Consecration Of The Lodge Of Hope, No. 2153, At Gosport.

light which bore traces of Masonic emblems , showing that in those days there were brethren who desired to perpetuate their Society . It had been found that in countries which they had no idea had any contact with the civilised portion of the world Freemasonry must have existed , and how it could possibly have permeated to those remote places was a perfect marvel to them . But , as a rule , Masonry had been synonymous with and had

extended with knowledge . This showed that Masonry was one of those societies which were allied to the best interests of civilisation . Their Society promulgated some of the best principles , which , apart from Christianity , could be inculcated . How could what was taught in their ritual fail to exercise a favourable influence upon the conduct of men if only they acted up to it ? It was only for them to do so and they would become better citizens , better

men , and have increased reverence for the Great Being who created the world and all that was in it . It was surprising , considering the length of time that Freemasonry had existed , that there were hardly any cases where brethren or lodges had fallen away from the principles which had been inculcated . There had been a melancholy instance in recent times , which he trusted might never occur again . Most of the lodges in France had fallen

away from the faith and traditions of their forefathers , and rejected the name of the Supreme Being within the walls of their lodges . Had this repudiation been received with favour in other countries ? Far from it . They had been refused intercourse with Freemasons in other countries , and in England they had been accounted as out of the pale of the Masonic Order . He thought that this showed that the brethren of this day were determined not to reject the excellent lessons given them in the past . He trusted that the work in

which they were engaged might be fraught with prosperity to the Order , and that the Lodge of Hope would shed a bright influence around and be an honour to the Order they loved so well . ( Applause . ) Bro . EHLERS , P . G . Chaplain , then offered up the introductory prayer , and the choir , composed of Bros . Pearman , P . P . G . Org . ; Downing , P . M . ; Batchelor , P . M . ; E . H . Buck , and T . F . Wilton , P . P . G . Org ., sang hymn , " Great source of Light and love .

The brethren of the new Iodge having been arranged in order , the P . G . Secretary read the petition , and afterwards the warrant empowering the brethren to meet on the third Wednesday in the month , at the India Arms Hotel , High-street , Gosport . Bro . PALMER said that after the able way the P . G . M . had addressed the

brethren upon the advantages of Freemasonry , he felt sure the brethren did not want to hear him , and in addition to that he must confess he had not prepared an oration . He then made a very strong appeal upon Charity , bringing most prominently before the brethren the great Institution for the Aged and Widows .

The hymn " O , Lord , Most High , " and the first portion of the dedication prayer was given by Bro . EHLERS , P . G . Chaplain . The usual dedication service was most solemnly carried out , and the choir sang " O , God , our help in ages past . "

Bro . Francis Powell , P . M ., P . P . G . Purst ., was presented to the P . G . M . by Bro . GEORGE FELTON LANCASTER , P . P . G . D ., for the purpose of installation , and after the usual questions , & c , had been put , Bro . Powell was placed in the chair of K . S ., and the P . G , M . addressed the lodge in ancient form ,

Wor . Bro . Powell then invested his officers for the ensuing year as follows : W . Bro . VV . Green , P .. M ., S . VV . ; Bro . T . Stretton , J . W . ; W . Bro . Rev , R . Measham , P . M ., Chaplain ; Bros . H . Crisp , Treas . ; VV . J . Pawsey , Sec . ; T . Pearson , S . D . ; E . S . Innes , J . D . ; T . VV . Holdstock , I . G . ; J . G . Williams , D . C ; D . Batson , Org . ; E . Jewell , Steward ; E . H . Buck , Steward ; and L . Cauvin , Tyler .

Wor . Bro . G . F . LANCASTER , P . M ., proposed , and Bro . T . STRETTON , J . W ., seconded , and it was carried unanimously , that the VV . M ., who returned thanks , represent the lodge on the Provincial Grand Lodge Charity Committee . The W . M . proposed a vote of thanks to the P . G . M . and Prov . Grand

Officers for their attendance that day . He said that the brethren of the lodge owed them a debt of gratitude for their consideration and the great trouble they had been placed lo in their attendance that day . The ceremony that day was not to be excelled by any other Piov . G . Master in the country .

Wor . Bro . MEASHAM seconded the vole of thanks , which was carried with applause . The Right Wor . PROV . G . MASTER thanked the brethren , and remarked how pleased he was lo see such a numerous attendance , and the interest taken in the consecration augured well for the future . He took the opportunity of apologizing for the absence of Wor . Bro . J . E . Le Feuvre , | D . P . M ., who was attending a most important Masonic duty in London .

On the motion of the'W . M ., and seconded by Wor . Bro . LANCASTER , Right Wor . Bro . W . VV . Beach , P . G . M ., was elected , amidst applause , an honorary member , and the P . G . M . returned thanks . Bro . VV . J . PAWSEY , Secretary , read letters of apology from Wor . Bro . ] . E . Leuvre , D . P . G . M . ; Bros . Lord Charles Beresford , P . M ., M . P . ;

General Sir George Willis , K . C . B . ; Col . Sir Francis Festing , R . M . A ., A . D . C . ; Col . Crease , R . M . A ., W . M . 357 ; General Sir Frederick Fitzwygram , M . P . ; Colonel Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Secretary ; Sir Alfred Balliston ; Rev . C . S . Ward , P . G . Chap . ; R . Loveland Loveland , P . G . S . W . ; A . H . Joliffe , P . G . D . C . ; Col . Williams , A . D . C ; Capt . P . H . Colomb , R . N ., and others .

On the proposition of Bro . Major VV . ' 1 . MILLER , a vote of thanks was recorded to all the officers of the lodge , who had each presented their collars and jewels to the lodge , and , in addition , the Secretary had also given a solid leather case , to hold the lodge books . Several initiates and joining members were proposed , and the lodge was closed in due form .

About 85 of the brethren adjourned to the India Arms Hotel and partook of a banquet , the Stewards and Bros . VV . J . Pawsey , Sec , and H . Crisp , Treas ., looking after the welfare of the guests . The choir sang the grace before and after meat , and during the banquet Ihe band , under the able direction of Bro . T . F . Wilton , played several pieces , and a solo on the cornel , " The Better Land , " by Bro , Boon / was loudly applauded .

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER gave "The Queen and the Craft , " and the choir sang the National Anthem , after which " the VV . M . gave the toast of "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " and the choir sang " God bless the Prince of VVales . "

Ihe WORSHIPFUL MASTER next gave "The Pro G . M ., and Officers of Grand Lodge , " and remarked that , unfortunately , he had not had the opportunity of seeing them all work , but they most certainly did do a great deal . They knew , however , that the S . W ., Bro . Lord Charles Beresford—

Consecration Of The Lodge Of Hope, No. 2153, At Gosport.

( applause)—Bro . J . E . Le Feuvre , Grand Deacon , and their D . P . G . M — ( applause)—and Bro . J . N . Palmer , Chaplain —( applause)—knew what Masonic work was , and if they judged those brethren as specimens of the officers of Grand Lodge , then they were the best that had ever been appointed . ( Applause . )

Ihe WORSHIPFUL MASTER said that the next toast he had the honour of proposing was that of "The R . W . Prov . Grand Master . " ( Applause . ) After that long and continued applause there was scarcely need for him to say anything in his favour . All those present at the constitution could not but admire the most impressive working he had performed . The P . G . M .

had certainly attained perfection —( applause)—and they were delighted to see him amongst them and admire his working . He was most indefatigable in Masonic or Parliamentary duties ; he was always doing something and was never tired ; always doing something for a good purpose . He asked the brethren to drink bumpers for this toast . ( Applause . )

R . W . Bro . W . W . B . BEACH , who was received with applause , thanked the brethren most cordially for the kind reception at the mention of his name . It had been remarked that it was most difficult for any one person to perform all the duties involved upon him . Well , he dovetailed them one with another and endeavoured to fulfil them . An officer told him once he had such a lot to do , but still he always found time to do it ; another who

really had nothing to do complained that his time was so fully occupied that he really had no time for anything . ( Laughter . ) WheT he ( Bro . Beach ) entered Freemasonry he did so for the love of its tenets and practices . He had found that throughout Masonry attracted friends and had done great uses in different parts of the country . He had had the honour of initiating the P . G . M . of Kent , the Pro G . M . the Earl of Carnarvon , amongst several

others , and they bore good testimony to the pains one took to inculcate the principles of the Craft . Since he had been P . G . M . great duties involved upon him , and he had used his utmost endeavours to fulfil them . ( Applause . ) He could ill discharge those functions were he not helped by his officers . He was greatly indebted to many Masons in the province for their assistance in proving what a noble Order they had to perpetuate . When every

brother had learned the principles of Freemasonry , he should act up to them , and show the outer world what valuable lessons there were to learn by becoming a Freemason , and they could show to them lessons they might well copy . The P . G . M . concluded by thanking the brethren for having elected him an honorary member of the lodge , and said he would have grateful recollection of the pleasing event and of the constitution of the Lodge of Hope at Gosport . ( Applause . )

The WORSHIPDUL MASTER proposed the toast of "The Deputy Prov . G . M . and Officers of Prov . Grand Lodge , " and referred to the appointment of the D . P . G . M . as Grand Deacon , saying that Bro . Le Feuvre's name was a household word in the province . ( Applause . ) Bro . St . Clair , P . G . Reg ., was before them on many occasions , and Bro . Goble , P . G . Sec , was worthy of every respect . ( Applause . )

Bros . ST . CLAIR and GOBLE responded for the toast in suitable terms , the former considering himself as representing the ornamental and the latter the business part of the province . R . W . Bro . W . VV . B . BEACH said it was his privilege to propose "The Health of the W . M . " —( loud applause)—and he could answer that the duties of VV . M . would be well carried out to the gratification of all . He

had great experience , and it was unnecessary for him ( Bro . Beach ) to address him ( Bro . Powell ) upon his oflice . He hoped the officers and brethren would support him , for then they were bound to have a prosperous year . He gave the toast with great enthusiasm , and wished them many prosperous years to follow the constitution of the Lodge of Hope . ( Applause . )

Bro . POWELL , who was enthusiastically applauded , briefly relumed thanks . Bro . Major MILLER , P . P . G . D ., on behalf of the lodge , thanked the visitors for their presence , and remarked that they had come at a great

sacrifice at such an early hour of the day , thus showing the deep interest they took in Freemasonry . He hoped they would not fail to follow them in their growth , as they would require their support the same as a child requiring help when learning to walk . Thai day was the birth of a new child , and he hoped that , on each anniversary of its birth , the visitors would rally round .

Bros . GILBERT , S . VV . 257 ; J . VV . DYSON , P . M . 394 , P . P . G . S . ol Wks . ; and DARBY , W . M . 1705 ; returned thanks . Bro . MEARHAM proposed "The Charities , " which was responded to by Bro . LANCASTER , on behalf of the Provincial Educational and Benevolent Institution ; and Bro . MITCHELL , on behalf of the London Institutions . "The Officers of the Lodge" and the Tyler ' s toast concluded a most pleasant remembrance of the constitution of the Lodge of Hope .

The Consecration Of The Huguenot Lodge, No. 2140.

THE CONSECRATION OF THE HUGUENOT LODGE , No . 2140 .

Considering the number of special or class lodges which have been constituted during the past few years , it will be deemed a matter of surprise with many brethren that the Huguenot section of the English community has never hitherto thought of organising , or we should say rather , of asking permission to organise a Lodge , the membership of which would be confined

principally , if not entirely , to members of that sect or party . We have our French , Anglo-Indian , Colonial , Musical , Dramatic , and Scientific Lodges , and why should there not be a Huguenot Lodge ? We know of no particular reasons against the establishment of such a body , while there are some few that have occurred to us and probably also to many of our readers in

favour of the proposition . For example , the mere presence in England of a Huguenot community is an enduring protest against the spirit of intolerance in matters religious . The Huguenots are of French nationality in the first instance , and very brave and worthy and reputable Frenchmen they proved themselves to be , but a bigoted French Monarch , towards

the close of the 17 th century , bethought himself of , as he supposed , a most admirable expedient for showing his love of religion by repealing a certain edict—the Edict of Nantes—passed a century before and under which the

French Protestants , known as Huguenots , enjoyed the blessings of religious toleration . The revocation was made in 1685 with the result that all the Huguenots who had it in their power left France , the land of their birth , precipitately , rather than submit to the tyrannical conduct of their Sovereign .