Consecration Of The Hatherton Lodge, No. 2474, At Walsall.

CONSECRATION OF THE HATHERTON LODGE , No . 2474 , AT WALSALL .

On Thursday , the 28 th ult ., a new lodge , entitled thc Hatherton , No . 2474 , was consecrated at the Stork Hotel , Walsall , Bro . E . Letchworth , G . Sec , conducting the solemn ceremony most impressively , assisted by Bros . J . H . Matthews , P . D . G . D . C , as D . C . ; Lieut .-Col . Bindley , D . P . G . M . in charge of the province ; W . J . Whittall , P . S . G . W ., as S . W . ; R . Dain , P . J . G . W ., as J . W . ; and S . Wickham-Jones , P . G . C , as Chap . Among

the other brethren present were : Bros . F . James , P . D . G . M . ; C . A . Newnham , P . P . S . G . W . ; j . F . Pepper , P . P . S . G . W . - , J . Newman , P . P . S . G . W . ; T . J . Barnett , P . P . J . G . W . ; and other Provincial Officers , Past Masters , and members of lodges , including Lord Hatherton , one of the founders of the lodge , the total number of brethren present being about 100 . The lodge having been opened , and Bro . F . W . Willmore , P . M . 539 ,

having been installed as W . M ., hc appointed his officers as follows -. Bros . C Taylor , J . D . 539 , as S . W . ; W . Paine , as J . W . ; J . Newman , P . M . 539 , P . P . J . G . W ., as acting I . P . M . ; J . Williams , P . M . 539 , as D . C ; A . G . Boys , as Treas . ; J . Carver , as Sec ; F . H . Taylor , as S . D . ; C . S . Stanton , as J . D . ; A . E . Paley , as I . G . ; H . Palethorp , as Org . ; J . Noake and J . H . Bullock , as Stwds . ; and W . Davis , as Tyler .

The musical portion of the service was under the direction of Bro . F . H . Taylor , who was aided by a choir consisting of Messrs . Bickley , Young , Myers , and Campion , who rendered the anthems with fine effect . A sumptuous banquet , which , both as regarded preparation and serving , reflected the hig hest credit on the house , was afterwards partaken of in the adjoining room .

Sixty-five brethren sat down , under the presidency of the W . M ., at whose call the first toasts were honoured , viz ., " The Queen and the Craft , " " The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " " The Earl of Lathom , Pro G . M ., the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , D . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " " The D . P . G . M ., Bro . Lieut .-Colonel Bindley" and " The Prov . Grand Lodge . "

, Bro . F . J AMES then gave " The Consecrating Officer , the V . W . Bro . Letchworth , the Grand Secretary . " Bro . LETCHWORTH , in responding , congratulated the founders of the lodge on their enterprise in founding a second lodge , and said "that in a

town of 80 , 000 inhabitants it was only right , if they wished to propagate the high principles of the Order , that there should be a second lodge . He proposed " The Worship ful Master , " and the toast was suitably acknowledged . Bro . WILLIAMS then gave " The Visitors . " Bros . F . J AMES , G . W . WILLIAMS , and HILDICK responded .

Bro . A . G . BOYS then proposed " The Mother Lodge of St . Matthew ' s , No . S 39- " Bro . MOSELY , W . M ., responded . The list was brought to a close with " The Officers of the Hatherton Lodge , " given by the W . M . Bro . C . TAYLOR responded .

The proceedings passed off without the slightest hitch , and the services of Bro . Taylor , who had acted as Secretary pro tem ., and made the arrangements , were highly appreciated . ,

Consecration Of The St. Michael's Lodge, No. 2487, At Stone.

CONSECRATION OF THE ST . MICHAEL'S LODGE , No . 2487 , AT STONE .

A number of brethren residing in or near Stone have . for a long period contemplated providing a meeting place of their own instead of having to attend at Stafford or one of the Pottery towns when desiring to give attention to Masonic duties , exchange fraternal greetings with the brethren of the Craft , and enjoy those harmonious gatherings which take place among Masons periodically in every part of thc civilised world .

They have at length determined to establish a lodge , the actual founders being Bros . J . Mervyn Wood , P . M . and W . M . 546 ; the Rev . E . C . D'Auquier , M . A ., 2060 ; F . Brandon , 41 S , P . P . G . R . ; J . Harding , C . R . Clarke , J . C . Bradbury , H . A . Frcwer , and F . A . Pyatt . The application for the warrant to form a lodge was supported by the Etruscan Lodge , and had the assent of Bro . Lieut .-Col . Bindley , D . P . G . M . It is the 31 st of the existing lodges in the Province of Staffordshire , and is numbered 24 S 7 on the registry of the Grand Lodge of England .

Thc principal officers designated in the warrant are : Bros . J . M . Wood , W . M . ; Rev . E . C . D'Auquier , S . W . ; F . Brandon ; J . W . ; A . J . Henstock , and E . Fernie , M . D . The lodge will meet at the Crown Hotel . The name of the lodge is St . Michael's . As to the origin of the name we need not stay to inquire . Michael is mentioned live times in Scripture —always in a warlike character—but though his history is obscure , he is

regarded 111 the Christian world as thc chief of angels , or archangel , and is the saint to whom the Parish Church of Stone is dedicated . Michaelmas—St . Michael ' s Day—was therefore an appropriate date for thc consecration of the new lodge , which took p lace in the Town Hall , and the event attracted to Stone a large number of members of the Craft from different parts of thc province . The Consecrating Officer was Bro . Edward Letchworth , Grand

Secretary , who was accompanied by Bro . Lieut .-Col . Bindley , and assisted by Bros . W . J . Whittall , P . S . G . W ., as S . W . ; R . Dain , P . J . G . W ., as J . W . ; the Rev . S . Wickham Jones , P . G . C , as Chaplain ; J . 1-1 . Matthews , P . D . G . D . C , as D . C ; and amongst the brethren present , in addition to those already mentioned , the following signed the Tyler ' s book : Bros . 1 . Bodenham , 726 , P . P . S . G . W . ; T . Taylor , 2149 , P . P . S . G . W . ; W . R .

Blair , 546 , P . P . S . G . W . ; T . Bickley , 41 S , P . P . J . G . W . ; W . T . Copeland , 637 , P . P . G . R . ; A . G . Prince , 546 , P . P . J . G . D . ; J . Webberley , 546 , P . P . G . R . ; R . Tooth , 2214 , P . P . G . R . ; J . G . Ainsworth , 4 60 , P . P . S . G . D . ; H . C . Faram , 637 , P . P . J . G . D . ; H . Windle , 418 , P . J . G . D . ; F . Mountford , 460 , P . P . S . G . D . ; J . Ingamells , 460 , P . P . J . G . D .-, W . F . Tolloday , P . P . G . D . C . Warwickshire ; G . W . Walker , 526 , P . Assistant Grand Secretary ; J . Payne

Hall , 456 , P . P . G . D . C ; E . W . Taylor , 726 , P . G . Organist ; E . B . Jackson , 418 , P . P . G . Superintendent of Works ; J . Stevenson , 1942 , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Godwin , 98 , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . G . Clemesha , 9 66 , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . T . Snape , 460 , P . P . G . S . B . ; W . H . Hawson , 2064 , P . G . S . B . ; W . T . Bonner , 546 , P . P . G . O . ; E . Hallam , P . M . 1942 ; W . H . Bamber , P . M . 637 ; E . Peake , 1942 , P . P . G . P . ;

J . T . Howson , 418 , P . G . Steward ; F . Skerrett , 460 , P . P . G . Steward ; J . Charles worth , 2149 , P . P . G . S . B . ; E . Phillips , P . M . 9 66 ; Rev Vincent Litchfield , P . M 1914 ; J . Pierpoint , 9 8 , P . P . G . Steward ; J . T . Cooper , 1887 , P . G . P . ; T . R Cull , 1587 , P . P . G . P . ; J . Mason , P . M . 98 ; Louis A . Taylor , W . M . 2214 ; E . E Allmond , P . M . 1587 ; C . J . Nevitt , W . M . 726 ; A . Parker , P . M . 456 ; H . Bag

Consecration Of The St. Michael's Lodge, No. 2487, At Stone.

shaw , W . M . 456 ; L . H . Hordern , R . M . 267 ; T . H . Griffiths , P . M . 546 ; R Burt , W . M . 637 ; J . Ward , P . M . 546 ; W . 'R . Woolridge , P . M . 1942 ; T . M Heape , P . M . 1520 ; H . R . Hancock , W . M . 451 ; G . W . Bradford , P . M . 2149 T . Flannagan , P . M . 9 66 ; J . White , P . M . 2214 ; D . Jones , W . M . 418 ; E . B ' Devereux , P . M . 418 ; T . Edwards , W . M . 460 ; P . H . Bennion , P . M . 546 ; W Tunnicliffe , 418 , P . P . G . S . of W . ; E . V . G ' reatbach , 418 , P . P . G . S . of W . ; and W . H . Newby , P . M . 4 60 . There were about 200 present .

Bro . LETCHWORTH , having taken the chair and opened the lodge , gave an explanation of the nature of the meeting , and expressed a hope that the new lodge would have a long career of unbroken prosperity . The petition for the new lodge and the warrant for the same were read by Bro . MATTHEWS , acting D . C ., and the brethren of the new lodge signified their assent to the appointment of the officers designated in the warrant .

Bro . the Rev . S . WICKHAM J ONES , P . G . Chaplain , then delivered an oration on the nature and princip les of the institution . In the course of his remarks he said Masonry was the most ancient , and most honourable art that ever existed . It dated from the foundation of the world itself , and there was not a Masonic emblem that was not derived from the Volume of the Sacred Law . Silently and quietly was the first temple raised at

Jerusalem ; silently and unknown to the outside world the Masons of stone had been preparing a lodge , and in perfect peace and harmony they had assembled to consecrate the lodge that day . They raised their eyes to the canopy of heaven and implored the Great Architect of the Universe to send His blessing upon the undertaking .

Ihe anthem , commencing " Behold how good and joyful a thing it is for brethren to dwell together in unity , " was sung with excellent effect . After the dedication prayer and the invocation , the lodge board was uncovered , and the Consecrating Officer and Wardens carried the elements of consecration three times round the lodge , and the chief business of the meeting was proceeded with .

During the interesting ceremony solemn music was several times introduced , under the direction of Bro . Dr . E . W . Taylor , P . G . Organist ; the anthem after the dedication commencing with the words " I have surely built Thee a house to dwell in . "

Bro . J . M . Wood was subsequently installed as W . M . by Bro . Letchworth , and , in addition to the Wardens previously named , the following were appointed and invested : Bros . J . Harding , Treas . and S . D . ; A . J . Henstock , Sec . ; C R . Clarke , J . D . ; J . C . Bradbury , I . G . ; H . A . Frewer and J . C . Butters , Stwds . There were several candidates proposed for initiation , and also several as joining members .

Lodge having been closed , the brethren adjourned to the assemblyroom at the Crown Hotel , where dinner was provided , about 100 attending . The newly-installed W . M ., Bro . Wood , presided , and was supported right and left by Bros . Lieut .-Col . Bindley and E . Letchworth . After the repast ,

The W . M . submitted the toasts of "The Queen , " "The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family , " and " The M . W . Pro ' G . M ., the Earl of Lathom ; R . W . D . G . M ., the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe ; and thc Officers of Grand Lodge , Present and Past . " Bro . Matthews , Past D . G . D . C ., ' made a suitable acknowledgment of the toast .

Ihe W . M . ncxt proposed "The Health of the V . W . Bro . Lieut .-Col . Bindley , " who , he said , had rendered very great service with regard to the formation of St . Michael ' s Lodge . Bro . Col . BINDLEY , in responding , expressed his gratitude to the W . M .

for his kindness in proposing thc toast , and to the brethren for the heartiness with which he had been received , adding that while hc held the position he did he should strive to maintain the dignity of the Craft and carry out the wishes of the members as far as possible . He trusted that hc should continue to have that loyal support which he had hitherto received .

Bro . A . B . J ONES proposed " The Officers of P . G . Lodge , Present and Past , " coupling with it the name of Bro . Windle , P . J . G . D . Bro . WINDLE briefly responded . The WORSHU ' MASTER , in complimentary terms , proposed " The Health of the Consecrating Officer , Bro . Letchworth , G . Sec , " which was drunk with much heartiness .

Bro . K . LETCHWORTH , in responding , said during the 18 months he had been Grand Secretary hc had had the honour to attend a considerable number of consecrations , but he could assure them with all sincerity that no ceremony of thc kind had ever given him greater pleasure than that which he had gone through that afternoon . In thc lirst place , it was a delight to renew the acquaintance of the brethren of that province which he happily

formed when he installed Colonel Bindley as . Grand Superintendent of thc Prov . Grand Royal Arch Chapter . He testified to the able way in which the officers had discharged their duties , making special reference to thc admirable manner in which Bro . Taylor had conducted the musical portion of thc ceremony . He should always retain a grateful recollection of that day .

Bro . T . H . GRUTITHS proposed "The Health of the Worship ful Master . "

Other toasts were also proposed , the proceedings , which were of a con vivial character , being continued to a somewhat late hour . The lodge was furnished by Bro . George Kenning .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Lincolnshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF LINCOLNSHIRE .

The annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Chapter was held on Thursday , the 28 th ult ., at the Oddfellows' Hall , Lincoln , on the invitation of the Concord Chapter , No . 297 . An unusually large number of companions assembled to witness the installation of Comp . Sissons as Grand Superintendent b y Comp . Smyth , his immediate predecessor . The ceremony was most beautifully and impressively rendered by the Install ' m *** Principal .

The anthem " Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life " was sung by Comp . Gregory , P . G . O ., and was one of the most effective features of the ceremony . The INSTALLING OFEICER having placed the Grand Superintendent in the chair , gave a brief description of Comp . Sissons' Masonic life and work in Lincolnshire .

The GRAND SUPERINTENDENT then addressed the companions as follows : M . E . Comp . Smyth , E . Companions , and Companions , —My first duty aS Grand Superintendent is to ask the Provincial Grand Chapter of Lincoln *