Dedication Of A New Masonic Hall.

DEDICATION OF A NEW MASONIC HALL .

ORATION BY BRO . W . J . HUGHAN . Monday , the 20 th inst ., was an important day for the members of the Masonic body at Dawlish . The charming little Devonshire watering-place does not boast of a large resident population , but the Masonic feeling is exceptionally strong in a town of so limited a population , and the brotherhood is strong in numbers and in influence . For many years the brethren have held their lodge meetings in a

room at the Town Hall , but the inconvenience of this arrangement was ever present , and as the members of the lodsre increased the wish grew stronger that the lodge should have a home and habitation of its own . It was a bold suggestion to build a Masonic Hall in preference to renting premises , but its very boldness encouraged the brethren to persevere with it . A company was formed , a considerable portion of the capital was subscribed , an excellent site was purchased in the

New Barton-road , and the members ot Salem Lodge , No . 1443 , have now a hall and lodge room that would do credit to any town in the province . The hall has been built by Bro . "VV . G . Hatcher , from the designs of Bro . Bridgman ; it has a striking and attractive appearance from the outside , and inside it is excellently furnished and supplied with every facility and convenience for the effective performance of Masonic work . The lodge-room is a splendid room , 3 6 feet by 25 ,

and lofty in proportion , and proved capable on Monday of seating over 150 brethren from all parts of the province , assembled to take part in the ceremony of dedicating the new hall , for which purpose a Special Provincial Grand Lodge was held . The dedication ceremony was performed by Bro . W . G . Rogers , D . P . G . M . of Devonshire , who occupied the W . M . 's chair , and who was assisted by Bro . J . S . Kesterman , P . S . G . W ., who was in the Senior Warden's chair , and Bro . J . Stocker , P . J . G . W ., who acted as Junior Warden . There was a large attendance .

After the lodge had been duly opened , the hymn " Hail ! Eternal by whose aid " was sung to a tune specially composed for the occasion by Bro . J . F . King , W . M . elect of Salem Lodge . Then the minutes of previous meetings were read , and the Secretary , Bro . Discombe , invited the D . P . G . M . to dedicate the new hall to the purposes of Freemasonry . Bro . H . L . Friend followed by presenting the

D . P . G . M . with the plans of the building , and Bro . Rogers said he heartily congratulated the brethren upon the convenient and elegant building which they had erected for the purposes of the Craft . He was very glad to see that Freemasonry was flourishing so well amongst them , and that they had amongst them brethren of sufficient decision , zeal , and energy to produce so excellent a building as that in which they were then assembled . ( Applause ) .

After the usual ceremonies , the building vvas declared to be solemnly dedicated to " Freemasonry , virtue , and universal benevolence . " Bro . W . J . HUGHAN ( Torquay ) , P . G . D . of England , and P . Prov . S . G . W . of Cornwall , then delivered an earnest and eloquent oration , which was repeatedly applauded . The R . W . Brother said : Masonic Halls are dedicated to Masonry , virtue , and universal benevolence . This hall is dedicated to Freemasonry because

it is set apart for the celebration of its peculiar rites and ceremonies . As a Fraternity it is ancient , honourable , and distinguished . We can point with just pride to the noble cathedrals and other grand structures which are the handiwork of our ancestors , and as their lineal descendants we may claim some portion of their imperishable fame , being , without doubt , their legal representatives . In olden time the Freemasons were united as a secret society , and whenever their " old charges , "

or laws , were duly obeyed , they required no apologies for their existence . Neither do we now , if , as Craftsmen , we are faithful to our vows . ( Hear , hear . ) But , though in one sense we are a secret society and protected by an Act of Parliament as no other is , yet , strictly speaking , we are not really a secret society . We have no secret aims or constitutions . The objects we have in view are open to the world , our regulations may be obtained by anyone , and all our members are as free

to leave us as they must be to join . ( Hear , hear . ) There has been too much mystery made of our community , for unless it be connected , directly or indirectly , with the way we know each other in any part of the globe ( by night or b y day , knowing or not knowing the language , and when meeting utter strangers ) , we have no secrets . In fact , it might almost be said that the actual secret of our Freemasonry is that there is none ! Our motto is " Fear God , honour the Queen , love the Brotherhood . " ( Applause . )

In former times the Fraternity was wholl y Christian , but for nearly two centuries it has been cosmopolitan . Though wider in scope and influence , all our ceremonies and Degrees are based on portions of the " Volume of the Sacred Law , " and no man can cross our threshold without avowing his " trust in God . " The Israelite , the Parsee , the Mahommedan , and the Hindoo , as with the Christian , are welcomed to our ranks , " provided they believe in the glorious Architect of

Heaven and Earth , and practise the sacred duties of morality . " ( Applause . ) A man with no religion cannot become a Freemason , nor can he continue to be one . We meet , however , on neutral ground , for no theological or political discussions are ever allowed in our lodges . For the time being , we know neither creed , colour , nor clime . Hence this handsome and commodious hall is dedicated to the Craft , and to the Craft only .

The growth of Freemasonry has of late years been almost phenomenal , and calls for still more rigid scrutiny in the admission of candidates , lest unworth y men be initiated . ( Hear , hear . ) Mere numbers are often more a source of weakness than of strength . We should remember this . One hundred years ago there was not 2000 lodges , and scarcel y 50 , 000 members in the world ; whereas now there are over 15 , 000 lodges and some two millions of Craftsmen —( applause)—the income from all sources being about £ 5 , , 000 per annum .

( Loud applause . ) In this extraordinary growth England has had its fair share , and continues to be the largest as it always has been the oldest Grand Lodge in both hemispheres . When No . 1443 ( Dawlish ) was warranted , the net number of lodges under English rule would not reach 1400 ; but in 18 90 , notwithstanding so many have left our jurisdiction ( to form Grand Lodges of their own ) , there are yet nearly 2000 lodges on our register ; and the English Craft was never more prosperous than at the present time . ( Applause . )

This hall is dedicated to virtue , for unless , as Freemasons , we are virtuous or moral , we are veritable frauds , and wholly unworthy of our privileges . ( Hear , hear . ) If anywhere a lodge is not the home of virtue , the fault lies withjehe members , not with the Institution . ( Hear , hear . ) I am not aware of any society of human ori gin so ancient with such a perfect constitution as ours ; and there is not the slightest need for me in open lodge to offer any proof that we belong to an

essentially moral organisation , formed on a strictly religious basis . If Freemasonry is not that it is nothing . ( Applause . ) The thousands of ministers of reli gion who are enrolled in our ranks abundantly confirm the moral basis and virtuous character of our Society ; and the tens of thousands of the greatest and best in this and other countries who have agreed To aprons put on And make themselves one

With Free and Accepted Masons testify to their belief in like manner . If a knave joins us we are deceived , but he will continue to be a knave all the same , though he call himself a Freemason . Immoral men alas ! have been admitted into our lodges ( for there are wolves in sheep ' s cloth ; ng in all bodies of men ) , but I submit that they are not really of us

though in our Society . One of our " old charges " declares that " Masons unite with the virtuous of every persuasion in the firm and pleasing band of fraternal love ; they are taught to view the errors of mankind with compassion , and to strive , by the purity of their own conduct , to demonstrate the superior excellence of the faith they may profess . " No Master of a lodge can

Dedication Of A New Masonic Hall.

be placed in the chair without promising , " To be a good man and true , and strictly to obey the moral law ; " " to live creditably , and act honourably by all men ; " " to guard against intemperance and excess ; " " to promote the general good of society , and to cultivate the social virtues as far as his influence and ability can extend . " And I fail to discover how any institution , moral or religious , could possibl y be more exacting than ours as to these matters for such a purpose . Masters of lodges

are empowered to refuse admission to visitors " of known bad character , " and I onlv wish that a more strict attention would sometimes be paid to this rule . ( Hear , hear . ) At any rate , I have offered sufficient reasons why this and other halls of the kind should be dedicated to virtue . Finally , this hall is dedicated to " universal benevolence , " and all who are acquainted with the eventful past and present customs | of our Fraternity will not

be slow to acknowledge our right so to do . The term , however , includes much more than the word charity , for it means genuine love , not only for Freemasons , but for all mankind . Our Grand Lodge is always among the first to seek to alleviate distress , to grant aid in great calamities , and patriotically to bear its share of national burdens and claims . ( Applause . ) One thousand pounds each was readily granted to the Patriotic , the Indian Relief , the Lancashire Cotton , and

the Indian Famine Funds . Four thousand pounds was voted to the National Lifeboat Institution , and £ 500 each to the National Society for the Aid of the Sick and Wounded in War , Chicago Fire Relief Fund , Bengal Famine Relief Fund , relief of distress in Ireland , and to relieve the distress amongst the deserving poor of the Metropolis . ( Applause . ) Our own Charities , under the wing of the Grand Lodge of England , are both numerous and important . The Institutions in

London for the Boys and Girls , and Aged Freemasons and Widows , cost some £ 150 , 000 , and in the Metropolis and the provinces , at least 1000 children are being clothed and educated , and the great majority maintained as well , besides which hundreds of indigent Masons and widows are annuitants on our funds , and are thus preserved from want . In this systematic form of charity we in England spend every day in the year at least £ 250 , and sometimes

much more in the relief of the destitute ; and the helping hand is most gladly offered " to the fatherless and widows in their affliction . " ( Loud applause . ) We make no parade of these facts , for the extent of our benevolence is not even knovvn to many of our own members , and the bloom of a kind deed is lost by being published . ( Hear , hear . ) Yet , great as are our Charities at home and abroad , I maintain that the primary object of the

Society is not Charity , but fraternity . ( Applause . ) Freemasonry is not a benefit society . We seek to realise practically the sublime truths of the " Fatherhood of God " and " the Brotherhood of Man , " and we look upon all the world , rich and poor , as our kin . It is my firm conviction , after an experience of the Society for nearly 30 years , and familiarity vvith its varied and extensive literature , that the

Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons is one of the most beneficent and useful institutions under the sun ; and that it requires only the consistent conduct of its members generally to make it the most blessed organisation of the kind in the Universe . ( Applause . ) In conclusion , let me offer the words of Charles Mackay—slig htly altered—as the pith of the whole matter—If thou'rt a Mason

In deed and thought , Loving thy neighbour As Craftsmen ought ; Sharing thy wealth

With the suffering poor , Helping all sorrow That hope can cure , All God's angels vvill say , " Well done , " Whenever thy mortal race is run .

The D . PROV . G . M . proposed a cordial vote of thanks to Bro . Hughan for his eloquent address . There were few brethren in the Craft who had more completely made Freemasonry their study than Bro . Hughan had done , and few who could not go to him and learn something of the true principles of the Craft to which they belonged . ( Applause . )

Bro . G . B . AVANT , who seconded the motion , spoke of Bro . Hughan ' s address as a beautiful oration , and said he hoped it would make a deep impression upon the minds of all who had heard it , and that all those who had not acted up to it in the past would feel themselves called upon to do so in the future . The motion was carried with acclamation .

This concluded the business of the Prov . Grand Lodge , and the D . P . G . M . having vacated the chair , it was taken by Bro . G . B . Avant , and the installation of Bro . J . F . King as W . M . for the ensuing year vvas proceeded vvith . The whole ceremony of installation was admirably and impressively carried out by Bro . F .

C . Hallett , P . P . S . G . D ., and at its conclusion the newly-installed Master invested his officers as follows : Bros . G . B . Avant , I . P . M . ; E . W . Locke , S . W . ; James Hearn , J . W . ; J . S . Whidborne , Treas . ; W . Southwood , Sec ; H . L . Friend , Chap . ; D . C . Powell , S . D . ; F . Webb , J . D . ; J . Cole , I . G . ; W . Locke , Org . ; R . G . Underbill and E . B . Betty , Stwds . ; and J . Luscombe , Tyler .

The brethren afterwards adjourned to the Albert Hotel , where a large number partook of an excellent banquet presided over by the W . M ., Bro . J . F . King . The usual Masonic toasts were proposed and congratulations exchanged on the fact that the Dawlish brethren have been able to provide themselves with such an excellent Masonic hall as had that day been dedicated .

Reference vvas also made to the splendid oration delivered b y Bro . Hughan , and his eloquent justification of the aims and objects of Freemasonry , and a hope vvas expressed that the oration would find its way into the hands of every Mason in the province . The toasts were interspersed with vocal and instrumental music , and a very pleasant and harmonious evening was spent .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Sussex.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF SUSSEX .

At Lewes , on Tuesday , the 15 th inst ., the annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Mark Lodge was held in Freemasons' Hall , which has recentl y been re-decorated and greatly improved . The lodge room vvas hung with handsome banners , and emblems of the Craft were profusely and artistically exhibited . This vvas the first occasion on which this important gathering had been held in the

county town , and the brethren of the Lewis Lodge extended a hearty welcome to visitors from other parts of the province . In the unavoidable absence of H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , P . G . M ., Bro . the Rev . E . R . Currie , Dean of Battle , D . P . G . M ., presided . There were about 50 brethren present . All the lodges in the province being represented .

From the returns it appeared there had been a large accession of members during the past year . The DEPUTY PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER expressed great regret at the enforced absence of his Royal Highness , but confidently hoped the Duke of Connaught would preside over them some time during the ensuing 12 months . He said the progress of Mark Masonry in Sussex had been satisfactory , yet he

counselled the members to increased zeal and perfection in working the Degree . He invested the following officers : Bro . V . P . Freeman , P . M . 163 , 391 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ S . R . Legg , P . M . 75 , 391 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . J . Puttock , Chap . 166 ... ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ R . Clowes , W . M . 409 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ J . C . Buckwell , P . M . 78 , 164 , 3 86 ... ... Prov . G . Reg .