Consecration Of The Amity Chapter, No. 171.

CONSECRATION OF THE AMITY CHAPTER , No . 171 .

The following oration was delivered by the Rev . Bro . A . F . A . Woodford , P . G . C . : — M . E . and V . W . Consecrating Officer : As once again we assemble under the authority of our Royal Head to consecrate another Royal Arch Chapter , we all feel I think sir , not only how " good" it is for us

' "to be here , " but what a pleasure and privilege it is for us who are present to be permitted to take part once more in this most interesting ceremony of Royal Arch consecration . One characteristic of Freemasonry is , that the more we know of it the more we have to admire and applaud its kindly teaching and bcnificent sentiments ; the ^ more we are enabled to enter into the real meaning , the esoteric force of many an abstruse sign or symbol , and thus

by degrees are aided to master beauties and realities hidden from , the unobservant within , and the sciolist without . We are met , sir , then , to consecrate the Amity Chapter , as connected with the good old lodge of "Amity , " and then to bring before ourselves virtually and practically that grade which is the apogee of Craft Masonry , setting before us a complete system , a perfect and harmonious whole full of meaning and reality to all intelligent and loyal Craftsmen .

Without the teaching and illumination of this Sublime Degree our Craft system would be fragmentary and imperfect , but now as we contemplate it in its entirety and consummation , we see how order and harmony reign through all its sections , how wisdom , strength , and beauty animate , cement , and crown the whole building . Yes , sir , that building thusstandsout at last clearand perfected before us , which faithful and laborious Craftsmen have raised with

so much toil , fidelity , and zeal through so many generations of mankind .. Indeed , it is impossible for the superficial observer , much less for the careful student marking the path of Masonic life and history , not to be sensibly struck with the onward progress of that remarkable Society of ours , which defying alike Imperial and Papal persecutions , resisting alike "decay ' s effacing fingers" and the " encroaching hand of time , " seems to gather new life and

fresh powers as time runs on , and to be preserved from the inevitable disruption of almost all earthly institutions , by its inherent excellence of teaching , object , and outcome . We need not however , sir , pursue at too great a length such thoughts and considerations as these , which are both obvious and familiar , have often been adverted to before , and which too often repeated by the orator become trite and wearisome from their very triteness . And it seems to

me , sir , that the very name of the chapter about to be consecrated suggests to us some appropriate thoughts and topics quite enough to occupy our short remaining time . The Amity Chapter by its very name reminds us of that great truth and reality of our Masonic fellowship , I mean friendship , which so endears our old familiar friends in lodge and chapter to us , so enlivens many a cheerful gathering , and charms and cheers so many " sojourners " here , as

they pass on from mystic Babylons on earth through grave assemblies and pleasan thai ting places to thatjerusalem which is above , and which is the mother of us all . Friendship has been termed a " boon from heaven to man , " and Masonic friendship has greatly tended to diffuse amongst our lodges and chapters a serene spirit of amity and affection . Nothing , indeed , so much as friendship has succeeded in softening and ameliorating the trials and cares of this

sublunary scene , that interchange of thought , sympathy , and interest , that link of friendly concern and vital goodwill which soften life ' s ruggedest path for us all , and strews it even with flowers of pleasant hue and attractive grace . Like the "strangers" whom we hear of , we also seem like them to long for some friendly aid , some protecting arm , we it find both unexpectedly , yet assuredly , as they found , it in our Masonic chapters often ; and like as

they were rewarded for faithful toil and patient industry , so we shall also at the proper time and in due course , and realize as they did that the result of duty performed , dangers braved , at any cost , at any hazard , is for us here , in the good Providence of T . G . A . O . T . U ., heartfelt sympathy and admiring appreciation . To us , sir , then the words amity , friendship , sympathy , consideration , goodwill , are household words in our Masonic teaching and

terminology . From the moment we see the light of Freemasonry as trembling neophytes , until the hour when weare admitted to the illuminating truths of this Sublime Degree , we find , unless we have chanced to light upon a lodge or a chapter not truly imbued with Masonic precepts , what a charm and a meaning Masonic friendship has for us all who invoke its k ; ndly name and share in its benevolent developements . Some of us can recall many pleasant hours

of Masonic intercourse and amity to-day ; many of us can tell how in different climes and in distant lands we found the same good old system at work , listened to the same cheery and familiar utterances , and were welcomed and speeded on our way , wanderers , sojourners , loiterers on the earth ' s surface , with the same unselfish demonstrations of general sympathy and warm-hearted friendship . There are , I think , few of us who cannot and must not admit that

whatever else of what is true , right , and of good report , they have learned in Freemasonry , there is certainly one great fact they have realized , namely , the lasting influence they have experienced amid its pleasant and engaging circles of true Masonic friendship , growing warmer even as they themselves grow older and colder , and only failing them when they in turn have to leave kindliest sociality or gravest resDonsibilities . and their nlare

on earth and in chapter knows us no more . Is not this the reason , sir , that we are able to discern why it is that Freemasonry to-day , despite the turbid torrent of often tumultous years , ceaselessl y attacked by angry incrimination , childish persecution . or impotent ridicule , still passes on its way unharmed and unheeding ; still is none the worse for Allocution or Interdict ; and never ceases under any provocation to be patient and tolerant , smiling and serene .

ihe angry passions and violent utterances of men do not stop the assured and stately march of our Masonic Order as , including within its ample fold men of different countries , sects , and opinions , it conciliates the firmest amity and union amongst far-off nations and differing personalities of mankind . And , more , than this , undeterred in

proclaiming in gentlest , if in straightforward , tones its homely and benignant truths , it is still happily unsilenced , and is at this very moment more prosperous , more active , more living fthan ever . For it stands upon its own sacred foundations of Cosmopolitan sympathy , teaching , andxomprehension . Reverence for God , love for the'Brotherhood ,

Consecration Of The Amity Chapter, No. 171.

still ¦ are its ^ watchwords , even when exposed to idle and foolish attacks from this section of society or that , or of the so-called "religious world ; " and in the future , as in the past , it will simply rely on itself , the truth of its own professions , the reality of its own efforts , and the powers of an undaunted and unchanging declaration of the allimportant principles of Loyalty , Charity , Justice , Honour , Liberty of Conscience , Toleration , Truth , and Right . So

long , sir , as English Freemasonry continues true to its own programme and its ancient principles , it has nothing to fear from the " strife of tongues , " or the angry virulence and impertinences of unceasing adversaries . It will most certainly " move on " peacefully , pursuing its allotted pathway , making its mission more widely known , more extensively beneficial . May the Chapter of Amity you are about , sir , to consecrate to-day be successful , both in its

commencement and its continuous career , an ornament to our Order , and helpful to our Brotherhood and mankind . The teaching and tenets of Royal Arch Masonry are so striking and so valuable in themselves , so important in their ' effects , and so sound in their moral bearing , that they are certain to commend themselves to the loyal attachment of all present and future companions of the chapter . May all of good attend the Amity Chapter , I repeat , in that Masonic life which begins to-day , and may you , sir , rejoice

to think that the work you have undertaken and completed will redound to the credit of English Royal Arch Masonry , and of that great Order of which you represent the supreme authority amongst us . From the selection of the presiding and other officers , we shall all augur well for the efficiency and progress of this new chapter , and may the principles of Masonic amity ever prevail amongst its members , rendering it , whether many or few members , a happy , contented , harmonious chapter , because , in entire verity and reality , a " Band of Brothers . "

Annual Statement Of Account, Supreme Council, 33°

ANNUAL STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT , SUPREME COUNCIL , 33 °

The following statement speaks so eloquently in favour of the financial management of Supreme Council , that , in laying it before our readers , we think it better to add no comment whatever . The Treasurer-General in account with the Supreme

Council , 33 , 1 st July , 1 S 84 . Dr . RECEIPTS . To Balance in Bank , 1 st July , 18 S 3 jC-fS' 15 7 Do . with Treasurer 2130 Since Received 1933 6 10

j & 243 < 5 5 5 EXPENDITURE . Cr . By City Charity Donations jC 2 lS lf > ' „ Purchase of Stock 630 o o „ „ „ Books 7 9 S

„ „ „ Furniture 220 „ Payments for Salaries , Rent , Printing , Establishment ( including Repairs ) , & c . 1264 3 o „ Balance in Bank 313 5 2 „ „ . with Treasurer o 10 6

£ 2436 5 5 Examined and found correct . ¦ ( Signed ) H . S . SOMERVILLE BURNEY , 33 ° . FRANK RICHARDSON , 32 . GEORGE LAMBERT , 32 ° . ( Signed ) H . CLERK , 33 , Treasurer-General , 33 , Golden-square , London , W ., 1 st July , 1 S 84 .

BALANCE-SHEET , IST J , 18 S 4 . ASSETS . To Cash in London and Westminster Bank ... £ 313 5 2 „ „ hands of Treasurer o 10 6

» * 9 oo Madras Railway Stock 5 p . c . ( cost ) 1007 5 o „ Madras Railway Debenture Stock , 3 ^ p . c . 800 o o „ £ 1200 Russian Bonds , 5 p . c ., 1 S 71 ( cost ) 11 S 9 10 o

„ £ 10003 p . c . Consols ( cost ) 9 62 10 o » £ 7 Queensland 4 p . c . Bonds 709 2 6 „ £ 2000 Cape of Good Hope Stock , 4 J p . c . ( COSt ) 2021 0 O

£ 600 New South Wales 4 p . c . Bonds ... 613 10 o „ £ 600 New South Wales Inscribed Stock 630 o o „ Furniture and Appointments ( valued at ) 1842 5 1 „ Library ( estimated ) 235 S 3 11

„ Plate ( valued at ) 393 5 o „ Organ ( cost ) 3 °° o o „ Leases—33 , Golden-square 635 10 o 2 , Upper John-street 925 o o Masonic Hall 1000 o o Cellarage ... 5 °° ° °

£ 16 , 200 7 2 LIABILITIES . By Compounders , 31 ° , 32 , and 33 — 1 S 6 Members £ 413 4 ° Do . 30 —3 S 6 Members ... 692 4 o 110 5 8 ° Balance , being Capital 15 , 094 19 2

£ 16 , 200 7 2 Examined with the books and found correct . ( Signed ) ROBT . MACKIE , Public Accountant . 7 th July , 1884 . 8 , Old Jewry , E . C .

An American Masonic Birthday.

AN AMERICAN MASONIC BIRTHDAY .

The poet sings of his birthright as being immeasurably superior to that of kings ; but how far superior is the birth of a candid man when compared to the selfishness which actuates a large portion of the human race ! Freemasonry has taught its votaries the value of respect and the richness of age when it is associated with a life of usefulness . These thoughts were suggested by a little episode which

occurred on Tuesday evening , the 30 th ult . The brethren of Lodge of Antiquity , No . n , realizing the truth that to him who has been with them during the struggles of many years belonged a tribute of appreciation , resolved to manifest that appreciation in a substantial manner . Accordingly , on the evening referred to , W . Bro . Adolph C . Wolt , Master , accompanied by Bros . John S . Miller , S . W . ; Wm . E . Bergman , J . W . ; W . Bro . Thos . J . Githens , and Bros .

An American Masonic Birthday.

J . Hyatt Reynolds , Robert C . Green , Wm . S . Miller , Daniel Myers , and A . Williams , of Antiquity Lodge ; W . Bros . Wm . Boeckel , of Acacia Lodge , and Clarence H . Crysley , of George Washington Lodge , repaired to the residence of W . Bro . Isaac Simonson , one of the oldest Past Masters , and for several years the highly esteemed Secretary of old Antiquity Lodge , and gave him a genuine

surprise party , the occasion being his fifty-seventh birthday-Bro . Simonson , after the labours of the day , and having partaken of the evening meal , was preparing to spend the evening in the bosom of his family , when there came a ring at the door-bell , on answering which , there was handed in an immense bouquet of exquisite flowers , the gift of Bro . Charles Ackerman .

After the bouquet had been duly admired by all , another ring at the door-bell admitted the above-named brethren , each bearing a present of some kind , either in a solid or fluid state , after the manner of surprise parties in general . Last , but not least } came W . Bro . Githens , bearing in his arms , like a baby , an immense Bologna sausage , weighing twenty pounds , prepared expressly for the occasion by Bro .

George Kraft . On cutting open the sausage there was discovered embedded therein a neat parcel , which was found to contain a dozen extra fine handkerchiefs , the discovery of which caused much merriment , especially among the ladies present . But the denouement was yet to come . This consisted in the presentation to Bro . Simonson by W . Bro . Wolf , on behalf of the lodge , of a magnificent

ebony cane with a gold head , elegantly chased and engraved with an appropriate inscription . Bro . Simonson is very seldom caught napping , and it has been his boast that he is always equal to the emergency ; but on this occasion he was forced to admit , like Captain Cuttle , that he was " took aback completely . " It is needless to say that the entire

affair was exceedingly pleasant , and was greatly enjoyed by all present . It gives us pleasure to note events of this character ; and in this particular case of our old friend and long-time coadjutor , the pleasure is greatly increased . We wish him " many more of 'em , " especially the " triplets . "—New York Dispatch .

Masonic Service And Harvest Festival At St. Simon And St. Jude's Church, Manchester.

MASONIC SERVICE AND HARVEST FESTIVAL AT ST . SIMON AND ST . JUDE'S CHURCH , MANCHESTER .

On Sunday , the inst ., a special evening service was held in this church , the amounts collected at the offertories being divided between the Churchwardens' Fund and the East Lancashire Systematic , Educational , and Benevolent

Institution . The idea of holding such a service emanated from members of the Caledonian Lodge , No . 204 , one of whose members—the Rev . Phillip Hains , rector of St . George's , Wigan—consented to preach the sermon in the evening , whilst Bro . the Rev . Robert Hammond Cotton , M . A ., B . Sc . London ( curate in charge ) , preached the morning sermon , and delivered a short address in the

afternoon , the church was really beautifully decorated with choice fruit and flowers . The reading desk was tastefully enlivened with wreaths of corn and flowers ; the pulpit was covered with apples , neatly fastened to the woodwork , and in front of the pews set apart for the choir—29 in number —as well as the front of the communion railings , some line specimens of vegetable marrows , cauliflowers , potatoes ,

plums , apples , and peas were placed , the whole forming a delightful " coup d'oeil . " At the afternoon service Bros . Seymour Jackson and J . Whittaker , Misses Sallie Conway and Alice Wolstenholme sang solos , duets , and quartettes from the " Creation , " "Elijah , " "Judas Maccabeus , " and " Stabat Mater , " each " morceau" being prefaced bv a few remarks from

the Rev . Bro . Cotton . Ail the various "morceaux" were delightfully rendered , and were listened to by a most attentive and appreciative congregation . Previous to the commencement of the evening service , a number of brethren , mostly members of the Caledonian Lodge , met in the Schoolroom , where a Craft lodge was formally opened , after which the brethren marched in

procession to thechurch , arrayed in their regalia—leave to wear the same having been previously applied for and granted by special dispensation . At 6 . 30 , when Divine service commenced , the church was quite full , there being scarcely a vacant seat . The anthem " Behold how good and joyful " was nicely sung by members of the choir , assisted by three ladies .

The Rev . Phillip Hains took for his text the 22 nd verse of the 34 th chapter of Exodus— "And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks and the first fruits of wheat harvest , and the feast of ingatheringat the year ' s end . "—and , after remarking upon the glorious harvest which we had this year been favoured with , went on to exhort his congregation to accept this blessing with thankful hearts , and to bear in mind that although man might sow and reap , yet the actual

maturing , perfecting , and ripening of the crops laid with I . G . A . O . T . U ., to whom thanks and praise should be given . The service concluded with the singing of a harvest thanksgiving and processional hymn , after which the brethren returned to the Schoolroom , and the lodge was closed . Subsequently Bro . the Rev . R . Cotton thanked the brethren for attending the services , and stated that several cf his parishoners had

expressed to him their pleasure at seeing so many of the brethren present . The offertories during the day amounted to £ 24 . ' the following members of the Craft attended : Bros . J . Roberts , P . M . 204 , P . G . D . C . ; T . Sawer , W . M . 204 ; H . Paulden , S . W . 204 ; J . Cliffe , J . W . 204 ; S . tSramwell , I . G . 204 ; R . A . Eldershaw , P . M ., D . C . 204 ; D . Conway , Treas . 204 ; J . Pass , 204 ; Rev . R . H . Cotton , 204 ; H . Guthrie , 204 ; Rev . Phillip Hains , 204 ; Edwd .

Clay , P . M . 204 ; J . Bladon , P . M . 317 , P . P . G . Director of Ceremonies ; A . B . Outram , W . M . 1052 ; W . Bynay , VV . M . 1 C 33 ; W . Batt , 152 ; R . G . Green , 1633 ; J . A . Vincent , 145 S ; R . Walker , S . W . 1052 ; B . Blair , S 15 ; S . Ayland , 1134 ; J . Holroyd , 1134 ; R . Dutton , 2 S 7 ; C . West , 1 ; John Cantrill , 152 ; S . Renshaw , ¦ 722 ; G . M . Williams , 1055 ; James Moors , 1459 ; W .

H . Wiblington , 7 S ; A . B . Whittaker , P . M . 1 G 33 ; J . Hill , P . M . 1052 ; F . Lever , J . D . 1219 ; J . Allitt , 5 S 1 ; and R . R . Lisenden , J . W . 317 { Freemason ) . The "Lewises" who carried the volume of the Sacred Law were Masters R . 11 . Cotton , H . L . Roberts , F . Eldershaw , and E . Bagnall . Bro . Henry Paulden , S . W . 204 , read the lessons .