Opening Of A New Lodge At Cockington.

P M Uo 2 I . W . McKellar , P . M . 1402 ; J . D . Beer , W . M . 1402 ; H . Gillard ; PM 248 ; R . Light , P . M . 1358 ; H . R . Beer , P . M . 328 ; E . Pike , W . M . 797 ' R Hooker , W . M . 39 ; L . Stevens , P . M . 1138 ; R . Davey , W . M . 52 ( Canada ) ; 1 ' Mardon , l . P . M . 248 ; R . D . Scholes , S . W . 1402 ; J . Glanfield , J . W . 1402 ; W . E . Thomas , J . D . . 1402 j Heaton Bailey , Org . 1402 ; W . F . Grecnsladc , S . W . < i > 8- H . C . Goss , W . Narracott , and many others . A portion of the usual Masonic formula having been gone through , Bro . W . J- HCGIIAN , P . G . D . Eng ., delivered an Oration , as follows :

Having in recent years delivered addresses at the Dedication of Masonic Halls for the Salem Lodge , Dawlish , and the Jordan Lodge , Torquay , which were mainly on the Principles of Freemasonry , and printed copies having been widely circulated , I purpose now ( as a portion of the Ceremony of Consecration ) in completion of my trio , to say a few words concerning the origin of the Society of which we are the lineal descendants , so as to illustrate the "Nature" of the Institution , rather than to dwell on its beneficent and fraternal character , and thus

justify our claim to be considered the Ancient Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons . " In early days there were several organisations of Masons , more or less connected , but some quite independent . Ot these a few continued to more modern times , pne being the Fraternity to which we have the honour lo belong . The Steinmetzen of Germany , the Comacine Masters of Italy , and the Trade Sodalities of France and other countries , existed side by side with our Institution , but though formed in many respects , and of necessity , on similar lines , they

never coalesced ; hence in relation to my present aim , we have only lo treat of one body , so long and so honourably known as the Fraternity of Free and Accep ted Masons . So far back as records and other evidences exist , it was exclusively Christian and organised under ecclesiastical influence , for the building of the great cathedrals and other noble edifices , the pride and wonder of th e world . Many of their Regulations and Contracts are still preserved , as also ( and happily ) numerous copies of their venerable " Charges , " dated from the " i 4 th century , at

which period they were deemed and stated to be old survivals of much more ancient documents . The traditions refer not only to the history of this country in the days of King Athelstane , who granted the Masons a charter , but to a period of much more remote antiquity , conveniently designated as " of time immemorial . " Lodges are noted from 1370 at York—the Mecca of the English Craft —and Free Masons are met with in documents of the same decade . Evidently , then , the approximate purpose of the Society was to provide Rules and

Regulations for the guidance and control of Operative Masons , known also as Fra ? masons , who were united on a moral or religious basis and grouped together to raise the magnificent fanes in which to worship the Most High . Their Laws were framed for the promotion of a high moral code , as well as to preserve the monopoly and secret of building , and it was on these ordinances that the first " Book of Constitutions " of the premier Grand Lodge was based . These Operative lodges received and adopted Speculative neophytes from the 15 th century ( and by tradition

centuries before then ) , minutesof such receptions existing from the year 1600 . Thc Lodge of Edinburgh , No . I , Scotland—the oldest in the world—possesses a series of records of its meetings from 1599 down to the present year of grace , thus overlapping the " Revival" and Grand Lodge eras . There are many lodges which have preserved their minutes for 250 years or more . Precisely when lodges for speculative objects only were established is not quite clear . In England we meet with one under the wing of the " Masons' Company , " of London , from 1620-1 . Its

grant of arms dates from 1472 , and is ours , in part , by adoption . It was this lodge that was visited in 1682 by Elias Ashmole , who was admitted as a member of a Speculative lodge held at Warrington in 1646 , as described in his famous diary—a class lodge really , and one of the earliest known . The oldest minute of the presence of a gentleman in open lodge as a member in Scotland was in A . I > . 1600 . The brethren so " made " in thc Masons' Company Lodge were called " Accepted Masons , " the meetings being described as tho " Acccption ; " the Company until

the sixth decade of the 17 th century bearing the title of F < wmasons , after which the prefix was dropped ; hence for that and other reasons , we obtain the dual prefix of Free and Accepted Masons , though exactly when first used has not been elucidated , but probably some 200 years ago . Grand Lodges were formed on a cosmopolitan and unsectarian basis , as in England A . D . 1717 , by certain of these old lodges ; but others held aloof , preferring for a time to work under the operative regime , until eventually they either joined the two governing bodies or

succumbed to adverse circumstances . One of these ancient lodges , with records from A . D . 16 74 , only joined the Grand Lodge of Scotland in my time , having preserved its independence for centuries . The Grand Lodge of England was established on the broad foundation of trust in God , and to promote the brotherhood of man . Freemasonry , which has penetrated into all parts cf the habitable globe , ar . d flourishes most in free countries , has for its real " nature" or essence , the symbolic use of the tools and designs of Operative Masonry , interpreted and

enforced as moral lessons in a manner peculiar to thc ' Mystic 'lie . ' Its superstructure rests on the purest principles of piety and virtue ; but whilst it is open to men of all religions ( even Roman Catholics , though the Pope has excommunicated us ) , provided they are just , upright , and free , of mature age , sound judgment , and sound morals ( according to the Constitutions ) , the modern ritual is still indicative of its Christian origin , and without its numerous references to the Volume of the Sacred Law it would be lifeless ,

meaningless , and useless . Without an expressed trust in God no one can he admitted within our portals . A Godless and faithless Fraternity is simply impossible ; hence Atheists cannot associate with us in Masonic fellowship . Let there be no mistake as to this . Freemasonry is impossible where a belief in God is not , and all societies , in France or elsewhere , termed Masonic , are so only in name , if they omit the necessary trust in an omnipresent , omniscient , and omnipotent Creator . Without such a necessary and

absolutely essential pre-rcquisite , the Fraternity would become an emasculated nonentity , having a name , but dead . We , in Great Britain and Ireland , tho Dominion of Canada , and the Colonies and dependencies of our beloved Queen , unite with the Grand Lodges in the United States , our natural allies , on this firm foundation , and we are only too glad to recognise and work with Grand Lodges on the continent of Europe and in South America who respect and acknowledge the same foundation . Lacking such indispensable condition lying at thc root and

nature of our Brotherhood , we are all determined ( over a million brethren ) as thc heart of one man , to decline fellowship with all bodies who secede from this original and necessary landmark , which is for all time and must necessarily distinguish the Society to be entitled to the name of " FVeu and Accepted Masons . " Aflcr a long and close study of the history of the Fraternity , I hive no hesitation in declaring that I consider the continuity of the Society for at least 500 years can be , and has been , clearly proved by actual documents , that by tradition it is much more ancient , and that its nature and principles are such that so long as

Opening Of A New Lodge At Cockington.

brethren practise what they are taught in our lodges , Freemasonry is one of the oldest , most beneficent , loyal , patriotic , and fraternal institutions in the universe . The oration was followed by an anthem , the first portion of the Dedication Prayer , the Invocation , the scattering of corn , the pouring of wine and oil , the sprinkling of salt , the Dedication , the Constitution , and the Benediction , the musical accompaniments being ably rendered by Bro . G . H . Hearder , Prov . G . Org .

This portion of the ceremony being completed , the next business of the newly-dedicated lodge was to instal Bro . the Rev . Jas . Henning , P . M ., P . Prov . G . C ., the first Worshipful Master , and this was very ably performed by Bro . F . J . W . Crowe , l . P . M . 32 S , P . Prov . G . O , assisted by Bro . ] . R . Lord , Prov . G . D . C .

The VV . M . then invested his officers as follows : Bros . Lord Churston , P . M ., P . Prov . S . G . W ., l . P . M . ; VV . Pierpoint Roberts , P . M ., S . W . ; W . E . VVindle , P . M ., P . Prov . G . C ., J . W . ; the Rev . T . H . I . Child , P . M ., P . Prov . G . C . Somerset , Chap . ; T . C . Ltndop , Treas . ; F . J . W . Crowe , P . M ., P . Prov . G . O ., Sec ; W . Sykes , S . D . ; H . P . V . Wiggin , J . D . ; H . Square , P . M ., D . of C . ; A . H . Dymond , P . M ., P . Prov . G . Reg ., Org . ; J . H . Jones , I . G . ; A . H . Dymond , P . M ., P . Prov . G . Reg , Rep . C . of P . and Charity Steward ; and J . Michelmore , P . M ., Tyler .

The following brethren were unanimously elected honorary members of the new lodge : Bros . Lord Northcote , C . B ., G . C . I . E ., Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire ; Col . G . C . Davie , P . G . D . ( Eng , ) , Acting Provincial Grand Master ; E . Letchworth , Grand Secretary ; W . J . Hughan , P . G . D . ( Eng . ) ; and J . Stocker , Prov . G . Secretary .

The lodge being duly closed , the brethren adjourned to the Western Hotel , where an excellent banquet was provided b y Bro . J . B . Gilley , and participated in by over 40 brethren , after which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to , and a pleasant evening was spent in peace and harmony . The clothing , jewels , and most of the furniture were supplied by Bros . G . Kenning and Son , London .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

St . George ' s Lodge , No . 242 . The annual installation meeting of this lodge was held in the Masonic Room ? , Doncaster , on Friday last , when there were present Bros . T . W . Turner , W . M . ; G , Smith , l . P . M . ; F . II . Buckland , P . M ., S . W . ; J . W . Hiinsworth , J . W . ; J . Shires , Chap . ; II . C White , Sec . ; C . Reasbeck , S . D . ; J . Dinnison , J . D . ; A . W . Fretwell , D . of C ; J . Hurst , I . G . ; C . Porrett , Stwd . ; J . Marsdin and E . Pratt , Tylers ; C . II . Woodhouse , P . M . ; J . H . Pawson , P . M ., P . P . G . R . ; F . J . Forth , P . M . ; C Goldthorpe , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C ; C Bentley , P . M . ( Mayorof Doncister ) ; I Mason ,

W . H . Ord , J . W ., J . F . Hanson , W . C . Wright , F . King , J . Charles , J . W . Chapman , Thos . Sanderson , and S . W . Taylor . Visitors : Bros . M . B . Hick , 495 j W . G . Moreton , yOo ; W . Langbridge , 2073 , P . P . G . Supt . of Works ; J . Constable , 2259 , P . P . G . S . B . ; | . Hirst , W . M . 2259 ; G . Eland , l . P . M . 2259 ; E . Simpson , S . W . 2 259 ; Theo . Barber , P . M . 2259 ; II . A . Fenton , P . M . 2259 ; B . Maskill , 5 . 0 . 2259 ; J . Hardy , 264 ; C . S . Steavenson , Lodge of Edinburgh ; J . Smith , 1 S 02 ; M . Cole , 1306 ; J . B . Fenwick , 1802 ; T . Morrison , W . M . 207 S ; W . A . Charles , 1802 , P . G . S . B . ; J . Smith , 1 S 02 ; S . Suckley , P . P . G . O ., and others .

After the lodge had been opened , a letter was read from the Grand Secretary , thanking the brethren tor their vote of congratulation to H . R . H . the Prince of Wiles on his escape from assassination , also one from the widow of the lite Bro . J . Fitzgerald , thanking the brethren for thsir sympathy . The W . M . then called upcrn Bro . F . H . Buckland to act as Installing Master , and he having taken the chair appointed Bro . W . Langbridge , S . W . ; J . Constable , J . W . ; W . A . Charles , S . D . ; Theo . Barber , J . D . ; and C . VV . Hoodhouse , I . G . Bro . Fretwell presented Bro . J . W . Hainsworth , J . W ., the W . M . elect , for the benefit of installation . The ceremony was beautifully

and correctly performed to the great credit of the Installing Mister , and the new W . M . appointed his ollicers as follows : Bros . J . W . Turner , l . P . M . ; J . Shires , P . M ., S . W . ; C . Reasbeck , J . W . ; A . W . Fretwell , P . M ., Chap . ; Geo . Smith , P . M ., Treas . ; H . C . White , Sec ; J . Denison . S . D . ; J . Hurst , J . D . ; S . W . S . Taylor , I . G . ; F . H . Buckland , P . M ., D . C ; C H . Woodhouse , P . M ., Org . ; J . Mason , Hon . Tyler ; F . King , J . Charles , and VV . H . Ord , Stwds . ; J . Mirsden , Tyler ; and E . J . Pratt , Asst . Tyler . The brethren afterwards adjourned to the ante room where a banquet had been prepared , to which ample justice having been done , the usual toast list was gone through .

' Her M . G . M . the ( jaeen and the Craft , " and " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales and Grand Lodge , " and " R . vV . Bro . W . L . Jackson , P . G . M . ; his Deputy , and Prov . G Ollicers , Present and Past , " were all appropriately proposed by the W . M . Bro . Constable responded for Prov . Grand Lodge . Bro . Pawson gave " The VV . M . of 242 and his ollicers . " Bro . Hiinsworth responded , and most of his ollicers .

Bro . Charles gave " The Installing Master , " to which Bro . Buckland responded , The other toasts were " The l . P . M . and Past Masters , " "The Visiting Brethren , " and " The Masonic Charities . " During the evening the lolloping contributed to the harm my : Bros . II . C White ( piano ) , Reasbeck ( violin ) , Steavenson ( octorina ) , J . Smith ( song , patriotic ) , and B . Maskill ( " Soldiers of the ( Jaeen " ) . Altogether a most enjoyable evening was spent .

Wolsey Lodge , No . 1656 . A meeting of this loege was held at the Greyhound Hotel , Hampton Court , on the ifith ult . Atnunir those presc-. it were Bros . K . W . FUcfc , I . P . M ., as VV . M . ; tfoss , S . W . ; Jehu , J . W . ; J . Featherstone , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; Major T . C Walls , P . M ., P . P . G . W ., P . G . Std . Br ., Sec ; Giunt , 3 D . ; F . Figg , Org . ; II . Bond , P . M ., Stwd . ; and W . T . Peat , P . M ., P . P . G . O .

The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . The acting W . M . performed the ceremony of raising , tiro . Peat thc ceremuny of passing , and Bro . Bjnd initiated a candidate , thc three ceremonies being admirably performed . The Secretary gave a notice of motion to vote five guineas to the South African Misonic Relief Fund , the lodge was then closed . Upon the removal of thc cloth thc acting W . M . gave the customary toasts with commendable brevity .

Bro . W . I . Peat , P . P . G . O ., responded on behalf of " The Prov . G . Officers . " " The Health of thc VV . M . and the l . P . M . " followed . The proposer of the toast congratulated the lodge upon possessing a brother so well up in his Masonic duties as Bro . Flack undoubtedly was . The W . iVl . ' s enforced absence abroad had thrown the responsibilities of the chair upon the I . P . M . 's shoulders , and well ani worthily he had discharged them .

Ad00903

( ^ ^ : . AMONG THE LEADING BRANDS OF , / m Blankenhorn ' s "SPORTSMAN" E ^ V ^ ssf ir IS " ENJOYS A REPUTATION OP A QUAR L'ER-OF-A-CENTURY . I ^ . j ^ L ] Lo " ° » OMices-18 , CULLUM STREET LONDON , E . C