Consecration Of The St. Mary Abbotts Lodge, No. 1974.

membership of our Lodges . It is rather a difficult and delicate question to handle , but like many such it has to be faced . We require , it seems to me , to draw the line closer than for many prevailing reasons we are wont to do , as to those we admit into Freemasonry . One incongruous member will ruin a whole Lodge , justas one discordant note may mar a beauteous strain . \ es , Sir , those we grant the great privilege to of Masonic membership and

affiliation ought to be good men and true ; not idlers , but workers ; not drones , but bees in the great hive of Freemasonry . We want kindly men , men ol refined tastes and cultured understandings , friendly men , pleasant men , clubbable men ; not those who impair the work of a lodge , and interfere with the comfort of its members by idle grievances or " burning questions . " We want those who value the principles and realize the meaning of

Freemasonry . A Freemason Lodge ought to be a little family circle , Irom which all petty jealousies and personal pretensions should be excluded , and the charm of our lodge meetings consists in this—that we are all pretty much on a level , and that we can consort in and out of the lodge on very nearly equal grounds . The friendship and sociality of Freemasonry are vital facts , only to be equalled by its elevating tendencies and sympathies .

There is , however , such a thing as making Freemasonry too cheap , too easy of admittance ; let us be on our guard against such tendencies , and , above all , put our foot down firmly on that most baneful of all teaching , of which we see many converging to day , that Freemasonry has in it , and ever was intended to have , the slightest element of a Benefit Society . That this new lodge will pursue the straight and upward tenour of its way I doubt

not , and therefore commending it once more to the hearty good wishes of all present , and reiterating my warmest aspirations for its progress and prestige , and that it may take a high position among London lodges , I thank you , Sir , and my brethren , for so patiently again listening to my humble exposition of what Freemasons teach , and what Freemasons do in their lodges , and before the world .

After the oration the Consecrating Officer duly performed the remaining portion of our very effective consecration service , interspersed as the ritual was with some very effective anthems admirably rendered ; and the ceremony of consecration being ended , and a Board of Installed Masters opened , Bro . Captain Adolphus Nicols was installed by the Grand Secretary most ably , as is his wont , in the chair of King Solomon , as first W . M . of St . Mary Abbotts Lodge . He then proceeded with the investment of his officers .

The W . Master stated that his J . W . was absent in the country , having met with a serious accident . He also regretted the unavoidable absence of W . Bro . Sir Geo . Rendlesham Prescott , Bart ., P . M . and P . G . Steward , whom he intended asking to act as Past Master for the ensuing year . Some formal votes of thanks having been passed , and nominations of joining members and candidates read , as well as many excuses for regretted

absence from many very distinguished members of the Craft , the lodge was closed after solemn prayer . We may add that the ceremony passed off most effectively , and that the musical arrangements were excellent . Bro . Ashton ' s singing was greatly admired . After lodge the brethren adjourned to a banquet in the large roomof which the menu and the catering left nothing to be desired .

, At the conclusion of the banquet the VV . M . proceeded with the customary toasts . First on the list was " The Queen and the Craft . " It was one , the W . M . said , which needed no preface from him . Noble and good herself , Her Majesty the Queen had always been the patroness of institutions established for the advancement of the welfare of her subjects or for the relief of

distress ; and although it was not possible for her to take any part in the mysteries of Freemasonry , she had given her support to it by becoming patroness of the Charitable Institutions connected with it . With the toast of Her Majesty's health they , as Masons , were always pleased to couple success to the Craft .

The toast of "The M . W . G . M ., the Pro G . M . and the Deputy G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " - was given . The W . M . said : Masons generally were proud to honour the Grand Master , who since he had become their ruler had shown them he had the power of reigning well . The founders of the Saint Mary Abbotts Lodge had especial cause to be thankful to him from the fact of his having granted them a

warrant of constitution , after having expressed his opinion that he considered London lodges were sufficiently numerous . Of the Earl of Carnarvon , the Earl of Lathom , and the other Grand Officers he could say much , but they were so well known to ill who were then present that he would simply propose their healths with the best wishes for their future . With the toast he had the pleasure of coupling the name of the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , Past

Grand Chaplain . Bro . WOODFORD , in due course , replied . He said the brethren had heard his voice so very frequently that day that he very much wished the W . Master had given them an opportunity of listening to some other of the Grand Officers present . But , being called upon by the W . M ., he must first tender his thanks on behalf of the Grand Officers for the way in which the

brethren had replied to the toast . The rulers of Freemasonry were men they were bound to reverence and admire , and it would always be so as long as they fulfilled their duties as they did at present . H . R . H . was , as they all knew , ever anxious to perform his high functions and express his earnest sympathy with Freemasonry , while they were , all sensible of the admirable " rule " of the Pro G . M ., and the unfailing geniality of the

D . G . M . The other Grand Officers , past and present , had alike won their affection and esteem . They had that day among them several Present and Past Grand Officers , and he felt sure they were , one and all , animated by a desire to benefit the English Cra . lt . Very much of the success of Freemasonry at the present time was due to the care bestowed upon it by the Grand Secretary , who had shown , by the way in which he had carried out

the ceremonies that day , how deep an interest ho took in the progress and welfare of the Craft . He must not forget to refer also to the Assistant Grand Secretary , Bro . Buss , whose work in the Craft had met with the approval of all with whom he had come in contact ; more especially was that the case , as regards his unceasing kindness and courtesy in all that pertained to the Lodge of Benevolence . Speaking of Freemasonry generally , he could remember how , just upon forty years ago , when a

very young man , he first saw ihe light of Freemasonry in the good Lodge of Friendship at Gibraltar . The longer he lived the more he appreciated it , and he could but say to those around him if they only made as many friends , and spent as many pleasant evenings in it as he had done , they , too , would learn to value and regard it , as he did , with heartfelt admiration and respect . 'Ihere was no other society , that he knew of , that did so much good and was so realistic both in its professions and practice .

The W . M . next submitted the toast of " V . W . Bro . Shadwell H . Clerke , the Consecrating Officer . " Were it possible for him to enjoy speechmaking , he should have very much to say in praise of their Grand Secretary , to

Consecration Of The St. Mary Abbotts Lodge, No. 1974.

whom he and the founders generally were greatly indebted for assistance rendered them in the formation of their lodge , both before and after the issuing of the warrant for its consecration . He trusted the lodge might prosper , and never forfeit the respect and regard of the brother to whom they were so much indebted for what he had done toward starting it . Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE thought he might fairly echo the remarks

of Bro . Woodford , so far as what he had said as to his having spoken so often before that day was concerned . It was a great pleasure to him to reply to the toast , more especially after the way in which the W . M . had alluded to the small services he had been able to render in connection with the establishment of the lodge . It had been a great pleasure to him to be present that day , and he had felt it his duty to assist the W . M . as far as laid in his

power . He had felt from the first that the lodge would be a successful one , and had done his best to get the needful authority from the Grand Master as early as possible . He must congratulate the founders on the successful start that had been made , and trusted that the future of the lodge would be all they could desire . Before resuming his seat he would ask them to honour another toast—to use an oft-repeated expression , the toast of the evening—that of their " W . M ., coupled with Prosperity to the Saint Mary

Abbotts Lodge . ' As he had said in lodge , the W . M . was a very old and experienced Mason , having passed the chair some years since in India . He ( Bro . Clerke ) had seen him on many occasions in Freemasonry , and was sure he was the right sort of man to put at the head of a lodge . He could but congratulate him , and the lodge generally , on the favourable auspices under which they assembled , and had little doubt but that the first Master and the lodge itself would prove great successes . The W . M . tendered his heartfelt thanks . He assured the brethren that

the present was the one period in the whole day's proceedings he had looked forward to with diffidence and misgivings . The man who could gracefully say I thank you , under such circumstances was , in his opinion a masterpiece . So far as he was concerned , he should do his very best for the welfare of the lodge . He invited his brother visitors to come and see him when there was work to do in the lodge , as if he could do his duty there he felt they would excuse him at the toast list , and then proceeded to propose "The Health of

the Guests . " The visitors who were present must remember they were present that evening at anew lodge , whose machinery had only just been set in motion . He was , at present , unable lo say how it would work , so would not promise too much ; all he could hope was that thc St . . Mary Abbott Lodge would eventually attain a reputation both for hospitality and good working . With the toast he had the pleasure of coupling the name of Bro . Rev . Francis .

Bro . Rev . FRANCIS , in responding , said he felt the Master could hardly have selected anyone less able to reply than himself , but at the same time he was sure he could not have chosen one who had enjoyed himself more than he . He thought he might say that the visitors had all enjoyed themsefves . and that each did really wish every success and prosperity to the lodge and its founders . What was more , they felt convinced , from the way in which it had been started and the ability of the brother at its head , that the lodge

must succeed . The W . M . next proposed "The Health of his Officers . " Of course , as he had not seen their work he could not yet say anything of them ; he hoped , however , the brethren would unite with him in wishing them good health , and trusting they might keep up the reputation that had been established that day . He coupled with thc toast thc name of Col . Petrie , thc Treasurer and acting Secretary .

Bro . Col . PETRIE acknowledged the toast . The W . M . had said hecould not say what his officers were like as he had not tried them , but under so distinguished a Master he ( the speaker ) felt convinced they could hardly fail to do well . Masonry was often spoken of as an institution which created good fellowship and charity among its members , but he thought it had a much higher aim . It taught its members to prepare themselves for another world , and that their aim should be to make themselves fit stones to be selected by the Great Architect of the Universe to be added to His great temple above .

Bro . GOULD followed . The brethren had paid him the compliment of asking him to act as J . W . of the lod ge , and to retain the position during the remainder of the day ' s proceedings . He thanked them , in a position which he did not think he should be able to occupy again as one of the officers of the lodge . One thing had struck him , which had not yet been

mentioned by any of the speakers—the number of military men who had taken a part in the day's proceedings . As an old soldier , he felt very pleased to meet so many members oi the profession . He felt there was no better class of men to be found in the world than those who had passed a military life , and he felt that the large number of military men who associated with the lodge would ensure its success .

I he Tyler ' s toast was then given , and the proceedings were brought to a conclusion .

The W . M . took occasion during the evening to specially thank the musical brethren for the part they had taken in the day's work . An excellent programme of music was set down to intersperse the various toasts , and the songs were most deservedly applauded . Bro . Lott undertook the direction of the music , being supported by Bros . J . Tremerc , E . Moss , A . James , and H . Ashton .

Officers are with us Grand , Provincial , and officers of the lodge . Thc officers of the Grand Lodge are the Grand Master , Deputy Grand Master , two Grand Wardens , two Grand Chaplains , Grand Treasurer , Grand Registrar , President of the Board of General Purposes , Grand Secretary , Assistant Grand Secretary , four Grand Deacons , Grand Superintendent of Works , Grand Director of Ceremonies , Assistant Grand Director of

Ceremonies , Grand Sword Bearer , Grand Organist , Grand Pursuivant , Assistant Grand Pursuivant , Grand Tyler , Grand Steward . The officers of a Provincial Grand Lodge are exactly the same . The officers of a lodge are the Master and his two Wardens , Treasurer , Secretary , two Deacons , Inner Guard , and Tyler . There are often , and properly , a Chaplain , Master of the Ceremonies , and Stewards . Where a Prince of the Blood Royal is W . M . of a

Lodge , a Deputy Master , with all the rights of a W . M ., may be appointed and installed . In England the Grand Master , the Prov . Grand Master , and W . M . appoint all the subordinate officers , except the Treasurer , who is annually elected by ballot , and thc Tyler , who may be elected by a show of hands . In America , and other jurisdictions , some of the officers are elected .

We prefer our own system for many reasons . In Royal Arch Masonry the officers of a Grand Chapter are : The Three Grand Princi pals , Grand Scribes , the Three Sojourners , Grand Treasurer , Grand Registrar , Grand Sword Bearer , Grand Standard Bearer , Grand Director of Ceremonies , Grand Organist . —Kenning ' s Cyclopaedia of Freemasonry .