Consecration Of The Cheshunt Craft Lodge,No.2921, And The James Terry Mark Lodge,No.557.

In proposing "The Provincial Grand Master , " Bro . James Stephens described him as a perfect glutton for work ; hence he had made his mark both in Masonry and out of it . The toast was received with musical honours . In reply , the Provincial Grand Master said natural love of Masonry was the cause of his interest in it . This was the

first time in twenty-nine years it had fallen to his lot to consecrate both Mark and Craft lodges in one evening . He recommended , and was sure no brother would regret the step taken if he joined the Mark Degree . He expressed " hearty good wishes " to the two lodges consecrated that

day and welcomed them cordially in the province . In proposing the toast of "The Worshipful Master , " he hoped he would be the first of a long line of efficient Masters , and wished him and the lodge the best of luck . The Worshipful Master thanked him for his kind wishes .

He hoped it would prove one of the successes of the province . It should be a quality if not a quantity lodge . He had the pleasure to state it was represented by two Stewards at the Boys' Festival ( Bros . Graham and Weedon ) before the warrant was granted , and believed this was a

record . The trio was now complete , for they now had the James Terry Craft Lodge , Royal Arch Chapter , and Mark Lodge . He then presented the Consecrating Officers with a beautiful founders' jewel , for which the Provincial Grand Master thanked him .

In proposing "The Masonic Charities , " the Provincial Grand Master said : As Masonry increases so must our duties . In coupling with the toast the name of the new Secretary of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution he said he was glad to see him present . When Bro . Colville Smith was Worshipful Master of the Apollo Lodge he gave way for him that he

might initiate his son . He was sure he would prove a worthy successor to their indefatigable Bro . James Terry . In reply , Bro . Colville Smith said the Charities had been warmly supported in the past , and he appealed for their kind support and generosity so that they might help those who

through misfortune had fallen on evil days . The musical arrangements were in the experienced hands of Bro . Schartau , P . P . G . O . Middlesex . The Tyler ' s toast brought asuccessful evening to a close . The following oration was delivered at the consecration of the James Terry Mark Lodge by Bro . the Rev . C . E . L .

Wright , M . A ., Grand Chaplain : — We are met here this afternoon to add one more lodge to the number of those already existing on the register of the Grand Mark Lodge of England and the Province of Hertfordshire . Let me in the first place thank the authorities of that province for having afforded me the first opportunity since I had the honour to receive the collar of Grand

Chaplain from the hands of the Most Worshipful Grand Master , of exercising those functions which pertain to the office in the consecration of a lodge , and at the same time to express my regret for any shortcomings on my part owing to the short notice which I unavoidably received It is a great pleasure to me to be able to take a share in this

solemn ceremonial , and I most sincerely wish you every success and prosperity in the career on which you are just starting . The lodge is to be known as the James Terry Lodge , and its description is another proof of the desire which has been often shown before of perpetuating the name of those

who have done good suit and service in the cause of Masonry . Thus , e . g ., there is the Shadwell Gierke Lodge , called after the late Grand Secretary of the Craft , who in his day did so much for the good of the Order . There is the Richard Eve Lodge , which keeps ever green the memory of

one who was ever to the fore on behalf of the cause which he had so much at heart , and without enumerating others , I believe I am not wrong in saying so ( though I have not verified it ) , that in your own province you have one , if not more , lodges named after your Provincial Grand Master , one

of the veterans in Masonry , who is as much esteemed by every brother , as he is beloved by those under his immediate rule . The James Terry Lodge , then , which we are about to

consecrate , will commemorate the name of one who is stil happily with us . He has been well known to most of us for many vears as the Secretary of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and though advancing years have impelled him to retire from that post , yet we know from the way in which he has worked on behalf of charity , that he will

alwavs do his utmost for the interests of the Order . He has also been , I am told , the Grand Director of Ceremonies of your province for thirty years , and these two facts will justify the compliment you have paid him . But , further , I understand there are already in existence a James Terry

Lodge in the Craft Degree as well as a James Terry Chapter , and I feel sure you have been influenced by the prosperity which these two bodies have evinced in again selecting the same name as one of good omen in another Degree . The Order of Mark Master Masons is a very ancient one .

though it is only in comparatively recent years that it has existed under a Grand Lodge of its own . There is no doubt that originally it was worked in connection with the Craft , though it cannot be definitely traced back further than the vear 1774 in England , when we find that it was conferred in what is now the Marquis of Granby Lodge , No . 124 , Durham .

The earliest mention of the Degree in Scotland occurs in the minutes of the Banff Lodge in the year 177 8 , in which they were accustomed to confer the Degree of Mark Mason on Fellow Crafts , and that of Mark Master on Master Masons . In America it is required as essential to the Degree of the Royal Arch . But of the many interesting points connected

with the Degree , I will only take two for our consideration to-day . Firstly , that of the Mark , from which the Degree takes its name , and secondly , the beautiful symbolism connected with its culminating points , that of the keystone .

Mark Masonry especially points out to us the necessity of order , regularity , and discipline . The arrangements so well known to every Mark Mason , which were made by King Solomon for the building of the temple , were designed in the most admirable manner to prevent any disorder or confusion , and not only the Craftsmen themselves , but every

part of their work could be discriminated with the greatest ease and facility . As worked in our lodge , the Degree is thoroughly dramatic in tone , and if the officers will take pains with their work , it can be made intensely impressive to every candidate for advancement . The system of marks was one which was well known in

the middle ages . Amongst the Medkeval Craft Guilds , and especially in the Steinmel / . en of Germany , there was a distinct provision that every Craftsman should have his own mark , and if you examine old ruins you will frequently find traces of the marks on the stones cut by our operative

brethren of old . Melrose Abbey , in Scotland , is a case in point , and I was very much interested when going over the restoration works a short time ago at York Minster , to find that operative Masons still place their marks on the stones , so that anv individual piece of work can at once be identified , though the Mark Master ' s mark of approval is no longer

use . And lastly , with regard to the keystone , " the stone rejected of the builders which is become the headstone of the corner . " To those who have extended their researches still further into Freemasonry , and I would strongly advise all who can to do so , the sacred symbolism is self-evident ,

but in this Degree it certainly teaches us never to undervalue anything , or think less of a person who does not altogether agree with us . It matters not how worthless and insignificant a creature may appear to our finite and prejudiced eyes , we should never despise it nor cast it from us , for we may rest

assured that as infinite wisdom has been employed in its creation , it has its appointed place and use . We learn , in a word , to light against our prejudices and self-conceits , to realise that we are not infallible , that we can make mistakes , and that we must look for grace and

assistance to the G . A . O . T . U ., who has made the stone which the builders disallowed the head of the corner , and who will , if we are obedient to His divine commands , build us up also as lively stones into a spiritual house eternal in the heavens .