The Charges Of British Freemasons.

determined in the case of most of the MSS . to confine his text to descriptive particulars and an indication of the characteristics and peculiarities of the MSS . As an illustration of the value of producing specimens of the MSS . in facsimile , notice may be drawn to the strong resemblance between the handwriting of the " York No . 5 " and the " Clapham MSS ., " so much so that the opinion may be hazarded that the writer of the former was also the scribe of the latter—say at a later period .

Your readers will be glad to know that this work is not the last we may expect to see from the master-hand of Bro . Hughan . He will certainly never produce another which will bring home to the Craft more closely , and in such a terse , compact , and concise way , the fact that Brother Hughan is one of the hardest workers and most valuable teachers the Masonic world WILLIAM WATSON , P . M . 61 , Honorary Librarian West Yorkshire .

Consecration Of The Lewisham Lodge, No. 2579.

CONSECRATION OF THE LEWISHAM LODGE , No . 2579 .

The Lewisham Lodge , No . 2579 , which has been started with a strong body of founders , numbering 21 brethren , with Bro . Christopher Sims , P . M . S 61 and 120 S , as their head , was consecrated at the Parish Hall , Lady well , on the 28 th ult ., by Bro . E . Letchworth , F . S . A ., Grand Secretary . The inauguration of the lodge had aroused keen interest in Metropolitan Masonic circles , which was amply evinced by an attendance numbering nearly 200 brethren .

The Consecrating Officer was ably assisted in the ceremonies of the day by Bros . Geo . Everett , P . G . Treas ., as S . W . ; Ralp h Gooding * , M . D ., P . G . D ., as J . W . ; Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg , Dep . P . G . M . Bucks , as Chap . ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., as D . C . ; and J . M . McLeod , P . P . G . W . Derbyshire , Sec . R . M . I . B ., as I . G .

The founders of the new lodge were : Bros . Christopher Sims , P . M . S 61 and 1208 ; Charles Lamb , P . M . 1997 ; Jno . Coote , S . D . 1259 ; J . A . Shelton , S . W . 1558 ; H . Lewis , 155 S ; VV . C . Tyler , J . D . 862 ; H . Visger , P . M . 1 G 01 , W . M . 1558 ; E . Hall , J . D . 1965 ; J . W . Drysdale , W . M .

263 ; H . Cole , A . D . C . 749 ; W . T . Price-Taylor , 79 ; W . C . Smith , P . M . 902 ; C . W . Wilkes , Org . 1541 ; L . A . Richardson , W . M . 157 ; J . Lusty , W . M . 1259 ; J . W . ( Juandt , 1259 ; W . J . Taylor , 147 ; J . A . Laing , 231 ; J . H . Laing , S . W . 246 9 ; F . Adams , * W . M . elect 1259 ; and H . T . Bridges , P . M . 957 .

The large body of visitors present included : Bros . R . Turtle Pigott , P . A . G . D . C . ; W . G . Lemon , P . A . G . D . C . ; R . Eve , P . G . Treas . ; Lennox Browne , P . D . G . D . C . ; R . Clowes , P . G . S . B . ; H . J . Lardner , G . Stwd . ; Captain T . C . Walls , P . G . S . B . ; R . Clay Sudlow , P . G . S . B . ; G . Read , P . G . S . B . ; J . Lewis Thomas , P . A . G . D . C ; J . Stephens , P . P . S . G . D . Bucks ; W . Martin , P . M . ; ] . Mason , P . P . G . D . Middx . ; J . Speller , P . P . G . D ,

Essex ; VV . G . Kentish , P . P . G . D . Middx . ; H . Sadler , G . Tyler ; J . S . Cumberland , D . G . S . B . ; L . A . Richardson , VV . M . 1-57 ; R . Tilling , P . M ., Sec . 7 65 ; J . Morley , j . W . 1638 ; F . Eade , W . M . 901 ; \ V . Sykes , P . M . 1 597 ; G . J . Gore , P . M . Sap ; F . Hallows , VV . M . 1982 ; A . J . Dottridge , P . M . 172 ; J . Hart , P . M . 193 ; H . " Baker , VV . M . 1360 ; E . N . Dale , P . M . 19 S 7 ; W . C . Bell , 860 ; A . Bateman , P . M . 33 ; VV . R . Plaford , P . M . 1608 ; H . Salter , P . M . 061 ; H .

Whitney , S . W . 9 61 ; R . Norris , P . M . 1997 ; A . Kiier , S . W . 206 ; E . Von Bibra , P . M . 1669 ; E . Van Pullen , P . M . i < 5 or ; E . H . Selby , W . M . 1601 ,- T . Collis , P . M . 862 ; G . Parrett , P . M . 1259 ; J . C . Main , P . M . 157 ; W . Irvine , P . M . ; W . VV . Lee , P . M . 1 S 97 ; and many others . The numerous Grand Oflicers present entered the spacious lodge room in procession , and , the lodge having been opened , the opening hymn was sung .

The CONSECRATING OFFICER then , addressing the brethren , said : We are met to-day for the purpose of undertaking a very interesting and very solemn ceremony—the constitution of a new lodge and its dedication to God . I can only express the hope that the lodge wc are about to start into existence may have before it a career of great usefulness and prosperity , and that it may be the means of advancing the best interests of our Order in this important part of London . I now call upon the Chaplain for the opening prayer .

The interesting and impressive ceremony—which included an excellent oration delivered by Bro . Rev . J . STUDHOLME BROWNRIGG , P . G . Chap . — was duly carried out , and the new lodge was formally dedicated and constituted . Bro . Christopher Sims , the W . M . designate , was next presented by the D . C , and duly installed into the chair by the Grand Secretary in the presence of 62 Installed Masters .

1 he following brethren were invested as the first officers of the lodge by the W . M ., who performed the investiture in a full and ample manner ! : Bros . W . C . Smith , P . M . 902 , acting I . P . M . ; Charles Lamb , P . M . 1997 , S . W . ; Jno . Coote , S . D . 1259 , J . W . ; H . Visger , P . M . 1601 , VV . M . 1558 , Treas . ; Edward Hall , J . D . 1965 , Sec . ; J . A . Shelton , S . W . 1558 , S . D . ; 11 . Lewis , 1558 , j . D . ; VV . C . Tyler , J . D . 862 , I . G . ; J . W . Drysdale , W . M . 263 , D . C ; H . Cole , A . D . C . 749 , and W . T . Price-Taylor , 79 , Stwds . ; C . VV . Wilkes , Org . 1541 , Org . ; and Gregory , Tyler .

Ihe VV . M ., in proposing that a hearty vote of thanks should be accorded the Consecrating Officers and that they should be asked to accept the hon . membership of the lodge , said that all the brethren must have been impressed with the manner in which the ceremony had been performed . He had seen a similar function on five previous occasions , but had never before witnessed such a splendid and perfect rendering of this impressive ritual .

The S . VV . seconded the resolution , which was carried nem . con . The GRAND SECRETARY tendered the warmest thanks of himself and colleagues for the compliment paid them , which they accepted with great pleasure . The W . M . then proposed that Bros . Russell , Prov . G . Treas . Kent , and James Stephens , P . P . S . G . D . Bucks , should also be elected hon . members , which was carried unanimously and gracefully acknowledged .

Lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the adjoining building , where banquet was supplied by Mr . Frank Haywood . The intervals between the speeches were enlivened by a musical selection , in which the following artistes assisted : Madame Carlotta Ide , and Bros . Barnby , E . Hall , Wilkes , S . Tinney , Alfd . Moore , H . Visger , jun ., and others .

Consecration Of The Lewisham Lodge, No. 2579.

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , in cordial terms , proposed the usual loyal and Masonic toasts . Bro . the Rev . J . S . BROWNRIGG , P . G . Chaplain , in replying for "The Grand Officers , " said that under ordinary circumstances he was a long and tedious speaker , but there were exceptions to every rule , and as that night their festivities had been a little protracted , and the train started in a few minutes , he would simply say he thanked them .

" The Consecrating Officers " was next submitted by the W ORSHIPFUL MASTER , who said they were all agreed that the ceremony that day was magnificently done , and that was particularly marked by the earnest attention paid by every brother present to the ritual . By this means they evinced their keen appreciation of the perfect manner in which the ceremony

was rendered . He wished the toast had been p laced in other hands more capable of doing justice to it , but if lacking in words , he was none the less sincere in thanking the Grand Secretary for coming and performing the ceremony in such splendid stvle . Any brother who had seen the ceremony before would have anticipated that it was grand , but on that occasion it was something more , for its delivery had given satisfaction to all .

The GRAND SECRETARY , in response , said it had already been his agreeable duty elsewhere to acknowledge , on behalf of the Grand Officers , the high compliment paid them by the founders of this lodge , and he now , with no less sincerity , tendered their warm thanks for the more than kind reception they had been pleased to give the toast , proposed in such kind terms by the W . M . He assured them once more that it had given them all the

greatest pleasure to attend , because they were satisfied that the lodge , which had been started under such favourable auspices , had before it a very bright future . He most heartily congratulated the members on having as their W . M . one so well able to rule and guide the lodge in this most important year of its existence . He was only expressing the feelings of all the Grand Officers when he said how gratified they had been with all the

arrangements made for the ceremony . During the time he had had the honour of holding his present position it had been his great pleasure to consecrate a considerable number of lodges ; but he did not remember any occasion when the room was so well adapted for the purpose as the hall in which the ceremony took place that day , and he could say the same with regard to the banquet . Once more he tendered the warmest thanks for the compliment paid in the toast .

" The Health of the W . M . " was proposed by the Acting I . P . M ., who expressed the pleasure he felt in proposing the health of the first Master of the Lewisham Lodge . He did not think they could possibly have found a better W . M . The Grand Secretary had taken all the wind out of his sails in regard to Bro . Sims . Having known him personally as a friend , he was assured that no better Master could be found not only in Lewisham but in Kent .

Bro . CHRISTOPHER SIMS , P . M ., W . M ., thanked the I . P . M . for the more than kind and flattering terms in which he had proposed the toast , and the brethren for their cordial reception of it . His selection for the proud position of first Master of the Lewisham Lodge was one of the greatest honours ever bestowed upon him in Freemasonry . He hoped to prove

worthy of it , so that at the end of his year of office the members might say their confidence had not been misplaced . He had only one aim in viewthe prosperity of the lodge and the comfort of the members—and he hoped by his endeavours to merit their approbation . He thanked them again most sincerely .

In submitting "Thc Masonic Charities , " the WORSHIPFUL MASTER made an earnest appeal to the brethren to support the Institutions , and also for Stewards to represent the lodge . Bro . Tyler , I . G ., kindly consented to serve on behalf of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and Bro . J . W . Drysdale , D . C , for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution .

Bro . J . M . MCLEOD , Sec . R . M . I . Boys , first thanked the founders and Grand Secretary for allowing him to take part in the consecration . He thanked the W . M . for the earnest manner in which the toast had been submitted . He was delighted to know that the D . C . of the lodge would appeal to the brethren for support on behalf of the Old People , there being a large number of candidates seeking admission to that Institution . If all Masons

would but contribute one guinea per annum to each of those Institutions , it would amount to about ^ , 240 , 000 , which would enable them to take in all candidates . The W . M . and others had served as Stewards , and took up large lists , but it should be impressed upon the younger brethren to give their modest guinea . He thanked Bro . Tyler for consenting to act as Steward for the Boys' School , and was sure he would make an earnest and successful appeal to the brethren .

Bro . J . MASON , P . P . S . G . D ., also briefly r . plied for the R . M . Benevolent Institution .

" The Visitors " was acknowledged by ! i . os . W . MARTIN , P . M . ; SELIIY , VV . M . , * SPELLER , P . P . G . D . j and others . Other toasts were given , and the successful proceedings terminated .

Consecration Of The St. Aldhelm's Lodge, No. 2559.

CONSECRATION OF THE ST . ALDHELM'S LODGE , No . 2559 .

For the past 23 years the number of Lodges in the Province of Dorset has remained stationary at 13 , but an addition has at length been made by the consecration of the St . Aldhelm ' s Lodge , No . 2559 . The development and importance of the neighbourhood of Branksome created a feeling amongst local Freemasons that a lodge was necessary , and a strong body of

founders having been formed , with Bro . Maj . W . Watts , Prov . S . G . W ., at their head as VV . M . designate , a warrant was applied for and obtained . A large number of brethren assembled at the St . Aldhelm ' s School Rooms , Branksome , on Thursday , the 24 th ult ., to witness the interesting ceremony of consecration , which was performed by the Prov . G . M ., Bro . Montague Guest .

Amongst those present were—Bros . Montague J . Guest , P . S . G . D . of England , Prov . G . M . Dorset ; Brymer , P . S . G . D . of England , Deputy P . G . M . ; Maj . W . Watts , P . S . G . W . ; F . Travers , P . P . S . G . W . ; the Rev . W . Mortimer Heath , P . G . Chap . ; the Rev . E . H . H . Lee , Prov . G . Chap . ; the Rev . T . Russell Wright , P . P . G . Chap . ; Russell Patey ,

P . P . G . Reg . ; R . Case , P . G . Sec . ; Stokes , P . G . I . G . W . ; Whitehead Smith , P . P . J . G . W . ; C . H . W . Parkinson , P . P . J . G . W . ; Drewe , P . S . G . D . ; Lawton , P . P . S . G . D . ; Cross , P . J . G . D . ; Hibberd , P . G . S . of W . ; C . Carter , P . G . D . of C ; Sydenham , P . P . A . G . D . of C . ; Tarrant , P . P . A . G . D . of C . ; Lawrence , P . P . A . G . D . of C . j G . Habgood , jun ., P . P . G . S . B . ; Yearsley , W . M . 386 , P . P . G . Stwd . ; Cave W . M . G 22 , P . G . Stwds . ; Neville , P . G . Stwd . ; W . J . Bacon , P . G . Stwd . ;