Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The St. Dunstan's Lodge' No. 1589.
occurring to a brother Mason , of my heart and mind , as it may occur to me , for a very few minutes on the nature and principles of the Institution of which the present lodge is a hranch , the latest in the Order . Brethren , I do this on more accounts than one . Time is , with us in London , as vou all know , a valuable thing , and I am sorry to say of
late mine has been taken up in such a manner as not to admit of my giving more thought to this subject , but I feel that long apologies are unnecessary in one sense , because I see myself surrounded by Masons who , I have no doubt , are more experienced by far than myself , and are quite as sensible as , or more sensible than , I am of the nature , duties , and principles of that Order to which we have the
honour and happiness to belong . Though numbering now eight and twenty years as a Mason I feel that there are many Masons present in this room to whom I need say little to impress upon them and upon myself ( for I always in speaking to my brethren in whatever capacity 1 may have occupied , feel that I am also addressing myself ) the principles of Freemasonry . Brethren , in the first place ,
it is very natural that I should recur for a moment to that which has often been probably brought to your notice—I mean the manner in which the ceremonies and working of our lodges should be conducted . I have in the long period during which I have had the privilege of being a Mason been present at many lodges both in the north and south of England , and it has been my good fortune to be
present upon many occasions on which the ceremonies of our Order have been beautifully and admirably , and solemnly conducted ; and I have no hesitation in saying that the conduct of those ceremonies in such a manner has tended very materially , not only to impress upon the brethren the desirability of accuracy and well doing in whatever they take in hand—which is an excellent lesson for
life in general—but that the well conducting of those ceremonies has had a very material effect in conveying to the brethren the glorious principles which those ceremonies so eloquently embody . Brethren , it has been my misfortune too , to be present in lod ges where the ceremonies have been done in what I will say , not is very elegant , but in very expressive phrase , a very slipshod manner ;
and when done so , I need scarcely say that they have exposed our venerable Order , not merely to the ill repute of being unequal to its office , but have positively brought it into ridicule . The effect of a grand ceremony badly done is in my opinion far worse than if no ceremony was done at all ; it leaves the mind of the hearers in a most unsatisfactory state , and that which was to be held up to
veneration becomes a matter of ludicrous comment . It is related of a great archbishop of Milan , when passing through the galleries of one of the great painters in Florence , surrounded by a ' magnificent retinue , and clad in his robes of office , that the students occupying the galleries looked up with veneration and admiration to the great prelate . But unhappily he paused before one picture , and
thinking he understood painting as well as ecclesiastical authority and learning , gave unhappily a comment which turned the awe and admiration of the students into a loud burst of laughter ; in fact , their veneration was converted into ridicule at the ludicrous attempt to express an opinion on the subject of which the archbishop was ignorant . So it is with our ceremonies when
ill done ; and I hope , brethren , that this lodge may follow rtie ' example of , and may emulate , the Emulation Lodge , in endeavouring to carry out the ceremonies of our Order in that accurate and solemn manner , which befits the high principles embodied in them , and which , as I have said before , conveys such deep lessons to us all . And , brethren , let me also say that not only in the lodjjc but out of it .
must we endeavour to carry out the princi ples which we more or less pledge ourselves to , by being associated thus together . We must remember that ' all signs that have not something signified in them are empty signs , and that when we adopt those signs , those symbols , those high principles which they embody without carrying them out into action , we are like the form of ourselves without
its life , which is simply dead to everything around . I am quite sure that in the present day , as a great statesman within a few days or a few hours has stated in regard to the great City Companies of London . I am quite satisfied that Freemasonry is on its trial at this hour , as a great body of men who profess certain principles . And of course I Beed scarcely say to the brethren that
recent circumstances over which we all rejoi . e have brought out Freemasonry into the foreground more than ever in its history , and if a multitude of men seek to join our lodges let us see that those men be worthy of our choice ; let us see that they be men that shall illustrate the annals of Freemasonry in modern days , and be able to hand down to future generations the best heritage in the world , the
value of a good example and an honest name . I feel quite sure that in proportion 1 as we carry out the principles of our Order , so will it be raised in the eyes of mankind ; so will men wish to join it , not for any mercenary object , nay , not for any animal object ; but for the highest , the Irst , the noblest objects that can possibly exalt humanity , viz .. Glory to God , the Great Architect of the Universe , and
blessing to our fellow men , made by God , as well as we our selves in the Divine image . It is in this way that we shall raise our Order , and that we shall in proportion become independent , sir , of the sneers of faction , come from what quarter they may , and of the ridicule of men however high in authority . Whatever that authority may be we shall be able to give the quiet , calm denial of a good and steady example ; and when , perhaps , men attempt to
quote ancient times , and refer to names of men who have flourished in history , whether in Church or State , we may be able to show on our rolls a number of men who have not said , Let there he no light ; but who , following the Great Architect of the Universe when he brought into existence this planet on which we live , proclaimed aloud , Let there be light . Let there be ight on our business ; let there be light on our devotions * ;
Consecration Of The St. Dunstan's Lodge' No. 1589.
let there be light on all the transactions of our lives ; nay let there- be light upon our very recreations , so that we need not fear that Allseeing Eye ; and when we fear not that we need fear no sciutiny of man—poor man ! so that whether our lodge be meeting in one place or another , whether we be under one name or another , ancient or modern , let us seek to carry out that glorious motto so often sung in our
lodges , " Let there be light . " This lodge , as you know , brethren , rejoices in the name of the ancient saint , which distinguished this ancient parish . Let us seek now in our generation to preserve the blessings that have been handed down to us , and without in the slightest degree reflecting upon those who in former and in darker times had not the same advantages as ourselves , let us by
God ' s blessing seek to use the blessings we possess , and not only proclaim Let there be . light , but live as the sons of light . ( Applause . ) The Geremony was then proceeded with , and at the conclusion of the consecration Bro . John Charlton Dwarber , P . M . No . 55 , was installed by Bro . Terry as Master of the lodge in the presence of 31 Past Masters . The officers
invested were Bros . Walter Wellsman , S . W . ; H . W . Dalwood , J . W . ; Winthrop Mackworth Praed , Treasurer (" unanimously elected ); J . Tisley , Secretary ; John Dodson , S . D . ( Junior Deacon to be chosen at next meetincr ); Woodbridge , I . G . ; John Gilbert , Tyler ; and Bro . ' W . Maxwell , P . M . No . 8 , was invested as I . P . M . Bro . Wellsman moved , and Bro . Dalwood seconded , a vote of thanks
to and the election as honorary members of the lodge of Bros . Terry , R . J . Simpson , R . W . Little , Joseph Smith , and E . P . Albert , which was unanimonsly carried ; and Bras . Terry , Simpson , Smith , and Little having acknowledged the compliment , propositions for initiation and joining were taken , and the lodge was closed . A very choice banquet was afterwards provided by Bro . Clemow ,
the serving of which was admirably superintended by Bro . Smith , the manager of Anderton ' s Hotel . When this had been partaken of the toasts were proposed in due course . After proposing the toast of " The Queen and the Craft , " in which the W . M . alluded to Her Majesty as the daughter of a Mason , the mother of Masons , the mother-in-law of a Freemason , and a patroness of the Masonic
Institutions , he proceeded with the toast of " The M . W . G . M ., " and after regretting His Royal . Highness's absence , ' said that so important a Craft deserved , and it was necessary that it should have , a strong head and a firm hold , and these it could never have if its members did not feel respect and love for those who ruled over it . Fortunatel y this was the case with respect to the Prince of Wales and
the brethren of the Order , for the Prince of Wales was most popular in the Craft , who were fortunate in having such an enthusiastic Mason to rule over them . " The Pro Grand Master , the D . G . M ., & c , " were represented by Bro . the Rev . R . J . Simpson , P . G . C , who responded . In the course of his observations , wherein he said that he was not returning thanks merely as a matter of form for
brethren whom he was bound to reply for , but really for brethren who deserved and had obtained the respect of the Craft , he expressed much pleasure at the establishment of St . Dunstan ' s Lodge . He thought it | was one more link in the chain " of brotherhood , which at the present time was a very important thing ; important on two grounds , first , constitutionally , secondly , socially—constitutionally ,
because he felt that Masons represented that beautiful harmony that should exist between order and freedom , which probably was scarcely possessed by any other body which he was acquainted with . It hit a happy medium which brought down from the throne to thc peasant the idea that while we were perfectly free , while we had light to be thrown upon all things , there was to be respect for
authority , for order , and for all those things which alone could make society hold together in times of considerable danger . Again , he regarded it as a wonderful agency socially ; for , while we were divided as men by many things—by religious opinions , by political opinions , by private quarrels , by differences of tastes , by the thousand other things which acted upon us as men—Masonry
seemed , in the order of God ' s Providence , to bring us together and link us in such bonds that we began to consider how we might best agree , and how those sharp corners which continually rubbed against us in the busy affairs of life might be toned down with the pumice stone cf brotherly love till we were bound together . ( Hear , hear . ) Therefore , he thought it was a happy idea that parishes—those ancient
divisions which God protect in this land—should have their lodges . Next to the family unit came the parochial unit in England ; and whatever might be their opinions on other subjects , let them never give up that . He was glad to find Masonry backing up the idea ; and as long as they had good and worthy men among them who were acting in the legal divisions of parishes might they hope that
Masonry would unite them in another bond , in religions , in political and in social life , in everything which might lead to their happiness as men , and that might produce at last that best of all , happiness for which good men ever looked . Alderman Hadley also replied . The W . M . next gave " The Consecrating Officers , " and in reference to Bro . Terry , said that when that brother
called on him some years ago for a subscription for the Benevolent Institution he was so struck with him that he could not help telling Bro . Dwarber after Bro . Terry had gone that the old men and women would never starve while Bro . Terry collected the money for them . Regarding the ceremonies of the day he would only say that they had been most ably rendered by all the consecrating
officers . Bro . Terry replied , than ! ing the W . M . for the flattering terms he had used , and ! ¦ ating that it had given him great pleasure to perform the ceremonies . All the consecrating officers might congratulate themselves that the St . Dunstan ' s Lodge h ? . d started under such favourable auspices . Bro . Terry then proposed "The Health of the W . M . " The brethren had not placed in the chair a bro-
Consecration Of The St. Dunstan's Lodge' No. 1589.
ther incapable of performing his duties , for they had themselves witnessed what he could do when he invested his officers . Under his rule might St . Dunstan ' s Lodge progress . The W . M ., in reply , said that since he had been a Mason he had endeavoured to do his work earnestly , properly , and well . He had not lived to the age of sixty years
without knowing that it was perfectly impossible for the best man , however animated be might be by the most righteous intentions to please his brethren , to succeed in doing so . In his time he had found men go away from him , but ultimately come back to him , which was a great triumph , and this he said without any desbe to be ostentatious . Attimesyou could not act as men wished , simply from your own honest
convictions , but that was no reason why they should not be friends . He quite agreed with the Chaplain ' s remarks about parochial connections . Before starting this lodge , it occurred to him that he was living in a neighbourhood which was the very hotbed and nucleus of Freemasonry ; they were in the very centre of Freemasons , where they had been , inactive for a certain number of years . The
Masonrythere was lying dormant , and only wanted reviving , lie knew it , and those who acted with him knew it , and his desire was to resuscitate it , and to bring it into usefulness . There was no greater mischief surrounding the parochial system than that of not knowing each other ; and after living near one another for a long time , we often' asked the question when we became acquainted , Why did not we
know each other before ? Much misrepresentation was removed by such knowledge ; and we blamed ourselves frequently for not being the first to speak . Now , Masonry unsealed all this reticence , and in that parish he wanted to bring Masonry into play . He wanted to make the lodge a lodge of usefulness . The parish was one in which he had spent his best years , formed his dearest affections , where he was married , where his children had been born , and where
he hoped to die . His hea rt went with this lodge , and his best efforts would be used to make it serve the objects for which it was promoted . After giving " The Visitors , " the W . M . gave " The Charities , " for which Bro . Little replied ; " The Treasurer and Secretary " followed , Bro . Tisley responding . Bros . Wellsman and Dalwood replied for " The Officers , " and the Tyler ' s toast concluded the evening , which was enlivened by some beautiful singing and music by Bros . E . W . Mackney and Webb .
The Proposed Scottish Masonic Benevolent Institution.
THE PROPOSED SCOTTISH MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .
A SECOND APPEAL . To you my Scottish brethren of " the Mystic Tie" 1 must once more appeal . The year before last I issued to all lodges and chapters , & c , a scheme for a " Benevolent Institution for Scotland , " embracing the three branches ,.
viz ., Schools for Boys , Schools for Girls , Asylums and Annuities for Widows and Aged , together with an advanced scheme for students , at the several Universities . I need not here further recapitulate . The scheme is patronized by most of the Grand
Officebearers ; a greater part of the Provincial Grand Masters . There are numerous representatives scattered throughout Scotland , a list of whom will again shortly be published in the " Freemason ; " surely then we must suffer no more time to elapse , we must put our shoulders to the wheel and prove that we are Masons in deed , as well as in
name . Do not , my brethren , hang back for others to lead , be the leaders yourselves ; and though late in the field—though other countries are now before us—let us make up for lost time , and provide for the wants of those daily , yes hourly , crying to us for aid . Picture to yourselves your aged brethren reduced by no fault of their own to dire penury ,
perhaps without even a crust of bread to allay their fierce hunger . Think of the widows and orphans , who having lost their bread winners have been reduced from comparative comfort to abject misery and want . Let not their cry go up in vain ; come forward like honest men and Masons to the best of your ability , and soothe these aching hearts . Now is the time , while yet you are able , ere the fell season
arrives when you yourselves may be in such evil plight ; you know not what a day may bring forth . Soon , aye too soon , their lot may be yours . Brethren of Scotland , I have taken this opportunity to address you , as it seems very appropriate ; the year is yet young , and from the the Sister Kingdoms already bright auguries of the future are presenting themselves .
Many of you will remember that last year ( while traversing Scotland in behalf of this scheme ) I was enabled to lay before you the returns of the English , the Irish , and many foreign institutions of a similar character . At that time I was able to inform you of the wondrous deeds of the small country of Sweden and Ntrway , small in ' population ( 4 , 297 , 972 according to census of 1873 ) . Another
bright point I was able particularly to emphasize , viz ., the three great English charities which that time had received over £ 28 , 000 for the year , collectively , this amount far in excess of former years . Still even this magnificent donation was considered inadequate to the demand , and all wellwishers , all true Masons , were earnestly solicited to help . One answer has been given , and a worthy one .
I have before me the account of the anniversary of thc Benevolent Institution " for Widows and Aged , " this year a glorious total , over £ 9000 and lists yet to come in , an increase of £ 2000 over last year . May the Great Architect grant that this steady increase in one branch alone , may be permitted to the other two yet to come in .
I would mention one other fact . Lancashire , two simple provinces , after proceeding for their own special Institutions , has given over £ l $ oo to this one fund alone ; Lancashire and Scotland are much alike in population and general wealth—surely then Scotland could give at least £ 30 °° to the combined institutions . Every facility will be given to the poorest to contribute their mite .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The St. Dunstan's Lodge' No. 1589.
occurring to a brother Mason , of my heart and mind , as it may occur to me , for a very few minutes on the nature and principles of the Institution of which the present lodge is a hranch , the latest in the Order . Brethren , I do this on more accounts than one . Time is , with us in London , as vou all know , a valuable thing , and I am sorry to say of
late mine has been taken up in such a manner as not to admit of my giving more thought to this subject , but I feel that long apologies are unnecessary in one sense , because I see myself surrounded by Masons who , I have no doubt , are more experienced by far than myself , and are quite as sensible as , or more sensible than , I am of the nature , duties , and principles of that Order to which we have the
honour and happiness to belong . Though numbering now eight and twenty years as a Mason I feel that there are many Masons present in this room to whom I need say little to impress upon them and upon myself ( for I always in speaking to my brethren in whatever capacity 1 may have occupied , feel that I am also addressing myself ) the principles of Freemasonry . Brethren , in the first place ,
it is very natural that I should recur for a moment to that which has often been probably brought to your notice—I mean the manner in which the ceremonies and working of our lodges should be conducted . I have in the long period during which I have had the privilege of being a Mason been present at many lodges both in the north and south of England , and it has been my good fortune to be
present upon many occasions on which the ceremonies of our Order have been beautifully and admirably , and solemnly conducted ; and I have no hesitation in saying that the conduct of those ceremonies in such a manner has tended very materially , not only to impress upon the brethren the desirability of accuracy and well doing in whatever they take in hand—which is an excellent lesson for
life in general—but that the well conducting of those ceremonies has had a very material effect in conveying to the brethren the glorious principles which those ceremonies so eloquently embody . Brethren , it has been my misfortune too , to be present in lod ges where the ceremonies have been done in what I will say , not is very elegant , but in very expressive phrase , a very slipshod manner ;
and when done so , I need scarcely say that they have exposed our venerable Order , not merely to the ill repute of being unequal to its office , but have positively brought it into ridicule . The effect of a grand ceremony badly done is in my opinion far worse than if no ceremony was done at all ; it leaves the mind of the hearers in a most unsatisfactory state , and that which was to be held up to
veneration becomes a matter of ludicrous comment . It is related of a great archbishop of Milan , when passing through the galleries of one of the great painters in Florence , surrounded by a ' magnificent retinue , and clad in his robes of office , that the students occupying the galleries looked up with veneration and admiration to the great prelate . But unhappily he paused before one picture , and
thinking he understood painting as well as ecclesiastical authority and learning , gave unhappily a comment which turned the awe and admiration of the students into a loud burst of laughter ; in fact , their veneration was converted into ridicule at the ludicrous attempt to express an opinion on the subject of which the archbishop was ignorant . So it is with our ceremonies when
ill done ; and I hope , brethren , that this lodge may follow rtie ' example of , and may emulate , the Emulation Lodge , in endeavouring to carry out the ceremonies of our Order in that accurate and solemn manner , which befits the high principles embodied in them , and which , as I have said before , conveys such deep lessons to us all . And , brethren , let me also say that not only in the lodjjc but out of it .
must we endeavour to carry out the princi ples which we more or less pledge ourselves to , by being associated thus together . We must remember that ' all signs that have not something signified in them are empty signs , and that when we adopt those signs , those symbols , those high principles which they embody without carrying them out into action , we are like the form of ourselves without
its life , which is simply dead to everything around . I am quite sure that in the present day , as a great statesman within a few days or a few hours has stated in regard to the great City Companies of London . I am quite satisfied that Freemasonry is on its trial at this hour , as a great body of men who profess certain principles . And of course I Beed scarcely say to the brethren that
recent circumstances over which we all rejoi . e have brought out Freemasonry into the foreground more than ever in its history , and if a multitude of men seek to join our lodges let us see that those men be worthy of our choice ; let us see that they be men that shall illustrate the annals of Freemasonry in modern days , and be able to hand down to future generations the best heritage in the world , the
value of a good example and an honest name . I feel quite sure that in proportion 1 as we carry out the principles of our Order , so will it be raised in the eyes of mankind ; so will men wish to join it , not for any mercenary object , nay , not for any animal object ; but for the highest , the Irst , the noblest objects that can possibly exalt humanity , viz .. Glory to God , the Great Architect of the Universe , and
blessing to our fellow men , made by God , as well as we our selves in the Divine image . It is in this way that we shall raise our Order , and that we shall in proportion become independent , sir , of the sneers of faction , come from what quarter they may , and of the ridicule of men however high in authority . Whatever that authority may be we shall be able to give the quiet , calm denial of a good and steady example ; and when , perhaps , men attempt to
quote ancient times , and refer to names of men who have flourished in history , whether in Church or State , we may be able to show on our rolls a number of men who have not said , Let there he no light ; but who , following the Great Architect of the Universe when he brought into existence this planet on which we live , proclaimed aloud , Let there be light . Let there be ight on our business ; let there be light on our devotions * ;
Consecration Of The St. Dunstan's Lodge' No. 1589.
let there be light on all the transactions of our lives ; nay let there- be light upon our very recreations , so that we need not fear that Allseeing Eye ; and when we fear not that we need fear no sciutiny of man—poor man ! so that whether our lodge be meeting in one place or another , whether we be under one name or another , ancient or modern , let us seek to carry out that glorious motto so often sung in our
lodges , " Let there be light . " This lodge , as you know , brethren , rejoices in the name of the ancient saint , which distinguished this ancient parish . Let us seek now in our generation to preserve the blessings that have been handed down to us , and without in the slightest degree reflecting upon those who in former and in darker times had not the same advantages as ourselves , let us by
God ' s blessing seek to use the blessings we possess , and not only proclaim Let there be . light , but live as the sons of light . ( Applause . ) The Geremony was then proceeded with , and at the conclusion of the consecration Bro . John Charlton Dwarber , P . M . No . 55 , was installed by Bro . Terry as Master of the lodge in the presence of 31 Past Masters . The officers
invested were Bros . Walter Wellsman , S . W . ; H . W . Dalwood , J . W . ; Winthrop Mackworth Praed , Treasurer (" unanimously elected ); J . Tisley , Secretary ; John Dodson , S . D . ( Junior Deacon to be chosen at next meetincr ); Woodbridge , I . G . ; John Gilbert , Tyler ; and Bro . ' W . Maxwell , P . M . No . 8 , was invested as I . P . M . Bro . Wellsman moved , and Bro . Dalwood seconded , a vote of thanks
to and the election as honorary members of the lodge of Bros . Terry , R . J . Simpson , R . W . Little , Joseph Smith , and E . P . Albert , which was unanimonsly carried ; and Bras . Terry , Simpson , Smith , and Little having acknowledged the compliment , propositions for initiation and joining were taken , and the lodge was closed . A very choice banquet was afterwards provided by Bro . Clemow ,
the serving of which was admirably superintended by Bro . Smith , the manager of Anderton ' s Hotel . When this had been partaken of the toasts were proposed in due course . After proposing the toast of " The Queen and the Craft , " in which the W . M . alluded to Her Majesty as the daughter of a Mason , the mother of Masons , the mother-in-law of a Freemason , and a patroness of the Masonic
Institutions , he proceeded with the toast of " The M . W . G . M ., " and after regretting His Royal . Highness's absence , ' said that so important a Craft deserved , and it was necessary that it should have , a strong head and a firm hold , and these it could never have if its members did not feel respect and love for those who ruled over it . Fortunatel y this was the case with respect to the Prince of Wales and
the brethren of the Order , for the Prince of Wales was most popular in the Craft , who were fortunate in having such an enthusiastic Mason to rule over them . " The Pro Grand Master , the D . G . M ., & c , " were represented by Bro . the Rev . R . J . Simpson , P . G . C , who responded . In the course of his observations , wherein he said that he was not returning thanks merely as a matter of form for
brethren whom he was bound to reply for , but really for brethren who deserved and had obtained the respect of the Craft , he expressed much pleasure at the establishment of St . Dunstan ' s Lodge . He thought it | was one more link in the chain " of brotherhood , which at the present time was a very important thing ; important on two grounds , first , constitutionally , secondly , socially—constitutionally ,
because he felt that Masons represented that beautiful harmony that should exist between order and freedom , which probably was scarcely possessed by any other body which he was acquainted with . It hit a happy medium which brought down from the throne to thc peasant the idea that while we were perfectly free , while we had light to be thrown upon all things , there was to be respect for
authority , for order , and for all those things which alone could make society hold together in times of considerable danger . Again , he regarded it as a wonderful agency socially ; for , while we were divided as men by many things—by religious opinions , by political opinions , by private quarrels , by differences of tastes , by the thousand other things which acted upon us as men—Masonry
seemed , in the order of God ' s Providence , to bring us together and link us in such bonds that we began to consider how we might best agree , and how those sharp corners which continually rubbed against us in the busy affairs of life might be toned down with the pumice stone cf brotherly love till we were bound together . ( Hear , hear . ) Therefore , he thought it was a happy idea that parishes—those ancient
divisions which God protect in this land—should have their lodges . Next to the family unit came the parochial unit in England ; and whatever might be their opinions on other subjects , let them never give up that . He was glad to find Masonry backing up the idea ; and as long as they had good and worthy men among them who were acting in the legal divisions of parishes might they hope that
Masonry would unite them in another bond , in religions , in political and in social life , in everything which might lead to their happiness as men , and that might produce at last that best of all , happiness for which good men ever looked . Alderman Hadley also replied . The W . M . next gave " The Consecrating Officers , " and in reference to Bro . Terry , said that when that brother
called on him some years ago for a subscription for the Benevolent Institution he was so struck with him that he could not help telling Bro . Dwarber after Bro . Terry had gone that the old men and women would never starve while Bro . Terry collected the money for them . Regarding the ceremonies of the day he would only say that they had been most ably rendered by all the consecrating
officers . Bro . Terry replied , than ! ing the W . M . for the flattering terms he had used , and ! ¦ ating that it had given him great pleasure to perform the ceremonies . All the consecrating officers might congratulate themselves that the St . Dunstan ' s Lodge h ? . d started under such favourable auspices . Bro . Terry then proposed "The Health of the W . M . " The brethren had not placed in the chair a bro-
Consecration Of The St. Dunstan's Lodge' No. 1589.
ther incapable of performing his duties , for they had themselves witnessed what he could do when he invested his officers . Under his rule might St . Dunstan ' s Lodge progress . The W . M ., in reply , said that since he had been a Mason he had endeavoured to do his work earnestly , properly , and well . He had not lived to the age of sixty years
without knowing that it was perfectly impossible for the best man , however animated be might be by the most righteous intentions to please his brethren , to succeed in doing so . In his time he had found men go away from him , but ultimately come back to him , which was a great triumph , and this he said without any desbe to be ostentatious . Attimesyou could not act as men wished , simply from your own honest
convictions , but that was no reason why they should not be friends . He quite agreed with the Chaplain ' s remarks about parochial connections . Before starting this lodge , it occurred to him that he was living in a neighbourhood which was the very hotbed and nucleus of Freemasonry ; they were in the very centre of Freemasons , where they had been , inactive for a certain number of years . The
Masonrythere was lying dormant , and only wanted reviving , lie knew it , and those who acted with him knew it , and his desire was to resuscitate it , and to bring it into usefulness . There was no greater mischief surrounding the parochial system than that of not knowing each other ; and after living near one another for a long time , we often' asked the question when we became acquainted , Why did not we
know each other before ? Much misrepresentation was removed by such knowledge ; and we blamed ourselves frequently for not being the first to speak . Now , Masonry unsealed all this reticence , and in that parish he wanted to bring Masonry into play . He wanted to make the lodge a lodge of usefulness . The parish was one in which he had spent his best years , formed his dearest affections , where he was married , where his children had been born , and where
he hoped to die . His hea rt went with this lodge , and his best efforts would be used to make it serve the objects for which it was promoted . After giving " The Visitors , " the W . M . gave " The Charities , " for which Bro . Little replied ; " The Treasurer and Secretary " followed , Bro . Tisley responding . Bros . Wellsman and Dalwood replied for " The Officers , " and the Tyler ' s toast concluded the evening , which was enlivened by some beautiful singing and music by Bros . E . W . Mackney and Webb .
The Proposed Scottish Masonic Benevolent Institution.
THE PROPOSED SCOTTISH MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .
A SECOND APPEAL . To you my Scottish brethren of " the Mystic Tie" 1 must once more appeal . The year before last I issued to all lodges and chapters , & c , a scheme for a " Benevolent Institution for Scotland , " embracing the three branches ,.
viz ., Schools for Boys , Schools for Girls , Asylums and Annuities for Widows and Aged , together with an advanced scheme for students , at the several Universities . I need not here further recapitulate . The scheme is patronized by most of the Grand
Officebearers ; a greater part of the Provincial Grand Masters . There are numerous representatives scattered throughout Scotland , a list of whom will again shortly be published in the " Freemason ; " surely then we must suffer no more time to elapse , we must put our shoulders to the wheel and prove that we are Masons in deed , as well as in
name . Do not , my brethren , hang back for others to lead , be the leaders yourselves ; and though late in the field—though other countries are now before us—let us make up for lost time , and provide for the wants of those daily , yes hourly , crying to us for aid . Picture to yourselves your aged brethren reduced by no fault of their own to dire penury ,
perhaps without even a crust of bread to allay their fierce hunger . Think of the widows and orphans , who having lost their bread winners have been reduced from comparative comfort to abject misery and want . Let not their cry go up in vain ; come forward like honest men and Masons to the best of your ability , and soothe these aching hearts . Now is the time , while yet you are able , ere the fell season
arrives when you yourselves may be in such evil plight ; you know not what a day may bring forth . Soon , aye too soon , their lot may be yours . Brethren of Scotland , I have taken this opportunity to address you , as it seems very appropriate ; the year is yet young , and from the the Sister Kingdoms already bright auguries of the future are presenting themselves .
Many of you will remember that last year ( while traversing Scotland in behalf of this scheme ) I was enabled to lay before you the returns of the English , the Irish , and many foreign institutions of a similar character . At that time I was able to inform you of the wondrous deeds of the small country of Sweden and Ntrway , small in ' population ( 4 , 297 , 972 according to census of 1873 ) . Another
bright point I was able particularly to emphasize , viz ., the three great English charities which that time had received over £ 28 , 000 for the year , collectively , this amount far in excess of former years . Still even this magnificent donation was considered inadequate to the demand , and all wellwishers , all true Masons , were earnestly solicited to help . One answer has been given , and a worthy one .
I have before me the account of the anniversary of thc Benevolent Institution " for Widows and Aged , " this year a glorious total , over £ 9000 and lists yet to come in , an increase of £ 2000 over last year . May the Great Architect grant that this steady increase in one branch alone , may be permitted to the other two yet to come in .
I would mention one other fact . Lancashire , two simple provinces , after proceeding for their own special Institutions , has given over £ l $ oo to this one fund alone ; Lancashire and Scotland are much alike in population and general wealth—surely then Scotland could give at least £ 30 °° to the combined institutions . Every facility will be given to the poorest to contribute their mite .