Provincial Grand Chapter Of Midllesex.

p leased if the Provincial Grand Superintendent had hononred them with his presence , but trusted that on some future occasion the Provincial Grand Chapter or Provincial Grand Lodge would again visit them , and that they

would not only be pleased with their working , but would also have a fitting reception . The proceedings of a most agreeable evening were enlivened by some excellent songs

by our genial friend , Comp . Dunkley ( G . S . Graham ) , who presided at the pianoforte , whilst Companions Pasco and W . W . Lee contributed to the musical selections by which the toasts were interspersed .

Consecration Of The Striguil Lodge, No. 2186.

CONSECRATION OF THE STRIGUIL LODGE , No . 2186 .

THE consecration of this new Lodge , whose title is the ancient name of the manor of Chepstow , took place on Friday , the 13 th instant , at the Masonio Hall , Chepstow , and the gathering was one of the most influential and largely attended that has ever taken place in the Province of Monmouth , about 130 brethren being

present . The ceremony was performed by Bro . Colonel C . Lyne , Provincial Grand Master for Monmouthshire , assisted by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Brother Captain S . George Homfray A . G . D . C ., William Watkins P . S . G . W ., E . W . Evans D . C , Eev . J . W . Osman Provincial Grand Chaplain , A . MacMahon Provincial Grand

Secretary , and many other Provincial Grand Officers . The brethren assembled at half-past two o'clock in the ante-room , and walked in procession to the Lodgl room , where they took their respective seats , and the Presiding Officer on his arrival was received with the customary honours . He then appointed the Wardens pro tem , and

Lodge was opened in the three degrees , the opening hymn being " Hail , Eternal ! " The Presiding Officer then addressed the brethon on the nature of the meeting , and called upon the Chaplain to offer prayer . After the address of the acting Secretary and the reply of the Presiding Officer , the brethren of the new Lodge

were arranged in order , and the petition and warrant were read . The brethren having approved of the Officers named therein , an eloquent oration on the nature and principles of the Institntion was delivered by the Chaplain , followed by the anthem , " Behold , how good and joyful a thing it is for the brethren to dwell together in

unity . The dedication prayer was said , and after the usual devotional exercises , the Presiding Officer dedicated the Lodge , and the brethren chanted the anthem " Glory be to God on High . " After the constitution of the Lodge the anthem , " Glory to God in tbe Highest" was sung , the musical arrangements being admirably

directed by Bro . W . B . Broad P . M . 457 Past Provincial Grand Organist of Monmouth . At the conclusion of the ceremony Lodge was resumed in the second degree , when Bro . the Rev . D . G . Davies P . M . P . P . G . C . was installed by the Deputy Prov . Grand Master as the first W . M . of the Lodge , which is the ninth in the Province .

- Tbe following brethren , who with the W . M . constituted the seven founders , were invested as Officers : —Bros . Alexander Miller S . W ., Cuthbert W . Whalley J . W ., Callaghan Treas ., A . K . Griffiths Sec , C . M . King S . D ., and C . J . Lindam J . D . The addresses to the Master , Wardens and Brethren were delivered in impressive manner

by the Presiding Officer , and several names were handed in as joining members and candidates for initiation . After disposing of some routine business , Lodge was closed , amidst fraternal good wishes , and the brethren and visitors afterwards partook of an excellent banquet provided at the Beaufort Arms Hotel . The

loyal toasts were duly hononred , and the health of the Provincial Grand Master , the Depnty , and Provincial Grand Officers each received their due meed of recognition . The Provincial Grand Master , in proposing prosperity to the Striguil Lodge , observed that it was the seventh constituted in the Province within the nineteen

years he had been connected with it , and he expressed a hope that Striguil , though the youngest , would not be behind the other Lodges in the exercise of all the objects , duties , and virtues of Freemasonry . The enjoyment of the brethren was materially enhanced by some capital singing and recitations , Bro . Broad presiding at the pianoforte .

The Masonic fraternity has never faltered in its efforts to promote " Peace on earth , and good will toward men . " Its vital principles teach this and nothing less . The time is coming when the whole world will be full of the knowledge of these teachings .

They are quietly working their way . Every year adds to the momentum of the chariot of brotherly love . It will continno to move on until men will fully comprehend the fatherhood of God , and the brotherhood of man .

As the human soul cries ont to the Father of us all for daily fond , so shonld we aleo remember all the sons of men in that cry . Those oppressed by tyranny , either on the part of rulers , or their own appetites . No trne member of an order based npon a faith in God can put the enp to his neighbour ' s lips , and lure the weak to destruction .

THE MASONIC OI * I > ER . —If the Brother who has lost the freshness of his first love for Masonry , who has neglected the Lodge room and gone off after the " strange gods " of glitter and novelty ; if such a Brother was placed in a situation where he had nothing to read for a while except the Proceedings of the various Grand Lodges , he

would experience a strange aud salutary awakening . He would come to the conclusion that himself and not Masonry had been standing still aud doing nothiug . He would bo compelled to admit

that time had not diminished uor age weakened that powerful conservative influence which Masonry has for ages past exerted upon all the affairs of civil , religions and political life . —G . E . Bodge . Arkansas . i ,

The Proposed Masonic Hall And Club For Plymouth.

THE PROPOSED MASONIC HALL AND CLUB FOR PLYMOUTH .

A MEETING of the W . Masters , Past Masters , Wardens , and intending shareholders in the above undertaking was held in the Huyshe Masonic Temple , Princess . place , Plymouth , on Saturday evening , to receive a communication from the Committee , who will report that eligible premises , No . 1 Princess-square , have been purchased . W . Bro . John Parkhouse W . M . 156 , was voted to the

chair , and there were present : —Bros . John B . Gover P . M . 70 , J . R . Lord P . M . 1247 , D . Cross P . M . 1205 , S . Jew P . M . 105 , J . T . Bond W . M . 2025 , E . Aitkin Davis P . M . 1099 , J . Neno P . M . 223 , J . Hifiy P . M . 223 , J . Hoyton P . M . 223 , F . Goodyear P . M . 223 , W . Trevena P . M . 1255 , W . Lavers P . M . 1255 , Thos . Goodall P . M . 1550 ,

W . H . Macey P . M . 1847 , J . T . Avery P . M . 156 , J . W . Cornish P . M . 223 , J . Gidley P . M . 2025 , F . W . Westo tt W . M . 70 , N . Ridmore W . M . 159 , C . F . Dnnsterville W . M . 189 , H . Rogers W . M . 1099 , T . R . Olver W . M . 1247 , J . Wallis W . M . 1255 , J . Maton W . M . 1550 , Bros . W . H . Dillon 1099 , J . Goad 70 , F . R . Thomas 189 , Thomas Eyre 1247 ,

G . Milfordl 59 , A . C . Titherly 1550 , H . Chappie 1550 , J . T . Rook , 1847 , and J . Moore 1847 . W . Bro . J . T . Bond W . M . 2025 , the solicitor to the company , said , in pursuance of the directions of the general committee , the sub-committee had continued their labours . They had purchased No . 1 Princess-square , standing at the corner

of Windsor-lane—the present house for the purpose of a club and . the land behind to be utilised for the erection of a massive hall . A deposit had been paid , and the purchase wonld have to be completed by Midsummer next . He moved the following recommendations of the sub-committee , which were carried : — "That the name of the

company be the Devon and Cornwall Freemasons' Hall and Clab Company ; that the shares be £ 1 each , 5 s payable on application 5 s on allotment , and the balance to be called up at the discretion of the directors ; that the qualification for directorship be ten shares ; that the number of directors be twelve ( inclusive of the chairman ) ,

and that each Lodge taking an interest in the hall be represented as far as possible on the directorate . " It was explained that the directorship would be purely voluntary , and the selection of the Provisional Board of Directors would be in the hands of a

subcommittee . Some questions were asked as to when the hall would be ready for occupation . It was hoped , Mr . Bond said , to get possession of tho premises between Midsummer and Michaelmas , and then Bro . Trevena added it would take six months to erect the

building . The sub-committee was instructed to have plans prepared at once , so that there should be no delay when once they got possession of the premises . W . Bro . D . Cross P . G . Treasurer , expressed a hope that brethren would bring the question forward in their respective Lodges , with a view of getting brethren to take

an interest in the project . He shonld also like to have , aa soon as convenient , some definite information when it was probable the foundation stone could be laid , as he had suggested to P . G .

Lodge that tbey should celebrate the Jubilee by laying the stone with Masonic honours and marching in their regalia to church . Various matters were discussed for the benefit of tbe movement , and I the meeting separated with a vote of thanks to the chairman .

Reviews.

REVIEWS .

All Books intended for Review should be addressed to the Editor of The Freemason ' s Chronicle , Belvidere "Works , Hermes Hill , Pentonville , London . M " .

Masnnic Calendar for the Province of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight . Edited by Bro . Edgar Goble P . M . P . G . S . and Bro . Rev . A . A . Headley P . M . P . P . Grand Chaplain . Southampton : Hants Advertiser Company .

THIS is the most bulky of all the Calendars that have as yet come to hand , and the compilers might probably have studied the convenience of the brethren who do not care to carry a big book in their pockets , had they paid a little more regard to size . However , there is this to be said—the manual is stocked with more than the ordinary quantity

of information , and being printed in very clear and legible type , is otherwise in every respect admirably got up . After the usual list of existing Lodges in the Province , those which have become extinct are enumerated , from the " Masonic Records" of Bro . Lane , with the dates of their warrants * , meeting-places , ancl numbers of Lodges

when they became extinct . The Calendar proper is very completely made up , showing the dates of Lodge and other meetings , inataIlations * , arid so on in the Province * and then follows a list of tho officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Hampshire from 1833 to

1869 , and of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight since that date . All necessary information is given respecting the Craft and Mark Lodges , Chapters , & c , in the Province , and a record is also given of the voting strength of the Province in respect of the respective Charities .

As a benevolent association , Masonry differs from most i organizations established for a liko purpose . It strives to prevent the needs of charities by teaching men how to livo and be selfsupporting . It teaches its members to be ' prudent in expending , and assists them to be aggressive find prudent in acquiring . It does not , however , neglect thoso whom the fatalities of life render helpless , bub ministers to their needs with a liberal hand . This

is true benevolence . It is not true charity to encourage i iiegligenci by fostering it . It is no trno benevolence to care I for the physical wants of those who do nofc try to take caro of i themselves .