The New Grand Lodge Of Tasmania.

Victoria . It was Tasmanian enterprise which accomplished the first settlement on the banks of the Yarra . In the person of Sir William Clarke—who was born and first saw the light of Masonry also in this favoured island—Tasmania has given to Victoria a Grand Master whose character is a practical exemplification of the Masonic virtues—Fidelity and Charity .

The presence here of Lord Carrington is , for many reasons , one of the happiest incidents of this great occasion . His magnetic influence was an all-important factor in bringing about Masonic union in New South Wales , and , if less direct , that influence was hardly less potent in the accomplishment of the

like happy results in Victoria and Tasmania . We remember with gratitude that he has always been ready to sacrifice time and convenience—nay , everything but duty—to be of service to the Craft . Twice he has traversed the Continent , this time he has crossed the seas , to install a Grand Master in another colony than his own .

This is not the occasion to speak of his public career , which has made it plain to all that a Governor , whilst faithful to his great trust from the Queen , may also be completely in sympathy with our democratic institutions and with the growth amongst

us of a healthy national Australian patriotism . When he returns to England—as he will in the course of a few months—he will carry with him the affection and admiration of " troops of friends" in all these colonies who will think no happiness too great and no distinction too hi gh for his deserts .

Probably this is the last time before he bids us farewell that our illustrious brother will meet representatives of all our four Constitutions assembled together in Grand Lodge . May we not charge him with a fraternal message to our brethren on the other

side of the globe ? Let him tell them that , although the old legal ties are dissolved , we are united to them more closely than ever b y the bond of Brotherhood , and that we shall never forget the benefits we owe to British and Irish Masonry .

Especially do we beg him to report to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , who is the Patron of Australian Masonry —and who we may confidently hope will become the Patron of Tasmanian Masonry also—that Australian and Tasmanian

Masons are profoundly grateful to his Royal Highness for his countenance and approval of the formation of our local Grand Lodges , and that in this part of the world he is regarded as the benefactor and elder brother of every member of the Craft .

And his lordship may assure our Gracious Sovereign that in like manner no changes in our relations to the Mother Country , no development of our political institutions , will abate the devotion of Australian and Tasmanian Masons to her person or lessen our loyalty to the crown .

But I am not unmindful that it is my privilege to be the first to express to you , M . W . G . M ., the felicitations of the Craft on your assumption of office . I have only congratulations and good wishes to give . I cannot presume to instruct one whose Masonic career has extended over more than a quarter of a century , who

has four times been W . M . of a Blue lodge , and who has for nine years been District Grand Master under the English Constitution . It is not often that a brother can bring such a variety of qualifications as you have brought to your duties , in your academical and professional training , your familiarity with our

ritual , your skill in our mysteries , your experience as a ruler . During your zealous and unwearied labours in the private lodges and in the Royal Arch chapter , as well as in the District Grand Lodge , you were unconsciously preparing yourself for the more important functions you have now undertaken . At length , high

character , ripe scholarship , and faithful service , have brought to you an unexpected but appropriate reward in your election to the highest dignity in Masonry . May you fill the Grand Master ' s chair for many happy years to come , adding fresh distinction to a long and useful life and doing still higher work for your brethren .

In New South Wales and South Australia our Grand Masters are also our Governors . In Tasmania and Victoria the choice of the Craft for the occupants of the Grand Master ' s throne has fallen upon brethren who are not her Majesty ' s representatives . The fact is that " all preferment amongst Masons is grounded

upon real worth and personal merit only . " No rank , however exalted , no office , other than Masonic , however high , gives any claim to the supreme government of the Craft . "The equality of all Masons " is one of our unchangeable landmarks . Every candidate for Masonry , " when otherwise qualified , " may look

forward "to the honour of being at length the Grand Master of all the lodges according to his merit . " In you , M . W . G . M ., as well as in each of the noble and illustrious Grand Masters b y whom you are supported , the Craft have been fortunate in finding

the requirements of the ancient charges signally fulfilled , that the Grand Master " is also to be nobly born , or a gentleman of the first fashion , or some eminent scholar , or some curious architect or other artist , descended of honest parents , and who is of

The New Grand Lodge Of Tasmania.

singularly great merit in the opinion of the lodges . " A Grand Master thus qualified may be assured that he will be obeyed by his brethren " with all humility , reverence , love , and alacrity . " As is the case elsewhere , the story of Freemasonry in Tasmania is entwined with the history of the colony from its earliest

settlement . For a good many years the only Masonic organisations were the military lodges attached to the regiments stationed here . If at first the light of Masonry seemed feeble and intermittent , it has since shone with continuous and ever increasing brightness . Your oldest lodge , The Operative , with

a warrant from the Grand Lodge of Ireland dating back to 18 35 , has a respectable antiquity amongst colonial lodges , and now it is No . t in a sisterhood of 20 lodges . The Masonic Halls in this city and in Launceston and in other towns are visible proofs of the hold which Masonry has obtained throughout the

land . That " Relief has been an active reality is shown by the vigorous existence for 47 years of your Masonic Benevolent Fund . This great gathering manifests the interest taken by

Tasmanian Masons in their Craft . To my mind , one of the best auguries for the growth in this colony of a united Masonry is the spirit of conciliation which has secured the union of all the lodges under one Constitution at its first establishment f do

not doubt the permanence of our Society in every one of these young commonwealths . Based on the immutable principles of religion and morality , the fabric will be indestructible if the members of the Craft remain true to their obligations . And are not the teachings of Masonry adapted to the ever

varying exigences of society ? Without essaying to settle the social and political problems which meet us on every side—for in our lodges " we are resolved against all politics "—Masonry shows the spirit which is needed for their solution . Let me mention three

examples—All our Parliaments have been , or soon will be , engaged in debating the proposals for the federation of the Australian colonies into one Dominion . Happy will it be if at such a

juncture the whole land is permeated with the patriotism which is one of the distinguishing features of our Society ; for a Mason is " to uphold on every occasion the interest of the community , and zealously promote the prosperity of his own country . "

The relations of labour and capital , of employer and employed , and the title , the duties , and the distribution of property are questions which are being vehemently discussed in all parts of the civilised world . The satisfactory determination of

these questions would undoubtedly be much aided by the acceptance of our great doctrine of the Brotherhood of man , and by complying with our rules—" to work diligently , live creditably , and to act honourably , " "to promote the general good of society / ' and "to render to all their dues . "

In these days of widespread controversy as to matters of faith , Masonry is ready with its precepts of toleration . " Let a man ' s religion or mode of worship be what it may , he is not

excluded from the Order , provided he believe in the Glorious Architect of heaven and earth , and practice the sacred duties of morality . Masons unite with the virtuous of every persuasion in the firm and pleasing bond of fraternal love . "

If , then , my brother Masons of Tasmania , you , and those who come after you , cultivate " Brotherly love , the foundation and copestone , the cement and glory of this ancient Fraternity , avoiding all wrangling and quarrelling , " then , long as this

island is " compassed by the inviolate sea , ' and long as its mountains and valleys are the home of freedom , so long will your Society continue to grow in numbers and in usefulness , and cause men to exclaim , " Behold , how good and how pleasant itis for brethren to dwell together in unity ! "

Consecration Of The Alan Lodge, No. 2368, At Alderley.

CONSECRATION OF THE ALAN LODGE , No . 2368 , AT ALDERLEY .

The consecration of the above lodge took place at the Queen ' s Hotel , Alderley , on Wednesday , the 6 th inst ., in the presence of a large number of brethren . The ceremony was performed by the Prov . Grand Master , the Right Hon . Lord Egerton of Tatton , assisted by Bros . Thos . Marwood , P . P . S . G . W ., acting D . P . G . M . ; Col . Wilkinson , P . S . G . W . ; Captain Gilbody , P . J . G . W . ; Rev . J . Grant Bird , P . G . Chap . ; Richard Newhouse , P . G . Sec ; and George H . Browne , P . G . D . C .

The founders were Bros , the Hon Alan Egerton , M . P ., P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., W . M . ; H . Gordon Small , S . W . ; T . W . Markland , J . W . ; A . Lawley , W . M . 1140 ; F . Baxter , Sec ; A . Keymer , S . D . ; J . B . Gemmeli , J . D . ; W . Urquhart , I . G . ¦ W . Ramsden , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., D . C ; M . Aspden ; E . J . Everett , P . M ., P . P . G . D . W . Lanes . ; Jones , P . M . ; Stevens , P . M ., P . P . G . S . ; T . Rostron , J . W . 1140 ; H . J . Everett , P . M . 1140 ; W . Venables ; J . A . Gee ; and J . R . R . Jeffrey , I . G . 1140 . There were also

present—Bros . I . E . Mason , P . G . Treas . ; Frederick Broadsmith , P . G . Reg . ; William Pritchard , P . A . G . Sec ; Ralph Andrew , P . S . G . D . ; Samuel Win . Ramsden , P . S . G . D . ; Charles S . Dean , P . G . J . D . ; Alfred Parkes , P . G . I , of VV . ; W . H . Maxfield , P . G . O . ; J . Hawker , 1045 ; E . Stevens , J . W . 323 ; H . T . Everett , P . M . 1140 ; VV . VV . Wilson , P . M . 1140 ; T . Wood , P . M . 1140 ; Arthur F . Kenworthy , Org . 336 ; John Hawkes ,

1045 ; A . Ingham , 1045 , S . W . 2144 ; John Coodall , 1045 ; J . Salmon , P . M . 424 , P . P . S . G . D . ; W . Wildgoose , P . M . 941 , P . P . G . Treas . ; Alfred Orrett , 104 J ; J . VV . Byrom , J . D . 1045 ; James Beswick , 941 ; E . Morgan , P . M . 2144 ; A . Clowes , 941 ; W . Hughes , 1045 ; F . VV . Stocks , 3 69 ; Stephen Jupp , P . M . 1140 ; H . G . Small , S . D . 1140 ; J . R . R . Jeffrey , I . G . 1140 ; J . T . Appleby , W . M . 941 ; J . R . Simm , P . M .