Consecration Of The Walsingham Lodge, No. 2148

proposing his health in a separate toast . The Grand Officers were always p leased to assist at the inauguration of a new lodge . It was about 25 years ago that he first assisted at a consecration in Kent , and he believed on that occasion he officiated as Chaplain , for it was far more difficult then to obtain the services of clergymen at those ceremonies than it was at the present time . It had given him great pleasure to install Bro . Sadler into the chair , and he

thanked Bro . Eastes for permitting him to perform that ceremony . It was a pleasure to install a brother who was so admirable an exponent of the ritual . While congratulating Bro . Sadler upon the honour of being the first W . Master , he also congratulated the brethren on having a brother to preside over them who was so capable of guiding them through their early experiences to prosperity and distinction .

"The Visitors" was then given by the WORSHIPFUL MASTER , who expressed the pleasure he felt at seeing such a goodly array of brethren present to witness the launching of this new lodge . To some of those brethren he was very much indebted for their valuable assistance in its formation . He had also to thank Bros . Jamblin and Cumming for the true Masonic feeling thev had shown . Whenever a Mason came into that

neighbourhood he was always treated with the utmost courtesy by those brethren , and he ( the W . M . ) desired to tender to them his sincere thanks for their kindness , and for recommending the petition . He was happy to say that from the first moment he applied to the Lullingstone Lodge , to which they belonged , he had received nothing but hearty assistance . He considered it would be but right if he asked those brethren to respond .

Bro . the Rev . R . J AMBLIN , P . P . G . Chap ., returned thanks , and assured the brethren that if the Lullingstone Lodge could at any time assist them , it would be pleased to do so . "The Officers" having been given , and responded to in appropriate terms by Bros . WALFORD , S . W ., and BEAUFORT HINKS , Secretary , and * ' The Charities " having been duly honoured , the Tyler ' s toast concluded a very successful inauguration meeting .

Consecration Of The Martyn Chapter, No. 1224, Sudbury.

CONSECRATION OF THE MARTYN CHAPTER , No . 1224 , SUDBURY .

Previous to the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Suffolk at Sudbury , on Monday , a new chapter , named after the Provincial Grand Superintendent—the Rev . J . C .

Martynviz ., " The Martyn Chapter , No . 1224 , " was consecrated by the Grand Scribe E . of England , E . Comp . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , assisted by E . Comp . Frank Richardson , P . G . S ., as D . C , and other Grand Officers . The ceremony took place at the New Masonic Hall , the following companions being present besides the Consecrating Officers :

Comps . the Rev . C . J . Martyn , Grand Supt . of Suffolk , & c . ; E . P . Youell , P . G . H . ; VV . J . Nunn , P . G . J . ; N . Tracy , P . Z ., P . G . S . E . ; A . J . Grimwade , P . Z ., P . P . G . S . N . ; E . St . George Cobbold , / .., P . G . S . N . ; Wm . Clarke , P . G . D . of C , G . A . D . of C ; T . Holland , H . ; C . Cooke , P . P . G . R . ; C . Byford , P . Z ., P . G . S . B . ; ] . F . Mills , B . R .

Bryant , J . C . Norman , VV . Pearson , A . E . Smith , G . F . Crane , P . Z ., P . 2 nd A . G . S . ; J . M . Harvey , P . Z ., P . P . G . P . S . ; H . Harvey George , T . B . Corfield , VV . Morgan Jones , G . H . Grimwood , H . J . Wright , P . Z ., P . P . G . S . ; H . W . H . EUves , J ; B . P , Grimsey , Z . ; Fred . Wheeler , H . D . E . Bull , J . S . Stuart , J . Davies , and G . Gould , Janitor .

The chapter was opened in due form , E . Comp . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke occupying the chair of Z ., Comp . E . P . Youell as H ., Comp . W . Clarke as acting j ., Comp . F . Richardson as D . C , and N . Tracy as S . N . The Consecrating Officer , Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , addressed the companions on the nature of the meeting , and expressed the satisfaction he felt at the spread of Royal Arch Masonry in the Province of Suffolk . He

was especially gratified that the brethren of the Stour Valley Lodge had petitioned the Supreme Grand Chapter for permission to consecrate a chapter in connection with their lodge , particularly as the chapter was to be named after the esteemed Superintendent of the province . He felt it was a great honour to act as the Consecrating Officer , a duty which would have fallen upon the Grand Superintendent but for the fact that he was to be the First Principal of the chapter .

The ACTING SCRIBE E . then read the petition and charter , after which the chapter was consecrated in due and ancien ' t form , the oration being delivered by the Grand Superintendent , the Rev . C . J . MARTYN , who , in the course of an eloquent and impressive address , spoke of Royal Arch Masonry as the perfection of Craft Masonry—it was the top stone in the structure . He was r > lad to find that Royal Arch Masonry was spreading in the province , this being the seventh chapter which had been consecrated in

Suffolk . This , in ordinary Masonic language , was a perfect number , but nevertheless he hoped other chapters would be consecrated in different parts of the province . He trusted that the members of the Martyn Chapter would u-e their best endeavours to make Royal Arch Masonry in that part of the province complete . The ceremonies of the Supreme Degree taught them 10 look kindly upon their fellow men , to bend with humility before the Most High , and to revere His holy name .

The Consecrating Officer having dedicated and constituted the chapter in ancient form , and alter the Patriarchal Benediction , the First Principals were installed as follows : V . E . Comp . C . J . Martyn , P . Grand Supt . Suffolk , & c , M . li . Z . ; Comps . Joseph F . Hills , P . P . G . J . W . Suffolk , P . M . 1224 , H . ; and Frederick Wheeler , P . P . G . Reg . Suffolk , P . M . 1224 , J . The other officers were balloted for , and the following were elected : Comps . G . H . Grim wood , S . E . ; T . Holland , S . N . ; W . Clarke , P . S . ; Geo . Thompson , Treasurer .

The other requisite officers will be elected at the first regular meeting of the chapter . A Committee , consisting of the three Principals , two Scribes , and the Treasurer , was appointed for the purpose of framing the bye-laws . Four joining members and nine candidates for exaltation were proposed .

The M . E . Z . proposed a vote of thanks to the G . S . E . and the other Grand Officers for their presence , and for the work they had done , and intimated that he should be very pleased if they would accept the position of honorary members of the chapter . The G . S " . E . having responded , a vote of thanks was accorded to the members of the White Rose Chapter for the use of their regalia .

THE PROV . G . CHAPTER OF SUFFOLK

When the consecration of the Martyn Chapter was concluded , the ordinary business of the Prov . Grand Chapter was proceeded with , under the presidency of the Prov . Grand Supt ., Comp . the Rev . C . J . Martyn , with Comp . J . F . Hills as H ., and W . J . Nunn as J .

Consecration Of The Martyn Chapter, No. 1224, Sudbury.

The minutes of the last annual meeting having been read and confirmed , the report of the Board of General Purposes was read by the P . G . S . E . It showed that Royal Arch Masonry was making steady progress in the province , and recommended that a sum of ^ 10 10 s . be given to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . On the motion of Comp . WM . CLARKE , seconded by Comp . W . J . NUNN , J ., the report was received and adopted . The rolls of the officers and chapters respectively having been called over , the Provincial Grand Officers were invested as under : —

Comp . A . J . Grimwade ... ... ... Prov . G . H . „ G . F . Crane ... ... ... Prov . G . J . „ N . Tracy ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ J . F . Hills ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ F . Wheeler ... ... ... ... Prov . G . P . S . „ W . Pearson ... ... ... ... Prov . G . 1 st A . S . „ H . W . H . Elwes ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br . „ H . Harvey George ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ B . P . Grimsey ... .,. ... Prov . G . Reg , „ J . Collins ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ W . Clarke ... ... ... ... Prov . G . D . of C . „ G . Gould ... .. ... ... Prov . G . Janitor .

Comp . W . Boby was unanimously re-elected Treasurer , The revised bye-laws , which had been circulated amongst the mem bers were adopted with trifling alterations . Letters of apology were read from the following companions : Comps W . Boby , T . J . Railing , P . G . S . E . Essex ; F . A . Philbrick , Prov . G . Supt . Essex ; A . A . Bennett , and E . J . Brown .

Ihe GRAND SUPERINTENDENT then addressed the Prov . Grand Chapter upon the principles of Royal Arch Masonry . The P . G . Chapter was closed in ancient form . The banquet was held at the Rose and Crown Hotel .

Grand Mark Lodge.

GRAND MARK LODGE .

The Half-yearly Communication of Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales and the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown was held on Tuesday , at the Holborn Restaurant . The Right Hon . the Earl of Kintore , M . W . G . M . M . M ., presided . Bro . Kelly , G . M . M . M . Leicester , acted as Deputy Grand Master ; Bro . the Marquis of Hertford , G . S . VV . ; Bro . W . J . Hughan , as G . J . W . ; Bro . Col . H . S . Somerville Burney , G . M . O . ; Bro . J . S . Eastes , G . S . O . ; and Bro . Dr . Ralph Gooding , G . J . O . The other members present

were—Bros . Rev . Hayman Cummings and Rev . T . VV . Lemon , G . Chaplains ; ] as . Moon , G . Treas . ; Frank Richardson , G . Reg . ; Percy Wallis , G . S . D . ; R . P . Spice , G . S . D . ; G . Mickley , G . J . D . ; R . Berridge , G . D . C ; H . George , G . A . D . C . ; M . J . Walker , G . Swd . Br . ; R . B . Read and W . P . Collins , G . Std . Brs . ; E . J . Hoare , G . Org . ; G . Graveley , G . I . G . ; J . VV . Fuller , G . Edwards , D . P . Cama , J . Rtimsey , VV . B . Williamson , P . A . Scratchley , and C . A . C . [ ones , G . Stewards ; Sir Charles Graves-Sawle , Bait ., P . G . M . M . Cornwall ; Rev . W . Mortimer Heath , P . G . M . M , Dorset ; John Walker , P . G . M . M . Gloucestershire ; Rev . T . Robinson , P . G . M . M ,

Kent ; Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg , P . G . M . M . Buckinghamshire ; A . F . Godson , P . G . M . M . Worcestershire ; Capt . N . G . Philips , P . G . W . ; J . C . Parkinson , P . G . W . ; C . F . Matier , P . G . W . ; F . Davison , P . G . W . ; \ V . Adlard , P . G . O . ; VV . Roebuck , P . G . O . ; T . Cubitt , P . G . O . ; H . K . Cooper , P . G . O . ; J . S . Cumberland , P . G . O . ; S . G . Kirchhoffer , P . G . O . ; Baron de Ferrieres , P . G . O . ; Rev . R . P . Bent , P . G . C . ; Geo . Cooper , P . G . D . ; A . Williams , P . G . D . ; Major G . Lambert , P . G . D . ; C . H , Driver , P . G . I , of W . ; VV . Watson , P . G . A . D . C ; Col . Bake , P . G . S . B . ; T . C Walls , P . G . S . B . ; J . R . Wynn , P . G . I . G . ; M . Mildred , P . G . S . ; 1 . O . Marsh

P . G . S . ; C F . Hogard , P . G . S . ; C . E . Soppet , P . G . S . ; H . Marsh , IP . G . S . ; Jno . Lane , P . G . S . ; T . Taylor , P . G . S . ; R . Loveland Loveland , D . P . G . M . M . M . Hants and Isle of Wight ; A . W . Saunders , P . P . G . M . M . Madras ; R . B . Cunlirte , P . P . G . M . M . Madras ; R . Owen , P . P . G . W . North Wales ; J . N . Palmer , P . G . W . Hants and Isle of Wight ; W . Lake , P . P . G . R . Cornwall ; E . Bowyer , P . P . G . O . Middlesex and Surrey ; J . Terry , P . P . G . O . Middlesex and Surrey ; Horace White , P . P . G . R . Middlesex and Surrey ; C . Boulton , P . P . G . O . Middlesex and Surrey ; C . Belton ; J . L . Mather , P . M . ; George Kenning , P . M . ; - G . P . Festa , W . M . S ; J . Willing , jun ., W . M . 355 ; VV . Barlow , W . M . 364 ; F . Wood , P . M . ; E . J . Mills , W . M . 350 ; and others .

By the direction of Bro . R . BERRIDGE , G . D . C , the G . M . was saluted in ancient form , and the minutes of the meeting of 1 st December , 1885 , were then read and confirmed . The following is the report of the General Board : —

REPORT OF THE GENERAL BOARD . In submitting their Report to Grand Lodge , the Board feel justified in prominently alluding to the election ot H . R . H . the Prince of Wales as M . W . G . M ., an event which cannot fail to exercise a very important influence on the interests of the Order . While in no way involving the possibility of a recognition of the Mark Degree as an essential

portion of Ancient Freemasonry—from which position it is absolutely debarred by the Articles of Union of 1 S 13—the fact of having at its head the illustrious Prince , who occupies a similar distinguished position as the supreme head of English Craft Masonry , is sufficient proof that there is nothing inconsistent in the principles of the Mark Degree with the principles of Craft Masonry .

The number of certificates issued during the six months to 31 st March last is 781 , the total number of registered members being 21 , 6 57 . In the Degree of Royal Ark Mariner the certificates issued during the same period are 72 , the total number of members on the register being 195 S . Warrants for Mark Lodges have been issued : — No . 361 , Onslow , London .

,, 362 , Wouldhave , South Shields , Durham . „ 3 ° J , Ruspini , London . „ 36 . ; , Gordon , Gravesend , Kent . „ 365 i Hesperus , Bourke , River Darling , N . S . W . „ 366 , Hertford , Hertfotd . Warrants for lodges of Royal Ark Mariners . —Calthorpe , attached to Mark Lodge Albert , 270 , Gwalior . Prince of Wales , to Mark Lodge Prince o £ Wales , 4 , London .

A new province , that of Hertfordshire , has been constituted , and R . W . Bro . T . F , Halsey , M . P ., appointed as Hie first Prov . Grand Master . In Three provinces the following changes have taken place : —Staffordshire—R . W . Bro . Col . George S . Tudor has been appointed Provincial Grand Master , vice R . W . Bro . Col . Foster Gough . Monmouthshire—R . W . Bro . Capt . S . G . Homfray , J . P ., as Provincial Grand Master , vice R . W . Bro . L . A . Homfray , J . P . Warwickshire—R . W . Bro . the Most Hon . the Marquis of Hertford , as Provincial Grand Master , vice R . W . Bro . Lord Brooke , resigned .

To meet the increasing requirements for the business of the Office , and the demands for accommodation by various Masonic Bodies for meetings , the Board have entered into an agreement with the original lessees of the premises in Red Lion Square for a lease of additional rooms at a further rental of . £ 40 per annum for a term concurrent with that of their existing tenancy . This arrangement will considerably increase the facilities for the

conduct of the business of the Order , and also will add to the accommodation already extensively recognised as suitable for Masonic purposes . The relations between the Grand Chapter of Quebec and this Grand Lodge remain in statu quo . Those relations are , however , unhappily affected in no inconsiderable degree by the hostile action taken b y the authorities in Quebec and by Grand Chapters