The Management Of The Craft.

importance to the welfare of the Craft . " It is pointed out that inconvenience has arisen from the existence of two Boards with concurrent powers and jurisdiction—the one for the management of affairs at home , and the other for the

conduct of Colonial business , and we imagine the general opinion of Grand Lodge will endorse this view , and lead to the creation of one body with full powers to consider all the affairs of English Freemasonry , with probably Sub-Committees for the management of Colonial or other special sections .

It would perhaps be unwise to say this proposed action has any connection with the one or two questions now at issue in refgard to Colonial Masonic affairs , but let us hope it will pave the way for a Masonic feeling between the Grand Lodge at home

and the Masonic bodies of distant parts of the Empire , no matter who has to give way , or who is ultimately decided as being in the wrong . It is certainly no credit to the English Craft that its existing Colonial Board cannot secure unanimity ;

which , with all due respect to those who prefer Masonic " law " to Masonic " spirit" ought to be possible of realisation in the hands of a capable Committee , who might even go so far as to advocate a " peace at any price " policy , rather than be a party

to unseemly strife and dissention , which is not only very undesirable from a Masonic point of view , but is an absolute disgrace to Freemasonry when seen by an outsider , who , if he

chooses , is fully justified in criticising the actions of the English Craft , by pointing out how the boasted advocates of Brotherly Love wrangle and disagree over their own affairs .

In addition to this matter there are several others that will require attention on Wednesday next , notably the re-election of the Grand Master , and a sharp contest for the post of Grand Treasurer , but we refer our readers for fuller information on these points to the Agenda , of which we give a copy elsewhere .

Consecrations.

CONSECRATIONS .

— : o : — ST . LEONARD CHAPTER .

IT is pleasing to notice the gradual but steady increase in the number of Eoyal Arch Chapters , as it proves the interest that Companions and Brethren in general are taking in the ritual of the Order , and , as Comp . Frank Richardson said at the Consecration of the above Chapter on Wednesday of last week , that Craftsmen are anxious to crown fcheir work with the

keystone of the Arch . The ceremony took place at the Great Eastern Hotel , Bishopsgate Street , E . G ., where the meetings of the new Chapter will be held , and a considerable number of Companions assembled to take part in the proceedings .

The new Chapter is the outcome of the St . Leonard Lodge , No . 1766 , which was established in 1878 , and has been so successful during the subsequent sixteen years , that the Brethren naturally desired to extend their sphere of usefulness .

The following are the founders who petitioned the Grand Chapter for the Warrant of Constitution;—Comps . William Shurmur P . Z ., Henry Edward Joyce P . Z ., S . C . Kaufman , Jas . Stevens P . Z ., James Speller P . Z ., James Boulton P . Z ., William Gower , George Henry Clarke and Arthur Cunnington .

In the unavoidable absence of Comp . Edward Letchworth Grand Scribe E ., who was prevented from attending by reason of his duty at the Board of Benevolence , the Consecrating ceremony was performed by Comp . Frank Eichardson P . A . G . Soj ., assisted

by Major-General J . C . Hay , C . B ., P . A . G . Soj . as H ., Eev . J Studholme Brownrigg Grand Superintendent for Bucks , as J ., J H . Matthews as Director of Ceremonies , and C . E . Keyser P . G Swd . B . as Scribe N .

Among the numerous visitors present were the following Companions : —F . A . Philbriek Grand Supt . for Essex , Henry Sadler Grand Janitor , John E . Eoberts 119 , W . A . Frost 1706 , E . J . Bell 1524 , W . W . Lee 1524 , Frank Martin 217 , George Cunnington 1185 , W . D . Church 1471 , George Bugler 879 , Hugh

Wilson 1293 , Charles Eawle 1065 , J . D . Tarr 1293 , Orlton Cooper 1928 , W . E . Sutton 1471 , F . Eckstein 1196 , W . Tyler 862 , W . A . Scurrah 749 , W . H . Toye 554 , Archdeacon Chas . G . C . Dunbar 2374 , J . J . Woolley 2191 , A . Haynes 1636 , W . S . Macdonald 898 , Dr . N . Goodchild 704 , E . White 1305 , J . M . Klenck 1339 , E . Loomes 1471 , & a .

Consecrations.

The Convocation was opened punctually at half-past five , the musical arrangements being under the direction of Comp . J , F . Haskins P . P . G . Organist Essex . After the Companions had assembled the Warrant from Grand Chapter was read , and the Oflicers nominated were approved .

Comp . Brownrigg delivered an excellent oration upon the work of Freemasonry in general and the importance of Brethren pursuing their studies into the higher degrees of the Craft . An anthem taken from 133 rd Psalm was then sung by the choir . The Dedication Prayer and Invocation were delivered by Comp .

Eichardson , after which the Chapter was consecrated in due form , and sprinkled with corn , wine , oil and salt by the officiating Companions . The appointed portions of the Sacred Writings were read by Comp . C . E . Keyser . Another anthem was sung and the beautiful ceremony brought to its termination with the Patriarchial Benediction given by Comp . Eichardson .

Comp . W . Shurmur , H . E . Joyce ( by proxy ) and S . E . Kaufman were then installed as Z ., H . and J . respectively , and the following Officers were invested : —Jas . Stephens Scribe E ., Jas . Speller Scribe N ., Jas . Boulton Treas ., Wm . Gower P . S ., Geo . Hy . Clarke and A . Cunnington Assistant Sojourners .

The M . E . Z . proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the Consecrating Officers , and suggested that they should be made Honorary Members of the Chapter . This was seconded by Comp . J . Stephens , and carried . Comp . Eichardson returned thanks , accepting the compliment on behalf of his colleagues .

A pleasing feature of the meeting , as giving promise of success in store for the St . Leonard , was the proposition of twelve Brethren as candidates for exaltation , so that Companion Shurmur and his assistant Officers will no doubt be well supplied with business at the earlier meetings of the Chapter , for which

we have no doubt other Brethren will be proposed at no distant date , as the Companions who have associated themselves in its establishment are well known for the large and influential following that generally supports any new undertaking with which they associate themselves .

The Chapter was then closed and the company adjourned to the dining room . The usual Loyal and Arch toasts were given by the M . E . Z ., H . and J . respectively . The Eev . J . Studholme Bownrigg replied for the Grand Officers . Comp . Shurmur , in proposing the Consecrating Officers ,

said they were all greatly indebted to Comp . Eichardson and his colleagues for the inimitable manner in which they had performed the ceremony . It had been his good fortune on three former occasions to be elected M . E . Z . of new Chapters , but he

had never heard the ritual better rendered . He was reminded that this was the 200 th time that Comp . Eichardson had officiated in such ceremonies . The Chapter started with the good wishes of Grand Chapter , and he was sure their success was assured .

Comp . Eichardson returned thanks , and bore testimony to the assistance given by his colleagues , especially Comp . J . H . Matthews , who had kindly stepped in to undertake the duty of D . C . It was always a pleasant matter to consecrate a new

Lodge or Chapter , and still more interesting to watch its future progress . Under so excellent a ruler as Comp . Shurmur he was sure they would take a high place in the Degree , and he wished them every success . He concluded by proposing the three Principals .

Comp . Shurmur , in reply , trusted they would prove worthy of the confidence reposed in them , and could assure the Grand Officers present that the Eoyal Arch Eitual would be carried out with all dignity and solemnity .

Comp . Stephens said he felt himself honoured by being associated with the M . E . Z . in founding the Chapter . He had already been a founder of six Lodges , and belonged to twentyone different Masonic degrees ; he should certainly do his utmost to promote the welfare of the St . Leonard Chapter .

Comp . Kaufman stated that it was the first time he had occupied one of the principal chairs , although he belonged to two other Chapters . He always had a great and deep interest in Masonic affairs and he would faithfully endeavour to discharge his duties . The M . E . Z . was his father in the Craft and ha could not do better than follow so excellent a Preceptor .

Comp . F . A . Philbriek , in returning thanks for the Visitors , said the genial warmth of a Masonic meeting bade defiance to the elements outside . He was glad to see so large a gathering , as he considered that Freemasonry in its highest development was legitimately crowned by the Eoyal Arch . He thought that every

Brother who had been raised to the sublime degree must have his interest excited by the beautiful ritual , and could not be satisfied until he proceeded to the copestone of the Holy Koyal Arch . It was the culmination of Masonry . A Consecration was

always attended with many hopes , and as the Chapter started under such good auspices he trusted they would go on and prosper , so as to become a credit and pride to Royal Arch Masonry . Comps . White , Archdeacon Dunbar , Fairchild , Lewis Levy and Church also responded . The Officers of the Chapter were toasted , they replied , and the Janitor ' s toast was given . The company then separated .