The Marquis Of Dalhousie Lodge (No. 1,049).

THE MARQUIS OF DALHOUSIE LODGE ( No . 1 , 049 ) .

LONDON , SATURDAY , 3 TARCK 30 , 1867 .

In our present number Ave give the conclusion of the proceedings of the consecration of this lodge , Avith the oration of Bro . Binckes , which is in itself a most interesting document ; but the establishment of this lodge affords grounds for

congratulation beyond the mere fact of another shoot springing forth in health and vigour from an ancient and stately tree . If there is a point upon wliich Ave , as Masons , feel a just and laudable pride it is the complete universality of our Institution ,

for , as has been well said by Bro . Dame , the G . M . of Massachusetts , in his annual address to the members of that province , " Wherever civilisation has extended there is the banner of Freemasonry seen moving in the breeze—Avhether it is in the

farthest confines of India ; in the flowery empire of China , in Japan , the Sandwich Islands , the shores of the Pacific , Cape Horn , the banks of the Nile , the shores of the Barbary States , or the borders of the Arctic Ocean , there is to be heard

the sound of the gavel calling the Craftsmen to labour . " These are most gratifying results , and endear to us the institution whose

ramifications extend over the entire civilised globe , and nothing can more truly exemplify the truth of Masonic teaching than the observations of Bro . Daclubhai Naorojie , Avho bore his testimony , from a long experience in his native country , " that the

gulf and barrier of prejudice , which , at one time existed between Parsees aud Mahomedans , had been broken through quietly and satisfactorily , that a complete bond of brotherhood existed between distant races , and by the goodness of God and the

influence of Freemasonry the holy bond Avould soon be complete . " Need Ave seek for higher or nobler achievements to adorn our Masonic profession than such results as these . It is indeed a state of things to be proud of , and never could there have been a more fitting seal to be set to

such testimony—to the evidence of one bringing such ivelcome tidings—than the appointment of himself , a Parsee , to the office of Secretary of one of the most influential lodges established in the very capital of the British empire .

In a society claiming for itself an unfathomably antiquity—as having existed from time immemorial ¦ —there can be few occasions of greater interest

to its members than those when brethren are assembled together for the purpose of assisting in the erection of a suitable structure , in which , and by means of Avhich new—it may be , improved opportunities shall be afforded for the propagation

of our solemn rites and ceremonies , and for the practice of the manifold duties peculiarly incumbent upon us in our distinctive positions as Freemasons . In the great and busy world , in the midst of

Avhich " we live , and move , and have our being , " rent and divided as it is by conflicting creeds , views , feelings , and opinions , all seem agreed on one point—viz ., that of celebrating in a becoming ' manner the founding and the opening of edifices ,

whether devoted to the worship , under some form or other , of the G . A . O . T . TJ . —to the relief of distress—the solace of affliction—the spread of commerce—the refining amusements of life—¦ or the promotion of social enjoyment . Surely ,

then , it is not inappropriate in ns to celebrate in a fitting manner the foundation of a new mystic Masonic temple , which , well laid—as it is hopedthis evening" shall be perfect in all its partshonourable to the builders , and destined—under

discreet rule and judicious management—to advance—and that materially , regard being had to the advantages derivable from the circumstances which have led to its establishment—the best and the highest interests of our ancient Order .

The origin of that peculiar system of morality , veiled in allegory , and illustrated hj symbols , which we know as Freemasonry is too remote , and therefore doubtful to allow of dogmatising thereon , and time , on an occasion such as this , will not

permit a discussion of the various theories which have been propounded on the subject . The two most generally received , I believe , are these : — 1 . Claiming a descent from the "Eleusinian

Mysteries of the Greeks ( B . C . 1356 ) , or from ages more remote through the Egyptian mysteries of Isis and Osiris , or through the Patriarch Moses , " versed in all the learning of the Egyptians "—¦ as we read in the sacred story—in either case it

being indisputable that from the earliest ages there has always existed an organisation , the object of which has been jealously to preserve knowledge to the select few , admitting to a participation those only well recommended and approved , who , after some trials and tests , were " initiated , " and gradually " passed , " through the various