Annual Supper Of The Prosperity Lodge Of Instruction, No. 65.

Bros . SCOTT and WARD also replied . A musical programme was carried out by Bros . Huckell , Brown , Horwell , Smith , and Sargent , Bro . Thompson ably reciting Kipling ' s " Absent-Minded Beggar , " subsequently passing the hat round , and realising three guineas for the Widows' and Orphans' Fund .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Dorsetshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DORSETSHIRE .

The annual gathering of the above Provincial Grand Lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Blandford , on the 28 th ult ., when there was a large and influential assemblage . Bro . M . J . Guest , Prov . G . M ., opened the lodge at 1 . 15 , and was supported by the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Colonel Brymer , M . P .,

and—Bros . J . H . Whadcoat , Prov . S . G . W . ; R . Score , Prov . J . G . W . ; Rev . J . A Miller , Prov . G . Chap . ; R . D . Thornton , Prov . G . Treas . ; F . B . Oldfield Prov . G . Reg . ; R . Case , Prov . G . Sec ; E . T . Dowdeswell , Prov . S . GD . ; E . H . Wallis , Prov . J . G . D . ; A . Budden , Prov . G . D . C ; H . Budden , acting Prov . A . G . D . C . ; W . B . Alexander , acting Prov . G . S . B . ; J . W . Board , acting Prov . G . Purst . ; C . H . Gush , H . G . Kersley , B . Morris , and H . R . Jesty , Prov .

G . Stwds . ; and S . Vye , Prov . G . Tyler . Past Prov . Grand Officers—Bros . G . E . Turner , W . W . Stickland , C . H . Curtis , A . Cherry , E . Skivington , H . R . Morgan , H . G . B . Frampton , E . Whitley Baker , C . H . W . Parkinson , E Mills , C . J . Freeman , F . Burt , S . R . Baskett , C . Toleman , G . F . Stokes , L . H Ruegg , H . G . Cross , CF . Yearsley , H . Budden , and W . 1- Tarrant .

And the following brethren : Bros . F . B . Oakley , N . Bowes , S . S . Milledge , F . Parker , G . J . Hunt , O . G Barrow , F . G . * jPinney . E . Johnson , E . H . Wallis , J . Spurr , D . T . Chapman , F . Britton , J . Grove , Sir Cuthbert Peek , Bart ., C . P . Turle , C . T . Stride , C . H . W . Parkinson , F . J . Dowsing , A . Budden , A . Harris , W . H . Marshallsay , W . S . Edwards , W . Pearce . A . Middleton . W . Grecorv . E . P . Suuden . G . Bernhardt .

A . J . Lampert , C . F . Parker , E . P . Slater , E . C . Fisher , F . Hatton , J . T . Hillier , J . Vye , W . J . Bick , F . A . K . Hounsell , W . H . Tomes , A . K . Woolmington , T . E . Vincent , A . Gates , E . A . Curtis , J . L . Marsh , V . L . Gordon , J . W . Walker , E . A . Goodman , W , J . Foot , W . Strange , S . Pond , A . C . Todd , F . Salmon , A . J . Gill , W . Greenhalgh , F . J . Smith , W . E . Dockar , C . O . Reed , W . Arscott , R . D . Norman , F . P . Kitson , C . Carter , Percival Bouch , and R . E . Clement . Bro . the Rev , R . Peek , P . G . Chap . Eng ., was a visitor .

Prov . G . Lodge having been opened , Bro . the Rev . J . MILLER , P . G , Chap ., Headmaster of Weymouth College , delivered an able lecture on the principles and objects of the Craft . The PROV . G . MASTER next addressed the brethren on Freemasonry in Dorset .

The accounts of the Treasurer having been confirmed , Bro . R . D , Thornton , who has held the office for 15 years , was re-elected . The reports of the Charity Organisation and Dorset Masonic Charity Committees were adopted .

On the motion of Bro . THORNTON , W . M ., a sum of 20 guineas was voted towards the fund for the new lodge to be built by the Faith and Unanimity Lodge , No . 417 , Dorchester . A sum of 10 guineas was voted to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls .

It was decided on the proposition of the PROV . G . MASTER , to contribute 50 guineas to the Mansion House Transvaal War Fund . A Charity jewel was presented to Bro . H . G . Kersley , W . M . 472 , he having served as Steward to two of the great Masonic Charities . The Prov . G . M . subsequently invested his officers for the ensuing year as follows :

Bro . Sir Cuthbert Peek , Bart . ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ G . E . Turner ... ... ,,. Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . E . Borradaile ... ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ R . D . Thornton ( re-elected ) ... ... Prov . G . Treas .

„ b . P . Kitson ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ R . Case ( re-appointed ) .,, ,,. Prov . G . Sec . „ H . R . Jesty ... „ . ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ R . H . Groves ... ... ... Prov . ] . G . D . „ C F . Yearsley ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of Wks . ,, S . Pond ... ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ H . Saunders ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . of C .

„ C . T . Stride ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ W . B . Wildman ,.. ... „ , Prov . G . Org . „ F . A . K . Hounsell ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ H . W . Scratchley ... ... ... " ') „ C . J . Hunt ... ... ... ... I ,, T . G . Pinney ... ... ... In , e- « . , „ C . P . Turle .. } Prov- G * btwds "

, , J . Vye ,, T . E . Vincent ... ... ... j „ S . C Vye ... ... ... .,, Prov . G . Tyler . The Provincial G . Lodge was closed alter the usual votes of thanks had

been accorded , more particularly to the Blandford Lodge for the excellent arrangements made for the reception and accommodation of the Provincial G . Lodge . The brethren afterwards adjourned for luncheon to the Crown Hotel , where Bro . H . Champion catered njost satisfactorily . The room was effectively decorated with evergreens and the national flags of England and America , and the tables were tastefully arranged . The brethren numbered 95 i and the proceedings were of an enjoyable character . The P . G . M . proposed the usual Masonic toasts .

"The Health of the R . W . P . G . M . " was given by Bro . Colonel BRYMER , M . P . The P . G . M . having acknowledged the toast , gave " The W . D . P . G . M ., Bro . W . E . Brymer . " Bro . BRYMEK appropriately responded . The P . G . M . proposed " The Officers of P . G . Lodge , Present and Past . "

The toast was acknowledged by Bros . TIIOUNTON and TURNER . Bro . C H . W . PARKINSON proposed the toast of " The Masonic Charities . " The P . G . M . and Bros . WHADCOAT and FREEMAN responded . The P . G . M . proposed " The Host" and " The W . M . of Blandford Lodge , Bro . H . R . Jetsy . " Ihe Tyler ' s toast concluded the list .

Consecration Of The St. Alban's Lodge, No. 2786.

CONSECRATION OF THE ST . ALBAN'S LODGE , No . 2786 .

The Province of Herts received a valuable addition to its roll of lodges on the 29 th ult ., when the St . Alban's Lodge , No . 27 S 6 , was consecrated at the Red Lion Hotel , St . Albans , by Bro . T . F . Halsey , M . P ., Prov . G . Master , in the presence of a large and influential gathering . The

founders of the new lodge start with a firm determination to do good Masonic work , especially in Charity , and for this object a Benevolent Association has already been formed , and each member has taken up one or more shares . The W . M ., who will represent the lodge at the Benevolent Institution Festival , should , therefore , have a substantial list . The

lodge is fortunate in securing as its first W . M . so capable and experienced a Mason as Bro . C O . Burgess , P . P . S . G . W . Berks . The Wardens' chairs will be ably filled by Bros . Frank Crocker and Henry Watts , whilst for the important post of Secretary it would be difficult to find a more efficient and energetic brother than Bro . E . L . Berry , P . P . G . D . Surrey .

A large party journeyed down in two saloons from St . Pancras , and it was then that the majority of the brethren heard the sad news of the death of Bro . G . E . Lake , D . P . G . M ., who was to have taken a very important part in the proceedings and installed the W . M . On arrival at St . Albans , several brethren visited the Abbey , and , under the guidance of Bro . C E .

Keyser , a very interesting and instructive hour was spent . The brethren then assembled in the lodge room , the Masonic furniture in which was presented by the founders , the handsome banner , bearing the motto Ouds dederis solus semper habebis opes , being the gift of Bro . C . O . Burgess , the W . M . designate .

The Consecrating Officer was assisted by Bros . C . E . Keyser , P . G . D ., as S . W . ; A . H . Boucher , Prov . J . G . W ., as J . W . ; Rev . Oliver C . Cockrem , LL . D ., P . P . G . C , as Chap . ; J . Terry , P . G . S . B ., Prov . G . D . C , Secretary R . M . B . L , as D . C ; and W . Metcalfe , P . P . G . P ., as I . G . After the opening of the lodge ,

The CONSECRATING OFFICER , addressing the brethren , said that they had assembled for the interesting purpose of the consecration of a new lodge . He must , however , refer to the great loss that had fallen upon their province . He alluded to the untimely death of the D . P . G M ., who had for so many years taken part and assisted him on these occasions , and who had so endeared himself to the brethren . That loss would be deeply felt by all in the province , and was , in fact , almost irreparable to him ( the

Prov . G . M . ) , for Bro . Lake was his right hand man , but it had pleased the Great Architect to take him from them . It was too late to alter th e arrangements for that day , but after lodge was closed he and the Prov , G . Treasurer would withdraw , although this would be a great disappoint * ment to them , as they felt it would be improper for them to attend the banquet . He hoped , however , that the other Prov . G . Officers would attend the banquet , so that the proceedings should be as auspicious and prosperous as Bro . Lake himself . would have wished them to be .

Ihe warrant was read by the Prov . G . D . C , and the founders approved of the officers named , after which the following oration was delivered by Bro . the Rev . O . COCKREM , LL . D ., P . P . G . Chap .: " What are a nation ' s possessions ? " asks one of our great essayists . " The great words that have been said in it ; the great deeds that have been done in it ;

the great buildings and the great works of art that have been made in it . A man says a noble saying—it is a possession first to his own race , then to mankind . A people get a noble building built for them ; it is an honour to them , also a daily delight and instruction . " Could any words be more appropriate for the commencement of a Masonic oration addressed to the founders of a St . Alban ' s

Lodge . Here , beneath the shadow and within the influence of the glorious Abbey , whose fame has spread throughout the world , we are about to lay a foundation , to erect a structure , which we trust will also overshadow and influence all those who come within its boundaries . Further , this noble building , which will be emblazoned on your banner , and which will become part of your insignia , is of especial interest to us as Freemasons . If you look down the vistas of 12 centuries , you will find out *

Operative brethren busily employed in embellishing and adorning this land of ours with magnificent piles of architecture . And these they raised by their labour and genius in honour of the Great Architect of the Universe , and for the worship which all His creatures otve to Him . And the Abbey of St . Albans is distinguished amongst all its compeers as being the one upon which the first labours of an organised craft were employed . The legendary story of our Order , attached

to those ancient charges , of which w ' c only possess garbled and inaccurate transcriptions even in the 15 th century , contains , amid the mist of legend , some precious solid facts of truth and history . In that story St . Alban is credited with being tho first lo introduce the art of Freemasonry into England . Careful researches have rendered it extremely probable that , though the martyr had no connection with our Masonic history , yet that

the name of St . Albans is closely associated with the earliest inlioduction of a Masonic body into this country . When King OlTa determined to establish a religious order and build an abbey , he had to procure a foreign master and foreign craftsmen to design and carry out his intentions . Whether in doing so he sought the assistance of Charles the Great , or Charles Martel in procuring these workmen , and whether they were Nemausian Greeks , as soma

think from Nimes , or members of the Collegium Fabrorum at Rome as others suggest , there is at Joast strong grounds to believe that these men came over as a regularly organised body , with their own rules of work , their own rates of pay , and their own regular assemblies . And this organisation would be secured lo them by charter from the king as the condition of their coming . We may suppose that they would absorb by degrees into their own lodges tho native

workers , whom they would instruct in the art , and so Craft Masonry became implanted on English soil . It is much to be regretted that the subsequent Danish wars undthe disorganisation which they caused brought thisfirstestablish - ment of our Masonic body to an untimely end . But within two generations it was revived at York , and received its charter from King Athelstanc , since which time it has been a corporate society with many vicissitudes , but always in

existence . And although the lodge now to be consecrated is not the first of its name , for one in 1739 and another in 1839 have preceded it , both of which were afterwards erased , we may hopcthat history will repeat itself , and thebody of Masons which we incorporate to-day in this Lodge of St . Albans may erect such a noble superstructure , oerfect in all its parts , and honourable to the builders , that future

generations will gather beneath it and extol the wisdom , skill , and judgment of its promoters . For the members of this far-reaching Fraternity of ours are truly and really Masons . Our structures have , it is true , no material existence , yet they are of the highest importance in the world j they arc not fairy palaces which , like a dream , melt into nothingness as the morning mists at dawn of . day , but they