Douglas, Isle Of Man.

truths , connecting earth with heaven ; tho external existence of i \ Triune God , the resurrection of the body , and the immortality of the soul . It inculcates tho purist principles of piety aud virtue , and teaches plainly , in the first degree , to measure all our words nnd actions by tho gauge of rectitude and justice ; to shape onr conduc t , in the second , by tho square of morality and honesty ;

aud , in the third , to circumscribe our passions with the compass of propriety , and to keep them strictly within the limits of the circle of our duty to God and man . Ilenco wo learn to be upright , just and true to our fellow-men ; humble , meek , resign ? ' ! t " the will of God ; so that tho Mason who has thus discharged his duty as a true and faithful brother to tha Craft may calmly await that

awful moment when his heart shall cease to throb , and his s ml , released from tho burden of the flesh , shall wing its upvvard flight to the boundless , nnexplored expanse above . " Truly , then , is Masonry a noble Institution , and nobly should it be enshrined among us ! It is a precious jewel which demands a goodly setting . And we congratulate the brethren upon the establishment of tho Lodge whioh is

to be consecrated for their use to-day , as our first Grand Master King Solomon congratulated himself and people when his building at Jerusalem was completed , " I was glad when they said nnto me , we will go into the house of the Lord , for thither the tribes go up , even the tribes of Israel , to behold the fair beauty of the Lord , and to visit His temple . " Being , then , what it is , we might naturally expect to

find Freemasonry everywhare held in the highest aud most reverent estimation , and , like a powerful magnet , drawing into it irresistibly all that is great and good now , as it did in days gone by . But is it BO ? To some extent no doubt it is ; and in proof of this we point with pride and pleasure to suoh an assemblage as is gathered hero to-day . Tet , is it nofc the case that our influence and numbers are

not nearly what they ought to be ; that , in fact , they might and ought to be far larger than they are ? And , if so , where lies tho fault ? Have wo any one to blame for ifc bufc ourselves ? Speaking from my own experience , I should say that Masonry is far from popular with women as a body ; that wives dislike it for their husbands , mothers for their sons , and that many men who who take an

independent stand in thought and action fight shy of it for themselves and their belongings . Aud why ? Because there is a widespread feeling thafc men become Masons not from high , but low motives , to increase their business connection perhaps , or enlarge their jolly-good-fellow circle , and that their moral tone is not improved thereby , bufc the reverse ; that Masonry , in fact , is little more

than a costly knife and fork society , fond of idle dissipation , and Lodge meetings merely a convenient excuse and cloak for wasting ill-spared money npon extravagant eating and drinking . " That this opinion may have had foundation in the conduct of some few past , and even present brethren , cannot bo denied . Nor is the reasoa far to seek . In the great majority of our town and country districts no

large and suitable room can be found , except at a public inn , where temptations to excess present themselves to every comer . And , accordingly , it is their misfortune , not their fault , if Masons , thus unhappily situated , have from time to timo made lapses from their high profession . For it is not the orderly Masonic banquet in Masonic clothing , nor the modest Lodge refreshment with Masonic

checks and guards on every side , that does the mischief , but the Masonio lounging at the bar , and the alcoholic convivialities there indulged in before the Lodge is opened and after it is closed . . Hence it ia that unseemly scandals have at times arisen ; that solemn vows of initiation have been forgotten ; that the mysteries of Masonry have more or less been blabbled by drunken lips to the scoffing outer

world , and grave discredit cast upon the whole Fraternity . Freemasonry , however , cannot justly be condemned , any more than Christianity , for not doing its proper work of making all its members worthy , or than fche Legislature for not making every one sober by act of parliament . Much , however , may be done in this direction by diminishing temptations to vice and the facilities for excess . And

au immense stride will have been taken towards the exaltation of Freemasonry among . ourselves and the world at large when every Lodge has a place like this set apart for Masonic purposes ; where the most fastidious may assemble as in an ordinary reading room , without hesitation on their own part , or suspicion on the part of others 5 where evenings , may be often spent , not drearily and wearily

in merely getting through a dull routine of " work , " but pleasantly and profitably in lectures and discussions npon interesting topics of art and science , thus fulfilling the special obligation to " make continual advancement in Masonic knowledge . " And this is unquestionably the right and proper thing . For what says an ancient charge— " A Mason's Lodge is an emblematic

representation of the Universe , the magnificent Temple of that G . A . whom we all revere and adore . Wisdom , strength , and beanty , are the pillars of His Throne , and manifest in all His works . His wis ! om is infinite , His strength omnipotent , and his beauty shines through all creation , in symmetry of form , grandeur of proportion , and glorious harmony of colour . " Here is a grand ideal ! But how can

ifc possibly be realised when its meetings have to be held , as is too often the case , in taverns and other unsuitable buildings , with unmasonic sights and sounds at every turn , with cowans and intruders at every corner ? Very cordially then do we reiterate our warm congratulations to the brethren of Elian Vannin , on the establishment of their Lodge this day in this hall set apart for

Masonic purposes . Very heartily do we say to you , go on aud prosper , as you well deserve . This structure has been raised in perfect unanimity and concord j long may it so continue . May the proceedings of to-day serve but to forge another link in the chain of brotherly love and good fellowship by which you are already united . May your children and your children's children rejoice in these

auspicious solemnities . May you enjoy within these walls every satisfaction and delight that disinterested affection and Masonic intercourse can afford . And may the good report of this Lodgo so tend to exhalfc and enhance the reputation of the Craft afc large , thafc Masonry may flourish here , as in every other quarter of the globe , and be assisted to fulfil its noble mission , by diffusing the light of

Douglas, Isle Of Man.

wisdom , aiding ihe strength of reason , displaying the beauty of virtue , and diminishing tho aggregate of human vice and misery . Boii-. g thus established firmly by tho high ohaructor of its friends , . t may laugh to scorn tbe malice of its foos , and rise superior to the opposition of the outer world , liko the lofty summit of your own mighty Snaefel , that bares its breast with dignified composure to the tompests , anil

fearlessly presents its bosom to tho midnight storm . A selection of music appropriate to tho ceremony was gone through by a choir , consisting of Bros . R . Swinnerton P . M ., K . J . lbwmati P . M ., R , G . Hoyle arid J . E . Hunt ; Bro . J . A . Mylrea ably presiding at the organ . At the conclusion of the consecration service , Bro . J . A . Brown P . M ., presented by Bro . F . Richardson P . G . D ., was duly

installed the first Worshipful Master of the Kllan Vannin Lodge , this ceremony also hoing performed by the Grand Secretary . The new W . M . investo I his Officers as follows : —Bros . . 1 . S . Goldie-Taiibman W . M . 1242 I . P . M ., G . H . Smith S . W ., J . Hodgson J . W ., Rev . Blundell Browne Chaplain , A . Bruce Treasurer , J . E . Hunt Secretary , Dr . J . Reynalds S . D ., R . Whiteside J . D ., Dr . Dearden W . M .

1004 D . C , J . A . Mylrea Org . W . Dobson I . G . Bro . John Cowen was unanimously elected Ty ler . The thanks of the Lodge were in the most hearty manner presented to the Consecrating and Installing Officer , and to the other Grand Officers , and they were unanimously elected honorary members of the Lodge . Before the business coneluded , propositions were made for an initiate and for several joining

members , and the W . M . announced close upon thirty valuable presents to the Lodge . These were gratefully accepted , and votes of thanks were presented to fche donors . The Lodgo having closed down , tho brethren adjourned to the Peveril Hotel , where they sat down to an excellent dinner , served in Bro . Nattan's best stvle . In every respect the banquet was a great

success . Bro . J . A . Brown W . M . presided , and the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . Amongst tho speakers were the Worshipful Master , tho Grand Secretary , the Grand Chaplain , Bros . C . J . Bannister , J . S . Goldie-Tanbman , Clerk of the Rolls ( A . Dumbell P . M . ) , Rev . Blundell Browne , G . H . Smith S . W , J . Hodgson J . W ., Crnikshank P . M ., Ramsey , F . Browne , A . N . Laughton , and Dr . Haviland . The most important subject referred to dnring the evening

was the proposed establishment of a Provincial Grand Lodge for the Isle of Man , and the benefits to the Craft that would ensue . Tha principal speakers on this point were the Grand Secretary , A . Dumbell P . M . ( Clerk of the Rolls ) , Crnikshank P . M . and J . Hodgson , all of whom spoko in favour of the proposal . Bro . A . Dumbell P . M . made some very pertinent remarks on this subject . He said he could not but think that it was desirable that Masons in the Isle of

Man shonld go in for a Provincial Graud Lodge . It would be a great advantage in many ways . Homo Rule would bo a great benefit to them . Why , fche brethren afc that banquet could not even wear Masonic clothing without a special dispensation from Grand Lodge in London . A Provincial Grand Lodge would also make the olcl Officers more distinguished by their not being so soon equalled by younger

Officers . Another advantage would be the establishment of a local benevolent fund . Several other brethren spoke in the same strain . Bros . Bowman P . M ., Swinnerton P . M ., Mylrea , Hoyle , and other musical brethren , contributed to the harmony of a pleasant evening . One of the songs was of a very appropriate nature . It was Elian

Vannin , a composition which now may be looked upon . is tho national anthem of Manxland . It was capitally sung by Bro . Bowrriau , who introduced into it two uow verses composed by Bro . G . H . Smith S . W . As they have a special interest , from their Masonic allusions , wo append them : —

"And now a band of Masons , joined by close fraternal tie , This Lodge of ours we cousecrato 'neath the Alt-seeing Eye , And christen it most lovingly , dear Island , after thee , Our own dear Elian Vannin , with her green hills by the sea . Its foundation has been laid to-day with diligence and care , Each Ashlar set in level line , welt chiselled , smooth , and square ; May order , peace , and harmony , its portion ever be , Our own dear Elian Vaunin , with her greon hills by the sea . "

The proceedings were closed by Bro . J . E . Hunt Secretary giving the Tyler ' s toast . The consecration of the St . Trinian's Lodge , numbered 2050 on the Registry of tho Grand Lodge of England , took place on Monday afternoon , and such was the fraternal interest taken in the proceedings that it drew together even a larger nnmber of brethren

than were present at the Elian Vannin consecration on Saturday , there being no fewer than fifty-four signatures in the Tyler ' s book . There was tho largest gathering of P . M . ' s ever witnessed in tha Island , no fewer than twent . y . seven oF those present having attained that rank . They were the Officers of the G . Lodge , Bros . G . C . Heron , J . A . Brown , L . G . Hannay , C . F . Johnson , J . S . Goldie-Taubman ,

E . Pierpoint ( Liverpool ) , G . M . Lofthouse , H . Rothwell , C . Kennaugh , J . Mylchreest , E . Mundey , E . Ferrier , G . £ 1 . Quayle , J . M . Cvuickshank , E . C . Kerr , VV Laughliu , VV L . Wild , H . Brearley , W Cannoll , J . McWhannell , and J . W . Wood . The ceremonies of consecration and installation were , of course , almost exact repetitions of those at the Elian Vannin Lodge on Satuday , and it was also , of

course , performed by tho same Officers of tho Grand Lodge . The brethren received the representatives of the Grand Lodge in due form shortly after four o ' clock , and the ceremony of consecration was at once proceeded with . The musical portions were very ably rendereC by a choir consisting of Bros . E . Mundey P . M ., L . G . Hannay P . M . anc W . A . McKown , with Bro . F . C . Poulter as Organist . The founders

of the St . Trinian ' s Lodge who signed the petition aro tho following brethren : —Bros . G . C . Heron , L . G . Hannay , G . J . Nattan , W . A McKown , W . Broughton , J . H . Stretch , F . Poulter , Goodwin Colquhoun , T . H . Neabitfc , C . F . Johnson , J . A . Brown , J . Morrison E . C . Gelling , J . F . Terry , and A . E . Rothwell . The Consecrating Officer's address to the brethren and the Graud Chaplain's oration oi