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usage that on such au occasion one of the brethren , whoso research and experience enabled him to speak with intelligence and earnestness on the excellence and beauty of tho Alasonic system , should deliver an oration—briefly recapitulated all those tests of excellcuce by which the minds of men are swayed . Do we demand of Alasonry that claim to veneration ivhich antiquity affords ? It is almost coeval ivith tho creation , and is traceable in its existence and history , enlightening the dark places of the earth from age to age . so that Alasonry and light

became identical in moaning . Do we require universality of adoption as a criterion of respect ? Alasonry is spread over the whole surface of the globe ; upon the masonic system , as over the realms of this gigantic empire , tho sun is ever at its meridian . Do we demand the patronage of the noble , or the appreciation of the learned and the wise - ! Then Alasonry pre-eminently possesses them ; not only " Groat kings , dukes and lords .

Have put past their swords , " that they might participate in our peaceful mysteries ; but the philosopher and the sage have found in our teaching , our ritual , and our ceremonies , subjects for their most profound investigation , and materials for their most critical acumen . But after all , utility is the great test oi excellence ; and is not Alasonry—has it not over been—the most useful of human institutionseven to the outer world . Look at its

foundations—brotherly love , relief , and truth ; look at its superstructure—the cultivation of every moral virtue ; look at its cud—to display the beauty of true godliness , to the honour aud glory of our Creator ' s name ; aud say is not Masonry worthy of the utmost exertions of all its members , that its influence may continue to spread over the surface of the whole earth 1 The reverend brother concluded by invoking the divine blessiug on the new Lodge and ou all its members , aud ou the Craft in general , that Alasons may so live towards each other , and towards the

world around , that to be a Alason aud to be a true man , a good man , may indeed and in truth become synonymous terms , even in the mouths of those who know nothing of the meaning or the value of the Order . The solemn ceremonies of consecration and dedication then proceeded , and the impressive effect was considerably heightened . by the introduction of appropriate music , vocal and instrumental , the performers being Bros . George Tedder , D . AVoollams , Amos , and Davis . The use of the Grand Lodge consecrating vessels was granted for the

occasion . The ceremony was concluded by Addison's beautiful " Hymn of Praise , " set by Haydn . The Lodge was then opened in tho second degree , and Bro . John Savage presented Bro . John Emmens as AA . M ., who was afterwards installed iu the chair by Bro . Muggeridge , in the presence of several Past Alasters , among whom , besides those previously mentioned , were Bros . Alfred Day , AA . R . Swainston , C . Van Poor , L . Stean , T . Anslow , and Arliss . The AV . AI . then appointed and invested Bros . H .

Aluggcridge as P . AI . ; John Bertram , S . W . ; Augustus Swiimock , J . AV . ; Rev . J . AV . Laughlin , Chaplain ; Henry AVild , Secretary ; Gideon Lawrence , S . D . ; L . J . Levisohu , J . D . ; Alargetson , D . C ; Osmond , I . C ; and T . H . Stevens , Steward . Bros . AVilliam Estwick , the Treasurer , and Speight , the Tyler , were also invested . A dispensation having been granted for the initiation of seven gentlemen , the following were balloted for and approved , and being in attendance , were initiated into Alasonry—Alessrs . AA . Elias Cole , AA m . Barnet , Chas . Kennedy , Robert J . Boyce , John Brown , AVm . Nightingale , and 11 . Schweizor . The maimer in which the ceremony was gone

through iras most creditable , every officer performing his duty with care and accuracy . Bro . Muggeridge discharged the important duties of consecration and installation , and addressed the officers and brethren , in a maimer ivhich elicited warm commendations . The furniture , ornaments , & c , manufactured by Bro . Piatt , are of the most elegant design , aud does the Lodge much honour , and the arrangements generally gave the greatest satisfaction to all present . The business of the day , which began at three , was not concluded till near nine o ' clock ,

when tho Lodge being closed , the brethren surrounding Bro . Emmens , the AV . AI ., reassembled iu the large assembly room adjoining the tavern , where refreshment wa .. provided ; nearly seventy brethren were present Bro . Stannard , the tavernkeeper , gave great satisfaction by his attention to the comfort of the brethren . Iu the course of the evening when Bro . Muggeridge proposed " The health of the A \ . AL , " he said he spoke the sentiments of all present when he said that in the first Alaster of the New Concordthe Lodge

, had to conduct its proceedings a Alason of long standing aud great experience . His services had been handsomely acknowledged by the Old Concord , and the testimonial which had been presented to him was creditable alike to the Lodge and to himself . Bro . Emmens , also , he would add , was not only celebrated for his exertions in Lodges , but his efforts had been greatly serviceable to the charities . The AV . AI ' ., iu responding , said , that so long as he lived , that day would never be obliterated from his memory—as its senior member he was the father of

the Old Concord Lodge , and ivas now the first Alaster of the New . For the twenty-five years of his membership of No . 201 , he had never been absent from his duties but once , aud that was in consequence of domestic affliction . He also alluded to the pleasure he felt on this his opening day , initiating seven gentlemen into the Order . The AA . AI proposed "The health of the reverend brother who had accejited the office of Chaplain . " In reply the Rev . Bro . Laughlin said that the new Lodge ivould be a means of spreading Masonry in a new district . He playfully alluded to the cli'iMned number of seven being initiated , and in addressing himself to the new made Masons , it was , he assured them , impossible for any man

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or aet of men to devise a scheme move perfect or move conducive to the happiness and well being of mankind . Ho congratulated them on gaining admission to Masonry through a Lodge ivhich gave such promise of excellence ; and referred to the efficiency of the officers . He also , as a minister of the established church , remarked that in the church there were formerly entertained great prejudices against Freemasonry ; these errors were fast being obliterated , and many accessions were continually being made of clergymen into the Order . He sincerely believed

that attention to its precepts would be a fit preparation to a peaceful abode in Heaven , where all is concord for ever and ever . To "The health of the Initiates , " Bro . Sehweizer modestly responded , and in allusion to the great and distinguished characteristic of Alasonry ivhich had been presented to his notice , said such was the instability of human affairs that none couhl say he was bej-ond chance ot reduced circumstances , and hence he was proud to become a member of an institution which so stronglinculcated the duty of beneficenceand that it ivas our

y , duty to act charitably to all . The Worshipful Alaster in kind and grateful terms called on the brethren to join him iu a bumper to " The health of the consecrating Alaster , Bro . Aluggoridgo , "to whom he tendered his warmest thanks . To this Bvo . Muggeridge briefly replied , and the meeting was brought to an end .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

BERKSHIRE . MAIDENHEAD . —St . John ' s Lodye ( No . 1097 ) . —At a Lodge of emergency holden on Alonday last , at theOrkney ^ Arnis Hotel , Bros . Ward and Durrant , after passing their examinations , were duly advanced to the degree of AI . AI . Bro . F . H . Cooper passed through his examination with the highest degree of credit and was advanced to the degree of F . C . Mr . G . G . Shackel was initiated in the privileges of this honourable society , and Air . J . Rutland , jun ., was admitted within the porchivay as a serving

brother , the ceremonies being performed by the AV . AI . ( Bro . E . S . Cossens ) , ill his usual impressive manner . The Lodge was honoured by a visit from Bro . J . B . Gibson , Prov . G-. Sec , Berks and Bucks , and after labour had ceased , the members were refreshed at an excellent dinner provided by Bro . A \ . Skiudlc . The AA . AI . delivered his address on the progress of the Lodge aud announced that the application for a warrant to open a Royal Arch Chapter to be attached to this Lodge has been met by the greatest support and encouragement . Bro .

Hodges . Sec , presented the Lodge with a handsomely bound Bible . Bro . Nichols , S . D ., also presented the Lodge with wands for the Deacons aud fluted gilt columns for the pedestals . Bro . Skiudle presented the Lodge with three dozen glasses engraved around the S . and C . " St . John ' s Lodge , " with the No . 1097 , manufactured by Bro . Piatt . The several brethren were unanimously thanked for their respective and suitable presents . Propositions were made for joining members , and the proceedings of the evening gave the utmost satisfaction to the members .

Mark Masoney.

MARK MASONEY .

CHESHIRE . ' HYDE . —Fidelity Lodge ( No . 31 , E . G . )—This Lodgo held its usual quarterly meeting ou AVednesday , the 21 st instant , at the Norfolk Arms Hotel , Hyde . In the absence of the Senior AVarden , Bro . Yarker , P . AL , presided as AV . AI ., and Bro . Leather , AV . AI ., as S . AV ., when five brethren were balloted for and elected ; and the following , being iu attendance , duly advanced to the degree of Alark Alaster;—Bros . Lyons , AVright ,

Jolm Bradley , Joseph Chadwick Peatson , and Joseph Eltoft . A petition for a new warrant for the establishment of a Lodge at Manchester was then signed by the foregoing brethren , and duly recommended by the parent Lodge .

Royal Arch

ROYAL ARCH

A 1 ETR 0 P 0 LITAN CHAPTER . Do . UATic CHArri . n ( No . 206 ) . —The companions of this Chapter met at the Alasonic Hall , Fetter-lane , on Thursday last , the business before them being the exaltation of Bro . Engel , the audit of the Chapter accounts , and the installation of the three Principals . The exaltation was ably performed by Comp . T . A . Adams . The audit shelved a balance in the hands of the Treasurer to the credit of the Chapter , and at the installation the officers were as follows : —Comps . Jos . Smith ,

Al . E . Z . ; Souter , H . ; Tyrrell , J . ; Child , E . ; Brett , N . ; and Best , T . Soj . The business of the evening being ended , the companions proceeded to refreshment . Amongst the visitors we noticed Comps . AA . AVatson , Hewlett , Nutt , Potter , AValkley , and Cockcraft . After the usual routine toasts had been disposed of , the Al . E . Z . proceeded to give the health of the newly exalted Comp . Engel , who returned thanks , played a- piano-forte concerto in excellent style . It then became the leasing duty of the AlEZto present to his immediate predecessor

p ... , Comp . W . Carpenter , a Past Principal ' s jewel , which he did , con amon ' , and for which Comp . Carpenter returned his thanks in his usual well rounded periods . The M . E . Z . th-u proposed the healths of the visiting companions , coupling the same ivith the name of Bro . AA'illiam AVatson , who was so welcome a guest Wherever lie went ; but he , the M . K . 2-.