Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The monthly meeting of the General Committee of this Institution was held on Thursday afternoon , at Freo masons' Hall , Bro . J . A . Rucker in the chair . The other

brethren present were : —Bros . A . H . Tattershall , William Stephens , H . A . Dubois , Herbert Dicketts , E . Letchworth , Col . Peters , Fredk . Adlard , C . H . Webb , F . K . W . Hedges , ( S-cretary ) , and H . Massey ( Freemason ) The business of the meeting was merely formal .

Consecration Of The Dinbych Chapter, No. 1177.

CONSECRATION OF THE DINBYCH CHAPTER , No . 1177 .

On Wednesday afternoon , the joth insr ., the Dinbych Chapter , No . 1177 of Royal Arch Masons of England , was consecrated at the Royal Gate House Assemblyrooms , Tenby , in the presence of s-. veral distinguished members of the Craft . The chapter having been duly

opened , and the companions of the new chapter having entered , the acting M . E . Z . proceeded to constitute the companions into a regular chapter according to ancient form . The ceremony of consecration was most impressively performed by M . E . Comp . Captain S . George Homfray , P . Z ., P . Standard Bearer of the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Englard , P . G . H . of

Monmouthshire , assisted by E . Comps . White , as H . ; W . Watkins , as J . ; and Roberts , as D . C . Us ' At the conclusion of the ceremony of consecration , the following companions were installed as Principals for the ensuing year : —Comps . Howell Davies , M . E . Z . ; Henry Adams , H . ; George Parry , J . The following companions were appointed and inducted

officers of the chapter : —C . W . R . Stokes , Scribe E . ; W . H . Richards , Scribe N . ; R . Lock , P . S . ; R . W . Williams , 1 st A . S . ; A . W . J . Stokes , 2 nd A . S . ; J . R . Rowland , S . ; W . H . Richards , Treasurer . The musical arrangements were under thc direction of Comp . W . H . Ribbon , Hwlfford Chapter ( 464 ) . The brethren dined together in the evening at the Royal

Gate House Hotel , thc newly-installed E . Comp . M . E . Z . piesiding . The banquet was put on the table by Bro . J . Gregory in his usual well-known style . The usual Royal Arch toasts were given , and during the evening the proceedings were enlivened by several songs by the companions , and the utmost harmony prevailed . On the following day a number of brethren belonging to

the Tenby and neighbouring lodges were balloted for as companions , and the following were duly exalted : —Bros . J . G . Lock , J . D . 1177 ; J , L . Lister , Sec . 1177 ; C . B . Priest , 1177 ; M . M . Thomas , 1177 ; R . J . Morley , 1177 ; and R . Mathias , Org . 1177 . The last named was subsequently appointed Janitor ; Bro . Lock , J . J . ; and Bro . Priest , D . C . A banquet took place in the evening at the Royal Gate House Hotel , at which a good number were present .

Southampton New Masonic Hall.

SOUTHAMPTON NEW MASONIC HALL .

The corner stone of this new hall was laid , without official demonstration or ceremony , on Monday afternoon last , by the R . W . the Grand Master of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight , Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., who was met by the D . P . G . M ., Bro . W . Hickman ( Chairman of the Hall Company ) , Bro . J . R . Weston , P . M ., Vice-Chairman ,

and several of the directors , with many shareholders and Masons . The stone having been duly laid , thanks were tendered to the P . G . M . for his presence , and he subsequently lunched with a few of the brethren in the present hall . The principal elevation of the new hall , which is to be in the Italian style of architecture , freely treated , faces

Albion-terrace , and is fifty feet in length ; the side elevations , facing the beautiful Western Bay of Southampton , and overlooking the New Forest , extending about 73 ft . The passage , five feet wide , is approached by an arched porch , with a passage and a corridor or lobby , nine feet long , leading to a cloak rcom . with bay windowsoverlooking the Western Bay . There will be an ante-room or

chapterroom , 26 ft . 4 in . by 18 ft . gin ., with a height of eleven feet , its bay windows overlooking the Western Shore . The lodge-room will be 45 ft . by 30 ft . and 18 ft . high , and will be lighted by two lanterns from the roof . There will be a banqueting room , facing Albion-terrace , 38 ft . 6 in . by 25 ft ., also 18 ft . high , together with a kitchen , wash-house , pantry , and serving passage . A back entrance will be

from Forest "View . On the one pair floor , over the anteroom , will be four rooms , and other accommodation for the lodge-keeper . The material is to be of white brick in all the exposed parts , with dressings partly in moulded brick , and of stone to the architraves anel pediments . The roofs will be slated and tile capped . The plan altogether

is adapted to a very irregular frontage in Forest View . The architect is Bro . J . G . Poole , of Portland-street , and the builder , Bro . S . Stevens , who it is hoped will have the hall ready for occupation during the present year . The corner stone was placed in the noilh-east corner of the building , and bears a suitable inscription .

Ar00707

Major-General Sir John Woodford , K . C . B . . the oldest of the surviving Waterloo officers , died on Sat urday last , at his residence , Lake View Villa , Keswick . The next Installation Meeting of the Holy Palestine Preceptory of the United Orders of the Temple and Malta will be held at 33 , Goldcn-square , on Wednesday next , the 2 nd prox ., at 6 p . m .

The consecration of Chapter Sincerity , No . 1019 , was appointed to take place at the Masonic Hall , ^ etland-strect , Wakefield , en Friday , the 38 th inst .

The Freemasons' Hall, Ipswich.

THE FREEMASONS' HALL , IPSWICH .

Our readers , more especially the Suffolk brethren , will be pleased to hear that the new Masonic Hall , Ipswich , is now completed , anel that the formal opening ceremony is shortly expected to take place , most likely in Easter week , when a large gathering of the brethren in the province is certain . The P . G . M ., Lord Waveney , and the D . P . G . M . of

Suffolk , Bro . Rev . J . Martyn , P . G . C , are expected . The new hall is built of red brick and stone facings . It consists of a very handsome lodge-room , about fifty feet long by twenty-three feet wide , and twenty-two feet high , ceiled lights , & c . The banquet hall below is same size . There are various rooms and chambers , kitchen , lavatories , & c , with every requirements for Masonry . The total cost

will not exceed , including furniture , , f 2000 , partly raised by voluntary subscription . Thc architect is Bro . H . Luff , of Ipswich , who has given great satisfaction to the Committee . The building has been carried out under supervision of Bro . Oliver T . Gibbons , manager for Messrs . E . and E . C . Gibbons , builders , Ipswich , who has done his contract exceedingly well . In fact , the v . ork has only

occupied some four months from commencement . The St . Luke ' s Lodge , 225 , held their first meeting there last week , when Bro . T . Wentworth , W . M ., one of the trustees to the building , gathered together over fifty brethren to a sumptuous supper after the work of the lodge

was over . The business occupied nearly five hours , as there were four raisings , three passings , and three initiations down for that evening . The Masons of Ipswich may be congratulated on having now got such a capital hall to hold their various lodges in , as they have all united in the erection of this building .

Laying The Foundation Stone Of Freemasons' Hall, Meridian Lodge, No. 1469, At Cradock, South Africa.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF FREEMASONS' HALL , MERIDIAN LODGE , No . 1469 , AT CRADOCK , SOUTH AFRICA .

The above lodge was ( established in 18 74 , Bro . W . B . Chalmers , Civil Commissioner and resident Magistrate , being the first W . M ., anel has heltl its meetings in the

Government School-room , under a five years lease . The desirability of the lodge possessing its own building had frequently been discussed by the brethren , and the approaching termination of the lease of the government buildings necessitated action of a decisive nature . Bro . Henry Beadle , J . W ., placed at the disposal of the lodge , for less than half its cost , a valuable and suitable building site , and

and this generous deed was supplemented by money subscriptions from other brethren and promises of further assistance from extraneous sources . Little time was lost in commencing the serious work of building . Bro . W . Stonin Leigh , P . M ., who is well known to members of the Craft in England and Scotland , kindly furnished appropriate plans , and undertook the duties of Secretary and

Treasurer of the Building Committee , and Bro . Albert Ziervogel , Dis . Gr . Pur ., I . P . M ., the Chairman of the Committee , arranged for the supply of the requisite building material at the lowest possible outlay ; other brethren actively assisting in various ways . The foundation walls having been built , it was decided to lay the corner stone , with Masonic rites , on the 12 th of

February , 1879 , being the day of regular monthly meeting , and accordingly tbe lodge was opened at 5 . 30 p . m . The following brethren were present : —Bros . J . E . Green , W . M . ; A . Ziervogel , D . G . Pur ., I . P . M . ; W . B . Chalmers , P . M . ; W . Stonin Leigh , P . M . ; A . E . Austen , S . W . ; Henry Beadle , J . W . ; T . R . Small-man , as Treas . -, J ames W . Riches , Sec . ; S . J . Griffiths , S . D . j A . C . Maynard , as J . D . ;

James J . Games , Steward j A . Saunders , as I . G , ; W . H . Hepworth , M . D . ; A . Campbell , E . Plumiidge , Geo . Armstrong , A . J . Wright , and J . S . Distin , jun ., and the following visiting brethren : —Bros . O . Fchrsen , M . D ., Goede Hoop Lodge ( D . C . ) ; T . W . Smith , Canonbury , 955 -, D . W . Canood , lately Meridian , 1469 ; Henry Rowland , Albany , 389 ; Frederick Munnik , Goede Hoop Lodee ( D . C ) :

W . R . Taylor , Wodehouse , 14 O 7 , and others . The procession was then formed in the following order Band of Cradock Volunteer Rifles , playing tbe " Freemasons' March " in slow time -, the builder ( Mr . James Mills ) , with plan ; Tyler ( Bro . John Urie ) , with drawn sword ; visiting brethren two and two ; members of Meridian Lodge two and two ; Inner Guard with dirk ; Bro .

Hepworth , M . D ., with mallet , and Bro . Plumbridge with trowel ; Steward with corn in golden vessel ; Junior Deacon with wine , and Senior Deacon with oil in silver vessels ; Secretary with scroll , anel Treasurer with box ; Bro . Campbell with Bible ; Bro . Rev . W . C . Wallis , rector of St . Peter ' s Church , wearing surplice and stole ; Junior Warelen and Senior Warden ; the Past Masters ;

Worshipful Master ; detachment of Cradock mounted volunteers , under Lieut . Kidger . On arriving at the site of the new building the procession opened out , allowing the officiating brethren to take up their position at the stone , the brethren forming a circle round it . The band played " The Queen ' s Anthem " while the stone was raised to the required height . The Rev . W . C .

Wallis offered up the following prayer : " Almighty and Eternal Goel , architect and ruler of the universe , Maker of all things , and Judge of all men , regard , we humbly beseech Thee , with 'I'hy special favour this our present undertaking , anel grant that the work which we now commence in Thy name may conduce to Thy glory and to the temporal and eternal good of Thy depenelent

creatures . Bless the Craft in this town with Thine especial blessing , and grant that all who shall enjoy the benefit of this work may continue Thy faithful servants unto their lives' end . Let their practice shadow forth the blessed principles of Faith , Hope , and Charity ; and when Thou shalt be pleased to call them hence , and the earthly house of this tabernacle shall be dissolved , give them a building

Laying The Foundation Stone Of Freemasons' Hall, Meridian Lodge, No. 1469, At Cradock, South Africa.

of God , a house not built with hands eternal in the heavens ; " followed by the Lord's Prayer , ia which the brethren joined audibly , and thc response Amen . So mote it bc . The Secretary rcatl aloud the inscription to be -jlaced under the stone , anil the Treasurer placed in the cavity in the lower stone a tin box , covered with blue velvet ,

containing the inscription , and sundry coins of the present reign . The W . M . spread cement over the lower stone , anel the upper stone was slowly lowered ; three distinct stops being made in bringing it down ; and was properly laid by the W . M ., assisted by the I . P . M ., S . W ., and J . W ., theband playing " The Vesper Hymn , " and the brethren standing " to order , " with arms crossed . Thc J . W . was called upon to

plumb the stone , thc S . W . to level it , and the I . P . M . to square it , and with three knocks the W . M . declared it " well and truly laid , " saying , " May the Great Architect of the Universe look elown with benignity upon our present undertaking , and crown this edifice , of which we have now laid the foundation stone , with every success . * So mote it be . "

The bulkier handed the plan to the W . M ., who , on returning it , enjoined him to use due care and diligence in the erection of the building , and expressed a hope that it would be completed without accident to the workmen , and prove creditable alike to the builder and the Craft . The vessel containing the corn was handed to Bro . Leigh , P . M ., who strewed it upon the stone , saying , " Corn being

a symbol of prosperity anel abundance , I strew it upon this stone that our lodge may continue successful and promote the benefits resulting from Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth . " The wine was handed to Bro . Chalmers , P . M ., who poured it upon the stone , saying , " Wine being a symbol of refreshment and cheerfulness , I pour it upon this stone that our lodge may enjoy the blessings arising

out of perfect peace and tranquillity . " The oil was handed to Bro . Ziervogel , I . P . M ., who poured it upon the stone , saying , " Oil being a symbeil eif joy anel happiness , I pour it upon this stone that our loelge may reap the advantages of Masoniy with rejoicing ami festivity . " Bro . the Rev . W . C . Wallis then said , " May the allbounteous Author of Nature bless the inhabitants of this

place with all necessaries , conveniences , and comforts of life , assist in the erection of this building , protect tbewoikmen against every accielent , anil long preserve this structure from decay , anel grant us all a supply of the corn of nourishment , the wine of refreshment , and the oil of joy . So mote it bc . " Response by the brethren : " Glory be to God on high . As it was in the-, beginning , is now , and ever shall be . Amen . "

This closed the ceremonial , and after the band hael played "The Queen ' s Anthem , " thc proces-ion reformed and returned to the loelge room , the band playing the " Freemasons' March " in quick tine . Bro . W . Stonin Leigh , P . M ., as Secretary and Treasurer of the Building Committee , gave a brief statement of the funds collected . Votes of thanks were passetl to Bro . the Rev . W . C . Wallis and others fur assistance rendereel on

the occasion , anti the lodge was then calleel off to resume with the regular business at 8 p . m . It is expected that thc new building will be completed and ready for occupation by thc 24 th June , St . John ' s Day , the day of annual installation , and most probably the deification and consecration ceremonies will be united with that of installation of W . M .

Masonic Bibliographical Notes

MASONIC BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

WILLIAM J AMES HUGHAN- . Lest some of my readers may be startled at the real object of the present article I shall defer presenting a full revelation until a pause has been eluly honoured . The pamphlet now " looking at me " is a rare octavo , of some thirty-nine pages , and has experienccel over some hundred

and ten summers . I have never seen more than another copy before , which had London on the imprint , but the present one was reprinted at Dublin by W . G . Jones and J . Milliken , during the same year , 1768 , the title being " Masonry the Way to Hell : a Sermon , wherein is clearly proved , both from reason anil Scripture , that all who profess these mysteries are in a state of damnation ; Mystery ,

the Whore of Babylon , etc ., Revel . " London , & c . Where this most extraordinary sermon was delivered , and by whom , we know not . It cost a " British sixpence " on publication , but now it is such a curiosity that it would take many of such little coins to procure- a copy , Thc London edition consisted of twenty-two pages , but the Dublin one , from which I quote , contains thiity-nine . I

am not sure now exactly as to the character of the first issue , but as there are representatives of this wonderful discourse in the granel libraries of Bros . E . T . Carson and R . F . Bower , perhaps one , or both , of these brethren would kindly state how far their copies agree with the following . Tr . c wiitcr of the pamphlet commences with the verse 3 of Revelations xvii ., anel proceeds to cy plain thc errors

commentators have fallen into by presuming the worel mystery referred to the Romish Church , for " the words of the text relate entirely to Masonry . " The author considers he proves in the sermon , " both from reason and revelation , that by the title Babylon is understood Masonry , " especially because it is evielent because " upon her forehead was a name written mystery . " The relevancy of such a proof we must not stay to consieler , but evidently it quite satisfied

the mind of the author , and others fimilatly constituted . The application of thc word harlot ( page 9 ) is curious . " As women of that character affect to inspire men with the warmest ideas of pleasure , & c , so the Freemason **! or male harlots * * * * (!) practise upon others their deceitful arts , to inveigle them to be initiated in their mysteries . " Thc seven heads of the woman of prophecy would have nonplussed any ordinary mind , but the writer perceives the allusion at once , as ( nt course ) it is the seven