Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The Albert Edvward Lodge, No. 1714.
On the motion of the W . M ., seconded by the I . P . M ., a unanimous vote of thanks was passed to the R . W . Prov . Grand Master and Deputy Prov . Grand Master for attending to consecrate the lodge . The vote was acknowledged UV Bro . Lieut .-General Brownrigg , C . B ., who expressed the p leasure it afforded him to attend , and said it was particularly gratifying to him as an old soldier to see
so many military brethren present , and also to see the Senior and Junior Wardens ' chairs occupied by military men . The brethren then retired to banquet , which was presided over by the W . M . After the cloth had been removed grace was rendered , a , id the toasts were proceeded with . The loyal toasts having been duly honoured , the W . M . proposed "The
Health of the Officers of the Grand Lodge of England , " and this toast was responded to by the D .-puty Prov . Grand Master , the Rev . C . W . Arnold , M . A ., Grand Chap lain . The W . M . then proposed " The Health of Lt .-G ; neral Brownrigg , C . B ., Prov . Grand Master , " and thc gallant officer having replied , the W . M . then proposed " The
Health of the Deputy Prov . Grand Mister . " The Rev . C . W . Arnold , D . P . G . M ., in the course of his reply , stated that it afforded him both pleasure and pride to serve under such a distinguished Prov . Grand Master as General Brownrigg . The Provincial Grand Master proposed " The Health of the W . M . and brethren of the Albert Edward Lodge ,
1714 , " and after reiterating the sentiments he had already expressed , stated that it was exceedingly gratifying to him , as it must be to the W . M ., to see such a large and influential assemblage of brethren present that evening , and it augured well for the future of the lodge . In the first place it showed that the-W . M . was very popular , and in the next place that the interest which was felt in
Frce-Masonry was widely extended and deep . Therefore , with a popular Master , and an interest in Masonry , the lodge might be expected to prosper . He had the greatest confidence in the ability of Bro . Hacker to rule the lodge , and he felt sure that while he did so with firmness the brethren would find it would be done with urbanity and kindness . He concluded by wishing the lodge every success , and the
W . M . health and a prosperous and happy year of office . The toast having been drunk with all the honours , Bro . Hacker , in responding , said he could not sufficiently express the pleasure he felt at the manner in which thc toast had been proposed by the Prov . G . M ., and received by the brethren present . The brethren forming that lodge had tried for years to establish a lodge in that
neighbourhood's from the fact of the nearest lodge being at Aldershot , they were practically debarred from all Masonic enjoyment . He thmked the Prov . Grand Mister for the kindly expressions of confidence in his abilities to rule the lodge , and trusted that , with the assistance of the officers who had been appointed , he should at the end of his term of office have proved to have merited their
confidence . The Worshipful Master then proposed " Prosperity to the Masonic Charities , " and said it was the custom ot many people who knew nothing of Masonry to state tha Masons did nothing but eat and drink . The brethren , however , had only to point to those splendid institutions , the Boys and Girls' Schools , and the Institution for Aged
Fieemasons , and the Widows of Freemasons , which Institutions were voluntarily supported by the brethren last year to the amount of £ 40 , 000 , to show the fallacy of such statements . He would not take up thc time of the brethren by expatiating on thc merits of these institutions , as they would be told by the distinguished brethren who represented these institutions the good that was being
done . He concluded by proposing the toast , coupling with it the names of Bros . Binckes and Terry . Bro . Binckes , in responding on behalf of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , said that his was an ofttold tale , and as a rule his mission was a begging one ; but to-day he appeared principally at that festive board to express his gratitude for thc support he had invariably
received at the hands of many of the hrethren present . He would tell them briefly that the support given to those glorious Institutions was being utilised to the fullest extent , and he would point to the Girls' Institution , which had made such an addition to their establishment as would enable them at the election this month to receive thirtyfive additional girls .
Bro . Terry , in a very energetic speech , urged the brethren to support the Masonic Institutions , which were all doing so much good . He hoped that when the brethren had subscribed to the Boys' and Girls'Schools they would not forget those poor old folks who had borne the heat and burden of the day , and then from old age , or other causes , were incapacitated from earning a livelihood . He called upon
them to extend to these poor people the same generous support as they accorded to the helpless children , and he concluded by thanking the Province of Surrey for the generous support it had hitherto ainually afforded , asking the members of the Albert Edward Lodge to follow the example set by their W . M ., who had worked for the benefit of all the Masonic Institutions .
The W . M . next proposed " The Health of the Visitors , " expressing the pleasure it had afforded him to see so many brethren present , with most of whom he was well acquainted . He believed that the interchange of hospitalities by lodges was conducive to great good . He concluded by proposing the toast , coupling with it the names of Bros . Colonel Middle-ton and R . Eve .
Bro . Colonel Middleton , who was the first to respond , stated that the pleasure he felt at being present was enhanced by finding so many of his staff there . He was always glad to meet a military man who was a Freemason . He was sure that the Albert Edward Lodge would prosper , s a lodge in a province under such a distinguished officer bo J t eeinason as Lieutenant General Brownrigg was
Consecration Of The Albert Edvward Lodge, No. 1714.
Bro . R . Eve thanked the W . M . for coupling his name with the toast and the brethren for the manner in which they received it . He spoke in eulogistic terms of Bro . Hacker ' s ability as a Mister , stating that from the manner in which he had seen him perform his duty in the Panmure Lodge he was quite sure that the Albert Edward witn tne toast ana tne Dretnren tor tne manner in wmen they received it . He spoke in eulogistic terms of Bro . Hacker ' s ability as a Mister , stating that from the manner in which he had seen him perform his duty in the Panmure Lodge he was quite sure that the Albert Edward
Lodge would not fail for want of proper instruction . The Tyler ' s toast brought the proceedings to a close . Several excellent songs were sung in the course of the evening , by Bros . Eve , Robinson , Hacker , Martin , Mount , Tcndrim , Sellvvood , Adnett , and others . The banquet was served in splendid style by Bro . H . Whale .
Consecration Of The Arthur John Brogden Lodge, No. 1715.
CONSECRATION OF THE ARTHUR JOHN BROGDEN LODGE , No . 1715 .
On Wednesday afternoon , the 26 th ult ., a new lodge was consecrated at Grange-over-Sands , the want of which has long been felt by the members of the Craft in that locality , as they had no lodge-room nearer than Ulverston or Dalton on the one hand , and Lancaster on the other .
The project of instituting a new lodge was discussed amongst those interested , Bro . Arthur John Brogdenhimself an ardent Mason , although we believe not belonging to the Province of West Lancashire—entering heartily into the project . There seeming every probability of a successful lodge being established , the necessary steps were taken , ami a petition was presented to the Grand Lodge
of England praying that a lodge might be formed . The petition was acceded , and a warrant under the sign-manual of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the Most Worshipful Grand Master of England , was issued authorising the formation of the lodge . The lodge is named the " Arthur John Brogden Lodge "—so called after its first Masterand is No . 1715 on the register of the Grand Lodge of
England . The building selected for the lodge-room is situate at the southern side of Grange , on a small plot of land lying between the railway and the bay , and was formerly used , we believe , as a Methodist Chapel . It is a delightfully secluded spot , and has been elaborately furnished and fitted up for the purpose for which it will henceforth be used . Owing to thc inability of Lord Skelmersdale ,
the Provincial Grand Master of West Lancashire , to be present , his lor Iship deputed Bro . Dr . Moore , of this town , to act as Consecrating O . licer . The ceremony took place in the lodge-room shortly after two o ' clock , the following Provincial Grand Officers being present : —Bros . Dr . J . D . Moore , P . G . S . B . of England ( Consecrating Officer ) ; H . S . Alpass , Prov . G .
Sec ; J . Skeaf , Prov . G . Organist ; C . Fryer , P . Prov . G . S . W . ; Geo . Remington , P . Prov . G . J . W . ; R . Pearson , P . Prov . G . Registrar ; R . Wylie , P . Prov . G . S . D . ( Grand Director of Ceremonies ) ; R . Dodgson , P . Prov . G . J . D . ; John Case , P . Pro / . M . E . J . ; G . Cornfield , P . Prov . G . S . B . ; J . M . Morgan , P . Prov . G . Chaplain ; and H . W . Johnson , Prov . G . Steward . In addition to the above thc
following brethren were also present : —R . Taylor , W . M . ; fi . Simpson , P . M . ; John Bell , P . M . ; J . J . Croskell , J . D . ; J . Atkinson , I . G . ( Freemason ) ; R . Stanton , T . T . Thompson , Lodge of Fortitude ; T . Jackson , W . M . ; H . Longman , I . P . M . ; Thomas Bell , Rowley Lodge ; H . Hartley , J . D . ; J . D . | Bell , S . S . ; and C . A . Beckett , Duke of Lancaster Lodge ; W . Duff , W . M . ; A . Poole , S . S .
Morecambe Lodge ; W . Baldwin , P . M . ; Francis H , Clark , P . M ., Baldwin Lodge ; S . Hartley , J . W . ; W . Harrison , P . M . ; James Robinson , W . M . ; John Robinson , J . B . MacQuire , A . Slater , S . C . Affleck , J . R . Casson , S . W ., Furncss Lodge ; D . Smyth , W . M . ; G . B . Nalder , S . W ., Hindpool Lodge ; J . Huartson , W . M . ; T . Mcknight , S . W . ; M . Haslam , P . M . Hartington Lodge ; James
Sumner , P . M . Preston ; R . N . Hobart , Emulation , 1505 ; Charles Haswell , 203 ; A . Gilfillan , 1392 ; G . McKay , S . W . 129 ; and A . J . Brogden , H . C . Davis , Thomas Ashley , W . Postlethwaite , J . Mossop , T . WestwJod , and J . Haworth , members of the n ; w lodge . The brethren above mentioned having assembled in the lodge-room , the Consecrating Officer ( Bro . Moore ) took
the chair , appointing Bro . Remington , S . W ., and Bro . Pearson , J . W . The lodge was then opened in the Three Degrees with thc usual formalities , and the brethren of the lodge being ranged in order , the Consecrating Officer addressed thc brethren on the niture of the meeting , and billed on the Prov . G . Sec . to state their wishes . This being complied with , the P . G . S . read the petition and
warrant . Thc brethren of the . new lodge having signified their approval of the officers who were nominated in the warrant to preside over them , Thc Rev . J . M . Morgan then delivered a suitable oration as follows : Worshipful Consecrating Master , Provincial Grand Officers , Worshipful Past Masters , and brethren , —Standing on some tall cliffs beside the shores
of this lovely bay , I look seaward . Beneath my feet , perhaps , children play ; a little further , boats are passing to and fro , the busy fisherman slowly brings to shore what the ebbing tide has left for his share of God ' s bounty ; and yet a little further the trawler sweeps along , seeking , too , his daily bread . On the dim horizon , some tall ship , freighted with merchandise , perchance bound to some
distant country , cleaves through bright foam her joyous way , her captain and crew high in hope , and looking forward to a prosperous voyage and a happy return to home and country . I look out again to where sea and sky meet ; my vision fails me , and all is dark and void , and yet I know that far beyond the busy world still moves
on . On distant shores the children play , the fisherman pursues his craft , tall ships sail on , and yet these things are all hid to my gaze . And yet still I know that scenes like these form a portion of that beautiful world in which we take our part . Worshipful Sir and brethren , we are engaged here this day in adding another link to the golden chain of Masonry which binds the brethren of every clime
Consecration Of The Arthur John Brogden Lodge, No. 1715.
and race in bonds of fraternal affection . For all we know , perhaps close beside the sea , on India ' s sunny shore , members of our most ancient and venerable society are engaged as we are this day , in the consecration of a new lodge , to promote the further glory and benefits of Masonry to thc human race . Although so far , far away , we cannot see them , but we seem in acts like these to
stretch forth the hand of good fellowship across the stormy ocean and the desert , to grasp the hand of a brother , although his race is not ours , nor his mode of life such as we enjoy . Before his eyes there are like scenes with ours . He may look out on to the ocean till sea and sky melt into one ; as we cannot see these our brethren , so they cannot see us ; and yet there is a chain of love and
brotherhood which bridges the ocean and spans the desert , which binds us together in the bonds of sacred , holy friendship . The principles of our Craft soared high in the past—what do I say ?—in the long , long past . Masonry flourished 4000 years ago . Mayhap those more advanced in our honourable science could tell you more—that it is older still ; but I speak according to my lights , and to
what I have learned of the mystic art . In the most glorious days of architecture , our Craft was a pioneer to the student in theory , and a guide to the craftsman who built the work . It inspired the artist with sublime thoughts and raised his very soul . The spirit of poetry was taught , too , in the truths and v aried beauties of Masonic lore , and it must be so , as everything that is true and
beautiful proceeds from above , from the Father of Light and Great Architect of the Universe . So our glorious science , pointing heavenward , directed the poet's thoughts to the very fountain of all that is lovely , true , and good . The painter , too , owes much to what Masonry teaches . What could he do without the light that descends , as it were , from heaven ? The shifting shadow of the landscape
were unknown to him ; tbe moonlit lake , the shining ocean , the dream of an autumn day , but for the light would have been unknown and unheeded . Genius , guided by the teachings of our Craft , grasped these beauties as they went , and waned , and they are ours , though the painter has sunk into dust , and perhaps lies unknown in yonder valley . Masonry pointed again upward to Him
who said , " Let there be light , and there was light . " " I had hope , when violenc : had ceased , and war on earth , all would have then gone well , peace would have crowned with length of happy days the race of man . " No , the world is still the same . War may not , as far as we can see , cease from inflicting on mankind its horrors and its crimes ; and here again Masonry comes to the front ,
and says , " Ye are brethren—forbear , and sin no more . Is it not your brother you are striking at in yonder gory field ? " For these , and many , many other reasons , which I may not now enlarge or even touch upon , Masonry of itself commands our highest and noblest regard . Does not Masonry teach us to be faithful to our O-ueen and our country ; to submit cheerfully to the powers that be ,
which the volume of the Sacred Law tells us are of God , and to live peaceably with all men ? Worshipful , Sirunhappily , brethren may and do transgress ; there are bad Masons and bad neighbours to be found , but in our noble Craft they are few in number ; nor can any wise man draw any argument from it against our society ; for if the wicked lives of men , or their evil deeds , was an
argument against the religion they profess , Christianity itself could not be true . Does not then our Craft claim at our hands our greatest esteem ? How does it recommend universal benevolence and every virtue which can make one brother dear to another ; for Masons are brethren pursuing the same object , and seekers after the same great
truths . Hail , then , to the progress of Masonry ! Hail to the memory of the Craftsmen ot olden days ! Hail to our Grand Master and our gracious Sovereign the Queen Welcome every fresh benefactor to our Craft I Welcome the Arthur John Brogden Lodge to a place in our timehonoured roll 1 And what more shall I say ? May the brethren have peace here , and a happy future
An anthem was afterwards sung , which was followed by the consecration prayer , and the remaining portion of the interesting ceremony was gone through in a very impressive manner , the Consecrating Officer finally constituting the lodge in antient form . At the conclusion of the ceremony , the presiding officer proceeded to install Bro . Arthur John Brogden as the first
Worshipful Master of the new lodge , the Board of Installed Masters numbering twenty-fite members . The newly-elected W . M . then appointed his officers as fellows : — Henry Champney Davis , S . W . ; Thomas Ashley , J . W . -, William Postlethwaite , Sec ; J . Mossop , S . D . j Thomas Westwood , J . D . ; and Joseph Haworth , Tyler . Several joining members and candidates for
initiation were proposed , amongst the former being the Hon . F . A . Stanley , M . P ., and A . Brogden , M . P . The musical arrangements of the ceremony were under the direction of Bro . Skeaf ( who presided at the harmonium ) , assisted by Bros . Gilfillan . Hobart , and Haswell , the following anthems being sung in the course of the consecration : — " Psalm exxxii , " " Glory be to God on high , "
and Hail , universal Lord , " as well as several chants , the whole being set to music by Bro . Skeaf . A banquet was held in the Working Men's Institute , under the presidency of the newly-elected Worshipful Master , Brother Arthur John Brogden , who was supported right and left by the Provincial Grand Officersabout fifty brethren being present altogether .
On the removal of the cloth , The Chairman proposed in succession the healths o " The Queen , " " The M . W . G . M ., the Prince of Wales , the Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family , " and " Thc Earl of Carnarvon , Pro . G . M . ; Lord Skelmersdale , D . G . M . ; and other Officers of Grand Lodge , " which were duly honoured . The last-named toast was coupled , with the name of Bro . Moore , who briefly responded .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The Albert Edvward Lodge, No. 1714.
On the motion of the W . M ., seconded by the I . P . M ., a unanimous vote of thanks was passed to the R . W . Prov . Grand Master and Deputy Prov . Grand Master for attending to consecrate the lodge . The vote was acknowledged UV Bro . Lieut .-General Brownrigg , C . B ., who expressed the p leasure it afforded him to attend , and said it was particularly gratifying to him as an old soldier to see
so many military brethren present , and also to see the Senior and Junior Wardens ' chairs occupied by military men . The brethren then retired to banquet , which was presided over by the W . M . After the cloth had been removed grace was rendered , a , id the toasts were proceeded with . The loyal toasts having been duly honoured , the W . M . proposed "The
Health of the Officers of the Grand Lodge of England , " and this toast was responded to by the D .-puty Prov . Grand Master , the Rev . C . W . Arnold , M . A ., Grand Chap lain . The W . M . then proposed " The Health of Lt .-G ; neral Brownrigg , C . B ., Prov . Grand Master , " and thc gallant officer having replied , the W . M . then proposed " The
Health of the Deputy Prov . Grand Mister . " The Rev . C . W . Arnold , D . P . G . M ., in the course of his reply , stated that it afforded him both pleasure and pride to serve under such a distinguished Prov . Grand Master as General Brownrigg . The Provincial Grand Master proposed " The Health of the W . M . and brethren of the Albert Edward Lodge ,
1714 , " and after reiterating the sentiments he had already expressed , stated that it was exceedingly gratifying to him , as it must be to the W . M ., to see such a large and influential assemblage of brethren present that evening , and it augured well for the future of the lodge . In the first place it showed that the-W . M . was very popular , and in the next place that the interest which was felt in
Frce-Masonry was widely extended and deep . Therefore , with a popular Master , and an interest in Masonry , the lodge might be expected to prosper . He had the greatest confidence in the ability of Bro . Hacker to rule the lodge , and he felt sure that while he did so with firmness the brethren would find it would be done with urbanity and kindness . He concluded by wishing the lodge every success , and the
W . M . health and a prosperous and happy year of office . The toast having been drunk with all the honours , Bro . Hacker , in responding , said he could not sufficiently express the pleasure he felt at the manner in which thc toast had been proposed by the Prov . G . M ., and received by the brethren present . The brethren forming that lodge had tried for years to establish a lodge in that
neighbourhood's from the fact of the nearest lodge being at Aldershot , they were practically debarred from all Masonic enjoyment . He thmked the Prov . Grand Mister for the kindly expressions of confidence in his abilities to rule the lodge , and trusted that , with the assistance of the officers who had been appointed , he should at the end of his term of office have proved to have merited their
confidence . The Worshipful Master then proposed " Prosperity to the Masonic Charities , " and said it was the custom ot many people who knew nothing of Masonry to state tha Masons did nothing but eat and drink . The brethren , however , had only to point to those splendid institutions , the Boys and Girls' Schools , and the Institution for Aged
Fieemasons , and the Widows of Freemasons , which Institutions were voluntarily supported by the brethren last year to the amount of £ 40 , 000 , to show the fallacy of such statements . He would not take up thc time of the brethren by expatiating on thc merits of these institutions , as they would be told by the distinguished brethren who represented these institutions the good that was being
done . He concluded by proposing the toast , coupling with it the names of Bros . Binckes and Terry . Bro . Binckes , in responding on behalf of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , said that his was an ofttold tale , and as a rule his mission was a begging one ; but to-day he appeared principally at that festive board to express his gratitude for thc support he had invariably
received at the hands of many of the hrethren present . He would tell them briefly that the support given to those glorious Institutions was being utilised to the fullest extent , and he would point to the Girls' Institution , which had made such an addition to their establishment as would enable them at the election this month to receive thirtyfive additional girls .
Bro . Terry , in a very energetic speech , urged the brethren to support the Masonic Institutions , which were all doing so much good . He hoped that when the brethren had subscribed to the Boys' and Girls'Schools they would not forget those poor old folks who had borne the heat and burden of the day , and then from old age , or other causes , were incapacitated from earning a livelihood . He called upon
them to extend to these poor people the same generous support as they accorded to the helpless children , and he concluded by thanking the Province of Surrey for the generous support it had hitherto ainually afforded , asking the members of the Albert Edward Lodge to follow the example set by their W . M ., who had worked for the benefit of all the Masonic Institutions .
The W . M . next proposed " The Health of the Visitors , " expressing the pleasure it had afforded him to see so many brethren present , with most of whom he was well acquainted . He believed that the interchange of hospitalities by lodges was conducive to great good . He concluded by proposing the toast , coupling with it the names of Bros . Colonel Middle-ton and R . Eve .
Bro . Colonel Middleton , who was the first to respond , stated that the pleasure he felt at being present was enhanced by finding so many of his staff there . He was always glad to meet a military man who was a Freemason . He was sure that the Albert Edward Lodge would prosper , s a lodge in a province under such a distinguished officer bo J t eeinason as Lieutenant General Brownrigg was
Consecration Of The Albert Edvward Lodge, No. 1714.
Bro . R . Eve thanked the W . M . for coupling his name with the toast and the brethren for the manner in which they received it . He spoke in eulogistic terms of Bro . Hacker ' s ability as a Mister , stating that from the manner in which he had seen him perform his duty in the Panmure Lodge he was quite sure that the Albert Edward witn tne toast ana tne Dretnren tor tne manner in wmen they received it . He spoke in eulogistic terms of Bro . Hacker ' s ability as a Mister , stating that from the manner in which he had seen him perform his duty in the Panmure Lodge he was quite sure that the Albert Edward
Lodge would not fail for want of proper instruction . The Tyler ' s toast brought the proceedings to a close . Several excellent songs were sung in the course of the evening , by Bros . Eve , Robinson , Hacker , Martin , Mount , Tcndrim , Sellvvood , Adnett , and others . The banquet was served in splendid style by Bro . H . Whale .
Consecration Of The Arthur John Brogden Lodge, No. 1715.
CONSECRATION OF THE ARTHUR JOHN BROGDEN LODGE , No . 1715 .
On Wednesday afternoon , the 26 th ult ., a new lodge was consecrated at Grange-over-Sands , the want of which has long been felt by the members of the Craft in that locality , as they had no lodge-room nearer than Ulverston or Dalton on the one hand , and Lancaster on the other .
The project of instituting a new lodge was discussed amongst those interested , Bro . Arthur John Brogdenhimself an ardent Mason , although we believe not belonging to the Province of West Lancashire—entering heartily into the project . There seeming every probability of a successful lodge being established , the necessary steps were taken , ami a petition was presented to the Grand Lodge
of England praying that a lodge might be formed . The petition was acceded , and a warrant under the sign-manual of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the Most Worshipful Grand Master of England , was issued authorising the formation of the lodge . The lodge is named the " Arthur John Brogden Lodge "—so called after its first Masterand is No . 1715 on the register of the Grand Lodge of
England . The building selected for the lodge-room is situate at the southern side of Grange , on a small plot of land lying between the railway and the bay , and was formerly used , we believe , as a Methodist Chapel . It is a delightfully secluded spot , and has been elaborately furnished and fitted up for the purpose for which it will henceforth be used . Owing to thc inability of Lord Skelmersdale ,
the Provincial Grand Master of West Lancashire , to be present , his lor Iship deputed Bro . Dr . Moore , of this town , to act as Consecrating O . licer . The ceremony took place in the lodge-room shortly after two o ' clock , the following Provincial Grand Officers being present : —Bros . Dr . J . D . Moore , P . G . S . B . of England ( Consecrating Officer ) ; H . S . Alpass , Prov . G .
Sec ; J . Skeaf , Prov . G . Organist ; C . Fryer , P . Prov . G . S . W . ; Geo . Remington , P . Prov . G . J . W . ; R . Pearson , P . Prov . G . Registrar ; R . Wylie , P . Prov . G . S . D . ( Grand Director of Ceremonies ) ; R . Dodgson , P . Prov . G . J . D . ; John Case , P . Pro / . M . E . J . ; G . Cornfield , P . Prov . G . S . B . ; J . M . Morgan , P . Prov . G . Chaplain ; and H . W . Johnson , Prov . G . Steward . In addition to the above thc
following brethren were also present : —R . Taylor , W . M . ; fi . Simpson , P . M . ; John Bell , P . M . ; J . J . Croskell , J . D . ; J . Atkinson , I . G . ( Freemason ) ; R . Stanton , T . T . Thompson , Lodge of Fortitude ; T . Jackson , W . M . ; H . Longman , I . P . M . ; Thomas Bell , Rowley Lodge ; H . Hartley , J . D . ; J . D . | Bell , S . S . ; and C . A . Beckett , Duke of Lancaster Lodge ; W . Duff , W . M . ; A . Poole , S . S .
Morecambe Lodge ; W . Baldwin , P . M . ; Francis H , Clark , P . M ., Baldwin Lodge ; S . Hartley , J . W . ; W . Harrison , P . M . ; James Robinson , W . M . ; John Robinson , J . B . MacQuire , A . Slater , S . C . Affleck , J . R . Casson , S . W ., Furncss Lodge ; D . Smyth , W . M . ; G . B . Nalder , S . W ., Hindpool Lodge ; J . Huartson , W . M . ; T . Mcknight , S . W . ; M . Haslam , P . M . Hartington Lodge ; James
Sumner , P . M . Preston ; R . N . Hobart , Emulation , 1505 ; Charles Haswell , 203 ; A . Gilfillan , 1392 ; G . McKay , S . W . 129 ; and A . J . Brogden , H . C . Davis , Thomas Ashley , W . Postlethwaite , J . Mossop , T . WestwJod , and J . Haworth , members of the n ; w lodge . The brethren above mentioned having assembled in the lodge-room , the Consecrating Officer ( Bro . Moore ) took
the chair , appointing Bro . Remington , S . W ., and Bro . Pearson , J . W . The lodge was then opened in the Three Degrees with thc usual formalities , and the brethren of the lodge being ranged in order , the Consecrating Officer addressed thc brethren on the niture of the meeting , and billed on the Prov . G . Sec . to state their wishes . This being complied with , the P . G . S . read the petition and
warrant . Thc brethren of the . new lodge having signified their approval of the officers who were nominated in the warrant to preside over them , Thc Rev . J . M . Morgan then delivered a suitable oration as follows : Worshipful Consecrating Master , Provincial Grand Officers , Worshipful Past Masters , and brethren , —Standing on some tall cliffs beside the shores
of this lovely bay , I look seaward . Beneath my feet , perhaps , children play ; a little further , boats are passing to and fro , the busy fisherman slowly brings to shore what the ebbing tide has left for his share of God ' s bounty ; and yet a little further the trawler sweeps along , seeking , too , his daily bread . On the dim horizon , some tall ship , freighted with merchandise , perchance bound to some
distant country , cleaves through bright foam her joyous way , her captain and crew high in hope , and looking forward to a prosperous voyage and a happy return to home and country . I look out again to where sea and sky meet ; my vision fails me , and all is dark and void , and yet I know that far beyond the busy world still moves
on . On distant shores the children play , the fisherman pursues his craft , tall ships sail on , and yet these things are all hid to my gaze . And yet still I know that scenes like these form a portion of that beautiful world in which we take our part . Worshipful Sir and brethren , we are engaged here this day in adding another link to the golden chain of Masonry which binds the brethren of every clime
Consecration Of The Arthur John Brogden Lodge, No. 1715.
and race in bonds of fraternal affection . For all we know , perhaps close beside the sea , on India ' s sunny shore , members of our most ancient and venerable society are engaged as we are this day , in the consecration of a new lodge , to promote the further glory and benefits of Masonry to thc human race . Although so far , far away , we cannot see them , but we seem in acts like these to
stretch forth the hand of good fellowship across the stormy ocean and the desert , to grasp the hand of a brother , although his race is not ours , nor his mode of life such as we enjoy . Before his eyes there are like scenes with ours . He may look out on to the ocean till sea and sky melt into one ; as we cannot see these our brethren , so they cannot see us ; and yet there is a chain of love and
brotherhood which bridges the ocean and spans the desert , which binds us together in the bonds of sacred , holy friendship . The principles of our Craft soared high in the past—what do I say ?—in the long , long past . Masonry flourished 4000 years ago . Mayhap those more advanced in our honourable science could tell you more—that it is older still ; but I speak according to my lights , and to
what I have learned of the mystic art . In the most glorious days of architecture , our Craft was a pioneer to the student in theory , and a guide to the craftsman who built the work . It inspired the artist with sublime thoughts and raised his very soul . The spirit of poetry was taught , too , in the truths and v aried beauties of Masonic lore , and it must be so , as everything that is true and
beautiful proceeds from above , from the Father of Light and Great Architect of the Universe . So our glorious science , pointing heavenward , directed the poet's thoughts to the very fountain of all that is lovely , true , and good . The painter , too , owes much to what Masonry teaches . What could he do without the light that descends , as it were , from heaven ? The shifting shadow of the landscape
were unknown to him ; tbe moonlit lake , the shining ocean , the dream of an autumn day , but for the light would have been unknown and unheeded . Genius , guided by the teachings of our Craft , grasped these beauties as they went , and waned , and they are ours , though the painter has sunk into dust , and perhaps lies unknown in yonder valley . Masonry pointed again upward to Him
who said , " Let there be light , and there was light . " " I had hope , when violenc : had ceased , and war on earth , all would have then gone well , peace would have crowned with length of happy days the race of man . " No , the world is still the same . War may not , as far as we can see , cease from inflicting on mankind its horrors and its crimes ; and here again Masonry comes to the front ,
and says , " Ye are brethren—forbear , and sin no more . Is it not your brother you are striking at in yonder gory field ? " For these , and many , many other reasons , which I may not now enlarge or even touch upon , Masonry of itself commands our highest and noblest regard . Does not Masonry teach us to be faithful to our O-ueen and our country ; to submit cheerfully to the powers that be ,
which the volume of the Sacred Law tells us are of God , and to live peaceably with all men ? Worshipful , Sirunhappily , brethren may and do transgress ; there are bad Masons and bad neighbours to be found , but in our noble Craft they are few in number ; nor can any wise man draw any argument from it against our society ; for if the wicked lives of men , or their evil deeds , was an
argument against the religion they profess , Christianity itself could not be true . Does not then our Craft claim at our hands our greatest esteem ? How does it recommend universal benevolence and every virtue which can make one brother dear to another ; for Masons are brethren pursuing the same object , and seekers after the same great
truths . Hail , then , to the progress of Masonry ! Hail to the memory of the Craftsmen ot olden days ! Hail to our Grand Master and our gracious Sovereign the Queen Welcome every fresh benefactor to our Craft I Welcome the Arthur John Brogden Lodge to a place in our timehonoured roll 1 And what more shall I say ? May the brethren have peace here , and a happy future
An anthem was afterwards sung , which was followed by the consecration prayer , and the remaining portion of the interesting ceremony was gone through in a very impressive manner , the Consecrating Officer finally constituting the lodge in antient form . At the conclusion of the ceremony , the presiding officer proceeded to install Bro . Arthur John Brogden as the first
Worshipful Master of the new lodge , the Board of Installed Masters numbering twenty-fite members . The newly-elected W . M . then appointed his officers as fellows : — Henry Champney Davis , S . W . ; Thomas Ashley , J . W . -, William Postlethwaite , Sec ; J . Mossop , S . D . j Thomas Westwood , J . D . ; and Joseph Haworth , Tyler . Several joining members and candidates for
initiation were proposed , amongst the former being the Hon . F . A . Stanley , M . P ., and A . Brogden , M . P . The musical arrangements of the ceremony were under the direction of Bro . Skeaf ( who presided at the harmonium ) , assisted by Bros . Gilfillan . Hobart , and Haswell , the following anthems being sung in the course of the consecration : — " Psalm exxxii , " " Glory be to God on high , "
and Hail , universal Lord , " as well as several chants , the whole being set to music by Bro . Skeaf . A banquet was held in the Working Men's Institute , under the presidency of the newly-elected Worshipful Master , Brother Arthur John Brogden , who was supported right and left by the Provincial Grand Officersabout fifty brethren being present altogether .
On the removal of the cloth , The Chairman proposed in succession the healths o " The Queen , " " The M . W . G . M ., the Prince of Wales , the Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family , " and " Thc Earl of Carnarvon , Pro . G . M . ; Lord Skelmersdale , D . G . M . ; and other Officers of Grand Lodge , " which were duly honoured . The last-named toast was coupled , with the name of Bro . Moore , who briefly responded .