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Article CONSECRATION: LANCASTRIAN, No. 2528. ← Page 2 of 2 Article CONSECRATION: LANCASTRIAN, No. 2528. Page 2 of 2
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Consecration: Lancastrian, No. 2528.
would suffice to show its growth . At the time of his Installation as Master of West Lancashire the Lodges of that Province numbered 72 , there were now 110 . He was no advocate of an increase of Lodges unless there was very good reason for it , indeed , he thought it a
great mistake that a new Lodge should be started without good cause , but he did think new Lodges should be established when , as was recently the case in his own district , the membership of an old Lodge had risen to upwards of two hundred . That was a time when they
should swarm off , but as to creating new Lodges merely to give opportunity for office honours he thought was a great mistake . He was always ready to welcome a new Lodge if he thought there was any need for it , and that it would do good to the Order .
Bro . Marsh the Senior Warden of the Lodge was entrusted with the succeeding toast , that of the Deputy Grand Master and the rest of the Grand Officers Present and Past . On behalf of the Founders of the Lodge he
begged to thank the Grand Officers for their presence that day . The success of the Consecration had been materially advanced by their presence . The Grand Officers generally , and particularly those before him , were so well known as to need no comment from him in
submitting the toast in then * honour . Lord Skelmersdale responded . He rose with feelings of great pleasure to reply , pleasure because he had been
allowed to be present and assist in a small way in the institution of that Lodge , which he ventured to think would mark an epoch in the history of Lancashire Masonry in London . The meeting of Lancashire
Masons that day could not , he felt , be equalled by any other Province . He should have much liked to have seen the Deputy Grand Master of England present , but the Earl of Mount-Edgcumbe was not able to attend ,
although they had his good wishes . He hoped the first Master of the Lancastrian Lodge would not be the last of the Grand Officers the Lodge would furnish . The toast of the Consecrating Officer was next submitted from the chair . Lord Lathom , in introducing
it , said he was proud of giving a toast that he was sure would be received with acclamation—that of the Consecrating Officer , and those who had assisted him . It had been his good fortune to be present on many occasions at Consecration and Installation meetings , but he had
never seen the work better performed than had been the case that day . Not only had Bro . Letchworth excelled in the principal duties , but he had been most ably supported by those who had filled the assistant Offices , and he begged to offer the Brethren who had
taken the chief part in Consecrating the Lodge the compliment of Honorary Membership . As a matter of form he put this to the vote of the Members but he knew it was only necessary to mention it to secure its ready adoption . To his mind it made a wonderful difference
whether a ceremony was well performed , or ill performed , but there could be no question as to the splendid display of that day . If anything could keep up the Order and maintain it in its present high position it was that its ceremonies should be impressively performed , such
working , in fact , as they had witnessed in connection with the Consecration of the Lancastrian Lodge . In conclusion he desired to thank the Consecrating Officers , with all Fraternal heartiness , for the way in which they had come forward and performed the ceremony .
Bro . Letchworth replied . He rose at once to acknowledge the high compliment paid him in associating his name with the toast , and on behalf of those distinguished Brethren who had assisted him in the Consecration of the Lodge desired to thank the members
for their hearty out-burst of approval . It had been his gratification to undertake the ceremony of Consecration on many occasions , but he might truly say that never . before had he done so with greater pleasure . He hoped
their connection with the Lodge might be a long and lasting one , and he begged , on his own behalf , and on behalf of those who had that day assisted him , to wish the Lodge every success and prosperity .
Bro . ¥ / . E . M . Tomlinson , M . P ., gave the next toast . In proposing the toast which he had the honour to submit he must address himself to the Members of the Lodge alone , and in doing so he invited them to drink cordially to the health of those visitors who had honoured them by attending the meeting that day . He folt what
Consecration: Lancastrian, No. 2528.
no doubt they all felt , that they who had put their names to the petition as Founders of the Lodge had undertaken a great responsibility . They hoped their Lodge would promote those good features which were associated with all Lodges , and they also hoped it would
promote good fellowship among the Lancashire men who had made their home in London . Without claiming too much he might say that Lancashire men were proverbial as having both capacity and determination , and with those characteristics they should be able to secure for
their new Lodge all they desired . He knew he could rely on the Founders endeavouring to make the Lodge a success . They had among them as Visitors many distinguished Masons who proved by their presence that they were desirous of showing appreciation of the efforts
that were being made . He would first couple with the toast a honoured Brother , one whose name was really as familiar as a household word in the Craft—Sir Joseph Dimsdale the Grand Treasurer of England . In mentioning his name he might refer to the desire that existed
among country Brethren that the office of Grand Treasurer should not be monopolised by London Masons , and this feeling was rife on the last occasion ; but when it was known that Sir Joseph Dimsdale was put forward , many felt justified in setting aside the principle he had
referred to , and unite in supporting one so capable of filling the office , although he was a Londoner following another representative of metropolitan Freemasonry . Bro . Dimsdale ' s return had proved his popularity , for he
was elected by the largest number of votes ever recorded for a Grand Treasurer . He likewise had pleasure in coupling with the toast the name of Dr . Sansome , a Past Master of No . 2033 , and Senior Warden of Middlesex .
Bro . Dimsdale considered it a very great honour to respond on behalf of the Visitors to the hearty welcome accorded them than evening . They had been very much impressed by the religious ceremony of the day . He wished , on behalf of the Visitors , to express the
heartfelt prayer that the Lodge might be blessed with every good that could be desired for its future . The guests of
the Lodge wonld carry away pleasing recollections . Bro . Dr . Sansome experienced a feeling of diffidence in having to respond for so many distinguished Visitors , but was it not his function every day to answer for tho
Visitors ? and was it not done with the truest feeling ? The Lodge had that day given them good wholesome physic , and he hoped they might all enjoy the tonic they had had in the feast of reason and the flow of soul provided . He thanked the new Lodge for the lessons it had provided , and which must have a lasting benefit , for
functions such as that day ' s taught them to be better men—taught them to do their work , whatever that might be , to the best of their ability .
Bro . J . W . Maclure , M . P ., claimed he had a toast to propose that was sure of a hearty welcome in that assembly . He well remembered the Worshipful Master ' s uncle saying he was prouder of being a Lancashire man than of being an Englishman , and when it was
remembered that Lancashire men , and more particularly Lancashire Masons , had always been noted for their practice of the great Masonic virtue of Charity there was no question of a hearty reception of the toast of the Masonic Charities . In their support of the Institutions
Lancashire was equal to any other division of Masonry , even London . He had often had the pleasure of addressing Lodges on this subject , but could not say all he should like to do on the present occasion , as he must follow the example of the other speakers and make his
remarks short . The Masonic Charities were not like some , which could hardly be mentioned because of their extravagance . Among those present was Bro . Frank Eichardson , whose whole being appeared to be wrapped up in the Girls School ; Bro . McLeod , who had
contributed so much towards securing the recent wonderful returns and results of the Boys School ; and Bro . Terry , the tried advocate and friend of the Benevolent Institution . He hoped the Lancastrian Lodge would make
itself Vice-President of the three Institutions during the reign of its first Master—that would require a certain amount of denial on the part , of the members , but it was possible , as had been proved in other cases . Bro . Terry made a brilliant reply , and was followed by Bro . McLeod , after whom came the Tyler , with his closiug toast .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration: Lancastrian, No. 2528.
would suffice to show its growth . At the time of his Installation as Master of West Lancashire the Lodges of that Province numbered 72 , there were now 110 . He was no advocate of an increase of Lodges unless there was very good reason for it , indeed , he thought it a
great mistake that a new Lodge should be started without good cause , but he did think new Lodges should be established when , as was recently the case in his own district , the membership of an old Lodge had risen to upwards of two hundred . That was a time when they
should swarm off , but as to creating new Lodges merely to give opportunity for office honours he thought was a great mistake . He was always ready to welcome a new Lodge if he thought there was any need for it , and that it would do good to the Order .
Bro . Marsh the Senior Warden of the Lodge was entrusted with the succeeding toast , that of the Deputy Grand Master and the rest of the Grand Officers Present and Past . On behalf of the Founders of the Lodge he
begged to thank the Grand Officers for their presence that day . The success of the Consecration had been materially advanced by their presence . The Grand Officers generally , and particularly those before him , were so well known as to need no comment from him in
submitting the toast in then * honour . Lord Skelmersdale responded . He rose with feelings of great pleasure to reply , pleasure because he had been
allowed to be present and assist in a small way in the institution of that Lodge , which he ventured to think would mark an epoch in the history of Lancashire Masonry in London . The meeting of Lancashire
Masons that day could not , he felt , be equalled by any other Province . He should have much liked to have seen the Deputy Grand Master of England present , but the Earl of Mount-Edgcumbe was not able to attend ,
although they had his good wishes . He hoped the first Master of the Lancastrian Lodge would not be the last of the Grand Officers the Lodge would furnish . The toast of the Consecrating Officer was next submitted from the chair . Lord Lathom , in introducing
it , said he was proud of giving a toast that he was sure would be received with acclamation—that of the Consecrating Officer , and those who had assisted him . It had been his good fortune to be present on many occasions at Consecration and Installation meetings , but he had
never seen the work better performed than had been the case that day . Not only had Bro . Letchworth excelled in the principal duties , but he had been most ably supported by those who had filled the assistant Offices , and he begged to offer the Brethren who had
taken the chief part in Consecrating the Lodge the compliment of Honorary Membership . As a matter of form he put this to the vote of the Members but he knew it was only necessary to mention it to secure its ready adoption . To his mind it made a wonderful difference
whether a ceremony was well performed , or ill performed , but there could be no question as to the splendid display of that day . If anything could keep up the Order and maintain it in its present high position it was that its ceremonies should be impressively performed , such
working , in fact , as they had witnessed in connection with the Consecration of the Lancastrian Lodge . In conclusion he desired to thank the Consecrating Officers , with all Fraternal heartiness , for the way in which they had come forward and performed the ceremony .
Bro . Letchworth replied . He rose at once to acknowledge the high compliment paid him in associating his name with the toast , and on behalf of those distinguished Brethren who had assisted him in the Consecration of the Lodge desired to thank the members
for their hearty out-burst of approval . It had been his gratification to undertake the ceremony of Consecration on many occasions , but he might truly say that never . before had he done so with greater pleasure . He hoped
their connection with the Lodge might be a long and lasting one , and he begged , on his own behalf , and on behalf of those who had that day assisted him , to wish the Lodge every success and prosperity .
Bro . ¥ / . E . M . Tomlinson , M . P ., gave the next toast . In proposing the toast which he had the honour to submit he must address himself to the Members of the Lodge alone , and in doing so he invited them to drink cordially to the health of those visitors who had honoured them by attending the meeting that day . He folt what
Consecration: Lancastrian, No. 2528.
no doubt they all felt , that they who had put their names to the petition as Founders of the Lodge had undertaken a great responsibility . They hoped their Lodge would promote those good features which were associated with all Lodges , and they also hoped it would
promote good fellowship among the Lancashire men who had made their home in London . Without claiming too much he might say that Lancashire men were proverbial as having both capacity and determination , and with those characteristics they should be able to secure for
their new Lodge all they desired . He knew he could rely on the Founders endeavouring to make the Lodge a success . They had among them as Visitors many distinguished Masons who proved by their presence that they were desirous of showing appreciation of the efforts
that were being made . He would first couple with the toast a honoured Brother , one whose name was really as familiar as a household word in the Craft—Sir Joseph Dimsdale the Grand Treasurer of England . In mentioning his name he might refer to the desire that existed
among country Brethren that the office of Grand Treasurer should not be monopolised by London Masons , and this feeling was rife on the last occasion ; but when it was known that Sir Joseph Dimsdale was put forward , many felt justified in setting aside the principle he had
referred to , and unite in supporting one so capable of filling the office , although he was a Londoner following another representative of metropolitan Freemasonry . Bro . Dimsdale ' s return had proved his popularity , for he
was elected by the largest number of votes ever recorded for a Grand Treasurer . He likewise had pleasure in coupling with the toast the name of Dr . Sansome , a Past Master of No . 2033 , and Senior Warden of Middlesex .
Bro . Dimsdale considered it a very great honour to respond on behalf of the Visitors to the hearty welcome accorded them than evening . They had been very much impressed by the religious ceremony of the day . He wished , on behalf of the Visitors , to express the
heartfelt prayer that the Lodge might be blessed with every good that could be desired for its future . The guests of
the Lodge wonld carry away pleasing recollections . Bro . Dr . Sansome experienced a feeling of diffidence in having to respond for so many distinguished Visitors , but was it not his function every day to answer for tho
Visitors ? and was it not done with the truest feeling ? The Lodge had that day given them good wholesome physic , and he hoped they might all enjoy the tonic they had had in the feast of reason and the flow of soul provided . He thanked the new Lodge for the lessons it had provided , and which must have a lasting benefit , for
functions such as that day ' s taught them to be better men—taught them to do their work , whatever that might be , to the best of their ability .
Bro . J . W . Maclure , M . P ., claimed he had a toast to propose that was sure of a hearty welcome in that assembly . He well remembered the Worshipful Master ' s uncle saying he was prouder of being a Lancashire man than of being an Englishman , and when it was
remembered that Lancashire men , and more particularly Lancashire Masons , had always been noted for their practice of the great Masonic virtue of Charity there was no question of a hearty reception of the toast of the Masonic Charities . In their support of the Institutions
Lancashire was equal to any other division of Masonry , even London . He had often had the pleasure of addressing Lodges on this subject , but could not say all he should like to do on the present occasion , as he must follow the example of the other speakers and make his
remarks short . The Masonic Charities were not like some , which could hardly be mentioned because of their extravagance . Among those present was Bro . Frank Eichardson , whose whole being appeared to be wrapped up in the Girls School ; Bro . McLeod , who had
contributed so much towards securing the recent wonderful returns and results of the Boys School ; and Bro . Terry , the tried advocate and friend of the Benevolent Institution . He hoped the Lancastrian Lodge would make
itself Vice-President of the three Institutions during the reign of its first Master—that would require a certain amount of denial on the part , of the members , but it was possible , as had been proved in other cases . Bro . Terry made a brilliant reply , and was followed by Bro . McLeod , after whom came the Tyler , with his closiug toast .