The Boys School.

a voice in the matter to say whether or not they approve of paying a salary of 000 guineas a year , with other advantages , to the Head Master of the Boys School . Doubtless , if necessary

the executive can point to other Schools where equal liberality is shown , but we question if there are many so happily circumstanced .

Consecration.

CONSECRATION .

— : o : — PAPYRUS LODGE .

ON Monday , the 24 th ult ., as briefly reported in our columns , a new Lodge promoted by members of the wholesale paper trade for the use of that trade was consecrated at the Criterion , Piccadilly , by Bro . Edward Letchworth Graud Secretary , in the presence of a large number of Brethren of the Order ,

The Grand Secretary was assisted by Bros . Philip Hickson Waterlow P . G . D . as S . W ., Herbert Jordan Adams P . G . Swd . B . as J . W ., Eev . J . Studholme Brownrigg P . G . C . as Chaplain , F . Richardson P . G . D . as Director of Ceremonies , and W . R . Smith W . M . 217 as I . G .

The ceremonies were accompanied by vocal music under the direction of Bro . W . B . Martin Organist , supported by Bros . H . Horscroft , G . May and H . Thorn . Among the Brethren present were Brothers H . F . Frost P . G . Org ., H . Sadler G . T ., George T . Busbridge P . P . Asst . G . Sec .

Kent , Thomas L . Littler , H . P . Wright jun . 1021 , H . McDougall 419 IS . C ) , Tharke 87 , Henry Kelp 1464 , Charles F . Hilton 1009 , W . B . Wellsman W . M . 1589 , W . R . Smith W . M . 217 , H . Massey 160 P . M . 619 and 1928 , A . Christie 1730 , R . H . Hill 1260 , W . H . Smith 217 , Peter McLean 2319 , E . T . W . Hoare 1850 , John Beeton 1260 , James Couch S . D . 1601 , W . D .

Thomas 217 , T . D . M . Burnside 2319 , Richard Poore 1949 , J . M . Buckley 1320 , and A . G . Broadberry 1719 . The Founders of the Lodge were Brothers Stephen A . Hardiman , Henry G . Small P . M ., Bertrand Grant , S . Charles Phillips , Henry Jenkins P . M ., John Nixon P . M ., Charles B . R . Maltby , Frederick E . R . Becker , W . Henry Edwards , Sidney S .

Holt , J . Barthram Taylor , Theodore S . Sheard , William B . Martin , Frederick W . Robinson and James Thomson J . W . 2319 . The Grand Secretary , in opening the proceedings , said that in view of the length of the ceremonies before the Brethren , and also of the state of the temperature he would not presume to

occupy their time many moments with any words of his own . They were all aware of the purpose for which they were assembled—for a very solemn object—to constitute a new Lodge and to dedicate ib to the service of God . He could

only express a hope that this Papyrus Lodge they were about to start into existence might be the means of uniting in still closer bonds those founders who were associated together elsewhere and of advancing the best interests of the Order in the metropolis .

The Rev . J . S . Brownrigg P . G . C . delivered the oration , and said it was worthy of note that among the many fraternities which sprang into existence through art , through labour , through business of all kinds , the earliest aud the most honourable was that to which the Masonic Brethren belonged . Foremost before

all , Masons joined together in an operative guild , and if the Brethren looked through the middle ages they would find over and over again that the guild which had the highest rank , which stood first amongst all was that which to-day was a speculative Order . It was well to ask why it was the operative

Masons won distinction among the Brotherhood ? He thought it was first of all this—that the operative Mason worked more unselfishly than the members of any other guild for the good of mankind . Rarely did one generation see the completion of his work ; sometimes he did not see the beginning and

sometimes he did not see the end ; but having done his share of the work the Lodge to which he belonged went elsewhere to do similar work . Secondly he worked actually in obedience

to a superior , but always he did his work in the best way , holding with the great Master that in all labour there is profit . Through those two principles—unselfishness and perseverance—he won for himself the honour of his fellows . So the

speculative Masons of to-day should try to win for their Society , for their particular Lodge , the proud preminence of working not for themselves but for the good of mankind . There should be no idlers iu the Masonic hive ; every one should seek to do

his best , with the fullest integrity , with the greatest heartiness of purpose , for by these principles , and these principles alone would they make themselves respected among their fellows and Brethren .

The ceremony of consecration was then proceeded with , and at its conclusion the Grand Secretary installed Bro . Stephen A . Haidiman as W . M . Bro . Henry G . Small was appointed to act

Consecration.

as I . P . M . The other Officers were Bros . Bertrand Grant S . W . S . Charles Phillips J . W ., Henry Jenkins Treasurer , John Nixon Secretary , Charles B . R . Maltby S . D ., Frederick E . R . Becker J . D ., W . Henry Edwards I . G ., Sidney S . Holt D . C , J

Barthram Taylor and Theodore S . Sheard Stewards , William B . Martin Organist , Frederick W . Robinson and James Thomson Junior Stewards , and Thomas Bowler Tyler . Votes of thanks

were passed to the Consecrating Officers , who were also elected honorary members of the Lodge , and after propositions for initiation and joining had been given in , the Lodge was closedl and the Brethren adjourned to banquet and honoured the usual

toasts . The Rev . J . S . Brownrigg responded to the toast of the Grand Officers .

Brother Small acting I . P . M . proposed the W . M . Brother Hardiman had assumed a great responsibility in taking charge of this Lodge for the first year . There was always a little inclination to rush a Lodge during its first year , and he would impress upon the W . M . that they should not go in for numbers

but for quality . The gentlemen who had been proposed that night were of good quality , and the Officers appointed were of good quality . He was sure that the Brethren would not regret the choice they had made of a Brother to be

their Master . He would remind the Brethren that Lord Egerton of Tatton would preside at the Boys Festival on Wednesday , 3 rd July . Charity was a great part of the work of Masonry , and he trusted that the Papyrus Lodge would never forget this .

Brother Hardiman W . M ., acknowledging the toast , said he wished to perform his duties to the Lodge in the best way a Master could . He was surprised that he was chosen for first Master ; he did not wish to be , because he knew it was a great undertaking . But his dear friends and old associates the

Founders insisted on it , and he could not say nay . He thanked them from the bottom of his heart for promising to support him . Brother Hardiman W . M ., in proposing the health of the Consecrating Officers , said he should never forget the impressive manner in which the Grand Secretary consecrated the Lodge .

Bro . Letchworth , in reply , said that occupying the position he had the honour to hold , he had many duties to perform in connection with the Craft , but he could say with all sincerity there was no duty which gave him greater pleasure to perform than the consecration of a Lodge . The pleasure was greatly

enhanced when he felt as he did that night that the future success of the Lodge was assured . He felt satisfied that the Papyrus Lodge had in it the elements which must eventually lead to success . It started with a W . M . who had had great

experience , not only in the London Scottish Rifles Lodge , but in the Lodge of Stability , a Brother who was a Master of his work , under whose able and genial rule the Lodge would have a year of great happiness and prosperity , and he wished the Lodge every success . The remaining toasts were afterwards given and responded to , that of the Tyler completing the business of the evening .

Uniformity.

UNIFORMITY .

MASONRY ( Australia ) says there are " some half a dozen to a dozen Lodges of Instruction in various parts of the City ( Victoria ) , each teaching a different mode of working , actually impressed with different and erroneous views upon symbolical meanings , and yet no doubt zealously striving to do the very best they can for the instruction of the Brethren . In absence of a definite ruling from the Grand Lodge on the

question of the Ritual , the state of things our contemporary comments ou will always be more or less ripe . In a Lodge or Instruction , as in an ordinary Lodge , the mode of working and choice of Ritual is entirely guided by the will of the Worshipful Master during his period of office . If he happens to be matter-of

fact in his ideas , he will be inclined to adopt the Ritual bhab appeals mosb bo his common sense . If , on bhe other hand , he is gifted with an unusual amount of credulity , he will thrust his Ritual with all its incongruities and traditions down the throats of his Brethren , and try and make them accept it all as truth .

We believe the Grand Lodge did once recommend Lodges to follow the Emulation working , and possibly this form is the most generally used . We think , however , the time is coming when Freemasons will awake to the fact that , in following a form of

working which is overflowing with the most glaring misrepresentations , incongruities and anachronisms , they are tending to alienate the more deep-thinking and earnest of the Fraternity and laying themselves bare to the attacks of a critical world . 1 "

is time some reform took place in this respect , and the only way it appears to us it could be accomplished , is in the united action of all English-speaking Grand Lodges by establishing one form of Ritual , which should be exclusively adopted . The Mother Grand Lodge of England could consistently take the initiative in a matter like this . — " Indian Freemason . "