Consecration Of The United Military Lodge (No. 1537.)

• jjjt to Freemasonry in the abstract be compelled to confess jlpt , at all events , it produces a good effect upon the outer ^ d inner life of those who are enrolled under its banners , gc oweful of your funds ; reserve your surplus for qualifying- your lodge ae Governor of the different Masonic charities . This is a far more creditable and useful mode ihaa in squandering it in expensive refreshment . By a

ifltfe present self sacrifice and economy m this respect you and your widows and children may some day find themselves much benefitted . There is one more subject upon which I should like to give you a hint . You all know ihat as in military life , so in Masonry , all politics , all subfcols that are likely to produce warm discussion or difference of opinion , are forbidden . " Fear God , Love the

Brotherhood , Honour the Queen 1 " Of those who are true to ( nese watchwords , we admit all men irrespective of country or creed . Still , it is a well known fact that the Roman Catholic Church disapproves of our Masonic tenets- Now , brethren , I have known some very zealous and excellent Freemasons who are also Roman Catholics , and it may b « that you have or may have such brethren amongst you ;

jf so , I pray you to be careful not to put any pressure on them to join your lodge ; let it be a matter exclusively for tieir own consciences . Should any such join you , and be afterwards influenced to withdraw their names from your lodge , abstain from all shadow of reproach against them pepend upon it , all the hardness of the task of withdrawing themselves , all the bitter struggle , will be theirs ,

and you will best show your brotherly regard by avoiding one word of remonstrance , or reproach , which will only niadce their task a harder one I Brethren , I fear my oration savours too much of a sermon , but you will , I am sure , believe that my remarks have been dictated by my regard for you as brother Masons , and by my interest in you as brother soldiers .

The beautiful and magnificent ceremony was then proceeded with amid great solemnity , and the patriarchal txmediction brought it to a conclusion . Thc installation of the W . M . designate , Bro . F . G . Pownall , was then proceeded with , Bro . J . Bates , P . M . of the Brownrigg Lodge , 1424 , Chatham , performing the ceremony in such a manner as to surround it with unusual imprcssiveness , thc

several charges being uttered with thrilling effect . On the re-admission of the brethren , the W . M . was duly saluted in each degree , and proceeded to nominate his officers , as follows : —Bros . W . A . Weston , S . W . ; G . Spinks , J . W . ; the Rev . E . L . Walsh , Chaplain ; Murphy , Treas . ; Cooper , Sec ; Pickcn , S . D . ; Shaw , J . D . ; Lapham , I . G . ; J . McCailery , D . C . Several officers of the garrison who

were present became subscribing members of the lodge . General Brownrigg and the Rev . W . A . Hill were elected honorary members , and a number of joining members and initiates were proposed . The banquet was a most superb and recherche affair . General Brownrigg and his son were compelled to leave after the ceremonies , and the W . M . presided . After dinner

the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were eloquently given and heartily responded to , and during the evening the W . M . read letters of apology from Bros . Col . Goodcnough , H . A . ; Col . Field , R . A . ; Col . Grevillc , R . A . ; Pickard , V . C ., R . A . ; Boord , M . P . ; Capt . Hugh Hallett , R . A . ; Hervey , G . Sec . ; the whole of whom expressed their hearty good wishes for the success of the lodge .

The W . M ., in giving the toast of " Lord Skelmersdale , D . G . M ., and the other Officers of Grand Lodge , " said he regretted thc absence of Bro . Pattison , P . G . W . of England , who would have been present but for the death of an old and esteemed friend . In proposing the toast of " The Prov . G . Master , Lord Holmesdale , " the W . M . said he felt sure that there was

not any ill-feeling on the part of the province because the warrant of the lodge had been sent to him instead of to the Provincial Grand Master , and read a letter from Lord Holmesdale of congratulation , hopes for the success of thc lodge , and regret at his inability to be present . The Rev . Bro . Hill , P . G . C , in reply to the toast of « Thc D . G . M . and the rest of the Officers , " thanked them

heartily for their toast , and said the Province of Kent stood second , or at least third , on the roll of thc Masonic charities , for its contributions , and he hoped soon to have | tAi . ( Cheers . ) Nor need they look upon that as an idle boast , for in no other province were the grand ideas of brotherl y love , relief , and truth carried out more faithfull y than in this province . He then alluded to the

remarks of thc W . M . as to the mistake made by the G . L . in respect to the warrant , and assured them that it was looked upon entirely as an oversight * , the G . S . regarding it , no doubt , as a Metropolitan lodge , and that was how the mistake had arisen . He trusted they would attend the forthcoming festival on the 6 th inst , and receive a hearty Welcom e at the hands of the Provincial Grand Officers .

( Cheers . ) He then spoke of the lodge , and said among '" em , and among soldiers generally , were men who bore upon their countenance the marks of strength , skill , and intelli gence , and a dogged desire to do their duty to their ^ ueen and country . He felt moved to say that such "laracteristics gave a tone and dignity to their work . No one could help admiring the splendid manner in which one

™ Ihe most respected of their Order , Bro . Bates , had performed the installation ceremony . Masonry led them up , pep by step , to a higher and a better life , and taught them 10 give play to all the good and Christian feeling cf the , eatt i it taught them to fear God , honour the Queen , and ° vc their neighbour as they loved . themsclvcs . He apolos'std for taking up so much of their time , and concluded

* "usting they would go on and prosper . ( Loud ln response to the most enthusiastic reception of his j * "e . as proposed by the I . P . M ., Bro . Saunders , the W . M ., tec , k ' S reat-ytlle k-g * honour they had done him in jjrj lv , n g his name so flatteringly from P . M . Saunders , ^ " 'he hearty reception they had given it ; he thanked m i » ° i mly for placing him in the elevated position he

Consecration Of The United Military Lodge (No. 1537.)

was now in , but for the kind regard and esteem they had always evinced towards him . He would tell them the cause of the formation of the lodge , and they would remember the remarks of the Grand Master of Surrey , when he said that " military men were often from home upon outlying , or foreign stations , " and many of th <* m came to Woolwich from all parts of the

world , India and elsewhere , and this lodge was formed for them to come to and join , so that they might not be severed and lose their connection with the Craft . This lodge was not intended for them to alter their connections with their mother lodges , but as a home for them while away from its shelter ; he himself belonged to a civilian lodge , and he hoped to belong to it as long as he lived ,

but this lodge would receive all the military brethren who came from abroad , and required Masonic brotherhood and association , eo long as their duties required them to remain here . He did not wish to take all the honours of the day to himself , and the preliminary steps were taken by others , and their thanks were especially due to Bros . Edwards , Weston , Spinks , Picken , Carlin , and several others who

had worked hard for the foundation of the lodge ( cheers ) , but since he had been asked to become the W . M ., he had done and would continue to do all that lay in his power for its success , and continued prosperity . ( Cheers . ) The grand manner in which the P . G . M . for Surrey , Bro . General Brownrigg , had performed the ceremony of consecrating the lodge and the eloquent and impressive

manner of BrorP . M . Bates in the Installation , would , he felt sure , never be removed from their memories , nor must the remarks of the G . Master upon the necessity of assisting a poor and distressed brother he forgotten , for they were words that ought to be engraven on every soldier ' s heart who was a Mason . He then proceeded to read the letters of apology , and concluded by saying he looked upon

them as a great honour both to himself and the lodge ; he again thanked them very sincerely for the great honour paid him , and assured them in his hands the dignity of the lodge should , by the help of the officers , be fully sustained . ( Great applause . ) The next toast was at of " The I . P . M ., Bro . Major Saunders , " who brie / replied . "The Visitors" came

next , to which Bros . Major King , Hedley , Ward , McDougall , and Croisdale replied . Bro . Bates , as Installing Officer , received an ovation , and eloquently replied . The Rev . Chaplain , Bro . Walsh , in response to a most enthusiastic reception , feelingly replied . He said that , notwithstanding the many excellent addresses he had listened to that evening , he felt no reluctance in replying on this occasion , if

it were only for the fact of hearing the most solemn obligation taken by their esteemed W . M ., Bro . Pownall . He looked upoa the solemn ceremony that he had seen , and the sublime ritual that he had heard that day , as the christening of the lodge . He had been sixteen years a Mason , and had never before seen the consecration of a lodge , and as one who had been in such a position , the

grand ceremonies of the day came upon him with more than usual solemnity , and as long as he lived he should look upon Masonry in a more solemn and Christian li ght than ever he had hitherto ; he looked upon it as the christening of the lodge , and the regeneration of its members into a new life , and he trusted it would lead them to a better and a nobler insight of the duties of a Christian and a loyal

life , and so prepare them for that Grand Lodge above , that was the reward of a pure and good work done here below . He thanked them kindly for their recognition of his name . ( Great cheering . ) Bro . Plaisted received great commendation for his truly Masonic spirit in building the lodge , and thanked the

brethren for their good wishes . The next toast Iwas that of « The Officers of the Lodge , " to wjtich Bro . Weston , who on rising to respond was received most enthusiastically , briefly responded , and then the " Tyler's Toast" concluded a red-letter day in the annals of Plumstead and Woolwich Masonry . The lodge was furnished by Bro . George Kenning .

Consecration Of The Chaucer Lodge, No. 1540.

CONSECRATION OF THE CHAUCER LODGE , No . 1540 .

The consecration of this lodge was performed on Friday week at the Bridge House Hotel . The attendance of the brethren to witness the ceremony was very large , there being nearly 100 present . The room provided by Tiro . Spencer , the proprietor of the hotel , was thc beautiful ball

room , which is capable of accommodating great assemblies . The consecrating officer was Bro . John Hervey , Grand Secretary , who was assisted by Bro . Woodford , P . G . Chaplain , as Chaplain , and Bro . R . Wentworth Little , Prov . G . Secretary of Middlesex , as D . C . Thc S . W . chair was filled by Bro . the Rev . S . R . Wigram , Grand Chaplain , and the J . W . chair by Bro . H . G . Buss , Prov . Grand

Treasurer of Middlesex . Bro . Charles Lacey , Prov . G . D . Herts ., acted as I . G . Bro . W . W . Kipps , J . W . 1531 , presided at the harmonium . Among the other brethren present were : — I . J . Hooper Wilkins , W . M . 73 ; T . Goldsbro , P . M . 201 , P . P . G . S . W . Wales ; G . Price , P . G . Treas . Surrey , P . M . 463 ; S . R . Wigram , P . M . 214 ; W .

Henderson , I . G . 1050 ; C . Lacey , P . G . J . D . Herts , W . M . 1327 ; J . T . Moss , P . G . R . Middlesex , P . M . 169 ; E . E . Phillips , : P . M . 379 ; H . Cattor , 554 ; G . Free , KM . Sec . 73 ; W . D . Slyman , W . M . 753 ; F . Brown , 174 ; W . Kipps , Org . 73 , J . W . 1531 ; A . J . P . Stevens , D . C . 1298 ; H . J . Forsdick , J . D . 118 , South

Memphis , America ; Rev . P . M . Holden , S . D . 907 ; S . M . Lazarus , P . P . G . S . W . Wiltshire ; J . W . Baldwin , W . M . 1423 ; C . Pegler , 304 ; H . B . Pegler , 339 ; W . J . Warham , 1491 ; M . Pawley , J . W . 1414 ; A . Leuckard , P . G . A . D . C Essex , W . M ., 1000 ; N . Cockburn , 1414 ; J . W . S . Benjamin , 548 ; E . Palmer , P . G . S . D . Kent , P . M . 33 ; S . R . Adc , P . M . 31 <; F . Willard

Consecration Of The Chaucer Lodge, No. 1540.

31 s ; G . Broadbridge , 73 ; T . Robinson , P . M . 3 ; E . MaUett , S . D . 141 ; E . Clayton , 740 ; R . W . Price , 46 }; E . H . Thiellay , S . W . 145 ; C . B . Payne , G . Tyler , P . M . 37 ; A . Woodford , P . G . C ; E . Howard , S . D . 181 ; E . J Barker , 153 ; E . Harris , P . M . and Treas . 73 ; W . Lane , W . M . 38 ; J . Dixon , P . M . 73 ; H . Muggeridge , P . M . 715 ; J . Cunningham , P . Prov . G . S . W . Sussex ; T . Trollopg ,

P . Prov . G . J . W . Sussex . ; H . C . Levander , P . M . 517 ; H . A . Lacey , P . M . 1288 ; W . Worrall , P . M . 766 ; M . Scott , P . M ., Sec . 765 ; F . Spencer , J . W . 1063 ; W . Hunter Cockburn ; Walter Wood , 33 ; G . Kenning , P . Prov . G . S . D . Middlesex ; and H . Massey ( Freemason ) . The following is a list of the distinguished brethren who sent letters of apology and regret for absence , expressing

at the same time their hearty wishes for the success of the Chaucer Lodge : —The Lord Mayor , Bro . D . H . Stone , P . M ., G . J . W . ; Bros . J . C . Parkinson , P . G . D ., Dep . G . Master , Middlesex ; Sir J . C . Burrows , P . M . 811 , P . P . G . W . Sussex ; J . B . Monckton , P . G . D ., President Board of General Purposes ; J . L . Brigden , P . M . 732 , Mayor of Brighton ; James Terry , P . G . D . of C . Herts . ; V

Freeman , P . M . 732 , P . P . G . W . Sussex ; J . H . Scott , P . M . 271 , Prov . G . Sec . Sussex ; A . E . Maclntyre , Grand Registrar of England ; W . H . Hallett , W . M . 721 ; C . Sandeman , W . M . 315 ; D . Rose , 73 ; S . Solomon , 732 ; John Savage , P . G . D . ; Dr . O'Brien , W . M . 811 ; W . Smith , P . M . 732 ; J . Smith , P . M . 732 , P . P . G . P . Sussex ; T . W . P . Launson , W . M . 732 , P . G . S .

of W . Sussex ; E . Martin , P . M . 732 , P . P . G . D . Sussex ; W . R . Wood , P . M . 63 , 315 , 811 , P . G . Steward ; A . German , P . M . 1466 ; Col . Burdett , P . G . W ., Representative of thc Grand Lodge of Ireland , Grand Master Middlesex ; F . Davison , P . G . S . W . Middlesex ; H . Dubois , P . M . 1423 , P . G ., A . D . of C . Middlesex ; C . J . Smith , W . M . 1466 ; C . Allen , Mackncy , Baker , Emery , D'Arcy , Martin ,

Wilson , Elliott , Herman , Harvey , Hawkins , Suffield , French , Edwards , Dcffill , Markham , and a number of other brethren . The ceremony was conducted with all the usual formalities . Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford delivered an oration , which will be found in another column . The appropriateness of the

oration to thc occasion will be seen at once . The lodge was originated by Bros . T . J . Sabine , James Cattlcy Mason , Edward Spencer Stidolph , and the other brethren named in the warrant , to perpetuate the connection of the poet Chaucer with the borough of Southwark , and they chose for tlie lodge's motto Chaucer '* lines " . —

" Sounning in moral virtue was his spechc , And gladly wolde he lerne and gladly techc , * * * # Trouthc and honor , freedom and curtesie . " And the appropriateness of the erection of the new edifice was the ^ morc apparent , as only a few days before the consecration of thc Chaucer , the famous Tabard Inn , celebrated in the " Canterbury Talcs , " was demolished .

Ihe poet , therefore , is not left without a witness , independent of his writings , whicli must remain a specimen of the fine old Saxon language of which he was master , when even the borough of Southwark shall have undergone greater changes than it has seen in the last fifteen years . The Chaucer Lodge will be still further interesting , since by Bro . Woodford ' s research it is found the

poet was a Freemason . The ceremony , after the oration was delivered , was completed , and the installation of the W . M . was proceeded with . On presentation duly made Bro . T . J . Sabine was installed , and the brethren being admitted and the formalities customary on such occasions being property observed , the W . M . invested the officer- " . Bros . J . C . Mason became

S . W . ; Stidolph , J . W . ; W . Hudson ( Brighton ) , Treasurer ; F . Walters , Secretary ; W . George Kemp , S . D . ; Charles Hudson , J . D . ; H . Faija , I . G . ; I i . iwkes , D . C ; Hutch , Chaplain ; Stedman , W . S . ; and W . Y . Laing , Tyler Stewards for the festival offered then . selves . Bros . Stidolph and ^ Hawkes took the Benevolent Institution for 1876 ; Bro . Faija , C . E ., thc Girls '; Bro . C . Hudson the Boys '; and

Bro . Mason the Benevolent for 1877 . A vote of thanks was passed to the consecrating brethren , and Bros . Hervey , Woodford , and Little were elected honorary members of the lodge , Bro . Hervey returning thanks . Propositions for numerous initiates and joining members were handed in , and the brethren | adjourned to banquet , after closing the lodge . On entering the banquet

room a very pleasing sight presented itself . With great taste Bro . Joseph Spencer , tlv proprietor of the hotel , had laid out three tables , splendiaiy decorated with fruit and flowers . At the head table , in front of the Master , was a decoration with the word " Chaucer , " elaborately formed . Behind this was a plentiful show of fruit , with numerous bouquets ; and on either side a vessel forming the

foundation of an elegant and refreshing pillar of ice . The dinner , when the brethren were seated , was served a la Russe , and comprised all the delicacies of the season , and their excellence was added to considerably by some of the finest wines that could be procured , though with which Bro . Spencer ' s cellar abounds . The dinner occupied a considerable time , but it was so well served , in addition to

being of such excellence , that the brethren were not wearied by the length of time occupied in consuming it . When at length the " cloth was cleared , " as the phrase goes , grace was said , and the loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed . The W . M ., of course , first gave "The Queen , " and then " Thc Grand Master , " in proposing the latter of which he referred to the scene at the Albert Hall on that day as never

to be forgotten , and added that from the way H . R . H . then conducted business every Mason must feel convinced of the soundness of the choice the Craft had made ; that he was a good and earnest Mason and meant well to the Craft . The W . M . was convinced that so long as the Prince of Wales was at the head of the Craft he would in every possible way endeavour to promote its best interests , sustain its popu-