Consecration Of The Ravensbourne Chapter, No. 1601.

CONSECRATION OF THE RAVENSBOURNE CHAPTER , No . 1601 .

THE Ravensbourne Lodge , under whosa auspices tho nbnvo Chnpfcr was consecrated on Thursday , has had a brief , but flourishing career . It wa 3 warranted as recently ns tho year 1870 , and in the interval that has since elapsed , tho members havo shown themselves in every way worthy of tho confidence reposed in them by the Grand Master when he granted them a warrant constituting tlicm a

subordinate Lodgo of tho Grand Lodgo of England . Tiioy havo worked well , and shown themselves deeply imbued with all tho leading principles of Freemasonry . It is , therefore , no matter for wonder that when , in tho fulness of time , it should be lawful to establish a Chapter in connection with the Lodge . His Royal Highness , tho First Grand Principal of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of

England , shonld have unhesitatingly issued his warrant fcr tho Con - stitution of this new Chapter . Tho necessary arrangements having been completed , nnder the direction of tho ever-ready Comp . Magnus Ohren P . Z . 33 and 452 , the Consecration took plaro under most auspicious circumstances , and in thepresonco of a brilliant smthcring of Arch Ma = on 3 . Tho principal role was taken by Grand Scribe E .,

Colonel Shadwell Clerke , who was assisted in his agreeable task by Comps . Captain N . G . Philips P . G . N , ns H ., Rov . A . F . A . Woodford P . G . S . as J ., and R . W . H . Giddy P . Z . as D . of C . Tho ceremony was fixed for 4 p . m ., and punctually at that hour tho Chapter was opened with tho formalities pecnliar to such occasions . After the customary addresses and tho Companions had expressed their

approval of tho Principals named in the Charter , the Consecrating Officer called upon Comp . Rev . A . F . A . Woodford to deliver the oration . Thereupon , Comp . Woodford roso and stated that in the course of his long connection with Freemasonry this duty had so frequently devolved upon him that ho was often at a loss to say anything which , from its novelty , might be calculated to interest

his audience . However , when quite recently looking throngh somo documents belonging to the Lodge of Antiquity , ho hnd lighted upon a paper in the handwriting of tho lato Bro . Stephen Jones , ono of the most eminent disciples of the Prcstonian school—indeed , a personal friend of Bro . Preston himself . An examination of its contents led him to believe that it was ono of Bro . Preston's own lectures , and , as

it was of a most interesting character , ho thought ho conld not do better than read it to tho assembled Companions . This ho did , at the same time requesting that , as the paper bad only been placed at his disposal for the purpose by the kindness of the Lodge of Antiquity , the reporters present would abstain from noting it . Wo respect our Rev . Companion ' s wishes accordingly , contenting ourselves with tho

remark that the paper was of a very abstruse character , and if its publication were sanctioned by the Lodge of Antiqnity , it would doubt , less be read in private by Masonio students with the deepest interest . The ceremony was then continued and completed by Grand Scribe E ., in a manner that betokened a thorough and appreciative familiarity with all its minutest details . Tho installation of the Principals

followed ; Comps . W . G . Lemon P . Z . 414 , Rev . W . Taylor Jones P . Z . 259 , and C . W . Thompson 21 , being , as we announced would bo tho case last week , severally inducted into the chairs of Z ., H ., and J . Next came the appointment and investiture of the Officers , viz ., Comps . Magnns Ohron Scribe E ., C . W . Steel S . N ., W . Ackland P . S ., Alfred Layton 1 st A . S ., R . L . Sindall 2 nd A . S ., F . E . Wilkinson

Treasurerm whose absence Comp . Ohren was invested as proxy : A . B . Church Janitor . Several propositions for exaltation , and as joining members having been handed / In , the M . E . Z . rose and proposed in tho warmest terms a vote of thanks to Grand Scribe E . and his coadjutors for the very able manner in which they had fulfilled their important duties , and concluded his remarks by moving that they be elected honorary

members of the Chapter . Tho proposal having been carried with acclamation , and G . S . E . and those associated with him , having acknowledged the compliment paid them , the bye-laws wero brought under consideration , and several points were touched upon in the course of the discussion that ensued . The remaining business having been dispatched , Chapter was closed , and the Companions took train for

London , ifc having been arranged that the banqnet which invariably follows a Consecration should be held at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham-streer ,. And a most excellent arrangement it was , for it has rarely been our good fortune to be present at a banquet so complete and so admirably served as this was . Ample justice having been done to the menu , tho M . E . Z . proposed the Queen and R . A . Masonry ,

which was received , a 3 usual , most cordially , and followed by the National Anthem . In connection with the next toast , that of H . R . H . Grand Z ., Pro Grand Z ., Grand H . and J ., and the rest of the Grand Officers Past and Present , the M . E . Z . remarked that the rulers of the Masonic body , he said it with all humility , were recognised as worthy heads of Freemasonry . Its members were known to be skilful

in Lodge work , wise as rulers , and kind and urbane as men . They were known to be generous as Companions to all with whom they came in contact ; not only as citizens , but as R . A . Masons , and as such all cheerfully acknowledged their sway . Having spoken further in commendation of the toast , Comp . Rawson , whose name was associated with it , observed in reply that he had hoped the

task with which he was charged would have devolved on Grand Scribe E . Nevertheless , as in duty bound , and at the same time with great pleasure , he returned thanks , both on his own behalf and for the Grand Officers generally . The toast of the Consecrating Officers followed , the M . E . Z . pointing ont that , having . done honour to those holding the highest rank in the Craft , they had come now nearer home . That day a child had been born , a new Chapter

brought into existence . The Ravensbourne Lodge wa 3 yonng , and it might almost have been matter for surprise that a Chapter , attached to it , and bearing its style and .. title , shonld have been warranted so soon . ^ But it had striven hard , and he believed successfully , to fulfil its duties , and tho Chapter would no doubt follow in its wake . As to those who had honoured them with their presence that day tot the purpose of assisting afc the birth of the youngest Arch infant ,

Consecration Of The Ravensbourne Chapter, No. 1601.

ho need say little . Every ono appreciated tho merits of Grand Scribe E . They had all listened with rapt attention to tho qnaint , weird-like paper read by Comp . Woodford , and all must have noticed , i'i common with him , how wisely , kindly , and ably Comp . Giddy had discharged tho duties of D . C . Grand Scribe E , n 3 tho Senior Accoucheur at the birth of tho Ravensbourne R . A . infant , was

tho first to reply . Ho expressed his thanks for tho manner in which hia services had boon spoken of , and the compliment paid him , remarking jocularly that , as a ratepayer of tho district in which tho Chapter had held its meoting , ho supposed ho had unconsciously contributed to its possession of such comfortablo quarters . Ifo expressed regret at tho unavoidable absence of Comp . Woodford , and

concluded by proposing , in his capacity of I . P . Z ., the health of tho threo Principals , whoso qualifications for their rcspectivo offices ho most warmly eulogised . The M . E . Z . having briefly acknowledged the compliment , Comp . Rev . W . Taylor Jones II ., in expressing his thanks , referred to tho fact of his having beon the first Master of the Ravensbourno Lodge , of which there aro but few members , but most

of those who belong to it aro young men who have not yet hold office , yet who may bo expected to come forward in duo course , and sustain tho honour of tho Lodgo and its associate Chapter . Tho Third Principal , Comp . Thompson also responded , remarking playfully in allusion to G . Scribo E . ' s jocular allusion to his having been , as a resident in the neighbourhood , a contributor towards tho erection of the hand .

somo building in which the meeting of tho Chapter bad boon held , that Comp . Col . Shadwell Clerke need bo nnder no apprehension as to tho demands on his pnrse ever boing very exacting . If his establishment were assessed at £ 1000 per annum—and ho trusted his position might bo such as to warrant that—ho wonld only be called upon to pay tho modest sum of four shillings and twopence annually .

Apropos of which sedative remark , wo may observe that the neighbourhood which is so fortunately circumstanced is likewiso rich in scenery and country walks , and must ha an agreeable one to reside in . With tho toast of the Visitoi' 8 was associated tho uaine of Comp . Fenn . Comp . Ohren—replying for that of tho Treasurer and Secretaryhaving first of all expressed his regret at tho absence of his colleague

romarked that as Scribo E ., his duty was to write , not to speak . However , he had somo desire to reach the Principal ' s chair , when it would dovolvo upon him to exercise his oratorical powers , therefore his reply on this occasion might be regarded as part of a conrse of preparatory training . However , ho sincerely thanked them for the cordial i-eception given to the toast , and expressed

himself as determined to do all in his power to promoto tho success of the Chapter . Tho toast of tho Officers , followed by the Janitor ' s toast , brought the proceedings to a close . Tho musical arrangements , which wero conducted by Comp . Lawler , and in which Comps . Hodges and Cozens assisted , wero admirable , an excellent selection of songs and elees enlivening the intervals between tbo speeches . Indeed

everything passed off well , while the fittings and appointments of tho Chapter showed both tasto and judgment , and reflected tho greatest credit on thoso who supplied them . The following were present , in addition to thoso already mentioned , namely : —Comps . S . Rawson P . G . Sup . China , W . G . Kentish

M . E . Z . ( designate ) 1293 , R . Bradley P . Z . 414 Prov . G . Sec . Berks and Bucks , W . Hollingworth J . G 3 , n . E . Francos P . Z . 452 P . G . D . C . Surrey , J . Terry P . Z . 174 , C . A . Murton P . P . G . S ., Thomas Fonn P . G . S . B ., Walter Spencer , H . Blassey P . Z . 829 , E . Coupland P . Z . 913 , Richard Wooff 13 , W . W . Morgan 141 , John Hodges 19 , T . Lawler 92 , F . H . Cozens Org . 907 , H . Sadler G . Janitor .

Red Cross.

RED CROSS .

A MFETING of tho Wignacourt Conclave of this Order was hold at the Masonic Hall , Valletta , Malta , on 13 th April . Present : — Sir Knights J . Walker M . P . S ., W . Kingston Intendant General for Malta , Coffee , Ensebius , Starkey First General , Mortimer Second General , Ewing H . P ., Grier Prefect , Freeman Standard Bearer , Broadley , & c . By dispensation of the Intendant General , Sir Knight A . M . Broadley was admitted an E . of the Order , and then enthroned

as M . P . S . The Conclave resumed its sitting in the first degree , and Bros . Lieutenant Capel-Cure , 20 th Regiment , and Lieutenant Hewson , A . H . C ., were duly installed as Knights of the Red Cross of Rotno and Constantino . The Conclave was then closed in ancient form . This degree has become very popular in Malta since it was introduced by the V . P . Intendant General in January last , and the excellent

working of Sir Knight Walker and his Officers is highly conducive to its popularity . Tho founder of English Masonry in Malta , R . W . Bro . Waller Rodwell Wright , was Grand Master of the Order , and was succeeded by H . R . H . the Duke of Sussex in 1813 . From a MS . lately found , thero is no doubt that this degree was exclusively worked in Malta , under the auspices of Sir Knight Wright , between the years 1815 and 1826 .

Friars Lodge of Instruction , Kb . 1347 . —Afc Bro . Pavitt ' s , Liverpool Arms , Canning Town , on Tuesday , 20 th April . Bro 3 . Smith . W . M ., P . M . Myers S . W . ^ Fyfe J . W . , Day S . D ., Rawe J . D ., Shepherd I . G ., Worsley Secretary , P . M . Cundick acting Preceptor , also Bros . Moss , Lewis , Cope , Watkins , Keable , Power , Hythe , Andrews , Davis , White , Sadler , Brown , Ides , & c . Bro . Rawo having answered the

necessary questions , the Lodgo was opened in thotbird degree , when the ceremony of raising was rehearsed . Bro . -Shepherd -W . M . 1349 , having to install his snecessor on the following evening , was kindly allowed to work that ceremony , and being assisted by Bro . Cundick he did it admirably , installing Bro . Smith . " Lodge being , resumed to the

tmrd degree , Bro . . Worsley worked the first section of . the lecture . Lodgo was again resumed to tho first degree , w-hon 'Bro ' . P . M : Myers was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing week , on which occasion he will bo assisted by P . M . Cundick as S . W ., and Bro . Shepherd as J . W ., when sections only will bo worked . Bro . Ide 3 1472 , was elected a member .