CONSECRATION and DESECRATION. Grand Master, the Et
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New Masonic Hall at Plymouth, by the Provincial CONSECRATION AND DESECRATION. Grand Master, the Et. Hon. Lord Ebrington , being a MUCH 1ms been said from time to time as to the case in point. It was in reference to this evont that un-Masonic use of Masonic signs and symbols, the Devon Weekly Tunes made somo comments, which and no donbt a considerable portion of the bad odour will bear consideration at the hands of tho Craft ." I which is associated with Freemasonry in the minds of wonder what luck will attend this new venture ?" asks its opponents could be traced to a departure from the the writer in our contemporary, and he thus continues : strict teachings of the Order ; some irregularity on ** It reciuired some nluck to start ifc. considering the the part of an actual member, or one who pretended facts. Plymouth has had a Freemasons' Hall, in to be, in the improper use of the outward and visible name, for many years ; and it was started with no less signs of Freemasonry. It would be a very difficult pomp and ceremony (I am not sure that Lord Ebring- matter to define the limits within which Freemasons ton's grandfather did not lay the foundation stone) ; are justified in associating Freemasonry, and making but it was never paid for, it speedily fell into secular use of its signs and symbols, with matters of general hands, and it has long been used as auction rooms public interest ; and no doubt opinions vary, to a with nothing left of its Masonic original but the name. considerable extent, in regard to the subject. There Absit omen, of course : but it is an omen nevertheless." are some who maintain that no Masonic signs or Here we have the record of a transaction which symbols should be exposed to public gaze, and that appears to convey the impression of an improper use Freemasonry should only show itself to the eye within of Masonry's signs and symbols, and it is by no means the portals of a tyled Lodge. But they are wrong in a solitary one, as many who have journeyed through drawing so hard and fast a line ; otherwise the Con- the Provinces could testify, and yet it would no doubt stitutions of the Order err, as also does the Grand be defended by the very men who are loudest in their Master and his immediate subordinates in laying condemnation of outside use of Masonic sijms. Thev foundation stones with Masonic honours, allowing would see nothing wrong in starting a Masonic Hall Masonic processions, or taking part in any outside with all the pomp and ceremony of Freemasonry, display dressed in the regalia of the Craft . If it is consecrating it to the uses of the Craft , and afterwards legitimate to associate Freemasonry with the erection taking no active part in preserving it for its original of a public building, or for an assembly of Masons purposes. It would be useless to tell them that the clothed with the badges of the Order to appear in starting of such a venture, without a guarantee as to public, it is equally legitimate for the same Masonic payment for its erection , was a gross instance of signs and symbols to be made use of by individual trading on Freemasonry, or that an unworthy use had brethren in connection with minor matters, if the been made of association with the Craft in mixing up purposes for which they are used are of the same the name and ceremonies of Freemasonry in a venture worthy character. For this reason we disagree with of a purely speculative character. Yet there is no tnose who argue that a Freemason is guilty of violating knowing what amount of harm this particular case his obligation when he uses Freemasonry outside his may have occasioned to Freemasonry, not only in the Lodge, although he is actuated by the most worthy immediate neighbourhood of the Hall, but throughout of motives. It is, however, the defining of wrorthy, the district. It is no doubt many years since the as compared with unworthy motives, that presents the events referred to by our contemporary took place, and difficult y, and is the point on which the whole question yet we find them brought forward in connection with turns. What might be considered quite legitimate in the doings of to-day. We will not say the remarks some parts would be denounced as unworthy in others, were intended to cause pain, but Ave imagine there are oi' perhaps even by some of the brethren of the same few who peruse them but will, in a measure, consider llP.lO-hVirmv'l-.rtnrl that to Freemasonry should be attached some of the We are led to these thoughts by a consideration oi blame for the unsatisfactory state of affairs here made recent events in which Freemasonry has played a public. That a Masonic Hall should have been con- prominent part, in association with matters of a public, ceived, and ushered into existence with all the pomp °r at least semi-public character ; together with some and ceremony of Freemasonry, without provision having remarks which appeared in a local newspaper in been made for its being paid for on completion, dis- reference to one of them. Our readers can, no doubt, plays a laxity on the parfc of the principals concerned cau to mind several instances which have occurred which, if exhibited by brethren of lower degree in during the past fewr months in which Freemasonry matters of minor inmortance, would be strongly has been made use of, or has assisted in works of condemned. general utility. Foundation stones have been laid, and It is admittedly easy to be wise after an event, and public buildings have been erected , beautified or perhaps some of those who took a prominent part in opened by Freemasons in their Masonic capacity, and the starting and consecration of the old Freemasons' m most of the instances the local dignitaries of the Hall at Plymouth, or of similar buildings elsewhere, Order have taken a leading part in the work. We have since regretted their share in the work, or are need not go back more than a few days for such an sorry they did not make more particular inquiry as to ^stance ; the laying of the foundation stone of the the chance of ultimate success, but regrets will avail nothing so far as the past is con eerned, although the the foundation stone of the Imperial Institute, and as we lessons thus taught us may be ofutility, if they cause imagine the presen tation could hard ly be made without greater care to be taken in regard to similar matters the knowledge and approval of Her Majesty, it will afford in the future. ivmple proof that the Sovereign of tbe British Empire is not The name of Freemasonry, and more particularly only favourable to the practice of Freemasonry, but is willing to confer honour on its Lod We may now its solemn ceremony of Consecration , should not be ges. turn to the Continent of Europe and there we find the inquiry , officiall y bestowed until after the most careful Emperor of Germany expressing himself in terms of the as to the possible future of the work in hand , lest its highest approval in regard to Freemasonry. Ifc cannot be ultimate failure may bring discredit on the Craft and argued that he is either ignorant of the true aims of the those associated with it, besides doing irreparable Craffc , or that he is a part y to disloyalt y or villainy, and injury to some who, in ignorance of the true state of therefore we accept his actions as further proof of royal affairs, thought they were trusting the Craft as a body, approval of Freemasonry. The event which called forth rather than a few of its members individually. His Majesty's expression of opinion was the celebration Freemasonry justly bears a grand reputation, and it of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the foundation of the is not to be wondered at if those who have little or no Masonic Lod ge at Rostock, Mecklenburg, and in a letter knowledge of its inner working are misled when the to that body the Emperor takes the opportunity of saying, highest patronage is given to an undertaking with " Freemasonry constitutes a true element of the religious sentiment, and works for the well-being " which is associated the name of the Craft . This of humanity. Iu face of such approvals as are here displayed Free- should be fully recognised and carefully considered masons can afford to take even less notice of outside ere the support of Freemasonry, even in namo alone, attacks than they have been accustomed to do, while they is given to anything outside the actual ceremonies and will be justified in assuming for themsel ves a yet higher decrees of the Order. If it be so in future we shall position than they have hitherto enjoyed , although they must be less likely than at present to hear of cases of not forget that this position has been won by the practice desecration , although such instances aro happily now of good deeds in the pasfc , or thafc it will require no small of very rare occurrence in the annals of the Craft. amount of self-sacrifice in the future to mai n tain. We That they cannot wholly be prevented we are willing have little fear that coming generations of Freemasons will to admit, but that they can be reduced to a minimum do aught to place the present high reputation enjoyed by is also true.