Consecration Of The Great City Lodge, No. 1426.

Hook , 186 ; W . Middleton , 1287 ; A . Portway , 1287 ; A . Christie , 1287 ; J . Tullidge , 1287 ; Owen Bowen , 1287 ; George Hooper , 1287 ; Capt . Arthur Styan , 1216 ; W . Calton Hale , 1216 ; Walter Gray , 1216 ; Dr . Eugene Cronin , J 2 i ' ( 5 ; Alfred Williams , 1216 ; J . H . Cozens ,

1216 ; Henry Hammond , 1216 ; W . S . Cackett , 1216 ; A . C . Bradley , 1216 ; J . H . Harper , 1216 ; S . N . Wagstaff , 1216 ; G . Waterall , W . M ., 1216 ; G . F . Dubois , 1216 ; J . Poore , 720 ; Caleb Holden , 771 ; Major Clarke , P . P . S . G . W . Devon ; G . B , Wriditson , 1287 ; C . Stuart Barker , 1329 ;

Robt . Fendick , 1287 ; Edward Palmer , W . M ., 1414 ; C . W . Noehmer , P . M . 186 ; G . T . Smith , 186 ; Joseph Sydeman , 1327 ; David Goddir , 1076 ; N . F , Basnett , 1022 ; R . A . Schleman , 892 ; E . J . Moore , 174 ; J . Burdett Yeoman , 715 ; W . S . Mac-Queen , 6 ^ , Sco . Con . ; J . H .

Webster , 1319 ; Dr . G . Stanley Elliot , 392 , Sco . Con . ; W . Worrell , P . M . 1339 ; W . Crickmay , 170 ; H . Thompson , P . M . 177 , 1158 ; D . R . Still , W . M . 1293 ; J . Maisner , 1364 ; D . Morrin , P . M . 172 ; PI . Cox , 933 ; J . Vincent , 1076 " ; C . Stuart Barker , 19 ; John Finch , 180 ;

Henry Martin , 1329 ; A . J . Martin , 188 ; W . H . Van Buerle , 8 ; Geo . Light , 959 ; R . H . Pearson , 1196 ; North Ritherdon , 507 ; John Read , P . M . 88 ; H . Massey , 619 ; J . Newton , P . M . 174 ; Chas . Lacey , W . M . 174 ; John Dixon , P . M . 73 ; John Coe , 1339 ; J .

Lindner , jii ; F . Walters , P . M . 73 ; Edwd . Walbrook , 144 ; Thos . Beard , P . M . 101 ; Hyde Pullen ; Raynham W . Stewart , P . G . D . j W . Wilson , 96 ; Edwd . Rittner , 1414 ; Geo . Page , 1209 ; R . Woodward , 376 ; G . Light 9159 ; Jas . Chubb , 186 : P . W . Tompkins , 1287 ; J . Scott ,

18 9 ; J . Vincent , 1076 ; J . G . Willett , 1076 ; J . R . W . Hobbs , 749 ; J . Painter , 749 ; J . Broadbent , 307 ; D . Drysdale , P . M . 211 ; J . H . Lavers , 211 ; T . Barnes , 1 S 8 ; J . Morton , 1320 ; H . Roberts , 55 ; J . T . Miller , 188 ; J . Gardner , 192 j R . H . Pearson , 1196 ; J . Pearson , 1196 .

W . C . Ebbutt , 4 63 ; Geo . iaxley , 463 ; Henry Garratt , 177 ; F . Brown , 101 ; John Close , 463 ; George Newman , 192 ; E . J . Moore , 174 ; \ V . Mann , 186 , W . M . 1381 ; E . Draper , 7615 j J . Hartley , 1286 ; E . Drewctt , P . M . 777 . The whole of the fittings of the lodge , as well

as the clothing of the officers , were provided by Bro . George Kenning , and were greatly admired . The chairs , pedestals , and tracing boards are really superb specimens of workmanship , and all the lodge jewels are of sterling silver , and every minutiae had been carefully studied to make the

arrangements complete . It ought here to be stated that Bro . Stevens , first W . M ., presented to the lodge a very handsome bible , beautifully bound , antl bearing an appropriate inscription .

The brethren assembled in one of the large rooms of the tavern , where the process of clothing took place , a large proportion of those pressnt being Past Masters , who had come for the express purpose of hearing Bro . Hervey perform the important ceremony of consecration .

Shortly after three o ' clock the brethren entered the lodge-room in procession , and took the places assigned to them . Bro . John Hervey , Grand Secretary , presided as W . M . ; Bro . John Savage , P . G . D ., asS . W . ; Bro . Thomas Fenn , P . A . G . DC , as J . W . ; Bro . H . G . Buss as Secretary ; Bro . Boyd , P . G . Purst ., as P . M . ; Bro . R . W . Little ,

Secretary of the Girls' School , as Director of Ceremonies ; and Bro . R . J . Simpson , as Chaplain . The lodge was opened in the three degrees , after which the Consecrating Officer addressed the brethren on the nature and object of the meeting for which they had been called together , and alluded to the excellent observations which had

fallen from the Grand Master on Wednesday , in reference to the care which should be exercised by brethren in proposing any one for initiation , and said that no one should be proposed for that honour unless the brother proposing him was so well satisfied that he was a proper person that he would have no hesitation in introducinsr

him to his own family and to his own table . The Chaplain ( the Rev . R . J . Simpson ) then offered up a solemn prayer on the importance of the duties in which they were about to be engaged , to thc honour of God and the welfare

Consecration Of The Great City Lodge, No. 1426.

of their fellow creatures , followed by a response , chanted by the members of the choir . The acting Secretary then read the petition presented to the Grand Master , and the warrant of Constitution . The officers named in the warrant having

been approved of , the Chaplain then delivered an oration on the nature and principles of the institution , and particularly enforcing a close adherence to its princip les . He referred to the many works of charity which emanated from the City of London , not only for the relief of those

living in it , not even bounded by England , but spread over the whole of the civilised globe , and as charity was one of the distinguishing characteristics of a Freemason ' s heart he thought the site of their lodge in the City of London had been well chosen .

Bros . Hood , Chubb , T . G . Smith , and F . H . Cozens , of the choir of St . James ' s Church , Camberwell , then sung , in excellent style , the following anthem : — " Behold , how good and joyful a thing it is for Brethren to dwell together in unity ! It is like the precious ointment upon the head ,

that ran down unto the beard , even unto Aaron ' s beard ; and went down to the skirts of his clothing . It is like the dew of Hermon which fell upon the hill of Sion ; For there the Lord promised His blessing , and life for evermore . "

After some verses from the II Chronicles , had been iead , * the lodge board was uncovered , and the elements of consecration , corn , wine and oil , had been carried round the lodge , the Consecrating Officer formally dedicated the lodge to God and his service , after which the following anthem

was then sung : — "Thine , O Lord ! is the Greatness , and the Power , and the Glory , and the Victory , and the Majesty : for all that is in the Heaven and in the Earth are Thine . Thine is the Kingdom , O Lord ! and Thou art exalted as Head above all !"

" How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings ! that publisheth peace : that bringeth good tidings of good ! that publisheth salvation : that saith unto Zion , Thy God reigneth ! Break forth into joy sing together , ye waste places of Jerusalem : for

the Lord hath comforted His people ; He hath redeemed Jerusalem . Hallelujah ! Praise ye the Lord ! !" This brought the consecration to a close , after which the installation of Bro . James Stevens , the W . Master designate , was proceeded with .

A Board of Installed Masters was formed , at which 48 Past Masters were present , and Bro . Stevens was installed in due form . On the admission of the brethren , he was saluted in due form , and the usual addresses having been delivered by Bros . Hervey , Savage , and Fenn ,

The W . Master appointed his officers as follows : —Bro . N . B . Headon , S . W . ; J . H . Townend , J . W . j Freeman , Treas . ; E . Moody , Sec . ; Seex , S . D . ; Stanway . ' . J . D . j Guyton , I . G . ; Misby , D . C . ; Blackie , Catchpole , Stewards ; Steedman , Tyler . The W . Master said he had great pleasure in

proposing a vote of thanks to Bro . John Hervey , for his assistance in consecrating the lodge , and he was authorised to say that the brethren full y endorsed his sentiments by having them recorded on the minutes , and he had further to ask him whether he would accept a membership and act as Past Master for the ensuing twelve months .

Bro . Hervey expressed his , willingness to do so , after which the motion was put and agreed to unanimously . The W . Master said of course Bro . Hervey had kindly accepted that office without knowing what would afterwards be proposed . He had

then to propose that Bro . Hervey should be asked to accept the membership of the lodge , and that he do become an honorary member . Bro . Headon seconded the motion , which was put , and carried unanimously . Bro . Hervey said he would not take up the

time of the brethren by making any observations beyond that of thanking them for the compliment which they had been pleased to pay him . He was glad to have the opportunity of giving his services , and he was glad that he had been elected a member , as a mark of their approbation ,

Consecration Of The Great City Lodge, No. 1426.

wishing the lodge every success , and when they should meet at their anniversary he hoped he should find a large number of brethren present to show the good work that had been done . ( Cheers . ) The W . Master proposed a vote of thanks to

Bro . Simpson , for acting as Chaplain , and particularly for his beautiful oration . In connection with a vote of thanks he moved that he should also be elected an honorary member of the Great City Lodge . The motion was put and unanimously agreed to .

Bro . the Rev . K . J . Simpson said he should follow the excellent example set by Bro . John Hervey , by not taking up t-heir time with any lengthened observations , but he did appreciate very highly the honour they had conferred upon him , for he considered it to be a great privilege to be admitted as a member of their loJge .

The W . M . said he looked 1 ; ion tSiatas a great occasion , and what they -were doing would have its effect elsewhere . He moved a vote of thanks to Bros . Savage and Fenn for the assistance they had given to the Consecrating Master , and he thanked them also for the services they had rendered .

This was also put and agreed to . Bro . Savage returned thanks , and he said he was delighted 10 have been present , and to some extent to have assisted at the consecration of the lodge . In common with themselves he was

deeply gratified at the occasion , which must ever be a memorable one in the annals of the Great City Lodge . He had been present at many consecrations , but never certainly had he seen that ceremony so well and worthily performed as it had been on that occasion .

Bro . Fenn returned thanks , and said he was glad to assist at the consecration of the lodge , which would supply a great need , and he wished them the highest prosperity . A vote of thanks was also voted to Bro . R . W . Little , which the W . M . said had been accidentally omitted .

Thanks were then given to the brethren for their attendance , and after a number of propositions for joining and initiation had been announced , the lodge was closed in due form and with a solemn prayer . TUe brethren then adjuuiiictl to tile large hull .

where a most profuse banquet was served , and which gave entire satisfaction . On the withdrawal of the cloth , the W . M . said it was not his intention to make lengthy speeches ( hear , hear ) , a thing unusual for him to do ( hear , hear ) , but he could assure them that he intended to turn over a new leaf , and no longer

indulge m long speeches ( hear , and a laugh ) , and the reason was , because he was surrounded by brethren who could make a better speech than he could . [ He should therefore content himself by a brief expression in proposing the toast , which would recommend itself . It was " The Health of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen and the Craft . "

I his was followed by the National Anthem and then , The W . M . said—The next toast was "The Most Worshipful Grand Master , the Most Noble the Marquess of Ripon . " It was a great advantage to the Craft to have rulers of sound

judgment , and they had been fortunate in having for twenty-six years the Earl of Zetland as Soverei gn of the Order , and he hoped that they would have the present nobleman who filled that high office for a similar period . He was sure that the observations which were made last Wednesday by the Marquess of Ripon were worthy of the

consideration of eveiy brother , and he felt assured that they had reason to be proud of their Grand Master . He trusted that the day might be far distant when they would be denied the services of their Grand Master , for he was not only a good Freemason , but his services were of the greatest interest to the Craft in general . The toast was cordially responed to .

Ihe W . Master gave the next toast , "The Most Worshipful Past Grand Masters , the Right lion , the Earl of Zetland , K . G ., and his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , K . G . " To the Earl of Zetland all Masons owed a deep debt of gratitude for his valuable services for twenty-six years as a ruler of the Craft , Long might he . live ,