Consecration Of The Epping Lodge, No. 2077.

CONSECRATION OF THE EPPING LODGE , No . 2077 .

THE Province of Essex added another to its roll of Lodges on Saturday the 31 st ult ., when a largo mnster of the brethren assembled at the Cock H'tel , Epping , to do hononr to the occasion . In the absence of the Right Hon . Lord Brooke , M . P ., the Provincial Grand Master , the work of the day devolved on tho V . W . the Deputy

Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Fred A . Philbrick , Q . C ., Grand Registrar . Amongst those who assisted were Bros . Richard Clowes P . P . G . S . W ., who filled the chair of Senior Warden ; J . C . Earlo P . G . J . W ., who took the Jnnior Warden's chair ; the Rev . Charles H . Roberts P . P . G . C . aa Chaplain , Thos . J . Railing P . G . Sec . as acting

Secretary , A . Lucking P . M . and P . Z . Director of Ceremonies , and D . Bartlett P . M . 1313 as Inner Gnard . There were also present Bros . E . Letchworth Junior G . D ., A . Durrant P . M . 276 Provincial G . Treasurer , T . J . D . Cramphorn P . M . 1021 Provincial G . S . D ., A . C . Durrant S . AV . 276 Prov . G . Steward

J . B . Read 1361 , F . R . Hales 650 , W . Herbage 2005 , J . Taylor jun . 1817 , A . Bryant 1237 , H . Clements 754 A . G . Fidler 1237 , W . Gray 1489 , T . Vincent ( "Bagshaw ) , C . J . R . Tijon 1801 , G . R . Bolton 1314 , T . Fox 1613 , W . F . Greon 681 , W . Hammond 569 , J . R . Parkington , C . Smith , E . Wondover 171 , H . Marsh I . G . ( Rose

of Sharon , New South Wales ) , J . Archer , J . Wilson P . P . J . W . Berks , J . Corbie 453 , J . Glass 453 , A . J . Dixie 453 , R . Martin P . P . G . S . D . Essex , F . Eastwood 933 , A . A . Mills 754 , C . J . Edwards 1457 , AV . Latter Organist , J . H . Langdon 1457 , W . Med win 1613 , C . Handley 475 , J . Barber 933 , J . T . Austin 1457 , G . Corbie

P . P . J . G . W . Essex , G . Sewell 1457 , E . Laurence 453 , G . Hollington 933 , J . W . Hair 276 , W . W . Morgan W . M . 211 , J . Willing jnn . 1319 , R . De Lacy 1705 , F . G . Bland 1613 , A . L . Fryer 1624 , H . Schartan 1519 , C . Beckett 1319 , T . C . Fryer 181 , H . Stevenson 192 , W . P . Collin 1216 , W . W . Shepherd 754 , S . Goodall 754 , A . Haig-Brown 174 , C .

Beaumont 901 , A . Buck 453 P . P . S . G . W . Essex , J . Hare 1987 , & o . The Lodge having been formally constituted , was opened to the third degree . In his opening address Bro . Philbrick explained the absence of the Prov . Grand Master , and expressed the pleasure he felt , in Lord Brooke's absence , in undertaking the duties of

Consecrating Officer . He urged it had been fairly shown a need existed for tho establishment of this new Lodge , and he felt that the founders wero men to whom might be safely entrusted the destinies of a Lodge of Freemasons . In due course the Chaplain was called upon , and he delivered the following Oration .

V . W . DEPUTY PKOV . GRAND MASTER , OFFICERS AND BRETHREN , —The consecration of a new Lodge must be to every thoughtful Maaon a most solemn time , and one which should be accompanied by very earnest and serious prayer . As our Deputy Provincial Grand Master has so justly observed , the ritual and ceremonial is most impressive ,

may it so affect our hearts . Freemasonry is in its rifcnal and observance cither a most holy and pious institntion or else a mere form of words and obligations which aro valueless and semi-blasphemous . Without divulging to the uninitiated any of our secrets we are at liberty to tell them that the Bible is always open in our Lodges ,

and all our meetings are commenced and concluded with prayer to Almighty God , for where His Name is invoked we believe the subsequent actions will be blessed , and whoso pntteth his trust in Him need have no fear of danger . Our great and glorious institution is founded upon and rests npon the Volume of the Sacred Law , its

Light of Purity and Truth is derived from God Himself . With the consecration of * tin ' s new Lodgo to-day I would remind my brethren that our Lodges are dedicated to tho Most High , and our conduct therein shonld at all times be fit and seemly ; and especially would I recommend this fact to the serious attention of those who aro to be

entrusted with the government of this new Lodge , so that either with candidates for the rites and privileges of Freemasonry , or wich joining members , there may be the knowledge felt that in Lodge they are iu a building solemnly consecrated and dedicated to God . The more we feel in ourselves the solemnity of our ritual and ceremonial

so mnch the more will it influence all our brethren for good . All tho symbolism of Masonry is as perfect as it is beautiful , and to two of our working tools I would direct yonr attention—the 24 inch

gauge and the pencil . May we carefully remember the 24 hours of the day , and as we spend part in labour and refreshment , and a part in serving a friend or brother in time of need , so let us not forget the part to be spent in prayer to Almighty God ; for

" Prayer ardent opens Heaven , Sends down a shower of consecrated light upon the hour Of man in communion with the Deity . " If all onr purposes are thus sanctified with prayer , we need have no

fear of meeting death cheerfully , for our actions , noted in the Book of Life , thongh imperfect have yet been to the best of our ability ; we shall have marked well , and received the commendation of God and be permitted to dwell " in that Temple not made with hands , eternal in the Heavens . "

The ceremony was then completed , with every regard to dne solemnity . Brother A . Lucking now took the chair and installed the W . M . designate , Bro . E . G . Lewis . After the regular salutation had been given the following brethren wero invested as Officers : —Bros . E . J . Acworth I . P . M ., James Salmon S . W ., T . J . AVoodrow J . AV ., AV .

Dance Secretary , J . Fletcher J . D ., Parkinson ( elected ) Tyler . Tho election of a Treasurer was deferred till the first regular meeting , on which occasion the remaining Officera will be invested . The first item of interest to be recorded is , that it was resolved to send a letter of congratulation to H . R . H . the Grand Master on

the happy event of Prince Albert Victor having attained his majority . A cordial vote of thanks was then tendered to tbe Depnty Provincial Grand Master , and those brethren who had assisted him in the ceremony of the day , special reference being made to the indefatigable zeal displayed both by Bro . Albert Lacking P . G . D . C .

Consecration Of The Epping Lodge, No. 2077.

and Bro . T . J . Railing Prov . G . Sec . The compliment was gracefully acknowledged by Bro . Philbrick . Honorary membership was then voted to the Prov . G . Master , Lord Brooke , and to the brethren who had carried ont the consecration . For this Bro . Clowes responded . The proposition for candidates for initiation and joining having been

formally handed in , Lodge was closed . A banquet followed the consecration of the Lodge , and , in due course , the usual toasts wero submitted and honoured . The W . M . reviewed the work that had been done by those who had assisted him in the establishment of the Lodge , and referred to some of the more

particular points it was their intention to study in the future . The Depnty Provincial Grand Master , in responding to the toast of hia health , congratulated the Founders upon the happy auspices under which their Lodge had been started , and wished for them a long and successful career of usefulness . He warned them to be very

careful in admitting new members ; these , he said , shonld be men who would reflect honour on the Lodge , it being far easier to keep out ; any element of discord than to get rid of it afterwards . Remarking that the Lodge they had solemnly consecivited that day brought the number of the roll of the Lodges of

Essex to twenty-four , Bro . Philbrick said that while ifc was always a pleasure to the authorities in the Province to welcome a new Lodge where , like this ono , thero was shown to bo a genuine need for it , and it was likely to havo a good local support , they mast bear in mind that where thoso elements were wanting new Lodges conld not

bo sanctioned , as they would prove a source of weakness rather than strength . The mnsical arrangements for the day , which were admirably carried out , were nnder the direction of Bro . Robert De Lacy , Vicar Choral of St . Paul's Cathedral , assisted by Bro . Schartan , of Westminster Abbey , Bro . Chas . Beckett , of H . M . Chapel Royal ,

Bro . Fryer , St . Paul ' s , and Bro . Latter Organist . A due meed of praise must be given to Bro . Edward Lawrence , the genial host . Tho resources of his establishment—a most comfortable one by the

way—were taxed to the uttermost , bnt every one seemed satisfied with his efforts . It is not often , we opine , he is called upon to entertain so large a gathering . We look forward to spend an evening with the brethren when the strain will not be so great .

Zetland Chapter, No. 236.

ZETLAND CHAPTER , No . 236 .

ON the 28 th ult . the regnlar meeting of this Chapter , attached to the York Lodge , No . 236 , was held at the Masonic Hall , York . The Chapter was opened by Companion the Rev . W . Valentine 0 ., Comp . Buckle P . Z . as H ., and Comp . M . Rooke J ., and there were also present Comps . Todd , Rev . Young , McKay , Whytehead , Rymer , Foster , Kirby , Simpson , Smith , Blenkin , Hopton , Lee , Purnell ,

Anderson , Draper , Biscomb , Forbes , Russell , Cattell , Carter , Hodgson , McGachen , Brown and others . Successful ballots having been taken for several candidates , Bros . W . H . Godley , J . Clarke , and L . Dodsworth , all of the York Lodge , No . 236 , were exalted to the

Royal Arch . The election of Principals and Officers then took place , with the following result : —Comps . T . B . Whytehead P . Z . Z ., M . Rooke H ., J . S . Rymer J ., J . Todd P . Z . Treasurer , G . Garbntfc S . E ., H . Foster S . N ., and G . Kirby P . S . Comp . W . G . Calvert waa re-elected Janitor . On motion of tho Treasurer the sum of £ 10 10 s

was voted to the Masonic Benevolent Institution , and ordered to be added to the list of the Dean of York , who will represent the York Lodge , No . 236 , at the next Festival . After the close of tbe Chapter , the Companions met at supper and passed an exceedingly enjoyable evening , tho toasts alternating with songs , to " which Bros . Todd , Kirby , Rymer , and others contributed .

Justice Lodge of Instruction , Tfo . 147— Afc a meeting , held afc tho Brown Bear , High-street , Deptford , on Thursday , 5 th inst . There were present Bros . Pitt W . M ., Williams S . W ., Dilley J . AV ., ITntchins P . M . Preceptor , Speiuht P . M . Secretary , Prior S . D ., Catfc J . D ., Penrose I . G . ; also Bros . Stringer , Cooper , Greener ,

Till , Strickland , Dale , Good , Emblin . Lodgo was opened in the first degree , nnd the minntes of previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Cooper candidate . Lodge was called off , and on resuming the questions

leading to tho degree of F . C . were put , and answered by the members . Lodge was then advanced , and tho ceremony of passing rehearsed , Bro . Stringer being the candidate . Lodge was closed in the second degree , and Bro . Williams S . W . was elected W . M . for the ensuing Thursday . Lodge was then closed in due form .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . FRANK SILLIS . IT is Avifcli deep regret AVC announce fclic dcafcti of Brother Frank Sillis S . W . 1744 , Avhich sad event took place on Thursday , the 29 th ulfc ., after a brief illness , the immediate cause of death being erysipelas . Bvo . Sillis was initiated

in the Domatic Lodge 177 ; he Avas one of the founders of the Royal Savoy Lodge 1744 , and went through all officer , herein up to Senior Warden . Brother Sillis Avas HkeAvise a founder of the Metropolitan Chapter 1507 , of

which at the time of his decease he Avas Principal Sojourner . The funeral took place at Nr . nhcad Cemetery on Wednesday last , when a large assemblage of Craftsmen attended to pay the last tribute of respect to a worthy brother .