Consecration Of The Marquess Of Ripon Chapter, 837.

CONSECRATION OF THE MARQUESS OF RIPON CHAPTER , 837 .

A new Chapter , styled the Marquess of Ripon , in connection with the De Grey and Ripon Lodge 837 , was opened on Saturday the 28 th February . The convocation was held at the Town Hall , Ripon . The Companions assembled at 2 p . m ., and welcomed the Marquess of Ripon ,

First Grand Prm . of the G . Chapter , on arrival . The Visiting Companions were the Rev . Dr . T . C . Smyth , D . D . P . Z ., Member of Fidelity 28 9 ; P . D . G . M . of the Eastern Archipelago ; Henry Smith , Prov ., G . S . E . ; W . A . Musgrave , Philanthropic 304 , P . Z . ; Mr . J . Beck 28 9 , P . Z . *

B . Wordsworth , Z . 154 ; C . L . Mason , Z . 304 ; Thos . Scholefieid , Z . 306 ; J . Loates , J . 304 * Comp . Nussey , S . N . 304 , and others . The Chapter was opened by Ex-Companions , Dr . Smyth as Z ., Mason as H ., Beck as J . After the rest of the Companions had been

admitted , the Charter or Warrant from the Supreme Chapter of Royal Arch Masons , constituting the Chapter under the style and title of the Marquess of Ripon Chapter having been read , information was sent to the Prov . Grand Superintendent , and the Marquess of

Ripon , attended by the Prov . G . Scribe Z ., Ex-Comps . Scholefieid and Musgrave , entered the Chapter , the Organist playing at the time . Dr . Smyth having resigned the throne of Z ., the same was ascended by the j ? rov . G ., Supt ., the Chapter having saluted him , he was requested

to allow the Rite of Consecration to proceed , and under his commands , Dr . Smyth , with a few preliminary remarks , commenced by reading a portion of the Sacred Scriptures , and then , calling on the Companions to join him in Prayer to the Most High .

A procession was then formed , and the Companions marching round the Chapter , saluted the Provincial Grand Superintendent in passing who , descending from the Throne , scattered corn upon the altar : the procession passed again , and wine was now poured out , and

proceeding round a third time the final libation of oil having been poured on the altar , the Companions resumed their seats , and Dr . Smyth , by command , proclaimed the Chapter duly consecrated ; tlie ceremony being concluded by a final prayer , in which a blessing was invoked for

the success of the Chapter . The ceremony of installation was now proceeded with , and Companions Robert E . Collinson , of Zetland Chapter , 236 , P . M ., of 8 37 , was installed as Z . ; Colonel Frederick William Ripley , of Chapter Hope ( Calcutta ) , 109 ,

P . M . of Lodge Archan , 646 ; Joseph W . Bishop , of Britannia Chapter , Sheffield , 139 , P . M . ofS 37 , as J . Companions Lieutenant Edward Fletcher , R . N ., of Chapter Union of Malta 407 , was invested with the Collar of S . E . •Edwin J . Crow , Z .-elect of 279 , Prov . G . Organist of

Leicestershire Chapter as P . S . •Dr . Paley as ist A . S . ; John Irving as 2 nd A . S . ; Captain J . W . Patterson as Treasurer . Companion Robert J . Williamson , of Apollo Chapter 357 , who had been chosen as S . N . was unavoidably absent , and Ex-Comp . Wordsworth was invested as his

Deputy . It was proposed and seconded that M . Ex-Companion , the Marquess of Ripon , Prov . Grand Supt . of West Yorkshire , and Ex-Comp . the Rev . Dr . Thomas Cartwright Smyth , of Fidelity Chapter ( No . 289 ) , be elected Honorary

Members . Much regret was felt , owing to the unavoidable absence of Ex-Companion Bentley Shaw , Grand Z . ¦ and W . Widdop , Grand J . of the Prov . Grand Chapter . Several Brethren of Lodge 8 37 were proposed and seconded as joining Members , and it was

resolved that an application be made for a dispensation for the exaltation , as a serving Companion for Brother W . Storle , the old Tyler of 8 37 , with a view to his being appointed Janitor . The Chapter having been closed , the

Companions adjourned to the LTuicorn Hotel , where an excellent banquet had been provided by Companion Collinson : the Marquess of Ripon being in the chair . After the usual loyal toasts , M . E . Z . Collinson briefly proposed "The Health of the most Honourable the Marquess of Ripon , "

Consecration Of The Marquess Of Ripon Chapter, 837.

First Grand Principal of the Supreme Grand Chapter , and that of the other Grand Officers . Comp . Collinson expressed the thanks of the Chapter to his Lordship for allowing the Chapter the dignity of bearing his title , and also for his kindness in presiding at the first Convocation of

the new Chapter . ( The toast was enthusiastically drank with all the honours . ) Lord Ripon , in an able speech , responded . He spoke of the high privileges of Royal Arch Masonry , and stated that while he eulogized and prized the more exalted degree ,

he must not be supposed to detract in any way from the honour and merits of Craft Masonry . He looked on the R . A . degree as being conferred only on Brethren selected from the general body , and one that was well calculated to advance the principles of Freemasonry ,

and confer benefit , not only on our Order , but on the general community . He thanked the Companions for the honour they had done him . He expressed the delight he felt on his first learning , through the application for the new Chapter to bear his name , that the Companions were stirring

in the matter ; that he had much pleasure in being enabled that day to be present at the Consecration of a Royal Arch Chapter , in the ancient City of Ripon , with which he and his family had always been so closely connected . Dr . Smyth proposed the Provincial Grand

Chapter with "The Health of Ex-Companion Bently Shaw , and the rest of the Grand Officers past and present . " Prov . G . S . E ., Comp . H . Smith , responded . Ex-Companion Colonel Ripley , H ., proposed " The Health of the Rev . Dr . Smyth , " who had ,

with much inconvenience to himself , attended that day , and assisted in the Consecration of the infant Chapter ; that the thanks of the Companions were due and were accorded cordially to him ; that there was but one opinion of the admirable and impressive manner in which the ceremony had been performed . He ( Colonel Ripley ) had

known Dr . Smyth for many years as a fellow mason in India ; that his reputation as a worthy Brother , and high authority in all that pertained to our Craft was , if he might be allowed to say so , a household word from one end to the other of the large province of Bengal , which had not then been sub-divided , and also in Singapore and the Straits Settlements .

The toast having been drank with honours , Dr . Smyth , in returning thanks , expressed the great pleasure he had had in attending and assisting under the commands of the Prov . Grand Superintendent in the ceremony that day . He said , he thought the Companions had made

a mistake in proposing his election as an Honorary Member ; he thought that they ought , on that occasion , to have confined the election of Honorary Members to that of their esteemed and excellent Companion—the head of Royal Arch Masonry—whose name the Chapter bore .

He pointed out that this Chapter , under the very peculiar circumstances of its name and title , and the place where it was held , and the fact of it having been inaugurated by the noble Marquess in person , would have the eyes of all R . A . Masons upon it ; that he hoped and felt confident from his knowledge of those who had ,

by the suffrages of the Companions , been that day installed as Principals ; that it would be conducted in a regular manner and agreeably with the regulations . He then briefly alluded to his career as a Mason in India , and thanked the Companions for the honour they had conferred on him .

The Chairman proposed " The Masonic Charities . " Companion H . Smith , P . G . S . E ., responded , observing that although the Province of West Yorkshire stood , he might say , second to none in their assistance to these noble institutions ,

still he hoped that he might see further efforts made in that direction , such as would enable the managers to extend their usefulness . Ex-Companion Bishop , J ., proposed the toast of " Our Visitors . " Ex-Companion Mason returned thanks .

Dr . Paley proposed " The Marchioness of Ripon and the Ladies . " The Marquess of Ripon returned thanks .

Consecration Of The Marquess Of Ripon Chapter, 837.

Dr . Smyth proposed "Thehealth of M . E . Z . Companion Collinson . " Comp . Collinson thanked the Companions for drinking his health . He said that he esteemed the honour they had conferred on him . He was proud of his having been elected to his present

office , that no exertion would be spared on the part of his colleagues and himself to ensure the success and prosperity of the infant Chapter . Dr . Smyth proposed " The healths of Colonel Ripley , H ., and Companion Bishop , J . " wishing them success .

Colonel Ripley m returning thanks , said that although an old Royal Arch Mason , his duty in India had confined him to stations where no Chapter existed , that nearly 20 years elapsed from the date of his exaltation , to his having the pleasure of visiting his mother Chapter , or

any other Chapter , he had never held any office as a R . A . Companion . He felt it a high honour his having been thus selected , to fill at once so responsible an office as Second Principal of the new Chapter , and he trusted that the endeavours of his Brother Principals and his own would , with

the assistance of the other Companions , succeed in promoting the welfare of the Marquess of Ripon Chapter . Ex-Companion Bishop , J ., expressed his thanks for the cordial manner in which his health had been received .

_ he toast of " Our Host and Hostess " was proposed by Prov . G . S . E . Companion H . Smith , who felt sure that all present would agree with him in thanking Mr . cc Mrs . Collinson , for the excellent arrangements that they had made for their entertainment that day , such as fully

sustained the long established reputation of the Unicorn Hotel . The toast was drank with musical honours : Companion Collinson briefly returned thanks , and the party broke up after a very pleasant evening .

The fittings , paraphernalia , and clothing of the new Chapter were principally supplied by Brother George Kenning , and much admired and approved of .

Freemasonry In North Wales.

FREEMASONRY IN NORTH WALES .

CONSECRATION OK A LODGE AT MOLD . ( Continuedfrom last week . ) The W . M . said he had received a note from Bro . Henry Cecil Raikes , M . P ., No . 311 , presenting a copy of thevolume of the sacred

law to the new lodge . Bro . Lord Richard Grosvenor was proposed as member of the lodge , and it was also announced that the Rt . W . P . G . M . Sir Watkin Williams

Wynn had announced his intention of becoming a subscribing member of the lodge which bore his name . The announcement was received with loud and prolonged cheering , after which the business was brought to a close .

In the evening about 80 brethren sat down to a sumptuous banquet in the large hall of the Lion Hotel , provided by Bro . Dean , the W . M . presiding , supported by Bro . Sir Watkin W . \ Vynn , and several P . G . officers on the right and left . The usual loyal and masonic toasts were given and responded to with the greatest

enthu-. Bro . Salmon , W . M ., in giving the toast of Sir W . VV . Wynn , P . G . M ., alluded to the proverbial loyalty of masons , and humourously connected that feeling with their loyalty to the

acknowledged masonic sovereign of the province of North Wales and Shropshire , whom they were glad to welcome on that auspicious occasion ( Applause . ) He referred to the prospects which had been entertained at one time that H . R . H .

the Prince of Wales would be present at the Mold Eisteddfod , which he humourously contrasted with the presence of the Prince in Wales . In conclusion , he expressed a hope that the name of Sir Watkin would never be disgraced

by that lodge . The toast was received with the greatest enthusiasm . In responding , the R . W . P . G . M . thanked the brethren for the hearty manner in which the toast had been responded to , and congratulated