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SATURDAY , 21 st MARCH 189 J .

Consecration Of The Godson Lodge, No . 2385.

CONSECRATION OF THE GODSON LODGE , No . 2385 .

A NEW Lodge of the Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons in the Province of Worcestershire was solemnly consecrated at Oldbury , on the 11 th inst . The new Lodge is called tho Godson , out of compliment to the popular Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Worcestershire , Worshipful BrdT A . F . Godson , M . P . Its meetings will be held in a well-appointed room at

the Talbot Hotel , in the centre of tbe town of Oldbnry , and present appearances indicate that in the immediate future the Godson will develop into one of the most snccessfnl and expert Lodges , even in the province of Worcestershire , where the workings of the Craft have long held a degree of excellence which is seldom attained . The inception of the movement for the founding of a Masonio Lodge in

Oldbnry dates back about two years , when a number of brethren resident in Oldbury , but belonging to several neighbouring Lodges , met , and the question of the advisability of founding a Lodge in the town waa discussed . For various reasons tbe movement seemed to hang fire for a short time , but about twelve months ago the matter was again brought up , and from then to now the lead in the matter

has been taken by Bro . Alfred Thompson , who was installed the first Master of the Godson Lodge . In his efforts Bro . Thompson has been ably seconded by G . F . Old , a young and enthusiastic brother , who was yesterday appointed first Secretary of the Lodge . The names of others , snoh aa W . Bro . William Waldron , W . Bro , Abraham Green , and W . Bro . Enoch Wood , who have rendered

splendid service to the promoters , and whose names are found amongst the list of founders of the Lodge , might be mentioned in this artiole , bat special mention where so many excellencies , both of character and ability , have to be dealt with would be invidious . Formal application for permission to apply to the Grand Lodge of

England for a warrant for the proposed Lodge was made to Sir Edmund A . H . Lechmere at his Provincial Grand Lodge held at Worcester in October last . The permission was readily forthcoming , and the necessary formalities having been complied with , the ceremony of consecration was fixed for the 11 th inst .

The day ' s proceedings commenced at half an hour past noon , when a Craft Lodge was opened in the Public Schools , Talbot-stroet . Tho Lodge was opened under the banner of the Harmonic Lodge , 252 , Dudley , the mother Lodge of the Province , the officers of which occupied the respective chairs , viz .: —Bros . Thos . Chambers W . M ., E . J , Chambers S . W ., W . Hanson J . W ., James Jones S . D ., and Duncan J .

Shedden acting J . D . After the Lodge had been opened in the nsual form , so that the Provincial Grand Master and the officers of Provincial Grand Lodge , both past and present , could be received and honoured according to their rank , these officers entered the Lodge-room under tbe capable direction of Bro . J . Mossop , Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies . The reception of Provincial

Grand Lodge officers is a function which entails tho performance of a very beautiful musical service . This and the remaining musical portion of the day ' s ceremonies was admirably rendered by a quartet consisting of W . M . Bro . Alexander Smith , of the Noah ' s Ark Lodge 347 , and three other brethren of that Lodge , viz ., Bros . W . H . Smith S . W ., E . W . Smith J . W ., and G . H . Newns I . G . Tho organ was

presided over by the Provincial Grand Organist , Bro . H . M . Jackson . The Provincial Grand Officers having taken the chairs vacated by the Craft Officers , tbe remaining Provincial Grand Officers took up their positions on the raised dais to the left and left rear of the Provincial Grand Master , the dais ou the other side being occupied by the choir and organist . Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened in

customary form , and the whole of the brethren and officers having taken their prescribed places , the Provincial Grand Master inquired of the Worshipful Master-designate , and the designate-members of the Godson Lodge , who were seated before him , in what particular he could serve them . The Worshipful Master-designate replied that it was the respectful prayer of himself and those who supported him

that the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master would , in accordance with the warrant granted by his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , Grand Master of England , proceed to consecrate and institute a regular Lodge , under the title of tbo Godson Lodge , in that town of Oldbury ; whereupon the Provincial Grand Master called upon the Provincial Grand Secretary to read the warrant .

Having inquired if the remaining brethren approved of the brethren nominated in the warrant as the office-holders of the Lodge , and having received an affirmative reply , the consecration ceremony was commenced . The Provincial Grand Chaplain , the Rev . Bro . William John Down , vicar of St . Luke's , Dudley , offrtred prayer ; and this was lollowed by the intonation of the Sanctus . " Holy , Holy , Holy , Lord God Almig heaven and

hty , eaith are full of the majesty of Thy glory . Glory be Thee , 0 Lord . " The consecration oration followed , and was delivered in eloquent and striking terms by the Provincial Jwand Chaplain . At the conclusion of the impressive ceremony , that of installing the Worshipful Master-desi ^ nate , and subsequently the subordinate officers of the Godson Lodge , was proceeded with . ino Provincial Grand Master deputed this ceremony to the Provincial

Consecration Of The Godson Lodge, No . 2385.

Grand Secretary , who performed it with all the impresaivenesa the ceremony lends itself to . Tbe Worshipful Master having been duly installed , the following were appointed Officers : —Bros . W . Waldron P . M . S . W ., Enoch Wood J . W ., H . Manley S . D ., J . B . Buttery J . D ., Abraham Green Dir . of Cere . Tho remaining officers being elective , their investiture was deferred

until the next regular Lodge meeting . _ Tho proceedings concluded with a grand banquet , held in the Pnbho Hall , over which the Worshipful Master presided . He was supported by hia Deputy , and other officers of Provincial Grand Lodge . The usual Masonio toasts were honoured , and the proceedings were pleasantly interspersed with a choice selection of mnaio . The whole of the Lodge collars and je wela were presented to the Lodge by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . All Letters must bear tho name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but aa a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICIE . 14 th March 1891 .

DEAR SIK , —The results of the Cambridge Local Examination , held here last December , have just been sent to me . Second Class : France , Haines ( distinction for English ); Third Class : Churchill , Foord , Manning , Savillo ; Satisfied tho Examiners : Angier , Brister , D'Oyly , Figgess , Fearon , Gay , Harvey , Higgison , Hnggetfc , Kent , Lewis , Leman , Matthews , Moororoft , Robey , Shorrook , Wuliama . Number of Certificates this year 23 , last year 12 .

II am , yours truly , HARRY H EBB , Head Master .

WHAT WILL BRO . SPETH SAY NOW ? To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I say nothing . I bow in abject hmniliation before the marvellous but novel logic of Bro . Norton . I am even learning to apply it in other directions , as thus : — There hangs before my eyes the portrait of a male anceator . He wears a court wig , but , mark this , no little button atop . Now , in

the time of the Great Panjandrum every gentleman wore a little round button atop , a fashion which came into vogue some 500 years earlier still . My friends , some of whom are great on costume and painting , all state that the picture must antedate the Great Panjandrum by at least 100 years , that it was painted before the Great Panjandrum was thought of , and are very angry with me because I will

have t ^ ken a lesson from Bro . Norton , and reply , "No , you observe that there is no little round button atop , therefore it must have been painted long after his time . " One more instance . I am ready to prove that all little girls of 10 years of age address their maternal relative by tho title of mamma , mother , mammy , or something similar . There is at this moment a

little girl of thnc age running about overhead , and I am assured by those who were present at the time she was introduced to this world that she is really the daughter of my wife ; there is also a great family likeness between her and her supposed parents . But , unfortunately , she never uses any of the above terms , preferring such titles as lady , queen , and even dnmmy-doodlewax . It is now

obvious to me that wo are harbouring in our bosoms a fairy changeling , who will yet show herself in her true light as a malicious elf . What a dreadful thing is Bro . Norton ' a logic ! Go to , Bro . Norton , and learn that it is as futile to argue from a negative as to try to prove one . Yours fraternally , G . W . SPETH .

AroveltywasintrodncedataMasonic Ball held recently at the Bath Saloons , Torquay , in tbe way of shadow dances , during which tho gas jets were lowered and different coloured lights were thrown upon the dancers from a powerful limelight lantern . This was the first occasion of its use , and waa the theme of general admiration , the beautiful dresses , the sparkling diamonds , and the perpetual motion

of the dancers making a most brilliant scene . The Masons appeared in their insignia and robes of office , the Knights Templar , with their flowing white cloaks , being especially conspicuous . Amongst some of the most noticeable wore Lady Churston , in red saiin , with a number of diamond stars in her bodice , and a diamond tiara ; Lady Macgregor , in white and gold brocade , also wearing diamonds ; Mme .

Cassavetti , who appeared in a dress of yellow watered silk , and wore a diamond and rnby tiara ; Mrs . Mollock , in black , with the diamonds in her hair presented to hnr after tho election of 1885 , & c . The young ladies dresses were also very pretty and stylish , a great many wearing white , and several carried lovely bouquets . The ball was a most successful one , nearly 200 people being present . —Bath Society Paper .

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FUNERALS properly carried out and personally attended , in London and Country , by Bro . G . A . HTJTTON , 17 Newcastle Street , Strand , W . C . Monuments erected . Valuations made .