Consecration Of The Minnehaha Minstrel Lodge.

CONSECRATION OF THE MINNEHAHA MINSTREL LODGE .

COLONEL LE GENDRE N . STARKIE , P . G . M . of East Lancashire , on the 30 th ult ., consecrated this Lodge , No . 2363 on the roll of tho United Grand Lodge * of England , the ceiemony taking place at tha Victoria Hotel , Manchester . Thero was a larpe gathering of brethren , among whom were Bros . theHon . S ' r Henry Burford-Hancock District Gruud Master of Gibraltar , George Mellor D . P . G . M . East Lancashire , J . 0 . S . Thurshy , Captain Lingnrd , Rev . E . B .

Bigoe-Bagot , J . H . Siliitr e , G . E . Collingwood , J . J . Lambert , W . IT . Vaughan , J . Chadwick , R . Newhouse , W . Goodacre , G . Hnnt , J . \ Y . Abbott , A . H . William ? , and other Provincial Grand Officers from this and tho adjoining Provinces . The Provincial Grand Master , after opening in the three degrees , said the biethivn had assembled to consecrate a Lodge under circumstances which , while very peculiar ,

were most advantageous to the Order and most creditable to tho Province . They had bad in East Lancashire consecrations of Lodges with various special objects , but it was with tho greatest pleasure that he found tbat a largo number of hi ghly educated men , who were diffusing as they went along knowledge aud pleasure and intellectual entertainment , net for iheir own advantage , bnt for tho

advantage of persons who needed the benefits of charity , desired to extend the bei . efits of their association to the old and illustrious Order of Freemasonry . He felt that the founders of this now Lodge had paid a high compliment to the Fraternity in this large and influential Province . A pamphlet ho had received spoke volumes for what the Minnehaha Minstrels had done for charitable

Institutions by the exercise of their talents in behalf of their poor , afflicted , indigent , and oppressed fellow . creatures , and he felt sure that in a Ledge formed from among them the ceremonies of Masonry would be performed in the most ornate manner posiible , and that Masonio principles would Le upheld in a way which would set au admirable example to all Lodges having in view the great objects of dissemiu .

atmg chanty . He thanked the founders more than he could express , and he had confidence that their Lodge would be an ornament to the Fraternity . The Acting Prov . Grand Chaplain ( Bro . Bigoe Bagot ) , delivering a subsequent oration , endorsed the remarks of the Prov . Graud Master with regard to the Minnehaha minstrels . In these days , when the rnral life of onr country was suffering ; great

depletion , and large centres of population grew on every hand , there wai , he said , a greater attention to Freemasonry than had been the case in past years . Masons' Lodges in largo towns were calculated to unite young men together , and to find them pleasant and profitable means of spending thoir time , and what was of more importance , they helped to diffuse the principles of charity and

goodwill among all mankind . There were , as the P . G . M . had intimated , various special Lodges in the Province . For instance , the Arthur Sullivan was musical , and tho East Lancashire Centurion was military . Now they were about to have a a Lodge founded and snpported by a body of mon whose efforts iu the cause of charity had made their name a household word in Manchester and district , and

under such auspices no Mason couid doubt that the principles of the Order would be nobly maintained in that Lodge . The elaborate ritual waa then proceeded with , in its various sections of consecration , dedication and constitution , Bro . Collingwood directing the ceremonies , and Bro . Williams , with a capable choir , dealing with the anthems and musical responses . The Prov . Grand J . W .

( Captain Lingard ) afterwards installed Bro . Martin Thomas P . M . 204 and 350 firsfc W . M . of the now Lodge , and Bro . Thomas , after being duly proclaimed and saluted , invested as his Officers the following brethren , who with him are tho founders : —Bros ' . Seth i Wrigley S . W ., F . W . WoIIaston J . W ., F . Hilton Secretary , Charles Harrop Treasurer , W . A . Brabner S . D ., Cyril H . Beaver J . D ., Henry Null D . C , B . A . Smith Organist , G . E . Ward I . G .. Charles Mercer

Steward . Bro . J . B . Kirk was appointed Tyler . Each of the founders presented the collar and silver jewel of his office io the Lodge , and there were numerous other gifts from them . Before the Lodge was closed six joining members and two candidates were proposed . Colonel Starkie was unanimously elected an honorary member of the Lodge , and expressed his warm appreciation of tbe compliment paid ' to him . I

CONSECEATION OF A NEW" LODGE AT DORE .

ON Wednesday , tbe 30 th ult ., tho ceremony of consecration of the Chantrey Lodge , No . 2355 , was performed by Bro . Ofceover D . P . G . M . Derbyshire , P . G . J . W . England , and his Ollicers . There was a very large gathering of Freemasons from all pnrts , the ceremony taking place in tho large hall of the Licensed Victuallers ' Institute . A very impreasire oration was given by Bro . E . E . Morn ' s

P . G . Chaplain , pointing out tbe advantages of Brotherhood , peace and goodwill towards men , after which Bro . Wm . Boden P . M . P . P . G . J . W . was installed as first Master by Bra . H . Marsden P . M . P . P . G . S . W ., ably assisted by Bro . Percy Wallis P . M . P . P . G . S . W . The W . M . then appointed and invested the following brethren as liia Officers for the ensui-ig year : —Bros . H . A . Styring P . M . S . W ., J . P .

Atkinson J VV ., A . A . Jowitt Ireasurer , G . Slater Secrttirr , Walter Tyzack S . U ., J . Faulkner JD ., E . Atkinson D . C , 0 . A . Thorne I . G ., aud M . N . Teuipi-rley S . S . The bnsinsM b . ing cuticludod thc brethren left Dore , and proceeded to Sheffield , where a banquet was hold iu tne Masouic Hall , Surrey-street , served in Bro . Turner ' s usual good style .

ALAN LODGE , No . 23 G 8 .

ON the 6 <* h inst ., tho Provincial Grand Muster of Chashiro , th « Lord Egerton of Tatton , consecrated the above Lodge , at . the tyu " vu ' e IIott I , Aldcrley . He was assisted by Bros . Thorn s Marwuod ,

Consecration Of The Minnehaha Minstrel Lodge.

Colonel Wilkinson , Captain Gilbody , Rev . J . Grant Bird , E . Newhouse , and G . H . Browno . L- > rd Egerton said it gavo him very great pleasure to see fresh evidence of the spread of Masonry la that portion

of th- ) Provinc An eloquent oration was dolivere . l by the Eev . J . Grant B rd . Tho uiisicU arra-ijeuvjnts wore under tho direction ot Bro . W . Maxfi LI P . G . O ., and the vocalists wero Br JS . S . E . Jupp , II . Miller , and A . S . Kinuell .

ON Saturday , the 25 th ult ., a party of about thirty members and friends of this Lodge held their annual excursion , pro . coeding by the 8 * 30 train from Darlington to Malton , whero they arrived at 10-40 . Conveyances were in waiting to take the party to Castle Howard and Kiikham Abbey , and a * *! greatly enjoyed tho drive

IVlARQUId OP RIPON LODGE , No . 1379 .

round this really lovely district , which now looks its best . Oo the return to Malton in tho afternoon a first class dinner was served by Bro . Dcivi . coo , of the Ge . irge Hotel ( to whom hal boon left tho local arrangements of the excursion ); and the party left Malton for home

perfectly delighted with the day ' s outing , and the treatment they had received throughout . Bro . Dr . 0 . II . Hill Drewry , tho W . M . of the Lodge , with Bros . Baron , Waldy , and Wilson , were the committee of management .

DEE LODGE , No . 1576 .

THE installation meeting was held on Wednesday , the 30 th ult ., in the Town-hull , Neston , tho W . M . Brother Joseph Clarke being supported by tho following brethren : —R . G . Hawkins S . W , W . M . Elect , G . Forrester Secretary , J . W . Evans S . D ., F . M . Gibbs J . D ., J . Mayers I . G ., G . B . Richmond I . P . M ., the Hon . H . Holbrook P . M ., S . W . Ramsdon P . M . P . S . G . D ., W . Jones P . M ., J . Morris P . M . Treasurer , J . Barnes P . M . P . P . G . S . B ., W . Johnson P . M . 721

P . P . G . J . D ., H . A . Ellis P . M . 721 , H . Do Board 605 , W . J . Joyco 117 and 2311 , E . Eobinson 721 , J . R . Curnow 721 , T . M . Atkinson 721 , A . J . Phipps , Mus . Bac . The Lodge was opened shortly after three o ' clock , and the W . M . Elect , having been presented by Brothers the Hon . H . Holbrook P . M . and W . Jones P . M ., was duly installed by Brother J . Morris . The W . M . invested his Officers , as follow

••—Brothers Joseph Clarke I . P . M ., J . Shaw S . W . ( by proxy ) , G . Forres , ter J . W ., J . Morris P . M . Treasurer , J . W . Evans Secretary , J . M . Gibbs S . D ., J . Mayers J . D ., John J . White I . G ., W . Jones P . M . D . C , A . J . Phipps Organist . The charges to the Officers on investiture were delivered most effectively by Past Master Rainsden . At the close of the proceedings the brethren adjourned to the Lodge-room ,

Union Hotel , Parkgate , whero a banquet was served by Mrs . Acton , in her most efficient manner . The cloth being removed , the Loyal and Masonic toasts wero proposed from the chair . The Cheshire Masonio Educational Institution and all other Masonic Charities was proposed by P . M . Richmond , and recponded to ably by P . M . Morris . The I . P . M . proposed the health of the W . M ., and expressed

the opinion that Brother Hawkins would prove one of the most popular Masters the Lodgo had possessed , and would receive the hearty support of the brethren , to which the W . M . heartily responded . The health of the Installing Master was proposed by P . if . Ramsden , and responded to by Brother Morris Treasurer . The other toasts

were—the Visiting Brethren , and tho Past Masters and Officers of the Lodge . Daring the proceedings a handsome P . M . ' s jewel was presented to Brother Clarke for his services during the past year . The harmony of the meeting was well sustained by Brothers Eobinson , Curnow , Ellis , and Phipps .

VICTORIA PARK LODGE , No . 1876 .

A Lodge of emergency was held at the London Tavern , Fenohnrchstreefc , on Tuesday , 29 th ult ., Bro . Wm . Sinclair W . M . presiding . After preliminaries , the ballot waa taken for Mr . Joha Bamsay Craigen and Mr . James Chrystal ; it proved unanimous . Mr . James Craigen and Mr . J . McFarlaine Kidd , who had been

previously balloted for , were then initiated in the mysteries of the firsfc degree . Bros . Chapman and Patchin were paused , ' and Bros . Lamb and Warne were raised . This completed the business of the evening , Lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to refreshment .

LET harmony prevail , et powquoi non ? Is it not a grand principle of Naturft ' s lawi =, and every function full of it ? Iu the intir . muring brook , iht * - sighinu t-efs , the insects' hum , tho xhincle turning tide , tLe majestic rhythm of the mighty waves , the deep diapason of the thunder . Is it not 'he cohesive element of all fecial gathering , and should ever be found in a FreemsiNon ' s Lodu'P . Of all Lodgff , one predominated by mu-iciuns whonhl possess the spirit of barnn ny

in an etiurent degree . T * , o Mizirt Lodge , which has adopt-d tho sentiment at lhe head of this notice ns its rnofctr > , r *> < ei not disappoint the visitor . A moat harmonious gathi-rina . was : hut at the Greyhound , Croydor-, on the 2 nd inst . Tho piirpos ; of the meeting was to inst ; -. ! Bro . Aithnr Briscoe , i , Cfivuu ny s . blv ps-ifoMrod by Bro . 0 . Y . Hoi ! - sa-ate P . P . G . D . C . P . M ., Bn » . U . E . Frances P . G . D . actintras D . C . The W . M . appointed as hk Officers : —13 . os . Jolly S . W ., C . J . B irnett J . W .,

MOZART LODGE , No ; -1920 .

H . J . Lf . rdi . er P . P . G . ht-, uid ; u-J Beaier Tr . asmer , E . Lot ' , Mas . Doc , P . G . O . ( who was absei . t ) was by proxy re-i .-ivfsted Si orefcary , I ' . Fiord 3 . D ., R . C . Taylor J . D ., Wesc-he Organist . Anions the members present were Brnn . J . W . Jolly I , P . M . ( who in the course of tbe evening was presented with a handsome Pa-t Mas er ' s jewel ") , T . T . I'tuMpa P . M . P . P . G . Sfancla ' -d Barer , Civ . lk , Lovegrovo , Fovev , Thomas . Star . lev Smith , IL . wl-t , D t-k . e .- , Mm-fsu-ia > . e . ° Bro . G . D . Ktttou P . M . 013 waa uuum ^ r / uu via tors . After the banquet the