Freemasonry In Brecknockshire.

Ifc is no Avonder that architecture spread when it was patronise by powerful kings , carried on by a learned clergy , and . regarded as a holy Avork . The existence of the Freemasons accounts for a . fact which might otherwise be unaccountable ; AA' e mean the striking resemblance which pervades the early Christian buildings in all countries . The principles were derived from one source , Italy ;

the builders belonged to one body of men , the Freemasons ; they Avere in constant communication , and every improvement , -even the most minute , became the common property of the Avhole Order . Hence it is that the churches in the north of Scotland are exactly the same as those in the south of Italy . Hence improvements spread with such marvellous rapidity as to appear almost simultaneously in different countries ; .-and Ave have a remarkable instance of ifc in the fact that Gothic

architecture spread throughout the west of Europe so suddenly that it is impossible to determine Avhere it originated . Freemasonry was at its height in the tenth century . Au idea became prevalent amongst Christians that Christ Avould re-appear on earth 1010 ' years after His death upon the cross , and that the world would come to an end . For many years preceding , thenvery few churches Avere builtand those which existed

, , were suffered to fall into decay . But Avhen the time had passed , and the idea proved to be a delusion , people aroused themselves from this fear of death , and desired churches that their souls might be saved . Then the Freemasons scattered themselves far and Avide ; strong in their union , protected by the great and powerful , receiving asylums in the religious houses , finding work ' to be done everywhere ; they poured out of I ; aly through

the Avest , proceeding further and further , advancing from country to country , from Italy to Germany , from Germany to France , from France to Belgium , and from these places crossing the sea into England .

But as civilisation rose Freemasonry fell . The Pope's poAver was diminished ; the natives of each country asserted their right to Avork ; native skill increased ; and native sovereigns regarded these foreign workmen with jealousy . The secret signs and practices of the Freemasons brought suspicion on them ; they Avere deprived of their privileges in some countries ; they were expelled from others ; and as their services Avere no longer indispensablethe clergy and laity AvithdreAv their patronage from

, them . At length the Freemasons ceased to be architects , and the guilds expired . The present Freemasons , Ave may add , originated in the time of Oliver Cromwell . But Freemasonry is no longer an art ; the lodges are hands of friends who have applied a past organization to social and brotherly purposes .

But Ave cannot help thinking that Avhile much of the obloquy with Avhich Masonry has been burdened is due to the secrecy Avith Avhich its ceremonials are conducted , still some measure of it seems to have been caused by the unnecessary obscurity in Avhich its very principles have been kept some of its professors . Who that knows anything of human nature knows not that when its curiosity becomes excited , and yearns in vain to be gratified , it is most given to run riot Avith common-sense , to

twist and turn anything it cannot understand after its own fashion , aud too often to picture with hideous deformity the most noble and praiseAvorthy objects . It is only recently that the public have been privileged through the press to know anything of Masonic doings , and the effect is already apparent . The mist of prejudice is clearing away , and Masonry , instead of being a thing to be feared and detested , stands forth an institution founded upon the highest principles of loyalty , truth , ancl justice , its objects being . the most noble that can animate the breast of mankind .

The Brecknock Lodge , Avhich dedicated a new hall to Masonry on Thursday last , the 14 th inst ., dates back to somewhere about 1700 , but affected by the vicissitudes that weigh upon all (; em poral things , fell into desuetude , and finally lost its numb find it again , like a phoenix risen from its ashes , in one ev to most distant provinces of India . For ninety years , says our authority , the Brecknock Lodgo

has been held at the Swan Hotel , Sheep-street ; now kept by Mrs . Turner , aud her brother , Bro . Boniface . It has now heeii removed to neAV premises at the Castle of Brecon Hotel , and the dedication took place according to ancient form ; the R . AV . the Prov . G . M ., Bro . T . Mansell Talbot , officiating , surrounded b v the D . Prov . G . M . ; Bro . J . D . Perrott , AV . M . of the loclge ; and about seventy other brethren from various parts of England AVales , and Scotland . '

TEE BANQUET . At five o ' clock the Brethren partook of a sumptuous luncheon provided by Mr . ancl Mrs . Bates of the Castle of Brecon Hotel Company . The Avines ancl the repast generally were superexcellent : — The company nhmbered upwards of seventy , ancl included the R . W . the Prov . G . M ., Bro . T . Mansell Talbot ; the R . AV . the D . Prov . G . M . 'Bro . E . J . Morris ; ancl the following officers

, of the Brecknock Loclge : —Bro . J . D . Perrott , 1072 ancl 651 ; Captain R . Brereton , P . M . ; the Rev . T . B . Hosken , S . W . ; the Rev . AA . Powell Jones , Chap . ; E . Jones , S . W . ; R . AVebb , J . W . ; E . Jones , S . AV . ; AVilliams , Treas . and Hon . Sec ; AA . Farr , J . D . ; H . A . Rich , Steward ; Henry Davies , I . G . ; A . Scott , Tyler ; and the Rev . David Price . Also the folloAving brethren : —Bros . D . Thomas , F . AA atkins , D . J . W . Thomas , J . Morris , P . S . AV . ;

T . Talfourd Jones , T . A . F . Snead , C . Boniface , G . Cansick , J . Prothero ( Mayor ) , D . Pugh , Fred . Hodges , Ebenezer Prothero , R . Cairns , D . S ., 40 , St . John , Scotland ; George Parfitfc , Bath , P . M . 796 , P . Prov . S . AA ., K . T ., P . J . J ., 41 , K . M ., Ra ., 48 , Bath ; Thomas Hine , P . Prov . Supt . of Works , 976 ; J . H . Jukes , S . D . 120 , and Prov . G . Chap . Herefordshire ; A . Myer , S . W . 120 ; Richard Phili 36 » i » Cumbrian Neath ; P . H . RowlandP . M .

ps , , , 364 , and Prov . J . G . W . ; J . Feltore , AV . M ., 833 ; J . Peirce , AA . M ., and S . H . Facey , 818 ; J . AVatkius , 471 ; J . W . Hallam , P . M . 237 , Prov . G . S . ; 0 . Shellard , AV . M . 120 , Prov . S . G . W . Herefordshire ; A . AV . Bezant , Stephen Broad , ancl J . C . Russell , S . AV ., . 120 ; Thomss Hanley , 818 ; R , Lloyd Williams , 120 ; Edward AVilliams , 721 ; AVilliain Saunders , S . Evans , AVilliam AVilliamsjun . J . C . Hazard 818 J . C . Bingham 68 ; J .

, ; , ; , J . Gosden , 818 ; J . Adams , 120 ; Charles S . Bath , W . M ., 217 ; P . Morgan , 818 W . Cox , P . Prov . G . Purst . ; J . Davies , Prov . G . Chap . 1072 ; AV . Prosser , 120 ; J . Pell aud W . AVilliams , 1072 ; J . W . Russell , P . Prov . S . G . AV . 110 ; AV . M . Rogers , 960 ; J . Vaughan , Steward ; S . J . Balcombe , Hon . Sec ; and G . F . Smith , S . W . 1072 . On the removal of the cloth the W . Master gave , in an

appropriate speech , " The Queen and the Crafc , " Avhich received ful Masonic honours . The AV . Master then gave the " Heath of the Right AVorshipful the Grand Master of England , the Earl of Zetland , " a nobleman

Avho devoted a great deal of energy aud ability to the interests of Freemasonry . Then followed " The Health of the Right AVorshipful the Deputy Grand Master of England , the Earl cle Grey ancl Ripon , n great deal of whose valuable time ancl influence , exercised as it Avas for the good of the Craft , entitled him to the Avarmest consideration of the Freemasons of England and Wales . The AV . Master then rose and saicl : —Brethen , I rise with no

ordinary feelings of pleasure to propose for your acceptance the " Health of the Right Worshipful the Grand Master of this Province of South AVales . " The Right Worshipful the Prov . Grand Master has done us a great kindness by visiting the Brecknock Lodge a second time Avithin a period of less than twelve months , and Ave all appreciate that honour . His great Masonic abilities have won for him honour in other provinces before he came amongst usancl we must feel pride and

plea-, sure in acknowledging tho obligations Ave are under to one so eminent in his position , so great in his ability , and so since re in his efforts for the spread of the great work of Masonry . I ask you , brethren , to join me in drinking to tlie good " Health of the Provincial Grand Master , " with nil Masonic honours . The toast having been enthusiastically received , The R . AV . the Prov . G . M . on rising was received with loud

cheers , and saicl : AVorshipful Master and brethren , allow me to return you my grateful thanks for this kind privilege and very distinguished honour , conveyed to me in the flattering terms in which you , AA ' orshipful Sir , proposed my health , and you brethren received it . I am indeed truly gratified to find I have been able to come a second time and visit the ancient Brecknock Lodge . I regard it as no empty honour to stand before you

to-day in the position I do , ancl it was a source of much real pleasure to be permitted to take part in the proceedings of the clay , ancl to conduct the ceremony of the dedication of your new Masonic loclge . It is six months since my first visit to Brecknock Lodge . I then formed no ordinary opinion of the merits of this lodge as a working hody , ancl I am glad to say upon the present occasion I form a still higher opinion , both of the

admirable way in which the duties and ceremonies of the AVorshipful Master are carried out , ancl of tho good understanding and kind and fraternal feeling pervading its loclge is a source of the highest satisfaction ; but if , on the contrary , that knid