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

Bro . C F . MATIER , P . G . W ., returned thanks for this honour , and also for a jewel presented to him as a souvenir of the occasion . A Committee was elected to frame the by-laws , and the lodge was closed . A banquet was afterwards held at the Holborn Restaurant , and was followed by the usual toasts .

Bio . R- BERRIDGE , P . G . W ., G . D . C , returned thanks lor "The Grand Officers , Present and Past , " and said it had been a great pleasure to those who had assisted in the consecration of the lodge , and they welcomed the ne w lodge into the arms of Mark Masonry . He wished the W . M . a prosnprous year , and the lodge a great success .

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER proposed "The Consecrating Officer " and said they owed much to him for consecrating the lodge in the way he had . They would never forget the manner in which they were constituted into a new lodge and would ever remember the services Bro . Matier had rendered them . He ( the W . M . ) had great pleasure in proposing Bro . Matier ' s good health and would couple with it a reference to the Mark Benevolent Fund .

Bro . C . F . MATIER , P . G . W ., who replied , said that every brother who was deputed to consecrate a lodge was absolutely at the mercy of those brethren who were summoned to assist him . How that mercy was bestowed upon him the brethren knew , and any excellence in the ceremony was due to those who assisted him . Having briefly discharged his liability to their W . M . he would say how much he thanked that brother for his

allusion to the Mark Benevolent Fund , and for his assurance given that at the next Festival he would represent that lodge . In the name of that Fund he thanked the W . M . most heartil y . He had next to propose a most important toast , " The Health of the Newly-Installed W . M . " The brother who was thought worth y by his fellows of being selected by them

to be recommended to H . R . H ., as the first W . M . must be a brother whose claims to recognition were great . No words of eloquence would therefore be needed to ensure their drinking most cordially and enthusiastically to the long life and success of their W . M ., and prosperity to the Prince Frederick William Lodge .

Bro . J . J . THOMAS , W . M ., thanked the Grand Secretary for the kindly way in which he introduced thc toast . He was afraid more had been said than he deserved , but he would endeavour to deserve them in the future . He assured the brethren he felt very proud in occupying his present position . It was a fancy of his some years ago that , being a Past Master and Secretary of the Prince Frederick William Craft Lod ge and M . E . Z . of the chapter ,

that he should fit in the keystone b y being the first Master of a Mark lodge bearing that name , and he felt very proud at the distinguished position in which the founders had placed him . He was pleased to see the gathering around him , and especially the array of Grand Oflicers who had honoured liim with their presence . From the bottom of his heart he thanked them most sincerely for the very hearty response given his toast .

" The Installing Master" was next submitted by the WoRsimu-m M \ STER , who thanked Bro . F . Richardson for having done him the honour nf installing him into the chair . When he heard that Bro . Richardson was tu install him , he received the news with great pleasure , because he was doubly strengthened in having one distinguished brother to consecrate the lodge , and another distinguished brother to place him in the chair .

Bro . FRANK RICHARDSON , P . G . W ., G . Reg ., replied , and said that he professed to be a good Mason , and as such he obeyed orders . Therefore , when he was informed that he had to perform the duty of installing the W . M . he accepted it as a duty . When he found it was Bro . Thomas , a member of the Board of General Purposes , of which he ( Bio . Richardson ) had had the honour of being a member for some time , he accented it not

only as a duty , but as a great pleasure . The W . M . was so good a Mason lhat it was a pleasure for anyone to take part in a ceremony in which he was concerned . He thanked them sincerely , and wished the VV . M . a successful year of ollice in the lodge which had started so well , and which would , doubtless , in years to come , occupy a high position among thc lodges of Mark Masonrv ' .

Hro . FRED . WEST , Dep . Prov . G . M . Surrey , responding for "The \ isitors , " said they thoroughly appreciated the excellent way in which this lod ge had been brought into existence . He had taken part in bringing into existence various lodges and chapters , and one was always pleased to be present on such occasions . The visitors thanked them very heartily , and had

thoroughl y enjoyed themselves . He held a peculiar position in being the hrst Deputy Prov . G . M . of the Province of Surrey , and for that position he presumed he had been selected to reply . Bros . XV . J . FERGUSON , P . M . ; VV . J . SI-RATLING , P . M . ; VV . THOMAS , l -M . ; and VV . SCURRAH , P . M ., also responded . "The Newly-advanced Brethren " was next -riven and resnonded to .

i- j" WoRS . ' ' ur ' MASTER next proposed "The Mark Benevolent u " " and saic " lle 'n tenc , ec ' serving as Steward at the next Festival , and should be gratified if the brethren would give him their assistance . There was a very distinguished brother present—Bro . James Terry—whom he would ask to respond for the Masonic Charities in general and the Mark oenevolent Fund in particular .

Isro . JAMES TERRY , in response , explained that the Mark Benevolent 'und was divided into three funds—one for general Charity , one for the maintenance and education of bovs and irirls . and one for tbe mainipnanrr- nf

j 'Seu Masons and widows . With reference to the other Masonic Institu-I'ons , he had been struck with the last song they had heard— " Pilot Jim , " ¦ "id could assure the brethren that , with regard to two ot the Institutions , 'leie were two Pilot Jims always ready to take the helm in anything wnducive to their welfare . b

it l il J' iNIc , - * * . Secretary , acknowledged " The Oflicers , " and said hon ] " P , casure t 0 assist the W . M . in starting the lodge , and he pea to continue to be of assistance for many years . W M ° ' J ' S ' 1 ? : l'I 1 KNS > S . W ., said it was a pleasant thought to him that the cVi-i i himself had been united for some years past in lodges and alu- , ' somelinles one and sometimes the other to the fore , but they sun ' ** - extended Ihe same fraternal feeling . He was sure that under thc becoi ? uida , 1 ce of Bro - Thomas , W . M ., that lodge would go on and ¦ jffi , J ' i of tl , e foremost in the Metropolis . It was thc wish of every ulh « r that it should prosper .

whole rt M . AS 0 N * J- -- als 0 replied , and said he was assured that the tradii * r ° ^' cers would use their utmost endeavours to cany out the the 1 W Mark Masonry and a : * s'st the W . M . Hc was pleased to be ' shot ll ' I " * ' P ^ ' wnen ' arrived at the proud position of thc chair , the prcs \ X ; ' e t 0 carrv out t , le duties in the same admirable manner as of Bro ° K [ - > ' arrang ' elTlents during the evening were under the direction ^ ros <;• i ' ' - > clevai * ti i who was assisted by "The Masonic Quartet "—* ai « ney Barnb y , H . Parkin , H . Prenton , and W . Banks . ~

Lion And Lamb Lodge, No. 192.

LION AND LAMB LODGE , No . 192 .

Bro . Geo . Abbott has written a " History of the Lion and Lamb Lodge , " and therefore I am not going to attempt any such labour , especially as the veteran Secretary has done his best to make all the main expei iences of thc lodge familiar to the present members . There are several curious points in the historical sketch which deserve

notice , one especially being the fact that members of the Domatie Lodge , No . 177 ( then 234 ) , really obtained the warrant of No . 192 ( then 258 ) , for their own purposes , the senior lodge being for operatives , and the new charter was to be used for the admission of " Geomatic , " or non-operatives , the first W . M . being Sir Watkin Lewis , M . P . ( Alderman of the City of London ) . The warrant bears date 24 th December , 1789 .

Bro . G . Blizard Abbott ' s " History of the Domatie Lodge" has enabled Bro . George Abbott to narrate some singular incidents respecting this matter , the minutes of No . 25 S ( now 192 ) being missing before the year 1 S 11 .

Although the lodge is so badly situated as respects its old minutes , the members were successful in obtaining a centenary jewel warrant , dated exactly 100 years after the original charter was granted , the latter , happily , being still in existence . The document was received in time for the celebration of the centenary at the above date , but , as a matter of fact , it was not observed until Sth February , 1890 , during the second year of Bro . Cohu ' s successful Mastership , and soon afterwards its history was published , as aforesaid .

Quite recently Bro . George Kenning * has discovered three books belonging to the Lion and Lamb Lodge , which throw some more li ght on the subject of its early meetings , and would have proved very useful in the preparation of Bro . Abbott ' s history .

They were stowed away in the " false bottom" of the W . M . ' s pedestal , and have been so hidden for some years , their existence becoming known through the furniture of the lodge being under renovation . There are four volumes in all , viz ., By-laws , 17 S 9 , Treasurer ' s book , 1796-1862 , memo book of monthly dues , and Book of Constitutions , 1815-9 . - ) -

The first-mentioned contains the " Rules and Orders , " printed for , and issued by the authority of the Grand Secretary of the " Ancient " Grand Lodge , and duly signed by " Bro . John McCormick , C . S . " on the 23 rd December , 17 S 9 , the day before the original warrant of 192 was signed . A few blanks were left to be filled in according to the wishes of the members of each lodge , but generally thc code was printed throughout . Rule II . provided for sixpence fine , if late , and one shiUinirM absent the

whole of the evening , unless explanation satisfactory ; III ., all officers were balloted for ; V ., lines levied for their non-attendance ; VII ., every stated lodge night due by each member , " one shilling , of which eightpencc shall be spent ; " IX ., candidates had to be "upright" in body and limbs , " free from bondage , " & e . , * XL , swearers lined al the discretion of Master ; XIII ., no voting allowed until fines were paid , and XXIV ., only Master Masons allowed to visit the lodge .

1 hese are valuable because the earliest by-laws ol the lodge , and also because there is inserted a report of the Grand Lodge ( " Ancients " ) , of 2 nd September , 17 S 9 , which is new to Bro . John Lane , and has enabled him to add three hitherto unknown places of meeting of certain lodges mentioned therein , as also to date back others , so that its examination by the authority on old lodge lists has bcen fruitful of results .

A list of members is duly copied into this thin folio , as " Sworn to before Wm . Plomer , thc sitg . Alderman at Guildhall , " 5 th September , 1799 , and is signed and certified by Wm . Atkinson and Geo . Bowen ( the VV . M . and Secretary ) . This is the earliest instance 1 have seen of the kind . There were then 28 members , 17 being master mariners , two gentlemen , and others were tradesmen .

There are two old forms of " clearance certificates , " thc water mark of paper being dated 1808 . An interesting notice of " Thc Stewards' Lodge " is also given in the report mentioned , worth quoting . It met monthly to distribute " Charity , " the constitution of the Committee ( really ) being thus described :

" Ten Masters of Lodges are summoned to form the Stewards Lod-g-e , a Grand Officer presides . Tne ten M isters do noi knuw till they are i-alled upon of its being their turn for duty . No apulic int cm possibly I am btf-rehand of wh-it Masters the lod ^ e is tu be c > nposed , and ther . fore every case comi-s strictly before the unbiassed Jud ^ m-int -in I the pure Benevolence of the Brothers , who have no Interest in withholding Relief , and cannot be

worked upon by previous knowledge , or by improper motives . It is stated in the Treasurer ' s book , May 4 th , 179 6 ( the first entry ) , that the sum of seven guineas was paid to the" Domatie Lodge "for the warrant and regalia . This was when it was determined to work the lodge apart from No . 234 ( now 177 ); also some smaller amounts for sundries . " Deacons ' Jewells" wcre purchased December 7 th , 1797 , for two guineas . Blank

summons forms were often purchased , and so aprons , evidently for the use of the members . The latter " skins " cost usually a little under £ \ a dozen . The joining fee to the " Ancient" Grand Lodge was 3 s . fid ., and 1 is . 6 d . for initiates . Many times are substantial amounts noted as devoted lo Charity . The Master ' s chair cost two guineas April nth , 1808 , and £ 1 was paid for the " Book of Constitutions" March 21 st , 1816 .

The only member on the roll in 1811 , mentioned by Bro . Geo . Abbott , was Bro . Perry , P . M ., of those belonging to the lodge in 1796 , when it became independent . According to the register there were two brothers called Perry , Samuel and John . It was the latter , evidently , who is noted in the history , as Samuel is not on the list after 1805 .

Only fancy , the sum of us was due to the Treasurer" up lo March 25 th , 1802 , for swearing of members ! " Happily we live in better times now , in that respect at all events . I have no doubt the new Secretary who has succeeded Bro . Abbott , viz ., thc zealous Bro . H . Legge , will find much to interest him in these volumes . W . J . HUGHAN .