Consecration Of The St. Mark's College Lodge, No. 2157.

CONSECRATION OF THE ST . MARK'S COLLEGE LODGE , No . 2157 .

WHAT promises to be a valuable addition to the roll of Metropolitan Lodges was ushered into existence on Friday , the 29 th ult ., when the St . Mark's College Lodge was consecrated at the Victoria Mansions Restaurant , Victoria-street , S . W . Bro . Colonel Shadwell H . Gierke Grand Secretary was the Consecrating Officer ,

and he waa assisted by Bros . F . A . Philbriek , Q . C , G . Reg . as S . W ., Dr . Turtle Pigott , D . C . L ., P . G . A . D . C . as J . W ., Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg , M . A ., P . G . C . as Chaplain , and Frank Richardson P . G . D .

as Dir . of Cers . The ceremony was of the usual character , and in due course the acting Chaplain was called upon for an Oration on the Nature and Principles of the Institution . Bro . Brownrigg gave the following address : —

We are consecrating to-day a new Lodj < e , whose name stamps it as connected with a particular institution . Tbat institution is a practical illustration of many virtues tanght and insisted upon by our Craft . Certainly our old Masonio Guild , directly and indirectly teaches us : the duty of improving our mental and bodily faculties ;

ever asserts that knowledge is true so long , and so long only , as it springs from God ; constantly exhorts us to teach others what we have learnt ourselves . Are not these the principles upon which , for nearly half-a-oentury , St . Mark ' s College has been bnilding a superstructure perfect in its parts and honourable to the builder f Let

us consider these three points in detail . Man a mind and body—as designed by the G . A . O . T . U ., are endowed by Him with the power of development , if they avail themselves of the means he places within their reach . To develop mind and body in accordance with His plan is to answer the end of our Creation ; to check the divine life

-which is within ns is to mar and hinder His purposes . Education , therfi"foroj is the building up of a spiritual edifice upon the lines , and in ^ accordance with the plans designed from all eternity by the Wisdom of God . But no building , however good , is worth anything unless it rests upon a sound foundation . Oor ancient Brethren knew

this . Look at one of those old structures which are the beauty and glory of Architecture ; the work of somo operative Lodge of Freemasons . Compare it with the showy superficial work of some modern edifice . In both cases the future of the building is foreshadowed by the foundation . In the one case it is massive , solid , and in every

detail carefully designed and honestly executed ; in the tther it is feeble and superficial , and the whole work is scamped . In the one ca & e the building is meant to stand , and does stand , for ages ; in the other it is meant only to obtain the Architect ' s certificate and the customer's money . Brethren , no education , either of the soul or

body , is worth anything unless it rests npon a sound foundation . There is only one foundation upon which it can rest if it is to be lasting—beautiful and good—aud that foundation is God . Distinct , definite , and careful religious teaching is tho first stone we must lay in a child ' s education . We may erect a building fair to the eye

upon other foundations . The world is ever trying to do so , bnt when the practical test of Life ' s trials and temptations is applied , it is only the bnildii . g which rests upon God which stands against thoso storms and tempests from which none cau escape . But , further , the true Mason , bo he operative or speculative , never forgets that he mnst do

something more than develop his own faculties ; something move than secure a good foundation for himself . He must bo willing to tench others . A short time ago the Clerk of tha Works who was restoring one of the noblest fabrics of the old operative Masons in fc ij country tiugbfc me this lesson from the stones before ns . He

p linted ont how each stone had two marks ; the master ' s mark and tbe apprentice ' s mark . Both had laboured on tho same stone , the one as fc- 'acher and the other as learner . Presently in the same fabric we noticed other stones ; bnt now the apprentice had become a Craftsman , and his mark , the same old mark he had as an

apprentice , occupies the place of the master , ancl it is followed by another mark—the mark of a new apprentice , to whom ho is giving the same care and the same patience that his old master used to give to him . Ho had recognised the fact that he had learned not merely that he might do good and true work himself , but in order that he micht

teach others as he had been taught . Ancl so the work never lacked able workers , becanse each worker recognised tho duty of teaching his fellow . Brethren , we must recognise this great fact in our work , whatever it is . In some degree we must all be teachers . The man whose life Is teaching nothing to others is failing in one of

the great purposes of his existence ; is neglecting to carry out the Divine commission . He who teaches most of what is good and true to his Brother is copying most truly the Divine example . So

Biethren , let us sum np the whole lesson . Let our work be done truly ; let it rest on the one True Foundation , and lot it bo full of Brotherly Love for others . So shall it be worthy of the acceptance of the G . A . O . T . U .

Tho Lodge having been formally dedicated , aud the Benediction givan , Bro Rev . J . Henvy Smith , B . & ., P . M . P . P . G . C . Leicestershire and Rutland , was installed as the first Worshipful Master . He invested Bro . James Easterbrook J . W . 1920 as his Senior Warden , and Bro . J . O'Conuell Organist 1851 as his Junior Warden . The

other Oihoers wero appointed , aud several propositions for candidates having been handed in , the Lodge was closed , after some formal bnsiness had been transacted . The brethren subsequently sat down to banquet under tho presidency of the Worshipful Muster , and at the conclusion of the repast tho usual toasts wero honoured

In submitting thafc of the Queen and the Craft the Worshipful Water said that to each they owed loyalty . They reverenced tbo Queen for tho way in whioh she had ruled over the destinies of her people , while to the Craft thay owed their very existence as a Lodge . If the

brethren were true to their colours and would do their he-it to carry out its teachings they would do well , for Freemasonry was capable ot doing much for the public good . It had dono much iu tho past , and with one exception—which he felt he need nofc mention—had done more to benefit the human , race than any Fraternity , In submitting

Consecration Of The St. Mark's College Lodge, No. 2157.

tho next toast , that of H . R . H . the Grand Master , the W . M . said thafc Freemasonry was much indebted to the Prince of Wales . During hia presidency the Order had greatly increased , about one new Lod ge having been consecrated each week since the Prince accepted the Grand Mastership , eleven years since . As they had that day been

told by the Grand Secretary , the demand for new warrants was by no means likely to atop , indeed the Grand Master received more petin tions for Lodges than he was able to issue warrants for . The health of the Grand Officers was next proposed . The Worshipfnl Master considered the Grand Officers started with the determination of doing their

duty , and thus ifc was they carried ont their work so ably , and with so much satisfaction to tho Craft . They had the honour of having among their guests that night four Grand Officers , and he felt the members of his Lodge fully appreciated the compliment which had been paid them of being allowed to enrol these Grand Officers among

the members of their new Lodge . Bro . Brownrigg was the first to respond . The Grand Officers nailed with pleasure the establishment of such Lodges as the one consecrated thafc day . Bro . Philbriek followed . He was glad to see the roll of Grand Lodge recruited by such a Lodge as that of the College of St . Mark ' s . The position

which Freemasonry held now , as compared with the past , required that those who came to its ranks should bring something to itsomething which should be of service , and this he felt the members of the St . Mark ' s College Lodge wonld do . Ho felfc that the principles of true Freemasonry would be carried out in their Lodge , bufc

he warned them there was no success to be acheived without hard work , and if there was , it would nofc be worth having . It was nofc an entire devotion to the grand ritual or the ceremonies which embraced all thafc was besfc in Freemasonry , for fche longer one lived the more he must feel thafc the daily practice of Masonio teachings

in the common round of every-day life led on to higher things . The ritual of the Order contained the germ of a living spirit , and to him who was the best and truest student of Masonry did this soonest reveal itself . Bro . Shadwell Gierke proposed the health of the Worshipful Master . If ever fche hackneyed expression as fco fche toasfc of

the evening was permissible , it was when this toast came to be submitted on the consecration of a new Lodge . The brethren had been very fortunate in obtaining the services of so distinguished a Mason to occupy the chair as their first chief , aud there was no doubt he would justify the confidence reposed in him . The Worshipful Master

replied . He felt most intensely the compliment the founders of the St . Mark's College Lodge had paid him in selecting him as the first Master . Only one brother could occupy thafc position in a Lodge , no matter how long it existed . The brethren associated in the Lodge had started from one common mother—St . Mark ' s College—where

they had formed friendships during the days of their training , which friendships he hoped would be cemented in the St . Mark ' s Lodge . Tho health of the Consecrating and Installing Officer was nexfc given , and to this Bro . Gierke replied . Bro . Eastorbrook S . W . proposed the Visitors , and Bro . EL Wright W . M . of the Alliance

Lodge responded . He could hardly claim to be one of those distin . guished visitors to whom the Senior Warden had referred in proposing the toast . In his capacity as Master of the Alliance Lodge , of which their Worshipful Master wns a member , he had had the pleasure of signing the petition to the Grand Master for the

St . Mark a Collego Lodge , and he was particularly gratified in seeing the result of that petition in the consecration of their Lodge that day . The toast of the Officers was afterwards given , and the proceedings brought to a conclusion iu the usual manner . Among those who took part iu the day's proceedings were the following brethren :

Col . " shadwell H . Gierke Grand Secretary , who acted as Consecrating Officer , F . A . Philbriek G . R . acting S . W ., R . Turtle Pigotfc P . G . A . D . C . acting J . W ., Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg P . G . C . acting Chaplain , Frank Richardson P . G . D . acting D . C . Founders—J . Henry Smith P . M . 279 , James Easterbrook J . W . 1920 , John O'Connell

I . G . 1851 , Thomas Cross P . M . 1194 , W . B . Carter P . G . S . 404 , John Tidmarsh 1612 2163 , W . Goulden 1566 , A . G . Fleming J . D . 382 , J . It . Phillips 1681 , R . H . Catling 1580 , A . P . Lye 309 , VS . Benham 127 , G . W . Stevens S . W . 1815 , G . H . Heathcote 1732 . Visitors—John Trapp P . M . 787 , W . H . Wingfield W . M . 1360 , George May 1564 ,

W . Tidmarsh Secretary 1031 , J . Terry P . P . S . G . W . Norths and Hunts , W . W . Lee 1897 , H . W . Weston 1278 , James Perkins P . M . 1672 S . W . 1827 , J . L . Jennings 1920 , ( Horace Graham 1604 , J . Gilbey 813 , H . Sadler Grand Tyler , J . F . Dawson 404 Deputy Provincial G . M . Herfcs , W . Dodd 1194 , W . Woodward 1920 , W . H . Baker W . M .

1446 I . P . M . 2030 , T . Bull P . M . 145 , H . Wright ; W . M . 1827 S . D . 2060 , T . R . W . Tyler 1093 1210 , & c .

Covent Garden Lodge, No. 1614

COVENT GARDEN LODGE , No . 1614

r l 'HE first meeting for tho session of this Lodge was held afc the X Criterion , Piccadilly , on tho 12 th ult . There were present Bros Harry W . Ridgley W . M ., T . A . Dickson S . W ., B . Stevens J . W ., R Reynolds S . D ., 0 . Ralph acting as J . D , S . Hewitt I . G ., Johu Potter Tyler , E . Jacobs P . M . Treasurer , W . Bourne Secretary , G . Caiman W . S ., Frank Eaiiguc . * : D . C , John Jacobs P . M . aud Simeon

Jacobs . Bros . Geo . Froum , R . Po ' fcer , J . Potter , J . Pullen , D . Mordccai , J . Peart , P . A . Shannon , G . H . Reynolds , E . Mills , j ' . G . Abron , VV . Bilshain , James Woodward , E . J . Carter , O . Tomlinson F . Schiltcrns , and others . Visitors—Bros-. W . J . Mordy P . M . 1580 , F . Locketb 1638 , J . E . Palmers 1321 , W . M . Roots 1273 , S . Renanfc

J . D . 1623 , Mordecai 1308 , R . J . Peart 1580 , R . A . Kirkaldy W . M . l . "J 2 l . The minutes of lust meeting wero read and confirmed ; Lodge thin opsned to the second degree , when Bios . Pullen and R . AT . Potter were examined us lo their progress in tho science ; Lodge was tpenediu the third degree , aud fchey were severally raised to the

degree of M . M . Brother Citrou was passed to the second degree , and two candidates tveiv proposed for initiation at the next meeting . Tho W . Maafcur having received the hearty good wishes of the visitors , tho Lodge was closed , aud the Brethren repaired to the ban - queting room , where a splendid repast waa served up under the per .