Consecration Of The Avondale Lodge, No. 2389.

the Prince of Wales : " From Avondale Lodge , Middlewich . To H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , London . The hearty good wishes of the Avondale Lodge , No . 2389 , just consecrated , and Worship ful Master and Officers invested . " His Roya Hig hness replied as follows -. " To Worship ful Master , Middlewich . I sincerely

thank Avondale Lodge for their fraternal greeting . —ALBERT EDWARD . The telegram , endorsed " O . H . M . S ., " was handed in at the South-Western District Office at 8 . 33 p . m ., and was received at Middlewich at 9 . 10 p . m . It was read by the W . M . to the brethren amid enthusiastic applause . The lodge was furnished by Bro . George Kenning .

Consecration Of The Orde-Powlett Lodge, No. 2391, At Middlesbrough.

CONSECRATION OF THE ORDE-POWLETT LODGE , No . 2391 , AT MIDDLESBROUGH .

On Wednesday , the 15 th inst ., there was added another to the two successful lodges which propagate the mystic art in the metropolis of the iron country . The Orde-Powlett Lodge , No . 2391 , has been promoted by a number of experienced and worthy brethren , having at their head as W . M . Bro . W . J . Watson , P . M . 602 , Past Prov . Grand Registrar , who , previous to the ceremony of opening the lodge , entertained several distinguished visitors to luncheon at the Erimus Club .

At 2 o ' clock the spacious Masonic Hall in Marlon-road was filled , upwards of 130 brethren being present , when the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , attended by other Provincial Grand Officers , entered in procession . The customary ceremonial of consecration was performed by Bro . Lieut .-Col . the Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett , Past Grand Warden of England and Deputy Prov . G . M ., who afterwards installed the W . M . of the new lodge . The charges were delivered by Bro . J . A . Manners , P . P . G . D . The D . P . G . M . presented an elegant banner bearing his arms , & c .

A banquet was served at the Oddfellows' Hall , and was very numerously attended . The entire proceedings reflected the hig hest credit upon the Committee who had been entrusted with the arrangements for the meeting , and by whom no trouble or expense had been spared to ensure the successful launch of the new lodge , which , we doubt not , will prove another worthy exponent of Freemasonry in the north .

The following oration was delivered by Bro . M . C . PECK , Past G . Std . Br . of England , Prov . Grand Secretary : We are met to-day to welcome the birth of a new lodge of Freemasons , another centre of light , of union , of brotherhood , in that great Fraternity to which it is our happiness to belong . Let us , therefore , for a brief space contemplate some of the excellences of a good lodge , and the difficulties a lodge should avoid , to become a worthy

representative of our time-honoured Institution . As to the origin of Freemasonry , that is lost in the dim obscurity of the past , and certain it is that the recent investigations of our most learned brethren seem to point to an earlier date than they were a few years ago willing to admit . Its present position , however , is one of which we may justly be proud ; the great interest which the Craft takes in our noble Charities is evinced by the liberal , nay , even lavish manner in which they are supported , whilst the general condition

of the private lodges themselves indicates an increasing love for the practice of Freemasonry We can all remember the circumstance of our initiation as a momentous period of our lives , and how complimented we felt when accepted by the brethren of the lodge ; with what interest we listened to the dictas of the officers , and how sedulously we anticipated each instruction . When at length raised to the rank of M . M ., how gladly we assumed the neat blue apron of our Degree . The regular meetings of the lodge were attended

with unfailing punctuality , and when at length appointed to the post of Inner Guard , how zealously the duties of that office were performed . We listened to the utterances of the Past Masters with reverence and the greatest attention , regarding those veterans as the sages of the lodge , and amongst the wisest of mankind . With what delight we looked forward to the simple pleasures of the festive board , and how thoroughly the annual festival of the lodge was enjoyed ! These may appear to the world trivial

details , but our life is made up of little things , and , brethren , how much these trifles go to form the basis of a good Masonic life . A Mason , happy and contented with his own lodge , should regard it as the best lodge in the world , and the members truly as his brethren , his associates , and dearest friends . The encouragement shown by his seniors to a young and ardent brother , whose mind is bent on the acquisition of knowledge in that science just open ng before him , will ever be cherished

with the most pleasing recollections , and is never thrown away . Whilst , on the other hand , work indifferen ly performed in the lodge , and the evident desire to reduce the practice of Freemasonry to the briefest limits tolerable , disgust the newly-initiated brother , who soon ceases to feel an interest in that particular lodge ; he rehires from the Craft , and so a good Mason is lost to us for ever . A good lodge may be known by the regularity of its meetings , by punctual attendance

of the officers at the appointed time , by a careful and conscientious adherence to the Constitutions , correct performance' of ritual , orderly and reverent attention of the b ; ethren , wise discrimination in the selection of candidates , by its support of the Charities of our Order , by temperate enjoyment of refreshment , the period for which should never be 1 xtended beyond 11 o ' clock at the latest , and lastly by courtesy extended to visitors . This is an important poiht , and may make or mar the reputation of a lodge . It is often

unhappily the custom for certain lodges not to expect visitors unless specially invited , consequently those brethren who , availing themselves of the good old custom of the Craft , desire to pay visits to a strange lodge , are looked upon as intruders if unknown to the members of the lodge they puipose to visit . I have heard of brethren visiting such a lodge , and after due examination and long detention at the door , being at length admitted only to find the work nearly over . When

closed , there was no friendly hand to welcome , no cheering word to greet , but the members retired to another room to dine , leaving the disconsolate visitor to depart a sadder but a wiser man . Of course , it could scarcely be expected that when a banquet at a guinea a head was being discussed that the lodge could afford indiscriminate visiting , but the brother used to the modest but excellent supper provided in his own lodge , together with the cordial and hearty welcome which visitors invariably receive , must

contrast the customs of these two specimen lodges . A lodge should always be a place where good and virtuous men of all classes meet , and , as old Masons , we cannot look upon the establishment of lodges in which brethren of some particular profession or social position are almost exclusively the members with any degree of satisfaction , believing such will prove a source of weakness to our Order . A narrow exclusive spirit is utterly opposed to the tenets of our Institution . Freemasonry

teaches man broad and liberal opinions , before which all distinctions of class and creed vanish ; and the true Master Mason is defined as one " who views in every son of Adam a brother of the dust . _ In this great mercantile centre Masonry is well established , and its followers worthily support the reputation of the two successful lodges with which they are associated . May they prosper in the future as in the oast , and

Fuimus , sumus et erimus be their motto for ever ! The founders of the Orde-Powlett Lodge being brethren of rank and experience , well versed in the science of Freemasonry , will , we know , maintain the true spirit of our Order in the conduct of the new lodge which is this day inaugurated ; and copying the example of that illustrious Mason , whose name it is privileged to bear , will manifest to the town and to their sister lodges : — " How good and joyful a thing it is for brethren to dwell together in unity . "

A series of tableaux vivants , entitled " Peace and War , " and a military concert were held in the Duke of York ' s School , Royal Military Asylum , Chelsea , on Thursday , the iGth inst ., in aid of the Organ Fund . Among those present were the Duke of Cambridge , the Duke and Duchess of Teck , the Princess Victoria of Teck , Field-Marshal Sir Patrick and Lady Grant , and others . The performances gave the utmost satisfaction , and were repeated on the following afternoon and Saturday evening last .

Disinterested Friendship.

DISINTERESTED FRIENDSHIP .

There are friends and friends . Friendship is a poet ' s word . It is rythmical and sweet . Around it cluster most beautiful figures . From it is exhalted most intoxicating perfumes . Its sound falls upon the ear as a chord from the celestial choir . It

is , however , too often a lost chord . Floating out upon the cal m evening air we hear it and strain every nerve to catch its sweetness , but it was of heaven , and to heaven it has returned and is lost to us . Friendship is a priceless jewel , and when found should be treasured as such .

There are grades in friendship . Very little of it is from a purely disinterested motive . Professions are cheap . There is nothing more counterfeited than friendship . It is put on and

off as a mask , Policy in all affairs of life too often lead to a masking of friendship . Friends who will stick to you through thick and thin ; through good report and evil report ; through adversity as well as prosperity , are rare .

Masonic friendship ought to be pure and disinterested , No selfish motive should control our actions , but , alas ! such is not always the case . We are too apt to forget the tesselated floor upon which we have trodden . We leave Masonry behind the

tyled door , safely deposited in the archives of the lodge , and mingle with the world , uninfluenced by the principles of equality , brotherly love , friendship , and all the galaxy of virtues we talked of so glibly in the lodge .

Disinterested friendship , which is the only quality that is of any value , is Masonic friendship . It will go on foot , and even out of the way , to serve a brother in need . It will bend the knee before the Grand Architect of the Universe , imploring a blessing upon our brother ' s head . It will treasure the words

confided to us in a faithful breast . It will stretch forth the hand to aid a brother in his efforts and to save him from falling . It will whisper words of good counsel in his ear and warn him of approaching danger . A brother ' s welfare will be remembered , not forgotten . His friendship will be sought outside the lodge room , not only in it .

Masonry is a Society of friendships . They are formed in such a manner that they ought to be strong and lasting . The lodge is a place for social enjoyment and mental and moral improvement . We meet with congenial spirits and pass most delightful seasons together . How much of this enjoyment is

real ? How much of real brotherly feeling is there in the grasp of the hand ? How many times have we seen a brother bending under a load of adversity , and by [ word or deed endeavoured

to relieve him ? If we could only break the chrysalis of selfishness that so completely envelops us , perhaps we would perform more acts of pure , disinterested friendship than we do . Then would be the full and complete enjoyment of our professions .

_ We all possess more ability to aid our fellowmen than we think we do . We can do a great deal if we only do it . The trouble is , however , we are content to let every fellow take care of himself . If he succeeds we praise him and say , " I told you so . " If he fails— " Just as I expected . " He would not have failed , perhaps , if we had not " expected " it .

We can slide down hill , but we must climb up . If a brother has started down , his pace is surely accelerated by the " disinterested " kick of his friends . If he is climbing , a dozen will catch on to his coat-tails , and make his climbing the more difficult . We should abhor that disposition that leads to the

taking advantage of another in trade . It is unfriendly and un-Masonic . No man ever enjoyed the advantage gained by selfishly leading another into a transaction whereby he was profited and his friend defrauded . Such is not according to our teaching , and that man guilty of such an act should be treated to severe disci pline .

Disinterested friendship leads to peace and prosperity , happiness and contentment . Let us cultivate it for a little while . It is a plant that will pay for all the care bestowed upon it . The aroma it will shed about our lives will make the journey a foretaste of the peace and happiness of the celestial world . — Ne ® York Dispatch .

SLOANE MSS . —There are three in the British Museum . One is No . 384 - It was transcribed by Edward Sankey , October i 6 th , 1646 . The other is 33 3 < and was transcribed b y Thomas Martin , 1659 . We do not consider either of thes transcripts very important , pace the valuable opinion of Bro . W . J . Hug han , fro /" whom we always dislike to differ . We consider them but transcrip ts of tn Harleian , though there are some differences between the two ; or of some commo copy—perhaps Dowland ' s original . The Sloane MS . No . 3329 is a most intere * ing one , and which we studied many years ago in company with Mr . Walbran , w ^ unhesitatingly fixed the archaisms as of earlv seventeenth century use . The pap

mark denotes the early part of the ei ghteenth century ; but we apprehend exp ^ do not deny that the language is seventeenth century language . It naS e " stated that it is our operative Masons' Catechism : we do not think so . ^ . identical , in seme of the expressions , with a MS . Dr . Plot professes to have se ^ and we believe it represents the ceremonial of those lodges of Freemasons 1 initiated Ashmole in 1646 , and gave him another grade in 1682 . It was put " in extenso b y Bro . Woodford in 1872 . —Kenning ' s Cyclopaedia of Freemasonu-