Consecration Of The Hadrian Lodge , No. 2483.

Hadrian Lodge would not be far below that of other lodges in the province . He vvas proud to become the first W . M . of the lod ge , and although he felt , eig ht years since , when he came to reside in the district , that he had experienced sufficient work in Freemasonry to satisfy his Masonic craving , yet he was induced to join others in taking steps to secure the new lodge , ' and the founders had at last been successful . He then submitted " The Visitors , " and gave a hearty invitation to brethren from other lodges to visit the Hadrian Lodge .

Bro . W . E . MORRISON , P . P . J . G . W ., in responding , said they were all p leased to see the new lodge started under such happy auspices . Bro . R . T . THORNTON also acknowledged the toast . The brethren , on the conclusion of the toast list , adjourned to the upper room of the Drill Hall . The chair was taken b y Bro . Thomas Trollope , the Consecrating Officer , who opened the lodge , the Wardens' chairs being occupied by Bros . J . P . Slingsb y Roberts , Prov . S . G . W ., and H . Langton , Prov . J . G . W .

The CONSECRATING OFFICER , addressing the brethren , and alluding to the absence of the Duke of Connaught , said the onerous position and the claims on royalty were well known to thebrethren . The Duke of Connaught had just left Scotland , where he had been paying a visit to the Queen , and had gone to the Continent . Those were ample reasons he was not with them . Sir W . T . Marriott had been detained in Paris on professional work , and he ( Bro . Trollope ) had been requested to express the regret of

ihe Deputy Prov . Grand Master at his unavoidable absence . Undertaking the position of Consecrating Officer at short notice , he appeared as an " understudy , " and expressed his condolence with the lodge at the absence of the Prov . Grand Master and the Deputy Prov . Grand Master . The lodge made the thirtieth in the province , which would now have additional officers . With such a worthy W . M . designate he felt that there was . every prospect of success attending the lodge .

Ihe brethren of the new lodge were arranged in order , the founders being as follows : Bros , the Rev . E . C . Adams , John Boyles , Albert E . R . Brett , Henry John Capon , F . S . Golden , M . R . C . V . S ., Albert Gosling , VV Robert Griffin , G . A . Jeffery , M . D ., J . P ., Francis Henry Mortimer Kelson , Henry Marks , Gus G . Melliard , Samuel Roulton , J . P ., F . Russell , William R . Shipcott , Major Edward William Stillwell , and William Strickland .

The brethren having approved of the officers named in the warrant , thc Prov . Grand Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . J . A . RIVINGTON , gave an oration on the nature and principles of the Institution . The lodge was then duly consecrated , dedicated , and constituted , the ceremonies being admirably performed by Bro . Trollope , who then installed Bro . Edward W . Stillwell W . M . for the ensuing year .

The officers were also appointed , those present being invested with the insignia of their respective offices as follovv : Bros . W . Strickland , I . P . M . ; Henry Marks , S . W . ; Henry John Capon , J . W . ; Albert Gosling , Treas . ; John Boyles , Sec ; W . Robert Griffin , J . D . ; Fred . Russell , I . G . ; G . G . Melliard and F . S . Golden , Stwds . ; and J , B . R . Bays , Ty ler .

The remaining portion of thc programme included thc election of a Committee to frame by-laws , the election of members to serve on . the Cfiarittes' Commiitee of Provincial Grand Lodge , and propositions for initiations and joining members . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bros . A . S . Cooke , Prov . G . Org ., and John Easter , P . P . G . O ., the latter presiding with great skill at the American organ .

Consecration Of The Duchess Of York Lodge, No. 2482.

CONSECRATION OF THE DUCHESS OF YORK LODGE , No . 2482 .

The Duchess of York Lodge , No . 2482 , was consecrated at thc Victoria Hotel , Manchester , on the 13 th inst . by Bro . Col . Le Gendre Starkie , Prov .

Grand Master . The founders of the lodge are : Bros . T . Archer Lowe , P . P . G . S . B . ; Robert Fox , Peter Bratt , Philip Whyman , Frederic Walmsley , Thomas Almond Lever , Ernest Archer Lowe , W . H . Boycott , J . E . Mead , James Beardmore , W . M . 852 ; Joseph Howarth , W . Hardy , and J . M . H . Blarney .

There was a very large assembly of influential brethren present , including—Bros . J . H . Sillitoe , P . G . S . B . Eng . ; Edmund Ashworth , P . G . D . ; John Chadwick , P . G . S . B ., Prov . G . Sec . ; Rev . J . O . Jelly , P . G . Chap . ; James Andrew , P . G . S . D . ; J . B . Lonsdale , P . S . G . W . ; George Galloway , P . J . G . W . ; John Partington . P . S . G . D . ; J . Smith , P . J . G . D . ; W . Hoyland , P . G . P . ; Thomas Schofield , P . G . Stwd . ; E . G . Harwood , P . P . G . W . ; Peter Wills , P . A . G . D . C . ;

Alf . Hibden , P . P . D . G . D . C ; Fred . Hilton , P . G . D . C ; G . S . Smith , Prov . G . Org . ; James Newton ; P . A . G . Sec . and Sec . of the East Lancashire Systematic Institution ; Wm . Corner , P . P . G . D . C ; James Glennve , P . G . S . B . ; J . W . Abbott , P . P . G . D . C . ; H . H . Warbuton , P . P . G . D . ; W . T . Schofield , P . P . G . D . ; W . Goldthorpe , P . G . Reg . ; A Pemberton , P . P . G . D . C . ; George Macfarlain , P . G . S . of W . ; J . S , Doxey , P . G . C ; R . Duxbury , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; C . D . Cheethfim , P . P . G . D . ; A . Holt , P . G . P . ; and ] . Filton , P . G . S . < .

The Prov . Grand Master appointed Bros . J . B . Lonsdale as S . W ., and Genrge Galloway as J . W . After the formal opening of the lodge , a hymn was sung . The CONSECRATING OFFICER then addressed the brethren at some length , and the founders having signified their approval of the officers named in the petition and warrant , a splendid oration was delivered by Bro . the Rev . J . O . J ELLY , P . G . C .

A beautiful anthem followed , and the Presiding Officer proceeded to dedicate and constitute the lodge , and the ceremony was brought to a close with the final benediction . The CONSECRATING OFFICER then called upon Bro . W . T . Schofield , W . M . 2449 , P . P . G . D ., to take the chair , in order to install the first W . M ., ftro . T . Archer Lowe , P . P . G . S . B ., they being ver ^ old and dear friends . Bro . J-ovve was presented by Bro . F . Hilton , P . G . D . C , and was duly installed JJJto the chair . The working tools were presented by Bro . Hebden , P . P . D . G D . of C .

1 he newly-installed W . M . invested his officers for the ensuing year , and 'hey were addressed b y Bro . VV . T . Schofield , as follows : Bros . R . Fox , ! j , -W . ; P . Biall , J . W . ; Philip Whyman , Treas . ; F . Walmsley , Sec . ; '•Allmond Lever , . S . D . ; Ernest Archer Lowe , J . D . ; W . H . Boycott , j ? -C . ; J . E . Mead , Org . ; and James Boardman , W . M . 852 , l . G . Bro . Schofield also gave the addresses to the W . M . and Wardens . The brethren w ere addressed by Bro . J . W . Abbott , P . P . G . D . C . Br ° . ARCHER LOWE , VV . M ., proposed a vote of thanks to the P . G . M .

Consecration Of The Duchess Of York Lodge, No. 2482.

for his attendance on that occasion , and for having performed the ceremony in such an impressive manner . This was ' seconded by Bro . Fox , S . W ., and carried unanimously . A vote of thanks was also passed to Bro . W . T . Schofield for installing the first W . M ., and he was asked to become an honorary member . After " Hearty good wishes " had been expressed from the very numerous visitors present , the lodge was closed .

The musical brethren were Bros . W . H . Kershaw , P . M . ; Cuthbert Blacow ,. W . Dumville , P . M . ; and A . S . Kinwell , under the direction of the P . G . Organist . Subsequently a banquet was held , when the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to . The toast list was interspersed with glees and songs .

A Mistake.

A MISTAKE .

Responsibility for actions , for directions , instruction ,. correction , and the proper course in certain conditions to be adopted rests on the Worshipful Masters of our lodges . This is as it should be . The brother who has served in the South and West has had both time and opportunity to acquaint himself with the duties of each station , and thus become , if he has the intelligence , to be capable of governing his lodge .

It may be that the necessity for acquiring the requisite knowledge for the duties of a Master does not impress itself on him while in these stations , but if he has an aptitude for absorbing knowledge , he must be , in a great measure , informed of the duties of the East . When , therefore , he may , as he advances to the East , become familiar with the Worshipful Master ' s responsibilities . This is a great gain , but so much depends on how it is used .

He will be versed in the frequent occasions when c nditiuns occur lhat call for prompt action by the Worshipful Master , or if not prompt action , a careful understanding of what is likely to come out of the a tion of the lodge . It must be understood so as to protect the lodge from a violaii 11 of the law of Masonry . The members of lodges of course rely on the experience and information of the lodge officers . They expect , and reasonably expert , that this reliance is well founded .

Yet on the members of the lodges , in a large measure , depends thc proper brother to be Worshipful Master . If he has merit , has taken advantage of the opportunities he enjoyed , has the force of character to govern his lodge with justice and equity , then the proper brother is found for t e Worshipful Master .

It is often that much evil occurs from the unintentional mistake that is made by the ruling of the VVorshi pful Master , or the direction he gives for the proceedings of the lodge . It is the mistake that is unfortunate . No VVorshi pful Master intentionally makes either error or improper suggestions to the lodge . It is the misfortune that the Worshipful Master h ^ s not the . readiness to apply the knowledge he possesses . The cool head , the quiet assurance ' that he is able

to meet the unexpected , the feeling that he can perform his duty under the responsibilities that belong to it even in an emergency , that renders the Worship ful Master of great service to the Craft . All this has to be acquired by the brother , while in the South and West . He must think , reflect , study , so that the reliance he must have in his ability is not wanting when needed . There can be no more mortif ying feeling than for a Worshipful Master to have to confess that " he made a mistake . "

It is very true that even to the best of men mistakes may happen . It is to be observed that the excuse is accepted as an explanation of some occurrence that has been unfortunate . But in such cases there is room for such an explanation . In a lodge of Freemasons it can rarely , it ought never to occur , that the Worship ful Master explains the result of lodge action . That he made a mistake , a mistake in such a position , comes most likely from want of reflection , or because the conditions arc unusual .

These causes can be avoided by the Worshi pful Master of a lodge , because thc lines between which hc must act are plainly laid down , if he would only seek to know what is the intent and meaning of the limitation , between what is prohibited and what is permitted . Reflection will find the proper course to be adopted . —Keystone .

ANCIENT MASONS , ALSO CALLED ANTIENT MASONS , OR ATHOL MASONS . — They form the body vvhich seceded in 1739 from the Grand Lodge , on some grounds of real or pretended complaint , and formed illegal lodges of their own . They took the name of Ancient York Masons , though very improperly , and they established a Grand Lodge of their own , and chartered many private lodges eventually . We need not to-day go into the cause of the schism , as at this distance of time it is impossible to lay down accurately either the grounds or facts

connected with such a regrefable act . Some of our writers have said that the main cause was the making of certain alterations in the ritual . But as in 1813 there was really no irreconcilable difficulty in the union of the two Grand Lodges as regards working , we are inclined to believe that the points of difference were very trifling , and purposely exaggerated by those who perhaps thought they had hardly sufficient of merit acknowledged , or dignity awarded , in the old Grand Lodge . Laurence Deimott seems to have become ere long the ruling genius of the

rival Grand Lodge , though he was not on the scene in 1738 . It has been said also that the institution of the Royal Arch was a great cause of difference and division , but this is hardly borne out by the facts of the case . It is probable that Ramsay's manipulations were known in England , though there is no proof that we are aware ot that Ramsay ever had anything to do with our Grand Lodge , which , as he was an avowed Jacobite , was not prima facie very likely . But Dermott may have seen , and possibly did appropriate , the words " Royal Arch , " and though

this nomenclature was new , the substance was well known . Hence , practically , the differences between the two bodies were really very small , though we may admit that the Ancients more fully developed what is now termed the Royal Arch Grade , and gave to it its distinct position and separate organisation . After 1775 , the Ancient Masons seem to have been generally called Athol Masons , in honour of the third Dukeof Athol , Grand Master in 1771 . He was installed March and , 1771 , and

Dermott as D . G . M . Bro . Hughan mentions this on the authority of the records of the ancient Grand Lodge . In 1813 , H . R . H . the Duke of Kent , father of our Gracious Queen , was Grand Master of the Athol Masons , and H . R . H . the Duke of Sussex Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England . The happy union vvas effected to the great good of Freemasonry alike in England and in the world . Preston says that the Ancients had no Grand Master until 1772 , but Preston seems to be in error . —Kenning ' s Cyclopcedia of Freemasonry .