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Article THE CONSECRATION OF THE LODGE OF PERSEVERANCE. ← Page 2 of 2 Article THE FRENCH GRAND ORIENT AND THE ENGLISH GRAND LODGE. Page 1 of 1 Article OUR LATE BRO. THE KING OF HANOVER. Page 1 of 1 Article Original Correspondence. Page 1 of 1 Article Original Correspondence. Page 1 of 1 Article CONSECRATION OF THE LODGE OF PERSEVERANCE, No. 1743. Page 1 of 3 Article CONSECRATION OF THE LODGE OF PERSEVERANCE, No. 1743. Page 1 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Consecration Of The Lodge Of Perseverance.
John Hervey , and his assistant Consecrating Officers , performed the ceremony of our ancient ritual with great animation and power , and the gathering was alike evidently impressed and gratified with such an evidence of the beauty of our ceremonial , and the manner in
which it had been set forth by our " Masonic experts . " We call the attention of our readers to the faithful report of the speeches elsewhere , and specially to an impromptu address of Bro . Court , of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts .
U . S . We congratulate our worthy Bro . Leins , the first W . M ., and his officers and brethren , on this most successful " debut "of fche Lodge of Perseverance , and we trust that its future may be as happy and prosperous as its beginning was bright and genial .
The French Grand Orient And The English Grand Lodge.
THE FRENCH GRAND ORIENT AND THE ENGLISH GRAND LODGE .
It seems that , owing to a very pardonable mistake , we erred in supposing that the new French lodge at the Mauritius had been chartered by the French Grand Orient . It appears , according to our old friend , Bro . Grimaux , in the Monde Maconnique , this lodge has been really chartered
by the Grand Conseil of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite at Paris . When we read in the Monde Maconnique the account of this consecration , and the protest of the W . M . of our English lodge , and of the arguments of the French authorities , as nothing was said to give
us a clue to the real state of the case , we never could suppose that Bros . Caubet and Grimaux , staunch members of the French Grand Orient , would lend their names even to the semblance of irregularity , or even mention it without protest . Under what pretence can the Grand Conseil of
the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite , claim to charter a Craft Lodge ? Is it that though illegal in France it is legal out of it ? We really aie astonished at the inconsistency of the position assumed by our good friends in France . Bro .
Grimaux ' s idea that the Freemason is hostile to the Grand Orient of France is altogether a chimera . We will venture to add that the Grand Orient of France , so long as it preserves the even march of legality , order , and true Masonry , has no sincerer friend than the Freemason .
Our Late Bro. The King Of Hanover.
OUR LATE BRO . THE KING OF HANOVER .
On Monday last , the Royal Mausoleum in St . George ' s Chapel , at Windsor , received all that was mortal of our late royal and distinguished brother the King of Hanover . In that most fitting burial place , in that solemn receptacle of so many of the House of Brunswick , and amidst
the tears of sorrowing relatives , and the respectful and loyal attachment of ancient subjects and friends , he rests , life ' s stormy journey over , let us all hope , in peace . And we who record the fact to-day , will only presume to add the heartfelt expression of our own loyal sympathy and concern .
Original Correspondence.
© riamal uxxmoxxotut
[ We do net hold ourselves responsible for , or even as approving of , thc opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we * wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . —ED . 1
RETURNS TO GRAND LODGE . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and lirother , — " A Past I ' rov . Officer , " ijuoting from his letter in your last has ' stumbled ^ ovcr a mare ' s nest' as hc will readily perceive , by another reference to my communication ofthe
15 th inst . I made no allusion whatever to " monies due to Grand Lodge ; " what I wrote about was neglect in making annual returns to Grand Lodge , immediately after installation , of thc new W . M ., Wardens , and Past Masters , so as to qualify them to sit in Grand Lodge . Yours fraternally , A . P . M . and Prov . Officer .
PILGRIMAGE OF AMERICAN KNIGHTS TEMPLARS TO EUROPE . To the Editor oj lhe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , —
In your last issue you give particulars of a pilgrimage to Europe which the Mary Commandery , No . 36 , Philadelphia , U . S . A ., will make next month . Perhaps next week you may be able to devote some space to a similar pilgrimage to be made by the
Original Correspondence.
Allegheny Commandery , No . 33 , leaving New Ycrk July 3 rd . With this pilgrimage our distinguished and universally esteemed Bro . Dr . Robert Morris , La Grange , Kentucky , will be associated , and I am sure the brethren generally will be eager to seek thc privilege of taking him by the hand , wherever opportunity may offer . I enclose you full particulars of the pilgrimage . Yours truly and fraternally , JOHN HOGG .
" We have already announced that Allegheny Commandery , No . " 35 , of Allegheny , Pa ., together with such members of other commanderies as may join the expedition , will set forth on the 3 rd July next , for a tour of seventy-five days in Great Britain and the Continent . Wc have now to add that Sir Knight Robt . Morris , Past Grand Master of Kentucky , has secured a phce , and will
give his large Masonic experience to make the tour pleasant and instructive . Success go with them . — Masonic Review , " Cincinnati ! , May 18 , 1878 . Bro . Robert Morris , LL . D ., 32 ° , is the author of " Masonic Songs and Poems . " incomparably the best collection of Masonic poems ever written , commencing with " We Meet Upon the Level , We Part Upon the Square , " "The
History of Freemasonry in Kentucky , " " Freemasonry in the Holy Land , " & c , & c . Bro . Carson , in his " Masonic Bibliography , " after enumerating ten of Bro . Dr . Morris ' s works , adds : " He was also the Editor of the American Freemason ( Louisville , 1850 , Folio ); the ' same
title , 8 ° , Chicago , 1859 . He was also the projector , editor , and publisher of that ponderous collection the Universal Masonic Library , 30 vols ., S ° , 1856-57 , and he edited an edition of / Fetl- ' s Freemasons' Monitor , Cincinnati , 1859 , and has been engaged in various other Masonic literary enterprises .
A MASONIC SCHOOL . To the Editor ofthe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Permit me through the medium of your valuable paper to propose a scheme , which I think may be welcome to many brethren who are bless-d with children , and who may now or will shortly require a good school for them without beini ** either a charity school or an expensive one .
In short . Sir , I would have a Masonic School Co ., Limited , with £ 10 shares , each share giving the right to send one pupil , being the child , o ( a Mason , should this project meet with a favourable reception I shall b- ; pleased to communicate with any brother on the subject , and explain my ideas more fully . I am , Sir , Vours fraternally , S . DAVISON , 1619 .
BRO . R . WEN I WORTH LITTLE DECEASED . To the Editor 0 / the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — It has been suggested by many of Bro . Little ' s Masonic friends that a meeting should be convened to institute measures for establishing a memorial to perpetuate his memory amongst the brotherhood , for which he
did so much , and by whom hc was so much esteemed . Permission has been obtained from the Board of General Purposes to hold a meeting for that object in the Board Room at Freemasons' Hall . I'Yday , the 5 th July , at 6 p . m ., has been fixed for the time of meeting , that being quite a blank day in the
Masonic Calendar . It is to be hoped that thc brethren will make an effort to be present on that occasion , and submit for consideration any suggestion they may think best suited to keep in remembrance the name of our departed brother . 1 remain , yours fraternally , WILLIAM DODD , Executor of Bro . R . Wentworth Little deceased . 26 th June , 1878 .
Consecration Of The Lodge Of Perseverance, No. 1743.
CONSECRATION OF THE LODGE OF PERSEVERANCE , No . 1743 .
On Saturday last this new lodge was consecrated at the Imperial I lotel , Holborn Viaduct , by Bro . John Hervey , G . S . ; who was assisted by tbe Rev . A . I * . A . Woodford , P . G . C . ; as Chaplain , Bro . H . G . Buss , Assistant Grand Secretary , as S . W ., Bro . Edgar Bowyer , Prov . G . D . Herts ,
Bro . James Terry , Prov . G . Director of Ceremonies Herts , as D . C . * , Bro . Mollindinia , as Secretary , and Bro . D . Reed , Prov . G . D . Essex , as I . G . The complete list of brethren who attended was as follows : —Louis A . Leins , Albert Barker , Frederick Kearney , John L . Mather , E . Marlet , Joseph Wall , C . E . Sparrow , C . E . Ferry , W . Payne , C . H . Reed , Alfred Eade , George Mellison , C . Robinson , Rev . A .
F . A . Woodford , W . Miller , Gr ;; Fredk . Crockford , Zetland , ( Malta ); G . F . Brown , W . M . 65 ; W . Simmons , W . M . 1 tj 6 ( _); J . Roberts , 6 5 ; Edgar Bowyer , 1580 , P . G . D . Herts ; Alfd . Trewmond , S . W . 16 93 ; H . P . Isaac , 188 , J . W . 16 93 ; John Greenfield , 1 G 02 ; Robert Court , Ancient York , Lovell , Massachusetts , W . W . Morgan , 211 ; W . J Wright , 65 ; D . Reed , 1457 , P . G . D ., Essex ; Frederick Gotto , 1087 ,
P . G . S . Works Berks and Bucks ; Thos . W . Simons , 1185 ; Fred . H . Cozens , Org . 907 ; John Hervey , G . S . ; H . G . Buss , A . G . S . ; Jas . Terry , Prov . G . D . C , Herts j A . W . Hubbard , 813 ; George Murray , 1471 j J . Tulledge , 1426 ; Thomas Parry , P . M ., 890 j C . L . Pierce , 65 ; George B . Cutler , 217 ; C . B . Payne , G . T . j and H . Massey , P . M . 619 , ( Freemason ) . After the Lodge had been opened , the Grand Secretary in addressing the brethren , briefly referred to the
innovation made recently by the Grand Orient of France , and spoke in terms of h * gh praise with respect to the action taken by Grand Lodge of England on the subject . He afterwards dwelt shortly on the matter of the change , and on the whole objection to it . The ceremony of the day , and its importance had engaged his attention , and in speaking of it stated the pleasure he felt in once more installing in the Master ' s chair of a lodge a brother who had occu-
Consecration Of The Lodge Of Perseverance, No. 1743.
pied that position on three previous occasions . He would leave the subject of Freemasonry to be dilated on by Bro . Woodford , who had always something to say to the brethren which they might ponder over with profit . Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford P . G . C , then delivered the following oration ; I have been requested , V . W . Presiding Officer , by the
W . Master elect of this new lodge , as you are aware , to deliver the customary oration on the present occasion , and though I acceded to his fraternal request with pleasure , I yet did so with diffidence , as the thought struck me , as it will perhaps strike many more now present , what is there to say ? either worth hearing ? or worth preserving ? So many able brethren have from time to time addressed the
brotherhood , that at first sight it might almost appear as if there were neither room for novelty or even further illustration of a subject so often dilated upon just now as Freemasonry . I , for one , however , hold it to be a great mistake to repeat at such gatherings as these , interesting and important in themselves , stcieotyped formulas or familiar utterances , since , however , well delivered thev may be by
the practised speaker , they weary the intelligent and disappoint the cultivated . And hence the special difficulty of the Chap ' ain on such occasions as these . He has to avoid the two dilemmas of oversamencss and over novelty , and while he docs not weary he is to interest , to instruct , and to edify a critical but sympathetic audience . What then , V . Wocshipful Sir , can I say to-day , as your Chap ' ain ,
which shall serve to " improve the occasion , " to command the adhesion of the thoughful and to gratify the feelings of the assenting ? Luckily for us we have a very tolerant audience to deal with , and we know well before we begin , from old experience of their indulgence , that wc may rely upon their patience and invoke their forbearance . What , then , can I say about that
good old Order of ours , in whose service and ranks we both , like many more old friends , have grown grey , which shall be worthy the occasion , or thc assembly I see before me ? It appears to me that 1 cannot do better than build upon the " ancient foundations , " and endeavour from the goodly teaching of older Masters to lay down certain first principles of Masonic teaching and action , if in
modem diction , which may serve to refresh the memories of the older Masons amongst us , while they tend to commend Freemasonry to thc warm appreciation and admiration of those younger brethren of ours , in whose hands , let me once more impress upon them , lies after all the solemn future , of the honour , of the usefulness , ofthe progress of Freemasonry in this great country of ours '! We
shall then all agree , in the first place , in this definition of Freemasonry , that it is a philanthropic brotherhood , based upon the acknowledgement of these two great truths , Belief in God , Love to our brother . Wc in England , from the very first have been a religiously minded sodality . We have ever declared that we knowingly admitted no " stupid Atheist" amongst us ; we loudly repeat that avowal
today . Let other sections of thc Masonic family do what they perversely will , let some , foolishly and wickedly departing from the foundation truth of Cosmopolitan Freemasonry , and relax restrictions which are , Sir , I conceive , absolutely essential to our safety , our endurance , and our very existence as a brotherhood in the world , we in England will always seek
to walk in the good old paths , and as loyally adhere to our wise and ancient formula ; . No candidate can or shall be admitted amongst us wh '> will not profess to put his trust in God . Neither will we associate as Masons with those under whose laws t ' ie intolerant sceptic and thc open infidel is permitted to claim adoption into our tolerant , bentficient and religious order . Love to our brethren , also
the Second Table of our Masonic Law , is and ever will be the distinguishing characteristic of our Fiaternity . We shall adopt no Utopian views or childish chimeras . We shall invent no cant phrases , such as " La Solidarite humaine " to take the place of well-balanced truths ; but we shall simply seek to assert and to evince our love to our brethren in theory as well as in practice , in word as well
as in deed . And if some of my younger friends may ask me , not unreasonably , how is this great principle best manifested in practice amongst us , I would shortly thus reply . Brotherly love is an active duty , not a phrase , a practical and personal reality , not a tissue of mere fine words . By brotherly love we understand a sincere regard for , interest in , attachment to , our brother . We are to
act with him " on the square . " We are to render him every service that kintlness , justice , morality can require . We are to uphold his character in his absence as in his presence , we arc boldly to repel the slanderer of his good name , wc are to relieve his necessities and succour his wants , if unforsecn and unavoidable calamity fall upon him as it does upon all mortals often , in a spirit of
thoughtful observation and prudent consideration . Because a man is a Mason we are not , however , to uphold him when he docs wrong . We are not to allow a fictitious sentiment of Masonic sympathy , to cloud our understanding or warp our judgment , and while in all cases of human transgression and weakness , which are many and great , as we all know , our Masonic sentiment is to be " Fiat justitia
ruat Ccclam , " to use thc words of our old teacher , we are also to bear in mind that if our " brother deserves not our esteem and friendship he has at least a demand on our commiseration and our forbearance . Like a fruitful olive tree planted by the side of a fountain , whose boughs overshadow the wall , such is , such ought to be , brotherly love . It spreaeleth abroad its arms , from the strength and
opulence of its station , and lendeth its shade for the repose , comfort , and protection of all those who come under its branches . Let us then haste to the home of affliction and open the arms of affection to a distressed brother and fellow creatures . While they live , let us strive to support the drooping head and cheer the afflicted heart , let us cover them with the garments of kindness and friendship , and ' administer to them the cordial balm ot
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Consecration Of The Lodge Of Perseverance.
John Hervey , and his assistant Consecrating Officers , performed the ceremony of our ancient ritual with great animation and power , and the gathering was alike evidently impressed and gratified with such an evidence of the beauty of our ceremonial , and the manner in
which it had been set forth by our " Masonic experts . " We call the attention of our readers to the faithful report of the speeches elsewhere , and specially to an impromptu address of Bro . Court , of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts .
U . S . We congratulate our worthy Bro . Leins , the first W . M ., and his officers and brethren , on this most successful " debut "of fche Lodge of Perseverance , and we trust that its future may be as happy and prosperous as its beginning was bright and genial .
The French Grand Orient And The English Grand Lodge.
THE FRENCH GRAND ORIENT AND THE ENGLISH GRAND LODGE .
It seems that , owing to a very pardonable mistake , we erred in supposing that the new French lodge at the Mauritius had been chartered by the French Grand Orient . It appears , according to our old friend , Bro . Grimaux , in the Monde Maconnique , this lodge has been really chartered
by the Grand Conseil of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite at Paris . When we read in the Monde Maconnique the account of this consecration , and the protest of the W . M . of our English lodge , and of the arguments of the French authorities , as nothing was said to give
us a clue to the real state of the case , we never could suppose that Bros . Caubet and Grimaux , staunch members of the French Grand Orient , would lend their names even to the semblance of irregularity , or even mention it without protest . Under what pretence can the Grand Conseil of
the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite , claim to charter a Craft Lodge ? Is it that though illegal in France it is legal out of it ? We really aie astonished at the inconsistency of the position assumed by our good friends in France . Bro .
Grimaux ' s idea that the Freemason is hostile to the Grand Orient of France is altogether a chimera . We will venture to add that the Grand Orient of France , so long as it preserves the even march of legality , order , and true Masonry , has no sincerer friend than the Freemason .
Our Late Bro. The King Of Hanover.
OUR LATE BRO . THE KING OF HANOVER .
On Monday last , the Royal Mausoleum in St . George ' s Chapel , at Windsor , received all that was mortal of our late royal and distinguished brother the King of Hanover . In that most fitting burial place , in that solemn receptacle of so many of the House of Brunswick , and amidst
the tears of sorrowing relatives , and the respectful and loyal attachment of ancient subjects and friends , he rests , life ' s stormy journey over , let us all hope , in peace . And we who record the fact to-day , will only presume to add the heartfelt expression of our own loyal sympathy and concern .
Original Correspondence.
© riamal uxxmoxxotut
[ We do net hold ourselves responsible for , or even as approving of , thc opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we * wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . —ED . 1
RETURNS TO GRAND LODGE . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and lirother , — " A Past I ' rov . Officer , " ijuoting from his letter in your last has ' stumbled ^ ovcr a mare ' s nest' as hc will readily perceive , by another reference to my communication ofthe
15 th inst . I made no allusion whatever to " monies due to Grand Lodge ; " what I wrote about was neglect in making annual returns to Grand Lodge , immediately after installation , of thc new W . M ., Wardens , and Past Masters , so as to qualify them to sit in Grand Lodge . Yours fraternally , A . P . M . and Prov . Officer .
PILGRIMAGE OF AMERICAN KNIGHTS TEMPLARS TO EUROPE . To the Editor oj lhe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , —
In your last issue you give particulars of a pilgrimage to Europe which the Mary Commandery , No . 36 , Philadelphia , U . S . A ., will make next month . Perhaps next week you may be able to devote some space to a similar pilgrimage to be made by the
Original Correspondence.
Allegheny Commandery , No . 33 , leaving New Ycrk July 3 rd . With this pilgrimage our distinguished and universally esteemed Bro . Dr . Robert Morris , La Grange , Kentucky , will be associated , and I am sure the brethren generally will be eager to seek thc privilege of taking him by the hand , wherever opportunity may offer . I enclose you full particulars of the pilgrimage . Yours truly and fraternally , JOHN HOGG .
" We have already announced that Allegheny Commandery , No . " 35 , of Allegheny , Pa ., together with such members of other commanderies as may join the expedition , will set forth on the 3 rd July next , for a tour of seventy-five days in Great Britain and the Continent . Wc have now to add that Sir Knight Robt . Morris , Past Grand Master of Kentucky , has secured a phce , and will
give his large Masonic experience to make the tour pleasant and instructive . Success go with them . — Masonic Review , " Cincinnati ! , May 18 , 1878 . Bro . Robert Morris , LL . D ., 32 ° , is the author of " Masonic Songs and Poems . " incomparably the best collection of Masonic poems ever written , commencing with " We Meet Upon the Level , We Part Upon the Square , " "The
History of Freemasonry in Kentucky , " " Freemasonry in the Holy Land , " & c , & c . Bro . Carson , in his " Masonic Bibliography , " after enumerating ten of Bro . Dr . Morris ' s works , adds : " He was also the Editor of the American Freemason ( Louisville , 1850 , Folio ); the ' same
title , 8 ° , Chicago , 1859 . He was also the projector , editor , and publisher of that ponderous collection the Universal Masonic Library , 30 vols ., S ° , 1856-57 , and he edited an edition of / Fetl- ' s Freemasons' Monitor , Cincinnati , 1859 , and has been engaged in various other Masonic literary enterprises .
A MASONIC SCHOOL . To the Editor ofthe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Permit me through the medium of your valuable paper to propose a scheme , which I think may be welcome to many brethren who are bless-d with children , and who may now or will shortly require a good school for them without beini ** either a charity school or an expensive one .
In short . Sir , I would have a Masonic School Co ., Limited , with £ 10 shares , each share giving the right to send one pupil , being the child , o ( a Mason , should this project meet with a favourable reception I shall b- ; pleased to communicate with any brother on the subject , and explain my ideas more fully . I am , Sir , Vours fraternally , S . DAVISON , 1619 .
BRO . R . WEN I WORTH LITTLE DECEASED . To the Editor 0 / the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — It has been suggested by many of Bro . Little ' s Masonic friends that a meeting should be convened to institute measures for establishing a memorial to perpetuate his memory amongst the brotherhood , for which he
did so much , and by whom hc was so much esteemed . Permission has been obtained from the Board of General Purposes to hold a meeting for that object in the Board Room at Freemasons' Hall . I'Yday , the 5 th July , at 6 p . m ., has been fixed for the time of meeting , that being quite a blank day in the
Masonic Calendar . It is to be hoped that thc brethren will make an effort to be present on that occasion , and submit for consideration any suggestion they may think best suited to keep in remembrance the name of our departed brother . 1 remain , yours fraternally , WILLIAM DODD , Executor of Bro . R . Wentworth Little deceased . 26 th June , 1878 .
Consecration Of The Lodge Of Perseverance, No. 1743.
CONSECRATION OF THE LODGE OF PERSEVERANCE , No . 1743 .
On Saturday last this new lodge was consecrated at the Imperial I lotel , Holborn Viaduct , by Bro . John Hervey , G . S . ; who was assisted by tbe Rev . A . I * . A . Woodford , P . G . C . ; as Chaplain , Bro . H . G . Buss , Assistant Grand Secretary , as S . W ., Bro . Edgar Bowyer , Prov . G . D . Herts ,
Bro . James Terry , Prov . G . Director of Ceremonies Herts , as D . C . * , Bro . Mollindinia , as Secretary , and Bro . D . Reed , Prov . G . D . Essex , as I . G . The complete list of brethren who attended was as follows : —Louis A . Leins , Albert Barker , Frederick Kearney , John L . Mather , E . Marlet , Joseph Wall , C . E . Sparrow , C . E . Ferry , W . Payne , C . H . Reed , Alfred Eade , George Mellison , C . Robinson , Rev . A .
F . A . Woodford , W . Miller , Gr ;; Fredk . Crockford , Zetland , ( Malta ); G . F . Brown , W . M . 65 ; W . Simmons , W . M . 1 tj 6 ( _); J . Roberts , 6 5 ; Edgar Bowyer , 1580 , P . G . D . Herts ; Alfd . Trewmond , S . W . 16 93 ; H . P . Isaac , 188 , J . W . 16 93 ; John Greenfield , 1 G 02 ; Robert Court , Ancient York , Lovell , Massachusetts , W . W . Morgan , 211 ; W . J Wright , 65 ; D . Reed , 1457 , P . G . D ., Essex ; Frederick Gotto , 1087 ,
P . G . S . Works Berks and Bucks ; Thos . W . Simons , 1185 ; Fred . H . Cozens , Org . 907 ; John Hervey , G . S . ; H . G . Buss , A . G . S . ; Jas . Terry , Prov . G . D . C , Herts j A . W . Hubbard , 813 ; George Murray , 1471 j J . Tulledge , 1426 ; Thomas Parry , P . M ., 890 j C . L . Pierce , 65 ; George B . Cutler , 217 ; C . B . Payne , G . T . j and H . Massey , P . M . 619 , ( Freemason ) . After the Lodge had been opened , the Grand Secretary in addressing the brethren , briefly referred to the
innovation made recently by the Grand Orient of France , and spoke in terms of h * gh praise with respect to the action taken by Grand Lodge of England on the subject . He afterwards dwelt shortly on the matter of the change , and on the whole objection to it . The ceremony of the day , and its importance had engaged his attention , and in speaking of it stated the pleasure he felt in once more installing in the Master ' s chair of a lodge a brother who had occu-
Consecration Of The Lodge Of Perseverance, No. 1743.
pied that position on three previous occasions . He would leave the subject of Freemasonry to be dilated on by Bro . Woodford , who had always something to say to the brethren which they might ponder over with profit . Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford P . G . C , then delivered the following oration ; I have been requested , V . W . Presiding Officer , by the
W . Master elect of this new lodge , as you are aware , to deliver the customary oration on the present occasion , and though I acceded to his fraternal request with pleasure , I yet did so with diffidence , as the thought struck me , as it will perhaps strike many more now present , what is there to say ? either worth hearing ? or worth preserving ? So many able brethren have from time to time addressed the
brotherhood , that at first sight it might almost appear as if there were neither room for novelty or even further illustration of a subject so often dilated upon just now as Freemasonry . I , for one , however , hold it to be a great mistake to repeat at such gatherings as these , interesting and important in themselves , stcieotyped formulas or familiar utterances , since , however , well delivered thev may be by
the practised speaker , they weary the intelligent and disappoint the cultivated . And hence the special difficulty of the Chap ' ain on such occasions as these . He has to avoid the two dilemmas of oversamencss and over novelty , and while he docs not weary he is to interest , to instruct , and to edify a critical but sympathetic audience . What then , V . Wocshipful Sir , can I say to-day , as your Chap ' ain ,
which shall serve to " improve the occasion , " to command the adhesion of the thoughful and to gratify the feelings of the assenting ? Luckily for us we have a very tolerant audience to deal with , and we know well before we begin , from old experience of their indulgence , that wc may rely upon their patience and invoke their forbearance . What , then , can I say about that
good old Order of ours , in whose service and ranks we both , like many more old friends , have grown grey , which shall be worthy the occasion , or thc assembly I see before me ? It appears to me that 1 cannot do better than build upon the " ancient foundations , " and endeavour from the goodly teaching of older Masters to lay down certain first principles of Masonic teaching and action , if in
modem diction , which may serve to refresh the memories of the older Masons amongst us , while they tend to commend Freemasonry to thc warm appreciation and admiration of those younger brethren of ours , in whose hands , let me once more impress upon them , lies after all the solemn future , of the honour , of the usefulness , ofthe progress of Freemasonry in this great country of ours '! We
shall then all agree , in the first place , in this definition of Freemasonry , that it is a philanthropic brotherhood , based upon the acknowledgement of these two great truths , Belief in God , Love to our brother . Wc in England , from the very first have been a religiously minded sodality . We have ever declared that we knowingly admitted no " stupid Atheist" amongst us ; we loudly repeat that avowal
today . Let other sections of thc Masonic family do what they perversely will , let some , foolishly and wickedly departing from the foundation truth of Cosmopolitan Freemasonry , and relax restrictions which are , Sir , I conceive , absolutely essential to our safety , our endurance , and our very existence as a brotherhood in the world , we in England will always seek
to walk in the good old paths , and as loyally adhere to our wise and ancient formula ; . No candidate can or shall be admitted amongst us wh '> will not profess to put his trust in God . Neither will we associate as Masons with those under whose laws t ' ie intolerant sceptic and thc open infidel is permitted to claim adoption into our tolerant , bentficient and religious order . Love to our brethren , also
the Second Table of our Masonic Law , is and ever will be the distinguishing characteristic of our Fiaternity . We shall adopt no Utopian views or childish chimeras . We shall invent no cant phrases , such as " La Solidarite humaine " to take the place of well-balanced truths ; but we shall simply seek to assert and to evince our love to our brethren in theory as well as in practice , in word as well
as in deed . And if some of my younger friends may ask me , not unreasonably , how is this great principle best manifested in practice amongst us , I would shortly thus reply . Brotherly love is an active duty , not a phrase , a practical and personal reality , not a tissue of mere fine words . By brotherly love we understand a sincere regard for , interest in , attachment to , our brother . We are to
act with him " on the square . " We are to render him every service that kintlness , justice , morality can require . We are to uphold his character in his absence as in his presence , we arc boldly to repel the slanderer of his good name , wc are to relieve his necessities and succour his wants , if unforsecn and unavoidable calamity fall upon him as it does upon all mortals often , in a spirit of
thoughtful observation and prudent consideration . Because a man is a Mason we are not , however , to uphold him when he docs wrong . We are not to allow a fictitious sentiment of Masonic sympathy , to cloud our understanding or warp our judgment , and while in all cases of human transgression and weakness , which are many and great , as we all know , our Masonic sentiment is to be " Fiat justitia
ruat Ccclam , " to use thc words of our old teacher , we are also to bear in mind that if our " brother deserves not our esteem and friendship he has at least a demand on our commiseration and our forbearance . Like a fruitful olive tree planted by the side of a fountain , whose boughs overshadow the wall , such is , such ought to be , brotherly love . It spreaeleth abroad its arms , from the strength and
opulence of its station , and lendeth its shade for the repose , comfort , and protection of all those who come under its branches . Let us then haste to the home of affliction and open the arms of affection to a distressed brother and fellow creatures . While they live , let us strive to support the drooping head and cheer the afflicted heart , let us cover them with the garments of kindness and friendship , and ' administer to them the cordial balm ot