dim and distant past , whose founders it is impossible absolutely to name , yet whose principles must stand until the end of time , consisting as they do of ali that is good , all that is true , and all that is elevating . We have from time to time been condemned by the ignorant and the prejudiced , vve have been maligned by lunatics , abused by bigots , and ridiculed by the envious—yet , in spite of the anathemas of Cardinals and Popes , notwithstanding the sneers and the gibes of

doctrinaires and savants , vve stand to-day , undaunted and unshaken , and , so long as we maintain and uphold in our characters and conduct the principles so carefully inculcated in our lodges , vve may—nay . vve shall—defy the world . Yet we are not propagandists , we seek not to proselytise , vve are content to let the leaven of Masonic influence work its way silently and steadily , convinced that the great truths contained in our wonderful system of ethics must undoubtedly prevail . And it is a marvellous

and peculiar system of morality , for it partakes both of the Mosaic and of the Gospel ordinances . Whilst , on the one hand , it demands and exacts with stern severity the full penalty for disobedience or treachery ; on the other , it dispenses the beauties of Charity and mercy . It combines the thunders of the law as heard from Mount Sinai , vvith the gentle admonitions of bve which were poured forth in the Sermon on the Mount . Again , it is a common ground upon which all

humanity can meet . Here differences of race or creed are put away ; here we stand side by side the subjects of one great Creator , and the objects of His paternal love . It is fitting , then , that if the conditions are favourable , we should enlarge our borders and diffuse our quiet influences . Freemasonry stands upon the great principle of Charity to all men . That great principle embraces not onl y practical help and relief , when inclination serves or opportunity presents , but a

wider and more expansive Charity—a Charity that thinks not evil , that exercises courteous consideration for others , that strives to find out what is good in our fellow man , and is not anxious to discern the bad ; a principle in a word which hand in hand vvith its twin sister mercy , extends pardon and reconciliation to the repentant , and does not harshly condemn the sinner . Let us ever strive then to maintain the character which Freemasonry

demands from us ; let us be just , upright , and pure ; let us carry the lessons taught by the Craft into every portion of our outside lives ; let us in our conduct and conversation be an example to those around us ; and let not the burdened heart pour forth to us its grief in vain , but let us ever have the ear ready to listen , the heart to sympathise , and the hand to help . Brethren , an Institution which tenches these great lessons and produces men who reverently try to act up to them , merits commendation and support . May the new lodge which is founded in this

great centre of population to-day realise all our hopes and deserve all our good wishes . May it prosper and flourish as Time rolls on , and may our R . W . Prov . Grand Master ever be able to look back upon this day and upon this his first ceremony of consecration vvith feelings of unalloyed satisfaction and pleasure , and , above all , may the Most High shower down his blessings upon the lodge , establish it upon true and lasting foundations , and so build it up , that when we shall all have passed away , it may yet flourish and endure a pillar of witness of the faith of its promoters , and a source of heavenly light to future generations .

I he words which the Prov . Grand Master subsequently addressed to the brethren were also excellent . Unlike his predecessor , Bro . Jackson does not read his addresses , but speaks them in language which is spontanteous and most impressive . Bro . Jackson is a most deliberate speaker , and every word tells . We wish we could give our readers a conception of the manner in vvhich the Prov . Grand Master of West Yorkshire appeals to his hearers .

He said ; Brethren , —It is our privilege to-day to take part in a most interesting ceremony , one the details and importance of vvhich we shall all of us doubtless long remember . It gratifies me veiy much to bc able to be present on this occasion , though I regret to say through an engagement in London I cannot stay very long . It was , in fact , choice between making a very brief visit or not coming at all , and I chose the formerbelieving

, that it would accord vvith your wish , as it did with my own inclination . Mv associations with Sheffield have been of a close and intimate character from the very moment of my installation as your Prov . Grand Master . My first official act , performed in the Albert Hall , Leeds , was to give my support lo the petition of this new lodge ; my first official visit was to the Royal Brunswick Lodge , Sheffield , and now my first oflic ' nl function is the

consecration of Ihe White Rose of York Lodge , also in Sheffield . I am glad to see so large and representative a gathering , lt is evidence , if such were needed , that you have recognised the necessity and admitted the wisdom of forming a new lodge . The name may bc considered in relation to the atmosphere of prosaic Sheffield as somewhat romantic , but whatever the smoke and the soot of the town may produce , I hope that the lodge under

the fostering care of its founders vvill always preserve the purity of its teachings . Tlic White Rose has in the minds of Committees of Cricket and Football Associations become somehow connected with the County of Yorkshire . Students , however , of this subject tell us that it vvas simply the emblem of the ducal line of York , even as the red rose was the badge of

the Duchy of Lancaster in that terrible factional struggle between the two rival houses , and has no association or connection with the county at all . Bc that as it may il is a beautiful name and is very suitable for a lodge of Freemasons . Its number on the roll is 2491 . The last lodge consecrated in West Yorkshire was St . Laurence , No . 2330 . This , as many of you will , I have 110 doubt , know , was consecrated by our beloved Bro

Consecration Of The White Rose Of York Lodge, No. 2491, At Sheffield.

Tew four years ago . In that interval the Grand Lodgeof England has granted some 160 warrants for new lodges . This is a most rapid progress , 40 each year , and we may congratulate ourselves most heartily that this is so , if only we are assured that worthy men and true have thereby been added to our ranks . Brethren , the responsibility of those who take part in the formation of a new lodge as its founders is a very grave one . Their

duties , sometimes difficult and invidious , are clear ; they must not found a new lodge with a view or even a possibility of weakening an existing one , and they must exercise the closest and strictest attention to the merits or otherwise of candidates for admission . In the W . M ., Bro . John Hunt , in the officers with whom he has associated himself , and , in fact , in the founders generally of Lodge 2491 , 1 have every confidence that no effort will be spared to carry out their duties ; that the great principles of our Ordr

will in them find fitting illustration , and that , as the flower which they have chosen as their emblem , so will they be distinguished by their characteristics . I entreat then , nay , I solemnly charge you , Bro . Hunt , under the sacred obligation which you will shortly be called upon to make , that you see that , like the rose , your lodge may be pure in its Masonic teaching , beautiful in its practice of Charity and mercy , fragrant in its exemplification of brotherly love and harmony , and spotless in its honour , its reputation , and its character .

The Prov . G . Master , after closing Prov . G . Lodge , left the chair , and the Worshi pful Master Designate , Bro . John Hunt , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., was installed with due formality by Bro . W . H . Brittain , P . M ., P . G . S . B . Eng ., P . P . G . W .

The W . M . then invested his officers as follows : Bros . T . H . Vernon , P . M ., S . W . ; C . F . Brindley , J . W . ; Jos . Craven , Treasurer ; William Gadsby , P . M ., P . P . G . O ., Sec . ; Wm . Gunstone , S . D . ; Carl A . Hahn , J . D . ; G . Wish , D . C . ; Wm . Middleton , I . G . ; A . N . Tucker and John Stokes , Stwds . ; T . VV . Hanforth , Mus . Bac ., Org . ; and T . Leighton , Tyler .

The remaining founders were Bros . J . L . Potts , J . Jackman , f . Eidon , J . Shaw , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W . , * J . Bromley , P . M . ; Thomas Collinson , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C ; and George B . Owen , W . M . ; with Bros . H . J . Garnett , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; and Andrew Macredie , P . M ., P . G . D ., as hon . Past Masters . The lodge having been closed , a sumptuous banquet , to which more than

100 brethren sat down , was admirably served by Bro . Turner . The newlyinstalled W . M . presided , having on his ri ght the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Henry Smith , in the absence of the Prov . Grand Master , who had been compelled to leive owing to an engagement in London . A lengthy toast list was gone through , interspersed with songs and glees magnificently rendered by the musical brethren from London , together with pianoforte solos by Bro . T . VV . Hanforth , Mus . Bac ., who also officiated as

accompanist . The usual loyal toasts having been received with Masonic honours , The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER responded on behalf of " The Grand Officers . " He referred in sympathetic terms to the enforced retirement , through confirmed ill-health , of Bro . Tew from the head of the province , and said that nowhere was the Province of VVest Yorkshire more respected than in the Grand Lodge of England .

The toast of " The Worshipful Master of the White Rose of York " was proposed by Bro . ENSOR DRURY , P . M ., P . P . G . W . He said that of Bro . Hunt it was impossible to speak too highly . He was not a member of the new lodge , and had nothing to do with its formation , but had it been otherwise he could not have wished for a better Master . He was not an untried man , for seven years had elapsed since he was in the chair of the

Britannia Lodge , and no man could have better fulfilled the duties of that position . They had had an earnest that day of the way in which the proceedings of the lodge would be carried on in the future , for nothing could have been more admirable than the arrangements both upstairs and down . He vvas sure they all wished him a happy and prosperous year of office , and would be prepared to the best of their power to support him in carrying out his duties .

Ihe WORSHIPFUL MASTER , after having mentioned that he was initiated in the Britannia Lodge iS years ago , said that a number of the Sheffield brethren felt that there vvas a need for a new lodge in the city , and , therefore , they set about founding one . He was bound to say that their feeling with regard to the formation of a new lodge was more than justified by the result , because since the idea vvas first broached it had been received with

an amount of enthusiasm vvhich he had never seen excelled in his experience of Freemasonry . As soon as the thing was fairly launched and it became known that a charter had been obtained , a number of founders voluntarily sent in contributions , and everything the lodge required was spontaneously given . The Provincial Grand Mailer had read them a very wise and noble and proper lecture on the duties of the founders of a new lodge , and he , for

one , did n jt wish to deviate one iota from the high standard the Provincial Grand Master had laid down . Every one of them , he was sure , appreciated to the fullest extent every word that fell from his lips . They felt tluir responsibilities , and did not underrate them , but they intended to rise to them , and to carry them out , as far as possible . One feature of those proceedings had been the music . Whilst they did not claim for the White Rose any special position in the musical branch of Masonry , it was their

intention to make music one of the features of the lodge , to add both to the solemnity of the ceremonies and the harmony of the after proceedings . They did not see why the grand and glorious power of music should be lost to Masonry , and he hoped it would be one of the means of miking the White Rose of York a successful lodge . In conclusion , he thanked them most heartily for their cordial good wishes .

Bro . J . J ACKMAN proposed " Ihe Health of the Installing Master , Bro . W . H . Brittain , " and traced his progress in Freemasonry since his initiation 30 years ago until his appointment of Sword Bearer in the Grand Lodge of England . He hoped that the rosebud vvhich he had that day assisted in grafting into the Grand Trunk of Freemasonry when next they met might prove a beauteous flower , and ever afford him joy to behold and pleasure in its presence .

Bro . VV . H . BRITTAIN , in responding , expressed the hope that brotherly love and affection would bc a continuing characteristic of the White Rose of York ; that it might prove that there was something in Masonry more than a mere name ; that the brethren would support each other in absence as well as in presence ; that each would defend the other ' s good name as though it were his own , and that if , unhappily , the behaviour of any member should ever admit of no defence , his brethren in place of joining inachorus of condemnation would take refuge in discreet and charitable silence . The toasts of "The Sister Lodges and Visiting Brethren , " and " The Officers of the White Rose of York " were also cordially drunk .