Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
New Masonic Hall In Sheffield.
NEW MASONIC HALL IN SHEFFIELD .
On lb ; 23 rd ult . the foundation-stone of a new Manic I lall , which is to be erected in Sheffield , was duly ? ; , | The site is in Surrey-street , at the junction of that thoroughfare with Eyre-street . The hall is not intended be a ' large building , but it is expected that additions LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE .
¦ ill be made to it . On the ground floor will be a diningroom h feet ' £ " "' ^ ' eet ; ^ mcncs wide , with a height , r [ - feet . Above it will be the lodge-room , of the same leneth and width , but 24 feet in height . This latter inartment will be fitted with pitch pine , and will be relieved with cornices and moulded ribs , and will have a lais at the end . The style of architecture adopted is that
known as classical , and the frontage of the building will be of ashlar stone . Messrs . Scargill and Clark are the architects , and Mr . James White , of Penistone-road , the contractor . jU five o ' clock in the afternoon there was a large assemblage of the Freemasons of the district to witness the ceremony of laying the stone , which was undertaken by
]) r . Bartolome , P . P . G . J . W . The proceedings were opened by ' llro . Alex . Hay , P . P . G . S . B ., and P . Z ., who said they had wet on the present occasion to lay the first stone of the New Masonic Hall . He would just explain that it had been the wish of the directors to lay this stone with full Masonic honours , but various reasons had arisen why this should not be carried out . In the first place , it would
have been necessary to have invited the Provincial Grand Ledge to have attended , and also the principal members of the heads of the Corporation , and other persons and rulers in the town . That was according to ancient and Masonic custom . They , however , did not think they were justified in spending large suras of ths shareholders ' money in obtaining the honours above referred to .
Having decided so far , they next looked at the best thing to be done , and decided that one of the members in Sheffield should lay this stone . It was the unanimous wish of the officers and brethren they had spoken to on the subject that Bro . Bavtolenie should be invited to Ir . y this none , and he must say lie believed im member in Sheffield was more fully ei . tiiled to the honour . For many
years the doctor had bien a . consistent member of the Craft , and had done much for it . Tiny thought the b .-st thing they could do was to ask Dr . Baitnlome to lay this ' one , and he had kindly consented to fulfil the office . He hail much pleasure in presenting Dr . Bartolome' with a trowel , with which he hoped the latter would properly lay the stone . The trowel , he hoped , would be handed down
to the doctor ' s descendants for many generations , and in lime to come his children's children would know how he had been respected and esteemed in Sheffield . Dr . Bartolome ' , taking the trowel , asked . that in the first instance they would allow him to return them Lis sincere thinks for the honour they had conferred on him in asking him to lay the foundation stone of this future building .
He might say without vanity that he believed if consistency and sincerity in profession could make a man entitled to an honour , he was entitled to that honour . lie had looked over the minute books that day , and he had found that dining the three years he was in office he was absent fr . 1 : 1 a meeting but twice . The lodge thought proper on > ne occasion to take notice of that , and to state that he was
unable to be present through indisposition . He was happy to say he could not recollect this fact , but he saw it upon the minutes . Btfore they proceeded to the business of the day he must call on Canon Blakeney to be kind enough to invoke the aid of the Most High in the work they were about to do . Let them not proceed another step without invoking the aid of Him who could alone prosper the
undertaking . The Rev . Canon Blakeney then offereil up prayer , after which Dr . Bartolome was presented with a mallet and trowel , the latter having engraved upon it the following words : — "Presented to Bro . Mariano Martin De Bartolome , l ' . P . G . W ., Provincial G . H . by the Masonic Hall Company , Limited , on the occasion of his laying the foundation stone
of the New Masonic Hall , Sheffield , 23 rd May , 1870 . " Hie laying cf the foundation stone was then proceeded with . In a cavity beneath it was placed a bottle corttaiu'ng copies of the memorandum and articles of the association of the company , the " Freemason , " the "Sheffield Daily Telegraph , " the " Independent , " the library scheme , a short history of the hall ,
together with coins , and a list of the Past Masters and acting Masters of the Britannia , Brunswick , and Wentworth Lodges . Dr . Bartolome ( taking the mallet in hand , and tapping the fcundation stone which had been lowered to its bed ) , said that in the name of the Most High Architect of the Universe he dcclated this stone duly laid . Might it be the
beginning of a superstructure perfect in all its parts and creditable to its builder . He anticipated from the history « f Freemasonry in Sheffield during the past forty years a jwy glorious success for the future . This was not the first time he had been instrumental in promoting this good work . About forty years ago he undertook it with less prospect of success than they had at present , and yet let them look
at the results . Let them anticipate what great Ih ^ h i - fr 0 m tr , vial cause ! J sprung . He hoped that h ft , u m ' 8 nt bc the means not only of cementing the Motherhood and diffusing the principles of the Craft , but ~ so of showing that there was something more in Masonry than simple profession . ' his concluded the proceedings , and the members of the ra 't then adjourned to luncheon in the Cutlers' Hall .
Gr M R " M * Bancroft > of the Engineers" Staff , . 1 p . Not'hern Railway , and an occasional contributor to K . nglneer „ ' " Builder , " and other scientific papers , h ,-. s ""^ d President of the Civil and Mechanical Engineers Society for the coming session .
Consecration Of The Liverpool Dramatic Lodge, No. 1609.
CONSECRATION OF THE LIVERPOOL DRAMATIC LODGE , NO . 1609 .
No more interesting event in the history of Freemasonry has taken place in Liverpool for a considerable time than that which was witnessed at the Masonic Hall in that " shipping village " on Friday , t ? te 16 th inst ., when the Liverpool Dramatic Lodge , No . 1600 on the Grand Lodge
registry , was consecrated with more than ordinary solemnity and impressiveness . Everything combined to make the initiatory ceremonies pass off with " eclat . " Bro . Lord Skelmersdale , Dep . Grand Master , 11 . W . P . G . M . for West Lancashire , very warmly lecommended the prayer of
the petitioning brethren 111 applying for their warrant ; and his lordship would most gladly have been present nt the ceremony on this occasion if his parliamentary duties had not kept him in London . The absence of his lordship was about the only regretful circumstance in connection with the day ' s proceedings , although his
place was very worthily filled by his P . G . Officers appointed to take part in and conduct the consecration and installation proceedings . The lodge , as will be * " gathered from its name , has been specially organised for the purpose of giving fitting and convenient opportunity to the numerous theatrical brethren who are either
resident in Liverpool or who may visit it as " stars" from time to time of attaching themselves to some lodge where they can meet with each other within the charmed Masonic circle . The success attending that already instituted in London is well known in Masonic circles , and there is not the slightest doubt that , from the keen and earnest enthusiasm with which the
Liverpool " Dramatic has been started , and the honourable names which the leaders in the new lodge bear in the Craft , it will prove one of the mo ! -t important and creditable additions to t ' . ie rapidly-increasing roll of lodges ranging under
the banner of the Grand Lodge of England . The promoters of the Liverpool Dramatic Lodge express their determination to make it a model lodge , and doubtless it will not only increase greatly in its members , but ' will also continue to maintain that calibre with which it has been
started . The brethren assembled at the Masonic Hall at two o ' clock , and shortly after that hour Bro , H * . S . Alpass , P . G . Sec , took the chair as consecrating officer , being very ably assisted in his work by Bros . R . Wylie , P . P . S . G . D . ; the Rev .
j . M . Morgan , P . G . Chaplain ; and Dr . J . K'jllett Smith , P . G . Registrar . Important services during the most impressive proceedings were also rendered by Bros . T . Armstrong , P . G . Treas . ; J . K , Goepel , P . P . G . D . C ; Ii . Brown , W . M . 241 ; and J . M . B ; nneir , W . M . 1 j 50 .
Amongst those present , besides those above named , were Bros . Joseph Bell , W . M . 1356 ( the W . M . designate of the new lodge ) ; ' W . J . Chapman ( S . W . designate ) ; L . Courtenay ( J . W . designate ); D . Saunders ; B . B . Marson , P . M . 135 < 5 > J- Pyer , H . G . Stafford , W . W .
Sandbrook , J . Atkinson , A . Cullinsoa , A . Woolrich , R . Palgrave , P . P . G . Purst . ( Gloucester ); J . Lunt , P . G . D . C . ; J . Skeaf , P . G . O . ; J . Wood , Treas . 1094 ; W . Doyle , P . P . J . G . D . ; W . Coales , i 35 6 i J- Capell , J . W . 1 299 ; J . Jacobs , 724 ; I . de Frecce , Treas . i <; o 2 ; M . Hart , S . W .
1 J 02 ; T . Evans , P . M . n <; 6 ~ ; W . Hildyard , 4 61 ; Dr . A . Whittle , 823 ; S . Hess , P . P . G . J . W . ( Cheshire ) ; T . A . Collinson , P . G . S . ; J . T . Ptigmire , 241 ; J . Queen , ro-J ; J . Reay , 292 ; J . R . Bottomley , 1 , 356 " ; C . P . T . Therley , 1350 ; H . P . Squire , 13 ' jfJ ;
E . Pierpoint , 1 , P . G . S . D . ; J . Beldon , 1 . 3 j ( 5 ; R . W . Yonnge , 79 ; E . C . Booth , 228 ; J . Carter , J . Kect , 1356 ; E . 0 . C . Roth well , P . M . 1356 ; P . F . Buck , 6 73 ; C . Hasswell , C 03 ; T . J . Hughes , 216 ; H . Alexander , 203 ; and others . The lodge was opened in the Third Degrees
by Bro . H . S . Alpass , P . G . Sec , the chair of S . W . being occupied by Bro . E . Pierpoint , P . P . G . S . D . ; that of J . W . by Bro . W . Doyle , P . P . G . J . D . ; Bro . Di : J . R . Smith , P . G . Reg ., acting as P . G . Sec ; and Bro . the Rev . J . M .
Morgan , P . G . C ., as the P . M . The whole of the consecration ceremony was most effectively performed by Bro . Alpass and those who assisted him on the occasion ; and a special word of commendation is due to Bro . J . Skeaf , P . G . O .,
Consecration Of The Liverpool Dramatic Lodge, No. 1609.
who had charge of the musical arrangements , and the musical brethren—Bros . T . J . Hughes , C . Haswell , J . T . Ptigmire , and J . Queen . Very rarely has any musical service been so
magnificently rendered , impressing . every one by the style in which it was given . During the ceremony Bro . Morgan , Prov . G . Chaplain , delivered the following appropriate and excellent oration : —
Provincial Grand Officers , Worshipful Master elect , and Brother Masons : The safe return of our illustrious Grind Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , to his native land is welcomed by us all with feelings of heartfelt thankfulness . His preservation from the perils of the deep , from
accident , from sickness , and from all the many dangers of so long a journey in foreign lands , calls upon us , I say , to render thanks to Almighty God for His goodness and loving mercy . * ' O that men would therefore praise the Lord for His goodness , and declare the wonders
that He doeth for the children of men . I may not stop to dwell on his reception , wherever he has bent his steps , by our brethren of the Crafc . Men , dwellers in many climes , inhabitants of a vast continent , of different languages , and of various origin—one and all held forth the right
hand of fellowship to our august brother and Prince—a lasting proof , were such required , of the infLienee of the princip les of our Order on the hearts of many men , dwellers in many lands . Presiding Grand Officer , Provincial Grand Officers , Worshipful Master elect , and Brother
Masons : We are met here this day on a solemn occasion . There is a deep meaning in every part of this day ' s high ceremonial , from the opening to the closing prayer ; in each and every act we implore the aid , or , in solemn chant , sing the praise of the Supreme Being , the author
of all happiness , our Preserver , our Protector , and our God ! I take one portion of the consecration service ( 1 think I do not err in calling it a service ) , and a very solemn one too—that of the offering of corn , and wine , and oil , and salt . In presenting corn to the presiding officer , the bearer
says , 1 present you with corn , the sacred emblem of plenty ; and then in presenting wine he says , 1 present you with wine , the sacred emblem of truth ; and when offering oil , he declares it to hi the sacred emblem of charity ; and last of all he says , I present you with salt
wherewith to season this lodge , as the symbol of wisdom and learning throughout the world . This is no unmeaning or frivolous ceremony , but one which must lead our thoughts to the Great Architect of the Universe , who not only has ordered all things well in heaven and
earth , but who has provided so bountifully for His creature , man , that in thinking thereon we call to mind the beautiful words of the volume of the Sacred Law , " He watereth the hills from above ; the earth is filled with the fruit of Thy works . He bringeth forth grass for the
cattle , and green herb for the service of men . That he may bring food out of the earth , and wine that makethglad the heart of man ; and oil to make him a cheerful countenance , and bread to strengthen man ' s heart . Man goeth forth to his work , and to his labour ; until the
evening . " And this reminds me that the brethren , the promoters of the lodge we arc now engaged in setting apart for Masonic purposes , have had a particular object in view in thus adding one more to our number in the Province of West
Lancashire . With many of our brethren , engaged in honourable but most laborious professions , the rays of the setting sun does not see the close of their day ' s toil . True , many of them may have gone forth to their labour in the morning ; but when twilight calls most of us
home , then indeed , their work in reality commences . The Acting Provincial Grand Secretary has just read the warrant from Grand Lodge . 1 'he particular object then in view in founding this lodge , called the Dramatic Lodge , No . 1609 in the register of Grand Lodge , was to enable brethren connected with the
drama and the press , whose peculiar avocations precluded their attendance at lodge meetings held at the usual hour in the evening , to assemble together at a more convenient time . I know nothing more calculated to raise and elevate their conduct in the pursuit of their arduous tasks than the service of Masonry . The Drama
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
New Masonic Hall In Sheffield.
NEW MASONIC HALL IN SHEFFIELD .
On lb ; 23 rd ult . the foundation-stone of a new Manic I lall , which is to be erected in Sheffield , was duly ? ; , | The site is in Surrey-street , at the junction of that thoroughfare with Eyre-street . The hall is not intended be a ' large building , but it is expected that additions LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE .
¦ ill be made to it . On the ground floor will be a diningroom h feet ' £ " "' ^ ' eet ; ^ mcncs wide , with a height , r [ - feet . Above it will be the lodge-room , of the same leneth and width , but 24 feet in height . This latter inartment will be fitted with pitch pine , and will be relieved with cornices and moulded ribs , and will have a lais at the end . The style of architecture adopted is that
known as classical , and the frontage of the building will be of ashlar stone . Messrs . Scargill and Clark are the architects , and Mr . James White , of Penistone-road , the contractor . jU five o ' clock in the afternoon there was a large assemblage of the Freemasons of the district to witness the ceremony of laying the stone , which was undertaken by
]) r . Bartolome , P . P . G . J . W . The proceedings were opened by ' llro . Alex . Hay , P . P . G . S . B ., and P . Z ., who said they had wet on the present occasion to lay the first stone of the New Masonic Hall . He would just explain that it had been the wish of the directors to lay this stone with full Masonic honours , but various reasons had arisen why this should not be carried out . In the first place , it would
have been necessary to have invited the Provincial Grand Ledge to have attended , and also the principal members of the heads of the Corporation , and other persons and rulers in the town . That was according to ancient and Masonic custom . They , however , did not think they were justified in spending large suras of ths shareholders ' money in obtaining the honours above referred to .
Having decided so far , they next looked at the best thing to be done , and decided that one of the members in Sheffield should lay this stone . It was the unanimous wish of the officers and brethren they had spoken to on the subject that Bro . Bavtolenie should be invited to Ir . y this none , and he must say lie believed im member in Sheffield was more fully ei . tiiled to the honour . For many
years the doctor had bien a . consistent member of the Craft , and had done much for it . Tiny thought the b .-st thing they could do was to ask Dr . Baitnlome to lay this ' one , and he had kindly consented to fulfil the office . He hail much pleasure in presenting Dr . Bartolome' with a trowel , with which he hoped the latter would properly lay the stone . The trowel , he hoped , would be handed down
to the doctor ' s descendants for many generations , and in lime to come his children's children would know how he had been respected and esteemed in Sheffield . Dr . Bartolome ' , taking the trowel , asked . that in the first instance they would allow him to return them Lis sincere thinks for the honour they had conferred on him in asking him to lay the foundation stone of this future building .
He might say without vanity that he believed if consistency and sincerity in profession could make a man entitled to an honour , he was entitled to that honour . lie had looked over the minute books that day , and he had found that dining the three years he was in office he was absent fr . 1 : 1 a meeting but twice . The lodge thought proper on > ne occasion to take notice of that , and to state that he was
unable to be present through indisposition . He was happy to say he could not recollect this fact , but he saw it upon the minutes . Btfore they proceeded to the business of the day he must call on Canon Blakeney to be kind enough to invoke the aid of the Most High in the work they were about to do . Let them not proceed another step without invoking the aid of Him who could alone prosper the
undertaking . The Rev . Canon Blakeney then offereil up prayer , after which Dr . Bartolome was presented with a mallet and trowel , the latter having engraved upon it the following words : — "Presented to Bro . Mariano Martin De Bartolome , l ' . P . G . W ., Provincial G . H . by the Masonic Hall Company , Limited , on the occasion of his laying the foundation stone
of the New Masonic Hall , Sheffield , 23 rd May , 1870 . " Hie laying cf the foundation stone was then proceeded with . In a cavity beneath it was placed a bottle corttaiu'ng copies of the memorandum and articles of the association of the company , the " Freemason , " the "Sheffield Daily Telegraph , " the " Independent , " the library scheme , a short history of the hall ,
together with coins , and a list of the Past Masters and acting Masters of the Britannia , Brunswick , and Wentworth Lodges . Dr . Bartolome ( taking the mallet in hand , and tapping the fcundation stone which had been lowered to its bed ) , said that in the name of the Most High Architect of the Universe he dcclated this stone duly laid . Might it be the
beginning of a superstructure perfect in all its parts and creditable to its builder . He anticipated from the history « f Freemasonry in Sheffield during the past forty years a jwy glorious success for the future . This was not the first time he had been instrumental in promoting this good work . About forty years ago he undertook it with less prospect of success than they had at present , and yet let them look
at the results . Let them anticipate what great Ih ^ h i - fr 0 m tr , vial cause ! J sprung . He hoped that h ft , u m ' 8 nt bc the means not only of cementing the Motherhood and diffusing the principles of the Craft , but ~ so of showing that there was something more in Masonry than simple profession . ' his concluded the proceedings , and the members of the ra 't then adjourned to luncheon in the Cutlers' Hall .
Gr M R " M * Bancroft > of the Engineers" Staff , . 1 p . Not'hern Railway , and an occasional contributor to K . nglneer „ ' " Builder , " and other scientific papers , h ,-. s ""^ d President of the Civil and Mechanical Engineers Society for the coming session .
Consecration Of The Liverpool Dramatic Lodge, No. 1609.
CONSECRATION OF THE LIVERPOOL DRAMATIC LODGE , NO . 1609 .
No more interesting event in the history of Freemasonry has taken place in Liverpool for a considerable time than that which was witnessed at the Masonic Hall in that " shipping village " on Friday , t ? te 16 th inst ., when the Liverpool Dramatic Lodge , No . 1600 on the Grand Lodge
registry , was consecrated with more than ordinary solemnity and impressiveness . Everything combined to make the initiatory ceremonies pass off with " eclat . " Bro . Lord Skelmersdale , Dep . Grand Master , 11 . W . P . G . M . for West Lancashire , very warmly lecommended the prayer of
the petitioning brethren 111 applying for their warrant ; and his lordship would most gladly have been present nt the ceremony on this occasion if his parliamentary duties had not kept him in London . The absence of his lordship was about the only regretful circumstance in connection with the day ' s proceedings , although his
place was very worthily filled by his P . G . Officers appointed to take part in and conduct the consecration and installation proceedings . The lodge , as will be * " gathered from its name , has been specially organised for the purpose of giving fitting and convenient opportunity to the numerous theatrical brethren who are either
resident in Liverpool or who may visit it as " stars" from time to time of attaching themselves to some lodge where they can meet with each other within the charmed Masonic circle . The success attending that already instituted in London is well known in Masonic circles , and there is not the slightest doubt that , from the keen and earnest enthusiasm with which the
Liverpool " Dramatic has been started , and the honourable names which the leaders in the new lodge bear in the Craft , it will prove one of the mo ! -t important and creditable additions to t ' . ie rapidly-increasing roll of lodges ranging under
the banner of the Grand Lodge of England . The promoters of the Liverpool Dramatic Lodge express their determination to make it a model lodge , and doubtless it will not only increase greatly in its members , but ' will also continue to maintain that calibre with which it has been
started . The brethren assembled at the Masonic Hall at two o ' clock , and shortly after that hour Bro , H * . S . Alpass , P . G . Sec , took the chair as consecrating officer , being very ably assisted in his work by Bros . R . Wylie , P . P . S . G . D . ; the Rev .
j . M . Morgan , P . G . Chaplain ; and Dr . J . K'jllett Smith , P . G . Registrar . Important services during the most impressive proceedings were also rendered by Bros . T . Armstrong , P . G . Treas . ; J . K , Goepel , P . P . G . D . C ; Ii . Brown , W . M . 241 ; and J . M . B ; nneir , W . M . 1 j 50 .
Amongst those present , besides those above named , were Bros . Joseph Bell , W . M . 1356 ( the W . M . designate of the new lodge ) ; ' W . J . Chapman ( S . W . designate ) ; L . Courtenay ( J . W . designate ); D . Saunders ; B . B . Marson , P . M . 135 < 5 > J- Pyer , H . G . Stafford , W . W .
Sandbrook , J . Atkinson , A . Cullinsoa , A . Woolrich , R . Palgrave , P . P . G . Purst . ( Gloucester ); J . Lunt , P . G . D . C . ; J . Skeaf , P . G . O . ; J . Wood , Treas . 1094 ; W . Doyle , P . P . J . G . D . ; W . Coales , i 35 6 i J- Capell , J . W . 1 299 ; J . Jacobs , 724 ; I . de Frecce , Treas . i <; o 2 ; M . Hart , S . W .
1 J 02 ; T . Evans , P . M . n <; 6 ~ ; W . Hildyard , 4 61 ; Dr . A . Whittle , 823 ; S . Hess , P . P . G . J . W . ( Cheshire ) ; T . A . Collinson , P . G . S . ; J . T . Ptigmire , 241 ; J . Queen , ro-J ; J . Reay , 292 ; J . R . Bottomley , 1 , 356 " ; C . P . T . Therley , 1350 ; H . P . Squire , 13 ' jfJ ;
E . Pierpoint , 1 , P . G . S . D . ; J . Beldon , 1 . 3 j ( 5 ; R . W . Yonnge , 79 ; E . C . Booth , 228 ; J . Carter , J . Kect , 1356 ; E . 0 . C . Roth well , P . M . 1356 ; P . F . Buck , 6 73 ; C . Hasswell , C 03 ; T . J . Hughes , 216 ; H . Alexander , 203 ; and others . The lodge was opened in the Third Degrees
by Bro . H . S . Alpass , P . G . Sec , the chair of S . W . being occupied by Bro . E . Pierpoint , P . P . G . S . D . ; that of J . W . by Bro . W . Doyle , P . P . G . J . D . ; Bro . Di : J . R . Smith , P . G . Reg ., acting as P . G . Sec ; and Bro . the Rev . J . M .
Morgan , P . G . C ., as the P . M . The whole of the consecration ceremony was most effectively performed by Bro . Alpass and those who assisted him on the occasion ; and a special word of commendation is due to Bro . J . Skeaf , P . G . O .,
Consecration Of The Liverpool Dramatic Lodge, No. 1609.
who had charge of the musical arrangements , and the musical brethren—Bros . T . J . Hughes , C . Haswell , J . T . Ptigmire , and J . Queen . Very rarely has any musical service been so
magnificently rendered , impressing . every one by the style in which it was given . During the ceremony Bro . Morgan , Prov . G . Chaplain , delivered the following appropriate and excellent oration : —
Provincial Grand Officers , Worshipful Master elect , and Brother Masons : The safe return of our illustrious Grind Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , to his native land is welcomed by us all with feelings of heartfelt thankfulness . His preservation from the perils of the deep , from
accident , from sickness , and from all the many dangers of so long a journey in foreign lands , calls upon us , I say , to render thanks to Almighty God for His goodness and loving mercy . * ' O that men would therefore praise the Lord for His goodness , and declare the wonders
that He doeth for the children of men . I may not stop to dwell on his reception , wherever he has bent his steps , by our brethren of the Crafc . Men , dwellers in many climes , inhabitants of a vast continent , of different languages , and of various origin—one and all held forth the right
hand of fellowship to our august brother and Prince—a lasting proof , were such required , of the infLienee of the princip les of our Order on the hearts of many men , dwellers in many lands . Presiding Grand Officer , Provincial Grand Officers , Worshipful Master elect , and Brother
Masons : We are met here this day on a solemn occasion . There is a deep meaning in every part of this day ' s high ceremonial , from the opening to the closing prayer ; in each and every act we implore the aid , or , in solemn chant , sing the praise of the Supreme Being , the author
of all happiness , our Preserver , our Protector , and our God ! I take one portion of the consecration service ( 1 think I do not err in calling it a service ) , and a very solemn one too—that of the offering of corn , and wine , and oil , and salt . In presenting corn to the presiding officer , the bearer
says , 1 present you with corn , the sacred emblem of plenty ; and then in presenting wine he says , 1 present you with wine , the sacred emblem of truth ; and when offering oil , he declares it to hi the sacred emblem of charity ; and last of all he says , I present you with salt
wherewith to season this lodge , as the symbol of wisdom and learning throughout the world . This is no unmeaning or frivolous ceremony , but one which must lead our thoughts to the Great Architect of the Universe , who not only has ordered all things well in heaven and
earth , but who has provided so bountifully for His creature , man , that in thinking thereon we call to mind the beautiful words of the volume of the Sacred Law , " He watereth the hills from above ; the earth is filled with the fruit of Thy works . He bringeth forth grass for the
cattle , and green herb for the service of men . That he may bring food out of the earth , and wine that makethglad the heart of man ; and oil to make him a cheerful countenance , and bread to strengthen man ' s heart . Man goeth forth to his work , and to his labour ; until the
evening . " And this reminds me that the brethren , the promoters of the lodge we arc now engaged in setting apart for Masonic purposes , have had a particular object in view in thus adding one more to our number in the Province of West
Lancashire . With many of our brethren , engaged in honourable but most laborious professions , the rays of the setting sun does not see the close of their day ' s toil . True , many of them may have gone forth to their labour in the morning ; but when twilight calls most of us
home , then indeed , their work in reality commences . The Acting Provincial Grand Secretary has just read the warrant from Grand Lodge . 1 'he particular object then in view in founding this lodge , called the Dramatic Lodge , No . 1609 in the register of Grand Lodge , was to enable brethren connected with the
drama and the press , whose peculiar avocations precluded their attendance at lodge meetings held at the usual hour in the evening , to assemble together at a more convenient time . I know nothing more calculated to raise and elevate their conduct in the pursuit of their arduous tasks than the service of Masonry . The Drama