Lodge Of Fortitude, No. 281, Lancaster.

LODGE OF FORTITUDE , NO . 281 , LANCASTER .

F ESTIVAL OF ST . J OHN THE BAPTIST AND PRESENTATION TO BRO . DR . MOORE . Wednesday , the 23 rd inst ., having been appointed for the celebration of the Festival of

St . John the . Baptist , the Brethren of the Lodge of Fortitude met at the North Western Hotel , Morecambe , in full Masonic clothing . The Presidential Chair was occupied by Bro .

William Hall , W . M ., who was supported by his Wardens , Bros . William Fleming and Edward Airey ; Past Masters—J . Daniel Moore , P . G . S . B . England , James Hatch , Edmund Simpson ,

Joseph Fenton , John Hatch , George Kelland , Edward Storey , W . King , and about thirty other Brethren . The Banquet provided was well worthy of the occasion , and ample justice was

done to it by the brethren assembled . After the cloth had been drawn , the usual loyal toasts were given , that of the Army , Navy , & c , being

responded to by Bro . Moore on behalf of the Yeomanry Cavalry ; Captain-Commandant J . Storey for the Rifle Volunteers , and Lieut . Sl y for the Artillery Volunteers .

The health of the M . W . G . M ., the Marquis of Ripon , and the Officers of the | Grand Lodge and of the Provincial Grand Lodge were duly honoured , and the l . P . M . proposed the health of

the Presiding Officer of the Lodge , who had b y his diligence and Masonic skill fully justified the choice of the , Brethren in elevating him to the highest honour that the Lodge could confer upon

its members , and trusted that during the remainder of his year of office as W . M . he would have plenty of work , and would accomplish what he took in hand in as exemplary a manner

as he had done up to the present time . The W . M . in a suitable manner replied to the toast , and expressed his thanks to the Past Masters

and Officers of the Lodge for the assistance that they had rendered to him in course of his Masonic duties .

He then , in somewhat eulogistic terms , proposed the health of the Immediate Past Master , Bro . Dr . Mr . Moore , who had three times been honoured by election to the chair of K . S ., and

who had risen to the hi gh rank of a Grand Officer of England . After commenting upon the untiring zeal and energy of that well-known Brother , the W . M ., in the name of the Brsthren

of the Lodge of Fortitude , presented him with a Past Grand Sword Bearer ' s Jewel , of eighteencarat gold , which had been supplied by Bro . G . Kenning . The inscription was as follows : — "Presented to Bro . Dr . Moore , P . M . and P . G . S . B ..

by the Brethren of the Lodge of Fortitude , 281 , as a testimony of their appreciation of his services as W . M ., and the hi gh position which he has attained in the Craft . 26 June , 1872 . "

Bro . Moore , on risino- fn rivci-. nv . rl ,.. nc , « o _ Bro . Moore , on rising to respond , was received with great applause , and in thanking the W . M . and brethren for their handsome gift , remarked that its value , ' 60 th intrinsically and as a

testimonial , was gieatly enhanced by the sum of money given by the lodge being supplemented by the voluntary subscriptions ' of individual

members of the Craft . In course of his progress through the various degrees and offices in Masonry , he had always endeavoured to make him-

Lodge Of Fortitude, No. 281, Lancaster.

self as proficient as might be m the duties of those degrees or offices , and had ever been fortunate in receiving assistance from those who

were more conversant with Masonic subjects than himself . He was much gratified to find that his humble endeavours had so far met with

the approbation of the Lodge of Fortitude , as to dictate the presentation to him . of so handsome a testimonial of their esteem , one which he should ever prize as amongst the most valuable

of his Masonic decorations . Bro . Moore repeating his thanks , resumed his seat , carrying with him the good wishes of the brethren , that

he might long be spared to wear the jewel of which he had just been the recipient . The toasts of the Wardens , Treasurer and

Secretary , and Officers of the Lodge of Fortitude were duly proposed by Past Masters G . Kelland , W . King , John Hatch , & c , and responded to . The toast of the Visitors was

coupled with the name of Bro . James M . Moore , Prov . G . Steward of Derbyshire , and the proceedings of the evening were brought to a close with the Tyler ' s toast , proposed b y Bro . Edmund Simpson , P . M .

Oxfordshire. — Consecration Of The Marlborough Lodge, No. 1399.

OXFORDSHIRE . — CONSECRATION OF THE MARLBOROUGH LODGE , No . 1399 .

This Lodge , held at thc Bear Hotel , Woodstock , was inaugurated by consecration on Wednesday , the 19 th inst . About fifty brethren , including visitors from other provinces , were present Among the number were : — R . W . Bro . R . J . Spiers , P . G . S . B . England

D . P . G . Master , Oxon ; V . W . Bros . T . W . J . Goldsbro ' , P . Prov . G . S . W . North Wales and Salop ( consecrating officer ); ReginaldBird , ALA W . M . of the Apollo Lodge , No . ' 5157 , Oxford , P . G . S . W . Oxon ; W . G . Emberlin , ' P . M . 340 , P . Prov . G . J . W . Oxon ; William Park , P . M . 340 ,

Prov . G . Steward Oxon ; W . Bros . Christopher Park , W . M . 340 , Prov . G . Reg . Oxon ; Thomas Blakeman Brown , P . M . 998 , Chap . 18 ^ , P . Prov . G . S . of W ., W . M . designate ; Albert Samman , P . M . < J 99 , P . Prov . G . S . of W . Oxon ; J . Scroggs , P . M . 559 , P . Prov . G . S . D . ; Charles

Edwards , J . W . 357 , Prov . G . S . of Wks . Oxon ; Hugh Eldred , Prov . G . Purusviant ; Bros . F . Stockweil , M . D ., Senior Warden designate ; Mark Prior , 340 , Junior Warden designate ; A . Holliday , 340 ; J . G . Prior , 340 ; E . Elms , 340 ; Joseph Reade , 1036 " ; Joseph Round , 340 ; J . G . Seeley , 340 ; William

Scroggs , 340 ; W . H . Horn , 340 ; S . Harris , 340 ; F . L . Prior , 862 ; James Smith , 268 ; R . R . Pratt , 340 ; William Biggs , 478 ; J . Wheeler , 1036 ; C . Galpin , 340 ; T . Dyson , 771 ; J . Juggins , P . P . G . S . W . 340 ; John Meiars , 340 ; John Norwood , 322 ; R . Stephens , 340 ; Bayliss , and other brethren .

The brethren having entered the lodge-room in procession , Bro . Goldsbro ' , ( the presiding officer ) , took the chair , and appointed the V . AV . Bro . Reginald Bird , M . A ., of the Apollo Lodge , Oxford , as Senior Warden , pro tern , and V . W . Bro . Christopher Park as the Junior Warden ,

pro tern . Lodge was opened in the three degrees , and the petition and warrant of constitution were read . The brethren having signified their approval of the officers named in the warrant , Bro . Goldsbro' proceeded to perform the ceremony of

consecration , Bro . 1 . Dyson , of the Windsor Castle Lodge , ably conducted the musical portion of the ceremonial , assisted b y Bro . Brough , who presided at the harmonium . On the conclusion of the ceremony of

consecration , the brethren below the rank of I . M ., retired , a Board of Installed Masters was formed , and Bro . Thomas B . Brown was dul y installed first Master of the lodge , and proclaimed and saluted with the customary honours in thc several degrees .

Oxfordshire. — Consecration Of The Marlborough Lodge, No. 1399.

The W . M . then invested the Wardens designate , and the other officers , to whom he delivered the usual addresses on the . nature and duties of their respective appointments , after which , Bro . Goldsbrough addressed the Wardens and brethren of the lodge .

The W . M . resumed the lodge in the second degree , for the ' purpose of testing Bro . Meiars , a candidate for the degree of M . M ., which proving satisfactory , the candidate was intrusted , and then retired . Lodge was resumed in the third degree , Bro . Meiars was re-admitted , and raised

to that sublime degree , the W . M . performing the ceremony in a most effective and solemn manner , in which he was admirably supported by the Wardens , Deacons , and other officers of the new lodge . Lodge was again resumed in

the first degree , and the W . M . directed the Junior Warden to perform his duty and call the brethren to refreshment . Between thirty and forty brethren sat down to an excellent and well served banquet , provided by Bro . Pratt , of the Bear Hotel .

After the banquet , the W . M . gave the usual toasts , all of which were right loyally and masonically honoured . Bro . Spiers , D . P . G . M ., in proposing the health of the R . W . Bro . yEr . eas J . Mclntyre , said , " we cannot speak too highly of him , he is always

ready to keep his engagements if possible , but his professional engagements , in full term , are very imperious , and he has written to me to express his great regret in not being here to day . I am sure you will , nevertheless , drink his health with the greatest enthusiasm . "

Bro . Goldsbrough — " Most , if not all the brethren here , well know how much the success of Masonry in Oxfordshire has been due to the exertions of the R . W . the Deputy Provincial Grand Master ; we all know how deep an interest he always takes in all that relates to the

welfare of the Craft in general , more especially in those , [ its brightest ornaments , the Masonic Charities . I have had the pleasure of knowing Bro . Sp iers for many years , and can safely say I have never attended the Grand Lodge of England without seeing him in his place there .

With regard to the Masonic charities , Bro . Spiers is ever to be found in the front rank of their chief supporters . Long may he be spared among you . I call upon you to drink health and long life to your worthy and Right Worshipful Deputy Provincial Grand Master . "

Bro . Spiers : — Although I have had great experience in Masonry , I hardl y remember any time which has affected me so much as this has done . The compliment you paid me , and your rejoicing when I entered the room , were so hearty , so cordial , that I want words to express

all I feel at the present moment . I have been a Mason for twenty-eight years , and have always received kindness from my brethren ; but you have consummated this by the reception you have g iven me this evening , shewing , as you have done , that I stand before you high in your

estimation . Brother Goldsbrough has said he hoped I should be long among you as Deputy Provincial Grand Master . Brethren , you may feel assured how deeply I regret not being present to day in time to witness the ceremonies performed in that admirable manner , for

which he is celebrated throughout England ; unexpected circumstances prevented me , J matters which required my personal attendance in Oxford , and when at last I went to the railway station , I found I had mistaken the time of the train ; however here I am . When I first came

into Masonry in this province , the attendance in the lodges was very small , perhaps some eig ht or ten members only attended . I felt how much good would arise if the merits of the Craft were better known , and I applied myself with diligence , and with some success . I was one of

the first country Masons who had office in the Grand Lodge , and I was appointed in my sixth year in Masonry . I have never missed a single attendance at the Grand Lodge , having enjoyed good health and opportunities , and it has given

me the power to serve my brethren in the Grand Lodge . Brethren , you owe a great deal to your Worshipful Master for what he has done—we know his great kindness and his great talents . There are few who possess thejhi gh qualifications he does , he is a most experienced Mason ,