Consecration Of The Cordwainer Ward Lodge, No. 2241.

1 nd Charity , and in recent times the brethren had had no better illus-^ s than he had given . Last year his Royal Highness presided at the tra" ° t Hafl , where the loyalty of the Craft was emphatically shown , and ^ ' ^ he had ' expressed his intention of presiding at the Centenary Festival o nirls' School in the cause of Charity . Those two important facts of tfie ( ^ interest he took in the Order , and the brethren present would uruiK ins neaiui

i refore enthusiastically . The W ORSHIPFUL MASTER said the next toast he had to propose " The Grand Officers , " which he was sure would receive a hearty welwSS They were much indebted to the Grand Officers for the interest C ° tfn bv them in Freemasonry , for the way in which they conduct the ff ' of the Craft , and for the example they set to the brethren generally .

rs 31 * " ___ -. nr-nnnillllf 1 fl A _ Q K f _ Q A f f \ f Yl _ Q rV » I « _ T > /\ IT fl _ 0 _ T > t 1 _ T * fl It M 111 I Fl Q hltCIHOCC Th were more especially indebted to them in connection with the business f Crand Lodge . The brethren had an opportunity of meeting them there , d of listening to the eloquent manner in which the affairs were conducan , pje Would allude to one point which had particularly struck him , and ' u \ was the very able manner in which Bro . Philbrick , the Grand Registrar , that wd J iut ? ot fU

uri , n , _ , „ ., „ -Lr „„ A TQ _ T : _ -o _ . C ^; A „„ _ -, c __ , Tait with the appeal cases . Whatever the Grand Registrar said on those es generally carried the Grand Lodge with him . They were favoured that night by the presence of a large number of Grand Officers , from each f whom they would like to hear a few words , but as that would occupy 10 much time , he would couple with the toast the names of Bros . Sir John

Monckton and F . A . Philbrick . Bro . Sir J MONCKTON , P . G . W ., said that it was one of the doubtful nrivileges of seniority , which had always some little reference to age , to be called upon to respond to that time-honoured toast . He did not say he was not croud of the honour , for it must necessarily be a great compliment to

be selected to reply , but he had this consolation—that it he should be wantin ? it would be amply compensated for by the distinguished brother who would follow him . He had been proud to take part in the interesting ceremony that night . It was essentially a civic affair , and one that cemented them with a double-barrelled fraternity , for there was an appropriateness in

the locale and its surroundings . When a young brother was brought into Masonry he was placed in the north-east part of the lodge , figuratively to represent the foundation stone . Their lodge had been consecrated in a north-east wind , which was never ceasing figuratively to represent that sentence in their constitution . When Bro . Alderman Cowan told him some

weeks ago what was in contemplation , he told that brother he thought it was one of those excellent institutions that knit men together in the City and make them brothers . He did not think , however , it would come to such a magnificent head . He thought that what the brethren undertook they would do well , but he was seldom present at a consecration when such an excellent

body of founders took their places round the tracing board , and that fact thoroughly guaranteed the stability of the Cordwainer Ward Lodge . Those who were present would recollect it with pride and gratification , and would look forward with pleasure to a happy and prosperous future for the lodge . So far as he was personally concerned , he thanked them for the kind manner in which his name had been included with the toast .

Bro . F . A . PHILBRICK , Q . C , Grand Reg ., said that after what had fallen from Sir John Monckton he was quite sure they could have dispensed with any remarks from him . He would not say that he was loth or reluctant to offer , on the part of the Grand Officers , to the W . M . and to the lodge their hearty congratulations on the proceedings of that day . He

lelt sure that the establishment of that lodge would prove a mark in the history of Masonry in the City of London . But he would say that , while they who had the privilege and the honour—and let him add the responsibilities—of Grand Office were glad to see the increase and the addition to the roll of a strong and vigorous recruit like the Cordwainer Ward Lodge ,

yet they viewed , and must view , the increase of Masonry in England with some degree of doubt and diffidence . It was only by feeling that the position which Masonry had achieved , and which had been so eloquently alluded to by the W . M ., entitled every man who is a Mason to say that while Masonry is free and holds out the right hand of fellowship to every

good and worthy recruit , it was an honour to a man to become a Mason , and that they cared not to have those join that would not reflect honour on the choice . If he might venture—although he did not think a word of advice was needed—if he might venture , he would impress upon them the necessity of seeing that the tongue of good report was truly heard in favour

of every candidate proposed , in accordance with the valuable suggestion of the Grand Secretary . It was not by rapid strides they had secured their position , but because they had gone on in the full assurance that it was not strength alone which would attain their object . He , therefore , felt that on he part of those for whom he had the distinguished honour of returning thanks , they had the greatest cause for congratulation that a lod ^ e

estab-Wh " v ! SUCl 1 g 0 ° d aus P Ices had been founded in the City of London . nen they found , as they had found , that in a neighbouring empire , which was now recovering from the loss of its head , he who was called to the Position of first Emperor of Germany was the great protector of Freei ? v ! iw that em P > and when they found that on the resignation of the

= M . W . G . M ., the heir to the throne in this country . stepped in and took ticf ^ v ? ' showed that the Order was in itself a vital power and attraco { p whlch the heart of man felt . There was no doubt that the principles c r f ^ "ry would in that the youngest lodge which had been conse-Wm e . ' - "e tru ' y and thoroughly carried out , and would have a power , and a ureit rtn 1 ..- — w— ., » ... _ . .. » .... _ ... _ .. _ .. _ . £ .. _ .,. v .,. _ ... ~ . . _ .

. - Tint tiF good if rightly understood and properly administered . 0 f ^; that mi ght be the case in the Cordwainer Ward Lodge the Grand t > nr _ , _? . l' vvhom he had the honour to speak , heartily wished and most earnestl y prayed > v y Wnui , Consecrating Officer and his Assistants " was next given by the WORRI ^ Ul , ; , ec raung unicer and his Assistants was next given by the 1

Propos tV | i ! ' FASTER , vvho expressed the pleasure it afforded him to Rive FIT " ea , t h of those distinguished brethren who had attended to hel p (^\ \ ° the warrant of H . R . H . the M . W . G . M . He could not but Present ' ?^ " l ' iat l ^ mem ' Ders ° f the new lodge would not have been ex erciseHh L Capacity had ' l not been * or the kindness and influence brother a rfv g °° " end the Grand Secretary . To that eminent could not h colleau S their best thanks were due , and their thanks ^ 'asonrv th ^ lven t 0 ° heartil y- He believed there was no ceremony in finpci . z . . *¦ equalled the consecration ceremonv . for he considered it " the

been renHp A C | ° ' d not s P eak t 0 ° highly of the manner in which it had ^ wished ¦ evenin £ by the Consecrating Officer and his assistants , that he had eSPeC'a " y - . P ress t 0 Bro - S ' Reginald Hanson their pleasure muc h indebt ^ tUrn u '" tlme t 0 P ' 'P '" the ceremony , and they were asl < in gtheb ih ° for his P resence - He would conclude by simply ot the GruJe t 0 heartil y receive the toast , coupling with it the name The G ecrelar y-ANU SECRETARY , in response , said he could assure them that he

Consecration Of The Cordwainer Ward Lodge, No. 2241.

felt very proud to be permitted to return thanks for so excellent a band of brethren . The W . M . had been good enough to refer to his small services in far too flattering words , but it had been a very sincere and great pleasure to have been able to render those services . They were all aware that he was their executive officer , and , therefore , it was his duty to do what he could for the Order . Feeling certain of the great future the new lodge had

before it , he experienced sincere pleasure in performing his duty on that occasion , and he desired to offer his hearty thanks to those brethren who had assisted him so efficiently . In the two brethren who had acted a ^ Wardens they had distinguished Masons and citizens , who were certain to do well whatever they attempted . As for the eloquent and reverend brother who had acted as Chaplain , they had known him for years , and had intently

listened to many interesting and instructive addresses delivered b y him . In reference to Bro . Richardson , with whom he had been associated on ioo Masonic fields , he could not say what he should do without him . He had been ably supported , and felt that a great portion of the thanks was due to those who had rendered that support . He tendered thanks for the kind and fraternal reception he had received , and hoped that his services , which had

been willingly rendered , would not be the last he should perform for their Iodge . It was his privilege as the Consecrating Officer to ask the brethren to join him in the most important toast of the evening— " The Health of the Worshipful Master . " He had on more than one similar occasion referred to the great ambition of a brother to become the W . M . of his Iodge ; but it must be a double gratification when that brother was selected from among

the founders to be the first among his equals , and to be the W . M . of a new lodge . Any brother should be proud of the position in which the W . M . that evening was placed . Bro . Frank Tayler , W . M ., was not an old Mason , but from what he knew of him he could testify that he carried an enormous amount of vitality into his work . The W . M . installed that evening had been but eight years a Mason , but the present occasion was the third tim °

on which he had been placed in the chair . The founders were to be congratulated on having so deserving and meritorious a Mason to preside over them , for it was a sign the work would be well carried out . They had an energetic Mason to follow the W . M . in Bro . Col . Cowan , and with such brethren it would be the fault of the members if the lodge was not successful . He asked the brethren to greet the Worshipful Master in his newposition , and wish him a prosperous and successful year of office .

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER said it was quite impossible adequately to return thanks for the kind terms in which his health had been proposed by the Grand Secretary and received by the brethren . He had been placed in his present position by the kindness of friends , and it was not the first time he had experienced kindness at their hands . He thanked the founders for their kindness in selecting him as the first W . M ., but at the same time

he felt he was occupying a position he ought not to have held if it could have been otherwise arranged . Bro . Alderman Cowan should have occupied the chair , and it was only one of the exorable laws of Masonry that prevented him , but they would heartily welcome him when he attained that position . Whatever he could do to further the interests of the lodge would be cheerfully done by him , and he would do his utmost to support those great principles that were inculcated into their minds at an early period of

their Masonic career—Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth . He wished tojpropose the next toast on the list , which was that of * ' The Visitors , " of whom they were favoured with a large number . Hospitality and social intercourse were part of the traditions of the Order , and they were therefore delighted to see so many visiting brethren present to wish the new lodge " Godspeed . " He welcomed them most heartily and felt sure they had enjoyed the ceremony they had witnessed . He coupled with the toast the names of Bros . Rev . H . Turner and General Collingwood , C . M . G .

Bro . Rev . H . TURNER , Prov . G . Chap . Surrey , in reply , said the remark was often made that the future was mercifully concealed from them , and he had an exemplification of that on that occasion . Had he known he was to be called upon to return thanks , he might not have enjoyed his dinner as heartily as he had done . He could assure them that in these bad limes , when a good many people could not pay their rents and a large number of

people would not pay their tithes , the poor country parsons found it difficult to get good dinners . He begged to return hearty thanks for the hospitality extended to the visitors , and assured the brethren that he should go back to the provinces with a much better impression of the beauty and solemnity of the ritual of the Craft after witnessing the ceremony that evening . He had never seen anything like it before , and it had made a great impression upon

him . By the kindness of General Brownri gg he vvas allowed to take a provincial collar before he attained the chair , and therefore he was but a young Mason , but he would yield to none in his loyalty to the Craft , and in his endeavour to instil into the country lodges something of the great principles they had heard enunciated on that occasion . From the proceedings

of that day , the new Iodge was likely to hold a high position in the Order . When they visited the City or attended a Masonic meeting they expected hospitality , and when they had the two combined , they expected hospitality in a superlative degree , and that had been fulfilled that evening . He returned sincere thanks on behalf of the visitors for the kindness extended to them .

Bro . General COLLINGWOOD , C . M . G ., said he could only heartily join in all the reverend brother who had preceded him had uttered . The visitors must have experienced great pleasure in being present at the beautilul ceremony they had witnessed . As the W . M . had said he considered it the prettiest ceremony in a lodge , he fully agreed with him . He thanked the W . M . and brethren of the lodge for their kindness in asking the visitors to

join them , and for the hospitality they had received . " The Treasurer and Secretary " was next given by the W . M ., who was happy to say their lodge started with two excellent officers as Treasurer and Secretary . Many present had known Bro . Adams for years in the Ward , and they could have no better man to take care of their funds , for it would

have been impossible to have chosen a better Treasurer . With regard to the Secretary , he knew of no brother more experienced in the Degrees than Bro . Lovegrove , and considering the interest he took in provincial and other Masonic matters , and the many calls upon his time , they were indebted to him for accepting the office .

Bro . H . J . ADAMS , P . G . W . Middx ., Treas ., said he rose with pleasure to return thanks lor the kind manner in which his health had been given and received . He hoped to carry out the duties of Treasurer to the satisfaction of the members , and in that case he should be proud to continue in the office .

Bro . H . LOVEGROVE , P . P . G . S . of W . Middx ., in response , said he felt like one who had paid a visit to the dentist , and experienced the relief when the visit was over . He had had a great deal of anxiety , but it gave him great relief to find everything had gone off so well . As a citizen of London ,