Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The Ravenscroft Lodge, No. 2331.
For Masonry reminds us of the two great fundamental truths of religion . Faith in and obedience to a Being infinitely higher and more perfect than ourselves , who deigns to draw us to Himself by processes of gradual development and revelation . But there is a danger which besets us as we advance in Freemasonry , just as it besets all advances in any direction nearer the truth , and that is the danger of familiarity , which , we are told , breeds contempt . Let us guard ever against allowing familiarity with Masonic ritual and
instruction to lead us to overlook the genuine precepts and tenets of the Craft ; if we are to persevere in prosecuting the objects of our Institution we shall not rest content with outwardly conforming to its ritual in lodge , but will ever strive , while _ following its guidance , to learn and practise the lessons it has for us—brotherly love , relief , and truth . Thus we may feel that the purposes which underly the foundation of this Institution are calculated to advance each individual to a state of greater perfection by making him feel
a sincere sympathy with others , and leading him to see in them the means of practising virtues which he professes to admire . And with these thoughts before us permit tne briefly to mention what ought to be some of the characteristics of its members , which they should display to the outer world . I . Veneration for what in our best selves we confess to be infinitely above and beyond our present state of existence , and a genuine respect for spiritual revelation , which , in these days of free thought and ( as we are
pleased to think ) great mental attainments , is a virtue we need to cultivate . 2 . Perseverance to use the light offered to us to overcome our present difficulties and to follow the steps of those of whom it is written in that most mystical Volume of Spiritual Revelation— "These have passed through much tribulation . " If we set before ourselves , as we ought , a high standard to attain to , let us not be discouraged if we need many attempts , and even failures , to reach it . Persevere , and we shall succeed .
3 . Obedience , a virtue the keeping of which is needful to the happiness of the community , and the practice of which by the individual , he may not like it , yet is decidedly a help in deepening the genuine character of the individual by teaching him the need of self thought , control , and self sacrifice , which are helpful for any real strength of moral work and excellence . And finally , brethren , as the consecration of a new lodge marks
the starting of a fresh centre of Masonic life , let it remind us who take part in it that in this state of existence we are all of us serving our apprenticeship . The Grand Architect of the Universe places up in the varied positions of life , where we are all to work for Him . If we are working honestly we may leave the result with Him , in a firm and confident hope that when this life here is ended we may ascend to the Grand Lodge above , where the World's Great Architect reigns supreme for ever .
The ceremony of consecration was then completed , and by the direction of the Prov . Grand Master , his Deputy , Bro . G . E . Lake , installed Bro . James Thorn , l . P . M . 2206 , as W . M . Bro . George Arnold , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W . Norths and Hunts , was appointed to act as l . P . M . Bro . H . E . Fraser , W . M . 2206 , was
invested as S . W . ; Bros . J . Hudson , J . W . ; D . Baker , Treas . ; G . Arnold , I . P . M ., Sec ; T . W . Bintcliffe , S . D . ; J . H . Gunn , J . D . ; H . Cronin , D . C ; S . H . Wright , l . G . ; M . Powell , A . D . C . ; J . H . Catchpole and E . Rawlinson , Stwds . ; and R . H . Goddard , Tyler . After the delivery of the addresses ,
the W . M . proposed a vote of thanks and the honorary membership of the lodge to Bro . Halsey , accompanying the compliment with the presentation of a founder ' s jewel , Bro . FRASER , J . ., seconded the motion , which , being carried unanimously , was replied to by
Bro . Col . HALSEY , who said that in the honour that had been done him the W . M . had alluded to the great services which he ( Col . Halsey ) had performed in consecrating the lodge ; but he was afraid he must disclaim some of the work , as his deputy performed the installation ceremony , and during the negotiations and arrangements for the lodge took the most important portion of the work in his ( Col . Halsey ' s ) absence on a tour in America . At the same time it had given him the greatest pleasure to come and consecrate the lodge , and to see so large a
number of founders and such a good prospect of a successful lodge . He hoped it would uphold the character of Masonry in the province . With regard to the honorary membership of the lodge , he accepted it with the greatest pride , and hoped to come frequently among the brethren and witness the long course of usefulness and prosperity it would have . The founder ' s jewel he also accepted with pleasure , and should wear it in the spirit in which it was given as a memento of the occasion when a good flourishing lodge commenced its career .
A vote of thanks , with the honorary membership of the lodge , was also passed to the Deputy Prov . G . M . and the Prov . G . Secretary on the motion of the W . M ., seconded by the J . W . Bros . G . E . LAKE and BULLOCK both acknowledged the compliment . The PROV . G . CHAPLAIN and Bro . TERRY , Prov . G . D . C , also received votes of thanks , for which they replied , and the names of several candidates for initiation were proposed and seconded , and the lodge was closed with the usual formalities .
A banquet , which cannot be too hi ghly praised , was subsequently partaken of , and the customary toasts followed . Bro . J AMES TERRY , as P . G . S . B ., was called upon to reply for the toast which includes the Grand Officers , and he said that in the presence of his Provincial Grand Master he felt a great amount of diffidence in doing so , because his Prov . G . M ., as a Prov . G . M ., took precedence of the Grand Wardens of England . But
it was said that modesty did sometimes come to the front ( laughter , and a cry of " Good old Terry " ) , and in that respect an opportunity was now afforded modesty to speak . He thanked the brethren for drinking that most comprehensive toast , which embraced the names of noblemen and gentlemen in hi gh position all over the country , who were honoured with the confidence of her Majesty and of her
Majest y ' s subjects , men who were devoted in their loyalty to their chiefs . As one who was devoted in his loyalty to his chief he thanked the brethren . He trusted , in the absence of the other Grand Officers , the remarks he had made mi ght be acceptable . Though there was such a titter round the room when he spoke of modesty , he assured the brethren that there was no more modest man than he , or one who tried more in his own way to discharge the duties of his office .
The WORSHIPFUL MASTER next proposed " The Provincial Grand Master , Col . Halsey , M . P . for Hertford , " whose great abilities the brethren had seen that day . Bro . Col . Halsey had left his many other duties to attend at Hi gh Barnet to consecrate the Ravenscroft Lodge , and had said that it had been a pleasure to him to come . Many brethren with the will to perform such services as Bro . Col . Halsey had performed had not the ability ; but Bro . Col . Halsey had the ability , and had made it his duty . The brethren of the Ravenscroft Lod ge considered it a great
honour as well as a great pleasure to have their Provincial Grand Master performing the consecration . Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke performed the ceremonies in the London district , except when he deputed some one else to do it , as he did in the case of the Hendon Lodge , which Bro . Terry consecrated . But the Provincial Grand Master of Hertfordshire , in flesh and blood , and the Deput y Provincial Grand Master , and the Provincial Grand Secretary came and consecrated the Ravenscroft Lod ge . What more could they expect or desire ?
Bro . Col . HALSEY , in reply , said he was overwhelmed by the cordiality of his reception . He again congratulated the brethren on the success of the lodge ' s consecration meeting . They had the prospect of being a great addition to his province . He deduced that from the manner in which the W . M . conducted the lodge , invested his officers , and presided over the banquet . It augured a bri ght and happy future both for the lodge proceedings and for the banqueting . He sincerel
y trusted there would be such a future for the lodge . He welcomed the lodge as an addition to the ranks of Hertfordshire . The Ravenscroft was now the nineteenth lodge on the roll of that province , and it was with justifiable pride that he reflected on the fact that when he was first appointed Provincial Grand Master , 15 years ago , there were only eight lodges in the province . One of the first duties he was called upon to perform after his appointment was to consecrate the Halsey Lodge at St . Albans . Since that time the lodges had gone on increasing , and he rejoiced to think , although there was the possibility that an increase oi
Consecration Of The Ravenscroft Lodge, No. 2331.
lodges mig ht not be a real increase in Masonry , because one lodge might be taking the place of another that was going down , he did not think that was the case with any lodge in that province . There was scope and room for the lodges that had been consecrated in the province , and especially in the town of High Barnet , which was a fairly large-sized town , and he both hoped and believed that there was no reason whatever why there should be any antagonism between the two lodges . They were different in their scope , aims , and objects , and the arrival of a new lodge
need not be feared by the old , theie would be no poaching by one on the preserves of the other , and from what he had seen of the W . M . of the Ravenscroft Lodge , there would be no attempt to interfere in any way with the Gladsmuir ; there was no necessity for it . That was his experience at Watford , where both the lodges that were held there flourished . The only rivalry between them was which should attain the greatest eminence ; yet each had acted with the other . The same result ought to take place in Hig h Barnet .
To the toast of "The Deputy Prov . G . M . and the Prov . G . Officers , " Bro . BULLOCK , Prov . G . Sec , responded , and , in the course of his observations , said he did not view with equanimity the growth of lodges in the province , as it entailed additional work on him , even though that labour might be readily given . He looked upon the Ravencroft Lodge as a little sister , who was glad of a brother ' s assistance ; but little sisters grew up and brothers were then generally in the way .
When the Ravenscroft Lodge little sister grew up , she would perhaps reject the assistance she now was glad of . When young ladies grew up they did not like to walk alone , but they did not like the brother to walk with them , as two were considered company , but three none . But , joking apart , he hoped the lodge would go on as well as it had begun , that it would become an important lodge of the province , and that there would be nothing like jealousy , or rivalry , or unkind feeling on the part of other lodges .
Bro . OLIVER , Prov . G . Chap ., also replied , thanking the brethren for their hospitable welcome . Bro . Col . HALSEY proposed "The W . M ., " and said that the enthusiastic plaudits with which the announcement was made and from what the founders had seen
that day they would feel that they had exercised a wise discretion in selecting Bro . James Thom as the first W . M . of the Ravenscroft Lodge . Under the auspices of that brother the bright beginning and grand start the lodge had made would continue , and he would hand over the lodge at the end of his year of office to an excellent successor , who would come in to a brilliant heritage . Long might it continue , and he hoped the lodge would have a career of great prosperity .
Bro . THOM , W . M ., thanked the brethren most heartily for the toast so kindly submitted by the Provincial Grand Master . It was one of the greatest honours to be chosen the first W . M . of a lodge , more especially considering the easy way in which the lodge had gained their warrant through the kindness of the executive of the Provincial Grand Officers of Herts . The founders of the Ravenscroft Lodge knew how much they were indebted to those Provincial Grand Officers ,
and they heartily thanked them . They had done so much that it was plain sailing for the founders . The warrant was obtained , and the Provincial Grand Officers finished up what they had done by consecrating the lodge . The ceremony had been performed in perfect fashion by the Provincial Grand Master , than whom none had more ability . He should devote all his efforts to making a great future for the lodge . Bros . Dr . POWDRELL , HAMMING , SHOULDING , and LANGLEY responded to the toast of " The Visitors . "
Bro . Col . HALSEY responded to the toast of " The Charities , " and said that the Province of Herts had prized itself on its support of the Masonic Charities , at a festival of one of which it headed the list . Much could be done by energy and determination , and the province would do its part . Referring to the Herts Provincial Charity Committee , he said it was started some years ago by the late Bro . Dr . Wilson Isles , but was not then thoroughly understood . The province had a large
voting power , and the Committee was designed to prevent a waste of the power . Some thought it was intended to deprive them of their free will with regard to their votes , but such was not the case . It was intended that they should unite and recommend and support cases if they had no individual case to support . Every lodge in the province was asked to elect a brother to serve on the Committee . He hoped they would put the Provincial Charity organisation on a proper footing . The other toasts were then given , and the proceedings concluded with the Tvler ' s toast .
ROMAN COLLEGES OF MASONS . —All modern researches seem to point to the fact that the mediaeval guilds did not come to us from the Anglo-Saxons , as some have said , but from the Roman " Collegia . " The " Collegia Artificum " were institutions under the Roman Government , and during the Roman settlement in Britain would no doubt be founded here . Indeed , the Chichester inscription proves the existence of the " Collegium Fabrorum . " With the fall of the Roman
Empire , these Collegia becoming , like everything else , Christian , dispersed in Lombard y and Gaul and Germany , and eventually reaching England , carried with them not only the building art , but the organisation of the " Collegium . " It has been before observed , that the history of ecclesiastical architecture in England , for instance , is the history of the introduction of workmen ; and our traditions are no doubt true which link us on to Roman sodalities , and thus illustrate the guild
theory . No doubt there are difficulties attendant on such an explanation of Masonic history , but probably they are less than belong to any other explanation , and they are certainly not insurmountable . Without entering into too many details , it may suffice to say here that lapidary inscriptions still exist , as in Gruter , and Spon , and others , which serve to show that these colleges were governed by Magistri , Quinquennales ; that they had officers of
various kinds , like as with Free and Accepted Masons ; that they had honorary members , and even admitted a sort of female membership . Some have said that these societies assisted their brethren , attended their funerals , were bound together by a mutual obligation to help each other , had secret signs of recognition , had annual feasts , and in fact were prototypes of our Masonic Lodges . We confess that we do not think the evidence goes quite so far as this ; but this
much , we believe , may fairly be affirmed . The Roman colleges were secret institutions , governed by their own laws and officers , and had special privileges , and kept their art a mystery , and their proceedings from the " profanum vulgus . " They had also probably a system of probation , initiation , and recognition . After the fall of the Roman Empire came in another practice of the operative guilds —namely , their Christianity ; and how that eventually developed into the
cosmopolitan teaching of modern Freemasonry is the " crux" which the Masonic student and historian has to confront . But yet , despite the difficulties of the case —confessedly many—we are reduced to this : that either we must accept the guild theory , on the reasonable ground of " cause and effect" or we must find a knightly , or a hermetic , or a 1717 origin for Freemasonry . We , therefore , fully accept the Guild theory , as we have said before , going up to the old Roman Collegia ; and
we believe that the Roman Collegia had both a sympathy and association with Grecian and Syrian , and even Hebrew , sodalities of Masons . We cannot otherwise account for " Masons' marks ; " neither can we explain many other evidences which attest the existence of these building Guilds . Bro . Findel has suggested a German theory of origin , which would limit the organisation of the Operative
Masons to the thirteenth century , under a sort of monastic protection ; but we search in vain for any evidence which ivould show that at the epoch he seems inclined to accept as the creative time of Freemasonry through the " Steinmetzen , " the peculiar teaching and character of Masonry could find its arrangement or development . —Kenning ' s Cyclopcedia of Freemasonry .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The Ravenscroft Lodge, No. 2331.
For Masonry reminds us of the two great fundamental truths of religion . Faith in and obedience to a Being infinitely higher and more perfect than ourselves , who deigns to draw us to Himself by processes of gradual development and revelation . But there is a danger which besets us as we advance in Freemasonry , just as it besets all advances in any direction nearer the truth , and that is the danger of familiarity , which , we are told , breeds contempt . Let us guard ever against allowing familiarity with Masonic ritual and
instruction to lead us to overlook the genuine precepts and tenets of the Craft ; if we are to persevere in prosecuting the objects of our Institution we shall not rest content with outwardly conforming to its ritual in lodge , but will ever strive , while _ following its guidance , to learn and practise the lessons it has for us—brotherly love , relief , and truth . Thus we may feel that the purposes which underly the foundation of this Institution are calculated to advance each individual to a state of greater perfection by making him feel
a sincere sympathy with others , and leading him to see in them the means of practising virtues which he professes to admire . And with these thoughts before us permit tne briefly to mention what ought to be some of the characteristics of its members , which they should display to the outer world . I . Veneration for what in our best selves we confess to be infinitely above and beyond our present state of existence , and a genuine respect for spiritual revelation , which , in these days of free thought and ( as we are
pleased to think ) great mental attainments , is a virtue we need to cultivate . 2 . Perseverance to use the light offered to us to overcome our present difficulties and to follow the steps of those of whom it is written in that most mystical Volume of Spiritual Revelation— "These have passed through much tribulation . " If we set before ourselves , as we ought , a high standard to attain to , let us not be discouraged if we need many attempts , and even failures , to reach it . Persevere , and we shall succeed .
3 . Obedience , a virtue the keeping of which is needful to the happiness of the community , and the practice of which by the individual , he may not like it , yet is decidedly a help in deepening the genuine character of the individual by teaching him the need of self thought , control , and self sacrifice , which are helpful for any real strength of moral work and excellence . And finally , brethren , as the consecration of a new lodge marks
the starting of a fresh centre of Masonic life , let it remind us who take part in it that in this state of existence we are all of us serving our apprenticeship . The Grand Architect of the Universe places up in the varied positions of life , where we are all to work for Him . If we are working honestly we may leave the result with Him , in a firm and confident hope that when this life here is ended we may ascend to the Grand Lodge above , where the World's Great Architect reigns supreme for ever .
The ceremony of consecration was then completed , and by the direction of the Prov . Grand Master , his Deputy , Bro . G . E . Lake , installed Bro . James Thorn , l . P . M . 2206 , as W . M . Bro . George Arnold , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W . Norths and Hunts , was appointed to act as l . P . M . Bro . H . E . Fraser , W . M . 2206 , was
invested as S . W . ; Bros . J . Hudson , J . W . ; D . Baker , Treas . ; G . Arnold , I . P . M ., Sec ; T . W . Bintcliffe , S . D . ; J . H . Gunn , J . D . ; H . Cronin , D . C ; S . H . Wright , l . G . ; M . Powell , A . D . C . ; J . H . Catchpole and E . Rawlinson , Stwds . ; and R . H . Goddard , Tyler . After the delivery of the addresses ,
the W . M . proposed a vote of thanks and the honorary membership of the lodge to Bro . Halsey , accompanying the compliment with the presentation of a founder ' s jewel , Bro . FRASER , J . ., seconded the motion , which , being carried unanimously , was replied to by
Bro . Col . HALSEY , who said that in the honour that had been done him the W . M . had alluded to the great services which he ( Col . Halsey ) had performed in consecrating the lodge ; but he was afraid he must disclaim some of the work , as his deputy performed the installation ceremony , and during the negotiations and arrangements for the lodge took the most important portion of the work in his ( Col . Halsey ' s ) absence on a tour in America . At the same time it had given him the greatest pleasure to come and consecrate the lodge , and to see so large a
number of founders and such a good prospect of a successful lodge . He hoped it would uphold the character of Masonry in the province . With regard to the honorary membership of the lodge , he accepted it with the greatest pride , and hoped to come frequently among the brethren and witness the long course of usefulness and prosperity it would have . The founder ' s jewel he also accepted with pleasure , and should wear it in the spirit in which it was given as a memento of the occasion when a good flourishing lodge commenced its career .
A vote of thanks , with the honorary membership of the lodge , was also passed to the Deputy Prov . G . M . and the Prov . G . Secretary on the motion of the W . M ., seconded by the J . W . Bros . G . E . LAKE and BULLOCK both acknowledged the compliment . The PROV . G . CHAPLAIN and Bro . TERRY , Prov . G . D . C , also received votes of thanks , for which they replied , and the names of several candidates for initiation were proposed and seconded , and the lodge was closed with the usual formalities .
A banquet , which cannot be too hi ghly praised , was subsequently partaken of , and the customary toasts followed . Bro . J AMES TERRY , as P . G . S . B ., was called upon to reply for the toast which includes the Grand Officers , and he said that in the presence of his Provincial Grand Master he felt a great amount of diffidence in doing so , because his Prov . G . M ., as a Prov . G . M ., took precedence of the Grand Wardens of England . But
it was said that modesty did sometimes come to the front ( laughter , and a cry of " Good old Terry " ) , and in that respect an opportunity was now afforded modesty to speak . He thanked the brethren for drinking that most comprehensive toast , which embraced the names of noblemen and gentlemen in hi gh position all over the country , who were honoured with the confidence of her Majesty and of her
Majest y ' s subjects , men who were devoted in their loyalty to their chiefs . As one who was devoted in his loyalty to his chief he thanked the brethren . He trusted , in the absence of the other Grand Officers , the remarks he had made mi ght be acceptable . Though there was such a titter round the room when he spoke of modesty , he assured the brethren that there was no more modest man than he , or one who tried more in his own way to discharge the duties of his office .
The WORSHIPFUL MASTER next proposed " The Provincial Grand Master , Col . Halsey , M . P . for Hertford , " whose great abilities the brethren had seen that day . Bro . Col . Halsey had left his many other duties to attend at Hi gh Barnet to consecrate the Ravenscroft Lodge , and had said that it had been a pleasure to him to come . Many brethren with the will to perform such services as Bro . Col . Halsey had performed had not the ability ; but Bro . Col . Halsey had the ability , and had made it his duty . The brethren of the Ravenscroft Lod ge considered it a great
honour as well as a great pleasure to have their Provincial Grand Master performing the consecration . Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke performed the ceremonies in the London district , except when he deputed some one else to do it , as he did in the case of the Hendon Lodge , which Bro . Terry consecrated . But the Provincial Grand Master of Hertfordshire , in flesh and blood , and the Deput y Provincial Grand Master , and the Provincial Grand Secretary came and consecrated the Ravenscroft Lod ge . What more could they expect or desire ?
Bro . Col . HALSEY , in reply , said he was overwhelmed by the cordiality of his reception . He again congratulated the brethren on the success of the lodge ' s consecration meeting . They had the prospect of being a great addition to his province . He deduced that from the manner in which the W . M . conducted the lodge , invested his officers , and presided over the banquet . It augured a bri ght and happy future both for the lodge proceedings and for the banqueting . He sincerel
y trusted there would be such a future for the lodge . He welcomed the lodge as an addition to the ranks of Hertfordshire . The Ravenscroft was now the nineteenth lodge on the roll of that province , and it was with justifiable pride that he reflected on the fact that when he was first appointed Provincial Grand Master , 15 years ago , there were only eight lodges in the province . One of the first duties he was called upon to perform after his appointment was to consecrate the Halsey Lodge at St . Albans . Since that time the lodges had gone on increasing , and he rejoiced to think , although there was the possibility that an increase oi
Consecration Of The Ravenscroft Lodge, No. 2331.
lodges mig ht not be a real increase in Masonry , because one lodge might be taking the place of another that was going down , he did not think that was the case with any lodge in that province . There was scope and room for the lodges that had been consecrated in the province , and especially in the town of High Barnet , which was a fairly large-sized town , and he both hoped and believed that there was no reason whatever why there should be any antagonism between the two lodges . They were different in their scope , aims , and objects , and the arrival of a new lodge
need not be feared by the old , theie would be no poaching by one on the preserves of the other , and from what he had seen of the W . M . of the Ravenscroft Lodge , there would be no attempt to interfere in any way with the Gladsmuir ; there was no necessity for it . That was his experience at Watford , where both the lodges that were held there flourished . The only rivalry between them was which should attain the greatest eminence ; yet each had acted with the other . The same result ought to take place in Hig h Barnet .
To the toast of "The Deputy Prov . G . M . and the Prov . G . Officers , " Bro . BULLOCK , Prov . G . Sec , responded , and , in the course of his observations , said he did not view with equanimity the growth of lodges in the province , as it entailed additional work on him , even though that labour might be readily given . He looked upon the Ravencroft Lodge as a little sister , who was glad of a brother ' s assistance ; but little sisters grew up and brothers were then generally in the way .
When the Ravenscroft Lodge little sister grew up , she would perhaps reject the assistance she now was glad of . When young ladies grew up they did not like to walk alone , but they did not like the brother to walk with them , as two were considered company , but three none . But , joking apart , he hoped the lodge would go on as well as it had begun , that it would become an important lodge of the province , and that there would be nothing like jealousy , or rivalry , or unkind feeling on the part of other lodges .
Bro . OLIVER , Prov . G . Chap ., also replied , thanking the brethren for their hospitable welcome . Bro . Col . HALSEY proposed "The W . M ., " and said that the enthusiastic plaudits with which the announcement was made and from what the founders had seen
that day they would feel that they had exercised a wise discretion in selecting Bro . James Thom as the first W . M . of the Ravenscroft Lodge . Under the auspices of that brother the bright beginning and grand start the lodge had made would continue , and he would hand over the lodge at the end of his year of office to an excellent successor , who would come in to a brilliant heritage . Long might it continue , and he hoped the lodge would have a career of great prosperity .
Bro . THOM , W . M ., thanked the brethren most heartily for the toast so kindly submitted by the Provincial Grand Master . It was one of the greatest honours to be chosen the first W . M . of a lodge , more especially considering the easy way in which the lodge had gained their warrant through the kindness of the executive of the Provincial Grand Officers of Herts . The founders of the Ravenscroft Lodge knew how much they were indebted to those Provincial Grand Officers ,
and they heartily thanked them . They had done so much that it was plain sailing for the founders . The warrant was obtained , and the Provincial Grand Officers finished up what they had done by consecrating the lodge . The ceremony had been performed in perfect fashion by the Provincial Grand Master , than whom none had more ability . He should devote all his efforts to making a great future for the lodge . Bros . Dr . POWDRELL , HAMMING , SHOULDING , and LANGLEY responded to the toast of " The Visitors . "
Bro . Col . HALSEY responded to the toast of " The Charities , " and said that the Province of Herts had prized itself on its support of the Masonic Charities , at a festival of one of which it headed the list . Much could be done by energy and determination , and the province would do its part . Referring to the Herts Provincial Charity Committee , he said it was started some years ago by the late Bro . Dr . Wilson Isles , but was not then thoroughly understood . The province had a large
voting power , and the Committee was designed to prevent a waste of the power . Some thought it was intended to deprive them of their free will with regard to their votes , but such was not the case . It was intended that they should unite and recommend and support cases if they had no individual case to support . Every lodge in the province was asked to elect a brother to serve on the Committee . He hoped they would put the Provincial Charity organisation on a proper footing . The other toasts were then given , and the proceedings concluded with the Tvler ' s toast .
ROMAN COLLEGES OF MASONS . —All modern researches seem to point to the fact that the mediaeval guilds did not come to us from the Anglo-Saxons , as some have said , but from the Roman " Collegia . " The " Collegia Artificum " were institutions under the Roman Government , and during the Roman settlement in Britain would no doubt be founded here . Indeed , the Chichester inscription proves the existence of the " Collegium Fabrorum . " With the fall of the Roman
Empire , these Collegia becoming , like everything else , Christian , dispersed in Lombard y and Gaul and Germany , and eventually reaching England , carried with them not only the building art , but the organisation of the " Collegium . " It has been before observed , that the history of ecclesiastical architecture in England , for instance , is the history of the introduction of workmen ; and our traditions are no doubt true which link us on to Roman sodalities , and thus illustrate the guild
theory . No doubt there are difficulties attendant on such an explanation of Masonic history , but probably they are less than belong to any other explanation , and they are certainly not insurmountable . Without entering into too many details , it may suffice to say here that lapidary inscriptions still exist , as in Gruter , and Spon , and others , which serve to show that these colleges were governed by Magistri , Quinquennales ; that they had officers of
various kinds , like as with Free and Accepted Masons ; that they had honorary members , and even admitted a sort of female membership . Some have said that these societies assisted their brethren , attended their funerals , were bound together by a mutual obligation to help each other , had secret signs of recognition , had annual feasts , and in fact were prototypes of our Masonic Lodges . We confess that we do not think the evidence goes quite so far as this ; but this
much , we believe , may fairly be affirmed . The Roman colleges were secret institutions , governed by their own laws and officers , and had special privileges , and kept their art a mystery , and their proceedings from the " profanum vulgus . " They had also probably a system of probation , initiation , and recognition . After the fall of the Roman Empire came in another practice of the operative guilds —namely , their Christianity ; and how that eventually developed into the
cosmopolitan teaching of modern Freemasonry is the " crux" which the Masonic student and historian has to confront . But yet , despite the difficulties of the case —confessedly many—we are reduced to this : that either we must accept the guild theory , on the reasonable ground of " cause and effect" or we must find a knightly , or a hermetic , or a 1717 origin for Freemasonry . We , therefore , fully accept the Guild theory , as we have said before , going up to the old Roman Collegia ; and
we believe that the Roman Collegia had both a sympathy and association with Grecian and Syrian , and even Hebrew , sodalities of Masons . We cannot otherwise account for " Masons' marks ; " neither can we explain many other evidences which attest the existence of these building Guilds . Bro . Findel has suggested a German theory of origin , which would limit the organisation of the Operative
Masons to the thirteenth century , under a sort of monastic protection ; but we search in vain for any evidence which ivould show that at the epoch he seems inclined to accept as the creative time of Freemasonry through the " Steinmetzen , " the peculiar teaching and character of Masonry could find its arrangement or development . —Kenning ' s Cyclopcedia of Freemasonry .