Table Of Contents.

TABLE OF CONTENTS .

PAGE . CONSECRATION of STAR LODGE , NO . 12 T 5 121 PAPERS ON MASONRYNo . XX III . —Masonry aud Politics 122 LODGE OF ToiipniciiEN-KiuviNNiNG , No . 13 ,

BATHGATE 122 & 123 MAXIMS OF PYTHAGORAS 123 THE CRAFT—Metropolitan aud Provincial 124 THE ROVAL ARCH—Metropolitan .. 121 MARK MASONRY 124 MEETING OF THE PROV . GRAND LODGE OF

DORSETSHIRE 124 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PROV . GRAND LODGE OF SUSSEX 124 PROV . GRAND LODGE OF LINCOLNSHIRE 125 MASONIC MEETINGS FOR NEXT WEEK 125

OBITUARYBro . Dr . James Hunt 125 INELIGIBILITY OF BASTARDS AND THE MAIMED AS FHKEMASOKS 125 BIRTHS , MARRIAGES , AND DEATHS 12 C INDISCRIMINATE ALMSGIVING 12 ( 5 MASONIC NOTES AND

QDEIIIESForeign Notes by the Editor 120 The Thirty-three Degrees 12 G & . 127 ORIGINAL COUUESPUNDKNCEJerusalem Encampment ... 128 A " Bumper Toast ¦ " 12 S

Ineligibility of Bastards as Freemasons ... 128 Spurious Masonic Bodies Again ... 128 & 129 A Query 12 U Sui'ROiK COUNCIL , NEW YORK 129 ADVEIITISK . MKNTS 130 131 & . 132

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Consecration Of The Star Lodge No. 1275.

CONSECRATION OF THE STAR LODGE No . 1275 .

Another star has been added to the galaxy of English Freemasonry , another luminary adorns the Masonic firmament . As a rule we are not

favorable to the rapid creation of new lodges , especiall y in districts where the Craft , is already fairly represented , but at the same time we hail with satisfaction their establishment in such

important localities as New Cross , which , although situated in close proximity to Deptford nnd Lewisham , where lodges exist , is such a populous suburb in itself as to demand a lodge of its own . Tho M . W . Grand Master having acceded to the prayer of the petitioners by granting the usual warrant , Friday , tho 3 rd inst . ,

Consecration Of The Star Lodge No. 1275.

was fixed upon for the consecration of the " Star Lodge , No . 1275 , at its intended p lace of meeting , the "Marquis of Granby , " in New Cio-ss-road . The Consecrating Muster was the deservedly popular Grand Secretary , Bro . John Hervey , P . G . D ., who at half-past four o ' clock opened the

lodge in the three degrees , and called upon Bro . R . Wentworth Little , P . M ., \ vho acted as Chaplain , to commence the proceedings . with prayer . The customary formalities having been complied with , Bro . Joseph Smith , P . G . Pursuivant and W . M .-

designate , and the other members of the new lodge were presented b y Bro . W . Watson , P . G . S ., who acted as D . C , to the Consecrating Master , who signified liis intention of constituting them into a regular lodge according to ancient form .

Bro . James Brett , Asst . G . Purst . ( the renowned Masonic teacher ) , then delivered with fine effect the following oration , which we may vcmAvkeiqxissant was composed by Bro . Little : — " Having met on this auspicious occasion as fellowlabourers in the laudable work of ereetiii" * and

dedicating a temple for the celebration of the solemn rites of Freemasonry , we may not iinprofilably devote a few moments to a rapid review of the principles and tenets of our ancient institution . The early history of the Order is confessedly involved in obscurity , and the earnest researches of the most eminent "Masonic

antiquaries have as yet failed to illumine the darkness that tills the mighty void . It is , therefore , no intention of mine to trim iny lamp for an adventurous pilgrimage into the dim cloudhinds of tradition , or the mythic regions of imagination , mure especially as I believe that the actual present and the dawning

future will aflbril us , as Freemasons , more ample food for speculation anil reflection , tlinii even the venerated records of the past . It is undeniable that this is an age of progress , in every department of art and science astonishing discoveries have been made , anil tlie path of life is cheered and comforted by the

application of a thousand useful inventions . In the midst of this general-advancement wc find Freemasonry still occupying a foremost place in the estimation of intellectual men . Now , as of old , princes and the exulted ones of the earth are found clothed in the Mason's badge and wielding the Master ' s gavel . In

this favoured land the Fraternity has been ruled for many years by a succession of" distinguished chiefs , whose names adorn the annals of their country , and during the long reign of the beloved nobleman who at present presides so worthily over the Croft , Freemasonry has advanced with giant strides , and its

beneficent influence is felt and acknowledged throughout every gradation of our sccial system . To ycu , my brethren , as Masons , I need liar ' illy say that we owe this g lorious position mainly to the gi and principles on which our Order is founded . Indelibl y inscribed on the pillars of our temple are the hallowed words—Brotherly Love , Itelief , and Truth , and every

true Mason bears them like a talisman engraven on his heart . By the exercise and practice of fraternal love we preserve the links that unite us in the holy bonds of brotherhood ; by discriminative benevolence we sustain the helpless and the alllicted ; and by diffusing the light of truth wc elevate our fellow men from the depths of ignorance and superstition . Such

Consecration Of The Star Lodge No. 1275.

are the objects inculcated in our precepts , and in this sense we may well regard Freemasonry as the mighty manifestation of a higher life ; of a more spiritual and heavenly existence— its teachings are solemn as the

breath of fate—they give a significance to many things ; they interpret our most mysterious feelings and sublime emotions ; they create our most exalted hopes . The utterances of our symbolic p hilosophy reach to all climes and to all nations—the emblems of our Order

are found everywhere ; its august ceremonies are not for one people , one empire , or one era ; they are for all the earth and for all time . Again , our institution is the guide to Wisdom , instructing us to separate , with unerring alcliyiny , the true from the false , and to distinguish the darkness from the light ; above all , it commends us to the devout study of the volume of the sacred law as the revelation of our divine Master ' s

will and word . It is also the index winch points to Strength , reminding us of the almighty power of the Great Architect ofthe Universe , as exemplified in the creation and preservation of the countless worlds that own His Omnipotent sway . It leads us to the contemplation of the beautiful in nature and science ,

enabling us to eliuib from the luminous worlds ol wisdom to the shining spheres of strength , and finally revealing to us those radiant realms where Beauty , kindled by the smile of ( iod , reigns in everlasting perfection . I will now bring to your notice a few

words of practical application . We know that the tenets of . Freemasonry are good , let us , therefore , endeavour to carry them out in our lives ; let the reality of our professions be proved by our actions , and the faith that is in us be manifested in deed as in

word . Life is too short lor the cultivation of animosities , and our future inheritance too lofty to bo rashly imperilled by foolish dalliance in the outer chambers of sin . Let us , therefore , decide to walk according to the light , that ' men may see our good works and glorify our Father which is in Heaven . "

Let us persevere in the acquisition of Masonic knowledge ; tor , as the broken fragments of a pyramid can give us but a faint conception of the colossal grandeur of the structure , so can a partial and imperfect view of Freemasonry alford us but a dim idea of its vast and wondrous proportions . Carefully guard against

the admission of un worthy candidates ; permit not the frivolous , the dissolute , or the intemperate , to enter within our gates or to participate in ceremonies which they can neither comprehend nor enjoy . In conclusion , brethren , 1 would express a fervent hope , in which I am sure all present will heartily join , that the

foundation we are laying this day may be solid and lasting , that the altar which we raise may be ever consecrated to the service of morality and virtue , and that centuries hence , when our living breathing forms shall have long mingled with their kindred dust , our descendant * in the Star Lodge may still be found promulgating in

all their original purity ihe genuine principles of our noble and time-honoured fraternity . " At the conclusion of this excellent address , Bro . Brett was greeted with Masonic applause . After appropriate music , the dedication prayer was offered up b y the Acting Chaplain , and tho

Consecrating Master then , in a most impressive manner , repeated the solemn " Invocation . " Bro . Watson then led the procession of Past Masters , with tho elements of consecration , reciting tho usual sentences referring to their symbolical signification . The thurible was then