Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Leicestershire And Rutland.

said that in the discharge of their respective duties nothing would be lacking on their part in endeavouring to emulate the spirit and love for Mark Masonry as exhibited by the Prov . Grand Master , and he hoped that for many a long year it might be their good fortune to be associated with him in the work .

The exigencies of the Midland Railway service at this juncture compelled the retirement of the Prov . Grand Master and officers of Provincial Grand Lodge , Bro . Berridge alone remaining to advocate the claims of the Mark Benevolent Fund , and the toast being ably responded to by Bro . Freer proved to have had a desirable effect , for Bro . T . Paget at once arose and announced his intention of becoming a second Steward in the province for that fund .

The remainder of the evening being spent in harmony , proved a very successful and hopeful initiation of the new province , or which perhaps may be more fittingly termed a rejuvenescence and infusion of fresh vigour into the old .

Consecration Of The Bootle Mark Lodge, No. 478.

CONSECRATION OF THE BOOTLE MARK LODGE , No . 478 .

The Degree of Mark Masonry has of late years made considerable progress in the Province of Lancashire , and especially in the western division , of which Liverpool is the centre . The membership of the lodges has largely increased , but owing to the comparative fewness of the number held in so large a district , brethren have , in many instances , had to travel

a considerable distance in order to attend to their duties . This inconvenience was particularly felt in Bootle , and ' accordingly it was decreed by a number of Mark Master Masons hailing from the borough to found a new lodge , to be held at the County HaU , Pembroke-road . A charter was applied for and graciously granted by the Most Worshipful Grand Master , and the impressive ceremony of consecration was performed in the County Hall at

2 . 30 on Saturday the 26 th ult . The Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , R . W . Prov . G . M . of Lancashire , was in the chair , and he was assisted in the ceremony by Bro . J . H . Barrow , P . P . G . W , as S . W . ; Bro . W . Piatt , Prov . G . J . W ., as J . W . ; Bro . Rev . Charles Courtney Bluett . Prov . G . Chap ., as Chaplain ; Bro . W . Hewson , Prov . G . D . C , as D . C ; Bro . J . C . Robinson , P . P . G . D . C , as Assistant D . C ; and Bro . A . H . Leach ,

Prov . G . Org ., as Organist . There was a large attendance of Provincial G . Officers , Present and Past , and brethren , the lodges represented including the West Lancashire , Walton , Rose and Thistle ( Wigan ) , Southport , Lathom , Excelsior , Clarence , Liverpool , and Chorlton . After the ceremony of consecration had been performed , the W . M . designate , Bro . Walter Simpson , Prov . S . G . W ., was installed in the chair by Bro . Capt . Murray ,

P . G . O . England , P . Prov . G . D . C A Treasurer ( Bro . W . Goodacre , Past G . D . ) , and a Tyler having been elected , the W . M . invested the following as officers for the year , viz .: Bros . Alfred Cross , S . W . ; G . C Moir , J . W . ; J . Haynes , M . O . ; A . E . Smith , S . O . ; L . Platts , J . O . j W . Goodacre , Treas . ; W . Marvie , R . of M . ; T . McHugh , Sec . ; J . V . Thompson , S . D . ; H . E . Thompson , J . D . ; J . Fletcher , D . C ; W . Taylor , I G . ;

and J . A . Crowther and E . Cowley , Stwds . The principal brethren present , in addition to those already mentioned , were Bros . J . Chadwick , Prov . G . Sec . ; R . Pye , P . J . G . W . ; R . Rawlinson , P . P . J . G . D . ; J . Armstrong , P . P . J . G . D . Cheshire ; R . Sharrock , P . G . O . ; G . E . Wand , P . G . S . B . ; S . Locke , P . G . T . ; T . Whitehead , P . P . J . G . W . ; G . A . Myers , P . G . S . B ., J . H . Marsh , P . A . G . Sec . ; J . J . Lambert , P . P . G . R . ; and J . W . Kenyon , P . P . J . G . O . The founders of the Iodge , which is named the Bootle Lodge of

Mark Master Masons , and is numbered 47 S on the roll of the Grand Mark Lodge of England , are Bros . W . Simpson , 15 S , P . Prov . S . G . W . ; J . A . Cross , 393 ; G . C . A . Moir , 359 ; John Fletcher , 359 ; John Haynes , 359 ; Thomas McHugh , 65 ; Herbert E . Thompson , 65 ; Isaac Platts , 359 ; William Macvie , 359 ; and W . Goodacre , 447 . During the afternoon the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , and Bros , the Rev . C . C Bluett , and Capt . Murray were elected honorary members of the lodge . Bro . C . C BLUETT , Prov . G . Chap ., delivered the following oration :

R . W . Provincial Grand Master and brethren , —The brief address to which it is now my great privilege to ask you both patiently and kindly to listen is determined by the simple fact that I did not become a Mason when , as regards my natural life , the sun was at its meridian , but only when it was rapidly westering . Consequently my knowledge of the complicated history and traditions of Masonry is extremely limited , and has been gathered from happy intercourse with brethren

who genuinely love the grand princip les on which our Order is founded , and who both desire and endeavour to act continually in conformity with those principles , and thus enjoy in themselves the purest pleasures of Masonry , and who seek to impart the same to others by their happy influence . By the ceremony of to-day we are more particularly led to speak of the " Mark Degree . " This beautiful Degree is , I believe , as old as the Craft itself , and I am informed was always in

¦ Scotland the Second Degree until the formation of the present Grand Lodge , and from whatever period the Craft ritual may date , that of the Mark Degree will as to its language and purity of style bear favourable comparison with it . •the subject of Masonry , both ancient in its history and amazing in its traditions , has ever proved to earnest-minded Masons , who have talents to exercise and time to expend , most fascinating , but it has not been allowed to escape the most careful

and critical scrutiny of those who are anything but friendly to the Order , and who we too prone to utter words not only in foolish ridicule—but something worse . Now in spite of ail the researches intended to ihrow light on so complicated a latter , both friendly and otherwise , all the efforts to trace back to its source our history have to a large extent been baffled , and we must be content to know that very much will always remain thickly veiled from view and utterly lost in obscurity . e } , y much that is interesting has been brought to light . For instance , evidences

, ever on the increase , exist that at least Operative Masonry was in long ages past organised in societies , though when Operative and Speculative Masons df 6 _ 4 » ' ? " one of the P rol ) 'ems waiting a solution . Certainly clearly elined Masonic marks are to be found in the most ancient buildings , not only at ome but abroad , and , upon the authority of some , even in the Holy City , Jerusalem , itself . As your Chaplain , I want to ask an interesting and imso question—how is it to be accounted for that Masonry has not only full Won <™ u " y survived the wreck of mighty empires , and has so successover th ^ ' ^ ^ destroying hand of time , and at this day is spread 'he world , and continues to exert so powerful an influence for good wherever

Consecration Of The Bootle Mark Lodge, No. 478.

it is loyally accepted and acted upon . Surely there can be but one answer to our inquiry , boldly and simply stated . The answer is this— " the purity and nobility of our grand principles , they stand unchangeable and universally applicable , so that wherever the sun shines , men meet face to face as brethren , hand is clasped in hand , and heart is united with heart , by the one strong bond of Brotherhood , and Masonry is thus felt to be a power largely contributing to render life truly happy , and , at the same time , truly and extensively useful . Nowlet us all ardently wish

, for , as we may all confidently look for , a thoroughly successful career of the Bootle Mark Lodge now being consecrated , placed , as it is , from its commencement under the guidance and direction of so experienced and enthusiastic a Mark Master Mason as the Worshipful Master designate , supported , as he undoubtedly will be , with zeal and loyalty , by those who appear with him to-day as the founders of this new lodge . Now , I am reminded by one of the beautiful emblems depicted in our lod

ge-room , that we are all of us embarked on the sea of life , which may sometimes be calm , but is often much troubled and tempest-tossed ; therefore , let us ever keep in mind , as the ultimate end of our voyage , that peaceful haven in which we hope to be safely anchored , where the wicked cease from troubling , and where the weary are at rest ; and then the hearing of that joyful and welcome salutation in the Grand Lodge above from our Grand Overseer— " Well done , good and faithful servant , enter thou into the joy of thy Lord . "

Consecration Of St. Andrew's Lodge, No. 2541.

CONSECRATION OF ST . ANDREW'S LODGE , No . 2541 .

For nearly two years past a scheme has been on foot among the brethren residing in and near Shirehampton to establish a lodge at Avonmouth . As Sir Michael Hicks Beach explained on Tuesday , the 29 th ult ., the members of the Province of Gloucestershire have always been very cautious in assenting to an increase in the number of lodges , and the close proximity of

Avonmouth to the Province of Bristol introduced a new set of conditions . The perseverance of the founders , however , and particularly of their leading spirit , Bro . Charles Holtom , happily surmounted all difficulties . The Piince of Wales , as M . W . G . M ., granted the necessary charter towards the end of last year , and Sir Michael Hicks Beach , P . G . M . of Gloucestershire , fixed the 29 th ult . for the important ceremony of consecration . Most wisely the

founders have met the objection to meet on licensed premises , by leasing a very convenient building for their hall , premises formerly used as a workmen ' s club , close to Avonmouth Dock Station . This , however , was altogether too small for the function on the 29 th ult ., which was therefore held in the parish schools , which had been admirably arranged for the occasion . The lodge starts with very handsome furniture and appointments , for which it is

largely indebted to the gifts of members and friends . Its number is 2541 , and it is called St . Andrew ' s Lodge , after the patron saint of the parish church . Although the heavy fall of snow had prevented several who were expected from attending , there was a very large gathering of brethren from Bristol , Gloucestershire , and Somerset , upwards of 200 in all , and they were wilh difficulty accommodated in the building .

The Consecrating Officer was the Prov . G . M ., Sir Michael Hicks-Beach , who was assisted by the following of his officers : — Bros . R . V . Vassar-Smith , D . P . G . M . ; James Bruton , Prov . S . G . W . ; R . W . Northcott , Prov . J . G . W . ; G . Linton Thorpe , Prov . G . Chap . ; J . B . Winterbotham , Prov . G . Sec . j H . Cooke , Prov . S . G . D . ; Sidney P . Ryland , Prov . G . D . C ; R . F . Turner , Prov . G . A . D . C ; A . Philpott , P . G . S . B . ; M . Llewellvn

Evans , Prov . A . G . Sec . ; F . Forty , Prov . G . Org . ; and F . Cullis , Prov . G . P . There were also present the following P . G . Oflicers of Gloucestershire : —Bros . R . Sumner , Prov . Charity Sec ; T . G . Seymour , P . P . S . G . W . ; W . G . Smith , P . P . G . S . B . ; E . Grossman , P . P . J . G . W . ; W . Roberts , P . P . G . R . ; J . Weghorne , P . P . S . G . D . ; F . Fenner , P . P . S . G . D . ; and E . Lea , P . P . G . D . C . From Bristol—Bros . J . R . Bramble , P . A . G . D . C . Eng ., D . P . G . M . ; David Rose , P . S . G . W . ; P .

Harris , P . G . Sec . ; E . B . Colthurst , P . G . D . C . ; A . Petter , P . G . S . B . ; C . H . Low , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . Card , P . P . J . G . W . ; E . f . Grubb , P . P . S . G . D . ; W . J . Cullimore , P . P . J . G . D . ; J . Owner , P . P . J . G . D . ; H . F . Price , P . P . G . R . ; W . Proctor , P . P . G . S . B . ; H . A . Benham , P . P . G . S . B . ; Harold Lewis , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; F . J . Stone , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; J . J . Justice , and E . J . Sellick , P . P . G . Std . Br . Also Bros . A . Wallis Paul , P . D . D . G . M . Bengal ; W . K . Thomas , P . P . S . G . W ., J . R . Thebridge , P . P . G . D ., and M . H . Clarke , P . P . G . P . Somerset ; L . G . W .

Mayer , S . W ., and E . W . Henley , J . W . 839 ; C . E . Barry , W . M . 18 7 ; G . J .

Holloway , W . M ., and H . J . Brewer , S . W . 702 ; E . G . Machon , W . M . 68 ; S . B . Darke , W . M . 2407 ; F . W . Simpson W . M . 686 ; J . F . Wallis , W . M . 103 ; A . Griffiths , W . M . 270 ; A . Jefferies , J . W . 1755 ; and others . The PROV . G . M . having opened the lodge and stated the business of the meeting , the warrant was read , and the founders signified their approval of the officers named therein .

The PROV . G . CHAP , delivered a judicious oration on the nature and the princip les of the institution , in the course of which he warned the members of the new lodge that quality and not quantity was what they should look for in receiving candidates . The Prov . G . Master then proceeded with the elaborate and impressive

ceremony of consecration , the ability and dignity with which he pet formed it being subsequently the theme of universal admiration . The assistance rendered by the Prov . G . D . of C is deserving of mention . The musical arrangements , which included several anthems , were under the skilled direction of the Prov . G . Org ., assisted by several brethren , members of the choir of Gloucester Cathedral .

After the lodge had been duly consecrated , the chair was taken by the Deputy Prov . G . M ., who installed Bro . J . L . Bretherton , P . M . 839 , P . P . S . G . D ., as W . M . The W . M . then invested the following officers : Bros . Chas . Holtom , S . W . ; E . J . Fillers , J . W . ; J . Weston , P . M . 839 , Treas . ; C . Hardwick , Sec . ; T . H . Gore , S . D . ; S . Humphries , J . D . ; M . P . S Tozer , P . M . 1752 , D . C ; C . R . Reilly , I . G . j andlP . W . Trachy , Tyler Bro . J . Weston will act as LP . M ., having been the immediate predecessor of the W . M . in their mother lodge , No . 839 .

The three addresses were dtlivered by Bro . RYLAND , Bro . SUMNER , and the PROV . G . M . The S . W . was presented with a founder ' s jewel , in recognition of his exertions as Secretary to the preliminary Committee . He drew attention to the gifts which had been made to the lodge , particulail ' y the banner given by 1 the wives of the founders and the bible by the vicar of the parish .