The Centenary Festival Of The Girls' School.

of rare brilliancy , such as could be presented by few , if any , other Societies , and though some may consider it beneath the dignity of a Masonic Board of Stewards to require of their own members a fee or fees for the ladies and brethren they may bring with them to see the ceremony , it must not be forgotten that the hire of the Hall and all the cost

cf preparing and decorating it will involve a large outlay , which , added to the regular expenses incurred by every Board of Stewards for dinner , refreshments , music , favours , & c , & c , & c , will far exceed the total of the Stewards' fees , even though that total may amount to £ 2500 or £ 3000 . It is the Stewards who , to use a familiar expression , will " pay the

piper , " and from our experience of the plans successfully adopted by previous Boards , we are justified in assuming that the Committee in charge of the Centenary arrangements will do only what it is just and expedient they should do , in order to guard themselves from any loss of money , and the

Craft from any loss of dignity . Thus far we have described what has been done or is in contemplation for this special Anniversary ; what else may be determined upon in the way of change , modification , or addition to the present plans of the Executive Committee will be duly announced from time to time in the columns of this journal .

Consecration Of The Cordwainer Ward Lodge, No. 2241.

CONSECRATION OF THE CORDWAINER WARD LODGE , No . 2241 .

The roll of Metropolitan lodges was increased on Tuesday , the ioth inst ., by the consecration of the Cordwainer Ward Lodge , No . 2241 , at its future home , the Cannon-street Hotel . The large body of founders—which is composed of brethren well known in the City of London in general , and the

Cordwainer Ward in particular—vvas supported by a numerous assembly of Grand Officers and other distinguished brethren , who attended to witness the lodge start on its doubtless prosperous career . The inaugural proceedings were marked throughout by conspicuous success , which justified the prediction of a bright future for the new Iodge .

The consecration ceremony was performed by Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , P . G . D ., Grand Secretary , assisted by Bro . Sir John Monckton , P . G . W ., as S . W . ; Bro . Sir Reginald Hanson , Bart ., P . G . W ., as J . W . ; Bro . Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . Chap ., as Chap . ; Bro . Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., as D . C . ; and Bro . J . Tickle , P . P . G . Reg . Middx ., as I . G .

The founders are Bros . Frank Tayler , CC , P . M ., W . M . designate ; Lieut .-Col . P . Cowan ( Alderman ) , S . W . designate ; W . T , Buck , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W . Middx ., J . W . designate ; Rev . R . Colvin Lewis , M . A . ; Herbert J . Adams , P . M ., P . Z ., P . G . W . Middx . ; Henry Lovegrove , P . M ., P . Z ., P . P . G . S . of W . Middx . ; C . S . Buck , P . M . ; J . F . Hepburn , P . M ., P . G . Treas . Middx . ; J . R . Reep , E . J . Jones , W . M . 134 ; H .

Carter , A . G . Ditton , Fredk . West , P . G . D ., Dep . Prov . G . M . Surrey ; W . A . Prince , W . M . 1691 ; A . R . Jackson , and A . T . Hawkins , J . P . The visitors present included : — Bro > . Richard Eve , Grand Treasurer ; F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , Grand Registrar ; 'I ' . Fenn , President Board of General Purposes ; E . Letchwoith , P . G . D . j H . Sadler , G .-and Tyler ; Major-General W . P . Collingwood , C . M . G . ; Thomas

Vincent , P . P . G S . B . Su-rey ; J . J . Bell , P . M . 117 S ; J . S . Tamburini , 33 ; Major H . A . Joseph , S . VV . 96 ; Rev . H . W . Turner , P . P . G . Chap . Surrey ; W . A . Scurrah , P . P . G . S . Wks . Middx . ; R . Cogan Mason , ijg ; R . E . Meaks , 1493 ; J . E . Parr , 1622 ; E . A . Hilsby . W . M . 1702 ; C . S . Damont , W . M . 16 S 6 ; J . M . Flegg , J . D . 101 ; Jno . Draper , S . D . 1702 ; A . J . Norris , 569 ; W . Eckstein , S . D . 1196 ; T . P . Riddle . 3 ; W . KirkUnd , Capt . Blanks , W . M . 569 ; J . T . Wright , 1415 ; W . R . Strutt , H . M . 1702 ; T . P . Trolman , 90 ; M . Brown , Stwd . 1997 ; Wilkinson

Pimbury , S . W . 1997 ; A . lall , 1260 ; A . K . Megg , 214 ; W . E . Johnson , P . M . 134 ; J . M . Jtffery , 134 ; W . Haldinstein , 1743 ; A . T . Hodges , 259 ; R . Howenden , l . G . 21 ; T . Chester , P . M . lSo ; C . J . Axford , W . M . 1949 ; Jno . Gunn , 1365 ; W . Darkie , 1260 ; A . Ritchie , 173 ; J . Hutchens , 1000 ; H . Conolly , W . M . 173 ; S . W . Nutt , P . G . Stwd . ; I . Cobble , P . P . S . G . W . Essex ; J . Salmon , P . M . 2077 , P . P . G . Re ? .

Essex ; S . H . Baker , W . M . 1260 ; T . J . Woodrow , I . P . M . 2077 ; Hugh Wilson , S . W . 1293 ; Jas . Perkins , P . M . 1672 ; J . B . Murray , P . M . 1706 ; Nelson Read , P . M . 1572 ; Geo . Edwards , P . M . 1507 ; Jno . Read , P . M ., P . Z ., P . P . G . Org . Middx . ; F . W . Greenwood , P . M . 749 ; P . Cleaver , 1997 ; VV . Baxter , 1321 ; VV . W . Morgan , jun ., Stanley Smith , 1929 ; Arthur lhomas , and VV . VV . Lee , 1 S 97 .

The Consecrating Officer having taken the chair and appointed his officers pro tern ., the lodge was opened in the Three Degrees . ' The hymn " Hail , Eternal , by whose aid , " was then sung , after which The GRAND SECRETARY addressed the brethren as follows : The occasion which we have met here to-day in large numbers to celebrate cannot fail to be interesting to all Masons who have the good and prosperity of the

Craft at heart . We have met to-day to give effect to the warrant of his Royal Highness the M . W . G . M ., and to consecrate and constitute yet another lodge on the roll of Grand Lodge , and to place one more unit on that already magnificent roll . You are aware that in London there are a large number of lodges—something like 350—and therefore it is difficult to obtain a new warrant , unless special reasons can be brought forward by the

petitioners . There are always exceptions , and I am happy to be able to congratulate the founders on having been fortunate enough to obtain the consent of the M . W . G . M ., who has issued the necessary warrant . The petition for this new lodge—which is to be worked especiall y for the convevenience of brethren who dwell in the Cordwainer Ward—has been very influentially signed , and the founders are fortunate in having a brother of

experience at their head , who has already creditably filled the chair of a London lodge , whilst in the person of the brother who follows him—Bro . Lieut .-Col . Cowan , Alderman—they have a distinguished citizen of London who represents this VVard on the Municipal Council . The lodge will , therefore , start with every prospect of success . I feel myself bound on these occasions to add one word of caution as to the admission of new

members , and to urge you to see that none but really good men are admitted . There is no advantage to be gained by quickly springing into a large body , for in such instances it is often a case of quantity versus quality . I hope that the reverse will be the rule in this lodge , and that you will strictly enquire into the status and moral history of every candidate ,

and carefully exclude unworth y men . In a few years you will have your reward , and will find you have an assembly you are proud to acknowledge , and your lodge will hold a good position in the lodges of England . I will not detain you longer , for the P . G . Chaplain , Bro . Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , will give us one of his eloquent orations touching on Masonic matters .

lhe petition and warrant were then read by the D . C , the petitioners signifying their approval in Masonic form of the officers named therein . Bro . the Rev . J . S . BROWNRIGG , P . G . Chap ., then delivered the following eloquent and interesting oration on the nature and principles of the Order : —

Consecration Of The Cordwainer Ward Lodge, No. 2241.

Each year as our Craft developes in number . ; and importance , the outside world a ? l and has a right to ask , What are you doing to promote the general welfare of your { 41 ' creatures ? The common answer is to pjint to our Masonic Charities—ureal in th ° - professions , and great also in their accomplishment of whit they profess ; but tv answer is not sufficient . Each year it grows lass so . It is not enough merel y to m the wants of our own poor . Our Charity , our usefulness , ought not to be limited 1

narrow ana selhsh boundaries . VVe owe something , not merely to our own people I to the universe . I am glad to think that this principle is being more and more ack ' nn ledged , and I hope that each year will see us giving practical and substantial proof i | w our great Order is capable of bearing its share in every good work , which is doneeith in our immediate locality or in our c > untry at large . 1 can imagine no better resolve f a young lodge to make than this . We are determined first of all to give our due _ ,

pore to tne unanties ot our Urder , but we are also determined not to be content « , ; £ this . We realise that something more is justly expected from us , and whenever a opportunity occurs of which vve can legitimately avail ourselves of helping either local general objects , vve will frankly acknowledge our obligation , and to the utmost of n "' ability fulfil it . Opportunities will not be lacking . In a great and important centre England such as this hardly any year passes but that something presents itself wh ; f though not immediately connected with our Order , is still deserving of our support 1 fltlnl * Ifc tr . til « v . _ s _ . l _> . _ - _~_ . __ - )_ 1 _ 'f ....... 1 .. _ . _____ . " 1 ' II » * ' I think it is almost scandal if work is done in nei

.. . a any good our ghbourhood vvithoi our claiming our right to share in it , as a body corporate . When any scheme for th welfare of our fellow men is started , the promoters ought to know that the FreemasonO lodge is one of the local Institutions to which they may fairly look for sympath and support . Hospitals , dispensaries—all efforts to meet temporary a J exceptional wants—ought to knock at our lodge door with the confiden " assurance that their petition will be carefully considered . We shall of

course , in some instances be obliged to say " This is not a case with which vve can deal . " Indiscriminate doles often do more harm than good . I am nn advocate for spasmodic , or ill advised , or sentimental efforts to meet the ills of this life and I believe that our Order should not hesitate , even at the risk of losing some popularity ' to discountenance such undertaking's . I believe also that the position which vve now occupy does enable us in our corporate capacity to advance or check public benevolence We , as Masons , claim to be able to discuss such matters unbiassed by political

or private modves . Could any opinion be more valuable ? The influences by which we are as private individuals , actuated , are innumeiable . Some are good , others more doubtful . I am not desirous of depriving any man of his private opinions . I consider that no man is worth much who has not the courage to maintain his views of right and wron ? but I know that every true Mason will leave all bitterness outside that door , and in Iod ™ will be willing to learn as well as to teach—to see the other side of every question—to

attribute to his _ brother motives as honest and unselfish as he believes his own to be . Thus vve are by our internal organisation capable of an upright decision . What I have said applies to the discussion not merely of matters of local interest , but to questions of broader and more extended scope . I hope that not merely private lodges , but our Grand Lodge , will continue to extend and advance this side of our work . 1 am always glad , in my place in Grand Lodge , to give support to claims outside our Order . Or rather , 1 feel

that no good work is really outside it . We have been most liberal in the past ; Grand Lodge has never shrunk from voting the most munificent grants to deserving applications—has never hesitated to bear its share in great national movements . The establishment of two life-boats as an honour to our Grand Master , the relief of much distress at home and abroad , the promotion of many useful undertakings to advance the welfare of mankind , all of which are of recent date , afford conclusive proof that Grand

Lodge does acknowledge the claims I am advocating . And as the past has borne its honourable burden , so the future , 1 am confident , will not shrink from its duties . We know not what claims upon our Charity to-morrow will bring . It is certain that it will bring many urgent ones . One matter let me notice , in conclusion . The various corporate bodies of this great City have already given substantial proofs of their earnest desire to improve the condition of the English artizan by the establishment of technical

schools . Ihey have recognised the importance of keeping the English operative up to the level of his foreign competitor . We shall probably before long be called to further efforts in this direction ; and I am quite sure that if any great national movement takes place to educate not only the head but the hands of our English operatives , and that if appeal is made to the public to advance this movement , our Order will not be

backward in following the example already set it by some of the great City Companies . Is it too b- > ld to venture to hope that the English operative Mason may some day look to us as the natural source from which he may hope to obtain that substantial help and sympathy which will enable him to hold his own in the keen contest which this busy age is torcing him upon ? I think not .

The ceremony was proceeded with , and the lodge was duly dedicated and constituted in the customary manner . The musical portions ol the ceremony were ably rendered , under the direction of Bro . John Read , P . P . G . Org . Middx-, assisted by Bros . VV . Sexton , A . Thomas , and Stanley Smith .

The installation ol the W . M . was the next business on the agenda , and Bro . Frank Tayler , CC , P . M ., having been presented by the D . C . as the W . M . designate , and a Board of Installed Masters having been formed , he was impreisively installed into the chair by the Grand Secretary . Bro . Herbert J . Adams , P . G . W . Middx ., was unanimously elected Treasuier , and Bro . Rawles elected Tyler , the officers appointed and

invested being as follows : Bros . Fredk . West , Dep . Prov . G . M . Surrey , I . P . M . ; Col . P . Cowan ( Alderman ) , S . W . ; W . T . Buck , P . M ., J . VV . ; Rev . R . C Lewis , M . A ., Chap . ; H . J . Adams , P . M ., Treas . ; Henry Lovegrove , P . M ., P . P . G . S . Wks . Middx ., Sec . ; C S . Buck , P . M ., S . D , ; J . F . Hepburn , P . M .. J . D . ; E . J . Jones , VV . M ., I . G . ; J . R . Reep , D . C ; A . T . Hawkins , CC , A . D . C ; W . A . Prince , and H . Carter , Stwds . ; and Rawles , Tyler .

The usual addresses were then delivered by the Installing Master , Bro Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , G . Sec .

Bro . b . WEST said a pleasant duty devolved upon him in proposing that the distinguished members of the Craft who had assisted in the consecration ceremony should be elected honorary members of the lodge . He was convinced he need not say anything in favour of the proposition , for it would be unanimously carried by the members . Bro . ADAMS , Treas ., having seconded the proposition , it was carried unanimousl .

y 'lhe GRA . ND SECRETARY , on behalf of the Consecrating Officers , returned thanks for the compliment which they accepted with much gratitude . Letters of regret at non-attendance were read from Bros . Col . Sir r > Burdett , Bart ., Prov . G . M . Middx ., and J . F . H . Woodward , Prov . u Sec . Middx ., and several propositions for joining members were received . the

On the motion of Bro . LOVEGROVE , seconded by Bro . W , W . M ., Wardens , Treasurer , and Secretary were appointed a Committee ' frame the by-laws . The lodge was then closed . . The breihren then adjourned to the banquet room , where an e * '' ? repast was served , at the conclusion of which the usual toast list was du y honoured . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER said the first toast on all sim » he

occasions was "The Queen and the Craft . " If , as had been said , ^ Majesty needed a rest , and had sought that rest abroad , there was ¦ body ot subjects who would welcome her return to health more hear ' ; than the loyal Masons . ,, ; In proposing "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " the »' MASTER said that the interest his Royal Highness took in Freemasonry v well-known . He understood that it was in no mere casual way ^ ,,-1 . oei

M . W . G . M . dealt with Masonic matters , for he entered into minute and thoroughly understood the affairs of the Craft . Without the cons ^ of his Royal Highness it would have been impossible for the brethre ^ have started their new lodge that evening . Some time time ago M . W . G . M . expressed his opinion that the watchwords of the Order w