Consecration Of The Easterford Lodge At Kelvedon.

The lodge having been opened in the Three Degrees , The CONSECRATING OFFICER , addressing the brethren , said : We are met here to-day to perform a duty vvhich . is not only a very agreeable , but also a very important one . We are met to consecrate and constitute a new lodge on the roll of the Grand Lodge of England . You are aware that vve have a large number of lodges already in London—something like 370—and , therefore , it is a difficult

matter to obtain a nesv one , as the M . W . G . M . always requires good reasons before friends amongst them . " Personally , it was to him ( Bro . Philbrick ) a great disappointment , as he was sure it vvas also to the promoters of the lodge and the visitors present , but as all the arrangements had been made it was not right that those proceedings should be postponed . They were met in a district where there had never yet been a Freemasons' lodge . There were , however , in Kelvedon and

neighbourhood some energetic and good Masons , and they having reported to the Prov . Grand Master , and his lordship in turn to the M . W . Grand Master , their desire to form a lodge , the warrant had been granted . For theW . M . designate they had Bro . the Rev . Thomas Lloyd , vvho had obtained high honours in another province—Staffordshire ; for Senior Warden they had Bro . Dr . Salter , a Mason of longstanding ; and there were among those vvho had

undertaken the arduous duties of founders brethren vvho were well known in society in that neighbourhood . In behalf of those charged with the government of the province , he svished the Easterford Lodge every possible success . He need hardly add that they felt and believed there was room for that lodge . They trusted the founders would remember the great importance of the trust placed in their hands .

To them was given to illustrate to the outside world ( so far as they were permitted to see ) what the true principles of Freemasonry were . Let the brethren now belonging to the lodge , and those vvho might be enrolled amongst its members , hold their banner high—to let it be seen that Freemasonry is a living power for good .

The PROVINCIAL GRAND SECRETARY then read the petition and warrant , and the petitioners signified their approval of the officers named in the warrant . An eloquent address on the nature and princi p les of the Institution by the Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . W . Q UENNELL , follosved . The ceremony of consecration was then proceeded vvith , and at its conclusion

Bro . Lennox Browne installed Bro . the Rev . T . Lloyd , P . P . G . C . Staffordshire , as the first W . M . 1 vvho in his turn invested his officers for the ensuing year as under : Bros . J . H . Salter , J . P ., S . W . ; J . L . Ogier , J . W . ; Robt . Curzon , J . P ., Treas . ; Mark W . Meade , I . P . M . 1977 , Sec ; R . B . Colvin , J . P ., S . D . ; W . Strutt , J . D . ; Geo . A . Eustace , P . M . 6 97 , P . P . G . Std . Br ., D . C ; C . T . Thorn , I . G . ; F . C . Herbert , . Stwd . ; and James Inifer , Tyler .

The musical portions of the ceremony were ably carried out by Bros . Osmond , Gowers , Sparling , Coombs , and Motum . A vote of thanks vvas unanimously passed to the D . P . G . M . and other Consecrating Officers for their assistance , and together vvith the P . G . M . they were elected honorary members of the lodge . Thanks were also accorded to Miss Philbrick for preparing a large number of " button-holes " from orchids supplied by Bro . F . Horsman , W . M . Ki .

The W . M . vvas elected to represent the lodge on the Essex Provincial Charity Committee ; and the names of several local gentlemen were proposed as candidates for initiation or joining members . Between 70 and 80 brethren afterwards dined together at the Angel Hotel , a splendid repast being well served by Messrs . Wright and Son . The W . M . presided , and was supported by the D . P . G . M . and the other distinguished brethren .

Consecration Of The Old Concord Chapter, No. 172.

CONSECRATION OF THE OLD CONCORD CHAPTER , No . 172 .

Quite a number of old lodges have onl y comparatively recently had Royal Arch chapters attached to them . This vvas further verified on Tuesday , the 25 th ult ., by the consecration of the Old Concord Chapter , No . 172 , at the Holborn Restaurant . The ceremony vvas impressively rendered by Comp . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . S . E ., as M . E . Z ., assisted by Comps . J . H . Matthews , P . A . G . D . of C , as H . ; F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , as J . ; Frank Richardson , G . D . C , as D . C ; and C . F . Matier , P . G . D . C , as S . N . The others present

were—Comps . Carl T . Fleck , M . E . Z . designate ; C Meierhoff , H . designate ; J . Cooper , J . designate ; G . King , Scribe E . ( pro tcm . J ; G . Couchman , Janitor ; G . IT . Foes , F . Hilton , T . Hamp , and H . R . Cope . Visitors : Comps . A . E . Austin , 13 S 1 ; E . Venner , 79 ; T . Grummant , P . Z . 1275 ; VV . Cosvley , P . Z . 1275 ; F . Williams , 657 ; R . j . Voisey , P . Z . 1329 ; C . Daniel , P . Z . 65 ; I . Roberts , P . Z . 65 ; W . VV . Arter , 13 S 1 ; G .

T . Brosvne , P . Z . 65 ; W . IT . Wingfield , 1851 ; VV . Robertson , 65 ; C H . Stone , 1275 ; H . J . Gardner , P . Z . 3 ; H . Mayer , 65 ; W . Price , 2182 ; T . C . Walls , P . Z ., & c , 3 ; Rev . T . Cochrane , P . Z . 10 ; G . Gardner , Z . 13 S 1 ; H . Sadler , P . Z . 16 9 , G . Janitor ; J . IT . Hasvkins , P . Z . 5 G 9 ; W . Iron , Z . 1365 ; IT . G . Martin , 1275 ; G . L . Moore , 2169 ; and F . M . Noakes , 1624 .

The Principals having entered the chapter room in procession , the chapter vvas duly opened . The Consecrating Principal , addressing the companions , said they had met that day for the purpose of constituting and establishing another Royal Arch Chapter on the roll of the Grand Chapter of England . The lodge dated as far back as 1764 , and considering the years which had elapsed , it vvas rather surprising that they had not thought of having a chapter before , but nosv that they had seen fit to have one he congratulated the lodge . They were present that

day to give effect to the charter , and he felt sure that under the auspices under vvhich the chapter vvas started , and under the guidance of such worthy companions as the Three Principals designate , it would before long take a distinguished position among the chapters of the Order . He would commence the ceremony of the day by asking the Director of Ceremonies to make the usual announcement . The founders of the nesv chapter signified their approval of the officers nominated in the charter to preside over them .

Comp . F . A . PHILBRICK , Q . C , as J ., in the unavoidable abse . nce of Comp . Rev . Thomas Cochrane delivered an address to the companions . The ceremony vvas then proceeded vvith , and the chapter duly dedicated and constituted .

I he installation ceremonies were next performed , and the Principals designate duly placed in their respective chairs by the Grand Scribe E . as follows : Comps . Carl T . Fleck , M . E . Z . ; C . Meierhoff , H . ; and J . Cooper , J . The other officers were then invested b y the M . E . Z ., viz . : Comps . G . King , Scribe E . ; F . Hilton , Scribe N . ; G . H . Foes , Treas . ; H . R . Cope , P . S . ; J . Whaley , ist Asst . Soj . ; T . J . Hamp , 2 nd Asst . Soj . ; and C . Couchman , Janitor .

The Consecrating Officers were then unanimously elected honorary members . A compliment for vvhich COMP . COL . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , G . S . E ., returned thanks on behalf of himself and colleagues . Propositionsvvere received , and the chapter was duly closed . The Companions then adjourned to a sumptuous banquet . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were then given and duly honoured . Comp . F . A . PHILBRICK , Q . C , in responding for "The Grand Officers , " said : Very

hoarse and very unmusical are my words , after the musical sonnets we have just heard , but I trust none the less sincere . As Grand Officers of the Royal Arch , vve are glad to see the progress of the Order b y the consecration of this chapter . With regard to the Grand Scribe E ., as they say of him in another place , his praise is in all the chapters , and no doubt he will later on speak for himself . To be associated with such officers was a very proud and honourable distinction . There were two of them parsons , one who had preached a sermon , which was not

Consecration Of The Old Concord Chapter, No. 172.

written , and the other had written a sermon , but had not preached it , and he felt sure they would much rather have heard the sermon that vvas written than the one that was preached . He trusted the new venture vvhich they had launched , the old lodge that had been rejuvenated that evening , mig ht prove the concord of a happy career .

In proposing the toast of " The Consecrating Officer , " the M . E . Z . said he was sure the companions were most pleased and gratified at the excellent manner in which the beautiful ceremony had been performed , and he vvas sure they would be as pleased to join him in that toast as they had been to assist at the consecration . Comp . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE said it vvas very pleasing indeed to find one ' s small services so appreciated , It was a special pleasure to him to perform

the initiatory services at the starting of that chapter . They had assisted to launch that adjunct to their old lodge , and it now remained in their own hands to make it a success . He should be very ungrateful indeed if he did not recognise the services rendered by his assistants , especially his assistant curate , and the valuable services rendered by his D . of C , Comp . Frank Richardson , vvho had unfortunately been obliged to leave . He begged to thank them for the kind way in vvhich the toast had been drunk , and wished the chapter every success .

Comp . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE then proposed "The Health of the M . E . Z . " The companion whom they had chosen for the peculiar honour of being placed in the First Principal ' s chair was a very young Mason . He had arrived at the position of W . M . of his lodge after about seven years , and it showed that he must

have done good suit and service to arrive at such a position . He trusted they would endorse the conclusion they had arrived at , that he vvas the rig ht man in the right place , and that , assisted by excellent Second and Third Principals , he would , at the end of his year of office , leave the chapter in a most satisfactory and sound condition .

The M . E . Z ., in reply , said after the eloquent manner in vvhich Col . Clerke had proposed his health he could scarcely find words to thank him . With regard to the remarks of the Grand Scribe E ., that the success of the chapter depended on themselves , he could assure him that they meant it to be a success , the two first exaltees were old Past Masters of the Old Concord Lodge , which he thought vvas a very good beginning , and if they acted up to their professions the chapter vvould rank as one of the best on the roll of the Grand Chapter of England .

In proposing the toast of " The Visitors , the M . E . Z . said they were always welcome . He vvas sure they were pleased at the interesting ceremony they had taken part in , and he trusted they had enjoyed themselves at the banquet table , and vvhen the chapter was thoroughly established he trusted they would come again . The toast vvas responded to b y Comps . Hawkins , Grummant , and G . Gardner . The M . E . Z ., in proposing the toast of " The Second and Third Principals , "

said very few were so fortunate as he was in having two of his dear friends beside him . Comp . Meierhoff assisted him materially when he went up as Steward to the Masonic Charities , and did his work thoroughly and well . Comp . Cooper vvas a good Mason in many ways , and so , altogether , he looked forsvard to a very pleasant year of office , and when he had passed the chair he should have great pleasure in looking after them .

Comp . MEIERHOFF , in reply , said he hardly knew how to thank him for the very kind way in which he had spoken of his work , and he trusted he vvould speak as well of him when he went to another place . Comp . COOPER referred to the splendid advice they had received from Comp . Philbrick , and said he hoped to do his work in an efficient manner . He trusted they vvould have good Masons as members of the chapter , vvhich he hoped would have prosperous times and a successful career .

Comp . KING , Scribe E ., in reply to the toast of " The Officers of the Chapter , thanked the M . E . Z . for the very kind remarks he had made , and if he had , as he said , done good suit and service in the lodge as Secretary , he hoped to do so in the chapter , and carry out his duties to the entire satisfaction of every companion .

Comp . HILTON , Scribe N ., thanked the companions for the very hearty way in which the toast had been responded to , and said that from the comparatively short time Comp . Fleck had been a Mason , it showed he must have had excellent qualities to enable him to arrive at his present position . Referring to the kind remarks he had made svith regard to the assistance he had received from members of the Star Chapter of Improvement , he could assure him that they were always willing to do all they could to assist him , and , if at any time he wished to rehearse

a ceremony , they would be only too pleased to allow him to do it . The M . E . Z ., in a special toast , thanked Comp . Voisey for the very excellent manner in which he had conducted the musical arrangements at the consecration ceremony , which gave to all the greatest satisfaction . Comp . VOISEY , in a few well-chosen remarks , returned thanks . An excellent programme of music was carried out , under the direction of Comp . W . Price .

Mark Masonry In Devon And Cornwall.

MARK MASONRY IN DEVON AND CORNWALL .

There will be a large gathering of the Mark brethren at Exeter on the occasion of the installation of Bro . the Hon . Sir Stafford H . Northcote , Bart ., C . B ., M . P ., as Prov . G . M . M . for Devon , on Wednesday , May 28 th . The patent has been signed by his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , Grand Master , and countersigned by Bros . Frank Richardson , Grand Registrar , and C . F . Matier , P . G . W ., Grand Secretary . Bro . Sir Stafford Northcote was advanced as a Mark Master Mason in St . George ' s Mark Lodge , No . 15 , Exeter , which is the oldest active organisation of the kind in Devon and Cornwall .

The province of Devon is the second oldest in England , having been constituted on nth December , 1857 , w ' tn tne late Bro . Rev . John Huyshe , M . A ., as Prov . G . M . He was succeeded by the late Bro . Col . J . Tanner Davy on ist January , 18 73 , and on his decease the province was for a short while under the rule of Bro . C . Spence Bate , F . R . S ., & c , as D . Prov . G . M ., vvho died quite recently . It is one of the largest provinces in England in the Mark Degree , just as in the

Craft and Royal Arch , there being 23 lodges in the county , which are thus distributed : one each at Southmolton , Exeter , Tavistock , Totnes , First Devon Militia , Barnstaple , Ivybridge , Tiverton , Newton Abbot , Teignmouth , Torquay , and Seaton . One or two of these , however , are dormant , vvhich is much to be regretted , as they have high numbers . In the Three Towns there are 11 lodges , viz ., three at Plymouth , two at Devonport , five at East Stonehouse , and one at Stoke .

In Cornwall the Degree is also most prosperous , there being n lodges domiciled at Redruth , Truro , Hayle , Falmouth , Chacewater , Helston , St . Columb , St . Austell , Fowey , Liskeard , and Penzance , under the genial rule of Bro . Sir Charles B . Graves Sawle , Bart ., as Prov . G . M . The Earl of Euston , president of the Board of General Purposes , who is to be the Installing Master on the 28 th May , will be assisted by several other Grand Officers on the interesting occasion . — Western Morning News .

The third annual musical festival in aid of the Tosver Hamlets Mission commences in the Great Assembly Hall , Mile End-road , on Good Friday , vvith Handel ' s " Messiah . " On Saturday there will be a miscellaneous concert ; on Easter Monday , Mendelssohn's ' ¦ Elijah ; " and on Tuesday , Sir Arthur Sullivan ' s "Golden Legend . "