Consecration Of The St. Andrew's Lodge (S.C), Townsville, North Queensland.

The ACTING DISTRICT GRAND CHAPLAIN then delivered the fo'Iowing oral ion on the nature and objects of Masonry : Freemasonry is a moral institution , established by virtuous men , with the praiseworthy design of recalling to our remembrance the most sublime truths , in the midst of innocent and social pleasures—founded on liberty , brotherly love , and Charity . It is a beautiful system of morality , veiled in allegory , and illustrated by symbols . Truth is its centre—the points whence its radii diverge , directs

its disciples to a correct knowledge of tbe Great Architect of the Universe , and the moral laws which He has ordained for their Government . Freerrnsonry is an institution—not , as the ignorant and uninstructed vainly suppose , founded on unmeaning mystery for the encouragement of bacchanalian festivity and support of mere good-fellowship ; but an institution founded on eternal reason and truth , whose deep basis is the civilisation of mankind , and whose everlasting glory is supported by those two mighty pillars—Science and Morality . We , of course , as

Masons , know what our principles are ; but we are often represented in a false light before the general public who arc not Masons . To the outside world we pose to a certain extent as a secret society and a body addicted considerably to gourmandising . I wish to dispel those erroneous motives . We are not a secret society in any sense of the word . Our motives are published to the world , and are open as the day , so that any one who runs may read of them . VVe have , of course , methods of recognising each other but these are simply that we may know Masons when

we meet them in any part of the world , not for the purpose of concealing our motives or forwarding any unworthy designs . Charity to all men is one of the first principles of the Order . It hallows and sanctifies the gift by the silence and secrecy by which it is bestowed . From the commencement of the world , we may trace the foundations of Masonry . In the minds of the uninitiated as in those probably of a good many Free and Accepted Masons , the ceremonial of tq-day is not likely to connect itself with events so remote as the construction of the Pyramids

or with the esoteric philosophy which the priests of early Egypt taught , under obligations of secrecy , to a limited number of adepts . And yet those who have investigated the genealogy of Masonry , and traced its history , under various forms and names , in different countries and epochs , find plenty of evidence to show that its commencement has to be looked for in the beginnings of history , and that those stupendous monuments in the valley of the Nile , which , " doting with age , have forgotten the names of their founders , " were built by men who laid the first stones

of them upon the same principles and in the same angle of the structure , as did the inheritors of their lore , their science , and their traditions , who reared the spires of Strasburg , Colonge , and Salisbury , and as do the organisers of a con temporary Masonic lodge . With the exception of Judaism , Masonry is probably the only institution extant which reaches back so far into the immeasurable past . Its monotheism is believed to have been derived from the doctrines taught by the priests of those Egyptian temples , in the adyta of which the " bright-haired "

Samian Pythagoras spent two and twenty years of his life in the acquisition of occult knowledge . The practice of delivering certain important words " face to face , and mouth lo ear , " was evidently borrowed from that which was pursued by the Kabalists in the communication of their secret lore , and while the connection between Masonry and the mysteries of classic antiquity are too obvious to be overlooked , while we read in Ovid of Medea having "her arm , breast , and kn ? e made bare , " and " her left foot slip-shod , " and while we know that the pass words rites

and symbolical ceremonies of the modern lodge are familiar to Asiatic brotherhoods , who have obtained them by independent inheritance from a long line of adepts , we can scarcely refuse to recognise the extreme antiquity of the institution , although the name it bears is a modern one—that is to say if we do not accept Sir Egerton Bridges' etymology of it , namely , that it was one name or title of the Druids—May ' s son or son of May . That erudite writer affiliate-, Masonry to Druidisna , but as this is conjectured to have had its origin among the Magi of

Persia , and the Gymnosophists of India , and as the latter , in their turn , are reputed to have received all their knowledge from the Rishi , or seven primeval sagas , who lived—or are fabled to have lived—before the Vedic times , we only lose ourselves in the night of time by following up this clue to the genesis of Masonry . Under whatever name it was known , and whatever may have been the transformations which its external aspect underwent in this or that country , or under such and such a form of government or condition of society , its main object seems to

have been to keep alive , and to trinsmit to sich as are capable of comprehending a truth so different from » he exoteric doctrince taught to the ignorant multitude , a knowledge of the first existence of a Supreme impersonal First Cause , an eternal and Omnipotent Creative Principle , whose name is ineffable , and who was figuratively spoken of as the Great Architect of the Universe . In addition to this , a knowledge of the exact sciences was communicated orally to the initiated , and was thus handed down from generation

to generation , a practice which still survives in the lectures delivered in the " Lodges of instruction . " Liberty of conscience and freedom from ecclesiastical tyranny were also cherished by the adepts . As to the ceremonies of initiation , passing and raising , we may say publicly , and without violating any of the secrets of our Order , that in a singularly impressive way they symbolise the entrance of each human being on the stage of his life , his education and development , his death , burial , and resurrection . If Masonn has too often degenerated in Modern

times into a pretext for mere conviviality , and if the members of the Craft too frequently lose sight of what it typifies , and of what it has accomplished in bygone times , it is not the Institution which is deserving of blame , but those who have treated it with insufficient respect . Its fundamental principles are belief in God , loyalty to the throne , or to the established system of government , and the practice of Charity of " Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth . " The Christian , the lew , and the Mahommedan can meet in a Masonic lodge upon common ground .

The Old Testament , which each venerates , is never closed while the lodge continues open ; ar . d the pass-words relate to persons and events associated with a history that all of them hold in almost equal reverence . As al ! the symbols arc applied to religious purposes , and receive a religious interpretation , we must conclude that Freemasonry is a religious Institution . It is not a religion . It makes no such claim . But it does inculcate some religious truths , without any attempts to define theological dogmas . It demands of its initiates a trusting belief in God ,

and in the immortality of the soul , and its ceremonies and its symbols impre'K these truths with all the moral consequences that a belief in them implies . It recognises all religious truths , and tolerates , but does not accept , sectarian dogmas . It repudiates nothing but at ' ieism . Around its a ' tar , consecrated to the Greit Architect of the Universe , men of all creeds may kneel in one common worship , each holding in his heart with all tenacity his own peculiar faith , the Bro'herhood around neither approving nor condemning by word or look . There

; . r : signs which no brother can refuse to acknowledge and methods of supplication and tokens of distress which have ere now converted enemies on the battlefield inlo fast friends , and averted from a prostrate foe the sword which was impending fur his destruction . In times when foreign travel was attended with difficulties .: ; . d dangers whicli have since disappeared , Masonry was a b ) nd of iinuii bi . iw en iin-n ni ' . 'i .-tiiig as strangles in countries widely remote fro n each o ner , ami lae tourist was welcomed and feted by hosts upon whom he hid nu

oilier claim than that he and they recognised each othtr by a very simple token as n . en . b r . s of the same Brotherhood . In the Middle A ;{ es , Masonic confraternities Were engaged in the construction of the noble minsters which stud the face of Great Britain and of Western Europe , and symbolic marks may be still discovered o » an : luiii : ( laiiun siones or the base courses at the north-east corners of these v . in r ible ciiilices , although the common belief that these bodies of Freemasons wee ubiqu . loLS is regarded by Mine as erroneous . Be this as it may , the Craf

Consecration Of The St. Andrew's Lodge (S.C), Townsville, North Queensland.

possesses a history full of interest , and the present seems a filling occasion to refer to it . In a Masonic lodge all artificial distinctions of rank and wealth and power are for the time suspended , and the Masons meet together on the great level of equality , and join hand in hand in the same symbolic labour . So , too . it is eminently a benevolent institution . It has built and endowed asylums for the aged and infirm ; hospitals for the sick , and homes for the orphans . It has clothed the naked , fed the hungry , relieved the poor , and granted much and deserved aid to the

distressed brother or his destitute widow . The principles of our Order are based on pure morality ; its ethics are the ethics of Christianity ; its doctrines the doctrines of patriotism and brotherly love ; and ils sentiments the sentiments of exalted benevolence . Upon these points there can be no doubt . All that is good and kind and charitable it encourages ; all that is vicious and cruel and oppressive it reprobates . Such is Freemasonry—venerable in its age , beneficent in its design , and practical in its Charity .

After the anthem " Hail , Universal Lord , " had been rendered , ihe charter , or warrant of constitution , was read by the Acting District G-and Secretary . The clothing and jewels were delivered to the Acting D strict Grand Master by the Director of Ceremonies , when the W . M . and i fricer-i elect were presented at the altar , and the brethren asked to signify their approbation of t e officers s ) presented . The officers elect paid obeisar . ci to the Grand Lndge of S : otland , and the Acting Grand Secretary read the minutes of previous meetings .

The ceremony was then performed , and the Director of Ceremonies having proclaimed the lodge according to ancient custom , the District Grand Lodge was closed . At half-past seven the brethren again met at the Masonic Hall , when the officers elect were installed as follows : Bros . A . M . Gauld , P . M ., R . W . M . ; David Buchanan , D . M . ; Henry Fisher , S . M . ; J . McDonald , S . W . ; M . Jenkin , J . W . ; D . W . Hastings , Treas . ; J . Macdougall , Sec ; J . M . " Macintyre , S . D . ; A . E . McCreedy , J . D . ; W . Gilliland , I . G . ; and A . Ferguson , Tyler .

At io o ' clock the gathering adjourned to Bro . Buchanan ' s Imperial Hotel , where a banquet took place , under the presidency of Bro . A . M . Gauld , R . W . M . At midnight the company dispersed , well pleased with the inaugural ceremonies and the convivial gathering . It should be added that the ceremony was performed in a most able

manner . Bro . H . B . Walker fulfilled the duties of Director of Ceremonies with great skill and tact , and Bro . J . MacDougall , the Secretary of the new lodge , was heartily congratulated on the completeness of the arrangements , which had been entirely in his hands . Very much appreciated assistance was also rendered by Bro . J . D . Dawson , P . M ., of the Townsville Lodge ( E . G . ) , and the thanks of all who took part in the consecration and installation were extended to Bro . R . Abraham , who acted as Organist .

Board Of Benevolence.

BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE .

The monthly meeting of the Board of Benevolence was held on Wednesday evening at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . Robert Grey , P . G . D ., President of the Board , presided during half the meeting , when having another engagement his place was taken by Bro . General Gadsden ; Bro . D . D . Mercer , P . G . P ., as Senior Vice President ; Bro . S . Vallentine , P . G . P ., Junior Vice President ; Bros . E . Letchworth , G . Sec ; W . Dodd , and W . H . Lee represented the department of the Grand Secretary . The other brethren who attended were

Bros . Henry Garrod , David D . Mercer , George B . Chapman , J . H . Matthews , Charles Dairy , Howard H . Room , George Graveley , George R . Langley , S . V . Abraham , William Vincent , James Bunker , Thomas Minstrell , S . H . Goldschmidt , Robert A . Gowan , T . W . Whitmarsh , R . H . Grant , W . Kipps , Walter Hopekirk , Walter Martin , W . M . Stiles , W . R . Strutt , C . H . Webb , J . W . Hartley , J . W .

Burgess , Charles Cobb , H . Massey , J . H . Wright , Charles Fox , Thomas Hutton , W . W . Worrall , Charles Lock , S . Kennedy , C . ] . Grove , Geo . S . Elliott , Hanson W . Fraser , F . H . Lynn , James Hemming , Will Jas . Shadrake , T . Simkins , W . R . Smith , S . G . Bonner , D . Baker , A . Southam , James P . Watts , A . T . Duck , Samel Ellis , W . Kite , W . W . Langley , G . W . Castle , T . E . Edmonds , H . Windiett , W . A . Scurrah , and Henry Sadler , G . Tyler .

Bro . MKRCER , at the opening of the proceedings , informed the Board with reference to one grant recommended at the June meeting for , £ 50 for confirmation by Grand Lodge , that he had attended a meeting of the Executive Committee appointed with regard to the case , and at that meeting he was appointed one of the trustees of the fund . The distribution of the fund to which this sum was a grant was lo bs spread over a certain numbsr of years .

The brethren then confirmed recommendations to the Grand Master made at the June meeting to the extent of £ () 0 . There were 40 cases on the new list , qualified through lodges in the London district , and at Malta , Bridport , Hartlepool , Liverpool , Roorkee , E . I ., Southport , Loughton , Colchester , Preston , Southampton , Eastbourne , Shepton Mallet , New Brompton , St . Helena , Wnitehaven , Sheerness , Dartford , Torquay , Totnes ,

Sidmouth , Blackpool , Barnet , Great Stanmore , Mian Mir , Ventnor , Isle of Wight , and Cheshunt . The total amount voted during a long sitting was , £ 870 to 35 of the cases . One recommendation to Grand Lodge was for £ 50 . The Grand Master was recommended to grant six sums of £ 40 each , and eight of £ 30 each . Fourteen grants were made of . £ 20 each , and six of . £ 10 each .

Masonic Picnic Of The Menturia Lodge, No. 418.

MASONIC PICNIC OF THE MENTURIA LODGE , No . 418 .

By invitation oi Bro . J . T . Howson , W . M . 418 , and Mrs . Howson , the members of the above lodge , with a few representatives of other lodges and their wives , had a most enjoyable picnic at Rudyard on Thursday , the 18 th inst . The bulk of the company left Stoke in five saloon carriages at noon , others joined at Bucknall , and some drove by road . Luncheon was provided in the Pavilion at

the Hotel . Rudyard , at 1 . 30 . Then the company , numbering 140 , enjoyed themselves in a variety of ways cricket , boating , and other amusements . In the afternoon ths visitors proceeded to Fair View , the residence of Bro . and Mrs . Munro , and explored the gardens and surrounding beaulilul grounds , afternoon tea being kindly provided . At half-past live o ' clock dinner took place in the Assembly Room at the Hotel . The W . M ., Bro . J . T . Howjon , of course , presided , and the company