Consecration.

the new Lodge into existence . Lord Amherst had only arrived in England on Tuesday , and had specially hastened his journey to be with them . With the toast was associated the name of Bro . J . Copley Moyle District Grand Master of Burma .

In reply , that Brother said he should ever retain a very vivid recollection of the splendid way in which the ceremony of Consecration had been performed . Fie wished some of his friends from the East could have been present , for they would have learnt a very valuable lesson . It did foreign

visitors a vast amount of good to see the methods adopted in the old country . He was initiated in Bengal twenty-six years ago , in Lodge 109 . The speaker then proceeded at great length to give some of his Masonic experiences in the far East .

The toast which followed was the Consecrating Officers . Bro . Flamon le Strange paid a high tribute to the effective way in which Bro . Letchworth had carried out his important share in the ceremony , and also thanked Bros . Fitzgerald and Scratchley for so ably filling the Wardens' chairs . A deep debt of gratitude , he said , was due to the Bishop of

Barking for his good services , and also to the Director of Ceremonies Bro . Frank Richardson , without whom no important Masonic function would be quite perfect . Finally , allusion was made to Bro . G . W . G . Barnard , who in the

Norfolk Province had by the exemplary discharge of his duties as Grand Secretary gained the thanks and appreciation of his Brethren . All who had witnessed the interesting function would ever remember it alike for its solemn and social side .

Bro . Letchworth replied . He said it had afforded him great pleasure to help to start a Lodge which gave promise of occupying a high position among Metropolitan Lodges . It had commenced under the most favourable auspices , and it was a matter for congratulation that it possessed so many

distinguished members connected with the county whence it took its name . He then passed on to give the toast of the evening , the health of the Worshipful Master . The Lodge was indeed fortunate in securing for its first Master and during the most important and critical period of its existence ,

so excellent a ruler as Bro . Hamon le Strange , one who had deservedly gained the warm esteem of all Masons in Norfolk and others beyond that Province . Twenty-six years ago the newly installed Master had presided over the Westminster

and Keystone Lodge , and since that time had been Master of another Lodge . He , therefore , enjoyed a ripe experience in all Masonic matters . It was hoped that under his gavel the Norfolk Lodge would become strong and prosperous .

A particularly hearty greeting was accorded Bro . Flamon le Strange on his rising to respond . Fie observed that he deemed it a high honour to hold the position of the first Master of the Norfolk Lodge . Any doubts that might have existed with regard to the success of the Lodge were set at

rest by the large attendance of members and by the enthusiasm displayed on all sides . Feeling reference was made to the death of Sir Courtenay Boyle , one of the Founders . Sir Courtenay had displayed a great interest , not only in

the formation of this new Lodge , but also in Norfolk Freemasonry generally . In 1882 the deceased Brother was W . M . cf Union Lodge , No . 52 , and regularly came over from Ireland to attend its meetings . Much had been said of late

Consecration.

with reference to the formation of what had been called exclusive Lodges , and it had been urged that they were somewhat contrary to the spirit of Freemasonry . Fie ventured to think that there was no derogation of the principles of the Craft . It was pleasant that associations formed in early life

should after years of separation be renewed , and that those who went to the metropolis , some bent on business and some as birds of passage only , should meet former companions and cement old friendships . Nothing could be said against a Lodge which had these ends in view . The new Lodge would

undoubtedly be of great benefit to the Norfolk Province , which , existing in a poor agricultural district , and totalling but eighteen Lodges , received more benefits from the great Charitable Institutions than it was entitled to by its size and donations . For these favourable considerations they were

ueyond question , indebted to the personal influence exercised by the late Grand Master . The establishment of the new Lodge would , it was to be hoped , mean an accession of voting power to the Norfolk Province . In conclusion , he

tendered heartfelt thanks for the kind reception that had been extended to the toast of his health . With the Visitors were associated the names of Bro . James Small P . M . 10 Prov . G . Sec . of Middlesex , and Bro . W . H . Jones P . M . 1808 and P . J . G . W . of Norfolk .

The former briefly acknowledged the compliment , and Bro . W . H . Jones observed that although little had been heard of the sentiments of Masons in the home county regarding the enterprise which their London Brethren had entered upon that evening , he could assure them that they were of a most Fraternal and cordial character . In Norfolk

the new Lodge would be thought of with pride and affection , both in the work of the Lodge and at the social board , when the terms of the Tylers toast would , perhaps , have a new significance for them . Submitting the toast of the Officers of the Lodge , the

W . M . explained the course he had adopted in making his selection . It would be noticed with respect to his Wardens that one was a denizen of London , while the other hailed from Norfolk , and he had succeeded in having both the State ( Sir Forrest Fulton ) and the Church ( Dean Lefroy )

represented , thus by a concatenation of circumstances being able to show the universality of Freemasonry . At present the Lodge was without a Chaplain , but it was hoped that when the Dean of Norwich had fulfilled his other duties he might be pressed into service in that capacity . Most of the

Officers had gone through the chairs of different Lodges , and though they constituted a " scratch " team , he thought a little practice would enable them to run well together . The

Secretary Bro . Charles E . Noverre was entitled to all the praise that could be bestowed for the immense trouble and endless pains he had taken to make everything work so smoothly and well .

Bro . Sir Forrest Fulton S . W . assured the W . M . that he would receive every possible assistance from the Officers in the discharge of what promised to be very arduous duties . Bro . the Dean of Norwich said the proceedings of the

afternoon and evening had yielded him a happiness that had not been exceeded for many years . The beautiful service in which they had shared sent his mind back to the days when he was ordained and made great and solemn vows to God , the Great Architect of the Universe . A ceremony so

Ad00302

RoyalMasonicInstitutionforBoys. SUPPORTED BY VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS . 2 US 6 Soys haPe received the benefits of the Institution since its foundation in 1798 . 293 Botfs are now ? being Educated , Clothed , and maintained . The ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTH ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL due to be held on 25 th June 1902 , under the distinguished Presidency of COLONELJOHNDAVIS,A.D.C., R . W . Provincial Grand Master for Surretf , Vice-President of the Institution . The services of Ladies and Brethren as Stewards are earnestly requested , and will be gratefully acknowledged . CONTRIBUTIONS EARNESTLY SOLICITED . Secretary—J . MORRISON McLEOD ( VICE-PATRON ) , 6 FREEMASONS' HALL , LONDON , W . C .