Consecration Of The Bishopsgate Lodge, No. 2396.

lodges in London ( 381 ) , and therefore they would understand that the Masonic requirements of the Metropolis were fully provided for , but occasionally circumstances occur , and local needs had to be considered . In the present case certain brethren of the Ward cf Bishopsgate had banded themselves together , and had addressed the M . W . G . M . with a prayer that a warrant mi ght be granted for a lodge to be established in this locality , and he was happy to say the worthy Alderman of

the Ward was one of the petitioners . This had been carefully considered , and , althoug h it was difficult to obtain a warrant in the prtsent day , when a large number had been declined , he was able to congratulate the petitioners on the petition having been granted . A warrant had been issued for a new lodge to be called the Bishopsgate Lodge , and it was to consecrate this lodge they had met that day . The petitioners had acted wisely in selecting experienced brethren to

preside , and he was sure the Worshipful Master who had been selected had had much experience , and would so conduct the affairs of the lodge during the first vear as to hand it over to his successor in an excellent state . He always felt it his duty to say a few words of warning to the founders . He did not say they were required on this occasion , but in the present day when Masonry was so much in evidence before the outer world , and their deeds and Charities advertised so

continually in the daily press , it followed that a large number of persons tried to obtain admission who were not always very fit and proper candidates . It therefore behoved all lodges , and more especially the founders of a new lodge , to be most careful in the admission of candidates . Unfortunately , he had known cases where new lodges had been carried away with the ambition to say they had gained a large number of members in a few months . Quality was better than quantity , and it was better

to have a few good ones than many who were not so . He therefore hoped they would carefully weigh and consider tjie antecedents of every candidate , and not admit them unless they were certain they would become good members . It was by so doing they would find they had built a lodge of which they would be proud . The founders having signified their approval of the officers named in the warrant , the following oration was delivered b y Bro . Rev . J . S . BROWNRIGG , P . G . Chaplain :

Very closely connected are the histories of the City Wards and the Guilds of operative Craftsmen , to both of which we naturally turn our attention to-day . The origin of both is lost in the distant past , _ but probably their existence in London commenced much about the same time . In earlier days they were rather the representatives of two opposing forces . The Ward with the Alderman , or lord of the manor , at its head , representing the landed and monied interest of the City—the Craft Guild the same of the artizan ,

whether skilled or unskilled . It was only gradually the Craftsmen became a power in the City Ward , showing at least enough to control the City officers , and so for more than 700 years through varying scenes they have grown together , and at the present moment there is probably no city in the world where there is a friendlier feeling between local power and trade than that which exists between the City Ward and the City Company . We , to-day , a Craft Guild of the Universe , are glad to be honoured with the invitation to connect ourselves informally , but not ineffectually , with one of the oldest and most

honoured of the City Wards—Bishopsgate . The very name associates your Ward with our Craft , and the gate was built for a Charitable motive by the Bishop of London . It was built to ease the passengers towards the east and north , who before its building were to make a long round before they could leave the City , and as time went on our Craft had much good work to . do in . your Ward . First let me mention what has fitly been called the Westminster Abbey of the City—the Church of St . Helens , which contains nuire , probably , of the illustrious dead than any other City church . Time will only permit me to notice one :

WILLIAM KERWIN , Of this Citie Freemason , who departed this life the 2 Gth day of December , 1594 . His epitaph—a truly Masonic one—ran thus : ^ dibus Attalicis Londinum qui decoravi Exiquum tribuunt hauc mini fata domu . m Me duce surgebant aliis regalia tecta

Me duce conficitur ossibus urn a meis . And as our antient brethren gave your ward the Westminster Abbey of the city they also gave you the City Westminster Hall of the day . It was built by the distinguished predecessor of your future Senior Warden , Sir John Crosby . We read that " this house he builded of stone and timber , very large and beautiful , and the highest at that time in London ; hee was one of the Sheriffes , and an Alderman in the yeere 1470 , knig-hted

by i' . dward the fourth . " But it was not only with their hands that our Craft have wrought in your Ward . The fact that our distinguished brother , William Shakespeare , stands assessed in the parish books in October , 159 S , for £ 5 13-. 4 d ., fairly warrants our claiming ^ that , at all events , some of his work was done in your Ward . Time is wholly insufficient or I might notice many other points of Masonic interest in the part of

rJishopsgate—such as the original hospital of Bethlehem . I shall not have said these feeble words in vain if I have encouraged brethren with greater ability and leisure than myself to seek further . Permit me only to close with the assurance of my conviction that the Bishopsgate Lodge will do work worthy to be placed side by side with that of our predecessors—the work of honest , upright lives , which will make our Craft honoured and respected here and elsewhere .

The ceremony , was proceeded with , and the new lodge duly dedicated and constituted . Bro . G . N . Johnson , P . G . Stwd ., was installed as W . M . b y the Grand Secretary , and invested the following officers : Bros . H . Clarke , P . M ., acting l . P . M . ; Alderman H . D . Davies , S . W . ; H . J . Tibbatts , J . W . ; F . Dadswell , Treas . ; Milton Smith , Sec . ; A . J . Hollington , P . G . S ., S . D . ; S . Jacobs , J . D . ; E . G . Cherry , I . G . ; H . MeadP . M . D . C ; and J . CollinsonStwd .

, , , . _ A Committee was elected to frame the by-laws , and several propositions for initiations and joining were announced . A heart y vote of thanks was accorded the Consecrating Officer and his Assistants , and they were unanimously elected honorary members , a compliment 'or which the Grand Secretary returned thanks . Lod ge was then closed , and after a well-served banquet , the usual toasts were honoured .

'' The Queen and the Craft" and " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " A ~' S been heartily received , the WORSHIPEUL MASTER proposed "The Grand Ufhcers , " of whom they had a large number present that evening . The Grand Ulhcers were always heartily received , and embodied the grandest principles of uasonry in their persons and behaviour , and their conduct to the brethren was calculated to raise Masonry to the highest degree . The Grand Officers present included the distinguished name of Sir Reginald Hanson , who had occupied the ughest positions in civic society , and who had dignified Masonry wherever he had gone . J

Bro . Sir REGINALD HANSON , P . G . W ., in response , expressed his regret that £ John Monckton , P . G . W ., had been obliged to leave . He fully appreciated the onour of returning thanks for a toast which was so justly honoured in every Masonic lodge . The Deputy Grand Master had done good suit and service in the lasonic cause , and they hoped he would still continue to do so , and he mi ght venture to express a hope that before long their Deputy Grand Master would « tain stiU hi gher position in the Crafc . In alluding to the Grand Officers , he vas speaking of many who Were well known in the Craft before he joined , but he

Q tried to do his duty , and it was a matter of great pleasure when the Consej , ln g Master was kind enough to ask him to take one of the chairs that evening . th * ? ^ first time he had occupied the chair at a consecration , and he would sc i ° ^ ^ 2 ' f ° being nervous . It was particularly a pleasure to be prent at the consecration of a lodre for the Ward nf Rishnnscrafe with \ vh \ rh UP

site f m '' y nad had " connection for many years , and he could almost see the / j rs . r . house where he spent many of his younger days . When he knew the of tv , \ i was to be one whom they had known so long , and that the Alderman . trie Ward was to be S . W ., he felt delighted to attend . the WORSHIPEUL MASTER next gave - " The Consecrating Master and his

Consecration Of The Bishopsgate Lodge, No. 2396.

I Assistants , " which toast he said would enlist their sympathy to the greatest extent . The Grand Secretary kindly and at once consented to perform the ceremony of . consecration when asked to do so , and had accordingly started them in their Masonic career . The Consecrating Master was ably assisted by two of the worthiest Masons with whom he could be associated , and by others whose efficiency and reputation were second to none . The lodge had been highly distinguished in

being thus carefully attended to , and they could not but remark the able , easy , and dignified manner in which the ceremony was conducted . The Grand Secretary took time to impress upon them every item , and a full disposition of his leisure time had been given in order that nothing should be wanting to increase the impressiveness of the service . The good , hearty , brotherly love which had pervaded the Consecrating Master and his assistants on this occasion must have impressed them all , and ought to be a point of emulation to those who rose to similar

positions . He felt that much of their future prosperity had been secured by the able services of the Grand Secretary , and if they prospered they would feel they owed very much to that to which he had alluded . Their best wishes would ever follow the toast with their heartfelt thanks , and that expression would be recognised as honest and true , and as not in excess of what was right . If the Consecrating Officer would accept that as the only return they could make it would prove his brotherly love and kindness .

Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , P . G . D ., Grand Sec , said he felt most grateful , and was sure his colleagues did also , for the kind and far too flattering way in which the W . M . had proposed the toast . It was a difficult thing to speak on a personal toast and as they had already heard his name ad nauseiim , he was surethey would not require him to say much more . He could onl y repeat what he had said in the lodge that it had been a great and sincere pleasure to those

distinguished brethren who had so well assisted him , and to himself to take the part they had in the starting of this lodge . They did so with the fullest conviction that they were engaged in a praiseworthy act and that the lodge they were starting was one which had a bright prosperity before it , and it would be the members own fault entirely if its future was not as bright as they hoped it would be . His colleagues and himself were old Masons who has done more or less a certain amount

of Masonic work . They had done it in the past and hoped to do in the future ; and their services were always at the disposalof their brethren in Masonry if they could by any effort increase and advance the interests and prosperity of the Order they all loved so well . He could not conclude \ yithout thanking the distinguished and able brethren who had assisted him . He was sorry Bro . Sir John Monckton had had to leave through an old engagement . He would now .

proceed to propose a toast which was more personal to the lodge , and the brethren would receive it with the greatest enthusiasm . It was the health of the excellent and experienced Mason who had been installed as the W . Master of this lodge . It was a high honour for any brother to be installed in the chair of a lodge , but it was a much higher honour to become the first W . M . of a new lodge , for amongst the founders there were generall y many brethren who were equally qualified , and

who probably had strong claims , so that when the members put their hands upon one brother and said he was the best man to rule them , it was a very high and distinguished honour . That honour had been paid very properly to Bro . Johnson , the present Worshipful Master . When they remembered what an old and experienced Mason the W . M . was , a very old member of Lodge No . 1 , was in the high position of Grand Steward 16 years ago , had filled the chair of that lodge ,

and had joined other lodges , they would admit he was a man of distinction and experience . He was sure that under Bro . Johnson ' s genial sway the lodge would be carried on in the way they all wished and desired . He congratulated Bro . Johnson , because he had been made W . M . of a lodge in a part of London with which he had been personally acquainted , he and his family , for a great many years , and therefore he must feel a great personal interest in being Master of the Bishopsgate Lodge .

Bro . G . N . J OHNSON , P . G . Stwd ., W . M ., in reply , said the kind way in which his health had been proposed , and the cordial manner in which it had been welcomed , was an expression to him of fraternal feeling that could not easily be forgotten . Any services the W . M . could at any time give in his own person or interest would be readily given . It was pleasing for him to contemplate the

Masters likely to succeed him , and he felt sure the prosperity of the lodge was secured by that successor . The qualifications they possessed would in due time show that the lodge would have no reason for regret when he vacated the chair . His faithful service should be rendered as the least acknowledgment he could show for the kind way in which they had received his health .

Bro . General J . S . WEGLEY , U . S . A ., responding for "The Visitors , " conveyed heartfelt greetings from the other side of the water . He was their very grateful debtor for one of the most impressive and interesting ceremonies of consecration he ever witnessed—not only so skilfully done , but so interesting in all its details .

" The Health of the Founders' Secretary " was next given , the W . M . observing that Bro . Tibbatts conceived the idea of the lodge , and owing to his energies it had been so successfully started . Bro . TIBBATTS , J . W ., replied , after which " The Officers" was given . Bro . Alderman DAVIES , S . W ., having returned thanks , the Tyler ' s toast closed the proceedings .

The musical arrangements were well carried out under the direction of Bro . J . F . Haskins , assisted by Bros . Frost , Gawthrop , Hanson , Kempton , and Devey . The lodge was furnished by Bro . George Kenning .

Consecration Of The Broxbourne Lodge Of Mark Master Masons, No. 428.

CONSECRATION OF THE BROXBOURNE LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS , No . 428 .

The consecration of the Broxbourne Mark Lodge , N 0 . 428 , took place on the 28 th ult . at the Crown Hotel , Broxbourne , and the new venture promises to attain the same success that has characterised the Craft lodge bearing the same name . The interesting ceremony was performed by Bro . Thomas F . Halsey , M . P ., Prov , Grand Master , assistedby Bros . C . E . Keyser ; H . C . 'Heard , P . P . G . D . ; C . F . Matier , P . G . W ., Grand Sec . ; James Terry , P . A . G . D . C , Sec . R . M . B . I . ; Rev . H . F . Oliver ,

Prov . G . Chap . Middx . and Surrey ; and T . C . Edmonds , Prov . G . D . C . Middx . The founders are Bros . E . C . Mulvey , H . H . Shirley , J . Castello , C . B . Cooper , and E . Fewings . The following visitors were also present : Bros . Dr . N . Goodchild , W . M . 97 ; J . E . Dawson , D . P . G . M . ; J . Brittain , Prov . G . Reg . ; W . K . Hopkins Prov . G . J . O . ; G . Mickley , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . Chalmers-Hunt , W . M . 3 66 ; T . S . Carter , P . P . J . G . W . ; E . Styles , 418 ; and W . W . Lee .

Lodge was opened , and the following brethren were advanced to the Degree by Bro . H . H . Shirley , who rendered the ceremony in a very impressive manner -. Bros . W . Rooke , T . J . Phillips , J . S . Metcalfe , A . L . Adams , O . P . T . Newmann , J . Heilbrun , J . W . Hunt , T . J . Patrick , O . Freidheim , H . Beste , A . J . Sheriff , and J . Carey .

The Prov . Grand Master , Bro . T . F . HALSEY , M . P ., then assumed the chair , and having appointed his officers pro tern , addressed the brethren on the motive of the meeting . He expressed the pleasure it afforded him to be present that day , which feeling he was sure was shared by all the brethren in attendance , and also his gratification at being asked to assist in the addition of a new lodge to the roll of Mark lodges in the province . He was sure that with good officers the new lodge would speedily attain success , and take a prominent position in Mark Masonry . ...