Consecration Of The Weald Lodge, No. 2707.

Railing , Prov . G . Sec . ; A . Lucking , P . G . P ., Prov . G . D . C , as D . C . ; and R . Clowes , P . G . S . B ., as I . G . The founders of the new lodge included Bros . J . W . Armour , P . M . 1437 ' W . M . designate ; A . S . Girdiner , 1437 , S . W . designate ; A . T . G . Woods , 1437 , J . W . designate ; Wm . Shurmur , P . G . S . B . ; F . Landon , P . M . and Sec . 214 ; li . Grove Johnson , 192 ; Samuel Fraxer , 1395 ; Ernest Lloyd , P . M . 793 ; J . Edwards , 1437 ; Capt . G . H . Stojle , 1436 ; E . H . Rackham , 227 S ; and John Hill , 175 .

Visitors : B-os . Wm . Gower . P . P . G . Treas . ; T . Piper ; 1604 ; C . R . Higgins , W . M . 1076 ; H . R . Heasman , P . P . J . G . D . ; H . C . Gardiner , 2374 ; A . T . G . WoDds ; W . Garwood , 27 6 ; S . Hammond , P . P . G . S . ot W . ; T . G . Kemp , 14 ^ 7 ; R . Peck , 2472 ; J . Bishop . 10-56 ; F . Clark , 2006 , Prov . D . G . D . C . ; Win . Quennell , P . P . G . O . ; J . C . O lennell , P . P . J . G . D . ; F . Townend , J . W . 214 ; Jas . Speller , P . P . G . D . ; J . Ramsay ,

P . M . ; R . Stebbings , P . M . ; A . W . Martin , Prov . G . Tyler ; A . Wright , 51 ; A . G . Watkinson , 1728 ; W . W . Lee , P . M . ; and others . Lodge having been opened by Bro . T . Railing , Prov . G . Sec , the Prov . Grand Master , accompanied by the Prov . Grand Officers , entered , and was saluted . The opening hymn was sung , and the PROV . GRAND MASTER explained to the brethren that they had assembled for the purpose of

constituting and consecrating a new lodge , and that he had been commanded by the M . W . Grand Master to perform the requisite ceremony . The PROV . GRAND SECRETARY stated the wishes oL-the founders , and they signified their approval of the officers named in the warrant , The ACTING CHAPLAIN then delivered an oration on the principles of the Institution , and the new lodge was solemnly dedicated and constituted by the Prov . Grand Master .

Bro . A . Lucking , P . G . P ., Prov . G . D . C ., then assumed the chair and installed Bro . J . W . Armour , P . M . 1437 , as the first W . Master . The following officers were afterwards invested : Bros . Arthur Stephen Gardiner , 1437 , S . W . ; Arthur T . G . Woods , 1437 , J . W . ; F . Landon , P . M ., Sec . 214 , Treas . ; E . Grove Johnson , 192 , Sec ; Samuel Frazer , 1395 , S . D . ; Ernest Lloyd , P . M . 795 , acting I . P . M ., J . D . ; J . Edwards , 1437 , I . G . ; Capt . G . H . Stoyle , 1436 , D . C ; E . H . Rackham , 2278 , Steward ; and A . G . Watkin , Tyler .

The W . M . proposed a cordial vote of thanks to the Prov . G . M . and Prov . G . Officers for their presence and ' assistance , and they were elected honorary members . The PROV . GRAND MASTER congratulated the founders on the auspicious start made by the lodge . It was , naturally , the youngest in the province , and there was every indication that it would be one of the most useful

in the future . It was a great pleasure lo him to see Freemasonry making such excellent strides in Essex . One had to be circumspect in asking the permission of the Grand Master for new lodges , for it must be obvious that they only wished to have lodges in the province which would refl .-ct honour upon it . It had given him great pleasure to attend that day , and he sincerely thanked them for their hearty vote of thanks .

The W . M . was elected to represent the lodge on the Provincial Charity Committee , a By-Law Committee was formed , letters of regret read and propositions made , after which the lodge was closed . An enjoyable banquet was afterwards served at the Lion and Lamb Hotel—the future home of the lodge—which was followed by the usual toast list .

" The Oueen and the Craft " having baen heartily honoured , the W . M . proposed - H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " referring to the many good works done by his Riyal Highness for the good of the country as evidenced by his recent splendid elfort on behalf of the London Hospitals .

Ihe toast of "The Grand Officers " afforded thc W . M . an opportunity of praising the work done by the Grand Officers , and of coupling with it the name of Bro . Railing , the Prov . G . Sec . Bro . T . J . RALLING , P . A . G . D . C , in response , said that in looking bick over a long experience of Masonry in Eisex , when he first remembered assisting in the consecration of a nev lodge they would not have seen four Grand Officers present standing up in reply to this toast . It was a great

thing for a provincial brother to hold Grand Lodge honours , but it was one of the improvements in Grand Lodge that those doing hard work in the provinces were rewarded with that distinction . With respect to Lord Lathom , they all sympathised with him and hoped to see him in Grand Lodge again shortly . This was a red-letter day for thc brethren in Essex , and they all heartily wished a happy continuance of the good beginning made by the lodge .

" The R . W . the Prov . G . Master , " was then given by the W . M ., who again tendered the hearty thanks of the founders to the Earl of Warwick for his presence and for travelling so many miles to consecrate the Iodge . They all knew how excellently the work had been done by the P . G . M ., and also the great strides Masonry had made in thoss parts under his presidency On behalf of the Weald Lodge , he wished long life and happiness to the P . G . M ., his lady and family .

Bro . the Eat ! of WARWICK , Prov . G . M ., tendered his thanks to the W . M . and brethren . It was always a great pleasure , whenever hc was invited , and whenever he could manage it , to attend asolten as possible the Masonic meetings in the province , and he only regretted that just now , living at a distance , it was more difficult to be with them as often as he should like . As they knew , neither his wife nor he were idle peopleand he spent

, a great deal of time in the train travelling . In his absence he had to depend very largely upon the exertions of his Prov . Grand Officers , and no Provincial Grand Master had more loyal or more kindly support . There must be gaps in the ranks sometimes and he regretted to say that , although he had not publicly made the announcement , still the announcement had been made that Bro . Philbrick had ceased to act as his Deputy .

He was not sure what the formal procedure was but he did not think a Deputy was in ofiice until he had been actually installed . However , the secret was now an open one and he had asked Bro . Col . Lockwood , M . P ., to fill the office of Deputy Grand Master , and Bro . Lockwood had accepted . He was pleased to have had the honour of consecrating this lodge and thought the founders were fortunate in having so excellent a W . M . He knew something ol the W . M . ' s work in connection with the cricket scores of

'"? ° untyand hoped he mi ght witness Essex triumphant in thc cricket held . He had every confidence that Masonry would be kept well to the trcnt 111 this new lodge . Masonry increased good fellowship , encouraged strong , kindly feelirgs with one another , and reminded them to help Masons , and Masons' children in distress . Keeping these principles in view this led ge would be a credit to the province , and it would always be a pleasure to him to know he had been the means of bringing it into existenc ? .

Consecration Of The Weald Lodge, No. 2707.

Bro . A . S . GARDENER , S . W ., was entrusted with the toast of " The Worshipful Master , " and said all the founders must have regarded it as a high privilege to be associated in the solemn and impressive proceedings and could imagine with what amount of satisfaction their W . M . had realised his hopes . The lodge originated from a proposal of the W . M . who had woiked hard to make it a complete success . The initial difficulties they had

encountered had ^ been overcome , principally by the intelligent and untiring Lbours of Bro . Armour . The lodge would not have existed but for the W . M ., and , therefore , he had a paramount right to the chair . It was a great satisfaction to the founders not only that Bro . Armour was their first W . M ., but that they were presided over by such a good and capable man . Bro . J . W . ARMOUR , W . M ., returned thanks , and said he was obliged lo

the S . W . for the remaik lhat he ( ihe W . M ) was the first to get a lodge consecrated in that town , for he had the idea some 10 years ago . There were many difficulties , and it fell through ; but they had a Iodge of instruction and had stuck together , and that day was the proud consummation of their hopes . He was sure the Iodge would be successful , because the officers were actuated by Masonic feelings , and would only introduce as members

those gentlemen whom they could meet in their own homes . He had , therefore , no fear for the future of the lodge . For some years it had been felt that a lodge would'flourish there , and he knew several who were thinking of Masonry , and would no doubt become members . He should never forget that day , when they had launched their vessel wilh all the honours due . He thanked them all for the manner in which they had received the toast .

"The Visitors '' was honoured , after which the Tyler s toast closed the proceedings . Bro . J . Edwards and Mr . Edwards carried out an agreeable programme of music . Furniture , etc ., manufactured by Geo . Kenning & Son .

Mithraic Worship.

MITHRAIC WORSHIP .

AN ATTEMPT TO SHOW THE POINTS OF RESEMBLANCE BETWEEN THE SVMHOLISM 01 ** THE ANCIENT PERSIANS AND THE CEREMONIES AND RITUAL OP FREE-MASONRY .

( Concludedfront page 310 J . CHAPTER II .

Afier the long and not unnecessary description in our first chapter regarding Sun worship in the North of Asia , and its introduction into Europe , we will proceed to consider the remarkable resemblance existing on certain points as regards the Ritual and Symbolism of Freemasonry and that of the votaries of Mithra . The points of approach are very numerous —such are the practice of holding secret ' meetings , of carefully shrouded

mysteries , t f certain of the actual ceremonies of initiation before the candidate in either case could be admitted into the Order ; also that higher and jealously guarded mysteries were , and could only be confided to those who had laboured to obtain knowledge . The labours rcquiied from the candidate for admission into the higher Degrees of Freenasonry may be held to represent the successive trials and ordeals which the Mithraic Naophyte had to undergo before he could attain to a perfect knowledge ' of their mytteries .

Caves and caverns were dedicated to the worship of Mithra in all countries where his cult penetrated . The dedication of a Masonic lodge finds its prototype in the ancient custom of dedicating a temple , altar , or a statue to some divinity . The Romans dedicated altars to their gods , to certain of Iheir emperors , and celebrated persons . With us a great distinction is made between consecration and dedication ; a building is consecrated to the worship of God , and dedicated previously , by giving the building the name of some saint in our calendar .

We will next consider the seven so-called gates of the high ladder forming a part of the Mithraic Mysteries , each gate , or round , being made of a different kind of metal . Seven is a number which , as we shall presently proceed to show , is extensively adopted in Freemasonry . The seven liberal arts and sciences of Grammar , Rhetoric , Logic , Arithmetic , Geometry , Music , and Astronomy may be held to correspond fairly well to the natures

ofthe various metals of which the Mithraic ladder of seven rounds , or gates , of peifection was composed . Grammar may be likened to lend , in the slow , plodding study required to master it ; Rhetoric has the brilliancy of tin ; Logic is heavy , solid , and , at the same time , burnished like brass ; Art hiluetic , with its hard and fast rules , may be compared to unyielding , iron ; and the numerous geometric rules to a mixed mass of various metals . The

tinkling of silver is reproduced in sweet Music , and Astronomy , the highest of all sciences , may be fitly termed golden , for it leads us to know and acknowledge the power of T . G . A . O . IMJ . Seven is a world-wide sacred number . We find it with the Persians , Hebrews , Goths , and other peoples ; it is also a sacred number in Masonic symbolism . The planets of our starry firmament are seven in number , seven years and upwards was

occupied by King Solomon in building the Temple at Jerusalem ; the seven slaves , or rungs of the so-called Jacob's ladder may be held to symbolise Faith , Hope , and Charity , and the four Cardinal virtues of Temperance , Fortitude , Prudence , and Justice . It has been said that by an unwritten law , three must rule a lodge , five may hold a lodge , but only seven can make a lodge perfect .

Certain symbols which exist on Masonic clothing and jewels seem clearly to indicate a solar origin . The Sun in Glory ( as it is stjled in Heraldry ) , the Moon and stars are common symbols on Masonic jewels and badges , they are pre-Christian emblems which the Church permitted to be used in conjunction with the Crucifix and the Cross , down to the uth or 13 th Century , if not later . A most remarkable example of this is a massive silver-gilt processional crucifix , found some years ago on a hill called the

Schloss Berg , in the Grand Duchy of Baden ; it is figured in an article on the " T HU , cr Cross , as a heathen and a . Christian symbol , " which appeared in Vol . V ., Part 2 , of the Transactions of . I rs Quutitor Coronatoruiu . A still more prominent , and , as it would appear , an indispensable symbol in Masonry , 15 the irradiated and ubiquitous eye . We have already spoken of

the all-seeing eye of Varuna ( the god ol the Heavenly regions to the Persians ) in connection with Mithra ; Varuna was fabled to sit with him on a golden throne , and journey at eve in a bra ,-e «* i car . The Egyptians used the eyes either singly or in pairs as talismans or amulets , also on their tomb stones . With them , the proper right eye indi-