Consecration Of The Eccleston Chapter No. 1624.

leaching consists in this , that it represents "Speculative Masonry , " b y means of which we apply to our morals the working tools of the skilful ; irtist . The strength represents Operative Masonry , by which an edifice is erected to the glory of Jehovah ( like your Chapter to-day ) , offering blessings , I trust , to Ihe Companions now and hereafter , till time shall be no more , while beauty is ihe personification of both limited ; a life-giving power ,

modelled into a form upon which the eye of the mind can dwell with p leasure , and which constitutes a subject for the consideration of every one who would understand the great principles of the Science into which he has been initiated . I will now , Companions , as suitable to this day's work , and for your edification , make a brief sketch of thc characters and deeds of the three ancient worthies lhat three of you will in

future represent in )* our Chapter , viz ., Zerubbabel , Haggai , and Joshua . Zerubbabel , we are lold , after many difficulties and dangers returned to Jerusalem , having during his captivity preserved thc mysteries of our Order ; he then immediately erected a temporary tabernacle , and called a Council , presided over by himself , Haggai , and Joshua , when they determined to rebuild the Temple on the foundation of the structure of King Solomon .

Thc lirst step was to remove the rubbish of the old Temple , when ihe important discovery was made , by three sojourners , from which originated our Order of the Holy Arch . That discovery and ils sacred import you all know . It was Zerubbabel , who , when asked by King " Darius whether the power of wine , women , or the King was greatest , made thc memorable reply , that the powers of wine , women ,

and the King might be great , but that thc power of TRUTH bore the victory above all these ; teaching you and I that one of the great Princip les of our Order is potent above everything . May it flourish in its brightness in your Chapter , and may the example of Zerubbabel guide the members into all Truth ! Let us next lake Haggai . After the return from Babylon , he zealously encouraged thc brethren to rebuild the Temple , and in his ardour

for the cause , remonstated with them for letting it lie in ruins , whilst tlieir own houses were well cared for . He told them that their neglect of God's house and God ' s honour , had provoked him to punish them . Copy him , Companions , in your new edifice , and never allow the name of Jehovah to be lightly spoken , but let His honour be preserved among you , both by word and deed . We now come to Joshua , that great High Priest who

superintended the reconstruction of the Temple , and who is represented by ihe third Principal in our Chapters . His zeal , his energy , his ability to withstand the assaults of Satan is also a bright example , to all assisting to construct this Masonic edifice , for you will find all these virtues called forth as years go on if you would make your work to-day worthy of the builders , a work lo be looked upon by the outer worltl with respect and veneration .

And now , Companions , a word of advice from an old Mason—as to steering the vessel you launch to-day safely on its future voyage . Remember what the solemn doctrines of freemasonry teach you , think upon thc high morality il inculcates , and be especially careful in thc choice of ) our " shipmates , for all is lost if the barque is not manned by brethren good and true ; chose those only who come recommended by some well-known brother

foi their amiable qualities , for their moral worth , and from then * desire to make their lives beneficial to their brethren . And , for yourselves , bear iu mind that you have one day to give an account to Jehovah . Remember , too , the wants of others ; help the weak , and even deny yourselves to comfort those that are in sorrow ; above all , use every effort to support the three noble Charities of the Order—thc Bovs' School , the Girls' School , and thc

Royal Benevolent Institution for the Aged ; ' * so shall you have a good reward in thc day of necessity . " In conclusion , Companions , receive my hearty good wishes . May your work prosper ! To which end never forget llic glorious light into whicii we have been initiated . Study thc Sacred Law , regulate your lives by God ' s precepts , fulfil the three great moral duties you owe to God , to your neighbour , and yourselves ; to God by reverencing I lis name , to your neighbour by acting on thc Square , and to

yourselves b y using God s gift , and not abusing them . So shall you journey on in brotherly unity , with one faith and one hope , and after life ' s few years are o ' er , meet in the Grand Lodge above , your spirits clothed with immortality ! The ceremony was then completed , Comp . Frank Richardson , P . G . A . S . fulfilling the duties of Master of the Ceremonies , the musical portion of thc

proceedings being conducted by Comp . J . I . Cantle , who had the assistance of Comps . Seymour-Smith and Arthur Thomas . Comp . William Vincent , P . M . 1624 , the M . E . Z . designate , was then installed by Col . Shadwell 11 . Clerke , who also placed Comp . 11 . J . Johnson , P . M . 171 ) 1 into the chair of H ., and Comp . John G . Fisher \ V . M . 1 G 24 into lhat of J . Thc investiture of Officers was then proceeded with . The Treas . and Scribes

Ii . and N . were balloted for , Comps . I . Isaacs , A . W . Beckham and N . . !• Wyer being respectively appointed . Comp . J . C . Tayler was likewise elected , and invested as Principal Soj . and Comp . Church was chosen as Janitor . The M . li . Z . was very happy in thc selection of words wilh which tic addressed his Ofliccrs , and in speaking to Bro . Beckham made graceful allusion to the eminent services hc had rendered the Ecclcston Lodge in his capacity of Sec , expressing the fervent belief that Comp . Beckham would

exhibit as much zeal in thc fulfilment of his new duties as had characterised him in the past . Comp . Henry Bond was appointed First Assistant Sojourner , and then , on proposition made and duly seconded , Comps . Shadwell Clerke , Captain Philips , Rev . Ambrose Hall , and Frank Richardson , were clecled Hon . Members of the Chapter . This compliment liaving been suitably acknowledged by Grand S . E ., and n heavy list of propositions for candidates for joining and exaltation read over , " hearty good wishes " werc tendered , and Chapter was closed .

I he companions afterwards sat down to a capital repast , and Grace after meat liaving been sung by ihe musical party wc have already named , who were now supplemented by the talented Miss Grace Godolphin , the M . li . Z . in giving the loyal toast , " The Queen and Royal Arch Masonry , " said : But little was needed to commend this toast . He must , however .

refer to the thankfulness which must prevadc the breasts of all at thc failure of the dastardly attempt recently made upon the life of Her Majesty . Ihe toast was most enthusiastically received . Similar enthusiasm followed ihe M . E . Z . ' s remarks in proposing " The Health of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , AI . E . G . Z . "

Ihe next toasl was " The Right I Ion . the Earl of Carnarvon , M . E . Pro ' - ; ¦ / -., the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , G . IL , the Right Hon . Lord de ,-abley , G . J ., and thc rest of the Grand Officers Present and Past , " and with 't was associated the name of Comp . Col . Poller , M . E . Grand Sunt ., Northumberland .

Comp . POTTER , in acknowledging the honour of having his name j 'ssociated with the distinguished companions named in the toast , remarked the M . E . Z . had placed him in a somewhat awkward predicament . He was

Consecration Of The Eccleston Chapter No. 1624.

one of the youngest ofliccrs , and living so far north as he did hc had not the opportunity of attending Grand Chapter as frequently as he could desire . He assured the Most Excellent he felt it a great privilege in having been present at the interesting ceremony of the day . He would carry back to Northumberland the experiences he had acquired . He thanked the companions for thc heartiness wilh whicii they had received him .

COL . CLERKE said hc had the privilege of being called upon to propose the next toast , "The Health of the M . E . Z . " He had never had thc pleasure of seeing Comp . Vincent in a Craft Lodge , but he mi ght tell him he had been highly privileged in going through the three chairs as he had done that night . He ( Comp . Clerke ) had been engaged for about three quarters of an hour in instructing him in the various duties he was now called upon to fulfil , and hc trusted he might benefit by these efforts , and that under thc rule of Comp . William Vincent the Eccleston Chapter might flourish .

Comp . VINCENT , on rising to reply , thanked Comp . Clerke for so kindl y bringing him under thc notice of the companions . It really seemed a wonder to him how il was he came to be selected for the post of First Principal in the Ecclcston Chapter . With respect lo the zeal displayed by the Grand Scribe li ., in endeavouring to make him master of what it was necessary he should acquire to properl y fulfil his duties , he could assure

Comp . Clerke that though he could hardl y be expected lo remember all that had been told him that afternoon , between this nnd their next meeting he would lake care anything that required explanation should be perfected . As in the lodge , so in the chapter , he would strive earnestly to fulfil his duties , and he trusted he mi ght merit thc approval of his companions . Before sitting down he would propose the toast of " The Consecrating Ollicer and those companions who had assisted him so ably . " In his degree as a

Consecrating Officer , Comp . Clerke had but few equals , certainly no superior . All regretted the absence of Comp . Capt . Philips , and especiall y thc cause that necessitated his leaving them al so early a period of the evening . Comp . Vincent then referred to thc ability displayed by the Rev . Comp . Hall , while Comp . Richardson had rendered most material assistance in the conduct of the day ' s proceedings . He called on one aud all to do full honour to the loast .

Comp . SHADWELL IT . CLERKE was the first to reply , and each of the others addressed a few words . The other toasts comprised "The Health of the Visitors , " acknowledged by Comp . COTTEBRUXE ; "The II . and | ., " "The Principal Sojourner , and rest of the Officers . " To each suitable replies were made , and the Janitor gave thc parting toast .

Thc proceedings throughout thc day were admirably arranged ; not a hitch occurred . The appointments of the chapter were of the most clegan description , and we feci we cannot go far wrong if wc prognosticate as great a success for this new chapter as has attended the Ecclcston Lodge .

Our Great Educational Institutions.

OUR GREAT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS .

11 . —THK BOYS' SCHOOL . Our Boys' School is a very remarkable Institution indeed , and is yearly advancing in utility and efficiency as an educational establishment . It is sometimes hastil y alleged , and we think without much thought or fairness , that as the Boys' School has denuded itself of a large amount of capitalized property to build the handsome structure which adorns Wood

Green , it constitutes a severe tax upon its frienJs to expect them to find such capital twice over . But we venture to think strongly that such a line of argument is neither fair nor sound . It was perfectly obvious to all friends of education years ago that the old Boys' School buildings werc totally unfitted to the purposes and work of education . When then a new schcol was built , thc Managing Committee were bound , or thev would have

been greatly blamed for such laches otherwise on their part , to adopt thc most modern improvements in educational and sanitary arrangements , which , unfortunately , arc necessarily costly , and entail large expenditure . And thc School was no doubt successfull y erected at the sacrifice of all the funded capital of the Institution , and is a most striking building externally , and internally admirably adapted for school purposes . Vet it is a fact ,

nevertheless , that the Boys' School has a larger amount of capital invested now , viz ., £ 15 , 000 , than when it sold out its capital of £ 13 , 1101 ) to defray , in part , the expenses of the new buildings . So that everything is reall y in its lavour , whether as regards extraordinary expenses or replacenieni of capital . This fact constitutes an additional and pressing claim on its friends and supporters to maintain ils present status , and devclope its valuable resources . The School is now conducted with much zeal and intelligence bv its

very able Head Master , Dr . Morris , and his staff , and is zealously watched over by the Managing Committee and the officials of the Boys * School . Nothing is wanting to give impetus and yet stability to the School , and it bids fair to stand very high among the educational institutions ofthe country . It may fairl y be called our " Masonic Public School , " and wc strongly believe lhat it has a great future before it of utility , reality , and successful results .

1 here arc now 215 boys receiving the inestimable benefits of a home and a good education . The returns for thc Boys' School for 1 S 81 amount to £ 14 , 23 * - 5 s . ; d ., which is made up as follows : Annual private doners , £ 141445 . 7 d . ; annual lodges and chapters , £ 557 8 s . 3 d .: permanent private donors . S . bSnz 7 s .

permanent lodges and chapters , £ 341 . 3 13 s . Thus the subscriptions and donations annually amount to £ 12 , 040 us . lod . Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter give £ 1 ( 111 ins . ; dividends £ 510 , and with some small items and last year ' s balance , 12 ( 13 os . Sd ., make up the whole amount of £ 14 , 235 5 s . 71 ] .

Ihe expenditure is divided into ordinary and cxtraodinary , or rather special , the former being £ 9304 6 s . yd ., the extraordinary £ 43 . 7 us . 4 d . llic ordinary expenditure is composed of the following items : Office , £ 1171 iSs . 41 I . ; school salaries and wages , £ - ' 014 -js . yd . ; provisions , 6313 " l- 'f * 7 th ; clothing , 1423 is . 2 d . ; boys out of the Institution £ 77 ios ;

, . , . household requisites , £ 3 $ , } 17 s . 4 d . ; infirmary , £ 1117 is . ind . ; rates and taxes , £ 42 i . ss . 2 d . and £ 219 JS . ; fuel , 265 is . 3 d . ; water and gas , 6 , 2 bi 3 s . ud . ; school stationery , £ 1230 - . vs . ; making up with other small items , £ 1 / 13 4 s . 7 cl , in all for ordinary expenditure . £ 0304 6 s . oil .

In the extraordinary expenditure we find Institution , repairs , £ IOIJS 5 s . 1 id , ; a special grant to thc Secretary , in lieu of the old payment of commission—a very satisfactory arrangement— £ 247 16 s . yd ., and on thc completion of the twentieth year of his secretariat £ 2110 ; Cambridge Local Examination , £ 55 13 s . 6 d . c- , Th ° ,, ' ? , ?• " sfer l 0 llle Sustentation Fund of £ 750 , to the Preparatory School Building I-und of £ 200 - the purchase of £ 1000 Metropolitan Stock