Consecration Of John Brunner Lodge, No. 2799.

CONSECRATION OF JOHN BRUNNER LODGE , No . 2799 .

One of the most interesting events in the history of Masonry in Mid-Cheshire was that which took p lace at Winsford on Saturday , the 13 th ult ., when the above lodge was consecrated by Bro . his Honour Judge Sir Horatio Lloyd , Knight , P . G . D . England , D . P . G . M . With peculiar fitness the event was the first of special importance to take place in the beautiful

Guildhall , recently given to the town by Bro . Sir John Brunner , Bart ., M . P . The brethren present were—Bros . Sir Horatio Lloyd , acting Prov . G . M . and Consecrating Officer ; Henry Jackson , P . S . G . W . ; C . D . Cheetham , P . G . W ., acting Prov . J . G . W . ; H . Gordon Small , Prov . G . D . C ; C . K . Nunn and ] . E . Evans , Prov . G . Cs . ; F . Broadsmith , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., Installing Officer ; J . Armstrong , P . M ., P . P . G . W .,

Assistant Instilling Officer ; R . Newhouse , Prov . G . Sec ; Sir J . T . Brunner , P . M . 42 S and 2799 , P . S . G . W . ; J ohn C . Armitage , P . M ., I . P . M . and Sec . 2799 , Charity Representative ; T . Ivison , Stwd . 2799 j H . Lockhead , I . G . 2799 ; F . R . Ansdell , 26 S 1 ; Tom W . Forster , S . D . 75 S ; J . Lightfoot , J . D . 2799 ; Edwin Hamlett , J . W . 2799 ; F . H . Margison , W . M . 1126 ; P . Lewis , Treas . 2795 ; J . j . Howitt , 428 , 1643 , and 2799 ; J . O . Brandrith , 1993 and 2799 ; D . B . Hewitt ,

42 N and 2799 ; ' J . Hitchen , 979 and 2799 ; O . J . Burgess , Stwd . 2799 ; R , Brennand , S . W . 2799 and 979 i . ' •T - G""esty , I . P . M . 979 and 2799 ; N . Thompson , Stwd . 2799 and 979 ; F . B . Cooke , P . M . 2389 and 2799 ; E . Hopley , S . D . 2799 ; W . Peers , P . G . Treas . ; F . Codeney , P . G . S . ; J . F . Swift , Prov . G . Org . ; J . W . Allcock , 42 S ; A . Hollows , 428 ; H . W . Handley , J . D . 758 ; E . Fell , Org .

220 ; B . Crosby , 220 ; R . C . Whiteleg , W . M . 1045 ; W . Dunn , P . M . 979 , P . P . G . S . of W . ; C . Humfrey , 428 ; G . F . Willis , P . M . 428 ; G . B . Cliff , P . M . 428 ; T . Eastwood , 42 S ; G . W . Bebbington , I . P . M ., Org . 941 ; W . Such , S . D . 42 S ; W . Sutherst , I . G . 42 S ; H . J . Hopley , 428 ; J . B . Clarke , 428 ; A . J . Robinson , 428 ; T . Leicester , S . W . 428 ; T . Wilkinson , 42 S ; A . Moxon , W . M . 11 C 6 ; R . Hurst , 292 , Philadelphia , U . S . A . ; R . Olive , P . P . G . S . ; and many others .

The brethren assemb ' ed in the lodge room , after which the Consecrating Officer took the chair , and appointed his officers pro tern . The lodge was opened in the three Degrees . This part of the procedure having been gone through , The CONSECRATING OFFICER addressed the brethren on the motive of the meeting . He said they were assembled there to consecrate a new lodge ,

and it was a great satisfaction for him to know that it bore an honoured name—John Brunner Lodge . The good deeds and liberality of Bro . Sir John Brunner were well known throughout the province . They were assembled in a building which owed its origin to Sir John ' s generosity . The new lodge was inaugurated under most hopeful auspices , but as an old Mason he would like to give them one word of caution , which was " don ' t let your zeal outrun discretion , by attempting to build up the lodge by leaps

and bounds . " Let their zeal be moderated . They should take care to admit men only of good character , who would reflect credit on their choice , and in the selection of officers they should be careful that even the lowest one , the Inner Guard , was a man who would throw his heart into the work , and do credit to the Order , as by a natural order he must sometime become Master of the lodge . In conclusion he said the lodge was established under excellent auspices . It bore the name of a good man , so let them take care the honour of that name was preserved .

Bro . SMALL , D . C , next addressed the Consecrating Officer , saying a body of Masons having obtained a warrant oi consecration begged him to consecrate the lodge . The reply was given and the brethren of the new lodge arranged in order , whilst the charter of constitution was read . Bro . the Rev . C . R . NUNN , Norley , followed with an oration on "The Nature and Princip les of the Institution . " He said

he took the building of a temple as illustrating the nature and principles of Freemasonry . He prefaced his remarks by saying that so many eloquent orations had been given by the able Chaplains preceding him that it was difficult to find any untrodden path , but he would suggest a line of thought wh ' xh would present some of the beauties of the teaching of the Craft . Foundations were usually laid deep down beneath shifting sands and embedded in the rock . So Freemasonry ,

avoiding all things doubtful and changing , was built upon the belief in God , the Creator . As the foundations rose above the surface the plans were indicated , so with a true belief in the heart the outward life would be formed . Even as Gjd was reverenced by Freemasons , so also was His holy word held in highest regard . It contained their working plans . Upon the foundations rested pillars ol beauty , or strength , or both combined , supporting the super-structure . The nation and

the Craft were so constituted , each class so depe ndent upon the other , that whatever their quality or place no one could say to the other " What need of thee V " Each contributed to the stability , beauty , usefulness , completion of a grand whole Again , the steps leading up to the main door reminded one of the more or less arduous progress of the seeker after truth . The vestibule or ante-room brought to mind our birth and nakedness as we disrobed , and our duty to clothe and

comfort the distressed , practising God-born Charity , which was Ihe key , the password , into the audience chamber of the God of Love , the great Master in the Grand Lodge above . In this progression they were taught the three glorious features of Masonic perfection brotherly love , relief , and truth . The quarry whence the stone was dug represented Mother Earth , to which all must return ; but the spirit to God , who gave it . The various kinds of stone—sandstone ,

marble , granite—each had its lesson . Each , like man , in the hands of a wise Master builder , was wrought and pUced where most fitted and useful . Jealousyof one ano'htr was OJt of pUce . In the stone yard , the workshop , all were working towards one end . Unity of purpose begets unity of feeling , pride in each other ' s success . Perseverance was necessary in the Craft as in everything else . If any good was to be obtained , the oil of sweet reasonableness , the wine of generous sentiments , the corn of plentiful Charity , the salt of human kindness , the incense

oi a holy He , honest effort , sobriety , prudence , sympathy , patriotism , and love of God and man were princip les dear to Britons and to Masons , and these were illustrated in the founding of that lodge under brilliant auspices . Might the Masonic lamp lit that day burn ever brighter and brighter ! Their motto was " To do justly , to love mercy , and to vralk humbly with their God , " and so might they hope when earthly toils were ended to be called from labour to eternal refreshment .

The Consecrating Officer then dedicated the lodge to God and His acrv ' ce , and to brotherly love , relief , and truth . The installation of Bro . Sir John Brunncr as W . M . was performed by the Installing Officer , Bro . F . Broadsmith , P . P . S . G . W ., assisted by Bro . J . illey Ellis , P . J . G . W ., and Bro . John Armstrong , P . P . J . G . W . The newly-installed Master next appointed and invested his officers for the ensuing year as follows : Bros . Robert Brennand , S . W . ; EJwin

Hamlttt , J . W . j the Rev . C . R . Nunn , Chap . ; Prince Lewis , Treas . ; j . C . Armitage , Sec , Dep . W . M . and I . P . M . ; E . Hopley , S . D . j J ,

Consecration Of John Brunner Lodge, No. 2799.

Li ghtfoot , J . W . ; T . Ivison , O . J . Burgess , and N . Thompson , Stwds . ; H . Lockhead , I . G . ; and P . Wilding , Tyler . Bros . Sir Horatio Lloyd and R . Newhouse , Prov . G . Sec , were elected honorary members of the lodge , on the proposition of Bro . Sir J BRUNNER .

Bro . J . C . Armitage was elected Charit y Representative , whilst the Committee to frame by-laws was constituted as follows : Bros . J . C . Armitage , W . Dunn , R . Brennand , and James Hitchen . A few Winsford gentlemen were proposed as members . The founders of the lodge were Bros . Sir John T . Brunncr , Bart ., T ,

C . Armitage , I homas Ivison , George Stelfox , Edwin Hamlctt , Jabez Lightfoot , P . Lewis , Robert Brennand , James Hitchen , C . R . Nunn , Edward Hopley , Harry Lockwood , Oswald J . Burgess , C . W . Davenport , Richard Olive , J . J . Howitt , Herbert Pretty , Thomas Ward . Nathan Thompson , F . R . Ansdell , Tom . W . Forster , F . W . Oke , J . O . Brandrith , W . Worseley , F . Bettlcy Cooke , M . O . Gresty , and Divid Basil Hewitt .

At the conclusion of the business at the lodge , the brethren adjourned to the gymnasium in connection with the Verdin Technical Schools , where a banquet was given by Bro . Sir John Brunner . The guests numbered about 150 . At the conclusion of the repast , a toast list was gone through . The toasts were duly honoured .

The \\ . M . proposed " The Queen . " " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . Grand Master , " was submitted by the W . M . The W . M . next gave " The M . W . Pro Grand Master , the Earl Amherst ; the R . W . Deputy Grand Master , the Earl of Warwick ; and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past . " Bro . NEWHOUSE , P . D . G . S . B . Eng ., responded .

The toast of " The Prov . Grand Master , the Right Hon . Eirl Egerton of Tatton ; the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . his Honour Judge Sir Horatio Lloyd ; and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past , " was proposed by the W . M .

Bro . his Honour Judge Sir HORATIO LLOYD acknowledged the toast . The toast of " The Worshipful Master " was then given by Bro . Sir HORATIO LLOYD . Bro . Sir J BRUNNER , W . M ., responded . " The Installing Masters" was given by the W . M ., and acknowledged by Bros . F . BROAIISMITH , L . ELLIS , and J . ARMSTRONO . The toast of " The Visiting Brethren " was responded to by Bro . FRED MAY .

Bro . J . ARMSTRONG proposed "The Founders and Officers of the Lodge . " Bros . J . C . ARMITAGE , R . BRENNAND , and E . HAMLETT responded . Bro . H . JACKSON replied for " The Masonic Charities . "

In responding to the toast of "The Visiting Bethren , " Bro . HURST , of Philadelphia , said he was an ardent Mason , and had visited many Masonic lodges all over the world . He had , however , never seen one to equal the present lodge for the solemnity of its consecration and ths splendour of its furniture , banquet , 8 cc .

A musical programme was also gone through , under the direction of Bro James F . Swift , P . G . O ., Bros . Bebbington , Pritchard , Swift , and S . H , ' Pritchard being the vocalists . Bro . Bebbington also sang " The Absent-Minded Beggar , " during which a collection was made , which realised / , ' io . Bro . Mouniield also took part in the programme . It was decided that this sum should be devoted to the fund for the relief of the dependents of Winsford Volunteers .

It might be interesting to note that a lodge existed in Winsford about half a century ago , and Bro . Hardie had in his possession half-a-dozen glasses and a receipt which belonged to it . These he presented to the new lodge during the evening , and they will doubtless be greatly appreciated . The furniture , jewels , Nrc , were manufactured by George Kenning and Son , Manchester and London .

Ladies' Banquet And Dance Of The Eccleston Lodge, No. 1624.

LADIES' BANQUET AND DANCE OF THE ECCLESTON LODGE , No . 1624 .

The members of this lodge pride themselves upon the fact that they were amongst the first to introduce a ladies' night into their annual fixtures , and that they are still as keen as ever on the subject was abundantly proved by the successful gathering held at the Criterion , Piccadilly , W ., on the 17 th ultimo . Labour befoie refreshment was the motto of the evening , and the officers assembled at an early hour to initiate , pass , and raise candidates in the various to

Degrees . Charity was also not forgotten , ^ 10 being voted the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and a whisper was heard of grants to other Institutions in the near future . When the guests began to assemble , lodge had been closed , and Bro . W . E . Lane , W . M ., and Airs , Lane received them courteously . Bro . W . Smith , P . M . and Sec , accompanied by Mrs . Smith , was also very busy putting the finishing touches to the excellent arrangements he had made for the comfort of all present .

About 150 sat down to a very enjoyable banquet , over which the W . Master presided . The usual loyal toast .-, were afterwards honoured . Bro . G . LANK , I . P . M ., proposed " The Health of the W . M . " The brethren knew what an excellent W . M . Bro . W . E . Lane was in the lodge room , and the guests had seen what . 1 good Chairman he also was .

Bro . W . E . LANE , W . M ., returned thanks for the toast , which was accorded musical honours . It gave him very great pleasure to be W . M . of that lodge , and he should always do his utmost to further its interests . Althoug h he had given the members satisfaction in the lodge working , he had not satisfied himself . With respect to the banquet , he hoped they had all enjoyed themselves . He especially ordered a banquet that would be appreciated by the ladies , and hoped it had pleased them .

Ihe Initiate was next given by the W . M ., who said that the candidate was very attentive during the ceremony , and would doubtless make a good Mison . He hoped to see the initiate occupy the chait of the lod ge at some future time . The INI 11 AH-: having replied , "The Past Masters and Officers" was briefly proposed by the W . M ., who regretted that circumstances prevented somsof their l' . Ms . from being present . He had a very great deal to be thankful for in his officers , who assisted him in every way .

Bros . A . BiGNuuj , P . M ., D . of C , and G . LANK , I . P . M ., having responded , Bro . W . M . SMITH , P . M ., See ., also replied to the toast . Hi expressed his regret that on this occasion they were not wearing their Masonic regalia , for it gave a brighter aspect to the room , and the ladies liked to see it . H- ; app l ' . ed personally fur a dispensation , but it was absolutely impassible to obtain it .