Consecration Of The King Henry Viii. Lodge, No. 1757.

sence of the Master of the province himself , he thought he rhould be erring in his duty to Masonry generall y if he i . fused to accept the honour imposed on him . It was here-fore with the strongest desire to fulfil his duty that he entered on the Mastership of the lodge . No Mason ought to say he did not want to perform a duty which ought to be performed . If a Mason did he ought to be

turned out as a coward at once . He ( the W . M . ) could not flinch from the duty he was asked to assume , anel he trusted he should be able during his year of office to perform his duty not only with success to Masonry in general but also with advantage to the lodge . The lodge was deeply indebted to those who were concerned in the formation of it . The brethren connected with the neighbourhood

deserved more than he did , and if he could in any way further their wishes Masonically he would wish to do so . Therefore , anything he could do to promote the success of the gathering that day he had been very glad 11 be able to do so . He thought that Masonry always fl lurished where it was advanced by those who had no either feeling in their hearts for it but a desire to do it good .

Sometimes it was the duty of his calling , he might say its privilege , and he should be very much ashamed ot himself if he did not say it was his pleasure , to say things which were not always so tasteful to people as they desired , and , therefore , at the present time he sai I that Masons themselves often failed in realising the full importance of the Order to which they had attached themselves , and the

principles of which they were pledged to advance . He did not , however , think that those who were associated with him in this lodge would fail in their appreciation of the high duties of Masonry which might occasionally be observed in the Masonic world . He did not mean to say that there was a failure of duty anywhere , but they all knew that those who j lined the Masonic Craft had not

always the interests of Masonry at heait . At some times Masons were taunted with the charge that they met for good dinners , and good company , and so forth , and , therefore , it gave them some pair , if they could not say , no , no Mason would ever so disgrace his professions or ignore the principles to which he was pledged . In the province , so well presided over by so thoroughly good a Mason ai

Bro . Halsey , who had his heart in Masonry , they had an example set them of what Masons ought to be , and in the starting a new lodge there , they had every possible augury for a successful future . He ventured to hope that those who hail already joined the baby lodge of the pro-\ inci-, and all those in the neighbourhood who wished them good will and a happy future would in every possible

way work with them , as he was quile sure they would , to advance the principles of Masonry in the province , whether loiniictid wilh this , the youngest , or with the oldest lodge in the province . The W . M . next gave the toast of " The Visitors , " and " The Officers of the Loige . " Dc . Wilson lies proposed " The Charities , " and after Ihe Tyler ' s toast had been honoured , the brethren separated .

Consecration Of The Brixton Mark Lodge, No. 234.

CONSECRATION OF THE BRIXTON MARK LODGE , No . 234 .

The consecration of the Biixton Mark Lodge , No . 234 , was performed on Saturday last by Bro . Frederick Binckes , P . G . J . W ., G . S ., at the Surrey Masonic Hall , Camberwell . There were present on the occasion Bros . Col . Burelett , Prov . G . M . for MUdlcsex and Suirey ; Thos . Poore ,

Charles Palmer McKay , Henry Lovegrove , George Clark , Charles T . Pearce , George Clark , jun ., James Stevens , P . G . J . O . ; J . K . Pitt , P . P . I . D . C ., W . M . 193 ; Don . M . Dewar , G . Assist . Secretary ; Fred Ii . Cozens , P . G . Org . ; Charles Palmer , P . G . Steward , P . Prov . G . J . O . ; H . A . Dubois , P . M ., W . M . No . 1 ; M . S . Larlham , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; Ileniy Baldwin , D . C . 139 ; H . C . Levander , G .

Reg . ; Pulman , J . B . Shackletm , W . G . Brighten , James Curtis , James Pinder , W . M . 205 ; Potter , Tyler ; and H . Massey , P . M . 22 ( Freemason . ) Afler the lodge had been consecrated Bro . James Stevens advanced Bro . G . Clarke , jun ., to the Mark Di tree , and Bro . Thomas Poore was then installed by Bro . Binckes as W . M . of the lodge , and the follow ! lg brethren were invested as

officers for the year : —Charles Palmer McKay , J . VV . 139 , S . W . ; Henry Lovegrove , J . W . ; George Clark , jun ., M . O . ; J in . es Curtis , S . O . ; Barker , J . O . ; H . Baldwin , Secretary ; Dr . Pearce , J . D . ; and Bro . Potter , Tyler . When all the work had been completed , the Consecrating Officers received a vote of thanks , and they were ilecied honorary numbers of the lodge , along wilh Col .

Duidctt , to whom a vole of thanks was also passed for his kindness in attending at the consecration . Propositions for advancement and joining were subscqucutl y given in , and after the lodge was closed the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed in due course . Bro . H . C . Levander , G . Reg ., iu responding for the

Grand Master , said it was the earnest desire of Lord Skeliiieisdale and all the Grand Officers who were associated with him , to do all they possibly could for the advancement of this Order . The brethren had had the pleasure that day of witnessing the consecration of a new lodge . Speaking fur himself , it gave him a great deal of satisfaction to see Bro . Peiore , whom he had known a long time , installed

in the chair of a new Mark lodge . They trusted that this would be a most successful lodge . It was the first in that neighbourhood , and it hal been commenced under good auspices . No doubt with such an energetic W . M ., assisted by such well-known officers , the lodge would be a

marked success , and with the wish that it would be , he begged to conclude his observations . The W . M . in proposing " The Provincial Grand Master , " siid all the brethren were desirous to elo all honour to Col . Burelelt , a brother whose genial manner rendered him a great favourite with all of them . Col . Burdett always

Consecration Of The Brixton Mark Lodge, No. 234.

seemed to enjoy himself among the brethren , and he was always ready to come among them . Col . Burdett , in reply , said it always gave him pleasure to come among the lodges he ruled over . When he came among Mark lodges he found himself received in the most kind and pleasant manner . It was because the brethren were so kind and gracious that whenever the opportunity

was offered he took advantage of it to come among them . The province had become a very large and efficient one , and had acquired great influence in the Order . They had been assisted by the Grand Master and Grand Officers generally . The province was increasing month by month He believed this new lodge would become a very influenti . il one , and holel a position in the province of considerable

importance . The province for a long time had to strive against difficulties , but they had been nearly overcome . Bro . Dewar , replying for the Deputy Grand Master , said , in his position as Assistant Grand Secretary it gave him great pleasure to see a new lodge so well started as the Brixton Lodge had been . It had been much wanted , and any assistance he could give to it or any other Mark lodge

he should be most happy to render . Bro , Shackleton said he had been lately at the Consecration of the St . Leonard Craft Lodge , as well as at the present Mark lodge . In both a most experienced Past Master was placed in the chair . It was the best criticism of the esteem in which Masonry was held when a number of brethren were found ready to serve under the gavel of

an experienced P . M . He thought that if Past Masters Would take the chair and become first Masters of new lodges it would be the best thing that could possibly happen for a lodge , because the P . Ms , were brethren of experience and could give the other brethren instruction in the business of the lodge , which would lay a good foundation for the lodge to work upon . They had an instance of this

in the lodge just consecrated , and he believed if they came there that day twelvemonth they would see great progress in Mark Masonry . Bro . James Stevens proposed " The Health of the W . M ., " who , by his long experience in Mark Masonry , had become a shining light in Mark Masomy , and a brother to whom they all looked not onl y for a full and

proper explanation of the ceremonies , but for instiuction in the Mark Degree . The repute in which he was held both in Craft and Mark Masonry would induce the brethren to give him that support which mi ght probably lay the foundation of a most successful lodge in this district , which was now quite virgin ground . There was no Mark lodge in this district , and he was 1-juite certain that Bro . Poore

would not leave a stone unturned towards making the district famous for Mark Masonry . The W . M ., in reply , said he would do everything he possibly could during his year of office to promote the interests of Mark Masonry . He had had the pleasure and satisfaction of receiving a vast amount of Mark instruction from Bro . Binckes . He hal the pleasure

of being installed by him in the Panmure Lodge , and that made a great impression on him . He had seen the beauties of Mark Masonry , and it verified in some cases , anil explained in others , what he heard when he was , installed as Master of the Panmure Loilge . No pains should be spared on his part to make the Brixton Lodge a success . He agreed with Bro . Shackleton that a P . M . should be the

first Master of a lodge , whether in the Craft or in the Mark , lt gave the brethren an opportunity of performing their duties carefully . W . hen he handed over the Brixton Lodge to his successor he hoped it would be a strong one wnich had mad ? its mark in the province . The W . M . next proposed " The Consecrating Master , Bro . F . Binckes , " to whom he was indebted for all his

Mark infoimation . He believed it to be Bro . Binckes' greatest delight to further the interests of Mark Masonry . Bro . Binckes , in reply , said Bro . Poore did him no more than j jstiee when he said he had at heart , very nearly and dearly , the interests of Mark Masonry . It would be impossible for him , in the position he occupied , and had

occupied for twenty years , to be indifferent to the progress of this Degree . When he first came into it it was in a very different position to what it was at the present time . He did not claim to have elone much towards furthering that progress , but he did not hesitate to say he had watched it with interest and anxiety , and its present position was the best reward he had for any pains he had taken with it . lt

was now out of the reign of criticism ; it was an established fact , a boely that could boast of a very good organisation . It had the surest of all geieiel bases of prosperity , good funded property , and it could give the best evidence that could be given , not hostiges to fortune , but invested funds which they woulel not only take care of and increase , but which they would devote to good objects . With reference

to observaUons of the previous speakeis he was pleased to say that opinions he enunciated some years ago , not then so popular as they were now , with regard to Masters of lodges , were being adopted . It had always been his opinion that the first Mas ' er of a loilge should be an experienced Past Master , not only for the security it gave in the first year of a lodge's existence lhat its interests would he

preserved , but a P . M . was one on whom they might rely and who would watch over the interests of a lodge as long as he > vas spared . It was all very well for young brethren to c implain that they hail to toil for a number of wearisome years to make themselves acquainted with the various details of office . In some it was called a legitimate

ambition to leap into the ciiair . For himself he liked a good training . He went through that training himself , and he would advise all brethren not to be too eager for office , because he was satisfied that the experience which time alone could give—he did not care how gifted a man might be—whatever office he was call-d upon to fill he would fill with more satisfaction to himself and more advantage to those with whom he was associated if he brought to the discharge of his dulie , great experience .

Consecration Of The Brixton Mark Lodge, No. 234.

He installed Bro . Poore as Master of a new lodge . After some years he again had installed him , and he could bear his testimony that Bro . Poore had dischaiged all his duties efficiently . Some time ago he ( Bro . Binckes ) undertook to discharge the duties of Installing Master in the country , when he was really unable to go through a sudden emergency . The only brother he could fall back

upon was Bro . Poore , and Bro . Poore went dowa to Bary S .. Edmund ' s and achieved" such popularity there , that whatever popularity he ( Bro . Binckes ) before possessed he sacrificed it . The brethren there said that Bro . Binckes sent a representative , but the representative exceeded the original . This reminded hioi of the old lines . — To teach his grandson draughts then

His leisure he'd employ , Until at list the old man Was beaten by the boy . He was rejoiced to see the prosperity of the Order . Lodges were springing up in all directions and the brethren were taking great interest in the Degree and there were - many who could do the work very well . It was only a few

years ago that only two or three brethren could be depended on to work the ceremonies ; but now there were a large number of accomplished Mark Mas ters rcaely to perform the duty , and whom he was glad to reckon in the foremost ranks . He thanked the brethren for the compliment they had paid him , and he again expressed the pleasure it had giyen him to install the W . M ., as it had given him an

opportunity of making some fresh additions to the many acquaintances he had formed during the last five and twenty years . He loved Masonry , and he loved Mark Masonry because it was a p ut of pure and ancient Freemasonry . He also loved it because outside it showed itself on all occasions not onl y desirous and determined , bu t willing and prepared to give practical effect to its

professions by assisting the Masonic Charities with which he hoped his name would always be associated . The toasts of " The Advanced Brother , " " The Press , " and " I'he Officers , " were also given and responded to . The VV . M . proposed " The Charities , " and said he elid not see what so young a lodge could do for them , but he hoped before long it would do something , and that they

might send up a list for the Boys' Festival . Bro . Binckes , replying , said he did not know why he should be selected to respond to this toast , because there was harelly a brother round the table who did not deserve to be associated with it . The W . M . had said he did not see what so young a lodge could do for the Charities . He would tell them . Let them at once see if they coulel not

make up a guinea as a nucleus . As the toast had been proposed , do not let it be an idle sentiment or an empty proposition . This advice was acted on , and the guinea was at once subscribed , and voted to the Boys' School . The charity box was then started , and the amount collected directed to the Mark Benevolent Fund .

Bro . Binckes then explained that at the next meeting of Grand Mark Lodge , a scheme would be submitted for the education ofthe Mark Masters' sons . £ 1000 having been invested , it was now proposed to devote half of the annual subscriptions in future to this fund to assisting Mark Masters to educate their sons iu their owu neighbourhood It was not designed for indigent or necessitous Mark

Masons only or primarily , but for those men who were Mark Masons , who though able to educate their families were not sufficiently well to do to take advantage of the superior education which many grammar and foundation schools in their localities offered . " The Visitors " toast was then given , and the T yler's toast brought the proceedings to a close .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The monthly meeting of the Committee of this Institution vvas held on Wednesday afiernoon , at Freemasons ' flail , Col . Creaton in the chair . The other brethren present were Bros . R . H . Giraud , C . Cottebrune , James Brett , W . L . Clarke , S . Ranson , I . M . Case , A . H . Tattershall , Wm ,

Hale , J . Newton , Wm . Stephens , W . Hilton , Dr . Jabez Hogg , C . G . Dill-y , William F . Ncttleship , Thomas Cubitt , Rajnbam W . Stewart , Janus Terr / , Secretary ; and 11 . Massey ( Freemason ) . After the reading and confirmation of the minutes , Bro . James Terry read a letter from Bro . Le Gendre N . Starkie , K . VV . Provincial Grand Master for East Lancashire , stating

that he would have much pleasure in presiding at the next festival of the Institution , on the 12 th of Februiary , 1879 . Bro . Terry also stated that a Committee had been formed in East Lancashire for the purpose of promoting the sucsess of the festival , and that he had already been invited to attend a meeting in East Lancashire with respect to it . He had already twenty-six Stewards from that province ,

and he believed that the list which would he sent up from East Lancashire would be the largest of any province at the next festival . Bin . Terry alte-rwards informed the brethren that the laiy who was an annuitant of the Institution in the West of England , and who , at the list meeting of the Cimmittec , resigned her annuity , because she had succeeded to some property by the death of a relitive

had , in reply to a letter which he la 1 sent her announcing the expression of the ice-ling of Ihe brethren on the step she had taken , writ en back lo him , endnsing £ 5 for himself . He had , however , of course , declined to accept it , but had told her that it mi f ht be applied to the ln . slkuiioii . To his letter she lud sent a reply , expressing her pleasure that

the money should be so applied , anel enclisiiig a further sum of £ 3 to bc auded to il for the benefit ot the Institution . The Committee , thereupon 111 ule up the ten shillings requisite to g ive the lady her qualification votes , ami elireeled the Secretary to inform her that the sum would be