New Temple At Torquay.

NEW TEMPLE AT TORQUAY .

A LABGE number of Brethren assembled at Torquay on Thursday , 1 st inst ., for the dedication of the Temple erected by the members of the Jordan Lodge , at Tor Hill Koad . Hitherto the Jordan Lodge has met under the banner of the St . John Lodge , at the Masonic Hall , at Park Street , but its remoteness from the centre of the to * wn and railway station made it inconvenient . The Temple is admirably situated in both these

respects , and has been built , at a cost of a thousand guineas , from designs by Bro . G . S . Bridgman P . P . G . S . Wks . A pleasing feature has been the generous manner in -which the Brethren have contributed to the furnishing of the Lodge Eoom , which is of spacious dimensions , with convenient ante-room adjoining , and banqueting hall and kitchen below .

The three handsome chairs were given by the Master and Wardens , all the other Officers giving the articles connected with their respective posts , and , in addition , the strikingly beautiful pedestals were the gift of Bro . H . C . Goss , the table with tracing boards the gift of Bro . Rippingille , the costly working tools the

gift of Bro . John Lane , and the fine gas fittings the gift of Bro . Fred Hall , whilst the Lodge is to be appropriately decorated by Brother Charles Hill I . P . M ., during whose year of office the erection of the Temple was formulated , and carried to successful completion .

- Thursday ' s ceremonial commenced with a procession of the Officers of the Lodge and the Provincial Grand Master and his assistants , the other Brethren having previously taken their seats . The procession was composed of Bros . J . E . Newton Tyler , F . Hall and C . Burrow Stewards , W . Eliot Thomas I . G ., W . Winget

D . C , W . Grist J . D ., J . Glanfield S . D ., S . Wills Treasurer , E . D . Scholes J . W ., W . T . GaleS . W ., and C . Hill I . P . M ., with the W . M . Bro . J . G . Turle , and Past Masters J . Dodge P . P . G . T ., B . Knight , T . H . Wills P . G . S ., and J . Taylor P . P . G . E . carrying corn , wine , oil , and salt . Next came Bros , the Eev . H . V .

Bickersteth Prov . G . Chap ., John Stocker Prov . G . Sec , G . S . Strode Prov . S . G . W ., P . M . Deas Prov . J . G . W ., Major G . C . Davie Dep . P . G . M ., and Sir Stafford Northcote , C . B ., M . P ., together with the Officers of Grand Lodge Bro . W . J . Hughan P . S . G . D ., and J . Lane P . A . G . D . C .

The Lodge having been opened , the Brethren saluted the Prov . Grand Master , and the ceremony was proceeded with , the Prov . G . Chaplain saying the dedicatory prayers and reading the Scriptures , and the Dedication Officers , the Prov . Grand Master and his Deputy and Wardens , duly dedicating the Temple with corn , wine , oil , and salt , to Freemasonry , virtue , universal benevolence , and friendship .

An oration was delivered by that world renowned Masonic antiquary Bro . W . J . Hughan P . S . G . D . England . After an historical survey of the ceremony , he observed : The four-fold dedication of Masonic Halls to Freemasonry , is , firstly because

they are specially arranged for the working of its ceremonies , free from unsuitable or questionable associations of hotels , taverns , or houses of public resort . Our society is not only ancient , but truly honourable , and when its principles are observed as they should be it is one of the most beneficent and useful institutions

m the universe , embracing millions of the human race in one family , without respect to creed , colour , or clime . Nationally most loyal and patriotic , internationally for peace and goodwill , locally a foe to narrowness , bitterness , and caste , generally cosmopolitan and humanitarian , and virtually perfect in conception , but sometimes faulty in realisation , Freemasonry is

ancient beyond question and most honourable , if Brethren were as free from vices as they should feel free to follow the highest precepts and the best of examples . Our ideal is the scriptural injunction or definition , " pure religion and undefiled before God and our Father is this , to visit the fatherless and widow in-their affliction , and to keep unspotted from the world . "

Secondly , our Halls are dedicated to virtue , because the Fraternity is based upon the Volume of the Sacred Law , has faith , hope , and charity for its three grand principles temperance , fortitude , prudence , and justice for its four cardinal virtues ; and Freemasons are required and pledged to obey the moral law .

Thirdly , our Halls are dedicated to universal benevolence , a broader term than charity , and recognises not only the " Fatherhood o £ God" but the "Brotherhood of man . " Our charities are extensive . This year , a record one , in England we shall raise at least £ 500 a day on an average , but ordinarily in

this country we do not exceed £ 100 , 000 per annum . The Grand Lodge of England and other Grand Lodges do not restrict their funds to Masonic uses , but always have been ready and willing to aid objects of a general character . But let me point out that the principal or primary object of Freemasonry is not charity , but

Fraternity , and if all the Lodges in Devon wonld follow the advice of the esteemed Prov . Grand Master the Hon . Sir Stafford Northcote , a household name in the county , as well as the thoughtful addresses of the Deputy Prov . Grand Master Major Davie , there would be less need for our charities and much more

New Temple At Torquay.

of good fellowship manifested . Freemasonry is a luxury and a moral Institution . Hence those who cannot afford it or are unworthy should keep or be kept outside . Ifc is not and never will be a benefit society . Fourthly and lastly , Masonic Halls are dedicated to friendship , for one of the chief and distinctive characteristics of Freemasonry

is the number of friends that are made through its mediumfriends who unite fidelity with their Fraternity , and are true companions , either in prosperity or adversity . In the words of the first of the Charges in the Book of Constitutions , " thus Masonry is the centre of union between good men and true , and the happy means of conciliating friendship amongst those who must otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance . "

In that handsome , commodious , and appropriately furnished Temple , might " brotherly love , relief , and truth , " always prevail ; might the impressive ceremony of that day be long remembered by all present , and prove an incentive to renewed faithfulness and devotion to the Craft . The Brethren would bear with him , as a member of over thirty-five years , when he remarked in conclusion , that if we respect ourselves as Freemasons , the Craft itself will be

respected , and then we can sincerely pray " May God prosper the Art . " As an organisation , ours is one of the most perfectly constituted societies in the country , and though as Brethren we often fall short of our ideals , yet with all its faults , he loved the Fraternity as much as ever , and hoped that as long as he lived it would be his pleasure to continue a subscribing member of the Society ,, which had been constituted to " Fear God , honour the King or Queen , and love the Brotherhood . "

The Deputy Provincial Grand Master , in moving a vote of thanks to Bro . Hughan for his able and excellent oration , endorsed the sentiment therein expressed that the Order was not in any sense a benefit society . Brethren should not admit those who were unable to comply with the requirements of the Craft . The Prov . S . G . W . seconded , and the compliment was unanimously carried , and briefly acknowledged .

To the Prov . Grand Master was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his attendance that day , at the instance of Bro . Lane , seconded by the W . M . of 1402 Bro . Turle . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . S . G . Stone , Bro . Winget acting as D . C .

A cold collation was well served in the banqueting room by Messrs . Easterbrook and Son , about seventy Brethren sittino * down under the presidency of the W . M . of the Jordan Lodge . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were duly observed , Bro . Hughan P . G . D . responding for the Grand Lodge of England , four members of which were present . To the toast of the Prov . Grand Master and the Prov . Grand

Lodge Sir Stafford Northcote replied with twenty Brethren upstanding . Sir Stafford said it was difficult for him to express his thanks to Devon Freemasons . Ever since he had had tbe honour of presiding over that Province as Grand Master he had received the utmost courtesy and kindness , and from none more than from some of the eminent Freemasons who adorned the Lodges of Torquay . He reciprocated the sentiment as to his connection with the Province , which he trusted would long continue .

In proposing success and prosperity to the Jordan Lodge , Sir Stafford congratulated the Brethren on the fact that they had built such a handsome Temple . He understood that many of the younger Brethren had contributed to the furnishing , and notably Bro . Goss , who gave the handsome pedestals . If that spirit animated the Brethren of the Jordan Lodge , undoubtedly Masonry would flourish in Torquay .

Bro . Turle appropriately replied , and Bro . Dodge , the first initiate of the Lodge , toasted the Visitors , of whom twenty-three were present . — " Western Daily Mercury . "

Fraternal Visitation.

FRATERNAL VISITATION .

THE exchange of fraternal visits between Lodges nearly always results in . promoting the best interests of Masonry in those Lodges , This is especially the case when the Lodge visited meets at a considerable distance from other Lodges . A striking example of this fact has recently come under our own notice . The Master and Officers of a city Lodge made a fraternal visit last year to a Lodge meeting in a country town , and

exemplified some work . The Brethren of the town turned out in large numbers , and gave their visitors a most hospitable reception and entertainment . The occasion developed into one of unusual enthusiasm , and many new and lasting friendships were formed , resulting in a return visit . It has been stated bv the present

Master that a great revival of interest among the members of his Lodge can be dated from this event , and that ever since great energy and zeal have been displayed , and the Lodge then entered on an era of increased prosperity . What happened in this case might be the result all over our jurisdiction should fraternal visits be made to Lodges meeting in a comparatively isolated place . — " Masonic Sun . "