Consecration Of The Bushey Hall Lodge, No. 2323.

heard of one more for which a warrant would be applied . As Prov . G . Officers , they therefore congratulated themselves on the state of the province , and would do their best to further the interests of Masonry . " The Health of the W . M . " was given by the PROV . G . MASTER , who said that before leaving he had a duty to discharge which he was sure gave him great pleasure to perform on that occasion . It was to ask the brethren to drink to the health of their W . Master . It was not necessary for him to say anything of Bro .

Keyser ' s merits , because they were well known to those who had been old members of the Watford Lodge . They knew what the W . M . had done for that lodge , and that fact assured them of what he would do for the Bushey Hall Lodge . The lodge could not make a better start than to have Bro . Keyser as the W . M . It onl y remained for them to drink the W . M . ' s health , and give him such a welcome as would show that they in that new lodge and the other brethren wished God-speed to him and the lodge .

Bro . C . E . KEYSER , P . P . J . G . W ., W . Master , said he found the greatest difficult y in thanking them for the way in which the last toast had been received , and he felt grateful to their Prov . G . M . for staying to propose it . He thanked him for his kindly sentiments . He was proud to say he had had the privilege of knowing the Prov . G . M . in and out of Masonry for many years , and it had been a pleasure to him to have the lodge consecrated by him , and afterwards propose his health . He

( the W . M . ) had had experience in Freemasonry , having been a Mason for 21 years . He began at the Isaac Newton Lodge , of which he was still a member , and then he joined the Watford Lodge , of which he occupied the chair in 1880 . Since that period he had not been Master of any other lodge , although he had joined several , and had done the work in a great measure . He did not know he regretted that , for he was not a Mason who thought his merits would best appear

by the number of lodges of which he was a P . M . He might say in the case of that lodge that he had no idea he should be the brother chosen as the first W . M . The idea of founding the lodge commended itself to him , and meeting Bro . Banning he said to that brother that , if a Prov . G . Officer could be of assistance , he should be pleased to be one of the founders . When he heard who were the founders , he thought that Bro . Fenn would naturally be the first W . M . and he still

thought so , but that brother thought it would be better if a local Mason would fill that position . He thanked the brethren of his lodge for the great honour paid him , and trusted he should be worthy of that confidence . In the Mark , Arch , and other Degrees , in all of which he had passed the chair , he believed he could say that , if they looked at the signature book during the last ei ght or ten years , they

would find he had been the most regular attendant connected with Watford Masonry . He hoped to do that in tint lodge . He had not undertaken the duties lightly , but felt greatly the honour paid him , and by regular attendance hoped he should do all the work and carry out the authority of the chair in a manner to give satisfaction to all . He had not been in the chair for ei ght or ten years , and if he showed any failing he hoped they would pardon him , and he would try to do his best .

" The Visitors was given in cordial terms , and appropriately responded to b y Bro . KNYVETT , P . G . D ., Prov . G . Treasurer . "The Masonic Charities" and "The Officers" having been duly honoured , the Tyler ' s toast brought a highly successful and enjoyable inaugural meeting to a close .

An excellent programme of music , which considerably enhanced the impressiveness of the ceremony and the enjoyment of the brethren after the banquet , was arranged and admirably carried out under the able direction of Bro . W . T . Graves , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., who was assisted by Bros . Thurley Beale , McLean , and J . Stedman , and Miss Jessie Griffin and Miss Louie Distin .

Bro . Charles E . Keyser , who figures in the foregoing report as chief founder and first W . M . of the newly-constituted Bushey Hall Lodge , No . 2 . 123 , has seen much active service as a Mason . He was initiated , while an Undergraduate at Trinity College , in the Isaac Newton University Lodge , No . 859 , in 1868 , and is still on the roll of this distinguished lodge as one ot its honorary members . On the 19 th February , 18 75 , he was elected a joining member of the Watford Lodge ,

No . 404 , and after working his way through the several minor and principal offices , was , in 1881 , installed as W . M ., his services being shortl y afterwards recognised by his appointment to the chair of Prov . J . G . W . of Hertfordshire . He is also a member of the Abercorn Lodge , No . 1549 , Great Stanmore , and the present I . G . of the Lodge of Antiquity , No . 2 . He was exalted to the R . A . Degree in the Watford Chapter , 404 , on the ioth May , 18 75 , wasinstalled M . E . Z . in 18 S 5 , and forthe

second time in May of the current year ; while in Prov . G . Chapter he is Past Prov . G . Standard Bearer and present Prov . G . J . He is also a P . Z . of the Stanmore Chapter , No . 1549 , a subscribing member of the St . James ' s Chapter No . 2 , and an honorary member of the Cecil Chapter , No . 449 . He is further a Past Prov . G . ist Asst . Soj . of Middlesex , and a member of the Committee of Genera ! Purposes of Supreme Grand Chapter . Hc was advanced to the Mark

Degree on the 26 th March , 18 79 , prior to the consecration of the Watford Lod ^ e , No . 241 , and was its W . M . in 188 7 , and the present Prov . S . G . Warden and Past Prov . G . Treas . of Hertfordshire , as well as an honorary member of the Hertford Mark Lodge , No . 35 6 . In Templar Masonry he is member and present E . C . of the Stuart Encampment , No . 28 , Watford , and a Kni ght of Malta , while as regards other branches of Masonry , he is High Prelate of the Premier Conclave of the

Order of Rome and Red Cross of Constantine , and a member of the Invicta Chapter of Rose Croix , 18 , A . and A . Rite , and the Bruce Chapter of the Royal Order of Scotland . His services in connection with our Charitable Institutions have been still more distinguished . He has served no less than eight Stewardships and has not only constituted himself a Vice-Patron of all three , but has made the Watford Lodg-e a Vice-Patron of the Benevolent Institution

( Widows' Fund ) and a Vice-President of the R . M . I . for Girls . He is also a Vice-President , and has twice served as Steward for the Mark Benevolent Fund . Lastl y it was he who took the lead in raising the St . Albans Cathedral Masonic Restoration Fund , to which his Royal Highness the M . W . G . Master and many of the most prominent brethren in Hertfordshire subscribed , and which resulted in the erection of a handsome pulpit , which was formerly unveiled b y Bro . T . F . Halsey M . P ., Prov . G . Master of Hertfordshire , in 1884 . '

Outside Masonry also Bro . Keyser has won great distinction . He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries , the Society of Arts , and other learned societies , a J . P . and County Councillor for Hertfordshire , a foremost supporter of cricket and other English sports , and a director of several companies . He is still in the very prime of life , having been born in the year 1847 , and therefore , we may reasonabl y look forward to his remaining for many years to come a prominent member of our Society and the various other bodies whose welfare he has done so much to promote .

Supreme Grand Chapter.

SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER .

The Quarterly Convocation of Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England was held on Wednesday evening , at Freemasons' Hall , when the following companions were present : Comps . Rev . H . A . Pickard , G . Supt . Oxon as M . E . G . Z . ; Rev . C . W . Spencer Stanhope , G . Supt . Cheshire , as G . H . •Thomas Fenn , P . P . C . G . P ., as G . J . ; F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , G . Reg . ; Col . Shadwell H .

C ' erke , G . S . E . ; Lord Cremorne , P . P . G . S ., as G . S . N . ; Sir Bruce M . Seton , G . P . S . ; Rev . ' 1 ' . Barton Spencer , ist A . G . S . ; F . H . Goldney , ist G . Std . Br . ; Chas . Belton ' and G . Std . Br . ; G . W . H . Haydon , 4 th G . Std . Br . ; Frank Richardson . P . A . G . S . ' , G . D . C ; Eugene Monteuuis , Dep . G . D . C ., H . Garrod , A . G . D . C . •WMaybrick G . Org . ; Henry Maudslay , P . G . S . B . ; Edgar Goble , P . G . Std . Br . ; J . M . Case , '

Supreme Grand Chapter.

P . G . D . C ; C . F . Matier , P . D . G . D . C ; Chas . H . Driver , P . G . S . B . ; E . Letchworth , P . G . Std . Br . ; Robert Berridge , P . G . Std . Br . ; Herbert J . Adams , P . D . G . D . C ; W . Collins , P . A . G . D . C ; James S . Eastes , P . G . S . B . ; Geo . Cooper , P . A . G . S . ; Rudolph G . Glover , P . G . Std . Br . ; J . E . Le Feuvre , P . G . S . B . ; Ralph Gooding , M . D ., P . A . G . S . ; E . J . Barron , P . G . Std . Br . ; Henry J . P . Dumas , P . G . S . B . ; J . H . Matthews , P . G . D . C ; Major C . Harding , P . G . Std . Br , ; J-.

Lewis Thomas , P . G . S . B . ; E . G . Baylis , P . GS . B . ; W . R . Woodman , M . D , , P . G . D . C ; T . B . Purchas , P . G . S . B . ; Rev . Thomas Robinson , P . Asst . G . S . ; Alfred A . Pendlebury , Asst . Grand Scribe E . ; Henry Sadler , Grand Janitor ; A . Lucking , P . Z . 1000 , Prov . G . D . C . Essex ; Joseph House , P . Z . 1716 ; E . Mallett , P . Z . 1623 ; W . H . Ferryman , P . Z . 1348 ; Stephen Richardson , J . 720 , William Dodd , P . Z . 1 S 24 ; Corrie Jackson , P . Z . 534 ; G . S . Recknell , P . Z . 73

E . St . Clair , J . 2060 ; George Langley , J . 1326 ; H . Hooper , H . 1326 ; Charles Kempton , Z . 2021 ; J . K . R . Cama , M . E . Z . 2202 ; Henri Bue , H . 2060 ; H . Massey , P . Z . 619 , P . Z . and M . E . Z . 1928 ; George L . Wingate , P . Z . 1423 , P . P . A . G . S . ; Charles Hunt , P . Z . 507 ; Wm . Bramham , Z . 1716 ; L . G . Gordon Robbins , P . Z . 10 ; Dr . N . J . Goodchild , H . 2202 ; Dr . N . Goodchild , P . Z . 704 ; and Walter Hopekirk , P . Z . 179 .

After the minutes of the August convocation had been read and confirmed , the following report of the Committee of General Purposes was taken as read and received , and ordered to be entered on the minutes .

THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF GENERAL PURPOSES . The Committee of General Purposes beg to report that they have examined the accounts from the 17 th July to the 15 th October , 1889 , both inclusive , which they find to be as follows : —

To Balance Grand Chapter £ 175 3 7 1 By Disbursements during „ ,, Unappropriated the Quarter - - £ 310 7 4 Account - - 195 71 ,, Balance --- -- 150 8 4 „ Subsequent Receipts - 281 31 „ ,, Unappropriated Account •190 18 1

£ 651 13 9 I £ 65 1 13 9 which balances are in the Bank of England , Western Branch . The Committee have also to report that they have received a memorial from the Mount Moriah Chapter , No . 9 , meeting at the Albion Tavern , London , praying to be detached from the Albion Lodge , No . 9 , and to be attached to the Middlesex Lodge , No . 143 , London , to which all their present members belong . Both lodges having given their consent , the Committee recommend that the prayer of the memorial be pranted .

The Committee have likewise to report that ' they have received a memorial from the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Victoria , Australia , reporting that they have been regularl y established , in March , 188 9 , and asking recognition by the Grand Chapter of England , and that fraternal communication may be established between the two Grand Chapters .

The Committee recommend that inasmuch as the Grand Lodge of Victoria has been duly acknowledged by the Grand Lodge of England , the Grand Chapter of Victoria be also recognised . The Committee have further to report that they have received the following petitions for new chapters : —

ist . From Comps . Samuel Valentine , as Z . ; Lewis Walter Harvey , as H . William Henry Holroyd , as J . ; and seven others for a chapter to be attached to the Albion Lodge , No . 9 , to be called the Albion Chapter , and to meet at the Ship and Turtle Tavern , Leadenhall-street , in the City of London , should the prayer of the memorial for the Moriah Chapter being detached from the Albion

Lodge , No . 9 , and attached to the Middlesex Lodge , No . 143 , London , be granted . 2 nd . From Comps . Thomas Thornton Davis , as Z . ; John Mackraill , as H . ; William Woodall , as J . ; and six others for a chapter to be attached to the Wilberforce Lodge , No . 2134 , Hull , to be called the Wilberforce Chapter , and to meet at the Masonic Hall , Hull , Yorkshire ( North and East Division ) .

3 rd . From Comps . Tom Nuwsum Turner , as Z . ; Edgar Horne , as H . ; Thomas Edward Yeomans , as J . ; and seven others for a chapter to be attached to the Mund y Grove Lodge , No . 506 , Shipley Gate , to be called the Mund y Grove Chapter , and to meat at the Boat Inn , Shipley Gate , Derbyshire . 4 th . From Comps . Ebenezer Charles Mulvey , as Z . ; Henry Holmes , as H . ; Nathaniel Goodchild , as J . ; and six others for a chapter to be attached to the Cyclist Lodge , No . 2246 , East Molesey , to be called The Cyclist Chapter , and to meet at the Castle Hotel , East Molesey , in the county of Surrey .

These petitions being in all respects regular , the Committee recommend that the prayers therefor be respectively granted , subject to the Mount Moriah Chapter being detached from the Albion Lodge , No . 9 . The Committee have also received a petition from the Principals and members of the Abbey Chapter , No . 624 , Burton-on-Trent , Staffordshire , praying for a Charter of Confirmation , the original being lost ; and they recommend that a Charter of Confirmation for this chapter be granted .

1 he Committee have received a memorial , with copy of minutes , on the removal of the following chapter : — The Moravian Chapter , No . 387 , for permission to remove from the Masonic Hall , Shipley , to the Saltaire Institute , Shipley , Yorkshire ( West Division ) .

The Committee being satisfied of the reasonableness of this request , recommend that the removal of the above-named chapter be sanctioned . ( Signed ) ROBERT GREY , President . Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C , , 16 th October , 18 S 9 .

Comp . LETCHWORTH moved , and Comp . PHILBRICK , Q . C , G . Reg ., seconded , a resolution that the Grand Chapter of Victoria be recognised , and that fraternal communication be established between the two Grand Chapters , and the same was unanimously carried . Comp . LETCHWORTH moved , and Comp . FRANK RICHARDSON seconded , the other recommendations , and they were put and unanimously carried . Grand Chapter was then closed .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Cheshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF CHESHIRE .

The above Provincial Grand Chapter was held at the Masonic Hall , Chester , on Thursday , the 24 th ult . The proceedings commenced about half-past tivo in the afternoon , when the chair was assumed by Comp . the Hon . and Rev . Charles Spencer Stanhope , Grand Supt . The minutes of the former meeting having been read and confirmed , the new by-laws , as drafted by the special Committee appointed at the previous meeting were unanimousl y adopted with two sli ght alterations . the

The GRAND SUPERINTENDENT reterred to the satisfactory progress of Degree throughout Cheshire . All the books from the various chapters had been found in a very satisfactory condition . He was deli ghted to see so large an attendance of influential members of the Degree . This was the first occasion on which he had had the honour of presiding over them since his appointment to the high position of Grand Superintendent 12 months ago , and he could assure themi the Royal Arch Masons of London assembled there in the same numbers as they dm in Cheshire it would be a most creditable record ,