Consecration Of The Chancery Bar Lodge, No. 2456, In The Presence Of The Prince Of Wales.

Richard Loveland Loveland , P . G . D . ; Thomas Weller Poley , P . G . D . ; Major-General ] . Crossland Hay , C . B ., P . G . D . ; E . P . Morrell ( President Incorporated Law Society ) , P . G . D . ; Sir Bruce Seton , Bart ., P . G . D . ; R . Vassar-Smith , S . G . D . ; Clement Godson , J . G . D . ; P . Waterlow , I . G . D . ; J . W . Maclure , M . P ., J . G . D . ; J . II . Matthews , P . D . G . D . C . ; S . Kirchhol'fer , D . G . D . C ; W . de M . Sergison , G . Org . ; W . H . Marsden , G . S . B . ; B . de B . Lopez , P . G . Stwd . ;

E . I . Trimmer , P . G . Stwd . ; Lieut .-Col . Hartley , P . P . G . W . West Yorks ; Rev . C . J . Ball ( Chaplain of Lincoln ' s Inn ); F . Hinds , M . D ., R . N . Arkle , R . M'Call , Q . C ., H . L . Truman , W . Grellier , P . G . Steward ; J . J . Darley , H . J . Hood , A . Meek ; S . B . Pemberton , R . E . Johnson , H . H . Dobree , C . F . Millett , and J . Travers Smith , P . G . Stewards ; Worshipful Master Apollo University Lodge ; Worshipful Master Isaac Newton University Lodge ; Worshipful Master London University Lodge ;

Rt . Hon . Sir W . Marriott , Q . C ., M . P . ; Rt . Hon . Staveley Hill , Q . C ., M . P . R . J . Biron , Q . C . ; W . Gully , Q . C ., M . P . ; R . D . Poppleton , j . Chester , W . C . Fooks , Col . Harding , P . A . G . D . C . ; ~ A . L . Scott , S . H . Lofthouse , Rev . E . M . Tomlinson , P . P . G . D . C . Cambs ., * Major Cary Borrer , P . A . Scratchley P . P . G . Reg . Middx . ; C . Fletcher , Jas . Kennedy , F . K . Metcalfe , K . M . Metcalfe , M . C . Gossett , H . Sutherland , M . D ., P . G . Stwd . ; G . H . Hopkins , P . A . G . D . C ; Sir Douglas Straight , Judge Pitt

Lewis , Q . C . ; J . Napier Higgins , Q . C ; J . C . Bigham , Q . C ; J . Lavvson Walton , Q . C . ' , ~ E . J . Castle , Q . C ; Brynmor Jones , Q . C , M . P . ; R . Turton , W . English Harrison , J . Wilkinson , Sir Jacob Wilson , F . Povvnall , Sir J . Savory , Bart ., M . P ., P . G . Stwd . ; J . G . Uutcher , M . P . ; Cecil Tennant , J . H . Farmer , H . C . Harris , 1 . M . Prichard , E . Sansum , M . D ., P . P . G . W . Middx . ; F . E . Lemon , Sir G . D . Harris , ? . G . D . ; Sir Forrest Fulton , O . C ., F . Lockvvood , Q . C , M . P ., E . H . Pember , Q . C , 'E . Ridley ,

O . C ., R . Rapier , G . R . Ingpen , M . J . Burn , Percy Wheeler , C . H . F . Christie , Lieut .-Col . A . Bircham , W . E . Davidson , Q . C , R . H . Clutton , P . G . D . ; C . F . Matier , P . G . Std . Br . ; J . H . Redman , P . P . G . W . Shropshire ; W . Lake , P . P . G . Reg . Cornwall ; C . A . Moring , H . R . Graham , M . P ., S . Green , P . P . G . Reg . Gloucester ; Aid . Sir Henry Knight , Dillon Lowe , Eugene Wason , M . P ., P . P . G . D . C . Oxford ; T . C . Tatham , P , G . Stwd . ; Judge Lumley Smith , Q . C , P . P . G . S . B . Cambs . ; R . O . B . Lane , Q . C , J .

Forbes , O . C , E . Macrory , Q . C , C . F . Simonds , R . C . Blencowe , F . Lazenby , J . S . Monteiiore , A . jessel , F . Gould , W . C . Beaumont , P . A . G . D . C . * , Col . Tatham , R . A ., C . G . Beaumont , H . Cockerell . F . Terrell , A . a'B . Terrell , P . P . G . W . Middx . ; Fraser Rae , P . G . Stwd . ; J . T . Winkfield , P . P . G . W . Bucks ; W . Bohm , T . H . Gardiner , and P . de L . Long , P . G . D . The Press was represented by " The Times , " "Freemason , " " Graphic , " " Illustrated London News , " and the ' * Press Association . " '

The chairs for the officers were some of those belonging to Grand Lodge , and the one for the Most Worshipful Grand Master ' s use was surmounted by the Prince of Wales ' s plume . The lodge was opened in the different Degrees by Bro . E . Letchworth , who appointed Bro . Thomas Fenn , as S . W . ; Bro . Robert Grey , as J . W . ; and Bro . J . H . Matthews , as I . G ., and when the ceremony

ol opening was concluded , the procession , of which the Prince of Wales , the Earl of Lathom , the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , the Karl of Jersey , the Lord Chancellor , Lord Suffield , the Earl of Euston , and the other Grand Officers formed part , entered the lodge , Bro . Sergison , Grand Organist , playing the National Anthem . The Prince of Wales was escorted lo the principal chair , thc Earl of Lathom as Consecrating

Officer , look his scat on the Prince ' s left , and the Karl of Mount Edgcumbe was on his rig ht . His Royal Hig hness vyas then formall y saluted . By command of the Grand Master Lord Halsbury took the S . W . ' s chair , and ihe Rig ht Hon . Akers-Douglas , M . P ., the chair of J . W . ; Canon Bullock and the Rev . F . A . Macdonald were appointed to act as Chaplains ; Sir Albert Woods was directed to officiate as Director of Ceremonies j and Bro . Samuel Pope , Q . C , as I . G .

The fir-rt part of the proceedings was the singing of the opening hymn , and the Earl of LATHOM then announced to the brethren that the M . W . Grand Master had directed him to consecrate the lodge . Then came the opening prayer , and the address by the Grand Secretary to the Consecrating Officer . The Consecrating Officer having given his directions , the founders of the lodge were then arranged in the following

crdir : Bros . W . ' 3 . Coliman , P . M ., P . G . Stwd . ; R . Horton Smith , Q . C , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg . Cambs . and Middx . ; S . Hall , Q . C . ; G . Pemberton Leach ; L . G . Gordon Robbins , S . G . D . ; Rev . H . R . Cooper Smith , D . D ., P . G . Chaplain ; W . E . M . Tomlinson , M . P ., P . P . G . W . West Lancashire ; E . Beaumont , P . G . Stwd . ; E . Swinfen Eady , Q . C ; W . G . Lemon , P . A .

G . D . C ; J . Bradley Dyne ; E . Cutler , Q . C , P . G . Org . ; T . L . Wilkinson , P . M . ; R . J . Mure , P . M . ; A . L . Scott , P . P . S . G . W . Surrey ; H . J . Hood ; H . P . Harris , P . M . ; C . Fletcher ; Samuel Green , P . P . G . D . Gloucester ; J . Chester ; W . Cracroft Fooks , jun . ; Percy F . Wheeler ; K . G . Metcalfe ; A . R . Ingpen ; and R . B . Turton , P . M .

The usual formalities succeeded , and Bro . Canon BULLOCK delivered the following oration : As nearly as possible I oo years ago at a very large assembly of Masons in the year 1793 a petition was presented by the Prince of Wales to the reigning Sovereign , and in that petition the Masonic bodies are described as " unknown to the law . " That is most carefully stated , and we may with deep gratitude in the year 18 93 be at any

rale sure of this , that henceforth the Masonic body if unknown to the law cannot be unknown to the lawyers . We shall henceforth have brought into our lodge learning which we largely stand in need of , and we may reasonably hope that in tho future we shall be able to ^ lean instruction and shall be able to learn many lessons from the now founded and constituted Chancery Bar Lodge . And it has further very great advantage—it teaches us what we are sore in need to learn in

the present history of Masonry—the absolute necessity of constantly enforcing this great principle , that quality rather than quantity ought to constitute our Order—that it is of almost vital importance that we should , so far as we can be , sure ot the character and of the quality , if I may use the expression , of those who aiu ailmittid into our Order . We are not a benevolent society , though we are a sjciity which is ever re ; id y and anxious at all reasonable opportunities to relieve

tVn : wants of thusc who when they enter Masonry might reasonably do so , and who tliroiij * li tin * changes ami chances uf life have suffered misfortune—have fallen away uiifortiin . iiely in life and have to appeal for that help which Masonry ever so readily , always so generously , and always in secret , too , administers . Now , further on in that petition there is one other word which I should very much have liked to have drawn in ' my sermon , but there is much in Masonry to learn , and I should not venture to

Consecration Of The Chancery Bar Lodge, No. 2456, In The Presence Of The Prince Of Wales.

enter upon it now however it may be deserving of our efforts . Among the very beautiful lessons to be taught in our various sermons those which ute most homely appear to be of great value , and none are of greater value than one which in that particular petition was presented to the Sovereign . We read in it that " the excellence of all human institutions is comparative and fleeting . " Excellence , we

know , belongs not to the works of man , but when we view the principles that govern other nations , which have recently obtained in other nations than that in which we dwell , we must reflect that we have about the best system of law that is known , that it is a system which works our protection and that it administers as jar as possible impartial justice to all .

A special anthem composed for the occasion by Bro . Sergison was beautifully sung by his choir . After the consecration had been completed , the Prince of Wales rose and formally constituted the lodge , and after an anthem and the patriarchal Benediction , Bro . Letchworth installed Bro . William Bicheler CoItmanT P . G . Stwd ., as Master of the lodge . The following brethren were invested as his officers : Bros . R . Horton Smith , Q . C , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg . Cambs . and Middx ., S . W . ; S . Hall ,

Q . C ., J . W . ; G . Pemberton Leach , Treas . ; L . G . Gordon Robbins , S . G . D ., Sec . ; Rev . H . R . Cooper Smith , D . D ., Past G . Chap ., Chap . ; W . E . M . Tomlinson , M . P ., P . P . G . W . West Lancashire , S . D . ; E . Beaumont , P . G . Stwd ., J . D . ; E . Swinfen Eady , Q . C , I . G . ; VV . G . Lemon , P . A . G . D . C , D . C ; J . Bradley Dyne , Stwd . ; E . Cutler , Q . C , Past G . Org ., Org . ; and Chapman , Tyler .

The W . M . then rose and said : M . W . G . M ., allow me to return to you , Sir , my best thanks for coming amongst us to take part in our ceremony . It is an honour , Sir , not only to the Chancery Bar and to the Chancery Bar Lodge , but to the whole Bar of England . I beg to thank you for the honour that you have done us . The Prince of WALES bowed .

The W . M . again rose , and said : Brethren , I have the gracious permission of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to make the following proposition : "That H . R . H . the M . W . G . M . be invited by acclamation to honour the Chancery Bar Lodge by allowing himself to be named as its first honorary member . "

Bro . R . HORTON SMITH , Q . C , S . W ., seconded . The motion was carried unanimously . Bro . GORDON ROWIINS , Sec , having read a list of apologies for inability to attend the ceremony , and a long list of candidates for initiation an d joining , the lodge was closed , and an adjournment immediately made to Lincoln ' s Inn Hall to a grand banquet .

The following is a programme of music played during the banquet by Herr Gottlieb ' s Vienna Orchestra : March , "Tannhaiiscr , " Wagner ; new waltz , " Wiener I . eben , " Strauss ; ' ' ' Wiener I . icder , " Suppe ; "Consecration March , " Bro . E . Cutler , O . C , P . G . O . ( composed for the consecration

ceremony of the Chancery Bir Lod ^ c ) ; " Pagliacci , " Potpourri , Leoncavallo ; waltz , " Wiener Miidel , " Zichrer ; " Csard ; is , " Brahms ; " Lohengrin , " Potpourri , Wagner ; " Waldina Mazourka , " S . rauss ; and galop , " Im Sturm , " Strauss . After dinner the usual toasts were proposed .

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , in proposing the toast of " The Queen and the Craft , " said : Brethren , —The first toast I have to propose to you to-night is the health of her Majesty the Queen , and as is the usual custom among Freemasons to couple with it " The Craft . " Masons always are , and always have been , eminently loyal , but we have no monopoly of that quality . How

universal the feeling of loyalty to her Majesty is , was plainly shown a few years ago at the time of her Jubilee , and that that feeling , far from diminishing , has been intensified , was at the time of the late auspicious Royal marriage most clearly demonstrated . Brethren , I ask you to drink thc toast of the Queen and the Craft in the spirit that befits you as good Masons , and as loyal Englishmen .

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER next said * . Brethren , —The next toast upon our list is the toast of "The Grand Master . " ( Applause . ) It is a toast that is always popular in Masonic lodges , but in a legal lodge it ought to be more particularly popular , because it is now more than 32 years since the Prince of Wales allowed his name to be enrolled in the list of the Benchers

of the Middle Temple , thus showing even at that early period of his life the high esteem in which he held that noble profession of which we , the brethren of thc Chancery Bar Lodge , are all members . Brethren , it is not for me in his presence , and on this occasion when so many Past and Present Grand Officers are present , to speak of the way in which the Grand Master has

performed his Masonic duties , but this I may say on behalf of the members of the Chancery Bar Lodge that we are all of us proud of our Grand Master , because we believe that hc has the feelings of a thorough Englishman , because we are convinced that he has a great admiration for the grand

institutions of the country , and because we feel that in coming here to-day to take part in the ceremony of the consecration he has shown that he considers thc Bar of England to be one of those great institutions . Brethren , I ask you to drink enthusiastically the health of the M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales .

The Prince of WALES , in reply , said : Brethren , —I am most grateful for thc very kind and llattering terms in which the W . M . of the Chancery Bar Lodge has proposed this toast of the hi gh position I am so proud to hold as the Grand Master of the Freemasons of England . It has not been my good fortune to meet the Masonic brethren for some time , but

various circumstances and the duties I have to perform do not enable me to meet them as often as I could wish . They will , I am sure , feel on this occasion I am particularly proud and happy to meet them . ( Hear , hear . ) I have to-night taken part in a most interesting ceremony , viz ., the consecration of this new lodge , and as has been alluded to b y thc W . M . my connection with