Consecration Of La France Lodge, No. 2060.

V . W . Bro . Rev . AMBROSE HALL then delivered the following oration . : — Brethren , —I hail with feelings of unmingled pleasure the advent of your lodge today , and I rejoice that through your courtesy I am permitted to address a few words to the brethren and founders upon this auspicious occasion . My friend the very excellent Grand Secretary has ( as he always does ) spoken to you so ably and so well upon the nature of your general duties , that but little seems left for me to say ; still 1 am here as officiating' Grand Chaplain , and my office is to point out to you the nature and principles

of our noble Order ; these you have to carry out at home and abroad , in your hearts and among your Masonic brethren ; and I consider it a source of congratulation that there should be found a number of Masons from our sister country to form a lodge under the rule of the Grand Lodge of England . We live so near together , separated only by what is called the little " silver streak , " that there should be at all times ( as two great nations ) those amicable feelings between us which are generated in our beautiful rites and ceremonies ; it is true ( and I may speak it here ) , for the very circumstance of your

forming a lodge where the assistance of the Great Architect of the Universe is all in all , shows that you do not join their views ; it is true that in your great country many , and some of the most influential of our Masonic brethren , have made such changes , that can but fill our hearts with sadness , and have withdrawn from their Masonic teachings and their Masonic work a Name which should be above every name . But , who knows ? even what we are doing to-day may at some future time be a help towards their return to the allegiance of the Great Architect . " A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump . " The

tiny mustard seed grew into a mighty tree , and the birds we read nestled in its branches , and the small beginnings of to-day may produce Masonically a like effect in the changes we deplore in your bright land . God grant they may ! Although at present our guests in Britain , you , doubtless , from time to time visit your own country , and however occupied here , you all , like good sons , look forward to end your days in your mother land , and when you go back , and as you go back , you will I am sure carry with you confirmed

opinions of what the Great Architect does for us , and how , under his Almighty care , we are permitted to diffuse and carry out some of the purest principles of piety and virtue ever entrusted to the care of finite beings ; and who knows but that you , 'Masonic brethren of Lodge La France , may have before you a glorious future in pouring balm upon the now troubled waters of Masonry ; that you may be the "little leaven , " the " grain of mustard seed , " to call back our wandering and mistaken brethren to their Father ' s and their rest .

But , as 1 said before , my duty is to point out to you the nature and principles of Freemasonry , though I feel sure you would not seek to build up the superstructure without first making yourselves well acquainted with the foundation upon which you erect it ; Masonry teaches you the evil effects of infidelity ; its foundation is a belief in the Creator , it goes on to enforce the ^ duty we owe to God , our neighbours , and ourselves . It shows us the value of time ( as in the 24 inch gauge ); it shows that we must cultivate "brotherly love "—the glory of the Institution ; that we must relieve the necessities of others .

In fine , that we must practise not only that " Charity" which thinkcth no evil , but that Charity also which inclines our hearts ( out of the abundance which God has given us ) to succour the wants of others . And here I would , as in duty bound , call your attention to the three noble Institutions of the Order—the Boys' School , the Girls' School , and the Asylum for the Aged—do what you can for them in your lodge , both by furnishing

Stewards at the respective Festivals and strengthening their hands by liberal contributions . Do what you can both collectively and individually to carry out these principles ; cultivate Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth . Then may you hope when finally summoned to be transferred from your lodge on earth to the Grand Temple above , there to enjoy for ever the brightest of all Freemasonry , viz ., perfect Light , eternal Charity , and everlasting Peace .

And now to yourselves a few words of friendly caution . You create to-day another important band of brothers who are , as years roll on—and I hope for many—to meet and work together in harmony and goodwill ; there must be no differences , no jealousies , no envyings . You will have from time to time to fill up gaps among your number , as outward circumstances take some , sickness others , or the last catastrophe of life claims its prey , and you place the acacia sprig upon a brother ' s grave ; you will have , I say , to choose others in their places ; be careful how you make the choice ; see that the

candidate ' s moral and physical conduct render him likely to be a kind-hearted companion , and look also to his general position , i . e ., whether he is likely to leave those belonging to him in poverty or distress . 1 say this because I feel , and with regret , that too many join us under the idea that Masonry is to a great extent a " Benefit Society , " and that they may take less concern about theirown personal affairs , because the Brotherhood will look well after their widows and children . And so the Brotherhood will in all cases of unforeseen calamity and distress ; but this should never be relied on . We have , it is true ,

opulence and wealth amongst us ; we have grand and noble Institutions ; we have private deeds of Masonic benevolence done daily ; but the applications , as you will see from studying the statistics , exceed the means at hand , and many , to our sorrow , must be , and are , passed over . And now , vive Lodge La France ! May God speed you in your work to-day ! You , my French brethren , descendants ofj ' an ancient warlike race , have pitched your Masonic tent in a land of commerce . May you increase and prosper in those great truths and

teachings which are so well calculated to cement the harmony of two great nations . There have unfortunately been times when the links in the chain of harmony have been broken . I trust it may not be so again ; the rivets that secure them seem more strongly welded now . I read a few days ago in the Times newspaper a letter signed by Mr . M . Bentham Edwards , where he says : — " It has been my privilege to spend months , nay , years , at a time under French roofs , alike in Eastern and Western France ; among Catholics and Protestants , advanced Republicans , faithful adherents of the Empire , and of the House

of Orleans ; and I have never found ( setting aside political and commercial interests ) any feeling but that of the warmest sympathy for England . " And he concludes thus : — " We are better liked because we are better understood than formerly ; that is the simple truth of the matter . But we must live in France , and break bread at many a hospitable French board , before we realise how alike in matters moral , intellectual , and social , the great , generous , unforgetting heart of the noble French nation is with us , knit in bonds which neither false steps in diplomacy nor selfish commercial interests can

ever displace , much less sever . " And I agree with him , and believe that Freemasonry will do more to connect and continue this interchange of good feeling and social intercourse than other means that can be offered . But I feel that I have now claimed your attention long enough , and I thank you for giving me your ear a little space . I have spoken to you with every desire to impress upon your minds the fraternal good will which actuates us as English Masons in greeting brethren from another land . 1 shall

always cherish and look with interest upon your efforts for the Craft in this your English Lodges . For half a century I have been attached to the Order , and I have seen nothing connected with it to exceed in interest our labours of to-day ; and in heart and soul my benison is with you . In conclusion , as yourlodge goes on , speak no angry words , forlife is too brief for aught but brotherly love . Seek to hide a brother ' s faults ; remember , gentle words revive the heart , and ofttimes mend friendship ' s broken chain , and cause the afflicted to forget his sorrows . Thus walk , my brethren , in your Masonic course :

" And live in Love , and do To all what good you can ; And if a brother's heart ' s sincere Give him your hand ; be not severe On little faults or trifles here ; The Heart ' s the Man ' . "

The ceremony was then proceeded with to the end , and Bro . Col . Clerke afterwards installed Bro . E . H . Thiellay , as W . M ., and the following brethren were invested as officers ; Bros . E . Monteuuis , S . W . ; H . Bue , J . W ., L . A . Mesrouze , Sec . ; Dubois , S . D . ; Cadiot , J . D . After the delivery of the addresses by Bro . Col . CLERKE , the W . M ., Bro .

E . H . THIELLAY , said he had thehonourof testifying the Lodge La France ' s high appreciation of the great honour which it had received b y the presence of the eminent and distinguished brethren commissioned b y H . R . H . the Most Worshipful Grand Master for its consecration . He had therefore the privilege of proposing them as honorary members .

This was seconded by the S . W ., Bro . MONTEUUIS , and Bros . Col . Clerke , Fenn , Grey , Ambrose Hall , Frank Richardson , and H . C . Levander were unanimonsly elected honorary members . Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE returned thanks for himself and the other

Consecration Of La France Lodge, No. 2060.

Grand Officers . He said it had been a great pleasure for them to be present , and they wished La France Lodge all prosperity . The W . M . then said that he desired to offer his most sincere and heartfelt thanks to W . Bro . Frank Richardson for the great personal interest he had so kindly taken in the formation of La France Lodge . He also expressed his warmest thanks to the W . M . ' s and brethren of the Tuscan and St .

Andrew ' s Lodges respectively for their valuable support on their behalf , and begged to propose as honorary members Bro . W . Jarvis , G . Steward , W . M . of the Tuscan Lodge , No . 14 , and Bro . Finnis , W . M . of the St . Andrew ' s Lodge , No . 231 . This was seconded by Bro . MONTEUUIS , and carried unanimously . The SECRETARY then read a list of applicants as joining members and candidates for initiation .

The brethren afterwards sat down to a choice banquet . After the toast of "The Queen and the Craft , " the next toast , that of " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " was given by the W . M ., who said unfortunately he had not the eloquence to adequately dwell on such an illustrious name , but he would assert that his Royal Highness gloriously reigned not only in every Englishman's heart , but also in every right thinking Frenchman ' s breast .

The W . M . said the next toast he had the honour to propose was " Our Country , La France , " with which he coupled the name of President Monsieur Grevy . Might the " Union Jack and Tricolour , " as there present , ever be entwined with the closest bonds of honour and intimate brotherly love for ever .

The W . M . then proposed the toast of " The Consecrating Officers . " It was superfluous for him to appeal to their appreciation of such an imposing ceremony , for he was convinced every one present would be fully conversant with its solemnity and impressive dignity . Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLARKE responded , and said it had been a great

pleasure for them to give their services , and they were gratified to learn that those services were appreciated . He would then give them the toast of " The First Master of the Lodge , Bro . Thiellay . " They had picked out a brother whom they delighted to honour . He had filled numerous offices with great credit , and he asked the brethren to unite with him in doing honour to so worthy a brother .

Bro . THIELLAY , in reply , said he thanked them most heartily for the honour bestowed upon him that day , and he trusted that the evening's proceedings would inaugurate a perpetual and uninterrupted existence of brotherly love and prosperity to La France Lodge . The W . M . then proposed " The Healths of the W . Ms , of the " Tuscan " and " St . Andrew ' s " Lodges , Bros . Jarvis and Finis , who had so kindly given them their conjoined support . Bros . J ARVIS and FINIS responded .

The next toast was that of " The Visitors . " They had the presence of many distinguished visitors on that auspicious occasion . He coupled the toast with the name of Bro . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , Grand Registrar of England , and Bro . Hopkinson , P . M . of the Tuscan Lodge . Bro . PHILBRICK , in the course of an eloquent reply , remarked that he thought the W . M . would be overawed by the number of brethren who

would rise in response , but it was due to their hospitality that the number was so large . He wished a brilliant future to La France Lodge , and hoped , in the language of John Gilpin , that he might be there to see it . He thanked them for the privilege of being present , and hoped the career of La France Lodge would be represented by those two banners which they saw of France and England , which carried the blessings of civilization to the

utmost quarters of theglobe . He could not torget that it lacked only a few years of 200 when a representative of his family came to this country from France as a refugee for his religion , and he was proud of it . The principle which was prominent in the Masonic life from its commencement was equality . They recognised that principle in all their ceremonies and

relations with each other , but they equally recognised the principle of order and respect and reverence for those placed in authority over them . That feeling did not weaken the bond of fellowship , but tended to cement the ties of brotherly love . In conclusion , he could imagine no better reason for the existence of such a lodge as they had met to inaugurate that evening , than the union of members of one nationality .

The toast of " The Charitable Institutions " followed , coupled with the name of Bro . Frederick Binckes , Secretary to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . Bro . BINCKES responded . The next toast was "The Officers of the Lodge , theS . W ., Bro . Monteuuis , Past Grand Steward , whom the W . M . hoped to see in the East when the time came round , so that they might have the full benefit of his Masonic abilities ;

the J . W ., Bro . Bue , who was a constant attendant ' at the celebrated Lodge of Emulation , and from whom they expected to be closely scrutinised and benefited in their workings ; the Secretary , Bro . Mesrouze , quite a veteran Scribe , who had greatly exerted himself preparatory to that auspicious event ; the Senior Deacon , Bro . Dubois , to whom he first communicated the question of forming La France Lodge ; and the J . D ., Bro . Cadiot , the originator of

the Societie Nationale Francaise " in London , with a roll of 1400 members , and from which society only , according to bye-laws , they anticipate to receive aspirants to the Lodge La France . There was also Bro . Coiffier , whom he hoped to invest as Treasurer at next meeting . He asked the brethren to respond heartily to that toast , because they represented the actual and future vitality of the La France Lodge .

Bro . MONTEUUIS responded in a very able speech , in which he referred to the pleasure he had in founding the " Societie Nationale Francaise . " Although the principal part of his life had been spent in England , and his material interests centered in this country , he was proud of his nationality , and hoped that if his children became , as he had , citizens of this great country , they would never forget that they had French blood in their veins . The S . W . ( Bro . BUE ) and other officers also responded .

l'he toast of "'Ihe Press ' was next given by the W . M ., to which , he said , they were indebted for the perfection of Masonic truth , as well as for the dissemination of its Masonic lore . This toast having been responded to , that of the Tyler ' s was then given , which closed the enjoyable proceedings of the day . The lodge was furnished b y Bro . George Kenning .

Among those present , in addition to those who took part in the consecration , were R . W . Bros . F . A . Philbrick , Grand Registrar ; Lieut .-Col . Somerville-Burney , Past Grand Deacon ; T . Cubitt , P . G . Purst . ; F . Binckes , P . G . Steward ; George Kenning , P . G . D . Middlesex . ; A . Pendlebury ; Jarvis , W . M . Tuscan Lodge ; Finis , W . M . St . Andrew ' s Lodge ; Neville Green ; W . Lake P . P . G . Reg . Cornwall ( Freemason ) , and others .