Ar00903

^ ^ fl SATURDAY , 22 ND MARCH 1890 .

Consecration Of The Mistley Lodge, No. 2339.

CONSECRATION OF THE MISTLEY LODGE , No . 2339 .

A NEW Lodge—tho Mistloy—was consecrated at Manningtree , - 1 on Wednesday , the 12 th instant , bringing up the total number of Lodges in Essex to thirty . The ceremony was to have been performed by Lord Brooke , M . P ., the Provincial Grand Master of Essex , but his Lordship , not having recovered from his recent illness , the dnty waa undertaken , and most ably performed , by the Deputy

Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Fred . A . Philbrick , Q . C ., Grand Eegistrar ( Recorder of Colchester ) . Great interest was evinoeoVin tho day's proceedings by the inhabitants of Manningtree , who displayed flags and bunting , and assembled in large numbers to witness the arrival of the expected visitors . The Publio Hall , too , in whioh the ceremony of the day took place , waa completely transformed ,

owing to tbe elaborate decorations bestowed upon it . Throngh the kindness of the Rev . 0 . F . Norman , the greenhouses of Mistley Place were freely placed at tho disposal of the local Brethren , and as a consequence the platform presented a perfect bank of flowers and ornamental plants , while tho body of the hall was profusely hung with flags and bunting . Mr . Norman also most kindly sent his

private carriage to convey the Deputy Provincial Grand Master from and to the Kailway Station . The flags used in decorating were kindly lent by Bro . J . H . Vaux and Capt . D . Howard , of Harwich . The proceedings commenced at two o'clock , by which time over one hundred Brethren had assembled . The D . P . G . M . presided , and tho other offices were occupied as follows : —Bros . Lennox Browno

Senior Warden , E . H . Bailey Junior Warden , tho Eev . E . H . Crate Chaplain , T . J . Baling Secretary , A . Lucking Dir . of Cir ., Eichard Clowes Inner Guard . Iu hia address to the Brethren , the D . P . G . M . said he appeared before them with mingled feelings—for ho could truly say he shared with the promoters of the Mistley Lodge , aa well as the visitors present , the regret which all must foel at tho

absence of their beloved Provincial Grand Master—who , ho could inform them from the best authority , was confined to tho sick room . Ho had seen Lady Brooke only an hour ago at Colchester , and hor ladyship had told him of this ; and also of the regret which his lord - ship felt at his enforced absence . In Lord Brooke ' s absence it devolved upon him , as his Deputy , to consecrate the Lo 3 ge , and ho

assured tbe Brethren that it gave him peculiar pl easure to perform such a ceremony at Manningtree , because hia earlier recollections were closely allied with that part of tho Province . In these days of increased facilities of communication it was nofc , perhaps , surprising that in the portion of tho County which bordered on the great Metropolis there should be mnch Masonic activity , bnt he was glad

that here , in the extreme north , verging on the confines of the neighbouring Province of Suffolk , there waa snch a zeal for their ancient Craft to warrant the consecration of this now Lodgo , which was boing started under auspices which he was sure would entitle the founders to look for permanent success on their undertaking . That that success might attend them he was snro they a'l earnestly

hoped , and success would attend them if , keeping the principles of Freemasonry steadily before them , they adhered to them with fidelity , zeal , and discretion . Having been connected for many yefs with Freemasonry , he said , without fear of contradiction , that it was an honour to any man , however illustrious hia poaition , to bo received into Masonry ; therefore , in founding this new Lodge , while

the founders undertook a great and good work , thoy must ever remember that it was not by nurabars alono that tho success ef Masonry could be promoted—it was by the quality of the members who were initiated that tho interests of Freemasonry would bo advanced in the best and highest sense . The Provincial Grand Secretary having read the petition and warrant , and the petitioners

having signified thoir approval of the Officers named in the warrant . The Acting Chaplain ( Bro . tlio Eev . E . H . Grata ) addressed tho brethren on tho nature and principles of tho Institution . Aftor some preliminary observations he said : —Ifc is not ta fcho onfcgido world supposes , merely the excellency of thab secrecy by which our unity is preserved , which is tho only boasfc of Masons , or tho only glory o '

Masonry . By no means . Masonry , when properly studied and properly laboured in , has a higher boasfc , a moro exalted glory . Sin boasts of her antiquity , dating from tbe Granil Architecture of the Heavens and tho earth . She boasts her descent as the daughter of the G . A . of all things ; and as fche twin sister of religion . Love was her parent , hor other name ia Charity . The central point of all her

innumerable linos , squares , and circlas , is tho lovo of God . And upon this central point sho builds her faith ; from it alio derivea tlie hope of glory , hero find hereafter ; and by it she squares her conduct in strict justice and univorsal charity , I will only add that loyalty is also a distinguishing ch . vrsctorislio of ov < : ry Lruo Mr . son . Why i ; j it

that we , as a Secret Society , enjoy tho protection of fcho laws of our land ? Because , respecting fcho Masonic Order , iietnifchsfcaaciin " all its secrecy of Brotherly union , our rulers are fully assured from the best authority , of its moral purity , its roligioua sincerity , and its political integrity . Thoy aro wall informed of our sentiments , thoy are equally acquainted with our practice . Thoy know and aro firmly

Consecration Of The Mistley Lodge, No. 2339.

assured that wo love our Queen and Constitntion ; thafc we are ever ready to rally round tho Throne , and to support with our persona , with onr property , and with our lives , that noble , royal , and illustrions personage who now sways the British Empire . And when the G . A . O . T . U . shall s ? o fit to remove from her the earthly crown , which in thia life graces her royal brow , and places npon her head that

Heavenly diadem she so richly deserves ( aa far as human merit can deserve ) ; wo will ( I know I speak for all trne Masons ) with equal zeal exalt our voice to hail our Grand and Eoyal Master the Prince of Walea in her stead . And now , Brethren , allow me to ask one question of the rulers of tho business we are here met to transsot to-daywhat is your aim and intention in the constitution of the Miatley

Lodge ? Ia it , first of all , the glory of the G . A . O . T . U . in the uniting a Society in the bonds of morality , virtue and religion ? Ia ifc thafc you may tho moro diligently follow and fulfil thepiona intentions of the first cstablishers of Masonry amongst men ? And ia it your Bole pursuit and intention , by propagating the knowledge of onr myatio art , to ensure tho real and good happiness , nofc only of the Brethren

but , as far as possible , of all mankind ? If so , we heartily bid you God speed in the constitution of your Lodge . My lasfc words shall be to the members of thia newly-constituted Lodge . Suffice me to urgo you , my Brethren , to make manifest proof to all around yon that wisdom , not folly ( or even pleaaure alone ) , haa hero indeed bnildod her house in tho consecration of the Mistley Lodge . May all

tho choicest blessings of the G . A . O . T . U . reat upon you ; with a nnmeroua company of worthy Brethren may He bless you , and with corn and wine and oil may he continually sustain them and tbeir families and their households . May he deacend by the three grand rounds of the holy Patriaroh'a ladder—faith , hope , and charity—and give you all that lively truab and confidence whioh guided all fche

future conduct of Jacob . I indulge the hope , Brethren , that these sentiments , which I havo ventured , though so feebly and imperfectly to enunciate , may abide with us till death , and rise with ua when , with all worthy brethren throughout the world , we meet afc fche right hand of tho Eternal G . M . and join that immoveable Lodge where truth and love shall form the eternal union , in which Lodge of tbe

true , the faithful , and the perfect may we all have a happy meeting . The ceremony of consecration waa then proceeded with , and at its conclusion the D . P . G . M . installed Bro . J . T . Bailey P . M . and Treasurer 697 P . P . G . P . aa fche first W . M ., who in hia turn inveated his Olficera for the ensuing year , as under : —Bros , the Rev . T . S . Raffles S . W ., Eobert Brooka J . W ., Wm . Mustard Treasurer , Joseph

Ashdown S . W . 697 Secretary , J . R . Butler S . D ., S . S . Paraona J . D ., C . E . Garrard I . G ., Lookey and Spencer Stewards , Arthur Wright Tyler . Before the closing of the Lodge the W . M . proposed a vote of thanks fco fche D . P . G . M ., and aaid he was very grateful to him for having a second timo placed him in fche chair of K . S . The S . W . Bro . fche liev . T . S . Raffles aeconded the motion , whioh waa carried

by acclamation , and briefly acknowledged . The musical portions of the ceremony were ably carried out by Broa . Osmond , Gowera , Coombs , and Motum . About 100 Brethren afterwards dined together , at tho White Harfc Hotel , a splendid repast being well served by Messrs Wright and Son , of Colchester . The W . M . preaided , and was supported by the D . P . G . M . and the other distinguished brethren .

The Queen and the Craft , tho M . W . G . M . H . E . H . the Prinoe of Wales , aud the Grand Officers , wero proposed by tho W . M . Bro . Philbrick , and Bro . Railing responded for the Grand Officers , the latter brother remarking that for a long time past , owing to the many zealous Masons residing in tho district , he had had an idea that a Lodge would havo to bo started in that corner of the Province , nnd ho was pleased

to see ono consecrated under such favourable auspices . The W . M . next proposed tho R . W . Prov . G . M . Lord Brooke , M . P ., and alao coupled with the toasfc tho name of Lady Brooke . The W . M . also gave tho D . P . G . M . and tho resfc of fcho Prov . Grand Officers Present and Past . Tho D . P . G . M ., in response , said they had thafc day seen tho launching of a now ship , and he waa sure thoy all wished that ifc

might have a career of long-continuod success . On the part of the Provincial Grand Officers he welcomed the addition of tho Mistley Lodge to the roll of Lodges in the Province . Ho urged fche brethren of the new Lodge to hold a high atandard before them , and to begin tho work aa tiny intended to continue . With regard to the Province generally , he continued that no Province waa more loyal to fche true

principles of Masonry than Essex . Alluding to the presence of a distinguished Suffolk Mason ( Bro . N . Tracy P . G . Secretary Suffolk ) , the D . P . G . M ., amid ranch applause , said he conld assure that worthy brother that it was in no spirit of hostility that they had planted thia new Lcdgo BO close to the border thia day , but rather that directly their Suffolk friends crossed it they shonld meet with a

hearty Mnsonic welcome . Bro . Lennox Browno , Bro . E . H . Baily , Bro . Sadler , and Bro , Clowoa alao responded . Tho othor toasts were : — Tho Wor & hiphil Mister , proposed by Bra . tho Eev . T . S . Raffles ; the Visitor * , proposed by the W . M ., and responded to by several visiting broth .-en ; the Oiiicers of tho Lodge , proposed , by tho W . M ., and

ac ' . 'uu . vlodgad by fcho various Officers ; tho Masonio Charities , proposed by fche W . M ., and responded to by Bro . Renshaw and Bro . Tracy ; and fcho Tyler's Toasfc . During tho dinner a telegram convoying " Hearty-good wishes " was rocoived by tho W . M . from tho 'iVmiiy Lodgo , Rayleigh , who woro ab tho timo holding thoir Installation meeting .

Consecration Of The Corinthian Lodge. No. 2350.

CONSECRATION OF THE CORINTHIAN LODGE . No . 2350 .

A NEW Lodgo . named tho Corinthian , ancl numbered 2350 on tho i"A- roll of iho Grand Lodgo , was consecrated on Saturday , fcho S' . L in .-ifc ., in tho Pennington Memorial Schools , Hindley . Tho cerer , !) i ' . / pas performed by Iho . W , Goodacre P . G . S . B . England , and

Provincial Grand Secretary We . ii Lancashire , who waa accompanied nuil n ; i : ; i , ited hy a numerous rctinuo of Provincial Grand Officera . After the Lod «; o had boon dniy dedicated and constituted , Bro , C . Buuaar l ' . M . 1335 was installed tho firat W . M . of thc Lodge , and fcho