Provincial Grand Lodge Of Middlesex

Bro . E . MONTEUUIS , on behalf of " The Visitors , " returned sincere thanks for the kind and hearty reception accorded them . It had been a great p leasure to him to be present , and particularly to see the esteem in which Bro . Thrupp was held by the brethren . It was the first time he had visited a Provincial Grand Lodge , but he found it most impressive .

In proposing " The Provincial Grand Officers , " the DEPUTY PROV . G RAND MASTER said that anyone who knew the work of a province with 39 lodges would know that year by year the difficulty of choosing Provincial Grand Ofiicers become greater . They would therefore see that if one or two of the brethren were passed over it was not the fault of the Prov . Grand Master , but from the fact that there were not a sufficient number of offices .

Those who had been appointed to Prov . Grand office that day were selected by their late dear old chief , and he believed it was an excellent choice . Whenever he visited a lodge he took particular notice of what was done there in order to select the best men for the Provincial collars . He was very g lad Bro . Dixon Hartland had been selected as Prov . S . G . W . There was another brother he must not forget to mention—his great help-male , Bro

Room , Prov . Grand Sec , and he could assure the brethren that thc way in which the Prov . Grand Secretary organised the province , looked after the returns and the working , and the wa } ' in which he had arranged their festival that day deserved their most hearty thanks . No province could possibly have a better Prov . Grand Secretary , and no Deputy Prov . Grand Master could have a better right hand than Bro . Room .

Bro . DIXON HARTLAND , Prov . S . G . W ., said it was always a great honour to reply to such a toast as that , and he felt the honour far greater to the district which he had the honour to represent in Parliament . He hoped Provincial Grand Lodge had received such hospitality there as would induce them to come again . He felt unworthy to return thanks for that toast , for Bro . Room , who had done such excellent work , would answer for the Provincial Grand Officers far better .

Bro . HOWARD H . ROOM , Prov . G . Sec , thanked the Deputy Provincial Grand Master for the kind way in which he had spoken of him . He did not expect to be called upon to make any observations on this occasion . He was glad of the opportunity of thanking the brethren for the kind way in which he was always received in the province , and in which he had been received in that representative assembly that day . The way in which the

work of the Provincial Grand Secretary was assisted by the Secretaries of the various lodges showed that the heart of ever } ' worker was in his work . It would be impossible for him as a busy man to do the work which necessitated the employment of every spare moment , if he was not assisted by every member . He publicly thanked the Secretaries of the lodges for the very handsome way in which they supported him , and also thanked his

colleague , Bro . Lee , Prov . A . G . Sec , for the very able assistance rendered by him . He hoped the brethren would agree he was right when he said they were his friends , and in that spirit he carried out his duties , and hoped to continue to do so with that love and harmony which should at all times chaiacterise Freemasonry . Under the direction of Bro . Peet , P . P . G . Org ., a choice selection of music was performed by Bro . H . Schartau ' s part singers , which considerably enhanced the enjoyment of the brethren present .

Consecration Of The Prudence Chapter . No. 2069.

CONSECRATION OF THE PRUDENCE CHAPTER . No . 2069 .

On Saturday , the 25 th ult ., a new chapter , called the Prudence Chapter , No . 2069 , and joined to the Prudence Lodge , No . 2069 , was consecrated at the Masonic Hall , Great George-street , Leeds , in the presence of a large and influential assembl y of Companions . The chapter will be worked on the same lines as those of the lodge , viz ., those of temperance , upon which the Prudence Lodge has flourished , and gained its name as being one of the

most successful lodges in the Province of West Yorkshire . The consecration was undertaken by Comp . Ensor Drury , P . Z ., P . P . G . H ., the chairs of H . and J . being filled b y Comps . T . W . Embleton , P . Z ., Prov . G . H ., and W . H . Jessop , P . Z ., Prov . G . J . ; and Comps . Henry Smith , P . Z ., Prov . G . S . E . ; Robert Arnison , P . Z ., Prov . G . S . N . ; E . Billington , P . Z ., Prov . G . D . C ; and Herbert E . Green , Prov . A . G . S . E ., were also in attendance .

1 he other offices were filled b y Comps . J . Monckman , P . Z ., P . P . G . P . S ., as P . S . i J . P . Hewitt , P . Z ., Prov . G . Stwd ., as 1 st A . S . ; D . R . Glover , P . Z ., as 2 nd A . S . ; T . Bateman Fox , P . Z ., as Registrar ; and G . F . Carr , _ s Organist .

The chapter having been duly opened , the ceremony of consecration was most impressively performed , and the rendering of the different portions left nothing to be desired . An oration was then delivered b y Comp . C . L . MASON , P . Z ., P . P . G . H . ,, The 12 founders of the chapter , viz ., Comps . Dr . T . C . Smyth , C . L .

Uason , Tudor Trevor , C . Middleton , E . Woodhouse , R . Abbott , A . Butterworth , Tom Atkinson , F . G . Dimery , B . S . Bailey , R . Ellis , and T . ouckley , were then addressed b y Comp . ENSOR DRURY , after which he installed the Three Principals into their respective chairs as follows ; Comps . >• I " . C . Smyth , P . Z ., P . P . G . H ., P . G . S . Ene-land , Z . ; C . L . Mason ,

. ' ' -, P . P . G . H ., H . ; and Tudor Trevor , P . Z . / P . P . G . D . C , J . The following officers were next invested with the collars of their respective offices by [ he M . E . Z ., Comp . Dr . Smyth : Comps . C . Middleton , J . 306 , S . E . ; F . y- Dimery , S . N . ; Robert Abbott , Treas . ; A . Butterworth , P . S . ; Tom Atkinson , ist A . S . ; B . S . Bailey , 2 nd A . S . ; and T . Buckley , Org .

YV Si motion of the M . E . Z ., Comps . Ensor Drury , T . W . Embleton , ¦ " " ¦• Jessop , Henry Smith , and T . Bateman Fox were unanimousl y heeled honorary members of the new chapter . 1 i ^( . not'cc of t , 'ic exa ! tation of three candidates , the chapter was closed , j " l " companions adjourned to dinner , at which the usual toasts were dul y J lie following is a list of thc visitors . -

Comp s , YV . F . Smithson , P . Z ., P . G . Std . Br . ; YV . C . Lupton , P . P . G . S . N . ; YV . H , Flow' P ' * Std' Br * i A' Scarth . * - > P - - - 0 r _ - i T . B . Wilson , Z . 306 ; W . p 'ockton , Z . 1042 ; C . YVheavill , P . Z . 290 ; J . Thrippleton , P . Z . 306 ; S . Freeman , Tho , : T * Tomlinson , H . 289 ; A . Wilson , H . 306 ; C . A . Phillips , ] . 306 ; T , J . \ VB . ' , , ! J * Danson - 521 ; J . Ripley , W . Smith , J . Burt , R . J . Smith , and Q > Blackburn , of 1042 ; J . T . Last and J . Niven , of 38 7 ; J . Millington , R . Wat ?? ' 1 ' N - Hautin , of 289 ; Dr . Bacon , 448 ; A . Redmayne and C . H . "house , of 306 ; I . Constable , 242 ; and W . Clayton , 104 .

Consecration Of The Shropshire Mark Lodge, No. 444.

CONSECRATION OF THE SHROPSHIRE MARK LODGE , No . 444 .

H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . Grand Mark Master , having been graciously pleased to grant a warrant of constitution for this the first Mark lodge in the Province of Shropshire , to be held at Shrewsbury , and called The Shropshire Mark Lod ge , No . 444 ,. the same was consecrated on Thursday , the 30 th ult ., at the Music Hall Buildings , Shrewsbury , by Bro . the Earl of Euston , Deputy G . M ., under very favourable auspices , and in the

presence of a large and distinguished assembly of brethren . An emergency meeting was first held by dispensation , when Bro . Lieut .-Col . Gordon Warren , D . P . G . M . of North YY ' ales , acted as W . M . ; Bro . Capt . Williams-Freeman , Deputy Dist . G . M . of North Africa , as S . W . ; and Bro . Loxdale-YVarren , A . G . D . of C ., as J . YV ., and advanced Bros . H . R . Giles , YV . Adams , YV . Aylmer Lewis , and F . Chubb to the Degree o f Mark Master .

The Grand Officers then entered in procession , when Bro . the Earl of Euston , D . G . M ., took the Chair , and Bro . C . F . Matier , P . G . W ., G . Sec , acted as S . W . ; Bro . Major S . G . Fairtlough , R . A ., as J . YV . ; Bro . the Rev . W . Trevor Parkins , P . G . Chap ., as Chaplain ; Bro . R . Berridge , G . D . of C , as D . of C . ; and Bro . J . Chadwick , P . G . O ., P . G . Sec . East Lanes ., as I . G .

The following brethren were also present : Bro . Loxdale Warren , A . G . D . C ; W . D . Henderson , P . G . Sec . North Wales ; Major G . W . Walker , P . G . Sec , & c , Staffordshire ; R . Newhouse , P . S . G . D ., P . G . Sec . Cheshire ; T . F . Bland , P . G . Sec . Worcestershire ; A . Green , D . P . G . M . Worcestershire ; Major J . B . Morgan , P . M ., & c . 290 , P . P . G . M . O . Staffordshire ; Major F . Walton , P . M . 290 , P . P . S . G . W . Staffordshire ; R . Longden , 290 , & c . ; Rev . W . J . Down , 330 ; Rev . H . Kemble Southwell , T . C . Bromwich , W . E , Thomason , 318 , and others .

After the lodge had been opened , the CONSECRATING OFFICER expressed the pleasure it gave him to attend to consecrate the first Mark lodge in Shropshire , and hoped it was the pioneer of others that may be hereafter formed in a province bearing such a good Masonic record as this . The names of those selected to preside over its destinies augured well for its future success .

The D . of C . then read the petition and warrant , and the founders—Bros . Rowland G . Venables , G . Williams-Freeman , W . Belton , V . C . L . Crump , G . Gordon YY'arren , E . A . Hicks , A . S . Townsend , YV . L . Southwell , and J . H . Cooksey ( all of whom were present ) having signified their approval of the officers named therein , an able and excellent oration on the nature and principles of the Order was delivered by Bro . Trevor Parkins , P . G . Chap .

The ceremony of consecration was then proceeded with , and the lodge was dedicated and constituted , the musical portion being rendered b y Bro . W . E . Thomason , 318 . The D . G . M . then vacated the chair in favour of Bro . C . F . Matier , G . Sec , who installed the YY ' . M . designate , Bro . Rowland George Venables . A ballot was taken for the office of Treasurer , when Bro . J . H . Cooksey was elected .

The following were then invested : Bros . G . Gordon Warren , I . P . M . ; G . Williams-Freeman , S . YV . ; YV . Belton , J . YV . ; YV . L . Southwell , M . O . ; V . C . L . Crump , S . O . j E . A . Hicks , J . O . ; J . H . Cooksey , Treas . ; A . S . Townsend , R . of M . ; W . Adams , Sec ; T . YVhitefoot , S . D . ; W . A . Lewis , J . D . ; H . R . Giles , I . G . ; and F . Chubb , Stwd .

On the proposition of the YV . M ., the Consecrating Officer and Bros . Matier and Berridge were elected honorary members , and were , together with the founders ofthe lodge , presented with founders' jewels as a souvenir of the occasion .

The DEPUTY GRAND MASTER returned thanks , after which the By-law Committee was formed , and several brethren were proposed for advancement and as joining members . Letters ol regret ( or non-attendance were then read from the Prov . G . Masters of Cheshire , Gloucestershire and Herefordshire , Monmouthshire , North YVales , Staffordshire , YVorcestershire , and other provinces ; Bros .

Col . A . B . Cook , P . G . Treas . ; R . Clowes , P . G . O . ; O . Shellard , D . P . G . M . Gloucestershire and Herefordshire ; Sir Ofiley YVakeman , Bart . ; Dr . YVillmore , 290 ; YV . H . Spaull , R . Millington , and others . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the Music Hall , which had been most tastefull y decorated with choice . lowers and designs , and sat down loan excellent banquet , served under the superintendence of Bro . Pee .

The YV . M . presided , and was supported on his right by Bro . the Earl of Euston and other Grand Officers , and on his left by Bro . Gordon YVarren and other distinguished brethren . Short speeches and good music was thc order of the evening . Thc usual toasts were afterwards given . Bro . GORDON WARREN , in giving that of "The M . W . G . M ., " alluded in sympathetic terms to the great bereavement that had so recentl y befallen

the Royal Family , and expressed the hope that the G . O . of the Universe might support them in their sorrow . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER gave the toast of "The Pro G . M ., Deputy G . M ., Grand Officers , and Consecrating Officers , " and observed that they had a fine array of Grand Officers present that evening to whom they felt deeply indebted for the great compliment paid to the new lodge by their presence . They also owed a deep debt of gratitude to the Earl of Euston

for coming to Shrewsbury at great personal inconvenience to perform the ceremony of consecration , and to support them by his presence that evening . Bro . the Earl of EUSTON , Deputy G . M ., said he was always ready and pleased to do his duty , and he was only too happy to come and assist at the inauguration of the first Mark lodge in the Province of Shropshire . Hc was always ready and willing to goto any part of England or YY ' ales to take

part in a little ceremony , for he felt it was no trouble if he could do anything to further the cause of Freemasonry . Bro . WILLIAMS-FREEMAN proposed " The Installing Master " in an eloquent speech , in the course of which he said that those who had not seen Bro . Matier ' s work before must be pleased and gratified ; those who had

seen it must acknowledge that to-day he had lost none of his old form , but was " training on . " Hc showed an example to all present who wish to attain to high Masonic skill . Bro . MATIER responded in eloquent and suitable terms , referring to the high repute in which Mark Masonry was held alike in the four quarters of the globe .

The DEPUTY GRAND MASTER then proposed " The Health of thc YY ' orship ful Master , " and referred to Bro . Venables' work in Craft Masonry , which augured well for the success of this lod ge , and advised those present to follow in his footsteps and they would not go wrong . He dwelt upon the