Consecration Of The Adur Lodge, No. 2187, At Henfield.

of their initiation into Freemasonry , and they would do well to ask themselves whether the principles of brotherly love , relief , and truth , then inculcated , had been carried out . Bigotry and political war reigned outside their lodges , but inside they found peace and love . Freemasonry was consistent with true religion ; it was not selfish , but founded for mutual aid and comfort . He called attention to the Sacred Law , and exhorted the brethren to

act solely on its dictates . He trusted that the rays of Heaven would shed their benign influence upon the new lodge , and that the brethren would bear in mind the teaching of the apostle—to " Rejoice with them that do rejoice , and weep with those that weep . " The anthem , " Behold how good and joyful a thing it is , " was then sung by Bros . J . Thornhill , W . N . Roe , E . Broadbridge , W . Pratt , and G . Cole ; Bro . H . S . Gates presiding at the American organ .

Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke proceeded with the ceremony of consecration , vvhich was carried out in accordance vvith the Masonic ritual , and interspersed vvith hymns and reading from the Scriptures . The Benediction having closed the consecration ceremony , the Presiding Officer installed Bro . C . F . Lewis , P . M . 1465 , P . P . G . Swd . Br . Herefordshire , as W . M . for the ensuing year .

The newly-installed W . M ., on taking the chair , expressed his hearty thanks to Bro . Clerke for coming amongst them and performing the ceremonies in so able and impressive a manner . Although he himself had been a Freemason for 30 years , he had never had the opportunity of witnessing the consecration of a lodge . He felt great pleasure in proposing Bro . Col . Clerke as a honorary member of the lodge .

The GRAND SECRETARY briefly responded , and accepted the honour conferred upon him . Bro . Sir Raymond Burrell , Bart ., was then elected Treasurer , and Bro . J . Han nan , Tyler . The W . M . next appointed his officers for the ensuing year , and invested them with the insignia of their respective offices , viz . : Bros . J . T . Musson , P . M . 1797 , P . P . G . Std . Br ., S . W . ; H . A . Dowell , P . M . 1466 , P . P . G . D ., J . W . ; J . C . Buckwell , Sec ; C Nye , I . P . M . 732 , S . D . ; T . Wickham

, J . D . ; andC . H . Smith , I . G . Bro . J . C . Buckwell was appointed to serve on the Charities' Committee of Provincial Grand Lodge . Several propositions for initiation and joining were next made , when the lodge vvas formally closed . The musical arrangements were admirably carried out under the direction of Bro . H . S . Gates , Provincial Grand Organist , and served to greatly enhance the effect of the consecration ceremony .

After a brief interval the brethren sat down to an excellent banquet , served up in elegant style by Bro . J . Sayers , whose catering gave the greatest satisfaction . The newly-installed W . M . presided . The customary Masonic toasts vvere duly honoured . In acknowledging the toast of the Grand Lodge , Bro . Col . SHADWELL

H . CLERKE bore testimony to the unceasing interest H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , G . M ., took in the cause of Freemasonry , remarking that he vvas not , as many supposed , simply an ornamental Grand Master , one vvho worked hard in the consideration of matters requiring attention and judgment , but was actually and punctually an earnest worker in the Craft . Bro . Col . BURNEY also acknowledged the toast .

Bro . GERARD FORD , Deputy Prov . G . M . designate , in responding to the toast of " The Provincial Grand Lodge , " embraced the first opportunity he had of speaking as Deputy Prov . G . M . to pass a high eulogium upon the late Deputy Prov . G . M ., Bro . J . Henderson Scott . He would , he said , do his best to carry out the duties entrusted to him , and felt that , receiving the support of the Prov . Grand Officers , and particularly that of Bro . Freeman , vvho vvas a host in himself —( applause)—he should be able to rub along .

Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , in a humorous speech , proposed "Success to the Adur Lodge . " Though not a medical gentleman like their W . M ., he remarked that he should feel the greatest interest in the offspring he had assisted to bring into the world . It has given him great pleasure to find time among his many duties to attend the consecration , and wished the lodge continuous success .

Bro . C F . LEWIS , W . M ., responded . "Adur , " he said , signified " flowing on , " and it would be his greatest care that the lodge should flow on with safety and honour , and in accordance with the excellent advice given in the lodge by the Grand Secretary . The remaining toasts were " The Consecrating Officers , " which was cordially received ; " The Visitors , " to vvhich Bro . STYER responded ; "The Officers of the Lodge , " and the Tyler ' s toast .

Several of the visiting brethren had been compelled to leave before the termination of the toast list , to ' catch their trains . The various speeches were interspersed vvith songs and glees , sung by Bros . E . Broadbridge , S . H . Soper , J . Thornhill , Slingsby Roberts , W . N . Roe , G . Cole , and W . Pratt ; _ Bro . S . Gates presiding vvith great ability at the pianoforte . A most enjoyable evening vvas spent .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Sussex.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SUSSEX .

An especial meeting of the above Prov . G . Lodge was held in the Music Room , Royal Pavilion , Brighton , on Saturday afternoon , for the purpose of the installation of W . Bro . Gerard Ford , as Deputy Provincial Grand Master . V . W . Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . S ., vvho had been deputed by his Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught , R . W . Prov . Grand Master , to

perform the ceremony , presided , the officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge in attendance being Bros . Gerard Ford , Deputy Prov . G . M . designate ; G . Smith , Prov . S . G . W . ; C W . Hudson , Prov . J . G . W . ; L . D . Dowdall , Prov , G . Chaplain ; R . Crosskey , Prov . G . Treasurer ; V . P . Freeman , Prov . G . Secretary ; R . Blaker , Prov . S . G . D . ; E . Broadbridge , Prov . J . G . D . ; G . R . Lockyer , Prov . G . S . of W . ; H . Kemball-Cook , Prov .

G . D . of C . ; C H . Haine , Prov . Assistant G . D . of C ; E . Collings , Prov . G . St . B . ; H . S . Gates , Prov . G . Organist ; B . Burfield , Prov . Assistant G . Secretary ; S . Peters , Prov . G . Purst . ; J . B . Sargent , Prov . Assistant G . Purst . ; S . H . Soper , Prov . G . Steward ; W . H . Russell , Prov . G . Steward ; J . J . Allinson , Prov . G . Steward ; H . E , Price , Prov . G . Steward ; T . C Woodman , Prov . G . Steward ; C . B . Warre , Prov . G . Steward .

The lodge having been formally opened , and the summons convening the meeting having been read , the Deputy Provincial Grand Master designate ' s patent was examined by V . W . Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , the acting Provincial Grand Master . Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , addressing the D . P . G . M . designate upon the duties of his office , made a graceful allusion to the late D . P . G . M .,

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Sussex.

Bro . John Henderson Scott , to the zeal and energy which he had disp layed in carrying out any duties of the Craft which were entrusted to him , and to the great loss the province had sustained by his death . He also bore testimony to the eminent qualities possessed by Bro . Gerard Ford , vvho , as Prov . Grand Registrar , had been no stranger to the brethren of the province . He believed he would prove himself an able successor to Bro . Scott , and one worthy of wearing the mantle of so illustrious a Freemason .

Bro . Gerard Ford was formally installed , invested , and proclaimed by the assembled brethren according to Masonic rites . Addressing those present , Bro . FORD said he felt compelled to allude to the distinguished brother whom he had succeeded . Bro . Scott had been one of his most sincere friends , and one he esteemed and loved . In feeling terms , Bro . Ford passed a high eulogium upon the brother whose loss they all , with him , deeply deplored . It would be no easy task to follow in the footsteps

of so distinguished a Freemason ; but he assured the brethren he would strive to the utmost in his power to carry out his duties with credit to himself and honour to the province . He trusted to be able to visit each lodge during the succeeding year ; but he felt that the state of his health would frequentl y cause him to refrain from joining them at their installation banquets , and on that point he claimed their indulgence . He expressed the thanks of himself and the brethren to V . W . Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Sec , for his kindness in attending and so ably carrying out the duties ot instal .

lation . Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , having acknowledged the well , merited compliment , formally closed the lodge .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Sussex.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF SUSSEX .

Following closely upon the Provincial Grand Lodge meeting , a special meeting of The Provincial Grand Chapter was held in the banqueting room for the installation of Comp . Gerard Ford , P . Z . 271 , as G . Superintendent , in the place of the late Comp . Sir W . W . Burrell , Bart . The installation was performed by Comp . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . S . E . The officers present vvere Comps . Sir John B . Monckton , P . G . P . S ., acting Prov . G . H . ; C . W . Randolph , Prov . G . J . ; V . P . Freeman , Prov . G . S . E . ; O . N .

Wyatt , Prov . G . S . N . ; R . Crosskey , Prov . G . Treas . ; J . St . Clair , Prov . G . Sec . ; W . H . Gibson , Prov . G . ist Asst . Sec . ; and A . King , Prov . G . Organist . The Installing Companion , after examining the Grand Superintendent designate ' s patent , received , installed him , and invested him vvith the insignia of his office . The Grand Superintendent then appointed Comp . C W . Randolph , as H . ; and Comp . Trollope , as J , The chapter vvas then formally closed .

A Valuable Manuscript.

A VALUABLE MANUSCRIPT .

Mr . Bernard Quaritch ( of Piccadilly ) , the Prince of modern biblio = graphers , has kindly sent me for examination a very curious and valuable manuscript , which apparently vvas transcribed about 1570 , the original bearing date " In this yeare of Christ 1477 . " Its size is small quarto , and consists of some 48 leaves of paper , on 43 of vvhich are closely written in verse , an Introduction in Latin , of two pages , and 83 pages in English of

the " Ordinal ! of Alchemy" by Thomas Norton , of Bristol . On some of the other pages there are several interesting notes respecting some of the previous owners . The six curious drawings in vellum , illuminated in gold and colours , add much to the value of the MS . and are special features of the singular and ancient volume , vvhich is still preserved in the original limp vellum covering .

Mr . Quaritch's description , when writing me , is as follows : "A MS . of excessive rarity and of no little interest , besides its alchemical peculiarities , and its artistic merit , it happens to be the first work in the English language in vvhich t ' ie name of 'Free Mason ' is found . It vvas printed in the Theatrum Chemicum , of Ashmole , but it was always uncertain how much of Ashmole's work was interpolation . With the MS .,

however , there can be no longer a question as to Norton ' s real date and the genuineness of his Ordinall . It belonged about the year 1600 to John Arundell , ot Quarnack ( the grandson of Sir John Arundel , of Trerys ) , who had bought it at his house in Lambeth from a Mr . Abdy . This John Arundel died in Lambeth in 1613 . His memoranda at the beginning of the book include some curious items . "

The " Ordinall" begins , as do the old Charges of the Freemasons , with an invocation to the Trinity .

To the honor of God one in persons three , This Boke is made that Iaie men should ' nt see . The reference to the term " Free Mason " occurs on the second page of the MS . proper ( pagination consists of every other page being numbered consecutively from one ) and is as follows : —

But wounder it is that vveivers deale vvith suche werks , Free Masons and Tanners vvith poore P'issh Clarkes , Stayners and Glasiets will not thereof cease , And yet seely Tinkers will put them in preasse Alchemy is stated to be a " noble Craft , " and certainly for lovers of the curious , marvellous or scientific , the " Ordinall , " with the antique illuminations , would be a veritable treasure , a mine of wealth , and a possession of never failing interest .

Mr . Quaritch considers this MS . is "the first work in the Eng lish language in which the name of ' Free Mason' is found . " Remembering ' the date of the original text of 1477 , it is assuredly a very early instance oi the use of the term ; but for it to occur in the sixteenth century ( the period of the transcription itself ) , is nothing remarkable . Those vvho are familiar with Bro . Gould ' s Standard Masonic History * especially Vol . 2 , Chap . VI ., will be aware of the numerous instances of the its

employment of the term Freemason in the fifteenth century , and even of use at a still earlier period . Still , the occurrence of the word in a work on Alchemy , so long ago , is , to say the least , a very curious fact , and adds much to the importance of the MS . in question , from a Masonic standpoint-It is for this reason I asked the loan of the document , to vvhich Mr . QuaritcM readily agreed , and hence the present notice of the work ; vvhich will doubtless prove of much interest to many Craftsmen .

What is wanted now is a collation of this MS . vvith the " Ordinall" as given in Ashmole's "Theatrum Chemicum" of 1652 . This I iy leave to others , or at least , my collation must be delayed for some time , because of the pressure of other matters . I trust that this valuable M- >* vvill be acquired for the Library of the Grand Lodge ol England , or some other large collection open to Masonic Students . W . J . HUGHAN .