Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cumberland And Westmorland.

have erred and are deceived . " Such is the vital and intimate connection between Masonry and the Church , and therefore we are found here to-day . And still more . How do these moral and social virtues , these three grand principles , draw their origin and authority from the volume of the Sacred Law ? Therein we read this testimony to their moral and religious virtues and principles , " Let brotherly love continue . " " Whoso seeth his brother hath need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him , how dvvelleth the love of God in him ? " " Speak the truth in love . Speak every

man truth with his neighbour . " The whole science and system of Masonry are sanctified by religion , lt runs like a golden thread through its entire ritual . Its hymns , its prayers , its Scripture lessons and statements , all beautifully and incontrovertibly testify to that . The Bible , on which its religion , like itself , is founded , lies open upon its altar , is read in its services , carried in its processions , is sworn upon in its vows of fidelity , and is preached from in its public assemblies . No society , no community , no organisation , under whatever banner it may be enrolled , or by whatever name it may be called , could

be more truly and sacredly religious . The religion of Masonry maybe summed up in these two grand doctrines—the belief of God and of a future state . With these it begins and ends . They are the condensed , yet comprehensive , summary of its creed . They are the general expression of that belief which every candidate is required to subscribe , and to which every brother is expected to adhere . They lie at the foundation of all religious belief , and from which is reared the superstructure of all religious hope and feeling . The founders of the Masonic Order , therefore , wisely and rightly connected these two

doctrines together , thereby giving character and complexion , vitality and stability , spirituality and eternity , to the divine principles of the whole Institution . In their outcome they appear in all its degree =, teaching us the duties we owe to God , to our neighbour , and to ourselves , enabling us to trace the goodness and majesty of the Creator in the manifestation of His works , pointing us to the darkness of death and the obscurity of the grave as the forerunner of a more brilliant light which shall follow at the resurrection of the just , when these mortal bodies which have been long slumbering

in the dust shall be awakened , re-united to their kindred spirit , and clothed with immortality ; and inspiring us with a holy confidence that the Lord of Life will enable us to trample the King of Terrors beneath our feet , and lift our eyes to that bright Morning Star , whose rising brings peace and salvation to the faithful and obedient of the human race . Such then , my brethren , is the grandeur of Freemasonry , the glory of the mystic tie , and the splendour of our Masonic art ; further reaching in its aims and objects than

the dim and distant horizon of mere human and terrestrial things . By the strict observance of its landmarks , its symbols , its moral and social virtues , and its religion , we become the living exponents of the Craft ; we will show ourselves men , good men and true , who are warranted to entertain the anticipation that when we shall be summoned from this sublunary abode we may ascend to the Grand Lodge above , where the world's Great Architect lives and reigns for ever .

A collection was made on behalf of the Masonic Charities , which amounted to £ 9 4 s . 8 d . The procession was then re-formed and marched to the Grand Hotel , where upwards of 200 brethren sat down to an excellent banquet . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts followed , that of " The Masonic Charities " having been proposed by Bro . George Kenning , Vice-Patron , and responded to by Bro . George J . McKay , and a very agreeable evening was brought to a conclusion .

Consecration Of The Windermere Lodge, No. 2217.

CONSECRATION OF THE WINDERMERE LODGE , No . 2217 .

On Saturday , the 22 nd inst ., the day after the annual Provincial Grand Lodge held at Whitehaven , the R . W . Provincial Grand Master , the Right Hon , the Earl of Bective , M . P ,, accompanied by Bros . L . F . B . Dykes , P . G . D . of England , D . P . G . M . ; George J . McKay , P . M . 129 , P . G . Sec , and W . M . designate of the new lodge ; J . G . -Gandy , P . M .,

P . G . Reg ., S . W , designate ; T . A . Argles , P . G . Sword Bearer , J . W . designate ] George Kenning , P . M . 192 and 1657 , P . G . D . Middlesex ; and many Present and Past Provincial Grand Officers , to witness the ceremony . On arriving at Windermere ) after a beautiful trip by land and water , the brethren were joined by the R . W . Provincial Grand Master for East Lancashire , Bro . Colonel Le Gendre N . Starkie , and many others from various parts of the province .

After luncheon had been partaken of , all the brethren repaired to the Central Buildings , when , in the unavoidable absence of Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , P . G . D ., and Grand Secretary of England , Bro . L . F . B . Dykes , D . P . G . M ., presided , supported on his left b y the R . W . Provincial Grand Master ; and the following brethren were nominated to assist in the

ceremony : Bros . Colonel Le Gendre N . Starkie , R . W . Provincial Grand Master of East Lancashire , as S . G . W . ; C . W . Braithwaite VVilson , as J . G . W . ; Rev . James Anderson , P . P . G . Chaplain , as Chaplain ; E . Armitage , P . S . G . W ., as G . D . of C . ; and George Dalrymple , P . P . J . G . W ., as G . I . G .

The following brethren were also present : Bros . Wm . Cartmell , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ; Wm . Kirkbride , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W .: H . Cook , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ; Thos . Wilson , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ; J . H . Hogg , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W . ; Dr . Gore'Ring , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . ; R . J . Nelson , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ; W . Middleton , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . ; J . Paterson , P . M ., P . P . G . Swd . Br . ; T . A . Argles , P . M ., P . G . Swd . Br . ; W . Chaplin , ; C . S . Lane , P . M . 764 and 1862 , P . P . S . G . D .

Durham ; J . Chadderton , 121 3 , W . M . designate 2216 ; A . VV . Johnston , 543 ; Wm . Robson , 1121 ; J . J . Addison , 129 ; A . W . Hardy , 129 ; R . Remmington , F . Wilson , J . R . Illingworth , 129 ; E . Jackson , W . M . 1073 ; R- Fisher , H . Hoggarth , V . S . Smith , 129 ; W . Rawes , VV . Bradly , Watson Ion , 129 ; and others . The lodge was then opened in due form , when the DEI ' UTY PROV . GRAND MASTER , in the chair , eloquently addressed the brethren at length

on he nature of the meeting , and showed that many members of the parent lod ge , No . 129 , and others residing in and around Windermere had petitions for a warrant to hold a regular lodge to initiate candidates in a constitutional manner , and the M . W . G . M . had approved of their petition and granted them a charter , and he now called upon the Acting Secretary to read the same , and the brethren having signified their approval of the officers named therein ,

The ACTING GRAND CHAPLAIN delivered the following oration on the nature and principles of the Institution ;—In our ancient Charge , so concise and comprehensive in itself , we have very graph ! - "" y and beautifull y described the nature and principles of Masonry . No member of the Craft need travel much beyond that charge to obtain a further elucidation or statement of the leading elements and features , character and obligationsof the Fraternit

, y unto which he belongs , and whose admission thereinto was a matter of congratulation , it writes down in one sentence its immemorial history as a speculative science , and engrossesin asingle line thaton which laboured volumes have been published . Itdashes off \ h J P" * £ nant words the human glory by which in all ages it has been surrounded , and n . u / 1 , doubted honour which attaches to the names ot those by whom it is esteemed honourable among all men . " To what , it may be asked , are we to ascribe the willingness _[ Persons of high birth , of wealthand rrood education to enter the Masnnlr ir ^ fo ^ nlM ?

, , Th " ° -j SUcl 1 classes do not show any wish t 0 be admitted members of other Crafts . _ ine evident answer is—that the Masonic brotherhood contained among its members not sri f * K whom , on account of their intelligence , their general culture , and their j-Lientihc attainments , the best born and the best educated in the land might well choose aIrP ^ 0 Cla .- ' ^ from whom also the y might ex P ect t 0 , earn ' much w h'ch the mind , it is ti . , 'P lulated and expanded by education , could not but desire to know . " And so ' ¦> that kings and nobles have not retrained from wielding thc trowel as well as swaying

Consecration Of The Windermere Lodge, No. 2217.

the sceptre , from patronising our mysteries , and joining in our assemblies . That charge , which is not merely for the hearing of the ear , but more especially for the study of the life , pourtrays with one stroke of the pen that solid foundation of which Masonry is justly entitled to boast , which has raised it to that high eminence which should be the proud ambition of all who are enrolled beneath its banner , and which , in the admirable adaptation of its system , aims at the development of all that is good and great in man as a moral and a social being , lt recommends in earnest and potent terms the serious

contemplation of that divine oracle of Masonry without which no Masonic lodge could be perfect , and no Mason could solemnly promise and vow—the volume of the Sacred Law . It marks with expression the acknowledgment of its claims as the unerring standard of truth and justice , as the source of all religious thought and feeling , and as the moving spring and regulator of every action . It outlines in terse sententious manner the threefold duty which „ every Mason owes to God , to his neighbour , and to himself . It links him to the Great Architect and Grand Geometrician of the Universe with that awe

and reverence , that sense of help and dependence which are to be paid by the creature to the Creator . His holy name is to be venerated ; His aid is to bejmplored ; His comfort and support are to be a refuge when emergency throws its dark shadows around , lt links him to his neighbour by a straightforward course of conduct as acting with him on the square ; by a chord of generous sympathy , which prompts the rendering of every kind office consistent with the claims of justice and mercy , which embraces the relieving of his necessities and the soothing of his afflictions , and the doing unto him as he would

be done by were similar distress and need his own . It links him to himself by a process of self government which holds in check inferior appetites and passions , stimulates those aims and aspirations which are pure and noble , consecrates to their proper use the faculties of body and mind , thereby tending to preserve them in their fullest energy , and present them as a tribute to the glory or God and the welfare of his fellow-creatures . No course of discipline or code of laws could be more sublime in their nature and objects , more lofty in their conception and blessed in their results , reflecting the highest credit , not

only upon the man himself , but also upon that ancient Order which was cradled in the lap of bygone centuries , and whose chariot wheels are rolling onward in their progress with the roll of time . And as the natural outcome of such a moral and religious regimen , what else was to be expected than their legitimate bearing upon the department and conduct of every Mason as a citizen of the world ? Accordinglj ' , that Charge is careful to mark with special emphasis attention to civil duties , and to enjoin the exemplary fulfilment of the same . Its demands are demands of obedience to all lawfully const !"

tuted authority , wherever it may be ; of strict regard to the peace and good order of society ; of unforgotten allegiance to the Sovereign of our native land , and of that cherished remembrance implanted in our hearts which binds us by a sacred and an indissoluble attachment to the country of our birth and association . Masonry is thus thoroughly constitutional ; the well-proved loyalty and good conduct of its members have won for it peculiar privileges , in its entire exemption from those restraints which ara placed upon all other sscret societies . When we meet with our door closed , the lodge

properly tyled , and care taken that no cowans or eavesdroppers are present , we meet under the express sanction of an Act which is the best possible evidence that Masonry has shown itself , in its practical operation , as decidedly favourable to order and good government , to loyalty and obedience to the laws , as in its own constitutions and regulations it behoves it to be . Hence we never fail to give the first and constant place to her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen and all the members of the Royal Family . Nor does it banish from its tender concern the home circle . It

taker particular cognizance of the family in all its relationships . It observes with unremitting * care this Scripture rule , " He that provideth not for his own , and especially for those of his own house , hath denied the faith , and is worse than an infidel . '' The family system is the very basis of society , and Freemasonry seeks to maintain it in its integrity and purity , and to promote its development in all the perfection of its beauty . That Charge , therefore , is forward to recommend the practice of every domestic as well as public virtue . It speaks with no uncertain sound when it says

Let prudence direct you , temperance chasten you , fortitude support you , and justice be the guide of all your actions . " These are a catalogue of virtues of the highest and most essential order , whether considered in their bearing upon the family or the individual , upon domestic or public life . Prudence teaches us to regulate our lives and actions by the wholesome dictates of enlightened reason , and constitutes that habit of mind which leads men wisely to make the best of both worlds . It preserves a man from the dangers of temptation , and fiom being readily involved in those pecuniary

distresses which overtake the less wary . It should , therefore , be the cultivated grace and distinguishing character of every Free and Accepted Mason . Temperance is the handmaid of prudence . A prudent man is a temperate man—temperate , not in one thing , but in all things , in mind and in deed . It is taking the mastery of our desires and passions , keeping them under due restraint and subjection , and holding them within the bounds of reason and religion , lt is thus a Mason ' s enjoined virtue , the practice of which will be an effective barrier in the way of mistakes , and a faithful monitor pointing

out to him the path in which he ought to go . Fortitude is that strength of mind , that steady purpose of soul , which is equally distant from rashness on the one hand , and from cowardice on the other . It is to be brave , to be strong in the midst of difficulties and trials ; to face them all with a good courage , and with a firm resolution to endure . Endurance is fortitude ; not the fortitude of a listless , indifferent stoic , but of that sense of right which is might , that resolute determination which looks upon the foe with a steady eye and dares him to come on , like our great Master , who , in spite of threatenings and

violence , remained firm and unshaken even unto death , that fortitude is based upon faith ; faith in that power which never varies ; which holds out the hand of succour in the season of perplexity , sustains the fainting heart in the day of adversity , and says to the desponding and despairing , the doubting and the fearing , " Rise up and show thyself a man . " Justice is that noble virtue which consists in rendering , without distinction , to everyone his due . It is that divine principle which ought to govern all sorts and conditions of men in all the transactions and relationships of life . It is a

vital essence of the moral law , and the standard and cement of civil society . Without it confusion and anarchy would disorganise its ranks , and social equity and intercourse would be at an end . For the honour and safety of all , its voice of authority must regulate the minds and the actions , the judgments and the dealings in connection with this world ' s affairs , and speak with impression to every rational mind that honesty , in the full and comprehensive sense of the term , is the best and most Godlike policy . "Love thyself last ; cherish those hearts that hate thee ; corruption wins not more than honesty

Still in thy right hand carry gentle peace , to silence envious tongues : be just and fear not . Let all the ends thou aim ' st at be thy country's , thy God ' s , and truth's . " Nor does that Charge forget to couple with those four cardinal virtues those truly Masonic ornaments ( which are so liberally and amply illustrated in the First Degree ) , namely , Benevolence and Charity . These it enjoins to be especially careful to maintain in their fullest splendour . And why ? Not merely because of their financial , pecuniary , or eleemosynary value , but because also of their intimate approximation to that genuine love of the Brotherhood which stimulates the exercise of every

generous feeling and emotion . Benevolence and Charity in all their aspects have a large participation in the nature of Masonry , and shine forth in their tender compassion and sympathy in the practical operations of the Masonic Order . They embrace all those educational and charitable channels of relief which a bountiful wisdom can devise , and a liberal goodness can provide , and which are the pride and the glory of its Institution . If these are to be maintained in their fullest splendour , it must be because there is a beauty in them which commands admiration , and an intrinsic merit atUched to them whicn is worthy ot all praise . Nor does that Charge fail to direct attention in a peculiar and forcible manner to those other excellences wnich invest the Masonic character . To that

secrecy which holds as a sacred trust Masonic obligation , and coniinuousiy avoids the occasion ot inadvertent disclosure , lo that fidelity which is laitniul in its cunlormity to the Constitutions and landmarks of the Order , whicn presumes not upon forbidden ground or to reach the knowledge of further mysteries whicn it is not lawtul but by one way to obtain , which guards the citadel of Masonry with that strict and discriminating viligauce which admits nothing and no one within us charmed circle out who will bring honour and credit with them there . To that obedience which is the characteristic of right

discipline , the guarantee for proper order and decorum , tne assurance ot good government in the strict observance of laws and regulations , and yields the promise ot thac unity , peace , and concord , which embellish the Masonic Fraternity , and prove the Mason true . And what a splendid recommendation is that which exhorts to the adoption of such pursuits as will adorn the life , be an acquisition to mankind , and an

ornament of that Society of which this lodge noiv bding consecrated forms a part ; which encourages all possiole attainment in art and science and advancement in Misunic lore , witnout detriment to the ordinary duties of daily toil and labour ; wnich expects a felt appreciation of the value of Freemasonry , and an indelible imprint Upon the tablet of the heart of the sacred dictates of truth , of honour , and of virtue . It is even so that the nature and principles of that Institution , to which we are individually allied ,