Consecration Of The Pimlico Lodge, No. 1772.

Elliott , as Secretary , and Bro . C . B . Payne , Grand Tyler , as Inner Guard . After the lodge had been opened , and the customary formalities observed , Bro . John Boyd delivered the address and oration . In doing so he said . Brethren , —In the introduction to the lecture on the First Tracing Board it states , that the usages and customs

observed among Masons have ever corresponded with those of the ancient Egyptians , to which they bear a near affinity . Again , in another of our lectures , we find that the history of the Royal Arch staves , is that of the rod of Moses , of which they are symbolical—the earliest mention of the rod is traditional . It is said that when our first parents by transgression fell from their original state of innocence , and

were expelled from paradise into a world of woe , Adam , bending uneler the oppression of guilt , to support his weary limbs , took in his hanels a branch of that fatal tree which had occasioned his disgrace . The Almighty forsceing the miserable consequences of sin and the necessity for divine interference to counteract its effects , not only permitted Adam to take with him the rod , but afterwards

miiaculously preserved it for His own purposes . I need not upon the present occasion follow out this historical legend , further than to say that eventually we find the rod symbolised by the W . M . ' s gavel as an emblem of his authority , power , and dignity ; whether we accept these and other legenels or not , there can be no donbt , that Masonry has , in some shape or form , existed from the most remote

periods of antiquity , and , possibly , been handed down by a chosen few , essentially unchanged by time , unimpaired and uncontrolled by prejudice . This , hnwevcr , I am neither going to uphold nor dispute , I think it is quite sufficient for us to know that we belong to an institution that has virtue for its aim , the glory of God for its object , anil the eternal welfare of man considered in every parr ,

point , and letter of its ineffable mysteries . " hit Masonry is a peculiar institution no one can dispute or deny , as a boely we interfere with no one , directly we pass the portals anel Inner Guard , and enter the lodge , we leave all political anel religious eliscussions to the outer world , and properly so ; but the outer wirld is not always satisfied , the outer world will have a grievance against us , we have , or

we have not , secrets ; if we have , and they are any good , why do we not impart them ? If we have no secrets , why do we pretend we have ? Again , we are a selfish body , we collect vast sums of money , which we expend upon ourselves in feasting , anil frivolous paraphernalia , now , here , I think we must have a great Masonic secret , for if we expend our subscriptions in banquets , appendages , and

ornaments , how do we manage to have any for other purposes ? If we lay our money out upon eating and drinking , how do we contrive to educate , clothe , feed , and house over four hundreel boys anel girls ; proviele for some three hundreel adults ; and give substantial or temporary relief annually to some hundreds of others ? This , I think , you will agree with me must be a marvellous

secret , and one that no other society can boast of . However , leaving the outer world to its surmises , speculations , assertions , anil absurdities , we pursue the even tenor of our way , and feel pleased to take Masonry with all its faults , as we find it , and in proof that we are fully satisfied with it , we have assembled here to-elay for the purpose of inaugurating a new lodge , which figuratively means the

adding a fresh link to that mysterious Masonic chain which bineis together every country , sect , and opinion . I , therefor : ' , need scarcely say that the consecration of a new lodge forms a most important as well as interesting epoch in the history of the Craft , for although these events are not so rare as formerly , yet they possess the same amount eif significance , probably I might with

truth say more , for their frequency shows the wonderful anil marvellous strieles made by Maso"ry in each succeeel . ing year . Only three decades since the number of lodges under the English Constitution was about 700 . Ihe Polish National Lodge , of which I have the honour to be the second Treasurer , was numbered 778 at its consecration ; at the revision or filling up of the numbers it became 534 .

Now , looking to your own number , 1772 ( and that not the las-t on the list ) , we may fairly assume that over 1200 lodges have been consecrated within thirty years . Now what does this show . Well , at any rate , it shows that the popularity and prosperity of Freemasonry is something very extraordinary , but extraordinary , as it uneloubtedly is , it is nevertheless a fact , anel a fact beyond dispute

at the present time . No doubt , the popularity of the Chief , Head and Ruler of the Craft must be taken into consideration , and will readily be so by those who were fortunate enough to be present at the installation of His Royal Highness , and witnesseel that spontaneous ovation , which , probably , has no parallel in , or even out of Masonry . We must also bear in minel that although prosperity is not

without its beneficial effects , it sometimes has to contend with evil influence , and , as in all numerous bodies or societies of men , some unworthy will ever be found , it can be no wonder then that notwithstanding the excellent principles and valuable precepts laid down anel inculcated by our institution , we have such amongst us , men who , instead of being ornaments , or

useful members of the body , are a disgrace and scandal . Now , as we arc fully aware of the difficulty of ridding ourselves of obnoxious brethren , it behoves us all to be particularly careful in the selection of candidates , and the admission of joining members , and this cannot be impressed too strongly upon the minds of those brethren forming new lodges , from what I have heard and know of the prometirsand founelcrs of the I'imlico Loelgc , I am led

to ; belivtve they are fully alive to the ailvisability of commencing wilh good , sound , and thoroughly stringent bye-laws . With these , and the assistance : of an intelligent Master in the chair ( . ind let me observe that none but intelligent brethren should ever be placed in th . it responsible station ) , harmony and good feeling will anel must prevail in the lodge , and which is sure to be attended with success , and a brother will not fail

Consecration Of The Pimlico Lodge, No. 1772.

to derive information from every ceremony he may witness , and instruction from every orelinrmce with which he may become acquainted ; a Mason should never forget to act as a gentlemen , and that all the peculiarities he witnesses , or in which he is required to participate while in the lodge , are designed to illustrate anel inculcate some great moral truth ; there fore . cvery thing approaching levity or

rudeness in speech or action , is to be deprecateel -and avoided ; quiet deportment and strict attention to the business before Ihe lodge will add much to the beauty , harmony , and pleasure of the proceedings , and this cannot be too firmly fixed on the minds of the brethren , for we ought always to remember that the lodge is opened with prayer , and it is closed with prayer . Or , as it has been beautifully said

by an emminent brother , that The Master opens his lodge at sunrise with solemn prayer ; the Junior Warden calls the brethren from labour when the Sun attains its meridian height , and the Senior Warden closes the lodge with prayer at sunset , when our labours are ended . The great luminary of creation rises in the east to open the day with his mild and genial influence , and all

nature rejoices in the appearance of his beams . He gams his merielian , in the south , invigorsting ' all things with the perfection of his ripening tpialities . With declining strength he sets in the west to close the day , leaving mankind at rest from their labours . This is a type of the three mostprominent stages in the life of man—infancy , minhooe ! 7 an 1 age . The first , characterised by the blush of innocence ' , is pure as the tints which cfild the eastern

portals of the day . The heart rejoices in the unsuspecting integrity of its own unblemished virtues , nor fears deceit , because it knows no guile . Manhood succeeds , the ripening intellect arrives at the meridian of its powers . At the approach of old age man ' s strength decays , his sun is setting in the west , enfeebled by sickness or bodily infirmities , he lingers on , till death finally approaches and

closes his eventful day ; and happy is he , if the setting splendours of a virtuous life , gild his departing moments with the gentle tints of hope , and close his short career in peace , harmony , and brotherly love . The ceremony e . f consecration was then proceeded with and completed , and at its termination Bro . Boyd installed Bro . John Pa ' mer , Past Provincial Grand Senior Warden ;

Berks anil Bucks , P . M . 27 , & c , as Master of the lodge . The brethren invested as officers for the year were Bros . Caleb Holden , S . W . ; John Hunt , J . W . ; John Elliott , P . M ., Secretary ; John Mason , S . D . ; John Pemberton , J . D . ; John Haycock , I . G . ; anel Bro . Rawies , Tyler . Afterwards Bros . Boyd and Buss were elected honorary members of the lodge , and a vote of thanks for assisting

at the ceremony of consecration was passed to Bros . Ruckcr and Long . Lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to a choice banquet , after which the list of teiasts were gone through seriatim . Bro . J . A . Rucker , P . G . D . ; responding for " The Grand Officers , " said he could nut but feel himself flattered by being called upon to return thanks

for this toast , and all the brethren then standing up with him were equally obliged for the heartfelt warmth with which the toast had been honoured . He could not sit elown without saying how pleased he was to have assisted at the consecration of the loelge , a lodge which he was sure had been Uunched under the happiest auspices , seeing that not only had the ceremony of

consecration been well performed , but the new W . M . had shown the fullest acquaintance wilh his duties . There had been no hitch on the ways , but she had gone afloat gracefully . Under the care of the W . M ., anil those who might be called upon to follow him , he was sure the lodge wnulel be a credit to the Craft . The W . M . in proposing " Th .: Health of Bro . Boyd , the

Consecrating Officer , " said that he ( the W . M . ) and Bre > . Shervill , a shtrrt time back , went elown to Hampton Court , where Bro . Boyd was consecrating a chapter , and they thought afterwards that if they ever had a lodge to be consecrated they would ask Bro . Boyd to perform the ceremony . The Pimlico Lodge was afterwards started , and they immediately applied to Bro . Boyd . The Grand

Master appointed him as the Consecrating Officer , with Bro . Buss to assist . The result they had seen that day , and the lodge had been formally dedicated to Freemasonry . Bro . Boyel , in reply , said there were several brethren present who hael the opportunity of atteneling the last Quarterly Communication of Granel Loelge ; there were others present who did not attend that communication ; but , at

all events , as good Masons , they read the Freemason ; and in either case it would follow that they had seen that since the Quarterly Communication of June the Grand Master had granted warrants for twenty-five new lodges . Such lodges , therefore , must be consecrated , and it had been his gooel fortune to be selected to consecrate the Pimlico Lodge , which was among them . Now , he had been in the habit

of consecrating chapters , but not lodges , and , therefore , it became to him an areluous duty , and he felt that there was a large amount of responsibility on the shoulelers of those who asked him . However , he said he would consecrate the lodge with pleasure , if the biethren woulel put up ivith his inability . lie was glad to consecrate the lodge because in it there were many old friends of his own .

Consecrating a lodge was not like installing Principals , an office he hadoten been called upon to perform . He had delivered a short address that evening in which he hadeneleavoureel to lay before the brethren seime of the principles of Freemasonry , and without exhausting all that was to be said about the ancient ritual , and the different ceremonies , he had given but a slight sketch ; he hoped , however , it

might be useful to the brethren . He begged to return thanks for the toast i , f his health and the attention paid during the ceremony . The W . M . returneel thanks for the toast proposed in his honour , and assured the brethren that while he was Master of the lodge he woulel undertake to fulfil his duties ot the best of his ability . He also drew the brethrens ' attention to the fact that the Ebury Lodge of Instruction

Consecration Of The Pimlico Lodge, No. 1772.

met at the house they were then in , every Thursday evening , and he should be present himself , unless business prevented him , on those occasions , when he hoped to meet all the officers of the Pimlico Loelge who were able to attend . The W . M . then proposed "The Charities . " Bro . Peter ele Lanele Long , P . G . D ., replied . Speaking as a member of the House Committee of the Girls' School ,

he thought every member of the Craft who had taken the trouble to enquire into the work of that Institution , and the vast amount of good it did , would be satisfied , as they should be , that the trust reposed in them to administer the funds was performed in such a way as to do the greatest amount of good to the brethren and their belongings who required help . Any member of the Craft was

perfectly welcome at any time to go and visit the Institution and see and juelge for himself from the happy faces at the School , and the order that reigned there , how great a work was being unostentatiously performed for the daughters of distresseil brethren . The other Institutions were equally well managed , especially that of the old people . Nothing could be better than the

administration anel management of that Institution . He was as sorry as Bro . Boyel could be that the whole of the House Committee of the Girls' School was not present to acknowledge this toast . It was certainly not the fault of the House Committee , for if they had been asked they would have attended . ( Laughter . ) All the House Committees diel excellent work for the Charities . Earnestly wishing to

promote the cause they had at heart , they worked quietly , and with a elesire to gain that confidence which would bring in the largest subscriptions . They had succeeded so far that no other society or fraternity could boast of such Institutions as the Freemasons . They had been so nobly built up and supported that they must be a benefit in the

future . There were in this new lodge many members who hael already deine excellent service in the cause of the Charities , and he trusted the different W . Ms , of the lodge would make themselves Life Governors and Vice-Presidents , following the good example of the present W . M ., who was now Vice-President of all the Charities . He would

advise them at their banquets to pass round the cnarity column , because tley would find the small amounts so collected tell up in the course of time . Col . Peters , P . Prov . G J . W . Middx ., replied to the toast of " Vhe Visitors . " Speaking of the banquet , he had never sat down to a better repast , anil as to ; the W . M ., no man coulel have done his work better .

Bro . John Mason , replying for " The Junior Officers , " said he seemed to have to join every lodge now in Pimlico . However , he was very pleased to be a member of the Pimlico Lodge , especially because Bro . Palmer was the first W . M . He was proud to think that from what the W . M . had seen of him in the Ebury Lodge , he had thought fit to select him to fill an office in the Pimlico . He hoped he

shoulel never be absent from any of its meetings , and whenever he was present he would perform his duty . The brethren shortly afterwards separated . During the consecration , the musical portion was performeel by Bros . G . T . Carter , T . Lawler , T . Baxter , and Montem Smith , who also sang some excellent songs after the banquet .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The General Committee of this Institution met on Saturday last in the Boarel Room , Freemasnns' Hall . Bro . J . G . Chancellor presided . The other brethren who attended were Bros . G . J . Row , D . M . Dewar , S . Rawson , A . H . Tattershall , H . Browse , fames Winter , Rev . R . S . Morris

( Head Master ) , Hyde Pullen , R . B . Webster , S . Rosenthai , G . J . Palmer , W . F . C . Moutrie , Alexander Wallace , W . Paas , Frederick Binckes ( Secretary ) , and H . Massey { Freemason ) . The minutes of last meeting having been read and confirmed , the minutes o Ithe House Committee were read for information . In these latter the Committee recorded

an expression of their sorrow for the loss by death of one of their number , the late Bro . Jesse Turner . A son of Bro . Charles Jardine ( who was drowned in the Princess Alice , leaving surviving him a widow and nine children ) was brought before the Committee , and passed the usual examination . Bro . Binckes said , that a similar motion would'be made

at the Quarterly Court on Monday the 14 th , to that of which notice had been given for the Quarterly Court of the Girls' School , for the suspension of the laws of the institution , and the admission of a girl and a boy of Bro . Jareline ' s without election . He observed that he took some little credit to himself for this suggestion , for when he found that other institutions outside Masonry were taking a

similar course he proposed that the Masonic Institutions should exhibit the same elasticity with respect to their rules . He was happy to say that unlike most of the cases that came before the two Masonic Schools , the late Bro . Jardine was a Life Governor of all the Masonic Institutions , and had serveel the Stewardship of each . Two other petitions were accepted , and the candidates

directed to be placeel on the list for election in April . It was agreed that sixty-five candidates should be on the list of candielates for election on Monday next . Bro . Binckes said , as three or four boys had quitted the institution , he hail recommeneted the Quarterl y Court to elect thirteen boys instead of eleven . The institution could very well accommodate the extra boys .

Bro . Webster gave notice of motion for the Quarterly Cnuit for the suspension of the laws of the institution regulating the admission of candidates for the purpose of admitting the son , above named , of Bro . Charles Jardine , without election . Bro . Binckes said that he had seen Colonel Creaton that morning , who had expressed his intention of being present a the present meeting for the purpose of giving notice of