Consecration Of The Lechmere Lodge, No. 1874, At The Masonic Hall, Kidderminster.

The address of the P . G . M . was listened to with rapt ttention by the brethren , and the ceremony of consecrat e n was proceeded with in a manner unusually impressive . As many of those present who have witnessed similar atherings confessed , seldom has the ceremony of consec ration been carried out with more detail and efficiency on the part of all concerned . No single hitch occurred to mar its solemnity and the perfect rendering of the ritual ,

beau-, tified by the addition of musical support of a very high order , combined to afford a treat never to be forgotten by those participating . We omit particulars of the programme , but cannot help nuoting it as a model for similar occasions , having been arran ged by Bro . Wm . Bristow , Prov . Grand Secretary of Worcestershire . The P . G . M . having resumed his place in the East , the

brethren formtd in procession , and saluted the P . G . M . in passing , who then formally constituted the lodge . The " lodge was then resumed in the Second Degree , after which the DEP . PROV . G . M . presented Bro . Geo . Taylor , the W . M . designate , to the P . G . M . for installation . After the PROV . G . SECRETARY had read the summary of ancient charges , the ceremony of installation was proceeded with by the D . P . G . M ., Bro . MASEFIELD , whose

great age does not prevent his still taking the active part he has so many years rilled in the Masonic world . It is a notable fact to place on record that Bro . Taylor was duly p laced in the chair of K . S . in the presence of a Board of forty-four Installed Masters , and sufficiently explains the high estimation in which that brother is held . The D . P . G . M . was assisted by the Prov . G . Sec , Bro . Bristow , who delivered the charges and directed the customary salutes .

The following brethren were invested with the collars of their respective offices : Bros . G . W . Grosvenor , S . W . ; G . W . Naylor , J . W . ; J . J . Harvey , Treas . ; J . T . Meredith , Sec ; A . CoweU , S . D . ; M . Tomkinson , J . D . ; and W . M . Roden , I . G . The W . M . said he should be neglecting a sense of duty , as well as a sense of gratitude , which must be uppermost in the minds of his brother petitioners , if he omitted to tender their cordial and sincere thanks to those

distinguished brethren who had performed the ceremonies of that day . He trusted they would look upon it as no mere compliment , but a tribute of respect and esteem for their great Masonic worth , when he proposed each of them—the R . W . P . G . M ., Bro . Sir Edmund Lechmere ; the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Wm . Masefield ; the Prov . G . Sec , Bro . W . Bristow ; and the Prov . G . Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . J . B . Wilson—as honorary members of the Lechmere Lodge . This was seconded by the S . W ., and carried with

acclamation . The P . G . M . replied , accepting the compliment paid them , and testifying to the pleasure the whole proceedings had given them . A vote of thanks was also accorded Bro . Sir Edmund Lechmere for the gift of the lodge banner , which had been designed under his own direction , assisted by the advice of Bro . Sir Albert Woods ( Garter ) . The banner bears the Lechmere arms , surrounded by a

representation of the Prov . G . Mastei ' s chain of office , and bears the motto of his family , " Christus Pelicano , " with other richly worked devices and ornamentation . A cordial vote of thanks , on the motion of the W . M ., was presented to the W . M ., officers , and brethren of Lodge 377 , for the kindness and courtesy shown the new lodge in the necessary arrangements of the day ; and was acknowledged in suitable terms by Dro . COMBER , the

W . M . Propositions for joining and initiation were postponed till the ordinary day of meeting , as well as the appointment of a Committee for framing the bye-laws . A list of presentations to the Lechmere Lodge was then read , and included the banner , b y the Prov . Grand Master ; charity-box , in rosewood , with silver panels , and an embroidered Bible cushion , by the W . M ., Bro . Taylor ;

the set of silver collar jewels , by the S . W ., Bro . Grosvenor ; the Bible ( 1610 , folio , edition ) and silver square and compasses , by the J . W ., Bro . Naylor ; silver collar chain for W . M ., by Bro . A . Coivell ; mahogany box , working tools , by Bro . Roden ; the sword and dirk , by Bro . Tomkinson ; the officers' collars , by Bro . Harvey ; the ebony and silver gavels , by Bro . Burcher ; the ebony and silver ) maul , by Bro . Hammond ; the ballot bos , by Bro . Pigot : and a set

of ebony and silver firing mauls , by Bro . Meredith—all these presents bearing suitable inscriptions . The Secretary was requested to record these presentations on the minutes , as well as the oration delivered by the P . G . Master , who cheerfully complied with the request made by the W . M . to that effect . Before closing the lodge the W . M . received the heart y congratulations and good wishes of the brethren on all sides .

At half-past four the brethren sat down to a splendid banquet , provided by the Kidder Masonic Hall and Club Company . Nearly all the brethren mentioned as present at the consecration attended the banquet , which was presided oyer by the newly-installed W . M . of the lodge , Bro . Geo . Taylor , P . J . G . W . Worcestershire , supported on his right hy Bro . Sir E . Lechmere , P . G . M ., and Bro . Masefield , D . P . G . M . ; on his left by Bro . the Rev . 1 . B . Wilson . P . G . C ,

and many other distinguished brethren . After banquet the W . M . proposed the first toast—that of ' The Queen and the Craft . " He said -. Brethren , as is customary in all English gatherings , the first toast should be one of respect to the Sovereign of the country , and though every loyal subject may not be a Mason , every good Mason is supposed to be a loyal subject , hence a union of "The Queen and the Craft , " which toast I now ask you to honour .

The toast having been duly honoured , "God Save the Queen " was then sung , the solo being rendered by Bro . Albert Brown , P . P . S . G . W . and P . G . Treas . The W . MASTER then said : The next toast , brethren , is that of "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . of h . ngland . " All of us are proud to recognise the sway of one so eminently qualified to rule . It would take me too long to attempt to describe the interest taken b

y H . R . H . in Masonic work ; we have seen one proof to-day in the warrant of the lodge being signed by his own hand . In spite of the number and importance of all the other claims upon his time , we find in him a Grand Master in ueed as well as in name . After this toast had been drunk , Bro . Jones , P . P . S . G . W ., sang " God bless the Prince of Wales . ' " I he W . MASTER then lose and said : Brethren , claim your attention to the third toast on the

Consecration Of The Lechmere Lodge, No. 1874, At The Masonic Hall, Kidderminster.

list , which includes "The M . W . the Pro G . M ., the Earl of Carnarvon , the Deputy G . M ., Earl of Lathom , and the other Officers of Grand Lodge , Present and Past . ' It is most important that the high officers immediately below the Grand Master should be men of high and approved position in the country , and never has the supply failed . It certainly has not done so at the present time when we have such brethren at the head of the Craft as

those just named . I ask you to drink to this health and call on ourBro . H . B . Pigot , P . G . Std ., of England , to respond . Bro . PIGOT , P . M ., P . G . S . of E ., said that in the first place he offered greeting to the W . M . upon seeing him in that chair as the first W . M , of the Lechmere Lodge , and he must next express the pleasure it gave him to " respond to that toast . He had frequently been fortunate enough to attend meetings of the Grand Lodge and had seen the

R . W . Pio . G . M . of Englandand the other officers of Grand Lodge at work and had always been delighted with the efficient way in which they performed it . The Craft in general was always advocated and vigilantly suppoited by these officers , and he was in a position to assure the brethren present that [ they need never fear but that the affairs of Grand Lodge would be managed with care and ability so long as such brethren as had been named were

willing to accept office . Bro . Blagbrough then sang "The Better Land , " and an encore being the result he sang with exquisite taste and feeling " Tom Bowling . " In rising tg ^ propose the next toast the W . M . said : I now propose to you a toast which will need very few words from me to commend to your hearty approval . It is "The Health of the R . W . P . G . M ., SirE . A . H . Lechmere , Bart .,

M . P . " It is a source of pride and gratification to myself , as it must be to every brother present , to have him amongst us to-day , and so unmistakeably evincing that willingness to labour himself , as well as that interest in the labours of others , which have gained for him the high esteem of every Mason in the province . It is a most difficult thing to use terms sufficiently expressive in his presence , but I question if any P . G . M . has during so

short a term of office done so much by participation and encouragement to inspire and consolidate true Masonic work and progress in his province as the R . W . P . G . M . of Worcestershire . One result has been the memorable occasion of to-day , when another lodge has been added to those under his rule , and a further sign of progress recorded . The present gives me a favourable opportunity

to thank you , Sir , I may say publicly thank you , for permitting the association of your name with that lodge , and I re-echo the sentiments of every one of my brother petitioners when I say , it is my earnest hope and desire that now and for all future time the history of this lodge may not be unworthy in any degree of the ancient and honoured name it bears . Brethren , \ give you " TheJHealth of the

R . W . P . G . M . " Bro . Sir EDMUND LECHMERE , in reply , said it had given him great pleasure to come ihat day , it was a short respite from the onerous duties of the House of Commons , where , perhaps , just at this time unity and brotherly love did not altogether prevail . In the repose of that day he had felt a great relief , and he took this opportunity of thanking the brethren for their sympathy with regard to

the cloud which had recently overshadowed his house . Like many of the brethren present he had never taken part in a consecration ceremony before , and he was much struck with its solemnity as w-ell as with the beauty of the music . He was much gratified by the large attendance of Masons of the province , and the evident Masonic zeal of all concerned ; it gave an earnest of the future success of the Lechmere Lodge . If one thing more than another had

pleased him it was the presence of the W . M . and brethren of 377 , as it showed their brotherly love , and that they had taken the earliest opportunity of visiting and supporting the new lodge . The R . W . P . G . M . concluded by alluding to the forthcoming " History of Masonry in the Province , " in preparation by Bro . A . Brown , the P . G . Treasurer , and said that the history of good work in the past must be an incentive to all to do their duty in the future , but he felt

that he must look to these younger brethren who were coming on to assist him in the future , and nothing could contribute more to the advancement of true Masonry than such ceremonies as they had witnessed that day . He hoped that there would be more new lodges in the province , and concluded by expressing his cordial thanks for the manner in which the toast of his health had been received , and he again thanked the brethren of the Lechmere Lodge

for electinghim an lion , member . Bro . Wareham then sang " The Holy Friar . " At this point , the trains leaving early , Bros . Wm . Masefield , D . P . G . M ., and Bristow , P . P . G . S . W . and P . G . Secretary , were obliged to leave , which was very unfortunate , as the next toast was that of "The Health of Bro . Masefield , and the Officers of P . G . L ., Present and Past . " This toast was proposed by Bro . Naylor , P . M . 56 b , and J . W .

of the Lechmere Lodge , who said that he was very sorry that their beloved Bro . Masefield was obliged to leave them . He said that the brethren of the Province of Worcester all looked up to their P . G . Officers as to men who well deserved the honours they had attained . They also felt somewhat of the feeling attributed to the l ' rench soldier , who was said to carry ' a marshal ' s baton in his knapsack , for they all hoped by merit and ability that they

might one day be enrolled amongst the glorious company of the prophets to which he could liken the P . G . Officers who filled honourable offices they might all by energy , ability , and attention to their duties aspire to . He considered this a fair ambition . As the D . P . G . M . was gone , he would ask Bro . A . Brown , P . G . Treas ., to respond to the toast of " Bro . W . Masefield , D . P . G . M . Worcestershire , and the Officers of P . G . L ., Present and Past . "

This toast having been honoured in the customary manner , Bro . BROWN made a few remarks in reply , thanking the brethren for their cordiality and brotherly feeling . Bro . Buck , P . M . 2 S 0 , P . G . S . D ., sang "Simon the Cellarer . " "The Health of the Consecrating Officers" was proposed , in fitting terms , by Bro . G . W . GROSVENOR , P . P . G . R ., and S . W . of the Lechmere Lodge . He alluded with

regret to the departure of the D . P . G . M ., and the P . G . Sec , and said that the success of the beautiful ceremony they had witnessed that day was in a great measure due to these brethren . He must also allude to the impressive Masonic work of the P . G . Chap ., Bro . J . B . Wilson , and concluded by asking him to reply to the toast . Bro . J . B . WILSON , P . G . C , replied in eloquent language to the toast of "The Consecrating Officers , " and spoke of

Consecration Of The Lechmere Lodge, No. 1874, At The Masonic Hall, Kidderminster.

the beauty and dignity of the ceremony that day . He thanked the brethren of the Lechmere Lodge most cordially for electing him an lion , member of their lodge . The P . G . M . proposed "The Health of Bro . George Taylor , W . M ., " and specially alluded to the excellence of his Masonic work , and the energy and ability he had displayed in the foundation of the Lechmere Lodge . He attributed the success of the ceremony of that day to the

patient attention given by Bro . Taylor and his colleagues to the elaboration and completion of details . Nothing had been omitted , nothing forgotten . He hoped that the new lodge would be an example in working and in every other Masonic virtue to the province . The Provincial Grand Master also expressed his high appreciation of the services rendered the province by Bro . Taylor in connection with the Masonic Charity Association ,

and also in the promotion of that hall and club in which they were congregated . Health was therefore of great importance to one whose labours had been so onerous , and the success attending them so great , and he concluded in asking those present to drink to Bro . Taylor's good health and long life , which was responded to with enthusiasm . The W . M ., in reply , said he found it difficult to sufficiently thank the P . G . M . for the terms used in proposing

his health , and the brethren for their cordial response . He always felt very grateful for such manifestations of esteem . Having stood before many of them under various circumstances , he could not but feel the great responsibility which rested upon him in his present peculiar position as the W . M . of a new lodge . During all the preliminary stages which had marked its foundation , he had been encouraged by the knowledge of two things , that the cause was good , and the

motive pure . Hope , then , that some beams from the light of our great Masonic principles might , by its agency , be shed around had led him on , and through the unity , advice , and unwavering help of those brethren they had seen appointed officers , and of the other petitioners , too , the Lechmere Lodge was at last an accomplished fact . Bro . Taylor concluded by saying . May all the hopes and good wishes expressed on its behalf to-day be realised ; may all those who

have set their hands to its formation never weary in seeking the accomplishment of its mission of brotherly love , relief , and truth , and then I shall be more than repaid for anything 1 have done or ever can do . Before resuming his chair , the' W . M . gave the'toast of " The Visitors and Lodge 377 . " He said , those who drink it will be few in number , but the expression of regard and good feeling will be none the less sincere . Every one

present will , I trust , understand the feelings which prompted us to make especial reference to our brethren of the sister lodge . We rejoice that the right hand of good fellowship is extended and grasped by each , and that is what we wish to see , the two lodges going on hand in hand in mutual regard and useful work . Of this I have no fear , with such a contemporary as my Bro . Comber , the W . M . of 377 . I thank thebrethren from a distance for their presence to-day ,

personally and on behalf of the lodge , and trust they will visit 1 S 74 again and again . This toast having been duly honoured , Bro . J ONES , P . P . S . G . W . ; Bro . BUCK , P . S . G . D . ; and Bro . F . WHITAKER , P . P . G . W . West Yorks , replied , and Bro . COMBER , the W . M . of 377 , expressed the satisfaction he and the members of his lodge had derived from the proceedings of that day , and his cordial and hearty belief in the brotherly

relationship of the two lodges , which by his own desires and mutual visiting he would do all in his power to promote . The PROV . GRAND MASTER gave the next toast , that of " The Officersand Founders of 1 S 74 , " which was responded toby Bro . GROSVENOR , S . W . The W . M ., in giving the toast of "The Masonic Charities , " said he would not at that hour enter fully upon a subject so important and so wide , but simply commend the

subjects to them by the mention of two points which had particular reference to their province . One was that during the eighteen months , ending last June , their ten lodges had sent up no less a sum than T , 1150 in support of their Institutions for the Boys , Girls , and Aged . The other point embraced the fact that this crusade , if . he might so term it , had resulted in raising Worcestershire from about the twenty-sixth in the forty-two provinces to about the sixth or

seventh place in the average of votes possessed by its members . Bro . TAYLOR concluded with an earnest appeal to the brethren to maintain this position by a combined systematic support , which could now easily be given through their existing charity organisation . After a brilliant execution of a fantasia by the Prov . G . Organist , Bro . Troman , the Tyler ' s toast brought to a con elusion the proceedings of a day which will be long remembered as most pleasant and satisfactory by all concerned .

Consecration Of St. Austell Mark Lodge, No. 275.

CONSECRATION OF ST . AUSTELL MARK LODGE , No . 275 .

On Tuesday , the 15 th ult ., there was a large gathering of the Mark Masters of the Province of Cornwall at St . Austell , the occasion being the consecration of a ne-. v Mark Lodge , to be known hereafter as the St . Austell , No . 275 on the roll of the Grand Mark Lodge of England . The

meeting was held at the elegant little Masonic Hall belonging to the Peace and Harrrony Craft Lodge , and there were present Bro . Sir Charles Graves Sawle , Bart ., R . W . P . G . Mark Master designate ; W . Bro . Thomas Chirgwin , LP .. 18 ° , Dep . Prov . G . M . M . ; R . W . Bro . W . J . Hughan , 32 , Past G . M . Warden of England ; W . Bros . W . J . Johns P . P . G . W . and Prov . G . Sec . ; N . J . West , "to * . P . P . G

J . W . ; Emra Holmes , 31 ° , Past G . Inspector of Works of England ; Controller Bake , 30 ; C Truscott , jun ., 30 , Prov . G . J . W ., W . M . designate ; W . Mason , 3 o , P . G . A . D . C ., S . W . designate ; W . Guy , 18 , J . W . designate ; Rev . E . Gill ; W . P . Smith ; Mitchell , Prov . G . Reg ; Hicks , W . M . of the Newquay Lodge ; J . T . Tillman , W . M . 78 ; and others .

The imposing ceremonial of the consecration of the lodge was conducted by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , ?? % c- 1 w stcd „ by B ™ s-H " g'ian , Johns , and West , acting P . G . S . W . ; Bros . W . P . Smith acted as P . G . J . W . ; Controller Bake , as P . G . Swd . Br . ; Emra Holmes , as Prov . G . D . of C ; and the Rev . E . Gill , as Prov . G . Chap , and

Org . I he PROV . G . SEC . read the warrant constituting the lodge , signed by Bro . the Earl of Lathom , Grand Mark Master , on the 1 st January last , and mentioned as the founders Bros . W . | . Hughan , C . Truscott , jun ., W . 1 . West , W . Guy , W . Mason , W . Luke , T . H . Lukes , and J . W . Higman .