Consecration.

of the Queen and Royal Arch Masonry and the Grand Z . of the Order H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . In giving the former he said it would ill become the Companions on the day of the consecration of a new Chapter not to drink the toast of the Queen , and in giving the latter he observed that the Prince of Wales had been a public man from his birth upwards ; he had done much for Freemasonry and for various societies , spending his money in

various walks of life . He then referred to the Prince s success at the recent Derby , and said that Freemasons as well as other Englishmen congratulated him upon it . He had worked well in the Craft , and the expansion of Freemasonry since he became its head had exceeded the expectations of all the Brethren . Long might he live to patronise English sports , and to continue to act in the cause of Freemasonry as he had done so zealously

for many years . Companion Russell , in proposing the next toast , the Pro Grand Z . and the rest of the Grand Officers , said that the Brethren of Kent felt very great interest in this toasfc , as their Provincial Grand Master and Grand Superintendent was now Grand H . of Grand Chapter , and several of the Companions of

Kent were Past Grand Officers . Among these were Comps . R . Joynes Emmerson , Horatio Ward , Alfred Spencer , and James Smith Eastes , who had secured the prosperity of Masonry in the Province ; there were no worthier Companions who could have been selected for Grand Office . If there was ever a hard working Brother in the Province , it was Bro . Spencer , who had been steadfast , and always to be found ready when wanted .

Comp . Alfred Spencer Past G . Stand . Bearer replying , said it was nofc necessary for him fco make any comment on the merits of the Companions named in the toast , the merits of each and all of them were well known to all Masons . He might , however , say that every Companion of Kent would feel proud and honoured to think that the Prince of Wales had been pleased to give the

position of Grand H . to Earl Amherst Grand Superintendent of the Province .. They all wished that Lord Amherst might live long to occupy that proud and honourable position , and long also might Craft and Royal Arch Masons of Kent rally around him fco sustain him in that position . For the other Grand Officers he

would say that as Comp . Russell had spoken of him in very eulogistic terms he felt proud to occupy his high position given him by Earl Amherst , and he hoped in occupying that position he should be always worthy of the high terms Comp . Russell had been kind enough to apply to him .

Comp . Russell next proposed Earl Amherst Grand Superintendent of Kent . The Companions of the Province had thought many years they were in the happy position of the good man in the Bible , who found a jewel of great price , and went and sold all that he had and bought it . Years ago they found their jewel of great price , sold all they had , and bought it ; and they kept

thai jewel in the Province of Kent for thirty-six years , and some twenty years in Royal Arch Masonry . But the jewel to a certain extent had been taken from them ; there were Companions who had come and demanded to share the rights of proprietorship in that jewel , and who could say them nay ? But Freemasonry was not a society which appropriated what was

good and valuable , and kept it to itself . Masons were not niggardly or captious . It had pleased the Prince of Wales to appoint Earl Amherst to a position in Grand Lodge , and so far from expressing any regret at others sharing with them the proprietorship of their Grand Superintendent—that , priceless jewel—they congratulated him on his preferment , and rejoiced

thafc he had been promoted to a higher honour than it was in their power to give him . He trusted that Lord Amherst might be spared many years enshrined in the hearts of Freemasons of England and of Kent . But it was impossible for him to hold a higher place in the hearts of any Englishmen than he did in the hearts of Kentish men . That night they had to thank

him for his kindness in attending personally to consecrate their Chapter , and start their barque on the sea of life . It was a happy omen to have fine weather to make good voyages , and be successful altogether in their career . They had the good wishes of the Companions in fche Province generally , and , if such kindly acts as his Lordship had showered on them that day could be of

any value , he thought it was a happy augury for the success that would attend this Chapter through many years of existence . Addressing Lord Amherst , Comp . Russell said the Companions thanked him for the services he had rendered that day , and they hoped he would be spared many years fco rule over the destinies of Arch Masonry in the Province of Kent , and that the success which had attended his banner might go on for many years to comfi .

Earl . Amherst , in responding to the toast , which was most cordially received , said it was always customary—he thought it was a custom which ought to be abolished—to thank the Provincial Grand Master or Superintendent for attending to do his duty . In point of fact he thought every Grand Master or Superintendent ought always to be pleased to attend to constitute either a new Lodge or a new Chapter , because he knew that he was constituting that , which would increase his influence in

Consecration.

the cause of Masonry , and it would be ill to depute the duty to anyone bufc himself . The duties ought fco be performed by him to whom they were assigned , whether it was the duties of Master of a Lodge , a Warden , a Deacon , or an I . G .-, whatever were assigned to him he ought to perform . His duties were assigned

to him by the Grand Master , and he ought to perform them . Besides , there were few more beautiful ceremonies in Masonry than the consecration of a new Royal Arch Chapter or a new Craft Lodge . He was always obliged to Comp . Horatio Ward , for his unvarying devotion to the Craft in his position as Director

of Ceremonies . It was a very great matter that these ceremonies should be well performed and reverently rendered . If a . hitch occurred , or somebody did something improperly , the . whole thing was marred and the solemnity of the ceremony was done away wifch . He would impress upon the Companions of his Province

that they should do as Comp . Horatio Ward had done , and study to take upon themselves duties which they might at some time be called upon to fulfil . Depend upon it , although ifc might involve taking trouble at the time , some . day or other they would be called upon to take some part , and if they were ij ' dfc prepared

they would regret they were nofc perfect as Comp . Ward in . thai part " , as they would find the ceremonies would not be worked' sd smoothly . It had given him very great pleasure to attend aj Gravesend , ' and consecrate a new Chapter . There was good room for it in Gravesend without interfering with the old one .

That was always the difficulty in recommending new Lodges of new Chapters—where the old Lodge or old Chapter was likely to injure the prosperity of another . But ha thought there was room for this Chapter to go on and prosper , and he hoped ifc would for many years to come , to adorn the roll of the Grand

Chapter of Kent . With respect to the kind observations which had been made concerning himself , he knew perfectly well the honour he had received from the Grand Maister and Grand Z . had been felt , more or less , by every Lodge and Chapter , and every Brother throughout Kent .

Comp . Russell , in submitting to the Companions the toast of the Deputy Prov . Grand Superintendent , and the rest of the Provincial Grand Officers , said it was not many months ago a thrill of apprehension ran through all the members of the Masonic Craft . when they heard that Companion Eastes was

dangerously ill . It must have afforded a thrill of pleasure-to every Companion that afternoon to see Comp . Eastes amongst them looking as well as he did , and so far recovered . It was very difficult on an occasion like the present adequately , to express the deep feeling they all experienced when they heard

of Comp . Eastes s illness ; it exhibited itself day by day in the anxious enquiries to learn his condition . Thanks to the Great Architect , Bro . Eastes recovered , was with them once more , and they were truly thankful that the Great Architect had in his unbounded mercy and goodness spared him . There was no E . A . Mason in the Province more beloved than Comp . Eastes .

He had a loving heart , but a firm hand , and thafc made them good Masons . There were other Masons in the Province who had also worked honestly , zealously , and truly in the cause , and it was to be hoped that their familiar voices might ' be heard for years to come , consecrating or assisting to consecrate Chapters , and installing and investing Officers .

Comp . Thomas S . Warne Prov . G . S . E ., who was called upon to respond , said Comp . Russell had feelingly alluded to their dear Comp , Eastes , and he was glad to hear those kind remarks as to the delight with which they all welcomed him again among fchem . Unfortunately Comp . Eastes was nofc able fco stay fco the banquet , and consequently he had to reply for the Provincial Grand Officers .

Earl Amherst proposed the three Principals of the Chapter ! Prov . G . S . E . had spoken of enlarging the borders of R . A . M ., and what it meant . One thing it did mean , .. that more members would come in , and the Grand Treasurer of Kent would rejoice

in that , because he would have greater power in the cause of charity , which had been the pride of the Province hitherto . For many years past Comp . Russell had been Treasurer of Kent , an honour and distinction which he hoped would be conferred on Comp . Russell for many years more .

Comp . Eussell thanked his lordship , and hoped the new vessel now fairly launched on the sea might be a good and successful trader , and bring home much profit to its owners . Its owners were good Masons of the Province of Kent . All such

profit meant increased prosperity to the Province in R . A . Masonry . They would all share in that , and he as Grand Treasurer would have pleasure in applying the funds . ; They wanted to increase the power for good of the Province . ' Comps . Forss H . and White J . ' also replied . :- ' '• ' . r " .

The toast of the visitors was replied to by Comps : Groom and Walker , and Comps . Arthur Ronaldson S . E ., Beamish S . N ., and Orlton Cooper P . S . responded to a toast which Comp . Russell very genially proposed of the Companions who conceived the idea , and had the energy of carrying it into effect , of constituting the Chapter . The . proceedings then closed , . . - :-