Consecration Of The Philbrick Chapter, No. 1662.

age—in his 77 th year—but recollecting that he had been connected with Sir Albert Woods in other important functions in Masonry for 33 years , and that his dear friend was struck down by illness and could not attend to his duties , by virtue of the exalted rank recently conferred upon him ( Comp . Fenn ) he could not refuse to undertake the duties , although he felt there was some danger of his strength failing . With the kind co-operation of

Comps . Frank Richardson and J . H . Matthews and some others he was able to get through his task with some success . With respect to the Grand Officers , many companions would have seen that in Grand Chapter the Grand Officers often outnumbered all the other companions . In Grand Chapter they had not always very important business to consider , but

occasionally they had . There had been attempts to alter the ceremonies , but those had been successfully combated . At the last meeting they had a decision brought before them which was very far reaching and most important ; but such cases were rare . At all events , he hoped everyone who attended Grand Chapter would concede to Grand Officers that they did their duty .

Comp . W . SHURMUR , M . E . Z ., in proposing " The Consecrating Officers , " said he approached the toast with a great amount of trepidation or with fear that they could not adequately express their admiration and thanks for the perfect and dignified manner in which the ceremony of consecration was performed . Grand Scribe E . had excelled himself . They had already spoken of the J . ' s marvellous work at a moment ' s notice , and the

companions must have noticed the finished manner in which Comp . Frank Richardson , as D . C , carried out his part . Of course they knew he was a companion of very great experience , but , at the same time , practice did not always confer proficiency . Then as to Comp . Mead , as Scribe N ., his reading was excellent , and he ought to have been a bishop . Their best and warmest thanks were due to the Consecrating Officers .

Comp . E . LETCHWORTH , G . S . E ., responding , said , although he was deeply sensible of the hi gh compliment the M . E . Z . had paid him in associating his name with the toast of the Consecrating Officers , he could not but feel that it was due to the fact that the companion whose honoured name that chapter bore , from some unexplained cause , was absent from the ceremony that evening . He was quite sure Comp . Pnilbrick could not but feel

most deeply disappointed at not being present , because he had heard from Comp . Philbrick ' s lips how highly he appreciated the very great honour the companions and founders of this chapter paid him in asking his permission to take his name . He could only express the hope that wherever Comp Philbrick mi ght be he was passing as pleasant an evening as the companions of the Philbrick Chapter were . With regard to

the Consecrating Officers he thought he might say on behalf of those with whom he had been associated , as he did on his own behalf , that the consecration of a new chapter was to one and all of them a duty of love . There was no duty they had to perform which gave them greater pleasure , and it was always a great satisfaction to him when he found himself associated in the ceremony with companions as proficient as Comp . Fenn , whose

services had been recognised by them all , and by Comps . Richardson and Mead . He had now a very pleasing duty in proposing " The Health of the first Three Principals of the Philbrick Chapter , " and particularly Comp . William Shurmur , whom he had had the great privilege of placing in the chair of this chapter . In addressing the companions he saw around the table it was quite unnecessary to dilate on the merits of Comp . Shurmur ,

who was already well-known to all of them . Comp . Shurmur was respected by them all , and he was beloved by them all . Few men had done more than Comp . Shurmur to advance the interests of the Craft and the Royal Arch in the neighbourhood in which he resided . This was the tenth year he had filled the chair of M . E . Z . of a chapter , and in all that time he had

exalted no less than 100 brethren . The members of this chapter might well be congratulated on having at their head , in this the most important and critical period of the chapter ' s existence , a companion so well qualified in every way to rule and guide them . Therefore , it was with the greatest possible pleasure he asked the companions to join him in drinking the health of the M . E . Z ., wishing him a most agreeable and prosperous year .

Comp . W . SHURMUR , M . E . Z ., said , in reply , it had been a great pleasure to take part in preparing the foundation of the Philbrick Chapter , and he earnestly hoped that the members mi ght be able to raise a superstructure perfect in its parts , and in some way worthy of the honoured name which the chapter would bear . The majority of those present were what their Grand Superintendent of Essex had been pleased to call " Essex calves , "

and they much regretted his unfortunate absence . They knew that something extraordinary must have occurred , because they had often had the privilege of sitting under his genial rule , and they knew he was never more happy than in taking part in contributing to the happiness of Freemasons and furthering the interests of that grand Society . To many men the absence of one whom they must recognise as the principal character in the

chapter would have been a knockdown blow , but they hoped they might amend and stand up . There had been a large amount of opposition to this chapter ; but when he had such good friends as he had on his left and ri ght , opposition was like wind to a kite , the more it blew the higher the kite rose . Twelve months ago they applied for a charter for the Philbrick Chapter , with 18 petitioners . It was opposed . They applied again , with 26 petitioners ,

and the charter was granted without reservation , and by virtue of the kindness cf the Grand Chapter officers , they had a grand kick-off , and they intended to make this Philbrick Chapter a grand success . They started ri ght ; they recognised that their O / der was founded upon t ' ne basis of Charity . They started b y giving 20 guineas to the Boys' S . hool — good business ! and he was quite sure wilh such friends as he had in the formation of the chapter it would prove one of the

greatest successes at that end of London . Their idea was that Comp . His Honor Judge Philbrick being the Grand Superintendent of Essex , they ought to have an Essex chapter , but they found there were some chapters in Essex not so flourishing as they could wish , therefore they went geographically . Walthamstow , geographically , was in Esiex ; otherwise it was in London . They had continued faithful in well-doing ,

and this I hilbrick Chapter had become duly constituted and consecrated , and he had not the slightest hesitation in saying it would prove an unbounded success . The H . and J . were P . Ms , of the Beaconsfield Lodge , and had proved their worth b y making that lodge a great success . They would exert themselves to the utmost to do the same with the Philbrick Chapter , and would leave no stone unturned to effect that object . Comps . WILDASH , IL , and HARRIS , J . also responded .

, Comp . Archdeacon DUNJJIR proposed " The Visitors , " to which toast Comp . C . J . R . T / . iou responded , after which the Janitor ' s toast was given by Comp . MAIDWELL , and the companions separated .

Summer Outing Of Blackheath Lodge, No. 1320.

SUMMER OUTING OF BLACKHEATH LODGE , No . 1320 .

This most enjoyable event took place on Saturday , the 3 rd instant , when a number of brethren and friends assembled at London Bridge , when special carriages were placed at their disposal to transmit them to Oxted in Surrey , a most charming resort in the Caterham Valley . The head-quarters was Hoskin ' s Hotel , the proprietor of which is Bro . T . Tucker , I . G . 1320 , the well-known

caterer in that lovely locality . On arriving at the hotel , and partaking of a light lunch , the party was afterwards conveyed in waggonettes through a most charming and delightful country , which was most highly appreciated by all present , it having given them a feast for the soul and mind . The party returned to the hotel at 6 p . m ., when the feast for the body was provided by the worthy host , to which the whole company did ample justice .

The chair was taken by Bro . G . C . Pike , W . M ., supported by Bros . G . A . Rice , S . W ., W . M . elect ; T . G . Hobley , j . W . ; Augustus W . Le Cren , LP . M . ; T . R . Cass , P . M . ; J . Hooper , P . M ., D . C . ; H . A . Stunt , P . M ., Sec ; W . R . King , S . D . ; H . Cornford , J . D . ; T . Tucker , I . G . ; A . Hesekiel , Stwd . ; L H . Edwards , Wm . Hill , Walter Downing , P . P . G . D . C . Kent ; J . U . Heath , L . C . Shipton , S . J . Field , G . Thompson , G . H . Wavell , J . Whiteman , E . J . Ware , and C . H . Stone , and Messrs . Brown , Taylor , Hall , Parnell , Tate , J . Baker , and others .

The banquet ended , Bro . PIKE , President , rose and gave the toast of " Her Most Gracious Majesty , " which was indispensable among any body of Englishmen , and especially of Freemasons . It was a most special occasion , and all were delighted with the jubilations of the last few days and grateful that the whole of the proceedings had passed off so successfully and without accident . The toast was most enthusiastically drunk .

Bro . AUG . W . LE CREN , I . P . M ., rose and said the one very phasing duty devolving upon him was to propose " The Health of the worthy President , Bro . Pike , W . M ., " which position he filled with honour to himself and credit to the lodge . He had so often expounded his many virtues that on that occasion it was unnecessary to further dilate upon them . He asked the company to drink the toast in bumpers .

Bro . G . C . PIKE , in reply , said : Visiting friends and brethren , — -I am proud to be Master of such a lodge and to preside over such a gathering as the present , also to receive at your hands so cordial a greeting . The institution of a summer outing is one which has received the hearty co-operation of the brethren and friends , and is often a happy re-union after many years . There are some

gentlemen present whom I have not seen for many years , and it gives me great pleasure to renew their friendship . I hope the present is the happy augury of many more and that the W . M . elect , Bro . E . A . Rice , will have a still larger gathering on the next occasion . All have rejoiced at their happy outing , and I am pleased it has been patronised by such an excellent company .

The toast of "The Visitors was next presented by the PKKSIDENT , who gave them a most cordial welcome , stating that their presence greatly enhanced the enjoyment of the outing . This was most gratefully , and in highly appreciative terms , responded to by Bros . STONE , WAVELL , DOWNING , HILL , FIELD , and EDWARDS , and by Mjssrs . HALL , TATE , and BAKER .

The toast of " The Worthy Host , Bro . T . Tucker , " received its mead of praise , the PRESIDENT remarking that on every occasion he had provided a most generous menu , and had exerted himself to the utmost in order to m ike everyone comfortable , and the present was no exception to that rule . He hoped that Bro . Tucker would be spared to cater for the lodge outing for many years , and that the numbers would increase .

Bro . TUCKER most cordially thanked the friends and brethren for their kindness , and said it gave him the greatest pleasure to provide for their comforts . He should at all times study them , and he was delighted to receive their approbation . The whole arrangements were admirably carried out by a Committee , with Bro . H . A . Stunt , P . M ., the indefatigable Secretary , who is always to the front in advancing the benefit of the lodge .

Bro . E . A . Rice , VV . M . elect , puotographed the company as a souvenir of thc occasion in the beautiful grounds of thee hotel . Some capital harmony was given by Bros . Hobley , Stunt , and others . Bro . Hobley presided at the piano .

Masonic Thanksgiving Service At Axminster.

MASONIC THANKSGIVING SERVICE AT AXMINSTER .

On Sunday , June 20 th , the members of thc Lodge Virtue and Honour , No , 494 , by special dispensation granted by the Prov . G . Master , attended a church service at the Axminster Parish Church , as an act of thanksgiving to the Great Architect of the Universe , for the completion of the ( ioth year of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria . Thebrethren met at the Masonic Hall , and having clothed , lodge was opened and a procession formed , headed by the Tyler carrying the lodge banner , and they proceeded to the church where seats had been reserved .

The Vicar , Bro . the Rev . A . NEWMAN , read the prayers , Sic , and Bro . ] i ; i- iT ' . KD , Churchwarden , read the lessons . Au excellent sermon was preached by Bro . the Rev . A . E . T . NKWAIAN , son of the Vicir , whilst Bro . T . N . Webber , presided at the organ . Several visitors attended from De Ia Pole Lodge , and Prudence and Industry Lodge .

Amongst those present were Bros . Heal , W . M . ; Moass , I . P . M . ; Harvey , S . W . ; Bucknole , J . VV . ; the Rev . A . Newman , P . M , P . P . G . C , Chap . ; G . R . Stevens , P . M ., Treas . ; A . P . Recce , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C . ; H . Imber-Parsons , S . D . ; T . Ramsay , I . G . ; E . Snell and G . Morrish , Stwds . ; W . J . jefferd , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D . ; A . Bidwell , P . M . ; J . R . Reynolds , P . M . ; VV . H . Pinney , P . M . ; R . Southwood , P . M . ; T . N . Webber , P . M ., P . P . G . O . ; J , G . Pinney , P . M . ; W , A . L . Paul , P . M . ; G . A . J . Stevens , W . E . Pilliuld Chappie , Jno . Parsons , jno .

Patterson , Jno . Gage , Jno . S . Hellier , W . B . Parsons , R . Loveless , J . Wakley , Tyler ; W . Bedford , W . M .. J . Thomas , LG ., W . H . Evans , P . M ., J . G . Oldridge , P . M ., Sec , F . E . Yapp , J . D ., J . Follett , S . W ., VV . H . Aplin , P . M ., P . P . A . G . Sec , VV . H . Head , F . Thomas , A . W . Oakley , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., and George Evans , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., all of 11 S 1 ; G . S . Russell , P . M . 1309 , P . P . G . Reg . Oxon ; E . ] . James , P . M . 1593 , P . P . G . S . B . Somerset ; and L . G . Derrick , P . M . and Sec . 1953 , P . P . A . G . D . C . Somerset .

On returning to the lodge-room it was decided to send a telegram to II . H . H . the Prince of Wales , Grand Master , with their respectful greetings and sincere wishes for the safety of our Most Gracious Sovereign Queen Victjiia . and all the Royal Family through the Diamond Jubilee ceremonials . The following reply was received by the Secretary : — " The Prince of VVales thanks the lodge tot telegram and kind congratulations . "