-
Articles/Ads
Article PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF HERTFORDSHIRE. ← Page 2 of 2 Article PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF HERTFORDSHIRE. Page 2 of 2 Article PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF HERTFORDSHIRE. Page 2 of 2 Article CONSECRATION OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER LODGE, No. 1563. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial Grand Chapter Of Hertfordshire.
you have done in the Craft , popular among its members and agreeable to the whole ' province . ( Hear , hear and cheers ) . 1 may congratulate you oil having done so during the time you have been Provincial Grand Master ; and 1 am quite sure that if it should again be my lot to visit a chapter iu this province , I shall have the same feeling of gratification that you were appointed to be at its heada feeling of intense satisfaction that not only you are at
its head , but that the Order of Royal Arch Masonry is increasing and multiplying . I will not detain you longer , sir , because I am sure the companions round this room will be much more gratified to see you in this chair than the individual who now occupies it . I am simply the instrument , I may say , the link between the province and yourself . That link will soon be cut off , and you will remain the head of the chain which will connect London and
Watford . It affords me p leasure to have come down here to-day to instal you in the chair of Grand Superintendent , as I had some time ago the pleasure of installing you in the Grand Mister ' s chair of this province . As I have said before , the companions will be gratified to see you in the position you are about to occupy , and to feel that they have once more one at their head who will not only
look after their interests , but do the best he can to promote the good of the Order in general and the Royal Arch in particular . It now only remains for me to enquire if you are willing to take the office . ( Cheers . ) Comp . Halsey having signified his assent , he was formally installed andivrvesteil , amidst much cheering . His first act was to appoint Comps . H . C .
Finch , P . Z . 404 , H . ; J . R . Cocks , P . Z . 403 , J . ; F . II Wilson lies , P . Z . and S . E . 404 , S . E . ; T . S . Carter , S . N . ; F . Dav'son , 2 , 404 , P . S . ; Heard , First Asst . ; Lowthin Second Asst . ; Lumley Smith , G . R . ; Andrews , S . B . ; Foord , Std . B . ; James Terry , D . C . ; Dibdin , Org . ; Thomas , Jan . ; and Wright , Assistant J . Comp . T . S . Carter , S . N ., proposed , and Comp . Thomas seconded , Comp . Copeland as
Prov . G . Treasurer , which having been carried unanimously , the Grand Superintendent invested him accordingly , and complimented him on attaining that office . The Grand Superintendent afterwards said it would be advisable to have a committee appointed to frame the laws for the province ; and Comp . lies said it might be interesting to know what laws existed in the former Grand Chapter . The first
meeting was held on the 22 nd Sept ., 1845 , when a committee was appointed to frame a code of bye-laws . The committee met on the 17 th Oct . that year , and resolved and recommended that the bye-laws of Grand Chapter were sufficient with the exception of sonic minor points . At the next meeting of the Provincial Grand Chapter on the 7 th Sept ., t 846 , this report was read and confirmed .
No meeting of the Provincial Grand Chapter was held from that time till the 19 th Sept ., 1864 , when it was resolved that the payment of arrears of dues should not be enforced , but all dues should dite from that meeting . ( Laughter . ) But no subsequent meeting had been held , and no money had been received , except £ 1 , which the family of the late Comp . Tootal , Prov . G . Treasurer , had
forwarded with his books to him ( Comp . lies ) . This £ 1 appeared to have been received at the last meeting eleven years ago . ( Laughter . ) Perhaps it would be as well to appoint a small committee . It was not necessary to frame any new bye-laws , but there might be questions arising in the province which it would be requisite to advise upon at next meeting . The Grand Superintendent said he also
thought a small committee would be desirable . Of course some dues would be necessary to defray the expense of Grand Chapter , such as clothing , jewels and collars . Large contributions would be unnecessary . Comp . Hervey remarked that there was one thing usual in Provincial Grand Chapters , a fee of honour on appointment to Grand Office , some trifling sum , which was
graduated according to the "jffice a companion filled . It did not press heavily on the individual , but it greatly assisted the province in mcctingthe expenses which necessarily fell upon it . This was a general rule prevailing in provinces for raising funds . Comp . Cocks , J ., thought this suggestion a rig ht one . The fee of honour with a small sum as . 1 due from each member of the chapters in the
province would raise quite sufficient . It might be left to the committee to fix what the amount should bc , but for himself he thought 2 s . a member , the same as a brother in theCraf t paid , would be a fair amount to fix . He mentioned this just in conversation , in order to get at the opinion of the companions in general , upon the subject . Comp . Thomas thought there would bc no difficulty in getting a
subscription from each member in the meantime to provide clothing . Comp . Horton Smith believed it would be better to appoint a committee , and leave it to them . He would propose the three Grand Principals , the S . E ., and the Treasurer to form the committee who was to report to Grand Chapter . Comp . 'Verry , D . C , seconded the molion , which was carried unanimously . Comp . lies , S . E ., read
communications regretting inability to attend from Comps . Sedgwick , D . P . G . M . ; Humbert , Z . 404 ; Martin , J . 404 ; Goodliffe , 404 ; Fellows , and Lumley Smith , after which Grand Chapter was closed , and the companions sat down to a choice banquet provided in the banqueting-hall by the proprietor of the Essex Arms . The usual toasts were subsequently proposed and drunk . The toast of " The Queen , "
as the mother of a Mason who presides ably over every branch of the Craft in this country , having been duly honoured , the Grand Superintendent next j ; nvc "The Prince of Wales , G . M ., " and said that , as Comp . Hervey would vouch , the Prince of Wales was no mere show or ornamental Mason , but that he had the interests of the Craft at
heart , that he was Grand Master and G . Z ., not only in name , but in fact , and promised to be second to none of the previous Grand Masters of the Craft . They must all wish him success through his journey in India , and trust he would come back in safety to preside over Masonic meetings . The toast of "The Pro G . Z ., the G . H ., and G . J ., " coupled With the name of Comp . Hervey , was npjjt proposed and
Provincial Grand Chapter Of Hertfordshire.
the Grand Superintendent , in giving it , referred to Comp . Hervey ' s performance of the ceremony that evening . It had made a deep impression upon him ( the G . S . ) which would last throughout the whole of his Masonic career . It was not the first time he had heard him , for Comp . Hervey had previously installed him as Provincial Grand Master . Tney were fortunate in having such a representative
of Grand Officers present . lie looked upon it as a white letter day in the history of the Craft and Royal Arch Masonry in the Province of Herts that the ceremony had been gone through so ably as it had been performed by the G . S . E . ( Hear , hear ) . Comp . Hervey said he was much honoured in having his name coupled with the names of the noblemen who held
the three offices below the Prince of Wales . If England were sought through it would be difficult to find three men more devoted to the interests of the Craft , or who carried out the duties they had undertaken with more anxiety that they should be well performed . Lord Carnarvon was well known in every position in life , as a politician ( which perhaps he ought not to mention there ) , as a man of letters ,
and in social and family life . So also with Lord Skelmersdale ar . d Lord De Tabley , men who were distinguished as deserving well of their country and their Craft . For the kind feelings expressed towards himself , he ( Comp . Hervey ) felt very grateful to the Grand Superintendent , and to the companions for the way in which they had received them . He had come down to Watford with a great deal of pleasure
to instal the Grand Superintendent m the chair he now occupied , feeling that in doing so he was not only performing the duty which every Mason owed to the Craftto do the best he could to forward its interests . He did not think he could have forwarded those interests better for Herts than by installing Comp . Halsey as Grand Superintendent . The duties he ( Comp . Hervey ) had performed
had been very light . The ceremony was but a short one , and hence it was that there was little in it to attract brethren other than feeling that they were taking part in the ceremony of inducting the Grand Superintendent . The companion appointed to preside over them was one whom they respected as a neighbour , whom they looked upon as possessing high character and great ability , and whom they
wished to see presiding overthem , who they felt would carry out his duties to their satisfaction , and temper justice with mercy . He ( Comp . I Iervey ) was sure that if the Grand Superintendent found it necessary to administer justice , he would not shrink from it . He hoped that during his term of ofiice ( which he trusted would be a lengthy one ) , he would have no caEse tn execute any particular or severe
sensence as far as justice was concerned ; but he must be a hopeful man who ou becoming the head of any society , great or small , could look forward to filling that position without some little difficulties , drawbacks , and stumbling blocks iu his way . That Comp . I Ialsey ' s course might be a smooth one he sincerely hoped , if he felt that the brethren around him would assist him in carrying out all
the duties he had to perforin , that they would lighten his labours as far as it was possiole to do so , and that they would support him whenever he should require it . The companions were very much pleased at having him as their Superintendent , and they trusted he might long remain so . Comp . Hervey then congratulated the Prov . G . Superintendent , and hoped he would never have cause to
regret the 28 th Oct ., 1875 . He then proposed Comp . Halsey ' s health . Comp . Halsey , in reply , thanked Comp . Hervey for the very flattering way in which he had spoken of him . He felt it a very great honour to have been called on to preside over the Province of Herts , which had laid dormant so long . He was much pleased that the Grand Z .
had thought fit to revive it , and he , hoped that , being revived , it would prosper . He remembered being present at the last meeting eleven ) ears ago , one of the three meetings referred to by Comp . lies . On that occasion there was only one chapter in the province , and the meeting of Grand Chapter was one of the ordinary chapter days of the Watford Chapter . The only
difference was the special business was performed before the ordinary began , it was with satisfaction he found tlvtre were now three chapters in the province , and when the next Provincial Grand Chapter met he hoped to see more . He di 1 not think they should be satisfied with the progress hitherto made . The companions no doubt looked upon the Royal Arch Degree as the necessary complement
and fulfilment of the M . M . Degree , that until a Mason had taken that degree he had not really completed his Masonic career . He therefore hoped the day would come when they would see a Royal Arch Chapter attached to every lodge in the province which up to the present time had not got them . He was aware that there was a rule which prevented the younger lodges from having chapters ,
because it was customary not to grant a charter for a chapter until the lodge had been in existence a certain time . That was quite right , because from circumstances brethren were constantly changing their domicile , and many oi them who had taken the third Degree in Craft Masonry were not able to go on to the Royal Arch Degree . A lodge should therefore have a ccrtiin amount of
stability hy length of existence before it bad a chapter . It was true that for Royal Arch purposes some of the lodges seemed tacitly to agree to unite together In the Watford Chapter there were many brethren of the Betkhampstead Lodge and ethers ; but at Ihe same time it would be more appropriate and fittiniT that they should have a chapter
connected with e . ichlodge , because , as he had said before , the Royal Arch D ; gvee was the complement and completion of the Third Degree , and if a brother having taken his Masur Mason Degree , who was desirous to take the Royal Arch , should be able to do it in the chapter belonging to his own lodge . Especially should this bc so in country districts , in scattered , rural places like the North Eastern parts gf the province , where the brethren were comparatively
Provincial Grand Chapter Of Hertfordshire.
out of reach of a chapter . ( H ear , hear . ) Craft Masonry was flourishing , and had been flourishing for along time . New lodges were being formed , and it vvas only that day he had been informed of the probability of another Craft lod « - e being added to the roll of Herts . R . A . Masons of Herts had now set the ball rolling by reviving and resuscitating Prov . G . Chapter , and he sincerely hoped that this degree as well as the Craft would go on increasing . As long as
he had the honour of presiding over the Order in the province , he would do all he could to support it , and he again appealed to the Companions to assist him . ( Cheers . ) " The Provincial Grand Officers " was the next toast , which was responded lo by Comp . Finch , and " The Visitors " having been replied toby Comps . Wilkins and Massey , the Janitor gave his toast , and the companions separated . [ The above appeared in our second edition of last week . ]
Consecration Of The City Of Westminster Lodge, No. 1563.
CONSECRATION OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER LODGE , No . 1563 .
The City of Westminster Lodge , No . 15 ( 13 , was consecrated on Friday week at the Regent Masonic Hall , Regentstreet . The ceremony was performed by Bro . R . Wentworth Little , who was assisted by the Rev . P . M . Holden as Chaplain , Bros . C . A . Cottebrune as D . C . ; John Boyd ,
P . G . P . ; W . Stephens ; Colonel Burdett , Prov . G . M . Midx ., and the following brethren : —Edward White , Benjamin Phillips , George Fowler , 1305 ; G . T . Carter , 145 ; John Hodges , 1319 ; G . Bubbs , P . M . iSo-, Thomas Lausdowu , 813 ; T . Dayson , 382 ; A . Cameron , P . M . 180 ; W . H . Pope , 1305 ; W . E . Phillips , W . M . 435 ; G . J . Hill , S . W . IS 3 & 1 John Hancock , 7 G 5 ; Thaddeus Wells , 20 ; ; T .
Mason , 309 ; 'lheo . Distin 173 ; E . C . Woodward , W . M . 3 82 ; H . Massey ( " Freemason" ); Thomas Bull , P . M . 145 ; F . H . Cozens , Org . 907 ; Edward Moody , Sec . 142 C ; John Woodward , 1446 ; F . R . Gibson , 1446 , 14 G 0 ; A . Flattely , P . M . 205 ; A . C . Burrell , 1446 ; W . Morphew , 1446 ; H . Reed , 733 ; J . T . Baker , 1305 ; J . L . Lucas ; j . E . Shand , I ^ ; E . Farwig , 180 ; Thomas
Pratt , 1446 ; A . Stewart , 1158 ; C . W . Wise , W . M . 11 5 8 ; J . Waugh , 177 ; R . H . Morrison ( Michigan ) P . M . 297 ; A . B . Grabham , P . M . 1494 ; James Kench , P . M . 53 8 ; C . Burmeistcr , 538 ; J . Marshall , 53 8 ; S . Willis , ' 17 7 ; James Morrell , P . M . 111 ; A . Bassington , I . G . 103 ; VV . S . Lee , 120 ; E . M . Haigh , P . M . 29 ; and 'I ' . B . Yeoman , 14 60 . The W . M . designate was Bro . B . H . Swallow ,
P . M . 3 82 ; the S . W . designate , the Rev . P . M . Holden ; and the J . W ., Bro . Edward White . Bro . Little opened lodge at four o ' clock in the . handsome lodgc-room , ' which , as may be imagined from a perusal of the above list of names , was full . The consecration was adorned with a beautiful musical accompaniment , which was provided by Bui . Thaddeus Wells , who also took part in the singing . Bro .
F . H . Cozens presided at the organ ; and the professional brethren who assisted were Bros . Hodges , G , T . Carter , and Theodore Distin . The ceremony of consecration was magnificently rendered , and the chants were given in splendid voice , and with exquisite taste . Bro . Holden , who delivered the oration , said , —Provincial Senior Grand Warden , Grand and Provincial Grand Officers , W . M ., and
brethren , —The occasion on which we meet together this day is , I conceive , interesting , not only to ourselves as Masons personally and individually , but to the Craft at large , inasmuch as it denotes the continued prosperity and vitality of our venerable Order , which like the famous Indian tree , the banana tree , perpetually renews itself in scions as vigorous and flourishing as the parent stem . To me , as you
will readily understand , it is a particularly interesting occasion , inasmuch as in a short time I shall be invested with the S . W . collar of the lodge . And I assure you it is also a special gratification that I have been permitted today to assist and officiate as chaplain at so important a ceremony as the consecration of the City of Westminster Lodge , more especially as 1 feol convinced that those
brethren who unite with me as founders of the lodge are eminently qualified to discharge the various duties of the high offices to which they have been appointed . They , it is true , have already made their mark in Masonry , and they have also won " golden opinions" for their zeal in its cause ; and they arc now , like myself , extremely anxious to devote their ability , time , and influence lo the further
advancement and development of so noble , so very interesting a science . It has been remarked , by a great and distinguished writer , of literary men , that they are a perpetual p riesthood , standing forth from generation to generation as the dispensers and living types of God ' s everlasting wisdom ; and the same remark , 1 think , may very fairly and properly bc applied to the members of our
enlig htened Craft ; aud I rejoice lo see so many worthy and talented men in the ranks of our fraternity . To their enfrai . chised minds Freemasonry unveils a universe of thought . To them it is and must be ever a keen source of delight to trace and to interpret those grand and solemn truths that were dimly foreshadowed in the mystic rites of the ancient world . Looking through the mists of ages ,
ttyey behold the white-robed Athenians a kindred race . Amidst the darkness and gioom of occult ceremonies they discern a faint glimpse of the true light in which we aU now rejoice . In every land they find tokens and traces innumerable grave 1 by the hands of skilful Masons upon the walls of ruined lanes and temples ; and they establish the affinity of our Order with the society of Dionysian
artificers , with the disciples of Pythagoras , with the College of Architects at Rome , and with the various operative associations of the Middle Ages . They demonstrate clearly that the great ethics of Freemasonry were known and taught by the very wisest sages of Greece , whose names world
are still honoured and revered by the whole civilized . They prove that our Order , though often persecuted an " often derided , has never yet paused , failed , or faltered in it » sublime career , although meanwhile the mig htiest an most powerful empires have been compelled to succuui to the destroying hand ot conquest or to the effacing finge »
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial Grand Chapter Of Hertfordshire.
you have done in the Craft , popular among its members and agreeable to the whole ' province . ( Hear , hear and cheers ) . 1 may congratulate you oil having done so during the time you have been Provincial Grand Master ; and 1 am quite sure that if it should again be my lot to visit a chapter iu this province , I shall have the same feeling of gratification that you were appointed to be at its heada feeling of intense satisfaction that not only you are at
its head , but that the Order of Royal Arch Masonry is increasing and multiplying . I will not detain you longer , sir , because I am sure the companions round this room will be much more gratified to see you in this chair than the individual who now occupies it . I am simply the instrument , I may say , the link between the province and yourself . That link will soon be cut off , and you will remain the head of the chain which will connect London and
Watford . It affords me p leasure to have come down here to-day to instal you in the chair of Grand Superintendent , as I had some time ago the pleasure of installing you in the Grand Mister ' s chair of this province . As I have said before , the companions will be gratified to see you in the position you are about to occupy , and to feel that they have once more one at their head who will not only
look after their interests , but do the best he can to promote the good of the Order in general and the Royal Arch in particular . It now only remains for me to enquire if you are willing to take the office . ( Cheers . ) Comp . Halsey having signified his assent , he was formally installed andivrvesteil , amidst much cheering . His first act was to appoint Comps . H . C .
Finch , P . Z . 404 , H . ; J . R . Cocks , P . Z . 403 , J . ; F . II Wilson lies , P . Z . and S . E . 404 , S . E . ; T . S . Carter , S . N . ; F . Dav'son , 2 , 404 , P . S . ; Heard , First Asst . ; Lowthin Second Asst . ; Lumley Smith , G . R . ; Andrews , S . B . ; Foord , Std . B . ; James Terry , D . C . ; Dibdin , Org . ; Thomas , Jan . ; and Wright , Assistant J . Comp . T . S . Carter , S . N ., proposed , and Comp . Thomas seconded , Comp . Copeland as
Prov . G . Treasurer , which having been carried unanimously , the Grand Superintendent invested him accordingly , and complimented him on attaining that office . The Grand Superintendent afterwards said it would be advisable to have a committee appointed to frame the laws for the province ; and Comp . lies said it might be interesting to know what laws existed in the former Grand Chapter . The first
meeting was held on the 22 nd Sept ., 1845 , when a committee was appointed to frame a code of bye-laws . The committee met on the 17 th Oct . that year , and resolved and recommended that the bye-laws of Grand Chapter were sufficient with the exception of sonic minor points . At the next meeting of the Provincial Grand Chapter on the 7 th Sept ., t 846 , this report was read and confirmed .
No meeting of the Provincial Grand Chapter was held from that time till the 19 th Sept ., 1864 , when it was resolved that the payment of arrears of dues should not be enforced , but all dues should dite from that meeting . ( Laughter . ) But no subsequent meeting had been held , and no money had been received , except £ 1 , which the family of the late Comp . Tootal , Prov . G . Treasurer , had
forwarded with his books to him ( Comp . lies ) . This £ 1 appeared to have been received at the last meeting eleven years ago . ( Laughter . ) Perhaps it would be as well to appoint a small committee . It was not necessary to frame any new bye-laws , but there might be questions arising in the province which it would be requisite to advise upon at next meeting . The Grand Superintendent said he also
thought a small committee would be desirable . Of course some dues would be necessary to defray the expense of Grand Chapter , such as clothing , jewels and collars . Large contributions would be unnecessary . Comp . Hervey remarked that there was one thing usual in Provincial Grand Chapters , a fee of honour on appointment to Grand Office , some trifling sum , which was
graduated according to the "jffice a companion filled . It did not press heavily on the individual , but it greatly assisted the province in mcctingthe expenses which necessarily fell upon it . This was a general rule prevailing in provinces for raising funds . Comp . Cocks , J ., thought this suggestion a rig ht one . The fee of honour with a small sum as . 1 due from each member of the chapters in the
province would raise quite sufficient . It might be left to the committee to fix what the amount should bc , but for himself he thought 2 s . a member , the same as a brother in theCraf t paid , would be a fair amount to fix . He mentioned this just in conversation , in order to get at the opinion of the companions in general , upon the subject . Comp . Thomas thought there would bc no difficulty in getting a
subscription from each member in the meantime to provide clothing . Comp . Horton Smith believed it would be better to appoint a committee , and leave it to them . He would propose the three Grand Principals , the S . E ., and the Treasurer to form the committee who was to report to Grand Chapter . Comp . 'Verry , D . C , seconded the molion , which was carried unanimously . Comp . lies , S . E ., read
communications regretting inability to attend from Comps . Sedgwick , D . P . G . M . ; Humbert , Z . 404 ; Martin , J . 404 ; Goodliffe , 404 ; Fellows , and Lumley Smith , after which Grand Chapter was closed , and the companions sat down to a choice banquet provided in the banqueting-hall by the proprietor of the Essex Arms . The usual toasts were subsequently proposed and drunk . The toast of " The Queen , "
as the mother of a Mason who presides ably over every branch of the Craft in this country , having been duly honoured , the Grand Superintendent next j ; nvc "The Prince of Wales , G . M ., " and said that , as Comp . Hervey would vouch , the Prince of Wales was no mere show or ornamental Mason , but that he had the interests of the Craft at
heart , that he was Grand Master and G . Z ., not only in name , but in fact , and promised to be second to none of the previous Grand Masters of the Craft . They must all wish him success through his journey in India , and trust he would come back in safety to preside over Masonic meetings . The toast of "The Pro G . Z ., the G . H ., and G . J ., " coupled With the name of Comp . Hervey , was npjjt proposed and
Provincial Grand Chapter Of Hertfordshire.
the Grand Superintendent , in giving it , referred to Comp . Hervey ' s performance of the ceremony that evening . It had made a deep impression upon him ( the G . S . ) which would last throughout the whole of his Masonic career . It was not the first time he had heard him , for Comp . Hervey had previously installed him as Provincial Grand Master . Tney were fortunate in having such a representative
of Grand Officers present . lie looked upon it as a white letter day in the history of the Craft and Royal Arch Masonry in the Province of Herts that the ceremony had been gone through so ably as it had been performed by the G . S . E . ( Hear , hear ) . Comp . Hervey said he was much honoured in having his name coupled with the names of the noblemen who held
the three offices below the Prince of Wales . If England were sought through it would be difficult to find three men more devoted to the interests of the Craft , or who carried out the duties they had undertaken with more anxiety that they should be well performed . Lord Carnarvon was well known in every position in life , as a politician ( which perhaps he ought not to mention there ) , as a man of letters ,
and in social and family life . So also with Lord Skelmersdale ar . d Lord De Tabley , men who were distinguished as deserving well of their country and their Craft . For the kind feelings expressed towards himself , he ( Comp . Hervey ) felt very grateful to the Grand Superintendent , and to the companions for the way in which they had received them . He had come down to Watford with a great deal of pleasure
to instal the Grand Superintendent m the chair he now occupied , feeling that in doing so he was not only performing the duty which every Mason owed to the Craftto do the best he could to forward its interests . He did not think he could have forwarded those interests better for Herts than by installing Comp . Halsey as Grand Superintendent . The duties he ( Comp . Hervey ) had performed
had been very light . The ceremony was but a short one , and hence it was that there was little in it to attract brethren other than feeling that they were taking part in the ceremony of inducting the Grand Superintendent . The companion appointed to preside over them was one whom they respected as a neighbour , whom they looked upon as possessing high character and great ability , and whom they
wished to see presiding overthem , who they felt would carry out his duties to their satisfaction , and temper justice with mercy . He ( Comp . I Iervey ) was sure that if the Grand Superintendent found it necessary to administer justice , he would not shrink from it . He hoped that during his term of ofiice ( which he trusted would be a lengthy one ) , he would have no caEse tn execute any particular or severe
sensence as far as justice was concerned ; but he must be a hopeful man who ou becoming the head of any society , great or small , could look forward to filling that position without some little difficulties , drawbacks , and stumbling blocks iu his way . That Comp . I Ialsey ' s course might be a smooth one he sincerely hoped , if he felt that the brethren around him would assist him in carrying out all
the duties he had to perforin , that they would lighten his labours as far as it was possiole to do so , and that they would support him whenever he should require it . The companions were very much pleased at having him as their Superintendent , and they trusted he might long remain so . Comp . Hervey then congratulated the Prov . G . Superintendent , and hoped he would never have cause to
regret the 28 th Oct ., 1875 . He then proposed Comp . Halsey ' s health . Comp . Halsey , in reply , thanked Comp . Hervey for the very flattering way in which he had spoken of him . He felt it a very great honour to have been called on to preside over the Province of Herts , which had laid dormant so long . He was much pleased that the Grand Z .
had thought fit to revive it , and he , hoped that , being revived , it would prosper . He remembered being present at the last meeting eleven ) ears ago , one of the three meetings referred to by Comp . lies . On that occasion there was only one chapter in the province , and the meeting of Grand Chapter was one of the ordinary chapter days of the Watford Chapter . The only
difference was the special business was performed before the ordinary began , it was with satisfaction he found tlvtre were now three chapters in the province , and when the next Provincial Grand Chapter met he hoped to see more . He di 1 not think they should be satisfied with the progress hitherto made . The companions no doubt looked upon the Royal Arch Degree as the necessary complement
and fulfilment of the M . M . Degree , that until a Mason had taken that degree he had not really completed his Masonic career . He therefore hoped the day would come when they would see a Royal Arch Chapter attached to every lodge in the province which up to the present time had not got them . He was aware that there was a rule which prevented the younger lodges from having chapters ,
because it was customary not to grant a charter for a chapter until the lodge had been in existence a certain time . That was quite right , because from circumstances brethren were constantly changing their domicile , and many oi them who had taken the third Degree in Craft Masonry were not able to go on to the Royal Arch Degree . A lodge should therefore have a ccrtiin amount of
stability hy length of existence before it bad a chapter . It was true that for Royal Arch purposes some of the lodges seemed tacitly to agree to unite together In the Watford Chapter there were many brethren of the Betkhampstead Lodge and ethers ; but at Ihe same time it would be more appropriate and fittiniT that they should have a chapter
connected with e . ichlodge , because , as he had said before , the Royal Arch D ; gvee was the complement and completion of the Third Degree , and if a brother having taken his Masur Mason Degree , who was desirous to take the Royal Arch , should be able to do it in the chapter belonging to his own lodge . Especially should this bc so in country districts , in scattered , rural places like the North Eastern parts gf the province , where the brethren were comparatively
Provincial Grand Chapter Of Hertfordshire.
out of reach of a chapter . ( H ear , hear . ) Craft Masonry was flourishing , and had been flourishing for along time . New lodges were being formed , and it vvas only that day he had been informed of the probability of another Craft lod « - e being added to the roll of Herts . R . A . Masons of Herts had now set the ball rolling by reviving and resuscitating Prov . G . Chapter , and he sincerely hoped that this degree as well as the Craft would go on increasing . As long as
he had the honour of presiding over the Order in the province , he would do all he could to support it , and he again appealed to the Companions to assist him . ( Cheers . ) " The Provincial Grand Officers " was the next toast , which was responded lo by Comp . Finch , and " The Visitors " having been replied toby Comps . Wilkins and Massey , the Janitor gave his toast , and the companions separated . [ The above appeared in our second edition of last week . ]
Consecration Of The City Of Westminster Lodge, No. 1563.
CONSECRATION OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER LODGE , No . 1563 .
The City of Westminster Lodge , No . 15 ( 13 , was consecrated on Friday week at the Regent Masonic Hall , Regentstreet . The ceremony was performed by Bro . R . Wentworth Little , who was assisted by the Rev . P . M . Holden as Chaplain , Bros . C . A . Cottebrune as D . C . ; John Boyd ,
P . G . P . ; W . Stephens ; Colonel Burdett , Prov . G . M . Midx ., and the following brethren : —Edward White , Benjamin Phillips , George Fowler , 1305 ; G . T . Carter , 145 ; John Hodges , 1319 ; G . Bubbs , P . M . iSo-, Thomas Lausdowu , 813 ; T . Dayson , 382 ; A . Cameron , P . M . 180 ; W . H . Pope , 1305 ; W . E . Phillips , W . M . 435 ; G . J . Hill , S . W . IS 3 & 1 John Hancock , 7 G 5 ; Thaddeus Wells , 20 ; ; T .
Mason , 309 ; 'lheo . Distin 173 ; E . C . Woodward , W . M . 3 82 ; H . Massey ( " Freemason" ); Thomas Bull , P . M . 145 ; F . H . Cozens , Org . 907 ; Edward Moody , Sec . 142 C ; John Woodward , 1446 ; F . R . Gibson , 1446 , 14 G 0 ; A . Flattely , P . M . 205 ; A . C . Burrell , 1446 ; W . Morphew , 1446 ; H . Reed , 733 ; J . T . Baker , 1305 ; J . L . Lucas ; j . E . Shand , I ^ ; E . Farwig , 180 ; Thomas
Pratt , 1446 ; A . Stewart , 1158 ; C . W . Wise , W . M . 11 5 8 ; J . Waugh , 177 ; R . H . Morrison ( Michigan ) P . M . 297 ; A . B . Grabham , P . M . 1494 ; James Kench , P . M . 53 8 ; C . Burmeistcr , 538 ; J . Marshall , 53 8 ; S . Willis , ' 17 7 ; James Morrell , P . M . 111 ; A . Bassington , I . G . 103 ; VV . S . Lee , 120 ; E . M . Haigh , P . M . 29 ; and 'I ' . B . Yeoman , 14 60 . The W . M . designate was Bro . B . H . Swallow ,
P . M . 3 82 ; the S . W . designate , the Rev . P . M . Holden ; and the J . W ., Bro . Edward White . Bro . Little opened lodge at four o ' clock in the . handsome lodgc-room , ' which , as may be imagined from a perusal of the above list of names , was full . The consecration was adorned with a beautiful musical accompaniment , which was provided by Bui . Thaddeus Wells , who also took part in the singing . Bro .
F . H . Cozens presided at the organ ; and the professional brethren who assisted were Bros . Hodges , G , T . Carter , and Theodore Distin . The ceremony of consecration was magnificently rendered , and the chants were given in splendid voice , and with exquisite taste . Bro . Holden , who delivered the oration , said , —Provincial Senior Grand Warden , Grand and Provincial Grand Officers , W . M ., and
brethren , —The occasion on which we meet together this day is , I conceive , interesting , not only to ourselves as Masons personally and individually , but to the Craft at large , inasmuch as it denotes the continued prosperity and vitality of our venerable Order , which like the famous Indian tree , the banana tree , perpetually renews itself in scions as vigorous and flourishing as the parent stem . To me , as you
will readily understand , it is a particularly interesting occasion , inasmuch as in a short time I shall be invested with the S . W . collar of the lodge . And I assure you it is also a special gratification that I have been permitted today to assist and officiate as chaplain at so important a ceremony as the consecration of the City of Westminster Lodge , more especially as 1 feol convinced that those
brethren who unite with me as founders of the lodge are eminently qualified to discharge the various duties of the high offices to which they have been appointed . They , it is true , have already made their mark in Masonry , and they have also won " golden opinions" for their zeal in its cause ; and they arc now , like myself , extremely anxious to devote their ability , time , and influence lo the further
advancement and development of so noble , so very interesting a science . It has been remarked , by a great and distinguished writer , of literary men , that they are a perpetual p riesthood , standing forth from generation to generation as the dispensers and living types of God ' s everlasting wisdom ; and the same remark , 1 think , may very fairly and properly bc applied to the members of our
enlig htened Craft ; aud I rejoice lo see so many worthy and talented men in the ranks of our fraternity . To their enfrai . chised minds Freemasonry unveils a universe of thought . To them it is and must be ever a keen source of delight to trace and to interpret those grand and solemn truths that were dimly foreshadowed in the mystic rites of the ancient world . Looking through the mists of ages ,
ttyey behold the white-robed Athenians a kindred race . Amidst the darkness and gioom of occult ceremonies they discern a faint glimpse of the true light in which we aU now rejoice . In every land they find tokens and traces innumerable grave 1 by the hands of skilful Masons upon the walls of ruined lanes and temples ; and they establish the affinity of our Order with the society of Dionysian
artificers , with the disciples of Pythagoras , with the College of Architects at Rome , and with the various operative associations of the Middle Ages . They demonstrate clearly that the great ethics of Freemasonry were known and taught by the very wisest sages of Greece , whose names world
are still honoured and revered by the whole civilized . They prove that our Order , though often persecuted an " often derided , has never yet paused , failed , or faltered in it » sublime career , although meanwhile the mig htiest an most powerful empires have been compelled to succuui to the destroying hand ot conquest or to the effacing finge »