Extension Of Freemasonry.

EXTENSION OF FREEMASONRY .

LAST week we had the pleasure of referring to an important step taken by the Province of West Yorkshire in the work of extending the scope of Masonic Charity , this week our paper gives many evidences that the progress of Freemasonry is not confined to the particular item of

Charity alone , bufc rather that the present appears to be a time of general advancement and prosperity in Masonic matters , despite the fierce attack recently made upon us by the devotees of the Eomish Church , although , as we have

already urged in our columns , we should by no means be surprised to find that the onslaught of our fanatic opponents has much to do with the present activity displayed in our

midst , as it has probably acted as an incentive to Brethren to double their efforts in the good cause , and show by actual results how base and uncalled for is the criticism of our Popish opponents .

Trinity Lodge

TRINITY LODGE

A SPECIAL meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire was held by the Hon . Sir Stafford Northcote , Bart ., C . B ., M . P ., at Buckfastleigh , on ' Tuesday , 13 th inst ., for the purpose of the Consecration of a new Lodge , to be called the Trinity , No . 2595 .

The Prov . G . M . opened the Lodge in due form , and the Provincial Grand Secretary then read the Warrant from the Most Worshipful the Grand Master of England . Afterwards an oration on the subject of Masonry was delivered by the Deputy P . G . Master Bro . G . C . Davie P . A . G . D . C . England .

The Deputy Provincial Grand Master said although this Order was so prosperous and so numerous the Consecration of a new Lodge was still a somewhat rare occurrence . They were about to plant a branch of the Order iu a place where it had not hitherto existed , and he should draw attention to certain points

which he thought well worthy of consideration by those Brethren who were fche Founders of fche Lodge . He urged them first nofc to be in too great a hurry to increase fcheir numbers . Ifc ¦ was not the quantity of the members of a Lodge which made its strength , but their quality . It should be remembered that

all persons were not fit and proper persons to be made Masons . In the Middle Ages the Order was composed of operative Masons , but at an early period persons not operatively engaged in Masonry were admitted as speculative Masons , and from that time there were two Orders—operative and speculative . It

might fairly be assumed thafc those admitted to the speculative branch were of higher attainments and education than those of the operative branch . As , therefore , they were now speculative Masons , he thought they had a right to be a little more particular and exclusive . Next , there was a danger of Freemasonry

degenerating into a well-organised charitable society . So great were its funds , so nobly had Masons responded to calls made upon them , that there was danger of people joining their Order for its material benefits . He did not wish to say anything against people joining benefit societies , but this was not the

purpose for which Freemasonry existed . Doubtless their poorer Brethren were often relieved , but that was done from benevolence and brotherly love , and not because there was any claim on the

funds of the Order . It could not too frequently be stated that the spirit in wbich to join Freemasonry was simply with the wish to be useful to one ' s fellow creatures , and not in the hope of any pecuniary benefit to themselves . There was also a danger

Trinity Lodge

from over-enthusiasm . There was a tendency in some quarters to carry the Order outside its sphere , and to interfere as a body with the individual freedom and conviction of the Brethren . Freemasonry was as a secret society only exempted from fche ordinary law regarding secret societies because it did nofc interfere with

anything outside itself . Masonry did not claim to interfere with any person ' s civil or religious life . Ifc did nofc claim to interfere with a man ' s moral life—it hoped to make its members better men , better citizens , and it embraced precepts which are common to every religion of civilised time .

Iu conclusion , the D . P . G . M . addressed further words of sage advice specially to the Masters and Wardens of the new Lodge , whose names , he remarked , would be handed down to posterity on the Warrant of that Lodge as its Founders . Might the Great Architect of the Universe be pleased to bless the Lodge and so keep it that it mighfc be an honour and a credit to Freemasonry , and a godly example to all around it .

The consecration of the Lodge was then proceeded with in due form . Afterwards the Provincial Grand Lodge was closed , and the installation of Bro . James Wilicocks as the first Worshipful Master of the new Lodge vvas proceeded with by the Deputy Prov . Grand Master .

The W . M . afterwards invested his Officers as follow : Bros . John Cole P . P . G . D . C . as I . P . M ., Charies Barrett S . W ., H . S . Johnson J . W ., Charles Hoare Treasurer , W . Chaffe Secretary , J . F . Bowerman S . D ., J . W . Warren J . D ., John Hoare D . C , F . W . A . Tolchard Organist , G . Arscott I . G ., W . Eogers and P . Jackson Stewards , and W . Paul Tyler .

Afterwards there was a banquet at the Town Hall , at which the W . M . presided . Sir Stafford Northcote replied for the toasfc of the Grand Lodge Officers , and concluded by proposing the health of the W . M . He said he heartily and sincerely wished thafc new Lodge

a long and prosperous career . They could not have made a better choice than they had in their present W . M . There seemed to be a spirit in Buckfastleigh which would make that Lodge a credit to the county and a worthy gain to the rank of Freemasonry .

The W . M . returned thanks . He spoke of the need of the new Lodge , and said he believed they had a set of Officers to start with who would be a credit to any Lodge . The S . W . gave the health of the Installing Master , and Bro . Davie , who was most cordially received , further enforced some of the advice he gave in his oration in Lodge . — " Western Morning News . "

New Temple.

NEW TEMPLE .

ra ^ HE foundation-stone the Masonic Temple , which is about i to be built by the Golden Thistle , Star of the Band , and Johannesburg Lodges in Plein Street , Johannesburg , opposite the Union Football ground , will be laid with much Masonic festivity on Thursday , oth November . The plans have been prepared by Brothers A . H . Reid and A . C . B . Williams , aud have been

designed wifch a view to provide for the efficient working of all the degrees peculiar to the three Constitutions to which the Lodges mentioned belong . Ifc will have a handsome frontage to Plein Street , and will be a building worthy in every way of the Craft . The ceremony of laying the foundation will be made an

occasion for an imposing assemblage of Masons of all Constitutions of the higher degrees ,, and will probably prove the mosfc important function in which tlie Craft has taken part in Johannesburg . The Grand Masters of the three Provincial

Grand Lodges in South Africa are to be invited ; and it is probable that the whole Masonic Fraternity will march in procession through the town from the old Temple to the site of the new one . The building will cost somewhere about £ 10 , 000 . — " Standard and Diggers News . "