Consecrations.

among Masons , and to be a member of . a Lodge actually meeting in the place where I labour . I am confident the same good results will be realised here . May it be so , and may the Great Architect of the Universe shed His abundant blessing upon the Lodge we are about to consecrate .

The Lodge having been constituted and dedicated , the Patriarchal Benediction was given and this part of the programme was brought to a successful termination .

Bro . Albert Lucking then assumed the chair , and proceeded to instal Bro . George R . Brown as first Master of the Lodge . This ceremony was very ably rendered by Bro . Lucking .

The following Officers were then appointed : Brothers Frederick Taylor as I . P . M , Sydney Fortescue S . W , J Parkinson Watts J . W , S . C . Rhodes Treasurer , Charles T . Papworth Secretary , Harry Bird S . D , G . H . Pizey J . D , W . W . West I . G , K . M . Yeoman D . C , F . C . Gooding Steward , and I . Ives Tyler .

Each of the Officers was presented with a Founder ' s jewel in bronze , and it is worthy of note that it has been agreed the cost of the Past Master ' s jewel shall not exceed one guinea , because it is intended to devote as much money as possible to the Masonic Charities . This laudable example is worthy of wide imitation .

Bro . Geo . R . Brown W . M . was elected to represent the Lodge on the Essex Provincial Charity Committee ; and the Founders were appointed to frame the bye-laws to be submitted at the next meeting . Letters regretting absence were read from several

distinguished Freemasons , notably from Col . A . R . M . Lockwood , M . P , Deputy Grand Master , who was consecrating the West Essex Lodge ; and Judge Philbrick , who sent his best wishes for the success of the Lodge . A hearty vote of thanks was

accorded to the Consecrating Officers for their services , and the honorary membership of the Lodge was conferred upon them . Brother Railing acknowledged the compliment , and trusted that the Lodge would be a source of honour and strength to the Province .

Several initiates and joining members were proposed , and the visitors having tendered their congratulations , the Lodge was closed , after which the Brethren adjourned to the banqueting room .

¦ The company , numbering nearly 80 Brethren , thoroughly enjoyed the excellent dinner provided , and their pleasure was enhanced by the announcement of the Master that , as a long musical programme had been arranged , he hoped the speeches would be as brief as possible .

During the evening a telegram was sent to the Earl of Warwick informing him that the Lodge had been duly constituted , and wishing him better health . Plis lordship replied that he was still in bed , and sent his hearty good wishes for the future success of the Lodge .

The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were submitted by the W . M , and received with the utmost enthusiasm . Bro . James Speller , in a neat little speech , responded for the Officers of Grand Lodge . Bros . William Shurmur , the Rev .

E . I . Colnett , and W . J . Tull acknowledged the toast of the Provincial Officers . Bro . Railing again replied for the Consecrating Officers ; and the Master and Visitors completed the list .

The music in the Lodge and after dinner was under the direction of Bro . W . Emerson , assisted by Bros . Thomas Powell , Etherington Smith , Charles Strong , and Horace Reynolds , who gave the anthems during the ceremony , and some capital glees afterwards , with excellent effect . Miss

Kate Peake , a young soprano vocalist , achieved a success by the pleasing rendering of her songs . Everything was capitably arranged , and the Founders are to be congratulated upon the satisfactory result that crowned their efforts .

********** Cores Lodge , No . 2879 . AN interesting function took place at Swaffham , on Tuesday of last week , when this Lodge was added to the roll of the Province of Norfolk . For some time past it had been

felt by Masons residing in and about the town , and by those who expressed a desire to join the Craft , that a meeting place should be nearer at hand than Dereham or Lynn . After due consideration it was determined to form a Lodge in the town ,

and in response to an application made to the ruling powers in London , a Warrant , signed by the Duke of Connaught , was granted on 4 th October . The promoters also found themselves particularl y fortunate in being able to secure

Consecrations.

such a handsome building as the Assembly Rooms in which to establish themselves . The names of the Founders of the Lodge are as follow . Bros . Lord Amherst of Hackney P . G . W . 52 , Henry T . Arnold 1114 , R . T . PL Bodilly W . M . 453 , Jacob E . Brown I . G . 107 ,

Sir William H . B . Ffolkes P . M . 107 , John Green P . M . 996 , George Hare P . M . 1193 , Horace J . Pleyhoe I . G . 1114 , Herbert R . Heyhoe 1114 , Thomas S . Matthews 1114 , Hugh L .

Overman 1114 , Edmund Reeve P . M . 52 , Frederick R . Sadler 107 , C . Winlove Smith P . M . 107 , Stephen F . Stackard P . M . 807 , Augustus W . Thomas 1114 , G . Arthur Walker 996 , Henry Warne P . M . 1500 .

The beautiful ceremony of Consecration was performed in a most effective and impressive manner by the Prov . G . M . Bro . Hamon le Strange P . G . D , who was ably assisted by his Officers .

Bro . Hamon le Strange briefly addressed the Brethren on the object of the meeting , and prayer was offered . The Chaplain delivered an eloquent and carefully prepared oration on the principles of the Order . The office of Consecration

was then proceeded with according to the usual ritual and practice . Solemn music was sung by the Cathedral Quartet Party—Bros . Holden , Brookes , Thouless , and Brockbankthe pieces including the anthem " Behold how good and joyful , " and Himmel ' s " Incline Thine ear . "

Immediately following the close of the Consecration service Bro . George Hare was installed by the Prov . G . M . as the first W . M . of the Ceres Lodge . The following were then invested as Officers for the year : Bros . Lord Amherst of Hackney P . G . W . P . M . 52 P . P . S . G . W .

I . P . M , G . Arthur Walker S . W , John Green P . M . 996 P . Prov . J . G . D . J . W , Sir William H . B . Ffolkes P . M . 107 P . P . J . G . W . Treasurer , Herbert R . Heyhoe Secretary , Thos . S . Matthews

S . D , Augustus W . Thomas J . D , Stephen F . Stackard P . M . 807 P . P . G . D . C . D . C , Henry T . Arnold I . G , Jacob E . Brown Organist , Frederick B . Sadler Steward , Charles Brewster Tyler .

Before the Lodge was closed Brother Lord Amherst addressed some weighty words to the Brethren , and thanked Bro . Hamon le Strange for the admirable way he had carried

out his duties as Consecrating Officer . Ten candidates were proposed for initiation , and there appears every prospect that the new Lodge dedicated to " God and His service" has started on a very prosperous

career . An excellent banquet was afterwards served in the fine Assembly Hall , the catering of Bro . W . Grix , of Norwich ,

satisfying and delighting everyone . The usual Masonic toasts were cordially drank , the health of the Prov . Grand Master and his Deputy being received with unbounded enthusiasm .

At the instance of Bro . Hamon le Strange , Bro . Hare ' s health was very heartily pledged . The Norwich Cathedral Glee Party gave renderings of some choice part music , which was greatly appreciated ; and Bro . J . H . Brockbank sang Calcott ' s " Friend of the Brave " in his well-known stirring style .

****************** We recently referred to the case . of a Brother elected as Treasurer of a Lodge for the forty-fifth year in succession . The Cornubian Lodge , No . 450 , Hayle is running in the same

direction , having recently elected Bro . F . tlarvey P . P . S . G . W . as its Treasurer for the thirty-sixth consecutive year . It would seem the office of Treasurer is regarded as a permanent appointment in some of the Private Lodges , whatever may be said in regard to the appointment in Grand Lodge .

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

"A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

THE death occurred on Friday , 29 th ult , of Bro : Bugle-Major T . Thomas , at the age of 75 years . Bro . Thomas was well known in Volunteer and Masonic circles in Bristol . He had been in failing health for some time past . He was

originally a member of the Bristol Rifles , but on the forma ! ion ., of the Engineer corps he severed his connection with the Rifles , and became an active member of the Engineers , with which corps he was connected at the time of his death , bung

retained on the strength beyond the age limit by special permission . He was also an enthusiastic Mason , being a Past Master of the Beaufort Lodge , No . 103 ( W . M . in 1884 ) . r ] f had also held Office in the Province of Bristol , and was a member of the Beaufort Royal Arch Chapter ,