Consecration Of The Aldwych Lodge, No. 3096.

Consecration of the Aldwych Lodge , No . 3096 .

r PHE small , but growing roll of temperance lodges in the J ^ metropolis received an important acquisition in the consecration of the above lodge , which important function took place in the great hall at Mark Masons' Hall , Great Queen Street , W . C . The ceremony was performed by V . W . Bro . Sir Edward LetchworthF . S . A ., Grand Secretary

, , in his usual dignified and impressive manner , assisted by the following consecrating officers : —W . Bros . Thomas Proctor Baptie , P . A . G . D . C , as S . W . ; James Stephens , P . Dep . G . D . C ., as J . W . ; Henry Times , P . Dep . G . D . C ., as D . C . ; and Harry Tipper , P . G . P ., as I . G .

( Plmln Hi ,- ! .:,,,,,,. , X , ir llnml SI ., MM THK WOHSIIII'ITI . -MASTI-ai . In the unavoidable and regretable absence of V . W . Bio . Sir Borradaile Savory , P . G . Chaplain , the Consecrating Master at very short notice called upon W . Bro . T . Proctor

Baptie , P . A . G . D . C , to deliver the oration . W . Bro . T . Proctor Baptie said they all regretted the enforced absence of V . W . Bro . Sir Borradaile Savory , not only on account of his personal presence , but by reason of the very important part he would have taken in to-day ' s proceedings as

Chaplain . It was only a few minutes ago that he ( Bro . Baptie ) had been requested to say a few words , and he felt he ought to offer some sort of apology in attempting to give an oration on the nature and principles of Freemasonry , when probably there were many present who were much better qualified to

enlighten them on the subject . Happily there was not one brother there who was not well acquainted with the three great characteristics of Freemasonry , which were brotherly love , relief , and truth , and it would be very difficult indeed for any man to construct a more humane system of morality , or one more calculated to raise and uplift , or for any man to start with a triple foundation more valuable and convincing

in its objects than those three grand principles . Like all ideals , Freemasonry was one which , in aspiring to , they aimed higher and higher , and at the end of a long life still felt they had not attained to the perfection of Freemasonry they ought . Relief was a noble and splendid virtue to be exercised , and perhaps in no place more than London was charity so

remarkable in its extent and variety . We were at that moment within a short distance of the Mansion House , the recognition of which in its sympathies and aims was synonymous with all that was catholic . Truth ! What was more valuable than truth ? Every effort towards formation of character had for

its purpose the securing of truth . We all had different conceptions of truth , and the question asked centuries ago , " What is truth " ? was a fresh one to-day , and after Freemasonry was founded there was a practical unanimity as to what was necessary in the attainment of any sort of conception of truth . The consecration of that lodge was more than the

consecration of an ordinary lodge . The very foundation of true Masonry practically opened the door to the unique character of to-day ' s proceedings . There were many fellow countrymen and citizens who did not feel justified , from conscientious scruples , in sitting down at au ordinary lodge banquet , but who yet desired to take part in and further the grand ideals

of Freemasonry . The idea of temperance in Freemasonry had crystallized and developed into the formation of such a lodge as they were consecrating to-day . The lodge in which he was next to the senior P . M . —King Solomon Lodge , was started some twenty years ago . Last year the Kingsway

Lodge was successfully established , and they were now engaged in the consecration of this , the third temperance lodge in London . Total abstinence was essential in all the lodges he had named , and if their formation tended towards the diminution in any way of excess , all agreed that the result would be in accord with those principles , brotherly love , relief and truth , to which he had briefly alluded .

At the conclusion of the ceremony of consecration the Consecrating Master installed W . Bro . Capt . Richard Rigg , P . M ., as first Worshipful Master , who appointed and invested his officers as follows—Bros . Harry Tipper , Acting I . P . M . ; Richard T . Ford . S . W . ; Edward Willis , J . W . ; Edward James MillsTreasurer ; John Win . Webster , Secretary ;

, Ernest F . Tipper , S . D . ; F . Geo . E . Bradley , J . D . ; Harry Bladon , D . C ; Wilfrid Frank Page , Organist ; Benjamin Petty , I . G . ; John S . J . Stevens , H . A . Sherry , Montagu Sutherland , and Samuel Bennett , Stewards ; and R . J . A . Bennett , Tyler .

A vote of thanks was passed to the Consecrating Officers , and , in reply , V . W . Bro . Sir Edward Letchworth said as the mouthpiece of those who had had the privilege of taking part in the consecrating ceremony , he tendered their warmest thanks for the resolution so kindly passed . It had been a

very great pleasure to all of them to assist in consecrating a lodge such as the Aldwych . They all deeply regretted the enforced absence of V . W . Bro . the Rev . Sir Borradaile Savory , and more especially the cause which deprived them of the pleasure of seeing him . When he saw Bro . Sir

Borradaile Savory he would convey to him the re- ; ret of the brethren . He was very sorry he would not be able to stay with them any longer , but before leaving he would like to

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