Consecration Of The Shropshire Mark Lodge, No. 444.

great importance of only accepting as members those who would do credit to thc lodge , and pointed out that the Mark had an advantage over Craft Masonry . " inasmuch as it could pick and choose for its ranks only those who had shown and proved themselves to be true and worthy Masons . He wished every success to the lodge , and long life and prosperity to Bro . Venables , its first Master . Bro . VENABLES responded in an appropriate but brief speech .

Bro . BELTON proposed the toast ol " The Visitors . This was one of Ihe toasts upon which Freemasons laid great stress , and Mark Masons were not one whit behind . The Shropshire being the only and first Mark lodge in the province , was and always would be proud to welcome visitors . Bros . HENDERSON , P . G . Sec . North Wales , and thc Rev . H . K . SOUTHWELL briefly responded .

Bro . the Rev . T . PARKINS proposed " The Newly-Advanced Brethren , to which Bro . H . R . GILES responded . The YVORSHIPFUL MASTER proposed " The Officers , " and alluded to the difficulty he had experienced in allotting the offices amongst thebrethren , in consequence of the merits of all the brethren who had bcen enrolled . Bro . YV . L . SOUTHWELL suitably responded .

Bro . WILLI AMS-FREEMAN proposed , in an eloquent speech , " The Mark Benevolent Fund , " to which he and the YV . M . had consented to act as Stewards at the approaching festival . Bro . MATIER replied and stated that no candidate who was found to be deserving had ever been refused assistance from the Mark Fund . The sum of £ 15 was collected at the table to place upon the joint list of Bros . Y ' enables and Williams-Freeman .

The Tyler ' s toast brought to a close one of , if not the most successful Masonic gatherings in this province . The proceedings were interspersed with a choice selection of music by Mr . Hudson Davies' celebrated string band .

Frequent allusions were made during the evening to thc indefatigable efforts of Bros . V . C . L . Crump and W . Belton , to whom the success of the proceedings were mainly due and by whose perseverance the formation of the lodge was accomplished . The lodge was furnished by Bro . George Kenning .

Grand Festival Of The Order Of The Secret Monitor.

GRAND FESTIVAL OF THE ORDER OF THE SECRET MONITOR .

A meeting of Grand Conclave was held at Mark Masons' Hall , Great Oueen-street , W . C , on the 22 nd ult ., under the presidency of Bro . Isaachar Zacharie , M . D ., G . S . R . The other members p resent included Bros . Lieut .-Col . George Lambert , as D . G . S . R . ; YV . G . Lemon , LL . B ., G . Treas . ; F . A . Philbrick , O . C , as G . Chancellor ; Adolp hus Clark , J . Pakes , J . P . Brickwood , W 7 | . Spratling , G . Recorder ; A . Lamette , H . H . Shirley , J . Stephens , YV . Hancock , YV . Maple , Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , E . Jessurun , President Board of Grand Stewards ; H . Pearce , M . D ., H . Tipper , and

many others . A meeting of Grand Council was first held , at which Bro . I . Zacharie , M . D ., was unanimously re-elected G . S . R ., and Bro . YV . G . Lemon reelected Grand Treasurer . Bro . E . Letchworth was invested as a P . G . S . R ., to fill the vacancy caused by thc death of Col . Shadwell H . Clerke . The Third Degree of the Order was conferred by Bro . Pakes upon Bros . Elias Jessurun , H . YV . Seager , M . D ., YV . YVilliamson , A . T . Weston , and H . Tipper .

Grand Conclave was then opened , and the roll of conclaves called . The minutes of thc last meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . I . Zacharie , M . D ., was installed and proclaimed as G . S . R . for the sixth year in

succession . Bro . F . A . PHILBRICK , Q . C , P . G . S . R ., moved a resolution placing upon record the deep sense of the heavy loss sustained by this Order and Freemasonry generally through the lamented deaths of Colonel Shadwell Clerke and Sir Francis Burdett , brethren whose talents , geniality , and courtesy had endeared them to all . He said there was scarcely a Mason in the land but had acutely felt thc sad death of their distinguished Bro . Col . Clerke . He believed he was correct in saying that long before Col . Clerke

attained prominent position in English Freemasonry he had been' initiated into the Order of the Secret Monitor . At thc time ' thc G . S . R . had an idea of starting a conclave in England , lhey naturally looked lo Col . Clerke for his invaluable assistance and co-operation , and lhey knew the extent of the service he had rendered by the wisdom of his advice . Unrivalled almost in his knowledge of Masonry , certainly not surpassed by those connected with him , he was enabled to guide thc affairs of the Craft and assist the

other Orders in which he was so deeply interested . He was a Secret Monitor in heart and soul , and look the keenest interest in thc Order , and notwithstanding his many Masonic engagements—and through which , owing to his high sense of duty , his life was probabl y sacrificed—he always found time to assist the Order of the Secret Monitor . His bright example would stimulate them to follow in his footsteps , and would be always before them , for " Sweet is the memory of the just , It blooms and blossoms in the dust . " Bro . Lieut .-Col . G . LAMBERT , P . G . S . R ., seconded the resolution , which

was unanimously adopted . On the motion of the G RAND TREASURER , the sum of 10 guineas was voted to " The Shadwell Gierke Trust Fund . " Thc following appointments were then made for the ensuing year : Bro . Edward Letchworth , G . S . ( Craft ) ... ... P . G . S . R . . I . nrrl l . mnkr . M . P .. P . G . Cn . D . R . O .

,, Baron Halsbury ( Lord Chancellor of England ) G . Chancellor . ,, YY ' . G . Lemon , LL . B ., L . CC ... ... G . Treasurer . 1 , The Earl of Euston , P . G . G . ... ... G . Chamberlain . ,, Sir Augustus Harris , P . G . B . B . ... ... G . Guide .

„ YV . J . Spratling , B . Sc , P . P . G . Treas . Middx . G . Recorder . ,, Charles Edward Keyser ... ... " . / - \ r -. _ - ¦ _ r 1 ii . _ . M 1 . > G . Visitors . ,, G . Danford P . I homas , M . D . ... ... ) ,, Prosonno Coomar Dutt ... ... ... P . G . Visitor .

„ lihas Jessurun , Pres . Bd . G . Stwds . ... G . Std . Br . „ Henry Pearce , M . D ., S . R . ... ¦" ' P G Std Brs „ II . YV . Seager , M . D ., P . G . Stwd .... ... j ' * ' ° ' Ma * liP " „ YV . Cracroft Foolis , B . A ., L . L . B ., P . G . Stwd ., P . S . R . ... ... ... G . Bow Br .

,, YV . YVilliamson , P . G . Stwd . ... ... ) ,, ,. ,, , „ ... „ | . Steavenson , B . A ., P . G . Stwd ., P . S . R . ... j ' ' ° ' l 5 u" li , s ' „ YV . C Canton , P . G . Stwd ., P . S . R . ... G . Gdr . „ A . P . YVesterhoul , P . G . Stwd . ... ... P . G . Gdr .

Grand Festival Of The Order Of The Secret Monitor.

Bro . Arthur P . Norton , P . G . Stwd . ... ... ^ ,, Walter Hancock , S . R . ... ... ... / n r „ L . M . Biden , P . G . Stwd ., P . S . R \ ' Councilors .

„ H . Tipper , Sec . Bd . G . Stwds . ... ... J „ J . P . Brickwood , S . R . ... ... ... ) ,, Thos . Cook , P . G . Stwd . ... ... > P . G . Councillors . „ E . P . Stantial , P . G . Stwd . ... ... j ,, E . j . Mills ... ... ... ... G . Sentinel .

I he following brethren were appointed Grand Stewards , 1892-3 : Bros . Rev . A . YV . Oxford , M . A ., and Robert Roy , M . A ., No . 1 ; Chas . Couper Cripps , No . 2 ; Fras . St . George Caulfield , Penang , No . 3 ; Capt . Henry YY ' right , No . 4 ; James Stephens and Joseph Arthur Robinson , No . 5 ; Chas . Corby and Fred . Jackson , No . 6 ; Thomas Emery and Jas . Currall , No . 7 ; YV . Maple , No . 8 ; Thomas Wright , No . 9 ; Edward Tebbs and A . Upton , M . D ., No . 10 ; YValter Martin , No . 11 ; John Weston ,

No . 12 ; Dr . Reginald L . Y ' erley , No . 13 ; YV . F . De Fabeck , M . D ., Madras , and James Gray , Madras , No . 14 ; A . C . Dandridge , No . 15 ; Dr . Robert Forrest Dedrickson , Calcutta , and Okhill Chunder Mookerjee , Calcutta , No . 16 ; H . E . Cousans , No . 17 ; J . Barthram Taylor , No . 19 ; and Capt . W . T . Allen , No . 20 . The Grand Conclave was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the Holborn Restaurant , where an excellent banquet was well served .

The usual toasls were afterwards given , the speeches being interspersed with a choice selection of music performed under the direction of Bro . H . Tipper , assisted by Bro . Tipper ' s Part Singers , Miss Clara Butt , R . C . M ., Miss Bessie Poole , R . A . M ., Miss F . E . Tipper , R . C . M ., Mr . H . C . Ryall , and Bro . F . James .

i he loyal toasts having been honoured , Bro . F . A . PHILBRICK , P . G . S . R ., proposed " The Health of the Grand Supreme Ruler , Bro . I . Zacharie , M . D . " He said the health of their respected and esteemed G . S . R ., who had presided over them ever since the Order became a Masonic being in this country , was emphatically the toast of the evening . He would recall to their attention the period when six

years ago the venture was made , and thc Order was introduced to English Freemasons . He need scarcely say that in founding thc Order no slight task was undertaken . There was a multi p licity of Orders in Freemasonry —some with very large claims on their attachment , and with many claims to antiquity and respect ; others which commended themselves to them iu various capacities ; but an Order like theirs , which was founded as a

substratum upon Masonry , was something which was the crowning and perfecting of the true Masonic structure . It was not so much that it possessed different ritual or different mysteries , but , founding itself upon one of the most touching narratives of the Sacred YY ' ord , it possessed strength and power , and , like every simple narrative which reflected the ways and feelings of mankind , appealed directly to the heart . Under the auspices of the

G . S . R ., and accompanied b y a faithful band of brethren -some of whom had departed this life , and whose loss they deplored—the Order obtained a success which would most favourably compare with any similar venture in modern times . A great measure of this success had been contributed by the ability and geniality of the G . S . R ., and long might he continue lo

preside over the Order and hold a position he so worthily filled . They congratulated the G . S . R on the success achieved in a country such as thisa Masonic country and congratulated him on thc position of the Order . They also congratulated themselves on belonging to an Order with such high aims .

Bro . 1 . ZACHARIE , M . D ., G . S . R ., in reply , said that , having listened to the flattering remarks made b y Bro . Philbrick , he must say he did not possess the eloquence to adequately respond . Hc , however , thanked the brethren for the kind manner in which the toast had been received , for it afforded him the opportunity of thanking them for the confidence placed in him by electing him for the sixth year as the Grand Supreme Ruler . As

hc had said on former occasions , it was a position which the proudest monarch in the land might feel proud of . He was sorry to say that sad changes had taken place in their Council during thc past year , for their Order had lost one of its most brilliant lights , and he feared it would be many years before they found such a friend as their lamented Bro . Col . Shadwell Gierke , who was devoted to

the Order and to whom all the success it had attained was due . Bro . Col . Clerke always said that this Order was the link which united all good Masons together and brought Masonry to their homes and firesides . Bro . Edward Letchworth had been appointed to fill the vacant chair , and from what they knew of him he was sure thc Order would lose none of its lustre in his hands . It must be a satisfaction for them all to know that their Order

was in a flourishing condition , and it would continue so as long as they kept the portals well guarded—for it was quality , not quantity they desired . He was happy to see so many Grand Officers present for he feared that owing to several important meetings taking place that day there would be but a

small gathering . He thanked the Grand Officers for the kind assistance given in the past , and hoped they would continue to render that assistance in the future . He again thanked them for the honour conferred upon him . and assured them lhat nothing should be wanting on his part to promote thc interests of the Order .

The G . S . R . then gave " Bro . Lord , Brooke , Deputy Ruler of the Order , for which Bro . Lieut .-Col . LAMBERT replied , and Bro . YV . G . LEMON responded for * 'Bro . Lord Halsbury , Grand Chancellor . " Bro . NE WELL , of Madras , returned thanks for "The Grand Ofiicers , " and said that when he returned to India hc would bring before the notice ol the members the kind reception he had received .

" The Grand Stewards " was next honoured , and replied to by Bro . Rev A . YV . OXFORD , M . A .

In giving " The Grand Treasurer and Grand Recorder , " the G . S . Kreferred to thc invaluable services rendered to the Order b y Bro . Spratling ' Grand Recorder , and said he should never forget the energy with which thai brother had worked for the success of the Order . Bro . YY ' . J . SPRATLING , G . Recorder , who was accorded a hearty reception , said that whatever success had bcen attained had bcen the result "I hard work , and a great part of that work had fallen on his shoulders . 'I he )'

could all congratulate themselves 011 the success they had achieved . , ' . , 7 had had a great deal to light against , but under the guidance of the G . S . K ' and others they had been able to steer their way into a better position than the Order had ever held . He was certain there was no better ritual " ' Masonry than theirs . Hc would be happy to do everything he could in tllC future for tlie benefit of the Order . l'he Grand Sentinel ' s toast then closed the proceedings .