Consecration Of The Douglas Lodge, No. 1725.

CONSECRATION OF THE DOUGLAS LODGE , No . 1725 .

One of the most interesting and important ceremonies connected with Freemasonry of late years in the Province of Kent took place on Friday , nth inst . The growth of the Craft in the county town and its neighbourhood has been so rapid and so extensive , that it has been found f . j

necessary to establish a new lodge , the old Belvidere Lodge having been for some time past quite full . The idea of establishing a neyv lodge , which should assume a position yvorthy of the county town , when once broached , was eagerly taken up . The petition was signed by several influential brethren , and at a meeting of the founders it was unanimously resolved to call it the "Douglas" Lodge , in : . '

honour of Aretas Akers Douglas , Esq ., who , since he has taken up his residence at Chilston Park has evinced the warmest interest in all matters appertaining to Masonry in this part of the county . It was also resolved to invite him to become the first Master ; yvhich , after some hesitation , on account of his being alreaely Master of thc Mailing Abbey Lodge , ,

he consented to undertake , provided the necessary dispensation could be obtained from the Grand Lodge in order to allow him to hold both offices . The petition yvas successful * , and the founders were greatly delighted on receiving their warrant . Arrangements were immediately made for the consecration of the neyv lodge ; and that imposing ceremony took place , as yve have mentioned , on the 9 th

inst , in the magnificent lodge room over the gateway of the ancient College at Maidstone . A more appropriate building could not have been possibly secured , and the brethren are much indebted to the gentleman who , by permission of the noble oyvner , sub-let it to the brethren for the use of the Craft . Some years ago it was used by the Constitutional Association , since then it has been used as

a portion of the domestic offices of the . College j but noyv it has been so beautified and adorned as to be scarcely recognisable by those who only knew it under its former aspect . The Masonic furniture is , as may be supposed , entirely new , and has been made to harmonise exactly yvith the surroundings of thc building . With these preliminary remarks wc must proceed to

record the ceremony of consecration . 1 he brethren assembled at the College at 4 o ' clock , and when attired in their full Masonic clothing , presented a most imposing array , there being an unusually large attendance of officers ofboth Grand and Profincial Grand Lodges . They included — Bros . Viscount Holmesdale , M . P ., P . G . M . * , J . S . Eastes , D . P . G . M . j John B . Monckton , P . G . D ., P . Bd . G . P . j P . de

L . Long , S . G . D . ; Capt . Philips , S . G . D . ; Reginald Bird , D . P . G . M . ( Oxon ) ; Rev . E . Moore , P . G . C . ; Col . Gierke , P . M . 1- { 8-j , P . G . S . W . Devon ; Aretas Akers Douglas , W . M . ' Mailing Abbey Lodge , Prov . G . S . W . Kent , P . P . G . R . Oxon and P . M . of several other lodges ; Rev . W . A . Hill , P . G . Chap . ; Alfred Spencer , P . G . Sec . ; W . Page , P . G . J . W . ; Walter Monckton , P . M . ; W . H . Vale ,

P . G . W . Herefordshire ; F . Spencer , P . M . ; H . B . Deane , P . P . G . D . of C . Oxfordshire , No . 10 ; T . Wyles , P . M . ; Rev . J . H . Timins , P . M . ; Rev . Stuart Robson , J . Hodgson , P . M . ; Hr . Spurrell , P . M . ; G . Ker , P . P . G . J . D . ; H . Monckton , Dr . Davies , R . T . Tatham , R . A . Seymour , J . W . Menzics , F . S . Stenning , E . B . Smith , G . Friend , D . W . Langton , F . Green , P . M . ; Dr . Meredith , S . P . Potter ,

Dr . Ramsey , W . Rjssell , and others . The Provincial Grand Master ( Viscount Holmesdale ) having taken the chair , appointed Bro . J . Braddick Monckton as the * Consecrating Master . Bro . Monckton thereupon occupied the chair , and proceeded with thc consecration , yvhicli he performed in such a masterly manner as to call forth the war-rest expressions of satisfaction

from the brethren . The Rev . VV . A . Hill , as Provincial Grand Chaplain , also carried out his portion of the duties in a most able manner . At the close of the ceremony Bro . Akers Douglas was installed as first Master by Bro . Reginald Bird ; and on taking his seat in the Master's chair the newly-elected Master yvas cordially greeted . Next folloyved the appointment of officers as folloyvs * . —

Bros . H . Monckton , S . VV . ; Dr . Davies , J . W . ; Rev . E . Moore , Chap . ; A . Spencer , Treas . ; E . B . Smith , Sec . ; R . T . Tatham , S . D . ; F . S . Stenning , J . D . ; Dr . Meredith , I . G . ; G . Friend , D . C . ; J . W . Menpes , S . Before separating cordial votes of thanks yvere given to Bros . J . B . Monckton and R . Bird for their valuable services , and both were elected honorary members of

the lodge . At seven o ' clock a banquet yvas held at the Toyvn Hall , which had been kindly placed at the disposal of the brethren by the Mayor . The W . M ., Bro . A . A . Douglas , presided , and the company included those present at the consecration . The large hall was exquisitely decorated , and the arrangements for thc comfort of the guests yvere

all that could be desired . Of the banquet itself , yvhich was furnished by Bro . Bates , the proprietor of the Mitre Hotel , it would be impossible to speak too highly . The viands and wines yvere alike excellent , and yvere placed upon the table with great taste . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly proposed and honoured ; and a most enjoyable evening yvas spent by all present .

Bro . A . F . Rowley , P . M . 917 , will represent that lodge as Steward , at the forthcoming festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , on thc 13 th February . Bro . Rowley yvill be Steyvard for the Male Fund , and solicits the strong support of the brethren . Hc has the assistance of his lodge , and of the great bulk of the members .

The Duke of Marlborough was presented on Wednesday with a congratulatory address by thc Toyvn Commissioners and Board of Guardians of Ennis , on the occasion of his visit to Dromoland . Lord Inchiquin , as chairman of the board , read the address . : 1

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Somersetshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF SOMERSETSHIRE .

The annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge was held on the 15 th ultimo , at the Masonic Hall , Bath . In the absence of the R . W . Prov . Grand Mark Master , Bro . the Rt . Hon the Earl of Carnarvon , the V . W . Deputy Prov . Grand Mark Master , Bro . Capt . Irwin ,

presided . Among the visitors present yvere Bros . R . Carey , Dr . Woodforde , M . Ansaldo , Rev . M . Shackleton , E . T . Payne , W . Cox , R . B . Carter , W . Smith , G . S . Tricks , W . E . Reeves , A . G . Williams , G . Yates , Col . Guyon , E . W . Gordon , Col . J . R . Ford , C . T . Marshall , R . de M . Lawson , J . Dutton , J . W . Murliss , S . Mills , F . Vigard , . W . H . Davies , I . P . Curtis , J . Hond , G . F . Tuckey , Dr .

. Bryant , C . W . Rodway , R . L . Tucker , A . S . Vospcr , J . Fry , Dr . R . Wybrants , W . Munro , P . Braham , J . Smith , J . Syvansion , T . Wilton , F . W . Dingle , J . G . Mitchell , A . W . Powell , A . W . Scott , E . J . Mercier , S . Bisgood , and many others . Upon the list of lodges in the province being called it was found that with one exception ( Brirtgewater ) all were

represented . lhe minutes of the last P . G . Mark Lodge held at Keynshaw , having been confirmed , the P . G . Treasurer presented his report sheyving a considerable balance in favour of the province . The D . P . G . M . spoke very highly of thc services rendered , by Bro . E . T . Payne as Treasurer , and warmly commended his mode of keeping the accounts , and his endeavours to economise thc

expenditure , that the province might have a large sum to devote to charity . Upon the motion of Bro . Scott , P . P . G . S . W ., seconded by Bro . Dr . Bryant , the accounts yvere passed . The next business being the election of a Treasurer . Bro . Tuckey , P . P . G . S . W ., proposed the reelection of Bro . Payne , remarking that he had the pleasure of performing a similar duty last year . They yvere all

grateful to Bro . Payne for the zealous and efficient manner in which he performed his duties . Bro . Col . Wm . Ford seconded the proposition , yvhich yvas carried by acclamation , the D . P . G . M . in putting it to the vote obsering that it would be perfectly impossible to electany one yvho would perform the duties better than Bio . Payne . The P . G . Treasurer thanked the

brethren for their kind renewal of confidence in him , as yvell as for their appreciation of his services and for the compliment yvhich hail been bestowed upon him . He assured them that it gave him very great pleasure to do all in his power to advance Mark Masonry . He should be very glad to deal with a much larger sum of money , but he hoped that with the increase of lodges in thc province the balance

in hand would also increase . Bro . Bond , P . M ., P . G . Pursuivant , proposed that a sum of ten guineas be granted out of the Prov . Grand Mark Lodge funds towards an alleviation of the distress caused by the famine amongst our felloyv sufferers in India . Bro . Tuckey seconded thc motion , which yvas carried unanimously , the D . P . G . M . remarking that the funds could not

be applied to a better or more strictly Masonic purpose , and that he should have great pleasure in adding a guinea . The D . P . G . M . also intimated bis approval of a suggestion made by Bro . Munro , that any lodges in the province making donations to the same fund should fonvard them through the P . G . Treasurer . The appointment and investment of officers were then proceeded with as folloyvs : —

Col . Guyon , 177 P . G . S . W . R . H . Cater P . G . J . W . Rev . M . Shackleton P . G . C Col . Ford P . G . M . O .

J . Fry P . G . S . O . J . Leaker P . G . J . O . E . T . Payne P . G . Treasurer . R . L . Tucker P . G . R . of M . VV . Cox P . G . Secretary .

G . Nalis Assist . P . G . Sec . A . W . Powell First G . I . W . Vosper Assist . First G . I . W . Wybrands P . G . S . D . Wood P . G . D . C . Saunders P . G . A . D . C .

Major Nash P . G . Syvd . B . C . Wilkinson P . G . Std . B . Braham P . G . O . S . Mills P . G . Steward W . Cousins P . G . Tyler .

The D . P . G . M . apologised for the absence of the R . W . P . G . M ., the Rt . Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , who , he said , was prevented by thc pressure of official duties from being amongst them that day . He hoped , however , that ou a future occasion his lordship would attend and present the collars himself . With reference to the distribution of honours thc D . P . G . M . also expressed a hope that in future

Masters of lodges would be more prompt in sending in the names t f the brethren recommended for P . G . rank , in order that they might be submitted to thc P . G . M . The D . P . G . M . mentioned that at the last Prov . Grand Lodge a committee was appointed to prepare a design for a Mark token for adoption in the province , they had entrusted the duty to Bro . Williams , yvho

had prepared a token in gold , silver and bronze . Bro . Williams submitted specimens , which were generally approved , and the D . P . G . M . said it was proposed to substitute a bronze token for the coin noyv paid upon the advancement of a brother to the Degree of M . M . M . The D . P . G . M . then closed the P . G . Lodge in due form ,

after which the brethren adjourned to the Castle Hotel , where a splendid banquet was provided , with all the good things in season , and the tables were arranged in a very tasteful and superior manner , the attention paid by the W . M . and brethren of the Royal Sussex Lodge to their friends , and their evident desire to make all welcome were

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Somersetshire.

beyond praise . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed and duly honoured , and the brethren spent a most enjoyable evening .

The Fire At St. John's

THE FIRE AT ST . JOHN'S

[ Wc are requested to publish the following . ] Freemasons' HaU , Molesworth-street , 6 th November , 1877 . Dear Sir and Brother , I beg leave , respectfully and earnestly , to solicit the liberal subscription of your lodge to the fund for the

relief of our Masonic brethren in St . John , New Brunswick , who arc suffering from the effects of the late calamitous fire in that city , on the 20 th day of June last . The majority of the inhabitants were rendered homeless , very few of them saving even a portion of their personal or household effects . Some of them saved nothing but the clothes on their backs . In a letter I had recently from the

Grand Secretary , he states— " My heart bleeds for those yvho are reduced to utter want and destitution . No person unless one here on the spot to see and witness for himself , can form the faintest idea of the terrible havoc made on our city and its inhabitants . A General Masonic Board of Relief was immediately organized in St . John , in order to aid and shelter our suffering brethren . This board extends

its helping hand to the sufferers of all degrees of Masonry , and insures a regular and systematic mode of dispensing thc funds placed at its disposal . The Board is composed of the City Members of the Board of General Purposes of Grand Lodge , and the presiding officers of the Masonic bodies of all grades . Thc Grand Lodge of New Brunswick has appealed to us for help in

this hour of need . The call is loud , and the want is great , particularly as the winter is fast approaching with its rigorous severity . I shall thankfully receive , acknowledge , and forward all contributions from your lodge , and from each member of thc lodge who may be disposed to

subscribe to so truly a deserving cause , and thus discharge a high and bounden Masonic duty . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , WILLIAM THOMAS WILKINSON , Representative of the Grand Lodge of New Brunsyvick . To the Worshipful Master of Lodge , No

Subscriptions already received : — Grand Lodge of Ireland J (? IOO o o Bro . William Thomas Wilkinson , Representative of the Grand Lodge of New Brunsyvick ... ... ... ... ... Joo Bro . Edyvard H . Kinahan , J . P .,

Representative of the Grand Lodge of Virginia ... 500 ist Volunteers , 680 ... ... ... ... 440 Bro . James H . Neilson , P . M ., 620 220 Lodge No . 666 ... ... ... ... 300 Bro . James C . Meredith , LL . D ., P . M . 357 ... 100 Bro . James Frederick , P . M . 666 ... ... 050

A Masonic Funeral In America.

A MASONIC FUNERAL IN AMERICA .

Sunday , October 14 , will long be remembered by thc Masonic fraternity of Brooklyn . There were no fewer than four funerals of deceased Masons , Cassia Lodge , No , 445 , having charge of two of them—Bros . J . Firman Briest , Park-avenue , and William Marler , Clymer-street . Both the deceased brothers were old and distinguished members

of the Order , and the unusually large turnout of the "brethren of the mystic tie" and other local organisations proved hoyv wide-felt was the sorroyv at their decease . Cassia Lodge formed at an early hour in their lodge-room , and , under the superintendence of their popular and zealous W . M ., Horace C . Sawtelle , lately Deputy G . M . of Second District , marched in procession to the late residence of Bro .

Briest . There the beautiful and impressive services peculiar to the Order were conducted by Bro . Sawtelle , Bro . Fletcher ( Chaplain of Cassia Lodge ) assisting at the prayers During the service , the W . M . introduced some new features into the proceedings not found in the ritual , yvhich were much commented on and admired both by the uninitiated and the Masonic brethren present . The funeral corte ' ge

then proceeded to Clymer-street , where similar services were held over the remains of Bro . Marler , and the two funerals wended their way to Cypress Hills Cemetery , followed by the largest concourse of sorrowing friends ever seen in the Eastern District . Cassia Lodge , in regalia , led the procession , folloyved by Yew-Tree and other local lodges , and were joined by a number of prominent Masons from New

York and New Jersey . The Eckford Social Club , numbering over a hundred , had a fine appearance , the members being all dressed in black and wearing mourning badges on their breasts . Typographical Union , No . 6 , of New York was also well represented in the procession . On arriving at thc cemetery , the brethren ranged themselves in lines three and four deep around the open grave

of Bro . Marler , W . M . Sawtelle conducting the burial service . This finished , the brethren repaired to the grave of Bro . Briest , iu the Masonic Cemetery , where the same sad rites yvere repeated , the Master again officiating for the fourth time . Bro . S . ivvlelle ' s extempore oration , after the ritual service , was a masterpiece of diction , and delivered yvith much feeling and effect . At its close there was not a dry eye in the vast assemblage . When the Master

deposited in the grave the lambskin apron—emblem of innocence and purity , and ajsprig of evergreen , the brethren folloyved , each one , as he dropped the acacia into the grave , repeating the words ; " Alas I my brother . " This part of the service was sadly and solemnly effective . Then folloyved the singing by the brethren ofthe "Funeral Hymn , " and the Benediction by the Chaplain , the proceedings lasting till after six o ' clock . —New York Dispatch .