Provincial Grand Chapter Of Essex.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF ESSEX .

The annual meeting of the above Prov . Grand Chapter was held at the County Court House , Romford , on the 7 th inst . The G . Superintendent , Comp . his Honour Judge Philbrick , Q . C , G . Registrar , preceded by his officers , opened Prov . G . Chapter . The following Prov . G . Officers were appointed :

Comp . G . Horble , P . Z ., S . E . 453 ... ... Prov . G . H . „ Harris Hills , M . E . Z . 2154 ... ... Prov . G . J . „ Thos . J . Railing , P . Z . S . E . 51 ( 15 th year ) , P . G . S . B . Eng . ... ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ R . K . Bull , M . E . Z . 1437 ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ Andrew Durrant , P . Z ., Treas . 276 ... Prov . G . Treas .

„ Rev . Thomas Lloyd , M . E . Z . 2005 ... Prov . G . Reg . „ J . Ramsey , H . 214 ... ... ... Prov . G . P . S . „ t . J . D . Cramphom , M . E . Z . 276 ... Prov . ist A . G . P . S , „ T . Piper , LP . Z . 2005 ... ... ... Prov . 2 nd A . G . P . S „ J . Spencer , S . E . 1437 ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ E . C Talbot , J . 21 S 4 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ A . Lucking , P . Z ., Treas . 1000 ( 15 th year ) , P . A . G . D . C . Ensr .... ... ... Prov . G . D . C .

„ A . F . Lay , M . E . Z . 2501 ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ Boreham , Org , 1437 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ W . M . Butcher , H . 453 ... ... Prov . A . G . S . E . „ A . W . Martin ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor .

Afler the business the brethren adjourned to the Golden Lion Hotel , where banquet was served by Mr . and Mrs . Peter Reynolds . The arrangements at Romford were made by Comp . John Spencer .

Consecration Of The Royal Connaught Lodge, No. 2676.

CONSECRATION OF THE ROYAL CONNAUGHT LODGE , No . 2676 .

There was a large gathering of brethren at the Grand Hotel , Eastbourne , on the 5 th inst ., when the above lodge was consecrated . The founders of the lodge were Bros . C W . Tomes , A . J . Howard , J .

Skinner , Dr . J . H . Ewart , Dr . A . P . Sherwood , C . Foran , F . Lawson Lewis , W . F . Trydell , Dr . A . Roberts , Captain C . deM . Franklyn , R . E ., J . „ Senior , W . Burt , Rev . H . G . Jameson , A . H . Thomas , A . J . Hart , W . Lamb , H . G . White , E . R . Horne , C I . Morris , V . Wormald , Fred Schreiner , Dr . C . O'Brien Harding , C . Haskins , P . Armstrong , and E . E . Pratt .

In the unavoidable absence of Bro . H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , P . G . M ., Prov . G . Master , the consecration was conducted by Bro . the Right Hon . Sir W . T . Marriott , Q . C , P . G . D ., Deputy Prov . G . Master , the Wardens' chairs being occupied by Bros . A . Lloyd , Prov . S . G . W ., as S . W .,

and Ben . F . Meadows , as J . W ., while Bro . Owen Enabling , Prov . G . D . C , officiated as D . C The Consecrating Officer was supported by a large assemblage of Past and Present Prov . Grand Officers . The ceremony was impressively carried out , the effect being enhanced by the musical arrangements under the direction of Bro . Chapman Marshall , Prov . G . Org . 243 .

On the termination of the consecration , Bro . Captain C . de M . Fianklyn , R . E ., P . Dist . G . Std . Br . Gibraltar , Asst . D . C . 2434 , W . M . elect 2621 , w ; is installed as first W . M . of the lodge , the ceremony being admirably carried out by Bro . the Very Rev . E . R . Currie , D . D ., Dean of Battle , P . G . Chap ., P . P . G . Chap .

The W . M . appointed and invested his officers for the ensuing year as follows : Bros . Dr . J . H . Ewart , LP . M . ; J . Senior , S . W . ; Rev . H . G . Jameson , J . W . ; A . J . Howard , Treas . ; C . W . Tomes , Sec . ; A . H . Thomas , S . D . ; A . J . Hart , J . D . ; W . F . Trydell , D . C . ; J . W . Lamb , A . D . C ; V . Wormald , Org . ; H . G . VVhite , I . G . ; Dr . C O'Brien Hardirg , and E . R . Home , Stwds . ; H . G . White , Charity Steward ; and VV . Pennington , Tyler .

I he lodge having been duly closed , the brethren sat down to an elegant banquet , the catering by the hotel management giving the highest satisfaction . The newly-installed W . M . presided and submitted "The Oueen and the Craft" and "The M . W . the Grand Master , H . R . H . theTPrince of Wales , " which were warmly received . He next gave "The Officers of Grand Lodge , Present and Past . "

Bros . BALVOUR COCKBURN and F . WEST responded , the former remarking that the excellent example presented in the province by the Provincial Grand Master , H . R * H . the Duke of Connaught , had borne fruit , as was evidenced b y the effective manner in which Bro . Sir W . T . Marriott had carried out the consecration ceremony . ( Applause- ) In submitting " The R . W . Prov . Grand Master , H . R . H . the Dukeof Connaught , and the Officers of Prov . Grand Lodge , Present and Past , " the

W . M . said the lodge had been specially honoured by the Duke in being permitted to use his name and the Royal Arms . ( Applause . ) He had received a letter from his Royal Highness expressing regret that his military duties prevented him from being present . The Provincial Grand Officers carried out their duties in a very satisfactory manner , and had rendered the lodge great assistance in the consecration ceremony . ( Applause . ) Bro . A . LLOYD responded .

The W . M . next proposed " The Consecrating Officers , the W . Deputy Prov . Grand Master , the Right Hon . Sir W . T . Marriott , Q . C , Past Grand Deacon ; and V . W . Bro . the Very Rev . E . R . Currie , D . D ., Dean of Battle , P . G . Chaplain , P . P . G . Chaplain . " The members of the lodge were much indebted , he said , to Bro . Marriott for journeying from London to consecrate the lodge , and all would agree with him that the manner in

which the ceremony was carried out was as near perfection as possible . ( Applause . ) He also spoke in eulogistic terms of the impressive manner in which Bro . Currie had conducted the installation ceremony . ( Applause . ) Bro . Sir W . T . MARRIOTT was warml y applauded on rising to respond . After indul ging in several humorous remarks , he said it had given him great pleasure to consecrate the lodge—the second he had consecrated in the town —and expressed his belkf that nowhere in Sussex was Freemasonry more

Consecration Of The Royal Connaught Lodge, No. 2676.

flourishing than in Eastbourne . ( Applause . ) He heartily wished the lodge every success and prosperity . ( Applause . ) Bro . the Very Rev . E . R . CI ' RRIE also acknowledged the toast , and alluded in feeling terms to the great loss the Freemasons of Eastbourne had experienced in the death of their late Bro . Morrison . Bro . BALIOUR-COCKBURN proposed , in fitting terms , " The Worshipful Master . "

Bro . Capt . C DE M . FRANKLYN , R . E ., who was enthusiastically received , made a brief response . The remaining toasts were "The W . Ms , ofthe Province , " "The Visitors , " "The Officers of the Lodge , " and thc Tyler ' s toast . During the evening a pleasing programme of vocal music was sustained

by Bros . H . G . White , H . thwaites , VV . Lancaster , and J . Baker Guy , Mr . Maynard , and Miss Hannah Hotten , the duties of accompanist being in the able hands of Bro . V . A . Wormald . The gathering proved highly enjoyable , much of the success of the evening being due to the Stewards , Bros . Dr . C . O'Brien Harding and E . R . Horne , who spared no pains in promoting the comfort of those present .

Presentation To Bro. W. H. Cowper, G. Standard Bearer.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . W . H . COWPER , G . STANDARD BEARER .

On Friday evening , the 8 th instant , Bro . W . H . Cowper , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . G . Std . Br . Eng ., was entertained at a banquet in the Freemasons' Hall , Middlesborough , by the North York ( No . 602 ) , Ferrum ( No . 1848 ) , and the Orde Powlctt ( No . 2391 ) Lodges , and was made the recipient of a magnificent silver cup subscribed for by the brethren of those three lodges on the occasion of his having been made Grand Standard Bearer of England by the Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and in recognition of the invaluable services he has rendered to Freemasonry in Middlesborough .

Bro . Colonel S . A . Sadler , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ( Mayor of Middlesborough ) , presided , having on his right the guest of thc evening and being supported by Bros , the Rev . J . W . Dales , P . M ., P . P . G . C ; J . V . Cooper , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg . ; W . J . Watson , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg . j Dr . Walker , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ; Dr . Williams , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ; W . Holloway , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; and VV . J . Bruce , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D .

An excellent repast was served by Mrs . Skcen , of thc Corporation Hotel . After dinner , Thc CHAIK . MAN proposed thc toast ol " The Queen and the Craft " and that of " H . R . H . thc Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . of England . " Bro . J . V . COOPER proposed the toast of " Thc Pro Grand Master ol England and thc Grand Officers . "

Bro . W . H . Cowt'ER suitably responded . Bro . R . SCOTSON , P . M ., then proposed " Thc Health ol thc Marquis ol Zetland , R . W . Prov . G . M . of North " and East Yorkshire ; and thc Prov . Grand Officers . " Bros . WINTERSCHLADEN , HOLLAND , and BOITOMLKY responded .

The CHAIRMAN- then rose to propose the toast of the evening . He said they had met that night to do honour to one who was a giant in the Craft to which they belonged . His services to the Masonic Older were very extensive , both in time and space . He ( tbe Chairman ) could have desired that the task had devolved upon someone abler than himself to do justice to It ; but he was proud and gratified to be in that position , being one of Bro . Cowper ' s oldest friends in

Middlesboro , and being adventitiously at that moment chief magistrate of the borough , this combination of circumstances gave him a peculiar fittedness for the position in which they had placed him , and a further gratification was added by the fact that it was at Bro . Cowper ' s request that he was so placed . That he took as a mark of old friendship , and he liked old friends , and people who did not change their minds or their friends . They could say there never had been a man who

stood out so strongly as a consistent , good citizen of Middlesboro as Bro . Cowper . There was also no man in the Masonic world thereabouts who had devoted more lime , pains , and expense to the furtherance of the glorious cause they all had at heart than his friend and brother—the man they were honouring . He then enumerated the various offices Bro . Cowper had held , and gave the following sketch of his Masonic career : In 1871 he was initiated in the Restoration Lodge , Darlington .

Shortly after this he came to MiddlesbDro ' , and joined the North Lodge , of which he became Master in 1879 . In 1880 he was one of the founders of the Ferrum Lodge , which had since been so successful . The members of the Orde-Powlett Lodge elected him an honorary member , in recognition of his great services to the Masonic Order . He was for the two following years First Principal of the Marwood Chapter . He was also W . M . of the Mark Lodge in his turn . Outside the

town , in 1891 , he was appointed Prov . G . R . of North and East Yorkshire , and in 18 94 he was given thc highest office obtainable in the Prov . Grand Lodge , viz ., Prov . Senior Grand Warden . In 1880 he was made Prov . G . P . S . of the Provincial Grand Chapter , and in 18 90 was made Provincial G . J . Since then the Grand Chapter of England had bestowed office upon him . In 188 3 he was made S . W . of the Prov . G . Mark Lodge , and in 1891 G I . G . of thc Grand

Mark Lodge of England . In the " higher " Degrees he was E . P . in 1887 of the Knight Templars and P . P . of the Knights of Malta . He was P . M . W . S . of the Rose Croix and other Degrees . The Royal Order of Scotland claimed him as one of the pioneers of the York Provincial Lodge , and last but not least they all know him as the Charity Representative of Provincial Grand Lodge . His valuable business like services in this capacity had earned him the admiration and high

appreciation of the brethren in the province . Few men had done more on behalf of the Charities , few men had been more earnest and devoted to the work than had Bro . Cowper . The crowning honour of this very remarkable Masonic career came just lately , and they were all delighted to hear that the worth y brother had had the great honour conferred upon him of being made Grand Standard Bearer in the Grand Lodge of England . It was thought that thc bestowal of so

wellearned an honour should not be allowed to pass by without some recognition at the hands of thc local brethren of the life-long services that worthy brother had rendered . Then it was they decided to ask him to a banquet worthy of the occasion , and to ask him to accept at their hands a small index of their kindliest feelings . The beautiful cup before him , charming as it was , did not in any commensurate degree mark the sense of gratitude which animated those present . As he ( the Chairman ) looked at it , it reminded him of the two girls who stood

looking at the casket which the Corporation was going to present to him ( the Mayor ) and who were overheard to remak " It ' s very nice , bat I'll be bound the darned thing ' s hollow . " The cup was hollow , but they would ask Bro . Cowper when he looked at it to remember that , empty as it might appear , it was full of the good wishes , the high appreciation , and the graatude of the brethren who had been associated with him for nearly 20 years . The Cha ' rman then handed the cup and a magnificent bouqutt to Bro . Cowper .