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considers serious statistics very difficult to establish , in which xve entirely agree xvith him , xve think such most modest computation not far out . Therefore , oh ! timid Ultramontanes , take courage , that great array of unbelievers , destructive , irreligious , disloyal Freemasons is not so large as you affect to believe or like to assert . As General CIIAXGARNIER once said to the Chamber of Deputies in Paris , in the midst of civil commotions , " Dormez en paix " —Sleep in peace I

* * # THK following paragraph relates to one of the most difficult matters modern Craftsmen have to contend xvith . It is a resolution noxv standing on the books of the Grand Lodge of Maine , U . S ., to be discussed at the next meeting : " Resolved—That no Mason shall sell , offer for sale , buy , or in any manner aid in circulating any printed document or

cypher , as a ritual of an } - part of symbolic Masonry , under penalty of any punishment xvhich may be imposed under the Constitutions of the Grand Lodge for gross unmasonic conduct . " It is a subject about which for obvious reasons it is most difficult and inexpedient to write , and about xvhich most truly in ex-cry sense " the least said the soonest mended . " And yet if such a laxv passes xvhat is to become of Masonic book collectors and

Masonic MSS . hunters . We do not belicx * e in sumptuary laws of any kind ; they are mostly unworkable . Such a laxv if passed xvould fall at once into abeyance , because we apprehend thoroughly unpractical , and xvould only lend to give greater gains to unscrupulous brethren xvho vend surreptitiously , using fictitious authorities and claiming untruthful sanction for such alleged expositions . The true practice and the best teaching of Masonic xvork is to be found in our Lodges of Instruction .

* « OUR readers xvill be glad to hear that our venerable Bro . Sir MOSES MONTEFIORE is improving in health , despite the seriousness of his ailment and his great age . We are glad on all occasions to be able in the Freemason to express our sympathy xvith so great a benefactor of humanity ,

• • • J now the Hebrew race is undergoing everywhere most unmerited persccxition . Noxxi it is Germany , as well as Russia , xvhich seems to be moving in the barbaric course of spiteful and degrading fanaticisms .

Consecration Of The Abbey Lodge, No. 2030, Westminster.

CONSECRATION OF THE ABBEY LODGE , No . 2030 , WESTMINSTER .

The consecration of this nexv lodge took place on Monday last at the Toxvn Hall , Westminster , the ceremony being performed by V . W . Bro CrA Sli .-uUvr-ll II . f : lr > rlr < v P . G . D .. Cr . iiirl Spr .. . issistrrl hv V XV Rrr . R ! ..

Albert Woods ( Cartel ) , P . G . W ., as S . W . ; XV . Bro . Dr . R . Turtle Pigott , D . C . L ., P . G . A . D . C , as I . W . ; V . W . Bro . R . J . Simpson , P . G . C , as Chap . ; W . Bro . Frank Richardson , as D . of C ; and W . Bro . Thomas Fenn , P . G . D ., acting as I . G .

There xvas a very large attendance of brethren even so early as four o ' clock , it being understood that a preliminary ceremony of a very interesting character xvas to begone through before the Masonic business of the meeting commenced . Thc grand room in xvhich the meeting took place , bearing on its walls an inscription that the foundation-stone of thebuildingwas laid on the 29 th March , 1882 , by the Baroness Burdett-Coutts , xvas converted into one of

the most elegant Masonic lodge rooms that perhaps have ex-er been furnished . The xvhole of the lodge appointments are works of art . The pedestals and chairs arc of imposing proportions , and , constructed of unpolished walnut wood and elegantly carved , are of themselves noticeable features of the lodge . The effect , hoxvever , is materiall y heightened by thc addition of light blue cloth covers on thc pedestals , xvhich fall in banner shape about

half xvay doxvn thc fronts and sides of those pieces of furniture , the front of thc covers having embroidered on them the device of the lodge , xvhich is a view of the Abbey xvith the addition of the Burdett-Coutts arms in heraldic colours . The same device is emblazoned on the light blue banner behind the Master's chair , and on the kneeling stools , and indeed upon every article on xvhich it could appropriately appear , including the collars and

cuffs of thc principal officers . For these beautiful articles the nexv lodge is indebted to the munificence of the Baroness Burdett-Coutts , to mark her appreciation of the fact that Bro . Burdett-Coutts was to be the first Master of the lodge . At the hour named the Baroness , accompanied by two or three ladies , and leaning on the arm of Bro . Burdett-Coutts , entered thc room , the

brethren present ( who had not yet assumed their Masonic clothing ) rising in a body to receive her . Taking up her position on the right of the Master ' s Eedestal , thc founders of the lodge being ranged before her to receive cr xvords , The Baroness BURDETT-COUTTS said * . Gentlemen , through your friendly courtesy I am enabled to be here to-day and to present toyourMasterelcct , Mr . Burdett-Coutts , thefurniture , ornaments , and insignia forthe useof your lodge .

1 know your time is limited , therefore I will very briefly ask your attention to the device xvhich runs throughout them , and beg you to observe the beautiful and skilful manner in xvhich the xvork has been carried out . If there is one part to which 1 would more than another direct your attention , it is its embroidery , as upon this I am more competent to judge , and I have watched its progress under the small and dexterous fingers xvhich have executed its

device so skilfully and xvith such admirable effect . The device itself was adopted , as most present here are aware , in compliance xvith a kind intimation from your members that our arms would form an acceptable badge for the Abbey Lodge , and it was thought by your Master elect that these could be harmoniously conjoined xvith a representation , as far as xvas practicable , of that majestic pile from which your lodge xvill derive its future name .

The emblazonments of heraldry carry us back to past historic days , xvhen the men and xvomen long since numbered xvith the dead were living actors in the events and movements of their time , and it has been a pleasing thought to us that our forefathers and your forefathers may have watched the uprising of that pile , and seen stone placed upon stone of that building we know as the Abbey , as each was fashioned into form and beauty by the cunning hand of the artificers of the Craft . Some may even have stood

round whilst its first stone xvas laid with a ceremonial not differing in its essentials from that I xvas entrusted to perform a short time ago in the building in which we noxv stand . Hoxv few xvho witnessed that scene in the then young Abbey thought what a world of history would gather round that stone—the keystone of our national annals , and a cementing bond of union , sympathy , and affection betxveen the English of that day and their decendants in blood—our kindred of the English-speaking people of the earth , I

Consecration Of The Abbey Lodge, No. 2030, Westminster.

could say little more , even if the hour permitted , for it is not in moments of strong feeling that words come readily to the lips . I now formally place all the appointments connected with the lodge into your Master ' s care , and have but one more office to perform , and 1 am not quite sure I am fully

axvare 01 what 1 am doing , for the trowel has been the only weapon I have ever used—that has often been confided to me ; but in placing this poignard in your hand I knoxv that xvhatever your duty may be , your hand will do it ; that if the poignard be unsheathed it xvill be for the right , and xvith no uncertain aim , and that when sheathed it xvill be sheathed with honour .

Bro . BURDETT-COUTTS then said : Baroness Burdett-Coutts , it ill becomes me to attempt , after the brief but eloquent xvords in which you have presented this lodge with this beautiful furniture , to attempt to express in equivalent terms the thanks of all the founders of this lodge for the honour you have done us to-day . It is true that the articles in themselves are most beautiful—arc works of art . But to us they have a value beyond

their intrinsic beauty—they ha \* e been presented to us by your hands , which have ever been actively employed for the good of mankind—by you whose association with Westminster will be one of its proudest remembrances , One word more . This Inner Guard's jexvel xvith xvhich you have presented me , and which xvill be found to bear an appropriate inscription , I noxv present to this lodge in memory of this day .

On the conclusion of this pretty ceremony Bro . Burdett-Coutts conducted his lady and her friends slowly down the hall , the Baroness and her companions stopping at the S . VV . 's pedestal to cast approving looks upon the beautiful needlexvork so dear to feminine eyes . Left to themselves the brethren donned their Masonic clothing , and the Grand Secretary proceeded to appoint the assisting Grand Officers to their

respective posts , as indicated above , and then to open the lodge in the three Degrees . After the hymn " Hail Eternal by xvhose aid , " the PRESIDING OEFICER addressed the assembled brethren . He said that , as they xvere axvare , they were met together on a very important and pleasing occasion , which xvas no less than to give effect to a warrant of the M . W . thc Grand Alaster for the formation of a new lodge , and add one mors name to the long roll

of lodges already existing under the Grand Lodge of England—the largest Grand Lodge in the xvorld . There vvere already a very large number of lodges in England , those in London alone numbering no less that 330 . It was consequently a matter of some difficulty to obtain a warrant for a nexv lodge . There xvas , however , no rule without an exception , and it occasionally occurred that the reasons for establishing an

additional lodge overbalanced the reasons against so doing , and then his Royal Highness , in the exercise of his discretionary powers , granted the warrant asked for . There xvere some brethren in this city of Westminster xvho had laid a petition before the Grand Master , who , for good reasons , had been pleased to grant a xvarrant for a lodge to be called the Abbey Lodge ; and it xvas for the purpose of consecrating the lodge that they xvere

met that day . The founders xvere all more or less connected xvith the city of Westminster , and the lodge would therefore be a local lodge , having local interests and local members . They had selected an able brother to be the first Master—Bro . Burdett-Coutts . That xvorthy brother xvas , as they xvere axvare , connected by family ties xvith that part of London , and he ( Col . Gierke ) would be xvanting in duty if he did not refer to the charming

incident xvhich they had xvitnessed , xvhen they had thc pleasure of hearing the noble lad y referring to historic times and giving them the lucid account of that historic pile in this part of London . This lodge being opened under her patronage , they xvere greatly delighted at the incident they had witnessed . The Grand Secretary said that he felt it to be scarcely necessary to make the remarks that he sometimes felt it his duty to make

when founding nexv lodges , referring to the caution necessary tn making nexv members of new lodges . It xvas frequently the case that they did not perhaps exercise at the starting of a lodge as much care or caution as they afterxvards did . He xvas sure that this lodge xvould be very careful in this respect ; that they would weigh and consider the antecedents of every candidate xvho offered himself for membership , lt xvas very easy to get candidates , but

not at all easy to get rid of them if found unsatisfactory . He hoped , therefore , they would be very careful ; there was no lack of candidates in these days , and if only they were careful in their selection they would reap their reward in a fexv years , when their lodge would havc became a highclass one . At thc conclusion of this address the Grand Secretary called on the acting

Chaplain to give the customary prayer , after xvhich Bro . Richardson addressed the presiding officer , xvho thereupon directed that the founders of the new lodge should be ranged in order * , after which Bro . Frank Richardson , as D . C , read the petition and the xvarrant , and the founders . in reply to the enquiry of the presiding officer , signified their unaltered approval of the officers nominated in the warrant , The Rev . Bro . R . I . Simpson , as Chaplain ,

then delivered an oration on thc nature and principles of Freemasonry . At the conclusion of the oration the anthem "Behold how good and joyful a thing it is , brethren , to dwell together in unity , " xvas sung , and thc ceremony of consecration proceeded xvith the utmost impressiveness until it xvas brought to a close by thc delivery of the final benediction . Trie Abbey Lodge was now in existence , with Col . Shadwell H . Clerke in

the chair as Installing Master , xvho proceeded to declare the lodge to be resumed in the Second Degree , and Bro . Richardson presented Bro . Burdett-Coutts for the benefit of installation , whereupon the Installaing Master proceeded with the ceremony and in the most impressive manner formally installed Bro . Burdett-Coutts in the chair of K . S . according to ancient rite ; and thereafter the newly-installed W . M . invested his officers , the following

brethren occupying the various offices for the year : Bros . W . H . Baker , S . W . ; F . Seager Hunt , J . W . ; H . Bowman Spink , acting I . P . M . ; J . F . Warrington Rogers , P . M ., Treas . j J . E . Shand , P . M ., Sec . ; W . Sugg , P . M ., S . D . ; R . Montague , J . D . ; H . R . Baker , I . G . ; J . A . Jones , P . M ., D . of C ; J . Gibson , Asst . D . of C ; R . E . H . Goffin , W . S . ; and C . C Piper , Asst . W . S . The office of Tyler was left vacant . The act of investiture was in every instance accompanied by a few

kindly expressions from the W . M ., and in several cases he referred directly to the individual merits of the parties . In particular he referred to Bro . Baker , the S . W ., having recently been presented xvith a testimonial for his services in connection xvith the erection of the Westminster Town Hall . Bro . Warrington Rogers was also referred to as specially a Westminster man , son of a leading Mason , intimately associated with local government , and as

being himself concerned in the local self-government of Westminster . He also warmly complimented Bro . Shand , the Secretary , saying that it might not be known to all the founders of the lodge , as it was known to himself , how earnestl y Bro . Shand had worked in connection with their brother S . VV . in the formation of the lodge . They were all very grateful to Bro . Shand for the xvay in which he had carried out the task he had undertaken . The