Consecration Of The St. George's Chapter, No. 2099, Herne Bay.

Tones , J- designate , was , unfortunately , detained by business in London and did not arrive in time , so that his installation as Third Principal wil take p lace at the next meeting of the chapter . The following were invested as officers , namely : Comps . J . Barnwell , Scribe E . ; W . D . Young , Scribe N . ; S . Saunders , Prin . Soj . ; R . Westwood , ist A . S . ; and R M . Mercer , 2 nd A . S . Votes of thanks were given to Comp . Earl Amherst for consecrating

the chapter , and Comp . Rev . T . Robinson for installing the Principals . Various propositions were made , and the chapter was closed . The usual banquet , at which Comp . Ward , M . E . Z ., presided , was held , but the Grand Superintendent was prevented fay other arrangements from being present . However , most of the other visitors remained , and the evening passed agreeably .

Consecration Of The Egerton Of Tatton Lodge Of Mark Master Masons, No. 400.

CONSECRATION OF THE EGERTON OF TATTON LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS , No . 400 .

The Fourth Century of lodges under the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons was completed on Friday , the 29 th ult ., by the consecration , at 8 A , Red Lion-square , of the Egerton of Tatton Lodge , No . 400—so called

after the distinguished Pro Grand Master of the Order . 'Ihe ceremony was performed by Bro . Chas . Fitzgerald Matier , P . G . W ., assisted by Bros . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , P . G . W ., as S . W . ; F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , as J . W . ; Rev . Hayman Cummings , as Chap . ; R . Berridge , P . G . M . O ., G . D . C , as D . C ; W . A . Barrett , as Org . ; and C . H . Driver , as I . G .

The brethren present included Bros . Belgrave Ninnis , W . M . designate ; H . W . Kiallmark , S-W . designate ; G . B . Brodie , J . W . designate ; Dr . Harley Thomas , Lennox Browne , W . Thomas , A . W . Peckham , C M . Jessoo , H . Wright , G . E . Mercer , W . P . Chubb , Geoffrey C . Herbert , I . ieut ' .-Col . Haldane , G . S . B ., T . Purchas , and W . W . Lee .

Lodge having been opened , the following brethren were advanced into the Order by Bro . Purchas : Bros . G . E . Mercer , C M . Jessop , G . J . Harley Thomas , H . Wright , VV . P . Chubb , A . W . Peckham , Geoffrey C Herbert , and W . W . Lee . The Grand Officers entered in procession , and Bro . C . F . Matier having

assumed the chair , appointed the officers to assist him , and briefly addressed the brethren on the nature of the meeting . He said a consecration in this Degree was not cf EO frequent occurrence as in the Craft , but was nevertheless an event that could not fail to excite a large amount ol interest . He would at once commence the proceedings by calling upon the acting D . C . to read the petition and warrant .

The officers named therein having been approved by the founders , an eloquent and impressive oration on the principles of Mark Masonry was delivered by Bro . Rev . HAYMAN CUMMINGS , acting Chaplain . The ceremony was then proceeded with , and the new lodge formally dedicated and constituted .

The next business was the installation of the VV . M ., which was rendered in an admirable manner by Bro . C . F . Matier , who installed Bro . Belgrave Ninnis , the W . M , designate , into the chair . The following officers were appointed and invested : Bros . H . W . Kiallmark , S . W . ; G . B . Brodie , J . W . ; Hardy Thomas , M . O . ; Lennox Browne , S . O . ; W . Thomas , J . O . ; A . W . Peckham , Treas . ; C M . Jessop , Sec . ; H . Wright , S . D . ; G . E . Mercer , J . D . ; W . P . Chubb , I . G . ; and Mills , Ty ler . The Installing Master ( hen delivered the usual addresses Io the W . Master and officers .

Sanction having been given by the lodge for the formation of an Ark Mariners' lodge in connection with it , a Committee was formed to frame the necessary by-laws . A cordial vote of thanks to the Consecrating Officers concluded the proceedings , and the Iodge was closed . The brethren subsequently dined at the Holborn Restaurant , when the customary toasts were duly honoured .

In proposing "The Grand Officers , " the W . M . said too much credit could not be given to those brethren for their energy in attending the various assemblies . He thought they were generally regarded as being " things of beauty , " but hoped they would be "joys for ever . " Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , P . G . W ., in reply , said that , having arrived at the sere and vellow leaf , it was very pleasing and flattering to be

told one was a thing of beauty . He was afraid that would not apply in his case , but could be more appropriately said of the other Grand Officers . However that might be , he hoped they were good Masons , and tried to do their duty . The Grand Mark Lodge had progressed of late , and possessed many distinguished G . Officers of other Degrees . They were all animated by the same leelinps . which were to advance that Order as far as possible .

He was glad to say there was an intimate connection between the Craft and the Mark . The Craft did not acknowledge it as a part under the Constitution of 1813 , but practically they shook hands over a narrow table , and , as the brethren of the one were also members of the other , it was a distinction without a difference . They were pleased to be present at the launching of one more Mark lodge , under the presidency of their good , worthy , and hard-workinr / Rrn . Insnpctor-General Ninnis . He knew that brother did

all he undertook with a great deal of fervour , and a determination to do his duty when placed in the chair . He was confident all would be well in this lodge in consequence . He was highly flattered , as were the other -rand Officers , to be allowed to fill the chairs on this occasion , and they would have the greatest interest in the welfare of the lodge , and watch its luture w ' - ' pleasing feeling of remembrance of that night's proceedings 11 the name of the Grand Officers , he returned hearty thanks for the proposition and reception of the toast .

r iu e WoRSHm'ur . MASTER then gave "The Prov . G . M ., Dep . Prov . p -M -i and Prov . G . Officers , " and remarked that what he had said of the ^ rand Officers would equally apply to the brethren included in this toast . was not all brethren could aspire to Grand office , but , as they were rought more under the notice of the provincial authorities , could , by hard

rKirig , hope to obtain the purple and red , characteristic of the Provincial Grand Lodge . be \ I ' Lieut - "Co 1- HALDANE , G . S . B ., said he scarcely thought he should Pa ]• u P on t 0 respond , having laid down his arms in the province , and 1 ssed into Grand office . He might be allowed , however , to represent the

be j j Uran . d Lod S ' and was sure Br 0 « Col . Sir Francis Burdett would sue a at t ' nevv adcnt ' to his province , and would join in wishing was " t 0 the lod 2 - He m'ght also be allowed personally to say that it in dkt great i ' easure t 0 him t 0 see Kr 0 , Ninnis , with whom he had worked W M t P 1 ° ' instal , ed in the chair . From 20 years' knowledge of their master , - he augured well for the new lodge .

Consecration Of The Egerton Of Tatton Lodge Of Mark Master Masons, No. 400.

"The Consecrating Officers" was next given by the WORSHIPFUL MASTER . He said the ceremony that had taken place was one of the many occasions to which he alluded in speaking of the life of the Grand Officers , which was not always a " joy for ever . " In London that day , BrLtoI the previous day , and , perhaps , John o' Groat ' s to-morrow , or someotherout of the way place , they could hardly say the Grand Officers had a pleasing

time . If they could judge from all they heard , he should say a good deal of their time that ought to be spent in town was spent in travelling . But what affected the brethren more particularly that evening was the able manner in which the ceremony had been performed which constituted them a body . The members would unite with him in giving cordial thanks to those who had attended and done for them what they , if ever they wore those collars , would be delighted to do for others .

Bro . C . F . MATIER , Asst . G . Sec , said the consecration of a new Iodge was one of those functions which were not undertaken every day , and when it fell to the lot of a brother to act as the Consecrating Officer , he naturally felt very proud at the position he was called upon to fill . That was his position that night , although he thought he was somewhat in the position of the local tenor who invited Sims Reeves and Edward Lloyd to assist him . In having the assistance of two Consecrating Officers of the

other Degrees , who had won their spurs so nobly—Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , and Bro . Philbrick , the Dep . Prov . G . Master of the provincehe had had the assistance of two of the finest and best Consecrating Officers in the whole of the Craft of England . Some would say it was , therefore , presumption on his part to attempt the consecration . He had attempted it , and was sure they had launched a lodge which would be second to none . He had also to thank the other brother

who had so very kindly assisted , Bro . Rev . Hayman Cummings , who had given them an oration which could not fail to be felt by every brother present , Bro . Berridge , the G . D . C , Bro . Driver , and Bro . Barrett , who performed their arduous duties in an unequalled manner . He should

have tailed in his task had it not been for those brethren , and trusted that in years to come the lodge would be one of the first which the Prov . Grand Master of Middlesex and Surrey would delight to honour . He thanked the VV . M . and brethren very much , and in the name of the Consecrating Officers—of whom he was only one—he thanked them again and again .

Bro . MATIER then said that , in consequence of being the Consecrating Officer , he had the honour of asking them to drink to " The Health of the W . M . " He could not tell them all Bro . Ninnis ' s good qualities—of those they had heard from a brother who was one of the greatest examples of English and Colonial Masonry , and who had told them he had worked with their VV . M . in far distant climes many years ago . He ( Bro . Matier ) had known Bro . Ninnis comparatively a short time , but was well aware of his

good qualities and knew that before he left the chair the members would be fully aware of them , for he would guide the lodge to success . With the toast he would couple " Prosperity to the Egerton of Tatlon Lodge , " and might the lodge go on and prosper year after year , so that every time the brethren were invited they might see it increased , not only in numbers , but in good work and in the knowledge of that ritual which he was sure they would carry out . He asked them to stand to their charge and drink to the health of the W . M . and prosperity to the lodge .

Bro . BELGRAVE NINNIS , VV . M ., said that after the very flattering remarks from Bro . Matier and other brethren , he began to doubt whether one of the Masonic sentiments was true—the one which related to brotherly love , relief , and truth . He did not mean to say they would utter that which was not true , but he was not aware he possessed all the good qualities which those far-seeing brethren had attributed to him . There was one thing they

might depend upon—whatever he could do for that lodge they could be assured would be done . They did not meet so often that they could slur over their work . The welfare of the lodge depended upon the W . M . and the officers , but as the strongest part of a chain was its- weakest link , so the working was often marred by the absence of some of the members . They hoped that nothing of that kind would occur with them . He wished to apologise to the Consecrating Officers . In the unusual position

in which he found himself he had very improperly forgotten to put to the lodge a proposition that the Consecrating Officers should be made honorary members of the lodge . He did not know whether it was in order to put it then , but , under any circumstances , it should be brought forward in the usual way at their next meeting , and the result would be communicated to them . He thanked the brethren very much for what had been said of him , and for the manner in which his health had been received .

" The Visitors " was next given . The W . M ., in submitting the toast , said he passed three years entirely with two mess mates , and after the first few months they knew what each would say before they began to speak . If such a thing could happen as a lodge without visitors , he could quite understand it would be like mustard without beef . Under these circumstances they

should do all they could to visit and to encourage visitors . . In proposing this toast he must refer to one visitor , his old friend and co-service mate —• Bro . Dr . Purchas—who in such an able manner conducted the advancement of the candidates . He hoped those candidates would bear in mind all they had heard from that brother , who had but a few hours' notice prior to rendering the ceremony in such an able manner .

Bro . Dr . PURCHAS , in reply , said it was very kind , in drinking the health of the visitors , to couple his name with the toast as there were several Grand Officers present , but as those brethren had been called upon before , perhaps they would kindly allow him to return thanks for them . It afforded him very much pleasure when the W . M . —who was an old brother officer in her Majesty ' s service—asked him to advance several brethren to be members of their lodge in this honourable Degree . It gratified him to be able to

accede to the request and confer a Degree which he was convinced they would all appreciate . He congratulated them on so early attaining office , which was but natural in a newly-established lodge . It had afforded the visitors great pleasure to witness the consecration , performed in the very able and efficient manner in which it had been . For the hospitality with which they had been entertained they all , as visitors , returned their hearty thanks .

" The Candidates " were next given and appropriately responded to b y Bros . J ESSOP and HARLEY THOMAS . "The Officers" having been duly honoured , and Bro . BRODIE , J . W ., having returned thanks , the Tyler ' s toast closed a successful and pleasant gathering .

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