Consecration Of The Joppa Lodge, No.11, Of Royal Ark Mariners.

The following is a list of the founders—Bros . John Armstrong , T . C . Thorburn . J . C . 'Robinson , Rev . C . Chetw ) nd Atkinson , M . A ., Rev . R . G . Johnson , Rev . Harry Vernon Pigot , E . W . Armstrong , A . H . Baird , Geo . Barclay , j . F . Booth , Dr . C . S . Brewer , } . E . Buckley , Jos . reier

Clarke , A . ll . Uoveney , L . Crosthwaite , VV . J . uoran , j . a . ueroysnire , uun , Wm . Dykes , John Frazer , Samuel Green , Wm . Hudson , J . Hamilton Jackson , Owen Jones , Samuel Jones , F . W . Marsh , S . S . Morris , W . T . Newton , Robert Robinson , W . F . Robinson , James Smith , Dr . George Tate , A . J . Thompson , H . E . Thompson , I . G . Wallace , and Wm . Williams .

The speeches at the dinner were short and to the point , those by the Grand Officers and visitors being models of brilliancy and conciseness . The toasts of "The Queen , " and " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . Grand Commander , '' being most loyally given and received , In proposing " The Grand Mas ' er ' s Royal Ark Council , " the W . C . N said

this consisted of three active and several honorary members , and they were greatly favoured that day in having tw o of the three active members with them in the persons of the Grand Secretary , Bro . Matier , and Bro . Vincent , and in coupling the name of the latter brother with the toast , he could safely say he hsd never , in the course of his 22 years as a Mark Mason , listened to such correct and finished working of lhat or any Decree .

Bro . VINCENT , P . A . G . D . C , said his visit to Birkenhead had given him great pleasure . He was always glad and ready to p lace himself at the iervice * of brethren anxious to improve themselves in the beautiful ritual , and was pleased to find the assistance he had been able to give that diy so highly appreciated .

The GRAND SECRETARY , as Consecrating Officer , then gave the toast of " The W . C . N ., Dro . John Armstrong , " in well-chosen words , in which the latter replied , thanking the Grand Secretary for his encouraging remarks . The toast of " The Consecrating Officer , R . W . Bro . C . Fitzgerald Matier , P . G . W ., Grand Secretary , " was received with long continued applause .

In reply , the GRAND SECRETARY said it always gave him great pleasure to assist in the consecration of a new lodge , more especially when started under such favourable auspices as the Joppa Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners . The Joppa Mirk Lodge , No . n , he looked upon as one of the best on the roll of Grand Lodge . His last visit to it was some 26 years ago , when he was Deputy Grand Master of Lancashire and the North of England . At

that time it was one cf the most prosperous lodges , and he was glad it was to-day in an equally prosperous condition . He hoped the Joppa Ark Mariners Lodge , as it had commenced well , would follow in the footsteps of the Joppa Mark Lodge , and become prosperous and useful . He also referred to the Mark Benevolent Fund , which was doing such an amount of good , and hoped now that the Province of Cheshire , which had responded

so nobly , not only locally , in the establishment of a large Benevolent Fund , to meet the immediate wants of its aged and dislrcsed members and their widows , but aho in the support it gave Bro . Lord Egerton of Tatton , the P . G . M ., when presiding at the lait Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , would not overlook the claims of the Mark Fund . He hoped at no distant day that Fund would have the support , not only of the province , but of the Mark lodges and their members .

The toast of "The Visitors " was ably responded to by Bros . FLETCHER , PLATT , and BARROW . The toasts of " The Officers " and " Wardens " brought a very successful meeting to an end . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . Wm . Hudson , ably assisted by Bros . Hamilton Jackson , A . H . Baird , Geo . Barclay , and others .

Consecration Of The Old Priory Lodge, No. 2594, At Nottingham.

CONSECRATION OF THE OLD PRIORY LODGE , No . 2594 , AT NOTTINGHAM .

A very imposing ceremony was performed at the Masonic Hall , Nottingham , on Wednesday afternoon , the 29 th ult ., when the attendance , though not so large as expected , was a fully representative one , and included many Masons from the various lodges in the Provinces of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire .

The new lodge is located at Beestow , the ceremony being performed at Nottingham b y dispensation of his Grace the Duke cf St . Albans , Prov . G . M . of Nottinghamshire , by Bro . E . Letchworth , F . S . A ., G . Sec , assisted by Grand Officers . Bro . Lieut .-Col . William Newton , P . G . D ., D . P . G . M . Nottinghamshire , occupied the Senior Warden ' s chair , and Bro . his Honour Judge Masterman , D . C . L ., P . G . D ., the Junior Warden ' s chair . Bro . Matthews , P . D . G . D . C , acted as D . C , and the Grand Tyler , Bro . Sadler , as I . G .

By permission of Bro . Sir A . Woods , K . C . M . G . ( Garter ) , the golden consecrating vessels of Grand Lodge were used upon this occasion . The first W . M . is Bro . Dr . W . H . Wright , P . M . and P . Z . 731 , founder and P . M . 2425 , P . P . G . D . C , Vice-Patron R . M . f . B . ; the first S . W ., Bro . Dr . W . J . Sprott , S . D . 402 ; and the first J . W ., Bro . James Harrison , 731 . Lodge was opened at half-past two o ' clock by Bro . E . Letchworth , F . S . A .,

G . Sec , there being present Bros . J . Jones , P . M . 731 , P . G . S . of W . j J . M . McLeod , P . P . S . G . W ., Sec . R . M . I . B . ; Dr . Rowan , W . M . S 02 ; Lomas , 731 ; Banks , 731 ; Essex , P . P . G . Org . Notts ; Hunt , 731 ; Millington , 731 ; Greenhill , J . D . 1405 ; S . Hunt , 2224 ; P . J . Jackson , 1794 ; T . H . Newan , 10 S 5 ; W . H . Barnett , Stwd . 1405 ; J . Hampson , 1493 ; T . H . Lumey , 1493 ; and numerous other brethren .

The ceremony began with an opening hymn , after which Bro . Matthews , P . D . G . D . C , presented the warrant of the new lodge to Bro . Letchworth . The Prov . Grand Chaplain , Bro . Rev . H . T . HAYMAN , M . A ., delivered an eloquent oration on the nature and privileges of the Institution . In the course of the address , the rev . brother alluded to the splendid services rendered to the Craft for upwards of 40 years by the father—the late Bro . G . S . Wright , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., P . P . G . J .-of the W . M . designate .

The anthems were very efficiently rendered by Bro . Bingley Shaw , and the benediction was pronounced by the Prov . G . Chap . The installation of the new Mas ' . er was proceeded with , the ceremony being conducted by Bro . E . Letchworth , G . Sec , Bro . Matthews , P . D . G . D . C , presenting the W . M . designate .

Consecration Of The Old Priory Lodge, No. 2594, At Nottingham.

TheW . M ., Bro . Dr . W . H . Wright , then proceeded to invest his officers as follows : Bros . Dr . W . J . Sprott . S . VV . ; Joseph Harrison , J . VV . ; W . Millington , Sec . ; R . Jackson , S . D . ; Joseph Hampson , J . D . ; G . A . Gveenhill , D . of C ; t . Newam , I . G . ; and E . Hewitt and A . D . Hint , Stewards .

The W . M . proposed , and Bro . HARRISON J . W ., seconded , Bro . J . J . Turner for the post of Tyler , and he was elected . The W . M ., B'O . Dr . W . H . WRIGHT , then rose and s \ id that his first duty as W . M . was a most pleasing one , viz ., to present Bro . E . Letchworth , F . S . A ., Grand Sec , with a handsome founder ' s jewel , as a slight memento of his great kindness in being present to perform the ceremony of cons oration and installation .

Bro . E . LETCHWORTH , Grand Sec , suitably replied . The brethren afterwards adjiurned to the banquet . The W . M . presided , and was supported by the Grand Officers . The usual loyal toasts weie proposed with the honours of the Order .

The W . M ., in proposing the toast of " The M . W . Grand Master , H . R H . the Prince of Wales , " remarked how Masonry was fisurishing in England . He stated lhat it was was only three years ago that he was one of the founders of the Ecclesburne Lodge , No . 2425 , and since then 16 9 lodges had been consecrated .

" The Health of the W . M . " was given by Bro . his Honour Judge MASTERMAN , P . G . D . Eng . The W . M ., replying , said : It was written in old times " that out of the fulness of the heart the mouth speaketh . " Well , my heart is very full tonight , and I feel utterly unable to express my feeling- ; , I don ' t think that sentiment meant a man to make a long speech , but if the fulness of the

heart means " Thank you / I thank you most sincerely for the honour done me to-night . 1 am deeply sensible ot the high position in which I have been placed , and my best endeavour will be to promote the best interests of the lodge . My earnest wish is to win the esteem and confidence of my brethren , for I take it it is better to rugn sovereign in the heart a-id affections of men than to rule over their lives and fortunes . It is aho my wish

to identify myself with Masonic Charity , therefore I have decided to represent the lodge at the next Festival of the Riyal Masonic Institution for Boys , under the presidency of his Grace the Djke of Devonshire , and I have sent up a donation of 23 guineas . I trust the officers and brethren will assist me in this grand and excellent undertaking . I also wish to take an active part in the local Masonic Benevolent Fund , which is doing such

excellent work and reaching brethren that it would be impossible to aid from the central Masonic Charities . I also trust , brethren , that we sha l never forget that broader Charity , which vaunteth not itself , is not puffed up , seeketh not her own , and which never faileth . Brethren , I feel deeply your kindness , and I trust that peace and harmony will prevail in the lodge , and that you will never have cause to regret having placed me in the position of first W . M . of the Old Priory Lodge .

Letters of apology were read from Bros . Lord Barnard , J . G W . Eng . ; W . H . Marsden , P . G . S . B . Eng ., P . P . S . G . W . Derbyshire ; Heywood , W . M . 731 ; W . J . Piper , P . A . G . Treas . Derbyshire ; and many other brethren . During the evening , songs were rendered by the W . M ., Bro . Bingley Shaw , Madame Clara Gardiner , and others , under the conductorship of Bro . Professor Essex , P . P . G . Org .

Centenary Celebration Of Prince Frederick Lodge, No. 307.

CENTENARY CELEBRATION OF PRINCE FREDERICK LODGE , No . 307 .

Tuesday , the 28 th ult ., will be a day which will long be remembered and cherished by the brethren at Hebden Bridge , W . Yorkshire , and especially by members of the Prince Frederick Lodge , No . 307 . On that day the above lodge , with Bro . Ethelbert Harwood at its head , emphasised its centenary with impressive dignity and hospitality . In consequence of the lodge rooms in Hope-street being

inadequate for the convenience of the large numbers expected to be present , the two Cooperative Halls were requisitioned . The smaller hall was transformed into a lodge-room , and the larger hall was reserved for the banquet in the evening . To an impartial observer and guest at this celebration there was much that was interesting and some food for reflection . No one could fail to perceive , and all undoubtedly recognised , the open-hearted welcome which the W . M . extended to

his visitors , and how cordially his officers and brethren supported him . The celebration of the centenary of the Prince Frederick Lodge also demonstrated beyond question the popularity of Bro . W . L . J ackson as Provincial Grand Master , and the loyalty of the province to its chief , although it was to be regretted that , in consequence of another important engagement , Bro . Jackson was unable to be present , and his duties fell upon the shoulders of the highly-respected D . P . G . M ., Bro . Smith .

Bro . Harwood , who has the honour to be in the chair during the eventful year , is a Mason who has taken a quiet and unostentatious part in the affairs of the lodge for a good many years . It was only last December that he was installed W . M ., but immediately he got his hand on the plough he never looked'back , and went heart and soul into the duties which devolved upon him . He filled his post on the 28 th ult . with considerable dignity , and had the hearty greetings of a large number of visitors .

The day being a real "red-letter" day , nothing but the business of the centenary celebration was entertained . The brethren assembled shortly after three o ' clock p . m . There was a large attendance , about 40 members and about 45 visitors being present . The lodge being duly formed , the opening ode was sung with much heartiness .

The Provincial Grand Officers then entered , and were saluted by thebrethren They were as follows : Bros . W . Cockcroft , P . M ., P . P . G . P . ; T . Uttley , P . M . P . P . A . G . D . C ; W . Patman , P . M ., P . P . G . P . ; T . Gaukroger , P . M ., P . P . G . P . Henry Smith , P . G . D . England , D . P . G . M . ; W . Watson , Prov . G . Librarian Asa Fawthorp , P . G . Std . Br . ; George Bolton , P . G . T . ; G . E . Green , P . G . Sec . T . Ibbetson Walker , P . P . G . D . ; J . Marshall , P . P . G . P . ; Aus'en Roberts , P . P . G . D . W . M . TateP . G . S . B . ; and J . Partington , P . P . S . G . D .

, In addition to the above there was a large gathering of brethren from Eastwood , Todmorden , Littleborough , Manchester , Halifax , Elland , Sowerby Bridge , Leeds , Bradford , London and other towns . Altogether there were neatly 5 ° visiting brethren , a feature which was indeed highly gratifying to the members of Prince Frederick Lodge . Apologies were read from the P . G . M ., Bro . W . ' ¦•