Imposing Masonic Ceremonial In Liverpool.

Bro . Armstrong then read a list of the two comp lete sets of current coins ofthe realm , placed in an hermetically sealed case showing the obverse and reverse side of each coin . These were the gift of Bro . J . R . Goepel , P . M . 155 , and the splendid collection comprised , amongst others , a dragon sovereign , Gothic crown , " godless" florin , and other

remarkably interesting coins . Along with these were placed a programme of the day's proceedings , a list of Liverpool lodges , thc report of the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution for 1871 , copy of trust deed , scroll , the Freemason of that clay , bye-laws of the Masonic Hall , list of the Committee , with the Liverpool Mercury , Daily Post , Courier , Albion ancl IVeekly Mercury .

After thc case had been placed in the cavity of the lower stone by Bro . Armstrong , and the plate had been fixed , thc builder delivered the silver trowel to Lord Skelmersdale . The trowel , which was exceedingly chaste , was manufactured by Messrs . Elkington and Son , and bore the

inscription : — Presented to the Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , VAV . P . D . G . M . of West Lancashire , on the occasion of his laying thc foundation-stone of the Liverpool Masonic Hall , Nov . 2 nd , A . L . 3 872 ; A . D . 1 S 72 . " On the trowel was a beautifully engraved view of the front elevation of the building , along with the Masonic emblems .

After his lordship had spread the cement , the upper stone was slowly lowered , vvith three distinct stops , the band meanwhile playing appropriate music . The noble lord then proved the just position and form of the stone by thc plumb rule , level , and square , delivered to him respectively bv the

J . ., S . W ., and P . M . Having satisfied himself in these particulars , hc gave the stone three knocks with the mallet ( handed to him by Bro . Pearson ) , and pronounced the following invocation r— " May the Almighty Architect of the Universe look down with benignity upon our present undertaking , and

crown thc edifice of winch vve have now laid the corner-stone with every success . " Lord Skelmcrs-Ihen strewed Corn as an emblem of Plenty , poured Wine and Oil as emblems of Joy and Harmony , and pronounced the second invocation : — " Praise be to the Lord , Immortal and Eternal , who formed

the heavens , laid the foundations of thc earth , and extended the waters beyond it ; who supports the pillars of nations , and maintains in order and harmony surrounding worlds . We implore Thy aid , and may the continued blessings of an all bounteous Providence be the lot of these our native

shores ; and may the Almighty Ruler of events deign to direct the hand of our Gracious Sovereign , so that she may pour down blessings upon her people ; ancl may her people , living under sage laws in a free government , ever feel grateful for the blessings they enjoy . "

Hargreaves' ode " Prosper the Art , " was then performed with splendid effect by the band and choir , and Bro . R . Wylie offered a second prayer . Lord Skelmersdale then inspected the plans submitted by the architect , whom he instructed to proceed without loss of time to the completion of the work .

Bro . Lord Skelmersdale then got on the top of the stone , being received with immense cheering , ancl said it had given him infinite pleasure lo have been present at the good work which had been done that day . There was only one regret , and that was , that their late P . G . M . ( Sir ' Thomas

Fermor-IIesketh ) had not been there to take that duty , for he ( Lord Skelmersdale ) knew how his heart was set upon it—how he wished that work to bc completed . Such a hall had long been wanted in Liverpool , because there Masonry had greatly progressed , and the numbers of brethren had

increased , as in other parts of the province , lt was only right for the brethren of this " good old town , " lo build a hall worthy of themselves , and worthy of tlic Craft . ( Cheers . ) He trusted the hall might prove satisfactory to the brethren , and that peace and harmony might long reign within its walls . Another source of gratification was , that the corner

stone had been laid during thc year of olhcc of a worthy brother , if hc might call him so—brother , his Worship the Mayor —( loud cheers)—^ nd it had . given him the greatest pleasure to see him present that day . His lordship concluded , amid loud applause , by wishing the brethren Clod-speed in the work until it came to a happy conclusion .

The ceremony concluded with thc " National Anthem , " admirably arranged by Bro . H . C Cooper , the solos being sung vvith remarkabe power and elfectiveness by Madame Tonnelier . The procession , in reversed order , returned to tlie lodgeroom , where thc lodge vvas closed in due and solenn form , by Hro . Knight , W . M . 241 , and his officers .

The special musical programme provided for thc ceremony by Bro . D . Saunders , 1299 , of the New Star Music Hall ( by kind permission of the proprietors ) , was in every way worthy of the occa-

Imposing Masonic Ceremonial In Liverpool.

sion , and the general performance of a character which contributed in a great measure to the imposing and impressive character of the afternoon ceremonial . Bro . Saunders most generously gave the free services of about 40 instrumentalists and vocalists , the latter being headed by Madame

Tonnelier , Mrs Saunders , Mr . Hodgson , and himself , and the thoroughly efficient manner in which the whole of the music was rendered , was the subject of general commendation , Bro . Lord Skelmersdale also expressing himself highly delighted with thc musical portion of the programme . Bro . H . C . Cooper conducted , with

rare tact and ability , and he received valuable help in the general musical arrangements from Bro . Skeaf , P . P . G . O . It may be mentioned that it was a source of great regret to the Committee , that ladies could not be admitted to witness thc ceremony , owing to the limited space at their command .

THE JUNQUET . On thc conclusion of thc ceremony , a banquet was provided at the Adelphi Hotel , where about 100 brethren sat down to a sumptuous banquet in the large and handsome dining hall of the Adelphi Hotel , under the presidency of Bro . Lord Skelmersdale , who was supported by Bro . Pearson ( mayor

of Liverpool ) , and a large number of distinguished brethren . The banquet was provided by Mr . Ludlow , thc manager , in a superior manner , the waiting and quality of the wines being especially good . In the intervals , between the toasts , Bros . Saunders , T . J . Hughes , and Evans sang a number of songs , glees , & c , in an excellent manner , Bro . Skeaf presiding at the Pianoforte .

Bro . Lord Skelmersdale , in giving ' I he Oueen , *' said that was a toast which was always received wilh enthusiasm in Liverpool , and never more cordially than in their Masonic Lodges . In proposing "Bro . the Prince of Wales , P . G . M ., "

his lordship said he knew personally that His Royal Highness took the greatest interest in the Craft , had every intention of working his way up in Masonry , and at that lime he showed his devotion to Masonry by personally doing the work of a private lodge as W . M .

The noble Chairman , after giving " The Princess of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family , " submitted the toast of "The Marquis of Ripon , M . W . G . M . ; the Earl of Carnarvon , M . W . D . G . M . ; and the officers ofthe Grand Lodge . " He remarked that whenever the Grand Lodge paid Liverpool a

visit it would bc gladly received , and he might state that before long the Masons of Liverpool would have cause to bring it here —( immense cheering)—lie meant to open tlie new Masonic Hall ( Laughter and renewed cheering ) . His worship the Mayor , who was received with

enthusiastic applause , proposed ' * The Health of Bro . thc Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , Y . W . P . D . P . G . M ., " and in doing so said he could not express the pleasure it gave him , as Mayor of Liverpool , to propose that toast , because he was one of those British noblemen , of whom he was proud to sav

they had so many —( cheers)—who recognized the duties as well as the privileges of his high position . In every walk of life his lordship vvas esteemed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him ; and whether they looked upon him as a member of the House of Peers , a landlord , or a neighbour , they

had reason to be proud of him . But it was as a Mason they especially esteemed hiin . (*•11 ear , hear , " and cheers . ) The admirable manner in which he had performed his duties that afternoon showed his heart vvas in the good cause , and he ( the Mayor ) was sure he would meet with th _ - most enthusiastic approval of the whole of the brethren

m that district if they heard it announced that his lordship had received the appointment of Pr wiiicial Grand Master . ( The brethren rose to their feet and cheered for sometime . ) After that demonstration he need not say anything more , but ask thc brethren to drink the toast in true Masonic - fashion . After this had been done vvith thegrealest heartiness ,

Lord Skelmersdale , in acknowledging the toast , said he vvas quite overwhelmed with the enthusiasm ol" the brethren . He looked upon Liverpool as his foster place in Masonry , for , although he vvas initiated into the Craft in Oxford , il was onh- after

hc came lo live near his own home thai he fully realised the value of their Order by joining a lodge here . Hc thanked the Mayor for his kind wishes , and if they ever came lo pass hc hoped tlie brethren would always find him at his post . ( Cheers . )

Bro . Lord Skelmersdale proposed " The Mayor of Liverpool , Bro . John Pearson , " and said that though he had known him for a very short time he had heard of Bro . Pearson long before , and all he had heard led him to cherish the hi-jhest

esteem for their brother . He ( Bro . Skelmersdale ) had had the pleasure of enjoying the hospitality of many mayors of this town , but he assured the

Imposing Masonic Ceremonial In Liverpool.

brethren that he had never received hospitality like that ofthe present Mayor . ( Cheers . ) They must all regret that his term of office was nearly expired , and asked if it was not possible to have him reelected . ( Cheers . )

The Mayor in reply , said it was a source of great thankfulness to him that he had been able to go through his year of office so as to give satisfaction . It had been a pleasure to him , as it had been an honour to the town , to havc the presence of so many distinguished visitors , but upon no occasion

had he greater pleasure than when his lordship entertained the Princess Mary and Prince Teck . He could assure thc brethren that he retired from office with a grateful remembrance of many kindnesses hc had received at the hands of his fellow townsmen .

Bro . Alpass proposed Thc Trustees of the Liverpool Masonic Hall , " vvhich was acknowledged by Bros . T . Wylie and Maddox . " Success to the new Masonic Hall , " given by

thc noble chairman , was acknowledged by Bro . Alpass , who gave some interesting details regarding the progress of Masonry in the province . They had novv twenty-seven lodges against nine in 1856 , and 1 , 800 members against 567 at the same period .

Bro . R . Wilson , Honorary Secretary , to thc Masonic Hall Committee , also responded , and spoke in terms of congratulation , of the spirit and energy vvith which the work had been carried out . Bro . J . K . Smith , Vice-Chairman of the Masonic

Hall Committee , proposed in excellent terms the toast of "The Architect and Builder , " and paid a high compliment to those brethren , referring also to the valuable services which had been given by Bro . R . Wilson . Bro . Henshaw acknowledged thc toast , and the proceedings then terminated .

Consecration Of The "Oxford University" Chapter Of Rose Croix.

CONSECRATION OF THE "OXFORD UNIVERSITY" CHAPTER OF ROSE CROIX .

Friday , the ist of November , hiving been fixed for the consecration of the above-named Chapter by the Supreme Council of the 33 for England and Wales , a considerable number oi

brethren of the Ancient and Accepted Rite assembled on that day , at the beautiful Masonic Hall attached to the Clarendon Hotel , Oxford , for the purpose of witnessing this imposing ceremony .

Amongst those present were the following members of the Supreme Council :- —111 . Bros . C . J . Vigne , M . P . S . Grand Commander ; (' apt . XL G . Philips , V . P . Lieutenant Grand Commander ; the Rev . E . 11 . II . Vernon ,

Chaplain-General ; and 111 . Bro . W . H . Pullen . 33 ' . Secretary to the Council ; together with 111 . Bros . Major Shadwell Clerke , 32 ° ; C . Chandos Pole , T , 2 * ; the Rev . W . K . Short , 31 . ; C . A . Xewnham , A : the ICarl of Limerick . 31 ' : C . 0

l- ' endelow , 3 A J . Oxley Oxland . 30 ( 3 , 2 ' of Portugal ); the Rev . T . E . T . Ravenshaw , 30 ' ' ; Captain Annesley 1 'hayre , R . N ., 30 ' : Captain A . Xieols , 30 ° ; A . F . Godson , 30 " ; the Rev .

¦\ . Bruce Eraser , ^ : L I " ' . Starkey . 30 : and Bros . R . T . Caldwell , is ; IL II . Riach . i . S " : R . X . Miller , iS '; Philip Montagu , 1 ; V ; A . Akcrs , iS ; T . 1 " . Dall ' m , A ; and C L . E . Edwards , 18 ° .

The Meeting was honoured also by the presence of a distinguished visitor from America , —Bro . E . Hamilton Shaw , S . G . I . G . > 3 ' of the Supreme Council , S . J . U . S . A ..

A . Grand Chapter of Sovereign Princes 01 Rose Croix of II . R . D . M . having been opened , rix candidates for admission to the Order ( viz Bros . !' .. Chapman , | . Robertson , S . E . Hood ,

II . R . Cooper Smith , I ) . Hunter Blair , and C . W . Kennedy . ) being in attendance were duly perfected ; ihe ceremony being pel formed by the III . Bro . Hyde Pullen in thai impressive and able manner for which he is so justly noted .

At the conclusion of tins portion 01 tne proceedings , the members ol " the Supreme Council having withdrawn , re-enljred the hall in formal procession , amended bv their ( I rand Marshals and

brethren ofthe 30 ' , bearing the Sword of Justice and the Banner of the Order ; thebrethren forming the Arch of Steel , while the organ pealed forth solemn music .