Consecration Of Tfe Duke Of York Lodge, No. 2449.

CONSECRATION OF TFE DUKE OF YORK LODGE , No . 2449 .

The Province of East Lancashire is making rapid strides in the Sublime Art , it having recently added to the number of its lodges No . 2449 , consecrated on the 20 th January , of which we gave a report in our issue of 28 th January , 1 S 93 , and the Duke of York Lodge , No . 2449 , which the P . G . M ., Bro . Colonel Le Gendre N . Starkie was privileged by the

G . A . O . T . U . to consecrate on the 23 rd ult . The lodges mentioned have both been commenced under most favourable auspices , and they promise to be shining lights in the Province of East Lancashire . It is with pleasure that we notice that the founders of the Palatine and Duke of York Lodges comprise brethren of known Masonic standing and earnestness in their work , and the P . G . Master is to be congratulated upon having brethren ot

such ability connected with his two recently-consecrated lodges . It is within our memory , and must be within the memory of many well known brethren of East Lancashire , that the scene of the consecration of the lodges we have mentioned , and , indeed , we might say , with truthfulness , nearly every room in the building of which the lodges are held are fraught with happy memories and pleasant recollections to nearly every old brother in

the province . We can therefore well understand the feelings of the Prov . G . Master when he stated how proud he was to be present at the Palatine Hotel in Manchester—a place associated with many pleasant memories of bygone days in his Masonic career , he having taken most of his degrees in this hotel , and to have the privilege of consecrating in a building so associated with Masonry as the Palatine Hotel was , two new Masonic lodges within

two months , whilst the earnestness with which he called up the old and solemn associations in the hotel sufficientl y proved to the brethren present the depth of feeling which had been called up in the mind of the Provincial Grand Master . We may perhaps be permitted to add that it is just such associations of past memories in an experienced and worthy Mason ' s life which so forcibly conveys to the minds of the younger brethren the dignity and high importance of the Order .

The brethren assembled in large numbers , and were marshalled inlo thc lodge room b y Bro . W . H . Peak , P . G . D . C . Bro . Col . Starkie opened the lodge in the Three Degrees , and performed the ceremony of consecration , assisted by Bros . Fitz Reiss , P . S . G . W ., as S . W . ; N . A . Earle , P . G . R ., as J . W . ( who also acted as Installing Master ); W . B . Russell , P . D . G . D . C , a ? I . G . ; W . H . Peak , P . G . D . C . ; John Chadwick , P . G . S . B ., P . G . Sec . ; H . Stevens , P . G . Org . ; and Rev . J . O . Jelly , P . G . Chap ., who gave the following beautiful oration :

None of us can attentively study the elaborate order of proceedings in this consecration without being struck with the high estimation in which Freemasonry is held by the brethren . It could hardl y be possible that so many would have here assembled , unless they had felt the high beneficial good which a consecration ceremony has for them . Our art needs no outside display to make it attractive or useful , it appeals to a higher tribunal , the inner conscience . To cultivate the

highest morality is its aim , it seeks by the application of the arts and sciences , to become a beautiful allegory of the whole of human conduct . By the aid of what we see , it passes by analogy to the unseen , to bring out in all its beauty , the value of a life spent in piety and virtue . Thus it leads every candidate for its mysteries to make a public confession of his iaith in God , whose being , character , and attributes , it seeks to reveal in the various steps he takes to reach the full

dignity of a Master Mason . At the outset it would be well for us to inquire why there is so much suspicion in the outside world as regards us . Why is it that so frequently a strong objection is manifested towards Masonry and all things Masonic in the minds of our fair sisters ! - Have they had no cause for it ' i Is it not a fact that we , like other bodies of men , are judged by the number of our black spots , and not by the otherwise spotless nature of our characters' ; We are

gradually awakening to this fact , and great care is being spent in the admission of candidates . Fuller commands are being sent from head-quarters , urging that such as shall be admitted would be those whom we would trust in our own family circles . That a man suffers no harm from Masonry , but is rather benefited , U well recognis jd by usall . It should be our duty toimpress this fact upon others , to set forth in season and outside the foundations of our system , in fact all the essential points

on which we work , carefully guarding those Masonic secrets , whereby we know each other , and are distinguished from the rest of the world . If rightly used , it may become a help to religion , for as there are sonu things which can be only known by revelation , so there are other things which can be discovered through nature—there is the natural as well as the revealed . The revealed is from above ; from the Great Architect of the Universe . It is the Volume of the Sacred Law

which teaches us the important duties we owe to God , to our neighbour , and to ourselves ; whereas the natural is the result of observation and contempUtion , deducing from reason and sight . One of the grandest exhortations ever given was that each should know himself . To do so involves a life-long study . Not only the seen but th ; unseen have to be grappled with . If anything , therefore , can assist us in our search , surely we may

without evil make use of it . If such a nature is Masonry , with its symbolic teaching and its high ritual art , fixing as it does our minds on the truths that nature teaches , weare led to realise the design in the order ol things , and that there is the proof of Divine love in all the Great Architect ' s dealings with us . Thus His wisdom is understood , His power and strength , and the harmony of his His nature , each and all of His attributes being brought out by the various tools

aid properties used in the Craft . B y knowing Him , we know oursel / ei ; the blue vault of heaven an emblem of His protection , and of our needs ; the stars shining through a witness of His unceasing watchfulness and our esp ; cial danger , the earth on which we live , teeming with its marvels , setting forth our lowliness and ignorance in comparison with Him who dwells beyond the stars in His eternal glory . The glimmering ray which guides our contemplations apart from revela .

tion points out that in this hie there is nothingclear or sure . It is only when the light of revealed truth comes that the natural li ght is able to be unravelled . The r . ason of our existence cleared up . In that a bond is set up between this our lowly lodge on earth and that glorious lodge above , where the Architect lives and reigns supreme . Upon the sacred writings is built up the spiritual ladder by which angels ascend and descend between earth and heaven—traversing those

rungs which are of pure gold—Faith , Hope , and Charity . Faith in Him , Hope in the future , and Peace with all men . Thus we can find true happiness , and if Masonry can in any wise impress these upon us , surely we are not to blame in using them . The soul needs a sheet anchor , a sure resting-place ; it finds it Divine trust , and in the Divine promises of Hol y Writ . It tends to fill us with that blessed pea 9 e which comes from a feeling of security and satisfaction , leading us to practice the highest virtue , the heaven-born gift of Charity . Happy are

Consecration Of Tfe Duke Of York Lodge, No. 2449.

all who possess this sacred gift , who believes not the voice of slander , harbour not malice , and are ever forgiving at the same time of their abundance , supplying the needs of others , especially their brethren . In this way Masonry can be of great value , if it teaches us to benefit our neighbour . It is sad to see any falling short of their profession , neglecting their sacred promises for the poor pleasures of the after proceedings . This vvas never contemplated in Masonry . Its object is to elevate and stimulate by precept and example ; not to pander to the animal

wants and passions . Though seeking for harmony , then , let us never lose sight of the high object of our art ; let us continually advance in Masonic knowledge . We pray that the cause of this new lodge may be a blessing to many who shall enter it ; that they may find consolation and strength in all their trials ; peace and happiness in all their workings ; truth and justice in all their dealings . If only the principles of our Order are zealously carried out in it , we are sure there is a prosperous career before you , and that our work to do in launching this new home for the brethren will not have been in vain .

The founders of the lodge are the following brethren , chiefly members of the Strangeways Lodge : Bros . W . T . Schofield , 219 and 1219 ; Wm . Boden , 158 S ; Frederick Warburton , 225 and 1219 : Simeon Mamelok , 1219 , 1502 , and 1798 ; Philip Whyman , 1219 ; Thomas Taylor Hardicker , 1052 ; Robert Meggitt , 985 and 1219 ; John Kinsey , 941 and 1219 ; Clement John Hall , 1219 ; George Alfred Bowden , 1219 ; Thomas Henry Stott , 1219 ; lames Andrew , 1219 ; and William Oswald Olivant

Wilkinson , 1219 . The following brethren were appointed to office for the ensuing year : Bros . Wm . T . Schofield , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D ., W . M . ; Jas . Andrew , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br ., I . P . M . ; Wm . Boden , P . M ., S . W . ; Fred . Warburton , J . W . ; S . Mamelok , P . M ., Treasurer ; C ] . Hall , Sec ; Thomas T . Hardicker , S . D . ; Phili p Whyman , J . D . ; Robert Meggitt , D . C ; John Kinsey , I . G . ; and Geo . A . Bowden and Thos . H . Stott , Stwds .

Bro . Fritz Reiss addressed theW . M ., Bro . J . W . Abbot , P . P . G . D . C , the Wardens , whilst the brethren were addressed by Bro . G . A . Earle , Installing Master , at the close of the ceremony . On the motion of Bro . W . T . SCHOFIELD , seconded by Bro . ANDREW , P . P . S . G . D ., a vote of thanks was accorded to the Prov . G . M . for his attendance .

The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER having replied , several propositions were received , and the lodge was closed in peace and harmony . Subsequently the customary banquet was held . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . Stevens , P . G . Org . Efficient vocal services were also rendered at the banquet by Bros . Nelson , J . Stokes , Ridsdale Bowley , Kenneth Stewart , and W . Howard . Bro . B . Hopkinson , P . M . 1459 , 993 , and 1140 , was the accompanist . The following brethren were present :

Bros . J . H . Sillitoe , P . G . Std . Br ., P . P . G . W . ; J . O . Jelly , P . G . C . ; J . J . Meakin , P . P . J . G . W . ; W . H . Peak , P . G . D . C ; ] . H . P . Leresche , P . P . G . R . ; F . N . Molesworth , P . G . R . ; J . D . Murray , G . Treas . ; ] . W . Abbott , P . P . G . D . C ; J . Booth , P . G . D . ; T . A . Lowe , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Kershaw , P . P . G . D . C . ; J . Ciafton , P . P . G . O . ; J . Andrew , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; W . B . Russell , P . A . G . D . C ; J . Hancock , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; R . Andrew , P . P . S . G . D . ; J . Stewart , P . G . Std . Br . ; G . Hilton , P . G . S . ; C . Cooper , P . P . G . P . ; C . E . Hindley , P . P . S . G . D . ; G . H . Holt , P . S . G . D . ; j . Newton , P . A . G . Sec ; G . Board , P . P . G . D . ; A . H . Batty , P . M . ; J . Robinson ,

W . M . ; W . Baron , J . W . ; J . Dixon ; H . Stevens , P . G . O . ; W . Jaffray , P . P . G . D . ; J . Pollard , P . G . Treas . ; J . Sandiford , P . G . P . ; J . Marsden , P . P . A . G . D . C ; W . M Boden , P . M . ; S . Mamelok , P . M . ; J . Schofield ; C . J . Hall ; E . J . Gadd ; Oates Rushton ; R . Meggitt ; J . Whitcomb ; J . T . Whittle ; G . A . Bowden ; W . Biggs , P . M . ; W . Howard ; J . W . Taylor ; F . Neild ; F . R . Bowley , W . M . 2216 , T . T .

Hardicker ; T . B . Grimshaw j C . W . Godby ; A . P . Parkinson ; N . Stokes ; J . Beswick ; Mather Agar ; J . Kinsey ; G . W . Davies ; J . T . Turner , W . M . 2341 ; R . E . Walker , P . M . 993 ; W . H . Bibby ; Henneth M . Stewart ; James Robinson , W . M . 1219 ; W . O . O . Wilkinson , S . W . 1219 ; T . H . Stott ; A . H . Battye , P . M . ; W . Hand ; John Partington , P . M . ; W . Baron , J . W . 1219 ; E . Nathan , P . M . ; F . W . Lean ; G . S . Smith , P . M . ; J . Barker , 2359 5 and J- Laurisch , 2359 .

All the very handsome furniture , jewels , and regalia were presented by two brethren , and had been specially designed and manufactured by Bro . George Kenning . VVe are convinced that under the Mastership of Bro . W . T . Schofield , who has been an ardent student of Freemasonry for 25 years , the lodge is bound to lead to success .

Vernon's Masonic History.

VERNON'S MASONIC HISTORY .

Bro . W . Fred Vernon has responded to the wishes of several Masonic students , and written a " History of Freemasonry in the Province of Roxburgh , P eebles , and Selkirkshires from 1674 to the present time . " He has done much more , however , for originally many of us only contemplated a re-issue of his admirable papers in the "Masonic Magazine , " but this really handsome volume is a Masonic work de novo , and lavishly illustrated .

No history of the Craft can bc too attractively produced to please mc . When one , however , considers " ways and means , " it is not easy to understand how this most artistic volume , running to over 300 pages of closelyprinted matter , and so abundantly illustrated , that a list of the plates would run to considerable length , can bc made to pay at thc small subscription of

ten shillings per copy . That is not my business , but nevertheless it is a marvel to mc , and I trust the numerous subscribers that should be obtained on its merits becoming known , at all events , will prevent a loss accruing to author and publisher by the publication' of this noble work . It is quitc clear to me that there is not only no margin for profit , but that only by . the

prompt sale of the edition can thc heavy cost be met . The frontispiece is an excellent portrait of thc esteemed M . W . Grand Mastcr of Scotland , the Earl of Haddington , K . T ., to whom Bro . Verno " has appropriately dedicated his handiwork , and I feel assured his lordship will much appreciate the compliment . There are numerous other portraits .

three being most welcome to many of us outside the large provw cc immediately interested , viz ., lhat of thc Author , thc Prov . G . M ., Dr . James Middleton , and the veteran Prov . G . Secretary , Bro . R . Sanderson , 1 ° whom we were originally indebted for a history of the extinct lodge " >

Haughfoot , with very many important records , dating from the year l ? ' which were made known in the defunct " Freemasons' Magazine . " j r are reproduced by Bro . Vernon , with due credit given to the brotne named , and add much to thc value and interest of thc volume .