Consecration: Barnet, No. 2509.

them , in the person of Bro . Tombs , a Past Grand Deacon , and Bro . Spaull , a Past Grand Standard Bearer , with his two colleagues in the work of the Masonic Institutions , Bros . Terry and Hedges . The Lodge was really much obliged to the Grand Secretary and the other Grand Officers for their attendance .

Bro . Brownrigg responded , having , as he said , the privilege of age over his colleagues included in the toast . He spoke of the punctuality that had been observed during the day , and the commendable expedition that had been practised . The advantages of their meeting

were mutual , for as they must all know middle aged gentlemen such as himself were apt to get a little slow , and it was well they should be re-aroused to activity by

such displays as they had witnessed that night . Whenever the occasion offered he should endeavour to become its energetic and prompt as the founders of the Barnet Lodge had shown themselves .

In proposing the next toast the W . M . was sure , after the very happy proceedings of the day , that the Brethren would respond with every cordial and hearty good expression—it was that of the Consecrating Officer , Bro . Letchworth . Bro . McLeod felt the hearty response that

had followed the announcement of that name was sufficient recommendation for the toast . The founders and visitors were delighted to have had Bro . Letchworth among them , and they , as well as every other member

of the Order , were pleased to have him in the position of Grand Secretary . It was a general hope that he would enjoy health and strength to carry out his duties for many years to come , to the satisfaction of the Craft , and the gratification of his good self .

Bro . Letchworth availed himself of the earliest opportunity to express his warmest thanks for the reception given to the toast just proposed by the Master . It had afforded him—and he was sure he was justified in coupling all those who had been with him in this matter

—the greatest pleasure to launch their new Lodge into existence . He had been associated for thirty-two years with the neighbouring districts of Enfield , Edmonton and Friern Barnet , so that ho was probably known to some of those who were or would become members of

the Lodge . From his knowledge of the surroundings he was sure the Lodge was destined to occupy an important position among the Lodges of the metropolis , and he trusted the existence of this Lodge at New

Barnet would have the effect of stimulating the Masonic feeling of the district , and further , that the Lodge would work in harmony with the other Lodges of the neighbourhood , particularly the Gladsmuir , which had so long been established at High Barnet .

Bro . Letchworth then proposed the toast of the evening—the health of the Worshipful Master . It had afforded him particular pleasure in being permitted to insfcal Bro . McLeod into the chair . Their Master had

already made a name for himself in the North and in the Midlands , where he had won Provincial honours . It was his privilege last year to be a colleague with Brother

McLeod on the management of the Boys School , and although his other duties had prevented his proper attention to the work , he had at least learnt how much that Institution owed to its Secretary .

Bro . McLeod responded . The very gratifying way in which the toast had been proposed and received had aroused him to a recognition of the responsibilities of the post he had been placed in by the Barnet Lodge , for though they might have made a very good start , there

were many difficulties that might crop up , even in the earlier days of the Lodge . It was the unanimity and good feeling existing among the other founders that had induced him to accept the Mastership , and he hoped the same unanimity would continue . It had been stated by

the Grand Secretary—and no one knew better than he —that the Barnet Lodge was in no way antagonistic to any other Lodge in the district , and so it would be proved . Some three years ago an effort had been made to start the Lodge under the rule of the Provincial

Grand Master of _ Hertfordshire , but it was found that the place of meeting was just within the ten mile radius from Freemasons' Hall , and then the matter dropped ,

but the want of a Lodge continued to be felt , whether it be a Hertfordshire one or one under the direct rule of the Grand Lodge of England . The founders had been particularly careful not to trench in any way on the

Consecration: Barnet, No. 2509.

existing Lodges in Barnet ; they were by no means desirous of cutting them out , as must be obvious if the monetary test was applied—though he should be very sorry to bring such considerations into Masonry—for the new Lodge had put their fees above those of the

Gladsmuir . There was really no necessity for rivalry , and he again desired it to be understood that the Barnet Lodge would be pleased to join hands with the Gladsmuir and the Ravenscroft and so secure all the good men and true in the district into the Masonic fold .

The toast of the Charities was next given . Bro . Mc Leod felt it was a great honour for their new Lodge that all three of the Secretaries of the Institutions should be

present at its consecration . The founders were determined not to spend all their funds in eating and drinking , and were equally determined to win a name as supporters of the Institutions . Bro . Hedges replied on behalf of the Girls School .

In the presence of Bro . Terry , who had been connected with the Benevolent Institution for thirty years , while he could only boast an association of twenty years with the Girls School , he had not expected to be associated with the toast , but Bro . McLeod had settled the question by

asking both to respond , and he appreciated the kindness of the Master in giving him an opportunity to tender thanks on behalf of the Girls School for promised favours to come , and congratulations on the auspicious start made by the Lodge . The Girls School was the oldest

of the three Institutions , but he was sure it did not deteriorate with age—one had only to look at the result of the various examinations in which the pupils had taken part to be convinced on this point . The healthy appearance of the girls was also a matter for

congratulation , and in this connection it might be mentioned that notwithstanding the serious epidemic that prevailed at the School last year , the whole of the children were now as well as ever , apparently little the worse for the ordeal through which they had passed .

Bro . Terry followed . It had just been said that the three Secretaries of the Institutions were all there ; speaking for himself he was most certainly all there , in fact he had never been divided . There might be some who were led away by the frivolities of the girls , or the

splendid calisthenic exercises of the pupils in their Institution at Battersea ; others might show their preference for the highly educated boys who gratified their admirers in their athletic displays at Wood Green ; but as for himself he pinned his faith to the old people , the

mothers and fathers of the present generation , who had worked in their day to put the Girls and the Boys ' Institutions into the position they now occupied . It was not his lot , as was the case with some others he knew ,

to be besieged day after day by young widows who came to advocate the claims of their orphan children , his duty being to interview the aged Widows or old Brethren who in their declining years found it necessary to appeal to the Craft for assistance . He could not ask them for

their certificates from the College of Preceptors , or test them as to their qualifications in the different standards of education , and was in consequence debarred from publishing the very telling details as to " successes " which were made so much of in other quarters . In fact

they were without any special features to draw particular attention to , and had to content themselves with a bare record of facts proving that the old people were deserving of consideration . But they could ask what would Freemasonry have been without the old people ?

Where would the Girls School be , and where the Boys Institution ? The old people had not been selfish in their day—first they established the Girls School , then the Boys , and , nearly half a century later , they gave a thought for themselves ; they left it very late , and as a

consequence were looked upon as interlopers ; and were prohibited from holding annual festivals , being only allowed one every three years ; but it soon became apparent that honest rivalry without jealousy was beneficial to the older funds , and the restriction was removed ,

with the result that all had since worked amicably and fraternally together—their only rivalry being as to which should do the most good . The old people cared for by

the Benevolent Institution were really the citizens of the world , men and women who had borne the heat and burden of the day , and as such they were deserving of every consideration . He could hardly ask for a Steward