July 1952
New Lodge At Consett
W. Bro. A. E. Robinson, P.M. Lodge, No. 2135. P.G. Std. Br., P. Prov. G.W., is the Master Designate
August 1952
New Lodge At Consett
W. Bro. A. E. Robinson, P.M. Lodge, No. 2135. P.G. Std. Br., P. Prov. G.W., is the Master Designate
September 1952
New Lodge At Consett
W. Bro. A. E. Robinson, P.M. Lodge, No. 2135. P.G. Std. Br., P. Prov. G.W., is the Master Designate
October 1952
Consecration Of The Conside Lodge No. 7179
The consecrating Officer was the Provincial Grand Master, R.W. Bro. R. W. Ernest Dixon.
The Principal Officers who assisted were W.Bro. Col. F. Walton, M.C., D.L., P.G.D., Deputy Prov. G. Master.W. Bro. Sir Myers Wayman, K.B.E., J.P., P.G.D. Asst. Prov. G. Master, W.Bros. F. E. Proom, Prov. S.G.W., A.E. Spraggon, Prov. J.G.W., Bros. Rev. J. Harrison and Rev. E. B. Lynn, Prov. G. Chaps., W. Bros. J. Macmurray, P.A.G.D.C., Prov. G. Secretary, W. D. Campbell, P.G. Std. Br., Prov. Dep. G.D. of C. and J. Jones, acting Prov. G. Purst.
The following Grand Lodge Officers were also present:-
W. Bros. R. Raffle, P.G.D., who acted as I.P.M., A. Henderson, P.A.G.D.C., and W. W. Surtees, P.A.G. Std. Br.
Addressing the Brethren the Consecrating Officer mentioned that it was 66 years ago since the first Lodge in Consett, the Constance Lodge No. 2135, was formed and he was pleased that it was still a powerful influence both in the district and in the Province.
Nearly 100 years ago the late Sir Henry irving, making his debut at the Lyceum Theatre, Sunderland, had only four words to say, "Here's to our enterprise."
In consecrating this the forth Lodge in Consett, he congratulated the founders on their enterprise and wished them every success and happiness.
An inspiring oration on the principles of the Craft was delivered by Bro. Rev. J. Harrison, Prov. G. Chaplain.
The Consecration Ceremony was then performed in the dignified manner that has never failed to impress all the Brethren that attend the ceremonies.
W. Bro. A.E. Robinson, P.M. Lodge No. 2135. P.G. Std. Br., P. Prov. G.W., was installed as Master by W. Bro. Sir Myers Wayman, K.B.E., J.P., P. G. D., Asst., Prov. G. Master and the following Officers were appointed:-
W. Bro. T. Ferguson............................................................................I.P.M
W. Bro. J. W. Dick................................................................................S.W.
Bro. J. Morgan................................................................................S.W.
W. Bro. L. Angus.................................................................................Treasurer
Bro E. R. Robson............................................................................Secretary
W. Bro. E. H. Patterson........................................................................D. of C.
Bro. W. B. Swainstoa.....................................................................S. D.
Bro. J. L. Charlton...........................................................................J.D.
Bro. N. Robinson...........................................................................Asst. Sec.
Bro. J. Winter..................................................................................L.G.
Bro. W. Vivers................................................................................Steward
Bro. W. T. Willis............................................................................Steward
The Addresses to the Master, Wardens and Brethren were given by the Deputy Prov. G. Master, W. Bro. Col. F. Walton, M.C., D. L., P.G.D., W. Bro. F. E. Proom, Prov. S.G.W., and W. Bro. A. E. Spraggon, Prov. J. G. W. respectively.
W. Bro. A. E. Robinson, Master in asking the Consecrating Officers to accept Honorary Membership presented a cheque value £15. 15. 0. to the Prov. G. Master to be given to any Charity he desired.
The prov. G. Master returned thanks on behalf of himself and theother Consecrating Officers on being elected Honorary Membership of this Conside Lodge. He also expressed his sincere thanks for the cheque which he would place to the credit of the Ernest Dixon Masonic Scholarship Fund.
Oration delivered at the Consecration of Conside
Lodge No. 7179 by Bro. Rev. J. Harrison, M.A., Prov. G. Chap.
Amos 7.8 "Then said the Lord: 'Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel.' "
Study these words carefully, and you will find that they
refer to the center. what lies there? You my Brethren can answer and say,
"The Truth."
One of the great questions of historical record is that put by a Roman
govenor. "What is truth?" Can you, for one moment believe that
an educated Roman citizen entrusted with the administration of a province,
did not know the nature of truth. Was he indeed jesting, as Francis bacon
the English Sage suggested? I think not. Prompted by his experience that
men distort and suppress the truth for self - interest he couched his
query in terms of bitter irony.
Pilate was on the seat of judgement, engaged in a process of law, charged to extricate the truth from a maze of overstrained and misleading statements. Have you ever witnessed the hearing of a case either before the local magistrate or at the Assizes? I have. Believe me, it is a worthwhile experience. You may well be thrilled by the determined probe for the truth in each case. That it exists as an uncontravertible as an axiom of Euelid. Therefore it is assumed that the truth may be found, but that, by reason of the unreliability of human nature, it is concealed, overlaid and encrusted, by facts and by circumstances, some of which will assist, and some of which will prevent it's discovery. Under these conditions learned counsel goes to work probing for the truth, as a skilful surgeon probes for the root of some disease.
Gold does not lie in our path, self-evident, ready to be picked up. The prospector knows where it may be found, and in what kind of rock. Then must he dig and search for his treasure among the unprofitable dross in which it lies hidden. Such is the search for the truth.
The words of Amos bearreference to the search for truth. He utters a single parable whereby we may learn from the plumbline, which you and I esteem an asset among our working tools. By it, as you know, the operative builder harnesses the very laws of nature, which are the laws of the Most High in order to erect a stable edifice. It peojects a radius from the centre to the circumference of the earth so that any wall erected up that perpendicular will stand firm, held not only by mortar but also by it's affinity with the force of gravity. We are, I hope, men of common sense. Should we, at any time, incur the trouble and expense of having a house built, we should naturally expect it to be erected in such a way that would guarantee stability. Think of it, the warrant of stability, by virtue of rectitude, is merely the simple device of a plumbline. It serves it's function and guarantees security, merely by pointing to the centre of the earth, drawn thither by an inexorable law of the Most High, the Law of Gravity.
We Brethren, as free and accepted, or speculative masons, are not concerned with thephysical building. Neither was Amos. He was a prophet. His wordsare a parable. In fellowship with him we are concerned with a moral and spiritual edifice, the perfecting of humanity in accordance with the laws of G.A. To that end we are assembled today for the consecration of a new lodge. We have a mission, and that mission is primarily spiritual by nature. Amos was concerned about the true happiness of individuals, and about the security of his nation. That also is our concern. Read his prophecy in the V. of the S.L. and discern that happiness consists not of whatwe have, not of popularity nor prestige, but rather of the conviction of spiritual well-being, established upon the knowledge that all is well within, in a man's conscience, as between a man and his God, as between a man and his neighbour. Amos would make this point , that inasmuch as we should not willingly dwell in a tottering house, we should not rest conten in a tottering world. His world had swerved grievously away from the plumbline , away from that standard of perfect rectitude which gives security, and that, by reason of human wilfulness, in terms of self indulgence, of unjustifiable luxury, of social injustice and of political corruption. By the same token ourown world is far from perfect health. Social vices are destructive, and weaken the moral fibre of a nation. We are at one with Amos in recognition of the truth, and in extolling the social witness, particularly brotherly love, relief and truth, and, above all, the grace of true charity, as conditional to a nation's salvation. In the lands of Amos the plumbline stands for a profound truth, that all things stand firmly by virtue of their relationship to the centre of gravity, and for the speculative mason that centre is God.
We commend this truth to our Brethren of the Conside Lodge, whom we launch today upon a world of ever fluctuating values. Let us bid them God speed, in the assurance that in proportion as they stand in true affinity with the Centre, they will enjoy security, and present before a cynical world an exemplar of stability.
October 1973
Conside's 21st Anniversary
The occasion was marked by a visit of a deputation of Provincial Officers headed by W.Bro T. N. Thompson, Asst, Provincial Grand Lodge Master, accompanied by W. Bros. S. Hudson and C. V. Armitage, Ass. Prov. G. Masters: M Saunders, Prov. S. G. W. : F. Westwick, Prov. J. G. W.; D. I. Griss, Prov. G. Secty.; Rev. N. Walsh and Bro. Rev. Canon D. E. Davison, Prov. G. Chaps.; W. Bros. C. A. Cordukes, Prov. G. D. of C., S. B. Roberts and P. Stracey, Prov. Dep. G. D. s of C.
Also present were W. Bros. D. Todd. P. P. G. D. C., H. Bradley, J. E. Bradley and E. Herbert, P. G. St. Bs.
The Secretary, W. Bro. E. R. Robson, P. P. G. D., read the minutes of the Consectration Meeting after which he read a short history of the lodge.
This was followed by a short Oration delivered by the Prov. G. Chap., W. Bro. Rev. N. Walsh.
The Master, W. Bro. I. Pinkney, presented to W. Bro. T. N. Thompson a cheque for £210.00 as a donation to the R. M. B. I. 1979 Festival.
In acknowledging this splendid gift W.Bro. Thompson expressed his sincere thanks to the members, congratulated them on reaching their "Coming of Age" and extended his best wishes for the continued progress and happiness of Conside Lodge.
Oration Given At The 21st Anniversary Meeting Of The Conside Lodge No. 7179 by W. Bro. Rev. N. Walsh, Prov. G. Chaplain
The word "Anniversary" brings to mind two things: first, a recollection of the occasion of a specific happening; second, a realisation that a period of time has elapsed since that event took place; in this case 21 years
We are here tonight to celerate the Anniversary of the birth of Conside Lodge - a rather special Anniversary - marking the time between it's creation and its reaching maturity; it's "coming of age"; its reachin "man's estate". Can we think for just a few moments of just how like this is to the birth of a human baby and of that baby's "coming of age", for there are many similarities.
A baby's birth is, normally, an event to which the prospective parents look eagerly forward and when the child arrives they begin at once to cherish and care for it and to make plans for it. They do all they can to assure it's steady growth and, also, to see that it receives the training it needs if it is to become a member of the family of whom the rest of the family will be proud and, of course, to enable it to develop it's personality in such a way as to be able to face life with confidence and ability and, at the same time, earn respect and affection. It's "coming of age" - and I think in old fashioned terms of 21 years - is an occasion of joy to all concerned.
So with this Lodge; just over 21 years ago it's 24 Founders were eagerly awaiting it's Consecration - it's coming into being - it's assumption of the mantle of individuality. In due time the birth pangs were over and Conside Lodge No. 7179 was born. It became part ofa great family, the Ancient Order of Freemasons but, it also became an individual - there is only one Conside Lodge No. 7179.
How has it fared? How has it lived up to the expectations of it's Founders? Not all of those Founders are still with us but we can be sure that the infuence of each has shown itself in the development of the Lodge from it's early days to it's present state and that they have given it the care and training it has needed . In this, no doubt, the influence of Mother Lodge, which I understand is Constance Lodge No. 2135, can be traced. We can assume that Mother Lodge is proud of her offspring; proud to have seen it develop it's personality and to have done it in such a way as to have earned the respect and affection of the rest of the family. But, what were the ecxpectations of the Founders?
I learn that the Prov. G. Chap., in his oration at the Consecration, spoke on the symbolism of the Plumbrule - stating "a Profound truth - that all things stand firmly by virtue of their relationship to the centre of gravity and that, for the Speculative Mason, that centre is God". Surely then the expectations of your Founders were embodied in the hope that this Lodge would be true to the principle that the P. R. stands for for - Justness and uprightness of life and actions and, to be "True" in the Masonic sense is to follow a straight path, undeviating from the line of conduct laid down for us in the V. O. T. S. L. and so remaining in close contact with the G. A. O. T. U., the very centre of our being.
"But", you are entitled to ask, "surely this wasn't all that the Founders envisaged?" Or perhaps, "Surely the had other, more 'ordinary' things in mind?" I'm sure they had; such this as e.g., the fulfilment of a need; a need for a new Lodge to widen the scope of Freemasonry in this place: to give kindred spirits in the area the opportunity to share with them the great privileges of Masonry. An urge to spread the influence of Masonry among a wider circle and, accordingto your records, you have done this. You have initiated into it's mysteries a large number (84) of men. Many of these were young and some, because of teir work, have left the area and have moved to other parts of the country (and even the world) and have transferred to other Lodges. But, they will remain at heart, Conside Brethren and will take some, at least, of the Conside pattern with them. They will always think of Conside with gratitude as the instrument by which they became Masons. Conside will always be their Lodge, but they will not be parochial about this - Masonry is never parochial, it is universal. It is also outward looking.
Part of this outward looking is shown by the acceptance of the Principles of Universal Beneficence and Charity. What does your record have to say about this? It has something verywonderful to say: it says that in the first seven years of your existence you contributed £500+ to the 1959 Festival and, ten years later, £1,300+. There is nothing self centred about this kind of activity.
There remains one question , however, to which I cannot supply the answer. Once every year each Lodge installs a new Master and, after his Installation, he is addressed by the I. M. or his Deputy who, in that address, points out the desirability of virtuo, amiable and discreet conduct in every member of our Ancient Institution, so that when anyone is said to be a member of it, the world may know that he is the one to whom the burdened heart may pour forth it's sorrow and one to whom the distressed may prefer their suit. . . and whose heart is expanded by benevolence. Does the world recognise you or me in this description?
Conside Lodge tonight celebrates it's coming of age. It is still, in terms of Masonic Antiquity, a young Lodge but it is an established entity. Already you can think of the "older" membership and the "younger", the newcomers, but, old and new this entity is yours. Please think of it as a very precious jewel, to be handed on by you in due course to those who will follow you and adding to the lustre with which it already glows, so that you and succeeding generations will ever be proud of this - your Lodge.
I hesitate to refer, in such a town as Consett, to steel. I am no expert on steel, but I know I am on safe ground when I say that steel is the emblem of strength, tempered and true and uf universal usefulness. May this description ever fit Conside Lodge No. 7179; may it fulfil all that has been and will be expected of it and ever justify the respect and affection of the rest of the family.
Celebrate this important anniversary with joy, with gladness and in humble thankfulness to the G. A. O. T. U. for the many favours already received. May He give you His continued support and blessing through the years to come. Let us salute and honour the Founders, those still with us and those in T. G. L. A. for the inspiration which gave us Conside Lodge. We wish it a happy birthday with many more to come. I am sure that, in your hearts, you are all proud of it and it's accomplishments. May the BEST of your past be the WORST for your future.
October 1977
Conside's 25th Anniversary
The occasion was marked by a Deputation of Provincial Grand Lodge Officers headed by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, V. W. Bro. J. MacMurray, M. C.
Supporting him were W. Bros. T. N. Thompson. C. V. Armitage, O.B.E., P. Stacey, Assistant Provincial Masters; H. Scott, P. G. St. B., acting Prov. S. G. W., G. Cheesemond, Prov. J. G. W., Bro. Rev. J. H. Green, Prov. G. Chaplain, W. Bros. S. B. Roberts, Prov. G. D. of C., F. W. Dixon and C. W. Percy, Prov. Dep. G. D. 's of C's.
Also present was W. Bro E. R. Robson, P. G. St. B.
In a well conducted and impressive ceremony Mr. P. R. Winter and Mr. W. Gowland were initated.
Before the Lodge was closed the Master, W. Bro. E. W. Dunwiddie presented to the Deputy Provincial Grand Master two checques each for £250, one from the Lodge, and the other from the Brethren, for the 1979 Festival and a third cheque for £25, for Durham Masonic Charities.
W. Bro J. MacMurray thanked the Brethren for the handsome donations and said Provincial Grand Lodge appreciated their devotion to Charity. He also congratulated the Brethren on the excellence of the ceremony and wished the Lodge well for the future.
At the very enjoyable Festive Board which followed, the recently appointed Secretary, W. Bro. J. R. Winter, P. P. G. D., presented to W. Bro. E. R. Robson, P. G. St. B., a cheque in recognition of his services as Lodge Secretary during the past 25 years.
October 2002
Conside's 50th Anniversary
On 9th October 2002 there was a full Provincial visit to Conside Lodge on that evening to help us celebrate our 50th Anniversary.
Details to follow.
