Consecration Of The Dobie Chapter, No. 889.

CONSECRATION OF THE DOBIE CHAPTER , No . 889 .

The consecration of this , the sixth chapter in Surrey , took place OH Thursday , at the Griffin Hotel , Kingston . The ceremony was conducted by General Brownrigg , C . B ., Grand Superintendent of the Province , who was assisted by Comps . S . Compton , Prov . G . H . ; the Rev . C . W . Arnold ,

Prov . G . J . ; C . H . Woodward , Prov . G . S . N . ; and Dr . E . Eager , Prov . G . A . S . After the opening ceremonial , Thc Rev . C . W . Arnold , G . C , then delivered the following oration : —M . E . and companions , such able orations have lately been " given by Comps . Dr . Harcourt and Simpson at the consecrations of the Weyside and

Wanderers' Chapters , and they have so exhausted the subject by their remarks that I find some difficulty , companions , in selecting a subject to-day which may steer clear of those tracks already traversed by such well known Masons ; and yet when I call to mind that we have met to-day to consecrate a Holy Temple where we may meet in social compact to reveal God ' s most holy name , I see at once a

subject of the greatest interest opened out to me , and one which seems to me of great importance to Masonry at the present time , when what you and I deem to be the great basis on which our system rests has been deliberately swept away by the majority of lodges in a neighbouring country . By tradition the history of our Order is curiously blended with that of God ' s people Israel , so

that their seasons of prosperity and adversity are as it were landmarks in the annals of Masonry . At the zenith of their power that glorious temple was erected by King Solomon , which the Most High accepted as His dwelling place , and in which He manifested forth His presence by the sacretl fire and the Shechinah . But the Sacred Volume tells us how again and again the people

orgot the presence and even the very existence of God , until , vexed at their repeated idolatry , he allowed them to be carried into captivity , and that noble temple was spoiled of all its riches , and reduced to a heap of ruins . So , too , our history tells us that the genuine secrets of Masonry were lost soon after the completion of the temple , and the most holy name of God remained

buried in oblivion for many generations , until it was accidentally recovered during the building of the second temple . We arc told that the Jews after their return to their country never relapsed } into the sin of idolatry , which had been so severely punished . Now this sin of idolatry , and their subsequent repentance , seems to me to be allegorically represented in Masonry by the loss and recovery

of thc name of the most High . Again , when that second temple arose from the ruins of the first we read that those , who had seen the glories of the , former temple , wept at the remembrance of it ; but God comforted them by sa y ' ngi " the tlesire of all nations shall come and I will fill this house with glory . The glory of ; this latter house shall be greater than of the ? former ,

and in this place will I give peace , saith the Lord of Hosts . " This prophecy was fulfilled , but not in the mannei expected . The desire of all nations came , the angel of the everlasting covenant who hath redeemed us from evil , anil his bodily presence gave greater glory to the latter house than the former ever enjoyed . But when he came to his own , he was rejectetl as hatl been foretold in the sacred

volume , and as a consequence that second house was utterly destroyed and the people sown throughout the nations to this vcry day . What then was the sin which caused their ultimate ruin ? It was formalism . The name of God was , indeed , most jealously guarded , and His law most rigourously fulfilled to the very letter even in the smallest minutia ? . but the

spirit of thatlaiv was utterly neglected , and the heart was not given to God . And now see bow Masonry in its teaching woultl especially guard against the sins of the periods it represents . Am I not right in saying that Craft Masonry calls for the recognition of God at every step ? Under the names of the G . A . O . T . U ., the G . G ., and the M . H ., 1 lis blessing is invoked in each degree . In the

centre of thc lotlge is situated the Sacred Symbol , calling attention to His omniscience , His omnipotence , and His omnipresence . Before thc W . M . lie the open pages of the V . of the S . L ., thc revelation of God ' s will to man . It is the standard of Masonic truth , the guitle of our actions , and the rule of our faith . Every obligation is sealed upon its sacretl pages , [ and the Mason is taught to square his

actions accoiding to the dictates of that Sacred Volume , if he wishes to become a living stone fit to be built into the temple not made with hands eternal . in thc heavens . At his entrance into our Ortler the initiate has the name of God constantly brought before him from the time he is asked the question , " in whom do you place your trust ? " until he is told " that thc working tools of a Master Mason direct

him to bear in mind and act according to the laws of his Divine Creator , that when he is summoned from this sublunary abode he may ascend to the G . L . above , where the world ' s G . A . lives and reigns for evermore . " Still further than this : Craft Masonry teaches the tloctrinc of the immortality of the soul , inviting us to contemplate death without terror , and assuring us that

" even nature bears witness that in this perishable frame resides a vital and immortal princi ple which inspires a holy confidence that the Lord of Life will enable us to trample the king of terrors beneath our feet and lift our eyes to that bright morning star whose rising brings peace antl salvation to the faithful antl obedient of the human race , " And just as Craft Masonry guards against

the sin of idolatry by the constant mention of the name of the G . A . O . T . U ., so Arch Masonry guards against formalism in all ics precepts . At our entrance into the chapter we pray that we may have " a proper frame of mind to worship Gotl in Spirit and in truth ; " we ask to nave our " hearts cleansed bv the inspiration of God ' s Holy Spirit "; we confess that ' " without His Divine and

Consecration Of The Dobie Chapter, No. 889.

special favour we must for ever be found unprofitable servants in his sight , " and " that we look forward with holy confidence to his gracious promises , by which alone we hope to pass through thc ark of our redemption into the mansions of eternal bliss and glory . " Still further we are taught that " our dependarice is upon God , " that " perfection is not attainable on this side the grave but that

perfect holiness belongs to God alone "; that God judges not by outward appearance but looks to the heart alone . " What , then , is the conclusion that we draw ? It is this , — that the great basis on which the fabric of Masonry is built is that sincere belief in the Most High , which is exemplified by a life of personal piety and virtue , resulting from the indweling [ presence of His Holy Spirit . On this alone

can our three great principles be based : for brotherly love is but the reflection back to earth of the love we bear to God ; relief is but the natural outlet that we seek to show the sincerity of that love ; and truth can only be found in the revelation of God to man . And it this basis be not firmly and securely laid , then faith is vague , andJhope is dim , and charity begins and ends in selfishness . Thus would

our arch of moral virtues crumble into dust when the test is applied , and could never raise us to the presence of the Most High . In conclusion , companions , it is my earnest ^ hope * that in answer to our prayers this chapter may ever be the depository of God's Holy Name in that highest sense I have endeavoured this day to attach to' it ; and that each member may feel the serious responsibility

that rests upon him to exhibit by life and conversation the sincerity of his profession , and that his heart is really animated by the Spirit of the Living God . The ceremony was then completed , and thc Principals were duly installed by Comp . Compton . After the ceremony the companions lunched at the Griffin , and honoured the tisu ' al toasts .

Royal. Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL . MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The monthly meeting of the General Committee of this Institution was held on Saturday last , at Freemasons ' Hall , Bro . G . J . Row presiding . Amongst other brethren who attended were Bros . S . Rawson , D . M . Dewar , R . B . Webster , W . Mann , W . Paas , John Boyd , Hyde Pullen ,

J . G . Chancellor , W . F , Collard Moutrie , A . Durrant , the Rev . Dr . Morris ( Head Master ) , Benj . Head , S . Rosenthal , H . Massey ( Freemason ) , Joyce Murray , C . J . Rushworth , Raynham W . Stewart , — Winter , Leopold Ruf , C . F . Matier , and F . Binckes ( Secretary ) . The minutes having been read and confirmed , Bro . Binckes read the letter from Messrs . Lawrance , Plews , and

Baker , solicitors , announcing the failure of Messrs . Willis , Percival , and Co ., the bankers of the Institution , on the a 8 th February . Asked as to what amount this Institution suffered by the failure , Bro . Binckes said £ 1720 . Bro . Binckes then read the list of twenty-four boys from this Institution , who , out of twenty-five , distinguished themselves at the late Cambridge Local Examination ,

which list has already appeared in the columns of the Freemason . Bro . Binckes also said hc had received from the examiners the following information—that out of a list of 230 candidates for first-class honours at these Examinations in one year only eighteen had been successful , and out of these eighteen as many as six came from the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ( applause ) .

The brethren then considered the new petitions for being placed on the list for election to this Institution in October . Of these there were four , and the whole of the petitioners were placed on the list . Bro . Raynham W . Stewart then said that the brethren had seen in the public journals that Messrs . Willis , Percival ,

and Co . having failed , the Hants and North Wilts Bank proposed to pay the creditors of the former firm 9 s . in the pound instead of 10 s ., antl he was very glad to find that the offer had not entirely fallen to the ground . He was only too delighted to find there was such a good prospect for the Masonic Institutions . But there arose a question in his mind whether the Institutions had assented

to thc proposal . He thought the Committee should pass a resolution assenting to this . He had heard it intimated that the payment of that 9 s . was dependent on the banking accounts of the creditors being kept at the Hants and North Wilts Bank . If any one had that idea it was a fallacy , because if the creditors of Messrs . Willis , Percival and Co . to the amount of £ 200 , 000 had resolved to accept the 9 s .

in the pound , and the resolution was ordered by the Judge in Bankruptcy to be registered , that was sufficient . He certainly should not retire from the position he took at the last meeting of the General Committee that the banking account should be kept at the London and Westminster Bank , but he thought the Committee , should sanction the acceptance of the 9 s . in the pound . Bro . Binckes said he had received no official notice of

the resolution of the creditors to accept 9 s . in the pound . Bro . Terry , on behalf of the Benevolent Institution , had received such a notice , but the Boys' School had not . Bro . Winter said he understood that in the event of creditors continuing the accounts they had had with Messrs Willis , Percival , and Co ., at the Hampshire and North Wilts Bank , they were to receive 9 s . in the pound . In the event of their removing the accounts what would they receive ?

Bro . Raynham W , Stewart replied that whether they continued the accounts with the new bank or not it could make no difference . By the registration of the resolution of the majority of the creditors they were all bound to receive 9 s . in the pound . He thought it would be as well to give notice of motion that those who acted for the Institution should be at liberty to accept any composition that might be offered . An application was made by Lawrance , Plews , and Baker on Thursday , after the Hants

Royal. Masonic Institution For Boys.

and North Wilts Bank had failed to get admission to the Clearing House , to have a resolution of the creditors registered to accept from this bank a composition of 9 s . in the pound . This resolution was come to by creditors to whom Messrs . Willis , Percival , and Co . were indebted to the amount of £ 200 , 000 . He thought the Committee of the Masonic Boys' School should say , take the 9 s .

Bros . Winter and Joyce Murray said a resolution was not required . It must be accepted . Thc subject then dropped . Bro . Binckes read a letter from Miss Hall , the matron of the Institution , thanking the Committee for raising her salary at last meeting from £ 100 to £ 130 . Outfits were granted to four boys , who , having left the

Institution , had obtained situations , and conducted themselves satisfactorily to their employers . Bro . Binckes informed the Committee that one candidate for next election had been removed from , the list by bis friends , they having got into circumstances which enabled

them to educate and maintain him themselves ; The list was therefore reduced from seventy-eight to seventy-seven , and it was now proposed that thirty -one boys be elected instead of thirty . On motion duly made and seconded , it was resolved to elect thirty , one boys next Monday .

Bro . Binckes having read an application from the mother of a boy who , since the holidays , had been unable to return to the school on account of ill health , for the allowance to educate him in her neighbourhood , it was resolved that the application be granted .

Bro . Clarence Harcourt then brought forward the case of one of the late boys , Greene , the son of an old friend of his , who had , after every effort to persuade him to the contrary , resolved to pursue his studies for the medical profession . The boy was a very clever , industrious , and steady boy , who had won many prizes . The lad ' s mother was in very indifferent circumstances , and could not afford

to pay his fees for him , which would amount to £ 100 ; and in addition to that expenditure he would have to maintain himself while he was studying . He moved that a grant be made to the lad . He thought the boy was likely to succeed in what he undertook , and if the brethren voted him a sum of money towards his expenses he thought he would render himself worthy of their

generosity . Bro . Raynham W . Stewart said the Committee had not the power to allow more than £ 20 . The Rev . Dr . Morris seconded the motion , the lad having distinguished himself . If he could raise £ 50 towards his expenses , the other £ 50 , he thought , would be found elsewhere .

Bro . Binckes said he had received a letter from a brother to the effect that if this Institution assisted Mr . Greene some friends would also assist him . The sum of £ 20 was then granted unanimously . Bro . Clarence Harcourt thanked the Committee for their kindness . Bro . Binckes referring again to the loss sustained by thc

Boys' School and the Benevolent Institution throu gh the failure of Messrs . Willis , Percival , antl Co ., said that several brethren thought something might be elone to stimulate the Craft to make an effort to recoup those Institutions . That matter had been before the Committee of the Benevolent institution at its last meeting , but was deferred till next Wednesday , the Committee thinking it

was premature as yet lo take that step . A circular was drawn up for making a joint appeal , and he ( Bro . Binckes ) undertook to bring the subject before the General Committee of the Boys' School . At the time when he consented to do this he had no idea of the dividend being so large as they had just heard . He did not know whether thc opinion of the brethren would

be altered by the information they had received as to the large dividend , but he would read the special circular which had been drafted , and leave it to them to say whether he should inform Bro . Terry that it had received the imprimatur of thc Commitlee . Bro . Binckes then read the draft circular , and added that a question had been raised whether brethren who might subscribe should

receive votes for their money , or in what manner a return should be made to them . Bro , Raynham W . Stewart said he thought the subject was wholly premature . They did not know yet what the loss was , or whether there would be any loss at all . Because Bro . Tomkins had been unfortunate they had no right to make that misfortune an excuse for getting money , or to

profit or trade on it . He wruld put it to the brethren that they should know the result first . When they knew the result , whether there would be a loss , and what the loss was , it would be quite time enough to make an appeal to the brethren . But if he was ri ghtly informed , and as he expected , that the Masonic Charities would r . ot be allowed to suffer , he did not think they had a right to make the

failure of Messrs . Willis , Percival , and Co . a pretext for getting more money . Our noble Institutions stood on a firmer basis , and required no failings or faults of a brother to erect a ground on which to come before the Craft for support . Let them not trade upon the misfortunes of a brother . When the necessity came they would deal with it . At the present time there was no necessity , and

therefore he woultl move— "That at the present moment all action in the matter proposed be deferred . " Bro . Clarence Harcouit said he was disposed to second that motion , because , if he understootl the position , it was that the business of Messrs . Willis , Percival , antl Co . had been taken over by the Hants and North Wilts Bank ,

who had agreed to pay the creditors of Messrs . Willis and Co . 9 s . in the pound . He believed that left thc private estates of the partners free ; and he understood it was not the intention of these brethren that the debts to the Masonic Institution should be otherwise paid than in full . He had no doubt , however , that if a deficiency did occur it would