Consecration Of The Victoria Lodge At Windsor.

i 88 i . After passing through the various offices , he was installed W . M . of his lodge 11 years later , and rendered excellent service as Steward at the Festivals of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution and the Giils'School , raising a most liberal amount for each Institution , the result being that in due course he was presented with the Provincial Charity jewel . Bro . Prince has also shown much interest in the progress of Royal Arch Masonry in

Berkshire , and , as will be seen by our report , has just been advanced to an important position in the Provincial Grand Chapter . We may mention that Bro . Prince has spent about 30 years of his life mainly in connection with the chief engineering staffs of the London and South Western Railway Company and the Great Western Railway Company , and his present professional engagements demand his residence at Reading , where the Great

Western Railway are carrying out important works , including the erection of anew station . He is supported by a body cf officers who have had varied experience in Masonic work , and the Victoria Lodge has , therefore , been inaugurated under most favourable and promising auspices . A handsome jewel has been struck for the founders , and miniatures of the same

have been presented to the Acting Prov . Grand Master and the Prov . Grand Secretary . The W . M . has generously presented to the lodge a handsome silken banner , and all the brethren who have taken office in the lo 3 ge have , at their own cost , purchased their blue silk collars and silver jewels of office , to be handed on to their successors .

The founders gave the visitors a cordial reception , and those who assembled , in addition to the Royal Arch Masons mentioned in the preceding leport , including the Grand Secretary ( Bro . E . Letchworth ) , the Acting Prov . Grand Master , Bro . J . T . Morland ; the Prov . Grand Chaplain , Bro .

P . H . Ditchfield ; and Bros , the Rev . A . VV . N . Deacon , C . Batting , G . J . Cosburn , F . T . Stewart , W . Westmacntt , A . C . Layton , T . Page , E . Lott , M . Wybourn , J . Ball , Simpson , Fendick , Veal , Price . Berry , K . Bryant , S . Smith , A . W . Moore , W . L . James , T . Pettit , G . H . Walker , Shrewsbury , Dyer , and others whose names did not transpire .

The consecration ceremony commenced at about five o ' clock , the Acting Prov . Grand Master presiding , supported by Bros . C . E . Keyser , as S . W . ; Slaughter , as J . W . ; Rev . P . H . Ditchfield , as Chap . ; J . W . Martin , as Sec . ; T . Page , as D . C . ; and E . Margrett , as I . G . Bro . Lo . t , Mus . Doc , ably presided at the organ , and the vocal portions of the ceremony were well " sustained by Bros . T . VV . Turner , M . Wybourn , E . Bryant , and Stanley Smith .

In the course of the imposing ceremony , the Prov . Grand Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . P . H . DITCHFIELD , delivered an eloquent and impressive oration , which was listened to with deep interest and attention . The rev . brother said : Brethren , —When the Great Architect of the Universe created man from the dust of the ground , He breathed into his nostrils the breath of life , and man became a

living soul . To-day we supplicate Him who rules the world to infuse the element of life into this newly-formed body , and to consecrate to His service that which but for His benign influence would be as lifeless as the clay . Under the shadow of the mighty castle for eight centuries the august home of our English Sovereigns , reared by the skill of the Masons and artificers of ancient times , ye have raised this new lodge to be' the dwelling place of virtue , wherein

brotherly love , relief , and truth are the solemn and serious obligations of all who aspire to come within its portals . Ye have called it after the name of the Royal lady who has so long governed our nation , whose love for all , and generous sympathy , reveal a character which all true Masons may well desire to copy . The name of the noble mother of the Grand Master of English Masons fittingly adorns this lodge , wherein truth , honour , and virtue are the brightest of our

Masonic jewels , and all are pledged to live the happy life of love . It is my duty to-night to interpret these signs and symbols which we used in performing the ceremony of consecrating this lodge , and to address to you a few words on the nature and principles of the ancient Craft of Freemasonry . These symbols are no mere empty forms , but have a sacred and solemn meaning . The corn that is scattered on the ground is the symbol of plenty , for which we humbly pray , not

that we may use it for our own benefit , ease , and comfort , but for the welfare of mankind and our brethren ' s good . May the Great Architect of the Universe , who causeth the corn tc grow u the fruitful furrows of the field , scatter his gracious gifts of plenty on those who assemble here , and sow the seeds of knowledge and science , which shall bear fruit in that future life whither our steps are wending . Wine , that maketh glad the heart of man , is an emblem of joy and

cheerfulness , and oil betokens peace , harmony , and love , and tells us of that unity of hearts and will , which is one of the chief characteristics of Masonry . Bitterness and wrath , and anger and clamour may rage in the world outside the door , amongst those who know not our mysterious secrets , but here peace reigns with plenty crowned . Nor must we forget our salt , which preserves from decay , and symbolises the quickening hope that the friendships formed within our lodge may ever exist ,

whole hearty , and entire , that our vows may ever remain fresh and vigorous in our minds , and that our lives may season and improve all those with whom we are brought in contact , and who know not the principles which guide our co nduct and practice . And as the clouds of incense ascend on high , as in the great Temple of Solomon , we arc reminded of our prayers that ascend to the listening ear of the Great Architect , and bring down blessings from the high and holy

place , without which all our labours would be in vain , and our strivings after virtue and knowledge useless , it is this incense which gives the meaning to all our rites and ceremonies , and enfolds , as with one atmosphere , this new world , framed by wisdom , supported by strength , adorned in beauty , and consecrated to-night to the service of the Great Architect of the Universe . Brethren , your lodge , new born to-day , has an ancient and honoured lineage , one whose lustre

time has not diminished , and whose vitality age has not impaired . Indeed , at no time has our ancient Order shown more vigorous life and activity than during the closing years of the ninteenth century . Its origin is veiled in the mists of bygone ages . We are accustomed to persuade ourselves that within the portals of King Solomon ' s temple at Jerusalem , Masonry sprang into being . Perhaps , it is older still and we may look for its origin in the shadowy realms of ancient Egypt and

Assyria , and recognise in our first parents the builders of the Pyramids and the carvers of the Sphinx . We know not ; but this we do know that the principles which guide us to-day are the same that governed the minds and swayed the conduct of the fraternities of old , which in dark days and dangerous times preserved the light of wisdom and knowledge , and placed the love of humanity as the guiding principle of their system . History tells us of the old guilds and brotherhoods that existed in Greece and Rome , of the collegia opificum , or

colleges of workmen , existing in all the countries under the sway of the Roman Empire ; they had their own property , their meeting house , their president , and governing body ; the richer members helped their poorer brethren ; and on certain days the whole company visited the common sepulchre in which the brethren were buried , and decked with violets or roses the tombs of their departed brethren . It was the fraternities , the guilds of craftsmen , and merchants , and priests , and soldiers that carried men through the

Consecration Of The Victoria Lodge At Windsor.

chaos that followed the wreck of the Roman civilisation . To them we owe our freedom , our municipal governments , our rights of citizenship , and that which gave to them their chiefest glory—the principle of brotherhood and mutual trust —has been bequeathed to modern Masonry to be preserved by us as a precious heritage , and handed down inviolate to our successors . Nor is the message which our Order preaches unnecessary in the present age . As it dethrones selfishness from our hearts , so does it strike at the roots of that materialism and

atheistic dogmatism which cast a baneful shadow over the lives of many , depriving them of the hope of eternal life and of ever receiving , when called away from our labours here , the wages promised to those who work diligently in God ' s holy temple . Masonry is religion , for religion is the bond of union between man and his Creator , and Masonry tightens that bond ; it appeals from the visible to the invisible ; it purifies the heart and quickens the affections , and leads many a man to follow a godly , righteous , and sober life who might otherwise yield himself a

prey to his passions or sink uiider the dominion of the devastating doctrines of materialism and infidelity . Masonry teaches us to raise our eyes from earth to heaven , to look onwards and upwards , and to strive for something higher and nobler than that which the standard of the world sets before us . To walk humbly in the sight of God , to do justice , love mercy , are the certain characteristics of a real Free and Accepted Mason , which qualifications it is humbly hoped he will possess to the end of time , making that golden precept the standard rule

of bis actions , whicb engages " to do unto all men as he would they should do unto him . " Brethren , ye have fashioned this new house surely and well . It is composed , not of material stones wrought by the hand of the craftsman , but of living stones fashioned by the finger of the Almighty and made meet for His service . Ye are the stones of this spiritual house , found worthy of a place in the walls of this holy temple , some exalted on high having suffered the keen edge of the chisel in the process of being perfected for a position of rank and dignity , while others occupy a lower

place , though ultimately perhaps destined to become a head corner-stone . But each one has a place ; each one is part of this edifice ; and of that position of honour and dignity , we doubt not but that ye will prove yourselves worthy , so that the world around , the uninitiated , by observing your conduct outside the doors of the lodge , may know the excellencies of Masonry by the bright examples of its professors . And by labour alone can this happy result be attained . When we gaze at the beautiful carved work in the chapel of your castle , we know

that-Many a blow of biting sculpture Polished well those stones elect . So in our spiritual temple , the lively stones , best fitted for honour and usefulness , are those which , by the pains of hard study in acquiring knowledge and science , by the patient cutting off of excrescences , and careful shaping by the hard chisel

of suffering , are most suited for the Master ' s service in that glorious building which He is now rearing—a holy temple meet for His habitation . Brethren , I trust that in this lodge , as often as ye enter it ye will ever find true happiness , that which ever springs where brotherly love prevails ; a happiness which will grow as the years speed on , and find its completion and full realisation in that life Eternal , where love for ever rules , for God is love .

The impressive ceremony of consecration having been brought to a conclusion , Bro . Edward Prince was duly installed as the first W . M . of the lodge , and received the warm congratulations of the D . P . G . M . and other brethren . The officers for the coming year were then appointed and invested as

follows : Bros . A . Foyer , acting I . P . M . ; John F . Wolff , S . W . ; J . Baynes , | . W . ; E . A . Broquet , Treas . ; W . A . Cocks , Sec . ; W . H . Reed , S . D . ; Ernest Marshall , J . D . ; H . W . Nicholson , D . C . ; T . W . Turner , A . D . C ; A . A . Hardy , I . G . ; and W . T . Harvey , W . H . Hardy , and E . J . Reed , Stewards .

The W . M ., who was cordially thanked for a handsome silken banner , which he presented to the lodge , was chosen as the lodge representative on the Prov . Charity Committee . A Committee having been appointed to frame the by-laws , Bros . Morland , Keyser , Slaughter , Ditchfield , Martin , Page , Lott , and Margrett were unanimously elected as honorary members of the lodge , in recognition of their able services in the consecration ceremony .

Bro . W . H . Reed , S . D ., presented to the lodge a Chanty-box ( broken column ) , and was warmly thanked for his gift . At the conclusion of the proceedings in the hall , an adjournment was made to the White Hart Hotel , where an excellent banquet was served , and the evening spent most agreeably . The brethren who assisted in the musical portions of the consecration ceremony were joined at the festive gathering by Madame Alice Sampson ,

Madame Constance Martin , and Mr . hrank Peskett , and at both their performances were highly appreciated . Owing to the lateness of the proceedings , a number of the most distinguished brethren were compelled to quit the banqueting-room before the speaking commenced , and the honouring of the various toasts devolved mainly upon the local brethren . Nevertheless , the post-pra idial programme proved enjoyable and successful .

"The Health of the Newly-installed Worship ful Master , " proposed by Bro .-J . BALL , P . M ., was drunk with a special amount of enthusiasm . The W . M . assured the brethren that he highly valued the great honoar they had conferred upon him by choosing him to fill the position of first Worshipful Master of -the Victoria Lodge , which he should endeavour to make a channel for the exercise of true Masonic charity .

"The HeaUh of the Deputy P . G . M . and Consecrating Officer , " with which was associated "The Health of the Assisting Consecrating Officers , and the Provincial Grand Officers , Present and Past , " was heartily drunk , and Bro . Powell , of Wokingham , made a fitting response . The W . M . expressed the great pleasure he felt in welcoming representatives of 10 out of 15 lodges in the Province , besides many old and esteemed friends from the provinces , and he proposed " The Health of the Visitors , " for whom Bros . Moore ( Somerset ) , Mercer ( Royal Union ) , Skinner ( Eton ) ,

Fendick ( Ascot ) , and Cosburn ( Newbury ) , responded , the latter facetiously remarking upon the good fortune that had attended the inauguration of the Victoria Lodge , for what he asked could possibly be more appropriate than that the lodge , named after the beloved Sovereign , should be presided over by a Prince , while the brethren of the sister lodge—the Etonian—were fortunate in having their lodge affairs directed by a King . ( Hear and Laughter . ) The pleasant gathering did not break up until towards midnight .

THR EI . CHO SHIRI . D , which wis won by the English Eight at the annual meeting of the National Rifle Association at Bisley during this summer , was form illy handed over to the custody of the Lord Mayor and hung up , as usual , in the Guildhall on Saturday evening last . A banquet was afterwards held at the Mansion House in honour of the occasion , at which the 1-ord Mayor presided .