American Masons And The King.

AMERICAN MASONS AND THE KING .

THE Worshipful Master of the Eccentric Lodge , No . 2488 , Bro . Thomas Eraser , who has recently returned from a visit to the United States , was entrusted by Brother General J ohn Corson Smith , Venerable Chief of the Masonic Veteran

Association of Illinois , with an Address from that body to King Edward VII . The Address is beautifully illuminated on white vellum , and is bound in white morocco leather with gold edging . Upon the first page is the following inscription •.

IN MEMORIAM . VICTORIA . QUEEN OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND AND EMPRESS OF INDIA May 24 , 1819 . June 20 , 1837 . January 22 , 1901 . The Address reads thus :

WHEN , by the grace of God , Her Majesty , Victoria , Queen of Great Britain and Ireland and Empress of India , laid down her earthly scepter to wear a crown of Heavenly glory , the people sorrowed , and the Governments of the earth paused in solemn silence .

It is therefore fitting at this moment , while standing in the shadow of the presence of the Angel of Death and in the hallowed memories of the past , that the Masonic Veteran Association of Illinois , United States of America , should place on record its loving respect for the memory of one who had become endeared to

all who love the virtues exemplified in the long life of Her Majesty , the loving wife , mother , and Most Gracious Queen ; the friend of peace and of the oppressed , whose whole life will serve as an example to future Rulers for ages yet to come .

The beloved and revered head of a great Nation to which we have been attached by the sacred ties of blood and a common language for more years than many of us can recall , is gone . Her Sweet Spirit has winged its flight across the broad River of Light , and joined the loved Consort in the land of eternal life .

The years of Her Majesty's reign were the golden era of the nineteenth century in which the Arts , Sciences , Literature and Civilization flourished . An era in which liberty and freedom were extended to more people than in any previous century ; the closing of which forms an epoch ever to be remembered .

In presenting this testimonial of your sainted mother's devotion to the cause of humanity , the good of her people and country , the Brethren of this Association , which is honoured with your Majesty's membership , respectfully desire to express their confidence' that your Majesty ,

EDWARD VII . will be as devoted to your people and our common humanity as the illustrious example you now inherit . ( Signed ) JOHN CORSON SMITH Venerable Chief . Bro . Eraser attended at Marlborough House on Saturday ,

4 th inst , and duly delivered the Address to Sir Francis Knollys , who accepted it on behalf of His Majesty , by the King ' s permission . Bro . Eraser explained the circumstances under which he came to be the bearer of so important a trust , which Sir Francis promised he would communicate to His Majesty .

Bro . Eraser had some very pleasant experiences with regard to Freemasonry in the United States , . and was much impressed with the manner in which the ceremonies are conducted in that cduntry . He was received everywhere with the greatest kindness and cordiality .

Bro . General John Corson Smith is ex-Governor of Illinois , a great Mason , and representative of the Grand Lodge of England in his State . M & MJMLMJLJLJLlLMMmLMM ^ A mWMHXWtXXXylm'MXXMXXM

The Boys School Festival.

THE BOYS SCHOOL FESTIVAL .

THE first meeting of the Board of Stewards for the 103 rd Anniversary Festival was held at Freemasons' Hall , on Friday , loth inst . Brother Charles E . Keyser P . G . D . Patron and Treasurer of the Institution was in the chair , supported by about thirty-five Stewards . The Secretary of the Institution reported correspondence

The Boys School Festival.

he had had with the Brighton Railway Company , by which it appeared the Company declined to allow privileges enjoyed in former years on the extended time for return journey , whenever the Festival had been held at Brighton ; and had also increased the fare by 33 A per cent . He also reported the

result of enquiries with reference to other places available for the Festival , and letters from Stewards unable to attend the meeting . Considerable discussion followed , and it was ultimately resolved , with practical unanimity , to hold the Festival at the Crystal Palace , on Wednesday , 26 th June next .

Bro . Edgar Goble P . G . S . B . D . P . G . M . Hants , and Isle of Wight was elected President ; Bros . EEarry Bevir and Jasi Stephens Acting Vice-Presidents ; . and Bro . Jno . W . Gieve , J . P ., Prov . G . Treas . Hants , and Isle of Wight and Bro . J . M . McLeod Hon . Treasurer and Hon . Secretary respectively , of the Board of Stewards .

The acting Officers , with Bros . T . A . Bullock , Corbie , Eraser , Pritchard , Powell , Parsons , Money , Songhurst , and Alfred J . Thomas were appointed a Committee to make all arrangements for the Festival .

Consecrations.

CONSECRATIONS .

— : o : — White Rose of York Lodge , No . 2840 . AS the name implies , this Lodge draws its members from Yorkshire , the " premier" county . Indeed , nearly all the Founders are members of the Yorkshire Society .

The Lodge was consecrated on Friday evening , 3 rd inst , at the Holborn Restaurant , by the Grand Secretary of England Bro . E . Letchworth , assisted by Bros . Rev . Canon Brownrigg P . G . C . as Chaplain , H . J . Adams P . G . Sd . Br . as S . W ., H . Lovegrove P . G . Sd . Br . as J . W ., and Frank

Richardson P . G . D . as D . C . Among the distinguished visitors were Bros . Geo . W . Liningen Past Grand Master of Nebraska , Grand High Priest , & c , Alphonsius J . Naughton , D . F . Norrington , Dr . W . Benjafield , E . G . Steers , Rev . A . E . B . Sanders , Richard Wilson D . P . G . M . West Yorks ., Dr . Warren , and F . Scanlan .

In addressing the Brethren , the Consecrating Master congratulated the Lodge in having as its first Master so distinguished a Yorkshireman as Sir Alfred Newton , whose ability and experience would prove of the utmost value . The

Warrant of the White Rose of York Lodge was one of the very first to be granted and signed by H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , the newly appointed Grand Master . The very name of this Yorkshire Lodge had a fragrance about it , and he trusted it would have a career of usefulness before it .

Canon Brownrigg delivered a most eloquent oration , pointing out to the Brethren the grand aims of Masonry and fervently appealing to them to carry those objects out . After the consecration ceremony , which was done in the most admirable and impressive manner conceivable , Sir

Alfred Newton was installed as the Worshipful Master , and he appointed as his Officers : Bros . J . J . Fretwell acting I . P . M ., James Graham S . W ., H . W . Dobb J . W ., George

Russell Treas ., Henry J . Barker Secretary , Wm . Metcalfe S . D ., Dr . T . Halliwell J . D ., T . Chadwick I . G ., Dr . William Briggs D . C , J . Briggs , T . Oldroyd , T . Pattison , and W . D . Forsdike Stewards . Bro . Geo . Rowe was elected Tyler .

In addition to several toasts eloquently proposed by the Worshipful Master , Brother Richard Wilson proposed the Consecrating Officers , the G . Secretary proposed the W . M ., and Bro . Dr . Briggs the Masonic Charities . Bros . James

Graham and Hy . J . Barker appropriately responded for the Officers , and Bro . G . W . Liningen P . G . M . Nebraska , in a most interesting and instructive speech , for the Visitors . The dinner was admirably served , and the musical