Consecration.

by Bro . Letchworth . The memory of his impressive oratory would go down among the founders of that Lodge so long as they , lived , and should prove an incentive to them to do

all they could for the new Lodge . The members desired to thank Bro . Letchworth in a small tangible way , and he accordingly had much pleasure in asking his acceptance of a founder ' s jewel of the Lodge .

After a hearty reception of the toast Bro . Letchworth replied . Pie said it had given him the greatest possible pleasure to assist in the inauguration of that Lodge , which he felt sure had a great future before it , and which would undoubtedly enhance the prestige of the Craft . Lodges

connected with municipal institutions could not fail to have a beneficial effect in every way . Pie desired to acknowledge the services of those connected with him in the ceremony of the evening , and said how much he appreciated the honour which had been done the Lodge by the attendance of the

two Brethren who had acted as Wardens , and who were connected with the great municipality of the city . lie also expressed the gratification he felt in installing in the chair of the Lodge his old friend Bro . Crump , with whom he had been associated years ago on the Board of Grand Stewards .

Pie remembered Bro . Crump was then elected Secretary of the Board , and carried out the duties of that important Office to the entire satisfaction of his Brethren . The jewel which the Lodge had presented him , through their Master , he would regard as a charming memento of an imposing and impressive occasion .

Bro . John Smithers P . A . G . D . C . proposed the Worshipful Master . Pie said it seemed appropriate he should propose , his health , for although Bro . Crump did not actually initiate him he remembered sitting on his right hand when later in the day Bro . Crump occupied the chair of the Lodge , in

consequence of the W . M . having to leave through ill health . The W . M . had filled every Office in his mother Lodge , and he had also been W . M . of another Lodge with which they were associated—the Grand Stewards Lodge . Indeed he had held many Offices in Freemasonry , and had filled every Office

with conspicuous distinction . The poetical toast list reminded them that " Pie bears his blushing honours thick upon him , " but rumour had it there was a possibility of them being thicker still , for a little bird told him that there was something greater in store for him . No one would congratulate

him more when that came to pass than he . Bro . Crump was as true as steel , and they might be certain that he would always have the interest of the Lodge at heart . Pie expected

to see on the musical programme " 1 he Bailiff ' s Daughter of Islington , " but it was not there , which he somewhat regretted , as he had composed a substitute for one of the verses , which , as he could not sing , he would recite-.

—There was a Crump , and a well-beloved Crump , And he was a Freemason ; And I declare , he ' s the very first Mayor Of Merrie Islington . The Worshipful Master , in reply , tendered thanks . Of

course in starting a Lodge there was always a considerable amount of detail , which entailed a certain amount of anxiety at the commencement of its career , but from his knowledge of the Founders , with whom he was associated in another place , he was convinced all would work for the well being of

the Lodge . At that very old stage of his Masonic life—over a quarter of a century—he could assure them he should endeavour to do in that Lodge as he had done in others of

which he had had the honour of being Worshipful Masterwork to the best of his ability to ensure that the Lodge might become an honour to the Craft , and the centre of much usefulness in the borough of Islington .

The next toast was that of the Visitors , and the W . M . regarded it as a very important item at all gatherings of Freemasons . As a very young assembly , he could really say the baby Lodge of the Craft , they offered the visitors a hearty

welcome . They hoped the guests would profit by the work they had witnessed in Lodge , and that they had benefitted by what had been since provided for them . Altogether the members trusted they had so enjoyed themselves as to desire to come again to the Borough of Islington Lodge .

Bro . Dr . Sansom replied , although he hardly knew why he was called upon , as the Brethren certainl y did not need any physic . They had had an excellent tonic in Lodge , and appeared to have all done fairly well since . PTP cnnld nni- «„

he felt out of place in answering for the health of the visitors , because he had to do it every morning of his life , but he certainly had to thank the members for the invitations they

Consecration.

had issued to be present to witness the successful launching of their new Lodge . Pie hoped to be present on some future occasion and perhaps by that time the Master would have

had so much of him that he would not again couple his name with the toast . Thei visitors most heartily thanked the members of the Lodge , and tendered their very best wishes for its future welfare and prosperity .

lhe Treasurer and Secretary were next toasted . The W . M . said it was impossible for any Lodge to be conducted properly without the assistance of a good Treasurer and Secretary . Pie congratulated his fellow members on having appointed a Treasurer who < he knew would be extremel y

careful in the handling of the funds , and would further the interests of the Lodge in every way . As regarded their Brother Secretary—he had already shown what he could do , and he felt that at the end of his year of Office they would even better appreciate him than they did now .

Bro . Townley , in reply , said they had all heard the story of the prisoner at the Old Bailey charged with the murder of his mother and father , who pleaded for mercy because he was an orphan . lie felt very much in that position as Treasurer of their new Lodge because he had to apologise

for their shortcomings , and if they could not plead that they were orphans , they could at least plead the inexperience of youth . They hoped their Lodge might prove an example to other municipalities , and that they would be able to prove its usefulness . Pie had been asked what would now

be his position when he desired to attack public men who also happened to be Brother Masons with him in the same Lodge . In reply he answered Masonry might have the effect of softening some of the asperities of life , but it would have no effect on any duties he considered he ought to fulfil .

It might happen that some Masonic householder of Islington , when he was asked for an additional 4 d in the £ on his rates might give the Masonic sign of distress , but probably the only recognition would be another sign of distress , in the form , perhaps , of the borough bailiff , and the possibility was that the

householder would find that r reemasonry had made very little difference in the management of the affairs of Islington . Pie believed in dignity in public affairs , just as he believed in dignity in Masonic matters . There . was no Institution , in England that could compare with Freemasonry in its

charitable efforts and in charitable feeling on the part of its members one towards another , and he trusted that Freemasonry in its best aspects might be extended through the influence of their nevylv established Lodge . lie hoped the Lodge might

rapidly increase in numbers , and that it would be , not the old local clique , but a centre of information where they might learn something one from another for the benefit of the people around them .

The Secretary also replied , feeling the Lodge to be a step in the right direction , because the more public men saw of each other the more they learnt to appreciate and know each other .

The health of the Officers was next proposed by the W . M ., who said much depended on them . He felt extremely happy in the knowledge that during his year in the chair he

should have most capable Officers , Brethren who- might teach him much that might be of service to him , at least that was what he felt after what he had seen of them in the Council Chamber of the borough .

Bro . Elliott S . W . replied . Pie generally found it enough trouble to take care of himself , but when he was called upon to respond for what was really the entire Lodge the task was

all but insurmountable . Plowever , he could assure the Master all would do their best to ensure the success of the Lodge , and all thanked the W . M . for the kind things he had said in proposing the toast .

The Tyler was next summoned , and he gave the usual concluding sentiment .

Ceaseless energy marks the career of the Regent Street Polytechnic . Its latest demonstration is the foundation of a Lodge , which was duly consecrated on Saturday afternoon , 28 th ult , by Bro . E . Letchworth Grand Secretary . The

object sought is to enable those who have been associated with the Polytechnic to continue Masonically the friendships which they formed in the past , and the circumstances of its ' inception and the enthusiasm of its Officers promise a useful

and prosperous career . Commencing with forty founders , the Lodge , which is intended to be purely Masonic , banqueting forming no part of its programme , has other forty gentlemen seeking admission .