Consecration.

and by which every true Mason is requested to form his plans , with a view to the superstructure of his future life . " Wherewithal ( writes the Psalmist ) shall a young man cleanse his way—by taking heed thereto according to Thy word . " And then the Ladder . What does this symbol

suggest and teach ? You may have observed that this Masonic emblem reaches upwards , till its topmost rung is lost among the stars of heaven , and in this may we not learn of heavenly mindedness ? The ladder speaks to us in symbol what holy scripture speaks to us in words , when it

says" Set your affections on things above , and not on things on the earth . " And even ,. in the darkest hour we can realise that the world ' s great altar stair , though it be in the darkness , yet it slopes through darkness up to God . Companions o § the Masonic Order , we , too , recognise the existence and the effect of the hidden mysteries , which

our symbols and our teaching are intended and are well calculated to unfold , by the display of all Masonic virtues in the midst of the errors and vices of the world . Above the world we recognise too the mystery of existence , we see around us pain and suffering , but we believe these are only

the concomitants of " this little while ; " that heaven in spite of them is joined to earth , and faith , hope , and charity , these three are steps on a celestial stairway . My Companions , we pray the Most High that you and I may so live our lives , so do our work , as under the Eye of the Great Master Builder

and amid the darkness which enshrouds the future , we may so keep our eyes fixed upon the "Bright morning star" that , in the great hereafter , when we have " Crossed the Bar " to that " bourne from whence no traveller returns , " we may be

united in the Eternal world , where in the realised presence of our Father , amid the glory of that temple whose polished Ashlars are the souls of men , where the mysteries of life shall be made plain , and sorrow and orphanhood shall be no more , where God himself is Moon and Sun .

Before the Chapter was closed , eight candidates were proposed for exaltation , and there was also one joining member , the latter hailing from , an Indian Chapter . Nor was the contingent act forgotten of electing as Honorary Members of the Chapter Col . Starkie and those Officers of Provincial Grand Chapter who had so ably assisted in the ceremony of Consecration .

The banquet which followed these proceedings took place at the Chapter Room , the Justice Birch Hotel , Hyde Road , several of the Provincial Grand Officers and others , to the number of 34 , sitting down to an excellent repast , which was presided over by Comp . Bee .

Loyal and Arch toasts were submitted and heartily accepted , the choir previously mentioned rendering an excellent selection of music . The proceedings of the day

passed over in a most satisfactory manner , which augurs well for the future success of the Chapter . The regalia and furniture being new presented a smart appearance . Besides those already mentioned , there were present

Companions A . Bowen P . P . G . P . S ., A . Shaw P . P . G . A . S ., R . Hudson P . P . G . Swd . Br ., Simon Mamelok P . P . G . St . Br ., J . Holden P . P . G . St . Br ., R . Wardle P . P . G . A . D . C , J .

Bromley P . P . G . A . D . C , J . Hardwicke Marsh P . Z . 317 , and many others .

The annual Ladies' night entertainment in connection with the Gallery Lodge , No . 1928—which has the distinction of being the only Press Lodge in the world—took place on Saturday evening , at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet Street . The W . M . Bro . Ernest A . Peachey presided , and was supported

by a large attendance of Past Masters and other members of the Lodge , together with their ladies and many visitors . An interesting feature in the subsequent proceedings was the presentation by the W . M ., on behalf of the Lodge , of a handsome diamond ring to Mrs . Samuel James , wife of the I . P . M .

Consecration.

Talking of the Masonic Charities , says the "Merne Villager , " in the " Islington Gazette , " the Committee of the North London Benevolent Ball met for business and pleasure at Canonbury Tower , on Monday , Bro . Herbert Campbell ruling the roast , and the boiled , and other succulents , and settled up the accounts . Hon . Secretary F . Humphreys

reported that 342 tickets were sold , to the tune of £ 215 4 s 5 d , and subscriptions from Sir A . Rollit and others swelled the total to £ 231 12 s 2 d . After paying all expenses , a sum of £ 89 5 s was to be handed over to " the Charities , in the form of seventeen Life Subscriberships , which were allotted one

each to the seventeen members of the Committee . The proceedings were enlivened with songs and p leasantries , Messrs . Lovett King and Herbert Linwood assisting in the wooing of "Music heavenly made . " Amongst the company was clever Mr . Edmund Payne , of the Gaiety Theatre .

The second annual ball under the auspices of the Bootle Wilbraham Lodge , No . 2463 , whose headquarters are at the Village Hall , Knotty Ash , which has the proud distinction of . devoting nearly the whole of its income to pure charity , was held on the 28 th ult , at the Adelphi Hotel , the proceeds

of which will go to the West Lancashire Benevolent Institution . The guests , who numbered about 100 , were received by the Mayor of Bootle Bro . R . Brewster P . P . G . D . and the Mayoress , Bro . S . L . Fraser P . Pr . G . S . of W . ( acting for Bro . W . Rawsthorne W . M ., absent through

regretable illness ) and Mrs . Rawsthorne . The Mayor and ex-Mayor of Birkenhead were also present . Bro . H . Williams faithfully fulfilled the duties of Honorary Secretary and Treasurer ; the duties of M . C were performed by Bros . A . Waddell and J . J . Bell , and excellent services were rendered by the Stewards .

The Liverpool Masonic Club , under the chairmanship of Bro . J . C . Robinson P . P . G . D . C President , held a very enjoyable smoking concert on the 28 th ult ., at the Alexandra Hotel , Dale Street , where there was a large gathering of the Fraternity who are " wheelists . " The carefully prepared

programme included items which were furnished by Bros . W . Hudson ( musical director ) , N . C . Parkinson , Paul Waring , A . Blenkhorn , E . Gordon , C . Rowe ; while a cinematograph exhibition , under the direction of Bros .

Blenkhorn and M'Hale , was a prominent feature of the evening ' s entertainment . In the course of the evening Bro . Blenkhorn was presented with a gold watch , in recognition of his services as Secretary .

Freemasons very frequently are credited as being men who do little more than enjoy all sorts of junketings over knives and forks laid on well furnished and heavily-laden tables , says the " Hampshire Independent . " To those who hold this opinion it will be of interest to learn that there has

been a movement among vegetarians to obtain a Warrant for the formation of a Masonic Lodge conducted on the dietetic principles they favour . In England there are several

Lodges the members of which are all total abstainers . There is a Lodge in Hampshire called the Temperance Lodge . It was founded in October 1884 , and meets at the Soldiers ' Institute , Portsmouth , adds our contemporary .

A movement is on foot for the formation of a Lodge at Seven Kings , the new town which has sprung up almost by magic in the neighbourhood of Ilford , and for which the Great Eastern Railway has erected a Station .

Ad00303

ELECTION OF GRAND TREASURER . BR O . HARRY MANFIELD desires to SINCERELY THANK all those Brethren who voted for him , and who worked on his behalf , at the recent election . Northampton , 2 nd March 1899 .

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

"A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

AT Gairston Parish Church , on Wednesday afternoon , the funeral took place of Bro . Jos . Williams , who died at Llanamon , Denbighshire , last week , after a protracted'illness , aged 50 years . Bro . Williams was a member of the Lodge of Harmony , Garston , passing through all the offices , and twice held the position of Worshipful Master . He was also

an official of the Province of West Lancashire , and was held in great respect by members of the Order . He leaves a widow , four sons , and three daughters , for whom much

sympathy is felt . There was a large and representative attendance at the funeral , including several members of the Craft . Among the wreaths was a beautiful tribute from the Lodge of Harmony .