Dedication Of A New Masonic Hall At Ashburton.

DEDICATION OF A NEW MASONIC HALL AT ASHBURTON .

Three years ago , or little more , the town of Ashburton counted a few members of the Masonic bod y among its inhabitants , but they were as followers without a leader , and up to that time lacked , perhaps , the confidence necessary to establish a lodge in their midst . But a movement having at length been made , a lodge

was started , and called after the name of the town in which it had its existence , with the additional advantage of having as its first W . M . Bro . the Hon . Richard Dawson , who has always taken a great personal interest in promoting a knowledge of Freemasonry in the Province of Devon . It has , in fact , made such

progress in the art that the room in one of the hotels of the town in which the brethren have hitherto met has become too small for existing requirements , and " a new departure " had , in consequence , to be decided upon . The initiative was taken by Bro . H . Stevens ,

Treasurer of the lodge , who generously offered a site on which to build a Masonic Hall if the lodge would undertake the further responsibility of erecting it . The responsibility vvas not a light one , but the promised assistance of Bro . the Hon . R . Dawson made the task

much easier than it otherwise would have been , and without loss of time the erection of the new hall , on a site just outside the railway station , was commenced . It has been erected at a cost , including the furniture of the lodge and all internal fittings , of about £ 400 , under the supervision of Bro . Stevens , who has charged no more than the bare cost of the materials used . The

lodge room is substantiall y fitted up and furnished , and the other rooms are of good size and in every way suitable for the purpose . The ceremony of dedicating the new hall was performed on the 30 th ult . by Bro . Viscount Ebrington , M . P ., Prov . G . Master of Devonshire , in the presence of nearly a hundred brethren from many parts of the

province . _ The imposing ceremony of dedication was impressively carried out by the Prov . G . M ., Bro . Viscount Ebrington , assisted by Bros . W . G . Rogers , D . P . G . M ., and the Hon . R . Dawson . The P . G . M . presided during the ceremony , having as his Senior Warden

Bro . the Hon . R . Dawson , and as his Junior Warden Bro . Ivimy , while Bro . H . Steele acted as Master of the Ceremonies . Corn , wine , oil , and salt were scattered and poured upon the floor of the lodgecorn as the emblem of abundance , wine as the emblem of joy and gladness , oil as representing cheerfulness , and salt as the emblem of hospitality . Then the

P . G . M . formall y dedicated the building to " Freemasonry , virtue , and universal benevolence . " Hymns and prayers were sung and intoned during the ceremony , and these included the dedication ode , specially written and composed for the occasion b y Bro . Fred . J . W . Crowe , S . D . and Org ., by whom also the whole of the musical arrangements were admirably carried out .

Oh , Thou Architect Eternal , Who of old Thine house didst bless , Fill this Temple we have builded With Thy love and holiness . Fill it with Thy heavenly wisdom , Let its walls in strength endure ; Grace it with the inward beauty

That shall keep it ever pure . Let the golden corn of plenty And of joy—the sparkling wine With the flowing oil descending Shed their influence benign . Thus the light Thy presence lendeth With a holy flame shall glow ; And each brother's heart enkindle

Love , relief , and truth to show . So mote it be . A dedication prayer by the Prov . G . Chaplain brought the ceremony to a close . Immediately afterwards a banquet , attended by about 70 brethren , was held at the London Hotel . Bro .

Gervis , W . M ., presided , and the P . G . M ., D . P . G . M ., and many other Provincial Grand Officers , Present and Past , also attended . After the toast of "The Queen and the Craft" had been honoured , The WORSHIPFUL MASTER gave " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , our Grand Master , " and said they regarded his

Royal Highness from two points of view , in each of which he commanded their confidence and affection . As Heir to the Throne he lived in the affections of the people at large , while as the Grand Master of English Freemasons all who were connected with the Fraternity recognised how it had prospered under his leadershi p and guidance , and that he had made it far more popular than ever it was before .

In proposing the toast of " The Provincial Grand Master and Provincial Grand Officers , " the W . M . said they were under great obligations to Viscount Ebrington , their Prov . G . M ., and the other Prov . Grand Officers for the honour they had done the lodge in coming to Ashburton and rendering such valuable services as they

had done that day . It was about three years ago the lodge was first formed , and he vvas glad to say they had now not only a lodge but a home of their own of which they had no reason whatever to be ashamed . They had done their best in the short time that had elapsed since

the lodge was formed to establish a position among the lodges of the province , and he thought they had every reason to congratulate themselves that their efforts had succeeded so well . Bro . W . ROGERS , D . P . G . M ., responded . He said it was a creat pleasure to him to be able to testify to the

Dedication Of A New Masonic Hall At Ashburton.

able manner in which the brethren of Ashburton Lodge had discharged their duties , and he congratulated them on the success with which the lodge had been worked , a success which had resulted in their acquiring the excellent building which had been dedicated that day to the purposes of Freemasonry . It was a great

pleasure to him also to be able to state that of all the lodges that had been started since he had had the honour of holding office in the province there was none in which the work had been more satisfactorily done than in the Ashburton Lodge . Bro . DAVIE , P . G . Sec , also returned thanks . It was

an especial pleasure to him to take part in that day ' s proceedings , because he had the honour of installing their first Master . He little thought when three years ago he installed Bro . Dawson in the W . M . ' s chair that in so short a time they would have been called together for the purpose of dedicating a new hall . It was

almost unprecedented in the history of Freemasonry that a lodge had advanced so rapidly in so short a time . If its example was followed throughout the province , Devonshire would be in a much better position than . it was at present in the matter of providing for its poorer brethren .

Bro . Viscount EBRINGTON , P . G . M ., who vvas heartily received , thanked the brethren for the cordiality of their reception , and asked them to drink to the next toast , " Prosperity to Ashburton Lodge . " In his position as Prov . Grand Master , it gave him much gratification to wish prosperity to a lodge that had done so

much to deserve it . As they had already heard , it was very little more than three years ago that the lodge was consecrated , but they now had something like three times as many members as they had then , and instead of meeting in a hired room , they had their own castle with their own roof above their heads . That was owing

to the energy and public spirit of the brethren , and especially to the kindness and liberality of one of their members , Bro . Stevens , who not only gave them a site , but also superintended the erection of the handsome and commodious building in which they had just met . From what Bro . Stevens had himself told him ,

he was quite sure that that had been to him a labour of love , as it must also be a great gratification to him to see how the result of his labours was appreciated . But while their charity had begun at home he was glad to know that it had not ended there . Setting an example to many lodges in the province , they had made

themselves Patrons of all the three great Masonic Charities , and had acquired permanent votes for the advancement of the poorer brethren of the province in connection with each of those great Institutions . Therein they had not onl y set a good example to other lodges , but had laid a solid foundation for themselves both in

a practical form and in another shape which , though not , perhaps , so solid or so tangible , yet would be equally enduring—a foundation on which he hoped and believed they would raise up the edifice of a good name and reputation which would endure for many

generations . He coupled with the toast the names of two of the founders of the lodge—their W . M ., who had so ably presided over their proceedings that evening , and the Hon . R . Dawson , to whom they were also largely indebted for the valuable services he had rendered

since the lodge was formed . The P . G . M ., in conclusion , tendered his thanks to the Organist of the lodge , Bro . Crowe , for the admirable manner in which the musical portion of the dedication service in the lodge was rendered . Bro . Crowe , he said , must have taken a great deal of trouble with the choir , in order that the

musical portion of the service should have been rendered so accurately and well . The W . M . ( Bro . GERVIS J , and Bro . the Hon . R . DAWSON , both acknowledged the toast . Bro . Dawson said it vvas , as previous speakers had explained , little more than three years since the light of Freemasonry

first reached Ashburton , and Masonry being a progressive art they had endeavoured to fulfil that principle and to progress . A good deal had already been said about the way in which they had progressed during the past three years , and certainl y during the first year , when he filled the position of W . M ., they had a great

deal of work to do . Many new brethren joined the Craft , and successive initiations meant a good deal of anxious work for the officers of the lodge ; but he was most ably supported by all the officers , and not onl y so , but a generous support vvas also given by the brethren of nei g hbouring lodges , who came from Newton ,

Totnes , and elsewhere , and showed a true Masonic spirit in thus coming to the assistance of the brethren at Ashburton . To their present W . M ., and to the S . W ., Bro . Acock , they were also greatly indebted for valuable assistance rendered to the lodge . He hoped the success thus far attained would be continued in the future , and that now they were in possession of their

new building , they would have many seekers after the true li ght of Masonry . The other toasts were— "The Visitors , " proposed by Bro . H . STEELE , and the T yler ' s toast , submitted by Bro . ACOCK , S . W . The toasts were interspersed with some excellent singing , and the whole proceedings , both in the lodge and at the banquet , were thoroughly hearty and harmonious .

The Princess Louise ( Marchioness of Lome ) and the Marquis of Lome met with a hearty welcome from the people of Torquay on Tuesday , when her Royal Highness opened an Arts and Crafts Exhibition at the Bath Saloons , and laid the foundation-stone of the new harbour works , which are being erected at a cost of £ 30 , 000 . After luncheon the Marquis and Marchioness left for town en route for Windsor , which vvas reached about S p . m ., on a visit to the Queen .

Opening Of A New Masonic Hall At Buckingham.

OPENING OF A NEW MASONIC HALL AT BUCKINGHAM .

The Grenville Lodge , No . 17 S 7 , though comparatively young in years , has been a very progressive one , and , although consecrated but 10 years ago , it now numbers between 40 and 50 members , and this in a town of only about 4000 inhabitants . About 12 months ago the desirability of having a properly furnished and

appointed room in which to hold the lodge meetings vvas discussed , and the S . W ., Bro . J . Marshall , who is this year W . M ., and also Mayor and Chief Magistrate of the town , came to the rescue . He made an offer to the lodge , which vvas most gratefully accepted , to build a proper lodge room , and let it at a nominal yearly

rental to the Grenville Lodge . On Thursday , the 10 th ult . ( the building being finished ) , the opening ceremony and consecration took place . The programme included a short service in the Parish Church , when a suitable address was given by Bro . the Rev . W . MILES MYRES , Chaplain to the lodge .

The brethren afterwards proceeded to the new hall , when the ceremony of consecration was performed by Bro . the Rev . F . G . Kiddle , P . M ., P . P . G . C , in the unavoidable absence of Bro . the Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg , P . G . C ., D . P . G . M . in charge of Berks and Bucks , many brethren from the neig hbouring lodges being present .

A luncheon vvas afterwards held in the Town Hall , at which a goodly company sat down . The day ' s proceedings concluded most successfully with a ball in the Town Hall , at which nearly 150 guests were present . The whole arrangements reflected great credit on the Committee and the hard-working Secretary , Bro . F W . Attwood .

A "Social" At The Lodge Of Perseverance, No. 345, Blackburn

A "SOCIAL" AT THE LODGE OF PERSEVERANCE , No . 345 , BLACKBURN

On Monday ,-the 28 th ult ., a "social" in connection with the Lodge of Perseverance , No . 345 , was he'd in the Blackburn Exchange Assembly Rooms for the benefit of the Masonic Charities , and the result has been most gratifying to the promoters as well as to the participators in the enjoyment of it .

The management was in the hands of a Committee , consisting of the W . M ., Bro . Roger Pye , Bro . T . W . Gregson , l . P . M . ; the Wardens and officers ; Bros . T . Butterworth , Hon . Sec ; and S . Goldstone , P . M ., Master of Ceremonies . Great praise is due to the artistes who gave their

services voluntarily and performed their several parts in a most admirable and praiseworthy manner . The programme consisted of 20 dances , every second dance being interspersed with vocal music , humorous and otherwise . The band was under the leadership of Bro . James

Southworth , and the music , selected from the most favourite operas , gave satisfaction to all . The company numbered about 150 . Everything passed off in a most pleasing and satisfactory manner , and a considerable balance has been realised , which will be handed over to the Charities .

Bro . A . D . Rayner was caterer , and the refreshments provided gave every satisfaction . Amongst the company were representatives from Lodges Nos . 126 , 26 9 , 346 , 3 6 9 , 381 , and 1145 .

Coloured Lodges.

COLOURED LODGES .

The prospects of the coloured lodges of the United States are not very encouraging from a truly Masonic point of view , if we may judge from the following account of recent law proceedings which we take irom the Philadelphia Public Ledger : —Court of Common Pleas No . 1 , decided the equity suit of John

Rhodes et al . against Charles H . Brown et al ., a litigation which began about five years ago . The plaintiffs to the suit represented the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons for Pennsylvania , an organisation of coloured men , and the defendants represented about 30

subordinate lodges of coloured Masons . The suit against the latter was for the purpose of forfeiting all the monies , jewels , regalia , books , papers , etc ., belonging to these lodges because of their adherence to a union of coloured Masonic organizations formed in 1882 . This new organization is called the Most Worshipful Grand

Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania . The suit was referred to a Master , and he decided in favour of the plaintiffs . It was upon exceptions to this report that the case was before Common Pleas No . 1 . It appeared that the Supreme Court , on another branch of the litigation , had , in the meantime , decided that the union of 18 S 2 is a valid union and this

having been brought to the attention of the Judges they thought it decisive of the controversy and the exceptions to the Master ' s report were accordingly sustained . This decision sustains the position of the subordinate lodges , which claimed thai they owed allegiance only to the new Grand Lodge formed in 1882 .

4 The British Silk Exhibition at the residence , No . 7 , St . James ' s-square , of Bro . Lord Egerton of Tatton , which was opened on Tuesday by the Duchess of Teck , is in every way a success . Among those present at the ceremony were the Princess of Wales and the Princesses Victoria and Maud , Lady Wantage , Baroness Burdett-Coutts , Countess of Crawford , and the Countess Amherst .