Supreme Grand Chapter.

to be called the Liberty of Havering Chapter , and to meet at the Golden Lion Hotel , Romford , in the county of Essex . 2 nd . From Comps . Sir William J . Clarke , Bart ., District Grand Master of Victoria , as Z . ; Thomas Henry Taaffe , as H . ; William Frederick Dixon , as J ; and nine others for a chapter be attached to the Melbourne Lodge , No . 747 , Melbourne , to be called the Melbourne Chapter , and to meet at Melbourne , in the District of Victoria , Australia .

3 rd . From Comps . John Edward Wordsworth , as Z . ; Frederick Cleeves , as H . ; James Jenkin , as J . ; and six others for a chapter to be attached to the Phoenix LocJ « e , No . 904 , Rotherbam , to be called the Phcenix Chapter , and to meet at the Ship Hotel , Rotherham , in the County of York ( Western Division . )

4 th . From Comps . the Right Hon . James Ludovic , Earl of Crawford , as Z . ; Maskell William Peace , as H . ; Richard Atherton Ffarington , as J . ; and nine others for a chapter to be attached to the Lindsay Lodge , No . 1335 , Wigan , to be called the Lindsay Chapter , and to meet at the Masonic Hall , King-street , Wigan , in the county of Lancashire ( Western Division ) . The foregoing petitions being in all respects regular , the Committee recommend that the prayers thereof be respectively granted .

The Committee have alsoreceived memorials , with copies of minutes , on removal of the undermentioned chapters : The Volubian Chapter , No . 75 , Falmouth , for permission to remove to the Masonic Hail , Falmouth . The Abbey Chanter , No . 1225 , Barrow-in-Furness , for permission to remove to the Masonic Hall , Abbey-road , Barrow-in-Furness .

The Committee being satisfied of the reasonableness of the requests , recommend that the removal of these chapters be sanctioned . ( Signed ) R OBERT GREY , President . Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C , 2 Qth October . 1 SS 6 .

Charters were then granted for the Liberty of Havering Chapter , No . 1437 ; the Melbourne Chapter , No . 747 ; the Phcenix Chapter , No . 904 ; and the Lindsay Chapter , No . 1335 . With respect to the Liberty of Havering petition , Comp . GREY said it was not yet quite certain that the Comps . intended to adhere to this name . Another title had been suggested , but he thought the warrant might be

granted subject to the style being changed . In reply to Comp . Hogard , it was stated that both the Grand Scribe E ., and the Grand Superintendent of Essex , would have to approve of the name it was intended to adopt . Comp , TEW hi ghly recommended the petition of the Rotherham Comps .

for the Phcenix Chapter . Permission was then given for the removal of the Volubian Chapter , No . 75 , Falmouth , to the Masonic Hall , Falmouth ; and of the Abbey Chapter , No . 1225 , Barrow-in-Furness , to the Masonic Hall , Abbey-road , Barrow-in-Furness . The Grand Chapter was thereupon closed in ancient and solemn form and adjourned .

Consecration Of The St. Mark's College Lodge, No. 2157.

CONSECRATION OF THE ST . MARK'S COLLEGE LODGE , No . 2157 .

The consecration of this lodge took p lace at the Victoria Mansions ' Restaurant , Westminster , on Friday , the 29 th ult ., under very favourable auspices . The ceremony was performed by Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Secretary , who was assisted by Bros . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C ., G . R . as S . W . ; Dr . Turtle Pigott , D . C . L ., P . G . A . D . C , as J . W . ; Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg , M . A ., P . G . C , Dep . P . G . M . Berks and Bucks , as Chaplain ; and Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., as D . C

The following are the founders—all of whom were present—Bros . Rev . J . Henry Smith , B . A ., P . M . 279 , P . P . G . Chap . Leicestershire and Rutland , W . M . designate ; James Easterbrook , | . W . 1920 , S . W . designate ; J . O'Connell , Org , 1 S 51 , J . W . designate ; T . Cross , P . M . 1194 ; W . R . Carter , 404 , P . G . S . ; J . Tidmarsh , 1 C 12 and 2163 ; W . Goulden , 15 G 6 ; A . G . Fleming , J . D . 3 S 2 ; J . R . Phillips , 16 S 1 ; R . H . Catling , 15 S 0 ; A . P . Lye , 309 ; Rev . W . Benham , 127 ; G . W , Stevens , S . W . 1 S 15 ; and G . H . Heathcote , 1732 .

Among the visitors were—Bros . J . Trapp , P . M . 7 S 7 ; W . H . Wingfield , W . M . 1360 ; G . Bray , 1564 J VV 'liJmarsh , Sec . 1031 ; J . Terry , P . P . G . S . W . Norths and Hunts , Sec . R . M . B . I . ; H . W . Weston , 127 S ; J . Perkins , P . M . 1672 ; J . L . Jennings . 1920 ; H . Grattan , 1604 ; J . Gilling , 813 ; H . Sadler , G . Tyler ; J . E . Dawson , 404 . D . P . G . M . Herts ; W . Woodwjrd , 1920 ; W . H . Baker , W . M . 1446 ; W . W . Morgan , jun ., 1107 ; T . Bull , 145 ; H . Wright , W . M . 1 S 27 ; W . Dodge , 1194 ; and W . W . Lee , 1897 . Alter the lodge had been formally opened ,

Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , in addressing the brethren on the object ol the meeting , said they were assembled on a very important Masonic occasion , viz ., to add one more to the roll of London lodges . They were probably aware that there were at the present time over 300 lodges in London , and it was therefore somewhat difficult to obtain a warrant for a new lodge . A number of Masons , who had been educated in St . Mark ' s College , approached the M . W . G . M ., and represented to him that they were desirous of being constituted into a lodge for the purpose of Freemasonry ,

His Royal Hig hness took the facts into consideration , and was enabled to accede to their petition , and grant them a warrant . The brethren had selected a worthy and well-tried Mason to fill the position of Worshipful Master , in whose hands , he was certain , the future of the lodge was assured , He need scarcely tell them that they should be careful as to the gentlemen they admitted into the lodge , and should not be in too great a hurry to increase their numbers . By studying this they would be enabled to keep a select lodge , and work in harmony .

Bro . the Rev . J . STUDHOLME BROWNRIGG , P . G . C , then delivered the following oration : — We are consecrating to-day a new lodge whose name stamps it as connected with a par ticular institution . That institution is a practical illustration of many virtues taught and insisted upon by our Craft . Certainly our old Masonic guild , directly and indirectly teaches us the duty of improving our mental and bodily faculties , even asserts that knowledge is true so long , and so long only as it springs from God , constantly exhorts

us to teach others what we have learnt ourselves . Are not these the principles upon which , for neaily half a century , St . Mark ' s College ha 3 been building , a superstructure perfect in its parts , and honourable to the builders ? Let us consider these three points in detail . Man's mind and body , as designed by the G . A . O . T . U ., are endowed by Him with the power of development , if they avail themselves of the means He places within their reach . ' u dcvelope mind and body in accordance with His plan is to answer the

end of cmr creation—to check the Divine life which is within us is t (/ mar and hinder His purposes . Education , therelure , is the building up of a spiritual edifice upon the lines , and in accordance wilh the plans designed irom all eternity by the Wisdom of God . But no building , however good , is worth anything unless it rests upon a sound foundation . Our ancient brethren knew this . Look at one of those old structures which are the beauty and glory of architecture—the work of some operative lodge of Freemasons .

Consecration Of The St. Mark's College Lodge, No. 2157.

Compare it with the showy , superficial work of some modern edifice . In both cases the future of the building is forshadowed by the foundation . In the one case it is massive , solid , and in every detail carefully designed and honestly executed ; in the other it is feeble and superficial , and the whole work is scamped . In the one case the building is meant to stand , and does stand for ages , in the other it is meant only to obtain the architect ' s certificate and the customers money . Brethren , no education , either of the soul or body , is worth anything unless it rests upon a sound foundation . There is only

one foundation upon which it can rest if it is to be lasting , beautiful , and good , and that foundation is God . Distinct , definite , and careful religious teaching is the first stone we must lay in a child ' s education . We may erect a building fair to the eye upon other foundations . The world is ever trying to do so , but when the practical tests of life ' s trials and temptations is applied it is only the building which rests upon God , which stands against those storms and tempests from which none can escape . But further , the true Mason , be he Operative or Speculative , never forgets that he must

do something more than develope his own faculties , and something more than secure a good foundation for himself . He must be willing to teach others . A short time ago , the Clerk of the Works , who was restoring one ot the noblest fabrics of the old Operative Masons in this country , taught me this lesson from the stones . He pointed out how each stone had two marks—the master ' s mark and the apprentice's mark . Both had laboured on the same stone—the one as teacher , the other as learner . Presently in the same fabric we notice other stones—but now the apprentice has become a craftsman , and

his mark—the same old mark he had as an apprentice—occupies the place of the master , and it is followed by another mark—the mark of a new apprentice , to whom he is giving the same care and the same patience that his old master used to give him . He had recognised the fact that he had learned not merely in order that he might do good and true work himself , but in order that he might teach others as he had been taught himself . And so the work never lacked able workers , because each worker recognised the duty of

teaching his fellow . Brethren , we must recognise this great fact in our work , whatever it is . In some degree we must all be teachers . The man whose life is teaching nothing to others is failing in one of the greatest purposes of this existence ; is neglecting to carry out the Divine commission . He who teaches most of what is good and true to his brother , is copying most truly the Divine example . So , brethren , let us sum up the whole lesson—let our work be done truly ; let it rest on the on the one true foundation ; and let it be full of brotherly love for others . So shall it be worthy of the acceptance of the G . A . O . T . U .

The ceremony of consecration was then proceeded with , and on its completion Bro . Rev . J . Henry Smith , B . A ., was installed as W . M . The following officers were invested : Bros . Jas . Easterbrook , M . A ., S . W . ; J , O'Connell , J . W . ; Rev . W . Benham , B . D ., Treas . ; T . Cross , Sec . ; W , R . Carter , S . D . ; J . Tidmarsh , J . D . ; W . Goulden , l . G . ; A . F . Fleming , D . C . ; J . R . Phillips and R . H . Catling , Stewards ; and Weeks , Tyler . After the delivery of the addresses ,

Bro . SMITH , W . M ., proposed , and Bro . EASTERBROOK , S . W .. seconded , a vote of thanks to the Grand Officers for acting at the consecration , and also that the honorary membership of the lodge be conferred upon them . The motion having been unanimously carried , Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE acknowledged the compliment .

A Committee having been elected to frame the bye-laws , and propositions received , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to a choice banquet . After dessert , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . Bro . Rev . J . STUDHOLME BROWNRIGG , P . G . C , responded for " The

Grand Officers , and said they were always glad to welcome a new lodge , especially when it brought forward such men as the founders present . He hoped the members of that lodge would take every opportunity of attending Grand Lodge , where they would be enabled to consider the points of precedence and other matters that are brought forward there , and , by their help and guidance , assist to make the Craft more valuable .

Bro . F . A . PHILBRICK , Q . C , G . Reg ., also responded , and afterreturning thanks , remarked that Freemasonry was not an institution that was unknown or untried . It numbered among its ranks those who had made a name outside the Craft , and those who had proved themselves worthy of the principles taught by the Order . That good work would be carried out by the St . Mark ' s College Lodge he was thoroughly assured , for the reason that had brought that college into existence would be an incentive to Masonic work .

' the Health of the Worshipful Master was proposed by Bro . Col . SHADWELL H- CLERKE , who said that it was an honour and privilege for any Mason to take part in a consecration of a new lodge . But when among that lodge there was a brother who stood out from the others and who had been selected to preside as W . M ., that brother was to be heartily congratulated on the position he had attained . Their W . M . had done good suit and service in other parts of England , and always performed his work in an excellent manner , and . the lodge was to be congratulated on possessing such a brother to occupy the position of W . M .

Bro . Rev . J . HENRY SMITH , W . M ., in reply , after returning thanks for the heartiness of his reception , thanked them for the compliment they had paid him in electing him the first Master . There was a peculiarity of that lodge which was , that they had all started from one common mother , and were tied together by associations of which they were proud . He was pleased to see present his old tutor , and also some who had been pupils of his own . He believed they were all animated with the true Masonic feeling and they would endeavour to make the lodge a credit to the Craft .

Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , G . Sec , in reply for the toast of "The Consecrating and Installing Officer , " expressed the pleasure it afforded him to assist on such an occasion . He was naturally interested in the progress of the Order , and therefore hailed with pleasure such an addition . He could not refrain from thanking those brethren who had assisted him and without whose aid it would be impossible to carry out the work , and sincerely regretted they were about to lose Bro . Frank Richardson for about six months to recruit his health . He wished the lodge every prosperity in its future career .

Bro . HENRY WRIGHT , W . M . 1827 , in responding for " The Visitors , " expressed his obligations for the kind manner in which the toast had been proposed and accepted . He did not look upon himself as one of the distinguished visitors of whom the Senior Warden in proposing had made mention , and he thought the only reason he had been selected to reply was on account of the fact that he as Master of a lodge of which their W . M . was a member , had signed the petition to the Grand Master recommending the formation of St . Mark ' s College Lodge . After explaining the motives which

had led him with so much pleasure to recommend the petition for the St . Mark ' s Lodge , Bro . Wright concluded by expressing his belief that the members had made a wise selection in nominating Bro . Smith as their Master , he not only knew the ritual thoroughly , but he was a genial host , and , above all , a genial man , and carried out the principles of Masonry outside ol the lodge as well as inside . They would find their W . M . would give as much attention to the newest initiate as to his senior officer , and treat all alike with the same unwavering kindness . " The Officers " and the Tyler ' s toast brought the proceedings to a close .