Church Service.

CHURCH SERVICE .

IT has been arranged to hold a Masonic Service , on behalf of the debt of £ 7 , 000 on the Restoration Fund of the Collegiate Church of St . Saviour , Southwark , at the church , at four o ' clock on the afternoon of Ascension Day , Thursday , 27 th May , which will be of an exceptional character . The Earl of Lathom , G . C . B ., Pro G . M . has signified his intention to be present , accompanied by a number of Grand Officers . A committee

of Brethren has been elected ( with power to add to their number ) , to make the necessary arrangements . Lord Llangattock has been appointed Chairman , and the Chapter Clerk Bro . Henry Langston will act as Hon . Secretary . Tickets of admission to Masons will be issued in due course . Secretaries of London and Provincial Lodges desiring information are requested to communicate with the Honorary Secretary , 32 Borough High Street , Southwark .

Devon Educational Fund.

DEVON EDUCATIONAL FUND .

THE annual meeting is to be held on Wednesday next , 7 th inst ., at three p . m ., in the Freemasons' Hall , Plymouth . The Hon . Sir Stafford Northcote , Bart ., C . B ., M . P ., Provincial Grand Master , is the President . The business on the agenda paper is pretty full , including the election of Treasurer , Secretary , Assistant Secretary , and Auditors for the ensuing

year , all of which posts are honorary . An amendment will be proposed as to bye-law 26 , by Bro . James Griffin , and Bro . E . H . Shorbo P . M ., & c . will propose that the sum of £ 10 be voted to a little girl in aid of her advancement in life . There are six candidates for the three declared vacancies , says the " Western

Morning News , " so that probably a thousand votes will be necessary to secure election , and there will then be the large number of twenty-two children on the Fund . The Management

Committee are anxious to draw attention to this important fact , so that the subscriptions may be considerably increased , and prove that the right step has been taken in thus extending the benefits of the Institution .

Western District Masonic Association .

WESTERN DISTRICT MASONIC ASSOCIATION .

THE annual meeting , held at Princess Square , Plymouth , on the 26 th ult ., was presided over by Bro . Sitters . Bro . W . Allsford Treas . submitted his report , which showed a favourable balance in hand . From the Secretary ' s report it was gleaned that the Association had continued its activity during the past year

with marked success . Reference was made to the fact that the ThreeTownsFreemasons , through the Association , had contributed a large sum towards the Indian Famine Fund , which would be paid to London through the Provincial Grand Master Sir Stafford Northcote , Bart ., M . P .

The Officers elected for the ensuing year are Bros . Major G . Strode , J . P ., President , W . Powell and A , Stebbing Vice-Presidents , W . Allsford Treasurer , and J . Gifford Secretary . It was resolved , says the " Western Mercury , " that each of the Three Towns Lodges be empowered to elect one member on the Committee , the whole to form the executive Officers of the Association .

Consecration.

CONSECRATION .

LODGE OF CHARITY .

THE Consecration of this new Lodge , which bears the number 2651 under the Grand Lodge of England , took place on Monday , 22 nd ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Bold Street , Warrington , in the presence of a large number of Brethren , among whom was Bro . Wm . Goodacre P . G . Sword Bearer of England Prov . Grand Secretary of" West Lancashire , who had been deputed to perform the ceremony customary in the foundation of a new Lodge .

The founders of the Lodge of Charity present were Bros . John Armstrong P . M . P . P . G . S . of W . Ches ., R . H . Pearson P . M ., J . Rymer Young P . M ., J . Hesketh P . M ., W . Pierpoint , J . Wass , Herbert Hatton , Thos . Morris , Daniel Jones , J . Shaw Green , Hugh Ferguson , and Thomas Tunstall P . P . G . S . of W .

Much regret was expressed at the unavoidable absence of Dr . J . Adams P . M . the S . W .-designate , through illness , and also Professor A . H . Young P . M ., owing to an important

professional engagement . The Consecrating Officer , ou entering the Lodge , was received by the assembled Brethren in a manner fitting to his exalted rank , and , having taken the chair , appointed Bros . T .

Consecration.

Banner Newton Prov . G . T . as S . W ., G . A . Harradon P . P . G . T . as J . W ., and John Fletcher P . P . G . D . as I . G . The Lodge was then opened up to the third degree , and . after the usual salutes Bro . Goodacre addressed the Brethren in a few well chosen words on the object of the meeting , explaining that he had been deputed by the M . W . G . M . to consecrate the Lodge . He concluded his brief remarks by wishing the new Lodge the greatest possible success .

After prayer by the Chaplain , the Founders were arranged round the Lodge board and signified their approval of the Officers named in the warrant ; the P . G . Chaplain Bro . H . Leeson having delivered a brilliant oration on the nature and principles of the Institution , the anthem " Behold how good and joyful" was most effectively rendered by the musical artistes . The hymns and other anthems used on such occasions were also effectively chanted , and to the satisfaction of all present .

The Lodge having been dedicated and constituted in the usual form Bro . John Armstrong P . P . G . S . of W . Cheshire was presented as W . M .-designate by the Prov . G . D . C . and duly installed into the chair of K . S . by the Consecrating Master .

The W . M . then invested Bro . R . H . Pearson P . M . J . W ., J . Rymer Young P . M . Treas ., John Hesketh P . M . Secretary , Wm . Pierpoint S . D ., Herbert Hatton J . D ., Thos . Cooper P . M . I . G ., J . Shaw Green and Hugh Ferguson Stewards , J . H . Galloway Tyler .

The W M . proposed that a voce of thanks be given to the Consecrating Officer and his assistants , for their impressive rendering of the several ceremonies , and that Bros . Goodacre , Newhouse , Lambert , and Leeson be elected honorary members of the Lodge , which was carried with the utmost enthusiasm . A Founder ' s jewel , suitably engraved , was also presented to Bros . Goodacre and . Newhouse . The honorary members all expressed their thanks for the honour done them .

Letters of regret at inability to be present were received from several Brethren . Five propositions for initiation , and five for joining were submitted . After the Grand and Provincial Grand Officers had retired

in procession , the Lodge was closed , and the Brethren subsequently partook of a banquet , served in the Masonic Hall . The banquet itself and the speedy and efficient manner in which it was served reflected the greatest credit upon Bro . Chartry , in whose hands the catering had been placed .

After the banquet the W . M . proposed the usual Loyal toasts , and then the M . W . the Pro Grand Master the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , G . O . B ., the Deputy Grand Master and other Officers of Grand Lodge , to which Bro . Newhouse D . G . Swd . Br . replied .

Bro . Wm . Pierpoint S . D . proposed the D . Prov . G . M . of West Lanes , and the Provincial Officers of this and other Provinces , to which Bros . J . J . Lambert and John Fletcher responded on behalf of West Lancashire , and F . Broadsmith for Cheshire .

The toast of the W . M . was submitted in most felicitous terms by the Consecrating Officer Bro . Goodacre , Bro . William Hutson singing a special variation of " Here ' s to his health in a song . " After replying , the W . M . proposed the health of the Consecrating Master Bro . Wm . Goodacre , and said they were greatly favoured in being privileged to have their Lodge consecrated by one of the , if not the ablest Officer in England .

The Mother Lodge , No . 148 , was proposed by Bro . J . Rymer Young P . M . in eloquent and feeling terms , and was suitably acknowledged by Bros . Lythgoe W . M ., W . B . Roberts Secretary , and Greenough Treasurer . The Masonic Charities was in good hands in Bro . Thos . Morris , the Rev . R . Edwards responding . The Visitors , the Officers of the Lodge , and the Tyler ' s toast brought a most successful meeting to a close .

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ROYAL MasonicInstitutionforGirls. INSTITUTED 1788 . The 109 th ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY , THE 12 TH MAY 1897 , THE RIGHT HON . LORD LLANGATTOCK Bight Worshipful Prov . G . M . of South Wales Eastern Division in the Chair . <* . Brethren willing to act as Stewards on this most important occasion are earnestly solicited to send in their names to the Secretary as early as convenient . Stewards are much needed , and their services will be gratefully received . F . E . W . HEDGES , Secretary . Office—5 Freemasons' Hall , London , W . O .