Provincial Grand Lodge Of Middlesex.

adverse circumstances , had to apply for assistance , and being proved deserving , were always well attended to . He was not present officially , but was visiting England on business , and wished to experience the feelings Masonry had taught him would be extended to a stranger . He knew Masonry was an institution in which he need have no fear in seeking the privileges open to those asking . His introduction to the lodge was through Bro . Clements , P . M ., in whom he had found a friend and true Mason , who was too well known to them to need further

compliment . He had not yet visited many lodges , but was present at the annual Festival of the Girls' School , and complimented the Prov . Grand Master on having the honour to preside thereat . The United Grand Lodge of New South Wales would be pleased to hear of their fraternal greetings , and he would have much pleasure in forwarding same in his next letter to Grand Lodge , and informing them of the hearty reception he had received , and of the good old way Masonry was conducted in the grand old country . Again he thanked them .

The Provincial Grand Officers " was the last toast given b y the PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER , who said he had for a long time had a great many Provincial Grand Officers to assist him , and had always found them most able and willing to perform their duties in a manner satisfactory to himself and the province . He believed the province held a high position in the estimation of his Royal Highness the M . W . G . M . He hoped they would all agree with him that the Past

Provincial Grand Officers had all performed their duties in a satisfactory manner , and he was sure the present officers would emulate them . There were those coming on who would take an example from them and give satisfaction to all . He was indebted to almost every brother in the province , and on the occasion when he presided at the Girls' School Festival he was wonderfully supported , as the subscriptions given by Middlesex exceeded those of any other province .

Bro . RAYMOND H . THRUPP , D . P . G . M ., in reply , said the Provincial Grand Officers tried to render the working of the province such as could be held up as an example to other provinces . It was a difficult task to select from the many excellent brethren in the province those for provincial honours , but he thought they would agree that as a rule the Provincial Grand Master made few mistakes in the selection of his officers . There were Provincial Grand Officers and

Provincial Grand Officers—those who had nothing to do ' but look ornamental and pleasant , and the executive officers , such as Bro . Room , the Provincial Grand Secretary , the Treasurer , and the D . of C , who , like himself , had to see that the brethren did not kick over the traces , which they were occasionally apt to do . In the arrangement of the Provincial Grand Lodge meeting they had to

depend on the brethren in the particular part in which they met . On that occasion they were indebted to certain brethren of the St . James ' s and Enfield Lodges for kind assistance , especially Bros . J . H . Thompson and H . F . Clements . The Provincial Grand Officers were only too glad to find they were appreciated by the brethren , and they begged to thank those present for the kind manner in which they had received the toast .

The Tyler ' s toast closed a successful meeting , the pleasure of which was considerably enhanced by an excellent programme of music , under the direction of Bro . H . W . Schartau , P . P . G . Org ., assisted by Bros . E . Dalzell , P . P . G . Org ., and R . Grice , and Masters A . Lee , H . Jackson , and W . T . Porter . The arrangements for the meeting were excellently managed by a local Committee of brethren , including Bros . J . H . Thompson and H . F . Clements , whilst Bros . May and Poulton were responsible for the effective floral decorations . The banquet was a ' jly catered for by Mr . Schmidt , of Enfield .

Consecration Of The Cornish Lodge, No, 2369.

CONSECRATION OF THE CORNISH LODGE , No , 2369 .

On Thursday night , a new Masonic lodge for the convenience of Cornishmen resident in London was consecrated at Mark Masons' Hall , Great Queen-street , in the presence of a large number of brethren , including—Bros , the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , Prov . G . M . of Cornwall ; Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Secretary ; Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg , P . G . Chaplain ; F . A . Philbrick , G . Registrar ; R . Turtle Pigott , P . A . G . D . C . ; Charles Fitzgerald Matier , P . G . Standard Bearer ; R . T . Walkem , Grand Master of Canada ; N . J . West , VV . M .

designate ; J . Roberts , George Walter , Belgrave Ninnis , Wm . Thos . Brailey , R . Greenwood , Kev . F . Hosken , E . W . Carus-Wilson , W . Lake , P . P . G . Reg . Cornwall ; Sidney Clarke , Chas . Rawle , Rev . E . Geard , J . E . H . Stephens , J . O . Widger , R . Bullen , W . Cock , J . Leach Barrett , Christopher V . Burgess , W . Molesworth St . Aubyn , John Curnoiy , M . D ., E . BantiekL E . Milford Milford , R . E . Baker , T . P . Bullen , G . R . Mockridge , John Paige , C . E . Ferry , Chas . Read , Richard Pearce Couch , Thos . Kempton , Mostyn T . Pigott , J . Hodges , N . B . Bullen , P . W . Hanson . P . T . Chirgwin , T . A . Kistler , F . C . Atkinson , Henry R . Redman , ( has . J . Rich , G . T .

Brown , W . A . Cooper , Charles Daniel , George M . Williams , James Herron , H . Massey , R . Dyson , F . H . Miller , C . D . Lang , F . J . Ruse , W . E . Joyce , J . H . Hoit , G . T . Waters , N . E . Pollard , C . J . Ozaum , Henry ' Wright , T . W . Coffin , S . W . Ray , P . D . D . G . M . Carada ; and others . The ceremony of consecration was performed by Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Secretary , who was assisted by Bros . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C . asS . W . ; Dr . R . Turtle Pigott , as J . W . ; Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg , as Chap . ; C . F . Matier , as D . of C . ; and Pollard , as I . G .

After the formal opening of the lodge , Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , addressing the brethren , said the occasion on which they were assembled was one of a very important and interesting character , viz ., the formation of a new lodge and its consecration according to the rites and ceremonies of Freemasonry . As they were all aw ? re , it was a very difficult thing at the present day to obtain a warrant for a new lodge in London . There were now no less than 371 lodges in the Metropolitan area , therefore every petition had to be considered very carefully .

In many cases they had to be refused , but in the present instance , he was happy to say the efforts of the petitioners had been successful . There were many lodges called class lodges , but although the laws of Freemasonry did not allow class distinctions , still there were many lodges which were for the special convenience of certain professions , or callings , or localities . They had lodges in London composed of brethren coming from particular parts of England , others composed of certain Volunteer regiments , others of members of learned societies , and so on ,

and now they were about to form a lodge , which he hoped would be a very excellent and successful one , whose members it was proposed to recruit from the distant County of Cornwall . In that county he happened to know Masonry was very well conducted and well organised , and he had no doubt that the same Masonic excellence which existed in that distant province would be found in the lodge in London , and that the Cornish Lodge , No . 2369 , would , through its members , show the same high Masonic abilities as we : e displayed in the Cornish district . The brethren were fortunate in having their petition well supported by

their district . The Provincial Grand Master of Cornwall was one of its founders , as was also the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and many other excellent brethren . As they had a large field from which to obtain members who were an honour to the Order , it would be their own fault if they did not make the Cornish Lodge worthy of the Province of Cornwall . The warrant of the lodge was committed to their charge , and he was sure that in placing it in the keeping of Bro . Nicholas West , whom he had known for several years , it would be perfectly safe , and that the lodge would be made as great a success as the brethren desired it should be .

The GRAND CHAPLAIN then delivered the oration , after which the ceremony of consecration was duly performed . At the close of the ceremony Bro . Nicholas J . West , P . P . S . G . W . Cornwall , was installed first W . M . Bro . West appointed the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe to act as Past Master during his year of office . Bro . J . Henwood Thomas , the S . W .,

Consecration Of The Cornish Lodge, No, 2369.

being absent through illness , Bro . W . Lake , P . P . G . Reg . Cornwall , was temporarily invested in his stead . Bro . John Roberts was invested as Junior Warden . Bro . W . Lake was unanimousl y elected Treasurer . The other officers were Bros . Charles Greenwood , Secretary ; Molesworth St . Aubyn , S . D . ; C V . Burgess , J . D . ; C . Rawle , I . G . ; the Rev . R . F . Hosken , Chaplain ; J . L . Barrett , Director of Ceremonies ; and John Curnow and Robert Bullen , Stewards .

The Consecrating Master and his Assistants and the Grand Master of Canada ( who is the son of a Cornishman ) , and the Deputy District Grand Master of Canada , were elected honorary members of the lodge , which was shortly afterwards closed , and the brethren adjourned to Freemasons' Tavern to a grand , banquet , a report of which will appear in our next .

Address On Freemasonry.

ADDRESS ON FREEMASONRY .

We have much pleasure in reprinting the eloquent address delivered by Bro , Rev . D . S . Monroe , D . D ., at the recent dedication of the new Masonic Hall , Altoona . '' Freemasonry is the embodiment of great , noble , philanthropic ideas . It is an association of freemen—men born free .

The very thought of freedom is an inspiration . It has made the dumb eloquent , and the cowardly heroic . It has crumbled the throne of tyranny and set free the oppressed . It has faced the perils of the stormiest seas and dared the dangers of the mountain fastnesses , and for the sake of country has abandoned the comforts of home and found a grave upon foreign soil . It has done this and more that a Temple of Liberty should be erected where freemen might

worship unawed by power , uninfluenced by wealth , unseduced by flattery or passion —and to the erection of this Temple , Masonry has contributed no iittle . We have been sneeringly asked 'What is the origin of , and what is Freemasonry ? ' Is this a reflection upon it ? What know we of the ori gin of anything ? We may ask , whence this beautiful world ? Whence these grand old mountains that surround our city of altitude , that have been scathed a thousand times by the lightning ' s flash

and as often shaken by the thunder ' s march ? Whence these wide-spreading forests whose variegated foliage has called forth the admiration of men , as touched by the pencil of the divine artist they present a painting more exquisite than was ever conceived by Raphael ? Whence the tossing ocean whose white-crested billows have made sublime the poet's dream as they danced beneath the sun ' s resplendent rays—and the sun itself around whose throne'worlds innumerable

revolve , receiving from him their light , as they do reverence to his might . Whence all these ? Wrapt in mystery may be their ori g in , but there they are , influencing the ages and suppl ying with nourishment the intellects of men . So is it with Freemasonry . We may differ as to the ori gin of its mysteries , but its principles are eternal and elevating , and its influence is felt wherever men are found . As in creation , out of the womb of darkness at the command of earth ' s

great Architect , ' Let there be li ght , ' worlds and systems sprung into being , so Freemasonry is out of darkness into light and in both God is recognised . God before that name the world is astonished—speechless ! He is the Ancient of Days . When there was nothing but himself , when not a breath of air waved its subtle banner , nor a solitary star shone in the eternity of darkness where the Throne of Ni ght was founded—when not a leaf trembled or a bird sung , or a

flower bloomed , or the sun burned , or an angel stood in the presence of the Great I Am , then was God , and in His nature dwelt the very principles that form the essence and strength of our Craft ; for , declares the Psalmist— 'Strength and Beauty are in His sanctuary . ' Truth girdles His Throne . Justice sways his sceptre . Love streams forth from His heart . Upon these all our mysteries are founded .

" The first lesson taught the novitiate is trust in God , and the first object upon which light falls is the source of all true principles—the Hol y Bible . And this guides him through the corridors and chambers of our Temple until he is raised to sublime heights . These principles form the bond of Brotherhood , and are the inspiration of confidence . Thoughts born in the mind clothe themselves in forms , these again are clothed in symbols , and these again teach truths , which are realities .

And inclosed in every Masonic symbol is a hidden truth . Facts and things and ideas the moment they are perceived by the mind formulate themselves into words . And what are words but symbols ? Who can tell the power that lies hidden in a symbol ? Take a nation ' s banner . The whirlwind in its destructive march , the ocean lashed into fury , the spangled heavens with their million worlds , their moving , shooting , blazing squadrons , and the mountains mantled with a robe of

snow , or capped with a diadem of ice—what are these compared to the mi ghty rush of military hosts as the flag of their country waves them on to victory . The cross upon which died the world ' s Redeemer , whom we reverence and adore , to which we look back , and the world before Him looked forward , was of wood , and yet it symbolises the power of a mighty faith , that is destined to subdue the world .

" How full of heroic deeds of those who contended for the truth is Masonic history I What a grand and sublime history it is ! It begins , who knows when Perhaps as we review it we may be borne through past centuries . We may stand on lonely deserts , before even pyramids cast their frowning shadows on burning sands . We see empires rise and fall , republics flourish and decay , dynasties come and go—monarchs reign , strut their few days , and then pass from the memory of

men . Alexander , Hannibal , and Caasar , the world ' s great conquerors , swayed their sceptres for a season , which then fell from their lifeless hands . Warriors , patriots , statesmen , artistes , poets , jurists , all pass in review—place their thoughts in the alcoves of the centuries , and then pass away—but Freemasonry still lives , and we are proud of its history , crowded as it is with deeds of noble daring , deeds of philanthropy , deeds of self sacrifice . It is said some stars are so

distant their beams have occupied thousands of years journeying to our earth , and yet these bodies , it suddenly annihilated , would still continue to shine upon us for thousands of years to come . So , too , the influence of the great and good men of Masonry who long since departed from our presence , still irradiates our world , True , a malignant foe has occasionall y arisen , meteor-like , in the firmament of the social world , for a moment attracted attention , and then vanished , leaving not even the corruscation of a shooting star .

With the low , the mean , the base , the false , a Freemason has no sympathy . He loves truth and deals justly , for a true Mason is a true man and just . These are the principles that make such men as our age wants . Men who cannot be bought . Men who are ever for the right . Men who never shrink from duty . Men who never lie . Men who never embezzle . Men who never forge or steal .

Could the spirit of these principles be infused like a stream into the troubled atmosphere of this sorrowing world , how soon would the surging elements that now threaten ruin to our humanity be quieted . Its power would be far greater than the mightiest earthquake that ever shook our earth , or the fiercest revolution that ever crumbled the foundations of an empire .

" And what is the aim of Freemasonry but to erect , in this spirit , the sacred Temple of Character ? A temple , each stone of which is to be shaped by the chisel of Trial , polished by the friction of Experience and united b y the Cement of Fraternity . At its altars none but the sincere should worshi p , and from its holy

shrine will ever go up , like holy incense , the prayers of true hearts . Its aisles will be trodden onl y by the honest seeker , and its walls will echo the sweetest strains of hallowed devotion , whilst its platform will ever speak in behalf of God and humanity . And its spire , ever pointing to the skies , will tell to all that a true life here will be rewarded by a joyous immortality hereafter . "