Consecration Of The Kirkdale Lodge, No. 1756.

of which we , as Freemasons , are all responsible . We are instructed in the work of the First Degree that Freemasonry is founded upon tbe purest principles of piety and viitue , civil , social , reli gious , and moral . We are led to understand by this that the gooel Mason must be a true and loyal subject , paying due obedience to all lawfully constituted authorities , and supporting them on every occasion

when properly discharging their official duties ; that nothing shall be powerful enough to weaken our family affections , or draw us away from the proper discharge of those domestic duties which render British homes the nationalpride of our people . That not only must we be not revilers of religion , but , whatever the faith we hold , lovers of our brethren , and faithful servants and worshippers of the Great Architect anel

Ruler of the Universe , ' who must be worshipped m spirit and in truth . And although no true relig ion can impose on us absolute withdrawal from the world , and from the many good and beautiful things that the Most High has given us for our use , yet all true reli g ion and , therefore , Freemasonry , and even nature heiself , teach us to be temperate anil discreet in the use of those pleasures which are so enticing

to us in our present state , and which when used to excess tend to lead us into practices which would place us outside the pale of those who may be called moral ; but by a prudent and well regulated course of discipline to preserve our mental and corporeal faculties in their fullest vigour , that we may be able to utilise to the fullest possible extent , to the honour and glory of our God , and the best welfare

of our fellow creatures . Thus the very first principles of our Order are calculated to fix upon our minds , by continual repetition , the high duties which are laid upon us as children of the Most High , as citizens of the world , as heads of our respective families , and as individuals , and are intended to strengthen us in our purpose of discharging those duties with the most unremitting care and attention .

Thus it is that we should bear ourselves in our conduct with the world , lest we bring discredit upon this most honourable fraternity , and bring a stain upon this heritage which has been handed down to us pure and unsullied . We should also bc similarly careful as to our conduct within the lodge . There are those essential rules laid down for our guidance in the

Ancient Charges of tbe First Degree , to which we should always pay the strictest attention and obedience ; but there is one consideration which I must , in conclusion , bring under your notice , it is nowhere referred to in the charges 1 have spoken of , nor could we expect that it should be , because t ' -ey pre-suppose that state of mind which although seldom found ought always to exist in each one of us .

We all confess tp the beauty of the various charges and addresses which are used in conferring the several degrees , hut their truest beauty is not realized nor their highest object attained unless we think continually of the various lessons they inculcate , there is always a dangerous tendency from continually hearing the same ; things expresseel in the same words , to overlook the deep

importance of the things spoken , and the frequently hearing them from various persons induces us to criticise the manner in which they are delivered rather than cull Ihc high maxims taught for our guidincc and edification . The most successful Master \\ not the one who initiates the greatest number into the Cralt , nor the one who displays the greatest powers of rhetoric , but he who by

the modesty ot his denu-anour , and by the example ol his own conduct convinces all that his words and actions are living illustrations of those high and noble sentiments and precepts which it is his , duty to utter ; without this appreciation of moral beauty both on the part of those who speak and of those who hear our cere-monies are empty and worthless forms , they are as the sounding brass and tinkling cymbal of Holy Writ , but with the fullness of

living reality in them , as I have already de-scribed , illustrated by exemplary actions they will have their proper influence on the lives of all and so bear their proper pait to fit and prepare us for that solemn time when entering the elark deep valley of the shadow of death , we shall need to bc sustained by a reasonable hop : that on rising from the tomb of transgression we may shine like the stars in that Grand Lodge above , where the world's Great Architect lives aud reigns for

evermore . The remainder of the ceremony was of the usual imprc-isive character , and the musical portion was most efficiently yiven by Bros . D . Saunders , 1609 ; II . Ashmore , W . M . 823 ; J . Busfield , 216 ; J . Queen , 667 ; J . P . Bryan , 203 ; and Gilfillan , Bro . J . Skeaf , P . G . O ., presiding at the harmonium .

Bio . Robertson , P . G . J . W ., afterwards most efficientl y installed Bro . E . . Johnston as the first W . M . of the Kirkdale Lodge , and the officers invested were Bros . W . Gick , S . W . ; H . Ferguson , J . VV . ; R . E . Mitton , Treasurer ; and J . Grierson , Secretary . The brethren subsequently sat down to a bane | uet , most satisfactorily provided by Bro . Casey , and during the evening the usual loyal and Masonic leasts were given .

Consecration Of The King Henry Viii. Lodge, No. 1757.

CONSECRATION OF THE KING HENRY VIII . LODGE , No . 1757 .

This new lodge for the Province of Herts was consecrateel on Monday afternoon , at the Town Hall , llemel Hempstead , by the Right Worshipful Bro . Thomas F . Halsey , M . P ., Provincial Grand Master of Heitfordshire . 'file following brethren were present , those who are

Provincial Grand Officers occupying their respective positions in thelodge : —Bros . W . Oswell Thompson , C . Haeldnck , H . Baldwin , G . P . Bernard , G . Finch , Thomas Woodman , Geo . Young , T . Thomas , Tjler ; J . Middliton , TjlerjH . D . Martin , Acacia , 1314 ; Lawler , Moria ; F . T . Klg ' mgton , 1321 ; 11 . 13 . Balemaii , J . D . 31 ) 1 ; W . H . Borne , P . M . 198 anil 504 ; D . C Foster , P . M . 504 ; G . llis ' ey , 1479 ; W . Ijl . Hobson , 504 ; G . Young , S . W . 979 - , W . Norris

Consecration Of The King Henry Viii. Lodge, No. 1757.

840 ; T . F . Knight Smith , J . W . 1441 ; W . Bansor , W . M . 15 80 ; W . Smith , H . D .. M . A ., J . D . 1 ^ 8 ; W . D . Colivenstark , P . M . 16 G 8 ; A . H . Tattershall , " P . M . 140 ; T . Kent , P . G . J . D ., and W . M . 1479 > J- Ttrry > l ' . G . J . ., 1 8 o -, J . L . Mather , P . G . D . C , 1 ^ 80 ; T . J . Carter , 1 V . G S . D ., 40 s ;

A . E . Ohncy , P . M . 504 ; H . Hallis , P . M . 16 ; ; H . Massey , P . M . 619 ( Freemason . ) The following brethren performed the musical portion of the ceremony : —Bros . Knight S . nith , T . Liwler , Martin , George Young , George Young , jun ., Dr . Smith , and Walter Norris . Bro . James Terry , Prov . G . j . W ., delivered the

oration . After Bro . Halsey had co . isccrated the loige he installed Bro . the Rev . W . Oswell Thompson , Vicar of Hemel Hempstead , P . M ., and Provincial Grand Chaplain , as Worshipful Master of the lodge . The brethren appointed , to office were Bros . Samuel H idjock , S'W . ; Henry Balderson , J . W . ; Dr . Bernard , Treasurer ( pro tem . ) and

Secretary ; Rev . George Finch , P . M ., P . Prov . G . Chaplain , S . D . ; Thomas Woodman , J . D . ; and George Young , I . G . Bro . Halsey performed the whole of the ceremonies in admirable style , and with a fluency which displayed perfect mastery of the noble art . Before resuming his seat on the rig ht of the W . M ., he said he hoped the lodge would have a long career of usefulness . Propositions for j / uiing were

then given in , and the W . M . proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the R . W . Prov . G . M . for Hertfordshire , for so readily , kindly , and efficiently conducting the important duties of Consecrating Master . He also hoped that the Prov . G . M . would allow his name to be enrolled as an honorary member of the lodge . Bro . Hadelock , S . W ., seconded the motion , which was then passed and carried

unanimously . Bro . Halsey , in acknowledging the compliment , saiel he had to thank the biethren heartily for the kind manner in which they had received his humble services . It had afforded him great pleasure to assist in the consecration of the lodge in that , the last important town in the province . He had long regretted that there was no lodge in the town

with which he was so closely connected , in which he had spent the greater part of his days , and where he was likely to live the remainder of his life . lie hoped the loilge would be a success . There was every reason why there should be a lodge in the town , lt gave him double pleasure in installing the present W . M . as the first Master

of the lodge , having been a contemporary of the W . M . in Masonry at Oxford , and having kept up a close Masonic connection with him through a London lodge since the days of their youth . He knew the W . M ' s . efficiency in the Craft , and that he was likely to start the lodge with great credit .

'I'he Prov . Grand Master was then elected an honorary member ot the lodge , which he said he was most happy to accept . The lodge was soon after closed , and the brethren adjourned to banquet . The loyal and Masonic toasts folleiweel .

In giving the toast of " I he Pro G . M ., tec , " the W . M . said that when they come to this toast they seemed to be getting very near home , and could realize the toast themselves more than the previous toasts . They had a brother amongst them who was a Grand Officer , and who was in a special degree connected with Grand Loilge of England . Bro . Wilson , who had taken a very active part in the

Masonry of I lei tfordshire , was a Giand Pursuivant of England , and he was a brother well known to all of tliem , ami was highly esteemed . The Earl of Carnarvon was a good Oxford Mason , and a member of the same lodge there as he ( ihe W . M . ) had the honour himself to belong to . Belonging to the same lodge he ( the W . M . ) knew him to be a good Mason iu every way . He was most diligent in his

attendance at Grand Loilge , as all the brethren knew , and performed the eluties of the M . W . G . M . in His lloyal Highness' absence . Bro . Wilson , Assistant G . P ., replied , and said that it was most important that the Craftshould be represented by Granel Officers in whom they had confidence , and on whom they could rely for their government . For Lord

Carnarvon lie could say thatal ) the brethien knew that no one was more competent than he to discharge the duties of Pro Giand Master . Every brother who had the honour and privilege of attending Grand Lodge knew that Lord Carnarvon attended there as presiding officer very frequently , and that he presided over Grand Lodge and ruled it in the spirit of Masonry . They knew he had Masonry at heart

and that he was desirous of furthering its objects and making it honoured . Lord Skelmersdale also had his heart in Masonry , and was always ready to do all he coulel to promote its i iterests . The oilier Grand Officers die ! the same , and had worked diligently , faithfully and zealously , or they would not have attained their high positions . On his own behalf , as one of those Grand Officers , he thanked the

W . M . heartily for having coupled his name with the toast . He was pleased te ) visit this loilge and receive the brethren's hospitality . The ceremonies had been peifoimed by the Prov . G . M . in most admirable sljli ' , and he had been much pleased with the opportunity of witnessing them . Every brother must have been delighted with the way iu which both the consecration and the installation had been

performed , and they were all eleeply indebted to the Prov . G . Master , as well as to those brethren who had assisted him . Iiro . Terry hael given them a splendid oration , and had delivered it most eloquently . The treat they had all had was highly valued by all the brethren , and for the reception which he himself had received he had to thank the brethren sincerely .

The W . M . next gave " The Health of the Prov . Grand Master , " and said that this lodge having been consecrated that evening was the junior lodge of the province , and , therefore , a very special obligation was thrown Upon it of behaving itself , as , indeed , there was upon all who had J the " eyes of the world upon them . Young people who appeared in the world

Consecration Of The King Henry Viii. Lodge, No. 1757.

always had the eyes of the world upon them . In public life the last person who appeareel on the scene grew in publicity in a special degree ; and he could not but think that what occurred in the world w ' uho at was the case within the hallowed world of Masonry . Therefore , the new King Henry VIII . Loilge , No . 1757 , most especially at that moment , was drawing the eyes of publicity upon it . When

it had been consei ' rateel and dedicated , as it had been that afternoon , by the Right W . the Prov . G . M . himself , he thought they must all be filled with that zeal for Masonry in recognition of the efficient way in which the ceremonies hail been performed , that they should diink the toast he now proposed with the greatest enthusiasm , lt was a most acceptable toast . All the brethren of the lodge were well

tried and earnest Masons , and he trusted that great results would accrue from the establishment of the lodge . He was sure that the R . W . Prov . G . M . would not have cause to look upon the King Henry VIII . Lodge as the least of the lodges he had to rule ovei . Therefore , in full hope of the future usefulness of the lodge and its future advantage to the Craft , as well as of tuture honour to themselves , he

asked theui to drink " The Health of the Right Worshipful the Prov . Grand Master , " especially remembering that he was the Consecrating Officer of the day . Bro . Halsey , in reply , said , it was with very great diffidence that he rose to return thanks for the honour which had been elone him in drinking his health . He cr > uld only

say with regard to what the W . M . had been kind enough to say as to the part he ( the Prov . G . M . ) had taken in the performance of the duties of the day that his duties had been very light , anil they had been doubly li ght , if he mig ht use the expression , by the efficiency of the other brethren who had also borne a most important part in the ceremonies . He could not omit to mention a brother who

was a most important officer on these occasions , and that was the Director of Ceremonies . Also there were the musical brethren , because a good deal of the ceremony was musical ; and if at the consecration of a lodge they were not provided with good and efficient brethren to manage that part of the ceremony the proceedings must fall somewhat flat . However , he ventured to think that

at any rate , the proceedings that day had gone off very satisfactorily , and so as to warrant them in believing that the lodge would in due course fill an important place in the town . He was confident there was scope for its operation in the neighbourhood and in the province of Hertfordshire . He could repeat what he said in the lodge room

that it ha 1 given him great pleasure to find a lodge launched in a town with which he was so closely connected for vari ius reasons , and iu which he had s , ient the greater part of his life , and expected to spend the remainder . He had often thought there was scope for a lodge there , and raw material out of which lo hew Masons , plenty of the rough ashlar out of which to mould a perfect stone ; and

he did not sec why this lodge should not enjoy a lengthened career of usefulness . He certainly must express his gratitude to the brethren of this province generally who had supported him in encouraging the progress of Freemasonry in the province during the four years he had had the honour of presiding over it . Of course it never could he a very large province , or one th it could vi : with either

of the divisions of Lancashire or Yorkshire . It was a rural province . Considering that this was the third lodge that had been consecrated during his Prov . Grand Mastership he thought it showed a progress of which no province need be ashamed . He was reminded by the Senior Grand Warden that this was the eleventh lodge in the province , it was consecrated on the 1 ith of November , and

November was the nth month in the year . It was a peculiar coincidence . He though the lodge entered the world under the most favourable auspices and most prosperous omens , and he trusted it would go on anil meet there { or a long time to come , with increased numbers on the anniversary of that day . 1 le tendered the brethren his most cordial thanks for the honour they had done him , and he

wished the W . M . health anil strength to carry out the business of the lodge . Br > . Dr . Wilson lies , Prov . G . Sec . proposed "The Health of the Deputy Prov . G . M . and the Prov . G . Officer .-, " to which Bro . Dawson , Prov . G . S . W . responded . Bro . Halsey proposed "The Health of theW . M . " It was tluough his instrumentality that the success of the

day had been achieved , and by which the lodge would during the ensuing year realise the hopes which were entertained of it . From what they had seen of the energy and talent of the W . M . in getting up the lodge wilh the assistance of other brethren , and the manner it had been carried out , they were entilleil to predict a glorious future for the lodge . He mig ht speak with confidence of the knowledge

of the W . M . of Freemasonry , and of his Masonic acquirements , because , as he had already mentioned , for many years lie had been in close connection with the W . M . in Freemasonry . He felt sure that during the ensuing year the lodge would attain a position which it ought to take among the lodges of England , and he trusted IVc W . M . would receive support from the brethren .

The W . M ., in reply , assured the brethren lhat there was no part of his duties which he performed that day with more uncomfortablencss than he did in reply ing to this toast . If there was anything he hated itwas having his health drank . When it was proposed as the Prov . G . M . hail just proposed it , coupled with a wish for the success of himself and of Lodge 1757 , he could not but feel lis ought to be ashamed of himself if he did not try to respond to it most heartily .

He could not but . think that the Prov . G . M . and brethren had done him too great honour in calling him to preside over this the youngest lodge in the province . Being already a Past Master in the Cralt he diel not in any way seek the honour ol presiding over this lodge -, but when he found it was a wish and desire that a lodge should be formed in llemel Hempstead , and when he found iu answer to full enquiries that it was with the lull concur-