Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The Castle Chapter Of Harmony, No. 26.
to cultivate it . And what I have said of Craft Masonry applies still more strongly to the Royal Arch . In this degree the circle of Masonry is narrowed , and embraces only the purer parts . There is no jarring or quarrelling in our circles for places . JuM . as each stone in the centenary arch has its own peculiar place , and will fit into lhat place alone , so the members of the chapter have each their appropriate mark in the search after the sacred name
of God . If then the lodge is a resting-place , I say that the chapter is still more so ; and yet both " of them are ' but types of a better and a more enduring rest , for the volume of the sacred law tells us that "there remainelh a test for the people of God . " Yes , Comps ., a rest where all toils , and troubles , pain , sin , and suffering , will be banished for ever —where there will be no more search after the unknown—where we
shall be for ever in the presence of the Reality—where we shall be for ever in the presence of the Most High himself . ' I trust then , companions , that this chapter which we are about to consecrate to-night may be as I have described it , in some degree , a type of this heavenly rest . May it indeed be a castle of harrnony , an impregnable fortress of brotherly love . May love , and peace , and harmony dwell within
its walls , and , in the beautiful words of our installation ceremony , 1 will conclude— " May the labour of this evening produce the fruits of wisdom and of love , and whilst we are endeavouring to erect and preserve the earthly tabernacle to thc name and glory of God , may we at the same time be preparing our path to tbat eternal temple where peace and glory dwell for evermore . "
The ceremony of consecration was then performed , and at its conclusion Comas . William Coppard Beaumont was installed as Z ., Comp . Dr . Brodie as l-L , and Comp . Edward Milner as J . Comp . T . S . Sadler was eltcted and invested S . E ., and Comp . M . C . Buszard , Q . C , M . P .-rwas elected Treasurer .
On the motion of the M . E . Z ., seconded by Comp . H ., avotc of thanks was passed to Comps . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Sir John B . Monckton , the Rev . C . W . Arnold , and Peter de Lande Long , for consecrating thc chapter , and these companions were elected honorary members .
Comp . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE acknowledged the compliment , and stated that he and the other companions named felt highly gratified by the kind and fraternal remarks made with reference to their presence there that day . It was a great pleasure to come to consecrate such a chapter , which they knew would become a credit to the Order .
The names of brethren desiring exaltation in the chapter were then given in , and the chapter was closed , and thc companions adjourned to a choice banquet . The toast of " The Queen and Royal Arch Masonry " and "The Prince of Wales , M . E . Z ., " having been honoured ,
The M . E . Z . said he had not troubled the companions with long speeches so far , and he did not wish to weary them by giving the long speeches now ; but it would not be becoming in him or agreeable to his feelings to pass over the toast of " The Pro G . Z ' . and the oilier Grand Officers" without a few words of introduction . The last two toasts were , of course , more or less official , and , with regard to the present toast , might also be treated as
official , inasmuch as it was always given at meetings of Royal Arch chapters and related more or less to official personages , and it was always drunk with enthusiasm . But it did partake of an official character , and it was not always they were iortunate enough have Grand Officers present to respond to the toast . They were , however , singularly fortunate that evening in having several distinguished Grand Officers , any one of whom might very
properly be called upon to return thanks for this toast , ihey were surrounded by many Royal Arch Masons of distinction ; but there was one Grand Officer present whose name would naturally be associated by all the companions with that toast , viz ., that of General Brownrigg . His two colleagues , H . and J ., agreed with him that they were singularly fortunate in having the presence of Comp . Gen . Brownrigg . It was unnecessary to
speak ot his merits . He vvas well-known in London as a good Mason , but in the Province of Surrey he was more particularly known and appreciated . Many of the members ol this chapter were Surrey Masons , and as a Grand Officer of lhat piovince hcknew well what his work was . Having Comp . Gen . Brownrigg present hc would call upon him to respond to this loast .
Comp . Gen . BROWNRIGG , < -aid , in reply , that , although it was upwards of a quarter of a century since he was qualified by the Grand Z . oi the Order of those days to return thanks for this 'oast , he had never yet felt that he had qualified himself decently , because really there was so very , very little to be said about it . They all knew that when they ceased to hold office in Grand Chapter their functions became dormant for thc rest of their lives , except so far as to show their interest in every thing connected with Royal Arch
Masonry . He did not think any of them had neglected that duty ; but it was not often that one had the opportunity of seeing the work of chapters as well performed as it had been that evening . The M . E . Z . 'sallusions to him , and the kind way hc had alluded to him as Grand Superintendent of Surrey was extremel y flattering ; but he need not tell all Surrey men—and he saw a great many about him—how little he could do if he was not as admirably \
supported as he was by his dear olel tnenci on ins ngnt une Kev . u . v . Arnold ) . Indeed , he did not know what he should do without him . There was no work that he ( General Brownrigg ) asked him to take that was too hard for him , and that he did not do far better than he ( General Brownrigg ) could do himself . It had been vcry flattering to him indeed that evening to find that three P . M . ' s of the Province of Surrey filled the three chairs of this chapter . It
was usual—he had heard fine I ^ ondon people—fine London ladies especiallyobject to provincial * . A very pretty girl sometimes came to London , and perhaps her manners where not exactly what the fine ladies of London were accustomed to . Now , he must confess he was proud of his provincials on this occasion . He did not think it could be put to a better test in this chapter than that the ihrec First Principals' Chairs were occupied by three Provincial Masons .
The M . E . Z in proposing the next toast , said his first feeling in rising to propose this toast he vvas very sorry to say was one of regret , because their princi pal consecrating officer who was good enough to leave a bed of sickness to consecrate their chapter , had unfortunately not felt himself well enough to stay for the b .-inouet He was sure thev all rcirrctted he was not able to take a
little refreshment after the arduous labour of the day . Thc toast he was about to give was important to the Casile Chapter ol Harmony—it was the toast of ' the Consecrating Officers . " They had had four Grand Officers who had been good enough to assist in the consecration , and , with the permission of his colleages , " he might say it was not a matter of discussion among them as to who should be asked to perform the consecration . They "ad a certain amount of special reason in selecting each one , Comp . Shadwell
Consecration Of The Castle Chapter Of Harmony, No. 26.
Gierke was not , unfortunately , with them now , but he was an old friend of his ( the M . E . Z . 's ) , and if he had been present he ( the M . E . Z ) should have troubled the Comps . with some reasons why he asked him to take the principal work . The Comp . who acted as H . ( Sir J . B . Monckton ) for the Director of Ceremonies ( Comp . Long ) , were very old friends of his long before he knew anything of Masonry . They had each done him many kindnesses
over and over again , and in Masonry Sir John Monckton had done him the great honour and kindness ol installing him in office in his mother lodge . For that and other kindnesses he thanked him very much . Comp . Long , as most of the Comps . knew , was Sir John Monckton ' s broiherln-lavv . Sir John Monckton had managed to keep those delicate lines of youth which he was sorry to say were vanishing in Comp . Long His
acquaintance with Comp . Arnold showed what they all knewthe social advantages of Freemasonry . A year or two ago he was at the consecration of a Surrey Lodge in which he had the honour of being a P . M ., and he there met a clergyman who did his work remarkably well , and although he ( the M . E . Z . ; was totally unknown to him , he ventured to compliment him on the admirable manner in which his work was done ; his
name was Arnold . When he ( the M . E . Z . ) got home—as a rule they knew he did not like parsons—but on this particular day he mentioned to his wife that he had met a clergyman of the name of Arnold , who did his work in a marvellous manner , and who appeared to be a thoroughly good fellow . She said she thought it must be Willie Arnold . Hc ( the M . E . Z . ) said it was William Arnold , and she said it was her cousin , and asked what he looked like . He replied that he was not like David , of a ruddy
countenance , but a tall , handsome , fair man , and of genial manners . The reply was , " Why , that ' s Willie Arnold . " The next time he met Comp . Arnold he asked him whether he vvas Willie Arnold , and he said he was . That showed the social advantages of Freemasonry . Had it not been for that he should not have made the acquaintance of his wife ' s cousin—Willie Arnold . Comp ; Arnold was good enough that day lo volunteer to instal him into the chair of First Principal , and very glad he ( the M . E . Z . ) was to be asked to have him to perform that office .
Comp . Sir J MONCKTON , in replying , said he had not had much to do as H . in the consecration , but he greatly admired the way in which Col . Shadwell Clerke and Comp . Arnold pertormed their work . Fro m what he had heard of the health of Col . Clerke , he had expected to find a substitute in his place . However , there he was . Nothing could better show his
interest in Freemasonry than when he came from a bed of sickness , and in great bodily pain , performed the ceremony of consecration . It vvas a good thing for the chapter that he did come , because he ( Comp . Monckton ) knew no man that did the work better ; not onl y being ritual-perfect , but from the impressiveness of his manner . To listen to him , whether young Mason or old Mason , was a great treat .
Comp . the Rev . C . W . ARNOLD said it was a very great pleasure to him to attend and assist in the consecration . He himself was ill m bed till Monday twelve o'clock , and was thinking whether he should be able to come ; and while lie was on his bed of rest he was thinking of something as to rest , that gave him the idea for what he had said that day . He wrote to Comp . Shadwell Clerke asking him if he could get a substitute , and he got a reply to say if he got a telegram from him to say he could not come he would get a
substitute . However , he had been able lo come , and it had been a great pleasure to him to take part in the consecration , and help to instal three Surrey Masons in the three chairs . He had also been much gratified at seeing such a beautiful chapter and such handsome furniture ; and the commencement of its career , he thought , was an augury of a splendid success for a chapter connected with such an old lodge as the Castle Lodge of Harmony .
General BROWNRIGG said as old age had its privileges as well as its penalties , one of his privileges as the oldest Royal Arch Alason present was to ask the companions to drink " Success ancl Prosperity " to this chapter . He was quite sure that those who had seen the stulf of which this chapter was composed would understand how good their commencement was , and how certain they might all be who took an interest in it , that this chapter would be second to in the
none working , and its success . He would not detain them long , as there had been so much said that evening respecting Masonry , and this Order in particular , that there was very little left for him to say ; but he was convinced that all present took the warmest interest in the success of what they had seen commenced that evening , and he wished the companions to drink "Success and Prosperity to the Castle Chapter of Harmon } ' . "
ihe M . E . Z ., in the course of his speech , said that Comp . Brodie , as Master of the lodge this year , asked him if he did not think they should have a chapter attached to the lod ge . Knowing that they would have the kind assistance of Colonel Shadwell Clerke , he considered it a happy thought , and thev set to work about a petition . I he result was tli-v ,, nm ti » ,, nrr , „ t
There were many members of the lod ge anxious to join—many old members , " who were only honorary members . Comp . Warren Wheeler was the father of the lodge , and he would join , and so would Comp . Wood , who was the actual father of the lodge , and came up all the way from Brighton to its meetings . When they found they were so well supported by the lathers of the craft they might have great hopes for the tuture .
Comp . R . Warner Wheeler said as allusion would be made to the lod < re being so old before it had a chapter , hc might say that twenty-five yean ; ago , when he was the Master , he tried to get a chapter , but he was completely floored by two objections ; one was that Grand Chapter had a law that they would not grant another chapter in London—Masonry not being > -o flourishing as it was in the present day , and it took three or
tourlodges to support a chapter . The St . James ' s Chapter , of whicii he was a P . Z ., had only seven memters , and could scarcel y carry on its duties . The M . E . Z . then proposed " The Visitors . " Comp . BEVAN replied , and said he had came all the way from Cheltenham to be present . Comp . Arnold had told them that Masonry cenerallv tauo-lit
us to receive it , more particularly Royal Arch Masonry , as a bright and comprehensive religion . To his mind it presented itsell in that form . It had many charms , among whicii that it was a lodge of rest . He ' had found this a lodge of rest , and also a lod ge of hospitality . Dr . LAVIES also replied .
The toast of " I he Officers , " to which Comps . Soden , S . E ., and R . H Giddy replied , aud the Jamlor ' s toast closed the proceedings , which were most delightful thronghout .
As ( he result of [ he recent visit of Bro . Sir Thomas Brassey , M . P ., to Middlesbrough , a preliminary meeting vvas held there on Wednesday evening for the puipose of lornung a brigade of the Royal Naval Artillery Volun-eers . The ex-Mavor . Mr . Willman , presided , and explained the duties and the privileges , and a number of names were enrolled .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The Castle Chapter Of Harmony, No. 26.
to cultivate it . And what I have said of Craft Masonry applies still more strongly to the Royal Arch . In this degree the circle of Masonry is narrowed , and embraces only the purer parts . There is no jarring or quarrelling in our circles for places . JuM . as each stone in the centenary arch has its own peculiar place , and will fit into lhat place alone , so the members of the chapter have each their appropriate mark in the search after the sacred name
of God . If then the lodge is a resting-place , I say that the chapter is still more so ; and yet both " of them are ' but types of a better and a more enduring rest , for the volume of the sacred law tells us that "there remainelh a test for the people of God . " Yes , Comps ., a rest where all toils , and troubles , pain , sin , and suffering , will be banished for ever —where there will be no more search after the unknown—where we
shall be for ever in the presence of the Reality—where we shall be for ever in the presence of the Most High himself . ' I trust then , companions , that this chapter which we are about to consecrate to-night may be as I have described it , in some degree , a type of this heavenly rest . May it indeed be a castle of harrnony , an impregnable fortress of brotherly love . May love , and peace , and harmony dwell within
its walls , and , in the beautiful words of our installation ceremony , 1 will conclude— " May the labour of this evening produce the fruits of wisdom and of love , and whilst we are endeavouring to erect and preserve the earthly tabernacle to thc name and glory of God , may we at the same time be preparing our path to tbat eternal temple where peace and glory dwell for evermore . "
The ceremony of consecration was then performed , and at its conclusion Comas . William Coppard Beaumont was installed as Z ., Comp . Dr . Brodie as l-L , and Comp . Edward Milner as J . Comp . T . S . Sadler was eltcted and invested S . E ., and Comp . M . C . Buszard , Q . C , M . P .-rwas elected Treasurer .
On the motion of the M . E . Z ., seconded by Comp . H ., avotc of thanks was passed to Comps . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Sir John B . Monckton , the Rev . C . W . Arnold , and Peter de Lande Long , for consecrating thc chapter , and these companions were elected honorary members .
Comp . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE acknowledged the compliment , and stated that he and the other companions named felt highly gratified by the kind and fraternal remarks made with reference to their presence there that day . It was a great pleasure to come to consecrate such a chapter , which they knew would become a credit to the Order .
The names of brethren desiring exaltation in the chapter were then given in , and the chapter was closed , and thc companions adjourned to a choice banquet . The toast of " The Queen and Royal Arch Masonry " and "The Prince of Wales , M . E . Z ., " having been honoured ,
The M . E . Z . said he had not troubled the companions with long speeches so far , and he did not wish to weary them by giving the long speeches now ; but it would not be becoming in him or agreeable to his feelings to pass over the toast of " The Pro G . Z ' . and the oilier Grand Officers" without a few words of introduction . The last two toasts were , of course , more or less official , and , with regard to the present toast , might also be treated as
official , inasmuch as it was always given at meetings of Royal Arch chapters and related more or less to official personages , and it was always drunk with enthusiasm . But it did partake of an official character , and it was not always they were iortunate enough have Grand Officers present to respond to the toast . They were , however , singularly fortunate that evening in having several distinguished Grand Officers , any one of whom might very
properly be called upon to return thanks for this toast , ihey were surrounded by many Royal Arch Masons of distinction ; but there was one Grand Officer present whose name would naturally be associated by all the companions with that toast , viz ., that of General Brownrigg . His two colleagues , H . and J ., agreed with him that they were singularly fortunate in having the presence of Comp . Gen . Brownrigg . It was unnecessary to
speak ot his merits . He vvas well-known in London as a good Mason , but in the Province of Surrey he was more particularly known and appreciated . Many of the members ol this chapter were Surrey Masons , and as a Grand Officer of lhat piovince hcknew well what his work was . Having Comp . Gen . Brownrigg present hc would call upon him to respond to this loast .
Comp . Gen . BROWNRIGG , < -aid , in reply , that , although it was upwards of a quarter of a century since he was qualified by the Grand Z . oi the Order of those days to return thanks for this 'oast , he had never yet felt that he had qualified himself decently , because really there was so very , very little to be said about it . They all knew that when they ceased to hold office in Grand Chapter their functions became dormant for thc rest of their lives , except so far as to show their interest in every thing connected with Royal Arch
Masonry . He did not think any of them had neglected that duty ; but it was not often that one had the opportunity of seeing the work of chapters as well performed as it had been that evening . The M . E . Z . 'sallusions to him , and the kind way hc had alluded to him as Grand Superintendent of Surrey was extremel y flattering ; but he need not tell all Surrey men—and he saw a great many about him—how little he could do if he was not as admirably \
supported as he was by his dear olel tnenci on ins ngnt une Kev . u . v . Arnold ) . Indeed , he did not know what he should do without him . There was no work that he ( General Brownrigg ) asked him to take that was too hard for him , and that he did not do far better than he ( General Brownrigg ) could do himself . It had been vcry flattering to him indeed that evening to find that three P . M . ' s of the Province of Surrey filled the three chairs of this chapter . It
was usual—he had heard fine I ^ ondon people—fine London ladies especiallyobject to provincial * . A very pretty girl sometimes came to London , and perhaps her manners where not exactly what the fine ladies of London were accustomed to . Now , he must confess he was proud of his provincials on this occasion . He did not think it could be put to a better test in this chapter than that the ihrec First Principals' Chairs were occupied by three Provincial Masons .
The M . E . Z in proposing the next toast , said his first feeling in rising to propose this toast he vvas very sorry to say was one of regret , because their princi pal consecrating officer who was good enough to leave a bed of sickness to consecrate their chapter , had unfortunately not felt himself well enough to stay for the b .-inouet He was sure thev all rcirrctted he was not able to take a
little refreshment after the arduous labour of the day . Thc toast he was about to give was important to the Casile Chapter ol Harmony—it was the toast of ' the Consecrating Officers . " They had had four Grand Officers who had been good enough to assist in the consecration , and , with the permission of his colleages , " he might say it was not a matter of discussion among them as to who should be asked to perform the consecration . They "ad a certain amount of special reason in selecting each one , Comp . Shadwell
Consecration Of The Castle Chapter Of Harmony, No. 26.
Gierke was not , unfortunately , with them now , but he was an old friend of his ( the M . E . Z . 's ) , and if he had been present he ( the M . E . Z ) should have troubled the Comps . with some reasons why he asked him to take the principal work . The Comp . who acted as H . ( Sir J . B . Monckton ) for the Director of Ceremonies ( Comp . Long ) , were very old friends of his long before he knew anything of Masonry . They had each done him many kindnesses
over and over again , and in Masonry Sir John Monckton had done him the great honour and kindness ol installing him in office in his mother lodge . For that and other kindnesses he thanked him very much . Comp . Long , as most of the Comps . knew , was Sir John Monckton ' s broiherln-lavv . Sir John Monckton had managed to keep those delicate lines of youth which he was sorry to say were vanishing in Comp . Long His
acquaintance with Comp . Arnold showed what they all knewthe social advantages of Freemasonry . A year or two ago he was at the consecration of a Surrey Lodge in which he had the honour of being a P . M ., and he there met a clergyman who did his work remarkably well , and although he ( the M . E . Z . ; was totally unknown to him , he ventured to compliment him on the admirable manner in which his work was done ; his
name was Arnold . When he ( the M . E . Z . ) got home—as a rule they knew he did not like parsons—but on this particular day he mentioned to his wife that he had met a clergyman of the name of Arnold , who did his work in a marvellous manner , and who appeared to be a thoroughly good fellow . She said she thought it must be Willie Arnold . Hc ( the M . E . Z . ) said it was William Arnold , and she said it was her cousin , and asked what he looked like . He replied that he was not like David , of a ruddy
countenance , but a tall , handsome , fair man , and of genial manners . The reply was , " Why , that ' s Willie Arnold . " The next time he met Comp . Arnold he asked him whether he vvas Willie Arnold , and he said he was . That showed the social advantages of Freemasonry . Had it not been for that he should not have made the acquaintance of his wife ' s cousin—Willie Arnold . Comp ; Arnold was good enough that day lo volunteer to instal him into the chair of First Principal , and very glad he ( the M . E . Z . ) was to be asked to have him to perform that office .
Comp . Sir J MONCKTON , in replying , said he had not had much to do as H . in the consecration , but he greatly admired the way in which Col . Shadwell Clerke and Comp . Arnold pertormed their work . Fro m what he had heard of the health of Col . Clerke , he had expected to find a substitute in his place . However , there he was . Nothing could better show his
interest in Freemasonry than when he came from a bed of sickness , and in great bodily pain , performed the ceremony of consecration . It vvas a good thing for the chapter that he did come , because he ( Comp . Monckton ) knew no man that did the work better ; not onl y being ritual-perfect , but from the impressiveness of his manner . To listen to him , whether young Mason or old Mason , was a great treat .
Comp . the Rev . C . W . ARNOLD said it was a very great pleasure to him to attend and assist in the consecration . He himself was ill m bed till Monday twelve o'clock , and was thinking whether he should be able to come ; and while lie was on his bed of rest he was thinking of something as to rest , that gave him the idea for what he had said that day . He wrote to Comp . Shadwell Clerke asking him if he could get a substitute , and he got a reply to say if he got a telegram from him to say he could not come he would get a
substitute . However , he had been able lo come , and it had been a great pleasure to him to take part in the consecration , and help to instal three Surrey Masons in the three chairs . He had also been much gratified at seeing such a beautiful chapter and such handsome furniture ; and the commencement of its career , he thought , was an augury of a splendid success for a chapter connected with such an old lodge as the Castle Lodge of Harmony .
General BROWNRIGG said as old age had its privileges as well as its penalties , one of his privileges as the oldest Royal Arch Alason present was to ask the companions to drink " Success ancl Prosperity " to this chapter . He was quite sure that those who had seen the stulf of which this chapter was composed would understand how good their commencement was , and how certain they might all be who took an interest in it , that this chapter would be second to in the
none working , and its success . He would not detain them long , as there had been so much said that evening respecting Masonry , and this Order in particular , that there was very little left for him to say ; but he was convinced that all present took the warmest interest in the success of what they had seen commenced that evening , and he wished the companions to drink "Success and Prosperity to the Castle Chapter of Harmon } ' . "
ihe M . E . Z ., in the course of his speech , said that Comp . Brodie , as Master of the lodge this year , asked him if he did not think they should have a chapter attached to the lod ge . Knowing that they would have the kind assistance of Colonel Shadwell Clerke , he considered it a happy thought , and thev set to work about a petition . I he result was tli-v ,, nm ti » ,, nrr , „ t
There were many members of the lod ge anxious to join—many old members , " who were only honorary members . Comp . Warren Wheeler was the father of the lodge , and he would join , and so would Comp . Wood , who was the actual father of the lodge , and came up all the way from Brighton to its meetings . When they found they were so well supported by the lathers of the craft they might have great hopes for the tuture .
Comp . R . Warner Wheeler said as allusion would be made to the lod < re being so old before it had a chapter , hc might say that twenty-five yean ; ago , when he was the Master , he tried to get a chapter , but he was completely floored by two objections ; one was that Grand Chapter had a law that they would not grant another chapter in London—Masonry not being > -o flourishing as it was in the present day , and it took three or
tourlodges to support a chapter . The St . James ' s Chapter , of whicii he was a P . Z ., had only seven memters , and could scarcel y carry on its duties . The M . E . Z . then proposed " The Visitors . " Comp . BEVAN replied , and said he had came all the way from Cheltenham to be present . Comp . Arnold had told them that Masonry cenerallv tauo-lit
us to receive it , more particularly Royal Arch Masonry , as a bright and comprehensive religion . To his mind it presented itsell in that form . It had many charms , among whicii that it was a lodge of rest . He ' had found this a lodge of rest , and also a lod ge of hospitality . Dr . LAVIES also replied .
The toast of " I he Officers , " to which Comps . Soden , S . E ., and R . H Giddy replied , aud the Jamlor ' s toast closed the proceedings , which were most delightful thronghout .
As ( he result of [ he recent visit of Bro . Sir Thomas Brassey , M . P ., to Middlesbrough , a preliminary meeting vvas held there on Wednesday evening for the puipose of lornung a brigade of the Royal Naval Artillery Volun-eers . The ex-Mavor . Mr . Willman , presided , and explained the duties and the privileges , and a number of names were enrolled .