Consecration Of The Loxfield Lodge, No. 2450, At Uckfield.

they could to promote Freemasonry . He himself , in the unavoidable absence of the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . the Right Hon . Sir W . T . Marriott , O . C , M . P ., P . G . Stwd ., was also pleased to undertake the duties that day ot Consecrating Officer . Bro . R . CLOWES , P . G . D ., also acknowledged the toast . Bros . J . P . SLINGSBY R OBERTS , Prov . S . G . W ., and W . DAWES , P . P . S . G . W ., " responded to the toast of " The Officers of Provincial Grand Lodee , Present and Past . "

Bro . E . LETCHWORTH briefly proposed " Prosperity to the Loxfield Lodge , " replies being made by the XV . M . Designate , Bro . R . L . THORNTON , the S . W . Designate , Bro . W . WRIGHT , and the J . W . Designate , Bro . J . A . DAY . Bro . W . WRIGHT submitted " The Visitors , " which Bros . MONEY and

HOLMAN acknowledged . The Tyler ' s toast terminated the proceedings . The brethren then adjourned to the Public Hall , where they were joined by many other brethren , those present including the following Prov . Grand Officers :

Bros . J . P . Slingsby Roberts , Prov . S . G . W . ; H . Langton , Prov . J . G . W . ; Rev . P . Crick , Prov . G . Chap .,- J . M . Reed , Prov . G . Treas . ; T . P . Barker , Prov . G . Reg . ; V . P . Freeman , Prov . G . Sec . ; R . T . Dawson , Prov . G . D . C . ; E . G . Whittle , Prov . A . G . D . C . ; J . Billinghurst , Prov . G . Std . Br . ; A . Stanley Cooke , Prov . G . Org . ; F . Plowman , Prov . G . Purst . -, B . Higham , Prov . A . G . Purst . ; J . H . Every , Prov . G . Stwd ; W . Isworth , Prov . G . Stwd . ; and H . H . Hughes , Prov . G . Tyler .

The lodge having been opened by Bro . E . Letchworth , Grand Secretary , the hymn " Hail , Eternal , by Whose aid " was sung , and prayer was offered up by Bro . Rev . P . CRICK , Prov . G . Chap . The Consecrating Officer , Bro . E . LETCHWORTH , then addressed the brethren . He said they were assembled for an object which would enlist the sympathies and evoke the good wishes of all brethren of the

Orderthe consecration of the Loxfield Lodge , No . 2450 . The new lodge would supply a great Masonic want in that part of the county . Referring to the extinct Harmony and Friendship Lodge , which had been replaced by the South Saxon Lodge ( Lewes ) , he expressed the hope that the new lodge would have a career of unbroken prosperity , and occupy a high position among the lodges of the province .

The founders of the new lodge were arranged as follows : Bros . R . L . Thornton , P . M . 1492 , P . G . S . B . Cambridgeshire * , Capt . H . T . Clements , P . M . 596 , P . Dist . G . W . Western India ; William Wright , P . M . 311 , 1303 , P . P . G . W . ; J . A . Day ; Rev . W . O . Thompson , M . A ., P . M . 47 S , 1757 , P . G . Chaplain ; Henry M . Langdale ; Walter Flint ; Sidney R . Hunt ,

David Wood ; A . F . Lamette , W . M . 2187 * , Alfred Hales ; R . Hollyman ; W . Gates ; Gen . G . C . Clarke , C . B . ; Henry Langridge , P . M . 20 , P . G . Steward j Major B . Shiffner - , W . E . Morrison , P . M . 916 , mo , P . P . G . W . ; VV . Gill , P . M . 1829 , P . P . G . D . C ; J . C . Buckwell . P . M . 2386 , P . G . D . ; T . R . White , P . M . 311 , 1303 , P . P . A . G . D . C ; A . Turner ; Wm . Beaty ; and G . F . Eade .

The P . G . SECRETARY having read the petition and warrant , and thc brethren havingsi ^ nified their approval of the officers named on the warrant , the P . G . CHAPLAIN delivered an address on the nature and principles of Freemasonry as follows : Brethren , in virtue of the command now laid upon me by the Deputy Provincial Grand AIaster , and by reason of the high office which I have the honour to hold in this province for the time being , 1 now claim your attention while I endeavour to

place before you for your consideration some reflections upon the nature and principles of our glorious Order . On an occasion such as this , ivhen we are met together to consecrate and set apart one mere mansion to be used for the express purpose of uniting our fellow crettures more closely together in the bonds of fraternal love and sympathy , and for the promulgation of those most pure principles of piety and virtue with which Freemasonry is always and most justly associated : there cannot but suggest themselves varied topics upon wiiich it

• might be reason Able to dwell , and to which it would fill within the compass of the duties of my office to direct your attention . The consecration of a new lodge is not only an important event in the history of Freemasonry in this provini e , but it is evidence ol" the continuing vitility of our Order ; it reminds us ol the sure and abiding nature of these lodges or communities of brethren , for it is only reasonable to hope and expect that the Loxfield Lodge , No . 2450 , will continue , through its representaiives , to miinuin , support , and uphold pure

and unsullied tne principles and tenets of our glorious Order , long after you , Worshipful Sir , and we who are assisting at its birth , have left this sublunary sphere , and are once again poor candidates in a state of darkness , but upon this occasion candidates fur admission 10 the full mysteries and privileges of the Grand Lodge above . To you . Worshipful Sir . in respect of the work upon which you are to-day t-nK-njed as Consecrating Officer , may well be applied the words of the immortal bard , "Theijoud men do lives after them , " for there cannot be , if a

lodge carries out the traditions of its existence , a better work conceived or executed than that which we are now engaged in inaugurating . Brethren , at the present time Masonry has existed , and despite all prejudice and attack upon the part of the uninstructed and popular world who are not Masuns . has flourished for close upon 601 . 0 yeais , and it is this long duration and this abiding nature which is ristinc ' ly a characteristic of all lodges ot Feemasonry , which * ippe . trs to me not < nl / typical of , but , as it w-re , a fitting prelude for the eternity that we expect to

hnd in the Grand Lodge aDove . I see , or I think I see , traces of the Divine origin of F . eemasomy in the fact of its antiquity , and by reason of its everlasting nature ; and further than this , is it too great a flight of imagination to trace in the very formation of a lod ^ e , and to see in the rules and regulations whereby a lodge is govt rned , a pattern or mould submitted to us , His creatures , by the great and wise Architect of the Universe , whereb y we may so direct , and regulate our life and actions here below as when challenged hereafter , to enable us to prove

ourselves fit for admission into the Grand Lodge above . I have no doubt that a perfect Mason—that is a Mason who fully and conscientiously acts up to his Masonic obligations in every respect , would find in the great hereafter that he was provided with the necessary pass-word for admission into that lodge above . Brethren , it is no chance or arbitrary arrangement that has brought it about that the rules and ritual under which we work in a just , perfect , and regular lodge should be , as they are , a faithful type and an allegorical representation of what

from the Volume of the Sacred Law , we are led to expect we shall find in that perfect government which the Most High will establish at the end of the world . Is it not so ordained that , as I have hinted , we may learn in these lodges below to qualify ourselves ior that higher state which shall be revealed to us hereatter . Let me briefly recapitulate the points of similarity that exist between the ritual of our ceremonies and what we gather from the Sacred Law to be the form approved by the Most High for Divine worship . Our lodges are situated due east and west . So in ihe wilderness did the Great Architect of the Universe from Mount Sinai

command Moses to erect a tent , or tabernacle , for the Israelities , and this tabernacle proved afterwards the ground plan in respect of situation of that most magnificent temple built by our first Royal Grand Master , King Solomon , out of the store of whose pre-eminent wisdom the special g ift of the Most High , not only was the temple erected , but our very Order of Masonry instituted . Need 1 remind

Consecration Of The Loxfield Lodge, No. 2450, At Uckfield.

you that our three great lights in Freemasonry in our ritual are said to be emblematical , and for this purpose I do not think I need the assistance of later revelation than Freemasonry , for I am of opinion that there is sufficient indication in the Volume of the Old Testament to point to the three-fold nature of the Great Architect of the Universe , of whom these three great lights may be considered emblematical . So it is with the lesser lights of Freemasonry . As at tbe creation —in the first evoking of order jut of chaos—the Great Architect did appoint His

creatures—the sun to rule the day , the moon to govern the night , and Adam to be the lord of creation . So are our lodges constituted with their three lesser lights— - the sun , the moon , and the Master of the lodge . There is no occasion for me to tell Alasons , who make a study of the Volume of the Sacred Law , which in our ritual we admit guides us to truth , and directs our steps in the paths of happiness , and points out the whole duty of man , there is no occasion , I repeat , to tell Masons that three—the number of Masons required to rule a

lodge—and that seven—the number required to make a lodge perfect —are both numbers with which we frequently meet in the Sacred Writings , and , from their constant adoption by the Most High in His dealings with His creatures , have a claim to be considered sacred numbers . I have mentioned some of the conditions under which we work in open lodge , which seem to me to suggest similarity to what we may expect in the more perfect state that will be hereafter . Doubtless there will be other points that will suggest

themselves to you , but I have purposely reserved to the last reference to him who , in our lodges upon earth , stands outside the door being armed with a drawn sword to keep off all intruders and cowans to Masonry , and to see that the candidates are properly prepared . 1 do not doubt that we shall find bis artitype and counter , part in the Grand Lodge above , and that he , described by our poet . Milton , as

'" the pilot of the Galilean Lake , whoever he may be , and whatever form he may assume , will require from us satisfactory proof that , while actinu' in conformity with the principles of the Craft , we have not failed to discharge our duty to the G . G . of the Universe with fervency and zeal . And , brethren , there is no better preparation that any candidate for the Grand Lodi ; e above can make than a steady adherence to , and a faithful discharge of , all the obligations of Free .

masonry . Caldicott ' s anthem , " Behold how good and joyful , " was then sung , and the Declaration Prayer given , after which the lodge was duly consecrated , the ceremony being impressively performed by Bro . E . LETCHWORTH . After the dedication , Sterndale Bennett ' s " God is a Sp irit " was sung , and , on the lodge being constituted , the hymn " Glory to God on Hi g h , " was sung . On the termination of the Benediction Bro . R . L . Thornton was installed as W . M . of the lodge by Bro . VV . Dawes , P . P . G . Reg . and P . P . S . G . W .

The newly-installed VV . M . then appointed and invested his ofiicers as follows : Bros . H . T . Clements , I . P . M . ; W . Wright , S . W . ; J . A . Day , J . VV . ; IT . M . Langdale , Treas . ; VV . Flint , Sec ; S . R . Hunt , S . D . ; D . Wood , J . D . ; A . F . Lamette , D . of C ; A . Hales , I . G . ; W . Gates and R . Hollyman , Stwds . ; and J . Hall , Tyler . The addresses were ably given by Bros . J . P . SLINGSBY ROBERTS , H , LANGTON , and E . LETCHWORTH . After other business of a formal character , the lodge was closed .

The musical arrangements , under the direction of Bro . A . Stanley Cooke , Prov . G . Org ., were of a highly satisfactory character , the anthems being rendered by Bros . F . Moore ( Lay Vicar , Chichester Cathedral ) , A , Stanley Cooke , Prov . G . Org . ; VV . N . Roe , P . P . G . O . ; and George Cole , P . P . G . O . The lodge was furnished by Bro . George Kenning .

Consecration Of The Prince Frederick William Mark Lodge. No. 458.

CONSECRATION OF THE PRINCE FREDERICK WILLIAM MARK LODGE . No . 458 .

The Prince Frederick William Mark Lodge , No . 458 , was consecrated at Mark Masons' Hall , Great Oueen-street , on the 3 rd inst ., in the presence of a large number of Mark Masons . The consecration ceremony was performed by Bro . C . F . Matier , P . G . W ., G . Sec , assisted by Bros . Frank Richardson , P . G . W ., G . Reg ., as S . W . ; Gordon Miller , as J . W . ; Rev . I > . VV . Macdonald , G . Chap ., as Chap . ; R . Berridge , P . G . W ., . G . D . C , as D . C ; and A . R . Carter , P . G . S . B ., as I . G .

Bro . J . J . I nomas , P . M . 1 , was the VV . M . designate , and Bros . James Stephens and \ V . J . Mason were S . W . designate and J . W . designate respectively . The other brethren present included—Bros . W . J . Ferguson , P . M . 355 ; F . Sidney Smith , P . AL 450 ; J . J . Pakes , P . G . O . Kent ; Capt . E . M . Aloney , P . G . Stwd . ; R . A . Milliken , W . AI . elect

253 ( LC ;; R . Eve , P . G . Al . O . ; J . B . Alather , P . G . O . ; W . Vincent , A . G . D .: t * . vVest , D . P . G . M . Surrey ; S . Hoy te , P . G . Org . ; E . Storr , P . G . Stwd . ; Dr . N . Goodcfnld , P . G . Stw 1 . ; A . H . Scurrah , W . M . ; W . A . Scurrah , P . I . G . R . ; J . Barnett , jun ., P . M . ; J . Terry , P . A . G . D . C , Sec . R . M . B . I . ; J . Lewis Thomas , Prov . J . G . O . Middx . ; W . J . Spratling ; E . J . Mills , G . Tyler ; A . F . Lamette , G . Stwd . ; I . R . Green , P . G . Stwd . ; W . M . Stiles , P . G . S . B . ; A . G . Boswell ;

T . Spink ; W . J . Stratton ; J . T . Rowe , W . M . 1 ; R . Schreiber ; J . M . McLeod . P . P . G . W . Notts , Sec . R . M . I . B . ; R . T . Redfern ; H . W . Davie ; E . P . Delevanti ; Clarke ; Hillier ; H . H . Shirley ; J . J . Thomas , P . J . G . D . Middx . ; and W . W . Lee . Previous to the consecration ceremony , eight brethren were advanced 10 the Order by Bro . J . J . Thomas . Lodge having been opened , and a hymn sung ,

The CONSECRATING OFFICER , addressing the brethren , said they had met on a most important occasion—that of adding a new lodge to thealready long list of Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons . It was a very fortunate circumstance that that lodge was named after a very prosperous and very flourishing lodge in the Craft Degree—the Prince Frederick Willi" * - " " Lodge . As was usual on every occasion of their Masonic assembly , before the

business commenced they always invoked a blessing and guidance from above . He would therefore ask the Grand Chaplain for prayer . The founders signified their approval of the officers named in the warrant , and an oration was then delivered by Bro . Rev . F . VV . MCDONALD , Grand Chaplain . The lodge was afterwards solemnly dedicated and constituted with the customary lormalities . ,

Bro . Frank Richardson , P . G . W ., G . Reg ., then assumed the chair , an " installed Bro . John Joseph Thomas as W . M . The following oflicers were appointed : Bros . James Stephens , S . W . ; W . J . Mason , J . W . j A- < J ' Boswell , M . O . ; T . Spink , S . O . ; W . J . Stratton , J . O . ; J . T . Ro « * e-W . M . i , Treas . ; R . Schreiber , R . of M . ; J . M . McLeod , P . P . G- " * Notts , Sec . R . M . I . B ., Sec . ; R . T . Redfearn , S . D . ; H . W . Davie , J- ' J *' Clarke , I . G . ; F . Foxley , D . C . ; E . P . Dclevanti , Org . ; Hillier , Stwd-. and E . J . Mills , Ty ler . .. . A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the Consecrating Officer and " assistants , and they were unanimously elected honorary members .