Alfred Newton Lodge.

that we have met to-day for the purpose of starting into existence a new Lodge , the members of which are associated in an important commercial enterprise , and I can only express a hope that the Lodge about to be consecrated may accomplish all those objects the Founders have in view , that

it may unite more closely those already associated together , and that it may be an ornament to the Lodges of this great metropolis . As this Lodge is about to be dedicated to the service of Almighty God , I will call upon our Brother Chaplain for a prayer . " This was done , and the Warrant

was then read by the Director of Ceremonies , and an excellent oration was delivered by Bro . Fenn . The consecration proceeded on the usual lines , the ceremony being enhanced by the musical arrangements of Brother William

Windsor , assisted by a capable choir which rendered the anthems in an admirable manner . The new Lodge having been regularly constituted , the Patriarchal Benediction was given , and the first part of the proceedings was brought to a close .

A Board of Installed Masters was next formed , when Bro . Alfred James Newton was installed as first Master , this ceremony also being conducted by Bro . Letchworth , who subsequently delivered the Addresses . Upon the re-admission of the Brethren Bro . Newton was

proclaimed and saluted , and the following Officers were appointed : —J . J . Thomas acting I . P . M ., A . J . Naughton S . W .., D . F . Norrington J . W ., James Bailey Treasurer ,

Thomas Casely Secretary , Arthur Strutt S . D ., E . J . Rix J . D ., H . J . Thwaites I . G ., W . B . Abbott D . C , J . G . Heighington , J . P . Naughton , A . E . Catchpole , and C . Forrester Stewards , J . W . Jupe Organist , and Ellis Tyler .

Bro . Alfred Newton proposed , and Bro . J . J . Thomas seconded , a vote of thanks to the Consecrating Officers for their services , and suggested that they should be asked to become Honorary Members of the Lodge . This was carried with the utmost unanimity , and was supplemented later on by a more substantial recognition .

Bro . Letchworth gracefully returned thanks for the compliment , and assured the Brethren that it was always a labour of love for the Grand Officers to assist at these functions .

A Committee was appointed to frame the Bye-laws ; several propositions for candidates were received , among them being the son of Alderman Newton ; and six applications from Joining Brethren .

The Lodge was then closed and the Brethren proceeded to the dining room , where a sumptuous repast was laid out . Each visitor received a "button-hole , " and an elegant programme of the proceedings as a souvenir of the occasion .

Previous to commencing the toasts the W . M . said that as they had a capital entertainment provided for them he hoped the speeches would be as short as possible . The toasts of the Queen and of the Grand Master were received with respectful enthusiasm .

Bro . Thomas Fenn P . G . W . responded for Grand Lodge , and said the Grand Officers always endeavoured to do their best ; he hoped they had performed their duty that day to the satisfaction of the Brethren .

The W . M . proposed the Consecrating Officers , saying that during his Masonic career he had attended many such ceremonies , but never before had he been so deeply impressed . It was no mere hum-drum of the ritual they had listened to , but real and earnest work , which must have recommended

itself to every Brother present . In the name of the Founders he asked their acceptance of a trivial memento of the occasion , instead of the usual jewel , as he was sure they must

possess many more than they could wear . He then presented each Officer with a very handsome silver vase for flowers , with the name of the recipient engraven upon it , and the date of the Consecration .

Brother Letchworth , in reply , said his remarks would be as brief as they were sincere . He thanked the W . M . for the kind , but far too flattering manner in which he proposed the toast , for he could assure them that all who were privileged to take part in the Consecration regarded it as a labour of

love . Personally he was greatly indebted to those Officers who had assisted him during the ceremony , especially Bro . Fenn , who had put off a visit to the country , and had

accepted the office of Chaplain at the last moment . The vases were a very charming thought of the Founders , and would be treasured as a pleasing souvenir of a very pleasant function .

Sir John B . Monckton proposed the health of the W . M ., and spoke of the great friendshi p that had existed between them for many years . He congratulated Bro . Newton upon

Alfred Newton Lodge.

the excellent arrangements made for the ceremony , as nothing could have gone off better or worked more smoothly . It was remarkable that the names of the Master and Wardens began and ended with the letter N . so he would liken the

Lodge to a hen-roost , and hoped they would produce several good Masonic chickens . The Founders were all business men , working well together , so he was sure the Lodge was bound to succeed , having such a good business head as Bro . Newton .

The W . M ., in acknowledging the compliment , said he was deeply grateful to his friend Sir John Monckton for the manner in which he had proposed the toast , and he also thanked the Brethren for their reception . When the Lodge was first projected he considered it a matter for mature

reflection and grave consideration , but he knew the Founders were Masons of repute , and men who were absolutely trustworthy , so he readily acquiesced with the idea . They would have the opportunity of making a strong Lodge numerically , though that was not their object , but to establish a Lodge

that should be a credit to Freemasonry . Sir Joseph Dimsdale responded for the Visitors , and congratulated the Master and Brethren upon the excellent start they had made . They wished the Alfred Newton Lodge every happiness and prosperity , and trusted the Lodee

would become worthy of the Founders , and so prove their fidelity to T . G . A . O . T . U . and the welfare of their fellow men . Bros . Naughton and Norrington , the two Wardens , replied for the Officers , and the Tyler ' s toast brought the proceedings to a termination .

The musical entertainment was provided by Bro . J . W . J upe ; and among the artistes who took part in it were Bros . T . W . Heath ( cornet solo ) , Etherington Smith , Horace Reynolds , Thomas Powell , Charles Strong , and George Robins , while Bro . Kennard gave a very clever conjuring sketch .

The special representative of the " Craftsman " on the recent Masonic trip to the East , has brought back some stone chips from King Solomon ' s quarries , and intends presenting one to the Chairman of the Cardiff Masonic Temple Company , to be added to the other interesting relics in the ante-room of the Temple in Guildford Street .

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

" A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

DEEP regret is felt in Bath at the death of Bro . C W . Radway , of the Grand Pump-room Hotel , which occurred early on Wednesday , 23 rd ult ., after A lingering illness . Bro . Radway for several years past had been one of the most esteemed and best known citizens of Bath , and as

a Freemason was known throughout the West of England . He was Secretary for many years of the Royal Cumberland Lodge and a Past Master ; had held the Provincial rank of Senior Warden , and was actively associated with the Royal Arch , Mark , and other degrees . By his death many will

lose a kind , generous and sympathetic friend . His health had been failing for the past two or three years , a succession of paralytic seizures having wrecked a splendid constitution . His last illness dated from the end of October , soon after he had taken part in the functions connected with the Royal

visit to Bath , when the Duke of Cambridge was the deceased's guest at his hotel . For four months he had been in a hopeless , helpless and semi-conscious condition . Bro . Radway was 54 years of age , and leaves a widow and three daughters .

WE regret to record the death of Bro . James Addington , a well-known Mason of South London , which occurred on the 21 st ult . By his death the Masonic world and all with whom he came in contact have lost a genial , true-hearted , kind , and faithful friend . He was a firm

supporter and Life Governor of all the Masonic Institutions , the Baker ' s Benevolent Institution , the Peckham and Old Kent-road Pension Society , and other Institutions . He was a P . M . of Stability Lodge , No . 217 ; a P . Z . of the Star Chapter , No . 1275 ; and a member of the Southwark Mark

Lodge . The interment took place at Nunhead Cemetery , in the presence of many Brethren and friends , including representatives of the following Lodges and Chapters : the Stability , the Rose , the New Cross , United Pilgrims ,

Raymond Thrupp , Earl of Lathom , Stuart , Excelsior , Crichton , Peckham , and Liberty of Havering ; The Star , Selwyn , Rose and Sphinx Chapters ; and the Southwark Mark Lodge .