Consecration Of St. Nicholas Lodge, No. 2259.

t , VJi to-day commenced its history as the seventy-first lodge of the Province of West v rkihire Such then , briefly stated , are the steps which have been taken towards this ¦ flnpntial gathering of the Craft in Thorne this afternoon . The next consideration was ! h name of the lodge . This I always think very important . A good me is worth anything . A lodge name should be associated with the t / dtorv of the locality , or of some distinguished personage or holy saint ; such to Saint

ct George , Doncaster . The church and lodge there are dedicated * ueorge , ? hp Great Greek Martyr of Cappadocia , in the time of the Emperor Dioclesian , and ernetuate , for all time , in the church and lodge , the truly Masonic character of a saint Fi Whose name is justly reverenced among men , but whose actions are known only to Tod " I' , n " * ' "' King Edward II ., that , as the people of Thorne were conveying a corpse for interment to Hatfield , a storm arose , and many persons were browned by the waters . The Thorne people begged their town might be nude a distinct parish , and their chapel at Hatfield into a church free for the administration of the sacraments and the sepulchre of the dead . This was done 7 th year of the reign of Edward VI ., when twenty persons to be guardians of the possessions of the church at Thorne , making them a body corporate , with * perpetual succession , and also

for the support of a grammar school , now presided over by Bro . John Constable , S . D . of lodge No . 1482 , one of the promoters of this new lodge . To whom then was this church dedidated ? To the saint of the people , and protector of the weak against the strong—the natron saint of children , of orphan boys and maidens , of sailors , ot travellers and of merchants . To St . Nicholas , of Myra , is the church dedicated . You know his Charity to the three maidens , and to the three children in the tub , and to the sailors on board shio on his voyage to the Holy Land . So , then , the promoters of this Iodge , desiring tr . nrartise the virtues of "Faith , Hope , and Charity , " the eminent characteristics of

St . Nicholas , their saint , the better to participate by their " Benevolence , " Mercy , and "Justice , " to the support of our Masonic widows , orphan boys , and girls , followed the examp le of the dedicators of their church here , and have also named their lodge after the Patron Saint of Thorne— "Saint Nicholas . " That the virtues which distinguished the character and the life of St . Nicholas of Myra , will , I have every reason to believe , be eminently illustrated by the deeds and actions , according to Masonic obligations founded on the Volume of the Sacred Law , of the members of this

, lodge for all time . And what of the lodge ? It is held in a hall called " Peace . " The name breathes the exhortation of the First Degree — " reconciliation of differences , "— " * that it were better for one or other to retire than that the harmony of the lodge shoulibe disturbed by the contention of brethren . " Here , brethren , you are " to meet in unity , work in peace , and part in harmony . " The surname of your principal founder is " Peace "—a worthy son of a worthy sire—for well do manv of us remember his father—a burning and a shining light in West Yorkshire

Freemasonry . The name of your first W . M . of No . 2259 is "Dove , " a Justice of the Peace . The dove is a timid and peaceful bird , and is used in Holy Writ as a symbol of simplicity and innocency . The dove is the emblem of theG . Deacons , of the P . G . Deacons , and of Deacons in private lodges under the English Constitution . Like your W . M ., all of you represent purity , peace , and simplicity of life and action ; and have you not a "Constable , " with authority and jurisdiction over your symbols and secrets ? Does not the name of Solomon , our ancient Royal Grand Master , mean " a peaceable prince , "

and suggest to you all to be here peaceable princes of the Craft , to comprehend the wise man ' s wisdom , to revere his memory , and imitate his lofty virtues ? -Did not the Divine Master also comfort His disciples with these words— " Peace I leave with you , My peace I give unto you ? " Your lodge must then be a temple of "Concord , " "Peace , " and "Harmony "—like the Church of St . Nicholas—a very sanctuary of solemn ceremonies and religious belief . And why is this lodge founded ? Because of the vast growth of charitable and benevolent principles in your midst ; and thus it is

formed to render yourselves , " by the cultivation of the liberal arts and sciences , more extensively serviceable to your fellow-creatures , " in this district and county of York . Study then to perfect yourselves in the antient charges and science of Freemasonry , to cultivate the social virtues , and strive by the purity of your conduct to demonstrate the excellence of the piinciples , which , as Freemasons , you now profess to admire . Thus you will make "St . Nicholas Lodge" the centre of union between good men and true , and the happy means of conciliating friendship amongst those who , outside the lodge ,

must otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance . May then the blessing of the Great Architect of the Universe descend upon you in large measure , that you may all chant : — " May our work begun in Thee Ever blest with order be , And may we , when labours cease , Part in harmony and peace . "

That He may guide , direct , counsel and prosper you in all your ways is the fervent wish of your Prov . Grand Master of West Yorkshire . At the close of Bro . Tew ' s address , Bro . Dove , J . P ., P . M ., was installed as W . M . for the first year of office by Bro . Gardiner , P . M ., P . P . Asst . G . Dir . of Cer ., and the following officers were invested : Bros . W . Delanoy , 242 , P . P . G . D ., acting I . P . M .: A . L . Peace , 1482 ,

S . W . ; J . H . Bletcher , 1482 , J . W .: F . J . Forth , Treas . ; J . Constable , J . W . 1482 , Sec , ; W . G . Winter , P . M . 1482 , S . D . , * S . H . C . Ashlin , 1482 , J . D . * H . T . Gardiner , 458 , P . P . G . D . C , D . C . ; J . W . Pawson , 242 , Org . ; G . Kenyon , 1482 , I . G . j F . Webb , 242 , Steward } and W . Robinson , 485 , Tyler ( pro tem ) . Bro . Peace vvas unanimously elected Charity Steward of the lodge .

After the ceremony , a banquet was held , over which Bro . Dove , the newly-installed W . M ., presided , and Bro . A . L . Peace , the S . W ., filled the vice-chair . The proceedings throughout were of the most harmonious and enjoyable character .

Supreme Grand Chapter.

SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER .

The Quarterly Convocation of Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England was holden on Wednesday evening , at Freemasons ' Hall . Comp . the Rev . H . Adair Pickard , G . Supt . Oxon ., presided , as M . E . Z . J Comp . Thomas Fenn , P . P . C . G . P ., acted as H . ; Comp .

Baron de Ferrieres , P . A . G . S ., as J . ; Comp . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . S . E , ; Comp . John M . Case , P . G . D . C , as G . S . N . ; Comp . James Glaisher , P . A . G . S ., acted as P . S . ; Comp . R . W . M . Pope , ist A . S . ; Comp . John A . Lloyd , 2 nd A . S . ; Comp . Frank Richardson , P . G . S ., D . C . ; and Comp . Wm . Alex . Barrett , Org .

The following companions were also present : Comps . A . A . Pendlebury , Asst . G . S . E . ; C . F . Matier , P . D . G . D . C . ; J . A . Farnfield , P . G . Std . Br . ; L . B . Purchas , P . G . Std . Br . ; Chas . H . Driver , P . G . S . B . ; lames a . Eastes , P . G . S . B . ; W . Edwd . Stewart , P . G . S . B . ; J . H . Matthews , P . G . D . C . Henry MaudslayPGSB RichdEvePGT E JBarron ChasFredk

, .... ; . , ... ; . . ; . . Hogard , P . D . G . D . C ; Henry J . P . Dumas , P . G . S . B . ; Chas . Hammerton , Herbert I . Adams , Dr . W . R . Woodman , P . G . D . C ; Rev . Thos . Robinson , P . A . G . S . ; Ralph Clutton , P . A . G . S . ; Ihos . Fenn , P . P . C . G . P . ; Peter de L . Lontr . P . G . P . S . : Rev ¦

5- W . Spencer Stanhope , P . G . O . ; Dr . Ralph Gooding , P . A . G . S . ; Col . C Harding , £ . t > . Std . Br . ; Rudolph S . Glover , E . Letchworth , J . Bodenham , P . G . Swd . Br . Jforge A . Ames , H . 2 ; E . Mallett , Z . 1623 ; Rev . L . G . Gordon Robbins , P . Z . 10 ; Seville Green , P . Z . 1524 ; H . Massey , P . Z . 619 , P . Z . and H . ; Walter Hopekirk £ 742 ; W . H . Perryman , P . Z . 134 S ; Edward Terry , P . Z . 1319 ; Julius Billing , Z . * > 34 ; Henry Wright , H . 1615 ; and Henry Sadler , G . janitor .

After the Grand Chapter had been formally opened , the minutes of the yuarterl y Convocation of May were read and confirmed . The following report of the Committee of General Purposes vvas taken as read and received , and ordered to be entered on the minutes : To the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England .

Supreme Grand Chapter.

**** - ••*********** - * * " ¦* ' *¦• UL ' ' _„« The Committee of General Purposes beg to report that they have examined the accounts from the 18 th April to the 17 th July , 1888 , both inclusive , which they find to be as follows ; To Balance , Grand Chapter ... £ 735 2 11 By Purchase of

„ „ Unappropriated Account 200 13 7 „ Subsequent Receipts ... 387 17 6 * ¦ £ ¦ 1323 14 o

4 502 10 3 2 % per cent . Consols a t 9 ? i * - . . - £ 499 7 5 Commission 12 7 £ 50 ° o O „ Disbursements during the Quarter 308 10 7 „ Balance _ ... 313 -9 7 „ „ Unappropriated ., Account 201 3 to ^ 1323 14 o

Which Balances are in the Bank of England ( Western Branch ) . The Committee have to report that they have received the following petitions : — ist . From Comps . George Frederick Bevis , as Z . ; Thomas Tufnell ,

as H . ; John Lind , as J . ; and six others , for a chapter to be attached to the Portsmouth Temperance Lodge , No . 2068 , Portsmouth , to be called the Portsmouth Temperance Chapter , and to meet at the Soldiers' Institute , High-street , Portsmouth , Hampshire .

2 nd . From Comps . John Hands Paine , as Z . ; Thomas Lambert , as H . j Walter Smith , as J . j and six others for a chapter to be attached to the Combermere Lodge , No . 1795 , Albury , New South Wales , to be called the Combermere Chapter , and to meet at the Oddfellows' Hall , Kiewastreet , Albury , New South Wales .

3 rd . From Comps . Horatio T . Griffiths , as Z . ; Thomas Robert Oakley , as H . ; Frederick Atkinson Powell , as J . ; and six others for a chapter lobe attached to the Loyal Monmouth Lodge , No . 457 , Monmouth , to be called the Loyal Monmouth Chapter , and to meet at the Freemasons' Hall , Monmouth , Monmouthshire .

The foregoing petitions , being in all respects regular , the Committee recommend that the prayers thereof be respectively granted . The Committee have likewise to report that they have received memorials from the companions of the undermentioned chapters praying for charters authorising them to wear a centenary jewel , in accordance with the Royal Arch Regulations , Rule 102 .

The Chapter of Vigilance , No . in , Darlington , date of charter 14 th March , 1788 . The Chapter of Friendship , No . 257 , Portsmouth , date of charter nth August , 1769 .

These memorials being in form , and the respective chapters having proved an uninterrupted existence of 100 years , the Committee recommend that the prayers thereof be granted . The Committee have further to report that the vacancy as Trustee of

the Fund of Grand Chapter , occasioned by the lamented death of the late Comp . Col . John Creaton , President of the Committee of General Purposes , has been filled up by the appointment of Comp . Robert Grey , the present President of the Committee .

The Committee have also to report that a memorial has been received from the petitioners for the Empire Chapter , No . 2108 , London—a charter for which was granted by the Supreme Grand Chapter on the 2 nd May last , but which chapter has not been consecrated—praying that , in consequence

of the departure of the Z . designate to resume his duties on the West Coast of Africa , the Principals named in the charter may be changed as follows , viz ., Comps . Lennox Browne to be Z . j Ernest Luxmoore Marshall to be H . j and Emile Behnke to be J .

The Committee under the circumstances recommend that sanction for such alteration be given . The Committee have also received a memorial , with extract of minutes , on the removal of the Harmony Chapter , No . 156 , from the Huyshe Masonic Temple to the new Masonic Buildings , No . 1 , Princes-square , Plymouth .

The Committee , being satisfied of the reasonableness of the request , recommend that the removal of this chapter be sanctioned . ( Signed ) ROBERT GREY , President . Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C , 18 th July , 1888 .

On the motion of Comp . LETCHWORTH , for Comp . Robert Grey , seconded by Comp . FRANK RICHARDSON , charters were granted for the Portsmouth Temperance Chapter , No . 2068 , Portsmouth j the Combermere Chapter , No . 1795 , Albury , New South Wales ; and the Loyal

Monmouth Chapter , No . 457 , Monmouth . Charters were granted to the Chapter of Vigilance , No . in , Darlington , and the Chapter of Friendship , No . 257 , Portsmouth , authorising members of those chapters to wear a centenary jewel , both of these chapters having proved an uninterrupted existence as working chapters of 100 years .

The remainder of the recommendations of the Committee of General Purposes , as given above in the report of the Committee , were likewise confirmed , and the Grand Chapter was then closed .

Provincial Grand Chapter Op Hertfordshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OP HERTFORDSHIRE .

A meeting of the above Provincial Grand Chapter was held on Friday , the 27 th ult ., at the Town Hall , Hitchin , when there were present Comps . T . F . Halsey , M . P ., Grand Superintendent ; J . E . Dawson , Prov . G . H . J J . Shilcock , P . P . G . J ., as Prov . G . J . ; G . E . Lake , Prov . G . S . E . j T . S . Carter , P . P . G . H ., as Prov . G . D . C 5 J . Brittain , Prov . ist Asst . G . Soj . ; J . Hunt , Prov . 2 nd Asst . G . Soj . j W . N . Hopkin , Prov . G . Std . Br . ; and M . Slaughter , Prov . G . Org . The roll of Provincial Grand Officers was called .

Comp . T . S . CARTER , P . P . G . H ., proposed , and Comp . KEYER seconded , the re-election of Comp . Sumner Knyvett , P . G . S . B . England , as Provincial Grand Treasurer , which vvas carried unanimously . The Provincial Grand Officers were re-appointed for the ensuing year-