Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Rochester Cathedral Freemasons' Tower. Inauguration Of Fund.
ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL FREEMASONS ' TOWER . INAUGURATION OF FUND .
Tin HE Venerable Dean of Eochester Bro . S . J . Eeynolds I < Hole has made the restoration of the Cathedral a work of love . The present incongruous tower has been a source of irritation to him , as it has been to everyone who has the love of the beautiful , together with the desire for regularity . With the consent and co-operation of the highest rulers in the Craft it was decided to inaugurate the fund for a " Freemasons' Tower , " and
a strong representative Committee , with Major Willis I . P . M . 1174 as Secretary , was formed . The complete success of the pageant on Saturday is probably the best comment that can be made on the thorough organisation . The actual arrangements were in the hands of the acting Grand Director of Ceremonies Bro . Thos . Fenn Past Grand Warden , and consequently were perfect .
The weather had threatened to spoil everything , but good old Sol broke through the clouds and' smiled upon the' Brethren in their good work , encouraging them to go forward . The quiet inhabitants were awakened by promise of a " Lord Mayor ' s Show , " which by some wonderful accident got mixed up
with the Masonic Celebration—to an old Craftsman this' se ' emed hardly the right course of action , although the Lord Mayor of London is a Past Grand Officer , as well as Member of Parliament for Chatham . However , the civic element was in keeping with the general display , and , in spite of their uncomfortable uniform ;
the Lord , Mayor , Sheriffs , and other dignitaries of the City of London tried to look happy . Some of tbe London Brethren arrived early , and tried to " do " the place . In Chatham Dockyard'they saw work going on in building a torpedo gunboat , and a third-class cruiseri The " Goliath " had been launched some time since .
At the Museum some interesting exhibits attracted attention . The Brethren were interested in " Eochester 1588 " and ' in the iron fire-place back removed from the Mason ' s Arms . The Castle , like the west door of the Cathedral , shows some capital specimens of the zigzag ornament characteristic of the Norman period .
It is only fair to the inhabitants to say that they were all most courteous , and seemed desirous of giving the Brethren a good time . It probably would have been better if the Reception Committee , all most energetic and able Craftsmen , had been a little more " in the know . "
The Brethren assembled in the crypt of the Cathedral by a " special " door , clothed , and entered the sacred shrine in regular order , the ladies who had special tickets , and the massed bands of the Eoyal Engineers and Eoyal Marines being there before them .
The Brethren of Private Lodges , preceded by Worshipful Masters , made a capital display of " blue . " Provincial Grand Officers followed , and took up their places in front of the "blues . "
The Mayors of Eochester and Chatham , with Corporation officials and Councillors , preceded the Lord Mayor of London ; who was accompanied by the Sheriffs , Under-Sheriffs , and other Corporation officials .
The Grand Lodge procession was in its usual order , and made a good show . The Pro Grand Master the Earl of Lathbm appeared not entirely in perfect health , and was supported by the Deputy Grand Master Earl Amherst Prov . G . M . of Kent , and many distinguished Grand Officers , present and past .
The clerical procession , headed by the cross presented by the Freemasons of Eochester , U . S . A ., entered , singing as processional hymn " O Lord how joyful 'tis to see the Brethren join in love to Thee . "
The opening hymn used by the Pentangle Lodge followed ; this was composed by the daughter of the Junior Provincial Grand Chaplain ( Dora Eobins ) , the music being in the Dorian mode , and composed by Bro . Eev . H . Hickin S . W . 1174 :
" Grand Master Builder , Architect Divine ; Who guards the Craft , the Word , the Mystic Sign , Guide Thou our steps through paths of Light and Love , Send us , Thy servants , blessings from above . O , Master , hoar the Brethren ' s earnest plea , May all our labours be begun with Thee . S . M . I . B . "
Minor Canon Nash intoned the service , while the special Psalms were xlviii . and exxii . Canon Jell' read the special lesson I . Chron . xxii . to v . 17 . The Magnificat was " Elvey in A , " and the anthem Battishill ' s setting to " Behold how good and joyful . " The hymn before the sermon was " Through the night of
doubt and sorrow . " Bro . the Dean of Eochester took as his text I Cor . viii . 1 , " Charity edifieth , " or more truly to the original Greek " Love buildeth . " The usual buoyancy of our respected Brother seems not to have been able to break through his serious anxiety for his
Rochester Cathedral Freemasons' Tower. Inauguration Of Fund.
beloved Cathedral , and the consequence was a really eloquent , thoughtful sermon , that must have deeply affected the assembly . The preacher said : Charity edifieth—so , Brethren , here we have Freemasonry in two words , and in the original language the text is nearer to it
still— " love buildeth —love builds the house . And whether we associate Masonry with the ancient operative Masons , and go back to the building of King Solomon ' s Temple , or consider it from its splendid gifts of charity , here we have it in two words—we have the principles , the history , and the work of Freemasonry . We
may well be proud of association with the great builders—the guilds of religious workmen , consisting of Worshipful Masters , Master Masons , Fellow Crafts , and Entered Apprentices , who not only in this country , but throughout northern Europe , went about in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries , supporting ,
planning , and taking an active part in erecting such buildings as this in our town . Again we can go to St . Paul ' s and see the magnificent work of Bro . Christopher Wren , or the exquisite church of St . Saviour ' s . Of I the generous help given by the Masons of England as showing the principles of the Craft in
material evidences—tbe outward visible sign of the inward spiritual grace ^—or of the acts to give relief to the suffering of widows and orphans—towards whose education no less than £ 130 , 000 was given in one year—in whatever aspect considered , everywhere , and' by all it must be admitted that Charity edifieth
—that love builds the house . The same spirit possesses your and my hearts , Brethren , when we meet in this church . Eeligion broadly is the love of God and man . Those who had this love desired to raise some proper house to the G . A . O . T . U ., and when we open the Volume of the Sacred Law—and my Brethren we love to open
it—we find that there were always places of special worship to the Almighty builder of the world . Abel brought of his best to God , was accepted , and became the first of that noble army of martyrs . Noah ' s how , after bis offering , is a sign of the eternal promise that summer and winter , springtime and harvest , cold and
heat shall continue while the world lasts . Abraham built an altar to God , and was called the father of the faithful and the friend of God . Jacob , when he awoke from his sleep , said " How dreadful is this place , it is none other than the house of God . " He built an altar , called it Bethel ( the house of God ) and vowed
that he would give the tenth part of whatever possessions he obtained unto God . David , when he was penitent , and consequently had been forgiven , was proud of what he was allowed to do for God—he loved his house , and when he was offered a site for nothing said he would not give that which had cost him
nothing . Solomon , who had everything that this world could give , a splendid intellect , money , houses , goods , singing men and singing women , said that all was vanity—but for one house he was thankful—thankful that he had been able to build a Temple to the honour of Almighty God . So it goes on through all ages .
In the New Testament we read of love of the Sanctuary . The Centurion , whom the Master loved , had the true Masonic spirit . He was a Eoman , brought up in a pagan religion , yet the Jews crowded round the Master , and said " He is worthy , he loveth our nation , and has built us a synagogue . " This received the Divine approbation .
So the Master showed that he approved of the giving towards the cost of the Temple ' s services—for He specially drew attention to the widow ' s mite .
The Craft showed the same spirit . This work was dear to the highest and the lowest . The other day he received two letters , one contained' £ 100 towards this fund , and a promise of another £ 100 , the other contained a postal order for half-a-crown , from a working man to buy a bit of mortar . He did not know which would be the most valued .
After the Gospel dispensation they got these great buildings . See how they were built . There * was no advertising for contractors , and giving it to those who would do it at the lowest price—no scamped work—no lath or plaster . All was most beautifully done . The architecture that was viewed by the birds only was splendid , as the Craftmen desired their work to rise up with their glorious anthems before the throne of grace .
Charity edifieth—love builds—go through the world , and the right hand of a Mason is always ready by word and deed to prove this . That cross—and I am proud of that cross—is a gift that came over the Atlantic from the Masons of the City of Eochester ,
U . S . A . So it was with all . The quality of mercy is not strained , it falleth as the gentle dew from heaven : it is twice blessed , for it blesses him who gives as well as him who receives . Mercy equally becomes the monarch on his throne , where mercy seasons justice .
. Love builds . Giving is joy both to the wealthy and to the poor . No one enjoys the good things of this world more than do the Masons , so no one has more thought for others in distress . Love builds the house . Walk round its walls . Tell the towers thereof . There was a time when the beauty of this house was forgotten . Then that incongruous tower , which was a deformity to the building , was put up . He hoped the time
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Rochester Cathedral Freemasons' Tower. Inauguration Of Fund.
ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL FREEMASONS ' TOWER . INAUGURATION OF FUND .
Tin HE Venerable Dean of Eochester Bro . S . J . Eeynolds I < Hole has made the restoration of the Cathedral a work of love . The present incongruous tower has been a source of irritation to him , as it has been to everyone who has the love of the beautiful , together with the desire for regularity . With the consent and co-operation of the highest rulers in the Craft it was decided to inaugurate the fund for a " Freemasons' Tower , " and
a strong representative Committee , with Major Willis I . P . M . 1174 as Secretary , was formed . The complete success of the pageant on Saturday is probably the best comment that can be made on the thorough organisation . The actual arrangements were in the hands of the acting Grand Director of Ceremonies Bro . Thos . Fenn Past Grand Warden , and consequently were perfect .
The weather had threatened to spoil everything , but good old Sol broke through the clouds and' smiled upon the' Brethren in their good work , encouraging them to go forward . The quiet inhabitants were awakened by promise of a " Lord Mayor ' s Show , " which by some wonderful accident got mixed up
with the Masonic Celebration—to an old Craftsman this' se ' emed hardly the right course of action , although the Lord Mayor of London is a Past Grand Officer , as well as Member of Parliament for Chatham . However , the civic element was in keeping with the general display , and , in spite of their uncomfortable uniform ;
the Lord , Mayor , Sheriffs , and other dignitaries of the City of London tried to look happy . Some of tbe London Brethren arrived early , and tried to " do " the place . In Chatham Dockyard'they saw work going on in building a torpedo gunboat , and a third-class cruiseri The " Goliath " had been launched some time since .
At the Museum some interesting exhibits attracted attention . The Brethren were interested in " Eochester 1588 " and ' in the iron fire-place back removed from the Mason ' s Arms . The Castle , like the west door of the Cathedral , shows some capital specimens of the zigzag ornament characteristic of the Norman period .
It is only fair to the inhabitants to say that they were all most courteous , and seemed desirous of giving the Brethren a good time . It probably would have been better if the Reception Committee , all most energetic and able Craftsmen , had been a little more " in the know . "
The Brethren assembled in the crypt of the Cathedral by a " special " door , clothed , and entered the sacred shrine in regular order , the ladies who had special tickets , and the massed bands of the Eoyal Engineers and Eoyal Marines being there before them .
The Brethren of Private Lodges , preceded by Worshipful Masters , made a capital display of " blue . " Provincial Grand Officers followed , and took up their places in front of the "blues . "
The Mayors of Eochester and Chatham , with Corporation officials and Councillors , preceded the Lord Mayor of London ; who was accompanied by the Sheriffs , Under-Sheriffs , and other Corporation officials .
The Grand Lodge procession was in its usual order , and made a good show . The Pro Grand Master the Earl of Lathbm appeared not entirely in perfect health , and was supported by the Deputy Grand Master Earl Amherst Prov . G . M . of Kent , and many distinguished Grand Officers , present and past .
The clerical procession , headed by the cross presented by the Freemasons of Eochester , U . S . A ., entered , singing as processional hymn " O Lord how joyful 'tis to see the Brethren join in love to Thee . "
The opening hymn used by the Pentangle Lodge followed ; this was composed by the daughter of the Junior Provincial Grand Chaplain ( Dora Eobins ) , the music being in the Dorian mode , and composed by Bro . Eev . H . Hickin S . W . 1174 :
" Grand Master Builder , Architect Divine ; Who guards the Craft , the Word , the Mystic Sign , Guide Thou our steps through paths of Light and Love , Send us , Thy servants , blessings from above . O , Master , hoar the Brethren ' s earnest plea , May all our labours be begun with Thee . S . M . I . B . "
Minor Canon Nash intoned the service , while the special Psalms were xlviii . and exxii . Canon Jell' read the special lesson I . Chron . xxii . to v . 17 . The Magnificat was " Elvey in A , " and the anthem Battishill ' s setting to " Behold how good and joyful . " The hymn before the sermon was " Through the night of
doubt and sorrow . " Bro . the Dean of Eochester took as his text I Cor . viii . 1 , " Charity edifieth , " or more truly to the original Greek " Love buildeth . " The usual buoyancy of our respected Brother seems not to have been able to break through his serious anxiety for his
Rochester Cathedral Freemasons' Tower. Inauguration Of Fund.
beloved Cathedral , and the consequence was a really eloquent , thoughtful sermon , that must have deeply affected the assembly . The preacher said : Charity edifieth—so , Brethren , here we have Freemasonry in two words , and in the original language the text is nearer to it
still— " love buildeth —love builds the house . And whether we associate Masonry with the ancient operative Masons , and go back to the building of King Solomon ' s Temple , or consider it from its splendid gifts of charity , here we have it in two words—we have the principles , the history , and the work of Freemasonry . We
may well be proud of association with the great builders—the guilds of religious workmen , consisting of Worshipful Masters , Master Masons , Fellow Crafts , and Entered Apprentices , who not only in this country , but throughout northern Europe , went about in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries , supporting ,
planning , and taking an active part in erecting such buildings as this in our town . Again we can go to St . Paul ' s and see the magnificent work of Bro . Christopher Wren , or the exquisite church of St . Saviour ' s . Of I the generous help given by the Masons of England as showing the principles of the Craft in
material evidences—tbe outward visible sign of the inward spiritual grace ^—or of the acts to give relief to the suffering of widows and orphans—towards whose education no less than £ 130 , 000 was given in one year—in whatever aspect considered , everywhere , and' by all it must be admitted that Charity edifieth
—that love builds the house . The same spirit possesses your and my hearts , Brethren , when we meet in this church . Eeligion broadly is the love of God and man . Those who had this love desired to raise some proper house to the G . A . O . T . U ., and when we open the Volume of the Sacred Law—and my Brethren we love to open
it—we find that there were always places of special worship to the Almighty builder of the world . Abel brought of his best to God , was accepted , and became the first of that noble army of martyrs . Noah ' s how , after bis offering , is a sign of the eternal promise that summer and winter , springtime and harvest , cold and
heat shall continue while the world lasts . Abraham built an altar to God , and was called the father of the faithful and the friend of God . Jacob , when he awoke from his sleep , said " How dreadful is this place , it is none other than the house of God . " He built an altar , called it Bethel ( the house of God ) and vowed
that he would give the tenth part of whatever possessions he obtained unto God . David , when he was penitent , and consequently had been forgiven , was proud of what he was allowed to do for God—he loved his house , and when he was offered a site for nothing said he would not give that which had cost him
nothing . Solomon , who had everything that this world could give , a splendid intellect , money , houses , goods , singing men and singing women , said that all was vanity—but for one house he was thankful—thankful that he had been able to build a Temple to the honour of Almighty God . So it goes on through all ages .
In the New Testament we read of love of the Sanctuary . The Centurion , whom the Master loved , had the true Masonic spirit . He was a Eoman , brought up in a pagan religion , yet the Jews crowded round the Master , and said " He is worthy , he loveth our nation , and has built us a synagogue . " This received the Divine approbation .
So the Master showed that he approved of the giving towards the cost of the Temple ' s services—for He specially drew attention to the widow ' s mite .
The Craft showed the same spirit . This work was dear to the highest and the lowest . The other day he received two letters , one contained' £ 100 towards this fund , and a promise of another £ 100 , the other contained a postal order for half-a-crown , from a working man to buy a bit of mortar . He did not know which would be the most valued .
After the Gospel dispensation they got these great buildings . See how they were built . There * was no advertising for contractors , and giving it to those who would do it at the lowest price—no scamped work—no lath or plaster . All was most beautifully done . The architecture that was viewed by the birds only was splendid , as the Craftmen desired their work to rise up with their glorious anthems before the throne of grace .
Charity edifieth—love builds—go through the world , and the right hand of a Mason is always ready by word and deed to prove this . That cross—and I am proud of that cross—is a gift that came over the Atlantic from the Masons of the City of Eochester ,
U . S . A . So it was with all . The quality of mercy is not strained , it falleth as the gentle dew from heaven : it is twice blessed , for it blesses him who gives as well as him who receives . Mercy equally becomes the monarch on his throne , where mercy seasons justice .
. Love builds . Giving is joy both to the wealthy and to the poor . No one enjoys the good things of this world more than do the Masons , so no one has more thought for others in distress . Love builds the house . Walk round its walls . Tell the towers thereof . There was a time when the beauty of this house was forgotten . Then that incongruous tower , which was a deformity to the building , was put up . He hoped the time