Notices Of Meetings.

NOTICES OF MEETINGS .

— : o : — CRAFT.

CONSECRATION OP THE DUKE OP YORK LODGE , No . 2449 .

THE consecration of the above Lodge by Colonel Le Gendro N . Starkie fche Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of East Lancashire took place at the Palatine Hotel , Hunt's Bank , Man-Chester , on Thursday , 23 rd ult . Colonel Starkie was well supported by his Provincial Grand Officers , and there was a very nnmerous attendance of other brethren , who were marshalled into the Lodge .

room by Brother W . H . Peak P . M . P . G . D . C , an Officer of repute in the Province . The Eight Wor . Prov . Grand Master having taken the chair , he appointed as his Officers pro tem Bros . Fritz Eeiss P . G . S . W . as acting Senior Warden , N . A . Earle P . G . R . as Junior Warden and Installing Master , W . B . Eussell P . G . D . O . as Inner Guard , W . H . Peak as Director of Ceremonies , John Chadwick

P . G . S . B . Provincial Grand Secretary , H . Stevens Provincial Grand Organist , and Rev . J . 0 . Jelly Prov . Grand Chaplain . Col . Starkie then opened the Lodge in the threo degrees , the hymn , " Hail Eternal , by whose aid , " was sung , after which the Provincial Grand Master addressed the brethren on the motive of the meeting . He expressed the satisfaction he felt in being present at the Palatine

Hotel , a building fraught with pleasing memories of fche past ; he dwelt at length on fche high and important principles of fche Order , and especially exhorted his listeners to exercise every care in the admission of candidates into Lodges , contending that on no account shonld a man be made a Mason whom they would not welcome to their own firesides . The Provincial Grand Secretary read tho

petition , the warrant being read by Brother F . N . Molesworth Prov . Grand Registrar , after whioh the Officers' names were approved . The Rev . J . 0 . Jelly Provincial Grand Chaplain delivered an oration on the nature and principles of the Institntion . He said all must bt impressed with the high estimation in whioh Freemasonry is held by brethren , who would not have been present on

this occasion unless they had felt the beneficial effect ! whioh such a consecration had for them . Our art needed no outside display to render it attractive or useful , as it appealed to a higher tribunal—the inner conscience : He dilated upon its aims , and its relation to human conduct , as also its religious influence in the various steps takes to reach the full dignity of a Master Mason . He

spoke of the suspicions engendered in the minds of non-Masous , and asked the very pertinent question , " Had they cause for it ? " Of the mandates issued from headquarters upon this point ( and which wo have often reverted to in our reports ) he was very explicit , drawing attention to the fact thafc the Grand Lodge of England had issued full commands with regard to the admission of unworthy men .

He considered it to be a duty to impress upon others the fact that Masonry benefited instead of being harmful , aud contended that if rightly used it might become a help to religion . Ho said that it is only when tho light of revealed truth comos thafc the natural light is unravelled , and a bond is established between this our earthly Lodge and that glorious Lodge above , where the Great Architect lives and

rales supremo . Upon tho Sacred writings is built up a spiritual ladder , traversing the rungs of Faith , Hope , and Charity : faith iu God , hope in the future , and charity towards all mankind . Masonry can be made of value by benefiting one ' s neighbour , its object being to elevate and stimulate by precept and example . He enjoined his listeners never to lose sight of the high objects of the art—never to

pander to tho animal passions and desires , to be harmonious , and make a continual advance iu Masonic knowledge . In conclusion he said , —We pray that the course of thi » new Lodge may be a blessing to many who shall enter itj thafc ifc may furnish them consolation and strength in their trials ; peaco and happiness in their workings ; and truth and justice in all their dealings . If

only the principles of the Order are zealously carried on * we may be assured that a prosperous career is before them , and that the work of launching this new home for tho brethren may not have been in vain . Tho impressive ceremony of consecration was then performed by the Prov . Grand Master , at the close of which Brother Earle the Installing Master took fche chair , and Bro . W . T .

Schofield P . M . P . P . G . J . D . was installed Worshipful Master , Bro . William Boden P . M . Senior Warden , and Bro . F . Warburton Junior Warden . The W . M . then appointed his Officers , as follow : — -Bros . James Andrew P . M . P . P . G . Standard Bearer I . P . M ., S . Mamelok P . M . Treasurer , Clement Jno . Hall Secretary , Thomas T . Hardioker S . D ., Philip Wbyman J . D ., Robert Meggitt Director of Ceremonies , John

Kinsey I . G . George A . Bowden and Thoma-j H . Stotfc Stewards . The newly-installed Master was then addressed by Bro . Fritz Eeiss , the Wardens by Bro . J . W . Abbott P . M . P . P . G . D . C , while Brother Earle addressed the Brethren . On the motion of Bro . Schofield W . M ., seconded by Bro . Andrew I . P . M ., a vote of thanks was accorded to the Provincial Grand Mas ; er tor his attendance , to which Colonel

Starkie subsequently replied . Several propositions were received , and the Lodge closed at 5 p . m . We may here incidentally mention thafc the whole of the new and magnificent furniture was presented to the Lodge by Bro . Philip Whyman ; Bro . Simeon Mamelok P . M . presented the exceedingly beautiful jewels and Lodge clothing , while Bro . C . J . Hall not only gave a very substantial douceur

towards the expenses of the banq . 'it , but magnanimously offered a cheque , the amount of which should be equivalent in value to the cost of the furniture . The founders of the Duke of Tork Lodge ( chiefly members of the Strangeways Lodge ) are Bros . William T . Schofield P . M ., William Boden P . M ., Frederick Warburton , Simeon Mamelok P . M ., Philip Whyman , Thomas Taylor Hardioker , Robert Moggitt , John Kinsey , Clement John Sail , George Alfred Bowden ,

Thos . Henry Stott , Jas . Andrew , and Wm . Oswald Olivant Wilkinson , ' i e customary banquet followed , which was provided in admirable style by the host , Brother Charles Omar Wilkiueon ( Albany 151 , Newport , I . of W . ) , and had the celebrated Zimme . man been present he would have entered his opinion as to tho delights and advantages of solitud j The Loyal and Masonic toasts having been disposed of ,

Brother Jas . Eobinson W . M . of the Strangeways Lodge proposed the health of the Worshipful Master of Lodge No . 2449 , He said thafc he was overwhelmed with tho responsibility of such a toast , and if he failed to express adequately the sentiments of himself and members of the Strangeways Lodge , no doubt others would complete the task , b rother Schofield had been an active worker in

the mother Ledge for many years . In perusing the liafc of new Officers , ho noticed that 11 out of 13 were members of the Strange , ways Lodge , and it was no doubt owing to the fact that he was W . M of that Lodge that he had bad conferred npon him the task which he was then undertaking , that of proposing for the first time the health of the Worshipful Master of the newly-consecrated Lodge . Brother

Schofield in responding said : It has often been asserted that there are many proud moments in a man ' s life , and this he considered was his happy time . The hearty way in which they had drunk hia health had met wifch his approbation , and he thanked the brethren for their cordiality . Ifc was nofc for him , as its Treasurer of 17 years standing to attach any importance to his duties in the Strangeways' Lodge ,

When he joined that Lodge it was not in tho most prosperous of circumstances , but his aim had been to curtail tho expenaes of the fourth degree , and make them consistent with charity , whioh he always advocated . Bro . Schofield , after explaining the part ha had taken in procuring the new warrant , ended by an appeal to tha Officers and Brethren to become proficient in tho Masonio art

The toast of the Masonio Charities having been proposed , it waa responded to by Brother James Newton Past Master , Provincial Grand Assistant Secretary , Secretary of the East Lancashire Systematic Masonio Educational and Benevolent Institution , who said that it was a quarter of a century since he first know Brother Schofield , and therefore he could speak of him with confidence . He advocated .

in cases where Lodges got too bulky , the formation of new ones , and hopod the daughter Lodge would emulate the action of the mother Lodge and move on the sumo lines . As the new Lodge was com . posed almost entirely of members of the Strangeways Lodge 1219 , he trusted they would endeavour to follow the noble example set them by the latter , whioh last year contributed £ 125 10 a to the East

Lancashire Institution , and £ 52 10 s to the Eoyal Masonio Benevolent Institution . He pointed out that in connection with the East Lancashire Institntion 37 children had benefited by grants for their education ; 21 brethren and widows had received grants from the Eolief Board ; 54 oases had been relieved by the Almoner's Com . mittee , and one brother was receiving an annuity . Thus 113 oases

had been relieved by the Institution dnring the year just ended , the amount dispensed in these cases being £ 682 6 s 2 d . Ifc bad been recently determined to establish the granting of annuities , whioh of necessity wonld require increased support , and he confidently appealed to the brethren to assist the Institution in raising the funds necessary for carrying on the good work . Bro . Newton impressed

upon his hearers the fact that the relief afforded was nofc dealt out with a niggardly band , although nt the same time all requisite care and circumspection were used . Brother Fred Warburton Junior Warden proposed the toasfc of the Visiting Brethren , whioh was responded to by Brother Alderman J . J . Meakin , J . P ., Salford , who reverted to the fact that the new Lodge was an offshoot of the

Strangeways Lodge , and pointed out to the brethren the obligations whioh they owed to the same . Brother William Boden Past Master Senior Warden proposed the health of the Installing Master ( Bro . Earle ) , tho latter brother responding in felicitous terms . Bro . W . H . Peak proposed the toast of the Founders of the Lodge , some of whom replied . Bro . Mamelok said

that feeling as he did a great interest in the contemplated new Lodge , he had joined others in their efforts to assist ifc . He mentioned that two brethren had set the good example of making presents , and he had determined nofc to be behind them . Speaking upon the subject of charity , Bro . Mamelok said thafc he hal assisted tho various institutions through the medium of his other Lodges , and he

would do what he could in this . He strongly advocated unity , for without this they could not be successful . Bro . Philip Whyman , in responding to the same toast , gave a very interesting account of his own early struggles in life , and said that ho had always had an anxious desire to become a Freemason . He found that it was now his recreation , and he enjoyed nothing better than the company of

Masons . When knotty queitions arose in connection with his business , or other majors , he found that his best advisers were brother Masons , indeed he attributed his success to Freemasonry , and to the friendihip which it had engendered . An excellent programme of musio was furnished by Bros . Nelson , J . Stokes , A . Bowley , K . Stewart , and W . Howard , who were accompanied on the

pianoforte by Biu . Bridge Hopkins P . M . The following were present at the consecration and banqnet : —Bros . Fritz Eeiss P . G . S . W ., N . A . Earle P . G . J . W ., J . H . Sillitoe P . G . Standard Bearer P . P . G . W ., Eev . J . 0 . Jolly P . G . C , Alderman J . J . Meakin P . P . G . J . W ., W . H . Peak P . G . D . C , J . H . P . Leresche P . P . G . E ., F . N . Molesworth P . G . Registrar , J . D . Murray P . M . 1335 Grand Treasnrer of England , J . W . Abbott P . M . 1030 P . P . G . D . C , J . W . Booth P . M . 37 P . G . S . D .,

T . A . Lowe P . P . G . S . B . West Lancashire , J . Kershaw P . M . 300 P . P . G . D . C , J . Clafton P . M . 277 P . P . G . Organist , J . Andrew P . M . 121 ^ P . P . G . Standard Bearer , W . Barnes Eussell P . M . 1219 P . G . Assistant Dir . of Cers ., J . Hancock P . M . 992 P . P . G . Standard Bearer , Ralph Andrew P . M . 336 P . P . G . S . D . Cheshire , J . Stewart P . M .

286 , George Edward Hillier W . M . 345 P . G . S ., Chas . Cooper P . M . 15 SS P . P . G . C West Lancashire , C . E . Hindley P . M . 118 P . P . G . S . D . West Lancashire , George H . Holt P . M . 345 P . G . S . D ., James Newton P . M . 37 P . G . Assistant Secretary East Lancashire Institution , George Board P . M . 1798 P . P . G . D ., Hy . Stevens W . M . 999 P . G . O ., William Jaffrey P . M . 152 P . P . G . S . D ., Joseph Pollard