Consecration Of The Exmoor Lodge, No. 2390, At Minehead.

any purpose , they were most certainly needed in the strife which was waged between right and wrong , between good and evil . One instinctly felt that if men were to make any headway at all against the sin , the evil , and the corruptions which abounded on every hand , if they were to do anything towards stemming the terrible tide , they must not strive single-handed or alone , for if so the strife would be intolerable , but they must remember that in this the saying held good , that in union alone there was strength . And if it were said in answer that that seemed to be a very obvious truth , it would be sufficient

tojsay that it was a truth which men had been very slow to apprehend , and which had only grown with the growth of advancing centuries , so much so that in the twilight of antiquity or the mists of mediaeval times there seemed to have been but one example of the great principle now so widely recognised , and but one single instance of a . human organisation which stood four-square to all the winds of heaven , having within it any elements of universality and permanence . What was the consequence ? As they looked back over the same tract of time there seemed to have been but one science and one art

that existed in anything like unbroken beauty and perfection . For even at the time when such was the prevailing ignorance that those in the highest ranks could scarcely sign their names the science of architecture and the art of masonry was ascending to its height , and out of the mists of the Dark Ages , so called and rightly named , they saw rising the proportions of some of the most exquisite buildings that the eye of man had ever seen , as surely they , in this land of Somersetshire towers , could amply testify , witnessing to the slowness of men ' s minds to apprehend the truth they taught ,

the power of united action . It was then , during those ages , that bodies of men were found throughout the Continent of Europe , and in Eastern lands as wellas had lately been so notably discovered in the descendants of Hiram , King of Tyre , among the Druses of Lebanon—men who bound themselves together by the most sacred ties to maintain in its purity the art they practised . Those men were styled Freemasons in consequence of their being free in all European lands from certain dues and taxes im nosed on the inhabitants by the Papal See—being exempted in consequence of

the work which they did in building being almost exclusively ecclesiastical . With the object of preserving that science from corruption , they entrusted its principles to worthy men , and , so far as they could tell , to worthy men alone , and those they advanced by stages and degrees until at last they were set forth as masters of the science . But the question might arise in the present day , "Why does the Society exist any longer , now that a revival of learning greater than an Italian Renaissance has irradiated the whole world of civilisation ? " or the

question might be put in a different form , " How is it that our Order has gone on existing while other orders have risen and fallen and organisations have become have-forgotten dreams , Freemasonry still remaining among us with undiminished and increasing vigour ? " Perhaps one of those questions was more easily asked than answered , but they might find the answer in such a passage as the one before them which formed his text . AH things human , the Apostle told them , failed and passed away . Even the highest human gifts—prophecy , tongues , knowledge—vanished away ; the

eloquence of the most eloquent speakers before long became silent , and language the most cultured became in lapse of time a dialect that few could understand . If a man knew 50 languages in St . Paul ' s day , how many would be of use now ? Knowledge and science was ever shifting and becoming obsolete . The science of the Apostle ' s day and the deep p hilosophy of Greece were only curious to the student now . The astronomy and physics of that age were gone , and one thing alone , the Apostle told them , could never fail , and that was Charity . One thing alone could impart an element of

permanence to the changeful things of time , and that was the love of God and man ; and as they realised that that was the spirit of Masonry , they saw there the secret of its permanence—the permanence of that Order as representatives of which they met that day , assisting in the raising of that spiritual temple , concerning the type of which God spake of old , " In strength will I establish this my house to stand firm for evermore . " Yes , Charity was the highest rung of the ladder that reached to heaven and rested on the volume of the Sacred Law , for the Mason who was in possession of that virtue in its

highest extent might be justly deemed to have arrived at the summit of their science . " Charity never faileth , " and therefore , as long as they were faithful to the ancient landmarks of their Order , faithful to the principles on which that Order rested , and loyal to its spirit , Masonry would never pass away with other passing things of human life—they might almost say that Masonry would never fail . The theme was capable of almost infinite expansion , but their time that morning was limited , and he would dwell no longer on it . He would , however , conclude with two brief words . First , to those who did not

belong to the Order . It was sometimes brought against Freemasons as a charge with somethingof reproach that theirs was a secret Society . In reply to that he would ask—What was therethatwasworth knowingthatwasnotasecretcotheouterworld ? Whathumancharacter of any depth revealed itself to strangers ? Who , to quote Shakespeare , " wears ' . his heart upon his sleeve for daws to peck at ? " What branch of science had not its secrets , to be revealed to none but those who approached in a humble condition of acknowledged darkness ? It was only those who knew what darkness was who truly longed for light and

for truth . What , again , could have been more of a secret society than the body of the ancient Primitive Church meeting in the twilight of early dawn to celebrate in haste the sacred rites of the Christian faith ? And was it not still the best answer to doubting unbelief in religious things to say— " Believe , accept , and thou shalt see" ? So with their science and their Order , they , too , had their secrets and mysteries , but the door of the lodge was barred to none who came well and worthily recommended , properly prepared , numbly soliciting admission ; they welcomed all who could answer that in cases of

danger arid difficulty they trusted in God alone . One word to those who belonged to the Order . Let them suffer the word of exhortation from one who would not presume to teach , but would prefer to be taught by some of those to whom he was speaking . Let it be their care that it be not said of them and of their Order that through their unworthiness Masonry had suffered more from its so-called friends than from its foes . Those who surrounded Masons could only judge of their principles and their Order by what they saw of them and their deeds . By their actions and by their character they could alone vindicate , in the eyes of the outer world , the purity and loftiness of Masonry . Let it be , then ,

their endeavour to show by its effect upon their lives that Masonry was something more than an interesting survival of the past ages , even a living active force wherever the principles of brotherly love , relief , and truth were recognised and honoured . Those principles were in a small measure to be tested that day in the offertory to be given to the Minehead and Dunster Cottage Hospital . He need not dilate upon the claims of the sick and sorrowing upon every Mason's heart , and he need only invite them so to contribute to that object now that the inauguration of their lodge might be the means of bringing gladness and relief to some whose feet as they trod the mosaic work , the chequered course of an earthly life , were treading the uneven path of weakness , and suffering , and adversity .

The service concluded with the singing of the hymn , Oh , worship the King , " during which a collection ( which realised over £ 6 ) was made in aid of the funds of the Minehead and Dunster Cottage Hospital . The brethren then proceeded to the Public Hall , and having assumed their regalia , took their seats in the lodge room , and received the Provincial Grand Lodge in due form , Bros . J . Gill , 1966 , and W . Bidgood , 261 , undertakingand skilfully performing the duties of Directors of Ceremonies .

Before proceeding to the ceremony of consecration , the Consecrating Officer , the Earl of DUNGARVAN , said that looking over recently some old documents concerning Somerset Freemasonry , he could not fail to be struck with the great progress the Craft had made in recent years . The first records he found dated back to 1784 , and at that time there were only 10 lodges in the province . There were many more now , and he had now the honour to consecrate another . Judging from the large gathering of brethren he saw there that day to assist in the ceremony , he had no doubt the lodge would find a field of usefulness in that popular neighbourhood .

The lodge having been opened , the founders proceeded to the dais , and the Prov . Grand Secretary , Bro . HUNT , read the petition and warrant . The officers named in the petition and warrant having been approved , the Prov . Grand Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . E . G . AUSTIN , delivered an able oration on the nature and principles of the Institution . He demonstrated the universality of the

science by the use of many of its symbols and much of its ritual throughout the Eastern world and by the ancient Egyptians , while corroborative evidence was found in the fact that hundreds of years since symbols and ritual were used in England similar to those authorised by the Grand Lodge upon the revival of the science in 1717 and still continued . The anthem " Behold how pleasant and how good " was sung , the dedicatory

Consecration Of The Exmoor Lodge, No. 2390, At Minehead.

prayer and invocation said , and the appointed portion of Scripture read , and then Weldon ' s anthem , " Praise God in His Holiness , " was sung . The Consecrating Officer , Lord Dungarvan , was attended by three Past Masters—Bros . T . Meyler , W . Board , and H . Watts—bearing the elements of consecration ; corn , the emblem of plenty , was strewn ; wine , the emblem of joy and happiness , and oil , the emblem of unity , were poured out

and salt scattered , each act being accompanied by a musical response by the choir . The anthem , " The spacious firmament on high , " being sung , the Chaplain thrice censed the lodge , and the dedication ceremony was coneluded , and the National Anthem sung . When this impressive function was brought to an end the installation of Bro . F . T . Elworthy , 261 and 1966 , P . p . S . G . W ., as W . M . of the new lodge , was proceeded with . The ceremony was abl y

performed by the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Else , and the Master of the new lodge having been duly proclaimed and saluted , proceeded to appoint his officers for the ensuing year as follows : Bros . F . May , I . P . M . ; G . Saunders , S . W . ; R . Hole , J . W . ; Rev H . S . Hume , Chaplain ; H . Cox , Treas . ; A . Hammett , Sec . ; F . W . Roberts S . D . ; G . H . Kite , J . D . ; E . Clatworthy , D . C . ; E . Goodman , l . G . ; H . Read | Org . ; and Sergeant Macdonald , Tyler .

A number of brethren were proposed as joining members and several candidates for initiation . The lodge was then closed , the ode , " Almighty Sire " ( composed for the centenary of the Taunton Lodge , and set to music by Bro . the Rev . R . Bailey ) , being sung during the offertory . The brethren who signed the attendance-book during the day included the

following : Bros , the Rt . Hon . Viscount Dungarvan , P . G . M . ; R . C . Else , P . G . D . Eng . and Dep P . G . M . j W . B . Gregory , P . S . G . W . ; Rev . E . G . Austin , P . G . Chap . ; C . L . Fry Edwards , P . G . Treas . ; H . B . Ffarington , F . G . Reg . ; J . C . Hunt , P . G . Sec ; W . S . Gillard , P . S . G . D . ; John Bryant , P . J . G . D . ; T . F . O . Norris , P . G . Sunt , of Works T . Tyler , P . G . Stwd . ; F . B George , P . G . Stwd . ; A . J . Salter , P . G . Tyler ; and S . Bigwood , Asst . P . G . Tyler .

The Past Provincial Grand Lodge Officers who attended were—Bros . F . T . Elworthy , P . P . S . G . W . ; G . Saunders , jun ., P . P . J . G . W . ; James Cook , jun ., P . P . J . G . W . ; A . Villar , P . P . J . G . W . ; T . Meyler , P . P . G . Reg ., T . G . Williams P . P . G . Reg . ; F . May , sen ., P . P . G . D . ; John Gill , P . P . G . D . C ; G . James . P . P . G . D . C ; J . G . Vile , P . P . G . D . C . ; W . Adams , P . P . G . D . C . ; W . Bidgood , P . P . G . D . C . ; R . Knight P . P . G . Purst . ; B . C Board , P . P . G . S . B . ; and C . Symons , P . P . G . S . B .

Among the visitors from other provinces were Bros . S . R . Baskett , P . M . 329 , P . M . 1367 , P . P . G . Reg . of Dorset ; T . Barber , 652 , P . P . G . P . West Yorks ; T . C Smith , 1205 ; R . S . Purnell , 39 ; J . Gibbins , 1488 ; and W . T . Jennings , 586 . Subsequently a banquet was held in the Public Hall . The W . M . of the lod ge , Bro . Elworthy , presided , being supported , by the P . G . M ., Bro . Lord Dungarvan , and the D . P . GM ., Bro . Else ; the vice-chairs were taken by the S . W ., Bro . G . Saunders , Mayor of Taunton , and the J . W ., Bro . Captain Hole .

The first toast was given by the CHAIRMAN , the S . W . giving that of "The Grand Master , " and the J . W . that of "The Officers of Grand Lodge . " To the latter Lord DUNGARVAN and Bro . ELSE responded , both remarking that the Grand Officers who attended Provincial Grand Lodge at Bath expressed the warmest approbation of the manner in which the work was done .

Bro . MEYLER proposed 'The Health of the P . G . M ., expressing the belief that Lord Dungarvan ' s reign would be a prosperous one , and that he was emphatically the ri ght man in the right place . His LORDSHIP , in responding , said he believed that what was worth doing at all was worth doing well , and only by doing his Masonic duties well should he be

satisfied that he was fulfilling the requirements of his high office . Bro . HUME proposed the next toast , to which Bro . ELSE suitably responded . The PROV . GRAND MASTER gave the toast of the day ( "The Exmoor Lodge" ) , saying he was proud to think that his first official duty should be the consecration of a lodge in that district , a lodge for which he looked forward to a brilliant future .

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER responded , and proposed "The Visitors , " for whom Bro . BASKETT replied . The D . P . G . M . gave the next toast , and especially pleaded for help for the Charities , one of which ( the Girls' School ) had this year received much less than the usual amount of support . Bro . W . ADAMS responded .

The arrangements lor the day were made by Bros . Saunders and Cox , and the proceedings passed off throughout very satisfactorily . The music was rendered by a choir of the brethren , most of it having been specially arranged for men ' s voices by Bro . H . Read , Organist 261 , who presided at the organ throug hout the day . The hall was handsomely adorned with flowers , kindly lent by Mr . S . Dobree .

Consecration Of The Lord Charles Beresford Lodge, No. 2404.

CONSECRATION OF THE LORD CHARLES BERESFORD LODGE , No . 2404 .

This new lodge for the Province of Kent was consecrated on Tuesday last , at the Prince of Wales Hotel , Railway-street , Chatham , by Earl Amherst , P . G . M . Kent , who was assisted by Bros . Eastes , D . P . G . M . ; J . S . Lovett , P . J . G . W . ; the Rev . H . M . Maugham , M . A ., P . G . Chap . ; Alfred Spencer , P . G . Sec . ; Horatio Ward , P . P . J . G . W ., who acted as D . C . ; G . W . Mitchell , as

A . D . C ; and W . H . Longhurst , Mus . Doc , P . G . Org . The lodge has been formed by members of the Craft belonging to the Chatham Division of Royal Marines , for the convenience of members of that corps and the Royal Navy at that port . It was thought appropriate to name the lodge after one of the gallant and popular members af the Royal Navy , of which the Royal

Marines form an important part , and it is hoped that the lodge will become as popular as the gallant officer whose name it bears . The members of the lodge are particularly fortunate in having for their first Master Bro . Lieutenant and Quartermaster Francis Powell , who now fills the chair of W . M . for the third time , and has been a Grand Officer of Hants and the Isle of Wight three times . He has

also been a Steward of the three Central Institutions of English Freemasonry , he is also in the Arch and Mark , and is a member of the Scotch and Irish C ° A ' tutions . The petitioners for the new lodge were Bros . Powell , W . M . ; ] . Trimble , 1424 ; J . W . Holdstock , 511 , 2153 ; S . F . Morgan , 1424 ; J . J . Young , 797 ! F . Duffin , 1424 ; E . Evans , 20 ; T . W . Gunton , ij . 24 ; W . A . Phipps , 5 ' 5 i . " '

Mordy , 1424 ; W . Barratt , 38 7 ( I . C . ); W . J . Burgess , 1424 ; G . K . Wollasto' ' ( American Constitution ); B . Astle , 1424 ; J . Beale , P . M . 1096 ; J . W . l eart , 1424 ; J . E . Perkins , 73 6 ; W . Folkerd , 1424 ; H . J . T . Browne , 20 ; W . t » '' Crouch , 1424 ; and G . W . Parsons , P . M . 1050 . Q { The town of Chatham was profusely decorated with bunting , & c , in honour the consecration of the lodge . ,,, c

The following answer was received from Bro . Lord Charles Beresford , n- » Undaunted , Alexandria , on being asked permission to name the lodge a him : " I am much flattered by the request you make me , to allow a new ' ° ^ ^ , are forming to be called ' The Lord Charles Beresford Lodge . ' I shall be v 1 pleased to accede to the request . I take such a deep interest in the sp lendid c rv of Royal Marines , I am very glad to be associated with them in any way

ever . " And on being informed that H . R . H . the Prince of Wales nau . ^ pleased to grant a charter for the Lord Charles Beresford Lodge , he sald ^ . very proud of the compliment which that renowned corps , the Royal _ » . have paid me in wishing to name a lodge after myself . I shall certainly myself the pleasure of visiting the lodge on my return to Eng land . "