Consecration Of The Cator Chapter, No. 2266.

The visitors were : Comps . J . Lt , ach Barrett , P . G . S . B . ; H . Sadler , G . Janitor ; E . Hobbs , 2 nd A . S . 453 ; W - T - P - Montgomery , P . Z . 1056 ; H . P . Anley , P . Z . 1201 ; S . C . Hill , M . E . Z . 2005 ; J . W . Gwinn , P . Z . 954 ; R . W . Coffin , P . Z . 1572 ; Geo . Briggs , P . P . G . S . B . Kent ; M . Mildred , P . Z , ; G . Cunnington , H . elect 11 S 5 ; A .

Churchward , P . Z . 890 ; H . Hartnell , 2535 ; G . Powell , P . Z . 1185 ; J . H . Drinkwater , P . " 5 . M ° i B . J . Ricarde Leaner , late 1507 ; C . E . Cordi , 1414 ; R . J . Voisey , P . Z . 1329 ; H . Schartau , S . N . 2191 ; J . N . E . Latham , S . N . 1329 ; R . J . Vincent , P . Z . 1329 ; A . Ball , P . P . G . S . B . Bucks ; H . Massey , P . Z . 619 and 192 S ; G . Gill , P . Z . 1329 ; L . A . Poarce , 1185 ; G . Rankin , 1329 ; R . Elgar , 1329 ; F . Wint , 101 ; and C . H . Stone , P . Z , 1275 and 1901 . The chapter having been regularly opened , and the opening hymn

sung , The CONSECRATING OFFICER addressed the companions on the nature of the meeting , and called upon the D . C . to read the charter , after which he inquired of the companions if they approved of the officers who were nominated therein to preside over them . Upon the companions assenting , Comp . THOS . FENN , acting Chaplain , delivered a most interesting and excellent oration . The anthem , " Behold how good and joyful , " was admirably rendered ,

after which the Consecrating Principal gave the invocation , and the chapter was dedicated and properly constituted . The CP . having pronounced the Patriarchal Bendiction , the installations of Principals followed , Comp . J . C . Osterstock , P . Z ., being inducted into the chair of M . E Z . by Comp . Frank Richardson , Comp ,-J . J . White installed into the chair of H . by Comp . H . Garrod , and Comp . W . J . Hewett , P . Z ., into the chair of J . by Comp . Thos . Fenn .

In investing Comp . Robt . Davis , P . Z ., as S . E ., the M . E . Z . said it was a very proud moment to him to have so excellent a companion to take that office , for there was no Master in the Cator Lodge who had done more to advance its interest , and he was sure that same interest would be evinced in the prosperity of the chapter . Of Comp . L . V . D . Anley , P . Z ., as Treas .,

the M . E . Z . stated he , too , had worked most ardently as Master in the Cator Lodge , and he was pleased to have his valuable services in the chapter . Upon investing Comp . V . T . Murche , P . Z ., as S . N ., the M . E . Z . said he was somewhat of short stature , but a giant in Freemasonry , having done excellent work both in the Craft and Arch , and also the higher Degrees .

The remaining officers of the chapter were invested as follows with highly appreciative remarks : Comps . Dr . F . A . Barton , P . S . ; J . W . Cumberland , ist Asst . Soj . ; J . H . Roscoe , and Asst . Soj .,- Richard Turle , D . C ; Paul Joskey , F . Hide , and M . Mcintosh , Stwds . ; and Whiteman , Janitor .

Comp . J . C OSTERSTOCK , M . E . Z ., next rose and addressed the founders of the chapter as follows 1 That it gave him extreme pleasure as a slight mark of their appreciation to propose that the Consecrating Officers be elected honorary members for their excellent services rendered , with the hope that they would often favour the chapter by their presence . This was ably seconded by Comp . J . J . WHITE , H ., and carried unanimously .

In reply , Comp . FRANK RICHARDSON said , on behalf ofthe Consecrating Officers , he returned very sincere thanks , and it had been to them a very great pleasure to attend and perform the ceremony . He wished the chapter every possible success , and they should be happy to attend whenever it was possible .

Several names were handed in for exaltation , which is a happy augury . There were also letters of apology from several companions . The business of the chapter ended , it was closed , and the companions adjourned to a recherche banquet , ably presided over by the M . E . Z .

The cloth removed , the M . E . Z . honoured the toast of "Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen and R . A . M ., " with the words that her pure womanhood and lovely character endeared her to and called for the admi ration of her subjects not only in these islands , but of every English community all over the world .

In submitting that of " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , G . Z ., " the M . E . Z . remarked that in fulness of time it was the hope that his Royal Highness might long be spared to reign as King of England , but he was already reigning in their hearts , and was indeed a king in the noble example which he set in the glorious cause of Freemasonry—Charity . Comp . R . C . DAVIS , P . Z ., S . E ., in presenting the toast of " The Grand

Officers , " said it was to him the most important toast of the evening . He advanced it with great trepidation on account of its importance . All knew the amount of excellent work they performed in and out of the chanter to the thorough satisfaction of all the companions . Of Earl Amherst , the Pro G . Z ., everyone knew his sterling worth ; Earl Warwick , the G . H ., he had had the pleasure of his acquaintance somewhat , being himself a Warwick

man , he also was a companion of very high attainments ; also of Comp . W . W . B . Beach , G . J ., he was a great man in the cause of Freemasonry and Father of the House of Commons , all revered him . The Grand Officers , Present and Past , were well known , being companions of splendid character , and all looked up to with great reverence , and with feelings of high appreciation for their services in Freemasonry . The C . P ., Comp .

rrank Richardson , had performed his duties in an exemplary manner , and the way in which Comp . Thos . Fenn had performed the office of Chaplain and J . that evening called forth the admiration of them all , notwithstanding the fact of his having attained his 80 th birthday . It was with feelings of great pride he presented the toast of " The Grand Officers . " In reply , Comp . F . RICHARDSON said he hastened to' make reply and

would be brief . He acknowledged the high compliment paid to him and his companion G . Officers . They had not very much work to do generally , but no work was more agreeable than that of consecrating a new chapter . He found himself somewhat in an awkward position that evening , being called upon almost suddenly to perform the consecration ceremony . On behalf of the . Grand Officers he thanked them for the compliment paid them .

The M . E . Z . next presented the toast of the evening , that of " 'I'he Consecrating Officers . " It had been , the privilege of the M . E . Z . two or three times to have witnessed the beautiful ceremony of consecration by the permanent officers of Grand Lodge , but some amount of disappointment had been shown on hearing of the inability of the Grand S . E . to attend and consecrate , but all had been delighted at the perfect , dignified , and

beautiful manner the ceremony had been rendered by Comp . Frank Kichardson , in fact , he had surpassed himself . Also what joy all expressed and with what unbounded pleasure it had given them to listen to Comp . T . Fenn in his splendid oration . Of Comp . H . Garrod , he was known also as a most able worker in R . A . M ., specially was he known » i his mother chapter , the Lewis , where he always installed the Principals .

Consecration Of The Cator Chapter, No. 2266.

Of Comp . P . Nairne , it might be said of him as of St . John of the Apostles , he was lovable and loved , none were more esteemed than Comp . Nairne . The companions were truly grateful to them all for their great kindness in bestowing their labours and for all they had done to the chapter that night . Comp . FRANK RICHARDSON replied that he had already spoken so much in the chapter , but on behalf of the Consecrating Officers , he mist heartily

thanked the companions . He confessed that when he heard from the Grand S . E . that he could not attend , but asked him to perform the ceremony , he felt a certain amount of trepidation , and also hearing that Canon Brownrigg was unable to be present , he had asked Comp . T . Fenn to reverse positions and become the Consecrating Officer , but his natural

modesty would not allow him . However , he had performed the ceremony of Chaplain so admirably that he was inclined to think he had mistaken his avocation and instead of being on the Stock Exchange it should be Canon Fenn . If they had given satisfaction to the chapter they were pleased , all had done their duty , and he had been most ably supported by his Brother Consecrating Officers .

Comp . T . FENN most cordially responded ; also Comps . NAIRNE and GARROD .

The toast of " The M . E . Z . " was next presented by Comp . FRANK RICHARDSON , who said that in an ordinary chapter or lodge it was an honour to be selected to preside , but in the consecration to preside as the M . E . Z . it was doubly so . It showed that the founders were thoroughly satisfied in his having shown such excellent qualities . The M . E . Z . was well known in many degrees of Freemasonry , but the climax of his work

was in presiding over such a chapter emanating from so excellent a lodge . He felt confident that the Cator Chapter had a splendid future before it and would become one of the best on the roll . Under such able guidance it would be unnecessary to state that extreme caution should be used in the selection of candidates and none exalted unless well and worthily recommended . He hoped the chapter would go on and prosper .

In reply , the M . E . Z . said that hour was a proud one to him , and he was obliged indeed for the too flattering remarks alluding to his poor services in Freemasonry . He well remembered 17 years ago , when he was initiated by Comp . Geo . Powell , and also passed and raised by him with Comp . Hewett . He was also exalted by him in the chapter . On his initiation he said words somewhat to the following effect : " It was not in

his ambition to add one ray of light in brilliancy in the glorious light of Freemasonry , but he hoped never to disgrace it . " He earnestly hoped that the hearty good wishes and feeling would continue in the newly-formed chapter as in the Cator Lodge , and the companions would do their best to maintain the prestige of the Sublime Degree of the R . A . and the Cator Chapter . For such a hearty reception in respect of his efforts he most sincerely thanked them .

A telegram was read by Comp . Hewett , H ., received from Mrs . Osterstock , who was away for the benefit of her health , wishing the chapter every success , and especially the M . E . Z ., which , Comp . Hewett said , showed very great thoughtfulness indeed . Comp . J . J . WHITE , H ., in terms of eulogium , proposed the toast of " The Visitors , " which was responded to most pertinently by Comps .

BARRETT , GOFFIN , VOISEY , BRIGGS , and GEO . POWELL , who remarked that he had watched the steady progression of his two initiates , Comps . Osterstock and Hewett , both in the lodge and now in the chapter , and it gave him extreme pleasure to be present . In the M . E . Z . the chapter had one of the best companions and most worthy . AH thanked the chapter for their hearty welcome , and wished it every prosperity .

Comp . V . T . MURCHE , P . Z ., S . N ., next presented the toast of " The H . and J . " under the simile of the ship which the founders wished to build , and they were determined to have the very best planks obtainable , of which the H . and J , were most important . They were a tower of strength in themselves . He gave the toast with all loyalty to such excellent companions

of the M . E . Z ., the H „ and J . Comp . J . J . WHITE , H ., and W . J . HEWETT , J ., most cordially responded , promising their loyal support , knowing full well they could not sail under a better captain with such a willing crew . An excellent programme of music was arranged under the direction of Comp . Herbsrt Schartau , S . N . 2191 , abl y assisted by Bros . Frank Tebbutt , William Fell , and George Stubbs forming an excellent quartet . Comp . Schartau ably accompanied .

Ireland.

Ireland .

MASONIC CONCERT IN PARSONSTOWN .

Entertainments of a superior class have been in thc ascendancy ever since thc opening of Oxmantown Hall some dozen or more years ago , Each presented some special feature peculiar to itself , and there was a literary grand concert that was conspicuous no less for its spectacular effects than for its pre-eminent level as regards the achievements of the musical artistes . The inception had its origin in that deeply cherished virtue of Charity which permeates the most noble , ancientand universal institution of Freemasnnrv . Thn vcnnr ^ hlp

Lodge No . 163 , of Parsonstown , now over three half centuries old , awake and active all that stretch of time , and being true to the honourable reputation of the Craft at large , thought that they might somewhat augment the coming Twentieth Centenary Fund , which is being collected for the succour of the schools for Masonic girls and boys in Dublin , if they organised a concert . Accordingly that invaluable member , Bro . R . J . Sheppard , wil-i a few other capable organisers , set to work , and they have a right to be proud of the result which onlv left one

desideratum unfilled . Although there was a fair audience , yet it might have been without much sacrifice considerably larger . Without expressing an opinion on the causes , it will do for us to say that not a soul present but wis charmed to ecstasy by the magnificent way in which thc two ladies and four gentlemen " played" their respective parts . Ii is sufli-icnt only to mention their mmes in corroboration . They were Miss Victoria Do-liny , Professor of thc Violin , R . I . A . M . ,- Miss Shellard , a musical exponent at the

Principal and other Dublin concerts ; Mr . J . R . Morgan , solo alto in St . Patrick's Cathedral ; Mr . M . D'Alton ot thc Queen ' s and St . James ' s Hall Concerts , London , and Dublin Concerts , & c . ; Mr . Charles Kelly , of thc Royal Albert ll-ill , and principal British and Irish Concerts ; and Bro . T . R . G . Jo / . e , Mus . Doc , G . Organist , T . C . D . It being a Masonic concert , the brethren mustered in pretty full strength , weiring the regalia of the different Orders . The Masons wore blue aprons and collars , the Royal Arch were distinguished by red trimmings j Past Masters wearing thc