Consecration Of The Chiswick Lodge, No. 2012.

CONSECRATION OF THE CHISWICK LODGE , No . 2012 .

BRANCHING out of the main road leading from Hammersmith to Kew Bridge , and a short distance on the left before reaohing Turnham Green Church , there is an estate called tho Glebe , out of whioh a new town has been fashioned . In tho midst of a net-work of streets is the Bolton Hotel , in the Duke's Road , the only building of the kind , we believe , on the estate . Here , on Friday afternoon , the

16 th inst ., a number of the brethren , some of them distinguished in the Craft , and all apparently earnest Masons , assembled on tho occasion of the Consecration of a new Lodge , very appropriately called the " Chiswiok . " What the birth of a son and heir is to a father , so ia the consecration of a new Lodge to those who assist at its nativity , especially to the Master , who is to act as parent during

the most delicate and infantile period of its existence , and those who are to perform tho disciplinary work necessary for growth and strength . Before proceeding to describe the details of the ceremonies of Conseoration and Installation , we may state that the Lodgo room forms a pretty , and by no means inconvenient , little Temple . Cowans can be carefully excluded , while the necessary approach for the free

and enlightened is open during work . Other means of access are available when the brethren seek refreshment . The Tyler is provided with a suitable room for the discharge of his duties , and candidates for initiation have been considered in the arrangements . The Temple is also the banquetting room , but as far as possible any inconvenience that might arise in consequence has been anticipated or provided

against . For instance , there is a largo billiard saloon , containing two tables and well supplied with lounges . There is plenty of space to move about , and adjoining is an ante-room , so that the comfort and convenience of guests have been thoughtfully considered . The difficulties that arose on the night we are referring to were exceptional , and only likely to recur on rare occasions . Such a banquet as was

then provided will not be given again for some time to come , and conversion from Temple to refreshment hall will be an easy task in the future . On Friday night the Temple was filled with brethren during the hours of work ; at one time the odour of " sweet incense " pervaded the room : these and the fumes of gas contributed to impair the atmosphere , at any rate to deprive it of that freshness so essential

to the development of a good appetite and the gratification of it afterwards . The interval that took place between work and refreshment happened to be a long one , which gave time for the admission of fresh air and the purification of the atmosphere . No real inconvenience was felt , and we shall be saprised indeed if the brethren do not find the " Bolton " a cosy and very pleasant home .

In accordance with arrangement , the Y . W . Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke P . G . D ., Grand Secretary England , took the chair of King Solomon , and performed the ceremonies of Consecration and Installation in an easy , graceful manner . He was assisted by W . Bro . Dr . Ralph Gooding G . S . D . as Senior Warden , W . Bro . Edgar Bowyer G . S . B . as Junior Warden , V . W . Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford

P . G . C . as Chaplain , W . Bro . Frank Richardson P . G . D . as Director of Ceremonies , Bro . T . C . Walls P . G . D . Middlesex as I . G . There were also present : Bro . J . M . P . Montagu Deputy G . M . Dorset , Bro . H . Sadler G . T ., and Bros . J . Welch 3 , Thos . Wright P . M . 22 , W . Herbage W . M . and W . J . Ferguson P . M . 177 , J . M . Levy W . S . 185 , A . Louis Chapman 255 , Henry Whittick P . M . 511 , W . Fieldson I . P . M . 548 , H .

Massey P . M . 619 and 1928 , W . Gomm jun . 780 , G . A . Payne P . M , 933 , W . E . Harrison 946 , W . H . Makins 969 , Wm . Rippon 1158 , W , P . Webb W . M . and H . M . Appleton S . W . 1381 , Geo . Aldred 1507 , S . Brooks P . M . and T . H . R . Hartley 1608 , Geo . S . Wright 1612 . Bro . Seymour Smith , assisted by Brothers Collins and G . T . Carter , very efficiently carried out the musical portion of the service . In

addressing the assembled brethren , the W . M . explained the motive of the meeting , and proceeded to say that the number of Lodges in London had pretty well reached the limit . New neighbourhoods were the exception , and in this instance there was no Lodge in the locality ; the facts of the case had been represented by several brethren of repute , and Grand Lodge had granted a warrant for a new

Lodgo . Ho would advise the brethren not to be in a hurry to build up a Lodge ; it was a common fault to hasten to make np a good list of members , to the danger of admitting those who where not suitable . The outside world took more interest now than heretofore in Freemasonry , and the fame of the Institutions and the munificent Charities of the Order was a powerful attraction to many to join , who

afterwards found themselves in a false position . Care should be exercised in the admission of members , and time should be taken in order to select those who were really capable of appreciating the Craft . A good beginning had been made in tho selection of the W . M . designate , whose experience would be valuable , and through whom high hopes might be formed of the future of the Lodge . The

petition and warrant were read in due course . Tho former was signed by the following brethren : Geo . Everett P . M . 177 and 1381 , 1608 , Chas . H . Everett 1507 , 1987 , G . Gardner 177 , W . D . Scott P . P . G . D . Surrey and P . M . 410 , W . Mann P . M . 186 , James Ford 1507 , Jno . H . Rutherglen 1643 , Adam Pringle jun . I . G . 92 , Harry Oliver Smith 1974 , Frederick Lawrence P . M . 255 . Tho petition was

recommended by the Loyalty and Chnrity Lodge 1581 , meeting at the Star and Garter , Kew Bridge , through its Officers as follow : Brothers G . E . Mortimer W . M ., T . Drew Bear S . W ., D . Francis Williams J . W . The oration by Bro . Woodford , which followed , was an able composition , and dealt chiefly with certain points of interest in connection with the Fraternity . It was declaimed with the author ' s accustomed energy and was warmly approved . In alluding to tho Brotherhood of

the Craft , Bro . Woodford remarked that they had hoped to havo had one among them that day who could have given them his experience of the working of Freemasoury amongst various sections of peoples living in India . He was not , however , present , but the fact was well known , that Parsees , Brahmins , Mahommedans , and Christians , widely separated as they wore by creeds , and some by lands and seas , were yet united in one common work of humanity , held and bound together

Consecration Of The Chiswick Lodge, No. 2012.

by principles that all could understand and appreciate . After dwelling upon the spirit and practice of toleration which the Craft inculcated , Bro . Woodford closed his oration with nn oloquent tribute to charity as oxomplifiud l , y the Order . The ceremony of Consecration was then proceeded with and carried on in that graceful and reverent manner so characteristic of Bro . Shadwell Clerke . Long practice

has made him familiar with tho work , and knowledge and experience has given him confidence . Ho was happy , too , in having intelligent assistance , especially in tho Master of tho Ceremonies , Bro . Frank Richardson , who discharged his duties " as if to tho manner born . " Bro . Woodford was equally successful as officiating priest . He waa zealous and fervent , and wafted tho censor with skill . The fumos of

the incense mingled with the impressivo language of this part of the ceremony , affecting the senses and appoaling to the soul . After tho final benediction , tho W . M . designate , Bro . George Everett , waa duly installed into the chair by Bro . Shadwell Clerke , who omitted a small portion of tho service , as tho W . M . had already passed through the ordeal on two previous occasions . Everything essential , however ,

was done to make the work comp lete and impressivo . After the usual salutes had been made and addresses delivered , Bro . Chas . H . Everett was appointed S . W ., Bro . Gardner J . W ., and Bro . Dr . F . Lawrence Treasurer . Each officer was invested and instructed in his duty by the W . M ., and all were warmly applauded as they were led to their respective positions . The other offices wero left open until the next

meeting , when they will be filled up by brethren already selected . We may say that Bro . J . Daly was the Tylor . No fewer than twelve names were handed in by the Secretary pro tern , Bro . H . O . Smith , as joining members , and the names of fonr gentlemen were given who were anxious to becomo enlig htened . After some remarks by the W . M ., in which he modestly referred to his position , he moved that a

very special vote of thanks be g iven to the Consecrating Officer for his services that day , and to those who had so ably assisted him , which was seconded by tho S . W . and carried unanimously . Bro . Col . Shadwell Clerke responded , and after the usual groetings , the Lodgo was closed in the customary form . Some delay , for reasons we have already given , took place before

the brethren sat down to the banquet . In the meantime refreshments had been provided in another room , and all that hospitality could suggest and accommodation furnish was forthcoming for the comfort of those present . The banquet itself was excellent , but somewhat slowly served . Thi 3 was a drawback , as time was far advanced when the middle of a well-selected musical programme had been reached .

The toast list had been carefnlly prepared , aud it was certainly of modest though of ample proportions . The musical programme waa equally modest , yet it was found to be too full , for several brethren had to depart without having the opportunity of enjoying it . The first toast , of course , wa 3 the Queen and the Craft , followed by the M . W . the Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . Justice was

done to both by the W . M . and those present . The Earl of Carnarvon Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Lathom Deputy Grand Master , and the Grand Officers Present and Past , brought up Bro . Woodford in reply , who acknowledged the honour , and said that both he and those who had acted with him that day , were always glad to assist in the grand ceremony of Consecration , and for himself he might add

that he was willing at all times to accompany the Grand Seoretary in . his pilgrimages . During his forty years' experience of Masonry he could say that he had formed the best and dearest friendships of his life , and the longer he lived the more he became attached to the Craft . Bro . Shadwell Clerke then proposed the health of the W . M ., the prime mover of their meeting that night . He congratulated the

brethren upon the selection they had made ; they had actod wisely in securing a brother to preside over them who had already filled the chair in two other Lodges . In addition to his valuable experience , Bro , Everett had secured a large measure of esteem among the brethren generally . Only a week before the Domatic Lodge , of which Bro . Everett was Treasurer , had presented him with a very

handsome testimonial . All this showed the estimation iu which he was held , the success that had followed his labours , and now that he had a child of his own , tho same good fortune would ho hoped attend him . The toast was received with enthusiasm . In replying , the W . M . thanked the Grand Secretary for the kind and handsome manner in which ho had proposed the toast , and the brethren for the

reception they had given to it . A year ago he felt that , after twentyfive years' service , he had earned his retirement , especially as he wa 3 at times the victim of attacks of rheumatic gout . Some brethren , however , thought there was good work to be done in the locality in which they then were , and he was indaced to get into harness once more . Having accepted office again , he should do his best to make

the Lodge a prosperous one . The Grand Secretary had kindly alluded to the presentation made to him , the W . M ., on the previous Friday , by the Domatic Lodge ; this would encourage him , and he hoped the new Lodge would be vory successful and very prosperous . The W . M . proposed the Consecrating Officers , and alluded in complimentary terms to the Grand Secretary and others who had done such

yeoman service that day . Bro . Ool . H . Shadwell Clerke responded Bros . Montagu and Herbage responded for the Visitors , Bro . Lawrence for the Treasurer and Secretary , aud Bro . Chas . H . Everett S . W . for the Officers . The catering was excellent , and great praise is due to Bro . Harry Price who acted as Wine Steward and looked after the comforts of the brethren . The whole proceedings wero highly successful , and the W . M . starts with a prospect full of promise .

The ceremony of Installation will be rehearsed by Bro . Simon J . Byng ( 424 S . C . ) P . M . 902 , on Friday , 30 th November , at 8 p . m ., at the Royal Standard Lodge of Instruction , No . 1298 , held at Bro . T . Meekham ' s , Alwyne Castle , St . Paul ' s Road , Canonbury . Bro . G . H . Hunter P . M , 1298 is the Hon . Secretary of this Lodge of Instruction ,