Consecration Of The Southport Mark Lodge, No. 473, At Southport.

Masonic as well as of earthly existence . They have a power to heal the spirit that is weig hed down with a sense of responsibility or of diffidence in its own powers . ' Kind words of encouragement cost no more than unkind ones . Let us , therefore , as Masons , cultivate towards our younger brethren the art of saying appropriate words in a kindly way . What a grand pattern for our imitation in this have we in our b > loved Prov . G . M ., and the art , of

-which he is a past mnscr , of saying appropriate words in a kindly manner is one that never gels out of fashion , never ceases to please , never fails to give new life and hope , and , helping others by act or by word , like the twin sisters Mercy and Charity , blesses not only him who receives , but him who gives , for doing this can give us pleasure , even in the midst of our sorrows and troubles . And let us not be afraid to receive this help by deed and word

from those placed in a position to afford it . Our ancient brethren did not reject the help of those stationed above them on the rocks . Let no one refuse this help , but rather be grateful for it . I feel deeply grateful to you , my lord , and those placed in high positions in Masonry for the help and encouraging words which 1 received when a younger Mason , and it is to this that 1 owe in great measure my present position in Masonry , of which I

feel so proud . Our manhood does not forbid us to receive this aid , especially when it is freely offered and generously g iven . There is one other point to which I would like to call your attention . Do not be too eager to get new members . __ Try to keep the privileges of this Mark Lodge to worthy men and to worthy men alone . Surely of this duty the name of your lodge will constantly remind you . It is called the Southport Lodge . One derivation of the word

" Port" is from " porta a gate , " and thus Southport would be South Gate . You know what is the duty of the J . O . at the South Gate . It ' is to guard that gate and examine materials for the building of the Holy Temple . So guard this Southport Lodge , so examine the qualifications of all brethren seeking to be admitted to its membership , that none shall be passed by it but those who will receive the mark of approval of those in the highest

positions in this province , and that none admitted will be condemned as useless to Mark Masonry . Remember a lodge is not great merely because it contains a great number of members , but it is great because its members put in practice outside the lodge those virtues and principles they are taught within it . A Mason ' s character is judged not by what he may seem to be in his lodge , but by what he is in his home , in his business or

profession , or in his social circle . The virtues , or alas the vices of Masons are a language easy to be understood by the outside world , and by these our Order is judged by them . But as the style of a great artist is recognised in the drawing and colouring of his pictures , as the genius of a great musician ma ) ' be known by the sweetness of the music , so if we be true Masons there should be ihe impress of those moral virtues which Freemasonry in general

and Mark Masonry in particular inculcate . " And let no work receive your approval but such as is calculated to strengthen and adorn the Masonic Temple . " Putting in practice the two lessons I have tried to draw , viz ., that those in hig her positions should be helpful to those in lower ones , and to carefully guard the entrance to this lodge , may this Southport lodge which is launched to-day , commanded by an experienced captain as well as manned

with well-qualifu-d officers and crew—may it ever sail in the fair winds of prosperity , and be the means of bringing into the Mark Degree many who will do credit and honour to it . And may all its members " be industrious and diligent in disseminating a knowledge of that true and perfect work which alone can stand the test of G . O . ' s square in the hour of trial and tribulation . " So mote it be .

On the conclusion of the ceremonial , Bro . J AMES PI . WT moved the election of Lord Lathom as the first lion , member of ithe lodge . He said his lordship had on previous occasions been informed that the Prov . G . M . Lodge had a standing invitation to Southport ; and he , Bro . Piatt , believed the P . G . M . found it congenial to himself to visit the Southport lodges .

In accepting the honour , Lord LATHOM acknowledged that it was always a pleasure on his part to enter a Southport lodge . Bro . J CIIADWICK , Prov . G . Sec , was then elected a lion , member of the lodge , and briefly expressed his thanks . At the invitation of the Southport Lodge , the visiting brethren adjourned

to the Masonic club room below the lodge room and partook of a repast , served by Piro . G . Rocklifl ' . Among those present were Bros . John Marshall , P . P . G . S . B . West Yorkshire ; W . li . M . Tomlinson , M . P ., P . G . S . W . ; and A . Middieton , P . G . Std . Br ., P . P . S . G . O . The day was one which will remain memorable in the annals of Mark Masonry in Lancashire .

Consecration Of The Vale Of Eden Lodge, No. 2403 At Appleby.

CONSECRATION OF THE VALE OF EDEN LODGE , No . 2403 AT APPLEBY .

In the presence of a very large and influential gathering of brethren , the consecration of the above lodge took place at the Tufton Arms Hotel , on the 30 th tilt . The ceremony of consecration was performed by Bro . Geo . f . , M'Kay , J . P ., acting P . G . M ., Deputy Prov . G . M ., P . G . Std . Br . of Kng . Bro . the Rev . 1 \ . \ ir . s AXDKKSOX , as P . G Chap , and Assistant Secretary ,

addressed the brethren assembled in lodge as follows : Addressing the acting Prov . Grand Master , officers , and brethren , after a few introductory words , Freemasonry was described as a " peculiar system of morality , veiled in allegory , and illustrated by symbols . " Morality is religion . There can be no separation between the ' two ; without religion there can be no morality . It starts with a belief in a Divine Being , and his sacred law speaks to

all" He hath showed thee , O man , what is good ; and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly , to love mercy , and to walk humbly with thy God . " That is the morality of Masonry , and ' that is the morality of religion . Masonry employs allegory and symbol ; the former inculcates moral truths by dark sayings , the latter by outward and visible signs . The three grand

principles on which the Order is founded are—brotherly love , relief , and truth . Its members are brethren and are to be linked together by the golden chain ol love . Wilh the utterance of that spirit we open and close our lodges —• " That our labours thus hi gun in order , may be conducted in peace ,-and closed in harmonv . " Love unites the whole .

Behold hoiv good a thing it is , And how Iji-ouming well , Together such as brethren we , In unity to dwell .

" Pity is akin fo love , " arc ! here ihe princip le of relief comes in , so beautifully expressed in our Masonic ritual . Hence those schools , and schemes of benevolei ce and Chaiiiy which rise up to call her blessed . ' Truth follows in her train . We lelii . ve because we are true , and we are true because we love , a trinity of graces in unity , which disdains hypocrisy and sham , In keeping

Consecration Of The Vale Of Eden Lodge, No. 2403 At Appleby.

with these principles and the qualifications of candidates for the mysterious sccrels of a Master Mason— "Just , upright , and free men , of mature age , sound judgment , and strict morals . " Worth , not five guineas and an annual subscription . We seek not the world ' s honour , but we desire the world to know us ; we seek not praise , but we desire to be praiseworthy . Our actions still by virtue blessed , And to our precepts ever true , The world , admiring , shall request

To learn , and our bright paths pursue . And now for the remaining ceremony of this consecration hour . The Vale of Eden is as one risen from the dead . Her new warrant stands upon the ruins of the old . This is the day of rejoicing , as it is the day of her resuscitation . May the Vale become as the Garden of Eden in the pristine charms of its primeval state before the apple by the Arch Deceiver was touched ,

which in wed the fair and spoiled the innocent , and demoralised posterity . May she gather into her embrace the sons of the mighty , the leal-hearted and the true ; may her future career be one of enjoyment of unity , peace , and concord , and may the eyes of Appleby be proud to own the purple and the blue , and that she has within her not merely an order and a name but a science and a life .

After the ceremony of installation was performed by Bro . G . Dalrymple , P . P . S . G . W ., P . G . Sec , assisted by Bros . James G . Gandy , P . S . G . W ., S . W . ; Edward Clarke , P . I . G . W ., I . W . ; Rev . James Anderson , as P . G , Chap . ; R . P . Hunter , P . G . D . C , D . C . ; and ft . H . Cook , P . G . Org ., when Bro . Charles Robert Rivington , P . G . Steward of England was dul y invested as Master , Bro . George Thomas as S . W ., and Bro . James Postlethwaite Watson as l . W .

Ars Quatuor Coronatorum.

ARS QUATUOR CORONATORUM .

Another new volume is started with Part I ., extending to some 60 pages or more , and a wonderful beginning it is of Volume VII . On the completion of this work , or book , 1 hope to take a retrospect of the seven fine volumes and the other publications of the " Quatuor Coronati " Lodge , No . 2076 . Meanwhile , however , the present part lies before me , and awaits a friendly word or two , according to custom .

Part I . of the new volume will rank with any of its numerous predecessors , both in general interest and special importance . There is plenty for the ordinary reader , as well as much for the Masonic student , and , if a fair sample of the remaining Parts , Volume VII ., holding the " perfect number , "

will be most difficult to beat . At any rate , my esteemed friend , Bro . G . W . Speth , the Secretary and Editor , has never failed to publish proceedings of a most valuable character on behalf of our lodge , and , what is more , continues to give us , as members or subscribers , fully as good fare as when he started as the Editor of this remarkable and invaluable series .

1 he report of the Audit Committee to the lodge , held 5 th January last , had been carefully prepared , so its exhaustive character is not to be wondered at , and as it enables any member to judge of the success or otherwise of each department , nothing need be said by way of explanation , excepting to state , once again , that I do not believe in our Secretary being allowed to

have his own w . y , as heretofore , and be a creditor for £ 150 , thus making the accounts generally look better , at his expense . Undsr existing circumstance-, however , I have consented to the ancient verdict of "Notguiltyonly don ' t do it again " Out of a total of ^ 1343 13 s . lod ., which would have been over £ iS '"> had the arrears not been so heavy , there should be no difficulty in puividinj ; the honorarium for our hard-worked friend .

Bro . Vernon sent a capital paper to be read , entitled " From Labour to Refreshment in the Olden Time , " and being so familiar with the records of our old Scottish lodges , his real difficulty was in compressing the information at his disposal in an _ . thing like reasonable space . He managed it , however , and well deserved the vote of thanks passed by acclamation on the motion of the W . M ., seconded by the Secretary .

The next paper is by our onl y associate member Mrs . H . G . M . Murray - Aynsley , on " Further Lights on Sikh Initiation , " and the same gifted lady contributes a short note relative to " Masons' Mark at Orcha in Bjndelkand

India . " I am not inclined to accept it as a Masons' Mark myself , as it is too elaborate for such a purpose . Bro . Ladislas de Malczovich continues his deeply interesting " Sketch of the Earlier History of Mas nry in Austria and Hungary , '' but it is not our idea of a sketch , but more like an elaborate treatise , the Lke of which for thoroughness , importance , and interest has never before been written , and many ot us are anxious for more space to be devoted to its publication , so that it may soon be completed . Bro . F . J . W .

Crowe has written another valuable paper on " Continental Lodge Jewels and Medals , " and as there are few who know so much about the subject as he does , we are treated to very pleasant and suggestive reading on points bill little known . Those who are grateful to our good brother for thus enlig htening them , can but show their gratitude by forwarding some old certificates , jewels , aprons , medals , or aught else curious lo add to his extraordinary collection , which becomes the property of our lodge on his demise , which « c trust will not be for many years yet .

Bro . Speth reviews Bro . Brown ' s History of No . 295 , Bro . Norris' of No . 21 ) 1 , and that of No . 294 , as well as a volume on Thomas and Paul Sandby , R . A ' s . ( by William Sandbyj ; Bro . Rylands' "Masons' Marks " ( which 1 should like to see whole .-l y incorporated in our proceedings , p lates and all , heciuse of its great value and interest ) and Dr . Begemann ' s treaiise

on the " Regius M . S . " Many of us are especially glad that Bro . Speth has noted \) r . Begemnnn ' s important labours , as , unfortunately for us ordinary mortals , the essay is in German , and it is only by having such an able linguist as Editor that we know of such an article having been written hy one o ! the most trustworthy and interesting writers in the field of Masonic research , especially as to these " Old Charges . "

At the lodge held 2 nd March , our respected VV . M ., Bro . Dr . W . W ) ' "" Westcott , read an able paper on the " Rosicrucians , their History ano Aims , " which requires careful reading and study to be rightly appreciatedi and the discussion , all too briefly reported , was beyond t e average interest

and suggestiveness . The information afforded by Bro . E . Conder , jun ., n ° * made public for the first lime ( though known to a few of us privately before )' as to the Masons' Company , is of considerable consequence , particularly >' our brother is able to prove " The Degree of a Master Mason " was known and recorded in 1636 !

I think it likely thai his hint about Dr . Fludd may lead to a trace of that old worthy hitherto unknown . The notes and queries , the obituary , and a mass of information else g to make up this excellent part , and the several illustrations will prove welcome additions to the interesting text . I W . J . HUGHAN-