Consecration Of The Lullingstone Lodge, No. 1837.

as to whether there was any necessity for the opening of a new lodge . It was a most important question , and one that was only consented to by Grand Lodge after due and full consideration . It might be fairly asked , " Was the proposed lodge necessary , anil what were its prospects ?" Now , it was a very common thing for a brother to say , " My lodge is so far away I cannot attend ; I wish I could

join a lodge nearer . " This loelge , which he considered a necessity for this part of the province , would be the means of affording relief for the brethren of this part of the district whose lodges were far away from their homes . If they looked atjthe map of Kent , and at the lodges in it , they would find that , while they had lodges at Chatham , Gravesend , Faversham , Ramsgate , Canterbury , Greenhithe

on the one side , and at Sidcup , Dartford , and Plumstead on the other , the nearest lodge to the one they had met to consecrate was at Dartford , some five miles away ; so that would show that this lodge was a necessity , so far as regards the particular district of the province in which it was situated . ( Cheers . ) Then , as to its' prosperity , he had every reason , after looking at the list of petitioning

brethren , to feel confident that with their assistance , and under the rule and governing of its officers designate , it would be a great success . He trusted it would be so , and wished it every success and prosperity . ( Applause . ) Bro . Eastes then handed the gavel to Bro . Robinson , who proceeded to fulfil the beautiful ceremony of consecration , which , we need hardly say , was an effort worthy of his

high anil distinguished character as a divine and a Mason . Bro . Hill then delivered the following magnificent oration . After a few preliminary remarks , congratulating the brethren of the lodge on the large and influential gathering of Masons who had assembled to assist at the consecration of their lodge , he saiel they had met to found another temple dedicated to piety and virtue , to

brotherly love anil chanty—another spiritual house which will last when the most gorgeous palaces shall have passed away . The brethren of the Lullingstone Lodge will be stones of that spiritual edifice , here to be squared , and trimmed , and fitted for a place in the Grand Lodge above , after patient perseverance and repeated trials . It is usual on occasions like the present to offer a few words

of encouragement to those who are preparing to carry out the principles of Masonic order , and to take note of the moral beauties of Masonry . So , then , while not adopting any stereotyped form , wc can readily suggest grounds for congratulation . If impartially viewed , Masonry has not for its foundation a mere plausible , selfish platform of good fellowship and boon companionship . No , nor of mere

almsgiving or charity , but its root rests on the purest and most disinterested friendship . It calls to de > right in the sight of God , and more , it demands daily self improvement , with eternity in view , and a solemn adjudication in store , according to the deeds done in the body . It is universal in its operation and not sectarian in principle , anel yet , though extending its branches throughout the world ,

it has its limitation , as regards associates and members . Not every man can be admitted , and if proper heed be taken , only " just and upright men of mature age , sound judgment , and strict morals" would be admitted . In the Introductory address to the Third Lecture an explanation of these principles is given , which should be kept fresh in the memory . Every Degree in Freemasonry is progressive ,

and cannot be attained but by time , patience , and assiduity , In the First Degree we are taught the duties we owe to God , to our neighbour , and to ourselves . In the Second we are permitted to participate in the mysteries of nature and science , and to trace the goodness and majesty of the Creator , by minutely analysing his works . But the Thirl Degree is the cement of the whole ; it is calculated to bind

men together by mystic points of fellowship , as in a bond of fntcrnal affection and brotherly love . It peiints to the darkness of death , ami the obscurity of the grave , as the forerunner of a brilliant light , which shall follow at the resurrection of the just , when these mortal bodies which have long been slumbering in the dust shall be awakened , re-united to their undying souls , and clothed in immortality . These principles evidently proclaim our

Order as a handmaid of piety and virtue , and show that in Masonry there is nothing incompatible with our social , moral , or religious eluties . Can it be just then to brand us with odious imputations , and to urge that our teaching leads to Atheism or Deism . We respond emphatically , " No . " We are not of the number of those of whom the Scripture speaks as "fools , " "The fool hath said in his heart there is no God . " We all remember

what a shock vibrated amongst us when tidings crossed the sea that the Grand Orient of France , nueler pretence of being unsectarian , and giving proper freedom of conscience , banished both the name and idea of God from its constitution . The result , on our part , was an open severance from all lodges so acting , and a repudiation of the infielelity proposed . Happily for us , the sacred law is the rule

of our faith and practice ; and where this is received not only does the moral law demand observance , but the revelation of mercy and love to fallen man gilds the present and future , and makes us realise the presence of an ark of refuge , in which we may pass in safely over the billows of time , and behold above life ' s wintry sea a "blight and morning star , whose rising brings hopes of

happiness to the faithful anil obedient of the haman race . " So then let none say that Masonry dishonours religion , or is opposed to Christianity , for it is not true . Through its teachings many have been lead to adorn the Christian profession . A confirmation of this lately appeared in the public journals from the lips of an eloquent preacher , who ,

in referring to the progress of Masonry in Mexico , stated that the Bishop of the Happy Valley there had told him that Freemasonry had dune more t ^ i promote the cxtensim of the Gospel in Mexico that any other thing that had ever been introeiuccd into the country . ( Applause . ) Well instructed Masons could not expect less than this ; and , wounded as we have been through hasty words , we may

Consecration Of The Lullingstone Lodge, No. 1837.

derive strength from the conviction that our building is not based on sand , but fonnded on a rock . The tenets of our ancient brethren , while exhibiting them as large hearted , pure minded men , full of kindness and toleration for the opinions of others , yet manifest that they acted upon the principle , " Have thine own faith , but hope and pray for all . " If the bases of Masonry did not distinctly

lead to the present form of religion , why are we directed in Masonic study to the great parallels of St . John the Baptist and St . John the Evangelist ; one the preacher of repentance and the forerunner of the Messiah , and the other the apostle of love ? and why arc our lodges dedicated to one or both of these worthies ? Why , plainly that we may receive their virtues and profit by their good examples .

The report made by Archbishop Parker to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth on Ihe characteristics and society of the Freemasons of the 16 th century , stating that " she had not in her dominions such a loyal , orderly , and religiously disposed body of men , " shows that at that time our ancient brethren were , as now , loyal , religious , faithful , and true to the tenets of their faith and harmony . He then

spoke of the uniformity question , and said let us use the old motto , Anile vide face , and while we do not insist upon a uniformity in words , let us decline to recognise any substantial defections from our ancient teaching . Let us hold fast to the fulfilment of the admonition , that in the performance of our duty to God and our neighbour hangs , or depends , all the law and the prophets , and in the

consecrating of this new lodge , advocating and using the holy tools and sacred symbols , not lightly but reverently , and in a manner creditable to ourselves and acceptable to our God . We pray that the hearts of the brethren may be cheered , and knit together in holy friendship , as were the hearts of David and Jonathan in the days of old , for Jonathan " loved David as his own soul . " He gave him his princely

robe , his girdle , his sword , and his high position for his sake . Such real friendship , the friendship of abnegation and self sacrifice , yet exists among us , and casts a halo of brightness over us , anil we rejoice to have received and personally experienced its glow . With sincere regard and affection and hearty good wishes we cordially , in the words of an ancient manuscript of the 15 th century , say , "The

might of the Father of Kings , with the wiselom of His glorious grace , through the grace anel goodness of the Holy Ghost , these being three persons in one Godhead , be with us , and give us grace so to govern us here in this mortal life , that we may come to His kingdom that never shall have ending , ' so mote it be . ' " Bio . Hill ' s oration was listened to with rapt attention ,

and applauded by the bicthren most warmly . The ceremony was then continueel , and ihe lodge having been duly constituteei , Bro . Robinson pioceeded with the installation of the W . M . designate , Bro . Churchly , and with the usual ceremonies that brothcrjWas placed in the chair of K . S . anel duly saluted . The following officers were then invested : Bros . T . W . Knight , I . P . M . ( we had

almost forgotten to say that Bro . Knight acted as Director of Ceremonies throughout the ceremony in finished and perfect style ) ; the Rev . R . Jamblin , M . A ., Chaplain 299 , S . W . ; C S . Boarelman , I . G . 299 , J . W . ; G . Parker , Treas . ; E . Mackney , P . M . 299 and P . P . G . O . Kent , Sec ; J . Fletcher , J . W . 615 , S . D . ; J . W . A . Neech , 299 , J . D . , P . Jones , D . C . ; R . ' G . Stone , I . G ., Sec 615 , J . G . ; J .

Hulton , Steward ; G . Martin , Tyler . Our reverend brother then delivered the charges splendidly , and the ceremony was concluded . Votes of thanks were then passed to Bros . Robertson anil Hill , for their services , and they , with Bro . Eastes and Knight , were unanimously elected honorary members of the lodge . Three candidates were then proposed for initiation , and three as joining members . Bro .

Cnurchly was elected as Charity representative for the province , and then after " Hearty good wishes " had been tendered by the representatives of the various lodges present , the lodge was closed in due form . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . C . Bishop , Org . 615 , who was assisted by Bros . C . Buckland , 11 . Hareling , anel W . Taylor . The banquet was such as fully sustained the character

of the house for iis menu . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were eloquently put by Bro . Churchly , that of " The Grand Officers" being responded to by Bro . Hill , G . Chaplain of England . "The Health of Lorel Holmesdale , Grand Master of Kent , " was enthusiastically received . In reply to the teiast of his health , coupled with that of the rest of " The Grand Officers , Present and Past , " Bro . Eastes thanked the W . M . and brethren for the cordial manner in which

they hail received it . He could assure them that the Prov , G . Officers had a great love for Masonry at heart , and nothing gave them greater pleasure than to be among the brethren at the various lodges , and watch the progress of the lodges , and the comfort and happiness of the brethren , and not only watch in but assist by every means in their power their progress and prosperity . ( Applause . )

He felt it a great source of sorrow that their beloved Grand Master was not present to sec the manner in which the duties of the lodge had been carried out that day , but it would be his pleasing duty to report them to that distinguished brother , and he felt sure it would be a great gratification to know that a lodge with such a good prospect before it had been adeled to the list of loelges in

the Province of Kent . ( Cheers . ) The prosperity of the lodge would depend in a great measure upon the assiduity and zeal of the W . M . and his officers , anil from what he hael seen and jhearel of them , he lookeel forwarel to the lodge taking a high place among the lodges of the province . He would now say a few words to the brethren of

the lodge . There was a very natural feeling among the officers and brethren of the lodge to make it strong in numbers . Now that was not the way to make a ^ oeiet leidge ; what constituted the strength e . f a lodge more- tha'i the quantity was the quality of its members . ( Hear , hear . ) After impressing upon the brethren the necessity

Consecration Of The Lullingstone Lodge, No. 1837.

of this , he proceeded to give the brethren the advantage cf his great experience in Masonry , and some excellent advice as to the manner in which they should carry out their relative duties , more particularly as to the . manner of their selection and election of candidates for admission . He reprobated the blackballing of candidates , and pointed out in forcible language how to avoid doing so , and

averred that in the twenty-five years he had been a member of the Invicta Lodge , at Ashford , there had not been such a thing as blackballing in the lodge . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Eastes concluded by saying that if he should have the pleasure of coming to visit them in the course of the year he trusted to find them as prosperous and happy as their present circumstances presented the hope and belief of .

( Cheers . ) Bro . Harrison , P . G . Chaplain , also briefly responded . Bro . Robertson then proposed the toast of " The W . M ., " and said that he never proposed a toast upon an occasion such as the present with more pleasure than he did upon this . He felt pleased , because Bro . Churchly was not new to the office , having passed the chair of another lodge ,

so that he brought into this the knowledge and experience obtained there , and those who had seen his work during the closing of the lodge and since in the chair would see that he was eminently fitted to do honour to the office . ( Cheers . ) He begged , therefore , to propose the toast . The W . M ., in response , said so many kind words had been said of him , and to him , that he felt at a loss to

sufhcently thank Bros . Eastes and Robinson for their good wishes and the brethren for their response to the gavel of the latter . He then spoke eloquently of the good feeling which existed among the brethren of the lodge through which he had just passed , and trusted it would be his good fortune to have the same report to make of this at the end of his year of office . He then proposed the toast of

" The Consecrating and Installing Officer , Bro . Robinson , " in glowing terms , and the brethren received it warmly . Bro . Robinson , in reply , said that he wondered not at the brethren enjoying the ceremony , not because he did it , he was not vain enough to think that he could add one iota to the effect of it , but because of its grandeur and beauty . The consecration of a lodge was a ceremony not

given to every Mason to behnlel often . He would most likely see the cereminy of installation at his own lodge , or at other lodges , at least once a year , but there were many good Masons who had never seen the ceremony of consecration . It was a great pleasure to him to conduct such a ceremony , because it hael in it a spirit of seriousness that impresseel the heart of a religious man with its essence

of love , and truth , and charity . It was a ceremony that he loved to hear and see rendered by those Masters of the Craft who felt the spirit of the work they were doing , and he had heard it rendered by laymen far better than he had heard clergymen in their pulpits preach and conduct the services of the church . He then eloquently dwelt upon the grand teachings of their ritual , and declared that no good

Mason could be else than a good man , and a religious man , and must be better , not only in heart but in his pathway through life , if he followed up the pure , good , and exalted teaching brought before his mind at such a time as that they had experienced that day in the consecration of this their new lodge . Bro . Robinson was loudly applauded at the conclusion

of his eloquent address . The toast of " The Visitors" followed , and Bro . Broadly briefly responded . The toast of " The Officers " came next , and Bro . Jamblin responded . "The Masonic Press" was responded to by Bro . Jolly , and the Tyler's toast concluded a memorable and interesting day .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The monthly meeting of the Committee of this Institution was held on Wednesday , at Freemasons' Hall , Col . Creaton , Grand Treasurer , in the Chair . There were also present Bros . C . A . Cottebrune , James Brett , Thomas

Cubitt , W . Stephens , A . H . Tattershall , Fredk . Adlard , Charles John Perceval , John G . Stevens , Richard Hervd Giraud , C . G . Dilley , John Henry Leggott , J . M . Case , S . Rawson , Captain N . G . Philips , Charles Atkins , and James Terry ( Secretary ) . Bro . Terry read a letter from the Earl of Carnarvon ,

conveying H . R . H . the Prince of Wales ' s sanction to the alteration of the date of the annual festival of the Institution to the 9 th of February , 1880 . Bro . Terry also reported the death of one annuitant , and read the report of the House Committee , which was received and adopted . Bro . Terry likewise read a letter , from Bro . R . Percy

Middlemist , offering his services as Honorary Surgeon to outdoor annuitants . This offer was accepted with thanks . The petitions of five male candidates were read , examined , and accepted . One petition was deferred . The petitions of five widows were accepted .

Application being made for the use of the hall of the Institution for the New Year ' s entertainment to the inmates , the Committee granted the same , and also voted £ 20 towards expenses . The Committee then adjourned .

HOLLOW-AY ' S OI . N-TMENT AN » PILLS eirect wonderful cures of bad legs an « l old wounds . If these medicines be used according to tbe directions which are wrapped round each pot or box , there is no wound , bail leer , or ulcerous sore , however oDstinate , but will yield to their curative properties . Numbers of persons who had been P ' -uients in the large hospitals , and under the care of e-min-nt surwihmit deii intr tbe lease benrfirhave been cured b

ge-ems ' r , y Holle . w y ' s Oi 'tment and Pil'S when other remedies h ^ d s > enally failed , for jilaneiu ' ar swellings , turn ens , sc . e-. rv ., an 1 diseases ot the- skin ihi-re is i o medicine that can he used with -n uood an effect . Though peitent tor good , it is powe . lcse , for harm ; and though the cure it effects is rapid , it is also complete an * permanent , — [ A DVT . ]