Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

Most Gracious Majesty had authorised him to state that she would accept the position of Chief Patroness of thc Institution . Her Majesty had since honoured thc Institution by sending a donation of £ 50 . Bro . LETCHWORTH said that as this was the first opportunity that had

offered itself after Her Majesty ' s kindness to acknowledge their gracious recognition , he would move " that this Court desires to record ils grateful appreciation of the high honour conferred on the Institution by Her Majesty ' s gracious acceptance of thc office of Chief Patroness . " Bro . WALTER HOPEKIRK seconded the motion .

The motion was put and carried unanimously . Bro . HEDGES read a letter from Dr . Hope , acknowledging the receipt of thc communication from the Secretary , announcing'his ( Dr . Hope ' s ) appointment as Honorary Surgeon of the Institution , and thanking the brethren for the honour conferred on him . Dr . Hope expressed the pleasure he had in accepting the appointment , ancl approving * of what he had seen while a House Committeeman of the management of the Institution . A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

A meeting of thc Quarterly General Court of this Institution was held on Monday afternoon , at Freemasons' Hall . There were present Col . Creaton , in thc chair , Bros . A . M . Bradley , L . Ruf , Arthur E . Gladwell , William Roebuck , Chas . John Perceval , Thos . Cubitt , F . Binckes , Secretary of the Institution , and E . C . Massey , Freemason .

1 he minutes of the General Court of ioth April were lead and verified , and thc minutes of the General Committee of 6 th May , 3 rd June , and ist July were read for information . Bro . BINCKES submitted thc list of Candidates eligible for election , from which it appeared that , allowing for candidates withdrawn or rendered ineligible by lapse of time , there were now , with thc names added through petitions received and approved since last election , 62 candidates eligible for election ; and that the number to be elected was 12 .

It was moved by Bro . ROEBUCK , seconded and carried , that the list as submitted be approved and closed . This being the only business before thc Court , a vole of thanks to thc Chairman closed thc proceedings .

Consecration Of The Waldeck Lodge, No. 1969.

CONSECRATION OF THE WALDECK LODGE , No . 1969 .

The consecration of a new and important London lodge took place on Monday , the loth inst ., at Freemasons' Hall , under very favourable auspices , as will be seen from the following account of the transactions of thc meeting . The ceremonies , both of consecrration and installation , were

conducted by the Grand Secretary , Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Gierke , who , in the former , was assisted by the V . W . Bro . E . E . Wendt , D . C . L ., Grand Secretary for German Correspondence , as S . W . ; thc VV . Bro . John Messent , Grand Swd . Br ., as J . W . ; the V . W . Bro . the Rev . Thomas Cochrane , M . A ., Grand Chap ., as Chap . ; thc W . Bro . Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., as Dir . of Cer . ; and the W . Bro . II . G . Buss , Asst . Grand Sec , as I . G .

Everything that foresight could provide for appeared to have been done by the founders lo secure a prosperous future for the lodge , and to render its inauguration memorable . Behind the Master ' s chair a handsome banner was displayed , bearing the arms of the House of Waldeck , which , as will bc seen , they have by Royal favour been permitted to adopt . This was presented to the lodge by the Worshipful Master , Bro . Julius Quitmann , and was manufactured by Bro . George Kenning .

Thc musical arrangements were entrusted to Bro . Frederick H . Cozens , and as he was assisted by Bros . Lawler , Carter , and Ashton , it will be seen that the impressiveness of the ceremony in this respect had been well provided for . The founders , named in the petition and warrant as the principal officers , were Bros . Julius Ouitmann , P . M . -538 , as W . M . ; H . L . Wolters , P . M . 538 , as S . W . ; and'Tjustav Paul Wehlen , P . M . 511 , as J . W .

Bro . Colonel CLERKE , as Consecrating Officer , having taken the chair , appointed the Wardens pro tem ., and other assistant officers , and having opened the lodge in the Three Degrees proceeded to address thc brethren present . He said that there were a very large number of brethren in London who had their birthplace in the great empire of Germany , where Masonry existed in its truest form , and , like Masonry in this country , had the

protection of thc Sovereign , and had the Heir to thc Throne as Grand Master . In London there was only one German lodge where the German language was entirely used ; but there were several other brethren of that Rationality who had thought it desirable to petition for a warrant lo bc granted to them for a new German lodge in London , in which , however , the English language should bc employed . He had often pointed out lo

brethren lately on occasions like ihe present that there was a great difficulty in obtaining warrants for new lodges in London ; but there was no rule without exceptions , and H . R . H . the Grand Master had taken into favourable consideration the petition of the German brethren lo whom he had alluded , and had decided to grant the warrant for a German lodge to bc held under the name of the Waldeck Lodge—a name which had become endeared to Englishmen by thc marriage of the Provincial Grand Master for Oxfordshire

with a Princess of the house of Waldeck . I hree old Past Masters had been designated lo fill thc three principal chairs of thc new ledge , and there was , therefore , every warrant for believing that the lodge would be conducted according to the constitutions of the Order , and that no unworthy candidate would be admitted into it . They had now met to give effect to thc construction of this lodge , which he would commence by asking the Grand Chaplain to give them the benefit of Masonic prayer .

After the Chaplain had offered up prayer , the Director of Ceremonies , Bro . Richardson , addressed thc Consecrating Officer , and by his command arranged the brethren of the new lodge before him , and then proceeded lo read the petition and warrant . When the warrant had been read the Consecrating Officer inquired of the brethren of thc new lodge whether they

approved of the officers designated , and being answered in the affirmative , he called upon the Chaplain to deliver an oration . The CHAPLAIN ( the Rev . Thomas Cochrane , Grand Chap . ) , said : Worshipful Master and brethren , it is customary on the occasion of consecrating a new lodge—indeed , I may almost term it part of the ritual of con-

Consecration Of The Waldeck Lodge, No. 1969.

secration of a lodge receiving its patent from the Grand Master of England —that a minister of reli gion should address a few remarks to the brethren assembled for the purpose of consecrating it . I do trust that il will ever be , as it is now , an invariable custom that religion will hold its place as one of thc tenets of our Order , as one of those vital landmarks which if you take it away I foresee thc downfall of Freemasonry , at all events in its prcscn

flourishing condition . 1 propose , first of all , to say a few words on thc his lory of I < reemasonry , at least , not going into the history , but merely con nccting it in England in some measure wilh Freemasonry in Germany Wc , as English Freemasons , are naturall y proud of the position which Freemasonry has attained in this country , for not only , as in Germany , is the heir to the throne in this kingdom an active and working Mason , but he is

also Grand Master this day over 1969 lodges , ancl two of liis Roval brothers take an active part in Freemasonry and in working our ceremonies ; and we all know that . the flower of the nobility , and thc greatest excellence and -renins amongst the commoners in thc three United Kingdoms , belong to our Order . And 1 hope as an Englishman I may bc permitted lo rcmark'lhat England has been the cradle of modern Masonry in its present powerful organisation

and universal ramifications . I believe that I am correct in stating that no longer ago than 150 years , although there were many Freemasons in Germany , who wherever they went , whether in their travels or in watering places , were formed into lodges , there was no permanent lodge in Germany until the year 1733 , when Bro . Lord Strathmore , the then Grand Master ol" England , granted permission to eleven and

" German gentlemen good brethren "in Hamburg to found a permanent lodge , concerning which , however , we possess no further information , it being not till 1737 that a lodge , without name , first came into active operation in that town . In 1741 it assumed the title of " Absalom , " after Bro . Liitman had in 1 740 received his patent as Provincial Grand Master from England . This title it still bears . In thc same year

( 1741 ) , the proceedings of thc Provincial Grand Lodge of Hamburg and Lower Saxony were opened . It was the most ancient mother louVe in Germany . I may add another fact , which , I suppose , you ° are equally well aware of , that Frederick thc Great was initiated in Brunswick m 173 S ; but I think , as a minister of religion , I would rather draw your attention lo thc religious aspect of Freemasonry . Now , what is

Freemasonry ' ! I will not answer in the words of our ritual that it is a peculiar system of morality , veiled in allegory , and illustrated bv symbols , for that has always appeared to mc a very imperfect definition of " what Freemasonry as wc practice it in England really is . Although Freemasonry is neutral ground for all political opinions and all religious creeds , and within its Fraternity all political and religious controversies , which so embitter life and set

mankind at variance , arc happily avoided , ihe aspect from which 1 would wish you to view Masonry is its reli gious aspect . It is founded on the basis of religious virtue ; it is , indeed , the purest and most perfect exemplification of religious impulse , of goodness , of piety , and holiness . Freemasons should always aim to agree on this one point—that they do not seek their own selfish interests , but the general , and , above all , the spiritual good of all that each endeavour to mortif

, so y through life all selfish impulses " everything tending to disunion both in himself and all around him , so that the universal and intellectual advantage of all may prevail , and become thc fountain whence each derives happiness . Freemasonry keeps aloof from all religious entanglements ; all doctrinal tenets it makes it a rule to leave untouched ; for it esteems and honours every form of faith , insislin *" , above all that its

things , members should display toleration and charity in their daily life . The hostile position taken by one portion of thc Church towards Freemasonry is not , nor ever will bc , a proof of thc mischievous tendency of the Institution , but only of unfounded misrepresentations , and inventions , and ignorance of the real nature and influence of Freemasonry . Freemasonry

assumes a similar position towards thc State as it does towards thc Church . We are , at our initiation , enjoined lo avoid in our lodges every topic of political , as well as religious , discussion . And thus Freemasonry educates its children to become good citizens , enjoining them to promote the o- eneral welfare , and fostering in them conformity to thc law and the love ol o-ood order . Therefore , 1 should say , brethren , that il is the interest of cverv

State as well as of the Church to favour Freemasonry ; as a German writer on our Institution has correctly observed , " Wherever Freemasonry has appeared it has always been the sign of a healthy , vigorous government , anil it is even r . ow the token of a weak and timid one where it is not sanctioned . " Genuine Masonry has to deal with man as man , and by making its followers good men it necessarily trains them to be good members of '" the rch ' trious

communities to which they belong , and to become good citizens of whatever country they may happen to reside in , or which may afford them its protection . And , in conclusion , brethren , I will read you thc remarks upon Freemasonry written by one of your most honoured writers , Bro . Findal , " Freemasonry being based upon eternal truth and the unchangeable requirements of our nature , it has in this country faithfully endeavoured to fulfil its pacific and exalted mission , inclining its members to love ancl

charity , to moral courage and fortitude , to truth and the conscientious discharge of known duties ; it has comforted the afflicted , brought back thc erring to the path of rirtue , dried the tears of widows and orphans , and is the parent of many an institution for benevolent purposes . " At the conclusion ol this oration , which was delivered in a very impressive manner , and was listened to with profound atlention , thc anthem

( 133 rd Psalm ) was sung by the musical brethren , the Consecrating Ofiicer offered the first part of the dedication prayer , and gave the invocation ; the Chaplain read a portion of Scripture appropriate to the occasion , and a hymn was sung by the brethren . Thc lod ge-board was then uncovered , and the solemn ceremony of dedication was performed by the Consecratim ' - Officer , the Wardens and Chaplain , assisted by Bro . Richardson as Director of the Ceremony .

After another hymn had been sung , the Consecrating Ofiicer constituted the lodge , and when thc concluding anthem , " Glory be lo God on high , " had been sung , pronounced the final benediction , and the consecration ' and constitution of the Waldeck Lodge was complete . Nothing now remained but for the Consecrating Officer to assume the

position of Installing Master . Thc lodge was , therefore , resumed to the Second Degree , and Bro . Julius Quitmann , thc W . M . designate , having been presented by the D . C , was addressed by the Presiding Officer and having given his assent to the ancient charges , was duly obligated and a Board of Inslallcd Masters having been formed , was formally installed into the chair ol K . S .

Bro . Quitmann , the newly-installed W . M ., then proceeded to invest Bro II . L . Wolters as S . W ., and Bro . G . P . Wehlen as J . W . Bro . Walsei was elected 'I rcasurcr of the lodge , and invested , and Bro . SchlafTcr wasap .