Consecration Of The Ebbisham Lodge, No. 2422.

CONSECRATION OF THE EBBISHAM LODGE , No . 2422 .

THE consecration of a new Lodge is always a ceremony in which good and true Masons take a lively interest , but when the Lodge is to be established under the banner of the Province of Surrey , whose Grand Master exhibits so great a ooncern in all matters connected with the Craft that it ia only when special

oircuin-¦ tanoas are made out to his satisfaction that he will sanction with his recomrasndation any addition to the number already existing in his district , tbe large assemblage at the King ' s Head Hotel , at Epsom , last Monday , is accounted for . The R . W . Bro . Colonel G . N . Money has very decided opinions ou the subject of Freemasonry aud rather believes in tho strengthening of tho old Lodges than in oroating new

ones , and thus it happens that it is now three years since the conseoration of the Peckham Rye Lodge , the last established in this Province . The Prov . Grand Master not only graood the ocoasion now under notice by his presence , bnt expressed his willingness to perform the ceremony . He was supported by his principal Officers , viz ., Bros . Frederick West D . Prov . Grand Master , A . Lionel Soott

P . G . S . W ., G . F . Roumieu P . G . J . W ., E . L . G . Houndle P . G . Chaplain , Charles Greenwood P . G . Secretary , C . Harcourt Knight P . G . D . C , whilst the Masters of several of the district Lodges were also present . Among the numerous company we noticed Major General Edward Steward , Natalia Lodge ; Dr . H . J . Strong G . A . D . C , Edward D . Whiting P . P . G . Seoretary Suffolk , J . H . Hawes P . M . P . P . G . St . B .

Sussex , G . C . Burry P . P . G . Organist , T . J . Dodd P . P . G . O . Kent , Robert Bunoe P . A . G . P ., C . C . Gibbes P . P . G J . W ., R . Sebastian Hart P . P . G . S . D ., H . W . Turner P . P . G . Chaplain , T . A . Hill P . G . Org ., J . J . Slade P . P . G . St . B ., F . Carter P . P . Assist . G . D . C ., Jas . S . Fraser P . P . G . S . D ., W . A . Laker P . P . G . P ., George Waite P . P . G . S . W ., I . Tidmarsh W . M . 2157 , T . R . Porter W . M . 1360 , Orlton Cooper

W . M . 211 , E . FI . Lewis W . M . 1604 , H . Lomaa W . M . 2218 , W . Large P . M . 1984 and 2218 , Thos . Roe W . M . 1641 , G . S . Horsnail W . M . 1790 , J . Kilvington P . M . 1790 , C . H . Hardwick W . M . 1347 , Rowland H . Ward W . M . 1892 , L . Doerr , W . M . 1475 , J . M . Hodder P . M . 217 , K . J . Feild W . M . 1362 , C . J . Pye I . P . M . 1238 , T . Dnpree W . M . 1851 , A . E . Taylor P . M . 1851 , and the following founders—T . T .

Bnoknill P . M . 136 , John O'Connell P . M . 1851 P . P . G . Org ., James Andrews , William Pile P . M . 1892 P . Prov . Grand Sword Bearer , Thoe . James Lawes P . M . 1360 , Charles Cooke , William John Green , CharleB P . King , George Snashall , James Edwards and H . A . P . Genge . The proceedings commenced shortly after three o'clock , when the Lodge was duly opened in the three degrees by the R . W .

tbe Prov . Grand Master , who addressed the brethren on tho motive of the meeting , after whioh the Grand Chaplain offered up a prayer . The founders of the new Lodge were then arranged before the Grand Master , and the Petition and Warrant were read by tho Grand Seoretary . The brethren having signified their approval of the Officers named , Bro . Rev E . L . G . Honndle delivered an oration on

the nature and principles of the Institution , whioh was highly appreoiated . The first anthem was then sung , after whioh the Provincial Grand Master oonseorated the Lodge according to anoient custom , the ceremony being very impressively rendered . Bro . ThoB . T . Buoknill , Q . C ., P . M . 136 , having been selected as the first Master , was then installed into tbe ohair by Bro . Money , and was duly saluted

by the brethren . The W . M . then proceeded to appoint and invest the following as hiB Offioers for the year : —Bros John O'Connell S . W ., James Andrews J . W ., William Pile Treasurer , Thos . James Lawes Seoretary , Charles Cooke S . D ., C . P . King J . D .. J . Green I . G ., H . A . P . Genge D . C ., George Snashall W . S ., and Rowley Tyler . The Masonio titles of these brethren are given above , and are therefore

not repeated . A committee was appointed to frame the by-laws , end three candidates and three joining members were proposed for election . At the instance of the Treasurer and Senior Warden , the consecrating Officers were made honorary members of the Lodge . Tho Lodge was then closed , and the interesting proceedings terminated . We must not forget to mention that the incidental

musio of the ceremony , as well as that subsequently given during the evening , was under the direction of Bro . John O'Connell , assisted by Bros . Elkin , Catling , Heathoote , and Phillips , and materially enhanoed the solemnity of the ritual . The banquet took place at the King ' s Head Hotel , at whioh the W . M . presided , attended by most of the above mentioned brethren , including the Prov . G . Master and

bis Officers . Tbe nsual Loyal and Masonio toasts were duly honoured . Col . Money responded for Grand Officers , whom he termed an enthusiastic body , always ready to go anywhere and do what they could to farther the interests of the Graft . In felioitous terms Bro . Buoknill proposed the Prov . G . Offioers , and bore testimony to the splendid manner in whioh the ceremonies of the day had been performed . The

brethren owed a deep debt of gratitude to the Grand Offioers for giving them snob a magnificent start , and he was sure they would pledge themselves to be good and faithful Masons . In responding , the Prov . Grand Master expressed the great pleasure he had in performing the ceremonies , and trusted the Lodge would in due time take its plaoe as one of the foremost in the Province of Surrey . He

earnestly begged them to exercise the greatest care and caution in seleoting candidates for initiation , as a bad member would sap their very foundation , and quoted instances where suoh had occurred . The nomination of a candidate was a grave responsibility , from which the proposer and seconder were not relieved until the initiate had paBsed the third degree . That candidates should not be able to

answer the questions of their own aooord was an utter disgrace to any Lodge , and he would advise Masters not to proceed with the ceremony unless they could do BO , for if a man would not take the trouble to learn the answers , he would not be likely to prove a good Mason . Bro . F . G . Roumieu , in the absence of Bro . Frederick

West , also replied , and congratulated the Lodge npon securing so good a Mason and so popular a gentleman for their first Master , as Bro . Bnoknill would do credit to them and the Craft generally . He would impress upon them the importance of supporting tbe Charities , whioh were the greatest element in Freemasonry .

Consecration Of The Ebbisham Lodge, No. 2422.

Tho W . M . next gavo the Consecrating Officers , who in the words of the quotation ou the toast list , " Have done the worthy services . " It was an impressive and holy ceremony they had witnessed that day , and made them meditate about matters here and hereafter , and therefore caused them to be soberer , purer , and better men . This was acknowledged by tho Provincial Grand Chaplain , who heartily

wished the brethren every success ; and by the Provincial Grand Secretary , who stated that the affairs of the district wore pro . gressing satisfactorily . The Rev . Bro . II . W . Turner said that as there was no Immediate I'ast Master , he had tho pleasure to propose tho Worshipful Master . He considered that it gave groat promise for the future prosperity of the Lodge that they had

such a good W . M . ; ho was known as a friend by many , he occupied a position of deserved popularity , and was beloved by all . llrother Uucknill returned thanks iu a very happy speech , in whioh he briefly alluded to his career , and trusted that his present political position as parliamentary caudidato for the Division would not make any difference in their friendship . Although thoir Lodgo had a number

fur down tho list , ho intended it to tako a high position in the Province , and hoped it would havo a brilliant , happy and prosporous future . Bro . C . W . Hardwick , as W . M . of the Lome Lodgj , No . 1317 , which had been the necessary " Recommending Lodge" for the Founders , and Bro . H . W . Turner responded for the Visitors , aud after the Officers had been similarly complimented , the Tyler ' s toast brought the evening to a pleasant termination .

Consecration Of A New Lodge At Lewisham.

CONSECRATION OF A NEW LODGE AT LEWISHAM .

UNDER most favourable auspices a second addition was mado on Monday last to the number of Lodges on tho register of tbe Grand Lodgo of England . Tho St . Stephen ' s Lodge , No . 2424 , was consecrated by the V . W . Bro . Edward Letohworth , tho rocently appointed successor to the late esteemed Grand Secretary tho Y . W . Bro . Shadwell H . Clorke , at tbe " Green Man " Assembly Rooms ,

Dartmouth Row , Lewisham , in the presence of numerous Grand Officers and influential members of tho Craft . It was the first occasion on whioh tho now Grand Secretary had to perform the duties of Consecrating Officer of a Lodge , and we feel bound to state , at the outset of our report , that the solemn ceremony could not have been performed more efficiently . From commencement to

conclusion the details were perfect , and under the able direction of Bro . Frank Richardson P . G . D . as Master of tho Ceremonies , the con . secration was most impressive and gave general satisfaction . Tho Lodge is itself one of great promise , and its introduction was in every way worthy of the assuranoe given by its promoters . Tho Consecrating Officer was assisted by Bros . Ralph Gooding , M . D .,

P . G . D . as S . W ., W . G . Lernou P . G . A . D . C . as J . W ., Rev . J . S . Brownrigg P . G . Chap , as Chaplain , Frank Richardson P . G . D . as Dir . of Cers ., and C . E . Keyser G . J . D . as I . G . There wero present , tho Founders of tho Lodge , and amongst their invited guests , in addition to the foregoing , were the following brethren : —Tho Earl of Euston rrovinoial Grand Master Norths and Hunts , Sir

John Monokton P . G . W ., Dr . E . E . Wendt Grand Secretary for German Correspondence , R . Berridge P . G . J . D ., C . Belton P . G . D . Director of Ceremonies , Magnus Ohren P . G . A . Direotor of Ceremonies , Lennox Browne V . P . Board of General Purposes , C . H . Driver Past Grand Superintendent of Works , H . Sadler Grand Tylor , Coulon , T . Hutchinson , A . Clark , H . H . Nuding , Lewis Thomson ,

R . Main , P . Francis , T . Cookes , E . Marquis , Merryweather , Sidney Clarke , Frank Miller . A . Stewart BTOWD , W . Briatow , James Stevens , E . Caffin , R . L . Sindall , T . H . Hicks , I . 0 . Abbott , W . E . Barling , R . C . Treatt , G . Spurgen , W . Rowley , Rev . H . V . Tyrrell , J . D . E . Tarr , W . Robin , H . Massey , H . Schartau , E . Dalzell , J . Brand , C . T . Johnson , J . A . Burton , A . M . Cope , W . W . Morgan jnn ., 0 . Thomas ,

W . I . Farthing , G . C . Palsford , J . Roberts , IT . Rolls , C . W . Peters , 0 . Hansard , S . Cochrane , & c . A Lodge having been openod in the three degrees , the Consecrating Officer addressed the brethren on the purpose of the meeting , and said , We are met here to . dny on an occasion of great Masonio importance , namely , for tho purpose of constituting and consecrating a . new Lodge , and of adding one more

to the very large number of Lodges at present on the roll of the Grand Lodge of England . There are not a few among thoso who take a great and lively interest in Masonry who consider that the large increase in the number of Lodges whioh has taken place duriug the past eighteen years might , with advantage , be more extended . But I may say that his Royal Highness our Grand Master entertains

a very strong opinion that , at the present moment , it is not advisablo to increase to any very great extent the number of Lodges within what is known aB the London Distriot , and . therefore it ia a matter of congratulation to the founders of this Lodge that H . R . II ., without any hesitation , acceded to the prayer of the petition for tho St . Stephen ' s Lodge . And when we look to the names appended to

the petition , names of Masons well known and honoured throughout the Craft , I think we need not be surprised at tho decision our Grand Master arrived at . It now only remains to mo to express my sincere and earnest hope and trust that this Lodge we are now about to consecrate may havo before it a very bright future , and that it may havo a career of

unchecked and unbroken prosperity . It will have tho very great advantage of being ruled over by a brother who has already had much experience in the Craft , who has filled the chair in another Lodge for two successive years , and who will bo supported by two other brethren , as Wardens , in whom wo havo tho Greatest

reliance . I will now call upon tho Chaplain to give tho opening prayer . This having been solemnly given , and tho founders of the new Lodge having approved of the Officers named in tho warrant , the acting Chaplain delivered an admirable oration . The anthem ( Psalm oxxxiii . ) was excellently sung by tbo talented vocalists Bros . H . Scharta * , E . Dalzell , W . Bradford , and C . T . Johnson , under the