Consecrations.

arrangements were in the able hands of Bros . Wharton Wells , F . C . O ., Etherington Smith , and the Lyric Quartette .

********** St . Andrew Chapter , No . 1817 . A ROYAL Arch Chapter , to be attached to the St . Andrew Lodge , No . 1817 , was consecrated at the Masonic Hall , Cambridge Hotel , Shoeburyness , on Tuesday , 23 rd ult .

( St . George ' s Day ) , in the presence of a large gathering of members of the Order . The proceedings were to have been conducted by His Honour Judge Philbrick , K . C ., Grand Superintendent of Essex ( Recorder of Colchester ) , but His Honour is confined to his bed suffering from an acute attack

of sciatica , and his place was filled by the Provincial Grand Scribe E . Comp . T . J . Railing , those who assisted in the ceremony being Comps . Claude E . Egerton-Green ( Mayor of Colchester ) , E . H . Baily , John J . C . Turner , Richard Clowes , Albert Lucking , and W . Hayman Cummings , Mus . Doc .

In opening the proceedings , the Consecrating Officer said he was sure they would all sincerely regret the absence of the Provincial Superintendent , whose interest in that degree of Freemasonry was well-known , and it was , he knew , a matter of keen disappointment to the learned Judge himself .

It was about six years since a Chapter had been added to the roll of the Province , and as the Chapter then Consecrated was the thirteenth , it might be that that proverbially unlucky number had been blocking the way . To those who , like themselves , felt the value of the degree , it was a matter for hope

that the ceremony of the day would lead to further occasions of the kind , as there were several strong Lodges in the Province that should aspire to the possession of a Chapter Charter , and the Grand Superintendent would , he knew , welcome any legitimate opportunity of extending the Order

in a district where the Craft had , under the beneficent rule of the Earl of Warwick , so greatly prospered . As regarded the St . Andrew Chapter , he was sure he might , on behalf of the Consecrating Officers and visitors present , say that they trusted the Founders would realise the responsibilities of their

position , and exercise great care in the admission of members . In their desire to extend the benefits of the Order let them remember that the strength of a Chapter did not consist in numbers only—a small and harmonious Chapter , where each Companion knew and respected all the others , was infinitely

to be preferred to a large membership , in which there might be discordant elements . In conclusion , the Consecrating Officer trusted that they might all be spared to visit the Chapter from time to time , and find the traditions of the Order were being faithfully carried out .

The solemn ceremony of Consecration was then performed in accordance with ancient custom . In the course of the proceedings , Comp . E . H . Baily Prov . G . J . gave an earnest and thoughful oration on the nature and principles of the Institution .

Starting with the assumption that as Craft and Royal Arch Masons they had entered upon a progressive science , he urged that the circumstances of their admission laid upon them the responsibility , not only of living their own lives , by the help of God , according to the promises and professions they had made

solemnly , but required them to apply the knowledge they had gained to the welfare of others , and they could do that in part by affording opportunities for the extension of truth and Masonic instruction in centres where those opportunities did not sufficiently exist . It was with that object

that they were assembled that day , and being authorised by the Supreme Grand Chapter , were proposing to establish a house—a resting place—a centre of light and instruction—to those who sought after light . Certain Companions were to take upon themselves the responsibility of conducting the to

ynapier , ana oe succeeded m due course by others ; and it was very largely to them that the Companions as a body would look for the increase of the knowledge of Royal Arch Masonry and its application to the welfare of those who were exalted . Those Masonic secrets which were to be

communicated and applied within that Chapter would , he doubted not , be fully and faithfully made known from time to time by the Officers of the Chapter , and he might offer some general suggestions : —Let them never lose the dignity of Masonrydiscipline , deference , courtesy—those marks of training order

organisation , authority and obedience to authority , for some must rule and teach and others must learn to submit and obey . That the interest in the work of the Chapter might not flag the ceremonies should be rendered impressively with dignity and with accuracy , not only by the First Principal

Consecrations.

though in his prominent position much was expected of him ; but by all the Officers , for one was dependent upon another . Let the Principals be well supported , their authority upheld , their orders carried out with alacrity . Let the Officers as they advanced year by year master their work and excel in it ,

not only in the perfection of ritual , but in the attention to detail , for that was in itself a discipline . Let all remember that some preparation and thought were always necessary before coming to a Chapter—the ceremonies would not carry themselves through ; for Masonry was a living ceremony in

which those who assisted in the work and those who were spectators reminded themselves of the obligations of Masonry . In Chapter they acknowledged and bore in mind the presence of the true and living God Most High . They opened their Chapter with prayer , closed it with an ascription to God on

High , and commended themselves to His keeping on the Volume of the Sacred Law . Specific preparation for and apprehension of the ceremony and of the work to come before the Convocation was necessary , or , if wanting , the empty form , the absence of reality , would do no good , but

would bring harm to Masonry in failing to keep the interest of those who were equal to their work , or of the beginner who was eager to learn ; all of whom had a right to look for correct and impressive work—work which was attractive and instructive . Let all the members recollect the

responsibility of selecting only fit persons for exaltation . Only those who 1 were really interested , who really desired knowledge and desired it only for its service and promotion , would be

a credit . Let them maintain and promote the tone of the Order , remembering that the tone of an Institution is the tone of the average member , which is raised or lowered by that of the individual member . With those limitations and in those

surroundings they would impart to others the light which they had desired and had found in R . A . Masonry . Finally , their Masonic work was not an end , but a means . They need not , and did not claim to be superior to those who were not within the Lodge or the Chapter , but as-Masons

and by means of its ritual they were perhaps more frequently reminded than some people of sacred things , of reverence , and of God . Let them as Masons by means of the Brotherhood and the advantages in Masonry , as well as beyond its borders , ever remember that "here we have no continuing

city but we seek one to come . " Might their Chapter be to the advantage of Masonic life and be so carried on in the years that are to come that it might be a credit , a help , and an example to all—with plenty and abundance , with joy and cheerfulness , with peace and unanimity , with fidelity and friendship .

At the close of the ceremony the Consecrating Officer suggested that a telegram should be despatched to the Prov . Superintendent informing him of the successful inauguration of the new Chapter , and expressing the sympathy of the

Companions in his illness , and best wishes for his speedy recovery . This was done , and a reply of thanks was received from His Honour , with best wishes for the success of the Chapter .

Meantime two of the Principals-designate—Comps . Jas . Berry M . E . Z . and Robert Ford H . were impressively installed into their respective Offices by Comp . Albert Lucking P . A . G . D . C . Prov . D . C . The J . designate was unavoidably prevented attending . The other Officers were elected as

under : —Comps . Thos . Byford S . E ., A . J . Watts S . N ., F . England Prov . G . Swd . Br . Treas ., Elliott G . Fletcher P . S ., G . Jacob and George R . Rowe Assist . Sojs ., C . W . Barnard

P . P . G . SwdBr . D . C , Wm . A . Kemp . Org ., Oliver Trigg , Morris Cohen , A . J . Marden , Oswald Trigg , Alfred J . Whurr , Geo . P . Gozzett , and Percival C . Watts Stewards , and F . Slade Janitor .

A hearty vote of thanks was unanimously accorded to the Consecrating Officers for their services ; they were elected honorary members of the new Chapter , and each presented with a jewel commemorative of the event .

Nearly fifty Companions afterwards dined together , the usual toasts being honoured . During the evening a capital programme of music was rendered , those taking part being Miss Florence Machin , Bro . W . H . Stevenson , Comp . C . H . Bowmaker , and Mr . Fred . Wilson .

****************** Companion Samuel Toye is to be installed as First Principal of the Mount Sinai Chapter , at the convocation to be held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet Street , E . C ., on Tuesday next , '