Consecration And Re-Constitution Of The Ashton District (Mark) Lodge (T.I.).

The G . Secretary , Bro . C . F . Matier , assumed the chair after the consecration for the purpose of installing Bro . Dr . T . D . Foreman as W . M . ; needless to say , his rendering of the beautiful ritual was a masterpiece , and worthy of the acknowledged greatest exponent of Mark Masonry in the kingdom .

The W . M . invested his oflicers as follows : Bros . Joseph Hulme , P . M ., I . P . M . ; Alderman Aaron W . Siddall , P . M ., P . P . S . G . O ., S . W . ; Walter Newton , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D . ( Mayor of Ashton-under-Lyne ) , J . W . , * J . W . Hulley , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., M . O . ; Edwin Marshall , S . O . ; John T . Hulse , J . O . ; Allen Shaw , J . P ., Treas ., * James Fitton , P . M ., Sec ;

John Wagstaffe , P . M ., P . P . S . G . O ., S . D . ; John Hanson , J . D . ; George Holland , I . G . ; Tom Cheetham , Org . ; William Hulme , John Rowson , D . W . Pickering , and John H . Maxwell , Stwds . ; and Dan Birkby , Tyler . On investing Bro . Hulme as acting I . P . M ., the W . M . reminded him that he ( Bro . Hulme ) was the last of a long line of Masters of the old lodge who for at least a century had maintained the high reputation of that

lodge , as he ( Dr . Foreman ) was the first Master under the new order of things , and he felt little doubt he would have as many successors in the coming years as Bro . Hulme had had predecessors under the older regime . Bros . Lord Euston , Egerton , Matier , Col . Dean , A . H . Jefferis , R , Newhouse , Wm . Goodacre , and Chas . Belton were elected hon . members , an honour the Pro Grand Master acknowledged on behalf of himself and the other hon . members .

The Pro Grand Master and his officers then retired , and the lodge was closed by the W . M . The banquet was of the most recherche character , and was partaken of by a very large number of Grand and Prov . Grand Officers . The loyal toasts were received with enthusiasm , after which the W . M . proposed " The Right Hon . the Earl of Euston , M . W . Pro G . Master . "

His LORDSHIP , in responding , mentioned the recent difficulty , now happily arranged , between G . Lodge and that lodge , which was all owing to the latter calling itself a G . Lodge ; and as there could only be one Grand Lodge of Mark Masons in England , that over which H . R . H . the Prince of Wales presided , they were bound to take strong measures . They could and did not interfere on any other ground , and he was delighted that any soreness was a thing of the past , their differences had that day been finally settled in a way honourable to all alike .

The W . M . proposed " The R . W . Prov . G . Master , the Hon Alan de Tatton Egerton , M . P ., " and referred to the long and intimate connection of the Egerton family , not only with Cheshire , but more particularly with Masonry in the province . In responding , the PROV . G . MASTER spoke at some length on the connection between his brother and himself and Cheshire Masonry . He said

they both fully recognised that placed as they were in a somewhat onerous position , they owed a duty in many public capacities to the county , but in none did they derive greater pleasure than when engaged in discharge of those connected with the Masonic fraternity . Bro . C . F . MATIER , P . G . W ., G . Sec , briefly responded for " The Grand Officers , " and

Bro . Col . C . S . DEAN , D . P . G . M . Cheshire , responded for "The Prov . Grand Officers . " Bro . the Earl of EUSTON , Pro Grand Master , in a felicitous speech , proposed the toast of "The W . M ., " and paid a high tribute to Bro . Dr . Foreman ' s efforts which had materially resulted in bridging over the difficulties which had hitherto existed .

Bro . Dr . FOREMAN most ably replied , thanking the Earl of Euston for the kind and eulogistic expressions he had used , and the brethren for the enthusiastic manner in which they received the sentiment . That it had been his earnest endeavour all through the correspondence and negotiations of the past to display a true Masonic spirit in adjusting the existing difficulties with the view of effecting union , honourable alike to all , andwhilst not attempting to conceal errors ot commission on his part or that of his

lodge , he now felt that by their kind and considerate action and candid explanations a perfect unity of sentiment existed between them , and that his lordship ' s words in conjunction with those of the Provincial Grand Master had smoothed every asperity of feeling and that complete harmony and unity now existed , which it would be his endeavour to foster for the good of the Order and the prosperity of the lodge in its new dispensation under the Grand Lodge of England .

Other Masonic toasts followed , and this most memorable day was brought lo a happy close , and will long continue to be associated in the minds of the brethren with p leasant recollections of the past . The meeting was large and representative , comprising the most prominent and influential Mark Masons of Cheshire , Lancashire , and neighbouring provinces , there being 20 Grand and upwards of 40 Prov . G . Officers , besides several Worshipful Masters , many Past Masters , and brethren of surrounding lodges .

Consecration Of The Bernard De Tremelay Preceptory, No. 170.

CONSECRATION OF THE BERNARD DE TREMELAY PRECEPTORY , No . 170 .

The consecration ol this new preceptory at thc Dragon Hotel , Walsall , Staffordshire , by the M . E . and S . Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Euston , G . C . T ., took place on Thursday , the 22 nd ult . The M . E . and S . Grand Master entered the room under the arch of steel , followed by his

Consecration Of The Bernard De Tremelay Preceptory, No. 170.

Great Officers , viz ., V . E . Sir Knight J . W . Woodall , Prov . Prior N . and E Yorks ; E . Sir Knights C . F . Matier , G . V . C . , * C . Belton , G . Marshal ; T . P . Dorman , G . Capt . of G . ; C . W . Carrell , K . C . T . ; and the Rev . Trevor Parkins , Prov . Chap ., who officiated in the absence of E . Sir Knight the Rev . Russell Finlay .

The ceremony of consecration was most impressively performed by Lord Euston and his officers , all the sir knights present viewing with the deepest interest the magnificent and unusual ceremonial . An eloquent oration on the nature and principles of ancient chivalry was then delivered by the Prov . Chaplain , Sir Knight the Rev . TREVOR PARKINS .

The V . E . Sir Knight CHARLES FENDELOW , Prov . Prior of Staffordshire , Warwickshire , & c , with some very appropriate remarks , then placed in the chair of E . P . the E . Sir Knight Frederick W . Willmore , P . E . P . 79 , P . Prov . Marshal , who , after being duly saluted , proceeded to appoint his

officers as follows : ; E . Sir Knights Abraham Green , P . E . P . 52 , Prov . Sub-Prior Worcestershire , ist Constable ; and Capt . C . L . N . Wilson , E . P . 79 , 2 nd Constable ; Sir Knights W . VV . Doughty , 79 , Treas . and Reg . ; D . Power , 79 , Marshal ; Alfred Dewesbury , 79 , Chap . ; and Frederick Gnosill , 79 , Capt . of Guard ; and Frater F . Dalley , Guard .

The EMINENT PRECEPTOR then proposed that the hearty thanks of the founders be accorded to the M . E . and S . Grand Master and his officers for

the honour they had conferred in coming down to perform the important ceremony of consecration , and he hoped that each one of them would consent to becoming honorary members of the preceptory . This was seconded and carried unanimously , upon which , Lord Euston , on behalf of himself and his officers , was pleased to signify his acceptance . The M . E . and S . Grand Master and his officers then left the room under the Arch of Steel , and then some formal business being despatched , the Preceptory was duly closed .

A banquet subsequently took place , at which the Em . Preceptor presided , being supported on his right by the M . E . and S . Grand Master , and on his left by the Prov . Prior of Staffordshire and N . and E . Yorks ., and the other great ofiicers , together with a number of sir knights from various

parts of the province . The usual loyal and other toasts were duly honoured , and at a later period of the evening the M . E . and S . Grand Master was pleased to propose the health and welfare of the Em . Preceptor of the Bernard de Tremelay Preceptory , and also its future prosperity .

In responding to the toast , the EM . PRECEPTOR alluded at some length to the name which had been chosen and which had excited some curiosity and interest on the part of many of the visitors . He explained that Bernard was the fourth Grand Master of the Templars , having been elected as such on the death of Everard de Barri in 1151 . After playing an heroic part in the siege of Ascalon , he was slain , together with 40 of his

knights , in a daring attempt to capture that city in 1153 . In perpetuating his name , they wished to honour the memory of one of the most valiant knights of the Order , and it was also an additional element of interest to note the fact that he was a relative of the celebrated Saint Bernard , who in 1128 was chosen to draw up the statutes for the Order of the Templars , to whom also he bequeathed a body of wise counsels the " Exhortatio ad milites templi . "

The occasion will long be remembered by tnose who were privileged to take part in it , and the future successful career of the new preceptory will , we feel sure , be watched with considerable interest by the Knights Templar of South Staffordshire .

There were present V . E . Sir Knights the Earl of Euston , G . C . T . ; Fendelow , Prov . Prior ; and Woodall , Prov . Prior N . and E . Yorks . ; E . Sir Knights F . W . Willmore , E . P . ; Matier , G . V . C ; Dorman , G . Capt . of Guard ; the Rev . Trevor Parkins ; Belton , G . Marshal ; Carrell , K . C . T . ; Shepley , Prov . Reg . Worcestershire ; Green , Sub Prior Worcestershire ; Wilson , E . P . 79 ; Howson , Mallard , Percy Smith , Roberts , Dewesbury , Tollady , Kent , Power , Hart , Marson , Loveridge , Doughty , Walker , Newnham , Taylor , Baker , and Gnosill .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

Royal Alfred Chapter , No . 777 . The regular convocation of this chapter was held at the Angel Hotel , Guildford , on Wednesday , the 2 ist ult . Present : Comps . E . Miles , M . E . Z . ; Alfred Gibbs , H . ; Francis Dowse , I . P . Z . ; Rev . J . A . Arnan Tait , P . S . ; W . Macklin , ist A . S . ; J . H . Robinson ; R . F . Gould , P . A . G . S . ; C . T . Tyler , A . G . D . C , Prov . G . Scribe E . j Charles Pulman , P . A . G . D . C . ; and G . J . Hoare , Janitor . A ballot was taken for Captain Gerald C . M . Rouse , 3 rd King ' s Own Yorkshire L . L , of the Worthing Lodge of Friendship , No . 851 , which proving favourable , he was

exalted into the mysteries and privileges of Royal Arch Masonry . The Three Principals ' chairs during the ceremony wete filled by Comps . C . T . Tyler , as M . E . Z . ; R . F . Gould , as H . ; and Alfred Gibbs , as J ., respectively . Comp . J . B . S . Lancaster , P . Z ., the esteemed and popular S . E . of the chapter , to whose indefatigable exertions it owes so much of its success , was unfortunately precluded by illness from attending , and a hearty vote of sympathy , coupled with a hope that he would be present with them at the next convocation , was unanimously passed by the companions . The companions afterwards dined together , and spent a very pleasant evening .

Ad01204

TOTAX^^l^^XtrNcSfcCo.,LTD., 73 to 77 , COW CROSS ST ., LONDON , B . C ., and 918 , HIGH ROAD , TOTTENHAM , ManufacturersofHighClassCigars. SAMPLES AND PRICE LIST SENT ON APPLICATION .