French Ideas Of The Situation.

FRENCH IDEAS OF THE SITUATION .

The address of the Grand Orient of France , which we refer to in our leader columns , to those Jurisdictions still withholding recognition , will be based upon the following " ideas , " ns set forth by Bro . Du Hamel , one of the Grand Secretaries : " All the Freemasonries of the world possess the characteristics which arc ¦ neculiar to themselves , according : to their country , their habits , their national

temperament . Their general aspirations and tempers , theirhistoric . il traditions and sociological circumstances producean infinite diversity of aspects , which in no way excludes unity nor even homogeneousness . It is only to the view of the superficial or prejudiced observer that our great family appears heterogeneous or disunited . The community of sentiments uniting all the children of the widow , whatever nationality or race they belong to , is assured by so manv facts that it is useless to insist upon them to prove the assertion

anew . Notwithstanding the coldness and even the momentary cessation of the official relations among the different obediences dividing the government of Masons , the brethren of all the obediences have continued often to receive each other , and welcome each other with the demonstration of a warm Masonic sympathy . It is thus that in our lodges we open widely out * arms and our hearts to all regular Masons without troubling ourselves in any measure concerning the state of our official relations with ihe obediences they

belong to . " It is in the same way , let us recognize it warmly , that abroad French Masons are welcomed in the most friendly manner , and it is the very honour of our sublime Institution that our disagreements may sometimes divide our minds , without ever penetrating to the bottom of our hearts . How could our understandings on the surface of the whole world , at the same hour on some lete unison ? this of those

decided question , find themselves in comp For , one currents of opinion would be necessary of a supernatural ' s power , such as thc history of humanity offers us as yet no example . By an admirable chain of union we are perhaps destined to serve as the " conductors " of the grand thoughts which move the conscience , and by our slow , patient , resolute , and continuous labours in thc bosom of our temples , to elaborate those admirable

' * formula , " which , born yesterday in the mind of the thinker , become to-morrow the patrimony of our entire humanity . The sentiment of fraternity , before which all the Masons of all obediences bow with respect , is it not the temporal , and yet indissoluble , link which forms this chain of union ? ... . " As we place ourselves on this ground , as we appeal to this sentiment so deeply rooted in the hearts of all those who have the honour to labour upon

the columns of the Temple of Hiram , we are certain of being understood . Leaving on one side for the moment all lhat can divide us , all that could shock some respectable convictions , or even inveterate prejudices , letusseek to dissipate all misunderstandings . When we are known it will be impossible to refuse to us the esteem to which we have a claim , and acknowledge the Masonic loyalty of our intentions . "

Consecration Of The St. Botolph's Lodge, No. 2020.

CONSECRATION OF THE ST . BOTOLPH'S LODGE , No . 2020 .

This new lodge for thc City of London was consecrated on FYiday , the 4 th inst ., at the Albion Hotel , Aldersgate-street , by Col . Shadwell H . Clerkc . Grand Secretary , who was assisted by Bros . Al . J . Mclntyre , Q . C , M . P ., Grand Registrar , as S . W . ; Sir John B . Monckton , P . G . D ., President of the Board of General Purposes , as J . W . ; Rev . C . W . Arnold , P . G . C , Deputy Prov . G . M . for Surrey , as Chap . ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., as D . of C . ; and Bro . Edgar Bowyer , Grand Std . Br ., as I . G . The full list of brethren

who attended , in addition to those already named , includes Bros , the Rt . Hon . thc Lord Mayor , Alderman li . N . Fowler , G . S . W . Wilts ; Sir Francis W . Truscott , P . G . W . ; John Derby Allcroft , G . Treas . ; Horace Jones , G . Supt . of Wks . ; Rev . Canon Townshcnd , G . Chap . Nova Scotia ; R . II . Giraud , P . G . D . ; J . M . Case , P . G . D . ; Thomas Fenn , P . G . D . ; Ralph Gooding , M . D ., G . S . D . j Frank Green , G . J . D . ; J . H . Devonshire , G . J . D . ; Lieut .-Col . Jas . Peters , G . S . B . ; Thomas Cubitt , P . G . Purst . ; T . Dolling Bolton , D . G . D . C . ; Bradshaw Brown , P . G . S ., W . M . No . 1 ; H . Sadler ,

G . Tyler ; Alderman John Staples , H . H . Wells , Henry S . Legg , George Kenning , P . M . 192 , iCs 7 , P . G . D . Middx . ; P . Saillard , Benjamin Norman , J . W . Benskin , Thomas Murray janes , John Crawford , No . 1 ; R . M . Bishop , S . W . No . 1 ; Alfred Brookman , No . 1 , P . M . 1657 : Edward Anderton , J . D . 1 C 1 . 57 ; Thomas Minstrell , 87 , W . M . 1928 ; John L . Mather , P . P . G . D . C . Herts ; Robert Cross , M . D ., P . M . 198 ; G . P . Festa , P . M . 1900 ; T . C . Walls , P . P . G . S . B . Middx ., W . M . 1503 ; Ernest I . Husey , 1691 ; Samuel Benton , W . M . 1 G 57 ; G . N . Johnson , P . M . No . 1 ; Arthur B . Hudson , 1 G 57 ; Thomas R . Webb , 1 reatrex 22

1657 , 901 ; E . Y . Jolliffe , J . W . 1 C 57 ; Ii . W . Stillwell , No . ; A . G , P . M . ; Geo . Vickery , Alfred Thos . Layton , P . M . 181 ; B . Turner , P . M . 1328 ; Nelson Reed , P . M . 1572 ; Charles A . Leg- ' , 902 ; Henry Ashton , 1929 ; Frederick Bevan , 1706 ; Albert James , 1706 ; James Kift , 1791 ; W . Lake , P . P . G . R . Cornwall ; H . J . Rustomjce , P . M . 485 S . C ; Fredk . Crockford , P . M . 515 , P . P . G . R . Malta ; and H . Massey , P . M . 619 and 192 S ( Freemason ) . After the lodge had been formally opened ,

Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE said that the M . W . G . M . had given effect to thc prayer of a petition presented to him , and had granted a warrant for the St . Botolph's Lodge , No . 2020 , notwithstanding that there was the large number of 330 lodges in the London district . There were always cases which made an exception , and this lodge made an exception to the Grand Master ' s present rule to limit the number of warrants . It had been shown that this lodge would be for the good of Freemasonry , and therefore the Grand Master had granted it .

The Rev . C W . ARNOLD then delivered the following oration : It is very difficult to ascertain at what period of the world ' s history Freemasonry originated . Our traditional history assigns it to the time of the building of the Temple , but the latest researches seem to have discovered traces of its existence at a far earlier period , and it appears probable lhat in very remote times guilds of Masons were established by whom , as architecture advanced , the secrets of the art were carefully guarded and transmitted from one generation to

another , and who took care that the purity of the style and the genuineness of the work should be maintained . But how Freemasonry became so universally spread over the world that Masonic secrets are even found in the possession of the inhabitants of the islands of the Pacific is a problem which it is hard to solve . Perhaps our greatest difficulty is to ascertain how or when these ancient guilds were changed into the Speculative Masonry of

these modern days ; but , doubtless , as the records of different lodges are looked into more carefully , we shall discover documents which may clear up this period of history . In the present day Freemasonry is defined as a peculiar system of morality , veiled in allegory , and illustrated by symbols ; and its great principles are brotherly love , relief , and truth . The implements used by the ancient Masons in their work are applied to our morals . Our lodges are the abodes of peace and harmony , where everything which

Consecration Of The St. Botolph's Lodge, No. 2020.

might provoke quarrels or dissension is carefully forbidden . And our hearts are constantly moved to compassion by appeals to sympathise in the misfortunes of our brethren ; to relieve the distressed widow , to maintain the destitute orphan , and to help the failing brother in declining years . It is to found such a lodge as this that we have met to-day ; and where can we find a more congenial soil on which to erect it than in this old city of London , whose ancient

guilds have run a very similiar course to that of Masonry ? Founded originally to maintain the efficiency of the different trades and to see that the work was fairly and honestly done , by degrees they have passed aw . iy from this , and have become great centres of union to the citizens of this great city , and at the same time the guardians and dispensers of great charities . Where , then , I say again , could Masonry find a more appropriate

home than in the City of London , adorned with public buildings , many ol which are associated , with the names of leaders of our Order ? What citizen is not proud of the name of Wren , and of that magnificent cathedral which contains the ashes of so many of the noblest of this realm ' t Within the sound of its bells we have met to-day to consecrate a lodge which is to be presided over by one of the rulers of this city , whose name

alone is sufficient to guarantee that it will be worked efficiently and well supported . And where is our great principle of relief better understood than in this city , whose chief rulers takes * the lead in relieving distress of any kind throughout the world 1 Whether it be a fire in America , an earthquake in Europe , a famine in India , or a pestilence in Africa ; whether it be an inundation , an accident , or the devastation caused by war ,

whereever human suffering is found my Lord Mayor opens his list , and relief is sent with an ungrudging hand . I feel sure then that this principle of our Craft will be fully carried out in this lodge , and that it will soon be amongst the foremost of the supporters of our Masonic Charities . And may the time of its consecration , following so closely upon the season when we have been celebrating the great festival of the birth of the Prince of Peace , be an

omen of the peace and harmony which will ever reign within its walls , where the passions raised by party strife in the outer world will be hushed , and hand grasp hand in friendly sympathy ; where loyalty and order will ever prevail , and hospitality be extended with a liberal hand . And may the Masonic work carried on in this lodge constantly remind its members of the great duties they owe to their Father in heaven and their brethren on earth .

1 he ceremony of consecration was thereupon proceeded with , and on its conclusion Bro . Col . Clerke installed Bro . Alderman John Staples as W . M . of thc lodge . The following brethren were invested as officers : Bros . P . F . R . Saillard , S . W . ; Thomas Benskin , J . W . ; H . S . Legg , Treas . ; W . Lake , Sec ; H . H . Wells , S . D . ; and B . Norman , J . D . The other appointments stood over to next meeting . Votes of thanks were passed to

the Consecrating Officer and assistants , and all were elected honorary members of the lodge . The lodge was thereupon closed , and the brethren adjourned to a delightful banquet , served under thc personal superintendence of Bro . Jennings . Thc usual toasts were afterwards proposed and honoured . Bro . Sir FRANCIS WYATT TRUSCOTT , P . G . W ., replied to the toast of

"The Grand Oflicers , " some of whom , he said , had been delighted to assist in thc establishment of another lodge , aud thereby give increased power to the noble Craft . In the name of the Grand Officers he congratulated the W . M . and brethren on the establishment of thc lodge , and wished them prosperity . 'Ihe WoRSiui'iuL MASTER then said that , although the next toast was not altogether connected with Masonry , it was to the health of a good man , a

good corporator , and a good Mason— " I he Health of the Lord Mayor . " His abilities , talents , perseverance , and other good qualities were too well known to require any encomiums , and as Bro . Alderman Fowler was present , it was not necessary to say more than that he gained their esteem in whatever position he was called to fill , and that both Masons and citizens congratulated themselves on having him to fill the civic chair . They had been

told that thc race of Lord Mayors was likely to be extinguished with the present Lord Mayor . (* ' No , no . " ) At all events , they had the satisfaction of knowing that if he were to be the last of his race , he would certainly go out with flying colours . ( Cheers . ) But , the W . M . continued , I do not believe that thc present Lord Mayor is to bc the last on thc roll , and , indeed , I am looking forward to bc one day Lord Mayor myself . ( Loud cheers . )

M y confidence in thc old institution is unabated , and I trust that thc office will continue for ages yet to come , and that successive Lord Mayors will hand down unimpaired to their successors the rights and privileges which have been enjoyed by the citizens for so many centuries . The LORD MAYOR in repl y ing said he cordially concurred with the W . M . in wishing that he ( thc W . M . ) would some day be Lord Mayor

himself . He did not believe he should be the last of the Lord Mayors , and he hoped that the race would go on to the last days of the youngest Mason present . There were several Aldermen in succession to the chair who had apologised for their absence that evening , and he trusted that each one of these would fill the office . There was this prospect he was glad to sec before them for several years , that the office of Lord Mayor , which he unworthily

occupied , must be filled by Masons . He thought this fact alone showed the very great advance which Masonry had made m reccntyears . When many of those who now held the office of Alderman entered the Order it was not nearly so popular as at present . Masons were not then nearly so numerous as now , but he was glad to find that in whatever department of life they entered now they always found that the leading men were Masons . They had present one

of the most eminent philanthropists of the day , Bro . John Derby Allcroft , one who not onl y filled the office of Treasurer of one ofthe noblest charitable foundations which this country ever possessed , but who was also identified with a great many excellent movements not so prominently known in connection with the English nation . On the other side he had an eminent member of the bar , Bro . Mclntyre , Q . C , who had taken a very prominent part in the

proceedings of the day . Therefore he thought that was a proof that wherever they turned , whether in trade or law , they found Masonry was prominent . What he had mentioned shewed it held a very prominent p lace among the citizens of London . In the part of the country with which he was more immediately connected ( Wiltshire ) Masonry was flourishing , and there he

had the honour at present of being Senior Grand Warden . In London his lodge had just done him the honour to elect him its W . M . Speaking of his own province , where . Masonry was so flourishing , he should do his utmost to perform his duties , as well as in that lodge of which he had been elected Master .

Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE ,- Grand Secretary , in proposing "The Health of the W . M . " said that when the petition for the lodge was received the authorities were pleased to see that the petition was supported by the signatures of very distinguished Masons who were very distinguished men .