Consecration Of The Maid A Vale Lodge, No. 2743.

initiated in the King Harold Lodge and was afterwards Master of the James Terry Lodge . That was a sign that Bro . Trask would be a good W . M . and that the founders had a treat in store . Having such Grand Officers present was an incentive to the W . M . to do his best for the Maida Vale Lodge in the coming year . They would taste his quality at the next meeting when there would be five initiates . He would ask the brethren to give the toast a hearty reception and wish the W . M . a prosperous year .

Bro . TRASK , P . P . G . S . of W . Herts , W . M ., in his reply , said : I am very thankful to the acting I . P . M . for the kind manner in which he has proposed my health , and to you , brethren , for your hearty reception . Let me thank all the brethren of the Maida Vale Lodge for the honour done me , the greatest honour ever conferred upon me in my life , and for their confidence in placing me in the chair as your first Worshipful Master . I

forget whether I told the I . P . M . I would do my best , having a bad memory sometimes , but I will take it for granted and repeat it . I will do my best for the prosperity and interest of the M dda Vale Lodge . As Bro . Stephens said just now , we cannot be too particular whom we bring into our lodge , but if we bring good and honest men into it it is impossible for the lodge to go wrong . As long as we do what is right and just this lodge cannot fail to

be prosperous . I thank you again for the honour conferred upon me , and I hope we shall all live for many years , and be of the same mind as we are to-night . On behalf the 43 visitors present the following brethren responded for " The Visitors " toast : Bros . Rudderforth , W . M . desig .-2742 ; Campbell , W . M . 26 9 S ; Dr . Griffin , 2312 ; and others .

Other toasts were honoured , praise being given to the energetic Secretary , Bro . Goldstein , for his services , and to Bro . Parsons , P . M ., for his assistance , and the evening closed with the T yler ' s toast . Under the direction of Bro . Etherington Smith the Lyric Vocal Quartette performed a selection of music .

The gifts to the lodge included a handsome set of chairs and candelabra from Bro . Frank Crocker , set of working tools from several brethren , and a silver inkstand from Bro . Parsons , Treas . The founder ' s jewel , which was of chaste design , included the arms of St . Marylebone and Paddington , as Maida Vale divides those two districts .

Bro . Henry Trask , who , as described in the foregoing rtpoit , has just been installed as the first W . Master of this new Lodge , No . 2743 , was initiated in the King Harold Lod ^ e , No . 1327 , Wal . him Cross , in 18 S 6 , was one of the founders and is a Past Master of the James Terry Lodge , No . 2372 , Waltham Cross , and is Past Prov . G . Supt . of Works

Hertfordshire . He occupies the chair of Second Principal H . in the James Terry Chapter , No . 2372 , and has done his part towards assisting our Charitable Institutions , having twice served as Steward and qualified as Life-Governor of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and become Life Subscriber of our two Scholastic Institutions .

Annual Supper Of The Earl Of Lathom Lodge Of Instruction, No. 1922.

ANNUAL SUPPER OF THE EARL OF LATHOM LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 1922 .

The annual supper of this highly successful lodge of instruction was held at the Station Hotel , Camberwell New-road , on the Sth inst ., under the able presidency of Bro . Hy . Cornford , W . M . 1932 , ably supported by Bros . E . D . Side , W . M . 1658 , Vice-President ; Buckeridge , P . M ., Dep . Preceptor ; Ware , Asst . Sec ; Gibbs , Cohen , P . M . ; Brown , Taylor , J . Hooper , P . M . ; H . Erridge , L .

S . Shipton , Wm . Hill , Treas . ; Messent , Trotter , G . White , P . M . ; Willcox , P . M . ; Wedge , Everill , Rudd , Strevens , West , Chadderton , Morris , T . R . Cass , P . M . ; Heath , Tempest , Sisman , Greenwood , J . Perrin , McGregor , Vernon , Riches , W . H . Harper , P . M . ; W . j . H . Faull , T . Hobley , W . M . 1320 ; Ber nard Cohen , W . E . Groom , E . A . Costello , F . M . Nilen , J . Gibbs , and C . H Stone , P . M . 507 , S . W . 1641 .

A capital supper supplied by the worthy host , Bro , Sisman , was much appreciated , and personally superintended by him , for which he received hearty thanks ,

The cloth removed , the W . M . presented the loyal and Masonic toasts in capital style , which were loyally responded to . Bro . H . BUCKERIDGE , P . M . 1658 , next proposed " The Health of the President , Bro . Hy . Cornford , W . M . of the mother lodge , " who was a most ardent and hard working Mason . Through his indefatigability , the lodge of instruction had greatly increased , of which he was the worthy Secretary , and Bro . E . J . S . Ware

the very able assistant . During the five years he had been Secretary the numbers had increased from six to about 16 average per week , which was most encouraging . Particular service had also been rendered to the lodge by Bro < . Andrews , P . M ., late Preceptor , and Plant P . M ., Preceptor . The President had devoted much time and energy in arranging the social evening which was a meaas of bringing together many old friends , and under his able guidance he ( Bro . Buckeridge ) was

confident the company would have a most enjoyable evening . In reply , Bro . H . CORNTOKD , W . M ., thanked the Dep . Preceptor , Bro , Buckeridge , for such kind references to himself , and also for the hearty reception given by the brethren . It was the custom that the W . M . of the mother lodge always took the chair on such occasions , hence the double honour to himself , viz ., President of the evening , and the W . M . of the Earl of Lathom Lodge

Nothing gave him greater pleasure than to advance the cause of the lodge of instruction , which was one of the best in South London ; his whole heart and soul were in it , and under the able Preceptor , Dep . Preceptor , and Asst . Secretary there was no lodge that could beat it . There were some excellent Section workers m the lodge , and that , with its financial position , made it such that very few lodges could boast of the same in South London . He could not refrain from speaking

of the hearty support accorded the lodge of instruction by the brethren of the Skelmersdale Lodge , of which Bro . Side was the W . M ., and whose working was admirable . He gave the following few statistics : The average for the year was 'S ; the Section night , the night of the season , there were 56 present . The most congratulatory was the Benevolent Institution , which had paid over during the last two years , £ 209 ; and the W . M . took the opportunity of thanking the brethren for enibline him to take uo to the Centenarv Festival of the Bovs the

munificent sum of . £ 150 . The second association was started , in which were 30 members , and was making most steady progress . He recommended such associations to every Mason , which ought to be the ambition of everyone in supporting them to their utmost . There was also a Charity box and Charity fund connected with the iodge , the former with the sum ol £ 3 Si ., and the latter A 3 l 8 s ., which was highly creditable . He most heartily thanked the brethren for their ki . id attendance and cordial support , and hoped those who were not alread y members would enrol themselves as soon as possible .

Annual Supper Of The Earl Of Lathom Lodge Of Instruction, No. 1922.

Bro . H . CORNFORD , W . M ., next presented the toast of " Bro . C . L . Plant , P . M ., Preceptor , " who was absent through , serious illness , brought on by an accident , and resulting in a complication of diseases . It was their earnest desire that he would speedily be restored to continue the excellent work in the lodge of instruction . He was most ably supported by Bro . Buckeridge , P . M ., Dep . Preceptor , who ' was always ready and willing to do his utmost for their welfare . During the illness of the worthy Preceptor all would hope for his kind assistance in the lodge .

Bro . BUCKERIDGE , in reply , said that the illness of Bro . Plant , Preceptor , caused a gloom and dampened their spirits , but all expressed their deep sympathy , hoped for the best , and earnestly desired his recovery . He was a most able worker , being Preceptor of three or four lodges of instruction , and carried out the ritual in a very perfect manner . On behalf of himself he heartily thanked them for their very kind expressions , and promised his best service to the lodge of instruction .

The PRESIDENT next gave the toast of " The Visitors" in a very cordial manner , which was duly responded to by Bros . GREENWOOD , NILEN , VERNOR , GIBBS , and EVERIDL . The toast of " The Officers " having been given , was ably replied to by Bros , WM . HILL , Treas ., and E . A . WARE , S . W . 192 , Asst . Sec . A capital programme of music was arranged , and the following brethren gave great pleasure : Bros . L . S . Shipton , T . Hobley , G . A . Costello , C . H . Stone , F . Everill , and Cohen , as reciters . Bro . W . H . Harper , P . M . 2182 , ably accom « panied .

The Oldest Living Freemason.

THE OLDEST LIVING FREEMASON .

The Sunday Magazine , of New York , for last month , contains a brief account of Bro . William Earl Cooke , of Portsmouth , R . I ., who , on the 26 th January , completed his 102 nd year . It is Bro . Cooke ' s boast that he is the oldest living Freemason , having been initiated in the St . Alban ' s Lodge , of Bristol , U . S . A ., as far back as the year 1 S 19 . He has thus been a member of our Order for rather

more than 80 years , which we consider is , or , at all events , is not very far removed from being a record membership . It has , we are told , never been disputed in the United States , while , as regards the United Kingdom , one of the neares t approaches in this respect to Bro . Cooke is Bro . the Rev . Sir John Warren Hayes , Bart ., who was initiated in the Apollo University Lodge , No . 357 , Oxford in 1819 the same year as Bro . Cooke—but died in 1896 , after a membership of only 77 years .

Some time after his initiation , Bro . Cooke , it seems , was instrumental in founding Eureka Lodge in his own native town of Portsmouth aforesaid , and held several offices of importance . In private life he was a blacksmith , having been apprenticed in early life to that trade , and , with the exception of two yea . es spent in Cuba , where he had the mangement of a coffee plantation he adopted it ns his calling the whole of his career . On returning thence to Portsmouth ,

he went into business for himself , and followed his trade until he was 92 years ot" age , of which 75 were passed in his smithy . He married early , but his wife died in 18 90 , after they had been man and wife for 70 years . Bro . Cooke , who , to judge from the portrait in the Sunday Magasine , looks hale and hearty for a centenarian , has eight grandchildren , 19 great-grandchildren , and two great-great-grandchildren , and it is not unusual for him to have under his roof at one and the same time five generations of his family .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE .

Antigua Chapter , Rose Croix , No . 84 . The installation meeting of this chapter was held at the Masonic Hall , Nevis-street , St . John's , Antigua , W . I ., on Wednesday evening , the Sth ult . The brethren present were Bros . R . H . Kortright Dyett , M . W . S . j Chas . Griffin , Prelate ; Hon . Geo . Melville , C . M . G ., 1 st Gen . ( M . W . S . elect ); George E . Pierez , M . D ., 2 nd Gen . ; J . T . TUbou , Treas . and Recorder ; Robert Bell , Marshal ; the Rev . C . H . Branch , B . A ., P . M . W . S ., Raphael ; Hon . A . W . H . a Court , 30 , P . M . W . S ., D . of C . ; R . Warneford P . M . W . S ., Cape , of the Guard ; and S . L . Athill . Visitors : Bros . J . R . Kelsick and S . L . Sedgwick .

The chapter having been opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed . Bro . R . Warneford presented the M . W . S . elect , Bro . the Hon . George Melville , C . M . G ., Colonial Secretary of the Leeward Islands , who was , with the customary ceremonies of the Order , duly installed as M . W . S . by Bro . R . H . Kortright Dyett . The newly-installed M . W . S . made the following appointments : Bros . Charles Giifrin , Prelate ; Geo . E . Pierez , M . D ., 1 st Gen . ; R . Bell , 2 nd Gen . ; J . T . Thibou ,

Kicorder ; the Rev . C . H . Branch , B . A ., Marshal ; R . Warneford , Raphael ; the Um . A . W . H . a Court , 30 " , D . of C . ) E . F . K . Farrinetoh , HeralS ; and R . H . K . Dvett , I . P . M . W . S ., Capt . of the Guard . Bro . R . Warneford was also appointed Organist . Bro . R . H . K . Dyett was unanimously elected Treasurer . The Audit Comn ittce ' s Report , which showed a satisfactory state of the finances , was read and adopted . A communication from the Supreme Council 33 , relative to the death of the late Rt . Hun . the Earl of Lathom , 33 , M . P . Sov . G . Com ., was received with much regret , and

01 den d to be entered on the minutes . The annual statement of the affairs of the A . and A . Rite for 1 S 9 S was also read . A letter from HI . Bro . W . F . Portlock-Dadsoh , Grand Sec .-G"n ., acknowledging the receipt of a small donation from the chapter to tre fur . ds of " Our Brother's Bed , " was read ; and Bro . Dyett announced that he had opened a subscription list on behalf of this truly Masonic Charity , and was prepared to rrceive and remit to Bro . Dadson the contributions of brethren in Antigua . This announcement was received with pleasure , and all present signified their intention to subscribe .

Nothing further occurring , the chapter was closed , and the brethren proceeded to the dining hall , where supper was served under the able superintendence of Mr . Frederick Lewis , who was , as usual , quite up to his reputation as a caterer . On the removal of the cloth , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts of " The Queen and the Supreme Council 33 V " The M . W . Grand Master of English FreemTsons , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " and "The United Grand Lodge of England , " were proposed by the M . W . S . and duly honoured .

"The M . W . S . " was proposed by Bro . R . H . K . Dyett , I . P . M . W . S . In the course of a brief speech he mentioned that the chapter had been founded , and from time to time ruled by distinguished members of her Majesty ' s Civil Service , and he was sure that the new M . W . S ., who could also boastof being an initiate and Past Master of one of the oldest lodges in the world ( Cannongate Kilwinning , No . 2 , S . C . ) , would not be considered least of the brilliant number . He said that last year when Bro . Melville .

although his official superior , had condescended to servj under him as 1 st General , he had considered himself highly honoured , and now again he was sensible of having had the further honour of installing him as his successor , the performance of which ceremony he had indeed entered upon with the most unfeigned pleasure . In conclusion , he wished his honourable brother a happy and prosperous year of office , and assured him of his earnest and hearty co-operation . The toast was received with acclamation . Bro . Melville , in responding , thanked the brethren for the hsirty w » y in which they had rcc i / ed the toast , and also for the high honour which th ; y had conferred on hirq