Consecration Of The Montefiore Chapter, No. 1017.

CONSECRATION OF THE MONTEFIORE CHAPTER , No . 1017 .

The Montefiore Chapter , attached to the Montefiore Lodge , No . 1017 , for which a charter has recently been granted by the Supreme Grand Chapter , was consecrated and constituted on Wednesday last at the Cafe Royal , by Comp . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . S . E , who vvas assisted by Comps . C F . Hogard , P . D . G . D . C ,

; lS H . ; Rev . R . J . Simpson , M . A , P . G . C , as J . ; Phillips , as S . N . ; and Frank Richardson , P . A . G . Soj ., G . D . C , as D . of C . The founders were Comps . S . V . Abraham , Lewis Jacobs , John A . Gartley , H . J . Phillips , and S . Pollitzer . The visitors were Comps . H . Massey , P . Z . 619 ; Charles

Beckett , 2000 ; A . M . Cohen , P . Z . 188 , P . Z . and M . E . Z . 1928 ; Lewis M . Myers , C . C , M . E . Z . 188 ; Richard J . Harnell , 2021 ; Max Mendelssohn , P . S . 1839 ; J hn Hodges , 2182 ; J . M . Boekbinder , 188 ; Fred . H . Cozens , 907 ; J . Bayne , 733 ; W . Wri ght , 1602 ; and J . W . Harvey , M . E . Z . 25 .

The chapter having been formally opened , and the preliminaries of the day ' s proceedings observed , Comp . S HADWELL H . CLERKE , as Consecrating Officer , addressed the companions . He said that they were met together that day on a very important Masonic occasion , viz , to consecrate and constitute a new Royal

Arch Chapter under the authority of the Supreme Grand Chapter of England . It was now some 25 years ago that the Montefiore Lodge was established , and it met in the room in which they were now assembled . Since its formation it had had a most successful career , and many members of the lodge very properly thought that

they should have a Royal Arch Chapter in which its members might take their Degree . That was a very laudable desire on the part of the brethren , and the Supreme Grand Chapter taking this view granted a charter for the holding of the chapter , and the companions vvere now assembled to perform the most

agreeable duty of consecrating and constituting the chapter and installing those companions who had been chosen to preside over the chapter . Comp .. FRANK RICHARDSON having addressed the Principals , read the petition and charter in conformity with the directions of the Consecrating Officer , and the

companions having signified their approval of the ofiicers nominated in the charter , Comp . the Rev . R . J . SIMPSON , acting as J , delivered the following , oration : Most Excellent and Companions , —I am duly sensible of the honour you have conferred upon me b y asking

nib to assist at the consecration of a chapter in connection vvith a lodge which has even in a few years taken a distinguished place on our metropolitan roll , and which bears a venerable and honoured name of world-wide fame . May He prosper our handy work . The grandest and most Royal Arch ever seen or known has been

planned and erected by the Great Architect of the Universe . Apparently resting upon earth , but spanning the heavens , it was appointed as the sign of a covenant between God and man , on the removal of the lease of the renovated earth to the children of Adam . " I do set my bow in the cloud , " and " I will look upon it ,

that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature . " This carries us back to the earl y history of the world , and reminds us not only of the punishment which fell upon our corrupted race , but of the goodness of God in restoring it to the Divine favour and protection through the Preacher of

Rig hteousnessandtheArkof Safety . Notlongafter , God gave man the moral law to guide his feet into the way of peace . The perfect and glorified commandments that constitute that law are as the prismatic colours of the radiant arch , beneath which we pilgrims pass as we sojourn here for a little whileand travel on to the

, Promised Land . Those divine commandments are blended in beautiful harmony , and have been interwoven with the laws of every civilised nation upon earth . They constitute undoubtedly the light which our venerable Order is guided , and by which our words , " acts , nay , our very thoughts should be directed . In , ' "J , mm- . m . J l . l ^ ug .,,.. ; jwwum Um Ull ^ l . H . U . 1 , 1

£ tcr days than those of Noah and the Patriarchs , the rophet Micah , 200 years before Haggi wrote , looked Pon the Divine Arch , and found inscribed upon it , in wters of golden li ght , the requirements of God in the eontroversy with His people Israel , and which are conned in this , brief epitome of the law—1 u ° justly .

- Love mercy . ] Walk humbl y with thy God . life b t t * ^ k ^ experience in the affairs of 0 f •" . must come to the conclusion that the practise heart " * ° 'S hteousness > s what every man in his little L P ects an ( d 'oves in his nei ghbour , however societv * 1- Vs ' lt himself ; that in h 's home , in virtue * ¦ countr y- and in every relation of life , the "'iv t < % Inc ! ls P ensabIe to the happiness of mankind , tribute nf W y f P ° P y and life - J » stice is an tuitivelv * S •' " d St is from tllis S 0 llrce that we in - our f eUo ve our . ideal of what is just and right to •'dorns th " 1 ?"' ^ ' this w , llc ' cements , as well as tr « st il , . , " edifier , and gives men that mutual ' ° ng holdT Qther without whicl 1 society could not of the val £ ] - There cannot be a greater proof th « seenr ' f thls cardina ! virtue than the fact that Crown-. ;! i the br ' ghtest jewel in the British alle giance h dlan . Empire—has been held in its eminently v t ! le ' nflex ' ' justice which has pre"" Portant "f acter ' sed British rule . Need I say how holds in Jt j 't is . a"d how high a position it Wan y and v * administration of ° Masonic Order . an ous are the occasions on which just con-

Consecration Of The Montefiore Chapter, No. 1017.

sideration and decision are required to the calming of sensitive minds , the allaying of stormy passions , and the fearless uprooting of palpable , and sometimes long lived corruptions . May we always have amongst us men of hi gh principle and good courage , who will brave any personal odium rather than

stand by to see flagrant injustice perpetrated , and unscrupulous effrontry triumphant , whose two mottos shall be— " Be just and fear not , " and Fiat Justitia , ruat Cffilumi . II . Love mercy . The quality of mercy is not strained . It droppeth as the gentle dew from heaven . Poet , philosopher ,

philanthropist , men of all religious views , and though last , not least , Freemasons vie with each other in generous rivalry to sing the praises of mercy . Mercy is to be found in every clime , and amongst every race under heaven . Yea , even amongst those who are still classed among the uncivilised and the savage . It was but the other

day that the barbarous chief and people of Samoa , rushed , at the risk of life , into the surging sea , to save the lives of their drowning enemies . Yes , companions , it is a delightful thought that God has written on the heart of man the name of mercy , in characters distinct , though , alas , often obliterated by passion , vice ,

or supposed self-interest , and not a day of our lives passes that we have not some opportunity , great or small , of showing mercy or loving kindness amongst our fellows—in serving a friend , in forgiving a foe , in providing for the poor and needy , in assuaging the troubles of the distressed , in mitigating human

suffering , and in pitiful consideration for everything that has the gift of life . In all such cases , we can quit us like true men , like the sons of God , and like poor erring beings who need mercy now , and who will hereafter have to plead for mercy at the judgment seat of a pure and holy God , and of whom it is written by the

Royal Psalmist— " His Mercy is over all His Works , " and that that " Mercy endureth for ever . " There is much significance and true philosophy in an anecdote recorded of Dr . Dattdridge , who , on saying to his little child one day— " How is it that everybody loves you ?—received for answer— " I know not , except it is

that I love everybody . " Masons pre-eminently love mercy and Charity . It is one of the foundation-stones of our glorious Temple , and it is to be found enshrined in many an emblem , associated vvith many a ceremony , and illustrated in our three noble Institutions . But I trust it is also to be discovered in our lives and

conversations , and in that brotherl y love which forms so distinguishing a characteristic of the true Mason . III . Linked with these two noble attributes of men and Masons is , the "Walking humbly vvith our God . " Companions , the day in which we live is , I regret to say , not one specially marked by humility—particularly

by that humility which bows before the Majesty of God , and adopts the Divine lesson taught to the great Lawgiver at the burning bush— " Put off thy shoes from off th y feet , for the place on which thou standest is Holy ground . " This reverence for the Great Creator and Ruler of the Universe is inculcated by the Sacred

writings , and in many a touching precept and command in our beautiful and expressive ritual . Reverence for His name , His word , His will . His works is peculiarly impressed on a Mason ' s heart and mind , while in all our lodges and chapters the Volume of His Sacred Law holds the most prominent place as the guide to our faith and

the rule of all our actions . Whatever other men may do or ' say , as for us and our Masonic Order , "let us serve the Lord with reverence and Godly fear , " bearing in mind His Almighty Poiver , as well as His Infinite Love ; and may the descendants of that chosen and Royal race , who were once the sole depositories of His

Holy will , and whose history is so marvellously and mdissolubly intertwined with the destinies of mankind , be foremost to uphold the name , the honour , and the law of the Great Jehovah . May they and all of us companions join in the spirit of those well-known

words—These are Th y glorious works , Parent of Good , Almighty ; Thine this universal frame , Thou wondrous fair ; Thyself how wondrous then ! Unspeakable , Who sittest above these heavens , To us invisible , or dimly seen In these , Th y lower works ; yet , these declare Thy goodness beyond thought , and power divine . Speak ye , who best can tell , ye Sons of Light , Angels ; for ye behold Him , and with songs And choral symphonies , day without night , Circle his throne rejoicing ; ye in Heaven , On earth join , all ye creatures , to extol

Him first , Him last , Him ' midst , and without end . And when , companions , for the last time , we pass beneath the Royal Arch which spans this lower world , may we find ourselves entering the Grand Chapter above , the Great Architect of the Universe following , and joining in that chorus of angelic song that once

was echoed by the Temple walls , and upon the Hill of Zion— " Lift up your heads , O ye gates , and ye lift up ye everlasting doors , and the King of Glory shall come in ; Who is the King of Glory ? The Lord of Hosts ; He is the King of Glory . " The ceremony was then proceeded with , and on

itscompletion , Comp . S . V . Abraham was placed in the chair of M . E . Z , and Comp . Pollitzer , in the chair of H , no ceremony of installation being needed , as both companions were Past First Principals . Comp . J . Grunebaum , the J . designate , was unavoidably absent ,

so that his installation was deferred . The investiture of the other officers was deferred till next Wednesday , when an emergency meeting will be held to exalt a long list of brethren . After the Principals had been placed in their chairs , Comp . S . V . ABRAHAM , M . E . Z ., proposed a vote of

Consecration Of The Montefiore Chapter, No. 1017.

thanks to the Consecrating Officers and the Director of Ceremonies , and the same was carried unanimously , after which these same companions were elected honorary members of the chapter . Comp . SHADWELL H . CLERKE acknowledged the compliment on behalf of himself and the other

honorary members . A vote of thanks vvas also proposed by Comp . ABRAHAM to Comps . Phillips and Gartley for their gift of the Bible ( an exquisitely printed Hebrew and English edition , printed in Vienna , and superbly bound ) to the chapter , and the vote having been seconded and

carried , Comp . GARTLEY , for himself and Comp . PHILLIPS , responded . Comp . POLLITZER , H , proposed , and Comp . PHILLIPS , acting as S . E , seconded a vote of thanks to the M . E . Z , for the presentation of the scroll and veil to the chapter .

The chapter was then closed , and the companions joined Comps . Abraham and Pollitzer in drinking a glass of wine to the success of the new chapter . The musical portion of the ceremony , which was beautifull y rendered , was executed b y Comps . C . Beckett , John Hodges , Fredk . H . Cozens , J . Bayne , and W . Wright , which last companion presided at the organ .

The Benevolence Of Freemasonry.

THE BENEVOLENCE OF FREEMASONRY .

The Rev . A . T . Pullen , of St . Luke ' s , Glasgow , has addressed the following letter to the papers in which his sermon had been published : SIR , —In reply to your correspondent "J . B . W ., " allow me to express the satisfaction I feel that in the Province of Selkirk and Roxburgh it has " never been known that the widows or orphans of deceased brethren have suffered from

any want of assistance from the brotherhood at any time , or under any circumstances whatever . " But has this assistance been continued as long as the widow remained a widow , and the orphan vvas unable to earn his own living ? I think not . Every benevolent society in Scotland—and I am connected vvith several—gives assistance to the widow in . an amount stated upon their rules , and never give vvith the

specific object before them of relieving aid in sickness , & c . But Masonry is not a benevolent society at all . Surely "J . B . W . " is aware of this . Its aims and objects are higher than this , and assistance to brethren fallen into trouble , and that of their relatives , is merely a correlative object of the Order , and the natural , but not obligatory , outflow of its principles . Benevolence is the sole object of

friendly societies , such as the Oddfellows , Free Gardeners , and other such kindred societies , and great is the blessing they prove to tlie working class ; but Masonry stands far above these societies . Words are put into my mouth in the report of my sermon which I never uttered , and much is judiciously omitted ; but what I maintain is simply this—that the care of the distressed brother , the widow , and the

orphan have not received from the brethren of the Craft in Scotland that care and attention they have received elsewhere . Why , it is difficult to say . The fact , melancholy as it is , is patent . I have myself appealed on behalf of widows and orphans and distressed brethren to those high in office , and appealed in vain . If ever I meet them on the level they will hear of it . I can , however , also cite an instance

where a widow has received assistance from the Grand Lodge of Scotland , but in England the amount voted once vvould have been quadrupled annually during widowhood , and the children educated until they vvere able to do for themselves . Masonic benevolence is as yet in its infancy in Scotland . There may have been no call for it in the past , but there is now , and vvith the laxity observable in the admission of

brethren existing in many quarters this is likely to increase . 1 think , however , there are signs of Scotland moving to thc front in this , as in other matters , for vvith the proposal to hold a grand bazaar next year to raise a capital of £ 10 , 000 for a Masonic Benevolent Fund , I think I can see the dawn of a bright future in the field of benevolence for the members of the Craft in Scotland .

The Proposed Grand Lodge Of New Zealand.

THE PROPOSED GRAND LODGE OF NEW ZEALAND .

At an emergency meeting of the Eden Lodge , No . 1530 , E . C , held on Tuesday evening , April 30 th , at the Masonic Hall , Karangahape-road , under the presidency of Bro . F . Warren , W . M ., the question of the constitution of a United Grand Lodge of New Zealand was under consideration . A motion against the proposed change was followed by an amendment affirming the principle and desirability of

constituting a United Grand Lodge , the amendment being ultimately carried by an overwhelming majority . The Eden Lodge is thus the second lodge in this city which has , within less than one week , voted in favour of the projected United Grand Lodge .

At a meeting of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Masonic Union , it was stated that up to the present the proposal to establish a Grand Lodge for New Zealand had been discussed by 2 S lodges , of which ig had carried a resolution recommending its adoption . — Auckland Weekly News .

Acacia.

ACACIA .

To lay the choicest flowers on the curse . May serve a worlding ' s miserable creed , Who trims his mourning , like his acts , to greed , And after feels no pang of grim remorse . Is it not more a truly Christian part If , during Life , we press within the palm One sprig of lowly Evergreen , with balm

Of priceless sympathy , that cheers the heart ? * Oh ! sickly fragrance on the spoils of Death I The shameless mockery of all that ' s good , Such mourners are , who , waiting till the breath Has left its tenement of flesh and blood , Then see those virtues in the calm , cold face , Which ne ' er were granted in the earthly race ! CLIO ,