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Article BRO. JOHN HARVEY BOYS. ← Page 2 of 2 Article CONSECRATION of a NEW LODGE at TOPSHAM. Page 1 of 2 Article CONSECRATION of a NEW LODGE at TOPSHAM. Page 1 of 2 Article CONSECRATION of a NEW LODGE at TOPSHAM. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Bro. John Harvey Boys.
succeeded by Bro . W . F . Dobson , the present D . P . G . M . He was also a Mark Master of the Bon Accord Royal Arch Chapter ; P . Z .
Thanet Chapter , 429 , and also one of the founders of the Wellington Chapter , 784 ; and K . K . H . 30 .
The deceased , who had been out of health for some time , died suddenly at his residence in Margate on the 29 th May last , and was interred in the family vault at Bettshanger
near Easby . on the following Friday , his remains being followed to the grave by a large concourse of brethren from the adjoining lodges in the Province , who thus
assembled to pay a last tribute of respect to one who had done so much for the Craft and had so well carried out the "three great principles of the order" instilled in our minds on our entrance into Freemasonry .
It may be mentioned that the deceased was sprung from one of the oldest families in Kent , and was a descendant of Sir John Boys , the first Recorder of Canterbury , and
the founder of Jesus of Boys' Hospital in that city in 1612 , and whose remains are interred in the Cathedral there ; and also of
the gallant Col . Sir John Boys , who defended Donington Castle , in Berkshire , against the rebels in 1646 , and was knighted by Charles I . for his bravery .
Consecration Of A New Lodge At Topsham.
CONSECRATION of a NEW LODGE at TOPSHAM .
A public demonstration , ceremonial , and banquet took place at Topsham on Tuesday , 31 st ult ., in connection with the consecration of the Brent Lodge , No . 12 S 4 , of which Col . Brent , of AVoodbury , is the AA' . Master Thc lodge stands on a plot of ground adjoining the Globe Hotel , ancl its
position in connection with thc adjacent buildings is such that no attempt has been made to give the structure an imposing appearance on thc outside , but it has a tasteful , beautiful , and costly interior . The ceremony was very numerously attended , the following Brethren having assembled at the lodge :
Bros , the R . AV . the Rev . J . Huyshe , M . A ., l' . G . M . ; V . AV . L . P . Metham , D . P . G . M . ; R . G . Brent . P . M ., 650 ; P . G . Treasurer , AV . R . Scott , P . G . G . D . ; K . Davies , S . AV ., 1099 ; Geo . AA ' . Burden , AA ' . M ., 303 ; Capt . Dick , P . M ., 11 S 1 ; C . Leigh , AV . M ., . 20 5 ( Stonehousc ); J . Dickinson , G . C ., 1125 ; C . H .
Law , P . M . 97 , P . P . S . AV . ( Herts . ); S . R . Force , P . P . G . D . C ; H . L . Brewster , AV . M . 1254 P . l ' . G . Reg . ; Henry AA * . Hooper , S . AA * . 1254 ; John Hutchings , 2 nd Royal Regiment Lodge : Jcthro Tucker , J . AV . 1254 ; Henry Bale , P . M ., P . P . W . ; P . Silvester , 106 ; John Kcnshole , 39 ; S . S . P .
Blight , P . M . 39 , P . P . G . O . ; Thos . Oliver , S . W . 328 ; H . S . Gill , 1125 ; J . K . Pendray , 444 ; E . Middleton' 710 ; j . H . Elliott , 710 ; AA ' . S . Carle , 1254 ; J . Gould . AV . M . 444 ; John Gambell , P . M ., P . P . G . A . D . C 223 ; P . F . Luke , 144 ; C Hooper , 144 ; E . Elford , 970 ; F . Colclen , 710 ; A . B .
Niner , J . W . 710 ; J . Lakeman , I ' . J . D . 156 ; G . P . Ward , P . M ., P . G . P . 303 : A . Bailv , J . AV . 444 ; AV . Shephard , 39 ; R . AA ' . Fnlford , 129 , P . P . G . R . ; J . E . Shanks , S . AV . 189 nnd 1025 ; J . I . Orchard , 164 ; AV . H . Geachsias , P . M . 39 , P . P . G . S ., P . G . D . ; H . Bartlett , I ' . S . AV . 710 , P . P . G . D . C ; A Soper Hexter ,
P . M . 112 , P . P . G . O . ; AA ' . Godolphin , 710 ; G . Evans , G . AV . 1181 ; G . Glandfield , AA ' . M . 328 , P . A . G . S . D . ; J . Strapp , P . M . 33 , P . G . S . ; AV . Easton , P . M . 39 , P . G . S . ; J . Clench , P . M . 444 ; AV . L . Quick , P . G . AA * . 39 , ; J . Stephens , jun ., P . J . D . 710 James Northam , 710 , S . AV . ; S . Blacking , 710 ; C .
T . Force , P . M . 444 ; Thomas Chudleigh , 710 ; H . M . Bartlett , 304 , P . M . ; P . C . Gidley , S . D . 112 ; St . Lcgcr Lousada , 164 ; AA ' . Furze , 39 ; J . Crocker Tyler , 710 ; AV . Pearne , 421 , P . G . S . ; E . Furze . 421 , AV . M . ; T . Davey , S . G . AV . Devonshire ; E . Blight , 189 ; AV . D . Moore , P . D . P . G . M . 112 ; H . B . Stark , P . P . G . O . ; R . Rcdway , P . M . ; S . A ' . Narrin , 109 ; AV .
T . Blake , 106 ; J . Spcttigue , 106 , P . M . ; AV . Sherw ' . n , 106 , J . D . ; J . P . Heath , 29 ; J . Melhuish , to 6 ; H . Scott , 372 , S . AV . ; AV . E . Gilford , 106 ; J . ]' Melhuish , 106 ; L , C . Home , 106 ; J . Foster , 106 ; C . Adams , S . D . 39 ; G . Bishop , 106 ; Shrimpton , io 5 ; G . G . Mitchell , P . M . 20 and 1247 , P . P . G . O . ; J . Bristow , G . P . M . 446 ; G . Heath , P . AI . 710 ; T . Gardner , P . M . 39 ; G . Tweed , S AV . 847 ; Frederick
Consecration Of A New Lodge At Topsham.
Horspool , J . D . 1254 ; N . T . J . Haydon , S . W . 1138 ; A . L . Luke , 39 ; T . Higgs , 106 ; H . Hopkins , P . P . G . S . W . ; J . AA ' . J . AVanvickshire , P . M . 43 and 958 ; C . Langdon , 1254 ; AV . Knott , 373 , J . D . ; L . D . Westcott , W . M . 70 ; S . Hodder , Steward 1264 ; W . E . Williams , J . D . 1125 ; W . H . Stafford
S . D . 710 ; J . Stroud Short , 303 ; S . Williams , 302 ; E . Brice , £ 9 ; R . W . Head , AV . M . 112 ; G . H . S . Yates , 1138 , P . G . J . W . ; H . Manllier , 53 , Bath ; J . Page , P . M . 372 ; R . C . J . Stocker , 122 ; R . L . Lloyd , 1138 ; Thos . B . Gibbs , 252 ; J . F . Martin , 6 u ; Alfred Bodley , 39 ; Henry Willey , 112 ; AVm
Lamble , 113 S ; John Moass Lcc , 39 ; James Stile , S . D . 1554 ; John AVay , AV . M . 39 ; J . Hawton , P . M . 1091 , W . M . 954 , P . G . D . C . ; AV . Dymond , 39 ; W . Can , P . G . T . The lodge was opened in the first degree , and the P . G . Secretary announced to the P . G . Master
( Rev . J . Huyshe ) that it desired to be duly constituted and consecrated in ancient form . The warrant from the M . AV . the Grand Master having been read , the brethren of the new lodge signified their assent to the officers named in that document . The P . G . Master then pledged the W . M . ( Colonel
Brent ) and officers to obey the constitutions , & c , and then declared the Brent Lodge to be regularly and duly constituted . The P , G . Chaplain ( Rev . AA * . L . Pope , D . D . ) delivered the opening invocation , and afterwards read a portion of the Holy Scriptures . The P . G . Master next delivered an
invocation , after which the lodge was uncovered , and the P . G . Master offered a prayer , during which the name was placed on thc lodge by the P . G . Chap-Iain . The D . P . G . Master , Bro . L . P . Metham , P . G . D . of England , afterwards delivered the following oration on Masonry :-
Right AVorshipful Sir and Brethren , —Could our ancient brethren , that small and happy band of brothers , who first taught and practised Freemasonry , look upon thc noble and majestic tree which , in the lapse of ages , has grown from the the little seed they sowed with so much contidence , and tended
with so much care ; could they drink again of the refreshing waters of that little rill they guided and protected until it has swollen into a mighty river , making the arid desert laugh , with varied plenty crowned , they would sec with delight that their works had followed them . They would have felt
that the unselfish and noble institution they founded had progressed and matured as only human institutions can progress and mature which have their foundations laid deeply and solidly in correct principles . Could they have accompanied us to-day into the House of Praver , they would have seen , as
they would have desired to see , that while the Brotherhood profess no more than that theirs is a peculiar system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols , yet it is not that false morality which professes to be independent of all religious convictions , but rather that pure and simply
morality which is the willing handmaid of the most exalted conceptions of the Deity . From that Book from which thc preacher must draw his inspiration , and which is always open in our lodges , Masons learn a lesson of daily admonition , instruction , and also of encouragement- Nearly fifty generations
of men passed away while the Bible was being written . Legislators , kings , priests , generals , judges , and shepherds were its authors . In poverty , in wealth , in conflict and in peace , in the palace or in exile , each in turn raised his voice as he was directed by holy inspiration : in words as varied as
their rank and age they all bent their energies to compose that wondrous epic . They never faltered in their hoped or expectation , even in adversity , imprisonment , or the flames , or in the den of lions , that a new Jerusalem would be founded in which Jew and Gentile , Scythian and Barbarian , bond
and free , should claim an equal heritage . No other writings can be shown which , composed through so many successive ages , points ever to one definite end and object . AVithout seeking for a moment to raise moral perception to thc same level as spiritual inspiration , we may claim that our ancient brethren
in like manner never faltered in a steadfast belief in the solemn integrity of their mission to create a common bond of Brotherhood which should banish division and strife , narrowness , and sectarianism , and teach men to live together in that " charity
which is thc bond of perfectness . " Their motto , " Multa ; tcrricolis linguae , macconis una . " They looked down thc long vista of coming ages for the time when , instead of man being arrayed against man in national and private strife , the words of our poet brother should be realised , and
Man to man the world o ' er . Shall brothers be , ami a' that . And none , I think , who look at the signs of the times ; none who vend history aright can fail to see that every hour adds to the conviction that
humanity will some day throw off much its baser attributes , and approach nearer and nearer to its Divine model . And that time will advance more rapidly if Masons arc true to themselves and to their Order . None could have witnessed the
Consecration Of A New Lodge At Topsham.
magnificent spectacle displayed by Grand Lodge , but a few days ago , when the Grand Master and his Deputy were installed , without the conviction forcing itself on his mind that if the representatives who were there from every rank of life , from the Prince next the throne down to the artizan from
the worshop , would themselves lead the lives of true Masons , and both by precept and example disseminate the godlike principles of our Order , therejwould be seen , perhaps even in our own generation , the lever which shall morally move the world . Worshipful Master and brethren of the , Brent
Lodge , I would exhort you , in the name of the Craft , so to demean yourselves both within and without the lodge , which has to-day been consecrated for your use , that you may add an impulse ancl a weight to this progress I pray you to remember , brethren of Lodge of Brent
that Masonry suffers much less from the attacks of those without , whether Pope , Cardinal , or any other bigot , than from the lukewarmness and want of honourable feeling of far to many of those within our pale . Let the character and antecedents of every candidate for admission into your lodge be
carefully sifted by evey member , and let each feel that before he extends to anyone the hallowed name of brother , he should be satisfied that his daily life is honourable , just and true , so that he may reflect honour instead of discredit on your choice . No argument , no entreaty , no influence ,
no question of social position , should lead you to swerve a hair ' s breadth from this vital and fundamental rule . Better ten men only in a lodge who are good and true , than ten times ten , who seek to enter on light or self-seeking grounds . Nor in the selection ofthe Master of your lodge by yourselves ,
nor in the selection of the Officers by the Master , should this rule be relaxed . None but those who have shown integrity and honour in private life , as well as diligence and kindly feeling in the discharge of their respective duties , should be invested with office in any lodge . The influence of the Master
should be felt beyond his lodge ; he should rebuke thc wrongdoer and exhort the waverer , reminding them of their Masonic obligations , and showing them that they hold in their hands the character and honour of their brethren as well as their own . And should all private expostulations and entreaty fail , and the
life of an erring brother become a public scandal , no Master is worthy of his post who would hesitate to use the power provided by the Constitutions for cases so painful , but which are , I am happy to believe , so rare . Above all , brethren , remember that the greatobjecttobcachieved by Masonry is to make
life more desirable for the whole mass of our fellowcreatures than it is at present . I do not mean merely an attempt to diminish the misery and poverty by which we are surrounded on every side , although that should be striven for by all as a most important clement of our Masonic work . It means that whatever differences of position and material
comfort may exist amongst us even permanentl y , a far higher range of the social sentiments , and of the principles needed for thc expression and support af such sentiments , may and should be called into play among all classes than the world lias yet scon . Masons should not only be sober , industrious , moral , truthful , and honest ; but their hearts should be
Open as day to inciting charity , and they should feel and practise a deep and widespread sympathy with humanity in general , without narrowness or sectarian prejudice . While professing great privileges , their mission is to strive to convert the world which feels so keenly that Man ' s inhumanity lo man
Makes countless thousands mourn . into a brighter and a better world in which Man ' s humanity to man Makes countless thousands blessed . Let charity be your motto and your daily life , let it be engraven on your hearts as well as your walls , let
its records be the choicest furniture of your lodge , and let successive masters and each individual member compete , one with the other , in an honest rivalry in doing what good each can in this generation , each striving to excel thc other in what is good and great .
The usual ceremony was afterwards gone through , in which Mr . Hexter acted as organist , and the following as vocalists :--Messrs . Godolphin and Horspool ( alto ) , Cross , Long . Furze ( tenor ) , Rouse , Shears , and AVnre . After which a procession was formed , which , headed by two bands of music ,
proceeded through the princi pal street of Topsham , and returned to the prrish church , where Divine Service was held . There was a very large congregation , including many who did not belong to thc Mrsonic order . Thc sermon was preached by Br . the Rev . J . Dickenson
, of Tiverton , who selected forhisdiscoursc the latter part 37 th verse , 10 th chapter St . Luke'" Then said Jesus unto him , go and do thou likewise . " The sermon was a very appropriate one , and at its conclusion , the usual collection was made uid the procession returned to thc lodge .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Bro. John Harvey Boys.
succeeded by Bro . W . F . Dobson , the present D . P . G . M . He was also a Mark Master of the Bon Accord Royal Arch Chapter ; P . Z .
Thanet Chapter , 429 , and also one of the founders of the Wellington Chapter , 784 ; and K . K . H . 30 .
The deceased , who had been out of health for some time , died suddenly at his residence in Margate on the 29 th May last , and was interred in the family vault at Bettshanger
near Easby . on the following Friday , his remains being followed to the grave by a large concourse of brethren from the adjoining lodges in the Province , who thus
assembled to pay a last tribute of respect to one who had done so much for the Craft and had so well carried out the "three great principles of the order" instilled in our minds on our entrance into Freemasonry .
It may be mentioned that the deceased was sprung from one of the oldest families in Kent , and was a descendant of Sir John Boys , the first Recorder of Canterbury , and
the founder of Jesus of Boys' Hospital in that city in 1612 , and whose remains are interred in the Cathedral there ; and also of
the gallant Col . Sir John Boys , who defended Donington Castle , in Berkshire , against the rebels in 1646 , and was knighted by Charles I . for his bravery .
Consecration Of A New Lodge At Topsham.
CONSECRATION of a NEW LODGE at TOPSHAM .
A public demonstration , ceremonial , and banquet took place at Topsham on Tuesday , 31 st ult ., in connection with the consecration of the Brent Lodge , No . 12 S 4 , of which Col . Brent , of AVoodbury , is the AA' . Master Thc lodge stands on a plot of ground adjoining the Globe Hotel , ancl its
position in connection with thc adjacent buildings is such that no attempt has been made to give the structure an imposing appearance on thc outside , but it has a tasteful , beautiful , and costly interior . The ceremony was very numerously attended , the following Brethren having assembled at the lodge :
Bros , the R . AV . the Rev . J . Huyshe , M . A ., l' . G . M . ; V . AV . L . P . Metham , D . P . G . M . ; R . G . Brent . P . M ., 650 ; P . G . Treasurer , AV . R . Scott , P . G . G . D . ; K . Davies , S . AV ., 1099 ; Geo . AA ' . Burden , AA ' . M ., 303 ; Capt . Dick , P . M ., 11 S 1 ; C . Leigh , AV . M ., . 20 5 ( Stonehousc ); J . Dickinson , G . C ., 1125 ; C . H .
Law , P . M . 97 , P . P . S . AV . ( Herts . ); S . R . Force , P . P . G . D . C ; H . L . Brewster , AV . M . 1254 P . l ' . G . Reg . ; Henry AA * . Hooper , S . AA * . 1254 ; John Hutchings , 2 nd Royal Regiment Lodge : Jcthro Tucker , J . AV . 1254 ; Henry Bale , P . M ., P . P . W . ; P . Silvester , 106 ; John Kcnshole , 39 ; S . S . P .
Blight , P . M . 39 , P . P . G . O . ; Thos . Oliver , S . W . 328 ; H . S . Gill , 1125 ; J . K . Pendray , 444 ; E . Middleton' 710 ; j . H . Elliott , 710 ; AA ' . S . Carle , 1254 ; J . Gould . AV . M . 444 ; John Gambell , P . M ., P . P . G . A . D . C 223 ; P . F . Luke , 144 ; C Hooper , 144 ; E . Elford , 970 ; F . Colclen , 710 ; A . B .
Niner , J . W . 710 ; J . Lakeman , I ' . J . D . 156 ; G . P . Ward , P . M ., P . G . P . 303 : A . Bailv , J . AV . 444 ; AV . Shephard , 39 ; R . AA ' . Fnlford , 129 , P . P . G . R . ; J . E . Shanks , S . AV . 189 nnd 1025 ; J . I . Orchard , 164 ; AV . H . Geachsias , P . M . 39 , P . P . G . S ., P . G . D . ; H . Bartlett , I ' . S . AV . 710 , P . P . G . D . C ; A Soper Hexter ,
P . M . 112 , P . P . G . O . ; AA ' . Godolphin , 710 ; G . Evans , G . AV . 1181 ; G . Glandfield , AA ' . M . 328 , P . A . G . S . D . ; J . Strapp , P . M . 33 , P . G . S . ; AV . Easton , P . M . 39 , P . G . S . ; J . Clench , P . M . 444 ; AV . L . Quick , P . G . AA * . 39 , ; J . Stephens , jun ., P . J . D . 710 James Northam , 710 , S . AV . ; S . Blacking , 710 ; C .
T . Force , P . M . 444 ; Thomas Chudleigh , 710 ; H . M . Bartlett , 304 , P . M . ; P . C . Gidley , S . D . 112 ; St . Lcgcr Lousada , 164 ; AA ' . Furze , 39 ; J . Crocker Tyler , 710 ; AV . Pearne , 421 , P . G . S . ; E . Furze . 421 , AV . M . ; T . Davey , S . G . AV . Devonshire ; E . Blight , 189 ; AV . D . Moore , P . D . P . G . M . 112 ; H . B . Stark , P . P . G . O . ; R . Rcdway , P . M . ; S . A ' . Narrin , 109 ; AV .
T . Blake , 106 ; J . Spcttigue , 106 , P . M . ; AV . Sherw ' . n , 106 , J . D . ; J . P . Heath , 29 ; J . Melhuish , to 6 ; H . Scott , 372 , S . AV . ; AV . E . Gilford , 106 ; J . ]' Melhuish , 106 ; L , C . Home , 106 ; J . Foster , 106 ; C . Adams , S . D . 39 ; G . Bishop , 106 ; Shrimpton , io 5 ; G . G . Mitchell , P . M . 20 and 1247 , P . P . G . O . ; J . Bristow , G . P . M . 446 ; G . Heath , P . AI . 710 ; T . Gardner , P . M . 39 ; G . Tweed , S AV . 847 ; Frederick
Consecration Of A New Lodge At Topsham.
Horspool , J . D . 1254 ; N . T . J . Haydon , S . W . 1138 ; A . L . Luke , 39 ; T . Higgs , 106 ; H . Hopkins , P . P . G . S . W . ; J . AA ' . J . AVanvickshire , P . M . 43 and 958 ; C . Langdon , 1254 ; AV . Knott , 373 , J . D . ; L . D . Westcott , W . M . 70 ; S . Hodder , Steward 1264 ; W . E . Williams , J . D . 1125 ; W . H . Stafford
S . D . 710 ; J . Stroud Short , 303 ; S . Williams , 302 ; E . Brice , £ 9 ; R . W . Head , AV . M . 112 ; G . H . S . Yates , 1138 , P . G . J . W . ; H . Manllier , 53 , Bath ; J . Page , P . M . 372 ; R . C . J . Stocker , 122 ; R . L . Lloyd , 1138 ; Thos . B . Gibbs , 252 ; J . F . Martin , 6 u ; Alfred Bodley , 39 ; Henry Willey , 112 ; AVm
Lamble , 113 S ; John Moass Lcc , 39 ; James Stile , S . D . 1554 ; John AVay , AV . M . 39 ; J . Hawton , P . M . 1091 , W . M . 954 , P . G . D . C . ; AV . Dymond , 39 ; W . Can , P . G . T . The lodge was opened in the first degree , and the P . G . Secretary announced to the P . G . Master
( Rev . J . Huyshe ) that it desired to be duly constituted and consecrated in ancient form . The warrant from the M . AV . the Grand Master having been read , the brethren of the new lodge signified their assent to the officers named in that document . The P . G . Master then pledged the W . M . ( Colonel
Brent ) and officers to obey the constitutions , & c , and then declared the Brent Lodge to be regularly and duly constituted . The P , G . Chaplain ( Rev . AA * . L . Pope , D . D . ) delivered the opening invocation , and afterwards read a portion of the Holy Scriptures . The P . G . Master next delivered an
invocation , after which the lodge was uncovered , and the P . G . Master offered a prayer , during which the name was placed on thc lodge by the P . G . Chap-Iain . The D . P . G . Master , Bro . L . P . Metham , P . G . D . of England , afterwards delivered the following oration on Masonry :-
Right AVorshipful Sir and Brethren , —Could our ancient brethren , that small and happy band of brothers , who first taught and practised Freemasonry , look upon thc noble and majestic tree which , in the lapse of ages , has grown from the the little seed they sowed with so much contidence , and tended
with so much care ; could they drink again of the refreshing waters of that little rill they guided and protected until it has swollen into a mighty river , making the arid desert laugh , with varied plenty crowned , they would sec with delight that their works had followed them . They would have felt
that the unselfish and noble institution they founded had progressed and matured as only human institutions can progress and mature which have their foundations laid deeply and solidly in correct principles . Could they have accompanied us to-day into the House of Praver , they would have seen , as
they would have desired to see , that while the Brotherhood profess no more than that theirs is a peculiar system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols , yet it is not that false morality which professes to be independent of all religious convictions , but rather that pure and simply
morality which is the willing handmaid of the most exalted conceptions of the Deity . From that Book from which thc preacher must draw his inspiration , and which is always open in our lodges , Masons learn a lesson of daily admonition , instruction , and also of encouragement- Nearly fifty generations
of men passed away while the Bible was being written . Legislators , kings , priests , generals , judges , and shepherds were its authors . In poverty , in wealth , in conflict and in peace , in the palace or in exile , each in turn raised his voice as he was directed by holy inspiration : in words as varied as
their rank and age they all bent their energies to compose that wondrous epic . They never faltered in their hoped or expectation , even in adversity , imprisonment , or the flames , or in the den of lions , that a new Jerusalem would be founded in which Jew and Gentile , Scythian and Barbarian , bond
and free , should claim an equal heritage . No other writings can be shown which , composed through so many successive ages , points ever to one definite end and object . AVithout seeking for a moment to raise moral perception to thc same level as spiritual inspiration , we may claim that our ancient brethren
in like manner never faltered in a steadfast belief in the solemn integrity of their mission to create a common bond of Brotherhood which should banish division and strife , narrowness , and sectarianism , and teach men to live together in that " charity
which is thc bond of perfectness . " Their motto , " Multa ; tcrricolis linguae , macconis una . " They looked down thc long vista of coming ages for the time when , instead of man being arrayed against man in national and private strife , the words of our poet brother should be realised , and
Man to man the world o ' er . Shall brothers be , ami a' that . And none , I think , who look at the signs of the times ; none who vend history aright can fail to see that every hour adds to the conviction that
humanity will some day throw off much its baser attributes , and approach nearer and nearer to its Divine model . And that time will advance more rapidly if Masons arc true to themselves and to their Order . None could have witnessed the
Consecration Of A New Lodge At Topsham.
magnificent spectacle displayed by Grand Lodge , but a few days ago , when the Grand Master and his Deputy were installed , without the conviction forcing itself on his mind that if the representatives who were there from every rank of life , from the Prince next the throne down to the artizan from
the worshop , would themselves lead the lives of true Masons , and both by precept and example disseminate the godlike principles of our Order , therejwould be seen , perhaps even in our own generation , the lever which shall morally move the world . Worshipful Master and brethren of the , Brent
Lodge , I would exhort you , in the name of the Craft , so to demean yourselves both within and without the lodge , which has to-day been consecrated for your use , that you may add an impulse ancl a weight to this progress I pray you to remember , brethren of Lodge of Brent
that Masonry suffers much less from the attacks of those without , whether Pope , Cardinal , or any other bigot , than from the lukewarmness and want of honourable feeling of far to many of those within our pale . Let the character and antecedents of every candidate for admission into your lodge be
carefully sifted by evey member , and let each feel that before he extends to anyone the hallowed name of brother , he should be satisfied that his daily life is honourable , just and true , so that he may reflect honour instead of discredit on your choice . No argument , no entreaty , no influence ,
no question of social position , should lead you to swerve a hair ' s breadth from this vital and fundamental rule . Better ten men only in a lodge who are good and true , than ten times ten , who seek to enter on light or self-seeking grounds . Nor in the selection ofthe Master of your lodge by yourselves ,
nor in the selection of the Officers by the Master , should this rule be relaxed . None but those who have shown integrity and honour in private life , as well as diligence and kindly feeling in the discharge of their respective duties , should be invested with office in any lodge . The influence of the Master
should be felt beyond his lodge ; he should rebuke thc wrongdoer and exhort the waverer , reminding them of their Masonic obligations , and showing them that they hold in their hands the character and honour of their brethren as well as their own . And should all private expostulations and entreaty fail , and the
life of an erring brother become a public scandal , no Master is worthy of his post who would hesitate to use the power provided by the Constitutions for cases so painful , but which are , I am happy to believe , so rare . Above all , brethren , remember that the greatobjecttobcachieved by Masonry is to make
life more desirable for the whole mass of our fellowcreatures than it is at present . I do not mean merely an attempt to diminish the misery and poverty by which we are surrounded on every side , although that should be striven for by all as a most important clement of our Masonic work . It means that whatever differences of position and material
comfort may exist amongst us even permanentl y , a far higher range of the social sentiments , and of the principles needed for thc expression and support af such sentiments , may and should be called into play among all classes than the world lias yet scon . Masons should not only be sober , industrious , moral , truthful , and honest ; but their hearts should be
Open as day to inciting charity , and they should feel and practise a deep and widespread sympathy with humanity in general , without narrowness or sectarian prejudice . While professing great privileges , their mission is to strive to convert the world which feels so keenly that Man ' s inhumanity lo man
Makes countless thousands mourn . into a brighter and a better world in which Man ' s humanity to man Makes countless thousands blessed . Let charity be your motto and your daily life , let it be engraven on your hearts as well as your walls , let
its records be the choicest furniture of your lodge , and let successive masters and each individual member compete , one with the other , in an honest rivalry in doing what good each can in this generation , each striving to excel thc other in what is good and great .
The usual ceremony was afterwards gone through , in which Mr . Hexter acted as organist , and the following as vocalists :--Messrs . Godolphin and Horspool ( alto ) , Cross , Long . Furze ( tenor ) , Rouse , Shears , and AVnre . After which a procession was formed , which , headed by two bands of music ,
proceeded through the princi pal street of Topsham , and returned to the prrish church , where Divine Service was held . There was a very large congregation , including many who did not belong to thc Mrsonic order . Thc sermon was preached by Br . the Rev . J . Dickenson
, of Tiverton , who selected forhisdiscoursc the latter part 37 th verse , 10 th chapter St . Luke'" Then said Jesus unto him , go and do thou likewise . " The sermon was a very appropriate one , and at its conclusion , the usual collection was made uid the procession returned to thc lodge .