The Consecration Of The Worsley Lodge.

prim-cval religion as the unity of God , the mode in which he might be acceptably worshipped , and the immortalit y of the human soul , they transmitted to their immediate descendants , and these again to theirs . And though these primitive doctrines were retained in their perfection by but a few ( comparatively speaking ) favoured ones , yet they were preserved and handed down through successive o - iierations of mankind , to the great consolation and benefit

of all who sincerely accepted them . I say that comparativelv few retained them . 'The nations of the world in general lost sight of them , with the natural result that corruption botli ' of faith ancl morals grew widel y prevalent . Men had relied too mucb upon their own wisdom , and hence tbey " became vain in their imaginations , and their foolish heart was darkened , " and , substituting thc works of tlie Dcitv for the Deity Himself , they paid them thc

reverence which is due to Him alone . 'The marvels of creation , such as the sun shining in his splendour , or the moon walking in brightness , or the stars glittering in the azure vault of heaven , might well have served as signs and symbols by which to illustrate the Creator ' s power and glory , and to lead the contemplative mind to thoughts of Flim ; but men reversed the process , and , instead of worshipping Him alone whom the works of creation

symbolised , they deified the symbols themselves and paid them homage . And thus the service of tbe one true God was obscured by the corruptions of idolatry , and over the great majority of the earth ' s inhabitants the thick darkness of ignorance and . superstition brooded . It was , as I said , in order to counteract these evils , and to hand down unpolluted the fundamental doctrines of the olden faith , that what we now designate Freemasonry came into existence .

I do not pretend to say when , but it is a matter of history that institutions which , whether we regard them as Alasonic in form or not , were really Alasonic in fact , whatever their Egyptian , or Greek , or Phoenician names might be , existed more than three thousand years ago . For good and sufficient reasons the founders of Alasonry deemed it advisable to take all precautions against the admission of unworthy individuals to their brotherhood , or the communication of

their tenets to enemies and scoffers . 'They adopted , therefore , the method of g iving instruction by symbols and allegories , with the hidden meaning of which only the initiated were allowed to become acquainted . That method we have inherited , and hence wc describe Alasonry as a peculiar system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols . But the allegory and the symbols are so admirably suited for their intended purpose , are so expressive of tlie hidden meaning they are meant to

convey , that to the well-instructed Alason the eternal principles of moral truth ancl practical belief shine forth in radiant beauty from them . For example , as an eminent writer on Alasonry has expressed it , "the architectural emblemsof the First Degree may appear to the uninitiated as mere instruments of manual labour , yet , as they _ embody a mass of moral reference , we consider them to be jewels ' of inestimable value . If we would ( each morality and justice what better reference can wc have than to the Alaster ' s jewel ? If equality , that attribute of the Deity

' Who sees with equal eye , as God of all , A hero perish or a sparrow fall , ' we point to that of the Senior Warden ; if integrity , to that of the Junior Warden ; and each reads the Alason a lecture which is highly calculated to make him a wiser and a better man . " 'Thenin the very form of our lodge , in our reverential regard for that quarter of the heavens from which the dayspring from on high hath visited us ; in all the ornaments ,

the jewels , and the furniture of Ihe lodge ; in the instruction that is given to every new initiate , and in all the distinctive ceremonies of our Order , we are taught lessons which , if duly attended to , will enable us tlie better to fulfil our duties both to our Creator and our fellow men . We are taught to square our actions by the rule of be Sacred Writings , so that the rough ashlar of our naturally unpolished hearts may be fitted by the exercise of piety

ancl virtue for its true place m the Iempleof God . Then in the traditionary account we have of our Grand Alaster Hiram Abiff even unto death we are furnished with a bright example of that honour , fidelity , and truth which ought to characterise all the members of the Craft . And we are also symbolically taught that our aims and aspirations must not be bounded by the things of time and sense—for they are chequered and unstable—but must be raised

upwards and heavenwards to that celestial lodge where ( here are treasures laid up in store which no corruption can ever reach , ancl where no thieves can break through and steal . It is no mean service which Alasonry has rendered to the cause of religion that it has always made certain primitive doctrines of belief essential to a participation in its privileges . It does not indeed regard the differences existing among the many sects into which Christianity is

divided ; nor does it even require of those who join its ranks a profession of Christianity at all , since it freely admits persons to range under its banners who do not accept the Christian faith . It requires , however , the profession of the first great principles of religion , and those who hold them it unites together in a bond of brotherhood , and invites them to labour for the common good , thus connecting them by tics which would otherwise have had no

existence ; ancl certainly the large amount of practical benevolence which this great organisation has called forth is a proof that the principles on which it professes to rest do exert a powerful influence upon the minds of its adherents . Oh ! what an incalculable amount of distress has been alleviated bv those Masonic Charities which deservedly compel the admiration not of Alasons only , but of all who are acquainted with them ! To assist a worthy brother in

distress ; to extend a helping' band to persons who have found themselves powerless to avert misfortune—by reason , it may be , of sickness or the infirmities of age ; to minister substantial aid to widows who depended for support solely on their husbands' labour ; and to provide the advantages of education for orphan children : all these are objects to which the charity of Alasons is readily and liberally directed . We esteem it a duty thus to bear one another ' s '" Helens , and to look not merely to that which concerns

our own interests , but tbat which concerns our neighbours 'die-wise . In fact , we consider that one of the methods b y which we may most acceptably evince our love and gratitude to the Creator for all the tokens of His goodness towards us is by manifesting kindly feelings of regard and 'ove towards our fellow men . Yes , brethren , love to one another , that is the grand princi p le on which our Institu-?!• exists—a princi p le in which is condensed every doctrine "'inch has yet been invented for the good of the human race , and in which a tangible shape is given to every

The Consecration Of The Worsley Lodge.

philanthropic effort , to every benevolent aspiration . Oh , may thc Great Architect of thc Universe prosper not merely this particular new lodge which we are here met to consecrate , but Freemasonry everywhere , in every part of the world , so that it may be able to carry forward with greater success its benignant purposes , to the promotion of His glory and the general welfare of mankind .

Bro. Hopkins On Freemasonry.

BRO . HOPKINS ON FREEMASONRY .

The following speech was delivered by Bro . Dr . Henry Hopkins at a recent meeting of the Royal Cumberland Lodge , No . 41 , Bath , when our esteemed brother was installed as W . AI : — Brethren , very near to the present date occur the anniversaries of three important personal events which bear a relation to the circumstances under which I this day appear

before you . It is probable that I am nearl y , if not quite , the oldest Alason present , for last Alonday week was my thirty-second Alasonic birthday , my twenty-ninth as a ruler in the Craft , by installation as W . AI . of my mother lodge , No . 43 , and Alonday last was the sixth anniversary of my first appearance in a . Masonic lodge in Bath , the Royal Sussex . Had I joined the Order as soon as my age rendered me eligible , as many of you have done , my iubilee

would now have passed . That I did not was perhaps owing to the mistaken views I entertained of it from observation of a family connexion whom I knew to be a Alason . Hence we may derive a lesson of the importance of example . I do not remember the exact words I used on the first two of the oecasions alluded to , but , lacking the experience I have now gained , it is very probable I made use of the expression so hacknied under such circumstances ,

that it was . " the proudest day of my life , " accompanied by promises of faithful fulfilment of the obligations then entered into , promises so often forgotten after the highest honours have becn attained , as testified by gradually diminishing attention to summonses to attend meetings on the part of P . M . ' s . Brethren , I have mentioned pride , of which there are many kinds , namely , of birth , of wealth , of official position , of intellect , of personal beauty , of

honest endeavours in the discharge of duty , and , as 1 was once reminded , of a " pride which apes humility , " to which I referred at this time last year , when from the other end of this social board 1 pledged myself that my future pride should be in the welfare and prosperity of the lodge in which by the favour of your W . AI ., with the concurrence of the other rulers in the Craft , high rank had been conferred on me . Alay I not fairly assume that the nosition

I now hold is evidence that I have been considered as having so far redeemed the pledge ? and , if it be so , it is hardly needful to renew it as regards the Alasonic year now commencing , trusting that the past is a guarantee for tlie future . 'The question often arises , what is Freemasonry ? Our adverseries allege that it is a club , which , under the pretence ot charity , is a mere excuse for banquets and excesses . Certainly , in Bath , as in most

other places where I bave had experience , this is false , as we have but this one meeting of thc kind in each year , and it is proverbial that in England no great project is ever successfully carried out without a celebration by a good dinner . I may safely say that I never witnessed a case of intemperance on such occasions , here or elsewhere . Others say that we are like a number of children at play , dressing themselves up

in finery . Such persons arc not aware that , except on ycry rare occasions and under certain restrictions , we are forbidden to exhibit ourselves thus clothed out of the lodge , and that every emblem we wear , every colour we use , is symbolical , and has a signification amongourselves , as indicating Alasonic rank , which is necessary and useful ; and , further , that each of these has reference to some mortal truth . Another phase lias recently sprung up in the

endeavour to trace the existence of the lost ten tribes among the Anglo-Saxon race , and many are looking to our Order in the belief that it is our province and dut y to investigate the subject , and that by such means important discoveries will ultimately be made . I have a very valued friend whom I have instructed in all I know of the Craft and Arch Degrees , and who has thus successfully filled the highest offices 111 each . Contrary to general practice , his wife has given

him full support , ancl continues to do so by urging him on through the so-called high Degrees in the hope that he will take an active part towards the realisation of the theories on this subject , which she lias eagerly and carefully studied for some years . I believe it is considered hy the advocates of these views that the prophet Jeremiah went to Ireland , and settled there , and that some of bis family intermarried with those of the Irish kings ; that the Ark of the Covenant

was at the same time conveyed to Ireland , and that it will eventually be found buried in the bills of Tara . Leaving these speculations , you all know our definition of Freemasonry— " A system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols . " It is much more than this . In practice it is an indefinable bond of sympathy between its members , which none but Alasons can understand . I can bear witness as to instances in which it has restrained men

when on the point of doing- wrong , even when under the influence of mental aberration . It inculcates charity as to the failings of our brethren , as well as that other kind of charity which prompts us to provide for the widow , the orphan , and the destitute . I regard myself as a complete illustration of the truly Alasonic feeling- as manifested towards me ; for within thc last twenty-throe years I have resided and been active in three provinces , into all of which

J have entered without an introduction or an acquaintance , and in each , though I may at first bave been regarded with some degree of suspicion , 1 have ultimately obtained the confidence of my brethren , as testified by preferment to high positions . Brethren , this day supplies the climax of the whole . In the course of the last month I have sometimes felt that you and I have hardly acted with due Alasonic caution ; you in placing me in this exalted

position , ancl 1 in accepting it . Should my strength fail mc , I shall firmly rel y on your indulgence , and on the help of my predecessors in the office . With it 1 think my age will justify me in declining to undertake any further Alasonic responsibilities , nor would I have done so now if I bad thus prevented any brother from receiving the due reward of his

labour . Still , however , should my life be spared , and a fair measure of health be permitted , my assistance will , I trust , be at the service of those who seek it , whether members of this or any other lodge . I thank you most heartily for the opportunity of being useful , and for the compliment now offered , feeling assured that it is not an empty one , from

Bro. Hopkins On Freemasonry.

the many acts of kindness and friendshi p with which I have been favoured on the part of individual members of thc lodge , even those from whom I have materially but honestly differed in opinion .

The New Cathedral At Truro.

THE NEW CATHEDRAL AT TRURO .

As far as wc can discern , the arrangements perfected are as follows : There will be a Alasonic procession on the great day" ( Alay 20 th ) , in which any Freemason will be allowed to take part provided he is supplied with a ticket on or before the 30 th April . The price for each ticket is 5 s ., which entitles the holder thereof to a seat in the " grand

stand , " to be erected in the north-east , where the "corner stone" is to be laid . Unless so supplied with vouchers , no brother will be allowedto join the procession . Tickets can only be obtained as follows : 1 . For Cornwall . —Through the W . AI . ' s of lodges direct from the Prov . G . Sec . ( Bro . Ii . T . Carlyon , solicitor , Truro ) . 2 . For other Prov . G .

Lodges . —Through the Prov . G . Secretaries from the Prov . G . Sec . of Cornwall . 3 . For London . —Through the Grand Sec . from the Prov . G . Sec . of Cornwall . Dress to be worn : Black frock coat , black trousers , white ties and gloves , tall hats , apron fastened outside the coat . A very large muster is expected to welcome their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

ACTS OF PARLIAAIENT . I cannot agree with my friend , Bro . Hughan , to whose remarks I always pay great attention , that no Act of Par liament previously to George the Third alluded to the Alasons as a secret society . The act of Henry the Sixth certainly refers to the Masonic Guilds , and indirectly , at any rate , in my humble opinion , confirms our general view

of Alasonic history , by the use of the Norman French "Chapitres" and "Assemblez . " The former part probably refers to those bodies under the monasteries , like the Lodge Lathomorum , at Canterbury , in "Alolash ' s Register , " the other to the general annual assemblies of the Craft Guilds . But all these points claim study and consideration , and I hope we are now on the highway of progressive and satisfactory research . MASONIC STUDENT .

SIR CHRISTOPHER WREN . I am truly glad to " note" the onward bearing of Bro . Gould ' s critical remarks , and trust that we may at last establish an English critical school , whicb may do good service to tbe cause of Alasonic archaeology . I yet repeat , what I have often said , that the true history of English Freemasonry has yet to be written . I have been looking

over several old books since I wrote last , but can only repeat what I before said , that the actual evidence of Sir Christopher Wren ' s connection with Freemasonry rests apparently so far on Alasonic tradition . Aubrey does not state the fact , he only mentions a " report . " At the same time the "tradition" which Anderson incorporates in his book of 173 S requires to be carefully consideredand not

, hastily neglected or contemptuously thrown away . It may be true , nevertheless , and until the archives of the Lodge of Antiquity are published , which may possibly be the case at some future and not very far distant day , we cannot say whether the lod ge possesses or not earlier traditions

on the subject than 173 S . Surely this uncertainty in all pre-1723 Alasonry ( the date of the oldest Grand Lodge minutes , as I understand ) should make us diligently look up old Alasonic collections . If Sayer's , Desagulicr ' s Dunckerley ' s or Anderson ' s papers could be found , we might learn something . AIASONIC STUDENT .

ASHAIOLE'S AIS . In answer to Bro . Brougbton ' s note on tbe subject , I have been enabled , b y the kindness of Bro . Gould , to ascertain that the AIS . lie alludes to has nothing to do with Freemasonry . When I saw Bro . Brouehton's "note" I felt

sure that such would turn out to be the case , as the Bodleian has been carefull y searched for Alasonic MSS . Ashmole ' s Alasonic AISS ., if still existing-, will be found probably somewhere in Staffordshire , in public or private hands . A search is now going on for them . AIASONIC STUDENT .

Can any Alasonic student point out a corroboration of Oliver ' s statement in the " Revelations of a Square , " page 16 , as to the "oldest formula" in his possession , and whicli he states "he has reason to believe was used during the Grand Alastership of Archbishop Chichcley in the reign of Henry the Sixth ? As far as 1 can make out , it is in that form unknown in England . A portion of it appears in

the Grand Alystcry , " 1724 . It clearly is not ofthe date of Henry the Sixth , and thc connection of Archbishop Cliicheley with Alasonry , as far as it rests on the evidence of "Alolash ' s Register , " ( called Alolart ' s ) , is purely a mistake . A distinguished foreign brother has asked me the question , and 1 take this opportunity of inviting assistance . 1 have already written to my good Bro . Hughan . If we can find out anything it will appear in these columns . AIASONIC STUDENT .

SIR CHRISTOPHER WREN . Bro . Broughton has slightly misapprehended the tenor of my argument . The Pocket Companion of 1736 was not cited by me as an authority , but rather as a summary of all the facts , fancies , and conjectures previously published , in reference to Freemasonry . The Pocket Companion of 1764 was compiled after the

appearance of the Constitutions of 173 S and 1756 , and of Dermott's "Ahiman Rezon . " As a test of its historical value I will briefly examine the last extract given by Bro . Broughton ( from p . SS ) , viz : — "The footstonc was levelled in due form ( 1 ( 173 ) , & c . Conducted by D . G . AI . Wren , with his Wardens , Edward Strong the elder and younger . "

Now we know as a fact , that Edward Strong the elder died in 1723 , aged seventy-two . Consequently if the Pocket Companion is to be relied upon , Edward Strong senior , then aged twenty-two , and his son , were appointed Grand Wardens in 1673 ! ! Reverting to a consideration of the Aubrey AIS ., some expressions in " Masonry Dissected , " by Samuel Prichard , 1730 , are noteworthy . He says : — " No constituted lodges