Consecration.

CONSECRATION .

Ma . id a . Va . Ie Chapter , No . 2 743 . THE success attending the efforts of the founders and members of the Maida Vale Lodge , which was consecrated less than three years ago , is fully evinced by the fact that in such a short time the members should have been able to

petition for a Royal Arch Chapter to be attached . The prayer of the petitioners was granted and the Consecration took place on Wednesday , 16 th inst , at the Crown Hotel , Aberdeen Place , Maida Vale ( Proprietor Bro . Frank Crocker , the present W . M . of the St . Albans Lodge ) , by Comp .

Edward Letchworth , F . S . A ., Grand Scribe E ., assisted by the following Grand Officers : Comps . J . J . Thomas P . G . Std . Br . as H ., Rev . Canon Brownrigg G . Supt . for Bucks as J ., Frank Richardson G . D . C . as D . C ., in the presence of Comps . W . J . Mason and Henry Sadler Grand janitor , and a large number of Past Principals and other Companions .

The beautiful ceremony was performed in Comp . Letchworth's well known masterly manner , and created a great impression on the minds of those present who had the good fortune and privilege of witnessing for the first time this highly-impressive ceremony .

1 he following is the list of Founders and Officers : — Comps . H . Trask P . Z . 2372 M . E . Z ., W . J . Stratton P . Z . 749 2421 753 H ., H . j . Thomas the present W . M . of the Mother Lodge P . Z . 749 and 241 J ., W . Parsons H .-elect 753 S . E .,

J . L . Goldstein H . 948 S . N ., T . Bowles H .-elect 2202 Treas ., W . Yeo P . S ., H . Burkett 1 st Assist , J . T . Matthews 2 nd Assist ., W . G . Coxen D . C ., Frank Crocker Steward , W . J . Smith Janitor .

A Committee was elected to frame bye-laws and several propositions for exaltation were received . The first being Bro . Cooper , who was the first initiate in the Maida Vale Lodge . The company afterwards adjourned to the handsome

billiard room , which had been specially prepared for the reception of the company , and there an excellent banquet was provided under the personal superintendence of Comp . Frank Crocker , to > whom great credit is due for the very excellent arrangements made for the reception of the

distinguished Visitors and the comfort of the company generally . In answer to the toast of the Grand Officers , Comp . the Rev . Canon Brownrigg replied . The toast of the Consecrating Officers having been proposed by the M . E . Z ., Comp .

Edward Letchworth responded , congratulating the members of the Maida Vale Lodge and the Founders of the new Chapter upon their great success and wishing them all Godspeed .

The toast of the M . E . Z . was proposed by Comp . Letchworth . Comps . Mason , Berry , Serjeant Lee , R . J . Campbell and Coleman replied to the Visitors' toast . The other Arch toasts were duly honoured , each of the

Officers responding with the exception of Companion W . G . Coxen , who is in America . A selection of music was given by Comps . Ellison and Bradford , with Bro . Herbert Cooke at the piano and Miss Emily Foxcroft . it *****************

Warwickshire.

WARWICKSHIRE .

ON Wednesday , 25 th ult , the Provincial Grand Lodge of Warwickshire was held at Coventry . Members from the various Lodges in the county arrived in the city during the morning and early in the afternoon , the earlier arrivals partaking of luncheon at the Craven Arms Hotel ( Bro . W . D . Ciaridge ' s ) . Subsequently Grand Lodge was held in St . Mary ' s Hall and very largely attended by the Brethren .

Warwickshire.

In the earlier part of the day some doubt appeared to be entertained by local members of the Fraternity as to whether the respected Provincial Grand Master Lord Leigh would be

present , but his Lordship arrived at St . Mary ' s Hall in ample time for the opening of the Lodge , at which some 200 Brethren were present , including Deputy Provincial Grand Master Bro . G . Beech .

At the conclusion of the Lodge the members formed in procession in the quadrangle of St . Mary ' s Flail , prior to maiching to Holy Trinity Church , where Brother the Rev . Alldridge , curate of Knowle , was appointed to preach , and the procession of Freemasons , headed by what may be termed

Warwickshire ' s Masonic bannerettes , with four Lewises carrying the Bible on a cushion , in the latter part of the march attracted considerable attention . In the space between the Reference Library and Trinity Church the members of the several Lodges opened out to , allow of the first passage into the church of the Provincial Grand Master and his immediate

attendants . The service in the church was of a special character . As the procession passed into the building the hymn " O God our help in ages past" was sung . The doorkeeper stood at the entrance with his naked sword as the members passed

through . The dignitaries of the Lodge were seated in the choir , and the other Masons down the centre of the church . The service was conducted by the Rev . C . T . B . McNulty and the lessons read by the Rev . Canon Beaumont . Psalm

132 , "Lord remember David , and all his people , " was sun . g by the congregation , and the Magnificat . The choir rendered the anthem , " Behold how good and joyful a thing , it is , brethren , to dwell together in unity " to the Clarke-Whitfield setting .

A short sermon upon the text , " Give thanks to God , for He is good , for His Mercy endureth for ever " was preached by the Chaplain of the Provincial Grand Lodge Rev . R . S . Alldridge , M . A ., of Knowle , who wore Masonic insignia above

his surplice . The service concluded with the hymn , O worship the King " and the Benediction was pronounced by the Rev . Canon Beaumont . Mr . Moody played as a voluntary Guilmant ' s " Grand Chceur" as the congregation dispersed .

The collection amounted to ^ 16 10 s od , and was in aid of the Warwickshire Masonic Benevolent and Pupils' Aid fund . The members then returned to St . Mary ' s Hall , where

the Provincial Grand Lodge was resumed , the business consisting of the appointment and investment of Officers for the ensuing year . 'The ceremony throughout was of a very dignified character , and when the Lodge was closed the Provincial Grand Master and his Officers retired in procession .

East Lancashire.

EAST LANCASHIRE .

THE autumn meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire will be held in Salford Town Hall on Friday , 22 nd November . Lord Stanley , M . P ., Provincial Grand Master is hoping to be present .

** ## ¦* ## **** ## * # * # * The Masonic writer in " P . O . P . " very justly condemns the practice , which he has noticed on several visits to London Restaurants and Hotels where Lodges are held , of some Brethren walking down to the buffet wearing their Masonic

apron and jewels . Surely this is against rules , adds our contemporary , unless a dispensation has been granted . Of course it is , but we do not think there is much likelihood of a discontinuance of the practice while Grand Officers—who are conspicuous among the offenders— -set : -xza a bad example ,