Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The Clerkenwell Lodge, No. 1964.
It is the great charm of Freemasonry that it ignores the struggles and contentions of the world without . Outside our lodge rooms we take up , sir , almost necessarily , with this or lhat " shibboleth ; " we belong to this or that section of thought and action ; we are eager partisans of this or that view of men and thing-sin general and particular . Weare divided from each other by religious scruples or political considerations . But within the lodge all is peace , all is
harmony , all is unity , all is goodwill . We know nothing there of the outer , noisy world , its camps and its coteries , its strife and its separations , its passions and its parties . We are Freemasons ; we are brethren ; we are friends ; linked together as members of ore great world-wide confraternity , whose reality is ' p lcasantest companionship , whose outcome is brotherly love . And if , sir , the actual experience of our outer ancl inner lodge life to-day does not
always correspond with this happier ideal . If the pettier emotions and rivalries of earth sometimes creep in to mar the more gracious self of real and living Freemasonry , such is , after all , but what we may fairly attribute to the fact that we are ever , at the best , poor children of the dust , encompassed by manifold imperfections and permeated byallbut incurable frailties . 2 . 'And then again how excellent is FYeemasonry
in the friendships it forms , the attachments it evokes . Am I saying too much , when I assert to-day , that some of our own truest friendships have been formed in Masonic lodges , thnt some of us arc indebted to Freemasonry for pleasant associates and happy hours , and though such things are to some of us now but shadows of lhe past , and may perhaps never return lo us , they still fill us vvith abiding and grateful memories of much that has been
of intense gratification and good to us in our earthly wayfaring . I do not now wish to exaggerate anything , but speaking from my own humble experience of over forty years , I feel strongly that I am warranted in saying , that Freemasonry constitutes firm friendship *; , not only among those who mig ht otherwise have remained at a perpetual and impenetrable distance , but also amongst those who are thrown together month by month , year by
year , in our ledges , a friendship which passing time does not weaken , a friendship which nothing can shake , nothing can shatter , nothing can dissolve here , sir , but—the grave ' . And once more . 3 . Is not Freemasonry excellent in the charity it inculcates and practises ? Most remarkable , sir , are its profession and performance in this respect . When first we are admitted into a lodge we are told of
charity , which , like its sister mercy , blesseth him who gives as well as him who receives , and we arc told lo practice it when we have an opportunity towards every poor and distressed brother who makes a proper claim upon us . Our charity , we observe , is not to be indiscriminate or lavish , but proper and reasonable . And do we nnt , too , as English Freemasons , carry out fully our principles in this respect ? Does not English
Freemasonry nobly perform its duty in this respect' ! Beginning in our private lodges , continued in our Provincial and District Grand Lodges , and Provincial and District Institutions , coming up to our Lodge of Benevolence , and culminating in our great metropolitan Masonic Charities , there is , as far as I can see it or measure it , aught one fair , goodly system of faithful and laborious charily running through English Freemasonry , —the foundation
and keystone of our whole . Masonic system . Other valuable societies there are , good and useful , by the score , which give largely and sufficiently in return for specific or continued payments . But Freemasonry , ignoring all ideas of a benefit society , grants on the religious grounds of elevating and unadulterated charity , "Agape " alone , befitting help to serious and proper claims of need , of poverty , of old age , and of distress . And those of us
who have watched the growth of English Freemasonry lately , great and rapid as that growth has been , and have also observed how our great Charities have progressed , too , " pari passu , " must rejoice , and will rejoice , to see that , as a tree is known by its fruits , so English Freemasonry even now strikes the popular mind with admiration by its yearly manifestation that the vital ancl ennobling principle of earnest , if well-regulated charity ,
dominates its members and hallows its lodge assemblies . It always has appeared to me , sir , that on snch interesting occasions as these , no more fitting display of Masonic principles and practice can be made than the open recognition of some one of our great Masonic Charities as the crowning act of this pleasant and goodly ceremonial , which has such personal and pressing interest for the founders of this ncw lodge , and for us who are privileged to
be present as visitors and friends . Let us hope , then , that this great work of most commendable charity which thes 2 latter years in God's good providence have cheered and foste . ed in such wonderful degree in our English Masonry , may still go on and prosper among us , and that 18 S 2 may witness , as in our Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , so in our Girls' and Boy ; - ' School Anniversaries , that Masonic hands and hearts go together , and that
we all realize more and more that amid the many excellencies of that Freemasonry so valued by us all , none are more gracious , none more real , none more blessed than the golden work of unpretending and unwearied , but yet munificent charity . I might still proceed in commendation of Freemasonry , but I will stop here to-day , thanking you all for your patience and consideration . One word more as to the new lodge you , sir , are now about to
consecrate . We all of us , 1 think , rejoice to take part in these intercstingceremonies , and , I believe , we shall all equally hope and wish that the result of this new lodge ' s work may justify its foundation , and tint its after progress may square with its auspicious commencement . Our confidence is increaaed in regard to future utility and good when we know that at its head , as the first W . M ., is one , who , by his own kindly character and warm heart , his long Masonic services , his own sterlisg good qualities , has attracted to him the regard , confidence , and affection of his brethren . Sure we are , sir , that
under his genial rule this Clerkenwell Lodge will maintain a high character for Masonic work and efficiency among its sister lodges , and that Masonic charily will ever find in him an able advocate and a steadfast friend . May all of good attend this new lodge in its onward career , and may it prove a source of unfeigned harmony and happiness to all its members , and may it ever fitly demonstrate to the neighbourhood and to the brotherhood the true meaning and principles , the prevailing excellencies of Freemasonry . So mote it be 1
The ceremony of consecration was then proceeded with and completed , and Bro . Edgar Bowyer was afterwards presented by Bro . Terry , and installed by Bro . Colonel Shadwell H . Gierke . Bro . Terry was appointed to act as I . P . M ., and the following brethren were invested as officers : Bros . T . Hastings Miller , P . M ., S . W . ; J . J . Goode , J . VV . 5 G . A . Potter ,
freas . ; James Terry , P . M ., Sec . * , Colonel Radcfiffc , S . D . ; Major R . Rolfe , J . D . ; J . Tuck , I . G . ; and Walkley , P . M ., Tyler . On the motion of the W . M .. seconded by the J . W ., a vote of thanks was passed to Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Secretary , for consecrating the lodge , of which honorary membership was conferred on him . Colonel SHADWELL H . CLERKE having thanked thebrethren for their kind and fraternal recognition of his services , expressed the pleasure he had
Consecration Of The Clerkenwell Lodge, No. 1964.
had in performing the ceremonies , and hoped that at some future time he might come to the lodge and witness its progress . A vote of thanks and the honorary membership of the lodge was also carried to Bros . Capt . Philips , Woodford , Giddy , ancl Levander , for which Bro . C . ' . pt . PHILIPS , on behalf of those brethren , returned thanks .
Bro , TERRY afterwards read a telegram from Dr . Wilson lies , and letters from Bros . T . F . Halsey , M . P ., Sir John Monckton , and Sir Albert Woods [ Carter ) , expressing the regret of those brethren at being unable , through other engagements , to be present at the meeting . ° One gentleman was proposed for initiation , and the Rev . J . H . Rose , vicar of Clerkenwell , and Bro . W . J . Charles , 1928 , were proposed as joining members .
Bro . GEORGE LAMBERT , G . S . B ., said he had had much pleasure in attending the consecration of the lodge , inasmuch as he was closely connected with the trade of Clerkenwell— ' lhe business of goldsmith and jewellers ; in fact , he might say he held their purse-strings iii some instances , and
was a subscriber to the trade charities . On account of his connection with these trades , he should be glad to become an active member of the lodge . The W . M . then proposed , and Bro . TERRY seconded , Bro . George Lambert as a joining member , after which lhe lodge was closed in form . * After the banquet which followed , the toasts were proposed . Ginm
Bro . R . W . H . * , D . G . M ., Griqualand , responding for "The Earl of Carnarvon & c ., " said he hoped earlier in the evening that the response to this toast would have fallen to hands better able than his to deal with it . However a worthy brother on his left ( the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford ) , suggested that had he ( Bro . Giddy ) nothing more to say he might possibly make some reference to the approachingvisit of thelatechiefof theZulus , Cetewayo . tothis
country , as he came from the neighbourhood of which he ( Bro . Giddy ) was G . M . This joke , grim as it appeared , came from the Past Grand Chaplain . He could only say that when Cetewayo came here , if he visited Clerkenwell Lodge , and should wish to become a member , he should be glad lo bring him . It afforded the present and Past Grand Officers much pleasure to attend this lodge , and it was a great gratification to them to find , by the- way in which their health had been received
, the high estimation in which they were held . Bro , RAYNHAM VV . STEWART , P . G . D ., congratulated the brethren on having obtained a warrant for this lodge , as well as on the choice they had made of a Master to preside over them for the first year . He did not in all his experience know a more worth y man or Mason in this country than Bro . Edgar Bowyer . It was an excellent thing for a lodge to have one so genial
and so much loved to preside over a lodge . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , G . S ., after regretting that his voice had been heard so much that evening , said that there ' were , however ,, circumstances and occasions when it was necessary that brethren should go on talking , and he believed this was one such occasion . It was a very hackneyed expression lo call a toast the toast of the evening , the toast of "The
W . M . of tha Lodge and Prosperity to the Lodge" was most appropriately to be called the toast of the evening . Having that evening filled the office of a Masonic midwife , he was happy to say that the baby was a remarkabl y line one , and he was very proud of it . There was no ' doubt at all that the petitioners for the warrant acted very wisel y in their day and generation in selecting such a good , popular , and highly esteemed brother as Bro . Edgar tor the hist
Bowyer VV . M ., and he had little hesitation in saying that Bro . Bowyers name being inserted as the proposed ( irst W . M . of " the lodge had something to do with the granting of the warrant . The brethren would all agree that the lodge had been started under very favourable circumstances . They had had a very charming meeting and a very pleasant set of brethren in the lodge and at the banquet table , and the proceedings had gone on without a hitch . The lodge was well started and floated . There was a good class of brethren for the officers
, and they were going to act on well-defined rules . The future , therefore , of the lod ge was well assured . If the brethren would come again in another twelve months they would find his prophecy was correct , and that the lodge had been very successful , and was one of the best locges in England . The VV . M . in responding , said , that whatever he could do to promote the success of the lodge should not be wanting , and he knew he had about him brethren who would cordially assist him in his task .
The VV . M . in giving "The Health of the Consecrating Officers , " said , thc brethren had all listened wilh pleasure to the very able performance of the impressive ceremonies by Col . Shadwell Clerke , and had witnessed the skill and ability with which he was seconded by the other Consecrating Officers , Bros . Capt . Philips , Giddy , Woodford , and Levander . He trusted that the brethren in drinking the toast , would wish those officers many years of health and happiness , and the opportunity of consecrating many other lodges .
Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE could not help thinking he must be looked upon as a sort of Masonic Jack-in-the-box , from the frequency with which he rose ; he was no sooner down than he was up again . It was very sad for him , but it was much more sad for the brethren ; but on this occasion hc could not help saying a few words to thank the brethren for the very flattering and kind way in whicli his services that evening had been appreciated . As he had said in the lodge he felt deeply grateful for the kind reception
given to him , and which he was happy to say he received in every Masonic body he entered . He could only repeat that it had been a very great and sincere pleasure to him , finding so many personal friends ready to come and put their shoulders to the wheel in bringing this new lodge into existence ; but as he had already spoken so much , he would ask Bro . Woodford , who had delighted them with such an able address during the ceremony , to finish the return of thanks on behalf of the Consecrating Officers .
Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . WOODFORD , P . G . C , said he thought that after the address he had had the privilege of delivering in lodge , whicli the brethren had received wilh their customary courtesy , he might have been spared trespassing upon them again . Though the address was not a very long one , yet upon the whole he thought the brethren might have heard enough of his voice during the ceremony of consecration . But as his chief had asked
him to say a few words on behalf of the Consecrating Officers , he felt he should be deserting him if he hesitated one moment responding to the call made . He was thinking during thc ceremony , —he did , not know whether it struck any other brother , —what a very forcible answer that beautiful ceremony was lo those who professed to think Masonry to be an irreligious body , or a useless society . He was thinking when the ceremony was going on that he had
never seen a ceremony , even in a place of worship , performed with greater solemnity , greater dignity , or greater effect ; and those who saw it for the first time must have been equall y struck with himself with the intense effectiveness , simplicity , and beauty of the Masonic ritual . It flashed across his mind * in rather a remarkable way . A reverend brother of his , ( the Rev . J . H . Rose ) , who , he was happy to say , was to be balloted for next meeting as a ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The Clerkenwell Lodge, No. 1964.
It is the great charm of Freemasonry that it ignores the struggles and contentions of the world without . Outside our lodge rooms we take up , sir , almost necessarily , with this or lhat " shibboleth ; " we belong to this or that section of thought and action ; we are eager partisans of this or that view of men and thing-sin general and particular . Weare divided from each other by religious scruples or political considerations . But within the lodge all is peace , all is
harmony , all is unity , all is goodwill . We know nothing there of the outer , noisy world , its camps and its coteries , its strife and its separations , its passions and its parties . We are Freemasons ; we are brethren ; we are friends ; linked together as members of ore great world-wide confraternity , whose reality is ' p lcasantest companionship , whose outcome is brotherly love . And if , sir , the actual experience of our outer ancl inner lodge life to-day does not
always correspond with this happier ideal . If the pettier emotions and rivalries of earth sometimes creep in to mar the more gracious self of real and living Freemasonry , such is , after all , but what we may fairly attribute to the fact that we are ever , at the best , poor children of the dust , encompassed by manifold imperfections and permeated byallbut incurable frailties . 2 . 'And then again how excellent is FYeemasonry
in the friendships it forms , the attachments it evokes . Am I saying too much , when I assert to-day , that some of our own truest friendships have been formed in Masonic lodges , thnt some of us arc indebted to Freemasonry for pleasant associates and happy hours , and though such things are to some of us now but shadows of lhe past , and may perhaps never return lo us , they still fill us vvith abiding and grateful memories of much that has been
of intense gratification and good to us in our earthly wayfaring . I do not now wish to exaggerate anything , but speaking from my own humble experience of over forty years , I feel strongly that I am warranted in saying , that Freemasonry constitutes firm friendship *; , not only among those who mig ht otherwise have remained at a perpetual and impenetrable distance , but also amongst those who are thrown together month by month , year by
year , in our ledges , a friendship which passing time does not weaken , a friendship which nothing can shake , nothing can shatter , nothing can dissolve here , sir , but—the grave ' . And once more . 3 . Is not Freemasonry excellent in the charity it inculcates and practises ? Most remarkable , sir , are its profession and performance in this respect . When first we are admitted into a lodge we are told of
charity , which , like its sister mercy , blesseth him who gives as well as him who receives , and we arc told lo practice it when we have an opportunity towards every poor and distressed brother who makes a proper claim upon us . Our charity , we observe , is not to be indiscriminate or lavish , but proper and reasonable . And do we nnt , too , as English Freemasons , carry out fully our principles in this respect ? Does not English
Freemasonry nobly perform its duty in this respect' ! Beginning in our private lodges , continued in our Provincial and District Grand Lodges , and Provincial and District Institutions , coming up to our Lodge of Benevolence , and culminating in our great metropolitan Masonic Charities , there is , as far as I can see it or measure it , aught one fair , goodly system of faithful and laborious charily running through English Freemasonry , —the foundation
and keystone of our whole . Masonic system . Other valuable societies there are , good and useful , by the score , which give largely and sufficiently in return for specific or continued payments . But Freemasonry , ignoring all ideas of a benefit society , grants on the religious grounds of elevating and unadulterated charity , "Agape " alone , befitting help to serious and proper claims of need , of poverty , of old age , and of distress . And those of us
who have watched the growth of English Freemasonry lately , great and rapid as that growth has been , and have also observed how our great Charities have progressed , too , " pari passu , " must rejoice , and will rejoice , to see that , as a tree is known by its fruits , so English Freemasonry even now strikes the popular mind with admiration by its yearly manifestation that the vital ancl ennobling principle of earnest , if well-regulated charity ,
dominates its members and hallows its lodge assemblies . It always has appeared to me , sir , that on snch interesting occasions as these , no more fitting display of Masonic principles and practice can be made than the open recognition of some one of our great Masonic Charities as the crowning act of this pleasant and goodly ceremonial , which has such personal and pressing interest for the founders of this ncw lodge , and for us who are privileged to
be present as visitors and friends . Let us hope , then , that this great work of most commendable charity which thes 2 latter years in God's good providence have cheered and foste . ed in such wonderful degree in our English Masonry , may still go on and prosper among us , and that 18 S 2 may witness , as in our Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , so in our Girls' and Boy ; - ' School Anniversaries , that Masonic hands and hearts go together , and that
we all realize more and more that amid the many excellencies of that Freemasonry so valued by us all , none are more gracious , none more real , none more blessed than the golden work of unpretending and unwearied , but yet munificent charity . I might still proceed in commendation of Freemasonry , but I will stop here to-day , thanking you all for your patience and consideration . One word more as to the new lodge you , sir , are now about to
consecrate . We all of us , 1 think , rejoice to take part in these intercstingceremonies , and , I believe , we shall all equally hope and wish that the result of this new lodge ' s work may justify its foundation , and tint its after progress may square with its auspicious commencement . Our confidence is increaaed in regard to future utility and good when we know that at its head , as the first W . M ., is one , who , by his own kindly character and warm heart , his long Masonic services , his own sterlisg good qualities , has attracted to him the regard , confidence , and affection of his brethren . Sure we are , sir , that
under his genial rule this Clerkenwell Lodge will maintain a high character for Masonic work and efficiency among its sister lodges , and that Masonic charily will ever find in him an able advocate and a steadfast friend . May all of good attend this new lodge in its onward career , and may it prove a source of unfeigned harmony and happiness to all its members , and may it ever fitly demonstrate to the neighbourhood and to the brotherhood the true meaning and principles , the prevailing excellencies of Freemasonry . So mote it be 1
The ceremony of consecration was then proceeded with and completed , and Bro . Edgar Bowyer was afterwards presented by Bro . Terry , and installed by Bro . Colonel Shadwell H . Gierke . Bro . Terry was appointed to act as I . P . M ., and the following brethren were invested as officers : Bros . T . Hastings Miller , P . M ., S . W . ; J . J . Goode , J . VV . 5 G . A . Potter ,
freas . ; James Terry , P . M ., Sec . * , Colonel Radcfiffc , S . D . ; Major R . Rolfe , J . D . ; J . Tuck , I . G . ; and Walkley , P . M ., Tyler . On the motion of the W . M .. seconded by the J . W ., a vote of thanks was passed to Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Secretary , for consecrating the lodge , of which honorary membership was conferred on him . Colonel SHADWELL H . CLERKE having thanked thebrethren for their kind and fraternal recognition of his services , expressed the pleasure he had
Consecration Of The Clerkenwell Lodge, No. 1964.
had in performing the ceremonies , and hoped that at some future time he might come to the lodge and witness its progress . A vote of thanks and the honorary membership of the lodge was also carried to Bros . Capt . Philips , Woodford , Giddy , ancl Levander , for which Bro . C . ' . pt . PHILIPS , on behalf of those brethren , returned thanks .
Bro , TERRY afterwards read a telegram from Dr . Wilson lies , and letters from Bros . T . F . Halsey , M . P ., Sir John Monckton , and Sir Albert Woods [ Carter ) , expressing the regret of those brethren at being unable , through other engagements , to be present at the meeting . ° One gentleman was proposed for initiation , and the Rev . J . H . Rose , vicar of Clerkenwell , and Bro . W . J . Charles , 1928 , were proposed as joining members .
Bro . GEORGE LAMBERT , G . S . B ., said he had had much pleasure in attending the consecration of the lodge , inasmuch as he was closely connected with the trade of Clerkenwell— ' lhe business of goldsmith and jewellers ; in fact , he might say he held their purse-strings iii some instances , and
was a subscriber to the trade charities . On account of his connection with these trades , he should be glad to become an active member of the lodge . The W . M . then proposed , and Bro . TERRY seconded , Bro . George Lambert as a joining member , after which lhe lodge was closed in form . * After the banquet which followed , the toasts were proposed . Ginm
Bro . R . W . H . * , D . G . M ., Griqualand , responding for "The Earl of Carnarvon & c ., " said he hoped earlier in the evening that the response to this toast would have fallen to hands better able than his to deal with it . However a worthy brother on his left ( the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford ) , suggested that had he ( Bro . Giddy ) nothing more to say he might possibly make some reference to the approachingvisit of thelatechiefof theZulus , Cetewayo . tothis
country , as he came from the neighbourhood of which he ( Bro . Giddy ) was G . M . This joke , grim as it appeared , came from the Past Grand Chaplain . He could only say that when Cetewayo came here , if he visited Clerkenwell Lodge , and should wish to become a member , he should be glad lo bring him . It afforded the present and Past Grand Officers much pleasure to attend this lodge , and it was a great gratification to them to find , by the- way in which their health had been received
, the high estimation in which they were held . Bro , RAYNHAM VV . STEWART , P . G . D ., congratulated the brethren on having obtained a warrant for this lodge , as well as on the choice they had made of a Master to preside over them for the first year . He did not in all his experience know a more worth y man or Mason in this country than Bro . Edgar Bowyer . It was an excellent thing for a lodge to have one so genial
and so much loved to preside over a lodge . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , G . S ., after regretting that his voice had been heard so much that evening , said that there ' were , however ,, circumstances and occasions when it was necessary that brethren should go on talking , and he believed this was one such occasion . It was a very hackneyed expression lo call a toast the toast of the evening , the toast of "The
W . M . of tha Lodge and Prosperity to the Lodge" was most appropriately to be called the toast of the evening . Having that evening filled the office of a Masonic midwife , he was happy to say that the baby was a remarkabl y line one , and he was very proud of it . There was no ' doubt at all that the petitioners for the warrant acted very wisel y in their day and generation in selecting such a good , popular , and highly esteemed brother as Bro . Edgar tor the hist
Bowyer VV . M ., and he had little hesitation in saying that Bro . Bowyers name being inserted as the proposed ( irst W . M . of " the lodge had something to do with the granting of the warrant . The brethren would all agree that the lodge had been started under very favourable circumstances . They had had a very charming meeting and a very pleasant set of brethren in the lodge and at the banquet table , and the proceedings had gone on without a hitch . The lodge was well started and floated . There was a good class of brethren for the officers
, and they were going to act on well-defined rules . The future , therefore , of the lod ge was well assured . If the brethren would come again in another twelve months they would find his prophecy was correct , and that the lodge had been very successful , and was one of the best locges in England . The VV . M . in responding , said , that whatever he could do to promote the success of the lodge should not be wanting , and he knew he had about him brethren who would cordially assist him in his task .
The VV . M . in giving "The Health of the Consecrating Officers , " said , thc brethren had all listened wilh pleasure to the very able performance of the impressive ceremonies by Col . Shadwell Clerke , and had witnessed the skill and ability with which he was seconded by the other Consecrating Officers , Bros . Capt . Philips , Giddy , Woodford , and Levander . He trusted that the brethren in drinking the toast , would wish those officers many years of health and happiness , and the opportunity of consecrating many other lodges .
Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE could not help thinking he must be looked upon as a sort of Masonic Jack-in-the-box , from the frequency with which he rose ; he was no sooner down than he was up again . It was very sad for him , but it was much more sad for the brethren ; but on this occasion hc could not help saying a few words to thank the brethren for the very flattering and kind way in whicli his services that evening had been appreciated . As he had said in the lodge he felt deeply grateful for the kind reception
given to him , and which he was happy to say he received in every Masonic body he entered . He could only repeat that it had been a very great and sincere pleasure to him , finding so many personal friends ready to come and put their shoulders to the wheel in bringing this new lodge into existence ; but as he had already spoken so much , he would ask Bro . Woodford , who had delighted them with such an able address during the ceremony , to finish the return of thanks on behalf of the Consecrating Officers .
Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . WOODFORD , P . G . C , said he thought that after the address he had had the privilege of delivering in lodge , whicli the brethren had received wilh their customary courtesy , he might have been spared trespassing upon them again . Though the address was not a very long one , yet upon the whole he thought the brethren might have heard enough of his voice during the ceremony of consecration . But as his chief had asked
him to say a few words on behalf of the Consecrating Officers , he felt he should be deserting him if he hesitated one moment responding to the call made . He was thinking during thc ceremony , —he did , not know whether it struck any other brother , —what a very forcible answer that beautiful ceremony was lo those who professed to think Masonry to be an irreligious body , or a useless society . He was thinking when the ceremony was going on that he had
never seen a ceremony , even in a place of worship , performed with greater solemnity , greater dignity , or greater effect ; and those who saw it for the first time must have been equall y struck with himself with the intense effectiveness , simplicity , and beauty of the Masonic ritual . It flashed across his mind * in rather a remarkable way . A reverend brother of his , ( the Rev . J . H . Rose ) , who , he was happy to say , was to be balloted for next meeting as a ,