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Article CONSECRATION OF THE CRICHTON LODGE, No. 1646. ← Page 2 of 3 Article CONSECRATION OF THE CRICHTON LODGE, No. 1646. Page 2 of 3 Article CONSECRATION OF THE CRICHTON LODGE, No. 1646. Page 2 of 3 →
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Consecration Of The Crichton Lodge, No. 1646.
Lodge occupied a prominent position in the lodge-room . Bro . J . Hervey , in commencing tbe proceedings , said it was only five weeks before that in the same building he had been called upon to consecrate and instal the 'Worshipful Master of
the Rose Lodge , but since then he had con secrated another lodge , and that day , vvitli the assistance of Bro . the Rev . R . J . Simpson , he was again amongst them for the purpose of acting as Installing Master of the Crichton Lodge , No . 1646 . That in itself showed the rapidity ol
their proceedings , and how persons now appreciated the great princip les of Freemasonry , and how ready they were to receive its benefits , as they all knew that they were naturally calculated to confer benefits upon mankind . Looking back to the statistics of the Craft for some years
he found that when the numbers of vacant lodges were closed up in 1863 there were then but 942 lodges on the roll of the Grand Lodge of England , while up to the 9 th of November last the number was 16 49 , or an increase of 707 lodges , or something like an average increase of
about 50 lodges every year during that period . It was true that during that time several lodges had been removed from the register of the Grand Lodge of England , which arose in consequence of some of them having become extinct , but the great bulk of them were colonial lodges , although
seceding from the English roll had joined Grand Lodges in those colonies between 1863 and the present year , but in 1876 there were no less than 164 9 lodges m active woiking order under the Grand Lodge of England . ( Hear hear . ) That was a great increase in the number
of new lodges , and he trusted on behalf of that Craft that they loved so well , that so long as those lodges were properly conducted , and they acted together as Masons , that they would be glad to see them continue to increase in number . ( Hear hear . ) He wished he could say as much
as regarded lodges in foreign countries , for he was sorry to say that their late increase in numbers did not bring with it a corresponding increase in respectability . It was well known that forsomo past that in France the Sacred Volume had been banished from their lodges , while in
some other French Lodges they would admit men whether they believed in the existence of a Supreme Being or not . Therefore , speaking entirely as an individual he thought it would be for the Grand Lodge of England to consider whether they would receive the members of
foreign lodges with that state of things before them . He spoke merely as a member of Grand Lodge , but he thought the time would come when they would seriously have to consider whether they would admit foreigners into their lodges as visitors , when they would not admit
members of their own lodges under similar terms . This was a subject which must occupy the attention of the Craft , and which we trust would necessarily demand their serious consideration . Having taking the first step to banish the Bible from their lodges , it was only
an easy step they were taking to admit those who had no belief" whatever in the existence of a Supreme Being . " Whatever these foreign lodges might do , whztever might be the men whom they chose to admit , he hoped no such step would be taken in this country , for if it was
so , it would strike at the very root and existence of Freemasonry , and then the sooner the Craft fell to the ground the better . He must say that he found it difficult to introduce new topics into his address , customary on such occasions , but there was one , a very strong one , and one that
was usually called charity . Now he contended that that was not solely limited to the giving of alms , but was a thing of a very different description . In talking of charity in their lectures they were told that " Happy is the man who had sown in his breast the seeds of benevolence ; he envieth not his
neighbour ; he believeth not the tale told by the slanderer ; he forgives the injuries of men , and endeavours to blot them from his recollection . Then let us remember that we are Free and Ac cepted Masons , ever ready to listen to him who claims our assistance , and from him who is in want let us not withhold the liberal hand . " Now the brethren would admit that there was an exposition of what was charity , of a far wider
Consecration Of The Crichton Lodge, No. 1646.
and more comprehensive range than merely putting their hands into their pockets and giving their money . It implied that charity meant that a man should not envy his neighbour for the superiority of his position , and on the
scriptural principle that if a man smote them on one cheek that they should turn to him the other , and this exposition further required them to forgive the injuries of ethers , and blot them out of their recollection . He wished also to adveit
to the benefits which were held out to parsons joining their Order , and the recent great accumulation of lodges , and it was tolerably well known that some now entered their society for the sake of what they could get out of it . Now he would tell them what a very old Mason said
to intn when one day they were talking of their charities , and giving them his own words , he said , " Brother Hervey , our charities are our greatest danger , for they induce men to come amongst us from interested motives , " and he felt there was great truth in the observation .
What took place at their charity festivals appeared in the newspapers on the following morning , and many a man who read it at once said that he should like to become a Mason , for if he died , his children might be got into the Masonic schools , that the wife might get a
pension after his death , and if he wanted anything while he was living he might get assistance from them . Those things might induce unworthy members to come amongst them , and therefore there was an absolute necessity for
brethren to be very careful whoir they introduce into their Order . No man ought to introduce another man into Freemasonry whom lis could not introduce into his own house , or any man who could not do credit to the Order to which
they belonged . He had at some lodges lately insisted on the impropriety of using blackballs , and an observation had latel y been made to him when he was attending an installation , that the Master was going to have a new set of officers , and one or two had ri ) 3 de up their minds that he
should have no work to do during his year of office . Now the fact was that one man who expected to be Senior Warden has to remain for the year as Junior Warden ) and others were only to have one step instead of two . Now that was a principle that cpuld not be too much
deprecated . Blackballing might be properly used , but it should never be used for the purposes of spite , malice , or any unworthy motives . After an opening prayer , and the reading of the petition and warrant , Bro . the Rev . R . J . Simpson , P . G . Chaplain , addressed the brethren , and said it had been his
privilege to assist at the consecration of many lodges in his early days , and to draw up an elaborate address ou such occasions , but lately he had given up that practice and confined himself to saying what came to his heart at the time , and as he was coming along that day the first consideration that occurred to him as
to the consecration of a new lodge was how it would stand in relation to the great and glorious past , which was the great boast of Freemasonry . The rev . brother having referred to the fidelity , endurance and suffering of their brethren of old , said coming
down to the middle ages , it was then that Freemasonry became a li ght , although a feeble one , in the progress of civilization , and ho remembered an old Masonic officer telling him that the Masons were the salvation of S pain , for he had seen much of that country , and the great trials of
men there who had suffered in those days . Passing on to W . Bro . Sir Christopher Wren , with his great army of Masons , he said he had set a noble example of character , but had wisely blended it with science . Such was worthy of imitation by the rulers in the Craft at
the present time . He would ask what was it that would keep up the high standard of Freemasonry , subject to observation , not only by the brethren of the Craft , but by the outer world ? Wh y it was essentially , good conduct , good working , and good feeling '
Their worthy brother in the chair ( Bro . J . Hervey ) had not said a word too much as regarded good candidates , for if they admitted men into their lod ges who were not worth y I men , they committed treason to the Craft . For himself he would not have his
Consecration Of The Crichton Lodge, No. 1646.
own brother in the flesh a member of his Iod ? if he thought instead of being an honour to it he would become an unworthy member . Thev wanted good government and men of hijrh character in the body of which they were mem bers , and he again said that any man who iritro !
duced an unworthy member was a traitor to the Craft and to the lodge to which he be ! oncr > Any man who took office in a lodge should * be prepared to carry it out with assiduity and accuracy , for nothing was more unsatisfactory than to see the work carried on in a slipshod manner
and therefore he trusted that the Crichton Lod ge would be a model to the Craft , and be the ad . miration of every brother who attended its working . xVbove all , let there be good feeling , for if they got a man who imported his private ' quarrels amongst the brethren factious feelings
would spring up , leading to unhappiness , if not to the dissolution of the lodge . He was struck with the observation of their Worshi pful Master in his opening address on the subject of charity , and he entirely agreed with what he said , for " charity sufTereth long and is kind
Charity envieth not , Charity vaunteth not itself , is not puffed up , doth not behave itself unseemly , seeketh not her own , is not easily provoked , thinketh no evil , rejoicethnot in ini quity , but rejoiceth in the truth ; beareth all things ' believeth all things , helpeth all things , and doeth all things . " There was no doubt some Mason ?
looked at Charity as limited to the giving of alms , but if it was limited to that , harmony would soon cease in the lodge , and there would then be but a mere scramble . for the good things to be obtained . Little quarrels should be left outside ; inside the lodge there should be
ease and peace , and they should readily grant to each brother what they wished for themselves . Life was too short for petty quarrels when a good future lay before them , and he could not but feel obliged to the Woishipful Master for his opportune , and well timed observations . He also thanked him for the manner in which he lid
spoken of English Freemasons , and he grieved to read the terrible changes contemplated with regard to their brethren in France . That country had gone through many troubles , but when it entered upon the perilous course of ignoring the existence of God , the great Founder of the
Universe , he ventured to say that she had many and much greater troubles in store for her , and when the subject came to be considered in the Crichton Lodge he believed that its voice would be heard with no uncertain sound . but would be to the honour of the Great Master Builder , as the author of their being , and the God whom they adored .
Several anthems having been sung , and portions of Scripture read by the Chaplain , — The Consecrating Officer made circuits three times round the lodge , each time sprinkling corn , wine , and oil , the operation being accompanied by the delivery of some appropriate moral
precepts . The Consecrating Officer then formally consecrated the lodge to God and his service , and the consecration ceremony was brought to a close by the brethren singing the following anthem : —
" Glory to God on high , Let Heaven and Earth reply , Praise ye his name ; Masons His love adore , Tiled in their mystic lore , Glory to God . So mote it be . " The ceremony of installation was then proceeded with , and the lodge being resumed to the Second Degree , Bro . J . H . Vockins , the iW . Master Designate , was presented to receive the benefit of installation . After the usual ceremonies
the lodge was resumed to the Third Degree , arid the brethren below the degree of an Installed Master were requested to retire . A Board of Installed Masters was then formed , and Bro . Vockins was installed into the chair of K . S . m the usual form . On the re-admission of the
brethren , and the customary salutes having been given , the W . Master appointed his officers as follows : —Bro . Middlemas , S . W . ; Griffiths . J . W . ; Mercer , Treas . ; Weeks , Sec ; Gardner , S . D . ; Goos , J . D . ; Voisey , I . G . ; Goldsmith , Steward } Geider , Tyler . Bro . J . Hervey then delivered the addresses
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The Crichton Lodge, No. 1646.
Lodge occupied a prominent position in the lodge-room . Bro . J . Hervey , in commencing tbe proceedings , said it was only five weeks before that in the same building he had been called upon to consecrate and instal the 'Worshipful Master of
the Rose Lodge , but since then he had con secrated another lodge , and that day , vvitli the assistance of Bro . the Rev . R . J . Simpson , he was again amongst them for the purpose of acting as Installing Master of the Crichton Lodge , No . 1646 . That in itself showed the rapidity ol
their proceedings , and how persons now appreciated the great princip les of Freemasonry , and how ready they were to receive its benefits , as they all knew that they were naturally calculated to confer benefits upon mankind . Looking back to the statistics of the Craft for some years
he found that when the numbers of vacant lodges were closed up in 1863 there were then but 942 lodges on the roll of the Grand Lodge of England , while up to the 9 th of November last the number was 16 49 , or an increase of 707 lodges , or something like an average increase of
about 50 lodges every year during that period . It was true that during that time several lodges had been removed from the register of the Grand Lodge of England , which arose in consequence of some of them having become extinct , but the great bulk of them were colonial lodges , although
seceding from the English roll had joined Grand Lodges in those colonies between 1863 and the present year , but in 1876 there were no less than 164 9 lodges m active woiking order under the Grand Lodge of England . ( Hear hear . ) That was a great increase in the number
of new lodges , and he trusted on behalf of that Craft that they loved so well , that so long as those lodges were properly conducted , and they acted together as Masons , that they would be glad to see them continue to increase in number . ( Hear hear . ) He wished he could say as much
as regarded lodges in foreign countries , for he was sorry to say that their late increase in numbers did not bring with it a corresponding increase in respectability . It was well known that forsomo past that in France the Sacred Volume had been banished from their lodges , while in
some other French Lodges they would admit men whether they believed in the existence of a Supreme Being or not . Therefore , speaking entirely as an individual he thought it would be for the Grand Lodge of England to consider whether they would receive the members of
foreign lodges with that state of things before them . He spoke merely as a member of Grand Lodge , but he thought the time would come when they would seriously have to consider whether they would admit foreigners into their lodges as visitors , when they would not admit
members of their own lodges under similar terms . This was a subject which must occupy the attention of the Craft , and which we trust would necessarily demand their serious consideration . Having taking the first step to banish the Bible from their lodges , it was only
an easy step they were taking to admit those who had no belief" whatever in the existence of a Supreme Being . " Whatever these foreign lodges might do , whztever might be the men whom they chose to admit , he hoped no such step would be taken in this country , for if it was
so , it would strike at the very root and existence of Freemasonry , and then the sooner the Craft fell to the ground the better . He must say that he found it difficult to introduce new topics into his address , customary on such occasions , but there was one , a very strong one , and one that
was usually called charity . Now he contended that that was not solely limited to the giving of alms , but was a thing of a very different description . In talking of charity in their lectures they were told that " Happy is the man who had sown in his breast the seeds of benevolence ; he envieth not his
neighbour ; he believeth not the tale told by the slanderer ; he forgives the injuries of men , and endeavours to blot them from his recollection . Then let us remember that we are Free and Ac cepted Masons , ever ready to listen to him who claims our assistance , and from him who is in want let us not withhold the liberal hand . " Now the brethren would admit that there was an exposition of what was charity , of a far wider
Consecration Of The Crichton Lodge, No. 1646.
and more comprehensive range than merely putting their hands into their pockets and giving their money . It implied that charity meant that a man should not envy his neighbour for the superiority of his position , and on the
scriptural principle that if a man smote them on one cheek that they should turn to him the other , and this exposition further required them to forgive the injuries of ethers , and blot them out of their recollection . He wished also to adveit
to the benefits which were held out to parsons joining their Order , and the recent great accumulation of lodges , and it was tolerably well known that some now entered their society for the sake of what they could get out of it . Now he would tell them what a very old Mason said
to intn when one day they were talking of their charities , and giving them his own words , he said , " Brother Hervey , our charities are our greatest danger , for they induce men to come amongst us from interested motives , " and he felt there was great truth in the observation .
What took place at their charity festivals appeared in the newspapers on the following morning , and many a man who read it at once said that he should like to become a Mason , for if he died , his children might be got into the Masonic schools , that the wife might get a
pension after his death , and if he wanted anything while he was living he might get assistance from them . Those things might induce unworthy members to come amongst them , and therefore there was an absolute necessity for
brethren to be very careful whoir they introduce into their Order . No man ought to introduce another man into Freemasonry whom lis could not introduce into his own house , or any man who could not do credit to the Order to which
they belonged . He had at some lodges lately insisted on the impropriety of using blackballs , and an observation had latel y been made to him when he was attending an installation , that the Master was going to have a new set of officers , and one or two had ri ) 3 de up their minds that he
should have no work to do during his year of office . Now the fact was that one man who expected to be Senior Warden has to remain for the year as Junior Warden ) and others were only to have one step instead of two . Now that was a principle that cpuld not be too much
deprecated . Blackballing might be properly used , but it should never be used for the purposes of spite , malice , or any unworthy motives . After an opening prayer , and the reading of the petition and warrant , Bro . the Rev . R . J . Simpson , P . G . Chaplain , addressed the brethren , and said it had been his
privilege to assist at the consecration of many lodges in his early days , and to draw up an elaborate address ou such occasions , but lately he had given up that practice and confined himself to saying what came to his heart at the time , and as he was coming along that day the first consideration that occurred to him as
to the consecration of a new lodge was how it would stand in relation to the great and glorious past , which was the great boast of Freemasonry . The rev . brother having referred to the fidelity , endurance and suffering of their brethren of old , said coming
down to the middle ages , it was then that Freemasonry became a li ght , although a feeble one , in the progress of civilization , and ho remembered an old Masonic officer telling him that the Masons were the salvation of S pain , for he had seen much of that country , and the great trials of
men there who had suffered in those days . Passing on to W . Bro . Sir Christopher Wren , with his great army of Masons , he said he had set a noble example of character , but had wisely blended it with science . Such was worthy of imitation by the rulers in the Craft at
the present time . He would ask what was it that would keep up the high standard of Freemasonry , subject to observation , not only by the brethren of the Craft , but by the outer world ? Wh y it was essentially , good conduct , good working , and good feeling '
Their worthy brother in the chair ( Bro . J . Hervey ) had not said a word too much as regarded good candidates , for if they admitted men into their lod ges who were not worth y I men , they committed treason to the Craft . For himself he would not have his
Consecration Of The Crichton Lodge, No. 1646.
own brother in the flesh a member of his Iod ? if he thought instead of being an honour to it he would become an unworthy member . Thev wanted good government and men of hijrh character in the body of which they were mem bers , and he again said that any man who iritro !
duced an unworthy member was a traitor to the Craft and to the lodge to which he be ! oncr > Any man who took office in a lodge should * be prepared to carry it out with assiduity and accuracy , for nothing was more unsatisfactory than to see the work carried on in a slipshod manner
and therefore he trusted that the Crichton Lod ge would be a model to the Craft , and be the ad . miration of every brother who attended its working . xVbove all , let there be good feeling , for if they got a man who imported his private ' quarrels amongst the brethren factious feelings
would spring up , leading to unhappiness , if not to the dissolution of the lodge . He was struck with the observation of their Worshi pful Master in his opening address on the subject of charity , and he entirely agreed with what he said , for " charity sufTereth long and is kind
Charity envieth not , Charity vaunteth not itself , is not puffed up , doth not behave itself unseemly , seeketh not her own , is not easily provoked , thinketh no evil , rejoicethnot in ini quity , but rejoiceth in the truth ; beareth all things ' believeth all things , helpeth all things , and doeth all things . " There was no doubt some Mason ?
looked at Charity as limited to the giving of alms , but if it was limited to that , harmony would soon cease in the lodge , and there would then be but a mere scramble . for the good things to be obtained . Little quarrels should be left outside ; inside the lodge there should be
ease and peace , and they should readily grant to each brother what they wished for themselves . Life was too short for petty quarrels when a good future lay before them , and he could not but feel obliged to the Woishipful Master for his opportune , and well timed observations . He also thanked him for the manner in which he lid
spoken of English Freemasons , and he grieved to read the terrible changes contemplated with regard to their brethren in France . That country had gone through many troubles , but when it entered upon the perilous course of ignoring the existence of God , the great Founder of the
Universe , he ventured to say that she had many and much greater troubles in store for her , and when the subject came to be considered in the Crichton Lodge he believed that its voice would be heard with no uncertain sound . but would be to the honour of the Great Master Builder , as the author of their being , and the God whom they adored .
Several anthems having been sung , and portions of Scripture read by the Chaplain , — The Consecrating Officer made circuits three times round the lodge , each time sprinkling corn , wine , and oil , the operation being accompanied by the delivery of some appropriate moral
precepts . The Consecrating Officer then formally consecrated the lodge to God and his service , and the consecration ceremony was brought to a close by the brethren singing the following anthem : —
" Glory to God on high , Let Heaven and Earth reply , Praise ye his name ; Masons His love adore , Tiled in their mystic lore , Glory to God . So mote it be . " The ceremony of installation was then proceeded with , and the lodge being resumed to the Second Degree , Bro . J . H . Vockins , the iW . Master Designate , was presented to receive the benefit of installation . After the usual ceremonies
the lodge was resumed to the Third Degree , arid the brethren below the degree of an Installed Master were requested to retire . A Board of Installed Masters was then formed , and Bro . Vockins was installed into the chair of K . S . m the usual form . On the re-admission of the
brethren , and the customary salutes having been given , the W . Master appointed his officers as follows : —Bro . Middlemas , S . W . ; Griffiths . J . W . ; Mercer , Treas . ; Weeks , Sec ; Gardner , S . D . ; Goos , J . D . ; Voisey , I . G . ; Goldsmith , Steward } Geider , Tyler . Bro . J . Hervey then delivered the addresses