Consecration Of The St. Alkmund Lodge, No. 2311, At Whitchurch.

result . It afforded him much pleasure to propose the health of the W . M ., and success to the St . Alkmund Lodge , No . 2311 . The W . M ., in acknowledging the toast , said that words failed to express the deep sense of gratitude that he felt for the exceedingly kind and flattering terms which the P . G . M . had used in proposing the toast . Speaking of himself , the W . M . said that the one object , the one aim , of his Masonic life , had been to

endeavour to render himself useful in the cause of Masonry , and that it was a source of great satisfaction to him to think that his humble services had been so appreciated , otherwise he should not be occupying the proud position that he now enjoyed . To be the first Master of a lodge was an honour that fell to the lot of very few Masons . He had accepted the trust with a full sense of the responsibilities attached to the office , and with a full determination to try and discharge

the duties of the Master ' s chair to the best of his ability , looking for no other reward than the knowledge that he had merited the confidence of the brethren of St . Alkmund Lodge , and to prove to them that their first choice had not been an unworthy one . The prospects of the lodge were certainly of a most satisfactory and inspiriting character , for that day they started with 16 founders , six joining

members , five initiates , and two hon . members , and all must admit that that must be considered a very fair commencement . In concluding the W . M . proposed "The Health of the Visiting brethren , " and , on behalf of the lodge , bade them a hearty and cordial welcome , expressing the hope that No . 2311 would be honoured on many future occasions with their presence . Bro . SALMON , P . G . Treas . North Wales , responded .

The other toasts were " The Founders and Officers of the St . Alkmund Lodge , " proposed by Bro . AVERY , and responded to by Bro . BRAYN ; "The Masonic Chari - ties , " proposed by Bro . NEWMAN , and responded to by Bro . BAXTER ; the concluding being the Tyler's toast . During the evening songs were sung by Bros . Dunning , H . Major , Edisbury , Chubb , and Powell in avery admirable manner .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of North And East Yorkshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF NORTH AND EAST YORKSHIRE .

The annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Lodge was heldby invitation of the Drifelt Lodge—in the Temperance Hall , Driffield , on Tuesday afternoon , the 28 th ult . There was a large attendance of members , who wore mourning for the late Bro . the Rev . Canon Portal , P . G . M . The Prov . G . M ., Bro . the Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett , P . G . W ., accompanied by Bro . R . G . Smith , P . G . D ., D . P . G . M ., and the Present and Past Prov . G . Officers , entered the lodge , and opened the proceedings .

After the minutes had been read , and other business transacted , the Provincial Grand Master appointed and invested the following Provincial Grand Officers :

Bro . H . O . Piercy , W . M . 291 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ W . B . Dyson , P . P . S . G . D . ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ J . Sugdon , W . M . 281 ... ... ... Prov . G . M . O . „ T . M . Goldie , W . M . 277 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . O . „ R . Wilkinson , W . M . 276 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . O . „ Rev . E . A . B . Pitman , 277 ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ J . Marshall , 277 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ A . W . Walker , 277 ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ J . R . Dippie , W . M . 95 ... ... ... Prov . G . R . of M , „ D . W . Dixon , York T . I . ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ Captain Coster , 281 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ T . H . Dunn , 95 ... ... ... Prov . G . L of W , „ H . Cowper , P . S . W . 276 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . of C . „ H . C . Pickersgill , S . W . York T . I . ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ G . H . Potts , 291 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ W . Lackenby , York T . L ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br „ W . Rennison , 337 ... ,,. ... Prov . G . Org . „ W . J . Marshall , 277 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ J . Verity , 95 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . I . G . „ R . Braithwaite , 276 ... ... ,., "\ „ E . H . Speigelhalter , 2 77 ... ... ... { „ n Cl , " W . R . Lane , 281 J Prov . G . Stwds . „ Jos . Kirby , 2 91 ... ... ,.. ) „ W . Stockdale , 277 ... ... ... Prov . Cf . Tyler .

The minutes of last Provincial Grand Lodge showed that the strength of the province was then as follows ; York , T . L , 68 subscribing members ; Star in the East , No . 95 , 45 subscribing members ; Middlesborough , No . 27 6 , 29 subscribing members ; Fitzwilliam , No . 277 , 31 subscribing members ; Beverlac , No . 281 , 32 subscribing members ; Drifelt , 'No . 291 , 24 subscribing members ; Streonshalh , No . 337 , 20 subscribing members ; grand total 249 .

The brethren afterwards , to the number of about 40 , attended a banquet at the Bell Hotel , under the presidence of the Prov . Grand Master . The list of toasts was as follows : " The Oueen and Mark Masonry ; " " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , K . G ., M . W . G . M . ; " "The Prov . Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Ofiicers , Present and Past ; " "Bro . the Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett , Prov . G . M .

North and East Yorks . ; " Bro . R . G . Smith , P . G . D . England , Deputy Prov . G . M ., and the Newly-Appointed Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge ; " "Bro . J . Woodall Woodall , P . P . G . M . ; " "The W . M ., Past Masters , and Brethren of the Drifelt Lodge , No . 291 ; " and " The Visiting Brethren . "

Consecration Of The Swindon Keystone Mark Lodge, No. 401, At Swindon.

CONSECRATION OF THE SWINDON KEYSTONE MARK LODGE , No . 401 , AT SWINDON .

The above lodge was consecrated on Friday , the 7 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Swindon , the Consecrating Officer being the Bro . C . F . Matier , P . G . W . M . M . M . Eng ., assisted by Bros . Pierrepont Harris , P . G . D ., as S . W . ; Leon , P . G . D ., as J . W . ; Rev . John A . Lloyd , P . G . Chap .: Robert Berridge , G . D . of C

W . Bambndge , Org . ; and Surgeon-General Ringer , W . M . 177 , I . G . There vvere also present Bros . John Chandler , P . M . 178 , W . M . designate ; Henry C . Tombs , S . W . designate ; J . Campbell Maclean , J . W . designate ; Cope-Procter , P . M . ; Prower , H . Bevir , W . Lovegrove , Northam , H . Kemble , A . Plummer , R . JMerriman , E . Jones , A . Barns , W . E . N . Browne , and J . H . Chandler , P . M . 178 .

Previous to the consecration ceremony , a meeting was held , at which the following brethren were balloted for as joining members . * Bros . W . J . Lovegrove , 259 , and W . T . Bambridge , 178 ; also for advancement to the Degree of M . M . M .: Bros . A . Plummer , H . Kemble , R . W . Merriman , E . Jones , A . Barns , F . E . Streeten , W . E . N . Browne , and W . H . Kinneir , vvith the exception of Bros . Streeten and Kinneir , vvho were unavoidably prevented from being present , the brethren before named were ably advanced by Bro . J . Chandler , P . M . 178 , acting as W . M ., who also advanced Bro . J . Dean to act as serving brother . The lodge having been called off , there was an interval until three o'clock , the hour fixed for the ceremony of consecration , shortly after which timo

Consecration Of The Swindon Keystone Mark Lodge, No. 401, At Swindon.

The CONSECRATINC OFFICER addressed the brethren assembled on the object of the meeting , congratulating the founders on the prospects of an excellent future for the lodge , vvhich started under auspicious circumstances . He lamented the death of one of those vvho had signed the petition praying for the warrant of constitution—Bro . William Nott , a P . G . D . of England in the Mark Degree , so

wellknown in the cause of Charity in Wiltshire—and he proceeded by calling upon Bro . Berridge , G , Dir . Cers ., to read the petition and warrant . The founders having signified their approval of the officers named in these documents , and an interesting oration on the details of the building of the First Temple having been given by Bro . Rev . J A . LLOYD , the lodgo was solemnly dedicated and constituted in the usual form .

Bro . MATIER then placed the W . M . designate , Bro . John Chandler , in the chair and subsequently gave the addresses in his customary able manner . The Worshipful Master thereupon invested the following officers : Bros . Rev John A . Lloyd , I . P . M ., acting Chap . ; H . C Tombs , S . W . ; J . C . Maclean , J . W . , ' H . Bevir , M . O . ; W . Lovegrove , S . O . ; W . Bambridge , J . O . ; H . Kemble , Treas . ' ; A . Plummer , Sec . and Reg . of Mks . ; R . W . Merriman , S . D . ; E . Jones , J . D John H . Chandler , P . M ., D . of C , Org . ; A . Barns , I . G . ; and Dean , Tyler . ''

Votes of thanks were then passed to the Consecrating Officer and other Grand Officers for their assistance , and to Bro . J . A . Lloyd for his oration . A Committee was appointed to frame the by-laws , "Hearty good wishes " were given by various visiting brethren , amongst whom Bro . Leon , P . G . D . Eng ., Prov . G . Sec . Jamaica , West Indies , and Bro . Pierrepoint Harris , P . G . D . Eng . M . M . M ., were warmly greeted , and the lodge vvas closed in the usual manner .

The brethren then adjourned to the Goddard Arms Hotel , where a capital banquet was served . Bros . Bambridge , Northam , and others contributed to the harmony of the entertainment , which closed at an early hour , many present having to catch trains to London and elsewhere . The usual loyal and other toasts were duly honoured , and three brethren consented to serve as Stewards at the next Mark Benevolent Festival .

Masonic Brotherhood.

MASONIC BROTHERHOOD .

From an address by Rev . Bro . J . B . Muir , Grand Chaplain , before the Grand Lodge of Quebec , January 30 th , 188 9 . The great fundamental principle of Masonic brotherhood is belief in , and reverence for , God , the Great Architect and Governor of the Universe . This is its primordial doctrine , its keystone and life ' s blood . Its two guide books , as to knowledge and conduct , are the light of Nature in matter and

man , and the Volume of the Sacred Law . In . the full sweep of its kindly and fraternal sympathy , Masonic brotherhood is interested in man , as man wherever he is found . Being diffused , as the light is diffused , all over the globe , it recognises no geographical , no ethnic , and no sectional boundaries . But while it implies and asserts the universal brotherhood of man , Masonic brotherhood emphasises the inner and closer brotherhood of its own

members , i . ot in a union merely , but in a unity of good fellowship and mutual helpfulness . Its two poles are , therefore , spirituality towards God and morality towards man . A good Mason , in the nature of the case , cannot possibly be a bad man . Further , the Masonic brotherhood enjoins the duty of cultivating the liberal arts and sciences . It seeks , therefore , not

merely the guiding of the conscience , but the education of the intellect . Our lodges should , therefore , be not only rallying centres , where members of the mystic tie may meet for mutual recognition and encouragement , but radiating centres , whence flow out streams of benignant light upon the paths of knowledge , and virtue , and benevolence .

With this summary of the principles of our Order as Masons , I novv come to consider the duties of the Masonic brotherhood . The first duty I notice is that we should be loyal to the Order , its customs and ancient landmarks ; the second is , that we should be kind and considerate to all the members of the Craft . " Behold , " says the Volume of the Sacred Law , " how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity : "

As some of our brethren are in difficulties and distress , we should be ready to assist them with our counsel , and , if need be , with our substance , Here is presented to us a widely extended field for the cultivation of the finer ¦ . entiments of our hearts . Indeed , brotherly love , relief , and truth are amongst the most precious and the most prominent possessions to be found in the ark of Masonry . The Volume of

the Sacred Law contains these words— " We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak , and not to please ourselves . " This doctrine , although it antagonises the well-known statements about " the weak must go to the wall , " and "the survival of the fittest , " is , nevertheless , at the basis of that beautiful blossoming of Masonic charity , whose fragrance , I trust , is felt and enjoyed in every lodge of

Masons throughout the world . The third duty is to be loyal to the country where its members reside . I have had no acquaintance with the Free and Accepted Masons of continental Europe , and cannot , therefore , see anything about their political views and aspirations . From my knowledge , however , of the brethren of this continent and of the United Kingdom , I

am warranted in affirming that there are no men in the neighbouring republic more loyal to the constitution and flag of the United States , and there are no men in the empire of Great Britain more loyal to their Queen and the flag of their country , than are the members of our Masonic Brotherhood .

I notice , fourthly , and in few words ; It seems to me that when we consider the wealth , intelligence , virtue , and number of Freemasons all over the world , they might be an important factor in preventing unrig hteous wars . Ruskin , the great art critic of England , says in effect in one of his works , that if the women of that country were to use their great influence in the interests of peace , they could overturn any jingo policy of the

government . Whether that be so or not , I cannot dogmatically affirm ; but , tentatively , if the members of the Masonic brotherhood the world over were to combine , and to give no uncertain sound in regard to the cruelty and injustice oi any contemplated war , they could do something to pre * vent the breaking out of hostilities . " Peace and good will " is our motto to all the sections of the scattered family of man .

The last duty I notice is that the Masonic brotherhood should be in tW van in promoting universal brotherhood . When in ancient Rome the p Terence used this expression , " Homo sum humani nihil a me puto , " it wa , received with hearty applause . And why ? Because there was a touch 0 > nature in it , and that makes " the whole world kin . " In these days me are being brought together as they never were before , and , as a consequence * a mighty impetus has been given to the progress of universal brotherhood ' —Voice of Masonry .

BERKELEY HOTEL ( late St . James ' s ) , . 1 , Berkeley-street and 77 , P f dilly , London , W . First class accommodation for residents , with a Restaurant ° Al attached for high class luncheons and dinners , at fixed prices and it la ca •— C . DIETTE , Manager . —f ADVT . I