Consecration Of The Liverpool Dramatic Lodge, No. 1609.

exhibited to mankind in a proper spirit , and surrounded by certain safeguards , is a great teacher both in respect to morals and duty . When the performances , be they tragic or comic , are high in tone and convey great moral lessons , for both tragedy and comedy are capable of

doing so ; indeed such are their noblest duties and aims ; then , I say , the world at large may reap great and lasting benefits from the genius of the writer in his closet , or the actor on the the stage . " Nulle trahens varios adverso sole colores . "—Virg . An . iv . 701 . " Drawing a

thousand colours from the light . " The power of a free press , I need not tell you , brother Masons , is great ; almost beyond our own conception ; but can be used and is vised , sometimes for evil as well as for good ; but nothing is or can be perfect . Truth in the end

always prevails , and honesty of purpose and rectitude in writing in the end too , bring their reward ; not alone the reward of fame , and of influence , but in a pecuniary sense also . It is better even to allow some license in the Drama and in the Press , than to draw the rein too

harshly . In a country like our own , men will be found ever ready to correct abuses , which , with so much liberty in writing and freedom of thought , are sure to occur from time to time . Happy that country whose laws are so wise , so just , and yet so well balanced , as to give so

much of liberty as is necessary for free discussion and yet hold within themselves a controlling power . I said that no science was able to compete with or excel our own in calling on men to pursue the paths of truth and honour . To proclaim and encourage virtue in whatever

form it may appear , ranks among the mightiest achievements of our race . Such has been the endeavour of Freemasonry from the earliest periods to the present day . Let us ever remember that light and truth are two of the great essentials of the Royal Craft : that light comes

from God ; and that truth , as it is a Divine attribute , so is it the foundation of all Masonic virtues . " O seed out Thy light and Thy truth ; let them lead me , let them bring me unto Thy holy hill , and to Thy tabernacle . " Brother Masons , while we walk in the light , let us keep

to the truth also ; for it is sincerity and truthful dealing that complete the harmony of a lodge , and render us acceptable in the sight of Him , unto whom all hearts are open , all desires known , and from whom no secrets are hid . So mote it be .

At the close of the consecration ceremonial , Bro . R . Wylie , P . P . S . G . D , took the chair in the E ., and proceeded to instal Bro . Joseph Bell as the first W . M . of the Lodge . Bro . Bell was presented for the benefit of installation by Bro . H . S . Alpass . P . G . Sec . and Bro . J . R . Goepel , P . P . G . D . C . ; the ancient charge being read by

Bro . Dr , J . K . Smith , P . G . Reg . After a board of Installed Masters ( numbering nearly 20 ) had been held , other brethren were admitted , and they saluted the highly popular newly-chaired W . Master wilh great cordiality . The following brethren were afterwards appointed the first staff of officers of the new Lodge;—Bros . W . J . Chapman , S . W . ; Z . Courtenay , J . W . ; A .

Woolnch , Treas . : H . J . Loveday , Sec ; W . W . Sandbrook , J . D . ; J . Atkinson , I . G . ; J . Pyer , S . S . ; A . Collinson , J . S . ; and W . H . Ball ,

was unanimously elected Tyler . Before the lodge was closed there were upwards of a dozen proposed for joining and also for initiation . The brethren were then " called off ' " to a recherche banquet , provided by Bro . D . Ball , P . G . Tyler , in the large banquetting room , to

which upwards of 40 brethren sat down under the presidency of Bro . Bell , the W . M . After dessert had been placed on the table , the Worshipful Master said , Brother Grand Officers and Brethren , I am proud to have the honour tf proposing the first toast , and in drawing your

attention to the name of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen , I know that the toast of her health will be welcomed with every mark of enthusiasm , which your feelings of love and of loyalty to her throne and person can prompt

you to show , and in drinking Her Majesty s health , I am certain that in hoping she may long be spared to reign over this great kingdom , my tongue will only convey the wishes and desires of your hearts . Brethren I have the honour of proposing , and the privilege of calling

Consecration Of The Liverpool Dramatic Lodge, No. 1609.

upon you to join in drinking the health of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen . National Anthem , solo by Bro . J . W . Pugmire . The W . W . again rose and said , Prov . Grand Officers and Brethren , I have now the honour of proposing the health of the Most W . G . Master , Bro . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and the

pleasure of inviting you to join with me in toasting our G . Master , with true Masonic enthusiasm . We cannot but feel grateful to T . G . A . O . T . TJ . that Hs has brought ' our G . M . back safely from his long journey—a journey accompanied by so many perils both by land and sea . Now that H . R . H . has returned , I am sure he will be more endeared than ever to the Freemasons of this

great realm , ( Hear . ) Brethren I assure you it is a source of real joy for me to couple with the name of the G . M . that of the Princess of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family . Masonic version , " God bless the Prince of Wales , " sung b y Bro . T . J . Hughes .

The W . M . again rose and said , P . G . Officers and Brethren , I havfi great pleasure in proposing the next toast , the health of the M . W . Pro Grand Master , Bro . the Right Hon . the Eail of Carnarvon . We must all be proud to find that the first of the noblemen of this land are associated

with our order , and to know that the offices in Grand Lodge are rilled by brethren who , upon every occasion , not only discharge their duties with zeal and fidelity , but promote with voice and purse those Masonic Charities which are the greatest ornaments of English Freemasonry .

Skeaf s fine new song , " Masonry , Friendship , and Brotherly Love , " was sung with fine effect by Bro . Pugmire . The W . M . again said , Brethren , the next toast upon our list is , the health of the R . W . Deputy G . Master , and P . G . M ., the Right Hon . Lord

Skelmersdale , and the Officers of Prov . Grand Lodge Past and Present . In proposing this toast I feel it my duty to mention the kind support given by his Lordship to our petition , and the great assistance I have received from his officers , in forwarding and promoting our new lodge .

Brethren , I have great pleasure in proposing the health of Lord Skelmersdale and his P . G . Oflicers , coupling with this toast the name of our worthy and respected Prow G . Rt'gistiar , Dr . Smith . Song , "The Old House at Home , '' given with vigour by Bro . Hughes .

Bro Dr . J . K . Smith , P . G . Reg ., in response said : —W . M . it is at all times a pleasure to respond to this toast , although I wish it had fallen into more capable hands than mine . I assure you it is difficult to say Ktifiicient in praise of Lord Skelsmersdale . Your Worship has said something about his kindness in resrard

to your petition , but I can assure you that every brother who comes before his lordship must have met with the same courtesy and gentlemanly bearing . The P . G . Officers , ' no doubt , would convey to the P . G . M . the expression of the feeling of that lodge , and I am personally

obliged for the manner in which you have mentioned my name . I have had some conversation with Provincial Grand Officers Past and Present , and they each and all agree with me in saying that a want has been felt for many years for a lodge like the Liverpool Dramatic , as there were

many honourable men connected with the profession who could not otherwise have the privilege of attending or entering a lodge . 1 must express my intense delight at being here this afternoon at the ceremony of consecration , and I wish you prosperity in every possible way in your future existence .

The W . M . : Brethren we have proposed several toasts this evening with sincere pleasure , but in calling your attention to the fifth I am ceitain we shall all agree , that none have deserved or will obtain a heartier welcome than the health of the Consecrating and Installing Officers . ( Hear ,

hear . ) To Bros . Alpass and Wylie we are indebted for a beautiful ceremony , rendered by them with that care and efficiency which have always gained the highest praise , and for their efforts to-day we gladly offer our best acknowledgments and thanks . Brethren , I

call upon you to join with me in drinking "The Heal'h of the Consecrating and Installing Offi--cers , " coupling with the toast the names of Bro . Alpass , P . G . Sec , and Brother Wylie , P . P . G . S . D . of this Province . The S . W . ( Bro . Chapman ) here recited " The

Consecration Of The Liverpool Dramatic Lodge, No. 1609.

Tar ' s Yarn , " with a gusto and expressiveness which could hardly have been excelled . Bro . H . S . Alpass , P . G . Sec , after apolog isino . for a severe cold which would prevent him frorn saying all he desired , proceeded—W . M . and Brethren : I have had the pleasure to-day 0 f

being consecrating officer of a lodge which has been organised to meet a great—I believe a very great—want in this town of Liverpool . Free , masonry , like every similar institution which endeavours and whose object is to suit itself to every time and every occasion , and to a certain

extent to every situation in life , has , in sanctioning the warrant for the Dramatic Lodge , endeavoured to meet a pressing want which has been felt in Liverpool for some time . The time was when Freemasons' lodges always met in the evening , and I am sorry to S 3 y that in past

times , too , when wc nad different social customs and usages , they not only met in the evening but parted in the morning—a custom which until a very recent period adhered to Freemasonry . It was supposed that to become a Freemason a man ought to go to his lodge in

the evening and return home early in the morn - ing ; but that reproach ought to have been removed from us long ago . We , like every institution in the country , have adopted the customs of the day , and have got rid of many of those causes of reproach which also formerly attached

to the higher classes of society . For a man to be seen drunk at any banquet would be sufficient to strike him out of our knowledge , and we certainly would not receive him with any cordiality . This Dramatic Lodge has been consecrated to suit the convenience of certain

brethren . In London a certain number of the Craft who desired to meet in their own lodge there had established a Dramatic Lodge , which has been most successful , and includes amongst its members many of the highest class of intellects on the stage in every department . They

appreciate Freemasonry as we do , but they are obliged to meet at such an hour in the day as will suit their professional engagements . Well , brethren , here we have today consecrated the Liverpool Dramatic Lodge , and there is no doubt , from the character of the members who

have been proposed to-day , that it supplies a want which has long been felt by those whose engagements preclude them from attending any lodge in the evening . Freemasonry desires to suit itself to every rank and condition , and above ail it must desire to attract within its circle the

intellect of the country . 1 know of no higher intellects than those connected with the stage , and some of these this Dramatic Lodge will doubtless embrace . There is scarcely any profession in which it is so difficult to make a maik as that of the stage . Many of us have been stage-struck , no doubt —( hear , hear ) — and if yon look at a certain handbill in the club-room of

this building you will find that the Lord Mayor of London , in a burlesque of '' Richard III ., " was represented by a well-known brother , and that brother was myself . ( Laughter . ) I hope our professional brethren will not feel aggrieved , but I may state that the Royal Amphitheatre

was never so well filled as on that occasion . ( Hear , hear , and renewed laughter . ) If any enterprising manager were now to give me sufficient inducement I might again feel inclined to re-appear and again fill the Royal Amphitheatre . ( Great laughter . 1 It has been to me a source of

pleasure to recommend that this accommodation should be given to the dramatic profession . I am quite sure that every visitor here to-day will tee in what has been done that no mistake has been made . ( Hear , hear . ) The names of the brethren who have been proposed for initiation

will show to the Craft at large that we have supplied a great Masonic want . The lodge has started in good hands , and more than that , it will be supported b y brethren who , as professional gentlemen , irrespective of Masonry , have eret shown a most anxious desire to help distressed

brethren . ( Hear . ) Whatever their position may be , we can see from the public journals ho * ready they are to help every one who falls in ' ' distress—an indication that in connection witlj Masonry they would not forget their distressed brethren . It has been to me a source of g f satisfaction to consecrate this lodge , and I wis " you every success . Bro , R . Wylie , P . P . S . G . D .: Brethren , it has