CONSECRATION OF MASONIC LODGE, SOUTHBRIDGE.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 447, 19 November 1875, Page 2

CONSECRATION OF MASONIC LODGE, SOUTHBRIDGE.

, One of the most interesting ceremonies connected with the Masonic craft, the opening of a new lodge, took place in Southbridge on Tuesday evening. For some time it has been contemplated to erect a hall upon a reserve which has been secured for the purpose, but until the building is carried out arrangements have been made to hold the monthly meetings in the town hall. This is not altogether a very suitable place of meeting, and more than usual precautions must be constantly taken to ensure the necessary separation from the outer world, which characterises the mysteries of the craft. A very large number of members of the various lodges in the district assembled at the railway station on Tuesday, and were conveyed to Southbridge by the 4.15 train. After a light repast, the officers of the Grand Lodge and the assembled brethren proceeded to the town hall, where the Right Worshipful the D.G.M., Dr Donald, opened the Grand Lodge. The following prayer was then most solemnly and impressively offered up by the District Grand Chaplain, Bro the Rev W. H. Cooper : —“ O, Almighty and eternal Lord God, architect and ruler of the universe, the protector of all who put their trust in Thee, we thineunworthyservants assembled in open lodge, desire to extol Thy power and Thy glory. Thou saids’t, let there be light, and there was light 1 The heavens opened, and disclosed Thy glory, and the firmament spangled forth with Thy handiwork. The Sun, which rules the day, gave light to the moon, which governs the night, surrounded by the stars; so that there is one glory of the sun another glory of the moon, and one star differeth from another star in glory, and are by the most wonderful signs and tokens, without sound, word, or language, solemnly proclaiming Thy divine mysteries. We thank Thee for our creation, for the breath of life, for the light of reason and conscience, and for all those many noble and useful qualities of our soul, which gives us such an exalted position in the order of being. Bless and prosper we pray Thee, every branch and member of this fraternity, wherever dispersed over the face of the globe ; may thy Kingdom of Peace, love, and harmony come; may Thy will be done on earth as it is 4oue

in heaven, and may the whole world be filled with Thj glory. Amen, amen, so mote it be.” The D.G.M. directed the acting G.S., Bro Wilcox, P.M., to read the petition for the warrant of constitution, which having been done, the D.D.G.M,, Bro Thomson, read the warrant. Presiding officer addressed the brethren aa follows : Upon due deliberation the R. W.D.G.M. in virtue of the authority vested in him by the M W.G M. of England, has granted to the brethren of this new lodge a charter establishing them in the rites and privileges of a regularly constituted lodge. We shall therefore proceed, according to ancient usage, to constitute these brethren into a regular lodge. I now require of the brethren who have petitioned the R.W.D. G.M, for the charter, to signify their approval of the officers named in the warrant, in the usual masonic form. The D.G. Chaplain then delivered an oration on masonry, in which he very strongly exhorted the members of the craft to live up to the solemn obligations they had taken. He deplored the utterly inconsistent conduct of men who, having taken obligations, never gave a moment’s thought to them afterwards, the guarding of a brother’s honor, the refraining from circulating slander, the endeavor to be true and just to the brethren, were sacred duties often violated ; no doubt the men who act so are thoroughly unprincipled and bad men, and being bad men, of course they are bad masons, still the craft suffers from their conduct. He, the chaplain, concluded by expressing a hope that the new lodge which was about to be established would endeavor to keep up the tone of the craft, that the strictest scrutiny be made as to the character of those who sought initiation, and that the great object to be kept in view should be, not that a large number of members should appear on the roll, but that those who were admitted should be true and moral men, and then their light should shine forth among men, who seeing their good works, would glorify the great Creator of the universe. The following hymn was then sung : Bright the vision that delighted Once the sight of Judah’s seer ; Sweet the countless tongues united To entrance the prophet’s ear. Round the Lord in glory seated Cherubim and Seraphim Filled His temple and repeated, Each to each the alternate hymn : “ Lord, Thy glory fills the heaven, Earth is with its fulness stored ; Onto Thee be glory given, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord.” Brother Thiel, the P. Deputy D.G.M., presented the jewels and collars of the new lodge, and then presented the W.M. elect, Brother Captain R. B. Willis, after which the W.M. elect presented his officers severally. The D.G. Chaplain read a portion of Scripture, I. King*, ch. 8, Ist to 6th verses. The lodge was uncovered. The D.G. Chaplain then offered the following prayer, all the brethren kneeling ; “ Great Architect of the Universe, Maker and Ruler of all worlds, deign from Thy celestial temple, from of light and glory, to bless us in all the purposes of our present assembly ! *‘ We humbly invoke Thee to give us, at this and at all t imes, wisdom in all our doings, strength of mind in all our difficulties, and the beauty ol harmony in all our communications. “ Permit us, O thou Author of Light and Life, great source of love and happiness, to erect this lodge and now solemnly consecrate it to Thy honor and glory.” Musical response—‘As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. So mote it be.” Grand honors. The Sanctus was then sung—“ Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts, he wen and earth are full of thy glory. Glory be to Thee, O Lord, Most High.” So mote it be. The G.L, officers formed a processionsolemn music—first time round. The P.D.D.G.M. scattered corn, and dedicated the lodge to Masonry. The following ode was then sung by the choir : Hail ! Masonry divine ! Glory of ages shine, Long may’st thou reign. Where’er thy Lodges stand May they have great command And always grace the land : Thou art divine! Great fabric ! still arise And grace the azure skies ; Great are thy schemes ! Thy noble orders are Matchless beyond compare, No art with thee can share : Thou art divine ! Hiram, the architect, Did all the craft direct How they should build : Solomon, great Israel’s king, Did mighty blessings bring, And left us cause to sing, Hail ! Royal Art ! Grand honors. Second procession—D.G.S. Brother McLellan poured out wine. The Dedication to Virtue was then sung by the choir, as follows : Come holy Virtue by whose aid In heavenward steps we long to tread. Bring Love, bring Truth, bring Friendship here Bring Peace and Unity sincere. Grand honours. Third procession—The D.G.J. Warden, Bro Booth, poured out oil. The dedication to universal benevolence was then sung by the choir as follows: Come Charity with goodness crowned, Encircle in thy heavenly robes, Diffuse thy blessings all around, To every corner of the globe. Grand honours. The presiding officer then took the censer once round and censed the lodge. The D.G. Chaplain then offered the following dedication prayer: — “ Grant O Lord that those who are now about to be invested with the government of this lodge may be imbued with wisdom to instruct their brethren in all their duties. May brotherly love, relief, and truth always prevail amongst the members of this lodge, and may this bond of union continue to strengthen the lodges throughout the world. Bless all our brethren, wherever dispersed, and grant speedy relief to all who are either oppressed or distressed. We affectionately commend to Thee all the members of Thy whole familj. May they increase in the knowledge of Thee, and in the love of each other. Finally, may we finish all our work here below with Thiue approbation, and then. have our transition from this earthly abodQ

to Thy heavenly temple above, there to enjoy light, glory, and bliss, ineffable and eternal Musical response—As it was, &c, so mote it be. Grand honors. The D.G. Chaplain then dedicated the lodge as follows : —“To God and to His service we dedicate this lodge ; also to the memory of the Royal Solomon under whoso auspices many of our Masonic mysteries had their origin. May we be imbued with a goodly measure of his wisdom, aud like him raise a temple to the honor and glory of the Most High.” D.D.G.M. Bro Thomson constituted the lodge in the following words : —“ In the name of the United Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons of England, I now constitute and form you, my good brethren, into a lodge of Free and Accepted Masons by the name, style, and title of the Lodge of Progress, being No— on the registry of the Grand Lodge of England. From henceforth I empower yon to act as a regular lodge in conformity with the rites of our order, and the charges of our ancient and honorable fraternity ; and may the Supreme Architect of the universe prosper, direct, and counsel you in all your doings. Amen, So mote it be.” Musical response—As it was, See, so mote it be. The brethren formed in procession, and saluted the D.G. Master. The following psalm was then chanted Behold, how good and joyful a thing it is brethren, to dwell together in unity ; It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down unto the beard, ev en unto Aaron’s beard, and went down to the skirts of his clothing. Like as the dew of Hermon which fel upon the hill of Sion. For there the Lord promised his blessing and life for evermore. As it was, &c, so mote it be. This concluded the ceremony of consecration and constitution. The R. W. the D.G.M. having vacated the chair, it was assumed by D.D.G.M. Bro Thomson, who proceed to install the W.M. of the Lodge of Progress ; this part of the ceremony was very impressive, and was given excellently. The P.D.D.G.M. Bro Thiel, with an appropriate word of counsel to each, invested those officers of the Lodge of Progress who were present: —Bro Bush, S.W. ; Brol Dodd, S.W.; Bro Rev J. H. Wills, Chaplain; eec, Bro Bailey; Bro 0, J. Bridge, S.D ; Bro Moore, J.D. The chair was then assumed by Bro Willis, W.M., and the lodge closed according to ancient custom. A banquet then took place in the Town Hall, at which usual loyal and masonic toasts were given ; we must mention that the success of the ceremony was to a great measure due to the musical arrangements having been very well carried out by Bro Milner, D.G. organist, who presided at the harmonium. Upwards of fifty brethren were present at the ceremony and banquet, and altogether a most successful and encouraging masonic beginning has been made in Southbridge.