Consecration Of The Temple Bar Lodge, No. 1728.

the civilisation of what was then considereel an enlightened age , it may stand forth as a monument of progress and adorn the Order which it seeks to propagate . The ceremony of consecration was performed by Bro . | . Hervey , Grand Secretary , who was assisted by Bro . the Rev . R . J . Simpson , Past Grand Chaplain , as Chaplain , and Bro . H . G . Buss , Assistant Grand Secretary , as

Director of Ceremonies . Bro . C . A . Murton , Past Grand Deacon , acteel as Senior Warden ; Bro . Thomas Fenn , Past Granel Deacon , as Junior Warden ; Bro . Nelson Reed , W . M . 1671 , as Secretary ; and Bro . John Constable , P . M . jS 5 , as I . G . The musical arrangements were under the direction of W . Bro . Capt . Reginald W . Williams . M . A ., P . P . G . Org ., Middlesex , W . M . 137 s , & c . & c . The other

brethren present wete Bros . E . Icrry , W . M . 13195 W . S . Lavlham , P . M . 1116 ; J . Dann , P . M . 72 ; W , Bansor , W . M . elect 15 S 0 ; J . Penderbith , 1598 ; G . H . Atkinson , 1622 ; C . Lovebond , J . W . 1707 ; A . Reed , W . M . 1671 ; C . Butcher , 975 ; J . Dixon , 1558 ; C . A . Mutton , P . G . D . ; H . Goodall , P . M . 7 S 4 ; T . W . C , Bush , W . S . 18 ;; A . E . Staley , 185 ; Rev . R . J . Simpson ,

P . G . C . ; B . Lyons , S . W . 1227 ; G . Adamson , P . P . G . A . D . C Kent ; R . Harris , 118 5 ; G . S . Symmons , 1707 ; W . W Medcalf , J . W . 1671 ; R . A . Morgan , W . S . 1671 ; B Buckworth , 747 1 ; W . Hitchcock , 733 ; W . Poore , W . M 1306 ; D . McNiven , 1426 ; J . Kimpton , 1 C 01 ; R . W Gillard , 725 ; F . Buckworth , 1471 ; B . Goodwin , S . W 733 ; G . Coleman , 1614 ; J . Bergmann , J . D . 1671 ; J

Gow , 619 ; C . Payne , G . T . ; W . D . Bayley , iS , ; T . L . Jones , W . M . i 6 ; o ; W . S . Whitaker , P . M . 1572 ; E . Chetwynd . J . W . 153 S ; C Goodwill , 1623 ; S . B . Wilson , P . M . 59 ; F . Binckes , P . G . Std ; T . Sleap , W . M . 1558 ; H . Massey , ( Fretmason ) , P . M . 619 ; J . B . Tielmarsh , 1 C 71 . After the lodge had been opened , Bro . Hervey saiel : Brethren , I have so often addressed

you on the occasion of consecration , and I have so repeateelly said that I can iinel no new subject to address you upon , that I am sure you will pardon me if 1 make very few observations this evening . Anel if there be one which I may venture to make it is that the ceremony of the consecratioii of a lodge is perhaps one of the most beautiful ceremonies which we have in the Order . It is one which

of late years has been of frequent occurrence in the city of London , and its immediate vicinity , and not only in London proper , but the lodges have also been extending themselves in every part of the country , for we find both in the home provinces anil in the northern ones Frecmasonry ^ has continued to spread , anil , I hope , to prosper . But thc advance of Freemasonry has not been confined to England ,

fur in India , Australia , and every colony where the English tongue is spoken and to which the constitution t >( the United Kingdom extends—in every one of those districts Masonry has flourished and advanced . I trust that we are advancing , too , not only in numbers but also in efficiency , in the manner in which the work of the lodges is carrieel out and in the way in which the brethren look

upon the Order—with that respect with which I thmk it ought to be regarded , and which I am sure all those around this room would wish it to bc regarded . It has been an objection to us on many occasions , and one wV . ich I do not think we are fairly open to , that we look more to enjoyment than we do to the working of the Craft , but I may say that the working of the Craft is to many of us

a great enjoyment , anil I think a good many look to the working of the Craft in its proper spirit much more than they do to the social enjoyment of the Craft , and much more than they would . lu to the mere pleasures of the table I think that in recent years when we look to the Charities of the Order , hoiv much they have advanced and the prosperous condition in which they now are , we must feel

that Masonry in that respect at any rate has maele a great advance and that we have for some years past efftcted an object—a good object—anil one which I hope will continue to flourish and prosper during many years to come . But there is one thing to be said in our prosperity , and that is that it may draw a great many in to the Craft whose absence we might tolerate very well , and who simply come

111 for the purpose of what they can get and for what they may derive of benefit * from being a member of the Freemasons'Society . Now a very good friend of mine told me—we were only speaking of it this weekthat in his own lodge a surgeon desired to be proposeel as a member , and in the course of conversation said to him , " Well , but what benefit would it be ; would it extend

my practice . '" Thc answer was , " You need not say anything more , because I must elecline to propose you in my loelge . " The answer , I think , was one which if many of us maele when we wereasked to propose a candidate would be very much to the purpose . And in looking to thc prosperity of the Order wc must necessarily have many who come into it solely for the purpose of what they may

obtain from it . Now , in my position , I know that from the publicity which is given to the grants which are made by Grand Lodge , applications come in from all sides from chaiities , for contributions of all descriptions , not only from England , but from foreign lands , simply because the applicants think that the Grand Lodge of England is rich , that it is generous , and that it will give . Now

that is another inconvenience we are subject to from the trumpet voice of fame blazoning forth what has been done for charities , and what has been votcel by Grand Lodge to various objects , such as the Indian Famine , the fires in different parts of America , & C . Now , brethren , while we congratulate ourselves upon our prosperity we may , 1 fear , have some reason to think that it would be

well that when brethren are requested to propose candidates that they should understand , anil it should be unelerstood generally , that the Craft is not to bc maele a nieilium of success in a profession or in a pursuit of whatever description , but that a man if he joins Masonry joins it to do good and not to be done good by . Such is my view , brethren , of what Freemasonry ought to be ; such is my view , which I am sure many around

Consecration Of The Temple Bar Lodge, No. 1728.

this room entertain , of what ought to be done in the Craft , and what ought to be the qualifications for it ; that we may not be led into difficulties hereafter . I am sure 1 need not say that I and that you all cordially coincide with me in this opinion ; and in the ceremony we are about to perform this day I trust that we shall go away after it has been performed with a still higher

opinion of Masonry even than we at present possess , and that we may look back to the 4 th Jan ., 18 7 8 , with pleasure and gratification at having introduced a new clement into the Craft , or a new vehicle by which many will be introduceel into Masonry who will be a credit and an ornament to the society to which we belong . After the customary formalities the Rev . R . J . Simpson ,

P . G . C , delivered the following address : W . M ., Wardens and brethren , —You will pardon me if I follow the course which I have adopted on occasions like this of avoiding anything in the shape of a formal address , and rather giving myself and the brethren such thoughts as may be suitable to the occasion or suggested by the particular lodge which miy be at the time consecrated . I cannot

but feel , the more one regards life , that it is a life of pulling down and building up , and that the observation applies not Ic ? s to man than to the things around us in the material world—with this great difference , that we men and Masons believe ourselves to be members of two worlels instead of one . I remember some beautiful lines , familiar I dare say to many of my brethren , from the old American

poeT" Art is long , and life is fleeting , And our hearts , though stout and brave , Still like muffled drums are beating Funeral marches to the grave . " But he adds : — " Life is real , life is earnest , And the grave is viol its goal Dust thou art , to dust returnest . Was not spoken of the soul . "

And hence when we look to-day at the peculiar circumstances in which we find ourselves suggesteel by thc name of the lodge about to bc consecrated , we find within earshot of this place an ancient landmark of our country being demolished , and wc find within these walls another landmark being erecteel ; but I need scarcely say that in the latter case there will be cneluring elements in reference

to thc edifice that we raise to-night which cannot be saiel of that after which this lodge is called . I have spoken of art ; and I look upon att especially in thc light of the present day , as one of the grandest witnesses to the beneficence , the wisdom , strength , and glory of the Great Crea'or ; and I am bold also to add , whatever others may say , wiser perhaps and far more able than my unworthy

self , that science too , so far from in any way derogating from the majesty , the power , and the omnipotence of the Great Creator , becomes daily more and more a witness to His unbounded power and love . The idea of art at once suggests to us a design , and there cannot bc a design without a designer . That very ielea of a design must intimate at once , and necessarily that there must be a great

mind in which that design will find its source , and hence I look upon it that every great work of art , ministering as it shoulel , not merely to the pleasures of man but to the glory of God , should be regarded as a fragment of the Divine Image , the Divine Power , the Divine Wisdom , and the Divine Love by which the works of this wonderful worlel have been completed . But it is

more than that . At the present day you anel I are well aware that from the very bowels of the earth elisenlombcd cities come up to bear witness to the truths of history , and thus in their place supplying a wonderful power on which we may rely for those higher and more sacred histories which wc all as Masons venerate . The eliscoverics at Nineveh , to say nothing of others , have thrown the grandest light

upon the truths of this Divine Volume , and the recent d' . scoverics of Dr . Schliemann have , as you know , proved to us that even before thc present era we have witnesses raised up from the earth to testify to the truths of history , and that what wis believed by men to be mere fable has turned out to be fict . But not only in the region of art , but in the region of science do wc look for these great

testimonies to the power and thc wisdom of the Great Creator . No one at the present day can look around him and sec thc discoveries of science , without feeling with old Shakespeare that there are secrets in nature which our philosophy has not even yet elreamt of , that there are to be developed wonders of science which shall yet make our posterity wonder even to their latest day ; and surely when we

look at these things , when we look not to secondary causes but to the Prime First Great Cause from which all these laws must proceed , we cannot but be struck with admiration and awe as from time to time we find the development of science , its latest development in this marvellous instrument , which , by the by , has had a very long pedigree--for the idea which led to the

telephone has , as you are aware , as set forth , I dare say , in the heating of some of my brethren by Mr . Bell the other evening , had a long pedigree—has been worked out by the brains of many men , for many years past , and has now attaineel to a marvellous excellence , and will probable / yet be a greater wonder . Can we doubt with that marvellous science that He who planted the ear must bc able to hear , ever mechanically , if the waves of sound can

be converted into electricity and reproeluced at almost any di-. tancc—who can doubt , that even mechanically the sound of prayer shall not reach the ear of Him who planted the ear and must hear . This idea may perhaps seem to some far-fetched ; but I venture to say that to myself it has brought an immense amount o £ consolation . One thought more . This monument outside is as you perceive numbered—every stone is numbered—with a view to its being rebuilt in some other place . Masonry I look upon

Consecration Of The Temple Bar Lodge, No. 1728.

as in some measure analogous . Every stone of Masonry is numbered .- its landmarks ,-ire clear and distinct . If that monument yonder were not so numbered , if it was found that any stone was added to it in its new position , or any stone teikcn from it , it would not be Temple Bar ; and I venture to think , especially in thc light of passing events , that Masonry , to be identical with what it has

been , is , and I hope shall be , shall not suffer from the adelitions of one nation or the subtractions of another ; but that it shall permeate the universe , holeling fast the great fundamental truths which I have reasons to believe were taught » t the beginning . Under such circumstances let me hope and trust that thc Temple Bar Lodge , bound byname as well as by Masonic nature to hold fast the great

tiuths taught from Masonic antiquity , will prove to be witnesses among the other witnesses I have mentioned to the glory of God , to the furtherance ot peace and brotherhood amongst men , and above all for building up that which is the noblest -work of God , the living temple of man , adorning it with wisdom , strength , and beauty , making it fit at last to be transplanted into that world where

there shall be no decay . The ceremony of consecration was afterwards conducted , and at its close Bro . John Dixon was installed by Bro ; Hervey as W . M . of the lodge . The officers invested were Bros . Charles Butcher , S . W . ; Thomas W . C . Bush , W . S . 185 , J . W . ; G . Adamson , P . M . 199 and 1208 , P . P . G . A . D . C . Kent , Treasurer ; Nelson Reed , W . M .

1671 , J . W . 1572 , J . W . 1601 , S . D . 7 65 , Secretary ; A . E . Staley , S . D . ; K . Harris , J . D . ; D . McNiven , I . G . ; B . Buckworth , D . C ; J . Kimpton , Steward ; and Church , Tyler . The addresses were delivered by Bros . Hervey , Murton , and Fenn ; after which , on the motion of Bro . Nelson Reed , seconded by thc W . M ., Bros . Hervey , Simpson , Buss , Murton , and Fenn , were elected

honorary members of the lodge . Bro . Hervey having acknowledged the compliment , Bro . Reed read a large number of propositions for joining and initiation , and then announced that he had received letters of apology for absence from Bros . Sir Albert Woods , J . B . Monckton , Wooelward , W . M . 1538 , ( the recommending lodge ) , Williams , 153 8 , Windale , Palmer , Pearce and Child .

Lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to a sumptuous banquet , provided by Bro . Percival Reed . After dinner the usual toasts were proposeel and honoured , and several excellent songs were sung , Bro . Bergmann , J . D . Carnarvon Lodge , presiding at the piano . Bro . Thos . Fenn , P . G . D ., replying to the toast of ' * The Grand Officers , " coligratulateel thc lodge on taking the

name of " Temple Bar . " That old landmark of London was very ugly and obstructive and many persons were very glad to have it removed . Still the brethren liked to keep it in remembrance because there were some pleasant recollections suggested by it . Many of the brethren mi ght recollect as he did an old clock standing in front of Temple Bar at St . Duiistan's Church with a giant on each side the

clock to strike the hour . To his mind it brought some pleasureable reflections of Temple Gardens at a time when men of business lived in Loudon and their children walked in Temple Gardens . He rcmcmbcreel flirtations he as a child had there at thirteen or fourteen years of age—a time of life when wc loved more romantically and unselfishly than in our mature periods . Those were the

old days of yellow hackney coaches with granel armorial bearings , elriveii b y the many-caped jarvics represented in pictures . If this lodge had been consecrateel a week or two later Temple Bar would have disappeared . Now , however , some members would be able to relate to initiates that they remembered this lodge before Temple Bar was removeel . He hoped the lodge would long prosper and

exercise the same hospitality it had that evening . The W . M . replying to the toast of his health , which was proposed b y Bro . Muiton , P . G . D ., said it was a difficult thing for a W . M ., as he was that evening for thc first time , to be quite au fait in his duties

but he hoped at a future time to be better able to eliscliarge them . He trusted that during the twelve months he was in the chair he would be able to follow out his duties . He , would do his best to make the Ttmple Bar Lodge the most prosperous in Loneion , anel when he handed the warrant to his successor he hoped it would have acquired some lustre .

Bro . John Hervey , G . S . replying for "The Consecrating Officer , " said it had often struck him that instead of being the Consecrating Officer it shoulel be the Consecrating Officers , because the Consecrating Officer could do nothing without assistance . He did not know what he shonld have done without the adequate support he hael received from the two Wardens . Then again there w . is Bro . Bass , who at

•all times rendered most efficient service ; and he could not forget the excellent address which was delivereel b y Bro , Simpson . The brethren had estimated his own services in a way that almost made him blush . He wished success and prosperity to the . lodge , and that it might exist longer than the Bar which was now being removed . After the toast of " The Visitois " hat been proposed ,

drunk , and responded to , Bro . the Rev . R . J . Simpson , P . G . C , proposed " The Masonic Institutions . " He said : No one can eleny that we have great pleasure in meeting together in our lodges to perfoim the very beautiful and significant ccrcm onics which are attacheel to oar Order , nor can wc ignore for a moment the pleasant and happy social intercourse which is derived from what is called the Fourth Degree ; but I

venture to say without any possibility of contradiction that there is still a residuum of happiness and satisfaction , which Masons must value after all , above even the pleasant happiness of the lodge or even the social gathering . We have been told to-ni ght in many forms that the happiness of life as well as its material fabrics must crumble and decay ; but we are also fully assured that there are certain institutions , certain elements of Masonry which like charity shall survive for ever ;