Consecration Of The Longsight Lodge, No. 2464, At Birch.

given us the sacred gifts of reason and memory to keep in mind and arrange in order the knowledge which He so lovingly bestowed upon us . Step by step the march of intelligence is seen in the progress of the liberal arts . Sudden inspirations , flashed into the dark recesses of the human mind , have borne their fruit , until to-day we enjoy the many triumphs won by the flights of reason and the light of revelation , which has from time to t me been vouchsafed . As a witness of our improvement there is no better than the changes which have taken place in

our methods of construction . At first mere strength was desired , but with the attainment of that it soon began to be seen that Something more * might be attained to idealise , as it were , the works of nature , to read into wood and stone those beauties which the Great Architect of the Universe so bountifully set before us as models . So to strength was added form and beauty—the polished stone , the shapely pillar , the florid ornament , all representing something which the artist saw in nature's schools ; nay , more , the best attainable decorations were

added to make up such elegance and harmony as their ,-esthetic taste required . But Masonry has applied all these triumphs to our morals , she has read into these forms which are seen around , and in the . tools which the workman uses , lessons of high moral worth , making the indwellers of the building worthy of that construction which art and science had enabled him to rear . . A true Mason has a high regard for all our ideals , but . is taught the importances of the liberal arts—music , poetry , and eloquence ; the value of

temperance , gratitude , prudence , and justice ; the-three cardinal virtues—faith , hope , and charity ; and , in addition to these , to cultivate mercy , honour , and virtue . With such an object in view , who can deny the importance of our Art , founded on the principles of brotherly love , relief , and truth . It harmonises with the teaching of religion , holding before us a high standard of moral truth and worth ; it must make all those who honestly embraces its tenets true and goodly men , and such as will earn the blessing of a good conscience void of offence . It is in such a spirit as

this I hope this new lodge is being consecrated to-day ; not merely to be the home of a Society which looks only on its own enjoyment , but to set forth to the world the many great and useful lessons acquired in the ordinary working of the lodge . We should not meet merely for the pleasures of the table or the benefit of mutual converse and harmony , though these are important in keeping alive the bond- ; of union which ought to exist amongst us ; but rather to strengthen the conception of our obligations , and how best to put in practice the promises which we have

made . If this lodge , now to be consecrated this day , is to have a long and useful career , it will only be on condition of laying its foundations deep , by looking to Hjm , who alone can give stability and strength , for His blessing on our labours . It may be then possible thus to find a true Masonic home , a lasting habitation . In those records which hereafter , from time to time , you will make , the future historian of the Craft will find much that is useful to instruct , improve , and exhort . The work that you are doing in days to come may bring blessings on many who ,

without your existence , could not have enjoyed that blessed influence which comes from a true appreciation of your honest endeavours . May you realise this , and try to make for your new lodge , to be added to a long list of lodges doing good work in the province , a name that shall be second to none for goodness of work , harmony of the members , and zeal to set forward the true meaning ot the words which are given to us on initiation , and than which there can be none noblereven of Mason and brother .

A pretty anthem followed , rendered by the choir . The Presiding Officer proceeded to dedicate and constitute the lodge , and the ceremony was brought to a close with the final benediction . The P . G . M . then retired from the chair , and appointed Bro . James H . Sillitoe , P . G . S . B ., P . P . G . W . ( Chairman of the East Lancashire Systematic Institution ) , as Installing Master . '• ' ¦ .....

Bro . T . Uttley , P . M ., W . M . designate , was presented to the Installing Master by Bro . Fred . Hilton , Prov . G . D . C . The working tools w re presented by the Installing Master . The Prov . Grand Master presented the

warrant . The following brethren were invested as officers for the ensuing year : Bros . Henry Grinshaw , S . W . ; Wm . Yada , J . W . ; F . Gorton Berry , Treas . ; John Phythian , P . M ., Sec . ; Lloyd Higginbottom , S . D . ; Henry Sheard , J . D . ; F . W . Lean , P . M ., P . S . G . D ., D . C ; Edgar H . Kitson , I . G . ; and W . H . Wilson , Asst . Sec . The W . M . was addressed by the Installing Master , the Wardens by Bro . J . W . Abbott , P . P . G . D . C , and the brethren by Bro . W . H . Peak , P . P . G . D . C

Bro . Sillitoe performed the ceremony of installation , as well as invested and addressed the officers , in a most impressive manner . Great praise is due to Bro . Fred . Hilton , P . G . D . C , for the admirable manner in which all the proceedings were carried out , as everything was done admirably , and not a single hitch occurred during the ceremony .

The musical ceremony , under the direciion of the Prov . Grand Org ., was effective , the vocalists were Bros . Mark Stafford , P . P . G . S . ; Wm . Dunville , P . M . ; J . Robinson , and VV . Howard . There were seven proposals for initiation , and , after " Hearty good wishes " had been expressed by the numerous visitors , the lodge was closed by the W . M . Subsequently a banquet was held at the Grand Hotel , Manchester , at which the W . M . presided .

The usual loyal and Masonic toast list was gone through , and all were heartily given and received . Owing to limit of our space we are unable to give them in detail , but a most enjoyable evening was spent . The lodge was furnished by Bro . George Kenning .

Consecration Of The Walthamstow Lodge, No. 2472.

CONSECRATION OF THE WALTHAMSTOW LODGE , No . 2472 .

The consecration of the Walthamstow Lodge , No . 2472 , took place at the Masonic Hall , Chequers Hotel , Walthamstow , on Monday , the 31 st ult . The interesting ceremony was performed by Bro . E . Letchworth , Grand Sec , assisted by Bros . Dr . Ralph Gooding , P . G . D ., as S . W . ; Charles Belton , P . D . G . D . C , as J . W . ; F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , G . Reg ., as Chap . ; J . H . Matthews , P . D . G . D . C , as D . C ; and J . Pinder , Prov . G . Treas .

Essex , as I . G . The founders present were : Bros . William Shurmur , P . P . G . Treas . Essex ; J . H . Wildash , P . M . ; S . H . B ^ ker , P . M . ; Samuel Herbert , D . H . McGowan , N . Fortescue , P . Felsenthal , C . MacColla , H . F . J . Hallows , J . Clark , T . Franklin , P . M . ; W . Gower , A . J . Stacey , T . W . Stacey , and W . Harris , P . M . The visitors present were :

Bros . H . E . Dehane , P . P . S . G . D . Essex ; H . Sadler , G . Ty ler ; J . Boulton , W . M 2442 ; J . J . Thomas , P . M . 753 ; J . Bunker , P . M . 1158 ; W . E . Knight , 65 ; A Oakden , jun ., 2374 ; F . V . Chalmers , S . W . 214 ; H . King , P . P . G . D . C . Bucks J . R . Carter , 2374 ; C . Horet , 2374 ; W . D . Cunningham , 2158 ; R . H . Nicholls 2353 ; H . Ramsbottom , 2353 ; G . J . Westfield , P P . G . S . B . ; J . Evans , J . W 1260 ; H . H . Finch , 2256 ; W . j . Short , 1 C 62 ; P . J . Parsons , 1298 ; F . Kebbell

Consecration Of The Walthamstow Lodge, No. 2472.

1662 ; W . Fortescue , 1262 ; Percy Trickett , 2374 ; S . C . Kaufman , W . M I 7 f- W . Groome ; C . H . Bestow , J . D . 2374 ; H . Massey , P . M . ' io 3 S ; W G H-ii 1446 ; B . Mann , 1446 ; G . W . Knight , P . M . 1507 ; T . Haytor , 813 Hlt Cropley ; and W . W . Lee , I . P . M . 2381 . ' * M * The Consecrating Officer having taken the chair , and appointed hi officers pio tem ., the lodge was opened , and a hymn sung . s

Ihe CONSECRATING OFFICER then said : On the present occasion it is unnecessary for me to occupy your time with any observations , for you know we have met lor the purpose of constituting and consecrating a new lodsre which will hereafter be known as the Walthamstow Lqiige , No . 2472 on the register of the Grand Lodge of England . I not onl / say that those who are associated wilh me in this ceremony , and I myself , wish this lod ge everv

possible prosperity—a prosperity which I fe 1 convinced it will enjoy under the very able rule of the VVorshipful Master whom I hope to have ' the pleasure of installing shortly—Bro . Wm . Shurmur , who has served the office of Master of no less than three lodges . I feel sure lhat under his able guidance this lodge c . nnot fail to achieve an important position in the Craft and have before it a career of unbroken prosperity .

the ceremony was then proceeded with , and Bro . F . A . PHILIUUCK Q . C , G . Reg ., Acting Chap ., having delivered an eloquent oration on the nature and principles of the institution , the new lodge was solemnl y dedicated and constituted .

Bro . Shurmur was installed as the first Worshi pful Master bv the Grand Secretary , and the following officers were appointed and inve ted Bros . J . H . Wildash , P . M ., Acting I . P . M . ; Wm . Harris , P .. VI ., S . VV ' D . H . McGowan , P . M ., J . W . ; S . H . Baker , P . M ., Treas . ; S . Herbert ' Sec ; C MacColla , S . D . ; Wm . Gower , J . D . ; Jas . Clark , l . G . ; A ! J . Stacey , D . C ; J . VV . Stacey , Organist ; T . Franklin , P . M ., and P . Felsenthal , Stwds . ; and Ross , Tyler .

The W . M . then said that all present had been gratified with the admirable working of the ceremony , and he had therefore much pleasure in proposing that a cordial vote of thanks should be accorded the

Consecrating Officers , and that they should be asked to honour them b y accepting the honorary membership of the lodge . The S . W . seconded the proposition , which was carried unanimously . The GRAND SECRETARY acknowledged the compliment , and accepted the honour , on behalf of himself and colleagues , with a great deal of pleasure .

Several candidates resident in the neighbourhood were proposed for initiation and joining , and the lodge was closed . After a well served banquet the usual toasts were honoured , the lirst being "The Queen and the Craft , " and "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . " In giving " The Grand Officers , " the WORSHIPFUL MASTER said Masons were under a deep debt of gratitude to them for the invaluable services they had rendered to that , which was evidently to them , the sacred cause of Freemasonry . The brethren present had had an opportunity that day of witnessing their excellent work and he was sure they would all agree with him that it was everything that could be possibly desired . He

should . associate with this toast the honoured name of Bro . Philbrick , to whom they were especially grateful for presiding over the VValthamstow Lodge of Instruction which , under nis able guidance and distinguished patro . age , had attained such a degree of importance as ( 0 be deemed worthy to be entrusted with a warrant for a regular lodge . That was the highest

compliment that could be paid to a lodge of instruction . After the summer holidays their worthy president would perform the ceremony of consecration in the lodge of instruction . He ( the W . M . ) thought that in a great measure they had tp thank Bro . Philbrick for his kind offices , through which tbey might possibly have obtained their warrant .

Bro . b . A . PHILBRICK , Q . C , G . Reg ., said that on the part of the distinguished noblemen whose names ri ghtl y headed that toast , he begged to thank them for the truly fraternal recognition of their eminent services to the Craft . It was through that recognition among them that Masonry had tak-n a very considerable step , not merel y in its internal organisation , but in the respect and esteem which it enjoyed with the public at large who were

not Masons . 1 hey might , he thought , fairly attribute in a great measure the position which the Craft held now to the presence amongst them uf the distinguished noblemen who had held the offices of Pro Grand Master and Deputy Grand Master , and to their exertions for the Craft , and their influence upon its work . Depend upon it , tbe first way to be respected was to respect others ; and in

this way the service which had been rendered by those whose positions in the country entitled them to be looked up to , and whose position as officers of the Queen and nation showed that they were hi ghly thought of , had caused Alasonry to respect its own great principles and had led to that esteem in which the Cralt had held amongst society at large . He thought , therefore , they could not be too grateful to those who in high stations had

taken the highest offices amongst them , for the services rendered , and the effect those services had cast upon Masonry at large . With regard to the rest of the Grand Officers , the brother on his lelt , the Grand Secretary , would return thanks presently , and he would not trespass upon thu which Bro . Letchworth might legitimately say . , . He had been called upon to act as Chaplain that day , and was sure that every Grand Officer would have

been equally glad , in any capacity , to serve this new enterprise , and wish this new lodge God-speed by giving it any help that lay within his power . The W . M . had alluded to the lodge of instruction , and the contiguity oi the neighbouring province over which he acted as Deputy Prov . Grand Master . He supposed it was by a very few hundred yards that they were not in the Province of Essex . They in that Province wished this new lodge " God-speed . " The W . M . had spoken of the lodge of instruction having introduced the new lodge . It was not the first time , especially in modern politics , that the tail had wagged the head . Apart from that , he

could only hope they would look up to the great principles about which he said enough in the lodge room , and which should pervade and contro l the lodge . II that should be so the Grand Officers would have great satisL'iction in looking back upon the inauguration of the new lodge , which they , through him , wished a continued career of great prosperity . The VV . M . next proposed "The Consecrating Officer , " and said he felt sure he was echoing the sentiments of all present in stating their admira - tion for the very perfect and impressive manner in which Bro . Letchu ' orin performed the ceremony , and their deep sense of gratitude to the other

officers who had so ably assisted him . , Bro . E . LETCHWORTH , G . Sec , said the brethren had been coinpe le that evening to . listen to his voice at considerable length , and he le , t ' would be ungenerous to inflict anything like a speech upon them on ' present occasion . He should , therefore , content himself in the f ctt '