Consecration Of Tee United Service Lodge Of Mark Master Masons, No. 489.

CONSECRATION OF TEE UNITED SERVICE LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS , No . 489 .

The consecration of this new lodgf , which has beer , started as a headquarters lodge for tlie convenience of brethren who have tin * honour to serve her Majesty ihe Ouetn by land or by sea , took p lace at the Misonic Temple , Criterion , Piccadilly , on Saturday , the 14 th insUr . t , there being a large attendance of Service brethren .

Previous to ihe consecration , by dispensation , Bro . B'igade-Surgeon J Balfour Cockburn , P . G . D ., G . D . C , advanced the following candidates Bros . Major Henry , Capt . Hanson Le Bailly , Leaver , Lieuts . Fenner , W E . Richmond Parry , and Conductor R . Johnson .

Bio . Matier and other Grand Officers being announced , were admitted and saluted according to ancient form . Bro . Matier appointed Bro ? . Major Gordon Miller , as S . W . ; G . C . W . Fitzwilliam , D . P . G . M . Norths , Hunts and Beds , as J . W . ; the Rev . C . E . L . Wright , as Chap . ; Major Carrell , P . A . G . D . C , as D . C . ; and R . Berridge , P . G . W ., as I . G .

The C ONSECRATING OIIICER addressed the assembled brethren in a short but most impressive manner on the motive of the meeting . The CIIAI ' LMN followed with a beauriful oration , alluding in particular to the biith of a grandson to H . R . H . the Grand Master—a fact that he felt certain would not only be received with acclamation in this kingdom , but more particularly in lhat new lodge , which was composed of members who had the honour to serve her Majesty and their country .

The con'ccralion ceremony having been brought to a close , Bro . Matier then installed , in his usual most impressive manner , the first VV . M ., Bro . Captain W . C . Wollett , of the Royal Enniskillen Fusiliers , who inves ' . ed the following brethren as his officers : Bros . Capt . Hearn , P . M ., G . Steward England , P . D . S . G . W . tf Bombay , Prov . J . G . O . Hants and Isle of Wight , I . P . M . ar . d Sec : Regt .-Sergeant-Major Lee , S . W . ; Ccnductor Hully ,

J . W . ; Cspt . Rxhtr . ond-Parry , M . O . ; Quartermaster-Sergt . Shackleton , S . O . ; Cspt . Hanson , J . O . ; Lieut . Marshall , P . M ., Rfg . of Marks ; Thomson-Lyon , P . M ., D . C ; Brigade-Surgeon J . Balfour Cockburn , P . M ., P . G . D ., G . D . C , Treas . ; Master-Gunner Roddy , R . A ., S . D . ; Capt . Franklyn , R . E ., J . D ; Lieut . L . E . Richmond-Parry , I . G . * , and Conductor Johnscn , Capt . Le Bailly , and Lackland , Stwds .

A cordial vote of thanks having been given to the Consecrating Officer , he was , with the other Grand Officers present , elected honorary members of the lodge by acclamation . The names of several brethren having been proposed for joining and Edvanctrrent , ihe lodge was closed .

The following is a list of the founders : Bros . Major G . H . Bridges , 1 S , P . M ., P . G . Stwd ., P . P . S . G . W . Surrey ; Capt . H . Clowes ; Brigade-Suig . on J . Balfour Ccckbum , M . D ., 32 , P . G . D ., G . D . C ; Lieut . P . Collinson ; C pt . j . L . Down , P . M . ; Major F . J . Easterbrook , 18 , P . M ., Prov . S . G . W . Surrey ; Capt . C . de M . Frankiyn , R . E ., D . G . Stwd . Gibraltar ; Sergt .-Major Gardiner ; Capt . Geo . Hearn , 30 , P . M ., G . Srwd . A'c . ; Conductor F . Hully ; Sergt .-MajorW . Johnson ; Regt .-

Sergt .-Major J . V . Lea ; H . Thomson-Lyon , iS ° , P . M . ; John Maitland , 30 , P . M . ; Lieut . R . A . Marshall , P . M ., Prov . G . M . O . Surrey ; Ouartermas ' . er-Sergeant C . E . Mulgrue ; Capt . H . H . Parry ; Capt . P . C . Richmond-Parry , iS *; Master-Gunner W . M . Roddy , Quartermaster-Sergeant Shackleton , and Capt . W . C Wollett . Amongst the visitors were Bros . Percy Matier , 406 ; Edward Mills , G . Tyler ; Major Prcbyn , G . S . B . ; A . Stewart Brown , P . G . D . ; and several others .

The brethren then adjourned to the banqueUng room , where a most sumptuous repast was partaken of under the personal supervision of Bro , Mantell . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given , the most noticeable one being "The Mark Benevolent Fund , " proposed by Bro . Brigade-Surgeon J . BALFOUR COCKIURN . Bro . CARRELL , in reply , asked the new lodge to appoint a Steward for the approaching Festival .

The W . M . having signified his willingness to act as Steward for the ledge , no less a sum than 40 guineas was immediately subscribed . The other toasts having been given , a most enjoyable and instructive evenirg was brought to a close . This lodge , founded , as it has been , as a head-quarters lodge for all

members of the Army , Navy , and Auxiliary Forces , with small fees and subscriptions , ought , with the strong support it has already got and should get in the future from those who serve their Oueen and country , lo be a valuable addition , not only to Mark Masonry in general , but to those brethren for whose especial benefit and convenience it is founded .

Consecration Of The Dramatic Lodge, No. 487, Of Mark Master Masons.

CONSECRATION OF THE DRAMATIC LODGE , No . 487 , OF MARK MASTER MASONS .

The above lodge was solemnly consecrated by Bro . the Earl of Euston , Pro Grand Master of Mark Master Masons , at Mark Masons' Hall , on Thursday , the 19 th inst . The brethren having assembled , lodge was opened at the appointed hour of 3 p . m ., and the following candidates who had been duly approved by the founders , namely , Bros . Lestocq Boileau Wooldridge , Henry George Danby , Alfred Benedict Tapping , Thomas

Eraser , John Francis Crcok , John Arthur Harrison , William Henry Akerman May , Charles William Foskett Frere , Ernest Huntly Paterson , Leonard Herbert Foskett , John Woodyat , and Henry Hyman Vincent Barnett , were advanced , by dispensation , by Bro . G . C . Wentworth Fitz-William , Deputy Prov . G . M . Northants , Hunts and Beds . Lord Eiston , as Consrcrating Officer , then assumed the chair , and having

appointed as his ofiirrers pro tem . Bros . Col . A . B . Cook , Prov . G . M . Middx ., as S . W . ; Lord Skelmersd tie , P . G . W ., as J . W . ; the Rev . W . Cree , G . Chap ., as Chaplain ; Robert Berridge , P . G . W ., as D . C ; and Richard Clowe s , Past GO ., as I . G .. the ceremony was proceeded with , and thebrethren having been arranged in order , the peiition and warrant were read , and approve ) of the ollicers designated in the warrant having bsen signified in

the usual manner , Bro . the Rev . W . Ciee , as Chaplain , delivered the following Ointion on the Nature and Principles of the Institution : — Brethren , —I consider it a very great privilege and honour to be asked to give the oration in my capacity of Grand Chaplain of Mark Master Masons of ringland , on the occasion of the consecration of your new lodge . And more especially is it a pleasure to me to do so , when I remember the special qualification which I understand is required for the membership of your lodge . I have always held

Consecration Of The Dramatic Lodge, No. 487, Of Mark Master Masons.

the profession lo vvhich you belong in the very highest regard , not merely from the great pleasure and amusement which everyone must derive from witnessing those performances vvith which you favour us , but from a belief that your profession is , or ought to be , a kindred one to my own . There were times when certain pious , well-meaning people looked upon the profession with anything but favourable eyes . Attendance at theatres was to be avoided by all who would be

accounted religious . Nay , there are still some who look upon the presence of a clergyman at a dramatic performance as absolutely incompatible with the sacred nature of his calling . Such strange , mistaken notions are , I am glad to say , dying out ; but , like all heresies , they are hard to kill . For my own part , I look upon the Drama , like our noble Brotherhood , as a mighty instrument for good . Horace , in his Ars Poetica , says :

" Segnius irritant ammos dimissa per aurem Quam qu . e sunt oculis subjecta fidelibus , et qua * Ipse sibi tradit spectator . " " What we hear With weaker passion will affect the heart , Than when the faithful eye beholds the part . "*

And that is the very difficulty which we preachers have to deal with . However eloquent a man may be , however the modulation of his voice and the style of his delivery may attract his hearers and keep them attentive , the fact still remains that more can be taught and retained by the eye than by the ear . It is quite certain that it lies in the power of members of your profession to do mnre towards the raising of the moral tone , the feeling , the sentiments , the aspirations of the majority of our fellow countrymen than is possible for the moralist or the preacher .

But now , brethren , as to the object for which we are assembled here this afternoon . What I have been saying with regard to the dramatic art applies also to Masonry . There are , no doubt , some among the vast numbers who range themselves under its banners who are attracted to Masonry by the social , or even convivial , advantages which it offers . I do not altogether blame them . I know no place where a more friendly and enjoyable evening can be spent than at a Masonic banquet . But there is , I hope and believe , an evergrowing number

who , after their initiation , are attra : ted by the esoteric teaching of Masonry . How full of meaning it is ! How deeply interesting ! How the ritual of its various degrees , when properly performed , must appeal to the histrionic tastes of us all ! Some of the uninitiated and popular world sneeringly tell us that it is the dressing up in grand clothing which attracts people to Masonry . No doubt there may be some who are satisfied with what I may be allowed to call the " peacockry " of Masonry , that is , the mere display of jewels and badges and so forth . But I

cannot believe their numbers are many . Take for instance the ritual of the Third Degree in the Craft , where there is no necessity for dressing up in any extraordinary grandeur . How solemn , how intensely dramatic , how full of the highest and noblest teaching it is ! Who can fail to be impressed by it ? Who but the most frivolous and empty-headed can witness that scene and not profit by its solemn teaching ? From his admission among Masons in a state of helpless indigence till he reaches the Chair of Adoniram , or that of the Royal Solomon , the course

of a Mason is ever guided by the principles of moral and intellectual truth , such as cannot fail , and if he takes them to heart , to make him a better citizen and a more faithful servant of the Most High . Brethren , when the Grand Overseer of the Universe placed us upon this sublunary abode , He gave to each of us our work to do . He never intended us to spend our time in simply building up a temple for the worship of our own selfish desires . He meant each one of us to help in the raising of a Temple to the glory of His great Name , and for the

happiness and improvement of our fellow-creatures . It is a spiritual Temple , of which we are , at the same time , in a true sense , both the builders and the stones for the building . The Temple which the Lord God has commanded His servants to build , is the advancement of the whole human race . And we , as Masons , must not be content with merely working indefatigably ourselves , but we must do everything we can to help and cheer on our fellow workmen . And if the work which the Grand Overseer has allotted to any of you seems but

small and insignificant , do not let it trouble you . Be sure it is equally important for the completness of the design . Remember it was " the stone which the builders rejected , which became the head of the corner . " On the stage it is only a few to whom the chief parts are allotted , some have but a subordinate part , while others are almost hidden by the wings , nevertheless , each part is important for the effect as a whole . I remember some years ago being very much struck with a company which at the time was performing in London . It was not remarkable so much for any special excellence of the principal players as for the

uniform perfection of the whole cast . So it is on the world's stage . And if in the building of this temple the Grand Overseer allot to you the task—not of a Mark Master , nor even of a Menatschim , or Overseer—but simply that of a Mark man , still take care that the stone which is given you to shape shall be such as shall not only win for you the praise of your fellow Craftsmen , not only make you not ashamed of your mark which you have placed upon it—but such as , when you shall present it for acceptance by the Grand Overseer , shall receive His mark of approval , and shall gam for its workman a high place in the Spiritual Temple , not made with hands , eternal in the heavens . —So mote it be .

The consecration was then completed , and the lodge having been constituted , Lord Euston vacated the chair i . i favour of Bro . C . F . Matier , P . G . W ., G . Secretary , who forthwith installed Bro . Harry Nicholls in the chair of A . Bro . Nicholls having been saluted in accordance with ancient custom , then appointed his officers for the year : Bros . G . C W . Fitzwilliam , as

acting I . P . M . ; Rev . C E . L . Wright , S . W . ; W . S . Penley , J . W . ; C . C . Cruikshanks , M . O . ; W . A . Tinney , S . O . ; W . J . Holloway , J . O . ; W . E . Chapman ( elected ) . Treas . ; F . Wheeler , K . of M . ; C . W . Carrell , Sec . ; F . Gosney , S . D . ; "J . Harrison , J . D . ; W . Lestocq , I . G . ; J . Crook , Org . ; and J . Woodyatt and W . A . May , Stewards . Votes of thanks to the Consecrating and Installing Officers having been

passed unanimously , and acknowledged , a Committee to frame the by-laws was elected . Sundry propositions for advancement and joining having been named , lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the C ifc * Royal to dine . Subsequently the usual loyal and Mark Masonic toasts were honoured , th & t of " Success to the Dramatic Lodge " being received with the utmost enthusiasm .

The musical arrangements were in charge of Bro . Frederick Bevan , Past G . Org . The following , among others , were present at the function : Bros , the Earl of Euston , Pro G . M . ; G . C . Wentworth Fitzwilliam , Deputy P . G . M . Northants , Hunts , and Beds ; C . F . Matier , P . G . W ., G . Sec ; Colonel A . B . Cook , P . G . M . Middx . ; Lord Skelmersdale , P . G . W . ; Rev . W . Cree , G . Chap . ; Robert Berridge , P . G . W . ; Richard Clowes , Past G . O . ; Harry Nicholls ,

W . M . designate ; Rev . C . E . L . Wright , S . W . designate ; F . Mead , Past G . Treas . ; W . A . Tinney , W . J . Holloway , W . E . Chapman , G . Std . Br . ; F . Wheeler , C . W . Carrell , P . A . G . D . C ; F . Gosney , J . Harrison , W . Lestocq , J . Crook , J . Woodyatt , W . A . May , T . P . Donovan , Asst . G . I . G . ; F . Lawrence , P . A . G . D . C . * , Clifford Probyn , P . G . S . B . ; H . G . Danby , A . B . Tapping , Thomas Fraser , C . W . F . Frere , Ernest H . Paterson , Leonard H . Foskett , professionally known as Herbert Leonard , and H . H . V . Barnett ,