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Article CONSECRATION OF THE CREATON LODGE. No. 1791. ← Page 2 of 3 Article CONSECRATION OF THE CREATON LODGE. No. 1791. Page 2 of 3 Article CONSECRATION OF THE CREATON LODGE. No. 1791. Page 2 of 3 →
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Consecration Of The Creaton Lodge. No. 1791.
with their merits , recalling their good services to our common Order , or offering to them the tribute of out heartfelt attachement , good will , and respect , we seek tc perpetuate in their honoured names , familiar to our lips as household words , those Maror . ic attributes we most desiderate , those Masonic excellences we most commend , these Masonic seivices we deem to be the most deserving
of our affectioiratc recognition , or our grateful recollection . But i pass on lo other topics . In thc next place , I rejoice to think that the Creaton Lodge , which we consecrate to day , represents what is , after all , the very life of true Freemasonry in England , the aggregation of individual brethren who know each other , who value each other , who respect each other ,
who arc attached to each other , and who thus essay to form within thc sacred enclosure uf the lodge another pleasant retreat of mutual sympathy , friendship , content , and goodwill . This new lodge has not , I understand , been formed hastily , or unadvisedly ; it is not marked either by the unsatisfactory condition of too rapid growth , or mere personal anxiety for office ; it is the result
of much consideration , and is established to meet a want of many brethren , some of old standing in the Order , of congenial tastes and pursuits and well-known respectability , to find a nucleus of adhesion , a centre of attraction and a bond of unison n the impoitant duties ami pleasant sociability of a Masonic lodge ; and I feel sure that it vvill be thc hope of all
now present , that this Creaton Lodge may prosper , alike in its material and its Masonic condition , that it will be noted among our many other distinguished bodies of Masons for its obedience to authority , its love of order , harmony , and concord ; its hospitality , and its liberality , its good Masonic work , and its large Masonic heart in the cause of Masonic charity . As one of the Consecrating
Officers to day , I beg to express the sincere wish , which 1 believe will be echoed by my superior officer and coadjutors , as it vvill be , I feel sure , by all present , that no cloud may obscure its bright and onward career , but that it take a foremost place among Engliili lodges , and be a source of pride to its brethren ar , d an ornament to the English lodges . And , thirdly , V . W , Sir , I , for one ,
as a very old Mason now ( like yoursell ) , venture to rejoice in the creation ol a new loeigc . 1 hear , sometimes , remarks that we ate forming too many new lodges , and that we are moving on ton rapidly . I , for one , do not believe it . On the contrary , I feel sure ttiat in every new lodge , when rightly conducted , wc have a fresh incentive to every moral , and every social virtue ; we have an
additional guarantee for the peace and gooel order of society ; wc have a new declaration of the great piinciples of toleration , and civil ami religious liberty ; we have a . rciteiatcd appeal 11 loyalty and obedience to law . For what is that which Freemasonry really does proclaim , that good old Order of ours , so often assailed by the ignorant and the credulous -, so often maligned by the prevtrrse and
prejudiced ; so often ridiculed , and even excommunicated by the petulant and the intolerant ? What is it that it certainly does teach to all , to neophytes anil to men ? Ami wrong , Sir , in saying that Freemasonry , though not religion , ( as it cannot be ) , and never professes to be , is a most religious Fraternity , in that it makes both the foundation stone and the keystone of its glorious Masonic arch
which spaces thi universe- , acknowledgment of , rever . nce for , and trust in God Most High , the Great Architect of the Universe , Kings if Kings , Lord of Lends ? Freemasonry does not seel ; M dogmatize , as regards cither , the belief or the convic . ' . ir cf men ; it imposes no tests ; it asserts no formulae of i .. r'lrble or fallible authority . Its only Theology is that wide tells us to believe in the great
fatherhood of God , and n . e living broihcrhood of man , and strictly to obey God ' s law , and avoiding all controversies and rejecting all iliscussions , just as it repudiates all persreution for conscience sake ; it seeks to unite all who can say " Our Father which art in heaven , " around its benelicient and peaceful altars of simple religious faith and earnest religious duty . Fieemasonry bases all iis
goodly moral teaching , on what ? O . i tbe dicta of Masonic authors , or Masonic philosophers , or Masonic sages ? On the axioms of antiquity , or the didactic excellence of mere human morality ? Most certainly not 1 It simply and solely builds up its whole moral lore on God ' s Holy Word—the Bible—ever open in our lodges , the first great light in Masonry , a nd which constitutes alike
the strength and thc unity , and let us add the glory and the bond of Anglo-Saxon Masonry ; that which gives cohesion to our whole moral teaching , which throws its holy and purifying light over the whole circle of Masonic morals , which while it reminds us of our needful sympathies and wants and conditions of men , never forgets to own to , to look up to , to confide in God Most High . Anil
thus based on the best of books , thc inspired source of Divine wisdom and truth , Freemasonry bids us be loyal subjects , and good citizens , exemplary members of that family , and home life so dear to us as a wise and understanding people' , and impresses upon us due regard to all our public and private callings , and eiijeiins us to cany out on all occasions daily and hourly , both
abroad and at home , the piinciples we profess , the teachings we avow . In this world of change and imperlection , where all is still morally in disorder ami weakness , where infirmity too often accompanies the best resolution , and failure attends on the most consummate plans , we cannot hope or suppose that Masons arc exempt from thc errors or weaknesses of mortality , or that in our
numerous brotherhood wc all , be we who we may , can always square our duty with our inclinations , or our practice witli our professions . But still it is well to remind ourselve-s Irom time to time , ( making due allowance for human imperfections ) , that as l ' lccmasons we profess to be a band of brothers , rejoicing iw each other ' s prosperity , grieving in each other ' s adversity , foes to dctiaction and -. -slander , and averse to backbiting and animosity , and
Consecration Of The Creaton Lodge. No. 1791.
even bound 16 uphold what is fair , and proper , and due fioni one brothel- to another , by proving ourselves , alike in dark as in sunny hours , above the paltry and time-serving propensities of our fallen nature , and ever ready and anxious to commiserate thc sorrows and relieve the wants of those whom we call friends and brothers to day . Remembering these truths , we s-. ek
to drive fiom our midst the fawning voice of flattery and the base accents of dissimulation . We endeavour to be true to one another , and to be alike considerate and compassionate , making needful allowance for human feelings , as bearing in mind our common mortality , but promptly generous and large-hearted to alleviate the misfortunes of others by kindly words and actual deeds . Brethren of the
Creaton Lodge , let me earnestly impress upon you to day those sublime precepts of our Order , which inculcate rautual sympathy , mutual for ' oearence , mutual tolerations and mutual gooel will , and , and above all , let me remind you that Freemasonry , though great and goodly in itself , though having many striking gilts and pleasant hours , is nothing without its nobler and higher aims of charity and
goodwill to the great brotherhood of man . Without Masonic charity we should be , perhaps , a decorative building indeed , adorned with precious stones and cunning ornamentation , but the spirit would be wanting , and wc should have the crumbling walls of a perishing tabernacle to meet , and avert the encroaching hand of time . But illustrrttcel and adorned by the excelling grace of chaiity ,
Freemasonry helps and ennobles its own professions bv the reality of its services to the brotherhood and to mankind , and standing now before the world as the most zealous and energetic of all caithly institutions in its advocacy and support of charity , let us trust that it will never forget that it owes to that great truth a great part , at any rate , of its usefulness to its members , and its blessings to thc world at
large . Sir , 1 have done , and I vvill only now repeat that I am glad to be permitted , once again in my Masonic career , to bear my huroble testimony to thc utility , the value , the importance of Freemasonry , alike to the order and stability of society , the happiness and advance of the brotherhood , and the lasting uniiy anil peaceful progress of every portion of the habitable world .
After the reading of tbe oration , which was frequently applauded , the 133 rd Psalm was sung , and the formula : of he programme were du ly and solemnly performed , the musical arrangements being ably carricel e > ut , under the direction of Bro . Ion Cantle Tlie Board of Instilled Matters was then formed , the icst of the brethren retiring , and the VV . M . designate was formally installed in the
chair of King Solomon . The brethren , on being readmitted , saluted the W . M . in the customary form in thc Second and Third Degrees , after which the W . M . appointed and invested for the ensuing year the subjoined officers : —Bros . H . J . Johnson , S . VV . ; John Williams , J . W . ; J . Nielson , S . D . ; John H . Buck , J D . ; and J . I . Cantle , Secretary . The remaining office-bearers will be
appointed at the next meeting . The W . M . then proposed lhat the following brethren shoulel be elected as honorary members of the lodge : —John Hervey , P . M ., Grand Sec ; A . F . A Woodford , Past Grand Chaplain ; J . Terry , P . P . G . J . W . Herts ; T . Fenn , P . G . D . ; and E . J . Barrow , P . G . D ., all of whom , having been unanimously elected , briefly acknowledged the honour thus conferred upon
them . The Secretary next read the names of several joining members , and this constituting all the business before the meeting , the lodge was formally closed until the second Thursday of March . It goes without saying that , under the direction of such distinguished and able officers , thc proceedings throughout were most ably and impressively conducted . The business
being over , the brethren retired to the banqueting hall in the Freemasons' Tavern , where they were provided with a sumptuous banquet . The W . M , occupied the chair , supported by his officers . Grace was said by the Past Grand Chaplain , Bro . A . F . A . Woodford . On the cloth being removed , the customary Misonic toasts were drunk . The W . M . said the first toast of the evening which
he had the honour to propose was one always given at every assembly of Englishmen ami Freemasons . It was the health of the first lady in the land , the first sovereign in Europe , the daughter of a Mason and the mother of Masons ( hear , hear ) , " Her Majesty the Queen , " and he begged to connect with the toast " The Craft . " The toast was enthusiastically drunk , all
the brethren standing while the National Anthem was sung . The W . M . next proposed " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . " which was coreliaUy responded to , Bro . Cantle singing " God Bless the Prince of Wales . " In proposing " The Grand Officers Present and Past , " the W . M . rcfened in eulogistic terms to the unceasing interest and the great ability which all the Grand Officers shewed
in connection with thc Craft . After this Bro . W . G . Reynolds gave a recitation , entitled "Doncastcr St . Lcgcr , " in a eery effective manner . In replying to the toast of the Grand Officers , Bro . A . F . A . Woodford , P . G . Chaplain , remarked that he always felt very great diffidence when he rose in the presence of so many distinguished Grand Officers to return thanks for the Present and Past Grand
Officers of the Grand Lodge . But he felt sure that with their usual kindness the brethren would accord him a few moments of their attention while he ventured to express on behalf of the Grand Officers and himself their earnest thanks for the honour conferred upon them that evening . The Present and Past Grand Officers weie deeply sensible of that honour ; and
he assured the brethren that the Grand Officers were always happy to retain the good opinion of theit brethren in Freemasonry , and were always glad to render their services 011 all occasions when they were needed and useful . ( Hear , hear ) . There were many reasons why the Grand Officers were pleased to be present that evening , namely , to rally rounel their excellent Consecrating Officer , thc Grand Secretary , one of the most hard worked men in
Consecration Of The Creaton Lodge. No. 1791.
their Order , ( cheers / , and offer to him that humble support which his important dudes and high merits so fitly claimed . He need say nothing as to thc regard , attachment , and , he would say , affection , which the entire Craft entertained for their valued friend . ( Cheers ) And , in the second place , they had come in such numbers to support their old and esteemed friend the new
W . M . ( Applause . ) It had been his ( the sjv .-aker ' sgood fortune to know the W . M . for many long years , and he believed he could say the same of many round the table that evening , and he knew that the whole - career of thc W . M . as a Mason had been guided by one gnat principle—not his own welfare , not his own promotion , not his own self-gratification , but the
welfare cf his brethren , the advantage of their great Charities , and the diffusion of kindly feeling and brotherly goodwill among all the brethren with whom he was brought in contact . ( Hear , hear , and applause . ) He was himself happy , anil he felt convinced he ; was expressing the feelings of every Grand Officer present , to have been permitted to be present , and to
inaugurate the Creaton Lodge . As a member of the Craft he felt more and more proud of English Freemasonry . It was now standing before the world in a position which it had never previously attained . Its Charities were the pride not only of the brethren , but the admiration of the outer world , and he hoped and trusted that they would all lonrr continue to lememberthat thc great aim of Freemasonry
was not merely office or rank , or power , or splendour , or even social enjoyment , though that was most excellent in its way , but it was to endeavour to show sympathy for the sufferings of their fellow-creatures , to bind up the wounds of broken-hearted brethreu , to pour in the balm e , f consolation into the afflicted bosom , and to show that gooelwill , that sympathy vvhich ought to be thc distinguishing
aim of every human being , and whicb he tiustcd would ever be the leading characteristic of every ttuchearted Freemason . ( Cheers . ) The VV . M ., again rising , said he had now come to what he might term the toast of the evening—tbe health of the brother who had done such good service that evening . He referred to the Grand Secretary . He was sure they all felt
a deep elebt of gratitude to him for coming to the ceremony of consecration , and discharging the duties , which he hail done so ably anil nicely . Bro . Hervey was always reaely to give his services when required , and , notwithstanding that he was slightly indisposed , he had done his work most admirably . ( Hear , hear . ) Anything that he might say beyond that was quite unnecessary . Bro . Hervey was
so well known that among Freemasons bis name was a household word . The toast was drunk with great enthusiasm , after which Bros . Ion Cantle and Frank Percival delighted thc company hy singing the beautiful m-ilody from Balfc , " Excelsior . " Bro . Hervey , in [ acknowledging the compliment , after
thanking the brethren for the cordial reception which had been accorded him , begged to remind his hearers that the praises awarded to him were divisable . He had been admirably supported that evening , as he had on previous occasions , in carrying out the ceremony which the brethren of the Creaton Lodge were desirous that he should perform . They all knew what a host Bro . Woodford was
when he put his shoulder to the wheel , and assisted in performing the ceremony of consecration . They all knew also ( and he did most especially ) how much they were indebted to Bro . Terry ( hear , hear , ) for the kind and courteous way in which he had extended that substantial assistance which he was always ready to give . He ( the speaker ) always felt that when he had Bro . Terry at his
elbow he had someone whom , if he went wrong , he ( Bro . Hcrvty ) could always rely upon to assist him in his own default . He had also very good Wardens in the persons of Bros . Fenn and Barrow . ( Hear hear . ) If the brethren would allow him he would sup-, plement those remarks he had made with a few others , which , he trusted , would be more to thc gratification of
the brethren than what he had already uttered . They had all met to consecrate a new lodge . That had been done , and the W . M . had been installed in the chair . He was now in harness . He had his work before him and he was sure that all around that hospitable board hoped that he might prosper in his undertaking . He ( the speaker ) did not think there was any reason to doubt that such
would be the case , because all those who knew Bro . Creaton vvere well aware that he was fit to overcome any difficulty . They knew that in the Charities of the Order the Committees were not always amenable to the dolce farnicnte , but were somewhat disposed , occasionally , to run riot , and who could control them better than the worthy brother who now sat at the head of the table ? ( Hear ,
hear . ) He had done more than perhaps he ce-uld with money—he had given that which was of infinitely more benefit to the Charities , namely , his time and attention ( hear , hear ) ; and his efforts to promote that unity which should prevail in every CharityjCommittee were untiring-No trouble was too great for him , and he was sure all the brethren knew that in his Masonic career he had not
got a single enemy . ( Hear , hear . ) If that were the case , then he ( the speaker ) was quite sure that the W . Mwould carry out his duties in connection with the l ° dg c in a way that would satisfy not only the members of t > ie lodge , but the of members the Craft generally . ( Hea *> hear . ) He would , therefore , ask them to drink to l " newiy installed W . M . , honoureu
The toast having been enthusiastically . Bro . E . Collins very effectively sang the well-known song . " Dear Betty , " which was loudly applauded . The VV . M ., in replying , after thanking the brethren 1 the kind way in which the toast had been received , s * he J . ad had the honour of being placed in the chair ot Lodge cf Antiquity , and he had thought—he would say hoped—that when he retired from that position
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The Creaton Lodge. No. 1791.
with their merits , recalling their good services to our common Order , or offering to them the tribute of out heartfelt attachement , good will , and respect , we seek tc perpetuate in their honoured names , familiar to our lips as household words , those Maror . ic attributes we most desiderate , those Masonic excellences we most commend , these Masonic seivices we deem to be the most deserving
of our affectioiratc recognition , or our grateful recollection . But i pass on lo other topics . In thc next place , I rejoice to think that the Creaton Lodge , which we consecrate to day , represents what is , after all , the very life of true Freemasonry in England , the aggregation of individual brethren who know each other , who value each other , who respect each other ,
who arc attached to each other , and who thus essay to form within thc sacred enclosure uf the lodge another pleasant retreat of mutual sympathy , friendship , content , and goodwill . This new lodge has not , I understand , been formed hastily , or unadvisedly ; it is not marked either by the unsatisfactory condition of too rapid growth , or mere personal anxiety for office ; it is the result
of much consideration , and is established to meet a want of many brethren , some of old standing in the Order , of congenial tastes and pursuits and well-known respectability , to find a nucleus of adhesion , a centre of attraction and a bond of unison n the impoitant duties ami pleasant sociability of a Masonic lodge ; and I feel sure that it vvill be thc hope of all
now present , that this Creaton Lodge may prosper , alike in its material and its Masonic condition , that it will be noted among our many other distinguished bodies of Masons for its obedience to authority , its love of order , harmony , and concord ; its hospitality , and its liberality , its good Masonic work , and its large Masonic heart in the cause of Masonic charity . As one of the Consecrating
Officers to day , I beg to express the sincere wish , which 1 believe will be echoed by my superior officer and coadjutors , as it vvill be , I feel sure , by all present , that no cloud may obscure its bright and onward career , but that it take a foremost place among Engliili lodges , and be a source of pride to its brethren ar , d an ornament to the English lodges . And , thirdly , V . W , Sir , I , for one ,
as a very old Mason now ( like yoursell ) , venture to rejoice in the creation ol a new loeigc . 1 hear , sometimes , remarks that we ate forming too many new lodges , and that we are moving on ton rapidly . I , for one , do not believe it . On the contrary , I feel sure ttiat in every new lodge , when rightly conducted , wc have a fresh incentive to every moral , and every social virtue ; we have an
additional guarantee for the peace and gooel order of society ; wc have a new declaration of the great piinciples of toleration , and civil ami religious liberty ; we have a . rciteiatcd appeal 11 loyalty and obedience to law . For what is that which Freemasonry really does proclaim , that good old Order of ours , so often assailed by the ignorant and the credulous -, so often maligned by the prevtrrse and
prejudiced ; so often ridiculed , and even excommunicated by the petulant and the intolerant ? What is it that it certainly does teach to all , to neophytes anil to men ? Ami wrong , Sir , in saying that Freemasonry , though not religion , ( as it cannot be ) , and never professes to be , is a most religious Fraternity , in that it makes both the foundation stone and the keystone of its glorious Masonic arch
which spaces thi universe- , acknowledgment of , rever . nce for , and trust in God Most High , the Great Architect of the Universe , Kings if Kings , Lord of Lends ? Freemasonry does not seel ; M dogmatize , as regards cither , the belief or the convic . ' . ir cf men ; it imposes no tests ; it asserts no formulae of i .. r'lrble or fallible authority . Its only Theology is that wide tells us to believe in the great
fatherhood of God , and n . e living broihcrhood of man , and strictly to obey God ' s law , and avoiding all controversies and rejecting all iliscussions , just as it repudiates all persreution for conscience sake ; it seeks to unite all who can say " Our Father which art in heaven , " around its benelicient and peaceful altars of simple religious faith and earnest religious duty . Fieemasonry bases all iis
goodly moral teaching , on what ? O . i tbe dicta of Masonic authors , or Masonic philosophers , or Masonic sages ? On the axioms of antiquity , or the didactic excellence of mere human morality ? Most certainly not 1 It simply and solely builds up its whole moral lore on God ' s Holy Word—the Bible—ever open in our lodges , the first great light in Masonry , a nd which constitutes alike
the strength and thc unity , and let us add the glory and the bond of Anglo-Saxon Masonry ; that which gives cohesion to our whole moral teaching , which throws its holy and purifying light over the whole circle of Masonic morals , which while it reminds us of our needful sympathies and wants and conditions of men , never forgets to own to , to look up to , to confide in God Most High . Anil
thus based on the best of books , thc inspired source of Divine wisdom and truth , Freemasonry bids us be loyal subjects , and good citizens , exemplary members of that family , and home life so dear to us as a wise and understanding people' , and impresses upon us due regard to all our public and private callings , and eiijeiins us to cany out on all occasions daily and hourly , both
abroad and at home , the piinciples we profess , the teachings we avow . In this world of change and imperlection , where all is still morally in disorder ami weakness , where infirmity too often accompanies the best resolution , and failure attends on the most consummate plans , we cannot hope or suppose that Masons arc exempt from thc errors or weaknesses of mortality , or that in our
numerous brotherhood wc all , be we who we may , can always square our duty with our inclinations , or our practice witli our professions . But still it is well to remind ourselve-s Irom time to time , ( making due allowance for human imperfections ) , that as l ' lccmasons we profess to be a band of brothers , rejoicing iw each other ' s prosperity , grieving in each other ' s adversity , foes to dctiaction and -. -slander , and averse to backbiting and animosity , and
Consecration Of The Creaton Lodge. No. 1791.
even bound 16 uphold what is fair , and proper , and due fioni one brothel- to another , by proving ourselves , alike in dark as in sunny hours , above the paltry and time-serving propensities of our fallen nature , and ever ready and anxious to commiserate thc sorrows and relieve the wants of those whom we call friends and brothers to day . Remembering these truths , we s-. ek
to drive fiom our midst the fawning voice of flattery and the base accents of dissimulation . We endeavour to be true to one another , and to be alike considerate and compassionate , making needful allowance for human feelings , as bearing in mind our common mortality , but promptly generous and large-hearted to alleviate the misfortunes of others by kindly words and actual deeds . Brethren of the
Creaton Lodge , let me earnestly impress upon you to day those sublime precepts of our Order , which inculcate rautual sympathy , mutual for ' oearence , mutual tolerations and mutual gooel will , and , and above all , let me remind you that Freemasonry , though great and goodly in itself , though having many striking gilts and pleasant hours , is nothing without its nobler and higher aims of charity and
goodwill to the great brotherhood of man . Without Masonic charity we should be , perhaps , a decorative building indeed , adorned with precious stones and cunning ornamentation , but the spirit would be wanting , and wc should have the crumbling walls of a perishing tabernacle to meet , and avert the encroaching hand of time . But illustrrttcel and adorned by the excelling grace of chaiity ,
Freemasonry helps and ennobles its own professions bv the reality of its services to the brotherhood and to mankind , and standing now before the world as the most zealous and energetic of all caithly institutions in its advocacy and support of charity , let us trust that it will never forget that it owes to that great truth a great part , at any rate , of its usefulness to its members , and its blessings to thc world at
large . Sir , 1 have done , and I vvill only now repeat that I am glad to be permitted , once again in my Masonic career , to bear my huroble testimony to thc utility , the value , the importance of Freemasonry , alike to the order and stability of society , the happiness and advance of the brotherhood , and the lasting uniiy anil peaceful progress of every portion of the habitable world .
After the reading of tbe oration , which was frequently applauded , the 133 rd Psalm was sung , and the formula : of he programme were du ly and solemnly performed , the musical arrangements being ably carricel e > ut , under the direction of Bro . Ion Cantle Tlie Board of Instilled Matters was then formed , the icst of the brethren retiring , and the VV . M . designate was formally installed in the
chair of King Solomon . The brethren , on being readmitted , saluted the W . M . in the customary form in thc Second and Third Degrees , after which the W . M . appointed and invested for the ensuing year the subjoined officers : —Bros . H . J . Johnson , S . VV . ; John Williams , J . W . ; J . Nielson , S . D . ; John H . Buck , J D . ; and J . I . Cantle , Secretary . The remaining office-bearers will be
appointed at the next meeting . The W . M . then proposed lhat the following brethren shoulel be elected as honorary members of the lodge : —John Hervey , P . M ., Grand Sec ; A . F . A Woodford , Past Grand Chaplain ; J . Terry , P . P . G . J . W . Herts ; T . Fenn , P . G . D . ; and E . J . Barrow , P . G . D ., all of whom , having been unanimously elected , briefly acknowledged the honour thus conferred upon
them . The Secretary next read the names of several joining members , and this constituting all the business before the meeting , the lodge was formally closed until the second Thursday of March . It goes without saying that , under the direction of such distinguished and able officers , thc proceedings throughout were most ably and impressively conducted . The business
being over , the brethren retired to the banqueting hall in the Freemasons' Tavern , where they were provided with a sumptuous banquet . The W . M , occupied the chair , supported by his officers . Grace was said by the Past Grand Chaplain , Bro . A . F . A . Woodford . On the cloth being removed , the customary Misonic toasts were drunk . The W . M . said the first toast of the evening which
he had the honour to propose was one always given at every assembly of Englishmen ami Freemasons . It was the health of the first lady in the land , the first sovereign in Europe , the daughter of a Mason and the mother of Masons ( hear , hear ) , " Her Majesty the Queen , " and he begged to connect with the toast " The Craft . " The toast was enthusiastically drunk , all
the brethren standing while the National Anthem was sung . The W . M . next proposed " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . " which was coreliaUy responded to , Bro . Cantle singing " God Bless the Prince of Wales . " In proposing " The Grand Officers Present and Past , " the W . M . rcfened in eulogistic terms to the unceasing interest and the great ability which all the Grand Officers shewed
in connection with thc Craft . After this Bro . W . G . Reynolds gave a recitation , entitled "Doncastcr St . Lcgcr , " in a eery effective manner . In replying to the toast of the Grand Officers , Bro . A . F . A . Woodford , P . G . Chaplain , remarked that he always felt very great diffidence when he rose in the presence of so many distinguished Grand Officers to return thanks for the Present and Past Grand
Officers of the Grand Lodge . But he felt sure that with their usual kindness the brethren would accord him a few moments of their attention while he ventured to express on behalf of the Grand Officers and himself their earnest thanks for the honour conferred upon them that evening . The Present and Past Grand Officers weie deeply sensible of that honour ; and
he assured the brethren that the Grand Officers were always happy to retain the good opinion of theit brethren in Freemasonry , and were always glad to render their services 011 all occasions when they were needed and useful . ( Hear , hear ) . There were many reasons why the Grand Officers were pleased to be present that evening , namely , to rally rounel their excellent Consecrating Officer , thc Grand Secretary , one of the most hard worked men in
Consecration Of The Creaton Lodge. No. 1791.
their Order , ( cheers / , and offer to him that humble support which his important dudes and high merits so fitly claimed . He need say nothing as to thc regard , attachment , and , he would say , affection , which the entire Craft entertained for their valued friend . ( Cheers ) And , in the second place , they had come in such numbers to support their old and esteemed friend the new
W . M . ( Applause . ) It had been his ( the sjv .-aker ' sgood fortune to know the W . M . for many long years , and he believed he could say the same of many round the table that evening , and he knew that the whole - career of thc W . M . as a Mason had been guided by one gnat principle—not his own welfare , not his own promotion , not his own self-gratification , but the
welfare cf his brethren , the advantage of their great Charities , and the diffusion of kindly feeling and brotherly goodwill among all the brethren with whom he was brought in contact . ( Hear , hear , and applause . ) He was himself happy , anil he felt convinced he ; was expressing the feelings of every Grand Officer present , to have been permitted to be present , and to
inaugurate the Creaton Lodge . As a member of the Craft he felt more and more proud of English Freemasonry . It was now standing before the world in a position which it had never previously attained . Its Charities were the pride not only of the brethren , but the admiration of the outer world , and he hoped and trusted that they would all lonrr continue to lememberthat thc great aim of Freemasonry
was not merely office or rank , or power , or splendour , or even social enjoyment , though that was most excellent in its way , but it was to endeavour to show sympathy for the sufferings of their fellow-creatures , to bind up the wounds of broken-hearted brethreu , to pour in the balm e , f consolation into the afflicted bosom , and to show that gooelwill , that sympathy vvhich ought to be thc distinguishing
aim of every human being , and whicb he tiustcd would ever be the leading characteristic of every ttuchearted Freemason . ( Cheers . ) The VV . M ., again rising , said he had now come to what he might term the toast of the evening—tbe health of the brother who had done such good service that evening . He referred to the Grand Secretary . He was sure they all felt
a deep elebt of gratitude to him for coming to the ceremony of consecration , and discharging the duties , which he hail done so ably anil nicely . Bro . Hervey was always reaely to give his services when required , and , notwithstanding that he was slightly indisposed , he had done his work most admirably . ( Hear , hear . ) Anything that he might say beyond that was quite unnecessary . Bro . Hervey was
so well known that among Freemasons bis name was a household word . The toast was drunk with great enthusiasm , after which Bros . Ion Cantle and Frank Percival delighted thc company hy singing the beautiful m-ilody from Balfc , " Excelsior . " Bro . Hervey , in [ acknowledging the compliment , after
thanking the brethren for the cordial reception which had been accorded him , begged to remind his hearers that the praises awarded to him were divisable . He had been admirably supported that evening , as he had on previous occasions , in carrying out the ceremony which the brethren of the Creaton Lodge were desirous that he should perform . They all knew what a host Bro . Woodford was
when he put his shoulder to the wheel , and assisted in performing the ceremony of consecration . They all knew also ( and he did most especially ) how much they were indebted to Bro . Terry ( hear , hear , ) for the kind and courteous way in which he had extended that substantial assistance which he was always ready to give . He ( the speaker ) always felt that when he had Bro . Terry at his
elbow he had someone whom , if he went wrong , he ( Bro . Hcrvty ) could always rely upon to assist him in his own default . He had also very good Wardens in the persons of Bros . Fenn and Barrow . ( Hear hear . ) If the brethren would allow him he would sup-, plement those remarks he had made with a few others , which , he trusted , would be more to thc gratification of
the brethren than what he had already uttered . They had all met to consecrate a new lodge . That had been done , and the W . M . had been installed in the chair . He was now in harness . He had his work before him and he was sure that all around that hospitable board hoped that he might prosper in his undertaking . He ( the speaker ) did not think there was any reason to doubt that such
would be the case , because all those who knew Bro . Creaton vvere well aware that he was fit to overcome any difficulty . They knew that in the Charities of the Order the Committees were not always amenable to the dolce farnicnte , but were somewhat disposed , occasionally , to run riot , and who could control them better than the worthy brother who now sat at the head of the table ? ( Hear ,
hear . ) He had done more than perhaps he ce-uld with money—he had given that which was of infinitely more benefit to the Charities , namely , his time and attention ( hear , hear ) ; and his efforts to promote that unity which should prevail in every CharityjCommittee were untiring-No trouble was too great for him , and he was sure all the brethren knew that in his Masonic career he had not
got a single enemy . ( Hear , hear . ) If that were the case , then he ( the speaker ) was quite sure that the W . Mwould carry out his duties in connection with the l ° dg c in a way that would satisfy not only the members of t > ie lodge , but the of members the Craft generally . ( Hea *> hear . ) He would , therefore , ask them to drink to l " newiy installed W . M . , honoureu
The toast having been enthusiastically . Bro . E . Collins very effectively sang the well-known song . " Dear Betty , " which was loudly applauded . The VV . M ., in replying , after thanking the brethren 1 the kind way in which the toast had been received , s * he J . ad had the honour of being placed in the chair ot Lodge cf Antiquity , and he had thought—he would say hoped—that when he retired from that position