Consecration Of The Wilberforce Chapter, No. 2134, Hull.

the climax of English Freemasonry ; all the old writers are loud in its praise . Lawrence Dermott calls it "the root , heart , and marrow of Freemasonry . " Webb says— "This Degree is indescribably more august , sublime , and important than all which precedes it , and is the summit and perfection of ancient Masonry . It impresses on our minds a belief in the existence of the Supreme Deity , without the beginning of days or end of years , and reminds us of the reverence due to His holy name . Dr . Oliver " If we pass on to the Royal Arch we receive a wonderful accession of knowledge ,

says , and fine ! everything made perfect , for this is the ne plus ultra of Masonry , and can never be excelled by any human institution . The Order of the Royal Arch being placed prac-I ' -illy under the Same government as the Craft , was probably intended as a substitute for those additions to the early simplicity of the Three Degrees which our continental ' brethren of the iSth century invented to satisfy the demand for further information upon Masonic history . Dr . Oliver gives an interesting account of a foreign rite , from which he supposes our English Royal Arch to have been derived , and enumerates other Orders

whose legends are similar . The Royal Arch is defined as the completion of the 1 bird Degree , and it very rationally supplies a fitting climax to that sublime allegory . The imposing appearance of a chapter and the dignity of its ritual , which is principally drawn from Holy Writ , inspires the candidate with a reverence not readilly forgotten . Every part of this Order is illustrated by Scripture readings , and each Principal is inducted into his office with suitable and impressive ceremonial , so that the Royal Arch may be said to comprise within itself three additional steps or degrees . May the foundation of this chapter create a fresh

bond between the companions and the brethren ofthe parent lodge which bears the honoured name of one of Hull ' s worthiest sons . May Freemasonryin this town increase as the corn , flourish as the vine , and be pure and holy as the anointing oil . May peace , order , and concord ever dwell within these sacred walls , and when we have passed away from this earthly scene may our successors practice these holy rites and continue the great work of Freemasonry , and may the divine blessing rest upon our labours and inspire our hearts with reverence to that Almighty Power , the ancient of days without beginning or ending , the Great I am , who was what He is , is what He was , and shall be both—what he was and what He is from everlasting to everlasting .

The companions having sung the anthem "Behold how good and joyful a thing it is , " the J . read the first portion of the dedication prayer . This was followed by the "Sanctus and Gloria . " The J . then read that portion of scripture usual on these occasions . The D . of C . having finished those duties appertaining to his office at this part of the ceremony , the acting M . E . Z . scattered corn and consecrated the chapter to Freemasonry . The H . poured wine and the J . sprinkled oil and consecrated it to virtue and universal benevolence . The M . E . Z . scattered

salt , and the J . went the round of the chapter with the censer , repeating Exodus XXX , v . 7-8 , afterwards reading the second portion of the dedication prayer . This was followed by the choir singing the anthem " I was g lad when they said unto me . " The Benediction having been given , Comp . J . R . Stringer sung the solo part of the Masonic anthem " Hail ! Masonry divine ! " in a manner very

rarely heard , the companions heartily singing the chorus with precision and effect . The regular meeting of the chapter was then held , and Comp . Walter Reynolds , the Prov . Grand Treasurer , in his usual solemn and reverential manner , installed Comps . T . T . Davis , M . E . Z . ; J . Mackaill , H . ; and W . Gillett , J . The other officers are Comps . T . B . Redfearn , S . E . ; G . W . Greenwood , S . N . ; J . Dawson , P . S . ; J . Winn , Swd . Br . ; and Vessey King , Janitor .

A word of praise is due to Comp . Walter Reynolds for the admirable manner in which he performed the duties of D . of C . and Installing Officer at this very interesting ceremony . He is always ready and willing to assist in any office he may be called upon to fulfil at any ceremonial , not only in this province , but in the neighbouring Province of Lincolnshire , and the manner in which he discharges his duties is at all times effective and impressive .

Consecration Of The St. John The Baptist Mark Lodge, No. 404, At Penzance.

CONSECRATION OF THE ST . JOHN THE BAPTIST MARK LODGE , No . 404 , AT PENZANCE .

Tuesday , 25 th February , 18 90 , will long be remembered as a red-letter day in the annals of local Freemasonry , inasmuch as it was the date of the consecration of the St . John the Baptist Lodge of Mark Master Masons , No . 404 on the roll of Grand Lodge . There are a good many Masons in Penzance who have taken this beautiful Degree , and , their number gradually increasing , it had been felt that a lodge mig ht be formed and worked in that town with a successful future before it ,

the nearest hitherto having been the Cornubian Lodge , No . 8 7 , at Hayle . Bro . P . T . Chirgwin took a lead in the matter , and throughout has been most enthusiastic and hardworking , and the result was that in course of time a petition was forwarded to the proper authorities , which was favourably considered , and the warrant was issued , bearing on it the names of the following founders : Bros . John James Ross , 18 ° , 3 61 , W . M . designate ; W . Dale , 87 , S . W . designate ; F . Rodda , 8 7 . J . W . designate ; W . K . Baker , P . M . 8 7 , P . P . G . M . O . ; Charles Trevithick , iS ° |

P . M . 78 ; W . J . Johns , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W ., P . G . Sec . ; Richard White , 8 7 ; J . HRowe , M . O . 87 ; P . T . Chirgwin , 18 ° J . D . 8 7 , P . A . G . D . C ; B . Shakerley , 8 7 ; R . Pearce Couch , 8 7 ; J . M . Cornish , 8 7 ; and signed by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . Grand Mark Master of England . Arrangements were next made for the consecration , and the above date was fixed as suiting the convenience of the Provincial Grand Master . In the meantime several brethren had expressed their wish to take the Degree and join the new lodge .

On the morning of the 25 th ult ., therefore , in the Masonic Hall , Penzance , a lodgeof Mark Master Masons was opened by Bro . W . K . Baker , P . M . 87 , P . P . G . M . O ., W . M ., who , with the assistance of the following officers : Bros . J . J . Ross , S . W . ; W . A . Bennetts , J . W . ; P . T . Chirgwin , J . D . 8 7 , M . O . ; R . Pearce Couch S . O . ; J . M . Cornish , J . O . ; T . Williams , P . M . 8 7 , S . D . ; J . H . Rowe , M . O . 8 7 '

J . D . ; B . Shakerley , I . G . ; E . Miiford Cock , P . M . 73 , P . P . S . G . W ., Chaplain ; A . Cuffe-Adams , P . S . G . D . Somerset , R . of M . ; and J . V . Bray , T . 8 7 , T ., conferred the Degree on the following : Bros . G . R . Mockridge , M . Sampson , W . A . Gerry W . Cok-nso , T . H . Cornish , R . Walters , R . Colenso , I . Oppenheim , ] . E . Rogers , and E . Geard .

The lodge was then closed , and the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cornwall was opened by Bro . Sir Charles B . Graves-Sawle , Bart ., 30 , P . G . M ., in the presence of a large number of Mark Masons representing a large number of the lodges in the province , assisted by Bros . Thomas Chirgwin , i 8 , D . P . G . M . ; Lieut .-Col . W . E . Michel ! , 31 , S . G . O . England ; W . K . Baker , P . P . G . M . O . ; F . Crouch , P . G . D . England ; W . J . Johns , P . P . J . G . W ., P . G . Sec ; and E . Miiford Cock , P . P . S . G . W .

Bro . Sir Charles Graves-Sawle then consecrated the new lodge , the very beautiful and impressive ceremonies being most ably directed by Bro . Crouch . The lodge was then opened for the first time by Bro . Baker , who proceeded to install as first W . M . Bro . J . J . Ross , who afterwards invested the following officers to assist him in the working of the lodge during his year of office : Bros . W . K .

Baker , I . P . M . ; W . Dale , S . W . ; F . Rodda , J . W . ; G . R . Mockridge , M . O . ; W . Colenso , S . O . ; B . Shakerley , J . O . ; M . Sampson , S . D . ; R . Pearce Couch J . D . ; J . H . Rowe , I . G . ; R . Walters , Chap . ; W . A . Gerry , Treas . ; A . Cuffe-Adams , R . of M . ; R . White , jun ., Org . ; P . T . Chirgwin , Sec . ; J . M . Cornish , D . C ; T . H . Cornish , Stwd . ; and J . E . Rogers , Tyler .

Consecration Of The St. John The Baptist Mark Lodge, No. 404, At Penzance.

Bro . COUCH then presented the newly-constituted lodge , on behalf of the members of his family , with a handsome silk banner , the work of the donors , which he asked the W . M . to accept in memory of his grandfather , the late Bro . Richard Pearce , P . A . G S ., P . D . P . G . M . Cornwall , & c , who in his lifetime had taken such a very warm interest in all Masonic work , and who was a founder of the Holy Mount Chapter in 1883 , the last occasion on which a lodge for the

working of a Degree was consecrated in Penzance . Letters of apology were read from Bros . T . G . Henwood , 351 . P . S . G . W . ; E . Venning , P . M . 379 , P . S . G . O . ; W . J . Tredinnick , P . M . 275 , P . J . G . O . ; Gilbert B . Pearce , P . M . 87 ; Frank Harvey , P . M . 8 7 ; H . Searle , ior , P . G . D . C . ; Rev . 1 . Murley , 206 , P . G . Chap . ; S . Trehane , W . M . 379 , P . G . S . B . ; C . Trevithick , P . M . 78 ; I . Hill , J . de Cressy Treffry , 78 , P . G . Reg . ; and H . Shapcott , 351 , P . G . Oro-.

Among those present were Bros . Sir C . B . Graves-Sawle , Bart ., 30 , P . G . M . ; Thomas Chirgwin , iS ° , D . P . G . M . ; Lieut .-Col . W . E . Michell , 31 , S . G . O . England ; F . Crouch , P . G . D . England ; W . K . Baker , P . P . G . M . O . ; ] . J . Johns , P . P . J . G . W ., P . G . Sec . ; E . Miiford Cock , P . M . 73 , P . P . S . G . W . ; Hugh " P . Vivian , P . M . 73 , P . G . S . B . ; J . Rosewarne , P . M . 175 , P . G . M . O . ; VV . G . Hancock , 379 P . G . S . ; C . Truscott , 30 , " P . M . 275 P . P . S . G . W . ;

, , W . A . Bennetts , 101 , P . P . G . I . of VV .: VV . Ellis , P . M . 175 , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . H . Willey , 175 , P . P . G . R . of M . ; J . Richard , P . M . 175 , P . G . M . O . ; A . Cuffe-Adams , 177 , P . P . S . G . D . Somerset ; R . Williams , P . M . 87 ; S . Rogers , S . O . 101 ; George Williams , P . M . S 7 ; J . Eva , I . W . 175 ; W . Blaekwell , S . O . 175 ; William Trevenen , W . M . 175 ; W . E . Grose , S . W . 101 ; 1 . VV . C . Dudley , M . O . 17 = !; J . V . Bray ; T . 87 ; J . Langdon , S ,

P . G . T . ; ] . J . Ross , 18 ° , 3 61 ; W . Dale , 87 ; F . Rodda , 8 7 ; B . Shakerley , 87 ; J . H . Rowe , M . O . 8 7 ; P . T . Chirgwin , 1 S , J . D . 87 , P . A . G . D . C . ; R . Pearce Couch , 87 ; J . M . Cornish , 87 ; R . White , jun , 87 ; M . Sampson , E . Geard , W . Colenso , G . R . Mockridge , T . H . Cornish , R . Colenso , R . Walters , J . E . Rogers , W . A . Gerry , I . Oppenheim , and others .

The brethren adjourned to the Western Hotel , where Bro . W . Mitchell had prepared in his well-known style a recherche banquet , the room being adorned with large cards , on which were very tastefull y displayed in " Mark " colours various Masonic sentiments , these being the gift of Bro . Crouch , and conspicuous among them being " Success to St . John the Baptist Lodge , No . 404 . "

Loyal and Masonic toasts were given , and a most enjoyable time was spent , one feature of this portion of the day ' s proceedings being the songs of Bro . M . Sampson , the words of which were written for the occasion , and were most apropos . A Committee of Bros . Ross , Cuffe Adams , Chirgwin , Couch , and J . M . Cornish saw to all the necessary arrangements , and received the Provincial brethren , Bro . Cuffe Adams kindly placing his carriage at their disposal . It should be mentioned that the silver censer used at the consecration was most

kindly lent by the St . George ' s Chapter . The presence of so many brethren of distinction , including the Grand Master of the province and his Deputy , supported as they were by two officers of the Grand Lodge of England and a large number of Provincial Grand Officers , was very gratifying to those who had worked in the formation of the new lodge , and was taken by them as a high compliment .

The new furniture was the gift of some of the founders , and was much admired by the visitors . The whole of the day ' s proceedings went off in a way that augers well for the prosperity of the lodge , which must have a very successful future before it if all the good wishes expressed are to be fulfilled . Bro . Major Ross , W . M ., read an interesting letter from Bro . Hughan , P . G . W ., giving some particulars of the spread of Mark Masonry in Cornwall .

Freemasons Not Selfish.

FREEMASONS NOT SELFISH .

In the course of an eloquent address to the Knights of Cceur de Lion Commandery , No . 17 , stationed at Scranton , Pa ., on February 18 th inst ., in the Music Hall of that city , the Grand Prelate of the Grand Commandery of Pennsylvania , the Rev . Sir William Henry Piatt , said : "In the presence of this assemblage—this gathering of valiant Kni ghts and fair ladies—aye , as fair as Knight ever addressed , I cannot be silent until 1 have tried to dispel an illusion which some fair ones cling to .

I have heard ladies say , Masons are selfish men . And I suppose they say so becanse we cannot tell them all we know . I do not see that that proves us selfish . Does it not prove this : There are some people who can keep a secret . Is not that the fact ? We do not less appreciate woman because we cannot confide to her the mysteries of our venerable Society . And if woman only knew how by our ceremonies we try to protect her innocence , her home , and her children ,

she would say that we are magnanimous fellows . I sometimes wish we could have woman ' s good judgment , untiring energy , generous impulse , and warm affection grafted upon the lives of those who are known as Knights of the Temple . Ladies , there is a work for you . Impart to these fraternals some of your gentleness of disposition and integrity of deportment , and then , sure I am , we all will heartily pray , ' God bless the ladies . '"—Keystone .

MASONIC HALL . —One of the most important adjuncts of and requisites for Freemasonry . All the evils of , and nearly all the attacks on , the Masonic system have sprung from the meeting in taverns . No doubt , in former days , such a state of things arose from the necessity of the case , where lodges were sparse and brethren were few . But " nous avons change * tout cela , " and let us hope permanently for the better . The first Masonic Hall was erected in Philadelphia in

1754 , which is clearly established in the Memorial volume , edited by Bro . C . E . Meyer and others . The second seems to have been the one at Marseilles , in the year 1765 , if Smith ' s description can be relied upon . Freemasons' Hall was first opened and dedicated May 23 , 177 6 . But the Hall did not suffice for the wants of the brethren , and in 186 4 the foundation stone of the new buildings was laid in the presence of our old and lamented Grand Master , Lord Zetland . That building ,

now completed , reflects the greatest credit on all concerned , and is fitly the head-quarters of English Freemasonry . During the last quarter of a century , the building of Masonic Halls has set in with commendable zeal and great energy , Leeds , Liverpool , Manchester , Bradford , Sheffield , York , Plymouth , Devonport , Bristo ] , Birmingham , and innumerable localities boast of buildings , which say much for the skill of their designers , and

are an honour to the Craft . Nothing , we are certain , will so tend to elevate the condition of Freemasonry , and to raise it also in public opinion , as the fact that the fraternity is accustomed to meet in private halls for all the work and all the gatherings of Freemasonry . Of course , no rule is without its exception , and it is impossible to lay down even on this most important subject a law of the Medes and Persians which altereth not . But we feel sure of this—that the more

Freemasonry is segregated from houses cf public entertainment in Masonic Halls , the better will it be for Freemasonry in every respect . We need not go into Dr . Oliver ' s well-known description of what a Masonic Hall is , as that will more properly come under Lodge Room ; but there can be little doubt that a good deal of the present prosperity of English Freemasonry is owing to that

movement in favour of Masonic Halls and - "esthetic tastes , and a more ornate ceremonial , which , impossible in an hotel or public house , however respectable per se , are the necessary concomitants of a Masonic Hail , solely devoted to Freemasonry , and simply destined to Masonic ceremonies . —Kenning's Cyclopaedia of Freemasonry .