Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of St. Osyth's Priory Lodge, No. 2063.
CONSECRATION OF ST . OSYTH'S PRIORY LODGE , No . 2063 .
WHEN we take into consideration that the rapidly rising township of Claoton . on-Sea was seleoted as tho place where the " Albert Edward , " one of the two liteboats presented to the National Lifeboat Institution by the Freemasons of England , as a thankoflering for the safe return of H . lt . II . the Grand Master from his tour in India , should be stationed , we can scarcely express surprise that the
Masonic element is in full force in the locality . Under these circumstances , and taking into consideration that tho nearest Lodge is located some seven or eight miles distant , and that attendance there , or elsewhere in tho neighbourhood , involves a long and somowhat tedious drive after tho proceedings , the CJacton brethren naturally felt a desiro to have a Lodge of their own . With this end in view
several meetings were held to consider the matter . A chief point to be considered was the choice of a first Worshipful Master , and the Committee were greatly gratified when , in response to a cordial invitation from them , Sir John Johnson , of St . Osyth ' s Priory , a P . M . of Lodge Shakespeare , No . 99 , consented to act in that capacity . Sir John also gave permission to name the Lodge after the
worldrenowned St . Osyth's Priory , of which he is the owner , and which he has preserved in such excellent taste . Two old and experienced P . M . ' s—Bros . J . Nunn and C . R . Young—were chosen as first Wardens , and Bro . Wallis , of the Royal Hotel , having placed a hand , some suite of rooms at the disposal of the promoters , a petition for a warrant of constitution was forwarded to the M . W . the Grand Master ,
backed by a strong rucommendatkm from the R . W . P . G . M . of Essex ( Lord Brooke , M . P . ) The following brethren signed the petition : — Bros . Sir John H . Johnson P . M . 93 , Walter J . Nunn P . M . 1592 , White 1088 P . P . G . S . D . Suffolk , C . R . Young P . M . 13 , Abel Penfold P . M . P . Z . and Treasurer 913 , Chas . nempson P . M . 1799 P . P . G . A . D . C . Essex , John Mann P . M . 51 P . P . G . Sec . Essex , W . M . Foxcroft W . M .
177 , Frederick J . Nunn 433 , 697 , and 1799 , VV . W . Daniell 51 , 697 , W . Wrench Towse 1799 , H . Finer J . W . 1799 , Fred . Wallis S . W . 1799 , W . Agate 918 , P . B . Harris 1799 , Jacob Phillips 861 , G . H . Riches 1799 , and T . H . Baker 133 , 1391 . In due couvse the prayer of the petitioners was granted , and on Toosday the Lodge , numbered 2063 on the Register of Grand Lodge of England ,
was consecrated by Lord Brooke , assisted by his Provincial Grand Officers , in the presence of a large number of Craftsmen . Lord Brooke , accompanied by his Deputy V . W . Bro . Fred . A . Philbrick , Q . C ., Grand Registrar , and a number of brethren , reached Clactou by the ordinary train at 12 ' 8 , and , having lunched at the Royal Hotel , proceeded to the Public Hall , which was handsomely
decorated for tho occasion . His Lordship was assisted by the following brethren : —Bros . Richard Clowes P . M . and Sec . 650 , P . P . S . G . W . as S . W ., Wm . Sowman P . M . 51 P . P . J . G . W . as J . W ., the Rev- W . Morgan Jones P . G . C ., Railing P . G . Sec , Albert Lucking P . G . D . C . and Bartlett P . M . 1343 P . G . P . as I . G . The music was performed by the following brethren : —Smith Junior P . G . Organist , Osmond P . M . 51
P . P . G . O ., Turner P . M . 51 P . P . G . O ., Gowers S . W . and Organist 1024 P . P . G . O , and Sparling J . W . 51 . After the Lodge had been formally opened in the three degrees , the R . W . P . G . M . addressed the brethren : —This was the first occasion on which he had had the pleasure of being at Clacton-on-Sea , and he need hardly express what great delight it gave him to be present
on this important and auspicious occasion—an occasion whioh undoubtedly would be remembered for some time in the annals of Freemasonry in the town of Clacton-on-Sea . Especially it gave him the very greatest pleasure to consecrate another Lodge in this important Province of Essex ; and still more so when he could state , what probably the brethren knew already , that the first Master
would be his friend Sir John H . Johnson—one whom he had every reason to believe would be acceptable in the hi ghest degree to the St . Osyth ' s Priory Lodge members . It is most satisfactory to find Freemasonry in this Province is increasing and finding favonr with such rapid strides . It was always & pleasure to consecrate a new Lodge , especially when , as in this case , be found that the
want was so earnestly desired , and when one has every confidence that the Lodge will be supported in a suitable and becoming manner . He was confident that his friend Sir John Johnson would prove himself a most efficient Master , and would have the confidence and zeal of those who will have the pleasure of serving under him . It was always his endeavour , and always would be , to accede to the
wishes of the brethren in the Province ; and when the necessity and desirability of a new Lodge is clearly shown , he shonld never hesitate to come among them and consecrate it . During his term of officea very short one—he had not only had the pleasure to consecrate one Lodge , but that consecration was one which was very agreeable to him . He could assure them he had for some time been looking
forward with the greatest pleasure to coming amongst them , and consecrating this important Lodge . He mi ght also say how gratified he was at the support which had been given to him on the occasion . It was very satisfactory to find that the brethren of the Province took such deep interest in matters of this kind . As far as he could Bee , nothing could be more satisfactory than the arrangements whioh
had been provided , and he congratulated the St . Osyth ' s Priory Lodge , most heartily , on their first gathering , and npon the kind and excellent reception they had accorded to Provincial Grand Lodge . The oration was delivered by the Rev . W . Morgan Jones ( Rector of Marks Tey ) , Provincial Grand Chaplain , who spoke as follows : — BRETHREN , —It is impossible for me , in the brief space of a few minutes , to say anything that can at all adequately describe the
many high aud ennobling principles upon which Freemasonry is founded . Happily , however , it falls to my lot to offer these few and very imperfect observations to those , and to those alone , who know those principles , and who have pledged themselves to maintain and carry them out . What , then , is assigned to me is the pleasing duty , not of informing the ignorant , but of reminding the instructed ; so that , by being reminded , we may be helped to carry into practice what we know and believe . And among those principles which we
Consecration Of St. Osyth's Priory Lodge, No. 2063.
acknowledge and believe are—The Supremacy of God as the Great Architect and Ruler of the Universe ; the duty and privilege of dedicating all our aotions to His glory ; and the fulfilling of all right claims from our fellow creatures , chiefly Masous . Aa an art , doubtless , Masonry derives its great antiquity from the first building up of tLu heavens and the earth : and it is with ns a belief , beyond all
possibility of doubt , that the Builder of the Heavens and the earth is the First and Grand Architect , whom we reverently worship , who 3 e works we admire , and whose aid we constantly invoke . But when we think of the grandeur of that vast structure ; when we see everywhere the perfection of adaptation in every part , and mark the supreme wisdom of this Divine Master Builder , a feeling of awe ,
wonder , aud admiration comes upon ns . We who , in our meaner sphere , are also builders , are convinced that any imitation is impossible . There can be no excellency of struoture such aa He has shown ; and the nearest approach we can possibly make must consist in this , and only this , that the meaner buildings whioh we ereot are heartily , duly , and properly dedicated to Him who is alone in power ,
and who has no equal as the First Builder . No Mason , wise and ingenious , skilful and diligent though he may be , can find any pleasure or reward in hia work , or in his reflections npon it , unless that work is thus heartily and sincerely dedioated to Him who is tbe first and incomparable Builder . In this respect , then , we may dedicate work where we cannot possibly copy work . We may do that which ,
because of its nature , we are sure we may dedicate , and whioh we are as sure He will accept and approve . Foremost in the traditions and annals of our Masonio history we have the name and the example of the highest earthly architect and builder—the Royal Solomon . Of him we read that he "built a house to the name of the Lord his God . " Assuming no claims as an imitator of the Great
Architect , and impressed with the infinite skill and wisdom of that Divine Builder , our chief architect built and dedicated this house . Human architect and builder though he was , this building of his cannot be fitly or fully desoribed . It is far beyond my power to tell fully of the wisdom and strength of its solid foundations . But this wo do know that in the work there were , under him , those superior
officers who had the chief work to do in the carrying out of the mag . niScent design . They were men fitted for the work , of great skill and science , of firm will , of persevering spirit , and without them the work could not have been carried out . They were as essential in their higher sphere , as , in their lower one , were the hewers of wood and the drawers of water . And these superior officers direoted the
work . They exeroiseu their authority , they maintained among all subordinate , officers all due obedienoe , in order that the grand scheme might be oarried ont , and which , when finished was dedicated to the glory of God ; and though , in the mind of the Royal Architect , there was tho sense of filial satisfaction in his mind from having carried out the wishes of David his father , there can be
no doubt that the prominent idea with him was , first of all , that what he did was for the glory of God , and , further , that in doing as he did be was securing the truest and highest happiness of his people . These were the worthy motives that actuated him in his grand undertaking , and these were the unquestionable ends which he secured . It is in this respeot that this kingly builder
is a true exponent and a bright example of the exalted principles and virtues of Freemasonry ; and occupying , as he does , an exalted position in our traditions , he is for ns all a most worthy pattern to imitate . It is impossible , brethren , for any one of us seriously to ponder the whole structure of our mysteries and secrets without observing how constantly we are led to contemplate and admire the
works of the Creator ; how , in this ereotion of the heavens and the earth his evident aim is the happiness and well-being of mankind , and also , how , in the vows we take , and the conditions we accept , we consent that we will do the same . In few words , among the many good purposes of Freemasonry , there are three most prominently set before us , namely—The Glory of God—the maintaining
and increasing of self respect , and the securing , by right means , the happinesB of our fellow oreatures . It is impossible to abide firmly by the instructions we receive without finding onr minds constantly occupied in looking at and admiring the skill and goodness of the great and Almighty Builder , and seeing the glory that surrounds his Throne , striving earnestly to make that
glory even more manifest by dedicating all our works to Him . And equally impossible is it seriously to contemplate the principles of our Order without seeing how they all aim at disposing a man to cultivate and intensify a worthy self-respect , which is so necessary to a solid foundation , and a worthy superstructure . Its contemplation leads a man to examine every stone in the building np of his own
character and destiny . And chiefly it is most clear that at the very threshold , as well as in the inner circle , we are taught the grand principles of brotherly love , relief , aud truth . We are taught the duty of scrupulously seeking , by every means , the happiness and comfort of others , and chiefly of Masons . These , Brethren , should be the distinguishing and the essential characteristics of every Masonio
Lodge . If a brother be overtaken in a fault ( and who may not ) and wanders from the straight path of virtue and rectitude , let there be a general anxiety to restore such au one in the spirit of meekness and with the tenderest spirit of compassion . If a brother is in distress ( and there are always some who are so ) , let us be ready to enter into , and feel for his troubles . As he is taught to look to us in his distress
let him not look in vain . In so extensive a brotherhood as ours is , there are always some who need help , keeping quietly , perhaps , the sorrow which is sapping away their life . Let ns not fail to help them . Thus , by a reverent contemplation of the first great Builder , and by seeking His glory , whether in the Consecration of a Lodge , or the Consecration of a Life and all its actions—by aiming
continually at a true and growing self-respect , and by a kind and pitiful spirit , we shall truly proclaim and carry out the principles of our Order , we shall lay a good foundation aud raise a superstructure worthy of its builder . As a body of Mnsons , brethren , and under the rule of our estimable Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , we may most truly congratulate
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of St. Osyth's Priory Lodge, No. 2063.
CONSECRATION OF ST . OSYTH'S PRIORY LODGE , No . 2063 .
WHEN we take into consideration that the rapidly rising township of Claoton . on-Sea was seleoted as tho place where the " Albert Edward , " one of the two liteboats presented to the National Lifeboat Institution by the Freemasons of England , as a thankoflering for the safe return of H . lt . II . the Grand Master from his tour in India , should be stationed , we can scarcely express surprise that the
Masonic element is in full force in the locality . Under these circumstances , and taking into consideration that tho nearest Lodge is located some seven or eight miles distant , and that attendance there , or elsewhere in tho neighbourhood , involves a long and somowhat tedious drive after tho proceedings , the CJacton brethren naturally felt a desiro to have a Lodge of their own . With this end in view
several meetings were held to consider the matter . A chief point to be considered was the choice of a first Worshipful Master , and the Committee were greatly gratified when , in response to a cordial invitation from them , Sir John Johnson , of St . Osyth ' s Priory , a P . M . of Lodge Shakespeare , No . 99 , consented to act in that capacity . Sir John also gave permission to name the Lodge after the
worldrenowned St . Osyth's Priory , of which he is the owner , and which he has preserved in such excellent taste . Two old and experienced P . M . ' s—Bros . J . Nunn and C . R . Young—were chosen as first Wardens , and Bro . Wallis , of the Royal Hotel , having placed a hand , some suite of rooms at the disposal of the promoters , a petition for a warrant of constitution was forwarded to the M . W . the Grand Master ,
backed by a strong rucommendatkm from the R . W . P . G . M . of Essex ( Lord Brooke , M . P . ) The following brethren signed the petition : — Bros . Sir John H . Johnson P . M . 93 , Walter J . Nunn P . M . 1592 , White 1088 P . P . G . S . D . Suffolk , C . R . Young P . M . 13 , Abel Penfold P . M . P . Z . and Treasurer 913 , Chas . nempson P . M . 1799 P . P . G . A . D . C . Essex , John Mann P . M . 51 P . P . G . Sec . Essex , W . M . Foxcroft W . M .
177 , Frederick J . Nunn 433 , 697 , and 1799 , VV . W . Daniell 51 , 697 , W . Wrench Towse 1799 , H . Finer J . W . 1799 , Fred . Wallis S . W . 1799 , W . Agate 918 , P . B . Harris 1799 , Jacob Phillips 861 , G . H . Riches 1799 , and T . H . Baker 133 , 1391 . In due couvse the prayer of the petitioners was granted , and on Toosday the Lodge , numbered 2063 on the Register of Grand Lodge of England ,
was consecrated by Lord Brooke , assisted by his Provincial Grand Officers , in the presence of a large number of Craftsmen . Lord Brooke , accompanied by his Deputy V . W . Bro . Fred . A . Philbrick , Q . C ., Grand Registrar , and a number of brethren , reached Clactou by the ordinary train at 12 ' 8 , and , having lunched at the Royal Hotel , proceeded to the Public Hall , which was handsomely
decorated for tho occasion . His Lordship was assisted by the following brethren : —Bros . Richard Clowes P . M . and Sec . 650 , P . P . S . G . W . as S . W ., Wm . Sowman P . M . 51 P . P . J . G . W . as J . W ., the Rev- W . Morgan Jones P . G . C ., Railing P . G . Sec , Albert Lucking P . G . D . C . and Bartlett P . M . 1343 P . G . P . as I . G . The music was performed by the following brethren : —Smith Junior P . G . Organist , Osmond P . M . 51
P . P . G . O ., Turner P . M . 51 P . P . G . O ., Gowers S . W . and Organist 1024 P . P . G . O , and Sparling J . W . 51 . After the Lodge had been formally opened in the three degrees , the R . W . P . G . M . addressed the brethren : —This was the first occasion on which he had had the pleasure of being at Clacton-on-Sea , and he need hardly express what great delight it gave him to be present
on this important and auspicious occasion—an occasion whioh undoubtedly would be remembered for some time in the annals of Freemasonry in the town of Clacton-on-Sea . Especially it gave him the very greatest pleasure to consecrate another Lodge in this important Province of Essex ; and still more so when he could state , what probably the brethren knew already , that the first Master
would be his friend Sir John H . Johnson—one whom he had every reason to believe would be acceptable in the hi ghest degree to the St . Osyth ' s Priory Lodge members . It is most satisfactory to find Freemasonry in this Province is increasing and finding favonr with such rapid strides . It was always & pleasure to consecrate a new Lodge , especially when , as in this case , be found that the
want was so earnestly desired , and when one has every confidence that the Lodge will be supported in a suitable and becoming manner . He was confident that his friend Sir John Johnson would prove himself a most efficient Master , and would have the confidence and zeal of those who will have the pleasure of serving under him . It was always his endeavour , and always would be , to accede to the
wishes of the brethren in the Province ; and when the necessity and desirability of a new Lodge is clearly shown , he shonld never hesitate to come among them and consecrate it . During his term of officea very short one—he had not only had the pleasure to consecrate one Lodge , but that consecration was one which was very agreeable to him . He could assure them he had for some time been looking
forward with the greatest pleasure to coming amongst them , and consecrating this important Lodge . He mi ght also say how gratified he was at the support which had been given to him on the occasion . It was very satisfactory to find that the brethren of the Province took such deep interest in matters of this kind . As far as he could Bee , nothing could be more satisfactory than the arrangements whioh
had been provided , and he congratulated the St . Osyth ' s Priory Lodge , most heartily , on their first gathering , and npon the kind and excellent reception they had accorded to Provincial Grand Lodge . The oration was delivered by the Rev . W . Morgan Jones ( Rector of Marks Tey ) , Provincial Grand Chaplain , who spoke as follows : — BRETHREN , —It is impossible for me , in the brief space of a few minutes , to say anything that can at all adequately describe the
many high aud ennobling principles upon which Freemasonry is founded . Happily , however , it falls to my lot to offer these few and very imperfect observations to those , and to those alone , who know those principles , and who have pledged themselves to maintain and carry them out . What , then , is assigned to me is the pleasing duty , not of informing the ignorant , but of reminding the instructed ; so that , by being reminded , we may be helped to carry into practice what we know and believe . And among those principles which we
Consecration Of St. Osyth's Priory Lodge, No. 2063.
acknowledge and believe are—The Supremacy of God as the Great Architect and Ruler of the Universe ; the duty and privilege of dedicating all our aotions to His glory ; and the fulfilling of all right claims from our fellow creatures , chiefly Masous . Aa an art , doubtless , Masonry derives its great antiquity from the first building up of tLu heavens and the earth : and it is with ns a belief , beyond all
possibility of doubt , that the Builder of the Heavens and the earth is the First and Grand Architect , whom we reverently worship , who 3 e works we admire , and whose aid we constantly invoke . But when we think of the grandeur of that vast structure ; when we see everywhere the perfection of adaptation in every part , and mark the supreme wisdom of this Divine Master Builder , a feeling of awe ,
wonder , aud admiration comes upon ns . We who , in our meaner sphere , are also builders , are convinced that any imitation is impossible . There can be no excellency of struoture such aa He has shown ; and the nearest approach we can possibly make must consist in this , and only this , that the meaner buildings whioh we ereot are heartily , duly , and properly dedicated to Him who is alone in power ,
and who has no equal as the First Builder . No Mason , wise and ingenious , skilful and diligent though he may be , can find any pleasure or reward in hia work , or in his reflections npon it , unless that work is thus heartily and sincerely dedioated to Him who is tbe first and incomparable Builder . In this respect , then , we may dedicate work where we cannot possibly copy work . We may do that which ,
because of its nature , we are sure we may dedicate , and whioh we are as sure He will accept and approve . Foremost in the traditions and annals of our Masonio history we have the name and the example of the highest earthly architect and builder—the Royal Solomon . Of him we read that he "built a house to the name of the Lord his God . " Assuming no claims as an imitator of the Great
Architect , and impressed with the infinite skill and wisdom of that Divine Builder , our chief architect built and dedicated this house . Human architect and builder though he was , this building of his cannot be fitly or fully desoribed . It is far beyond my power to tell fully of the wisdom and strength of its solid foundations . But this wo do know that in the work there were , under him , those superior
officers who had the chief work to do in the carrying out of the mag . niScent design . They were men fitted for the work , of great skill and science , of firm will , of persevering spirit , and without them the work could not have been carried out . They were as essential in their higher sphere , as , in their lower one , were the hewers of wood and the drawers of water . And these superior officers direoted the
work . They exeroiseu their authority , they maintained among all subordinate , officers all due obedienoe , in order that the grand scheme might be oarried ont , and which , when finished was dedicated to the glory of God ; and though , in the mind of the Royal Architect , there was tho sense of filial satisfaction in his mind from having carried out the wishes of David his father , there can be
no doubt that the prominent idea with him was , first of all , that what he did was for the glory of God , and , further , that in doing as he did be was securing the truest and highest happiness of his people . These were the worthy motives that actuated him in his grand undertaking , and these were the unquestionable ends which he secured . It is in this respeot that this kingly builder
is a true exponent and a bright example of the exalted principles and virtues of Freemasonry ; and occupying , as he does , an exalted position in our traditions , he is for ns all a most worthy pattern to imitate . It is impossible , brethren , for any one of us seriously to ponder the whole structure of our mysteries and secrets without observing how constantly we are led to contemplate and admire the
works of the Creator ; how , in this ereotion of the heavens and the earth his evident aim is the happiness and well-being of mankind , and also , how , in the vows we take , and the conditions we accept , we consent that we will do the same . In few words , among the many good purposes of Freemasonry , there are three most prominently set before us , namely—The Glory of God—the maintaining
and increasing of self respect , and the securing , by right means , the happinesB of our fellow oreatures . It is impossible to abide firmly by the instructions we receive without finding onr minds constantly occupied in looking at and admiring the skill and goodness of the great and Almighty Builder , and seeing the glory that surrounds his Throne , striving earnestly to make that
glory even more manifest by dedicating all our works to Him . And equally impossible is it seriously to contemplate the principles of our Order without seeing how they all aim at disposing a man to cultivate and intensify a worthy self-respect , which is so necessary to a solid foundation , and a worthy superstructure . Its contemplation leads a man to examine every stone in the building np of his own
character and destiny . And chiefly it is most clear that at the very threshold , as well as in the inner circle , we are taught the grand principles of brotherly love , relief , aud truth . We are taught the duty of scrupulously seeking , by every means , the happiness and comfort of others , and chiefly of Masons . These , Brethren , should be the distinguishing and the essential characteristics of every Masonio
Lodge . If a brother be overtaken in a fault ( and who may not ) and wanders from the straight path of virtue and rectitude , let there be a general anxiety to restore such au one in the spirit of meekness and with the tenderest spirit of compassion . If a brother is in distress ( and there are always some who are so ) , let us be ready to enter into , and feel for his troubles . As he is taught to look to us in his distress
let him not look in vain . In so extensive a brotherhood as ours is , there are always some who need help , keeping quietly , perhaps , the sorrow which is sapping away their life . Let ns not fail to help them . Thus , by a reverent contemplation of the first great Builder , and by seeking His glory , whether in the Consecration of a Lodge , or the Consecration of a Life and all its actions—by aiming
continually at a true and growing self-respect , and by a kind and pitiful spirit , we shall truly proclaim and carry out the principles of our Order , we shall lay a good foundation aud raise a superstructure worthy of its builder . As a body of Mnsons , brethren , and under the rule of our estimable Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , we may most truly congratulate